China sees 124-percent surge in direct trans-provincial medical bill settlements in H1

Xinhua) 09:13, August 03, 2024

This photo taken on Feb. 22, 2023 shows pharmacist Zhang Haiou (L) helping a customer on medicine consultation and medication instruction at Baita Temple pharmacy in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China reported 108 million cases of direct trans-provincial settlement of medical bills in the first half (H1) of 2024, a surge of 124.7 percent compared with the same period last year, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA).

Direct trans-provincial settlement refers to the on-site reimbursement of medical costs incurred from cross-regional medical visits within the coverage of China's basic medical insurance system.

Before the policy was implemented across the country in 2017, patients had to return to the region where their medical insurance was registered to receive any reimbursements. Earlier before, medical insurance reimbursement was once limited to treatment at designated hospitals in a patient's assigned region.

Cross-regional medical visits, especially patient transfers to higher-tier hospitals, are common in China, where over 95 percent of the population is covered by basic medical insurance.

The direct trans-provincial medical bill settlement now covers both outpatient and inpatient visits, making public access to medical care much more convenient.

The NHSA said that as of the end of June 2024, the number of designated medical institutions covered by the trans-provincial settlement policy had increased by 11.45 percent from the end of 2023 to 613,400, including 396,100 pharmacies.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Kiana Ki Bryels of West Oakland kisses a rose as a crowd gathers at Fruitvale Village in Oakland in memory of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black mother of two who was killed by Illinois deputies responding to her call about a possible intruder near her home. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A memorial at Fruitvale Village in Oakland pays tribute to Sonya Massey, a mother of two who was killed by Illinois deputies. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Shonette Steiger burns a sage stick during a vigil at Fruitvale Village in Oakland in memory of Sonya Massey. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Jadyn Polk speaks during the vigil for Sonya Massey at Fruitvale Village in Oakland. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A crowd gathers at Fruitvale Village in Oakland to memorialize Sonya Massey, whose death has sparked vigils nationwide. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

A crowd gathered Friday afternoon at Fruitvale Village in Oakland with a message that has reverberated across the nation in recent weeks: Sonya Massey should still be alive.

The vigil memorialized Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot on July 6 in her home in Woodside Township, Ill., by a white sheriffs deputy responding to her call about a possible prowler. Participants in the Oakland event brought flowers, signs and candles to honor Massey, a mother of two suffering from a mental health crisis in her home in the metro area around the Illinois capital, Springfield.

Activist Daisha Williams speaks at the Oakland vigil, which she organized to share community, share our grief and share our love because thats really powerful. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

When I first heard about Sonya, one of my first thoughts was that could have been my mom, and that was someones mom, said Daisha Williams of Oakland, who organized the vigil. I think its only right for me to give Sonya the energy, the love, the respect that I would give if it was someone blood related to me because I feel like as Black people, were all family. So I must treat her as such.

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Body-cam footage posted online shows Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Grayson and another deputy questioning Massey in her home before requesting she check on her stove. Massey picks up a pot of water as the deputies, in Graysons words, move away from your hot steaming water.

Grayson orders her to drop the pot of water, to which Massey replies, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. Grayson, agitated, then draws his gun on Massey, the footage shows, after which Massey falls to the floor and the deputies fire more shots, killing her.

Nairobi Williese Barnes, Oaklands 2023 Youth Poet Laureate, reads a poem at the vigil for Sonya Massey, so that she knows that we are here and saying her name and giving her her respect. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Im here today to not only represent the voices of the youth, but to also give my respects to Sonya Massey and her family, to properly lay her to rest, said Nairobi Williese Barnes, Oaklands 2023 Youth Poet Laureate. The way she died was so violent and so hateful that I feel like we need vigils like this to showcase our love for her, so that she knows that we are here and saying her name and giving her her respect.

Grayson, 30, who has been fired from the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office, has been charged with murder. He had been kicked out of the Army in 2016 for the first of two drunken driving convictions and had bounced around among six law enforcement agencies in four years.

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Masseys death has sparked nationwide memorials and stirred memories of the 2020 police killings of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., and George Floyd in Minneapolis. Vigils throughout the Bay Area and across the nation have demanded justice for Massey.

The day before Massey called 911, her mother, Donna Massey, had requested authorities check on her because of her mental state, pleading with them not to send combative policemen that are prejudiced, according to calls released by the sheriffs office.

As a person who has been diagnosed with autism and generalized anxiety, Barnes said she understands someone in a mental health crisis wanting to call police but being afraid of them. She recommends first trying to call mental health services or family members instead.

I just feel like we need to submerge ourselves with new ways of reform, she said. I think it is important that we understand the mental health resources of our state and that our government offers outside of police, because when we involve ourselves with mental health services, then you are covered for life.

Fridays Oakland vigil, which attracted about two dozen people, reinforced the need for community after a tragedy.

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The last remaining steam engine of the Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway was brought from the lumber mill town of Scotia to the Bay Area for restoration. Carl Nolte/The Chronicle Fred Runner, the president of Friends of No. 9, sits in the cab of the refurbished steam locomotive that once chugged up Mount Tamalpais. Carl Nolte/The Chronicle

Sometimes, it takes a while for a great notion to come to life. For years, admirers of the late, great Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway dreamed of a way to acquire and restore old No. 9, the railroads last remaining steam locomotive, which had been rusting away in the small lumber mill town of Scotia in Humboldt County.

Six years ago, a group called Friends of No. 9 bought the engine at auction from the Scotia Community Services District for $56,240. They spent $32,000 moving it by flatbed truck to a ranch in Sonoma County where restoration could begin. The friends hoped to bring No. 9 to museum standards and then bring it back to Tamalpais country. Both ideas were harder than they seemed. As it turned out, the locomotive was so rusted and worn that it had to be taken apart and put back together, carefully and slowly.

The restoration project is going well. On a recent morning, a crane mounted on a truck lifted the locomotives 1,000 pound cab back on the engine  and for the first time in years, No. 9 looked almost brand new, polished and gleaming in new paint. It was like putting the cherry on top of the cake, said Fred Runner, the president of Friends of No. 9.

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Runner, an independent film sound technician, is a long admirer of the mountain railroad and has written a book about its life and times. No. 9, he says, is the last piece of a great story.

The railroad itself was the story. It began in 1896 when Marin County business people came up with the idea of building a railroad from downtown Mill Valley to the top of Mount Tamalpais, the beautiful peak 2,400 feet above the town. It was the dawn of the tourist industry in California, and they thought visitors would pay a pretty penny to see the famous view from the top of Tamalpais.

The line was just over 8 miles long and had 281 curves. The companys marketing department called it The crookedest railroad in the world, a name that stuck.

The railroad was a hit almost immediately thanks to nonstop advertising. It was described as the most scenic railroad in the world, and celebrities lined up to praise the trip. When Muir Woods became a national monument, the railroad built a branch line to serve it. John Muir himself rode the rails to see the forest that bore his name.

One of Thomas Edisons first movies was a film about the mountain train. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, rode the railroad and praised it to the skies. When steam engines pushed passenger cars up Tamalpais, riders could coast down in trains powered by gravity the longest roller coaster in the world.

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It was all world famous, the advertising said, and a trip not to be missed. In 1928, the railroad compared a trip to the top of Tamalpais to a flight on a plane.

No. 9 became part of the scene a bit earlier in 1921. The travel market was booming that year, and in a fit of Roaring Twenties optimism, the mountain railroad managers bought a brand new locomotive from the Heisler Locomotive Works for $16,000, or around $250,000 in todays money. No. 9 was the newest train, and a special geared arrangement made it the most powerful engine on the mountain.

But Tamalpais railroad ran into financial problems, and in 1924, the company had to sell No. 9 to raise cash.

Five years after selling No. 9, the mountain railroad itself collapsed, done in by a forest fire in 1929, the rise of private cars and changing times.

The rest of the railroad was torn up, and the equipment was scrapped, while the roadbed was turned into a hiking and bike trail. But No. 9 survived. It worked in logging operations in far Northern California, and then in 1953, it ended up in the hands of the Pacific Lumber Co. in Scotia. It was obsolete even then, so instead of scrapping No. 9, Pacific Lumber put it on display near its mill headquarters as an example of the old days.

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It sat out in the heat and rain for 62 years. It got a coat of paint once in a while, but that was it. In the meantime, the redwood lumber business collapsed, Pacific Lumber was swallowed up in a hostile takeover, the mill closed and the town of Scotia and No. 9 faded away, like a memory of the old times.

Old times had a powerful pull, and for a long time, the citizens of Scotia held on to No. 9. But in 2018, the towns governing body changed its mind. Out of the blue, Runner says. When admirers of the Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway heard of it, they formed a limited partnership, and then, a nonprofit bought the engine, had it trucked to Sonoma County and figured out what to do next.

It took a lot of time. It was tough finding people with the skills to organize a project like this and the mechanical know-how to fix 103-year-old machinery.

After some time, they enlisted two brothers, Jeff and Don Millerick, who built fishing boats and other vessels in a complex on a back road near Sebastopol. They are expert machinists and interested in railroads. They are careful and precise. I think they are one in a million, Runner said. I forget they are brothers. So make that two in a million.

So what makes people become friends of an old steam locomotive? We are passionists, said Rick Beach, who helps with organizing and fundraising. The Millerick brothers let the question slide: No. 9 is a complex machine from another time. They like the challenge.

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The story is not over. The engine needs some more work  a new headlight, a pilot, the device at the very front that old timers call the cowcatcher.

The last chapter is uncertain. No. 9 will never run again  its too difficult to legally operate a steam locomotive. The Friends of No. 9 want to put it on display. One idea was to park No. 9 in front of the Mill Valley City Hall. The towns City Council first agreed to the plan but then changed its mind. So thats out.

Another idea was to truck No. 9 to a site near the top of Tamalpais, but the state park system is unenthusiastic. A third idea is to display No. 9 at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Thats a possibility, a maybe. Were thrilled they are interested, Runner says.

Stay tuned.
However sickening Monday's attack in Southport was, and however outraged we are that a 17-year-old could allegedly butcher his way through a class of young girls dancing to Taylor Swift, there is no excuse for the violence and thuggery unleashed in response.

On Tuesday night in Southport, a mob threw bricks at a mosque  even though there has never been a shred of genuine evidence to suggest the perpetrator is a Muslim  and 53 police officers were injured in the fracas.

Then, on Wednesday night, the so-called 'Enough Is Enough' protests outside Downing Street resulted in 100 arrests amid calls to 'save our kids'.

Riot police, including those with dogs, were deployed in Hartlepool, County Durham, while separate demonstrations have taken place as far afield as Manchester and Aldershot, Hampshire. Further events are expected this weekend.

The right to protest is paramount in our democracy. But Britain feels on the cusp of serious disorder. Why do increasing numbers of people seem only too eager to take to the streets to make their views public?

17-year-old Axel Rudakubana attacked a class of young girls dancing to Taylor Swift in Southport on Monday

On Tuesday night in Southport, a mob threw bricks at a mosque - even though there has never been a shred of genuine evidence to suggest the perpetrator is a Muslim - and 53 police officers were injured in the fracas

Whatever Sir Keir Starmer might like to think, most are not necessarily 'far-Right': instead, many will have legitimate concerns about mass migration, the breakdown in law and order and what they see as 'two-tier' policing, whereby some protesters are treated more leniently by the authorities than others.

They want to protect their families, their communities and their nation. Millions probably agree with them, even if they would never attend a protest, still less take part in a riot.

Southport, after all, is only the most appalling recent example of violence carried out on our shores.

On Tuesday, masked young men slashed at each other with machetes on the seafront in Southend, Essex.

Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of people ran away screaming  while officers were filmed standing by, seemingly doing nothing to stop what could easily have descended into a bloodbath. In the end, eight people were arrested and several weapons were seized.

Also this week, in a park in genteel Ipswich, Suffolk, a man in his 20s was left with 'potentially life-changing' injuries after being stabbed, while a bus driver in his 50s was stabbed to death on his way home from work in north London.

These last two incidents raised barely a squeak in the national media, so inured have we become to violence that used to be so rare here. For as long as these attacks keep proliferating, many ordinary people will grow increasingly angry. Some will be willing to take the law into their own hands.

What, then, should the authorities be doing to stop the mob from spiralling out of control?

The answer is that they should be candid with the public about the facts of specific cases.

Southport is a case in point. In the immediate aftermath of the carnage, the police and Home Office were reluctant to release any concrete information about the killer, except hurriedly to assure the public that this was not a terrorist attack (how did they know so quickly?) and to stress that a 17-year-old male born in Cardiff had been arrested.

Floral tributes left at the scene of the attack where three children were murdered and others injured

It was not until much later that more information about this young man's family background belatedly emerged.

We learned his parents had moved to Britain from Rwanda, while only on Thursday was the alleged child murderer finally named  as Axel Rudakubana.

In the absence of genuine information about this massacre of the innocents, social media  whipped up by bad-faith actors both here and abroad  inevitably stepped in. Within hours, baseless rumours began circulating online that the culprit was an illegal Muslim immigrant from the Middle East  an Arabic-sounding name was bandied about  who had arrived in the UK on a small boat from France and was 'known to MI6'.

According to academic Marc Owen Jones, there were at least 27 million views of posts on X/Twitter 'stating or speculating that the attacker was Muslim, a migrant, refugee or foreigner'.

Elon Musk's social media giant has become a sewer of disinformation recently, even as Musk himself has repeatedly criticised the accuracy of the 'mainstream media'  which he has apparently suggested 'brainwashes' people.

Unhappily for him, an EU study last year found that more fake news was carried on the platform than on five comparable sites, including TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Twitter has proved a perfect platform for professional troublemakers, such as the misogynistic alleged pimp Andrew Tate and the rabble-rousing agitator known as 'Tommy Robinson', to weaponise public discontent.

Riot police, including those with dogs, were deployed in Hartlepool, County Durham, while separate demonstrations have taken place as far afield as Manchester and Aldershot, Hampshire

Southport, after all, is only the most appalling recent example of violence carried out on our shores, writes Dr Rakib Ehsan

Other accounts on the site spread openly racist 'memes', many with millions of views, and often without censure.

No surprise, then, that the Southport rioters attacked a mosque on Tuesday night. They might not have done so if they had understood that the suspected perpetrator reportedly came from a Christian family.

The second thing the authorities can do to win back ordinary people who are appalled at the direction Britain seems to be taking is to avoid any suspicion of a 'two-tier' approach to the law.

After the Southport attacks, the police cracked down hard on protesters there and in London, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper issued a statement bristling with rage and condemnation.

But when intimidating protests took place outside Rochdale police station in Lancashire as recently as last week, fuelled by social media footage of police action during arrests of young British men of Pakistani heritage at Manchester Airport, Labour ministers were swift to insist they understood the Muslim community's anger.

Senior police and BBC journalists appeared anxious to underplay the critical fact that the arrests came after a shocking brawl, in which several officers had been hospitalised  one a woman who suffered a broken nose.

A similar trend was seen two weeks ago in the Harehills area of Leeds in the ugly aftermath of social services removing children from a Roma family. Officers were pelted with missiles and saw one of their cars flipped over. A double-decker bus was set ablaze.

Yet police were filmed running away from the disorder.

To appear to treat some groups of protesters differently from others is a recipe for division and disaster. Playing favourites flouts the rule of law.

The third factor increasing public anger is, I would suggest, the behaviour of major news providers  especially the BBC, which has repeatedly disgraced itself this week.

Anchorwoman Samantha Simmonds informed viewers: 'Mass stabbings in this country are extremely rare'  a highly misleading claim.

Just this decade, Britain has suffered multiple mass stabbings, from last year's Nottingham attacks, in which two young students and a 65-year-old man were killed, to the June 2020 Islamist massacre in Reading, which saw three gay men hacked to death.

In April 2022, four people were stabbed and killed at a property in Bermondsey, South London.

Between March 2023 and March 2024 alone, 233 people were stabbed to death in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics  while nearly 3,900 people were admitted to hospital with knife wounds.

Instead of openly citing this important data, BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford responded to Simmonds by comparing the Southport slaughter to what he grotesquely called the 'infamous mass stabbing in Dunblane in 1996'.

I hardly need to remind you that 16 children and their teacher were of course shot dead  not stabbed  while another 15 were wounded on that terrible day 28 years ago.

I have not seen any evidence that the BBC, or Sandford himself, have apologised for this mistake.

Could it be that the Corporation was so quick to reference Dunblane, however inappropriate, because its perpetrator was white and Scottish?

Terrified at the simmering forces of anger and alienation in the country, our leaders, our police and our state media remain unwilling to address matters openly. This reticence  however well-intentioned  has only served to deepen people's distrust.

Left unchecked, I fear it is leading us to a very dark place.

Dr Rakib Ehsan is the author of Beyond Grievance.
Nothing can excuse the mindless violence that followed the murder of three young girls at a Southport dance class on Monday.

Rampaging through the streets, throwing missiles at police, looting, burning cars and smashing mosque windows would be contemptible in any circumstances.

But to use a tragedy which has left a quiet town in a daze of shock and bereavement as a pretext for such thuggery is monstrous.

Ominously, the police warn of further disruption over this weekend and are on high alert in places as far afield as Liverpool, Rochdale and even Belfast.

This outburst of public disorder was initially fuelled by a false report, cynically spread on social media, that the killer was an Islamist asylum seeker.

An overturned car was set alight by the thugs in Sunderland city centre on Friday

Officers arrest a rioter after a protest in Sunderland turned violent on Friday night

Protestors gather outside the Abdullah Quillam Mosque in Liverpool on Friday

The police were far too slow in correcting it and the vacuum was filled by internet conspiracy theorists, bigots and attention-seekers intent on whipping up trouble.

In fact, the suspected murderer was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents.

Sir Keir Starmer says the rioting was 'clearly driven by far-Right hatred' and that the perpetrators are mainly outsiders.

'These thugs are mobile,' he said on Thursday. 'They move from community to community.'

His proposed solution includes wider deployment of controversial facial recognition technology and travel restrictions on known offenders.

But is this lawlessness solely the work of far-Right interlopers?

Of the seven charged over rioting in Southport the day after the stabbings, four are from the town itself and the rest from elsewhere in Merseyside.

Following disturbances in Hartlepool, an 11-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and seven men charged with other offences. All are said to be local.

There is no question that many rabble-rousers, some with far-Right affiliations, will have jumped on the Southport tragedy for their own malign political ends.

Social media sites are awash with their disgusting racist tropes.

The owners of these platforms can no longer be allowed to shrug their shoulders over the filth being peddled on their watch, and if Sir Keir really wants to make a difference, he could certainly start there.

A car is toppled over and set alight during scenes of disorder in Sunderland ton Friday evening

But there are more deep-seated, complex problems at play here which can't be brushed under the carpet any longer.

There are many in this country who feel angry, alienated, and ignored by a remote and dismissive political class.

Brexit (for which towns such as Hartlepool voted overwhelmingly) was supposed to bring control to borders and laws, but eight years on the opposite has happened.

Migration has spiralled, crime is rife (especially in poorer areas), and public services are buckling under the weight of a population increase of 9 million since 2000.

The Tories, while undoubtedly a disappointment, did try to stem the tide. Labour looks set to open the floodgates.

In its first four weeks, the new government has ditched the Rwanda deterrent, and is set to grant automatic asylum to 70-90,000 migrants waiting for their claims to be assessed. It looks like total surrender.

There is a widespread perception that Britain is being radically changed, both culturally and economically, and that far from allowing an open debate, the political elite is trying to suppress the truth.

Sir Keir ignores this growing disaffection at his peril. Far-Right actors may be helping to inflame the current protests.

But the grievances that underpin them are felt by many. And they are very real.
There's nothing quite like the buzz that comes with clocking off work on a Friday evening and heading into a weekend of party bliss.

But spending your Saturday and Sunday on the town instead of in bed could wreak havoc on your sleep and ruin the rest of your working week, warns Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of Simbas Charity partner, The Sleep Charity in Doncaster.

While boozing it up on the dancefloor sounds like the perfect way to unwind, Lisa says you could well be paying the price for it come Monday morning.

Not catching enough z's on Saturdays and Sundays leads to hours of 'sleep debt', which makes your brain tired and ill-equipped for the working week, she explained.

'Taking it easy on the weekend may sound boring, but it does your body a world of good - especially when it comes to sleep' she added.

Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of Simbas Charity partner, The Sleep Charity in Doncaster, says not enough sleep on Saturdays and Sundays leads to hours of 'sleep debt' (Stock image)

'We operate on a roughly 24-hour cycle called the circadian rhythm, regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus.

'Maintaining a regular sleeping pattern on the weekend, i.e. not going out drinking and partying till the break of dawn, preserves this cycle, allowing the body to recharge as normal'.

The expert stressed that the key to quality sleep was to ensure it went uninterrupted; for this she suggested snoozing your alarm on both Saturdays and Sundays.

She said: 'With quality, uninterrupted sleep with no alarm and a restful few days, youll go to work on Monday feeling refreshed and ready for the week'.

Lisa explained that a high 'sleep debt' increases certain chemicals in our brains, leading to exhaustion and tiredness. The only way to reduce these chemicals is to catch up on your sleep cycle.

'In contrast, living for the weekend, staying up late and piling up sleep debt leads to increased adenosine levels - the chemical in the brain that makes us tired,' she continued.

'And with work looming, theres not enough time to recover before the week starts again. Adenosine levels will remain high until we get our sleep cycle back on track.

'This can make work more difficult than usual, impacting focus and lowering our overall task performance during the working week.'

She added that a weekend on the town instead of on your bed could ruin your working week (Stock image)

Experts have also discovered another reason why you should stay in bed on the weekend  people who get 'catch-up sleep' are less likely to experience symptoms of depression.

Researchers from Central South University in China analysed data on nearly 8,000 people who completed an assessment of depressive symptoms and answered a questionnaire on their sleep.

They discovered that nearly half of people got catch-up sleep by spending longer in bed at the weekends.

Overall, people who slept one or two hours longer on weekends were up to 46 per cent less likely to show signs of depressive symptoms, they found.

Depressive symptoms could include persistent feelings of sadness and a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.

Further analysis revealed that the benefit of weekend catch-up sleep on symptoms of depression were mainly present in people who slept six hours or less on weekdays.

The link also appeared to be stronger in men and those under the age of 65.

Writing in the Journal of Affective Disorders the team said: 'Depression is the most common mental disorder, with approximately 280million people worldwide suffering from it.

'We aimed to investigate the association between weekend catch-up sleep and depressive symptoms in adults.'

In their conclusion, they wrote: 'Weekend catch-up sleep of zero to two hours was related to decreased odds of depressive symptoms.

'Our findings may provide additional epidemiological evidence for the effects of sleep on depressive symptoms'.

Despite the findings, sleep and circadian rhythm expert Professor Russell Foster says an extra few hours in bed on Saturday and Sunday is unlikely to compensate for the sleep debt accumulated during the week.

A swathe of studies show that even sleeping for 10 hours per night over the weekend won't get your cognitive ability back up to speed.

And actually, it may throw off the body's internal clock - making it even harder to get to sleep at night.

Tips on how to get to sleep and sleep better Insomnia means you regularly have problems sleeping. It can get better by changing your sleeping habits One in three adults in the UK and almost half of US adults suffer with insomnia, with millions more reporting sleepless nights. Long-term sleep deprivation can cause obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety, alcohol, caffeine or nicotine, noise, shift work and jet lag. If you regularly have problems sleeping, there are simple ways to improve your sleep hygiene. Keep regular sleep hours Try going to bed when you feel tired and getting up at the same time each day. Create a restful space Dark, quiet and cool environments generally make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Get moving Exercise is good for your physical health and your mind. It can also help you sleep better. Just don't do vigorous exercise too close to your bedtime. Don't force it If you find yourself unable to get to sleep, get up and do something relaxing for a bit. Then get back into bed when you feel a bit sleepier. Write down your worries If you find your worries keep you up at night, try writing them down before going to bed. Ease off the caffeine Alcohol and caffeine can stop you from falling asleep and having a deep sleep. Cutting down on caffeine close to bedtime and alcoholic drinks could help you dose off. Source NHS Advertisement

The Oxford University professor told MailOnline why sleeping in late is not always the best way to catch up on rest.

A person isn't getting enough sleep if they're struggling to perform 'at their peak' during the day, said Professor Foster.

People need eight hours of sleep a night, on average. But six to ten-and-a-half hours is a 'healthy range', he says.

Those who fall within this window and aren't exhausted during the day don't need to worry, according to Professor Foster.

But those who regularly feel tired, irritable, impulsive and in need of sugary or caffeinated drinks probably need more time in bed, he added.

However, recouping lost hours of shut-eye over the weekend by sleeping in is not the best way to achieve this.

Professor Foster said: 'If you are running on empty and you sleep for four or five hours, then you will not get enough sleep with a lie in.

'Lab studies have shown that if you oversleep on the weekend, even if it is for up to 10 hours, you still by Monday have not caught up'.

But an occasional lie in will not do much harm for those who are only mildly sleep deprived if you get about 30 minutes less sleep each night he noted.

But sleeping in at the weekend can have a knock-on effect for your body clock if it prevents you from getting outdoors in the morning, said the professor.

Exposure to morning light helps the body get into the pattern of waking up earlier and falling asleep earlier he explained.

Professor Foster suggested that those who are sleep deprived go to sleep earlier in the evening and stick to their regular routine.

'You can oversleep at the weekends, but make sure you are going to bed earlier rather than staying in bed later' he added.
Gen Z across the globe are adding pyjama-inspired clothing to their wardrobes

If you think PJS are solely reserved for indoor wear, then you might want to think again.

Generation Z across the globe are increasingly embracing sleepwear as a fashion statement, donning boxer shorts, quilted jackets, and gingham prints, in broad daylight.

The sight of twenty-somethings donning pyjamas in their everyday life might leave older generations baffled.

But it's a look that has equally boomed in high fashion, with Gucci's Men Spring/ Summer show at Milan Fashion Week last month rife with models donning outfits that many might consider suitable for bed.

The nod of approval from luxury brands like Gucci has led to a cohort of celebrities incorporating nightwear into their wardrobes, with Gladiator II actor Paul Mescal being a prime example.

Pyjama-inspired clothing is Gen Z's latest fashion trend, with content creator Ava Black (pictured) embracing gingham clothing

To the Gucci show, the Normal People star, 28, donned a pair of his trademark extra short shorts and a blue shirt that wouldn't look out of place at bedtime.

Influencers have also caught wind of the trend, with YouTube sensation Emma Chamberlain posting her latest Instagram selfie in a fitted shirt that bares a similarity to a typical bed shirt.

Brands like Uniqlo have offered trendy sleepwear to the masses for an affordable price, with their men's woven striped boxers becoming a summer staple for male and female Gen Zers.

E-commerce company Etsy has found evidence of the trend impacting sales, a movement they've branded 'the pyjama party aesthetic'.

Etsy claimed that comfort has taken the spotlight, with shoppers embracing clothes reminiscent of a pyjama party.

The company saw a 407 per cent increase in searches for sleep wear and 63 per cent increase in 'time honoured textiles' items, such as quilted jackets and striped trousers.

Etsy's Trend Expert, Dayna Isom Johnson said: 'At Etsy, we frequently see fashion adapting to our modern lifestyles and 'the pyjama party aesthetic' demonstrates the seamless blend of comfort and style.

'I particularly love how it allows people to feel relaxed and confident, whether they're working from home or out and about.

'The aesthetic blends the ease of at-home wear with the flair of fashion-forward looks. From quilted jackets, oversized t-shirts to embroidered gilets, there's plenty of ways to bring this trend to your wardrobes.'

Content creator Beth from Manchester (pictured) said she would 'definitely' wear a pair of boxer shorts out this summer

Paul Mescal has also hopped onto the trend, with the Normal People actor sporting a pair of striped shorts and loose-fitted shirt to the Gucci show at Milan Fashion Week last month

Influencer Emma Chamberlain sported a pajama-inspired fitted shirt in her latest Instagram post

Gen Z have revealed the ways they are actively embracing sleepwear into their everyday wardrobes on TikTok.

Mia Buxton from London said she was 'obsessed' with wearing a pair of boxers as outwear while displaying them to her followers.

The content creator wrote: 'Obsessed with these! Super light and perfect for summer.'

Elsewhere, social media manager Beth from Manchester showed her followers how to style a similar pair of shorts, opting for a tight t-shirt and a pair of mini Ugg boots.

The Manchester-based creator said to her followers: 'What do we think? I will definitely be wearing these this summer'.

Influencer Ava Brown dubbed herself a 'gingham girl' as she flaunted her pyjama-inspired outfit on TikTok.

The red outfit included a pair of shorts and a matching collared top with a cinched waist.

Meanwhile, Leigha Coade from Northern Ireland, said she was 'obsessed' with her quilted jacket from fast fashion brand Shein.

It's not just the general population that have embraced pyjama-inspired clothing, with Gucci showcasing a series of looks that bare similarities to to nightwear at their latest fashion show in Milan

It comes after Gen Z are increasingly turning to car boot sales to secure their trendy clothing items.

No longer the preserve of older people looking for bric-a-brac, the sales are now a hotspot for youngsters keen to secure their next Instagram-friendly outfit.

And it wouldn't be a Gen Z trend if fans didn't parade their new hobby on social media, with more than 23,000 videos with the hashtag #carboot currently listed on TikTok, featuring individuals keen to show off their thrifted goods.

Hipster Londoners clutch onto cash and an iced latte as they queue outside Dalston or Peckham car boot sales for their next dose of vintage designer clothing.

And it's not just trendy in the UK's capital: Yorkshire-based TikTok creator Becky, who uses the handle @beckysbazaar, has gained some 200,000 followers thanks to her car boot sale content.

Gen Z's new obsession is influenced by numerous factors, including the cost-of-living crisis and sustainability.

Leigha Coade from Northern Ireland (pictured) said she was 'obsessed' with her quilted jacket from fast-fashion brand Shein

Joseph Hagan, Director of Streamline PR, which specialises in fashion, said car boot sales allow for fashionable choices at an accessible price.

'Y2K fashion is extremely trendy among this generation,' Joseph said. He added: 'Car boot sales provide the perfect venue for them to find items that fit this nostalgic aesthetic at an affordable price.'

Similarly, consumer research company GWI found that almost a quarter of UK consumers purchase a second-hand product on at least a monthly basis, with 55 per cent of shoppers stating price as their main reason for buying second-hand.

The research identified clothing as the most popular second-hand category, making up 45 per cent of all purchases, followed by toys, shoes and trainers, smartphones, and accessories.

Joseph continued: 'The cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone, and Gen Z is no exception.

'With the ever-increasing cost of living, car boot sales provide a fantastic opportunity to secure bargains.'

Joseph continued: 'Additionally, Gen Z is highly committed to sustainability and protecting the planet. They are aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion and consumerism.'

'In summary, car boot sales appeal to Gen Z because they offer trendy, sustainable, and affordable shopping options that align with their values and financial realities.'
When it comes to style, we are all inspired by what we see; whether it be a well-dressed celebrity, a blow-your-mind catwalk presentation or even a fashionable passerby.

As fashion editors, we're moved by all of the above, and then some. We're exposed to under-the-radar labels; we get a first-hand look at collections months before they hit stores; we attend VIP events; we're tapped into brands with chic-yet-cheap offerings and we shop  a lot.

To share our knowledge, FEMAIL brings you Style Swoon, a weekly series of the latest, greatest and on the verge. We hope this series will serve as a buying guide and point of inspiration for all.

On Thursday, August 1, Rebecca Minkoff, teamed up with NUDESTIX to host a stunning soiree at Sunset Harbor in East Hampton, NY.

A Sunset Soiree

On Thursday, August 1, Rebecca Minkoff, teamed up with NUDESTIX to host a stunning soiree at Sunset Harbor in East Hampton, NY.

The special evening was a celebration of the female founders summer collections and upcoming milestone anniversaries (Rebecca Minkoff 20 years and NUDESTIX 10).

Rebecca and Taylor Frankel welcomed guests to the harbor-side venue for a cocktail hour and dining experience to unveil Rebeccas favorite summer styles and scents as well as celebrating the launch of NUDESTIX Stax.

STAX features a 3-in-1 cream-to-powder blush balm formula for cheeks, eyes, and lips, and housed in a magnetic makeup compact of monochromatic blush nudes, that click to create your custom color collection.

The special evening was a celebration of the female founders summer collections and upcoming milestone anniversaries

Rebecca and Taylor Frankel welcomed guests to the harbor-side venue for a cocktail hour and dining experience to unveil Rebeccas favorite summer styles and scents as well as celebrating the launch of NUDESTIX Stax

The white table was decorated with red and purple flower bouquets, and accented by tall candles.

To host the sit down dinner a long white table was dressed with red and purple flower bouquets, and accented by tall candles.

On each place setting rested a handbag from the Rebecca Minkoff collection for each lucky attendee.

Notable guests such as Erin Lichy, Lexi Wood and Anna Barger, among others enjoyed sunset-inspired cocktails by Gorgie.

On July 26th, L'AGENCE opened a jean bar on Melrose in Los Angeles

L'AGENCE is jean-ious

On July 26th, L'AGENCE opened a jean bar on Melrose in Los Angeles.

The new retail concept marks an exciting moment for the luxe contemporary label defined by product innovation and an unparalleled evolution.

Led by former denim expert and J. Brand founder, Jeff Rudes, and Tara Rudes Dann, Fashion Director, the Jean Bar concept will completely raise the standard for the way women shop for jeans.

The 1,100 square foot "bar" offers personalized service and styling, a curated product offering, innovative denim filtering texhnology, and a wide-range of fit-first styles.

Led by former denim expert and J. Brand founder, Jeff Rudes, and Tara Rudes Dann, Fashion Director, the Jean Bar concept will completely raise the standard for the way women shop for jeans

In-store stylists will be available to assist shoppers, ensuring am enjoyable and succesful shopping experience

In-store stylists will be available to assist shoppers, ensuring an enjoyable and successful shopping experience.

Aspects of this cutting-edge idea will also be replicated on lagence.com this Fall, further enhancing LAGENCEs customer journey online.

The announcement arrives shortly after the unveiling of the brands first European flagship in Paris, which opened just in time for the Summer Olympic Games.

Footwear brand, TKEES dropped a collection with contemporary label LoveShackFancy this week

Really cute flops

Footwear brand TKEES dropped a collection with contemporary label LoveShackFancy this week.

Staying true to the essence of both brands, the two styles are sleek with whimsical feminine accents.

The first, a bold statement in pink leather adorned with an oversized satin bow on the toe.

The second shoe is made from their classic metallic gold leather, featuring miniature bows - a charming design feature that could be easily missed.

The styles retail for $150 and are available is sizes 5-11.

The first, a bold statement in pink leather adorned with an oversized satin bow on the toe

The second shoe is made from their classic metallic gold leather, featuring miniature bows - a charming design feature that could be easily missed

Gap dropped their collection with Madhappy this week

Dopamine dressing

Gap dropped their collection with Madhappy this week.

The capsule is made up of simple silhouettes that perfectly encapsulate the essence of the Gap, including jean jackets, denim, tees and sweatpants for men and women.

Buttery soft sweatshirts emblazoned with the word "Mad" evoke a sense of comfort and style that make up their aesthetic and are sure to be a back-to-school favorite!

Each design is a nod to the Gap's casual approach to dressing, where simplicity is timeless.

The capsule is made up of simple silhouettes that perfectly encapsulate the essence of the Gap, including jean jackets, denim, tees and sweatpants for men and women

Madhappy is a Los Angeles-based clothing brand built around an optimistic ideology, expressed through apparel, storytelling, and experiential retail spaces around the world.

Madhappy writes Local Optimist magazine, supports research and awareness in mental health through The Madhappy Foundation, and records The Madhappy Podcast.

On Thursday, August 1, Brunello Cucinelli and Wolffer Estate hosted an intimate star-studded dinner at the Wolffer Residence in Sagaponack, NY, to celebrate the summer season

Guests - including Emma Roberts and Cody John - enjoyed poolside cocktails followed by a five-course meal complete with Wolffer Estate wine pairings and a DJ set by Alix Brow.

On Thursday, August 1, Brunello Cucinelli and Wolffer Estate hosted an intimate star-studded soiree at the Wolffer Residence in Sagaponack, NY, to celebrate the summer season.

The evening was hosted by Brunello Cucinellis President and CEO of North America, Massimo Caronna, and his wife, Natasha Caronna, along with Wolffer Estates Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner, Joey Wolffer, and her husband and CEO, Max Rohn.

Guests - including Emma Roberts and Cody John, Kate Love and Kevin Love - enjoyed poolside cocktails followed by a sit down dinner that took place in the stunning vineyard.

The five-course meal was made complete with Wolffer Estate wine pairings and a DJ set by Alix Brow.

The evening was hosted by Brunello Cucinellis President and CEO of North America, Massimo Caronna, and his wife, Natasha Caronna, along with Wolffer Estates Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner, Joey Wolffer, and her husband and CEO, Max Rohn

Kaite Couric smiled for the camera with husband john Molner

Emma looked beautiful in a white pant set topped by a tan blazer, with her blond hair parted down the middle and styled in beachwaves.

Deborra-Lee Furness, Elizabeth Saltzman, Erin Walsh, Fern Mallis, Harvey & Jenne Newton-Haydon, Isaac Boots, Ivan Pol, James Turlington and Paula Soares were also in attendance.

As well as Katie Couric, Katie Lee Biegel, Molly Sims, Micaela Erlanger, Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier, Aurora Figueras, Nicky Rothschild, Pamela Tick, Rachel Zoe, Roopal Patel, Rickie De Sole, Samantha Angelilli, Sophie Elgort, Tamu McPherson, Tracy Anderson, and more.

The beautiful evening started with cocktails by the pool

Sunglasses and style

On Saturday, July 27th, Sunglass Hut collaborated with Acast, the worlds leading independent podcast company, to host a special in-store beauty day in their flagship Beverly Hills store.

Consumers, VIPs, Media, and Influencers were invited to join the event filled with mini makeovers and summer styling moments with Shark Beauty to complement a new pair of sunnies.

Attendees enjoyed music, photo opps and snacks from Rudis Bakery, Swoon, AshaPops, From the Ground Up, Liquid Death, and Olipop.

Brooke Devard the host of Naked Beauty Podcast and celebrity makeup artist SIR JOHN made special appearances.

Devardand Sir John also hosted a special episode of Naked Beauty, diving into how self-confidence and self-expression emboldens beauty and how to pair different shades with different looks to complement such.
Doctors are unable to treat her because the condition is 'extremely rare'

A young Aussie is 'living a nightmare' after being struck down with a rare neurological condition so horrific it's nicknamed 'the suicide disease' - and there's no known cure.

Emily Morton, from Adelaide, South Australia, developed trigeminal neuralgia - a nerve pain condition affecting the face and head - shortly after a mild case of Covid-19 and a booster shot in February 2022.

She was a healthy, energetic 26-year-old running a successful wedding cinematography business and worked part-time as a marketing coordinator.

She and her husband Andy had a picture-perfect life - they got married in November 2020 and were on their way to starting a family.

But their world was turned upside down when Emily developed what she described as a 'bad toothache' that quickly progressed into a stabbing pain so excruciating she now can't sleep for longer than an hour a night.

And it never went away.

'It is like acid is being poured on your gums while simultaneously having ice cream on your teeth all day, all while they're being smashed with a hammer,' Emily, now 28, told FEMAIL.

'Electric shocks hit my cheeks and jaws on both sides of my face whenever I try to move. Every time I speak, laugh, drink, touch my face, I am struck with electricity that leaves me breathless.'

Emily and Andy Morton (pictured) had a picture-perfect life - they married in November 2020 and were planning to start a family. But their world was forever changed in February 2022 when Emily experienced a severe 'toothache'

Emily developed a 'rare' from of trigeminal neuralgia - a nerve pain condition affecting the face and head - and suffers constant pain on her face, head and teeth

The disorder earned its 'suicide disease' nickname because those who suffer it are in so much pain they 'wish they were dead'.

The pain is constant and has spread to most of her teeth, making even basic tasks like brushing her teeth or having a conversation extremely difficult. Now she struggles to eat, drink, relax, socialise and says her life has been 'put on hold'.

'Whenever I talk to someone I need to pretend like I'm not in horrendous pain,' she said.

'This has essentially stolen my whole identity and taken everything that gives life meaning. It may not be a terminal illness for me, but it's a life sentence. I've been told that the research is decades away from finding a solution.'

Over the past two years Emily has been desperately trying to seek a more detailed diagnosis and cure.

She's seen countless dentists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, pain management doctors, ENT surgeons and TMJ specialists and no one can confirm exactly what she has or what caused it.

The pain is constant and has spread to most of her teeth, making even basic tasks like brushing her teeth or having a conversation extremely difficult. Now she struggles to eat, drink, relax, socialise and says life has been 'put on hold'

Her condition is 'extremely rare' because the pain is on both sides of her face; trigeminal neuralgia is usually only on one side.

As a result, doctors aren't confident enough to perform surgery or offer treatment due to the risk of it worsening.

A few months after the 'toothache' Emily caught Covid again and experienced the 'lightning storm' of electric shocks.

When the pain first began in her tooth, she went to the dentist thinking it was something minor. The dentist conducted X-rays but found there was 'nothing wrong' and sent her home.

But the pain continued and worsened, leaving Emily at a loss of what to do.

'It is like acid is being poured on your gums while simultaneously having ice cream on your teeth all day, all while they're being smashed with a hammer,' Emily, now 28, said (pictured with her mum, siblings and husband)

Over time it became so painful she went back and begged the dentist to pull out the tooth, but he refused because there was 'no reason to'.

Over the next few weeks, the toothache persisted and intensified. It spread rapidly to the rest of her teeth and she developed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), extreme tinnitus, and brain fog.

Emily has spent thousands of dollars travelling to Sydney, Melbourne and even Cyprus in a desperate bid to find a treatment that eases her pain. She's also tried various holistic approaches but nothing has worked.

She stopped working 11 months ago and the pair moved out of their rental in June 2023. Now they live with Emily's mum. Andy no longer works and is her full-time carer.

'It is not pain, it is torture. Hell on Earth. My family watched on as my world shrunk, and at the centre is the pain. No medication helps, no pain killers. Every night I go to sleep knowing that the next day is just that little bit worse,' she said.

'This has essentially stolen my whole identity and taken everything that gives life meaning. It may not be a terminal illness for me, but it's a life sentence. I've been told that the research is decades away from finding a solution,' Emily said

Emily has spent thousands of dollars travelling to Sydney, Melbourne and even Cyprus seeking treatment to ease the pain (pictured in Europe trying to find a suitable treatment)

The onset of the pain and lack of medical options left Emily in the 'deepest, darkest depression' she could have imagined. During those months she was lucky to have had ongoing support from her worried family.

The only hope she has left is a treatment that has a 50 per cent chance of reducing some of her pain.

'After being told for so long that Covid doesn't cause this kind of pain, I came across a surgeon that is performing MRI Focused Ultrasounds of the Central Medial Nucleus of the Thalamus. He gave me a chance to find some freedom from this pain,' Emily said.

'It's not a guarantee, but it's better than the "no hope" I've been given for two torturous years. It has a chance of taking away some of the daily torture by interrupting the pain signals sent by a certain section of the brain.'

However, because the treatment is new it is not covered by Medicare and will cost close to $40,000.

Now she's desperately relying on GoFundMe donations from friends, family and strangers to help pay for treatment after draining her savings account from previous treatment attempts

Despite the traumatic ordeal, Emily remains positive and her whole perspective of life has been forever changed

Now she's desperately relying on GoFundMe donations from friends, family and strangers to help pay for treatment after draining her savings account from previous treatment attempts.

Despite the traumatic ordeal, Emily remains positive and her perspective on life has been forever changed.

'Every little thing in life is now so infinitely much more beautiful,' Emily said.

'It gives you this crazy perspective and the smallest things give you joy that I just want to keep fighting. And life is worth fighting for.'

If you or anyone you know is suffering, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636

You can find a link to Emily's GoFundMe campaign in the bullet points
Experts have warned a new 'lethal' variant of the mpox, formerly monkeypox, disease is spreading 'unchecked' and posing a 'severe' risk to hundreds of thousands of people as health providers lack the resources to stop the spread.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbours are still reeling from a devastating outbreak in 2022-23 which infected nearly 100,000 people, causing severe fever, flu-like symptoms and painful rashes of pus-filled blisters.

But insiders warn not enough has been done to put measures in place to stop a repeat of the epidemic. Now, a more deadly variant of the disease is crossing borders with a reported mortality rate of 10 per cent in children, threatening to decimate populations with authorities powerless to curtail the spread.

Researchers warn that the new 'Clade 1b' variant of the disease has already been able to cross through the DRC's 'porous' borders, causing dozens of people to die in recent weeks between Burundi, South Africa and DR Congo, with many thousands displaced by conflicts in the region.

As the NHS urges those travelling to the UK from West Africa with symptoms to seek immediate medical support, concern mounts about the preparedness of the affected nations to spot and cure the disease before it spreads.

Jean Kakura Biyambo, a father of six from the Muja internally displaced persons camp in DRC, gestures from a general hospital where he has been receiving treatment for mpox, on July 16

Christian Musema, a lab nurse, takes a sample from a child declared a suspected case Mpox

A child with skin lesions receives treatment at the treatment centre in Munigi, DRC, on July 19

An image from 1997 shows symptoms of mpox on a sufferer in DRC, formerly Zaire

Typically found in central and east Africa, mpox has blighted populations since the early 1970s. While a vaccine now exists for the disease, uptake has been slow in nations lacking the resources and infrastructure for a coordinated programme.

Monkeypox Q&A: Everything you need to know What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is a rare viral infection which people usually pick up in the tropical areas of west and central Africa. It is usually spread through direct contact with animals such as squirrels, which are known to harbour the virus. However, it can also be transmitted through very close contact with an infected person. Monkeypox was first discovered when an outbreak of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research in 1958. The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the infection has been reported in a number of central and western African countries since then. Only a handful of cases have been reported outside of Africa and they were confined to people with travel links to the continent. How deadly is it? Monkeypox is usually mild, with most patients recovering within a few weeks without treatment. Yet, the disease can prove fatal. Monkeypox can kill up to 10 per cent of people it infects. However, with milder strains the fatality rate is closer to one in 100  similar to when Covid first hit. Is there a cure? Because monkeypox is closely related to the virus that causes smallpox, jabs for smallpox can also protect people from getting monkeypox. One vaccine, Jynneos, also known as Imvamune or Imvanex, has been licensed in the US, but it's not approved in the UK. The vaccine was shown to be around 85 per cent effective in preventing monkeypox infection. Antivirals and pooled blood from individuals vaccinated against smallpox can be used to treat severe cases. Advertisement

Nearly 100,000 people were infected in 2022 during a global outbreak of the disease, caused mostly by the Clade IIb virus. The variant was less deadly than the emerging Clade Ib variant, but killed some 183 people, according to the CDC.

The United States reported as many as 32,063 cases, with 58 deaths during the period as cases were reported in significant numbers in North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia.

Now, experts following recent trends warn a more deadly variant is showing both a propensity to travel across borders with a five per cent mortality rate in adults and ten per cent in children.

While the 2022 strain was largely driven by male-to-male sexual contact, according to The Economist, the Clade Ib variant appears to be transmissible through close non-sexual contact, and exacerbated by heterosexual sexual contact, 'particularly among sex workers, who account for about 30 per cent of recorded cases'.

Authorities in the DR Congo desperately approved mpox vaccines to try to contain the outbreak in June, passing 1,000 deaths from 20,000 cases within the past year, but many worry the affected nations lack the resources to effectively stop the spread in its tracks.

Zeil Rosenberg MD, executive Vice President of Tonix Pharmaceuticals, a company currently developing an mpox vaccine, told MailOnline that the disease is now spreading to regions where historically it has not been endemic, driving concern of a repeat of the deadly 2022 outbreak that infected nearly 100,000 people.

'The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the centre of an unchecked explosion of cases with 11,000 cases reported this year alone and showing no signs of slowing,' he warned.

He explained that there are two 'clades' of mpox currently in circulation. The first carries more severe symptoms and a mortality rate of up to ten per cent. The second, responsible for the 2022 outbreak, is less lethal but has been able to thrive outside of Africa in the past.

'The most severe and lethal Clade 1 mpox, historically endemic to central Africa..., has become predominant and is now found throughout the region,' he warned.

Professor David Heymann at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) told MailOnline that mpox could soon 'fill the epidemiological niche left by smallpox', with the vaccine no longer effective in preventing cases.

'Person-to-person transmission is now occurring and if persons with infection travel to other countries, the same situation regarding smallpox vaccination exists... outbreaks of person-to-person transmission could occur.

'As the infection is thought to have a fatality rate of 10%, and higher in those living with HIV infection, the risk of serious impacts is high.

'Though the world joined together for mpox outside Africa, the situation in Africa continues to be neglected at a risk to persons in DRC.'

Christian Musema, a laboratory nurse, verifies samples taken from a child declared a suspected case of monkeypox virus in DRC on July 19. Children make up 10% of mortalities

Vials of single doses of the Jynneos vaccine for mpox are seen from a cooler at a vaccinations site in Brooklyn, New York on August 29, 2022 as the disease swept through the United States

A new variant of mpox is reported to be more deadly in children and harder to detect

Jean Kakuru Biyambo resides at the Goma general hospital to receive treatment for mpox, 16/7

'There are a number of challenges in controlling this outbreak,' explained Brian Labus, Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas' Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

'We have seen spread in camps for displaced persons, where high population density increases the risk of infectious disease spread.'

He warned that the virus has mutated and now spreads more easily between people.

'While we can prevent the disease with vaccines, none are currently available in the affected areas.

'When you add these problems to the routine challenges of controlling disease in remote, low-resource environments, it has been very difficult to get the outbreak under control.'

Children have been the main victims of the disease in the DRC, suffering 67 per cent of the cases and 78 per cent of reported deaths.

'Clade 1b has demonstrated evidence of sexual transmission, both gay and bisexual men and in heterosexuals, and the potential for global spread is significant,' added Dr Rosenberg.

Dr Labus said the new variant could spread through contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated meat, and non-sexual contact between people.

Sufferers of the new, more deadly strain have all presented with rashes. More than half have had fever and/or swollen lymph nodes, and 'the vast majority' had genital lesions.

But the rise of asymptomatic cases has 'raised the level of concern' that the disease could cross borders unchecked without the means to identify and quarantine carriers.

These cases have been 'harder' to detect in the laboratory, with testing methods proving unreliable and posing further challenges to those working to contain the outbreak.

Of growing concern is the propensity for displaced persons within the DRC to move across its 'porous borders', fleeing conflict or its outcomes, and spreading the disease faster than authorities can act to curtail it.

The NHS is now urging people who have travelled to west Africa in the past three months, and who display symptoms, to see a doctor urgently amid fears the virus could spread out of Africa.

'As with the global epidemic of 2022-23, travel between countries is a prime cause of cross-border transmission, Dr Rosenberg warned.

'Considering that mpox has an incubation period of 1-2 weeks, seeing a doctor if symptoms develop within 3 weeks of travel, and receiving appropriate immediate antiviral treatment, is a prudent measure both for personal and public health reasons.'

'We have not seen transmission outside central Africa during the outbreak but it is possible that it could occur,' Dr Labus said.

'We put a lot of international effort into controlling outbreaks wherever they occur, as outbreaks of disease anywhere in the world can pose a risk to the rest of us and we want to stop them before they spread.'

Mpox virions shown under a microscope. Experts warn the new 1b Clade is harder to detect

Fideline Kiza Kasao checks the progress of her son Kito Balume after recovering from Mpox

File. Mpox causes painful pus-filled blisters. A new variant has a 10% mortality rate in children

Symptoms of one of the first known cases of the mpox virus shown on a patient's hand in 2003

Symptoms of mpox shown on a patient in 1997, as provided by the CDC

As it stands, the means to stop the spread have not developed significantly since the 2022 outbreak. Vaccine availability remains 'remarkedly absent on the African continent', with little sign of improvement in the last two years, Dr Rosenberg said.

'Lack of international aid, vaccine inequality - where the developed country scoops up all the mpox vaccine at the expense of developing countries - and lack of infrastructure to support vaccine rollout efforts all play a role in the anemic response to-date.'

Tonix Pharmaceuticals is among the pioneers of a hopeful next-generation vaccine, designed in one version as a single dose, thermo-stable patch that will allow self-administration and go some way to managing the spread of the disease.

But two years on from an outbreak that could not be contained within central Africa, fears mount a deadlier strain, harder to detect, will test the strained resources of the DRC and its neighbours.
A firefighter checks for hot spots Saturday during the Park Fire in Paynes Creek (Tehama County). Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Workers with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. move a utility pole Saturday as repairs continue in the area damaged by the Park fire in Paynes Creek (Tehama County). Stephen Lam/The Chronicle U.S. Forest Service firefighters walk down a trail Friday in Mineral (Tehama County) after covering structures in fire-resistant wrap during the Park Fire. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

The Park Fire surpassed 400,000 acres Saturday as crews braced themselves for thunderstorms that could make it harder for them to contain the blaze.

A higher level of moisture helped moderate the Park Fire, now the fourth-largest wildfire in California history, Friday night, according to Cal Fire. But with the hot and dry weather that helped fuel the blazes explosive growth returning, the agency said the fire is likely to be a greater challenge over the next several days.

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Adding to the difficulty for fire crews are thunderstorms in the area, with potential thunder strikes and gusty winds testing the fire lines crews have established in recent days, Cal Fire said Saturday. The storm is less likely to continue into Sunday, with warm temperatures and low humidity continuing into Tuesday, fire officials added. Temperatures for Chico, where the Park Fire started on July 24, were expected to exceed 100 degrees Saturday.

The fire burned more than 401,199 acres and was 28% contained as of Saturday night, up slightly from 25% Friday night.

A worker with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. moves a utility pole Saturday as repairs continue in the area damaged by the Park Fire in Paynes Creek (Tehama County). Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

The situation has improved drastically since last week, with the spread of the fire much more limited than it was in the days after it started, Cal Fire battalion chief Mark Brunton said at a Saturday morning briefing. The main challenge will be battling the fire near Mill Creek Canyon, where the rocky terrain adds an additional danger for crews, he added.

Were not completely out of the woods yet, but were looking very, very good, and were moving at a very fast pace that were very happy with, Brunton said.

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The Park Fire has destroyed hundreds of structures in Butte and Tehama counties and is also burning in Plumas and Shasta counties, Cal Fire said. While officials have eased some evacuation orders, many others in those counties remain active.

Crews were working to remove hazardous trees and repair infrastructure near populated areas, Cal Fire said. As the fire continued creeping east, firefighters continued trying to keep it away from the Tehama County communities of Mill Creek and Mineral.
A urologist removes a kidney from the wrong patient. A nurse incorrectly administers a paralyzing drug that results in the patient's death. A neurosurgeon operates on the wrong side of a woman's brain.

Medical errors like these harm 1.2million Americans and result in the death of an estimated 251,000 patients every year.

Both on and off the record, doctors whose specialties range from general practice to emergency medicine told DailyMail.com of the dangerous medical mishaps occurring within hospital walls that providers are inclined or encouraged to cover up.

Among the most common: Prescribing the wrong medication and dispensing a drug to the wrong patient, which cause an estimated 8,000 patient deaths every year.

Errors in getting proper lab testing, as well as filing and clerical errors, such as mislabeling results or diagnoses, are also mistakes commonly seen in hospitals and private practices, perhaps more than patients realize.

The above map shows states that have faced the most medical malpractice lawsuits

Dr Andrea Austin, an emergency medicine physician in Southern California, told DailyMail.com: Some of the errors that I've seen happen [are] wrong medications being ordered - and while the person ordering the medication is ultimately responsible, none of these errors happen in a vacuum. It's a larger systems issue.

Sometimes the wrong test gets ordered And depending on where we're working, sometimes the amount of distraction and interruptions... It's very common in the emergency department [to] be interrupted eight, 10 times in an hour period when you're trying to order high-risk medications and tests.

'So that's a setup for potentially ordering the wrong test on the wrong patient or the wrong medication.

A devastating case of a medical mistake took the nation by storm in 2022 when former Vanderbilt Medical Center nurse RaDonda Vaught was convicted of neglect and negligent homicide and sentenced to three years of supervised probation.

In December 2017, Ms Vaught was meant to give her patient Charlene Murphey a dose of Versed, a sedative to calm her before going into a large MRI-like machine, but the 75 year old was instead injected with vecuronium, an extremely powerful paralytic.

By the time the error was spotted, Ms Murphey had died.

When Vanderbilt reported the death to the medical examiner, it did not mention the error and the cause of death was deemed 'natural.'

Ms Vaught acknowledged her mistake, while also drawing attention to the myriad of other factors that played a role in her deadly error, including that she was also orienting a new nurse, which was a distraction, the new electronics records system had only been implemented seven weeks earlier in a very rocky rollout, and there were timing policies for administering the drugs, making her actions hurried.

The case became a rallying cry for nurses, who maintained that prosecuting Vaught would have a chilling effect across the healthcare field, discouraging practitioners from admitting errors for fear of losing their jobs or getting prison time.

Linda Aiken, a nursing and sociology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said of the case: One thing that everybody agrees on is it's going to have a dampening effect on the reporting of errors or near misses, which then has a detrimental effect on safety.

The only way you can really learn about errors in these complicated systems is to have people say, "Oh, I almost gave the wrong drug because" Well, nobody is going to say that now.'

Dr Drew Remignanti, a retired emergency medicine physician in New Hampshire, detailed to DailyMail.com the time he misdiagnosed a mark on a patient's cornea as a fingernail scratch from putting in his contacts.

Scratches on the cornea are typically treated with antibiotic drops and heal relatively quickly.

But Dr Remignanti had misdiagnosed the patient, who actually had an ulcer on his cornea.

A year later, Dr Remignanti received notice that he was being sued for malpractice because he did not catch the infection at the time, which later required the patient to undergo surgery from a different doctor to have part of his cornea replaced with tissue from a donor.

Dr Remignanti, who wrote about the mix up in his book The Healing Connection, said: 'This is an example of what is termed confirmation bias in which one sees what one expects to see... Even though the defect was round and regular, I was unwilling to think beyond the very first conclusion offered up.

'I should have known better and been more thorough in my evaluation and decision-making.'

In another medical error, Dr Ashish Jha, as an internist practicing at Harvard, once prescribed medication to the wrong patient, who he confused for another.

He said: 'They were two patients of mine with very similar names and I just prescribed it to the wrong patient.

I felt terrible, I felt incompetent, I felt a little ashamed. My first instinct was not just to fix the problem, but not to tell anybody.

Its clearly not the right thing, but we have to begin by acknowledging that its a very human response.

Medical errors harm 1.2million Americans and result in the death of an estimated 251,000 patients every year (stock photo)

Doctors have said they are often taught to conceal mistakes because admitting to them could lead to litigation from patients or their families.

But Dr Austin said this highlights how the system is broken. Without admitting errors, the doctor who committed them likely wont improve and more could occur.

And because most medical errors often go unreported, the exact scale of the problem is unknown.

Dr Danielle Ofri, an internist at New York City's Bellevue Hospital, told NPR: I don't think we'll ever know what number, in terms of cause of death, is [due to] medical error  but it's not small.

She added: Near misses are the huge iceberg below the surface where all the future errors are occurring. But we don't know where they are, so we don't know where to send our resources to fix them or make them less likely to happen.

The most extensive study of adverse events is the Harvard Medical Practice Study, a review of more than 30,000 randomly selected discharged patients from 51 randomly selected hospitals in New York State in 1984.

The proportion of adverse events attributable to errors was 58 percent, and the proportion of adverse events due to negligence was 28 percent.

Although most of the patients on the receiving end of these errors were disabled for fewer than six months, 14 percent resulted in death, and three percent caused permanently disabling injuries.

Drug complications - such as allergic reactions, errors in the way they were dispensed, among others - were the most common type of adverse event (19 percent), followed by wound infections (14 percent) and technical complications in surgery (13 percent), such as injuries sustained while undergoing an operation or bleeding during or after.

Injuries such as excess bleeding during or after an operation, infection, and broken bones occurred in 3.7 percent of the hospitalizations.

Not much other research has been published on the issue, but a smaller 2023 review of 2,810 patients' records from Boston-area hospitals showed about 24 percent experienced at least one adverse event like allergic reactions to medications or falls that jeopardized their health.

Dr Andrea Austin is an emergency medicine physician based in Southern California. She told DailyMail.com errors can be prevented if healthcare workers have the proper support systems in place

It's also not uncommon for doctors to misdiagnose patients, especially in stressful emergency departments.

A study published last year in the journal BMJ Quality and Safety Protocol found 795,000 patients die or are permanently disabled every year due to being misdiagnosed.

In addition to misdiagnoses, doctors may order the wrong tests or misfile their findings, get patients confused and lose or misinterpret test results.

Meanwhile medication errors can occur at any stage of the care process  ordering, dispensing, administering and monitoring.

Although most medication errors do not result in patient injury, those that do are more likely to occur at the prescribing  56 percent  and administering  34 percent  stages in the hospital setting and are more commonly intercepted during the prescription phase.

Doctors often cite electronic health records (EHR), documentation that tracks a patient's entire medical history, including vaccinations, surgeries and diagnoses, as a source of medical errors.

EHRs are often logged using antiquated technology, Dr Austin said. The most commonly used systems were created in the 1980s and many hospitals are still running programs from that era.

Doctors and nurses have long held that EHRs take too long to fill out and have a jumbled, confusing workflow that takes valuable time away from treating patients.

Antiquated EHR systems also lack built in controls to monitor or alert to coding errors that might mean the wrong diagnosis or medication is entered.

It represents a wider systemic issue that hospitals have not allocated time and resources to fix.

Dr Austin told DailyMail.com: There should be no reason today that systems wouldn't be checking if a patient has an allergy or be alerting a provider about the age and pregnancy status of a patient.

She added: To err is human. So anytime humans are involved, there's the field of human factors that essentially explains why a lot of these hair errors happen. So they're very predictable.

If we have a functioning system, and we're essentially supporting physicians with a functioning electronic medical record, and then also the proper checks and balances, then a lot of these errors are preventable.
While the new Health Secretary Wes Streeting has long promised to tackle record NHS waiting lists, the truth is that change won't be quick.

There are currently around 7.6million people waiting for treatment  the worst it's ever been, and nearly twice what it was pre-covid.

One in five procedures is now outsourced to private hospitals to reduce the backlog, with Mr Streeting pledging to rely on even further private sector involvement to drive it down further.

With NHS waiting lists seemingly endless, many are considering paying for private surgery

But until this happens, more people than ever before are still waiting longer than the 18-week target for routine ops from hip replacements to cataract surgery.

It's perhaps little surprise that the number of frustrated patients choosing to ditch the NHS middle-man and go directly to private hospitals for treatment has reached an all-time high.

The latest figures show around 664,000 people in the UK sought private care in the first nine months of 2023, up by seven per cent in a year.

Most will have a private healthcare insurance policy, which meets a substantial amount of the cost.

But a growing proportion of private providers' income is from those who choose to self-pay, making up 28 per cent of revenue in 2022, according to health data provider Laing Buisson.

So if you're one of the 7.6million languishing on NHS waiting lists and considering a leap to private, how do you find out how much it might cost  and are there ways to make it cheaper?

It's easier than you might think.

There are websites which allow you to compare the cost of the many common private operations, and many private hospitals such as Nuffield Health offer clear pricing on their own websites, where you can also compare the prices at different hospitals within the same chain.

You'll find the difference can be stark depending on where you are in the country. Smaller hospitals and those in the North of England are generally cheaper, compared to those in London, the South East and South West.

It means it's worth shopping around, particularly if you don't mind travelling  but the difference between hospitals even within the same city can be significant.

With all of this in mind, here's our analysis of everything you need to know.

Jump the year-long queue for new hip

By far the most common private procedures are knee and hip replacements. Numbers have soared 200 per cent since 2019. Orthopaedics departments have some of the longest waiting times across the NHS, with a hip replacement taking 50 per cent longer in England than before the pandemic.

NHS patients are waiting an average of around 128 days - four months - but 67,000 are waiting longer than 12 months.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Prices vary widely depending on region. Hospitals in London and the South of England tend to be more expensive - charging up to 15,640 per hip.

But trying a different provider, or a different location, can reduce the costs. In some parts of Plymouth or Essex, the same operation is just 10,720.

Knee replacements cost an average of 14,449 per knee, but are more expensive in Cardiff, at more than 15,000, and in some London clinics are upwards of 19,000 for a full package, including overnight stays.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Be aware of extra charges for diagnostic tests. An MRI scan - the basic scan that can detect arthritis in the knee or hip - will not show if the joint is damaged and in need of replacing. Consultants may order more tests, such as a CT scan, which takes detailed pictures of the knee or hip, to determine whether a replacement is really needed.

Ask if diagnostic tests are included  often they are not, and could cost you up to 1,000 more. Consultants may not know exact prices, so check with the medical secretary at the hospital first.

Nearly 2,000 to fix your cataracts

At least a third of Britons have a problem with impaired vision, the most common being cataracts  when the eye's natural lens becomes cloudy.

But accessing a simple procedure to resolve this on the NHS has been difficult. While 40 per cent more NHS-funded cataract ops are being performed now compared to pre-pandemic, there are still more than 640,000 waiting for an ophthalmology appointment. And there is also a 'hidden backlog' of people waiting for follow-up appointments, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists has warned.

Glaucoma, where a build-up of fluid damages the optic nerve at the back of the eye, is another common eye condition, affecting one in 50 over-40s, and one in ten over-75s.

It results in blindness if untreated. Treatment involves draining the excess liquid in the eye, either by stimulating the drainage tissue with a laser, or by creating a tiny hole in the eye to expel the fluid via surgery.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Costs vary between roughly 2,000 and 3,000 per eye, depending on your area and type of lens you choose.

Multifocal lenses (which essentially allow you to live glasses-free) are about 1,000 more expensive than mono-focal alternatives, which are set to a fixed focus for one distance.

Laser procedures for glaucoma cost between 400 and 1,000, while surgery can be up to 5,000 depending on severity.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Cataract procedures are among the safest. But there is a common complication which occurs in one in ten patients, potentially resulting in extra costs.

With severe cataracts, the surgeon may not be able to remove all the damaged lens in one go.

If this happens, there is a risk that remaining cells will grow on the back of the new lens, making vision cloudy again - a condition known as posterior capsule opacification  which may require a second procedure.

Not all providers will include a follow-up corrective operation in the final costings, so check beforehand.

'If there is a complication and you don't want to go back to the private provider, you will still be eligible for NHS treatment,' adds David Hare, chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Provider Network.

However, if you do suffer problems, and need another operation on the NHS, you'll be back on that waiting list.

As for glaucoma, have a test done by an optician before deciding on treatment to check the pressure of the fluid in your eye. If the pressure is below 25, experts say there is little risk of permanent sight damage if you wait a month or two for treatment - so it may be worth sticking it out on an NHS waiting list.

Even if the pressure is 25 to 29, you can wait a couple of weeks. Anything above 30 should be treated immediately.

Don't hang about for hernia repair

Roughly 17,000 NHS patients who need a hernia repair, or similar surgery, have been waiting at least a year.

There are three different types of hernia: inguinal, where a piece of the gut or fatty tissue bulges through a weak spot in the groin muscles; hiatus, where the stomach slips upward through a weakness in the diaphragm muscle that usually holds it in place, causing acid indigestion; and umbilical - where the bulge happens because the intestine pushes through the muscles in the abdomen near the belly button.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

With all hernia repair, once the protruding tissue is pushed back into place, a piece of mesh is attached to the weak area of muscle to strengthen it. The cost depends on the type of hernia. Hernias in the groin and hiatus hernias tend to be slightly more expensive than umbilical hernias. This is largely because surgeons will often repair inguinal and hiatus hernias using minimally invasive, keyhole techniques, called laparoscopic surgery, to avoid a large scar and reduce the risk of infection.

Prices for hernia repairs range from 2,000 to 10,000, with the average around 3,500 for a laparoscopic procedure.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

There are a number of new methods to repair hiatus hernias, some of which come with eye-watering price tags.

Usually, the problem is resolved by pushing the stomach back into position, and wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the oesophagus to create a tighter sphincter, stopping food and digestive juices moving back and forth to the throat.

But some hospitals claim using implants - such as special hoops to tie around the oesophagus - leads to better, longer-lasting results. Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon, South London, charges around 10,000 for its procedure that promises to resolve the problem using a device made of titanium beads to keep the closure extra tight.

The technology is not widely used within the NHS. What's more, don't be fooled by surprisingly cheap inguinal operations. Some may be priced as low as 2,500 but they do not use laparoscopic methods. This means the procedure involves a large incision, greater risk of complications and days in hospital.

The high cost of varicose veins treatment - and it might not work

Varicose veins are bulging, purple blood vessels in the legs and ankles caused by poor circulation. Treatment for them has long been a popular paid-for service.

Varicose veins affect one third of the population - and while NHS GPs will refer patients for a procedure if they suffer aching, swollen legs or itchy, damaged skin, they won't if it's considered a purely cosmetic problem.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

There are several ways to treat varicose veins, each with a different price tag. The most common is ablation therapy.

This involves having a narrow tube, or catheter, threaded into the vein via a small cut above the knee, where a hot probe is inserted. This destroys the problematic vein.

Ablation costs anything from 1,000 up to 3,000 per leg. For smaller veins, doctors may recommend something called sclerotherapy, where foam is injected into the veins. This causes scarring which eventually closes off the vein. Sclerotherapy costs between 370 and 600 a leg.

One leading specialist offers a non-invasive technique called echotherapy, which uses heat from outside the body to shrink and close off the veins.

Vascular surgeon Professor Mark Whiteley is the only clinician to offer echotherapy at the Whiteley Clinic, which has centres in London, Guildford and Bristol. To treat the main varicose veins in one leg costs 3,039, but it can be less depending on severity.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

While non-invasive options like echotherapy may seem tempting, due to the little downtime after the procedure, it is not yet gold standard. Studies show the success rate for ablation operations are between 85 and 95 per cent, and they are standard on the NHS.

While sclerotherapy may be cheaper, success rates can be as low as 33 per cent, and you may need further procedures for it to be effective.

Stop gynaecological discomfort

Waiting lists for NHS gynaecological treatment have risen by 60 per cent since the beginning of the pandemic.

Today, one in 20 of those with painful conditions such as fibroids, cysts and endometriosis, or who are in need of a hysterectomy, are still facing delays of at least a year for treatment, and there's little sign things will improve.

The most common treatment for fibroids - non-cancerous, fibrous growths in the womb that don't respond to medication - is a procedure to remove them.

This can be surgery called a myomectomy, with cuts made in the abdomen, or non-surgical techniques that block the blood supply to the fibroids, or embolisation.

The removal of cysts and tissue related to endometriosis - in which cells that usually line the womb grow elsewhere - almost always involve keyhole surgery.

Hysterectomies, which are sometimes performed to treat fibroids, can be performed using keyhole techniques too.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Surgical procedures for fibroids and cysts cost between 5,000 and 13,000, depending on the location and time needed to recover in hospital.

Some providers charge less for minimally-invasive procedures, done via keyhole surgery, which involve less downtime in hospital and fewer scars. Other techniques, such as embolisation which cuts the blood supply to the growths, or procedures that destroy fibroids using heat energy, cost from 8,000.

The cost of endometriosis treatment ranges from 5,000 for standard laparoscopic, or keyhole, surgery, and 10,000 for robotic surgery. It can cost up to 25,000 for very complex cases. Private hysterectomies range from 4,000 to 8,500. Procedures that involve major surgery, removing the womb via a large cut in the abdomen, cost more than those that extract it via the vagina or a small cut in the groin.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Non-surgical fibroid treatments are not as well evidenced as traditional, surgical techniques. They are only deemed suitable for women who do not wish to have more children, due to unknown risks to fertility.

When the procedure is not performed by a highly-experienced specialist, ten per cent of patients suffer complications.

Be sure to choose your consultant wisely - a good surgeon will be able to boast a one per cent failure or complication rate, research shows.

Many private consultants offer a two-in-one package for diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

The troublesome tissue is cut out via a keyhole incision, but some providers will charge more for complex endometriosis extraction. The extent of the problem is often impossible to predict, so be aware of potential extra costs.

Time to tackle prostate problems

ROUGHLY one in three British men over 50 suffer an enlarged prostate. The walnut-sized gland sits below the bladder, and if it swells it can cause problems with going to the toilet - needing to go all the time, but often not being able to. Complications include recurrent urinary tract infections and severe pain. Yet, the thousands who do not respond to medication can expect to wait at least four months for one of many procedures that could resolve the problem.

In some parts of London and the South East, one in 12 are waiting longer than a year for a urology appointment.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The most common procedure is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), whereby part of the prostate gland is removed. The surgery, including one to three nights in hospital, costs between 5,000 and 9,000, depending on location. The average price is about 6,000.

Also popular are minimally-invasive options such as UroLift - where a surgeon inserts an implant to hold the prostate away from the bladder, relieving symptoms in just 15 minutes. Expect to pay between 5,000 and 6,000.

Prostate artery embolisation is also popular, as it is performed under local anaesthetic, involving little to no downtime. The procedure, which costs between 7,000 and 9,000, involves injecting particles into blood vessels via a tube in the groin. This cuts blood supply to the prostate, shrinking it.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

You can find an extensive list of urologists experienced in the UroLift procedure, which is carried out in day clinics, on Prostatematters.co.uk.

Studies show in around ten per cent of cases, prostate artery embolisation can fail if the blood vessels are too weak or thin to take the injections. In these cases, doctors may suggest patients have TURP, which means paying for a second procedure or waiting four months to have surgery on the NHS.

Piles causing pain? Don't sit around

Embarrassing problems that affect the back passage, like haemorrhoids and fissures (small tears in the skin), affect at least eight million Britons.

Yet patients face lengthy waits to have them sorted, as GPs often consider them non-urgent.

New treatments, like those using heat to destroy haemorrhoids, are not offered on the NHS.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Procedures for haemorrhoids cost anywhere between 550 and 3,000 depending on the type of treatment you choose.

Full surgery - a haemorrhoidectomy - is between 2,500 and 4,500, including an overnight stay in hospital if needed.

Less invasive procedures such as banding - where tiny rubber bands are placed inside the back passage to cut off the blood supply to the haemorrhoids - are cheaper, as they are over in a few minutes. Some places charge as little as 650, although the average price, including a follow-up appointment, is closer to 1,500.

Newer, non-invasive treatments, involving probes which use low-frequency electrical currents to seal off piles' blood supply, cost between 1,000 to 3,000.

For very small haemorrhoids, doctors may suggest injections which cause the piles to shrivel up and vanish in weeks. The average cost is roughly 600.

For anal fissures, procedures range from 650 to 3,500, depending on the method used, the size of the problem and any recovery time needed in hospital.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Non-invasive treatment for haemorrhoids may not resolve the problem in one procedure. You may need a second, at additional cost.

What about scans and tests?

Private diagnostic services are a fast-growing area. One 2022 report by private health sector analysts LaingBuisson noted some providers had seen demand for private MRI and CT scans jump in popularity by up to 60 per cent in a year.

Detailed scans can be useful to spot everything from spinal fractures to joint problems and cancerous growths deep within organs.

Then there are private blood tests, which have exploded in popularity over the past few years - with multiple online providers checking for everything from hormone health to nutritional deficiencies with a finger prick.

Private hospitals have their own in-house blood-testing services too. Simply pay for your blood test online and make an appointment at the local hospital within three days. The results are usually sent out within a week.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

CT scans, also called CAT scans, cost between 420 and 900. They use X-rays to produce detailed images of tumours, bone fractures and internal bleeding, and take between ten to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the location.

MRI scans produce slightly more detailed images of soft tissue and bone, and cost between 200 and 1,500 depending on whether you're scanning a single area or the whole body.

They are more uncomfortable, as you have to lie still in a tube for between several minutes to more than an hour.

Blood tests range from 25 to 300, depending on what is being tested for.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Traditional 'closed' MRI scanners - the type where you lie on a bed which is then slid into a tube - tend to be about 200 to 300 cheaper than open ones, which you can walk into.

Open MRIs are popular with people who feel claustrophobic, but they are not as widely available.

It is a good idea to visit your GP for a referral for any scan or blood test, as some private providers charge extra if you don't. Nuffield Health, for instance, charges 25 for patients who require a blood test without a GP referral.

Most private services do not include a full debrief from a consultant who can explain your results - the data is sent to you online, along with a basic, written interpretation.

But you can arrange for the results to be shared with your NHS GP, who can discuss them for free.
For my last break I packed a pair of running shoes  just in case I had time to become a whole different person while we were away. This happens every time I travel. The practical side of my brain is replaced by the fantasy one that conjures up all sorts of dreamy situations I must be ready for  none of which, of course, ever materialise. Im a disaster when it comes to holiday packing and always take far too much.

Recently I interviewed Victoria Beckham, who admitted she suffers the same affliction. I take way too many things, she said. The amount of times we have been to beautiful islands and Ive taken 15 pairs of major high heels. And not worn a single pair  obviously!

My friend, former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, packs beauty and hair products she imagines using but never gets around to even taking out of the bag.

When I posted my holiday running shoes confession on Instagram, I received hundreds of messages from women saying they all did the same: taking things for their imaginary better selves, just in case. Yet when it comes to packing for my 11-year-old son, Im very precise: T-shirts, shorts, swimming trunks. Done.

My theory is that holidays are such a great escape from mundane normal life that we cant help seeing them as an opportunity to experiment or at least imagine a different, more adventurous, elegant us.

This summer Im determined to pack less. Im still bringing my go-tos, just not all of them. However, Im certainly not dressing down on holiday, even if I have to lug my suitcases up the equivalent of the Spanish Steps. Wearing favourites on holiday elevates the whole experience. Heres my list of this years essentials:

1 A couple of pairs of minimalist, pared-back sandals that go with everything. Clunky always looks out of place. Flip-flops for the pool. And two pairs of mid heels, with the same rules applied as the flats.

2 Easy-to-wear, fuss-free dresses for dinners in the local taverna. White, lemon and blue are my holiday colours. And (one or two!) more elevated ones in case a truly glamorous dinner occasion arises.

3 Five pieces of my treasured jewellery.

4 Two basket bags and two small leather ones.

5 Two shorts and shirt sets for daytime lounging.

6 Three pairs of swimwear.

7 Hair and skincare products.

8 Two light trousers plus a crochet pair.

9 One favourite sunhat.

10 Two pool cover-ups and one kaftan.

@thestylistandthewardrobe

@youmagazine

SHORTS STORY

A big trend this summer is shorts and a matching shirt. Gwyneth Paltrow cooked breakfast in a set on one of her Instagram posts. These boxer-style shorts from Zara with co-ordinating pink shirt are perfect holiday material.

SPOTTED

Ruth Negga in Presumed Innocent

Irish actress Ruth Negga is slaying every scene in my new summer addiction Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+. Stylish Ruth plays the distressed wife of head prosecutor Jake Gyllenhaal, who is accused of murdering his colleague and mistress. Nobody knows if he did it or not.
While the idea of buying used lipstick from a stranger makes me more uncomfortable than double Spanx on a 30-degree day, so too did renting a strangers home for my holidays and hiring an outfit for a wedding. Now I do both on a regular basis. Does this mean Ill soon be joining increasing numbers of people who, it turns out, are prepared to wear second-hand slap?

In its 2022 report, Mercari, the US online resale marketplace, reported that preowned beauty was in its top five fastest-growing categories, and predicted it would expand by 126 per cent by 2031. Now the industry is buzzing about a new US site Glou Beauty, which is all about rehoming under-loved products, AKA half-used lipsticks, mascaras and foundations.

Call me ageist, but I had assumed that Mercaris main customers would be the young. After all, they have less money and are neurologically predisposed to risky behaviour. However, according to the websites report, all generations are buying its preloved beauty and seemingly not giving a fig about contracting cold sores, MRSA (yes, really) or conjunctivitis. Because lets get candid, germ transmission is a real possibility. Glou Beauty has strong disclaimers on its website (which is not available to UK customers), saying, buyers assume the risks associated with purchasing preowned products and advise you to research the methods to reduce health risks associated with sharing beauty products.

Amreen Bashir, a microbiologist at Birminghams Aston University, believes we are right to be worried. In an article for TV channel CNN, she talks about the link between make-up and pathogens (organisms that cause disease) and says, You wouldnt share a toothbrush with strangers, so why make an exception with your cosmetics?

Dr Colette Haydon, founder of the Lixirskin brand, says, As a doctor in dermo-pharmacy, this is something I would not recommend at all. You need to consider that preservatives in cosmetics protect against contaminants classically found in them but not against other viruses that could be passed between people. She does, however, go on to add, a product that has not been used at all would be fine.

Ahh, unopened second-hand products, which are often sold at 50 per cent less than full price. Here in the UK, Ebay and Vinted wont sell used beauty products as, according to the former, they present health and safety concerns. But there is an increasing trade in unwanted new ones and, while these sites prohibit the sale of expired products, buyers beware: its hard to police.

This all gets me thinking about the sharing of make-up on beauty counters and what protocols are in place to stop spreading germs. Amy Conway, global pro artist at Bobbi Brown, assures me the brand has rigorous safety systems: We never directly transfer product to skin. Instead, using a brush, we move the product to the backs of our sanitised hands or a palette first. We also spritz anti-bacterial spray on everything from powders to eyeshadows, have single-use mascara wands and slice the tops off lipsticks after each use.

Reassuring. But back to the rise in preowned make-up. Even though there is a cost-of-living crisis and Im on board with reducing waste, it still doesnt sit well with me. Watch this space to see how it evolves.

RISK MANAGEMENT

DONT

buy opened second-hand products. Always ensure they are new, ie have their cellophane wrapping, with seals unbroken and original packaging, which is important as you need to check the barcode (see below).

DO

see how old the product is using the website checkfresh.com. To find the precise date of manufacture and its expiry date, simply enter the brand and the batch number next to the barcode.

DONT

choose clean beauty brands, as they are formulated with fewer preservatives so their shelf life is shorter. This is important if you cant be 100 per cent certain about their original date of purchase.

DO

consider how long your product will last once opened. This is shown by the M symbol on the packaging (6M = six months, 12M = 12 months etc). Check you have enough time to use it within the expiry date.

UNDER A TENNER

Bare Feet by Margaret Dabbs Cooling Foot Spray (8, barefeetandhands.co.uk) boasts honey, ginger and aloe vera for a refreshing anti-inflammatory spritz.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?

Diptyques stop-you-in-the-street scent Orpheon is an addictive blend of cedar, jasmine and juniper berry. Youll love it. 153, diptyqueparis.com

ON A ROLL

Gen Z-ers Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid have discovered what weve always known: Velcro rollers are a damage-free way to smooth hair and add volume. From 3.49, sallybeauty.co.uk
It was 2am when the door knock came. As a 32-year-old anthropology postgrad student at Roehampton University, I was living alone in a rented studio flat, still up working on my dissertation. Normally I wouldnt open the door so late but something told me this was important. As soon as I saw it was the police, I knew someone had died.

They told me my dads body had been discovered by his cleaner in his Bedfordshire cottage. My friendly pet rat Mr Cuddles heard the voices and popped out to say hello while I babbled that I wasnt meant to have pets. The officer reassured me it wasnt his job to police whether people were abiding by the terms of their rental contracts.

The three of us, London 1981

A few days later the coroner phoned me with the autopsy results: my father, 69, had died of a massive aneurysm. Hed had a few problems for a while  he was diabetic and had undergone a heart bypass a few years earlier. But he was otherwise healthy and working full-time as an IT consultant. His death was a huge and unexpected blow.

My father was an award-winning amateur musician, a Cambridge maths alumnus and a successful businessman. He even moonlighted as a church organist. He had a good life, and he had a good death: painless, and without prolonged illness or suffering. He finished work, sat in his armchair and just dropped dead. I think he died satisfied hed accomplished all he had set out to achieve in life. His death was sad, but it was a tidy death.

Dad in the mid-90s; Mum at home in North London, 1981

His house was immaculate. Everything I needed was in a folder marked death on a shelf. Hed included a copy of his will, his birth certificate, even all his insurance policies. I didnt have to do anything except grieve.

This wasnt the first time Id lost a loved one. My grandfathers both died when I was young, my paternal grandmother before I was born. I grew up an only child, with my parents Roy and Lyn, maternal grandmother Edie and beloved Aunt Jean, who died at 60 after routine surgery. I was in my early 20s and it was my first major bereavement. My grandmother passed a few years later, aged nearly 90.

But when my dad died in 2013 I was the first of all my friends to lose a parent. I became aware of their relationships with their own parents. As the years went by, my friends started dealing with the problems of ageing mums and dads  dementia, physical disabilities. I missed my dad but was grateful Id been spared that torment.

Me aged three; Mum, Cambridge, 1975

Meanwhile my relationship with my mother was troubled and tumultuous  wed been estranged for years after she became romantically involved with a man who treated me badly. But after my dad died, I felt a pressure to rebuild the mother-daughter relationship. I was acutely aware that she was the only family I had left.

By this time I had given up anthropology and was pursuing playwriting full-time. It made my mother very proud. The first time I had a play performed in the West End, in 2017, she dressed up, took me for afternoon tea beforehand then stuck her hand up during the post-show Q&A to ask the director, Why are you not programming more plays from this incredibly talented young writer? I was mortified but also secretly pleased. I was happy that Id made her proud of me. Little did I know that, within a couple of years, she too would be dead at 68 and Id be alone in the world at the age of 37.

Mum and Dad in North Yorkshire, 1989

In May 2018, I was in Bristol attending a theatre conference. When the event ended I had a panic attack for no discernible reason and returned early to London. I wasnt consciously thinking about my mum but worries about her  and her romantic relationship  were always in the background.

A few months earlier shed told me that shed phoned a domestic violence charity. They had put her in touch with a solicitor who specialised in such cases and was helping her to evict her boyfriend.

She told me that essentially theyd broken up, they slept in separate bedrooms and no longer had any real relationship; he was controlling and she was scared of him as well as what he might do if she told him to leave.

As a toddler, 1982

The morning after I got back from Bristol, I woke up to a voicemail from her number, but it was his voice on the recording telling me that shed died. I got on a train to the hospital, where I viewed her body in the morgue, an incongruous apricot-frilled duvet cover hiding the black body bag underneath.

The coroner said the autopsy showed shed died of a stroke, but when I spoke to her boyfriend the next day, he said the doctors had told him shed be disabled if she lived, so had asked him to make a decision whether to resuscitate or not. Hed told them to pull the plug. Years later, one of the doctors who had treated her told me that was a lie.

Aged four, chasing ducks with Mum

To this day I dont know what happened; only that my mothers boyfriend returned to her house before her body was cold and tore the place apart looking for her will. When he found that shed left everything to me, he squatted there for six months, padlocking the door as a final act of cruelty when he did a midnight flit to avoid being forcibly evicted.

If my fathers death had been tidy, my mothers was as messy as her life. My beautiful, scatty, spiritual mum  who loved to sing as loud as possible and believed in feng shui and crystal healing  brought chaos with her as she lurched from drama to drama. And she left mayhem: not just her maisonette in Harrow, which was in semi-hoarder condition, but legal and personal messes, too.

Aged 11, with my pet Acorn Corny Rabbit; a late-80s holiday in Israel

There was no space left for feelings. I closed my grief away but kept waking up crying. I used to get so angry when my friends complained about their parents minor flaws: at least you have parents, I would think. Be grateful and spend this precious time you have with them.

I felt guilty for not having done more to rescue my mother. After she died I found emails shed sent to a friend, expressing a hope that Id turn up and whisk her away to a hotel. But I was also angry at her for not putting my needs first, for my having grown up a parentified child, forced to take on the role of a supportive adult. I needed to get over that anger before I could grieve.

With Mum in London, 1984

I was so traumatised and, perhaps overwhelmed by the enormity of my losses, afraid that my pain and bad fortune would be contagious, I closed myself off from old friends and others. The one thing that saved me was writing. In 2019, Londons Bush Theatre commissioned my play Unicorn, exploring my mothers early life; I later wrote the award-winning interactive Batman, which invited the audience to participate in an onstage wake. Talking about grief, and writing about my mum, finally helped me to process all the emotions and feelings Id been suppressing.

My theatre career took me all over the world, and I have used this as an opportunity to meet my mothers unfulfilled desire to travel by scattering her ashes in nearly a dozen countries so far  including the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, the Caribbean Sea off Mexico, the Seine in Paris, and of course the Thames in London.

In my favourite cardigan, 1987

She wasnt the perfect mother, but she had some wonderful qualities. She never judged anyone and she had a profound love of animals, which I share. (I donated to Dogs Trust in her name.) Ive always been very independent, and I live by myself, but loss made me realise how much I need people; that its OK to open up, accept love and care and ask for support. Ive learnt how to use my writing to connect with others, to encourage communal grieving, and that brings me great joy.

My parents absence will always be a hole in my life, but their deaths have taught me that I am not alone.

With Dad in Eastbourne, mid-80s

Happy Death Club by Naomi Westerman is published by 404 Ink, 7.50. To order a copy for 6.75 until 18 August, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over 25.
A new London cafe is hardly a major event. Sure, it may delight locals, and perk up the neighbourhood. It may even do the sort of pretty patisserie that draws in the gullible Instagram hordes. But national news? I think not. The River Cafe Cafe, though, is different. Sitting opposite Hammersmiths iconic Italian restaurant, and open all day, every day bar Monday, its

The River Cafes first (and only) new opening for 37 years. So somewhat of a gastronomic milestone. It does walk-ins only, and prices are rather more, well, accessible than in the main restaurant. The place, which has a terrace that gazes out over the Thames, opened in June and is already packed.

We wanted a place where people can eat the best ingredients, have a drink, have a ball, says the River Cafes owner Ruthie Rogers, below

We were always confident The River Cafe Cafe would be OK, says Ruthie Rogers, the chef-proprietor and much-loved matriarch of The River Cafe family. Its just past noon on a warm Friday, and the sun is streaming through the windows. All the ingredients were there. But I did worry if anyone would actually come. You need a bit of worry. Always.

Born in upstate New York in 1948, Ruthie came to London in the late 1960s, where she met, then married, the late, great architect Richard Rogers. She talks about living in Paris at the start of the 70s, when he was working on the building of the Pompidou Centre. It was there I learned never to go to the market with a shopping list. Just go and see whats best that day. And thats how we still cook at The River Cafe, half a century later. When they came back to London, Richard didnt want the usual dreary HQ in the city, so he found and tore down an old warehouse on the river in Hammersmith, and replaced it with his office. He also wanted a place to eat, she goes on. I decided to do it myself. It was crazy, because I was just a domestic cook. But I called Rose [Gray, chef and her late business partner], who had been working at Nells in New York, then 192 in London. And that is how we began, back in 1987.

The River Cafes owner Ruthie Rogers

When it comes to The River Cafe, Im hardly an objective observer. In fact, its one of my favourite restaurants on earth, a place where the quality of the ingredients is matched only by the consistent excellence of the cooking. But its not just the food that brings me back again and again, rather the warmth of the service and the sort of atmosphere you want to bottle and save for a dull, drab March morning. But this sort of succour does not come cheap. At all. Even a relatively parsimonious lunch, with a couple of glasses of wine, will set you back 100 per head. Depending, that is, on whether you can bag that table in the first place. A booking here is still one of the most sought-after in the country.

Which is why The River Cafe Cafe, located in Richards old offices, is such an inspired idea. As Charles Pullan, its front-of-house maestro, puts it, Anyone can drop in, from locals and passers-by to people who want a taste of The River Cafe. Its entirely democratic. Ruthie agrees. We wanted a place where people can eat the best ingredients, have a drink, have a ball. But this is not so much a budget version, as a younger sibling. The attention to detail is typically fastidious  an exact replica of the restaurants gleaming bar; the cerulean blue carpets; the chairs, cutlery, even the font. Nothing is there by accident, and The River Cafe Cafe, despite being open only since June, feels like its been there for ever, an entirely natural extension of The River Cafe.

Then theres the food. We wander into the prep kitchen where head chef Dan Spackman, shows me around. We use exactly the same ingredients as the main restaurant, plus a few things, like the best mortadella, that might not have a place there. There are voluptuous cornetti (Italian croissants) on the counter for breakfast, along with golden brioche buns filled with prosciutto, ciambella cake and plates of fresh Italian peaches.

As the day passes, the menu changes. We eat charred peppers, softly sweet, and spinach with lemon and olive oil, a study in pure simplicity. Theres bruschetta and salumi, four kinds of cheese, its incredible ice cream and the famed Nemesis chocolate cake.

As dusk falls, you can sit by the river, the last rays of the setting sun glowing red through your negroni. We had our shop here during lockdown, says Ruthie, just before she wanders off, back into the main restaurant. It was great, but this she waves her hand around the room, is what we do best. Build it, as they say, and hope that they will come.

rivercafe.co.uk/#cafe
Scrutiny: Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky

Keir Starmer is not known for loose language. So it was fascinating to hear him cautioning against 'flogging off' vital assets when unveiling plans to make Britain a green energy powerhouse.

The Prime Minister doesn't appear to sit in the camp which argues that selling the 'crown jewels' to foreign buyers shows confidence in Britain.

It should come as no surprise that the Government has decided to probe the 3.6billion bid for the Royal Mail by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky by invoking the National Security & Investment Act.

There has been a vain belief on the board of the Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services (IDS), among advisers and bankers (set to collect 146m of fees) that the deal rapidly could be completed.

The hope was it could be done under the radar in the aftermath of the election.

Confidence was supported by the 2022 probe of Kretinsky  dubbed the 'Czech Sphinx'  as he built a 27.5 per cent IDS stake.

No security threat was found because of links to Russia or any other state.

If one looks at the way that Whitehall has deployed the act so far, it has only used the powers to interfere with deals when there is fear of tech transfer to potentially hostile nations such as China.

Often it is forgotten that the act has a much broader remit. It draws lessons from the powerful and uncompromising US Committee on Foreign Investment.

Japan's Nippon Steel currently is being stalled in its ambition to acquire US Steel by Joe Biden's White House.

With determination, the sale of Royal Mail could face a public interest test in Britain. The Cabinet Office will seek to establish whether there is a link between Kretinsky, the Slovak gas pipelines concern Eustream and Russia.

There apparently is no such direct relationship. However, Kretinsky is not bidding alone. His partner, J&T Capital, is an offshoot of a less-than transparent Slovak group of which much less is known.

Understanding J&T ought to be a critical part of the scrutiny.

An immediate consequence of 'calling in' the deal is that the City referee, the Takeover Panel, has suspended the August 4 timetable for an offer to be finalised.

Panel rules are on hold until the regulatory hurdles have been cleared.

And in the meantime the Kretinsky advisory bandwagon rolls on. It is understood his team are keeping in close touch with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who will be anxious to tie down firm undertakings made between Kretinsky and the company.

Among the items to be covered are the Universal Service Obligation (USO), jobs, headquarters and the future role of the main employee group the Communications Workers Union.

There is a concern that the five-year standstill is not long enough to be a defence against the defenestration of the Royal Mail.

Moreover, Kretinsky, having established a dialogue with the trade union, plans to keep on talking.

All of this is taking place against a fascinating background. To restore profitability the Royal Mail needs regulator Ofcom to approve changes to the USO.

A key change would be an end to the requirement that second-class mail be delivered six days a week.

A new approach could add up to 300m to 350m in earnings to the Royal Mail. That would mean Kretinsky would have to considerably raise his bid price.

Important lessons can be learnt from the US. One Boston-based American investor explains there is a severe risk of loss of business unless Ofcom acts speedily.

The US Postal Service, facing many of the same challenges, has become a problem for Washington. A private sector competitor, UPS, has stolen the postal service business by deploying better technology, logistics and tracking.

In the UK Apollo-owned Evri (formerly Hermes) is seeking to do the same to the Royal Mail.

If the Government is serious about ending the sale of vital enterprises overseas then the best financial way of blocking an unwanted deal is to change the USO mandate.

Kretinsky, J&T and advisers face a long and arduous path to winning.

The big question now is whether they can stay the distance.
Women have made big strides in the once male-dominated world of insurance. Aviva, the FTSE 100s biggest insurer, is led by Amanda Blanc, one of the Citys most respected bosses. Admiral is run by Milena Mondini de Focatiis. Even Lloyds of London, the venerable insurance market, has had a female leader, Inga Beale.

The new woman on the block is Tara Foley, 53, who became chief executive of French giant Axa in the UK and Ireland last autumn.

When asked how she made it to the top of Axa, one of Europes largest insurance companies, she jokes: I dreamt of being in insurance, as every young girl does.

Tara Foley, 53, is the chief executive of French giant Axa in the UK and Ireland

The CEO jokes that she dreamt of being in insurance, 'as every young girl does'

The reality is that she started out wanting to be a psychologist, and ended up in insurance via consultancy and banking, mainly at Lloyds Banking Group. She joined Axa as head of retail in the middle of the pandemic.

The second of five children, Foley was born in Dublin and had a strong role model in her mother, who she says founded the first female-only branch of the Fianna Fail political party. Her advice for other women who want to reach the top is to find great mentors  and if you see someone you admire, dont be afraid to ask them to take on the role.

On the Lloyds board was Deborah McWhinney, who was really sparky. I saw her speak and went to ask her to be my mentor, she says. I was daunted but you have to be brave.

How, as the mother of a boy aged 12 and a girl aged ten, has she balanced work and family? Spreadsheets pinned around the home and lots of them, is the answer.

Who is in charge of all the planning? Well now. We both are, I and my husband, she says, adding that for women who want a partner, picking a supportive one is vital.

Foley with her husband, Will McQuhae - she says that for women who want a partner, picking a supportive one is vital

I have been very lucky. He supports me and is not competitive. Were a team. We are not about traditional roles.

After being made chief executive, she called a family meeting.

I had to explain I was going to miss stuff at school, she says. There are sacrifices involved.

The positive side is my kids see their mum can be successful at a career. That is not just important for my daughter, but for my son. I want him to be supportive of a partner in the future.

My kids see their mum can be successful at a career,  says Foley, who has two children. 'That is not just important for my daughter, but for my son. I want him to be supportive of a partner in the future (Posed by models)

One unexpected moment came during the pandemic, when she was having a socially distanced interview for Axa in a local park.

I saw, from the corner of my eye, my daughter, then aged six, hanging upside down from a tree. This was interesting as shed promised not to do that any more, she says.

One trap she has seen female leaders fall into is trying to prop up staff who are not up to the job.

Its something Ive seen women do a lot of over the years. If you have someone on your team who is not performing, you step in and do their role. So you are trying to do their job and your own. I see it as a female trait, to want to help, but in cases like these you are not doing anyone any favours.

Foley certainly has more than enough to do in her own role. She has taken the helm at a challenging time, with the change of Government, and cost-of-living crisis.

Women have made big strides in the once male-dominated world of insurance: Aviva is led by Amanda Blanc (left); Admiral by Milena Mondini de Focatiis (inset); Axa by Tara Foley (centre), and Lloyds of London by Inga Beale (right)

She is in charge of delivering Axas new strategy, as well as improving the profitability of its health and retail arms and overseeing the digital transformation.

Attracting older workers to the company is part of her vision.

People can have fantastic and rewarding careers in this industry. It is very fulfilling. We havent always been good at getting that across, she says. We need  across all industries  to tap into talent among the over-50s. Talented people shouldnt be on the scrap heap.

Climate risk is particularly interesting for us. Since September we have had 11 named storms. That is unheard of. We used to call them one-offs, but we cant any more. We are investing a lot, we are involved in conversations with governments about resilience, retro-fitting properties and about building in a more resilient way.

All of this sounds as if it is likely to spell dearer premiums. But, Foley says, Axa tries to keep policies affordable so people are not forced to skimp on vital cover.

We are using tech to be as efficient as possible. Artificial intelligence has been in use in the industry for years, she says. We have a tool called Alfred, because he is a butler. He helps our agents by providing answers fast if they are on a call to a customer. He will search a plethora of things and staff sense-check his answers.

Prevention, so people avoid having to claim in the first place, is really important. For example on motor insurance, we are in talks with manufacturers and governments about road safety and the safety of vehicles. And we want to make sure the supply chain is in place for repairs, which will keep costs and premiums down.

Foley is in charge of a new strategy called unlock the future. It was unveiled earlier this year by Axas overall boss, Thomas Buberl, and will run until 2026.

The strategy focuses on boosting core businesses, hitting higher financial targets and a new capital management policy, with plans to pay dividends to shareholders that are as least as high as the previous year. There are commitments to helping the transition to green energy and to financial inclusion.

The main Axa group has embarked on a string of takeovers, including buying Bermuda-based XL Group for 11 billion in 2018.

Foley says: We have done a few significant acquisitions. So now is the time to consolidate that.

Then we are concentrating on our role in society more broadly. A good example is what we call inclusive insurance. Where there are whole sectors of society who are uninsured or underinsured, we think about how to offer products and services at the right price.

She cites Moja, a digital-only insurance product she introduced as head of retail: You can totally customise it, so its excellent value. We also are looking at home insurance for tenants. Typically they are underinsured. Young people renting might just want to insure a couple of high-value items.

Peoples needs are changing as society changes, and one-size policies do not fit all. On health, there might be opportunities around diagnostics and early prevention.

Axa is number two in UK health insurance behind Bupa. Demand has soared post-pandemic, she says, adding: On our digital health app, we used to have about 17,000 GP consultations a month pre-Covid. Now it is 55,000 a month.

She is looking to expand health cover for those past retirement age, saying: Most health problems happen when we are older.

Another pet project for Foley is purging policies of jargon and endless incomprehensible guff.

We would like to rationalise the terms and conditions on policies to make them consistent, she says, pointing out that at Moja: The slogan is jargon, jog on!. We are looking at how to apply it to other products.

Foley says: Insurance is at the cutting edge of the really big issues: AI, climate change and ageing populations. People say this industry is boring  but nothing could be further from the truth.

AXAs Foley, 53: tree hugger, music lover

Family: Husband Will and two children.

Education: University College Dublin.

Career: Senior roles at Accenture, Deutsche Bank and Lloyds.

Hobbies: Travelling, criminology and nature  Ive been known to hug a tree!

Fantasy dinner party guests: Naturalist Sir David Attenborough, writer Oscar Wilde, Serbian-American electrical pioneer Nikola Tesla and Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who was also Soviet leader Leon Trotskys lover.

Fantasy trip: A music tour of the US taking in Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans.
Boost: Boss 'Turbo' Tufan Erginbilgic

Rolls-Royce is to hand 700 worth of shares to all staff as the aerospace giant cheers a successful turnaround.

Chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic said the engine maker will give 150 shares to 'every colleague, in every part of our organisation' in September.

It follows half-year results this week, with Rolls announcing a first dividend since the pandemic.

The move was cheered by investors who had been calling for Erginbilgic to reinstate the prized payout.

Shares flew to a record high on Thursday but fell back 3.6 per cent, or 17.2p, to 463.9p yesterday. It has around 42,000 people worldwide and all are set to get shares.

In an internal message to employees, Erginbilgic said that the resumption of the dividend payout marked an 'important moment' for shareholders and future investors.

He added: 'These results have been made possible thanks to your hard work and our collective actions.

'You are making the difference. It is therefore important that you share in our success. That is why we are giving you the opportunity to own part of Rolls-Royce.'

'Turbo' Tufan, as he is better known, joined at the start of 2023 when Rolls was struggling to recover from the pandemic and had racked up mammoth losses as planes were grounded.

But he has cut costs  expected to fall by 200m a year by the end of 2025  and paid down debts.

Last October, Rolls announced 2,500 job cuts. The shares' value have more than quadrupled since the start of 2023, a factor that has earned Erginbilgic his nickname of 'Turbo' Tufan.
As they lay trapped in the pitch black trunk of their car, all Janette and Greig Fennell could think about was the safety of their nine-month-old son.

Moments before, the couple had been forced into their vehicle at gunpoint by masked thugs.

But even more terrifying for the couple was the fact that their baby had been on the back seat at the time.

Speaking to DailyMail.com about the harrowing night in 1995, she recalled: 'They got in the car and all we heard them say was, there's a baby'.

But try as they might, the couple could not free themselves and so began an ordeal which saw them go hours thinking their son Alex had been kidnapped or killed.

Janette and Greig Fennell were car jacked at gunpoint and forced into their trunk with their baby son Alex still strapped in the back seat in 1995. Pictured: The family a few years after the incident

The nightmare unfolded as the Fennells were returning home from dinner at a friend's house.

They pulled into their garage as usual, but before the door could shut, a group of men wearing gloves and Halloween masks swarmed their White Lexus.

They forced the couple into the trunk and sped off into the night.

'As that was happening, I'm like to my husband, "Can you hear the baby? Can you hear the baby?"' Janette told DailyMail.com. 'And then, you know, like your mind does crazy things.

'I'm like, "oh, I just saw this show on Oprah that says if you don't get away in the first five minutes, you're dead and you know, and we're talking crazy like that and we're starting to pray and I kept saying, "Can you hear him? Can you hear him?"'

With their thoughts racing and time ticking by, they began desperately trying to claw their way out but to no avail.

'Nothing makes sense at that point except for, you know, you wanna survive and you, you wanna figure out, you know how you're gonna keep the baby safe, I mean at nine months they can never be alone,' she added.

Eventually, they were driven to a secluded spot south of San Francisco where the masked men opened the trunk once again.

'I popped up because I wanted to try to get a sense for where they had taken us and that's when I got hit with the butt of the gun in the back of my head and shoved back down,' Janette said.

The kidnappers drove them to a remote location before assaulting and robbing them and leaving them for dead. Miraculously, they managed to locate a latch release on the trunk and escape

They were forced to hand over their jewelry, valuables and pin codes under threat of death if they lied.

'They go to my husband and they use the gun like to separate his collar, to make sure he doesn't have a necklace on that they want. I mean, he could have been gone right there,' she added.

'They took everything and the very last thing they said to us before they close the trunk again was, "If this isn't the right pin number, we're gonna come back and kill you".'

With that they slammed the trunk shut and sped off in a waiting get away vehicle, leaving the couple for dead.

But in a moment Janette calls 'divine intervention', she spied a light shining on a device, which turned out to be the internal trunk release mechanism.

The couple managed to make their escape and dialed 911 begging police for help.

Miraculously Alex was located safe and sound shortly after. The kidnappers had deposited him unharmed in the foyer of the family's home.

But in the weeks and years that followed that fateful night, Janette struggled to adjust and was haunted by one officer's words that situations like hers don't usually end as it did.

With the kidnappers still at large, she was plagued by thoughts of something similar happening to someone else.

The intruders removed baby Alex, then nine months, and dropped him on his parents porch before speeding away

'I thought this was crazy. How, how can you put somebody in their own trunk and they can't get out?' she said.

Fueled by her rage, Fennell wrote to car manufacturers demanding to know why vehicles do not come with emergency latch releases as standard.

After getting no response, she kicked her campaign up a notch by compiling the first ever data set on the amount of accidents involving people locked in trunks.

But in a pre-Google world, this involved sifting through pages of newspaper cuttings and court transcripts.'

'I'd put in 'trunk' and 'locked in' and get 10k matches,' she explained. 'Then, I'd spend hours reading through every single result.'

Her efforts uncovered some alarming statistics - 931 incidents involving 1,082 people.

In a quarter of the cases the victim died either from heat stroke, asphyxiation, or hypothermia.

Victims were typically children who had climbed in while playing or people who were being kidnapped.

Following the ordeal, Jannette dedicated her life to campaigning for the devices to be installed on all cars. Pictured: The Fennells today. including son Alex (second right) who was just a baby at the time of the crime

Fennell started gathering her own data on trunk entrapment and managed to convince a Michigan rep to help her campaign

For the next four years Fennell, battled to get her voice heard - in the process discovering she was not the first to petition for the change.

Each time vehicle manufacturers were stubbornly resistant to implementing the change, citing prohibitive costs.

However the tenacious mom uncovered modelling from the 1970s which showed that the devices would cost just 3 cents per car to make and install.

Her fortunes improved following a meeting with then US-rep Bart Stupak who took an interest in the case.

He sponsored a bill to require a study of trunk entrapment and the Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration formed a panel to investigate.

Despite some initial reticence the panel passed a mandate in 1999 by one vote.

The mandate stipulates that all vehicles from 2002 must be equipped with a latch release mechanism in the trunk.

Her work The Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pass a mandate that all car trunks in 2002 models onwards should be equipped with emergency latch releases

Since then there has been no evidence of a trunk related death with the device installed.

However, not content with her victory, Fennell has continued to campaign for better car safety, forming the non-profit Kids and Car Safety.

Today she is recognized as the national leader for child safety in vehicles and can take credit for innovations such as safer window controls and brake-to-shift interlock systems on automatic cards

'I just think, you know, part of the message needs to be that we all suffer from, "It's not gonna happen to me",' Janette explained. 'But nothing could be further from the truth.'
Homes in Santa Rosa, Calif. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

This article is part of our Guide to Navigating the Insurance Crisis. Read the full guide here.

If youre facing a nonrenewal of your home insurance, there is one aspect in finding a new policy that you may not be aware of yet: the difference between an admitted (or licensed insurer) and non-admitted insurers. Admitted insurers are regulated by the California Department of Insurance, which oversees how these companies set their prices and non-renew customers. Theyre also all backed up by the California Insurance Guarantee Association, which will pay out customer claims even if a given insurer runs out of money. All of the major insurance companies  from State Farm to Nationwide  fall into this admitted category.

But as options dwindle, increasingly brokers are steering clients to non-admitted insurers. Some companies even non-renewed clients in their admitted insurer, only to offer them policies with a non-admitted subsidiary instead.

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What are the risks of a non-admitted insurer?

Also known as surplus lines companies, these out-of-state companies must prove their financial stability with the state but do not have to file their rates with the Department of Insurance. They also are not backed up by the California Insurance Guarantee Association, so if a big disaster hits and the company goes insolvent, you may not be able to get your claims paid.

Brokers say non-admitted insurers are typically more expensive, with complex policies that take longer to locate and come with additional fees. Under California regulations, a broker cannot offer you a policy with a non-admitted insurer unless they can document that youve been turned down by three traditional insurers.

Unlike admitted insurers, policies on the non-admitted market do not renew annually. Instead, every year youll be forced to go through the process again  including being rejected by three admitted insurers and then getting a quote from a non-admitted insurer. This also means your prices may jump dramatically year to year.

How to weigh a non-admitted insurer

If youre considering a non-admitted insurer, check its financial stability using online resources such as AM Best, which provides financial strength ratings for insurance companies. Make sure your broker is licensed to do work with non-admitted insurers or has a relationship with a firm that is.

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Read our guide to navigating the insurance crisis
Nico Nuno-Kelley was a straight A student with a winning smile.

'A little burst of sunshine,' his mother, Kathleen Kelley, called him.

Then, on a rainy day in Manhattan last May, he took a puff of a weed vape - and his life evaporated.

The 17-year-old climbed to the roof of his family's Gramercy Park apartment, before plunging six stories to his death.

Nico's fall remains shrouded in mystery. But his grieving mother is convinced a high-potency vape - obtained by a friend from one of New York's countless illegal weed shops - sparked a psychotic episode.

Kathleen Kelley, 58, holds a framed photo of her son Nico Nuno-Kelley, who died last May aged 17 after he took a 'few puffs' from a weed vape before falling six stories from a rooftop

Friends who were with Nico at the time said he 'freaked out' after inhaling the vape, according to a report compiled by a private investigator. His death was ruled an accident

Kathleen, 58, a commodities adviser, is now determined that her son's tragic death finally jolts lackadaisical lawmakers into action and puts an end to their laid back approach to drugs.

'I'm hoping that no other parent ever has to go through this,' she told DailyMail.com. 'The city, the state, the country is doing nothing to stop it. We want to do something to stop it.'

Anatomy of a fall

In the hours before his death, Nico had been at home with two friends. A girl he had known since childhood and her boyfriend.

Nico had taken a 'big hit' from a weed vape that the boyfriend had given him, according to a report by a private investigator, which is based on interviews with Nico's friends and text messages they sent each other on that fateful day.

Nico had smoked marijuana on occasion before, but was not a habitual user, friends said.

Perhaps his tolerance was low. But no one could have expected the devastating turn he was about to take.

At first, he sat back on a couch, laughing, his friends said. Then, he 'freaked out'.

Nico started to cry out. 'No, I don't like this; I don't like this!' he wailed.

He began clawing at the walls and fell to the floor in the fetal position, the report said.

'Oh f***, oh f***!,' he yelled - at one point saying that he felt 'autistic'.

He ran toward his room, while his two friends stayed in the kitchen.

A minute or two later, one of the friends went to his room to look for him, but found it empty. The next thing they heard was the roof alarm.

Around ten minutes later, a neighbor from the adjacent building rushed into the lobby with news of a horrifying discovery.

Nico had landed face first on a 50-gallon drum that was being used to support a shrub, before flipping backwards and landing on the roof next door, security footage later showed.

A toxicology report revealed high levels of THC - the psychoactive substance in marijuana - in Nico's system. Kathleen believes it triggered a psychotic episode that led to his death

Nico was the youngest of three siblings. Pictured here in around 2017/18 with sister Tara, now 24, and brother Alejandro, 26. Tara said Nico was the 'glue' that held the family together

Nico had won a place at Notre Dame University. Pictured above aged around 7 or 8 years old

Nico fell six stories from the roof of his family apartment building in Gramercy Park, Manhattan, (pictured above) onto the roof of the building next door

Kathleen was driving to a friend's in Connecticut when she received the heartbreaking call.

At first, she did not believe the police detective.

'He said there had been an accident and Nico had died. It didn't make any sense to me,' she recalls.

She asked to speak to his supervisor and was given a number.

As she was dialing from a roadside parking lot, her friend called. She told Kathleen that her older son, Alejandro Nuno-Kelley, 26, who was on holiday in Peru, had been trying to reach her.

He had also been contacted by detectives.

Kathleen's friend asked her where she was. 'I'm so sorry,' she added.

That was when Kathleen knew her son was dead.

She got out of the car, walked through the pouring rain into the woods and lay in the mud.

Her friend picked her up and drove her to the morgue in Manhattan.

'It was the vape'

There is no cast iron evidence that proves Nico died as a result of smoking the weed pen.

The boyfriend has refused to cooperate with the police. The vape has never been recovered.

It is not clear whether he jumped or slipped, but his friends believe he likely slid off the wet roof, according to the private investigator's report.

Nico had not shown any signs of depression, his friends and family said.

The medical examiner's office ruled the death an accident, caused by multiple blunt impact injuries.

A toxicology report did, however, reveal high levels of THC - the psychoactive substance in marijuana - in Nico's system.

No other drug traces were found.

An NYPD detective at the scene told the private investigator that he believed 'the reaction Nico had to the weed pen contributed to the cause of death', according to his report.

Nico and his family had for a while lived in London and he had dreamed of studying at Oxford University, his mother said. Pictured above with sister Tara

Kathleen recalled her son's 'great smile' which he always wore 'no matter what'

From left: Tara, Alejandro, Nico and Kathleen at the US Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin

Kathleen is convinced. 'It [the vape] was 100 per cent responsible for his death,' she said.

High doses of THC can cause severe panic or stress, but triggering the sort of reckless impulses that led to Nico's death would be extremely unusual, according to Dr. Benjamin Caplan, chief medical officer at the CED Clinic in Needham, Mass., which helps people seeking cannabis treatment.

'Cannabis-associated psychotic episodes' are rare. But not unheard of.

A 19-year-old man in Colorado died after eating a cookie with high levels of THC and jumping from a fourth-floor balcony, according to a 2015 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2021, a 19-year-old Penn State student plunged 11 stories down a trash chute after consuming alcohol and marijuana.

Young people with mental health conditions are at greater risk, but Nico had no history of mental illness, his mother said.

Dr. Caplan, who has reviewed Nico's medical reports, told DailyMail.com that the level of THC in his system was 'significant and could indeed induce psychoactive effects'.

But he added: 'The behavior leading to a high-risk situation like climbing a building is complex and might not solely be explained by cannabis use...Without definitive evidence, these remain hypotheses that would need further investigation.'

Hoping for change

It is hard to know exactly how much THC was in Nico's system because it disappears from the bloodstream more quickly than other substances.

Kathleen, however, said detectives had told her that the weed vape must have been extremely high strength.

Anything above 20 per cent THC is considered potent, but some vape oils can hit up to 90 per cent.

In interviews with the private investigator, Nico's friends said he had smoked a 'laced' cartridge and that the vape manufacturer was known to be 'sketchy'.

The easy availability of such products is exactly what legalization was supposed to eradicate.

Instead, the opposite has happened.

There are 140 recreational dispensaries operating statewide, yet anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 illegal shops operating in New York City alone.

Recent crackdowns have temporarily shuttered just over 400 - a drop in the bucket.

These shops are able to undercut the legal stores because they are not weighed down by costly regulations and taxation.

They offer the same high - or an even greater one - at a fraction of the price.

They also sell to teenagers.

Kathleen, a commodities adviser who owns her own company, is determined that her son's death sparks New York officials to shut down thousands of illegal weed shops in the city

Dr. Caplan said illegal smoke shops frequently mismarket their products, incorrectly labelling their THC content.

He said it was possible that whoever bought the vape 'didn't know what they were buying'.

The state's main regulator, the Office of Cannabis Management, was given almost no enforcement power when legalization first came into effect, and its powers remain too weak, its executive director, Chris Alexander, told a State Senate subcommittee before resigning in June.

It took until May of this year for the city to launch a multi-agency taskforce aimed at shutting down unlicensed stores.

Kathleen has accused officials of 'looking the other way' when it comes to illegal weed.

She is working with other parents who say their children have also suffered cannabis-associated psychotic episodes with the intention of taking the issue to the mayor, governor and, ultimately, Congress.

Her aim: to assemble evidence that illegal smoke shops are selling marijuana to minors and shut them down.

She has started by hiring a lawyer to try to build a case against whoever sold the vape that Nico used, although this is already proving tricky without cooperation from the boyfriend.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office found no evidence of criminality in Nico's case.

Kathleen, who is separated from Nico's father, Hilario Nuno, accepts that no charges are ever likely to be brought. Instead, she hopes that 'something good' can come from his death.

As well as enforcement, she wants to raise awareness over the dangers of illegal weed.

She says legalization has encouraged a pro-cannabis culture, rather than one that exercises caution.

'We want parents to have these conversations with their children - that marijuana can be dangerous,' she said.

'They stole his future'

Tara Nuno-Kelley, 24, remembers her younger brother as the 'glue' between the three siblings.

A personality beyond his years.

Kathleen recalled his 'great smile', which he always wore 'no matter what'.

'We'd be going some place and he'd take my hand and walk down the street holding my hand,' she added.

'Not many 17-year-old boys would do that in front of the whole world.'

Kathleen sits on a bench dedicated to Nico's memory in Gramercy Park, outside the family apartment. Nico would spend his afternoons after school reading here, his mother said

Nico died on Saturday, May 20, 2023. He had been due to attend his school awards ceremony on Tuesday. His prom was on Wednesday, graduation Thursday, and driving test Friday.

He had a place at Notre Dame University in Indiana.

'Nico was a 17-year-old boy who had turned into a young man,' Kathleen said, choking back tears as she spoke from the same apartment where her son had spent his final moments.

'A stupid puff of a vape pen and then his life is over. How can that happen?

'He had all the plans in the world and they stole his future from him. They stole his future from us.'
An iconic Italian deli in the heart of London's Soho has closed after more than 60 years of trading after claiming WFH snowflakes killed their business.

I Camisa & Son has delighted Londoners by dishing out authentic Italian sandwiches and selling provisions like pasta and coffee on Old Compton Street since 1961.

But bosses announced this week that with a 'heavy heart' they have been forced to cease business.

In a statement, the deli said: 'Due to the significant reduction in office workers following the pandemic, the economics of running this store at this location are no longer viable'.

The most recent Office for National Statistics data suggests 44 per cent of Brits work from home at least some of the time, compared to around 12 per cent before the pandemic.

I Camisa & Son has delighted Londoners passing through Old Compton Street since 1961 but is closing 'with a heavy heart' after people working from home killed its takings. Pictured are customers Luchy Haine (left) and Nikitah Patel (right)

The deli closed for good on Saturday, with a sign in the window this week reading: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of I Camisa & Son on Old Compton Street'

John Bryer, 79, has been visiting I Camisa for three decades for it's authentic and rare ingredients and said: 'Before Covid you would come here at lunchtime and there would be a queue outside the door of people buying salami sandwiches. Now when I come I never see a queue'

John Bryer, 79, has been visiting I Camisa for three decades for it's authentic and rare ingredients and said: 'It is a shame as there are very few places that sell this kind of produce.

'Before Covid you would come here at lunchtime and there would be a queue outside the door of people buying salami sandwiches. Now when I come I never see a queue.'

The deli closed for good on Saturday, with a sign in the window this week reading: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of I Camisa & Son on Old Compton Street.

'Due to the significant reduction in office workers following the pandemic, the economics of running this store at this location are no longer viable.'

An employee who has worked in the shop for 25 years told MailOnline 'the economics don't add up'.

She said the lack of workers coming into the shop was part of the problem, adding: 'They are not going to get a train just to come into I Camisa.

'We would be busy at lunchtime and then we would have a second rush at 6pm as everyone is finishing for the day and they need to pick up something for dinner.

'We sat down and looked at the numbers but it just isn't possible anymore.'

Another of the store's loyal customers is Gianluca Sclano, 54, who has been bringing himself and colleagues to the store for lunch since he moved to London from Italy in 2014.

The software designer praised the quality of the ingredients and the 'very affordable' prices.

'This was an important place, especially for Italians', he said.

'It was an institution for Italians. It is hard to find an Italian shop that has Italians inside nowadays.

'The business in London seems to be getting killed all over. It never used to be like that when I first moved here.'

An employee who has worked in the shop (inside pictured) for 25 years told MailOnline 'the economics don't add up'. She said the lack of workers coming into the shop was part of the problem, adding: 'They are not going to get a train just to come into I Camisa'

Pictured: One of the deli's popular authentic sandwiches

I Camisa offers traditional sandwiches from 7 to 9, as well as tea and coffee at prices which will beat most chains

On top of these offerings for passers by, it also sells authentic groceries including parmesan and pecorino by the kilogram

I Camisa offers traditional sandwiches from 7 to 9, as well as tea and coffee at prices which will beat most chains.

But on top of these offerings for passers by, it also sells authentic groceries including parmesan and pecorino by the kilogram.

Married couple Barry and Chris Keen have been coming to the shop for 50 years. They said they keep coming back due to its quality, huge selection and affordability.

The retirees said they went on holiday to Italy when they were younger and loved the 'generosity of spirit' and food.

Chris said: 'It is very sad. There are other Italian delis but they are not as good. They used to make the sandwiches and there would always be a queue outside the shop. It used to wrap around the corner and we would come here often.'

When asked if they would support businesses cutting back on working from home and encouraging people to come into the office, they said 'absolutely'.

'Working from home is a disaster for people and the company,' Barry added. 'It is killing off the town centre.'

'Fratelli Camisa Provisions' was opened in Soho in 1929 by brothers Ennio and Isidoro Camisa, meaning it was likely the city's first authentic Italian food shop.

However, during the Second World War the brothers were among thousands of Italians detained by the British government, forcing their original deli at 66 Old Compton Street to close down.

The duo returned to Soho in 1948 and ran their new shop on Berwick Street.

When they parted ways in 1961, Isidoro moved the deli back to Old Compton Street, this time at number 61, where it has been serving Londoners ever since.

Married couple Barry and Chris Keen have been coming to the shop for 50 years. They said they keep coming back due to its quality, huge selection and affordability

The deli seems to have no noticeable marketing presence, and most of the customers MailOnline spoke to were long-term customers or had heard about it from word of mouth. Tyler Luke (left) heard about I Camisa from his friend's mother while Gianluca Sclano (right) has been a frequent customer since he moved from Italy in 2014

I Camisa & Son was first opened in Soho in 1929 by brothers Ennio and Isidoro Camisa, meaning it was likely the city's first authentic Italian food shop. It is seen at its original address of 66 Old Compton Street, when it was named 'Fratelli Camisa Provisions'

Still named I Camisa & Son, the family sold the deli to Italian food company Alivini in 2014.

Lucy Haine, a florist who has worked in Soho for 24 years and is the current chair of the Soho Neighbourhood Forum group which promotes the area said: 'I think it is very sad because it is part of the original Italian families who came to London in the 1960s.

'Unfortunately there just isn't the amount of people coming into Soho there used to be. I think WFH has got a lot to do with it, but there has to be a balance.

'What we don't want is another bar or restaurant to open on the site. We don't want there to be a mono-culture, we want there to be local amenities for local people to use.

'There is also a wider problem for Soho as the rents and business rates are very high.'

Ms Haine's colleague Nikitah Patel also believes WFH should be done in balance.

She said: 'I don't live in central London, I live in Kent, so I save one hour commuting each way, as well as the expense, when I work from home for the day.'

Ms Patel said she currently works two days a week from home, adding: 'There needs to be a balance. Maybe we don't appreciate amenities we rely on when we are at work might not be there if we are not there to support them.'

The deli seems to have no noticeable marketing presence, and most of the customers MailOnline spoke to were long-term customers or had heard about it from word of mouth. Tyler Luke, 28, heard about I Camisa from his friend's mother Deborah.

He said: 'She recommended it to me after raving about it. It's a shame, I hope they get relocated.'

Labour's Westminster councillor Patrick Lilley represents the West End ward which includes Soho and helped I Camisa broker a deal with their landlord when the business was facing closure in 2022.

He disputed the assertion that WFH was solely to blame for the deli closing, insisting: 'The other side of the coin is that residents working from home can now support local food outlets.'

Saturday put at least a temporary end to the Camisa name serving Italian food to the people of London for the best part of 95 years.

However, I Camisa has said it is exploring the possibility of relocating the business to a new location.
EXCLUSIVE

Grandad Barry Calverley dabbed away tears as he made a last-ditch bid for bail over heroin smuggling charges as his health suffers in jail.

The 68-year-old Perth mining industry expert appeared via video from Wellington prison in the NSW Central West with his head bowed and his face mostly out of view at the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Justice Belinda Rigg SC heard Calverley - who has a wife of 31 years, a country estate, three successful daughters and a mining career spanning decades - has had medical episodes while behind bars.

Calverley was arrested at Sydney International Airport on January 24 with a green bag allegedly stashed with drugs when he flew back from Laos via Hanoi, Vietnam.

Australian Border Force officers allegedly found 5kg of heroin, which currently has an an estimated street value of between $2.5million and $3million.

He was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, which Australian Federal Police said was a 'quantity of heroin (which) would have been enough for 25,000 street deals'.

Calverley has been in custody since that afternoon, locked in a cell in the maximum security Macquarie Correctional Centre at Wuuluman, 350km northwest of Sydney.

The Western Australian mining safety consultant had never been in custody before, his lawyer Phillip Ryan said, had hearing difficulties and has had cardiac and gastro-intestinal issues while in jail.

Barry Calverley, above with daughter Harriet and wife Jocelyn, was a well-respected mining industry consultant with a country estate who now is locked up in a jail cell on drug importation charges which carry a penalty of life imprisonment

His daughter Harriet flew in from Perth to collect her father from prison and accompany him back to WA if he was granted release.

Calverley's wife of three decades had sent a support letter, and 'someone of his age and health' would be optimally cared for in the community, Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan argued his client would have a 'very structured' plan in the lead up to his trial next year.

Slumped forward on the chair in the prison video booth, with little visible other than his white hair and prison green sweatshirt, he did not look up again until Commonwealth DPP prosecutor Bethany Debenham opposed his bail.

Describing Calverley as 'an unacceptable risk' whose bail could not be supervised by WA Police, Ms Debenham said the case against him was strong 'and the prospect of conviction is likely'.

Border Force officers allege that Barry Calverley imported this camping chair bag containing 5kg of heroin into Customs at Sydney International Airport on January 24 this year

Calverley, who has worked in India, Singapore and West Africa on gas and oil projects for resources giants Shell, Exxon Mobil, BHP and Santos, is believed to have flown from Perth to South East Asia during the third week of January this year.

He left WA - where he has worked on sites such as in the Pilbara for up to $2,000 a day - allegedly on the promise of an $11million payment to bring 'a little gift' into Australia from Laos, an earlier bail hearing was told.

Downing Centre Local Court heard in May that Calverley arranged in a WhatsApp message to travel to Laos and meet a man called 'Privham' in a hotel to collect documents.

When he was asked to take a green camping chair bag along with an envelope back to Australia, a court heard he was 'suspicious' and 'was aware something was not right'.

His lawyers say he was duped and Justice Rigg was told the accused would maintain a plea of not guilty' when going to trial.

Barry Calverley, above with an ambulance he delivered to a WA mining site, has worked on gas and oil projects for resources giants like Shell, Exxon Mobil, BHP and Santos

Calverley has had declining health since being incarcerated in Wellington prison (above) where the first-time inmate appeared in court via video link looking emotional

While admitting the hotel exchange seemed suspicious, Calverley has said that he would not have agreed to take anything illegal.

Calverley was well-respected and 'impressive', according to a friend in the business of safety consultancy for high-risk mining sites who spoke to Daily Mail Australia.

The friend, said he was 'flabbergasted' that Calverley is in jail accused of drug trafficking and provided a character reference on Wednesday for his bid to be released on bail.

But Justice Rigg said she did not believe Calverley had shown why his continued detention was not justified or sufficiently mitigated the risks of releasing him on a charge which carried 'a maximum penalty of life imprisonment'.

'I must refuse bail and bail is refused,' Her Honour said.

Red-faced Calverley appeared to sob and wiped his eyes with his hand before the video link to the prison was shut off.

He will be committed for trial in the NSW District Court in September, with a likely 2025 trial date.

Harriet Calverley declined to comment about her father.
EXCLUSIVE

A rape victim has slammed a church for giving her ruthless attacker a key ministry role after he served jail time for molesting her up to seven times a day.

Joy Harris endured four decades of torment at the hands of her sex-addict, firebrand Baptist preacher husband Larry Harris at their family homes in both NSW and Queensland.

He used warped interpretations of the Bible to justify repeatedly raping her before she finally summoned the courage to report his vile acts to police.

The disgraced pastor was sentenced to five years in jail in Queensland in January 2017 after pleading guilty to two counts of rape but released after just 20 months.

He was then charged with seven further offences, relating to the sexual assault and abuse of his then-wife while working as a church leader on the NSW South Coast in 2003, and sentenced in February to another five years behind bars.

But far from being shunned by the Baptist community for his heinous crimes, Ms Harris said she was shocked to learn he had retained the full support of his church between sentences  and even given a key prestigious role overseeing one of its ministries.

To her further disbelief, a church leader has also branded her 'embittered' for speaking out and accused her of 'fishing for drama'.

Reverend Andrew Otte, who leads the seaside Clontarf Beach Baptist Church, north-east of Brisbane, dismissed Ms Harris' concerns about their support for her violent ex, saying it was 'none of her business'.

Joy Harris says she was raped up to seven times a day by her firebrand preacher husband Larry Harris (pictured together above) before she found the strength to flee and report his vile crimes to Queensland police

Reverend Andrew Otte says it is none of Joy Harris's business what his church does

Joy and Larry Harris first arrived in Australia with their young family as missionaries in the 90s

'Larry has been a fantastic member of our church and  through his ministry  he's done some incredible work in the community,' Rev Otte told Daily Mail Australia.

'He was never a "leader" in our church, that's not a word I'd use to describe him.

'But even if our church did put him in a leadership position  despite him being convicted of rape  what's it got to do with her?

'That's our church's choice... and if she still thinks he's dangerous, that says more about her than it does about him.

'She's probably just embittered and happy to find fault with Larry. It's really none of her business - she's just fishing for drama now.'

CHRISTIANITY CORRUPTED

Ms Harris first met her ex-husband as a teenager while growing up in the United States, where they bonded over their shared love of Christianity and the Bible.

But she said the man she once loved became a monster after drifting towards a radical, hardline form of the religion that espoused 'traditional' values.

By the time they relocated to Australia with their young family as missionaries in 1991, she said he had become an insatiable and aggressive sex addict.

After settling in Nowra, they established their own church as part of the breakaway Independent Baptist movement and presented outwardly as the perfect family.

But behind closed doors, Harris subjected his wife to near-constant abuse, allegedly raping her 'up to seven times a day' and threatening her with illegal firearms he hid around the house.

'He thought the more often he had sex, the more of a man it made him,' Ms Harris said.

'He didn't care if I wanted to have it or not  or if I was in any pain  it was all about him.'

She said he used a corrupted interpretation of Ephesians 5:24 to rationalise his increasingly violent sex crimes and 'God-like' status within their family home.

The passage reads: 'Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.'

'Larry insisted this meant that wives had to submit to whatever their husband's willed and that their husband's voice was the voice of God within his family,' Ms Harris said.

'Looking back now, I still can't believe I let myself get in that position (where I believed it), and where he knew I would just take it because I wanted to please God.

'The Bible does teach us to submit to one another that give and take is necessary in any close relationship.

'But men like Larry twist it to mean their voice equals the voice of God and wives are servants, almost the property of men.

'If anything, God says the husband is to protect the wife and to be willing to give his life for his wife and to cherish her. That's the exact opposite of what Larry did.'

Joy Harris has received the enduring support of her son Jason since revealing her abuse

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Ms Harris credits her son, Jason, with helping her find the courage to finally escape her abusive husband in 2011 and go into hiding in north Queensland.

'A week after I fled, I filed for a protection order (against Larry),' she said.

'In the next month, I got two phone calls from detectives urging me to make a police statement, but I wasn't emotionally healthy enough until February 2013.

'The (Independent Baptist) church always taught us it was "us-and-them" when it came to police.

'But the detectives, victims-assist people and solicitors all showed remarkable kindness  they believed me.'

By the time Ms Harris detailed the abuse to detectives, her ex-husband had become a regular fixture at Rev Otte's church services.

He remained an active parishioner throughout an ensuing police investigation and the church continued to support him even after he pleaded guilty to rape.

The 71-year-old was welcomed back into the church after being released from prison, participating in a church counselling group for 'individuals battling pornography or sexual addiction' in 2020 and joining its 'pantry ministry'.

The convicted rapist was eventually allowed to run the ministry - which distributed food parcels and spiritual advice to the needy - 'for about a year' before he was hit with further historic assault charges in NSW.

In handing down his sentence, Judge Ian McClinton said the former pastor had abused his pious standing in the community as the head of the Shoalhaven Baptist Church and used his twisted religious views to disguise his crimes.

'Offences of domestic violence and sexual assault within marriage are often hard to detect (and) under-reported,' the judge said in handing down his sentence.

'Clearly that intersects with the need for a great deal of denunciation about violence with domestic relationships.

'The offender at the time justified his violent abuse of Ms Harris by some form of rigid adherence to an unenlightened creed.

'(But) constant reference and justification by way of quotes from the Bible doesn't excuse the actual reality of the fact he engaged in an abusive relationship.'

Joy Harris was devastated to learn her serial rapist husband was running a church ministry

'BELITTED AND BETRAYED'

For Ms Harris, her husband's second five-year prison term was a vindication of her decade-long fight for justice.

But she said she felt 'belittled and betrayed' that Rev Otte  and a dozen members of his congregation  had written to the judge, imploring him to go easy on her abuser.

'It was really distressing. Larry's pastor fully supported him, as did his church members,' she said.

'They all wrote letters that spoke highly of his character and the charitable work he'd undertaken providing food and counselling to the vulnerable and the needy.

'When I think about all the years of abuse I suffered and how he used the Bible to justify raping me, it's really painful to hear that he's going around giving spiritual advice and that members of a church are singing his praises.

'Knowing everything he has done, and his need for power and control over women, why does he need to be held up as a good and wise man in church.

'He's neither of those things. He's a convicted rapist who used the Bible to excuse his disgusting crimes.

'What does that say to members of the congregation and the community that this church thinks a rapist is an appropriate person to be counselling anyone?'

Rev Otte denied Harris had ever been in a 'counselling' position with his church.

But he said the disgraced preacher had been 'changed by God' and was no longer the vile predator who once abused his ex-wife.

'I wouldn't use the word "counselling",' he said. 'The only thing he used to do (in his ministry) was give food to the homeless.

'He is certainly not that same person now, and he has certainly changed, which is the kind of thing I wrote in my letter to the court.

'We never knew him at the time he committed those horrendous offenses, and we were totally surprised to learn of his history.

'The tragedy and horror (of all of that) all relates to what he did back then, but when you meet him now and see the person he has changed into  and I believe he has been changed by God  it's a miracle.

'For his ex-wife or family to take offence to that, what's their purpose?

'It sounds like they have a lot of malice ... but I don't think (Joy Harris) appreciates how different he is now. She clearly hasn't spoken to him for a long time.

'She's just being malicious  and I wonder, if she is someone who is so malicious, whether she's the one who deserves to have a role in church.'

Jason Harris, who now leads his own church in Queensland, says his father is yet to repent

SHAME OF THE FATHER

Not everyone is as convinced Larry Harris is a changed man, or that he has undertaken any genuine soul searching.

His son Jason, who supported his mother after she fled the family home, and now ministers his own church in Cairns, refuted any suggestion his father had truly repented for his sins.

'There has been zero change in my father  zero  that's the scary part,' he said.

'He is still the exact same predator that treated my mum like a sex slave for decades.

'We were all shocked and upset to hear he was helping 'vulnerable' people and that he was providing counselling to them or advice or whatever you want to call it.

'I have no problem with anyone letting him into their church or letting him serve the congregation  he can mow the lawn, he can serve as an usher  but don't put him up on a pedestal as a honourable man with an ministry.

'My father has a decades-long pattern of harming vulnerable people; criminal convictions; a record of being removed from such positions again and again after causing harm.

'Rev Otte was my father's pastor before he served his first prison sentence and remained his pastor after his release. He knows what happened.

'The church always does this thing where they describe you as "bitter" if you speak out. That's their way of saying you shouldn't be discussing something.

'But my father's a violent sex offender who has been found guilty in two states now of rape. So let's not pretend he's good man deserving of any sympathy at all.

'If you want to feel sympathy for anyone, feel it for my mum.'
There are 19 states where if you see purple paint on trees or fence posts while out hiking, you should leave immediately.

That's because purple paint denotes private property in these areas, which means you are trespassing and could open yourself up to criminal prosecution.

What's more, in a country where citizens have a constitutional right to own guns, disregarding these markings could put your life in serious danger.

States that have purple paint laws include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

However, it's important to note that in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, purple paint is not for dissuading criminal trespassers. It's solely used to notify people that they are not allowed to hunt or fish in the marked area.

Purple paint markings are used to warn people they are trespassing if they remain in the area

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Throughout the 2000s, many state-level lawmakers believed that using paint was more cost effective than putting up signs that could be stolen or defaced.

Kentucky is the most recent state to allow landowners to use purple paint in this fashion, with Democrat Governor Andy Beshear signing Senate Bill 118 in April.

Similar bills were progressing through the general assemblies in Connecticut and Georgia before their respective legislative sessions concluded this year.

It is unclear why purple became the color of choice, but it's likely that when other states saw their neighbors using the color, they chose to keep a sense of uniformity to cut down on confusion.

Despite this, some states have still opted to use different colors.

Idaho, Montana and Nevada laws rely on orange paint to alert trespassers.

Orange paint is also used in Arizona and Utah, but only to prohibit hunting on private property. Utah also allows landowners to use bright yellow paint for this same purpose.

The true outliers are Maryland and Nebraska, which use blue and red paint respectively.

Nearly all states with these laws also regulate the size of the markings on trees or posts. Above is how Maine regulates them

Many states stipulate how far apart these markings should be from one other. Pennsylvania law states they should be 100 feet apart at the furthest

Nearly all states with these laws also regulate the size of the markings on trees or posts and how far apart they should be from one another.

The near universal standard is that they should be around eight inches long, one or two inches wide and three to five feet off the ground.

When it comes to the distance between the markings, some states have a maximum of 100 feet apart, while others mandate a cap of 1,000 feet.

Other states do not laws allowing citizens to paint objects on their land in lieu of private property signs.

Some have tried and failed over the years to pass such bills.

Legislators in Minnesota and Mississippi, for example, introduced purple paint bills but both failed to get through the committee stage.

Nearly identical efforts in Vermont and Ohio floundered in recent years.

Oklahoma arguably had the most high profile failure to pass a purple paint law back in 2005. The bill narrowly passed both the state house and senate, only to be vetoed by then-Governor Brad Henry, a Democrat.

Henry argued in his veto order that while 'the concept of this legislation is good,' it could cause confusion because 'many citizens may not have understood the significance of purple paint.'

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau blasted this move, accusing Henry of putting lawbreakers above landowners.

'Governor Henry's veto of Senate Bill 430 aids and abets those lawbreakers who trespass on private property,' said Jeramy Rich, then-Director of Public Policy for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. 'He clearly chose to protect lawbreakers and to ignore the wishes of landowners.'

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, signed a purple paint law on April 17, 2024, making his state the latest to adopt such a measure

Landowners often paint other objects within their property boundaries other than just trees, including rocks. Some also pair the painted markings with actual 'no trespassing' signs

But now these types of laws are catching on more, activists and lawmakers are discussing what it would mean to adopt similar measures.

An outdoor advocate from New York, where the only legally binding way to warn people to stay off your property is with signs, told The Times Union in 2021 that he believes there are pros and cons to using purple paint instead.

'If they have a lot of land, which could mean miles and miles of boundary lines, they have to maintain signs yearly and sometimes they're vandalized,' said Andy Mossey, an advocacy coordinator for the Catskill Center. 'Purple paint prevents all of those issues from happening.'

But as Governor Henry said nearly 20 years ago, Mossey believes the risk is that paint markings will mean nothing to those who are uninformed.

'The advantage to signage is that anyone who is walking by a boundary can easily read that theres a private land boundary,' he said.

'If its just purple paint with no signage, people may be less likely to understand what that is unless the state itself and organizations across the state have done a significant job getting that info across to all visitors.'

This is why some states, such as Tennessee, mandate that property owners put up at least one clearly visible 'no trespassing' sign alongside any painted markings.

At present, just over half of states in the US have standardized using paint to ward off trespassers, and it's likely that more states will follow in the coming years.
For decades, Live Free or Die has been the motto in New Hampshire.

But for a group of disgruntled residents seeking independence, the slogan is more than just a philosophy.

The NHEXIT movement, which launched earlier this month, is pushing for New Hampshire to secede from the US.

Members say they are fed up with the bloated central government and resent paying more in tax dollars than they get back.

'There are 2.5 million unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. and they are responsible for dragging the nation to the brink of bankruptcy,' movement leader Carla Gericke explained.

New Hampshire residents led by Carla Gerick, pictured, have launched the NHEXIT movement in a bid to secede from the US

Members say they are fed up of the bloated central government and of paying more in tax dollars than they get back

'Not only that, but they are siphoning money out of taxpayers' wallets every year, trampling on the rights of New Hampshire citizens,' she added.

The NHEXIT website states the movement is 'dedicated to securing a sovereign and independent New Hampshire, championing the principles of self-determination, liberty and the preservation of our state's unique heritage and values.'

But economic factors are a large driving force behind the movement. New Hampshire residents pay around $3.53 in federal taxes for every dollar of support they receive back.

The data from SmartAsset shows the state is the 26th most dependent on the central government.

'Economically, it's not a good deal for the residents of New Hampshire. We could probably be richer and more prosperous if we just got rid of them,' Gericke added.

New Hampshire is one of the most prosperous in the US, with a median income of $43,353, well above the national average of $37,585.

As the first state to establish independence from the British Colonies, New Hampshire has a long history with libertarianism.

The state's motto, 'Live Free or Die' was officially adopted in 1945. The words come from those spoken by Revolutionary war hero General John Stark.

Gericke was herself previously involved with the Free State Project, a mass migration of more than 20,000 individuals who have moved or pledged to move to New Hampshire with the aim of concentrating their numbers in a single state to, 'preserve liberty'.

The movement feels like a natural extension of the Free State Project, of which Gericke was also a member, which was a mass migration to New Hampshire with the aim of concentrating libertarians

But for Gericke, the moment has come to push for New Hampshire to break away completely.

'I think the time is right, as I said, a lot of this is sort of bubbling up as a national discussion,' Gericke said.

'We have seen, you know, national divorce start to trend. So for me, the time is ripe in the sense.

'With the election season, you know, people want to be talking about the problems, but I want to start to talk about the solutions and I do believe states' rights and more decentralization and possibly independent countries is the way to go.'

The NHEXIT movement joins a long line of secession movements in the US amid growing divisions across the country.

Texas, Vermont, Alaska and South Carolina among others all have or have had active independence movements.

In liberal Oregon, disgruntled locals have begun a petition to secede and join conservative Idaho.

While last week, a Free Louisiana movement also sprang up amid a belief that most politicians have an 'east-west coast mentality' which is not serving the southern state.

In New Hampshire, a growing number of conservatives have already pushed for the state to leave the union

NHEXIT supporters feel independence would give them more access to direct democracy

In New Hampshire, a growing number of conservatives have already pushed for the state to leave the union.

Earlier this year Rep. Jason Gerhard proposed that New Hampshire should break away if the national debt exceeded $40 trillion.

It currently stands at around $34 trillion and the legislation was ultimately voted down.

A separate bill was introduced by Republican Representative Matthew Santonastaso calling for the commission of a study into the viability and impact of NHEXIT.

However, opposition voices warned about further division if secession proceeds.

'From a political perspective, I am just very concerned that we muddy the waters with insurrectionist talk,' Rep Jess Edwards said.

'The one thing that is very important to me personally is to emphasize we are a peaceful movement,' Gericke said.

'The bills we introduced all very categorically state that this is a peaceable separation from the union if it were to happen. We need to be able to talk about difficult ideas and it shouldn't resort to violence.'

Gericke said that many of her supporters are 'not really comfortable with this empire that the US is building'

'They're now recruiting the National Guard to go overseas and congressional wars aren't being declared anymore. So even something like that, being able to keep our National Guard local to New Hampshire to serve the residents of New Hampshire would be better.

The NHEXIT website acknowledges it would take a, 'a multifaceted approach, including legal, political, and diplomatic efforts' to secure independence

Supporters also say they are not happy with being dragged into overseas wars and that independence would allow more direct access to democracy

'We'd be richer. There'd be less war, there'd be less violence. From the perspective of the closer you are to your government, the more responsive it can be to you.'

Whether the secession is legally possible remains to be seen, with the NHEXIT website acknowledging it would take a, 'a multifaceted approach, including legal, political, and diplomatic efforts. Initially, it would involve a statewide referendum demonstrating the will of the people'.

Similar movements have already failed in Mississippi and South Carolina.

Still, Gericke believes her vision of a free New Hampshire could be achievable within the next decade.

'I'm an eternal optimist. So I will say anything is possible,' she explained.

'People keep saying there's this polarization, but then also they talk about the uni-party, right? So which one is it? And the answer was, well, it's kind of the uni-party,

'So there's a system that is now marching on that is creating outcomes that are unfavorable to states.

'Is it possible? I do believe it's possible. Is it gonna be tomorrow, but in 10 years, quite possibly.'
A mother-of-one felt some pain in the last weeks of her second pregnancy, but put the aches down to being in her third trimester.

When Suraya Jenkins was still in pain in the weeks after the birth, she thought it was due to the lingering effects of her caesarean.

But it was vastly more serious than that, as she found out when tests revealed she had stage four cancer in both of her lungs, on her brain and in her bones.

Her baby son Wren was just five weeks old when Ms Jenkins, 36, got the shattering, life-changing news at the start of July.

Ms Jenkins, a former travel agent who most recently worked in early childhood education, and her life partner Shannon also have another boy, Reef, who is aged two-and-a-half.

Her cousin Jemah Schmidt has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise some money to help the family from the northern NSW town of Armidale through this devastating time.

'The symptoms of the cancer showed up pretty rapidly. There wasn't many warning signs before she began getting tested,' Ms Schmidt, 35, told Daily Mail Australia.

'All the other symptoms, such as the breathlessness and the pain and the lethargy associated, were masked by the pregnancy.'

A heavily pregnant Surya Jenkins is pictured with her partner Shannon and their son Reef

The family is pictured soon after baby Wren was born, but before Ms Jenkins' cancer diagnosis

Being cousins and roughly the same age, Ms Schmidt has known Ms Jenkins all of her life, but their bond is deeper than that.

'We've definitely had that relationship where we were more like sisters throughout our life, so there's a very close friendship that we share,' she said.

Ms Schmidt said her cousin 'is adjusting to the treatments and the different ways that her body is responding to them', and that she is getting a lot of help.

'Shannon has been an incredible support. He's doing absolutely everything he can to hold Suraya up and look after his family and showing up in every capacity that he's been asked to,' she said.

'Her parents have been incredibly supportive and both of Shannon's parents too. They have been absolutely available and have been right there supporting Shannon and Suraya through all of this, and playing with the children and keeping the home.'

She added that 'Reef is adjusting to having a sibling, which is always a challenging time for a two-year-old to understand'.

'And he's being helped and supported by his extended family to help him cope.'

Suraya Jenkins is pictured with her son Reef, aged two-and-a-half, and baby boy Wren

Baby Wren, of course, has no idea of his mother's battle but because she is receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy, she can't breastfeed.

This is why a second GoFundMe has been set up to provide donor breast milk for Wren, which Ms Schmidt said is 'very important to (the family), that the baby gets the best nourishment it can'.

The fundraiser she set up is for medical bills and travel expenses to see doctors in Armadale, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour hospitals, household costs, supplements, recovery programs and mobility aids.

But the other one, set up by Armidale-based lactation consultant Melanie Kelly, is purely to provide breastmilk.

'She very quickly offered her support and she's been incredible to arrange the milk from Mothers Milk Bank, which is a charity in Brisbane,' Ms Schmidt said.

Breastfeeding mothers donate excess milk to the milk bank before it's freeze dried and then transported to Armidale.

Though it is a charity and the milk is donated, it still costs $850 per week because of the processes it goes through and the distance it has to travel.

Ms Schmidt said everyone is hopeful for the future.

'Suraya is a very optimistic person and she's got so much to live for. So she's going to fight this all the way.

'I believe she will be healthy on the other side of it.

Ms Jenkins is not able to breastfeed her baby Wren (pictured) due to her cancer treatments

Ms Jenkins is pictured with her partner Shannon and their children Reef and Wren

'The shock has had a massive impact on everyone in Suraya's family, we all know that she has the capacity to come through this, and we're just doing everything we can to support her.'

Ms Jenkins thanked everyone who has made a donation to the fundraiser.

'Shannon and I are so humbled and moved by the incredible contributions and support we have received from the community and further afield.

'We will be forever grateful to those who have helped and supported us during this hardest of times.'
A single mum paying $830 a week for her rental claims she had no notice she would lose hot water, internet and driveway access after her front yard was turned into a muddy construction site.

Jessica Mudditt said she was not told about the extent of the works at her Condell Park home in Sydney's south-west, which was arranged by her landlord.

'I was told by text message from my real estate agent that a plumber was coming for two days and would be working out the front,' Ms Mudditt, who runs a publishing business from her home, told Daily Mail Australia.

'The plumbers came and attempted to start subdividing (but) there had been no word of subdividing.'

She said the construction crew then 'came back a week later with no warning that it was starting that day, I was told people were coming the following day'.

'So at 7am my phone rings (and I was told) "come out, move your car", and there's bulldozers, heaps of men, and from there it just turned into a construction site before my eyes.'

When she went out her front door to take her children to school, Ms Mudditt said there was a detour sign and 'we could no longer access any of our front yard'.

Ms Mudditt has also not been able to access her garage where she has gym equipment and which she also uses for storage.

Jessica Mudditt (pictured), a single mum paying $830 a week for her rental, claims she had no notice she would lose hot water, internet and driveway access after her front yard was turned into a muddy construction site

She said she was given 'no notice' about the extent of the work at her Condell Park home (pictured) in Sydney's south-west, which was arranged by her landlord

She also claimed the builders were powering their equipment from her electricity supply through the garage, so she locked it.

'And they've tried to force it open, and they've broken the garage door, so they've given me a spanner to lock it with,' she said.

'There has never been any communication. We've never known when the works would finish or what they were doing.'

She said her estate agent told her the works don't concern her rental, but the property behind hers on the same block.

'All the signs are pointing to a subdivision,' Ms Mudditt reasons.

She moved into the property just six months ago and said she 'would never in a million years have moved in, moved my whole life, put my daughter into the local school and my other daughter into daycare had I known that this was happening'.

Ms Mudditt said a text message (pictured) was the only notice she got of what was about to happen at her home

Ms Mudditt is pictured outside the front of her rental property in south-west Sydney

Part of the construction work at Jessica Mudditt's rental home in Condell Park, Sydney is pictured

One of her daughters got hurt when she fell at the site. 'It was distressing for all of us, and she's only three and to be woken every day (by the noise) was just very difficult.'

Because she had to park down the street and was carrying grocery bags, she wasn't able to hold her daughter's hand as she would normally do.

'And she fell and cut her hand and cut her knee and she was crying a lot. She was in a lot of pain,' she said.

Seeing their distress, a neighbour came over, which was how she learned that there is a subdivision going in at the back.

Ms Mudditt also claims that at one stage she was left without hot water for six days and deprived of internet after the connection was allegedly damaged in the works.

She said the lack of communication has continued. 'All we get occasionally is messages saying you're not going to have any water for three hours. I wasn't even given any notice.'

Adding insult to injury, the owner then wanted to raise her rent. She had asked for a year-long lease extension but was only offered six months, which she feels may have been an indicator the owner knew there was some serious building work coming up.

'So I've just pulled the plug and I've given notice,' Ms Mudditt said. 'They've left the property in such a mess.'

She said Safe Work attended the site earlier this week and put up some plastic tape that says danger inside, but it completely surrounds her neighbour's mailbox.

'So he's not going to be getting any mail anytime soon, and they've left it and it's still a dirty mess because they carved up the concrete driveway and they've just put some gravel over it.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Mudditt's letting agent Tony Roumanous of Ray White Bankstown for comment, but he did not reply.

The tenant said she was given no warning about the extent of the building works

Ms Mudditt is so furious about the situation that she is moving out of the property

Tradies are seen digging up the front yard of Jessica Mudditt's home in south-western Sydney

But in a previous comment on the situation to Yahoo News, he said 'We regret any inconvenience caused. The tenant has now given notice that she will vacate the house and the owner has offered the tenant a week's free rent as compensation.

'The tenant was fully informed in advance of these works, and the owner was also onsite to only check on the progress of the works, which is within his right and not a breach of privacy at all.

'We are deeply sorry that the tenant has not enjoyed her home this week but she was told about the work in advance. We are sorry for the inconvenience.'

Ms Mudditt said 'one week's rent is not proportionate to the breaches' and she will be taking her case to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
A crack team of marine biologists from the US will arrive just off UK waters this September to search for Great White Sharks raising the terrifying possibility the colossal beasts could be swimming amongst us.

White shark experts Ocearch have announced they will be chumming the waters off the coast of Ireland claiming they have recieved 'credible accounts of observations made along the southern and northern extents of the United Kingdom.'

The expedition is part of the group's Save the Med campaign which will also see them travel over 4000 miles around France, Ireland and Spain seeking proof of the area's 'critically endangered white shark population.'

There have already been a spate of shark sightings across the UK this summer with experts theorising that an increase in sea temperatures due to global warming is drawing the creatures here.

Residents in the popular holiday resort of Ilfracombe on the North Devon coast say they have seen an increase in sightings of native sharks as well as large populations of seals and bluefish tuna that white sharks feast on.

White shark experts Ocearch have announced they will be chumming the waters off the coast of Ireland

The expedition is part of the group's Save the Med campaign which will also see them travel over 4000 miles around France , Ireland and Spain

Scientists believe rising water temperatures and a plentiful food supply could be tempting critically endangered Mediterranean white sharks to come to the UK

Residents in the popular holiday resort of Ilfracombe on the North Devon coast say they have seen an increase in sightings of native sharks

Dan Hawkes who runs Reel Deal Charters and provides shark tours from Ilfracombe has already been contacted by the marine biologists tracking great whites.

He said: 'There's got to be some in UK waters, I think. There's a very high possibility.

'We see an increase in (native) shark species every year but the bluefin and seal populations are very high at the moment and that wouldn't be the case if there were lots of great whites around.

'I'd love to be the first person to catch one in British waters.'

Scientists believe rising water temperatures and a plentiful food supply could be tempting critically endangered Mediterranean white sharks to swim 4,000 miles north during the summer and autumn months to hunt around the UK, Ireland, France and Spain.

Asked whether they would pose a risk to humans, Dan said: 'I wouldn't say people are safe near great white sharks. If you see a dangerous dog sign, you're not going to play in that backyard.

'They are just another species that live in the sea, if you agitate anything enough they're going to bite.

'In 99% of cases it's because of mistaken identity and they think you're a seal.'

Scientists fear the sharks use the summer and autumn months to hunt around the UK, Ireland, France and Spain

Sea captain Paul Simons has noticed an increase in the number of sharks around

Paul Simons (pictured) with a thresher shark he caught in the area in 1987

Paul Simons, 53, who is skipper of the Carick Lee told MailOnline: 'We're seeing more and more sharks in recent years. A few miles down the coast there are porbeagles, thresher sharks and blue sharks.

'More and more sharks are turning up and we're seeing more and more fish species from the Med in the last couple of years.

'I think the researchers will definitely find great whites. We're catching fish now that we've never caught before.

'But I don't think it will change anything, we'll carry on using the waters, you're not talking one the size of Jaws but maybe 1,000 lb and about 10ft long.'

Ilfracombe teenager Stuart Burton, 14, added: 'When I saw a thresher shark it just kept popping up out of the water, it's amazing how close it got to the boat.

'I reckon there are already great white sharks here and that number will massively increase in the next few years.'

On the beach, holidaymakers said they would think twice about going for a dip if they knew great whites were nearby

On the beach, holidaymakers said they would think twice about going for a dip if they knew great whites were nearby.

Mary Clarke, 57, who was on holiday with her family from Runcorn, Cheshire, said: 'It's a scary thought that there are great whites in our waters.

'I don't think it would put me off swimming, people in Australia and South Africa still swim in the sea, but as soon as there was any sign of one around I would be out of that water like a shot.'

It's a similar story in the West Wales surfing village of Newgale, where beachgoers are keeping a look out for a dark fin coming towards them but say it's more likely to be a dolphin than a Great White Shark.

Holidaymakers in this area have traditionally been told to watch out for jellyfish and the tiny weaver fish which can deliver a painful sting if trodden on.

Kite suffers Glenn Den Boer, 33, and hid girlfriend Sofie Lembrechts had come all the way from Antwerp, Belgium to take advantage of the Pembrokeshire surf.

Physiotherapist Glenn said: 'Hopefully we will be a bit safer kitesurfing - if there are any signs of great whites we can fly out of their way.

'I've surfed in Australia where it's a bit scary but we don't think of Great White Sharks here.'

Sofie, 30, a real estate photographer, said: 'I'm a bit scared but I will remind myself that normal sharks don't harm people. They prefer seals to humans.

'But if I see a fin I would expect it to be a dolphin , we've seen lots of them since we've been here.'

Dr Norbert Bruckner, 66, on holiday from Bavaria, Germany, said: 'Sharks? The only thing that stops me from swimming is how cold the water is. Fifteen degrees, much too cold for me, maybe with a wetsuit.

'I used to live in South Africa, there were lots of sharks there but in Wales, I'm not so sure.'

Mother of-two Jane Norris, 45, from Greater Manchester, was about to go body-boarding with her family when she learned of the possible presence of Great White Sharks in the Irish Sea.

She said: 'It won't put us off, we will be surfing in quite shallow waters.

'I guess it depends on how far out you go but in wasn't aware that there may be Great whites out there. Do the lifeguards have any concerns?

RNLI lifeguards were more concerned with riptides dragging swimmers out of the safety zone between two waning flags than Jaws turning up in St Brides Bay, Pembrokeshire.

Alice Holmes, 52, who runs an ice cream van in one of the villages four seafront car parks says it would take more than a shark to scare tourists away from Pembrokeshire.

The said: 'I've not heard of any sightings here so there's no need to worry. People don't just come to Pembrokeshire for the beaches, they come to see the whole area,

'There are worries about all sorts of things in the water, not just sharks.'

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Sharks in British waters: MailOnline reveals which species are living around the UK and how deadly they can be - as scientists warn Great Whites could soon head our way due to climate change

By Shivali Best

MailOnline has delved into which species are living around the UK, and how deadly they can be.

While the most fearsome sharks - great whites - are not currently found in British waters, scientists have warned that climate change could soon force the species our way in search of cooler waters.

MailOnline has delved into which species are living around the UK, and how deadly they can be. Around 40 species of shark can be found in British waters, of which 21 live in our seas all year round

Sharks found in British waters Smooth hammerhead shark - North Atlantic off the western tip of Cornwall Blue shark - 10 miles off the southern coast of Cornwall Thresher shark - English Channel off the Devon coast Shortfin mako shark - Bristol Channel and off the coast of Wales Porbeagle shark - Most common on south coast Basking shark - Sea of the Hebrides Advertisement

Which species live around the UK?

Around 40 species of shark can be found in British waters, of which 21 live in our seas all year round.

'As well as the 21 resident sharks, there are at least 11 deepwater shark species including the Portuguese Dogfish, Black Dogfish, Kitefin Shark and Gulper Shark,' The Sharks Trust explains on its website.

Smooth hammerhead shark

The Smooth Hammerhead Shark has a broad distribution worldwide but prefers temperate waters.

It's a very rare sight in British waters, but if one does appear, it will most likely be in the North Atlantic, off the coast of the western tip of Cornwall.

The hammerhead shark family is made up of nine species, which all have distinctive hammer-shaped heads.

As its name suggests, the smooth variety has a more rounded head shape than other species.

In 2019, a smooth hammerhead shark was spotted in the Celtic Sea, about 100 miles south west of Ireland - the furthest north the species has ever been seen in British waters.

Experts say the lone specimen could have been lost but probably ventured further north than normal due to the oceans getting warmer.

Dr Paul Connolly, director of fisheries and ecosystems services at the Marine Institute said: 'This is an exciting encounter, especially since a rare deep-water shark nursery, 200 miles west of Ireland, was discovered by Irish scientists last year.

'This sighting of a new shark species, shows the importance of our fishery surveys to monitor our marine environment, and to observe changes in our oceans and marine ecosystems.'

According to experts, there have been no known fatalities from hammerhead sharks anywhere in the world to date.

The Smooth Hammerhead Shark has a broad distribution worldwide but prefers temperate waters. It's a very rare sight in British waters, but if one does appear, it will most likely be in the North Atlantic, off the coast of the western tip of Cornwall

Blue shark

Blue sharks - like those involved in last week's attack - are often spotted off the southern coast of Cornwall during the summer months.

In the Atlantic, blue sharks appear to follow a clockwise route, following the Gulf Stream to the UK from the Caribbean and returning there following the Atlantic North Equatorial Current.

With a torpedo-like appearance, blue sharks are active predators and mainly feed on small fish and squid, although they have also been known to take seabirds and other small sharks too.

They even feed on fish that live near the seabed and have been recorded at depths of up to 350m.

The largest blue shark ever caught in UK seas weighed a whopping 256lbs (116kg) and measured over 9ft (2.74m).

Blue sharks - like those involved in last week's attack - are often spotted off the southern coast of Cornwall during the summer months

Thresher shark

In summer, thresher sharks are known to pass through the English Channel off the Devon Coast, and have even occasionally been seen to fully breach the water.

A spokesperson from The Wildlife Trusts said: 'The thresher shark spends most of its time in the deep waters of the open sea, rarely straying into coastal areas.

'To survive in these colder waters, they have evolved to be endothermic.

'This means that they can keep their body temperature higher than the temperature of the surrounding water.

'If you're lucky, you might see this magnificent shark jump high out of the water in to the air.'

Thresher sharks are known to grow up to 19ft (six metres) long and weigh up to 750lbs (340kg), and are regarded as a threatened species.

Thankfully, thresher sharks are safe and there has only been one known attack from a thresher shark to a human, which was a provoked attack.

Shortfin mako shark

Nicknamed the 'cheetah of the ocean', the shortfin mako is one of the world's fastest sharks, reaching impressive speeds of up to 45mph.

While the species is very rare in British waters, it has previously been spotted in the Bristol Channel and off the coast of Wales.

'These sharks are apex predators, sitting right at the top of the food chain, and their speed enables them to catch fast-swimming prey such as tuna and swordfish,' the Marine Conservation Society explains.

'As well as being able to dive to depths of more than 400ft, they can jump as high as 20ft out of the water.'

According to International Shark Attack File, there have been nine shortfin attacks on humans, three of which were fatal.

Nicknamed the 'cheetah of the ocean', the shortfin mako is one of the world's fastest sharks, reaching impressive speeds of up to 45mph

Porbeagle shark

Measuring up to 12ft (3.6 metres) long and weighing up to 507lbs (230kg), the porbeagle shark is often mistaken for the great white shark.

But while great white sharks are yet to be spotted in British waters, porbeagles are found around all UK coasts - most commonly on the south coast, but occasionally in the waters off North Yorkshire and Pembrokeshire.

This species is a brilliant 'mackerel' blue, with a white belly and characteristic white mark at the rear base of the dorsal fin.

'They are strong swimmers and tagging studies have shown that they can travel huge distances,' The Wildlife Trusts explains.

'One porbeagle shark tagged in Irish waters was later found as far away as Newfoundland in Canada!

Despite being related to the great white shark, the porbeagle is not known to be dangerous.

There are three recorded shark attacks involving porbeagles, two involving boats and another which did not result in serious injury.

Measuring up to 12ft (3.6 metres) long and weighing up to 507lbs (230kg), the porbeagle shark is often mistaken for the great white shark

One of the surprising sharks to roam British waters is the basking shark - the second largest fish in the world. Basking sharks can reach a whopping 39ft (12 metres) in lenght, and can weigh a staggering 19,800lbs (nine tonnes)

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Basking shark

One of the surprising sharks to roam British waters is the basking shark - the second largest fish in the world.

Basking sharks can reach a whopping 39ft (12 metres) in length, and can weigh a staggering 19,800lbs (nine tonnes).

Between May and October, basking sharks can be found on Scotland's west coast, in the Sea of the Hebrides.

Thankfully, basking sharks are passive and no danger to humans in general, although caution is urged during any encounters due to their enormous size.

Have there been any shark attacks in the UK?

According to The Sharks Trust, attacks in the UK are exceptionally rare, with no unprovoked shark bites in British waters since records began in 1847, until last week's incident.

But the official classification used by global experts states that 'bites on people attempting to feed sharks' are classed as provoked as 'the shark may bite a person by mistake during the frenzy for food' .

Most documented shark attacks in the UK occur on fishermen who are attempting to land one - or release one.

A blue shark attacked fisherman Stephen Perkins in 2008, as he hauled the fish into his boat for a photograph off Lundy Island, Devon.

Bleeding profusely, his life was saved by being airlifted by RAF helicopter to hospital.

Last week's attack is thought to be the worst on a swimmer in British waters since 1922, when an assistant schoolmaster was killed off the coast of Hornsea in East Yorkshire.

Worldwide there have only been four documented fatal attacks by blue sharks and 25 non-fatal attacks.

In August 2012 a beach in Ceredigion, Wales was closed to bathers due to the presence of a blue shark.

And in 1937 a basking shark overturned a boat off Kintyre, resulting in three men drowning.

Britain's only suspected fatal shark attack victim was assistant schoolmaster Mr P H Lee - killed in September 1922 off Hornsea, East Yorkshire.

He had been paddling with his wife and their friend Beatrice Appleton when the tide swept him a way out. Bank clerk Miss Appleton saw him throw his hands up and shout, but thought he was laughing.

From the beach, his wife saw he 'had been overcome - and he sank'.

His body was recovered at low tide with a large ragged wound, with toothmarks, on his left side.

A Dr John told an inquest he believed Mr Lee had been bitten twice while alive - with the suspect a powerful dog fish, or a shark. The doctor claimed there had been a similar case during the war.

It was reported at the time: 'The tragedy has caused a slump in bathing in the East Yorkshire resort.'

What about great whites?

Great white sharks - the species depicted in the movie Jaws - have never been reliably documented in UK waters.

The nearest one has been spotted has been 168 miles off Lands End, in the northern Bay of Biscay in 1977, according to the Sharks Trust.

But a warming climate may see more sharks from warmer areas attracted to UK waters.

In 2018, a study commissioned for Nat Geo WILD's Sharkfest, revealed 11 species of sharks found in warmer parts of the world, such as hammerheads and blacktips, may be swimming in British seas within 30 years as the climate changes.

Meanwhile, Dr Ken Collins, of the University of Southampton, said that by 2050 British waters could become an ideal hunting ground for the great white.

He said: 'Great whites will wander hundreds, if not thousands of miles and are already in the Mediterranean.

'It would not take much of a change in water temperature, maybe less than one degree, for them to come here.

'And they have their favourite food source, seals, in areas such as the Cornish coast.'
Two 12-year-old schoolboys who callously stabbed a man to death in a park with machetes before laughing about it on snapchat will not be named by the courts as a judge feared they may be 'bullied.'

The evil children became the UK's youngest knife murderers after stabbing Shawn Seesahai, 19, through the heart in a park in Wolverhampton in November last year.

The youths are also believed to be the youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger.

However, despite four media organisations, including the PA news agency, having argued that the defendants, one now aged 13, should lose anonymity granted by an order under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act, it was kept.

Mrs Justice Tipples, sitting at Nottingham Crown Court, said she had accepted evidence contained in pre-sentence reports that naming the boys would have a detrimental impact on their welfare.

This 12-year-old killer, seen posing with a huge machete tucked into his trousers on the day he hacked teenager Shawn Seesahai to death, cannot be named by the media

Together with a 12-year-old accomplice he hacked Mr Seesahai (pictured) to death

Surmising, she claimed that naming the two 12-year-old murderers did not outweigh the public interest as to do so for the first boy could expose him to 'bullying.'

She also stated that should the name of the second boy come to light it would be 'detrimental' to his mother's 'fragile' mental health.

The family of Mr Seesahai also supported the bid to remove the anonymity order on the killers.

The ability of the media to name youth offenders convicted or suspected of serious crimes has been thrown into sharp focus this week following the incident in Southport.

On Thursday, the teenager charged with murdering three children and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday was named as Axel Rudakubana.

The 17-year-old, who turns 18 in just six days time, is accused of carrying out the attack that killed Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

The teenager's identity could not be revealed because suspects under 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases, except for in exceptional circumstances.

But after a successful application to the judge by the Mail, Rudakubana's name can now be reported.

Judge Andrew Menary KC said he had to balance the risk to the suspect's family and the risk to him in custody with the public interest accurately reporting his identity.

Pictured for the first time: Southport stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana, now 17, pictured as a child, is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, was one of three children killed by a knifeman at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in Southport

Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, was also fatally wounded in the attack which shocked the nation on Monday

Bebe King, aged six, was also killed in the attack. A teenager is set to appear in court charged with three counts of murder

In proceedings in Wolverhampton, the judge told the court the facts of the killing - which 'took place in not much more than a minute' - were 'of course shocking, particularly given the very young age of the defendants'.

As part of her ruling, the judge accepted evidence from social workers that one of the defendants was vulnerable, had 'extremely complex needs' and that identifying him would have 'an extremely detrimental impact on his mental health'.

The judge also accepted a statement in a pre-sentence report which said naming the other youth was likely to increase the likelihood of negative attention within the custodial setting.

Following the judgment, Jude Bunting KC, representing three of the media organisations, said an appeal against the ruling in a higher court was unlikely.

Addressing the court on Monday, Mr Bunting submitted that the murder was within a category identified during a previous case as having a high public interest.

He told the court: 'This point is squarely present in this case, which has attracted local concern and national revulsion.

'We are in the realm of knife crime, which is an issue of substantial public interest.'

Naming the boys would also enable the media to investigate the possibility of institutional failures, Mr Bunting asserted.

Defence counsel Rachel Brand KC and Paul Lewis KC both opposed the media application to lift the restriction on identifying the boys.

Ms Brand said the welfare of the boy who is still 12 - who bleached and hid the machete after Mr Seesahais murder - should be given a 'heavier consideration' than public interest factors.

Mr Lewis, representing the boy who has turned 13 since his conviction, urged the court to focus on the facts of Mr Seesahais killing rather than 'siren calls' relating to abstract principles from previous cases.

'How does naming two 12-year-olds better inform public debate?' Mr Lewis asked. 'There is no evidence that to name two 12-year-olds would provide any deterrent.'

After their conviction, social media exchanges came to light involving them and a girl witness who later attended a police station with her mother to make a statement.

The conversation retrieved by police starts when one of the killers says on Snapchat of the stabbing: 'Everyone's talking abt (sic) it, literally everyone, everyone knows.'

The other one in the pair who were both found guilty of murder at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday - then responds with a voice note, saying: 'It is what it is.'

They then shared more messages, saying: 'I'm scared man' - before the other says 'I'm not', followed by the acronym 'IDRC' which means 'I don't really care'.

The Snapchat messages the two killers sent to each other after they killed Suresh Seesahai

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The other one then responds with a voice note saying: 'I ain't said nowt (sic) cause every time I talk about it, like I act weird apparently so (inaudible) comes and goes.'

There is then a response saying: 'I'm just scared your you too (sic).'

Yesterday, family members of both Mr Seesahai and the defendants cried and hugged each other in the public gallery as the jurors found both boys guilty of murder and one guilty of possessing a bladed article.

They are believed to be youngest defendants convicted of murder in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, were found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger.

In an interview released after the verdicts, Mr Seesahai's parents Suresh and Maneshwary have said they will never be able to get over the loss of their son who always told them he would 'shine' and take care of them.

The victim, Suresh Seesahai (pictured), was shoulder-barged by the smaller of the two defendants before being punched, kicked, stamped on and 'chopped' at with the weapon

A month-long trial was told Mr Seesahai was shoulder-barged by the smaller of the two defendants, who 'often' carried a machete with a 42.5cm-long blade.

He was then punched, kicked, stamped on and 'chopped' at with the weapon.

The victim's friend told the trial he was forced to run for his life but Mr Seesahai stumbled as he tried to flee from the boys on Wolverhampton's Stowlawn playing fields on November 13 last year.

After refusing to answer police questions in the aftermath of the murder, the boys both gave evidence to jurors, blaming each other for inflicting the fatal blow.

As well as failing to summon help for Mr Seesahai, the youths showed no remorse for what they had done in the 24 hours before their arrest - with one cleaning the machete with bleach and hiding it under his bed.

An image retrieved from a phone of one of the boys showing long knives and swords on a bed

CCTV footage revealed the last moments of Shawn Seesahai as he headed to the park

They told the court they both played video games in the hours after the killing, claiming they did not know Mr Seesahai had died until the following day.

Jurors heard one of the defendants posed, wearing a mask, with the murder weapon for a picture hours before the killing, and was found to have 11 areas of bloodstaining on his clothing.

The boy was also seen with blood on his hands in the aftermath of the murder, while his friend had a small area of bloodstaining on his right trainer.

Mr Seesahai, a stranger to the two boys, was pronounced dead at 9.11pm after police and paramedics were called to the scene.
An aerial view of the Bishop Ranch office park in San Ramon. The relocation of Chevrons headquarters to Houston will reshape the city and the surrounding Tri-Valley area in ways that are not yet clear. Sunset Development

San Ramon has enjoyed great success pitching itself as a company town: a Bay Area suburb 26 miles east of San Francisco where oil giant Chevron moved its global headquarters in 2001 and other large companies  including AT&T, Ford Motor and SAP  have also set up shop.

But on Friday, Chevron said it would relocate its headquarters to Houston in 2025 after being based in the Bay Area for 145 years. The move is sure to reshape San Ramon and the surrounding Tri-Valley area in ways that are not yet clear.

Questions remain about exactly what effect Chevrons departure will have on the city of 86,000 inhabitants. In interviews, some residents noted the companys importance to the city, while also underscoring how much more diverse San Ramons economy has become in recent years.

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At the gleaming Bishop Ranch mall, which opened in 2018 across the street from the oil majors 92-acre former campus, many residents greeted the news of Chevrons departure with a shrug  pointing out that the company had been in the process of downsizing in San Ramon for years.

The company sold its headquarters to a real estate developer in 2022, reducing its office space by some 1 million square feet and offering incentives for employees to relocate to Houston. Remaining staff, which number about 2,000, were moved to rented office space nearby. Meanwhile, Chevron  which merged with Texaco in 2001  already employs some 7,000 people in Houston.

In announcing its relocation on Friday, Chevron did not specify how many employees will remain in San Ramon but said there will be minimal immediate relocation impacts. Still, the departure of a Fortune 500 headquarters can have ripple effects on everything from cultural institutions to a citys prestige.

Annette Everhart, a medical services professional who has lived in San Ramon for more than 30 years, said she thought the headquarters move would impact the city  affecting its housing market, for example, if many people uproot and sell at once.

If you own a home here, that might be an issue, she said.

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But she also joined others in noting that the changes had been afoot for years, saying she had about five friends who worked for Chevron and who had already moved to Houston in recent years.

Overall, she felt like the community was better placed now to deal with the companys departure than it would have been 20 years ago, when Chevron felt more like the only game in town.

They used to host sporting events, like runs, and gave a ton of money to the schools for supplies, Everhart said. People who worked there could take a day off to help out in the schools and stuff like that. But Ive been here for so long. When they were really providing for the community  that was more in the early 2000s.

Now, she said, the area is evolving  boosted by an influx of upwardly mobile tech and medical professionals, often immigrants or first-generation Americans, who have sought out deeper corners of the Bay Area in the push for open space, homes and schools for their families.

Remote work has helped fuel that movement, giving the area another economic lifeline. And there remain a number of other companies in town: Bank of the West is the citys second largest employer, with some 1,600 people. And GE Digital, a subsidiary of GE Vernova, as well as employment agency Robert Half Inc., employ about 1,100 people each, according to the city.

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Its very possible it isnt going to affect San Ramon as much as I would have thought in the early 2000s, Everhart said. But, as a medical professional who relies on government funding, she said, the loss of tax revenue could hurt.

Where are we getting the money from, if we dont have a good tax base? she asked.

Dave Hudson, the citys mayor, did not reply to a request for comment. Neither did the citys three council members.

The Chamber of Commerce declined an interview but said Chevron was a valued supporter of the community and business climate in San Ramon.

As they continue to transition, we look forward to Chevron maintaining their California presence here in San Ramon and continuing their partnership with the San Ramon Chamber and other community organizations as they have successfully done for so many years, CEO Heidi Kenniston-Lee said in a statement.

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Chevron sold its previous headquarters to Sunset Development, which owns the adjacent Bishop Ranch area and plans to build a community of some 2,600 homes on the former campus. Sunset is now Chevrons landlord, after the company left its campus.

Sunset also declined a request for an interview through a spokesperson.

While we are disappointed to see the headquarters leave California, we will continue to provide our highest level of support for their real estate requirements past, present and future, Alex Mehran Jr., the president and CEO of Sunset Development Company, said in a statement.

Andrew Lipow, an oil industry analyst in Houston, said the move was part of a long running exodus of oil activity in California. He noted that oil production itself was down in California by some 75% over the past few decades, due to the states restrictions on drilling, and said that the move would harm the states economy.

The fact is that the oil industry over the years has been leaving California and shutting down facilities, he said. This cements Houstons reputation as the energy center of the U.S.

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Sunstone Strategies, a climate-change-oriented communications company, offered a different perspective, calling Chevrons history in the state a troubled 140 year legacy, and spotlighting environmental and labor concerns that have been raised about the company.

Alexandra Nagy, a director at Sunstone, pointed out that California recently broke a 10-year-drought to reclaim the top number of Fortune 500 companies, over New York and Texas.
The video was so grim and distressing that, for a few moments, Neville Lawrence could barely believe what he was seeing.

Inexpertly filmed, it panned around a gaping chasm surrounded by rubble  the place, a faceless commentator intoned in a gravelly and dispassionate Jamaican voice, where his murdered son Stephen had been laid to rest.

As Mr Lawrence told me in an exclusive interview, his first assumption was that Stephen's grave had been burgled by the racist gang who stabbed him to death in South London 31 years ago, or one of their associates.

He presumed the video, which was already circulating among ghouls on Instagram, TikTok and other sites and had been sent to him by a cousin, must have been posted on behalf of the thugs (at least three of whom remain at liberty) as a sadistic act designed to compound his grief.

Since he and his ex-wife, Baroness Lawrence, had chosen to bury the 18-year-old student in Jamaica because they feared the grave might be desecrated by the killers or their sympathisers had they interred him in a London cemetery, this suspicion was understandable.

Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death by a racist gang in south London 31 years ago

The more so because it looked to Mr Lawrence that his son's white stone tomb had been 'smashed open with a sledgehammer' and left agape by someone who clearly had not an iota of respect for the young man's memory, nor for the anguish this would cause his family.

Last Saturday, however, Mr Lawrence, 82, tells me his daughter Georgina phoned him at home in Mandeville, Jamaica, saying her mother wished to talk to him for the first time in years.

When the Baroness called him, he says, his distress turned to fury and utter disbelief.

For, he claims, it was only then  with the grave already excavated and Stephen's body removed  that she informed him that she and other family members had decided to have Stephen's body exhumed so he could be reburied in England.

'Doreen just told me, 'I've decided to take Stephen's body back to England because we are getting old and one day nobody will be in Jamaica to look after him,' Mr Lawrence said on the phone from Jamaica yesterday.

'I couldn't believe what she was saying. They are putting it out there that this was a family decision, but I wasn't even consulted. Until my cousin rang me from London, I had no idea Stephen had gone. I was so angry that I just said to her, 'Do what the hell you want!' and put the phone down.'

Yesterday, Baroness Lawrence's lawyer, Imran Khan KC, said his client disputed this version of events. 'This is not an accurate representation of what occurred. No further comment will be made by Baroness Lawrence about personal and private matters.'

Mr Khan declined to say which aspects of Mr Lawrence's account were disputed.

However, having known Stephen's father for more than 20 years, and become his friend, I know him to be a stickler for the truth.

And if his story is true, many might think that  after losing his much-loved son in such an unspeakable manner, then suffering through three decades of police corruption and incompetence  it comes as the final injustice.

Grieving Neville Lawrence at son Stephen's grave in Jamaica in 2013

Following Stephen's murder, Baroness Lawrence remained in London, carrying the fight to bring the murderers to account

The genesis of this saga takes us back to that night in April, 1993, when Stephen, a bright young man with ambitions of becoming an architect, was waiting for a bus in Eltham, South-East London, with his friend Duwayne Brooks.

His fate, by now well-known, was to meet with five despicably racist teenagers who, in the words of a prosecutor, 'swallowed him up' before one of them, whose identity has never been established, thrust a long knife down through his shoulder. Only after Stephen's parents spearheaded one of the most dogged justice campaigns of modern times were two of the murderers, David Norris and Gary Dobson, convicted and sentenced to life.

A t the time Stephen was murdered, Britain was mired in recession and Mr Lawrence was an out-of-work decorator, while his wife had just returned to education. As he later told me, they then had a 'normal, loving relationship'.

Yet one of the many ramifications of the killing was that  for reasons he has never understood  it alienated them from one another.

'From that moment we didn't cuddle or hold hands for comfort, as you might expect a couple to do. We would sleep in the same bed, but we would lay side by side like statues.'

Six years after the murder, they went their separate ways.

Baroness Lawrence remained in London, carrying the fight to bring the murderers to account, starting a foundation that gives opportunities to disadvantaged young people, and lobbying for reforms in the police and justice system: work that has become her life's mission and saw her deservedly elevated to the House of Lords.

Stephen's parents chose to bury the 18-year-old student in Jamaica because they feared the grave might be desecrated by the killers or their sympathisers had they interred him in a London cemetery

Mr Lawrence took a very different path. Unable 'to walk the streets where my son was slaughtered', as he once put it to me, and candidly afraid that Stephen's murderers might take vengeance on him for his determination to hunt them down, he opted for a new beginning in the land of his birth.

Though he spends much of his time at the modest house he had built in Mandeville, in many ways he shares his former wife's commitments, returning to Britain for several months of the year to give talks on racism in schools and otherwise fight for change (work that has brought him a doctorate from Portsmouth University).

With Stephen's case already the subject of much attention and the killers still at large, they agreed to bury him in Jamaica rather in the public glare of London.

When vandals attacked a plaque in Stephen's memory, embedded into the Eltham pavement where he stumbled and died, the wisdom of this decision became clear.

Stephen was buried on July 4, 1993. The chosen plot was a remote piece of land, secluded by dense vegetation and reachable only via a crumbling road known to a few outsiders in Wood Hall, a small village in the southern Jamaican parish of Clarendon. It is owned by relatives of Baroness Lawrence, who played there as a child.

After a service attended by so many people it caused traffic jams, Stephen was buried in a fenced-off area alongside his great-grandmother and another woman who lived locally.

His grave is  or was until a few days ago  marked by a simple white slab upon which was mounted a photo of him and a black plinth in the shape of an open book. One of the pages is imprinted with comforting words. The other carries a simple message from his parents, brother Stuart and sister Georgina  'in loving memory of our son Stephen Lawrence, peace be with you always'  and the dates of his birth, September 13, 1974, and his death, April 22, 1993.

'Here, nobody knows where he is,' Baroness Lawrence told the BBC's Panorama programme in 2013, endorsing her former husband's recollection  that this almost unreachable place had been chosen to thwart would-be desecraters.

'Then again, I don't think anybody deserves to have his body there [in Britain] anyway because they took his life,' she added at the time.

'I think that is still the best thing we did, that we brought him here so he can be next to his great-grandmother, so she can look after him.

'I'm really pleased to have buried him here because had he been buried in the UK his grave would have been desecrated so many times.'

Down the years, when visiting the island, Stephen's London family have, of course, paid their respects at the grave.

What makes this latest saga more poignant, though, is that for three decades his father took great pride in maintaining it.

No easy task given that it is frequently saturated by tropical storms and stands beneath luxuriant trees that drop their leaves on the stonework.

Neville and Baroness Lawrence during a news conference in 1999

For many years, Mr Lawrence would make the winding, 90-minute drive to the plot regularly, touching up the white paintwork and generally keeping things spruce, though the trek is a little more difficult these days and he confesses that he hadn't been since last year.

Indeed, in recent weeks he hasn't been anywhere much, for Jamaica has been hit by a devastating hurricane that knocked out his Wi-Fi, phone and electricity and has made it difficult to get about.

Things were just getting back to normal, last weekend, when his cousin called him from London to warn him of the sickening video fast 'going viral', he says, on the internet. It remains unclear who took the film, but among the places where it was still viewable yesterday was a Jamaican site with 411,000 followers showcasing local trivia such as islanders rehearsing their dance moves. A garish juxtaposition.

'He was stabbed and came here a couple of years ago,' comments the vile man who is apparently filming the void where Stephen's coffin had been. 'Last night they came and they got back the grave (sic).' It is difficult to make out the rest of his garbled, minute-long commentary because of his strong Jamaican accent. However, he seems to go on: 'We don't know the cause. We don't know why.

'They must come and seal it up yes, Stephen Lawrence was stabbed and killed in England a couple of years ago. They came here and got the grave. We don't know why.'

After a few more incoherent words overlain by staccato musical chords, the voice fades away.

Baroness Lawrence's intervention came two days ago. Speaking out because these distressing images had appeared on social media, she said Stephen had been laid to rest in Jamaica 'as we felt he would be at peace there'. But 'after 31 years we have decided that we would like to bring Stephen home to be closer to us.

'The images that are circulating were taken after the funeral home exhumed Stephen's body.

'However, we wish to express our distress at the funeral home's lack of regard for our feelings and privacy, as evidenced by the decision to leave Stephen's grave open to the public rather than closed off.'

Baroness Lawrence added that the family were 'disheartened by the individual who chose to take the images and post them on social media. We had hoped to have carried out this sensitive task privately.'

She ended her statement by apologising for any distress the images had caused and asked that they be removed from social media platforms.

Yet Mr Lawrence is left to wonder why  by his account  nobody involved in the exhumation considered the distress he would suffer after learning of a decision in which he was given no say and played no part.

'I still can't believe this has happened, that they have taken Stephen's body back to England, when I had no idea what was happening,' he told me.

Neville added: 'I had heard that Doreen had come to Jamaica with some family members, but I thought it was just for a holiday.

'Why would she do this? Even if I had known it would have been hard to stop her, because she owns the land, but I would have moved heaven and earth to try. Stephen had been here for 31 years and he belongs here.

'This whole thing leaves me with a lot of questions. Did they put his casket on the plane and was he cremated here first?

'I suppose they must have got the permission of the British High Commission before they were allowed to take him.

'But I have no idea where she intends to rebury Stephen. For all these years, we were worried that his grave would be desecrated by his murderers. Now it has been desecrated by his own mother's decision to remove his body.'

Last night, Mr Lawrence's sentiments were formalised in a statement issued by his solicitor, Guy Mitchell. He said 'the decision [to exhume Stephen] and the damage done to the grave has not only distressed his family but supporters of the campaign for justice around the world.'

Professing himself 'saddened' by the affair, Mr Lawrence added: 'Stephen was at peace in Jamaica and he has now been disturbed and taken away from what I believed would be his final resting place. I am appalled that my son's grave has been vandalised in this way and left in such a terrible mess. I would not take my son back to the place where he was murdered.

'I am confident, regardless of the decisions made without my knowledge and consent, that Stephen's legacy will be sustained. I also reaffirm my commitment to keep fighting until I secure justice for my son.'

No one who knows this fine man  who is yet again immersed in sorrow and anger  would ever doubt that.
A baby has died in a hot car after a teenage neighbor allegedly forgot to drop him off at his father's house and he spent seven hours locked inside.

Travis Carter Jr was found unresponsive in the back seat outside the neighbor's house in Cordes Lakes, about 60 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona.

Paramedics pronounced him dead when they arrived about 9pm on Tuesday. The juvenile neighbor was later arrested and charged with negligent homicide.

The six-month-old boy's mother Aleesia Phillips earlier that day enlisted the neighbor's help to drive her to Prescott Valley, police said.

Travis Carter Jr was found unresponsive in the back seat outside the neighbor's house in Cordes Lakes, about 60 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona

The neighbor was supposed to take the boy to his father Travis Carter (right) when his mother Aleesia Phillips (left) went to work

Phillips took Travis along with her in the back seat, and after he fell asleep she asked the neighbor to drop off the baby at his father's house when she went to work.

The neighbor arrived home, next door to the boy's father, Travis Carter, about 2pm, but did not take them inside.

Instead, they 'parked the car exposed in the hot sun and went into their house, claiming to forget about the baby in the car', police alleged.

Carter called Phillips, who was still at work, about 8.45pm to ask what time the neighbor would be dropping off Travis.

She immediately called the neighbor to find out what was going on, and only then did they realize the baby was still in the car.

'The neighbor ran next door to the father's house and both the father and neighbor pulled the baby out of the car, called 911 and tried CPR,' police said.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office began investigating and on Thursday arrested the neighbor and charged them with negligent homicide.

Phillips (pictured with her older child) asked the neighbor to drop off the baby at his father's house after she went to work, but police alleged they claimed to forget he was in the car

Michelle Crandall, a friend of Phillips' parents Sean and Rita Holly, started a fundraiser to pay for Travis' funeral.

'Please help this family after their tragic loss of their 6 month old son and grandson. Anything helps,' she wrote.

Police will continue investigating and submit a report to the Yavapai County Attorneys Office. The neighbor was charged as a juvenile and not named.

Seventeen children have died in hot cars around the US so far this year, plus another four whose cause of death is still to be determined.

They include another six-month-old child who died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the same day after they parent forgot to drop them off at daycare and went to work, leaving them in the car.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer believes Donald Trump is too 'afraid' of 'strong black woman' Vice President Kamala Harris to debate her.

The veteran New York Democrat claimed the former president was scared to debate the Democratic nominee during a Thursday interview with NBC News.

'He's afraid to even debate Kamala Harris. He already said he wouldn't debate, you know?' Schumer said.

'She's a strong black woman, Donald Trump may not wanna say that, but it's true and everyone knows it's true,' the top Democrat continued. 'He's afraid to debate her.'

But Schumer is not the only Democrat to goad the former president into debating Harris, other high-ranking party members are tempting Trump too.

Former President Donald Trump is too afraid to debate Vice president Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told NBC News this week. His comments come after Trump backed out of a debate with Harris in September

The effort to get the 45th president on a stage to debate Harris is also being pushed by Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg in addition to other top liberals.

Buttigieg, using the same line as Schumer, called Trump 'afraid' of Harris in an interview with MSNBC last week.

'Tough talk is this guy's calling card and now there's this extraordinary show of weakness,' Buttigieg said.

'[Trump] said any time, any place, but more than that he agreed to this specific debate, on this specific network, on this specific date, and now he's pulling out,' the secretary lamented on Morning Joe.

'It shows that he's afraid,' Buttigieg continued.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is widely considered to be Harris's first choice when it comes to picking a running mate, also used the Democrat's now-common refrain.

'Donald Trump is now afraid of debating [Kamala Harris]  and not just because he knows she's a skilled debater,' Shapiro posted on X this week.

'He's scared because he can't run away from his record any longer  but here in Pennsylvania, we haven't forgotten who he is and we aren't going back.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that Donald Trump is 'afraid' of debating Vice President Kamala Harris - a common line used by Democrats trying to goad Donald

Former President Donald Trump committed to debating President Joe Biden, but has dropped his commitment to debate 'any time, any place' after Biden was replaced as the Democratic frontrunner with Vice President Kamala Harris

Senate Democrats were eager this week to paint the Vice President as a skilled prosecutor while repeatedly referencing Trump as a felon.

Democrats will likely lean into this prosecutor versus felon language more as the race continues in an attempt to highlight Harris's record as a San Francisco prosecutor before she became a senator.

Harris has even called out Trump publicly for waffling on his commitment to debating in September on ABC.

'What happened to 'any time, any place'?' Harris said in response to a post announcing Trump's backing out of the event on X.

'If you got something to say, say it to my face,' Harris later said at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, this week, receiving a raucous response for her remark.

'What happened to 'any time, any place'?' Harris posted on X after Trump rescinded his offer to participate in a debate on September 10

Trump, however, had agreed to debate President Joe Biden at the September 10 ABC debate, not Harris.

Still, he did promise to debate, 'any time, any place.'

Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung sought to clarify Trump's commitment after the former president backed out last week.

'Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee,' he said.

'There is a strong sense by many in the Democrat Party - namely Barack Hussein Obama - that Kamala Harris is a Marxist fraud who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still holding out for someone 'better.''

'Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds.'

The Democratic National Convention on August 19 to 22 will officially determine the party's nominee for president, but Harris has already secured enough delegates.

Trump, for his part, is still trying to get out of the face off.

He has since referred to ABC 'fake news' and said he would rather have the event broadcasted on Fox News.
Kyle Rittenhouse surprised fans by revealing he wouldn't be voting for Donald Trump in November's election.

The 21-year-old - who fatally shot two people during a Black Live Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisc. - said he was instead backing Libertarian candidate Ron Paul.

In a video posted to X on Thursday, Rittenhouse said: 'Unfortunately Donald Trump had bad advisers making him bad on the Second Amendment, and that is my issue.'

Rittenhouse, who was embraced by Trump after shooting three men during a 2020 protest against police brutality in Wisconsin, won't be returning the favor with his vote this fall.

'If you cannot be completely uncompromisable on the Second Amendment, I will not vote for you and I will write somebody else in.'

Kyle Rittenhouse surprised fans by revealing he wouldn't be voting for Donald Trump in November's election

The Kenosha shooter, 21, said he was instead backing Libertarian candidate Ron Paul despite having the support of Trump during his trial

The conservative star claimed at the time that Trump's team surrounding him was making him weak on gun laws.

'Unfortunately Donald Trump had bad advisers making him bad on the Second Amendment, and that is my issue,' Rittenhouse said.

Some pro-Trump influencers online shared their disgust at Rittenhouse, saying he owed Trump more for defending him after the shootings.

Humorist Chad Prather wrote: 'Oh well, Kyle I regret to inform you that I will no longer be one of your guests on September 12 at the TXGR event. I reckon you can write in someone else. This was not the way, bud.'

Others claimed that voting third party was simply a vote for Trump's opponent Kamala Harris.

Perhaps in response, Rittenhouse went back on his statement in a separate post to the social media platform on Friday.

'Over the past 12 hours, I've had a series of productive conversations with members of the Trump's team and I am confident he will be the strong ally gun owners need to defend our Second Amendment rights,' he wrote.

'My comments made last night were ill-informed and unproductive. I'm 100% behind Donald Trump and encourage every gun owner to join me in helping send him back to the White House.'

Rittenhouse went back on his statement in a separate post to the social media platform on Friday

He was just 17 when he showed up to the chaotic protest the followed the shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed black man shot seven times by a white policeman at a traffic stop, rendering him paralyzed.

Rittenhouse said he was there with a group of locals defending businesses from looting, and was carrying the assault rifle strapped to his shoulder.

He shot Joseph Rosenbaum four times after the man threw a bag of clothing at him and grabbed the barrel of his rifle.

Rittenhouse then fled and was pursued by a crowd when Huber caught up to him, hit him with a skateboard, and tried to wrestle away the rifle. He was shot once.

In court, he argued he opened fire in self-defense after the men attacked him. The case became a flashpoint in the debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice in the U.S.

Rittenhouse after his acquittal appeared on several right-wing talk shows, met Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and gave speeches for TPUSA.

His image was used to sell everything from guns to clothing and video games and became a popular meme among right-wing social media users.

Trump defended Rittenhouse at the time of the shootings and congratulated him after the verdict, saying, 'If that's not self defense, nothing is.'

Some pro-Trump influencers online shared their disgust at Rittenhouse, saying he owed Trump more for defending him after the shootings

Rittenhouse is thought to have moved to a plush gated community in Houston after taking up a job as Outreach Director for Second Amendment lobby group Texas Gun Rights and launching his media career.

His gun group lobbied hard ahead of the Supreme Court's ruling last week which struck down the Trump-era federal ban on bump stocks.

'Time to go celebrate and buy a bump stock!' he tweeted before adding: 'Next step, Make America Full-Auto again!'
A severed finger has reportedly been found in a car park after an alleged stabbing attack that left a teenager in critical condition.

The finger was found by a police officer, according to 7NEWS.

Emergency services were called to Lake St near Caroline Springs Shopping Centre about 5.15pm on Thursday.

Armed offenders allegedly got out of a car and approached the teenager in a laneway before attacking him.

The teenager suffered stab wounds to his hand and upper body.

He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries, while the alleged perpetrators fled the scene by car before police arrived.

Photos from the scene show blood-soaked clothing was left on a nearby footpath.

A spokesperson for Victoria Police did not disclose whether a finger was found on the scene.

A severed finger has reportedly been found in a car park after an alleged stabbing attack that left a teenager in critical condition

Earlier it was reported the knife-wielding attackers filmed their teenage victim as he lay bleeding on the ground unconscious while a heroic, blood-soaked good Samaritan tried to save his life.

The man who came to the stabbed boy's aid said the attackers callously stood and watched the victim bleed on the concrete, with some filming the horrific scene on their phones and only one offering help to the fallen teen.

The man told the Herald Sun he feared the boy would die as he desperately held his head off the ground.

'He was in and out of consciousness throughout the process, I was just trying to keep him awake and keep him alive,' the man said.

'From the wounds I witnessed, (the weapon) was something large, it wasn't a kitchen knife or a home knife, it was definitely something like a machete.

'There was blood everywhere, all over me.

'I saw so many people standing around, there were so many not helping besides one person.'

The teenager suffered stab wounds to his hand and upper body. He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries, while the alleged perpetrators fled the scene by car before police arrived

'Investigators are still trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the investigation is ongoing but it is believed the offenders have left the area,' a Victoria Police statement said.

Officers sought witnesses to the bloodshed and talked to local business operators and shoppers.

It is understood CCTV captured the incident and police will be using that footage as part of their investigation.

Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
An activist has become the first person to be fined for defying a climbing ban on a sacred indigenous site.

Marc Hendrickx climbed the Wollumbin-Mount Warning summit trail near Murwillumbah in northern NSW on April 13 despite the track being closed to the public since 2020.

He received a $300 fine for the stunt on Friday - just one day before he was set to climb it again with NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick.

Mr Hendrickx, a member of the Right to Climb advocacy group, and several of its members had previously embarked on a seperate trek to the peak in order to watch the sunrise on Australia day.

On both climbs Mr Hendrickx and those that joined him ignored several signs on the way up left by local indigenous groups which warned hikers to turn around or risk facing fines.

Mount Warning was 'temporarily' closed to the public in early 2020 but remains closed to this day and hikers fear it will become 'the next Uluru'.

The Wollumbin Consultative Group has been fighting for the mountain to stay permanently closed to all but a select group of Indigenous male members.

Despite this Mr Hendrickx proudly shared photos of his group holding signs at the summit advocating that it should be reopened.

He said the 'intimidation' of a fine being express posted to him would not stop a his attending a planned protest at the base of Mount Warning celebrating the 95th anniversary of the declaration of the site as a national park on Friday.

Marc Hendrickx has become the first person to be fined for climbed the Wollumbin-Mount Warning summit trail near Murwillumbah in northern NSW

The climbing activist summited the mountain on Australia Day with a group of protestors who oppose Mount Warning's current ban on hikers

Mr Hendrickx copped the fine for breaching the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019 for entering 'a park that is closed to the public'.

The activist said the timing of his fine was suspicious considering he climbed the mountain months ago and it came one day before his planned protest.

'For a fine to turn up now looks like it is trying to instil some fear in the community ... to make sure people don't climb the mountain,' he told the Courier Mail.

'I thought if they were going to fine me they would have fined me at the time and they didn't,' he said.

Mr Hendrickx's offence carries a maximum fine of more than $3,000 - which he managed to avoided.

A spokesperson from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service said a second person from the Australia Day group had also been fined.

They added that anyone who ignored the climbing ban would 'be subject to appropriate law enforcement'.

'We appreciate that there has been community uncertainty about the time taken to resolve this issue,' a statement provided to the publication read.

'It is important however, that we ensure all stakeholders, including the Aboriginal custodians, are appropriately consulted about future management of Wollumbin National Park.'

Mr Hendrickx however said that he will not capitulate to this 'intimidation' and still intends to deliver his keynote speech at the protest.

Another activist group, Save Our Summits, will host the event which is expected to draw up to 100 protestors and will feature a speech from NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick.

Mr Ruddick tabled a petition to parliament calling for the immediate reopening of the Wollumbin Mount Warning summit trail earlier this year.

Mr Hendrickx received a $300 fine for his actions via express post on Friday, which he saw as 'intimidation' as he was set to attend a protest for the reopening of the mountain the next day

Mount Warning was originally closed in 2020 in order to comply with social distancing laws but this closure has since been extended several times for various other reasons

Mr Hendrickx became the face of the Mount Warning closure controversy though a string of public appearances since he was apprehended by a park ranger in January.

He said he will seek 'further clarification' regarding his fine, which Sydney radio host Ben Fordham already offered to pay in March.

The Wollumbin trail once hosted more than 100,000 climbers a year and brought in more than $10million annually.

From April to October last year, private security guards were paid $7,000 per week to make sure climbers were prevented from attempting the summit trek.

Overall, nearly $200,000 was spent securing the mountain and security is still brought in on occasions such as New Year's Eve and Australia Day.

It was initially closed in order to comply with social distancing orders during the coronavirus pandemic but the closure has since been extended multiple times.

Reasons for the extensions have included safety concerns over the condition of the trail and that the trek was against the wishes of the local Indigenous custodians.

In 2022, the NSW Department of National Parks recommended fully handing over management of the site on the Tweed Coast to the small Wollumbin Consultative Group who support a ban on visitors to the popular hiking spot.
A battle between the needs of nature and the needs of humans is heating up in Victoria, with a tiny rediscovered creature long thought to be extinct delaying the building of more than 300,000 homes.

The rediscovery of the Victorian grassland earless dragon in June 2023 has meant houses that were set to be built between Sunbury and Geelong may cost a lot more or possibly not be built at all.

Developers say their costs, including property taxes, are piling up and are likely to lead to higher prices amid delays involving both the state and federal governments.

Mark Whinfield of Newland Developers, who oversees an affected site in Northern Geelong, said the builder has already spent $1million and this would have to be passed on to homebuyers.

'This has delayed the project by two years. We don't see construction starting until 2028,' he told the Herald Sun. 'It's a long journey.'

Garry Peterson, Zoos Victoria's general manager of threatened species, sees it differently, though, saying the landholders would have been affected by conservation plans before the dragon was detected.

'They were certainly earmarking conserving some of that for certain environmental assets that are on the site before the lizard was rediscovered,' he told the ABC.

'And we're working with them around how we can best conserve the entire site for the lizard, but also ensure they are remunerated accordingly.'

A battle between the needs of nature and the needs of humans is heating up in Victoria, with a rediscovered lizard (pictured) long thought to be extinct delaying the building of more than 300,000 homes

The rediscovery of the Victorian grassland earless dragon has meant houses that were set to be built between Sunbury and Geelong may cost a lot more or possibly not be built at all (stock image)

In a letter to the Property Council of Australia, a spokesperson for federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said a decision on the matter was 'being finalised'.

The Victorian grassland earless dragons are a matter of national significance, so 'any action that has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on the species must be referred to the Australian government and undergo an environmental assessment and approval process,' the spokesperson said.

Poll Is it right that a rediscovered species of lizard is delaying the building of 300,000 homes? Yes No There should be a compromise Is it right that a rediscovered species of lizard is delaying the building of 300,000 homes? Yes 217 votes

No 59 votes

There should be a compromise 61 votes Now share your opinion





The Property Council Australia's Victorian head Cath Evans was not happy and said the response was four months late and 'failed to provide any certainty' for the developers.

'In the middle of a housing supply crisis, Victoria cannot afford to have tens of thousands of potential new homes caught up in green tape,' she said.

Ms Evans called on both state and federal Labor governments to help the landholders with some 'swift decision making'.

'While the industry supports the protection of vulnerable species like the Victorian grassland earless dragon, a better balance is required,' she said.

The rediscovery of the lizard, which has last been seen in 1969, has heaped pressure on the Victorian state government under Premier Jacinta Allen, which has vowed to build 800,000 homes in Victoria over the coming decade.

But the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows slumps in both building approvals and completions.

'The more detailed planning studies required in growth areas often take time and it is important we get this work right to ensure homes are built in the right places,' a Victorian Government spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'We're pulling every lever available to us to get more homes built  whether it's working with councils and developers to make good planning decisions faster or building thousands of social and affordable homes.

'While workforce shortages and supply chain issues have created challenges right across the country, Victoria continues to build and approve more homes than any other state.'

Zoos Victoria is training a team of sniffer dogs to detect the Victorian grassland earless dragons (pictured)

Zoos Victoria is training a team of sniffer dogs to detect the dragons, and two dogs, Daisy and Kip, have already found some.

Because the creatures are still being found, Mr Peterson and Zoos Victoria want the site to remain untouched.

'Ideally the continuing of the grazing regime is really important to maintain the structure of that grassland on that site  that's what's allowed the species to persist,' he said.

But the hundreds of thousands of people hoping to have a home to call their own might see it differently.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Plibersek for comment.
Conservative leadership favourite Kemi Badenoch is the victim of Whitehall dirty tricks in a bid to knock her out of the contest, it is feared.

The former Business Secretary and bookmakers' favourite to succeed Rishi Sunak warned last weekend that she was braced for the release of a so-called 'dirty dossier' to try to undermine her campaign.

And so in the last week The Guardian, house journal of the Labour Party, has published two negative articles about the mother-of-three, which, it is claimed, have been briefed by 'senior sources' at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) which she ran as Secretary of State for 17 months until the election.

But, the Mail can reveal, an official statement that was prepared, clearing the 44-year-old MP for North West Essex of any abuse of the ministerial code, mysteriously did not see the light of day.

Now questions are being asked as to why. Has, perhaps, she got Labour already rattled?

Conservative leadership favourite Kemi Badenoch is the victim of Whitehall dirty tricks in a bid to knock her out of the contest, it is feared

The first Guardian piece alleged that as Business Secretary, Mrs Badenoch created an 'intimidating' atmosphere which was so 'toxic' three senior officials felt pushed out by her 'bullying and traumatising' behaviour.

Two days later she was in the dock again, charged with asking officials to pay for a flight to Dallas to join her family on holiday from Mexico where she was representing the government on official business.

The Dallas flight would have cost the taxpayer less than the return flight to London from Mexico. The request was blocked.

Mrs Badenoch is accused in the same article of asking her taxpayer-funded Tory special advisers (the new government has Labour Party advisers funded the same way) to pack her suitcase for overseas trips and to buy presents for family and friends.

The source also said she ordered the driver of her ministerial car to take her to the gym twice a week before starting work.

Both articles were written by Pippa Crerar, the Guardian political editor who wrote a series of articles about 'Partygate' which helped bring down Boris Johnson when she was at the Daily Mirror.

Both articles were written by Pippa Crerar, the Guardian political editor who wrote a series of articles about 'Partygate' which helped bring down Boris Johnson when she was at the Daily Mirror

In the last Conservative Home league table of favoured Cabinet ministers to take over the party, Ms Badenoch enjoyed a commanding lead over the other candidates

In response to The Guardian's second story a statement was prepared by the DBT which cleared its former minister.

The statement was approved by Gareth Davies, the most senior civil servant at the department, and shared, as a courtesy, with Ms Badenoch before it went to No 10 for rubber stamping.

The statement, a copy of which was passed to the Mail, said: 'There was no breach of the ministerial code by the previous Secretary of State.

The ministerial code is clear that ministers can use cars for work, official travel, when using time in the car to work and where there is a security concern.

'Ministers regularly check with their Permanent Secretary/private office for advice on what's appropriate within the ministerial code so proper process is followed  as it was in this case.

Private offices sometimes support ministers with ad hoc personal requests especially when there is pressing official business.' And so the one-time McDonald's worker, of which she is proud of being, was in the clear.

But that wording never made it into the public domain as instead a second statement was given to The Guardian which said: 'The department takes both the ministerial code and civil service code seriously, to ensure they are followed at all times.

Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, was next best in the league table, but some 30 points behind

Former Home Secretary James Cleverley was 43 points behind

'The ministerial code is clear that ministers can use cars for work, official travel, and where there is a security concern. It is normal for permanent secretaries to advise what is appropriate within the ministerial code so proper process is followed.'

The Tories smell a rat. Why did the new statement no longer carry the important message that Ms Badenoch had not breached the ministerial code?

Did someone at No 10 intervene? Or at the powerful Cabinet Office?

Questions from the Mail have not received a satisfying answer. The Cabinet Office insists it is a matter for the DBT. 'It's their statement,' said a spokesman.

A DBT spokesman said: 'A factual response was provided by the department in the usual way.' Challenged why the statement was changed and by whom, the spokesman said: 'We have nothing to add beyond the statement provided to you this afternoon.'

In the last Conservative Home league table of favoured Cabinet ministers to take over the party, Ms Badenoch enjoyed a commanding lead over the other candidates.

Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, was next best in the league table, but some 30 points behind. Former Home Secretary James Cleverley was 43 points behind.

Lord Mandelson, an architect of New Labour, writing in The Spectator, said he had seen Badenoch at an official dinner: 'She is not afraid to speak her mind (although an occasional filter might be handy), or to call out the sort of wokery many voters dislike.'
An Arizona father who left his two-year-old daughter to die in a hot car while he played Playtation is facing upgraded charges.

Christopher Scholtes, 37, allegedly left his daughter, Parker Scholtes, 2, in their blue 2023 Honda Acura SUV to nap for three hours while he played video games.

A grand jury indicted the father on Thursday, August 1st, charging him with first-degree murder and child abuse.

Parker was found dead in the car at about 4:15pm on July 9 outside the family home in Marana, north of Tucson, Arizona. The Pima County Medical Examiner said the the girl's body temperature has reached 108.9F when first responders arrived.

Marana Police previously charged Scholtes with second-degree murder for the July 9th death, initially ruling manner of his daughter's death as an 'accident.'

Christopher Scholtes, 37, was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse over Parker's death. He is seen with Parker, her two older sisters and his wife Erika

Parker Scholtes, 2, died in a hot car in front of her home after she was left there for allegedly three hours

The complaint alleges that Scholtes' other two children, aged 9 and 5, stated their father habitually left all three children unattended in the vehicle, reports KOLD.

They claimed that he was preoccupied with a video game and putting away food when their sister was left in the car.

Scholtes told police he left Parker in her car seat inside the vehicle with the engine running and air-conditioning on because he did not want to wake her up.

He claimed she was there less than an hour after they arrived home, but CCTV footage revealed it was more than three hours in direct sunlight, according to a criminal complaint obtained by DailyMail.com.

His wife Erika Scholtes, a doctor at the hospital where Parker was declared dead, arrived home at 4.08pm and asked where her daughter was, then found her in the car, police said.

As Parker was rushed to the hospital, she texted him saying: 'I told you to stop leaving them in the car, how many times have I told you.'

She later added: 'We've lost her, she was perfect.'

Scholtes' two other children, aged nine and five, told police that Scholtes had left all three siblings alone in the vehicle regularly

Scholtes replied: 'Babe I'm sorry! How could I do this. I killed our baby, this can't be real.'

Scholtes' two other children, aged nine and five, told police their father regularly left all three siblings alone in the car.

The kids told police Scholtes 'got distracted by playing his game and putting his food away', according to the complaint.

A PlayStation and other electronics were taken away as evidence by police.

The father-of-three told police he left the air conditioning in the Acura running but knew it would automatically shut off after about 30 minutes, based on previous experience.

Scholetes told police he got home with Parker about 2.30pm, but surveillance footage from neighbors' cameras showed his car arrived at the house about 12.53pm.

Parker's body temperature had reached 109.9 degrees Fahrenheit per emergency medical workers

Scholtes told cops that when he arrived home, Parker (pictured together) was asleep in the back seat and he didn't want to wake her, making him elect to leave her in the car despite the extreme heat

The cameras also showed Scholtes never went outside to check on Parker until his wife arrived home and asked where she was, police alleged.

Minutes later they found Parker unresponsive in the back of the car and a 911 call was made at 4.16pm, when the temperature was 109F.

Erika Scholtes, an anesthesiologist, called her daughter's death a 'big mistake' as she begged a Tuscon judge to reconsider holding her husband until his next hearing in August.

The judge upheld the doctor's request - agreeing to release him until his next hearing on Thursday so he could 'start the grieving process' with his relatives.

Parker was left in this blue Honda Acura SUV seen behind the police tape earlier that same day

Erika Scholtes, 35, works as an anesthesiologist at the same hospital her daughter was rushed to on the day she died

'I'm just asking if you can allow him to come home to us so we can all start the grieving process,' Erika said during a remote appearance at her husband's scheduled hearing.

She explained it would be 'so that he can bury our daughter with us this upcoming week, and [so] that we can go through this poor process together as a family'.

'This was a big mistake and I think that it doesn't represent him,' the mom-of-two continued.

'I just want that the girls to see their father so that I don't have to tell them tonight that they're going to endure another loss.'

The defense proceeded to point out how Scholtes lacked a criminal history, aside from a DUI charge from 15 years ago.He was also charged with assault but the allegation was withdrawn.
Veteran Tory MP David Davis wants to visit Lucy Letby in prison as part of a probe into whether the serial baby killer was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

The former Brexit secretary is currently analysing the evidence used to convict the neonatal nurse of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more.

He launched his investigation after doubts were raised about Letby's guilt with some members of the Royal Statistical Society expressing concerns over the use of statistics to secure a conviction on the basis of probabilities.

Separate prosecution claims that Letby tried to kill two babies with insulin were summarised in a damning investigation by The New Yorker magazine as: 'One would have to believe that she had managed to inject insulin into a bag that a different nurse had randomly chosen from the unit's refrigerator.'

Mr Davis, a civil liberties campaigner, is understood to be concerned about the justice system's institutional reluctance to admit to its own failings, leading innocent people to languish in prison.

Now he has told The Daily T Podcast that he would visit Letby in prison if he was 'at least three-quarters persuaded that she's innocent'.

Veteran Tory MP David Davis wants to visit Lucy Letby in prison as part of a probe into whether the serial baby killer was the victim of a miscarriage of justice

The former Brexit secretary is currently analysing the evidence used to convict the neonatal nurse of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more

Supporters of ex-nurse Lucy Letby demonstrate outside the High Court in London during her appeal hearing in April

Letby killed her first victim at the neonatal ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital, pictured, in the north of England (file photo from August 2023)

Lucy Letby, 34, was convicted last year of murdering seven premature babies and trying to kill six others (she is pictured on the neo-natal ward in 2013)

He said: 'I may not be allowed to, her lawyer may say no; she may say no. That's got to be with her permission.

'For me to do anything about this, I've got to be at least three-quarters persuaded that she's innocent.

'I'll read millions of words of evidence over August and come to a conclusion in probably September or maybe October.'

Mr Davis has said that if after speaking to experts, he does come to the conclusion that she is innocent he will raise the case with parliament and seek to get a Criminal Case Review Commission referral.

The 34-year-old was convicted last year of murdering seven premature babies and trying to kill six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital where she worked between 2015 and 2016.

She inflicted unimaginable harm on her victims - all while appearing as a smiling, harmless nurse. This image was taken in 2012 three years before Letby's killing spree began

Face of evil: A beaming Letby is pictured graduating from university in September 2011, left, and as a young schoolgirl, right

This image shows Letby being arrested by cops at her home in north England in 2018 after she went on a year-long killing spree, murdering seven babies and trying to kill seven more

Her innocent first victim, known only as Baby A was born six weeks prematurely and was barely a day old when he was handed into the care of Letby at 8pm on June 8, 2015.

Within an hour, the infant would be dead. Heartbroken hospital staff were baffled at why none of the normal techniques to revive the newborn had failed to save his life.

Less than 28 hours later, Letby attempted to kill Baby A's twin sister, injecting air into the youngster, causing her to stop breathing. On this occasion, medics are able to revive the infant.

The next week, Letby would strike again, this time killing Baby C, who was born seven weeks prematurely weighing just 800g (1lb 12oz).

The baby killer's reign of terror continued for almost a year until the alarm was raised and Letby was removed from the ward.

But even after pediatricians raised their suspicions about her activities, hospital executives initially refused to remove her from the unit. When they eventually did so they chose to give her a desk job in the patient safety department.

Letby was arrested in July 2018 and charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in November 2020.

The killer was hauled into court in October 2022, in what would become one of the longest criminal cases in British history when she was found guilty of seven murders and six attempted murders.

Then in June this year Letby was convicted of attempting to kill a seventh baby following a three-week retrial at Manchester Crown Court.

This graphic shows how Lucy Letby's horrific killing spree progressed throughout 2015 and 2016

Letby is pictured being quizzed by cops after she was arrested in July 2018

During her court case, Letby wept as she was jailed for life for her killing spree. She is pictured in a court portrait in August 2023

She is currently serving 15 whole life sentences at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey and will never be released.

Detectives are currently reviewing 4,000 babies Letby cared for at the Countess of Chester and Liverpool Women's Hospital, where she trained.

Dr Dewi Evans, an expert witness in the first trial, previously said he believed Letby experimented with tampering with the breathing tubes of babies before beginning her year-long murder spree in June 2015.

Sources have told the Mail police are considering some 40 more cases, as well as probing the Countess for corporate manslaughter.

A public inquiry into how Letby was allowed to remain on the neonatal unit, despite the concerns of senior doctors, is due to start in September.

Letby has consistently maintained her innocence and in May was refused permission to appeal against last year's convictions.
UCSFs Dr. Justin Field is one of a small but growing cohort of physicians around the country specializing in research and treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in LGBTQ patients. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

When UCSF gastroenterologist Dr. Justin Field was doing his medical training at a New York City hospital in 2020, he remembers one patient with ulcerative colitis kept resisting doctors recommendations to surgically remove his colon, which they believed would be the next best treatment after his serious autoimmune disease wasnt responding to medication.

Doctors worried the patient didnt seem to grasp the gravity of his condition. It wasnt until they learned that as a gay man he considered his sexuality an important part of his identity  and was concerned the procedure might affect his ability to have anal intercourse  that they better understood his reluctance. The surgery, which creates an internal pouch to act as a rectum, can make it challenging but not impossible to have sex afterward.

Having that open dialogue enabled the patient to get the care he needed, Field said. He had the colectomy that was ultimately lifesaving.

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The experience inspired Field to want to create a better, safer space for LGBTQ patients seeking care for inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, an autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 2 million to 3 million Americans. IBD includes colitis and Crohns disease and typically involves chronic inflammation of the gut that causes diarrhea, bloody stool and abdominal pain. (It is not the same thing as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, which is non-inflammatory but causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.)

When Field began his gastroenterology practice at UCSF last year, he set out to open a clinic specializing in treating LGBTQ patients with IBD  a goal that came to fruition in June with the opening of the UCSF Rainbow IBD Clinic at the Mount Zion campus on Divisadero Street. It is believed to be just the second one of its kind in the nation, after a similar practice at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, called the IBD Pride Clinic, opened in 2022.

When it comes to patient care, the main goal of the Rainbow Clinic at UCSF is to build a space free of stigma and shame that many LGBTQ people face when seeking medical care for conditions including inflammatory bowel disease. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Field is one of a small but growing cohort of gastroenterologists around the country who are carving out a specialty treating and researching IBD in LGBTQ patients. When it comes to patient care, their main goal is to build a space free of stigma and shame that many LGBTQ people face when seeking medical care for conditions including IBD.

This is especially true for IBD because it affects the anus and rectum, which are areas that are important for a healthy sex life for many people, especially though not exclusively LGBTQ folks, Field said.

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LGBTQ people dont appear to have IBD at higher rates than other populations, but do have unique needs and concerns related to the disease that are often overlooked, minimized or not well understood by health care providers.

Some transgender patients, for instance, want to know whether its safe to take estrogen, which is often used in gender-affirming care but can worsen an IBD flare-up. Some patients considering gender-affirming surgery have concerns that one type of procedure that uses a portion of the colon to create a vagina may affect their IBD since it involves colon tissue.

Others, like the New York patient Field recalled, have questions about whether after surgery its safe to have sex involving the colon or rectum. These issues have not been well researched, leaving a gap in knowledge about how to best advise such patients and highlighting the need to better study IBD in LGBTQ populations.

Dr. Rishika Chugh demonstrates an ultrasound machine at the UCSF Rainbow Clinic in San Francisco. The clinic offers treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in LGBTQ patients. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

In addition, both IBD and HIV are risk factors for developing anal cancer. Because many people with IBD take medication that decreases the bodys immune functions, they can be at higher risk for anal cancer, which is caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Rates of anal cancer are also higher among gay and bisexual men over age 45.

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There are many LGBTQ folks living with IBD, so its likely even more important they get screened for anal cancer, Field said. The clinic is an opportunity for people to be screened, and also to advance our knowledge about specific risks within IBD.

Historically, medical research in LGBTQ populations has focused on sexually transmitted infections and HIV, said Dr. Victor Chedid, director of the Mayo Clinics IBD Pride Clinic.

This is stigmatizing on its own because the assumption is only the LGBT community engages in high-risk behaviors, which is obviously not true, Chedid said. Part of our work is to change the stigma  and recognize we have to study a lot of other things that are pertinent to the LGBT community that are beyond just STIs.
A British far-right activist whose racist websites inspired an American teen to murder ten people in a mass shooting has been jailed.

Colin McNeil, 46, who pleaded guilty to four offences of disseminating a terrorist publication, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment today.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how his two websites glorified Nazis while also featuring racist documents, images and videos.

The sites further honoured mass murderers, including Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people around two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand in 2019.

Prosecutors added that one person inspired by them was Payton Gendron, now 20, who murdered ten people in a mass shooting at a grocery shop in Buffalo, USA, in 2022.

Colin McNeil, 46, from Leeds, who has been given an extended sentence of 11 years for hosting far-right terror websites that spread far-right propaganda, glorified Hitler and encouraged terrorism

Payton Gendron, center, listens as he is sentenced to life in prison without parole for domestic terrorism motivated by hate and each of the 10 counts of first-degree murder, in an Erie County court room, in Buffalo, N.Y., Feb 15, 2023. Prosecutors in Leeds have said that Colin McNeil's racist websites inspired Gendron to commit mass murder in America

Evidence submitted to the court revealed Gendron's engagement with the websites through likes and comments on racist material hosted on them.

McNeil benefited financially from the websites, receiving donations from users, while also expressing his own racist views on them.

One of the sites, which operated like a typical social media platform, had 5,716 members, with 255,960 photos and 6,499 videos uploaded.

The other site, set up for videos, hosted 12,345 members and contained 79,284 videos.

This site also had an option to upgrade to a 'pro' member for $50, which would allow the user to post ad-free videos, sell videos, and to live stream.

McNeil, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, was first arrested on March 23, 2022, following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

And today, he received an 11-year extended sentence, comprising seven years in jail and four years on licence.

He will also be subject to a terrorist notification order for 30 years.

Bethan David, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said: 'Colin McNeil allowed his websites to operate as propaganda platforms for far-right terrorist material.

'He profited from the sites in the form of donations from users, and it is clear that others were inspired by the hateful and racist material they were able to access online - including those from overseas.

'McNeil's actions were quite deliberate; he knew full well that there was a risk that terrorism would be encouraged and yet he permitted access to such material anyway.

'The CPS will always seek to prosecute those who encourage terrorism when our legal test is met.'

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley said his team would 'seek out' those involved in similar pratices.

He added: 'There is simply no place for racism in our society. We will continue to seek out those that facilitate and distribute these harmful ideologies.

'I would urge the public to report any concerning online material that they come across to the national Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) hosted by Counter Terrorism Policing.'
Women in their 30s are the largest group leaving teaching as a record number abandon the profession, a report has found.

More than 9,000 women between 30 and 39 left teaching in England in 2022-2023 compared with 3,400 men that age.

As the Government vows to hire 6,500 more teachers, the survey also found that, overall, almost 40,000 state school teachers left the profession that year, a five-year high.

The 'Missing Mothers' study, conducted by independent think tank The New Britain Project, urges the Government to adopt more family-friendly policies.

Women in their 30s are the largest group leaving teaching as a record number abandon the profession, a report has found (stock image)

More than 9,000 women between 30 and 39 left teaching in England in 2022-2023 compared with 3,400 men that age (stock image)

But while numerically more women are leaving the profession, a higher proportion of men are going as there are far fewer in the industry.

Last academic year there were just under 400,000 female teachers in state schools versus 125,000 men.

Anna McShane, of The New Britain project, said: 'We need to prioritise retention strategies to ensure that our recruitment efforts are not in vain.'
Oxford dons have been lobbying against digital assessment over fears that students could cheat using chatbots.

Academics at the university are worried youngsters might use ChatGPT  an artificial intelligence tool  to write answers.

Tech firms have been promoting computer-based learning and testing as the future for education, with many universities adopting this in lockdown.

But this is no longer 'acceptable' due to advances in AI technology, a Oxford lecturer said.

Minutes from a meeting of Oxford's law faculty board last year have been obtained by the Daily Mail this week through the Freedom of Information Act.

Oxford dons have been lobbying against digital assessment over fears that students could cheat using chatbots like Chat GPT

One Oxford academic discussing the use of digital assessments and AI chat bots said: 'What might have been acceptable in 2020, 2021 and 2022 is ...no longer acceptable'

One academic said: 'It is essential exams are properly invigilated and students are prevented from using chatbots, googling, or cutting and pasting.'

Another said: 'ChatGPT has changed things dramatically.

'What might have been acceptable in 2020, 2021 and 2022 is ...no longer acceptable.'

An Oxford spokesman said it supported a 'range of assessment methods'.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has dramatically revoked a proposed plea deal for the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.

Austin said Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accomplices were no longer eligible for life sentences in prison without the prospect of the death penalty in return for a guilty plea.

They were offered the deal just two days ago, on Wednesday, triggering widespread outrage.

Austin also relieved the official responsible for the plea deal of her duties. Retired Brigadier General Susan K Escallier will no longer oversee the case, with Austin himself assuming responsibility for it.

The development was first reported by The New York Times Friday evening.

Friday's shock U-turn means Mohammed and his accomplices - Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawasawi - could once again face the death penalty.

This Saturday March 1, 2003, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the alleged Sept. 11 mastermind, shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan

Brigadier General (ret.) Susan K Escallier (left) offered the three suspects the plea deals Wednesday. She has now been taken off the case by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (right)

Announcing the revocation of the plea deal, Austin told the Times that the high stakes nature of the case means 'the responsibility for such a decision should rest with me.'

He added: 'Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024.'

Wednesday's plea deal announcement was the culmination of two years of negotiations between prosecutors and defense attorneys.

The case has been bogged down in pre-trial hearings since 2012.

All three suspects have been held in Guantanamo Bay since the early 2000s.

News of Wednesday's plea deal left families of many of the 3,000 murdered in the September 2001 terror attacks 'deeply troubled.'

Some were angered that the option to execute the suspected terrorists had been removed.

And many said they feared the deal means they'd never find out who was really behind the attacks on New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania, amid suspicions that Saudi Arabia was deeply-involved in the terror spectacular.

9/11 Justice President Brett Eagleson told DailyMail.com in a statement that his group remains furious at the administration for keeping victims' families in the dark.

Walid Bin Attash (left) and Mustafa al Hawasi (right) both now face new trials following the collapsed plea deal. They've been held in Guantanamo Bay since the early 2000s

Hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center and explodes at 9:03 a.m. on September 11. Close to 3,000 people were killed during the attacks on New York City, Washington DC and the downing of a United Airlines plane in a Pennsylvania field

'We are astounded and deeply frustrated that our families were not consulted or even notified in advance of the plea deal or its subsequent revocation,' Eagleson said.

'These monsters need to be forced to share every piece of information they have about the attacks and be held fully accountable for the murder of our loved ones. It's not just about punishment, it's about uncovering the full truth,' he added.

Eagleson hoped that the decision will 'not hinder our efforts to hold those responsible, including the Saudi government, accountable for their roles in this horrific tragedy' and demands 'greater transparency and accountability'.
Spine-chilling footage shows a down-on-her-luck actress dancing by the ocean off New Jersey just days before she was murdered in cold blood at the same scenic waterside spot.

Carley Elbert, 32, was filmed rapping about 'spitting rhymes' while dancing on a jetty near the Flagship hotel as the Atlantic City skyline lights up the background on July 27th.

Just six days later, Elbert was found on a nearby jetty wearing only a bikini with a fatal gunshot wound to the head at around 4:41 am, according to police.

A second victim, 29-year-old Kamille Stewart, was found next to Elbert on the jetty suffering from gunshot wounds but still conscious.

Stewart was rushed to AtlantiCare Medical Center for treatment. A preliminary investigation found that both New Jersey women appeared to have been shot in the head. Three men have been arrested but no motive was shared.

Spine-chilling footage shows a down-on-her-luck actress dancing by the ocean off New Jersey just days before she was murdered in cold blood at the same scenic waterside spot.

Carley Elbert, 32, (pictured) was filmed rapping about 'spitting rhymes' while dancing on a jetty near the Flagship hotel as the Atlantic City skyline lights up the background on July 27th

Elbert recently entered remission from mastocytosis, a rare condition that occurs when your body produces too many mast cells. Mast cells are part of your immune system that help protect against allergens and germs.

An online profile from earlier in her career as an actor said she worked as an extra on television shows such as 'General Hospital' and 'The Elizabeth Smart Story.'

Elbert's mother, Nancy Elbert, was devastated by her daughter's tragic end.

'I hope you rot in hell. I'll see this to the end for justice for my Carley,' Nancy, told WPVI, sending a message to the suspects. 'She didn't deserve to go out like this.'

Three men from Philadelphia have been arrested in connection to the murders, but cops have not said why they think the women were killed.

Elbert frequently appeared troubled and worse-for-wear in many of her more recent social media postings.

Atlantic County authorities announced Friday that Gregg Page, a 34-year-old Philadelphia resident, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and associated weapons offenses.

Brothers Ryan Schenck, 30, and Ramir Schenck, 27, also from Philadelphia, were charged with hindering the apprehension of a suspect in relation to the case.

Just six days later, the woman was found on a nearby jetty wearing only a bikini with a fatal gunshot wound to the head at around 4:41 am, according to police

Surveillance footage turned in by the Flagship hotel show a car pulling up to the boardwalk just after 2 am. Five people then got out of the car and walked along the boardwalk for about 20 minutes before just two of them returned and drove away.

A criminal complaint obtained by Action News alleges that Page stole a car belonging to one of the victims and fled the scene.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows Page driving the stolen car before abandoning it at a different location.

Investigators say Page was then picked up by his accomplices and driven to Philadelphia.

An online profile from earlier in her career as an actor said she worked as an extra on television shows such as 'General Hospital' and 'The Elizabeth Smart Story'

A criminal complaint obtained by local ABC outlet WPVI alleges that Page stole a car belonging to one of the victims and fled the scene.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows Page driving the stolen car before abandoning it at a different location.

Investigators say Page was then picked up by his accomplices and driven to Philadelphia.

Police tracked Elberts cell phone to the 6100 block of Mulberry Street in Philadelphia.

Exclusive video footage captures the moment officers, including FBI agents, arrested the three men at that location.

All three suspects are being held in Philadelphia and are pending extradition to New Jersey.
The couple was fined and copped two demerit points

A couple fined for parking in their own driveway say they've been 'screwed over' by their local council.

Kate's husband received a $362 fine and was docked two demerit points by the Lake Macquarie City Council in NSW, which caused his Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance to skyrocket.

Recently her neighbourhood became incensed by a pamphlet distributed by council which told them how to correctly park their cars at home.

'Are [council] kidding themselves,' one local wrote online.

Another person who lives in the area said they had already received two fines under the new scheme which they described as a 'crackdown'.

Council claimed Kate's husband obscured access with his car meaning there was either no walking space for pedestrians or that it had blocked access to their home.

She went to her local MP armed with photos of the offence in an attempt to contest the fine - and more importantly the demerit points which affects the price of CTP coverage.

'We can't afford the points, it's [already] added hundreds to my husband's cost of his green slip due to the points he has so it really screwed us over,' she told Yahoo.

Kate, who lives in the Lake Macquarie City Council, in NSW, and her husband were fined $362 for parking incorrectly in their own driveway (pictured)

Council recently distributed a pamphlet regarding proper parking etiquette in the area which has caused an uproar among locals

Kate said the legislation concerning where she could or could not park a car was confusing since 'there is not a measurement of what is considered a footpath'.

She added that this was the first time her husband had been fined for the offence despite him parking the exact same way in their driveway for the last 12 years.

Council replied to the local outrage over residential parking fines and disputed that there was any 'specific crackdown' taking place.

Instead, they told Yahoo that rangers simply 'conduct reactive patrols when we receive complaints from the community'.

'You cannot park your vehicle on or across a driveway or prevent access to that property,' the spokesperson said.

'We are receiving an increasing number of complaints from the community each year about instances of parking non-compliance.'

The spokesperson said the purpose of these rules was to ensure pedestrian access is not restricted and visibility for other road users and pedestrians is not reduced.

Council replied to the local outrage over residential parking fines and disputed that there was any 'specific crackdown' taking place

Between January and June this year council issued 440 fines for similar offences, including 226 fines for parking on nature strips and 135 fines for parking on nature strips in school zones.

Another 35 fines were issued for parking on driveways in school zones and another 44 for parking across driveways in built up areas.

Council spokesperson added that Kate's specific offence was 'within a school zone during the morning arrivals of children trying to make their way to school safely'.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury told the publication that the fines were fair and just: 'It's illegal to park across your own driveway.'

Mr Khoury explained that the laws were good because emergency responders do not have time to deal with badly parked cars.

'If emergency services need to access that driveway for some reason, they're not able to do so if you parked across it,' he said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Lake Macquarie City Council for comment.
Two men have been shot in a suspected targeted attack in south-western Sydney on Saturday morning.

NSW Ambulance said they were called to two scenes - at Highfield Park, Proctor Way and the adjoining Dobell Avenue - at Claymore.

A man was found with gunshot wounds to his head and torso at Highfield Park at Claymore at about 9.30am, with police and paramedics racing to the scene.

A short time earlier, police were also called to a nearby shop responding to reports a man had been shot in the torso and had sought medical help.

In a statement NSW Police said they were called to a shop in Claymore following reports a man, suffering injuries to his torso, had sought medical help.

'A short time later, police were called to a reserve on Proctor Way, Claymore, after a man was located with gunshot wounds to his head and torso,' the statement continued.

'Police have established a crime scene and an investigation has begun.

'Initial inquiries have led police to believe the incident was targeted.'

There is still a large police presence at the scene, which has been taped off.

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been rushed to hospital following a reported shooting in southwest Sydney on Saturday morning

More to come.
After Australia's coldest July in years, the final month of winter in August will bring warmer temperatures and above average rainfall.

There was one exception to the shivering July, though. While the rest of the country fired up the heaters, Perth had its warmest July in three years, but is about to slammed with rain this weekend.

Melbourne was the opposite to the Western Australian capital and endured its coldest July in nine years.

But the worst of the cold may be over for this year in Melbourne and elsewhere, with warmer than usual temperatures forecast across most of the country in the coming weeks.

In fact, large areas of Australia are expected to be 70 to 80 per cent above the median minimum night time temperature for the month.

Day time temperatures are also forecast to be above average in August, particularly in northern, eastern and south-eastern Australia.

Perth's run of good luck may be about to end, though, as temperatures will be closer to average throughout WA and central Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has also warned WA residents to prepare for 'unseasonable' rainfall in the coming days.

After Australia's coldest July in years, August - the final month of winter - will bring above average rainfall

'It's not very typical for this time of year to see rainfall, it's normally their dry season,' senior meteorologist Jonathan How said.

The system is set to move east into central Australia over the weekend, bringing heavier rain to southern parts of the Northern Territory and northern parts of South Australia.

BoM meteorologist Angus Hines earlier said the rainfall would be widespread with some areas getting 20, 30 or 40mm of rain.

'When that amount of rain falls in normally dry areas in central Australia, it can certainly have some impact, particularly on travel and transportation,' he said.

'A lot of these outback roads in these parts of the country are dirt roads, so it doesn't take that much wet weather before they become muddy and in some cases impassable.

'We could see road closures over the weekend but there is still a little bit of uncertainty, there is not complete clarity as to how this will play out.

'But we do expect to see rain through this part of the country on Saturday and in particular on Sunday.'

The rain is expected to amplify as it moves east across central Australia over the weekend, and will potentially intensify when it hits the eastern states next week.

Though warmer weather is coming, temperatures dipped as low as -8C across Australia early on Saturday.

'We had another cold start this morning particularly across eastern Australia,' Mr Hines said.

Adelaide (pictured) is expected to hit a top of 16C with some sun on Saturday, while Sunday is set for a top of 17C, but with a chance of showers

Canberra got down to -5.6C, while Cooma in the Snowy Mountains dropped to -8.4C, taking out the spot for the coldest place in the country on Saturday morning.

'We have seen very cold temperatures right up through northern NSW and into south east Queensland again this morning, and have seen a bit of fog around the Adelaide metro,' Mr How said.

'Generally quite cold... a continuation on from what we've seen through the week with those cold mornings.

'The good thing about cold mornings today does mean sunny days.'

Much of NSW, Queensland, northern Victoria and Canberra are seeing sunny skies on Saturday.

'In terms of the rest of the weekend, we are expecting pretty settled conditions for Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania,' Mr How said.

'A high pressure system over Australia is generating quite calm and dry conditions - plenty of sunshine if you're living on the coast, so a pretty good day to get out.'

Sydney is in for a mostly sunny weekend with a top of 19C across Saturday and Sunday.

Melbourne is set to be partly cloudy with a chance of showers, with a top of 15 across the weekend.

Brisbane will also see some sun with a top of 23C and light winds.

Perth will be mostly sunny with a max of 19C, and is also set to get some light winds.

Sydney (pictured) is in for a mostly sunny weekend with a top of 19C across Saturday and Sunday

Adelaide is expected to hit a top of 16C with some sun on Saturday, while Sunday is set for a top of 17C, but with a chance of showers.

Hobart is set to have a chance of showers across the weekend and a top of 14C, while Canberra is also set for some sun and tops of 14C.

The NT is expected to drop to minimum temperatures of -3C on Sunday.

Darwin is set to be mostly sunny with a top of 32C this weekend.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government's determination to work with Indigenous Australians is now as 'strong as ever' following the failed Voice to Parliament referendum.

He said he was full of optimism for the future as he addressed The Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures in Gulkula, northeast Arnhem Land, on Saturday.

Mr Albanese acknowledged the 'pain is still raw' after the Voice, but said he hadn't returned to Garma to 'talk about what might have been', but instead because his 'optimism for a better future still burns'.

'My trust in the resilience and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remains,' he said.

'And because the destination we seek, the Australia we imagine: more united, more reconciled, more confident and more equal, this nation remains within our reach.'

The Prime Minister said his government 'campaigned on the basis of conviction, not out of convenience' and worked alongside many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to achieve the Voice.

'Together, we gave our all. And we fell short,' he said.

Despite the defeat, Mr Albanese said he believes Australia can still close the gap and tackle 'the realities of disadvantage'.

Anthony Albanese says aspirations for better future for Indigenous Australians 'did not end last October' while speaking at the Garma Festival on Saturday. Picture: Leicolhn McKellar via NewsWire

'These aspirations for a better future did not end last October,' he said.

'And nor did the respect, understanding and co-operation that will take us there.'

He said the government would continue to seek advice from Indigenous communities because of the 'simple truth' that no government, prime minister or parliament 'has all the answers'.

'My colleagues and I do not pretend to have discovered them now,' he said.

'Instead, we want to work with you - with new ambition, energy and determination - to find a new way forward.'

Mr Albanese acknowledged the 'pain is still raw' after the Voice, but said he hadn't returned to Garma to 'talk about what might have been', but instead because his 'optimism for a better future still burns'

Speaking to the country's largest Indigenous cultural gathering, the Prime Minister announced the government will invest $20m from the Aboriginal Benefits Account to build a new tertiary and vocational education centre

Speaking to the country's largest Indigenous cultural gathering, the Prime Minister announced the government will invest $20m from the Aboriginal Benefits Account to build a new tertiary and vocational education centre.

The Garma Institute is set to be owned and run by the Yolngu people after a new partnership agreement with the Northern Territory Government and the Yothu Yindi foundation.

'You are more than curators or custodians, you are the traditional owners, who have cared for land and waters for 60,000 years and more,' Mr Albanese said.

'And we want you to have ownership of your future - built on a foundation of economic empowerment.'

The government is also investing $109m of new money into First Nations justice programs nationally, as well as funding three new dialysis clinics on Badu Island in the Torres Strait, in the Pilbara, and the Western Desert.

More clinics are set to open in Yalata, Balgo, Harts Range, Ti-Tree and Borroloola to help communities battle health concerns such as chronic kidney disease, which is four times more likely to be fatal among Indigenous communities and twice as prevalent.

The government is also investing $109m of new money into First Nations justice programs nationally, as well as funding three new dialysis clinics on Badu Island in the Torres Strait, in the Pilbara, and the Western Desert. Picture: Leicolhn McKellar via NewsWire

The Garma Institute is set to be owned and run by the Yolngu people after a new partnership agreement with the Northern Territory Government and the Yothu Yindi foundation

'At its core, this is about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people having an equal right to make a good life for yourselves and your children,' Mr Albanese said.

'A healthy family, a safe home, a great education that opens the way to a rewarding job.'

It's 'no less than every Australian deserves', and yet it's 'so far removed from reality' for so many Indigenous people, the Prime Minister accepted.

'That truth cuts hard in a country that has always seen itself as the home of the fair go,' he said.

No one can defend gaps in health outcomes, education, justice and opportunities as 'inevitable or acceptable', because 'they are not', Mr Albanese continued.

'No-one can credibly argue that recognising the great privilege of sharing this continent with the world's oldest continuous culture, should not be reflected in our nation's founding document,' he said.

'No-one can argue that more of the same is good enough for Australia. It is not.

Mr Albanese said he had visited Garma to renew his government's commitment to a better future for First Nations people

'No-one can pretend that holding to the same approach will deliver the progress our nation needs. It will not.

'To make meaningful change in the lives of First Nations people, governments must be prepared to make meaningful change in the way we do things.'

Mr Albanese said he had visited Garma to renew his government's commitment to a better future for First Nations people.

'We will leave here more determined than ever to bring it into being,' he said.

'So with new urgency, new purpose and new co-operation.

'Let us work together, to achieve new success.'
A forecaster known as the 'Nostradamus' of presidential elections gave his take on how JD Vance could sway the outcome between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Professor Allan Lichtman of American University has accurately called the winner of nearly every presidential election since President Reagan's reelection in 1984.

Earlier this week, after updating his complicated prediction model to reflect President Joe Biden dropping out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris become the presumptive Democratic nominee, he said Harris was on course for victory.

On his YouTube channel Friday, Lichtman believes part of the reason for Harris' advantage is that Vance would be a 'horror show' if Trump was incapacitated and Vance had to serve as president.

'I don't think the VP pick turns the election but a VP pick is incredibly important. That's why JD Vance was such a disastrous pick; he would be a horror show as president.'

He added that the point to picking a running mate is having someone to serve if the president dies or resigns, which has happened on nine occasions in US history.

A forecaster known as the 'Nostradamus' of presidential elections gave his take on how JD Vance could sway the outcome between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris

Lichtman told Newsweek that Vance presents a problem in that Trump comes off as more of a moderate than the Ohio Senator.

'In some ways, his views are even more extreme than those of Donald Trump. For example, on aid to Ukraine or wanting a national prohibition on abortion with no exception for rape, incest, or health of the mother. And Vance has become a lightning rod for criticism,' he said.

Harris, who is slated to announce her pick for VP on Monday, has seen a boost in the polls since announcing her intention to run.

Based on Lichtman's model which includes thirteen factors, or 'keys' as he calls them, Harris is currently on course for victory with less than 100 days to go before Election Day.

Lichtman's model measures factors against the party currently in the White House, which at this time is the Democrats.

He said he will make his official prediction for the election next month, but Harris has a majority of his keys leaning in her favor to win.

'I plan to make my official prediction in August after the Democratic convention,' Lichtman wrote on X. 'See my assessment below on the 13 Keys Tracker on where The Keys stand NOW.'

The factors giving Harris the advantage include that she did not face a primary challenger, there has been little threat from third party candidates so far, and the economy is strong in the short and long term.

Professor Allen Lichtman believes Kamala Harris is on track to win the election this November against Donald Trump despite the shake-up at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket

With the switch to Harris, the White House also hasn't made a major policy change and the vice president is not facing a scandal or major social unrest.

Lichtman noted that with the transition from Biden to Harris as the presumptive nominee last week, the Democrats have lost one advantage: the incumbency factor.

With Harris and Trump set to face off, the professor views this race is essentially open now.

But he noted Democrats were able to prevent some further fallout with its shakeup with the party overwhelmingly rallying behind Harris rather than kicking off a chaotic open primary or having other presidential hopefuls jumping into the race at this late stage.

'I have not made a final prediction. I've said I will make it after the Democratic convention,' Lichtman told C-SPAN.

'But I have said for months, and I continue to say a lot would have to go wrong for Democrats to lose,' he added. 'That could happen, but a lot would have to change.'

Lichtman also said the new energy injected into the Harris campaign could have a positive effect on several keys for her including less people voting for third party candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. and it could further stall social unrest.

'It has a mixed result, Biden's dropping out, and the presumptive nomination of Harris,' he said. 'But it doesn't fundamentally change my assessment that a lot would have to go wrong for the Democrats to lose.'

President Biden speaking on July 29, 2024. Professor Lichtman said the president dropping out of the race on July 21 has not fundamentally changed his forecast on who will win the November election as of now

Lichtman's forecast comes as polls show the presidential race remains extremely close with Harris at the top of the ticket.

An average of the latest polls shows Trump up less than two points, according to Real Clear Politics.

When it comes to the polls out of key battleground states, there is also a tight race between Trump and Harris now that Biden is off the Democratic ticket.

But the latest polling does show there has been a jump in enthusiasm among Democrats as Lichtman noted. Harris' approval since becoming the presumptive presidential nominee has also jumped in recent days.
Ventura County Fire Department firefighters battle the Park Fire near Forest Ranch in Butte County on July 27. Jungho Kim/Special to the Chronicle

After two relatively calm summers, California is experiencing its most severe start to a fire season in 16 years.

The Park Fire near Chico, allegedly started by a man who pushed a burning car into dry brush, has quickly blazed its way to becoming the fourth-largest in state history. The conflagration is raging near areas recently devastated by fires, including 2021s Dixie Fire  the second-largest in state history  and the 2018 Camp Fire, which decimated the town of Paradise and killed 85 people.

The Park Fire has destroyed more than 540 structures and damaged 50 more as of Friday, according to preliminary state data. Several families that lost homes in the Camp Fire have reportedly lost their new homes in the Park Fire.

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Conditions are bound to get worse; we havent even hit peak fire season yet.

The intense threat underscores the extreme challenge of stabilizing Californias fragile home insurance market  which has been roiled by an exodus of insurers, dwindling availability and soaring prices  before another Paradise-like disaster hits.

Yet a new proposal that aims to do that  announced last week by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the states privately run insurer of last resort, the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan  runs the risk of doing the exact opposite.

Thats because there could be a huge increase in the liability of the FAIR Plan, which is already a ticking time bomb. Its implosion could have disastrous effects on the insurance industry and for ratepayers struggling to afford sky-high premiums.

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As traditional insurers have limited their presence in California or pulled out of the state, the FAIR Plan  which offers basic fire insurance to homes and companies that cant get it anywhere else  has gone from being a temporary safety net to many residents only viable insurance option.

As its growth has exploded  from September 2019 to June 2024, the number of residential policies covered by the FAIR Plan soared from about 155,000 to nearly 409,000  so has its liability. The plan had an exposure of $393 billion as of June, up from about $113 billion in September 2019, according to the insurers data.

But, as of June 30, the FAIR Plan had only about $385 million in surplus available to pay claims, President Victoria Roach told the editorial board in an exclusive interview.

Thats nowhere near enough to cover a Paradise-like disaster. Insurance companies collectively paid out about $12 billion in wildfire-related claims in both 2017 and 2018, two of Californias worst wildfire years on record, a Department of Insurance analysis found.

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This enormous liability is a key reason why insurance companies have been limiting their coverage in California: Private insurers are on the hook for any claims the FAIR Plan cant pay in proportion to their share of their market.

Depopulating the FAIR Plan, getting customers off its rolls to reduce its liability, is central to bringing insurers back into California. But the state is stuck in an impossible situation: Many people who need insurance now cant get it  and, apart from often prohibitively expensive policies offered by the unregulated surplus lines market, the FAIR Plan is their only choice.

So, the FAIR Plan has kept growing.

Now, instead of depopulation, a new proposed stipulation between the Department of Insurance and the FAIR Plan represents what could be the programs most dramatic expansion yet. For a temporary period of three years, it would quintuple the coverage limit for commercial properties  including condos, apartments and affordable housing developments  from $20 million per property to $20 million per building, with a cap of $100 million per property.

This could result in Californias existing 5 million multifamily housing units seeking coverage under the FAIR Plan, though the total will depend on the rate and coverage terms the insurer comes up with, said Dan Dunmoyer, president and CEO of the California Building Industry Association, which has long lobbied for the expanded coverage. He estimated that about $30 billion to $45 billion in new multifamily developments could also be added to the FAIR Plan over three years.

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These figures will likely be news to FAIR Plan officials. Roach told us that there have been anecdotal discussions about the need in the market, but we do not currently have any numbers or geographic areas to tell us where and how many of those risks we may be receiving.

Adding even a portion of that many properties to an already overburdened FAIR Plan seems like a recipe for disaster  especially because the stipulation doesnt set any geographical coverage limits. This means Californias insurance plan of last resort could potentially enable construction in extremely high-risk areas or places with limited evacuation routes, further worsening our insurance issues down the line.

Were gambling, said Rex Frazier, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, an insurance industry group.

Yet its not clear that California can afford the alternative, either.

As Dunmoyer pointed out, failing to expand coverage could make it harder to preserve and build dense multifamily housing across the state, including the Bay Area. He also noted that master-plan communities built with the latest science and technology are safer and easier to defend from fires than single-family homes, for which the FAIR Plan already offers coverage of up to $3 million.

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But we shouldnt have to choose between our housing and climate goals and a stable insurance market. Perhaps if local governments didnt insist on making it so difficult to build infill housing in comparatively safe places like San Francisco, we wouldnt be in this situation.

The proposed stipulation  which also clarifies that insurers cant pass 100% of their costs on to ratepayers if the FAIR Plan runs out of money  is just one part of Laras larger strategy to modernize the states insurance market, which he said should be fully implemented by the end of the year.

When we asked Lara how he would know whether his reforms were working, he said, The first signal were going to be watching for is the FAIR Plan depopulating.

About Opinion The editorial positions of The Chronicle, including election recommendations, represent the consensus of the editorial board, consisting of the publisher, the editorial page editor and staff members of the opinion pages. Its judgments are made independent of the news operation, which covers the news without consideration of our editorial positions.

But, at least in the short term, the FAIR Plan is bound to keep growing.
A baby-faced 13 year-old boy was marched into court to face charges of murdering his sleeping 10 year-old best friend in a horrific bloodbath.

James Campbell was arraigned at Westmoreland County Courthouse in Pennsylvania Thursday afternoon, hours after he is said to have killed Hunter Meyers.

Campbell is accused of knifing Meyers multiple times in the head at his grandmother's home, which sits around 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

Meyers, who attended Agora Cyber Charter School with Campbell, was staying there at the time and was fast asleep when he was killed. Meyers' mother Dorothy Meyers said the youngsters were best friends and cousins.

James Campbell, 13, is marched into court Thursday to be tried for the murder of his 10 year-old cousin Hunter Meyers at the boys' grandmother's house in Pennsylvania

Meyers, pictured, was knifed to death by his cousin as he slept, his mother Dorothy Meyers says

Police are pictured at the scene of Thursday morning's horrific murder in Donegal Township, which sits about 60 miles south east of Pittsburgh

She said that there had never been any concerns about Campbell prior to the killing and that they had 'no warning' of what was to happen.

Police say they're struggling to come up with a motive and have appealed for witnesses.

Dorothy Meyers has also since offered an astonishing plea for compassion for her son's alleged murderer, urging people to remember that Campbell is himself a child.

Taking to Facebook, she wrote: 'I am seeing everyone's messages. I just can't open them right now. I'm not excepting friends requests right now. I'm not trying to be mean but our 10 yr son was just murdered by another child in our family and we are trying to come to terms with it.

Dorothy Meyers shared a series of anguished messages about her son's murder on Facebook - and made an incredible plea for compassion for his suspected killer

'DO NOT GO AFTER THE OTHER CHILD WITH ANY HATE! He is a child also, and he will pay for his actions. He's being charged as an adult, with criminal homicide and 1st degree murder.

'If I as the murdered child's mother can ask for compassion for the other child involved then people can show it

Meyers added: 'If you take nothing else from this, please keep all of the hate about the other child to yourself.

'This is not an adult, he is a child. Did he brutally murder my child, yes. If anyone has the right to hate him it is us and we don't so no one else has that right.'

Dorothy, pictured, also appealed for help in finding a funeral home that could handle her son's body

Dorothy Meyers said she was extremely cautious with who babysat her children and has appealed for help finding a funeral home who can prepare her son's body.

A 911 call was made at 6am Thursday, with Meyers' body found with a knife beside him. Campbell had blood on his pants and feet, WPXI reported.

He is said to have confessed to the killing during a subsequent police interview.

The alleged teen killer was clad in blue prison-issue clothing and kept his eyes on the floor as he was walked into court by Pennsylvania State Police Officers.

Campbell is being tried as an adult and spoke in a soft voice to confirm his identity and answer 'yes' or 'no' when asked basic questions, WTAE reported.

Asked about a motive, Trooper Steve Limani said cops are still mystified.

'I don't say we would have any specific argument or anything that took place that we would call a motive. I don't think that that's the right word to use,' he explained.

Campbell has been charged with criminal homicide and first-degree murder.

He was ordered held without bond until his next court appearance.

Meyers' mother Dorothy also paid a moving tribute to her young son, saying he loved animals, spending time at the park and cuddling.

She said Meyers' adored diesel trucks and the police and hoped to be a cop or a diesel mechanic when he grew up.

A spokesperson for the boys' school called the incident a 'tragic situation' and said counselors would be made available to students when the school year starts again in fall.

A GoFundMe set up to help support Meyers' family had raised more than $16,000 as of Friday night.
Shocking footage captured the moment Australian comedian and TV host Jim Jefferies' jokes about American politicians, including Donald Trump and Joe Biden, provoked an angry response from one audience member.

Jefferies, who presents the 1% Club game show on Channel 7, was on the first date of his Give 'Em What They Want tour in Perth when things took a turn for the nasty.

A furious heckler had to removed by security from HBF Stadium on Wednesday night after menacingly walking towards the comedian on stage.

Radio host Robbie Von Klitzing, who filmed the incident on his phone and posted it to social media, said while it started off funny, it quickly went downhill.

'Jim Jefferies, he was making some gags about Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,' he said.

'And for some reason, this is the point where someone in the audience actually took issue - and all of a sudden we can just hear in the background, some guy yelling 'F's' and 'C's' and we looked around, he's standing up, he's pointing, he's going nuts!'

Jefferies, 47, then launched into a verbal response to the heckler, which only served to further inflame the situation.

The veteran comedian then decided the best way to calm things down was to give the agitated man some time to vent his rage.

Shocking footage captured the moment Australian comedian and TV host Jim Jefferies' jokes about American politicians, including Donald Trump and Joe Biden, provoked an angry response from one audience member

A furious heckler (pictured) had to removed by security from HBF Stadium on Wednesday night after walking towards the stage while yelling at the comedian

But the man picked that moment to suddenly stay silent.

'So this guy had his 10 seconds, didn't say anything and then Jim started unleashing again,' Von Klitzing said.

'And this guy in the crowd started walking towards the stage... He was going to punch on with Jim Jefferies, given the chance.'

Security then intervened before the man got close enough to get physical, and removed him from the venue.

'He just barrelled him and the guy just got dragged out by security. It was unbelievable!' Von Klitzing said.

As the man was being shown to the door, Jefferies had another go at him, saying 'When you can afford to have 10 bodyguards, you can f***ing fight me. I've got more protection than f***ing Trump's son!'

It's not the first time audience members have tried to punch Jefferies for doing what they paid to see him do - tell jokes.

The first two people to do so succeeded, with one being caught on camera doing so at The Comedy Store in Manchester, England in 2007.

'If you Google "Jim Jefferies punched", you will see what people do with me when they heckle,' he told Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington on Sunrise in May.

'I've actually been punched on stage twice, but it's only been caught on film once. I'm not the best (at dealing with hecklers),' he said.

There was a lot of support online for Jefferies after the latest objection to his jokes.

Jefferies has been punched twice by hecklers, one of which was caught on camera in 2007 at Manchester's The Comedy Store in now-infamous footage (pictured)

'Paying hundreds of dollars to attend a comedy show then taking offence to a joke! More money than sense,' wrote one.

'Why are Trump supporters so violent,' another asked. 'Is it an educational problem because Trump says he loves the poorly educated. Or is it an emotional problem?

'Anyway that fool paid good money to see a show and then the genius got himself kicked out.'

Jefferies' tour is continuing to Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wollongong, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Townsville.
Donald Trump has said he's debating Kamala Harris on September 4.

The GOP nominee claims the face-to-face will take place in an arena in Pennsylvania, but Harris has yet to confirm it's happening.

Posting on Truth Social Friday night, Trump wrote: 'I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th.'

Trump claims that the ABC News debate scheduled for September 10 was 'terminated' when Biden dropped out of the race.

He also claimed that there's a conflict of interest because he's in litigation against ABC and anchor George Stephanopoulos, who Trump has referred to as 'Slopadopoulos'.

Donald Trump has agreed with Fox News to a debate with Democratic U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 4, he said in a post late Friday

'The FoxNews Debate will be held in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at a site in an area to be determined,' Trump added.

He claimed that Fox's Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will moderate the debate and said the rules will be similar to the previous debate in Atlanta, with one big difference.

'[T]he Rules will be similar to the Rules of my Debate with Sleepy Joe, who has been treated horribly by his Party  BUT WITH A FULL ARENA AUDIENCE!.'

Trump says that if Harris doesn't show up, he'll hold a Fox News town hall instead.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Fox News for comment.

Pennsylvania - which Biden flipped to blue in 2020 - has become one of the headline swing states in recent weeks after Trump was nearly assassinated at a rally in Butler on July 6.

The commonwealth may also produce Harris' pick for vice president on the ticket, as Governor Josh Shapiro is seen as a favorite. Her choice of Shapiro appeared to have been accidentally leaked by Philly's Dem mayor on Friday.

Harris has called out Trump publicly for waffling on his commitment to debating in September on ABC

Harris took over Biden's 2024 campaign infrastructure after he dropped out nearly two weeks ago

Harris has called out Trump publicly for waffling on his commitment to debating in September on ABC.

He had been keen to do so in the days after Biden's disastrous debate on June 27, which ultimately led to his withdrawal from the 2024 race.

She had responded last month that she was 'ready' after Fox News proposed the presidential debate between the two candidates on Sept. 17.

After Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 and backed Harris, Trump said he would not debate her because she was not the official candidate.

As proof of her lack of support, he added that former President Barack Obama had yet to endorse her. But Obama did so a day later, and on Friday, she secured the delegate votes needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.

'What happened to 'any time, any place'?' Harris said in response to a post announcing Trump's backing out of the event on X.

'If you got something to say, say it to my face,' Harris later said at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, this week, receiving a raucous response for her remark.

Trump, however, had agreed to debate President Joe Biden at the September 10 ABC debate, not Harris.

Still, he did promise to debate, 'any time, any place.'

Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung sought to clarify Trump's commitment after the former president backed out last week.

'Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee,' he said.

'There is a strong sense by many in the Democrat Party - namely Barack Hussein Obama - that Kamala Harris is a Marxist fraud who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still holding out for someone 'better.''

'Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds.'

The Democratic National Convention on August 19 to 22 will officially determine the party's nominee for president, but Harris has already secured enough delegates.

Trump, for his part, is still trying to get out of the face off.

He has since referred to ABC 'fake news' and said he would rather have the event broadcasted on Fox News.
A man has been dragged underwater by a crocodile after slipping from a riverbank while fishing, the attack taking place in front of his family.

The man in his 40s, was fishing at Crocodile Bend, near Cooktown, when he slipped and was grabbed by the crocodile about 2pm, reported The Courier Mail.

Queensland police are currently conducting a search operation near the Annan River Bridge.

The location is a popular fishing spot but also well known as a crocodile habitat.

It's understood a 5-metre crocodile is still visible at the location as police and local rangers continue to search for the man.

More to come.
A hiking activist and a state MP have scaled an iconic NSW mountain in an effort to get it reopened to the public after it was closed under Indigenous ownership.

NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick and Marc Hendrickx, of the Right to Climb advocacy group, climbed the Wollumbin-Mount Warning summit trail near Murwillumbah in northern NSW on Saturday despite the track being closed to the public since 2020.

Wollumbin-Mount Warning was 'temporarily' closed to the public in early 2020 but remains closed to this day and hikers fear it will become 'the next Uluru'.

The Wollumbin Consultative Group has been fighting for the mountain to stay permanently closed to all but a select group of Indigenous people - who are all male - but other Indigenous groups in the region have said they disagree.

Libertarian Party MP Mr Ruddick and Mr Hendrickx, who both oppose the closure, defiantly appeared at a planned protest at the base of the mountain after their early morning hike.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia both men slammed the current rules around Mount Warning, the disrepair of its walking tracks and the state government for continually extending its closure.

'Access to these wonderful natural places is part of what really underlies and builds our Australian character; and if we were unable to access these places, then really it's like an attack on being Australian,' Mr Hendrickx said.

'Mount Warning genuinely is a charismatic mountain and so I understand why some Aboriginal groups say it's a sacred mountain, but I agree with other Aboriginal groups that say, 'look, it is sacred, but it's so sacred everybody should be able to climb it',' Mr Ruddick said.

NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick (left) and Marc Hendrickx, a member of the Right to Climb advocacy group, (right) climbed the Wollumbin-Mount Warning summit trail on Saturday despite the track being closed to the public since 2020

Mount Warning was 'temporarily' closed to the public due to social distancing concerns but several more delays have kept it close to this day and hikers fear it will become 'the next Uluru'

Mr Ruddick tabled a petition to parliament calling for the immediate reopening of the Wollumbin Mount Warning summit trail earlier this year.

The MP said its closure is costing the region millions in lost tourist revenue and labelled the move to close it as a 'power grab'.

'This closure is hurting this town, there used to be hundreds of thousands of people who would come and climb this incredible, very unique mountain who don't come anymore,' Mr Ruddick told Daily Mail Australia.

'I spent about seven hours here yesterday with the local community at the pub, which is the main sort of meeting place for the town, and not one person I met said that they'd ever heard that it was a sacred Aboriginal site until Covid.'

The Wollumbin trail once hosted more than 100,000 climbers a year and brought in more than $10million annually.

It was so popular as it is located near Byron Bay and it is the first point in the country to get sunlight at dawn.

The NSW government initially closed Mount Warning in order to comply with social distancing restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic but it has yet to reopen.

In 2022 extensive flooding damaged the area and the road leading to the mountain which extended its closure due to safety concerns.

In that same year, the NSW Department of National Parks recommended fully handing over management of the site on the Tweed Coast to the small Wollumbin Consultative Group who support a ban on visitors to the popular hiking spot.

From April to October last year, private security guards were paid $7,000 per week to make sure climbers were prevented from attempting the summit trek.

Overall, nearly $200,000 was spent securing the mountain and security is still brought in on occasions such as New Year's Eve and Australia Day.

Mr Hendrickx told Daily Mail Australia that closing culturally significant walking trails was 'like an attack on being Australian'

Mr Ruddick began his six hour trek of the mountain at 5am and he said the trail itself is still in complete ruin two years after floods damaged the area.

'I climbed the whole freaking thing this morning and the track is in complete disrepair. It's dangerous,' he said.

'There's about 30 fallen trees on the track, and right at the top, for the last half hour, it's basically rock climbing to get to the top.

'It's really tough. There used to be a chain there to help people get through that section but it has been removed since the track was closed.'

Mr Hendrickx, who is an engineering geologist, said there was no reason to remove the chain other than to extend the mountain's closure even further.

'The decision to remove the chain just simply doesn't make sense from any rational perspective,' he said.

'It was based on a conservative assessment from the National Parks and Wildlife Service which leapt on it as an excuse to bring up safety as a reason that people can't climb.'

Despite that obstacle Mr Hendrickx said it was 'awesome' for a politician to make the effort to come and raise awareness by climbing the mountain.

'It's been four and a half years of agony, and hopefully, with John's assistance, we can move this forward quicker than what's been happening,' he said.

The activist become the first person to be fined for climbing the trail on Friday when he was sent a $300 fine - one day before his protest with Mr Ruddick

Mr Hendrickx was the one who looped Mr Ruddick in on what was happening at Mount Warning and the MP said he was sent daily updates about the issue until he got involved.

The activist has spent years trying to get the trail reopened and had written to former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, the Ombudsman's Office and the Independent Commission Against Corruption in 2021 about the issue.

Despite receiving little to no word back from any agency he continued protesting the closure by climbing the mountain in his spare time.

One such climb included a number of other activists on Australia Day which the group filmed and posted online.

Mr Hendrickx has climbed the mountain several times, including one hike on Australia Day with a group of other protestors who oppose Mount Warning's current ban on hikers

He was fined $300 for an April 13 climb after returning to the base to find two park rangers waiting for him at the bottom, however, Mr Hendrickx did not receive the fine until Friday - one day before his planned protest with Mr Ruddick.

'It was really an act of intimidation and something designed to generate fear in me and in other people that we shouldn't climb the mountain,' Mr Hendrickx said.

'I'll be fighting that fine [and] if there's a new fine today, well, I'll just add it to the pile that seems to be developing and we'll fight that one in court as well.'

Mr Hendrickx's offence carries a maximum fine of more than $3,000 - which he has managed to avoid thus far.

He was the first person to be fined for climbing the mountain since the hiking ban was enacted.

A spokesperson from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service said a second person from found climbing with Mr Hendrickx had also been fined.

The spokesperson added that anyone who ignored the climbing ban would 'be subject to appropriate law enforcement'.

'We appreciate that there has been community uncertainty about the time taken to resolve this issue,' a statement provided to the publication read.

'It is important however, that we ensure all stakeholders, including the Aboriginal custodians, are appropriately consulted about future management of Wollumbin National Park.'

Mr Hendricks received a $300 for climbing Mount Warning on April 13 which he intends to dispute in court

Both men from Saturday's protest slammed the Wollumbin Consultative Group for its 'secrecy' and its difficulty to get into contact with regarding their concerns.

'I don't have confidence in them,' Mr Ruddick said.

'They're a very secretive group. I've asked a number of times through national parks to have meetings with them, but I've been denied access,' Mr Hendrickx said.

'I haven't been able to get in touch, or get phone numbers, or make contact with them. I'd love to be able to sit down at a table and discuss the issue face to face.'

The Wollumbin Consultative Group represents a range of Aboriginal groups and families with connections to Wollumbin, according to its website.

'The group operates within an agreed formal consultation guideline, with representatives from Bundjalung and adjoining Aboriginal nations community members, Elders, Native Title claimants and corporations, Local Aboriginal Land Council, ancestral families and knowledge holders,' its biography reads.

'We have a responsibility for caring for Country, our environment, plants, animals, water, earth and sky. As the oldest living culture in the world, we are sharing our cultural knowledge and entrusting this knowledge with the broader community so that our values, tradition, and law are respected, understood and acknowledged.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted members of the Wollumbin Consultative Group for comment.

Mr Ruddick and Mr Hendrickx spoke at a protest at the base of the mountain after their hike on Saturday to advocate for the trail's reopening (pictured: a protest banner flown from a plane over the site)

The Wollumbin Consultative Group says the national park holds physical and spiritual importance to the community, particularly for the Bundjalung nation.

But a proposed new management plan for the site has sparked an outcry and divided the local Indigenous community.

Opposing local Indigenous elders, including the Boyds, claim the group appears to be extinguishing the ancestral women's lore sites by claiming everything in the park as exclusively male and Bundjalung.

They also claim the Yoocum Yoocum and the Ngarakbal Githabul people were the original people, not the Bundjalung.

Elizabeth Boyd said in 2022 her late mother Marlene Boyd, who died in 2007, is recognised as the 'Keeper of the Seven Sisters Creation Site', one of the two women's lore sites.

There's also a memorial dedicated to her late mother on the Lyrebird Track at the base of the park.

Mr Hendrickx initially became involved with the reopening of Mount Warning after becoming 'outraged' by the closure of Uluru to the public in 2019.

'Access to these wonderful natural places is part of what really underlies and builds our Australian character,' he said.

'Mount warning has a very lush subtropical rainforest you walk through, and as you ascend the vegetation changes with altitude, until you come out at the top and the view is just remarkable.

'It's just a really special experience, and it's quite shocking in a way that National Parks won't really acknowledge the Heritage associated with that experience.

Mr Hendrickx initially became involved in activism after being 'outraged' at the closure of Uluru in 2019

'It was an opportunity for kids to learn about why these places are important to protect and to preserve, and for future generations that's being lost now.'

Mr Ruddick and Mr Hendrickx's protest coincided with the 95th anniversary of Mount Warning become a national park and to their surprise, despite the public nature of the event, no park rangers or officials were there to stop them getting to the summit.

'I was really quite sad today when National Parks didn't show up,' he said.

'You know, joining the celebration of that event, and also to face the music and to speak to stakeholders who want to know why it's still closed.

'They just totally failed at an opportunity to do some meaningful stakeholder engagement.'

Looking forward Mr Hendrickx believes there is a great opportunity to reopen the park by Easter 2025 when road repairs in the area are expected to be completed.

'I think there's an opportunity here to do two things at once: they could get the road fixed and while they're doing that they could also be working on restoring the track to a condition more amenable to tourist access,' he said.

'We've offered in the past to help them do that through community working days.

'So there's a big community here who would put their hand up to go up the mountain with a rake and a shovel and start cleaning off the track.

'I wish that would happen and there's a great opportunity for it there.'
A father-of-two who stabbed Richard 'Mikey' Mills in a jealous rage sparked by an affair with his long-term partner has been jailed for 18 years.

Ricky Duke Doolan, 33, this week appeared in the NSW Supreme Court in Tamworth where he was sentenced for the senseless murder of Mr Mills in September 2022.

Doolan pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Mills at a wake in the border town of Boggabilla in northern NSW in front of already grieving relatives and loved ones.

Mikey Mills is the brother of Getaway and Channel 9 presenter Matty Mills.

Mr Mills previously told Daily Mail Australia his brother's death put him in a state of despair and he hit 'rock bottom' before healing himself through mental and physical training.

'Behind the scenes, I was going through a lot of mental health issues. The cameras didn't capture that,' he explained.

The tragedy was set in motion in mid-2021 when Mikey Mills began an affair with Doolan's long-term partner.

'He was initially angry with his partner, but expressed his forgiveness to her,' Justice Richard Button said in his sentencing remarks on Friday.

Mr Mills was fatally stabbed in the northern NSW border town of Boggabilla in September 2022

'The deceased and his own romantic partner also reconciled,' the judge said.

However, Doolan also made Facebook posts about Mr Mills, 'suggesting that he wished to harm' him, the court was told.

On September 2, 2022, Mr Mills and his partner travelled from Tamworth to Goondiwindi, in southern Queensland, to attend a funeral.

Doolan and his partner were also there.

Later that day, Mr Mills attended a wake at Boggabilla, about 10 minutes down the road but just across the border in NSW.

Doolan's partner had attempted to avoid any confrontation by checking if Mr Mills was present at the wake before arriving with Doolan.

However she was mistaken in believing he wasn't present, the court was told.

When Doolan arrived, Mr Mills was in the backyard smoking a cigarette and a heated altercation ensued.

'I only want one go at ya,' Doolan told Mr Mills before pushing him, the court was told.

In his sentencing remarks, Justice Button said that Mr Mills did not retaliate, and took a step back.

But within seconds, Doolan unleashed a murderous flurry, stabbing Mr Mills 14 times.

Even as Mr Mills lay defenceless on the ground, Doolan continued the attack.

'The murderous attack extended for only a short time,' Justice Button said.

'Even so, it featured the infliction of fourteen wounds; some of them were deep and very forceful; and there was a phase of the assault when the offender was standing over the deceased, who was defenceless on the ground trying to move, no doubt in a fruitless effort to survive.'

Doolan ran from the scene and when paramedics arrived, Mr Mills had no pulse and was later pronounced dead, compounding the grief of the other mourners who had earlier that day buried a loved one.

Justice Button described the attack as 'spontaneous, unplanned, simplistic in its brutality' and having occurred after Doolan lost control.

But he found Doolan undoubtedly had an intention to kill.

Justice Button said Doolan had no justification for inflicting a 'terrifying and terribly painful' death on Mr Mills during an 'armed onslaught' against a victim who was backing away.

'The offender could not or would not accept that all adults in this country are entirely free to engage in romantic and intimate relationships with other adults as they see fit, without suffering threats of violence, or actual violence, and let alone being stabbed to death as a consequence of their choices,' he said.

The court heard that Doolan made 'heartless' and 'vulgar' remarks as he fled.

However, Justice Button also noted he had since expressed remorse in a written apology to the court.

The court was told Doolan hid his head in his hands as Mr Mills' family and loved ones delivered heartfelt victim impact statements during sentencing proceedings.

At the time he killed Mr Mills, Doolan was serving an intensive corrections order in the community after being convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he punched and kicked his partner, who suffered a broken nose and was knocked unconscious.

Doolan was sentenced to 18 years and nine months in jail, with Justice Button setting a non-parole period of 14 years.

He will first be eligible for release in September 2036.
Ex-Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel has slammed Labour for being 'breathtakingly complacent' after riots tore through Sunderland last night.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Witham MP called Parliament to be recalled with immediate effect, adding: 'We either believe in the rule of law, or we do not.'

Sunderland is the latest city to be hit which has seen devastating riots throughout the country, as Britain braces itself for further chaos today in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

In anticipation, jail cells have been cleared and lawyers have been placed on standby as 35 rallies have been planned in towns and cities across the UK, as fears emerge scenes of vehicles being set alight and police being attacked could be repeated.

The former cabinet minister took to social media branding Labour's actions 'troubling and inadequate' whilst urging for stronger protections against protests.

Ex-Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel has slammed Labour for being 'breathtakingly complacent' in the wake of chaotic riots in recent weeks

She has urged Labour to recall Parliament with immediate effect adding: 'We either believe in the rule of law, or we do not' (pictured: Sir Keir Starmer)

The Dame also encouraged government to use the powers of the Police Crime and Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 to 'their maximal extent'

Her statement read: 'The events we have witnessed overnight in Sunderland were totally unacceptable.

'As they were in Southport earlier this week and in Harehills in Leeds a fortnight ago.

'We should never excuse, or be apologists for, disorder whoever is responsible. Violence and thuggery is always unacceptable.'

Stating there was no 'exception' for such chaos, she added: 'Politicians on all sides must be willing to stand up and say so.

'Saying the nation is "braced for disorder" is not only breathtakingly complacent, but both troubling and inadequate.

She continued: 'The Government is now in danger of appearing to be swept away with events rather than maintaining control of them.'

Referencing her Police Crime and Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, the former Home Secretary urged the current Government to use its powers to 'their maximal extent'.

'Now is a moment for national reflection and solidarity - to pull back from the wave of violence we have seen, to call it out for what it is - without fear or favour,' she wrote.

'And for Parliament to speak with one voice in condemnation. We either believe in the rule of law, or we do not. That is why Parliament must be recalled immediately.'

SUNDERLAND: An Enough is Enough protest in Sunderland saw scenes of carnage in the city yesterday

SUNDERLAND: More than 35 rallies are planned in towns and cities across the UK today, after more riots broke out in Sunderland last night

SUNDERLAND: A burnt-out shell of a car that was torched in the riots last night is pictured

HARTLEPOOL: A police car was torched by protesters as anger mounts over the Southport stabbings earlier this week

HARTLEPOOL: Rioters broke down a fence as violence erupted in Britain for the second night running on Wednesday night

Axel Rudakubana (pictured as a child) is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport with a 'curved kitchen knife'

Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, was also fatally wounded in the attack which shocked the nation on Monday, as misinformation online triggered riots after the tragedy

Bebe King, aged six, was also killed in the attack by the teenager in Southport

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, was one of three children killed by a knifeman at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in Southport

Droves of angry mobs have descended on Manchester, London, Hartlepool and more recently Sunderland this past week.

The riots this week are thought to be triggered by misinformation spread online as to the identity of the teenager suspected of killing Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, was eventually named.

Following carnage which erupted in Sunderland last night, two police officers remain in hospital and eight suspects have been apprehended for various offences, including violent disorder and burglary.
Julian Assange's father has headlined a rally in support of Palestinians, as Aussies in Lebanon are advised to return home immediately over concerns the Hamas-Israel conflict could spill over throughout the Middle East.

'So many familiar faces fought successfully for Julian's freedom... The next job may be a bit harder,' John Shipton told a passionate crowd on the steps of Victoria's parliament in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

The banner behind Mr Shitpton read 'Stop the genocide'.

In June Mr Assange was allowed to return to Australia a free man due after fighting extradition the US over his Wikileaks publishing of official secrets.

His father's appearance at the protest follows Australian foreign minister Penny Wong on Wednesday night telling Australians in Lebanon to leave while they still can.

There are concerns the country's security could deteriorate rapidly 'with little or no notice', the Smart Traveller website states.

On Friday, the U.S. military confirmed it will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East as Washington seeks to bolster defenses following new threats from Iran and its allies Hamas and Hezbollah.

Australians were first told not to travel to Lebanon in October, a few weeks after Hamas's attack on Israel.

John Shipton, the father of freed activist Julian Assange, spoke at a pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday

Mr Shipton said the fight for the Palestinians under siege would mirror the fight to free his son

Hamas, designated a terrorist organisation by the government, on October 7 launched the assault that killed 1200 people and led more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel then launched a bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza that has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, the local health ministry says.

Concerns the conflict could spread further in the Middle East have grown since Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur was killed in Beirut earlier this week.

Iran threatened to respond after the attack on its territory, prompting the United States to keep an aircraft carrier in the region and move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East.

US President Joe Biden has said he was 'very concerned' the violence could escalate.

Iran and Hamas accused Israel of killing Haniyeh but Israel has not claimed responsibility.

On Friday, the family of an Australian aid worker killed by an Israeli air strike called for a criminal investigation after a government report blamed the assault on serious errors, finding it was 'not deliberately directed'.

My message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is now is the time to leave. pic.twitter.com/74DNfh1UNz  Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) July 31, 2024

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange kisses his wife Stella Assange as he arrived in Canberra, Australia, on June 26, 2024

Assange raised a fist in the air as he waved at the crowd at Canberra Airport

The Israeli Defence Force launched strikes in April that killed Australian Zomi Frankcom and six other World Central Kitchen workers as they delivered food in Gaza.

Former Australian Defence Force chief Mark Binskin's report found serious errors, exacerbated by confirmation bias, led Israel to launch the strike.

A family spokesperson pushed for further
The stepfather of a man who Huw Edwards paid for explicit pictures confronted the disgraced BBC newsreader at a busy train station in a newly released video.

The footage taken in May last year shows Edwards on the platform of a train station waiting to meet the man for a secret rendezvous.

Edwards paid the man 35,000 for the sexual images and then allegedly asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

By chance, the mother spotted messages from Edwards to her son, who was 17 at the time, discussing the agreement and asking for them to meet at a train station.

The furious stepfather then rushed to attempt to confront the 62-year-old at the train station.

The footage taken in May last year shows Edwards on the platform of a train station waiting to meet man for a secret rendezvous. Edwards paid the man 35,000 for the sexual images and then allegedly asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement

Edwards appeared in Westminster Magistrate Court this week where he admitted to having indecent images of children as young as seven after being sent them on WhatsApp

In a shocking video, obtained by The Sun, Edwards can be seen on the platform opposite the stepfather seemingly waiting to catch a train among other passengers.

The mother then contacted her son to say his stepfather was on his way to confront Edwards. It is understood that this message was relayed to Edwards who then made a swift exit on the next train back to London without their meeting taking place.

Recalling the events, the stepfather told The Sun: 'I was so angry. I just wanted to confront him and tell him to stop doing what he was doing.

'I didn't even care if I got arrested  I wanted everyone to know what was happening.'

The stepfather then attempted to make an official complaint to the BBC nearby regional office where he was given a number to call BBC London instead.

The stepfather claims this number did not work but eventually the family managed to get in touch with the BBC's Audience Service who sent the case to the organisation's Corporate Investigations team.

Court artist drawing of Edwards. The veteran news broadcaster pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022 on Wednesday

Before the scandal broke last year, Edwards was one of the BBC's most famous stars where he covered major events for BBC News including the Queen's death and King Charles's coronation (pictured: Edwards on the day the Queen died)

It has since been admitted by the BBC that they made one phone call to the organisation but it did not connect.

After this the family went to The Sun newspaper who broke the shocking claims that Edwards had paid for explicit pictures from the man.

Edwards was later suspended before he left the BBC in April this year. Now the Welshman is facing up to 10 years in jail after he admitted to having indecent images of children as young as seven after being sent them on WhatsApp.

The collection of 41 images showed youngsters aged between seven and 14, with the veteran news broadcaster pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022 on Wednesday.

Before the scandal broke last year, Edwards was one of the BBC's most famous stars where he covered major events for BBC News including the Queen's death and King Charles's coronation.

The Director General was summoned to meet Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on Thursday to explain the BBC's role in the scandal, including who had knowledge of Edwards' arrest in November last year.

Lisa Nandy is now calling on Edwards to hand back his huge 200,000 salary which he was paid after the arrest and while he was suspended from the BBC.
At least 32 people have been killed and scores wounded following a suicide bombing and gun attack at a popular beach in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

'About 63' civilians were injured in the attack, some of them critically, police spokesperson Abdifatah Adan Hassan told reporters, with the death count dramatically rising from seven earlier today.

Horrifying footage from the scene showed bodies strewn across the ground with injured people calling out for help as ambulance vans sped through the busy streets.

Security forces rushed in and killed 'all five gunmen Kharijites', police said, referring to the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab jihadist group. The organisation has been waging a bloody insurgency against the government for more than 17 years.

A sixth member of the group 'blew himself at the beach', officer Mohammed Omar said this morning. 'The merciless terrorists shot civilians randomly and I saw seven dead bodies along the beach,' he added.

Police and witnesses said the bomber detonated his device late Friday along Lido Beach - popular with business people and officials and the scene of previous attacks - before gunmen stormed the area.

Horrific scenes of the aftermath of the assault on a popular beach in Somalia on Friday night

Bodies strewn across the beach on Friday night after terrorists attacked in Mogadishu

Locals carry an injured victim from the scene in a wheelbarrow late on Friday

Scenes of commotion as ambulances rush to help victims on the beachfront on Friday night

Witnesses said there were many people at the popular location when the explosion occurred, describing how gunmen then stormed the area.

'Everybody was panicked and it was hard to know what was happening because shooting started soon after the blast,' witness Abdilatif Ali told AFP.

He said that people attempted take cover on the ground or flee.

'I saw many people strewn (on the ground) and some of them were dead and others wounded,' he said.

'There were wounded people as well but most of the civilians were rescued by the security forces,' officer Omar added.

Others described similar scenes, with Ahmed Yare witnessing the attack unfold from a nearby hotel.

'I saw wounded people at the beach side, people were screaming in panic, and it was hard to notice who was dead and who was still alive,' he told AFP.

A witness, Mohamud Moalim, told the Associated Press news agency that he saw an attacker wearing an explosive vest moments before the man 'blew himself up next to the beach-view hotel.'

Moalim said some of his friends who were with him at the hotel were killed and others were wounded.

Another witness, Abdisalam Adam, told AP that he 'saw many people lying on the ground' and had helped take some injured people to the hospital.

He told a press conference police had captured one attacker alive, contrary to reports all five gunmen were killed.

'The fact that the terrorist attack coincides with this night when the beach is the most congested shows the hostility of the terrorists to the Somali people,' former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire wrote on Twitter/X.

He sent his 'deepest condolences to the families, relatives and friends' in the post.

'Targeting and blasting to kill 32 members from the civilian population means these Kharijites are not going to target only government centres, soldiers and officials,' Hassan told reporters.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the assault in a post on a pro-Shabaab website late on Friday.

People carry the dead body of an unidentified woman killed in an explosion at the beach, today

People gather as an ambulance carries the dead body of a victim of the deadly attack, today

The aftermath of a previous attack in Mogadishu, Somalia, on July 15

A woman walks past debris at a cafe in Mogadishu following a car bomb blast in July

Al-Shabaab has carried out numerous bombings and attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of the country, as the government presses on with an offensive against the Islamist militants.

The group controlled a vast area of Somalia before being pushed back in government counteroffensives since 2022.

However, the militants remain capable of launching significant attacks on government, commercial, and military targets.

The latest attack comes after five people were killed in a powerful car bomb blast at a cafe in the capital last month.

In March, the militants killed three people and wounded 27 in an hours-long siege of a Mogadishu hotel, breaking a relative lull in the fighting.
The UK heatwave is ending with rain and unsettled conditions predicted, but families have flocked to the beach today to catch the last of the sun.

Just as Britain was finally getting some hot weather after a disappointing summer, things are predicted to get much cooler.

Today will see highs of 23C in certain parts, which is markedly lower than the highs of 30.2C seen in Wisley, Surrey yesterday.

Recent conditions for much of England and Wales are subsiding and being replaced by a cold airmass which will cause some persistent rain in places over the weekend and into next week.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: 'The recent influence of high pressure on the UK's weather is now subsiding and is being replaced by more of a dominant westerly weather regime.

People pictured out enjoying the early mornings sunshine in Sidmouth, Devon

A woman walks along the sea front by the cliffs in Sidmouth, Devon to make the most of the last of the sunshine

Today will see highs of around 23C, which is markedly lower than the weather in recent days

'This is seeing temperatures dip back towards average for the time of year for many but will also open the door to some more persistent rain into northwestern areas in the coming days.'

People were pictured today in Sidmouth, Devon, making the most of the sun by hitting the beach.

It hasn't been warm and sunny for everyone this morning as much of the southeast and east is forecast rain.

This will clear through the day and possibly make way for thundery showers by the afternoon, the Met Office predicts.

Sunny spells may come with scattered showers across Northern Ireland and Scotland but it is expected to feel fresher yet still pleasant for most.

A swimmer makes his way out of the sea in Devon. Conditions are due to be unsettled again

Recent conditions for much of England and Wales are subsiding and being replaced by a cold airmass (A woman is seen enjoying the sun in Devon this morning)

By Sunday, the Atlantic weather fronts will introduce more persistent rain for Northern Ireland, western Scotland and the far northwest of England.

This band of rain is likely to be relatively slow moving with some heavier bursts possible on Monday.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain in western Scotland on Monday.

Sunday will be mainly dry for England and Wales but it will feel more unsettled early next week with a band of rain gradually drifting from the northwest further to the southeast.

People enjoy the beach in Broadstairs, Kent on Friday, August 2. The southeast and east of England could see thunderstorms this afternoon

People sunbathe in Broadstairs in yesterday's hot weather. Some forecasters believe the UK could see another burst of heat by mid-August

There is likely to be a build of warmth and humidity, though not as hot as recently, and there will be a small chance of some thunderstorms developing in the warmer airmass over southeast England on Tuesday.

Temperatures are expected to hover around the average for August despite the mixed conditions.

The south will likely experience warmer spells due to more frequent sunshine.

Some forecasters have hinted at the possibility of a new heatwave around mid-August.

James Madden from Exacta Weather said the UK might experience the highest temperatures of the summer by August 10 - 15.
Cressida Bonas' sister Pandora Cooper-Key has tragically died age 51 after two decades suffering with different cancers.

Pandora was first diagnosed with cancer 24 years ago and revealed to Femail in March that her family had already planned her funeral 'thousands of times' after she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

She was the half-sister of model Bonas and was the daughter of former It girl Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon and aristocrat Esmond Cooper-Key.

At the end of last year, Pandora, from west London, was told that she had a tumour on the left side of her skull that doctors could not operate on.

This resulted in rounds of immunotherapy in the hopes she would recover, after first being diagnosed with cancer aged 26 in 2000.

Pandora Cooper-Key (seen, left, with half-sister Cressida Bonas) has tragically died age 51 after two decades suffering with different cancers

In 2000, aged 26, Pandora was diagnosed with Paget's disease, a rare cancer of the milk duct and went on to also suffer from Sarcoma and other cancers

Pandora (left) said her sister Georgiana (right) was left worrying about whether she was dead or alive after having a seizure. Above: The pair pictured with Cressida (middle)

Speaking exclusively to Femail earlier this year she said: '[To operate] they'd have to go through blood vessels and that's not great.

'So they categorically said in the first meeting "I'm really sorry, but we can't."'

A notice in The Times today called Pandora a 'beloved daughter', 'adored mother', 'much-loved sister' and 'devoted aunt'. She passed away on July 22.

Who are Pandora Cooper-Key's siblings? Pandora's mother Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon has married four times. She welcomed Pandora with her first husband Esmond Cooper-Key. With her second husband, John Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, she welcomed Georgiana Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, and Jacobi Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe. And with her third, entrepreneur Jeffrey Bonas, she welcomed Cressida Bonas. After splitting from Lady Mary-Gaye, John Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe welcome Gabriella Wilde and Octavia Elsa Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, who are very close to Cressida. Advertisement

Sarcoma UK, a charity she supported, said on a fundraising page: 'She was a beautiful spirit and an inspiration to so many.'

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications at Sarcoma UK, added: 'Her openness about her journey helped raise crucial awareness about sarcoma and the challenges faced by patients. Pandora's legacy extends far beyond her fundraising efforts; she touched countless lives with her warmth and resilience.

'On behalf of everyone at Sarcoma UK, I extend our deepest condolences to Pandora's family, including her mother, Lady Mary, her sister, Cressida Bonas, her two sons, and all who loved her. We are immensely grateful for the difference Pandora made to our organisation and to others affected by sarcoma. We at Sarcoma UK will honour her by continuing our mission with renewed determination. Pandora's kindness, courage, and indomitable spirit will forever remain in our hearts.'

Aged 26, Pandora was diagnosed with Paget's disease, a rare cancer of the milk duct.

Almost a decade later, Pandora left her role as handbag designer for Vivienne Westwood to have her first child.

Only five weeks after giving birth, she was told the devastating news that she had sarcoma in her left eye and sinus area.

Sarcomas are malignant tumours which are so rare that a GP can expect to see only one or two in an entire career.

There are approximately 4630 soft tissue sarcomas and 670 bone sarcomas diagnosed each year in the UK.

She was told at one point after this an operation removed her tear duct that her condition had worsened with doctors giving her 10 months to live.

However it was discovered that her scans had been misinterpreted, and she was in the clear.

Pandora (pictured far left) said her family has been so supportive throughout health struggles. Above L-R: Jacobi Anstruther, Georgiana Anstruther, Isabella Branson, Cressida Bonas

In 2016, she went through a stage of having several seizures, which would sometimes lead to her becoming unconscious for a week

But Pandora was then told she had another tumour in her cheek, which was successfully removed, and also one at the back of her nose.

In 2016, she went through a stage of having several seizures, which would sometimes lead to her becoming unconscious for a week.

Nevertheless, in 2022 Pandora started a ceramics business, Curzon Blue, after she fell in love with glassware at Portobello Market.

The name has a heartfelt meaning behind it, along with a touching nod to her mother.

'It's called Curzon Blue because my mother's maiden name is Curzon and her fourth husband made a cocktail called Curzon blue.

'It's really delicious and it will knock you off your perch in a heartbeat. It just felt like a really nice thing to do to incorporate my two amazing backgrounds.'

Throughout her battle with various tumours, and despite feeling weak, Pandora continued working on her business and shared her love of glassware both on her website and her Instagram.

Until the end of her life, she would still travel to the markets in search of glass for her business, saying it brought a sense of relief to her health battle.

However, Pandora revealed that this year had been her hardest when speaking five months ago.

'In the last few months, I probably have been the closest to feeling depressed than I've ever been and I'm not a depressive person,' she said.

'That's been quite scary. There have been days where I've been like I can't bear the pain. But then there's something in me that bounces back.'

Pandora is survived by her two sons, who she had with TV producer Matthew Mervyn-Jones before they separated.
A letterbox drop of a neo-Nazi recruitment flyer has shocked and dismayed residents of a regional city.

The letter from the European Australian Movement, which was founded by high profile neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell, was handed out to residents in the Cairns suburbs of Redlynch, Smithfield, Kewarra Beach and Edmonton in north Queensland.

The letter head contains neo-Nazi symbols and the far-fight mantra of 'blood and honour'.

It claims to readers that 'white Australian's are becoming a minority' and calls for 'the building of a physical and politicised white Australian community' for the 'preservation and advancement of white people in Australia'.

Redlynch resident Rob Dwyer told the Cairns Post during the week that he was 'disgusted' to get the letter that he believed was delivered 'under the cover of darkness'.

'It feels like its telling people to get trained for genocide, it's gross,' Mr Dwyer said of the letter.

'Straight away I felt physically sick and I think of all my neighbours - Pakistani, Indian, Korean and Japanese people and they have probably received this as well, so it just beggars belief.'

Queensland Police Service (QPS) confirmed it is investigating the incident after it was reported by concerned residents.

The letter left in letterboxes around the far north Queensland city of Cairns called for the 'preservation and advancement of white people in Australia'

A Queensland Police spokesperson said: 'The QPS is well positioned to monitor and assess both individuals and groups who may pose a threat to the safety and security of all Queenslanders'.

'All instances of threats against cultural and religious communities are treated with the utmost seriousness.

'The QPS remains committed to community safety and engaging with people from across our culturally diverse society to help foster better relationships, forge ahead with mutual partnerships and build upon platforms for community engagement.'

Identical or near identical letters been previously left in letterboxes in other Australian cities and regions such as the Gold Coast in south east Queensland in 2020.

At a 2022 meeting of the European Australia Movement held in Melbourne there was outrage after a picture was taken of a child standing in front of the masked group and next to a bare-chested man with a Swastika tattoo.

The group has been seen a number of times with members displaying neo-Nazi symbols or giving straight-armed Nazi salute and with Sewell prominent.

Sewell is a frequent presence at neo-Nazi marches and rallies.

Thomas Sewell (pictured centre front), who founded the European Australian Movement, is a frequent participant in new-Nazi rallies and marches

Last October he was spared jail by Victoria's County Court on Friday after pleading guilty to a charge of violent disorder over a violent clash with hikers at the Cathedral Range State Park northeast of Melbourne on May 8, 2021.

About 10 to 15 members of Sewell's group confronted a separate group of six friends who were staying nearby and chose to hike Mount Sugarloaf.

The court was told the incident began when one of the hikers filmed the men, many who were wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the Celtic cross - a white supremacy symbol - after seeing an 'Australia for the white man' sticker on a nearby tree.

The group, including Sewell began kicking and punching a vehicle as the hikers attempted to leave - smashing windows and taking their mobile phones.

Sewell, who had spent more than six months on remand after his arrest, was sentenced to one month and seven days jail recognised as time served.
Two men charged in connection with an alleged arson attack on Ukrainian-linked businesses in London are due in court today.

Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22, and Ugnius Asmena, 19, are accused of carrying out the alleged attack on behalf of the Wagner Group.

They join five other defendants who have been charged with the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, on March 20, which needed 60 firefighters to bring it under control.

Both are accused of offences under the National Security Act, becoming part of the first case concerning allegations under the new spy laws, the Metropolitan Police said.

Pictured: The blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, on March 20, which needed 60 firefighters to bring it under control

Police said they will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court (pictured) on Saturday, August 3

Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22 of Croydon, South London was charged on April 25 with failing to disclose information to police about terrorists acts

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter.

'This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.'

Co-defendant Dylan Earl, 20, is accused of orchestrating arson attacks on behalf of the Wagner Group, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation.

Rose, of Croydon, south London, and Asmena, of Wandsworth, south London, are both accused of aggravated arson.

Rose has been further charged with one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Police said they will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

It is alleged Earl was in contact with a handler in the Wagner Group before carrying out reconnaissance of targets 'in relation to activity intended to benefit Russia'.

It is claimed that Earl recruited and paid others to carry out the arson attack on Ukrainian-linked businesses owned by Oddisey and Meest UK.

The Wagner Group, whose former leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash last summer, is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK.

Dmitrijus Paulauska leaves Westminster Magistrates Court on April 25

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Dmitrijus Paulauska (left) and Jake Reeves appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, central London

The Wagner Group, whose former leader Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured) was killed in a plane crash last summer, is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK

Mr Prigozhin and his troops, who have fought for Russia in the Ukrainian conflict, had staged a short-lived coup against the authorities in Moscow in June last year.

Rose and Asmena's co-defendants face a plea hearing on October 4 and a provisional trial of eight weeks from June 2 2025.

Earl, of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, is charged with aggravated arson, preparatory conduct to an act endangering life or a person or an act creating a serious risk to the health and safety of the public in the United Kingdom contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act 2023, and assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.

Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, from Croydon, who is on conditional bail, is accused of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.

Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon, is accused of aggravated arson and accepting cash knowing it was from a foreign intelligence service.

Nii Mensah, 21, of Thornton Heath, south London, is charged with aggravated arson.
A prolific academic who was lauded by peers has been unmasked as a cat in an experiment to expose how researchers are ranked online.

Larry Richardson has been cited over 132 times on the platform and could have been considered a young expert in Mathematics. However, Mr Richardson is in fact a pet cat - also called Larry.

Larry's journey to become the most highly cited puss in academia started when his owners' grandson - Reese Richardson - noticed a flaw in how Google ranks researchers.

Mr Richardson, who is a PHD candidate at Northwestern University in the USA, and his friend Nick Wise, a research associate at Cambridge, spotted an advert on Facebook that claimed it could fraudulently boost inflate academics credentials on Google Scholar.

Working together, the men discovered that the advert was generating sham articles almost made up entirely of gibberish which crucially include citations from their customers. The articles were then uploaded to ResearchGate, a well-known social media platform for academics.

Larry Richardson has been cited over 132 times on the platform and could have been considered a young expert in Mathematics. However, Mr Richardson is in fact a pet cat - also called Larry (pictured)

Since Larry's story broke Mr Richardson claims academics have complained that they have worked in their field for 20 years and are not as accredited as the puss

Google Scholar would then recognise these articles as legitimate pieces of research.

Mr Richardson and Mr Wise then set themselves the challenge of transforming Mr Richardson grandmother's cat Larry into one of the most promising young mathematicians.

Larry did face competition from a fellow feline researcher called Willard. Their owner, theoretical physicist Jack Hetherington, cited Willard as a co-author called 'FDC Willard' on one of his papers.

As a result, Willard has been cited 107 times by other academics.

In order to crown Larry as the most cited cat in academia, Richardson created 12 fake papers that appeared to been produced by Larry, and 12 others that each cited all of Larry's works.

Google Scholar logged all but one of Larry's papers which gave Larry 132 citations and also an 'h-index' of 11, which means he had 11 papers that had each been cited at least 11 times each.

Since Larry's story broke Mr Richardson claims academics have complained that they have worked in their field for 20 years and not received such a high h-index.

The Google Scholar homepage. Reese Richardson and Nick Wise made a cat called Larry one of the most cited researchers by exploiting a flaw in how researchers are ranked online

Speaking to The Times, Mr Richardson said: 'The scientific enterprise has become so competitive and unequal that services have emerged to offer reputation laundering, preying on academics desperate for jobs and promotions.

'With the reality of the situation being this ridiculous, we wanted to bring attention to the problem with something even more absurd.'

He argues that it is not just flaws in Google Scholar which have allowed so many fake articles to circulate but also down to major shortcomings within the scientific community which has helped create the incentive for academics to try and artificial boost their ranking.

Google has since removed all of Larry's article but many other bogus pieces of research remain on the site.

Anurag Acharya, Distinguished Engineer at Google Scholar, said: 'The goal of Google Scholar is to make it possible for researchers around the world to learn and build on what their peers everywhere have discovered.

'To that end, Scholar includes research from a wide range of sources and makes all indexed research easy to access.

'While academic misbehavior is possible, it's rare because all aspects are visible -- articles indexed, articles included by an author on their profile, articles citing an author, where the citing articles are hosted, and so on. Anyone in the world can call you on it.'

MailOnline have approached ResearchGate for a comment.
Former Deal or No Deal host Andrew O'Keefe was spotted behind the wheel of his luxury Mercedes-Benz in Sydney just days after allegedly driving while on drugs.

The 52-year-old - once one of Channel 7's brightest stars - stopped at Rose Bay cafe Oak Berry for a smoothie on Saturday afternoon before he was seen climbing in the driver's seat of his car, wiping his nose and driving away down New South Head Rd.

O'Keefe looked clean-shaven and snappily dressed in a navy sweater, cream chinos and sneakers - a far cry from his disheveled appearance at Waverley Local Court court a week ago when he was granted bail over a DUI arrest after spending a night in police custody.

The former Weekend Sunrise host is accused of returning a positive drug test after he was stopped shortly before midday last Sunday in Sydney's affluent Bellevue Hill.

That arrest followed O'Keefe getting issued a court attendance notice for the offence of drive while suspended on June 20, after a separate vehicle stop in Bellevue Hill.

In January, he was also convicted on a domestic violence charge dating back to September 2021 when he kicked and spat at a woman.

He was found guilty of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of possessing a prohibited drug and contravening an apprehended violence order.

However, he avoided jail time and was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and three 18-month community corrections orders for the domestic violence offences.

Former Weekend Sunrise and Deal or No Deal host Andrew O'Keefe was spotted in Sydney's Rose Bay on Saturday days after he spent the night in a cell following a DUI arrest

The 52-year-old looked clean shaven as he stopped at Acai bar Oak Berry for a smoothie

O'Keefe's latest arrest occurred when officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command allegedly stopped him at 11.45am last Sunday where he was found behind the wheel of a Mercedes sedan on Cranbrook Road in Bellevue Hill.

Police allege he returned a positive roadside drug test and had threatened a man at an address on Longworth Ave in the neighbouring suburb of Point Piper 'a short time' before he was stopped by officers.

He was taken to Waverley Police Station for secondary oral fluid testing which allegedly returned a positive result. The sample has been sent for analysis.

Following inquiries O'Keefe was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm.

Appearing before court on Monday, O'Keefe allegedly confronted the man 'potentially as a matter of jealousy' following a 'rekindling' with his former partner.

'It's certainly not been a situation where just turned up at the door and knocked on the door to say hello, there has been this aggression,' the police prosecutor told the court.

The prosecutor said O'Keefe knew he was 'not supposed to be' at the property and that he had made admissions to police about putting 'one foot through the door'.

He alleged O'Keefe had appeared drug-affected to police and when asked about a crack pipe in his pocket told them the jacket 'was worn by another person' and did not belong to him.

O'Keefe has been charged with contravening an AVO over a visit to a Point Piper property last weekend

O'Keefe has been given a notice to appear in court over his latest charges

While Ms Ramsden told the court the 'allegations were denied', she admitted O'Keefe had made admissions to police because he was worried the home was being burgled.

'He is able to go to the property, but he cannot enter. He was having lunch with her (the ex-partner) later that day. He got to the property and he saw the door ajar,' she said.

'She (the ex-partner) is not home and there is no threat to her and there is no statement from her, which is important in assessing the prosecution case'.

Ms Ramsden said O'Keefe visited the home and after an initial conversation returned, at which point the man told him: 'If you don't leave it's going to be very bad for you.'

She told the court the former TV host took the statement as a threat and that there was 'nothing to support' claims he had been arguing with someone on the phone.

At the height of his fame he was one of the Seven Network's hottest properties

A disheveled O'Keefe leaving Waverley Local Court last weekend after he was granted bail

In support of the bail application, Ms Ramsden said O'Keefe would provide daily urine samples for drugs and that his sister would provide a $1000 surety to the court.

For his part, the prosecutor was opposed to O'Keefe's release, claiming he was a 'danger to the community' due to his alleged drug driving and while suspended.

O'Keefe was ultimately granted bail despite the magistrate telling the 52-year-old there were 'a lot of aspects of the police facts that are of concern'.

'There is a real concern you were somewhere you shouldn't have been and that drugs might still be a factor in your life, but I'm prepared to give you an opportunity to continue with your treatment,' she said.
Vows to do better at Garma festival

The Northern Territory police has told Australia's largest Indigenous gathering that the force has 'made mistakes' and vowing his force will be accountable for harm inflicted in the past 150 years.

'I cannot change or undo the past,' Commissioner Michael Murphy told those gathered at the Garma Festival at Gulkula, in northeast Arnhem Land, on Saturday.

'But we can commit to not repeat mistakes and injustices.'

Mr Murphy said he would work to transform relations between police and Indigenous Australians and use his position to 'make every effort to eliminate racism in the Northern Territory Police'.

'I acknowledge this challenge will be hard  but the alternative is unacceptable,' he said.

Mr Murphy used his speech to formally apologise for a history of injustices involving NT police.

'I am deeply sorry to all Aboriginal Territorians for the past harms and injustices caused by members of Northern Territory Police,' he said.

Mr Murphy also addressed the 'profound and ongoing intergenerational impact' of colonisation.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has apologised for 'mistakes' made by his force towards Indigenous people

'Intergenerational impacts of colonisation including poverty, ongoing disadvantage and racism are reflected in the over-representation of Aboriginal people that are incarcerated,' he said.

The 'cruel and inhumane' decades-long practice of removing children had left a long-lasting societal impact of trauma and harm, he said.

'Those impacts play a critical role in what causes disengagement, anti-social behaviour, offending and violence today.'

Vowing to address the deep-rooted causes of dispossession and disempowerment, Mr Murphy pledged his force would work to prevent further harm.

'Northern Territory Police need to be accountable for the past treatment of Aboriginal people,' he said.

'At times, police officers have abused their powers or fallen short in their duty of care towards Aboriginal offenders, witnesses and victims of crime.

'I intend to develop a new relationship built on mutual respect, trust and human rights.'

Commissioner Murphy made the apology while at attending the Garma Festival at Gulkula, in northeast Arnhem Land, on Saturday

The Garma festival is Australia's largest Indigenous annual gathering and is held on the NT's Grove Peninsula

The NT Police Force has come under scrutiny in recent months after evidence of racism was uncovered at a coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker.

Mr Walker was fatally shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe in November 2019 during an attempted arrest.

His death offered an opportunity for the force to reflect on its history, Mr Murphy said.

He revealed NT police were pursuing an active cold-case investigation into the disappearance of Tuckiar Wirrpanda, an Aboriginal man from Woodah Island suspected of being killed by police officers in the 1930s.

Mr Murphy acknowledged the way forward could only be achieved in partnership with Aboriginal Territorians and community organisations.

The force's new direction would also involve the development of an 'anti-racism strategy' led by Leanne Liddle, the most senior Indigenous employee at NT Police.

'The timing is right,' the Central Arrernte woman and former director of the NT's Aboriginal Justice Agreement said.

'We need to recognise that there's been damage and hurt and pain by Aboriginal people, and the apology will do something towards healing that.'

Garma Festival - a four-day Indigenous gathering on a ceremonial site in northeast Arnhem Land - began on Friday.
Ukrainian firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish a blaze in the central region of Vinnytsia this morning after fending off a wave of Russian missiles and drone strikes.

A huge blaze tore through a critical infrastructure facility in the Ukrainian region overnight, prompting an air-raid warning and officials to warn locals to 'stay in shelters until the all-clear is given'.

Nataliia Zabolotna, First Deputy Head of Vinnytsia Oblast Military Administration, confirmed the hit and said the State Emergency Service was already at the scene in the early hours of Saturday morning.

There was no information about possible victims, she wrote on Facebook.

The strikes came after Ukraine mounted devastating attacks in Russia late Friday, claiming to have successfully targeted a military airfield and oil depot with drones.

Russia did not address the claims regarding the destroyed airfield, but local officials claimed that schools, kindergartens and residential houses were among the buildings hit during the attacks.

Firefighters work at the site damaged in a Russian drone strike overnight, on Saturday

A local official said there was no available information on the possible victims last night

The blaze continues to tear through the facility on Saturday, following strikes on Friday

Firefighters were reported to be at the scene from 1am

The strikes came after Ukraine delivered devastating attacks in Russia late Friday

Kyiv said today it had faced several missiles and 29 drones, out of which 24 drones were destroyed.

Local officials in the central region of Vinnytsia confirmed the attacks had damaged infrastructure, without giving any further details.

The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 24 out of 29 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia in the overnight attack over nine regions.

Russian forces also launched two S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles and two Kh-31 missiles, the air force said.

Kherson regional governor Oleksander Prokudin said air defence shot down five drones over his region on Saturday. Russian attacks on the region in the past day struck critical infrastructure, an administrative building and nine residential homes, he said.

Mykolaiv regional governor Vitaliy Kim said one of the drones shot down by air defence caused a fire in outbuildings, which has since been extinguished, with no casualties reported.

The attacks in Ukraine followed Ukrainian attacks in Russia, which President Zelenskyy confirmed and praised on social media.

He stressed that Russia has launched more than 600 guided air bombs on Ukraine in the last week alone.

'Russian combat aircraft must be destroyed where they are, by all means that are effective. Striking at Russian airfields is also quite fair,' he wrote.

Kyiv has stepped up its own cross-border attacks in recent months, targeting towns and villages within Russia, as well as energy sites that it says fuel Russia's assault.

The shift followed some of Ukraine's international backers giving their blessing for Kyiv to use donated weapons to attack Russia directly, prompting outcry from the Kremlin and repeated threats of retribution.

The decision to allow Ukraine to attack Russian soil with western weapons, in turn, followed the opening of a new Russian offensive in the north of Ukraine.

'Last night, drones from Ukraine's Security Service visited the Morozovsk airfield in the Rostov region' that stored aircraft and guided aerial bombs, a defence source in Kyiv said on Saturday.

'Ukrainian drones did a great job, hitting the aviation ammunition depot,' the source added.

Firefighters work at a site of a residential building damaged during a Russian drone strike, in Kyiv region, Ukraine July 31

An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian drone strike on July 31

A soldier of Ukraine's National Guard launches a reconnaissance drone to determine Russian positions near the front line in Zaporizhzhia region, July 29

Drones have become an essential part of both Russia and Ukraine's arsenals during the war

Local governor Vasily Golubev said on Telegram that authorities introduced a state of emergency in the district of Morozovsk.

'At the moment we have recorded damage to the windows in several social facilities, including schools and kindergartens, as well as in residential houses and industrial premises,' Golubev said on Telegram.

The source in the Ukrainian defence sector also said its forces hit a fuel warehouse in the Kamensky district of the Rostov region, where Russian officials earlier reported a drone attack set fire to oil tanks.

Moscow did not address the specific claim but the Russian defence ministry said it destroyed at least 76 drones launched by Kyiv, including 36 over the border region of Rostov and 17 in the Oryol region.

Russian air defence disabled eight and nine drones respectively over the regions of Kursk and Belgorod, also bordering Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Ukraine said it repelled one of Russia's largest long-range drone attacks since February 2022, shooting down all 89 drones which included a 'significant' number of decoys trying to deplete Ukraine's air defences.
An 82-year-old McDonald's worker who is a Vietnam veteran is unable quit his job because he cannot afford to retire.

Edward Eubanks has worked at the Henderson McDonald's - just outside of Las Vegas - since 2009, where he keeps the dining room in tip-top shape by cleaning the tables, stocking the drink station and sweeping the floors.

'I tell them I am Mr. Ed, aka the hamburger man,' he told News 3 Las Vegas while wearing a hamburger hat.

The veteran has been working diligently since his early 20s, starting by helping his dad when he was younger to fighting in the war.

Edward Eubanks has worked at the Henderson McDonald's - just outside of Las Vegas - since 2009, where he keeps the dining room in tip-top shape by cleaning the tables, stocking the drink station, and sweeping the floors

'I tell them I am Mr. Ed, aka the hamburger man,' he said, while wearing a hamburger hat

His longest employment stint was when he worked for Nevada National Security Site for 26 years, where he was a radiation monitor.

'That was interesting,' he told the outlet. 'I worked from 1964 to, I think, 1999.'

After that, he worked as an assistant to a local handyman and now McDonald's.

Throughout his life, he hasn't been able to save for his retirement with any of the previous jobs he's held, he told the local news outlet, but he still hopes to one day.

But for now, he's enjoying his time with his coworkers and the customers at McDonald's.

As for his motto: 'If you laugh a lot and keep moving, you've got it made.'

The veteran has been working diligently since his early 20s, starting by helping his dad when he was younger to fighting in the war. His longest employment stint was when he worked for Nevada National Security Site for 26 years, where he was a radiation monitor

Throughout his life, he hasn't been able to save for his retirement, but he still hopes to one day (Pictured: the Henderson McDonald's)

A community member started a GoFundMe to help give the older man some financial relief.

Abraham A. Cruz wrote: 'He is 82 YO and such a nice guy, hard worker and really good guy. I'm not pretending to make him rich, but I'm pretty sure we can give him some relief.'

More than 30 percent of those above 50 don't expect to have enough money to retire, according to AARP.

And among adults who regularly save for retirement, only 36 percent believe they'll eventually have enough to be financially secure at their current savings rate, while 33 percent are confident they won't have enough money.

As of Saturday, the fundraising efforts have garnered $10,525, which is $25 more than its $10,500 goal.
One of the original employees of the haunted estate that inspired The Conjuring movies has been fired after the owner said a ghost accused him of stealing money.

Brian Dansereau began working at the Burrillville farmhouse, also known as the Old Arnold Estate, back in 2021 and was the last of the original staff at the property.

During his time, he was working for Jacqueline Nunez who had bought 'The Conjuring House' for a whopping $1.5 million back in 2022.

But on July 19, Dansereau was let go after Nunez told him that the spirit of former owner, John Arnold, informed her that he had stolen $3,000 in cash.

Brian Dansereau began working at the Burrillville farmhouse, also known as the Old Arnold Estate back in 2021 and was the last of the original staff at the property

Jacqueline Nunez had bought ' The Conjuring House' for a whopping $1.5 million back in 2022

'She said, "John Arnold told me you've been stealing money out of the cash box for the past two months."

'I literally stopped and I had to correct her like, "John Arnold, one of the original owners?", 'Dansereau said as he showed texts to Target12.

The former employee also claims that the 'voices in her head' told her that he was physically attacking Nunez.

'The voices in her head, including John Arnold, told her I was psychically attacking her along with the previous staff and that the voices, including John Arnold, also told her I stole money from her,' he wrote on his GoFundMe page.

Dansereau has since vehemently denied all theft allegations and instead accuses Nunez of owing him $9,000 in back pay.

The disgruntled employee also said that when he asked for his last five weeks of pay, the owner refused and added that Nunez told him that Arnold had instructed her not to give him the money.

Dansereau has since vehemently denied all theft allegations and instead accuses Nunez (pictured) of owing him $9,000 in back pay

On July 19, Dansereau was let go after Nunez said the spirit of former owner, John Arnold, informed her that he had stolen $3,000 in cash

He also says he finds Nunez's account preposterous.

'For a spirit to go after a staff member in that manner, I've never heard of such a thing at any haunted venue let alone The Conjuring House,' he said.

As a result, he has filed a complaint seeking unpaid wages with the R.I. Department of Labor and Training.

But despite multiple accusations of not paying Dansereau what he is owed, Nunez, a self-described medium, continues to say that the spirits of 'the most famous haunted and active locations in the world' told her he had been stealing.

'It does not matter whether you believe in the paranormal or not. I and every person is entitled to experiences that bring understanding and meaning to our lives, including being informed or warned about wicked actors and actions,' she said in a statement.

'As far as Brian goes my experience with him devolved quickly, culminating in his at-will employment termination.

Flashback: The Perron family, pictured, owned the house for about a decade and experienced strange occurrences

Nunez went on to say that had been 'informed of other matters that are untoward from previous staff and even mischievous guests.'

Furthermore, the owner claims that her books also back up Arnold's allegations of theft as they supposedly show discrepancies between merchandise orders and cash sales.

Apart from this, she has also denied owing her former staff member any money saying that 'he has been made whole when counting the stolen money as part of his compensation.'

Nunez now plans to file a complaint with state officials and Burrillville on the grounds that Dansereau 'committed further egregious acts by appearing in YouTube videos slandering me personally and trying to damage my reputation and business at The Conjuring House.'

The 14-room-farmhouse gained its creepy reputation after rumored Satanist named Bathseba Sherman lived there in the mid-1800s. The Perron family believed it was Bathseba who was haunting their family

In 1977 the Warrens investigated a family home in the North London suburb of Enfield - which they claimed was haunted by poltergeist - ghost or spirit - activity.

Last year, DailyMail.com exclusively visited the real property that inspired the iconic series of horrors movies.

The home shot to notoriety after the Perron family were relentlessly haunted when they lived there in the 1970s.

The Perrons' torment and their experience with famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren became the inspiration for the iconic horror movie The Conjuring after Andrea Perron, the eldest daughter, documented their experiences in a book.

Cody Desbiens, Director of Operations for The Conjuring House, said: 'This has been known to be one of the most haunted places in the entire world because of all the experiences people have had here for some reason.

'It's just an amazing place. we have the land, the history of the land, and the history of the families that have lived in this house which makes it the perfect property to have something paranormal happen.'

Reed Boett, 22, works as a caretaker at The Conjuring House. He said that the home's living room space was nicknamed the 'seance room' because of all the rituals that have taken place there.

The eldest Perron daughter Andrea documented the events that took place during the time her family spent in the house in a series of three books House of Darkness: House of Light, published in 2011 onwards

Boett told DailyMail.com that hauntings 'could happen at any second of the day.

'A lot of people think 3 am is the best time to investigate, but us caretakers could roll out of bed at 6 am and pull out a motion detector or spirit box, and we get some crazy activity.

'Any time of the day, you can get something in the house and I think that's what makes this place so special.'

The previous owners of the haunted hotspot - 'paranormal investigators' Cory and Jennifer Heinzen - bought the house in July 2019 for $439,000.

The Heinzens, who described themselves as paranormal investigators, hosted events at the site and rented rooms overnight for people eager for a scare.

The family lived in the home for 10 years and the Warrens visited them multiple times to investigate - including one visit when Lorraine conducted a seance to try and contact the spirits possessing the family

The couple said in 2021 that they experienced 'doors opening, footsteps and knocks.' Cory Heinzen said, 'I had a hard time staying there by myself. I dont have the feeling of anything evil, but its very busy. You can tell theres a lot of things going on in the house.'

Just three years later - the pair of 'paranormal investigators' sold the house for reasons relating to Cory Heinzen's health and the stress of running their spooky business at the same time as their personal property in Mexico, Maine.

The couple wasn't ready to part ways with the 'haunted' house completely and have agreed to stop by monthly to help Nunez continue to host paranormal investigations at the Rhode Island home.

'This purchase is personal for me,' Nunez, told the Boston Globe. 'Its not a real-estate development. Its around my own beliefs.'

Nunez bought the house for $1.5 million - which was $300,000 over the asking price and over $1 million more than the Heinzen couple paid.

But allegedly the house comes with a special condition: 'no one can live there all year round' because of 'high-levels or paranormal activity'.

Since her purchase in 2022, Nunez has continued to host special events, house tours, investigations, GHO-Events and private events at the historic house.

Dansereau and the Burrillville farmhouse did not immediately respond to the DailyMail.com's requests for comment.
August 2, 2024: While NATO nations have provided Ukraine with over a $100 billion in aid, NATO has not provided any troops. Ukrainian leaders point out that without either lots more artillery ammunition and medium-range artillery missiles, or European and American soldiers fighting in Ukraine, Russia can never be forced to relinquish Crimea and other smaller portions of Ukraine they occupy. So far Russia has been able to deal with economic sanctions and enormous quantities of NATO aid sent to Ukraine. Getting Russian soldiers out of Ukraine will probably require NATO soldiers to reinforce the depleted Ukrainians to get the job done. The population of all NATO nations is nearly a billion and people and their combined armed forces contain 3.3 million troops. Not all NATO members would be willing to send their troops to Ukraine, but enough would to make Russia realize that that if they kept fighting, they would quickly lose to the combined Ukrainian/NATO forces. Russia has no similar allies to help them and Russian losses in Ukraine have already caused moral and political problems inside Russia.

Russian threats of using nuclear weapons if cornered no longer have any effect because Britain, France and the United States all have nuclear weapons and if Russia used them the response would result in Russia ceasing to exist. The Russians painted themselves into this corner and too many Russians are unwilling to participate in self-destruction to avoid defeat in Ukraine.

There is still resistance among some NATO members to this extreme measure. But it would not be necessary if Ukraine were a NATO member. Ukrainian efforts to join NATO were one of the reasons Russia gave for invading Ukraine. The Russian government sees NATO as a western plot to surround and smother Russia. NATO members consider that delusional but for the Russians such delusions are a way of life and part of their culture.

If enough force is applied, the Russians will concede. If the results of this Russian aggression are allowed to stand, it will provide Russia with justification for future land grabs. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has expressed his goal of rebuilding the Soviet Union. He considers the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991 a great tragedy. Few members of the Soviet Union agree.

The Russian Federation, one of the fourteen nations created when the Soviet Union broke up, has no intention of voluntarily rejoining even though Putin is its president, and Ukraine has demonstrated it would rather fight the Russians than once more submitting to Russian rule. The majority of Soviet citizens were never Russian. That included the Ukrainians, who Russia considers Russian enough to be conquered and forced to become Russian. Thats what the Soviet Union tried to do and it never worked, even though millions of Ukrainians died during these attempts. Trying to rebuild the Soviet Union is a fools errand that Vladimir Putin continues to believe in.

Putins illusions and imperial dreams are a major obstacle to peace in Ukraine as well as a threat to continued peace and prosperity in Russia. The Ukraine war has caused the average Russian increased economic suffering and killed hundreds of thousands sent to fight in Ukraine. Putin may say he has not lost patience in Ukraine but Ukrainians, NATO nations and a growing number of Russians disagree.
Bombshell police radio transmissions from the assassination attempt of Donald Trump have laid bare the shambolic 29 minute hunt for the shooter.

A transcript, obtained by the Washington Post, reveals the communication delays and other blunders which allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to open fire at the July 13 rally.

The recording shows how officers lost sight of Crooks for a staggering 20 minutes after he was identified as a suspicious person.

'Just an FYI, we had a younger white male, long hair, lurking around the AGR building,' a counter sniper said at 5:42 pm, according the transcript. 'He was viewed with a range finder sighting the stage.  We lost sight of him.'

Crooks went on to unleash a hail of bullets which left Trump injured as well as killing the former president's supporter Corey Comperatore, 50, and critically injuring two others at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally.

Bombshell police radio transmissions from the assassination attempt of Donald Trump have laid bare the shambolic 29 minute hunt for the shooter.

The tragedy was partly allowed to unfold because nobody from the Secret Service was around to hear the message from the counter sniper, as they were based in a separate command post 300 yards away.

It meant this and other communications had to be relayed via other means such as cellphones, despite there being poor reception in the area on the day of the rally.

The initial message from the counter sniper set off a chain of messages among local officers, the transcript shows.

While one sheriff's deputy was incorrectly told that Crooks was wearing a 'white shirt with a hat,' the description that the counter sniper was relaying was 'gray t-shirt, light-colored khaki shorts'.

After officers lost track of Crooks he was not seen again for 20 minutes, the transcript shows.

Elsewhere, Sgt. Ed Lenz, the tactical commander for the Butler County mobile unit had received the message from the counter sniper at around 5:44 pm.

He used his cellphone to call a state trooper stationed with the Secret Service, according to an official and call logs.

Sgt. Joseph Olayer then relayed the information to his Secret Service counterparts in the trailer according to the official.

The transcript, obtained by the Washington Post , reveals the communication delays and other blunders which allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to open fire at the July 13 rally

Two counter sniper teams were set up to monitor any threats against Trump, however the transcript reveals issues with the line of communication

Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris told a congressional hearing one of his staff received the call along with texts showing images of Crooks and was told to pass the information on to the Secret Service.

However, patchy cell reception meant that the officers struggled to disseminate the pictures quickly.

A local tactical team said at 5:47 pm that they were trying to send the photos, but at 5:49 pm received a response informing them of the problems.

'Units be advised internet and cell service is down,' another officer on that channel said a minute later.

'Your picture is probably not going to go through because I don't have any service,' a sheriff's deputy said.

Around this time the state officers said the notified the Secret Service sniper teams.

However, by 5:49pm the officers had lost sight of him.

'Our sierra units lost visual of him,' Lenz told the traffic-control officers. 'I believe you guys are outside of that fence, if you come upon him.'

The recording shows how officers lost sight of Crooks for a staggering 20 minutes after he was identified as a suspicious person

Police personnel stand over Crooks body on the rooftop of America Glass Research, located just a couple of hundred yards from where Trump was speaking

It was not until eight minutes later when Crooks surfaced near the AGR building, which he would ultimately scale to take his shots, that he was located again.

Officers were unable to determine his location from their vantage point. He was last spotted heading towards the Sheetz gas station and this information was quickly circulated.

'All units be advised also that individual is headed towards Sheetz,' a sheriff's deputy told his colleagues at 6:04 pm.

However, Crooks did not stay on the ground and instead used HVAC unit to scale the roof of the AGR building, as was seen in video obtained by the FBI.

It meant that while agents were scrambling at street level, Crooks was already getting into position to take aim.

'Someone's on the roof,' a local officer said four minutes later. 'I have someone on the roof with white shorts.'

After it was confirmed there were no agents on the roof, the chase heated up even further.

'We got him,' an officer said. 'We don't have him in custody yet, but he's right straight in front of me by the pine tree standing upwards. He had a backpack.'

The last photo of would-be Trump assassin, Thomas Crooks, 20, showing him clad in a t-shirt branded with the logo of YouTube channel Demolition Ranch

However, seconds later he was lost from view again and was next seen by people in the crowd.

Video from the scene shows officers struggling to locate Crooks apparently due to the angle.

A local officer was then hoisted up and at 6:11 pm was able to confirm that Crooks was carrying a deadly weapon.

'He's armed,' the officer said, according to the transcript. 'I saw him, he's laying down. He's got a long gun.'

The local officer was reportedly unable to pull his own weapon as his hands were on the roofline.

Lenz is then heard telling the Butler County task force to deploy to the AGR building but before he can finish the directive he is heard saying, 'shots fired'.

A source told the Washington Post that the message about an armed threat never reached the Secret Service command post as there was no time to make a cellphone call.

It is thought this explains why the Secret Service agents closest to Trump appeared to be taken by surprise so much.

A ladder Concealed by dense shrubbery to the roof of the AGR building where Crooks shot Donald Trump

The rooftop from where the shooter fired at the stage, barely 150 yards away

The security breaches led to the resignation of Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle

The transcript will no doubt provide further headaches for those involved in security on the day, notably the Secret Service which has already come under heavy scrutiny for the failures.

The controversy has already led to the resignation of its former director Kimberly Cheatle.

The security chief had faced mounting questions over why an agent was not stationed on the roof from where Crooks opened fire on the former president, and why Trump was allowed to take the stage even when a threat was detected.
A major police manhunt is underway after two men were shot in a suspected 'targeted attack' in southwestern Sydney on Saturday morning.

A 29-year-old Oran Park man was found with gunshot wounds to his head and right shoulder at Highfield Park at Claymore at about 9.30am, with police and paramedics racing to the scene.

A short time earlier, police were also called to a nearby shop responding to reports a man had been shot in the shoulder before going in search of help.

Both men were treated by paramedics and rushed to Liverpool Hospital.

The 29-year-old man was on Saturday afternoon undergoing surgery and fighting for his life in a critical condition.

The other victim, a 31-year-old man from Minto, was on Saturday afternoon in a stable condition and being assessed.

Police said they were now searching for two men of Pacific Islander or Maori appearance who were seen in the park at the same time.

Police are also probing possible links to a separate incident at Minto on Friday night when a home was set on fire.

A 29-year-old Oran Park man was found with gunshot wounds to his head and right shoulder at Highfield Park at Claymore at about 9.30am, with police and paramedics racing to the scene

Police are investigating whether a house blaze at Minto (pictured) is linked to the shootings

The property's front porch was set on fire and when a 59-year-old man went to investigate, he was assaulted with a metal pole, police said.

The front lounge room of the home was damaged when it was set alight, with NSW Fire and Rescue workers extinguishing the blaze.

The 59-year-old man was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Police are appealing to speak to any witnesses, particularly anyone who was in the Highfield Park reserve between 9am and 10am.

'This type of senseless violence has major consequences and it's not just for the safety of the people involved, it's the safety of the community,' Superintendent Grant Healey said.

'At 9.30 in the morning at a park in a residential suburb, this reckless disregard for everybody's safety, we'll fully investigate and put those people before the courts.'

Police said they had yet to speak to the two victims and were investigating possible motives.

'This is a targeted attack - these are people who deliberately went out for some other people,' Superintendent Healey said.

Police said the shootings were deliberate and targetted attacks
A woman who moved to a quaint Northern California town has revealed how she was desperate to get away after living among white supremacists and hippies - and having to travel an hour to get almost anywhere.

Jaime Alexis Stathis moved to Grass Valley, California, which is roughly 60 miles outside of Sacramento, in 2017 with her partner, Martin.

It had long been a dream of hers to move there - but she soon realized the quaint, picture-perfect town was actually a nightmare to actually live in.

'We both loved the architecture, the artsy, progressive community, the great restaurants, and the access to cities, the ocean, and the mountains,' Stathis, who moved from Missoula, Montana, wrote for Business Insider.

'But once we finally lived in the Northern California town, we realized we may have been better off just visiting.'

Jaime Alexis Stathis moved to Grass Valley, California - roughly 60 miles outside of Sacramento - in 2017 with her partner Martin

They moved to the town after her partner got a job that required him to live within 60 miles of Sacramento and Stathis excitedly discovered the place of her dreams was 56 miles outside of the big city.

After a scouting trip, Martin agreed, and they excited began their new life in a town of less than of 20,000.

However, Stathis found the town was made up of drastically different demographics, from white supremacists to hippies to wealthy conservatives to Bay Area liberals.

'Big cities can contain such differences, but they sit on the surface in small towns, and the discord felt palpable,' she wrote, especially during the 2018 midterm elections and the 2020 pandemic.

The massage therapist found herself surrounded by hate crimes and violence, as well as, protests - interrupting the small town's picturesque feel.

Stathis found the town was made up of drastically different demographics, from white supremacists to hippies to wealthy conservatives to Bay Area liberals

It was also expensive to there, with cost of living in Grass Valley is about 38.2 percent higher than the national average

She found it was also very expensive to live there, with the cost of living in Grass Valley about 38.2 percent higher than the national average, according to Stathis.

Grass Valley also isn't situated off a major highway, making it an 'inconvenience' to live there.

'There's only one major road out in any direction  and it's a 45-minute drive toward Sacramento to reach the suburban sprawl and the amenities that come with it,' she wrote.

To get to a doctor, it would take them an hour's drive. And Grass Valley doesn't offer stores like Walmart and Target, meaning residents had to travel to buy necessities.

'Forget about buying basics like bras and underwear in Grass Valley,' she wrote.

After two and a half years, Stathis called it quits and left the town she once spent all her time trying to figure out how to live in

She now lives in New England, closer to where she's from, and says it 'feels much more like home'

Food - which has already been pulling at most American's pockets - is even more expensive in the quaint town, especially compared to Missoula.

'I also found our local grocery stores to be small, expensive, and poorly stocked,' she wrote.

The pair also had to buy a home because renting was too expensive, stripping away Stathis' dreams of exploring Berkeley and Lake Tahoe and the wine country as her money would now go toward a fixer-upper.

Rent in Grass Valley would be double what they were paying in Missoula, she wrote for Business Insider.

In addition, the Montanans weren't used to California's wildfires, and when the Camp Fire came close to them, it unsettled Stathis, who began keeping to-go bags by her front door and in her cars for easy access.

After two and a half years, Stathis finally called it quits and left the town she once spent all her time trying to figure out how to live in.

She now lives in New England, closer to where she's from, and says it 'feels much more like home.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Stathis for comment.
A suspected glassing attack at a packed Perth CBD pub has left two men with facial injuries and sparked a police investigation.

Images from Yagan Square venue Stories show a man with his head bandaged as blood dripped down is face and hand while several paramedics, police and security staff stand nearby.

The incident unfolded when a fight broke out between partygoers on one of the three-storey nightclub's dancefloors about 1.45am on Saturday, reported Perth Now.

Police said an altercation erupted between two groups which then left the two men, both aged in their 20s, suffering serious injuries.

The pair were treated for significant head lacerations by paramedics who were called to the venue on Wellington Street.

Both were then taken to Royal Perth Hospital for further treatment and are recovering.

WA Police said they are investigating the incident.

It is understood both men declined to make a formal complaint.

Emergency services were called to Stories nightclub in the Perth CBD after reports two men had been glassed during a brawl between two groups
A priest at Sunderland Minster has slammed yobs who rioted in the city last night after they attempted to smash a headstone in order to use the debris as missiles.

The Reverend Jacqui Tyson said a colleague had reported seeing youths in the graveyard of the minster 'trying to break up one of the graves'.

Thankfully, her colleague was able to chase off the thugs and lock the gates to prevent further access to the graveyard as the chaos continued to unfold elsewhere in the city in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

But the Rev Tyson has lamented the behaviour of rioters who, fuelled by misinformation on social media about the suspect in the killings, saw fit to commit an 'act of sacrilege' by desecrating a gravestone.

The church is located close to where a car was overturned and set on fire, and where police were attacked with fire extinguishers.

Reverend Jacqui Tyson said thugs had attempted to smash up a gravestone during the Sunderland riots

She joined with other local religious leaders to assist with the cleanup in the town centre today

Sunderland Minster, where the graveyard that was desecrated is located. It is close to where riots unfolded in the centre of Sunderland

Thugs ran riot in Sunderland last night, torching a Citizens Advice Bureau next to a police office

A car was also overturned and set alight by rioters who were universally condemned for their thuggish actions

A thug throws a smoke flare at police as the riot kicked off in Sunderland last night

Locals pitch in to help with the clean-up efforts in Sunderland on Saturday morning

The Rev Tyson said of the thugs: 'They were trying to break up one of the graves in the minster.

'My colleague and his friend saw them and chased them off. They then locked the gates so no-one else could access the graveyard.'

But she also questioned the wisdom of those who tried to break up the memorial.

She added: 'It's an act of sacrilege to disturb someone's gravestone. It's also remarkably lacking in common sense - have you tried to pick up a gravestone?'

The reverend has been heartened by the efforts of Sunderland locals to clean up the streets after the chaos unfolded.

Residents and local MPs were out in force this morning with brooms, brushes and even dustpans cleaning up the debris as workmen prepared to remove the burnt-out carcass of a car that had been set on fire.

Rev Tyson said local imams and other members of the clergy had pitched in with efforts to carry out repairs.

A prayer vigil for the victims of the Stockport stabbings will follow later on Saturday, with a peace walk through Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.

She added: 'There is a lot of shock and anger, so hundreds of people came together to clean up the city.

'Everybody involved was not just cleaning up, but also talking to each other and expressing good faith and belief in Sunderland, and the fact that racism will not win.'

Chief Superintendent Mark Hall of Northumbria Police said four police officers had been taken to hospital following the riots, including a mounted officer who is still being treated for serious injuries.

He condemned the 'attempt to drive division amongst us' and said 'we are committed to make sure that doesn't happen'.

And in a warning to those who ran riot, he said: 'Make no mistake, if you were involved last night, expect to be met with the full force of the law.'

A police officer walks past the burnt out shell of Citizens Advice Sunderland and a ransacked police office on Saturday

Axel Rudakubana (pictured as a child) is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport with a 'curved kitchen knife'

Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, was also fatally wounded in the attack which shocked the nation on Monday, as misinformation online triggered riots after the tragedy

Bebe King, aged six, was also killed in the attack by the teenager in Southport

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, was one of three children killed by a knifeman at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in Southport

Elsewhere, a GoFundMe launched in support of the Citizens Advice Bureau targeted by firebugs during the riot has raised more than 3,800.

Local woman Sharyn Smiles, who works for a local parent support charity, created the page after her own employer was hit by an arson attack last year.

A GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed to MailOnline that Citizens Advice Sunderland would directly receive all money raised through the donation page.

The Southport stabbings, which claimed the lives of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, have sparked a wave of anti-immigration protests that have been coordinated online.

More than 30 of these protests are taking place this weekend - with events in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Hull, Stoke and Belfast taking place earlier today.

Police believe the rallies have been coordinated by elements of the fragmented far-right English Defence League, co-founded by Tommy Robinson.

Robinson, who fled the country earlier this week after being arrested in connection with terror offences ahead of a contempt of court case, has called for his followers to stage 'peaceful' protests.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

The judge presiding over his case took the extraordinary step of allowing the teenager to be named in a bid to stem the flow of misinformation about the suspect's identity.
A French film director will stand trial on charges of sexually assaulting a child actor, sources close to the case revealed today.

Christophe Ruggia, 59, is expected to stand trial in December following allegations he assaulted Adele Haenel, 35, in the early 2000s when she was under 15.

Ruggia was in his mid to late 30s at the time.

The investigating magistrate said in a court document that Haenel's accusations were 'precise and consistent' and that she had suffered psychological consequences from the alleged assaults.

The age difference and Ruggia's alleged 'psychological control' exerted through his position of authority were given as potentially aggravating circumstances.

Ruggia has denied the charges, although the director admitted to committing 'errors'. His lawyers declined to comment on Saturday.

French film director Christophe Ruggia (L) walks with his lawyer Fanny Colin (R) at The Paris Courthouse in Paris on June 29, 2023 to face allegations of sexual offences against a minor

Adele Haenel poses during a photocall for the film 'Portrait Of A Lady On Fire' in 2019

The Ruggia case is part of a string of revelations that have prompted new questions about instances of sexual violence in French society, particularly in the artistic world.

Ruggia, now 59, was charged in 2020 over the accusations.

Haenel, now 35, lodged a complaint against Ruggia after accusing him of subjecting her to 'constant sexual harassment' from the age of 12 to 15, including 'forced kisses on the neck' and touching.

Ruggia directed her in the 2002 movie 'The Devils', her first film role.

The accusations stunned the French film industry, which has been slower than Hollywood to react to the #MeToo movement turning the spotlight on sexual abuse in the arts.

Ruggia at first fiercely denied harassing Haenel before asking her to forgive him.

He then said that she was targeting him because he denied her a part in another film.

Haenel won support from some top names of French cinema, including actress Marion Cotillard who praised her for 'breaking a silence that was so heavy'.

Haenel, who starred in the period drama 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire', initially declined to file an official complaint, slamming the 'contempt with which the judicial system treats women'.

But prosecutors opened an investigation of their own accord and Haenel did file a complaint.

Haenel explained in a statement it was her 'responsibility as a public personality' to take part in the process, 'given the gravity of the facts and the consequences for everyone'.

She said Ruggia's public denials had made her 'determined to obtain through judicial means the status of a victim'.

Haenel accused Ruggia, who directed her in the 2002 movie 'The Devils,' (pictured) her first film role, of repeatedly touching and kissing her

Christophe Ruggia giving a press conference in Paris in 2015

Judith Godreche, another actor, said earlier this year two French directors sexually abused her when she was a teenager.

Godreche accused filmmaker Benoit Jacquot of raping her during a six-year relationship that started when she was 14 and he was 25 years her senior.

She also accused another director, Jacques Doillon, of sexually abusing her when she was 15.

Late last year, footage of film star Gerard Depardieu making obscene comments sparked an outcry in the country.

The uproar intensified after President Emmanuel Macron said the actor had become the target of a 'manhunt'.

Rights activists denounced Macron's comments as an 'insult' to all women who have suffered sexual violence.

Celebrity actors and former French first lady Carla Bruni joined dozens of celebrities in denouncing the 'lynching' of Depardieu in an open letter.

The director, who has made more than 200 films and television series, was charged with rape in 2020 and has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by more than a dozen women.

He faces fresh scrutiny following the airing of a documentary late last year in which he was heard making explicit sexual comments in the presence of a female interpreter and sexualising a ten-year-old girl riding a horse.

The 'Fall of the Ogre' documentary broadcast in France on December 7 sparked what French media is calling a '#MeToo moment in French cinema'.

France24 wrote on December 14: 'For more than a year after the rape allegations against French actor Gerard Depardieu, the film industry shrugged its shoulders and the cinematic legend with more than 200 titles to his name continued working.'

The actor was charged with rape in 2020 and has also faced 13 accusations of sexual harassment or assault. He maintains his innocence.

The inflammatory documentary showed Mr Depardieu on a 2018 trip to North Korea.

It begins with the 74-year-old actor ogling a woman and saying: 'Oh la la, tres belle', as reported by The Telegraph.

It also shows a seemingly intoxicated Depardieu making a number of explicit comments to make himself laugh, according to the report. And when the actor visits a horse riding centre, he reportedly remarks that children riding around the enclosure are 'sl**s'.

He is reported to ask his female interpreter: 'Why don't you get on a horse? It does you good, you know. Generally, women who ride like a lot of other things, there's a life in it.'

He is also reported to have turned to her after weighing himself in one scene, commenting: '124 kilos, and right now I'm not erect, erect is 126. I've got a beam in my pants.'
The Delphi murders suspect's lawyers claim a pagan cult sacrificed two teenage girls who were snatched from a hiking trail, and the confessed killer is innocent.

Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, disappeared on February 13, 2017, while hiking the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana.

Richard Allen, 51, was charged with their murders in October 2022 after police linked a bullet found at the scene to his gun.

Very little about the case has been revealed over the past seven years, other than leaks from inside the investigation, until three days of hearings this week.

Libby German, 14, (left) and Abby Williams, 13, (right) disappeared on February 13, 2017, while hiking the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana

Richard Allen, 50, was charged with the double murder in October 2023. He has pleaded not guilty

The Carroll County court heard the girls were found with their throats cut, branches laid on top of their remains, and Abby's body wearing Libby's clothes.

Abby and Libby set out on the trail at 1:35 pm and Libby posted a photo at 2:07 pm of Abby walking along the bridge. Police believe they were kidnapped at 2:14 pm and killed within 18 minutes.

Prosecutors told the court that Allen confessed to the murders more than 60 times in jail phone calls to his wife and mother, and to another inmate.

Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland also claimed Allen's 'intent was a sexual assault' when he allegedly kidnapped the girls.

Allen's lawyers, led by Bradley Rozzi, claimed the confessions were the result of his degrading mental state due to being locked in solitary confinement.

They last year named four other people as members of a cult to the Norse god Odin, arguing the girls were killed in a ritual sacrifice.

Indiana State Police Detective Brian Harshman testified about the confessions after listening to 150 hours of phone calls.

He said the confessions began in late March 2023 after he had a 'come to Jesus moment', and Allen spoke 'very specifically' about details of the crime and why he did it.

Abbie was seen in a Snapchat video posted by her friend Libby in February 2017, moments before both were murdered

Indiana State Police Lieutenant Jerry Holeman also testified that an inmate alleged Allen confessed to him as well, and revealed the murder weapon.

Allen allegedly told him he murdered the girls with a boxcutter, than dumped it in a dumpster outside a CVS.

Defense lawyers want the confessions thrown out because they were a product of Allen's mental breakdown while being treated like 'a prisoner of war' in jail.

They brought in a psychologist contracted by the Indiana Department of Corrections to testify in support of that argument.

Rozzi's team instead point the finger at the four Odinists, including the father of Abby's boyfriend at the time of her death.

Dawn Perlmutter, an expert on ritualistic crimes, testified that 'this crime scene is a textbook for ritualistic murder'.

She claimed the crime scene had seven indicators of an Odinist ritualistic killing, including the positioning of the branches on their bodies.

Perlmutter said she reviewed autopsy records, crime scene photos and social media posts of some of the alleged Odinists, and when asked if he had any doubt the girls were sacrificed in a pagan ritual, she replied 'none at all'.

Family members of Liberty German and Abigail Williams at a press conference after Allen's arrest

McLeland moved to discredit her testimony by noting she came to the same conclusion in a CourtTV report last year, before she saw any of the evidence.

He asked her what her response would be if the alleged killer 'said that the intent was a sexual assault.'

The prosecutor also contested her theory that the branches were laid over the bodies to form runic symbols, noting Allen 'said that the branches were there to cover the girls' bodies'.

Perlmutter argued blood smeared on a tree in one leaked crime scene photo was painted to form the letter F, which holds significance in Norse mythology.

But Patrick Cicero, a blood specialist and forensics expert from the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office, said it was more likely a 'transfer stain' from Libby's bloody hand.

Purposely painting a symbol on the tree would have involved the killer repeatedly dipping their hand on blood, he said.

Perlmutter admitted there was no physical evidence tying any of the four men to the crime scene.

Other witnesses claimed one or more of the supposed Odinists also confessed to killing the girls.

The Carroll County court heard the girls were found with their throats cut, branches laid on top of their remains, and Abby's body wearing Libby's clothes

Kevin Murphy, a retired Indiana State Police officer who worked on the case from 2017 to 2019, told the court there was an 'undeniable link' between Delphi and there Odinist cult in nearby Rushville.

He said police believed the murders were the work of two to six people, and he focused on one of the alleged cultists, Elvis Fields.

Murphy told the court Fields' sister gave 'very specific' information that only someone at the crime scene would know.

In a recorded call with her brother, she blurted out, 'Elvis, why did you kill those girls?'

Fields denied the accusations to police, but Murphy said he asked them if he would get in trouble if his spit was found on the girls.

Brad Holder, the father of Abby's girlfriend and accused Odinist, was another person Allen's defense zeroed in on.

His ex-wife Amber Holder testified that Holder told her a third alleged cultist, Patrick Westfall, confessed to killing Abby - but she acknowledged Holder was drunk when he relayed the story to her.

She claimed he told her 'to keep my mouth shut and if I didn't, they'd kill me'.

Allen's lawyers, led by Bradley Rozzi, claimed his 60 confessions were the result of his degrading mental state due to being locked in solitary confinement

Amber told the court Holder had a special knife he used to cut his hands during Odinist rituals, which could be the murder weapon.

Former Rushville Police Department officer Todd Click, who helped with the investigation, told the court he believed the Odinist theory.

He said his theory was the girls interrupted a pagan ritual and were killed for it. He also believed Holder and Westfall were on the trail that day - but there was no 'smoking gun' physical evidence tying them to the crime scene.

Click told the court he was 'shocked and confused' when Allen was charged, and not any of the four alleged Odinists.

Holder was cleared by the main investigators based on an alibi of him clocking out of work at a landfill site half an hour from Delphi at 2.45pm, when the crime was believed to have ocurred at 2.30 to 3.30pm.

He then used a key fob to get into a gym in Logansport at 4.08pm.

Prosecutors asked Judge Fran Gull to throw out all testimony claiming the Odinists were responsible and ban the theory from the trial. She is yet to rule on this.

A CrimeNation documentary in February further claimed Libby was almost beheaded 'out of rage' and named yet another suspect.

The admission was seen in texts from someone on the scene that later leaked online, also claiming 'whoever did it targeted Libby for sure', and that the 14-year-old 'fought like hell.'

The documentary pointed to the man who owned the property where the girls were discovered, Ron Logan, with chilling new claims from his ex-girlfriend.

Logan, who died in January 2022 from Covid, was one of the first suspects investigators looked into, and he made several media appearances in the aftermath of the murders as they gained national attention.

Ron Logan, who owned the property where the teen girls were found, is claimed to be the true killer in the new documentary by his ex-girlfriend. He died from Covid-19 in January 2022

A key piece of evidence in the case was a grainy video found on Libby's phone of a man walking along the trail saying 'guys, down the hill'.

Police released the footage on February 22, 2017, and said the man in the video was the prime suspect.

When the video emerged, Logan appeared on Inside Edition to claim he didn't recognize the person or the voice from anyone he'd seen on his property.

But his ex-girlfriend Connie Dillman has claimed she is in no doubt it was Logan in the clips, and said she insisted to authorities her ex is the killer.

'That's your voice,' she said of Logan. 'I heard the voice of "down the hill" thousands of times. It's Ron Logan.'

Dillman said she began her six-year relationship with Logan after meeting him in a bar in Delphi, and they quickly bonded over their love of horses and the outdoors.

But she said their relationship went downhill before long, as he began controlling her everyday life and treating her like a 'sex tool.'

'When I didn't want to have sex, he forced it on me,' she said. 'I was helpless.'

She claimed one time that she tried to leave, he struck her across the head with a wrench, leaving her with seven stitches.

Shortly after ending their relationship, the murders of the two teen girls rocked the Delphi community and made national headlines - leading Dillman to be sure her former lover was the killer when she saw him on TV.

The last video taken on Libby's cellphone showed a man in a blue Carhartt jacket and jeans approaching the two teens

After the murders captured national attention, law enforcement came under fire for not releasing details of the crime, a factor they cited in wanting to keep control over the investigation and not release information only the killer would have known.

Amid the frustration for information, lurid text messages leaked online from someone at the crime scene, which the documentary claimed were shared by Abby's uncle, David Erskin.

The text read: 'Me and my other sisters boyfriend are the ones who found the girls Tuesday. Coroner's report stated everything was over by 3:30. No rape. Abby was dressed. Libby was nude.

'Libby's top half was covered with leafs (sic) and sticks, almost like they were trying to cover her.

'The only DNA would be from Libby's fingernails. She fought like hell. Whoever did it targeted Libby for sure and knew what they were doing with Abby. It was personal with Libby.'

An expert in the case added that there was 'talk of Libby almost being decapitated, which looks like it was done out of rage.'

Scrutiny has fallen on the investigation and arrest of Allen following his arrest, particularly due to the evidence produced in Allen's probable cause affidavit.

Logan was one of the first suspects to land on cops' radar following the murders, and his ex-girlfriend said he was physically and sexually violent with her

Logan's ex-girlfriend Connie Dillman (pictured) said after seeing her former lover on TV following the murders, she was left with no doubt that he was the true killer

In November 2022, the affidavit cited just a single piece of evidence linking Allen to the murders, an unspent shell casing from the scene.

The .40 round was found unfired within two feet of the girls, and analysis of the round found it was a match to Allen's firearm.

It is unclear how the round would have been cycled into the gun, never fired, then ended up between the two bodies.

Two weeks later, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that, shortly after Allen's arrest, one of his neighbors saw police digging in his yard to exhume his family's dead cat.

The feline's hair also proved to be a match to samples found on one of the victims.

The bombshell report also revealed investigators were looking into whether the girls were victims of a botched kidnapping plot by a local pedophile ring.

Sources close to the investigation claimed that Allen was acting with at least two other men and was involved in a child sex ring, and McLeland openly stated that he believes 'Allen is not the only actor involved in this'.
Insiders have revealed how Kamala Harris is likely to make the call for her running mate as well as who is influencing her decision.

The Vice President and her selection will embark on a battleground tour next week with stops in seven swing states from Pennsylvania to Nevada.

The short list of candidates reportedly includes Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.

Suggestions have been pouring in from all corners including the likes of former president Barack Obama, which will be taken into considering along with a thorough interview process CNN reports.

Harris' decision to kick off the tour in Pennsylvania has triggered speculation that her VP might be Shapiro. Her team insists she is still deciding, but a tweet from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker appeared to confirm he was the choice.

Insiders have revealed how Kamala Harris is likely to make the call for her running mate as well as who is influencing her decision

Part of that process has included video interviews conducted scheduled for Friday and Saturday, sources close to Harris told the New York Times.

Pages of documents submitted by each of the candidates have been collated by a group of lawyers led by former Attorney General Eric Holder and former White House counsel Dana Remus into briefing books, CNN reports.

They are currently being waded through by Harris along with the team who will support her VP which has already been selected and includes a former Biden aide.

Harris is also relying on Obama, who reportedly called her to deliver his assessment.

But advice has been flooding in from all corners, including from her government chief of staff Lorraine Voles or her brother-in-law Tony West or campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, who helped Biden pick Harris in 2020  has been weighing in with advice.

The influence of Harris' husband Doug Emhoff is also said to be heavily underestimated.

Harris reportedly values the way she was welcomed into president Joe Biden's family shortly after her selection and understands the importance of making a personal connection in addition to her typical pragmatic approach.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is said to be among the shortlist of candidates

He along with the likes of Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg (left) and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (right) are said to have submitted reams of documents which have been collated into briefing files for Harris

'I watched her relationship with Biden,' said former Louisiana congressman Cedric Richmond told CNN.

'You have to have somebody who, No. 1, shares values, but No. 2, that you have a rapport with  because they're going to be out running their own thing and doing their own thing, and you have to trust that they know you.'

Harris is also relying on public perceptions and has been conducting polling and focus groups to help gauge the temperature.

For their part, several of the possible VPs cleared their schedules ahead of the weekend in case Harris called.

They have also been doing all they can to remain in the public eye until a decision is made.

Shapiro told enthusiastic voters in suburban Philadelphia earlier this week that he believes Harris belongs in the White House.

He also reminded those who gathered of all his work as governor in the battleground state.

The Vice President and her selection will embark on a battleground tour next week with stops in seven swing states from Pennsylvania to Nevada

Former president Barack Obama reportedly called Harris to deliver his assessment and offer advice

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (left) and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (right) are reportedly among those who were expected to be summoned for video interviews with Harris

While Beshear told voters in Georgia that Harris has the makings of 'a great president' and highlighted the elections he's won as a Democrat.

However Representative Barbara Lee, a California Democrat and Harris ally, questioned if this would have much bearing on the final call.

'I don't think people talking publicly is going to sway her from her basic decision-making process,' she told the NYT.

According to campaign sources, who spoke with the Associated Press, Shapiro and Kelly are among the front-runners.

Harris, according to another person familiar with the matter, is seeking someone with executive experience who can also serve as a governing partner.
More than 30 beaches were forces to close down on Saturday in Massachusetts due to an excessive amount of bacteria in the water, making it a hazard for swimmers to beat the heat.

The closures span across the entire state from West Stockbridge to Boston and the Cape, according to the state's dashboard.

Most were shut down due to bacterial exceedance or a harmful cyanobacteria bloom, with 29 alone due to bacteria.

'If a beach is closed, do not swim or enter the water at that location to avoid risk of illness,' the dashboard said.

The state monitors around 1,100 public and semi-public beaches, according to Mass Live.

Despite not being able to swim, beachgoers can still enjoy the sandy oasis, as long as they don't step foot in the water.

More than 30 beaches were forces to close down on Saturday in Massachusetts due to an excessive amount of bacteria in the water, making it a hazard for swimmers to beat the heat

The closures span across the entire state from West Stockbridge to Boston and the Cape (pictured: Cape Cod Beach)

Those who risk swimming could end up with stomach and intestinal upset, diarrhea, and vomiting, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Many water-borne germs originate from human and animal feces, so the NIH recommends people avoid using the restroom in the water and to keep child and animal fecal matter away too.

Algae can also infect the water.

'If there are concerns with either the bacteria or other hazards, focus on other activities to do,' University of South Carolina's Dr. Dwayne Porter told NIH.

Dangerous bacteria can also lead to lethal sepsis, coma, limb amputation and death in worst-case scenarios.

Most were shut down due to bacterial exceedance or a harmful cyanobacteria bloom, with 29 alone due to bacteria (pictured: Clarksburg Lake)

Those who risk swimming could end up with stomach and intestinal upset, diarrhea, and vomiting (Pictured: Rutland Beach)

Dangerous bacteria can also lead to lethal sepsis, coma, limb amputation and death in worst-case scenarios. (Pictured: stock image of Cyanobacteria in water)

For instance, the deadly flesh-eating vibrio vulnificus bacteria has, over the past year, been detected at beaches up and down the Eastern seaboard; off the coast of Long Island, in Connecticut, at beaches and shellfish restaurants in Florida, and more.

This is because the rise of global temperatures, which raise water temperatures, has created a more hospitable environment for harmful bacteria, like vibrio and Staphylococcus aureus, allowing them to survive for longer periods of time in places theyve never lived before.

Massachusetts is just the latest state to experience higher levels of bacteria that have led to widespread closures of its beaches.

Earlier this week, several beaches in San Diego County were shuttered for the very same reason.

And just last week, more than 100 beaches across the entirety of the United States closed down as well.

In addition to California, the affected areas included coastline in Michigan and New York.
A British pensioner has been arrested in Spain after refusing to pay a 10,500 Ibiza restaurant bill.

The 77-year-old tourist was held along with five women all aged under 40 accompanying him at the table.

The group allegedly tried to get out of paying by claiming a seventh person they claimed had left a few minutes earlier had invited them to dine out.

It was not clear what the relationship between the group was. The restaurant has not been named.

A spokesman for Spain's National Police, which released pictures of the group including the Brit in a matching Hawaiian-style top and shorts confirmed the man was arrested with 'five women aged 24 to 39'.

The women were identified as two Argentinians, a Greek national and two Polish women only.

The man, pictured being taken into a police van, was arrested with five fellow diners

Police said they had been identified as 'the suspected authors of a crime of fraud for refusing to pay for dinner in a restaurant on the island'.

'The group dined out, consuming high-value meals and drinks, before refusing to pay the bill which came to nearly 12,300 euros (10,500).

Restaurant staff called police who questioned the employees when they arrived, police said.

'They told the officers the customers had alluded to a supposed invitation by a seventh person who according to the individuals had left ten minutes earlier and had reserved the table for them and also invited them to dinner.

'They continued to refuse to pay without offering any alternative explanation to their alleged pretend excuse to evade their responsibility.

'That led to their arrests.'

All six are understood to have already appeared before a judge, although it was not clear today what the outcome of the court appearance was.

They were arrested in the early hours of Thursday.

In May a husband and wife who had carried out a serial 'dine and dash' spree, targeting at least five different restaurants, were jailed in the UK for their crimes.

Father-of-six Bernard McDonagh, 41, and 39-year-old Ann McDonagh, were jailed for a total of 20 months after skipping almost 1,200 in food bills.

The married fraudsters had 43 fake identities - with 18 dates of birth - to help pull off their scams, it was revealed.

The pair faced justice at Swansea Crown Court Court, where they were condemned for their 'cynical and brazen' frauds targeting eateries across a 30-mile radius.

Their eat-and-run efforts cost businesses 1,168.10 - with the couple often ordering 'large amounts of food' including huge steaks, double desserts and extra drinks for their entire family.

The couple were ordered to pay compensation amounting to the total of their unpaid restaurant bills within 7 days.

File photo of Ibiza. The group are believed to have tried to leave without paying a hefty bill

A court heard the couple hit five restaurants across South Wales before they were finally caught after online appeals to track them down.

The brazen pair also ordered a slap-up Chinese takeaway delivery to their home before slamming the door in the courier's face and refusing to pay.

Ann McDonagh told probation workers she specifically targeted the restaurants for luxury meals because 'they were not something she could usually afford'.

The pair were finally caught after being captured on CCTV leaving a restaurant without paying after gorging themselves on T-bone steak and large helpings of tiramisu.

Owners of the Italian restaurant they targeted that time posted the video onto social media and it went viral with more than 12million views.
August 2, 2024: In 2014 the NATO alliance decided to set a two percent of GDP defense spending goal for members. This was in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine and seizure of Crimea and portions of two east Ukraine provinces. It was later revealed that Russia planned to absorb Ukraine into Russia. This was a violation of a basic United Nations rule that the territorial integrity of member nations must be respected. Russia maintained the tension in its occupied Ukrainian territories until it invaded Ukraine in early 2022. NATO had originally been formed for mutual protection from the Russian threat. In 2022 the Russians revealed that the threat was very real and could next be turned against NATO members in eastern Europe, starting with Poland and the three smaller Baltic States. In response Poland increased defense spending to over four percent of GDP and the Baltic States had a similar response. By 2024 the outcome of the Russian 2022 invasion of Ukraine was still unclear. One thing was obvious, the Russians werent winning and had taken such heavy losses that Russia had to improvise to maintain effective forces in Ukraine. Russia is no longer on the offensive and is trying to find a politically suitable way to end the war. Russian leader Putin complicates this by insisting that Russia keep the territories it conquered in 2014-2015.

The Ukraine War is now in its third year. Ukraine received enormous material support from NATO countries. This came in the form of over $100 billion in military and other aid. That number is increasing each year. Russia could only depend on North Korea and Iran for aid, which Russia had to pay for. China also offered economic aid, which also had to be paid for. The sanctioned Russian economy became weaker as the war in Ukraine continued. The Russian government was having a hard time explaining this to the Russian people who wondered why the Russian military, which existed to defend Russia from invasion, was instead being used to invade a neighbor and doing badly at it. So far Russia has suffered losses of over half a million soldiers dead, wounded, missing and surrendered. The surrenders are increasing, which is always a sign of bad morale.

Meanwhile NATO responded by urging members to meet the two percent of GDP defense spending rule to discourage Russia from invading anyone else. In 2024 NATO reported that non-United States NATO members will, on average, meet the two percent rule for the first time since 2014. Nearly all members have increased defense spending, Members closer to Russia, like Poland, the Baltic States and Germany, have exceeded the two percent requirement. Some NATO members considered the Ukrainian experience a warning that should be heeded and are planning to gradually increase spending through the 2030s until two percent or more was achieved. For many NATO nations this is politically difficult because after 1991 much of the defense spending was switched to social programs. This was popular with an older European population worried about how they would obtain the resources they needed to live a comfortable retirement. Elderly voters are a growing segment of the population in European countries. While the elderly fear the Russians, they also want to preserve their comfortable way of life. The two percent solution is a problem for them.

What is happening now, happened before. During the 1948-1991 Cold War between the Soviet Union and NATO, member nations spent an average of three percent on defense. After the Soviet Union collapsed and fell apart in 1991, NATO members saw an opportunity to reduce defense spending and apply the savings to other projects. This was called the peace dividend and it weakened the ability of many NATO nations to respond to renewed Russian aggression in Ukraine from 2014 to 2022 and now 2024. No one expected the Russians to undertake such a reckless war, which they could not afford. Russia later revealed that they believed Ukrainian resistance would quickly collapse within weeks or months, leaving Russia with an easy victory. Those easy victories rarely happen and Russia discovered how badly an invasion could be for them in Ukraine. As long as the war continues, Ukraine and NATO nations will have to continue supporting the war effort.

Russia is weakening and rather obviously looking for a way out. Russian leader Vladimir Putin refuses, so far, to implement the simplest solution and withdraw all Russian forces from Ukraine, including Crimea and portions of those two eastern provinces. Putin sees such a drastic solution as a threat to his continued rule. Thats probably correct but the more Putin delays taking this step, the more damage is done to the Russian economy and the patience of suffering Russian civilians.

The United States, which long provided the bulk of NATO defense spending, has been urging European nations to step up and pay for their own defense. The prosperous European nations can do this and the Americans are threatening to cut their defense spending devoted to NATO nations in order to force the issue.
Dozens of children aged under 10 have been referred to Scotlands controversial NHS gender clinic, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Two youngsters were under five-years-old when they were referred to the Sandyford Clinic in Glasgow.

In total, 53 children under 10-year-old have been referred to the Sandyford - the only facility for gender identity treatment for Scottish children.

Campaigners say they should never have been put forward by doctors or parents for gender assessment at such a young age.

The youngsters were directed by their GP, or as self-referrals, by themselves or their parents.

Glasgows controversial Sandyford Clinic

The shock figures - obtained under Freedom of Information by the Scottish Mail on Sunday - sparked concern among campaign groups.

They also come as a potential ban on referrals of under-7s to gender services in England is being considered.

Susan Smith, director of For Women Scotland, which campaigns for the rights of women and children, said: We were aware that young children were being referred but these figures are shocking.

We believe that it is dangerous to allow children, often vulnerable, to opt-in to this system as it stands.

One of the issues is that there are often co-morbidities, such as mental health issues, and that these children can have a lot of other things going on in their lives.

The other issues can be given insufficient regard in the first place or, once a child is put on the gender identity pathway, other issues are ignored or become secondary.

We would hope that we can have a proper conversation about how these children be managed in a holistic way. We have to ask if these children are being failed under the current system.

Stephanie Davies-Aria, of campaign group Transgender Trend, said: A problem is that parents are now interpreting a childs behaviour as meaning that their child is possibly trans and needs to go to a gender clinic.

In 99.9% of cases that child is not going to have any issue, and therefore it shows how much parents are being encouraged to think their child may be transgender based on ordinary behaviour which does not fit gender stereotypes.

It is worrying that parents are thinking that way when their child is so young and still developing, and hopefully the Sandyford clinic would reassure them that their childs behaviour is normal.

Figures obtained by this newspaper show referrals of those under 10 to the Sandyford include 37 self-referrals, understood to include referrals via their family, and a handful referred via their GP.

In addition, there was at least one child under five referred last year, as well as at least one under five in 2022 as well.

The precise figures for this age group are not disclosed by the Health Board as they are less than five in total and, therefore, to protect against potential patient identification.

It comes after we revealed in June that more than 1,000 children - those under the age of 18 - are waiting for gender change treatment on the NHS in Scotland.

The Sandyford, in Glasgows West End, now has more than 4,300 Scots on its waiting lists, a rise of more than 10 per cent on the previous year. Of that list, 1,018 are under 18.

The clinic said earlier this year that it had paused the prescribing of puberty blockers to new patients and pledged that under-18s would not get other gender hormone treatments.

That came after the Cass review of gender services for children in England found there was not enough evidence that puberty blockers are safe or effective.

There is also a proposal in England to introduce a minimum age threshold of 7 years for referral into their gender incongruence service.

Scottish Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher said: The increasing number of referrals to the Sandyford is a cause for concern and underlines why the pause on puberty blockers was necessary.

Vulnerable youngsters and their families need clarity from gender services in Scotland and SNP ministers should adopt the recommendations of the evidence-based Cass Report in full.

Findings in April by Dr Hilary Cass added to pressure on the NHS in Scotland to scrap the controversial practice of giving puberty blocking drugs to gender-questioning children.

Children are being referred to the clinic by their GP  or their own family

Stephanie Davies-Aria of campaign group Transgender Trend

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as NHS Lothian decided in March to defer putting new patients on hormone suppressants, after a similar move in England.

Then first minister Humza Yousaf said he did not believe there was a clear-cut case to justify shutting the Sandyford clinic, despite the closure of the similar Tavistock facility in London.

Research led by Dr Andreas Kyriakou, of the department of paediatric endocrinology at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, also found a disproportionate number of those attending the clinic had autistic traits, and that a third of patients had a diagnosis of a mental health disorder.

Other Gender Identity Clinics are located in Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh. The waiting list for a first appointment at the Sandyford currently stands at four years for under 18s and five years for adults.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which runs the Sandyford, said: We are committed to providing the best possible care for people accessing our gender services.

Although they may have been referred to the Sandyford service, pre-teenage patients will not be seen or assessed by our teams.

Anyone who seeks to engage with Sandyfords Gender Service must undergo a full assessment from a multi-disciplinary team.

We are continuing the process of contacting people to discuss any support needs that they may have and ensure that they are being met while they wait for their first Gender Service appointment.
A city dubbed America's richest retirement town is in uproar after residents had their gas shut off due to landslides - and they fear their electricity will be gone next.

The 135 homes in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California, had their gas lines shut down on Monday due to the 'accelerated land movements' causing 'significant strain on SoCalGas' infrastructure,' the gas company said in a press release.

Days later, residents were told by the Southern California Edison (SCE) that 'if conditions warrant,' they may lose their electricity too, a letter read.

'Over the past 18 months, there has been considerable land movement putting the utilities serving the area and your property at risk,' the letter said. 'SCE will continue to serve your community as long as it is safe to do so.'

'Its like a domino effect,' Portuguese Bend resident, Mike Hong, 65, told The Los Angeles Times. 'This could be devastating for us, financially and emotionally.'

The 135 homes in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California, (pictured) had their gas lines shut down on Monday due to the 'accelerated land movements' causing 'significant strain on SoCalGas' infrastructure'

Days later, residents were told by the Southern California Edison (SCE) that 'if conditions warrant,' they may lose their electricity too. 'Its like a domino effect,' Portuguese Bend resident, Mike Hong, 65, said

Hong, like many residents in the affected Portuguese Bend area, doesn't want to leave their homes and believes the utility companies are 'abandoning' them.

'Its not a private for-profit corporation, its a utility company,' Hong said. 'Their job is to serve the whole community. Gas and especially electricity and even more so water, if they go, then pretty much theyre abandoning our properties.'

Hong and his wife are currently cooking on a hot plate designed to be used in their camper after their gas was cut off. They're also looking to switch their appliances to propane, but he's quickly discovering it's not a cheap or easy process.

'Had we had some longer forewarning, we would have been able to do it,' he told The Times. 'Now, after the fact, were trying to catch up.'

Several residents in the area are also considering investing in solar power - another expensive fix - just to be able to hopefully stay in their homes long-term.

Although the electricity company doesn't currently have any immediate plans to shut off the electric, it has cited reasons why it would consider it in the future, including landslides 'causing power poles to lean and power lines to fail'

They 'encourage' residents to 'begin planning for the potential suspension of electric service'

Although the electricity company doesn't currently have any immediate plans to shut off the electric, it has cited reasons why it would consider it in the future, including landslides 'causing power poles to lean and power lines to fail,' it said in the letter.

'We recognize the impact the potential of discontinued service has, and we appreciate your understanding. We will make every effort to provide timely communications regarding any impact to your service, however, the dynamic conditions in the area may not allow for advance notification.

'Because of this, customers in the area are encouraged to begin planning for the potential suspension of electric service,' the letter read.

Rancho Palos Verdes City Manager, Ara Mihranian, pointed out that some essential functions need electricity in the area to function, including a leak detection system.

'So thats a concern, especially in the event of emergencies,' she told The Times.

'Their job is to serve the whole community. Gas and especially electricity and even more so water, if they go, then pretty much theyre abandoning our properties,' Hong added of the situation

Ranchos Palos Verdes was determined to be the richest retirement town. The median household income in the town, which is a suburb of Los Angeles, is $166,747

She said the town would need to order generators in order to continue in case electricity is pulled.

Hong is worried it won't just be electric next, but potentially water and he doesn't know how his family would survive without it.

'When the water goes out then its game over,' he said.

The California Water Service told The Times they don't have any plans to yank service from residents and that they 'continue to repair main leaks that occur due to the land movement.'

Huma Ahmed, who lives in the Seaview neighborhood and hasn't yet lost gas, said she's worried it's 'only a matter of time' before it affects her area too.

'But when does that go into effect is the question?' the 50-year-old questioned. 'We now need to have a Plan B.... Were thinking about it.'

Ranchos Palos Verdes was determined to be the richest retirement town by CNBC.

The median household income in the town, which is a suburb of Los Angeles, is $166,747, according to the outlet.

Around 11,000 - or 26 percent - of the town are made up by those over 65.
A nine-year-old girl is fighting for her life in hospital after a London bus smashed into both her and her five-year-old brother, as police revealed the bus driver has been arrested on suspicion of 'drug driving'.

The driver of the No 99 bus has been detained on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous and drug-driving following the incident in Bexleyheath, south east London, The Evening Standard reports.

The girl was rushed by ambulance to hospital, where she is being treated for 'life-threatening injuries'. Her brother was also taken to hospital as a precaution.

The siblings were accompanied by a family member at the time of the incident, which happened on Watling Street near the junction with Halcot Avenue.

Their family is receiving support from officers, and police cordons have been put in place as the incident scene is investigated.

A nine-year-old girl is fighting for her life in hospital after being run down by a London bus in Bexleyheath

The girl and her five-year-old brother have both been taken to hospital following the incident this morning on Watling Street near Halcot Avenue

Officers are appealing for witnesses of the collision, which occurred early on Saturday morning.

The incident involved a route 99 bus operated by Arriva London.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: 'At 09.05hrs on Saturday, 3 August, police were called to a bus in collision with two children on Watling Street near the junction with Halcot Avenue, Bexleyheath.

'A nine year-old girl was taken to hospital by ambulance. Her injuries are being treated as life-threatening.

'A five year-old boy was taken to hospital as a precaution.

A police cordon remains in place at the scene as police investigate the incident, as officers arrested the male bus driver, who remains in custody

'The children are siblings who were with a family member at the time of the collision. Officers are providing support to their family.

'The male driver of the bus was arrested. He has been taken into police custody where he remains.'

Rosie Trew, TfL's head of bus service delivery, said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the children involved in a bus collision in Bexley today.

'This will be a distressing time for their family and we have support available for anyone affected. We are supporting the police and the bus operator Arriva's urgent investigation into what happened.'

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 2309/03Aug.
They have been hailed as the ecological solution to Scotlands future energy needs.

But offshore wind farms could end up creating a new and severe threat to the environment.

For building turbines in the sea can allow harmful foreign species either to set up home in Scottish waters or spread more quickly through them  causing untold harm to the marine habitat, the seafood industry and the economy.

Although the Scottish Government has pledged to massively expand offshore wind power, its own experts admit the move risks an influx of exotically named invaders such as the brush-clawed shore crab, Japanese skeleton shrimp, Devils tongue weed and leathery sea squirt.

Invasive species are a threat to local wildlife  and can even lead to extinction events  as they often bring new diseases and disrupt the eco-system by out-competing for food.

There has been an explosion in wind farms off the Scottish coast

Among the most harmful imports which could be spread by the construction of more offshore wind farms is the American slipper limpet, a type of sea snail which can rapidly take over the seabed and decimate valuable populations of oysters and mussels.

The threat is being taken so seriously the government has announced it is racing to develop a biosecurity strategy to minimise risks to the countrys marine life from new offshore turbines.

Last night warnings were issued that the rush to renewables should not come at the cost of harming the environment.

Scotlands shellfish industry produces 10,000 tons of blue mussels and 300 tons of rock oysters a year  worth 35 million.

Nick Lake, chief executive of the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers, said producers were worried about the arrival of the slipper limpet in Scotland, as well as the Asian date mussel, American oyster drill and Japanese oyster drill.

He said: Shellfish farming is as green as it gets.

'These organisms simply feed on plankton in the sea; we dont put any chemicals out there.

'It has a low carbon footprint and low food miles  just look at all the packs of home-produced Scottish mussels and shellfish in your local supermarket.

It would be really ironic if trying to generate green energy through wind farms actually had a negative impact on that.

Campaign group Scotland Against Spin, which opposes the proliferation of inland wind turbines, said more research is needed before offshore power generation is ramped up.

Its chairman Graham Lang said: The impact on marine life of the industrialisation of the seabed is poorly researched and understood.

'Every care must be taken to ensure the expansion of offshore turbines does not come at a cost to the marine environment.

The Scottish Government has vowed to scale up the building of offshore wind farms as part of its plan to reach net zero by 2045.

Turbines can give species such as the American lobster (left) and orange sheath tunicate (right) a foothold

Hundreds of turbines are set to be built around the coastline  either floating or attached to the seabed.

However, experts from the governments Offshore Wind Directorate fear such constructions could lead to the arrival or spread of invasive non-native species.

One of the dangers is that new species are imported into an area in the water used in ballast tanks or attached to the hulls of ships.

Another major concern is that structures built onto the sea floor create new habitats for invaders and allow them to leapfrog more easily from one area to another. The government is now aiming to enhance biosecurity and is seeking expert advice on how to proceed.

Documents for the recruitment contract warn that non-native species are responsible for around 60 per cent of global extinctions.

The papers state: Offshore marine renewable devices can facilitate the spread of invasive non-native species (INNS) by providing new substrates for attachment in areas where it was otherwise impossible.

Man-made structures can act as stepping stones for INNS, allowing species to spread to areas previously impossible to reach.

The documents include a list of Marine INNS of Concern in Scotland cataloguing 23 types of aquatic plants and creatures such as the American lobster, compass sea squirt, orange sheath tunicate and the trumpet tubeworm.
British nationals in Lebanon have been told to 'leave now' amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as ministers warn the 'situation could deteriorate rapidly'.

Armed forces personnel are heading to the region to support embassies helping UK citizens, while Border Force has sent officers to aid consular operations, the Foreign Office said.

Meanwhile, consular experts have been drafted in to assist with planning and responding to queries from concerned Brits.

The Royal Air Force is also putting transport helicopters on stand-by, while landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Duncan are in the Mediterranean to help allies with humanitarian efforts.

Mr Lammy said: 'Tensions are high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

British nationals in Lebanon have been told to 'leave now' amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Pictured: Protestors burn an Israeli flag in Iran, which backs Hezbollah, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh earlier this week

Escalating crisis: Supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah protest the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah top commander Fuad Shukr, in Sidon, Lebanon, on Friday

A portrait of slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is displayed during a a demonstration denouncing his killing, in the Lebanese coastal city of Sidon on Friday

'While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear - leave now.

'A widening of this conflict is in nobody's interest - the consequences could be catastrophic.

'That's (why) we continue to call for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution.'

The Government is preparing for 'a range of possible conflict scenarios', the Foreign Office said.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'Our armed forces will always step up to support British citizens around the world and reinforce regional stability with their professionalism and bravery.

'As I told leaders in the Middle East this week, de-escalation must be the primary focus in the region and we are urging all to dial down tensions.

'There must be an end to the fighting, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and a diplomatic path to peace and security.'

The appeal follows visits by Mr Healey and Mr Lammy to Qatar and Lebanon earlier this week, with the two men urging a ceasefire, the release of hostages and an increase in aid to Palestine.

Both met Lebanese PM Najib Mikati on Thursday night in an attempt to calm heads amid escalating tensions over the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

He was killed in an air strike on the Iranian capital that has been attributed to Israel.

The Foreign Secretary's appeal follows visits by Defence Secretary John Healey and Mr Lammy to Qatar and Lebanon, where they met Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday night

Thousands engulf a truck carrying the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard in Tehran on Thursday

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads a prayer on Thursday over the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed over Mr Haniyeh's coffin during his funeral at Tehran University on Thursday while Iran's new president Masoud Pezeshkian stood next to him.

State television later showed the coffins placed in a truck and moved on the street toward Azadi Square in Tehran, and people throwing flowers at them.

Israel had pledged to kill Mr Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the group's October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

Iran supports Hamas, as well as Hezbollah and other Palestinian militant groups fighting Israel in Gaza.

Following his meeting with Lebanese officials, Mr Lammy posted to X: 'We must prevent further escalation in the Middle East and avoid miscalculation.'

He added: 'It is in no-one's interest for others to be drawn into this conflict.'

Mr Lammy and Mr Healey also visited Qatar on Wednesday to call for de-escalation of the fighting and to press for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said 'all parties' in the Middle East must avoid escalatory actions that could plunge the region into further conflict.

Tensions have increased on Israel's northern border with Lebanon after 12 children and teenagers from the Druze community were killed by a Hezbollah rocket attack in the Golan Heights.

Israel subsequently carried out an air strike on a suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut, which Tel Aviv said was targeting the Hezbollah commander responsible.
Ukraine has obliterated a 275million submarine prized by Putin in a missile strike on Russian-occupied Crimea.

The kilo-class vessel, named Rostov-on-Don, was hit during a huge missile barrage, Ukrainian forces confirmed.

The submarine, used to fire calibre class missiles into Ukraine, had been repaired from previous damage after being targeted in September last year.

Dramatic pictures last year showed a huge hole blown into the sub during Ukrainian strikes last year.

It was due to return to service when it was sunk by Ukrainian forces in Sevastopol on Friday night.

A prized kilo-class Russian submarine has been sunk by a missile strike, Ukrainian forces confirmed

The Rostov vessel was previously targeted by Ukrainian forces last September, when a huge hole was blown into its body

The sub was repaired and was due to return to service when it was struck again and sunk during sea trials

The strike is also believed to have hit Russian ultra-modern S400 air defence systems (pictured operating on Friday night)

The vessel was undertaking sea trials when it was struck by deadly US-built ATACMAS missiles.

Russian ultra-modern S-400 air systems worth 2billion were also 'significantly damaged' in the attack, the Sun reported.

The downing of the prized sub marks a large coup for Zelenskyy's forces, which also confirmed that the attack had hit four launchers for Putin's Triumf air defence system.

It comes after Russia suffered another major setback as two of its 170million warships were hit in a strike on Sevastopol.

The Yamal and the Azov landing ships were both struck in an onslaught of the Black Sea port.

Footage shows the major strikes on Sevastopol during the night. The strike comes days after Admiral Alexander Moiseev, 61, was made commander-in-chief of the Russian navy after the dictator abruptly fired previous incumbent

The Yamal and the Azov (pictured) landing ships, each worth 170 million, were both hit in the overnight onslaught while in Black Sea naval port Sevastopol, according to reports

The Yamal a Ropucha class landing ships would have a normal crew of 98

Image of the attack that took place last night on the city of Sevastopol, believed to be the heaviest bombardment of the city to date

British-made Storm Shadow missiles were thought to have been used in what was the largest bombardment of the Crimean port to date.

Ukrainian Telegram channel Pravda Gerashchenko announced: 'In occupied Sevastopol, the Ukrainian Defence Forces successfully hit the large landing ships Yamal and Azov, the Communications Centre and several infrastructure facilities of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.'

Both vessels are 369ft in length and were built in Gdansk, Poland during the Soviet era, but have since been modernised, and were believed to have a crew of 98 and 87 people respectively.

Complex plans are also underway to destroy a 3billion bridge joining annexed Crimea to Russia.
A major gym chain is being investigated by Missouri's Attorney General after it allowed a trans woman to use a female locker room.

Eris Montano, who has legally changed her gender, was accosted by a fellow gym goer whilst at the Ellisville Life Time fitness club on Monday.

A dispute has since ensued and police were ultimately involved, after someone filed a complaint on Friday morning, FirstAlert4 reports.

Following complaints by constituents, Rep. Justin Sparks called for an investigation and the matter has been picked up by Attorney General Andrew Bailey.

'While it might be considered fashionable in certain corporate boardrooms to pretend that biology is irrelevant, the American heartland still lives in reality,' Bailey said in a statement.

Life Time chain is being investigated by Missouri 's Attorney General after it allowed trans woman Eris Montano to use a female locker room

'Missourians recognize that allowing adult men to openly invade and disrobe in spaces set aside for women and young girls is indefensible and places political correctness above public safety.'

He confirmed he is 'issuing subpoenas' and that the gym faces potential criminal and civil liability for putting, 'Missouri's women and girls in harm's way'.

He stated that Montano's presence in the female locker room could be tantamount to criminal trespass.

Montano, 52, became the subject of a protest against the gym's trans inclusive policy after Sparks called a press conference demanding the investigation.

'We've decided to take a stand and ensure that the safety of our community comes first,' Sparks told the crowd.

However, counter protesters also showed up to offer their support.

Montano insists she was just exercising her right to exist in public and says she takes care to maintain her privacy and avoid conflict.

Montano, who has legally changed her gender, was accosted by a fellow gym goer whilst at the Ellisville facility on Monday

Rep. Justin Sparks (R-Wildwood) called a press conference after receiving complaints from constituents about the issue

Protesters and counter protesters showed up to the press conference

'There have been way more people in the locker room who have come up to me to give me hugs and tell me I belong there,' she said.

'People who think others would find nudity in locker rooms tantalizing are literally telling on themselves none of the rest of us get even slightly excited by that stuff,' she added in a post on X.

Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness said its policies were merely complicit with Missouri law.

'In this instance, the member presented a state-issued drivers' license identifying as female and, based on Missouri laws, we cannot deny or discriminate on the basis of sex,' a statement read.

'Therefore, the member is to use Life Time's women's locker room.'

Montana said she had also managed to work out a solution with lawmakers on Friday, without specifying what this is.

AG Attorney Andrew Bailey pledged to 'issue subpoenas' and said the gym could be criminal and civilly liable

Life Time said it was just following state law since Montano has legally changed gender

'Tonight I sat down with rural conservative Missourians and hashed out a solution to the locker room conundrum that should satisfy everyone who wants there to be an actual resolution (the idea was mostly theirs and I am SO grateful),' Montana wrote.

'I will never NOT believe in engagement and listening and I'm still going to demand justice from anyone who defamed me or misused their government position to deny my rights as a citizen.'

Ellisville Police confirmed it is investigating to determine if any crime had actually occurred.

Life Time has since responded to Bailey's letter, reiterating that it was following Missouri law.

The chain also pointed out that case law Bailey referred to in his letter was not comparable to the situation as it concerned a man who was not claiming to be a woman using a female restroom.

However, it did reveal it has since terminated Montano's membership over comments she made on social media.

'Life Time was presented with multiple, publicly available statements which we deemed could affect the safety and security at one this clubs,' a statement said.

'We swiftly took action and this individual is no longer a member of Life Time. Providing safe, secure environments is paramount for our team members, members and guests.

'Life Time will continue to operate our clubs in a safe and secure manner while following the Missouri laws in place to protect the human rights of individuals.'
A National Front sticker with a deadly razor blade hidden underneath has been discovered at a train station just 500 yards away from a primary school in Kent.

The sticker, emblazoned with the far-right group's logo on the front and the slogan 'Rights for Whites', had been attached to a light fitting at Dunton Green station, near to Sevenoaks, before it was discovered by a shocked commuter, The Mirror reports.

It was found on Monday, the same day as three young girls were killed and several injured during a fatal stabbing at a children's Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside.

The attack has incited a rise in far-right activity across the UK after online misinformation claimed the knifeman was a Muslim asylum seeker, including disorder and protests in Southport, Nottingham, Manchester and Blackpool among other cities.

Suspect Axel Rudakubana, 17, was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents.

A National Front sticker with a deadly razor blade hidden underneath has been discovered at Dunton Green station, near to Sevenoaks, Kent

The discovery comes amid a surge in far-right activity after online misinformation claimed the knifeman responsible for the deaths of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday was a Muslim asylum seeker. Pictured: Protesters gather in Liverpool on Saturday

Local authorities have warned the public of 'an increasing level of far right propaganda' in the village, but asked people to remain calm and vigilant.

Following the discovery of the sticker, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) warned people to 'take extreme care' and not to attempt to remove any that they find.

In a statement posted on social media, RMT said: 'It has been brought to our attention that dangerous stickers have been discovered at a railway station that, once removed, have razor blades stuck to them.

'Please take extreme care and do not attempt to remove them.'

PC Nick Hubbard told My Community Voice Kent: 'On Monday 29th July 2024, police were alerted to a concerning event near to Dunton Green train station.

'While it's important not to incite panic, it's crucial to raise awareness about this issue.

'I would urge everyone to remain vigilant. If you come across any 'hate-inspired stickers' in public places, please do not attempt to remove them yourself.

'The sticker in question was located near a school, highlighting the potential danger it posed.'

Chief Supt Chris Casey, Commander for British Transport Police and South East England, said the 'tactic' is one used previously by far-right groups.

'This is sadly a known tactic used by some extreme groups,' he said.

This is not the first time hidden razor blades have been found in Dunton Green.

In October 2021, razor blades were found under Nazi swastika stickers on a bus shelter close to the local school.

At the time, officers described the incident as 'disturbing' and said it was 'sheer luck' that a child had not been injured.

In other instances, razor blades have been found underneath anti-vax posters outside Covid vaccine centres and anti-5G posters pinned to telegraph poles.

Anyone with information or wishing to report a sticker can text the British Transport Police on 61016 or 0800 405 040.
A 71-year-old convicted rapist who has been on the run for 30 years was taken into custody after he was stopped by traffic police in Iowa for breaking a simple rule.

George Hartleroad was stopped by officers for not having a rear reflector on his bicycle in West Des Moines in June.

Video shows the bearded fugitive identify himself as 'Gregory Stallins' and tell the officer that he is homeless man living in Iowa since 1991 when they asked him for identification.

But suspecting that something may be wrong after realizing that the person behind Hartleroad's fake alias was dead, the officer found him again about 30 minutes later and began to question him further.

George Hartleroad, 71, a convicted rapist who has been on the run for 30 years was taken into custody after he was stopped by traffic police in Iowa for not having a rear reflector on his bicycle

'I don't want to arrest you for the stopping without a rear reflector because, like I told you, I stop people to let them know because I don't want it to be your fault when you get hit, but if I can't verify who you are and the info you did give me comes back to nobody,' the officer told Hartleroad.

'In fact, it comes back to other people. That's a bigger issue,' the cop added.

In the video, the officer then asks the fugitive whether he has any arrest warrants against his name and requests to see his driver's license.

But Hartleroad sticks to his claim that he's Stallins and say that he has not 'had a driver's license in years.'

Video shows the bearded fugitive identify himself as 'Gregory Stallins' and tell the officer that he is homeless man living in Iowa since 1991

During questioning, Hartleroad continues to claim that he is indeed his fake alias and say that he has not 'had a driver's license in years'.

The officer ultimately reveals that he knows Stallinsis dead and warns Hartleroad to tell the truth about his identity.

'Time to be honest with me, OK? So, the info you gave me comes back to a dead guy. Gregory Stallins is dead,' the officer can be heard threatening.

But Hartleroad refuses to give up his actual identity and continues to insist that he is Stallins.

'You're Gregory, you're just not dead?' the baffled officer asks.

'I'm not dead,' Hartleroad responds.

At one point, the cop asks him to remove his hat and glasses so he can get a picture for facial recognition which is when the fugitive admits to his real identity.

The officer then learned he had been wanted by authorities in Wisconsin since 1994 when he escaped from a halfway house.

'Time to be honest with me, OK? So, the info you gave me comes back to a dead guy. Gregory Stallins is dead,' the officer can be heard threatening.

According to the New York Post, Hartleroad was convicted of rape in 1983 and served five years in prison.

As the officers takes him in custody, he can be heard saying: 'I will jump again as soon as they turn me loose. Theyve been up in my ass for  41 years now on a 9-year sentence.'

Hartleroad is currently at the Dane County Jail in Madison, Wisconsin, according to inmate records.
If Ima the gorilla has seemed a little smug of late, perhaps it is not surprising. In a remarkable world first, he is the only zoo-born male gorilla ever to move to the jungle and father a baby with a wild-born female. In fact, he has done so twice  with different mothers.

Ima was born at conservationist Damian Aspinall's animal park in Kent but was relocated to Gabon, West Africa, in 2003, aged 18 months, to begin a new life.

After a year of gradual acclimatisation, the Western lowland gorilla  a critically endangered species  was released into the wild, where he roamed the tropical rainforests of Bateke Plateau National Park close to the border with the Republic of the Congo.

In 2021, Ima was first seen with two wild-born females  he had infiltrated another gorilla troop, or family, and stolen the Silverback's two daughters, Amvemande and Okeili, with whom he now lives in a little troop of his own.

To the delight of conservationists, both have recently given birth. One, the baby born to Okeili, can be identified by its unusual white fingertips, a quirk of pigmentation.

In a remarkable world first, Ima is the only zoo-born male gorilla ever to move to the jungle and father a baby with a wild-born female. In fact, he has done so twice  with different mothers

Ima pictured in a nappy at conservationist Damian Aspinall's animal park in Kent where he was born before he was relocated to Gabon, West Africa, in 2003, aged 18 months, to begin a new life

One of Ima's babies pictured with mother Okeili in the tropical rainforests of Bateke Plateau National Park

Ima is pictured with his other baby and second mother Amvemande roaming through the rainforest together

Victoria Aspinall, ex wife of wildlife conservationist Damian Aspinall, pictured meeting Ima in 2017 before his full release

Damian Aspinall and his ex wife Victoria pictured with Ima in the Gabon jungle

Conservationist Damian Aspinall said: 'This is a big event for me as I raised Ima and escorted him to Gabon'

Mr Aspinall said: 'It's taken this long to discover the births because males like Ima tend to keep new mothers and their offspring away from other gorillas or humans to protect them while the newborns are still vulnerable.

'This is a big event for me as I raised Ima and escorted him to Gabon. This is the first time a zoo-born gorilla has fathered a baby with a wild-born female.

'It is doubly impressive that he has done this twice with two females. This is a huge milestone and we're very proud. The conservation benefits are well documented  re-establishing a viable population of gorillas in a landscape where they had been locally extirpated and the restoration of the wildlife and ecological balance of the area.

'It brings me such joy to know that Ima and his descendants can have a life in the wild, rather than languishing in a zoo.'

Ima, the two mothers and their unnamed babies were captured by a camera trap last month, though scientists are yet to determine the infants' sex or exact age  they are believed to be around a year old  because they can't get close enough to study them.

The Aspinall Foundation has been reintroducing gorillas in Congo and Gabon for more than 30 years. In 2021, two zoo-born gorillas that the organisation relocated from Europe to Gabon together became the first zoo-born gorillas to have a baby in the wild.

Baby Ima cuddling up to a conservationist as he was released into the wild at 18-months-old

Ima pictured in the jungle in 2003 after being released from Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent

A female gorilla's choice of partner is related to the male's perceived ability to protect them and their infants.

Zoo-born males are often less comfortable in a forest environment than wild-born males and are therefore less appealing.

That hand-reared Ima was able to attract and impregnate not one but two females makes his achievement all the more remarkable.

It marks an extraordinary milestone for the 25st gorilla who was introduced to a group of wild orphans in Gabon at a young age to learn forest skills.

Ima was protected against bullying by his human carers and was gradually encouraged to fend for himself.

Over time, he adapted to different food and weather and learned the skills he needed to survive before being fully released.

Created in 2002, Bateke is managed by Agence Nationale Des Parcs Nationaux Du Gabon (ANPN), Gabon's national park agency.

'This is fantastic news,' said ANPN conservationist Hermann Yobo Nzengue. 'We will monitor this new group of gorillas very closely.'

One of Ima's babies on its mother Okeli's back pictured by a camera trap last month

Scientists are yet to determine the infants' sex or exact age because they can't get close enough to study them but they are believed to be around a year old

Ima, Amvemande and their baby captured roaming the jungle by a camera trap last month

The babies being born marks an extraordinary milestone for the 25st gorilla who was introduced to a group of wild orphans in Gabon at a young age to learn forest skills

Claire Willaume, country director for The Aspinall Foundation in Gabon, said: 'We are delighted with this happy news.

Ima is such a steady male and has overcome the inherent disadvantages of being born in the UK to win two females and start a new group of his own.

His parents were orphans themselves, so for him to thrive in their ancestral forests is wonderful, especially now that his offspring will be part of the story.'

Reintroducing animals to the wild is a vital tool for conservationists to 'turn back the clock' and undo the harm caused by humans to wildlife populations and nature, restoring ecological balance, enhancing the ability of ecosystems to help mitigate climate change, and preventing endangered species from becoming extinct.

As 'ecosystem engineers', gorillas play an essential role in maintaining the biodiversity in their forest habitats, spreading seeds and creating clearances for new plants to grow, which benefits many other creatures.

'Western lowland gorillas [like Ima] are critically endangered, but there are still an estimated 250,000 or more individuals living across their natural range, so this alone won't save the species,' said Mr Aspinall.

'Perhaps the only valid conservation goal zoos have is to successfully fine-tune the science of reintroduction in case there is a need in the future.'

Ima with a member of The Aspinall Foundation team being shown a photograph of himself with other baby gorillas on the lawn at Howletts Wild Animal Park, before he was relocated

Ima pictured sitting with one of The Aspinall Foundation team in 2003

Ima pictured amongst the bushes in Bateke Plateau National Park in 2017

The Aspinall Foundation has worked on other projects to release zoo-born and rescued animals, including eight black rhino, four cheetahs, more than 210 langurs and gibbons, 12 European bison, one brown hyena, one honey badger, 20 mandrill and 11 Przewalski horses in protected areas in countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, Indonesia, Cambodia, Mongolia and Romania.

The organisation also plans to fly a herd of 13 elephants, including three calves, together weighing more than 25 tons, on two Boeing 777 cargo aircraft 4,500 miles across the globe from Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent to live in the wild in Africa.

Transporting zoo-born animals vast distances and sending them out into new wild lives does have critics, given the risks of animal fatalities on the journey or while adapting to new environments, as well as the high financial cost.

But Mr Aspinall believes the births of two new gorillas strengthens the case for this work. He said: 'Reintroduction is recognised as a valuable conservation tool by nearly all serious conservation scientists, but it wasn't always so.

'When we began this project in the late 1980s, we were derided by many wildlife conservation organisations who said it was a waste of money.

'Many zoos still think reintroduction is a waste of time and animals should be kept in captivity just to "educate" people. This is a morally bankrupt argument in the age of the internet where anyone can find out about wildlife biology and behaviour.

'Zoos should be spearheading reintroductions and championing their ground-breaking benefits, such as habitat restoration.'
August 3, 2024: Russian threats to develop space-based weapons have united the major nations of the world against such efforts. The Russian threat, if carried out, could prevent anyone from using space based resources. This is seen as possible because Russian space efforts are currently inoperable. For example, the Russian GLONASS satellite navigation system is dying quickly. The problem is a familiar one, too many GLONASS satellites are ending their service lives, usually seven years, and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, does not have the money to replace the GLONASS satellites. The cash shortage means the program to build improved GLONASS satellites, like GLONASS-K, is dead. It would be the first GLONASS satellite that is unpressurized and weighs much less at 750 kg while also having a longer service life of ten years. The current GLONASS-M weighs 1,450 kg and has a service life of seven years.

Currently most of the 24 GLONASS satellites in service are past their seven year service lives and, as expected, operate erratically with some entirely out of service. Maintaining the worldwide GLONASS satellite network does not have a priority because Russian personal, commercial, and military satellite navigation users have long used satellite navigation equipment that contained GLONASS and American GPS receivers. This combination provides more accurate location information and a more reliable system because the two satellite systems contain about fifty satellites.

Keeping GLONASS active with a full constellation of 24 satellites with the latest technology is expensive and used to depend on a steady supply of high-tech components only available from the United States and its allies. Imports of those have been blocked since March 2022 by Western sanctions for Russias invasion of Ukraine. Recently China has also become a major supplier of electronics needed for navigation satellites. Russia has the option to buy the components it used to obtain from Western countries. Depending on China for components does not solve the fundamental problem that Russia does not have the money to maintain GLONASS.

Since the American GPS system began operating in 1993, several other similar systems have appeared. GLONASS went online in 2011 and the Chinese Beidou came online in 2020, at the same time as the European Galileo system. Creating and maintaining these global systems is expensive and only the United States and China have been able to finance continuous operation and upgrades. Galileo, which is paid for by a coalition of nations, has had problems getting coalition members to provide the needed funds. Russia tried to compete but ran out of money.

Multiple global positioning satellite systems increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of disruption of service. Multiple systems can also create problems involving spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination complications.

By 2020 it was believed that current anti-jamming efforts were sufficient to keep American military GPS use viable for a while. That was optimistic because improvements in GPS jamming and spoofing technology were introduced more rapidly than expected. Since GPS disruption it has become increasingly obvious that Russia has been regularly jamming or spoofing GPS signals. In the last five years there have been thousands of incidents where Russia has been jamming or spoofing satellite navigation signals used by the American GPS, Chinese Beidou, Europes Galileo and Russian GLONASS when used by foreigners. Most of this activity was not obvious jamming but the more difficult to detect spoofing. Russia used this to conceal the true location of key Russian government officials and Russian military units. The spoofing was particularly common for Russian military forces in Ukraine and Syria. Spoofing replaced the actual satellite signal with a false one that rendered smart bombs or planned attacks on targets inaccurate. Spoofing can introduce false signals gradually and sometimes delay a navigation system's realization that it is being deceived. Foiling the latter is an important function of INS (Inertial Navigation System), to act as a monitor for GPS as well as a backup.

Current INS tech relies on receiving an accurate GPS location initially and periodically thereafter to keep both GPS and INS location data in sync. GPS depends on continuous satellite signals to operate and the INS is only used to step in and replace GPS when its satellite signal becomes temporarily too weak, or absent. When an accurate GPS signal is achieved, INS goes back into standby mode. Spoofing can now mimic these momentary disruptions and evade detection as a false signal by the INS, which is completely self-contained. This is sometimes a problem for American guided weapons sent to Ukraine that do not have the latest anti-jamming tech installed.

American INS researchers are not the only ones seeking an INS that is accurate and persistent enough to replace GPS for extended periods. INS has long suffered from the inability to provide as accurate a location as satellite navigation systems as the gyroscope and acceleration capabilities now performed by microelectronics of the chip-based INS cannot maintain as continuously precise location as the space satellite-based system can. This is no longer seen as an insurmountable problem, nor is the large cost difference between GPS and INS tech. Israel apparently feels it is closer to a solution than anyone else.

Meanwhile, spoofing satellite navigation systems has become more popular and practical because it does not require expensive or high-tech equipment. While American weapons and military navigation systems have a backup in the form of unjammable INS systems, these are useless if the spoofing is not detected. American systems are supposed to detect spoofing and revert to INS, but the Americans do not disclose details of how these systems work in order to make it difficult for spoofing systems to be modified to be less detectable. That is one reason why the U.S. has not released detailed information on spoofing incidents because some of them may have evaded the INS spoofing detection tech.

To further complicate the issue there have also been instances where mandatory AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponders that all large ships must carry are more frequently reporting instances of getting no GPS signal at all. Large ships usually carry two AIS units, in case one malfunctions so AIS failure can be ruled out as a cause. Something outside the ship is manipulating the GPS signal. This demonstrates how it is possible to deceive the unjammable INS and new INS systems are sought that will eliminate that risk by replacing GPS most of the time.

The new INS technology has attracted a lot of attention in the military where backups are always appreciated because when equipment fails in combat, or for commercial users like aircraft or ships, its literally a matter of life or death. Meanwhile, the U.S. is building and testing more compact GPS anti-jamming systems for smaller 200 kg UAVs. This is part of a program to equip all American UAVs, even the smallest ones, with more secure GPS. While all UAVs can be flown by the operator, the GPS makes it a lot easier for the operator to keep track of exactly where his UAV is at all times, and sometimes the UAV is programmed to simply patrol between a series of GPS coordinates. If the GPS jams or fails, the operator can usually use the video feed to find landmarks on the ground and bring the UAV back to where it can be seen and landed. Other UAVs have a failsafe system for the GPS. When it is no longer available the UAV turns around and heads back in the general direction of the operator. This is better than just allowing the GPS-less UAV to keep flying randomly until it runs out of fuel and crashes somewhere,

GPS reliability threats are coming from a few suppliers like Russia, China, and North Korea. These nations have developed all manner of GPS jamming technology, and over the last decade it has become increasingly obvious that these nations were using new GPS spoofing technology to conceal the true location of senior personnel and mobile combat units.

Developers and users of GPS jamming gear tend to keep quiet about what they do because this sort of thing is illegal in peacetime, especially when civilians experience GPS disruptions themselves. When the United States tests military GPS jamming, it does so at sea or in remote areas and warns nearby civilians who might encounter GPS problems to be aware of the tests and act accordingly. This warning policy has been in use for decades because of the growing number of new electronic equipment designs that could cause problems for civilians if the disruptive effect extended farther than expected.

Other nations are not as secretive in complaining and often the culprit is Russia. In 2018 Finland and Norway went public with their accusations that Russia deliberately jammed GPS signals in northern Finland and Norway from a location near the Russian military bases in the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea. The jamming took place as NATO held its largest training exercise since the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia denied any responsibility even though they are known to possess long-range jammers for GPS and other signals. Norway said they had tracked the jammer to a specific location but, when Russia refused to admit any involvement, Norway refused to explain how they tracked the signal because that would provide Russia with information on Norwegian EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment that might be useful to them.

China is seeking to monetize its Beidou satellite navigation (satnav) system. Beidou is the Chinese version of American GPS. Beidou finally became fully operational, providing worldwide coverage, in January 2020. There are three competing systems: GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. The full Beidou network was open for business as a world-wide service in early 2020. The American GPS has been operational since 1978 while the Russian GLONASS achieved that status in 1995. Unfortunately, Russia had problems, mostly financial, in keeping GLONASS operational. The European Galileo became operational worldwide in 2020. Each of these systems cost about $10 billion to create and get into service. The American GPS cost $12 billion, mainly because it has been around for so long.

China is determined to do what none of the other three satnav systems have done; become profitable. China has not revealed how they expect to do that and the other three major satnav providers remain silent on the profitability issue. Currently the main reason for building a satnav system is national prestige and an alternative to dependence on the Americans, or any single satnav provider.

China has also invested heavily in trying to obtain favorable press coverage for Beidou and somehow establish it as a preferred satnav service. That has cost over half a billion dollars but has not created any acceptance of Beidou as a superior satnav provider. China has a long-range plan for Beidou that includes adding new features and somehow achieving market dominance by 2040. China likes to announce long range goals like this, then quietly forget about it when the promised future never arrives.

Meanwhile, Chinese state-controlled media have provided a global audience with unprecedented details of this Chinese technological effort. People got their first experience with Beidou in late 2012 when the first few satellites were made available to anyone with a Beidou receiver. China expected Beidou to become a major competitor for the existing global navigation systems, at least with civilian users. China made it clear its initial goal was to grab a major share of the satnav market from the original U.S GPS system and do it by 2030. Progress has been slow so far.

The reality is that China has had a difficult time getting Beidou fully operational. By 2020 worldwide Beidou service was available and the rest of the world was not impressed. Beidou incorporates the best features of the GLONASS and Galileo systems, as well as items planned for the next generation American GPS satellites. With all that, no one has found a way to make a profit, at least not directly. There are plenty of ideas but no one has yet turned any of those ideas into cash. Moreover, there are disputes between the Beidou, Galileo, and GLONASS organizations over who should use what frequencies. Since GPS got into service first no one is contesting the frequencies GPS uses, but the three other players have some problems.

The success of the original GPS satnav system has generated all this competition. But so far, these other efforts have found the work much more difficult than expected. A European consortium went forward with Galileo despite growing costs and technical problems. Initially Galileo was to be funded with private money. But the costs climbed beyond the most optimistic estimates of future income, so now Galileo is being paid for with tax dollars, as was GPS and the competing Russian and Chinese systems.

Galileo came about because the Europeans didn't like being dependent on an American system and didn't believe the Russians would be able to keep their GLONASS system viable. Galileo became operational because the European nations were purportedly willing to pay for a system that anyone could use without charge. Dual GPS and Galileo receivers cost about 20 percent more than GPS only receivers. Having two separate sets of signals makes for more reliable and accurate receivers. Also, the way Galileo is being set up will provide improved reliability in higher latitudes and in built-up areas.

GLONASS was at full strength in 1996, shortly after the Cold War ended. But the end of the Cold War in 1991 meant the end of the regular financing for GLONASS. Maintaining the system required launching replacement satellites every 5-7 years. By the end of 2002, only seven GLONASS satellites were still operational. However, the Russian economy recovered and provided funds for a series of launches in 2003 that increased the number of active satellites to twelve. That went to 18 by the end of 2007 and Russia had 24 GLONASS satellites in orbit by 2011 with the system again fully operational by 2012. As a result, GLONASS was the first real competitor for GPS. However, GLONASS was not completely functional until 2016 because of delays in building all the ground control stations.

The money for GLONASS is coming from a Russian government that does not want to be dependent on the American controlled GPS system. But the money is only there because of high oil prices. Most GLONASS receivers in use are actually combined GPS/GLONASS receivers. Russia will have to put billions of dollars into GLONASS over the next few years to keep the system fully operational and then spend even more money to maintain the satellite network. The costs of the Ukraine war are consuming the investment capital needed to maintain Russias civilian infrastructure, including GLONASS, its railroad system and oil production. GLONASS is widely used in conjunction with GPS. In other words, many systems, including cell phones that already used GPS, added GLONASS and Galileo to provide better coverage and fewer instances where the signal was unavailable.

Beidou is a more restricted system. Services available to anyone are less accurate than other systems but Beidou also has a more accurate military messaging mode that is only available to the Chinese and Pakistani military. China continues trying to monetize its GPS service, which really would make it unique compared to the others, but few nations are willing to pay for a military grade satnav service provided by China. It will take more than a multi-billion dollar propaganda effort to change global suspicion of Chinese motives and reliability in such matters.

One of the reasons why there are so many global positioning satellite systems is that they have both civilian and military applications. GPS was originally developed by the US Department of Defense to provide precise navigation and timing for its armed forces and allies. GPS also became widely used by civilians for various purposes, such as mapping, geocaching, tracking, and recreation. Similarly, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo have dual-use capabilities that can enhance the economic, scientific, and security interests of their respective countries or regions. For example, GLONASS can support Russian oil and gas exploration, Beidou can facilitate China's Belt and Road Initiative, and Galileo can improve European autonomy and resilience in the face of external threats or disruptions.

Use of multiple global positioning satellite systems can also increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of failures or attacks. Having too many systems can also pose challenges, such as spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination difficulties. Moreover, some countries may use their systems for strategic or political purposes, such as denying access to rivals or asserting territorial claims. Therefore, it is important to establish international norms and regulations for the peaceful and responsible use of global positioning satellite systems.
This is the dramatic moment police in Sunderland smash down the front door of a suspected rioter in Sunderland, following a night of horrendous violence in the city.

Northumbria Police today released footage of officers arriving at the home and dragging out a handcuffed woman suspected of taking part in the riots, which tore through Sunderland on Friday night.

Warrants were carried out in Sunderland city centre and an address in the Ford Estate area of the city.

Two people were arrested, including a woman aged 43 on suspicion of violent disorder and a man aged 55 on suspicion of provoking violence.

It brings the total number of people arrested to 12.

This is the dramatic moment police in Sunderland smashed down the front door of a suspected rioter in Sunderland, following a night of horrendous violence in the city

Northumbria Police today released footage of officers arriving at the home and dragging out a handcuffed woman suspected of taking part in the riots, which tore through Sunderland on Friday night

The other include a woman, aged 47, two men aged 47 and 41, and a male aged 16, all arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of provoking violence.

Two men, aged 34 and 27 were arrested on suspicion of burglary, two men, aged 61 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and one man aged 31 was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct.

The majority of those arrested are from the Sunderland area.

Police say more arrests are expected in coming days with a full investigation underway to identify anyone else responsible.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, who is area commander for Sunderland, said: 'Make no mistake, if you were involved last night expect to be met with the full force of the law.'

The arrests come in the wake of a night of 'unforgivable thuggery' that saw a police station and Citizen's Advice centre go up in flames, and several officers injured.

Sunderland is just one of many locations around the country that has seen rioting and unrest in the wake of the Southport stabbings, where three little girls were tragically killed.

The riots are thought to be triggered by misinformation spread online as to the identity of the teenager suspected of killing Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, was eventually named as the suspect in a bid to stop the chaos.

Sunderland woke up to carnage after riots tore through the city, as the clean up work begins with local residents and police starting to restore order. The burnt-out shell of a car that was torched in the riots last night is pictured

The burnt out interior of Sunderland Central Police Station today

The burnt remains of Sunderland Central Police Station this morning after the building was set on fire by rioters during violent protests last night

A smashed window is seen in Sunderland after the violent night of protests

Southport locals - including Elsie's mother - have desperately pleaded for the violence to stop to no avail.

More than 35 'Enough is Enough' demonstrations are planned across the UK this weekend, with several counter-protests by groups such as Unite Against Fascism and Stand Up to Racism also set to take place.

The Enough is Enough rallies have seen members of the far right among the protesters including one man with a swastika tattoo.

This morning, residents of Sunderland were confronted with the wreckage after it was besieged last night, when rioting yobs torched a police station and looted shops, as riot police were attacked with bricks and missiles by hooligans.

Yesterday evening, hundreds of people gathered in Keel Square in Sunderland, many of them draped in England flags.

Members of the crowd chanted in support of Tommy Robinson, while others shouted insults about Islam.

Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson speaks to the crowd of helpers as clean up work begins to restore order to the streets of Sunderland this morning

Police and residents are seen in Sunderland today, with damage seen in the background

A police car is parked near a cordon in Sunderland this morning after the riots

Mounted police followed the march, along with officers in vans who battled their way through traffic to keep up.

However, some protesters descended into violence, setting an overturned car on fire, while others targeted a mosque.

Videos posted on social media appeared to show a fire at a city centre police office, which was marked permanently closed on Google Maps and was no longer listed on a police station finder on Northumbria Police's website.

Police in protective gear came under sustained attack as rioters set off fire extinguishers on them on High West Street.

Riots have ignited in Sunderland in the aftermath of the stabbing in Southport

In a warning to organisers this weekend, Home Office minister Lord Hanson vowed 'we will be watching you' to prevent 'summer madness' from spreading, with police chiefs also warning those exploiting the nation's grief won't be tolerated.

Kelly Chequer, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, expressed her condolences to the victims of the Southport stabbings - before slamming those who ran riot in the streets.

'What we saw last night in Sunderland was nothing more than mindless violence and disorder led by a minority with an agenda of hate. what we saw was totally unacceptable.

'We know that sadly many of those in our city last night were not from here but came to cause chaos and stoke tensions and i want to make it clear that there is no place for these people. They are not welcome here.'

Four police officers have been hospitalised following the violence.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said: 'I can confirm that four officers were taken to hospital for treatment last night.

'Three received injuries as a direct result of the disorder.

'In addition, one of our mounted riders sustained serious injuries in an accident and is receiving treatment in hospital.'

He said a full investigation is now under way to identify those responsible.

'Make no mistake, if you were involved last night, expect to be met with the full force of the law,' he said.

He described the violent protests in Sunderland on Friday as 'unforgivable'.

He said: 'The shocking scenes we witnessed in Sunderland last night were appalling and completely unacceptable.

'During the course of the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence.

'This was not a protest - this was unforgivable violence and disorder.'

He condemned the 'attempt to drive division amongst us' and said 'we are committed to make sure that doesn't happen'.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 this morning, Sunderland MP Lewis Atkinson said he was 'really sad' about last night's mayhem and the 'racists [who] decided to turn up do not at all represent our city'.

He added: 'A night of idiots will not prevent us from building.'

Former police chief constable Sue Sim urged those who are considering joining the mayhem this weekend to 'think very carefully' before causing 'further pain and heartache' to the little girls' families.

Southport's MP also slammed the thugs for their actions, and branded them as 'disgusting extremists hijacking grief'.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those stoking the scenes of disorder 'do not represent Britain'.

She posted on X: 'Criminals attacking the police & stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence & thuggery.

'The police have the full backing of Government to take the strongest possible action & ensure they face the full force of the law.'
David Miliband has been handed an annual pay package of more than $1.25million (1million) by an aid charity heavily funded by British taxpayers  although it is cutting jobs and programmes after plunging into the red.

The ex-Labour Foreign Secretary's salary from the International Rescue Committee (IRC)  given at least 33million last year by the Government to alleviate poverty and assist refugees  is disclosed in data sent to US tax authorities.

It reveals that Mr Miliband  who hit out at 'immoral' fat-cats during his failed bid for the Labour leadership  collected $1,253,728 in 2022 as president and chief executive: almost six times more than Sir Keir Starmer is paid to run the country.

Although Mr Miliband's mega pay package included a $150,000 bonus, he has had to warn staff about the need for 'rigorous prioritisation of spending' after the charity suffered a $50million deficit this year due to accounting failures and overspending.

MPs have condemned his salary, with shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat saying: 'The IRC is meant to be there for people suffering from the impact of humanitarian crises, not enriching its boss. This is why successive UK governments have supported its work with millions from the aid budget.'

David Wright Miliband is the president and chief executive officer of the International Rescue Committee and a former British Labour Party politician

Madlin Sadler Chief Operating Officer at the International Rescue Committee who was also Mr Miliband's former special adviser in government

The Tory leadership contender said this 'outrageously large wage' was 'shocking', considering the IRC's financial woes. 'It needs to re-evaluate its choices and prioritise helping those in need rather than lining the pockets of its CEO.'

The tax data shows Mr Miliband's pay soared $111,314 over the previous year  with a housing allowance of $50,000. He is promoted also as a 'wonderful' conference speaker by booking agencies with fees starting at 25,000.

The charity's second highest paid staff member was chief operating officer Madlin Sadler, Mr Miliband's former special adviser in government who ran his botched leadership bid in 2010. Her salary package surged by $31,105 to $528,466.

Total cash pocketed by the ten top IRC executives was $5,209,634, fuelling fears that some charity chiefs are milking aid budgets while pleading for more funds from the public purse.

One senior IRC figure told the MoS it was 'demoralising' for staff to be led by someone earning 'a millionaire's salary' at a time when they face humanitarian pressures around the planet.

'This disparity is troubling as the organisation faces significant financial challenges and staff are at imminent risk of losing their jobs,' said the source.

Documents seen by this newspaper show the IRC  which the physicist Albert Einstein helped found in 1933 to support refugees fleeing Nazi Germany  faced a $50million deficit this year due to fund-raising shortfalls and cost over-runs, despite a $16.5million bequest.

The charity's revenue is $1.59billion although almost four-fifths is 'restricted' with spending set by donors.

International Rescue Committee President David Miliband and Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan attend the International Rescue Committee 2016 Rescue Dinner

Savings from a hiring freeze, salary reductions and cuts in 'field funding' have reduced the projected deficit on 'unrestricted' cash to between $37million and $42million.

Senior officials say they must 'manage the liquidity situation carefully'. One fiscal summary detailed the need for major cost reductions to balance their budget, saying: 'We are expecting this to result in significant layoffs.'

An IRC insider said their legal and human resources teams were 'figuring out all the legalities across countries' before sending out notices to staff in forthcoming weeks.

Mr Miliband has been given bonuses worth $400,000 over three successive tax filings. His predecessor, a theologian who left in 2013, earned $380,000 a year.

Mr Miliband circulated a letter to staff last October explaining the IRC's operating deficit, saying they were 'balancing strategic ambition with financial prudence' but an 'efficiency process' required 'rigorous prioritisation of spending'.

In March, he warned his leadership team they had found a 'larger deficit than anticipated'.

Three months ago, Sadler hosted a staff discussion with financial chief Martin Bratt, who confirmed they faced a $50million deficit and admitted 'multiple things' had gone wrong with accounting mistakes on fund-raising, double-counting of savings and higher costs.

In his March letter to senior colleagues, Mr Miliband bemoaned there had been 'no humanitarian emergency that has significantly buoyed our unrestricted incomes since the Russian invasion of Ukraine'.

Yet he has faced internal disquiet over the IRC's muted stance on Gaza. Insiders claim the charity's response has been restrained, amid rumours Mr Miliband wants Starmer to appoint him as Britain's ambassador to Washington.

One source said there was 'significant anger' in the charity, adding: 'There is a feeling our public messaging is driven by the personal and political ambitions of our chief executive. It is not in line with the IRC's humanitarian principles.'

Many felt dismayed by the charity's hesitancy to criticise Israel's invasion of Gaza, in contrast with its strong stand against Russia's attack on Ukraine, and a failure to stand alongside other humanitarian groups in its response.

A petition signed by nearly 1,700 staff spoke of 'profound concern' over the 'absence of prompt, resolute and non-discriminatory condemnation that we expected from our leadership'.

President of the International Rescue Committee David Miliband speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023

Passionate appeals for a stronger response have been posted on staff forums. 'Why is IRC so silent about the horrors in Gaza?' asked one worker last year.

'Why so much fear and political calculation around what we say?'

One senior figure from the Middle East region looked upset as she told a meeting that she could not understand the IRC's 'complicit stand', saying it was 'failing' both itself and Palestinians under attack.

'We are an organisation that prides itself on its intellectual rigour and we have failed to apply that to this crisis and we continue to fail the Palestinians as we manoeuvre this internally,' she said.

An email sent to top officials and country directors by Ciaran Donnelly, an IRC senior vice president, admitted: 'We have not gotten everything right, and for many, this has shaken your trust in the IRC.'

Three years ago, the IRC asked a law firm to review discrimination policies with claims of bullying from minority staff who accused the leadership of reinforcing a 'white supremacy culture'.

An IRC spokesman said Mr Miliband's salary was set by the US board of directors' compensation committee and he, along with other senior officials, had accepted a pay cut this year due to the deficit.

'Like every organisation in the humanitarian sector, we face rising costs, not just in our international programmes but also in the US where refugees face high and rising rents. We are determined not to compromise on the quality or scale of our programmes, and so continue to develop a deficit reduction plan that protects both.'

He added that under Mr Miliband's leadership the charity had grown 'from a $450million organisation to over $1.481billion, reaching more people than ever.'
Disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards faces being stripped of seven Bafta awards following his child sex abuse image conviction, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Bosses at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts last night branded Edwards' crimes 'abhorrent' and disclosed they are 'reviewing' a slew of awards won by the veteran broadcaster over 15 years.

It comes as the BBC faced mounting calls to claw back the 200,000 it paid the 62-year-old between his arrest last November and resignation in April.

One former governor voiced outrage that the BBC paid Edwards such a huge sum after his arrest, accusing it of 'bumbling bad management'.

'I don't understand why they continued to pay him. Possibly because senior managers are so grossly overpaid they didn't notice.'

Broadcaster Huw Edwards leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 31, 2024 in London, England. Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent pictures of children between 2020 and 2022, 37 images were shared on WhatsApp

Huw Edwards poses with BAFTA award in 2003. He faces being stripped of seven Bafta awards following his child sex abuse image conviction, the Mail on Sunday can reveal

Edwards was the BBC's Ten O'clock News anchor and was chosen to announce the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II to the nation

It came as the MoS can reveal:

An ex-BBC employee said it was 'well known' among staff in Cardiff, where Edwards often worked, that the presenter sent inappropriate messages to young men.

Insiders claim Edwards held a secret showdown meeting with a senior BBC boss in Cardiff five months after his arrest. The Corporation last night denied the claim.

The paedophile who sent him indecent pictures of children has been suspended from his job as a manager at a Wickes DIY store.

The BBC was plunged into crisis last week after Edwards pleaded guilty to multiple counts of possessing indecent images of children, including one as young as seven years old.

Seven of the 41 images sent to Edwards by Alex Williams, 25, of Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, were classed as the most serious type  known as category A.

There were questions this weekend over a flat listed in court documents as Edwards' new address, where he is believed to have moved after splitting from his wife Vicky and leaving the family home in Dulwich, south London.

A woman who answered the door at the flat in Wandsworth, south-west London, owned by a couple in Australia, told the MoS: 'He doesn't live here. He has never lived here.'

As one of the nation's most respected broadcasters, Edwards won multiple awards, including in his native Wales where he regularly hosted high-profile politics and history programmes.

News broadcaster Huw Edwards poses in the Awards Room with the News Coverage Award for coverage of the July 7, 2005

Bafta Cymru  the Welsh branch of Bafta  recognised his presenting skills with seven awards between 2002 and 2017.

The accolades included for presenting an hour-long documentary in 2017 on the 1966 Aberfan disaster and The Story of Wales, a major television history of the country, in 2013.

He also shared with other BBC colleagues UK-wide Bafta awards for the coverage of the 2012 royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the 2005 London bombings and the 2004 Madrid bombings.

Asked whether Edwards' individual awards would now be removed, a Bafta spokesman said: 'Like everyone in the industry and country we were shocked by the news this week. Given the seriousness of this abhorrent crime, we are reviewing.'

Media lawyer Mark Stephens said Bafta will have to strip Edwards of his awards: 'His reputation has been ruined. There is no way back. Bafta will not want any association with this at all.'

Professor Jonathan Shalit, a top showbusiness agent, said Edwards should 'most certainly have the Baftas rescinded', adding: 'A Bafta is the highest accolade that can be awarded to the creative titans of television and film.

'It has been received by some of the great names on the planet. It would be entirely inappropriate and a massive smirch on recipients past and future to be in the same company as Edwards.'

Edwards appeared in Westminster Magistrate Court this week where he admitted to having indecent images of children as young as seven after being sent them on WhatsApp

Court artist drawing of Edwards. The veteran news broadcaster pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, between December 2020 and August 2022 on Wednesday

Edwards' downfall began last July when it was alleged he had paid 35,000 to a teenager for explicit pictures.

The individual, now 21 but 17 when Edwards first allegedly started paying for pictures, this weekend said he felt 'groomed' by the disgraced newsreader.

Edwards, whose annual salary was 475,000, was suspended by the BBC and then arrested in November 2023 on suspicion of completely separate allegations related to child abuse images, although news of the arrest came to light only last week.

BBC Director General Tim Davie revealed he and other top bosses knew about the arrest, including 'the category of the potential offences'. The Corporation was, however, asked by police to keep the arrest 'confidential', he said.

Claims emerged last night that Edwards attended a heated meeting with a senior boss at the BBC's Cardiff headquarters on March 26  four months after his arrest.

One insider, who claimed to have witnessed the meeting, said the presenter was 'ranting and raving and shaking his fists'.

A second well-placed source said: 'Word went round that Edwards was in the building and in one of the fourth-floor management suites. People couldn't resist going to have a nose and he could be seen through the large glass windows.'

Before the scandal broke last year, Edwards was one of the BBC's most famous stars where he covered major events for BBC News including the Queen's death and King Charles's coronation (pictured: Edwards on the day the Queen died)

However, a spokesman last night said the BBC 'do not recognise any such meeting taking place', adding the manager said to be involved has denied ever meeting Edwards.

One former BBC employee said Edwards was known to bombard young men with messages when he visited Cardiff to front programmes for BBC Wales. 'It's very well known in Cardiff that he was messaging people. Among friends, pretty much everyone has had a message from Huw Edwards.'

Other ex-colleagues expressed shock at his conviction. 'I worked closely with Huw, but I had no inkling about any of this,' said one. 'He sometimes spoke of his depression, but that was it. I'm absolutely shocked by what I have heard this week. I knew his wife, and I feel bad for her and the family.'

The MoS last week established that Williams, a former student at Cardiff Metropolitan University, works in the city as a manager at Wickes.

He was suspended on Thursday after it was revealed he pleaded guilty to seven offences related to possessing and distributing indecent images and given a 12-month suspended jail term in March.

It is understood neither his employer or colleagues had any idea of his crimes. A Wickes spokesman said: 'We can confirm an individual has been suspended.'
A beloved airplane snack is disappearing from the in-flight menu as airlines fear it is too dangerous to serve mid-air.

Veronika Bondarenko, a reporter from the Miami Herald, said she was devastated to learn that her favorite mid-flight meal of instant noodles could be nixed as an option.

Airlines have determined that because instant noodles require pouring boiling water to activate the flavoring and create broth, the passenger and the flight attendant are at risk of being spilled on and burned during turbulence.

In fact, a steward told Bondarenko that she was not allowed to serve her favorite comfort food while the seatbelt sign was on.

While some airlines are being cautious about when to serve specific items, other's are getting rid of the option altogether.

A beloved airplane snack is disappearing from the in-flight menu as airlines fear it is too dangerous to serve mid-air

Airlines have determined that because instant noodles requires pouring boiling water to activate the flavoring and create broth, the passenger and the flight attendant are at risk of being spilled on and burned during turbulence

Korean Air, despite its long-standing partnership with Shin Ramyun noodles, has axed instant noodle service for economy class passengers to favor of passenger safety.

But for passengers with more room in business class, they will have the privilege of being served ramen noodles with or without the seatbelt sign turned on, especially since the flight attendants do not have to lean over two other people to pour the water.

Poll Have you been served instant noodles on a plane before? Yes No Have you been served instant noodles on a plane before? Yes 141 votes

No 1460 votes Now share your opinion





The decision to stop serving instant noodles was likely prompted by recent incidents of severe turbulence.

In May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to London encountered extreme turbulence, resulting in one fatality and over 100 injuries.

A similar incident occurred two months later on an Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay.

In fact, a scientific study suggests a link between climate change and increased air turbulence. The study found a 17% rise in turbulence incidents from 1970 to 2020, with projections indicating a further rise as climate change intensifies.

With this in mind, its more of a risk now to serve snacks that require pouring boiling hot water than ever before.

To back up their argument, Korean Air cited a 50% increase in incidents involving turbulence between 2019 and 2014 and is now offering safer alternatives to instant ramen, such as pizza and hot pockets.
An urgent search has been launched to find a mother and her six-month-old baby after the pair disappeared almost 48 hours ago.

Miriam Atukunzire, 37, and her baby boy were last seen at a property on Armstrong Road at Meadowbrook in Logan Reserve, south of Brisbane, at about 11am on Friday.

Ms Atukunzire made contact with family members about an hour later but has not been seen or heard from since.

NSW Police and Ms Atukunzire's family hold concerns for the pair's welfare as the disappearance is 'out of character'.

Ms Atukunzire is described as African in appearance, about 160cm tall, with dark hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black and white striped dress and a black trench coat.

Police are appealing for Ms Atukunzire or anyone with further information to contact police.
Prince Williams father, as Prince of Wales, relied on a retinue of staff, including four chefs, a butler, three valets, dressers, four assistants, and five house managers.

But domestic life for the current Prince and Princess of Wales could not be further removed from the Kings. While William and Kate employ daytime staff to manage their busy working schedules, after school, they prefer to raise their children alone.

That includes getting George, Charlotte and Louis to muck in with the chores. And giving a glimpse into life behind the royal veil, a source said last night: I think it would surprise people to see how ordinary things are at home.

'The children help with laying the table, clearing their plates when theyve finished eating and helping with tidying up. Theres no preferential treatment.

The royal couple decided two years ago that Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, the familys former live-in nanny, would not relocate with them when they moved to Windsor from Kensington Palace.

The Prince and Princess of Wales prefer to raise their children without employing staff at Windsor

George, Charlotte and Louis muck in with the chores, including laying the table and helping with tidying up

Rather than turning to any more help since her cancer diagnosis, Kate has been determined to make sure things carry on as normal for her children

During the princesss treatment and recovery from cancer, it has also emerged that rather than turn to hiring any more help, Kate has been determined to make sure her childrens home life is not disrupted and that things carry on as normal as possible in the house for them.

As a result, the children have not been given any special treatment and have been expected to carry on with their household jobs.

Evenings in their four-bedroom country bolthole Adelaide Cottage involve just themselves, taking turns to do the cooking.

The source said: Catherine is very, very natural. She keeps the family down to earth.

Home is a safe haven. In a bid to keep things functioning as smoothly as possible she has been keen for everything to carry on as normal for the children. The source added: The children are still expected do their chores and to muck in at home.

The princesss own upbringing is reflected in how she raises her brood  and is a far cry from husband William, whose mealtimes as a child were often spent with nannies

The Waleses attending a Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey last December

The Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children at Trooping the Colour in June

The princesss own upbringing is reflected in how she raises her brood  and is a far cry from husband William, whose mealtimes as a child were often spent with nannies.

The couple have a repertoire of dishes they enjoy cooking  from curries to teriyaki salmon  and when some help is required Kate can turn to her mother Carole for assistance.

The source added: She has a lovely supportive family to turn to, which helps. But she wants to show her children the importance of being grounded and in touch with people.

Meanwhile, the King is advertising for two more chefs to join the royal household at Buckingham Palace and at other royal households across the year.

He is seeking a sous chef and chef de partie, with the job advertisement that closes today reading: Experience in both volume catering and classical French cuisine would be advantages.
Donald Trump hurled another insult at Kamala Harris Friday, suggesting she does not know how to pronounce her own name and that she has a 'low IQ.'

'We're going to defeat crazy Kamala, Kamala,' Trump told an Atlanta rally, using a sing-song voice to pronounce the VP's name.

'You know there's about 19 different ways of saying it, she only likes three.

'Biden never even came close.. Hamala.'

Donald Trump addresses a crowd of supporters in Atlanta Saturday - where he heaped multiple digs on Kamala Harris

The 81 year-old president has never been heard mispronouncing Harris' name that way.

Turning to Harris' intelligence, Trump added: 'She happens to be a very low IQ individual.

'We don't need another low IQ individual.

'She is terrible, she's worse than (Biden). I don't feel sorry for him. He's a bad guy.'

Harris, seen Thursday, likes to pronounce her name three different ways, Trump claimed

Turning to Harris record, Trump claimed: 'She wants to ban fracking, she wants people to stop eating red meat, she wants to get rid of cows.'

The former president also claimed Harris had banned the words 'Merry Christmas.' In 2017, Harris scolded that Americans should not be allowed to say the phrase while Trump tried to crack down on illegal immigrants who came to the US as children.

Trump's insults came days after he said Harris 'happened to turn black' to appeal more to black voters.

Harris was born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father.

The former president's comments are said to have perturbed members of his own team, who are keen to attack Harris on her previous left-wing agenda.

Issuing a blood-curdling threat about what he claims are Harris' plans for the White House, Trump added: 'She destroyed San Francisco and then she destroyed the whole state. you'll end up in world war 3, I'm telling you.'
The Home Office's top civil servant has been given a 30,000 pay bump after presiding over record small-boat crossings and 'two-tier policing'.

Sir Matthew Rycroft, the permanent secretary, is accused of being 'rewarded for failure' as official documents reveal he received the increase on top of his 180,000-190,000 salary.

Last night he faced calls to give back his knighthood and bonus.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'The Home Office has spectacularly failed over migration, controlling borders, sorting out unrest.

'In any other job, the boss would be out on his ear, not receiving bonus payments.'

Sir Matthew Rycroft, the permanent secretary, is accused of being 'rewarded for failure' as official documents reveal he received the increase on top of his 180,000-190,000 salary

The Home Office said the bonus included 10,000 specifically for performance in the year to April as well as payment for unused holiday.

Reform MP Richard Tice said: 'Rycroft should have been fired for incompetence, not given a massive bonus equal to most people's yearly salary.

'On his watch, the Home Office has failed to stop the boats and failed to process applications promptly and effectively cost billions of pounds in extra taxpayer expense.'

The number of Home Office officials paid more than 150,000 has nearly trebled from eight to 22, the department's annual accounts published last week reveal.

UK Border Force boss Phil Douglas was also awarded a bonus of 15,000-20,000 last year on top of his 135,000 salary.

An inflatable dinghy carrying around 65 migrants crosses the English Channel on March 06, 2024 in Dover, England

MPs accused the Home Office of giving itself pay increases despite failing to control illegal immigration and process asylum claims. More than 15,000 illegal migrants have crossed the Channel on small boats so far this year, higher than the same period last year.

Sir Iain said the Home Office pay hikes were 'astonishing', adding: 'It is a byword for utter shambolic failure  not fit for the 21st century. There are record levels of unprocessed illegal asylum seekers, the failure to manage borders. People are very angry.

'Yet these people keep on failing and get rewarded.

'It's a culture  they are immune to criticism and they have become a law unto themselves.' A former Home Office source said: 'It is absolutely terrible timing.

'The public will understandably look at what's going on at the moment on the streets and say, 'Why is this guy getting a bonus, why have we got this number of people earning more than 150,000, when they donot deliver?'

The source added: 'Politicians have accountability. Rishi Sunak left office because the public didn't like what he was doing.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dungeness, Kent, onboard an RNLI Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel in August, 2022

'Where is the accountability for these officials? Why do we give them knighthoods and peerages? They have overseen erosion of trust in the police. There is a perception of two-tier policing, with certain marches getting treated one way and others treated differently. That feeling is there and it is real.

'These are people who spent years refusing any improvements on immigration and small boats. This is why the public are angry now. This is why they voted for Reform.

'The Civil Service says that they are not earning as much as [those in the] private sector. But that is why they get gongs  to compensate for lower pay.

'It's a complete lie to say they are not paid the market rate. And they have chosen public service. They should hand back their knighthoods.'

Another source said Sir Matthew was 'a nice guy but not a delivery, operational kind of guy who can get hold of complex problems'.

They added: 'He was a former Foreign Office official who does not really understand the legal detail. At the Home Office, that just doesn't work. You've got to be really hard-nosed.'

The source said the bonus was 'out of order, particularly when you consider [the Home Office's] poor delivery'.

Another source added: 'You will struggle to find a minister or former spad [special adviser] who has a good word to say about Matthew Rycroft.'

A spokesman for the Home Office said: 'Our senior civil servants work hard to implement the Home Office's priorities and protect our borders.

'It is important that we offer competitive salaries and bonuses to recruit, retain and motivate the best people, while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.'
Labour will 'put lives at risk' with new laws making it easier for public service staff to strike, it was claimed last night.

On Tuesday ministers are set to cave in to union demands and announce plans to repeal anti-strike legislation.

The measures will give a 'green light' for strikes across the NHS, schools, ambulance service, Border Force, rail and fire services, critics said.

Last night MPs and experts warned the measures could:

Leave A&Es 'empty' of staff and put NHS patients at 'serious risk of harm';

See holidays 'go up in smoke' amid border chaos

Grind trains to a halt and cost businesses billions.

Labour could 'put lives at risk' by making it easier for public service workers to strike

Ministers are set to cave in to union bosses and announce plans next week to repeal anti-strike legislation

Former Tory party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'Welcome back to the 1970s. The hardline Left are back. This is the beginning of radical change that will give power to the unions to strike at will.'

The Employment Rights Bill will scrap the requirement of 'minimum service levels' which the Tories brought in last year. The laws were meant to limit the impact of strikes by forcing unions to allow a standard of service.

Ministers are also looking to repeal the 2016 Trade Union Act which made it harder for unions to organise strikes  including requiring 40 per cent of members to approve action, limiting the frequency of industrial action and extending the notice period unions must give employers.

The government will also set out measures to boost workers' rights, including scrapping zero hours contracts and making access to sick pay and other benefits available from day one  and easing the rules on flexible working.

Leading cancer specialist Professor Karol Sikora said the plans to change strike laws 'could put the sickest patients at serious risk of harm'.

'The system is already broken from repeated strike action which has generated record waiting lists,' he said.

'Any delays inevitably mean patients get sicker and store up worse problems for later. While we try to prioritise the sickest, it's not always easy to tell who that's going to be. In a worst-case scenario, they die.'

He said that while it was not clear what the proposals might mean for emergency care, it was at least 'feasible' patients could see 'empty A&Es'.

The measures have been worked on by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

This week ministers will make clear that anti-strike powers will not be used, even before the legislation is repealed.

'We will express our desire not to use them', a government source said, in order to send a signal to rail companies and other firms.

Tory Matt Vickers, Shadow Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, said: 'What happens in the event of a fire service strike, for example? How would the public know what level of service is provided?'

The Government will make clear that existing anti-strike powers will not be used even before repealing the legislation

Last week Health Secretary Wes Streeting offered junior doctors a 22.3 per cent rise over two years in a bid to end repeated strikes they have staged since March 2023

Tory former Health Minister Neil O'Brien said: 'Other groups considering strikes see this as a green light to take action or up pay demands.

'If Border Force strike then that is your holiday going up in smoke and massive queues at airports.

'If teachers strike, parents could again find themselves having to stay home, losing much-needed income.'

Last week Health Secretary Wes Streeting offered junior doctors a 22.3 per cent rise over two years in a bid to end repeated strikes they have staged since March 2023.

But a leaked message from a member of the British Medical Association's junior doctors committee has said it is not enough and further strikes could happen 'within 12 months'. The speed at which the new government settled has emboldened GPs, who this week overwhelmingly voted for industrial action.

Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: 'If these laws are scrapped, we end up with hospitals worried about safe staffing levels for critical care, urgent appointments cancelled, wards closing at short notice and emergency care being compromised.'

A government source said the Tories' approach to 'try to act tough' on unions had not worked and led to 1.4 million cancelled NHS appointments and nurses striking for the first time in history.

A government spokesman said: 'The Strikes Act has only made negotiations harder.

'This government is committed to getting public services back on track and putting an end to strikes that impact people's day-to-day lives.
A savvy Generation Z investor has revealed why she plans to continue renting as property prices climb to even more unaffordable levels.

Milly Bannister, 26, said being obsessed with buying a home would only create more anxiety.

'It's this chronic swelling of anxiety, frustration and pressure - a shared experience of pure terror to be quite frank,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'Like a lot of the late Gen Z and early Millennial demographic, I'm frantically looking around me at peers who have managed to clutch onto a rung of the property ladder, some earlier than others, while constantly sharing the sentiment of, "Is it just going to keep going like this?"'

Ms Bannister said soaring property prices were stopping many young people from having the confidence to invest their savings and build future wealth.

'While there is so much uncertainty, mixed opinions and a constantly rising cost of living, it can feel really tricky to make any big money decisions,' she said.

Saving for a 20 per cent mortgage deposit now typically takes at least a decade, even for those earning an above-average salary.

To help her achieve that goal, Ms Bannister has turned to exchange traded funds, where investor returns are linked to an index of shares listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, turning $2,400 into more than $78,000 in less than a year with her contributions.

Generation Z entrepreneur Milly Bannister has revealed she would prefer to keep renting as property prices continued climbing to even more unaffordable levels

Milly Bannister, 26, said being obsessed with buying a home would only create more anxiety

'In the meantime, saving a pool of money for when you're ready and having it grow while you wait feels like the next best thing,' she said.

She now has a Stockspot account which keeps track of her share market and ETF investments - hoping to one day fund a mortgage deposit with these returns.

'I feel comfortable knowing I can draw funds from Stockspot if I need them to help fund a down deposit on a house, but ultimately I'd love to just let time and compound interest do its thing and retire smugly, thanking 26-year-old me for making such a bloody great call,' Ms Bannister said.

The founder of the youth mental health charity Allknd has been investing $300 to $500 a fortnight in her portfolio during the past year, and reports seeing 'very satisfying growth'.

This strategy has seen her turn an initial $2,400 deposit in September 2023 into $78,242.60, Stockspot figures provided to Daily Mail Australia showed.

But this included her making one-off deposits of $21,000 in May this year and $37,000 in December last year from her savings.

Her portfolio has achieved a total return of 8.85 per cent or $6,500 on top of her contributions.

Ms Bannister said investing in exchange-trade funds was a much better strategy than leaving money in the bank, admitting she was initially slow to embrace the smarter approach to investment after a friend suggested it to her.

'My investment goals are more around the long-term and so my Stockspot portfolio is really a replacement for the traditional savings account that sits dormant gathering dust,' she said.

Ms Bannister said expensive home prices were stopping many young people from having to confidence to invest their savings

'I had a friend recommend Stockspot to me and I felt like it was the right time to action this to-do list item that had stayed on the bottom of my priority list for a while, as it felt too big and tricky to do.

'I've heard female finance mentors say something along the lines of "the best time to invest is yesterday. The second best time to invest is today".

'That really sums it up. The resource is there, use it.'

During the past year, the ASX200 has climbed by 8.6 per cent, which is significantly higher than the 4.75 per cent return payable on a savings account with a major bank.

Australian house prices in the same period have risen by 8.4 per cent to an even more unaffordable $860,454, CoreLogic data showed.

This a beyond the $640,000 limit for an average-income earner on $98,218 buying property with a 20 per cent mortgage deposit, which means only couples with typical pay can afford a home.

CoreLogic calculated that someone earning a low, six-figure salary would still take more than a decade to save up for a 20 per cent mortgage deposit - making smart investments even more essential for those wanting to get into the property market.
August 3, 2024: Russia, the country with the longest arctic shoreline, has long been the largest producer and user of icebreaking ships. Currently there are 179 icebreakers in service worldwide, with 29 being built and 35 on order. This degree of activity not only replaces older icebreakers nearing retirement age but is also increasing the worldwide icebreaker fleet. Russia operates 85 icebreakers, the largest number of any nation.

While Russia is the largest builder and user of icebreakers, they owe much to Finland. Since World War II Finland has led the world in developing more efficient icebreaker designs. One icebreaker innovation Finland did not develop was the armed combat icebreaker. Russia has already built one armed icebreaker, the 9,000-ton Papanin, with two more under construction and another planned.

The Papanin began sea trials in July 2024 and is expected to join the Northern Fleet, near the Arctic Circle, by the end of 2024. Construction of the Papanin began in 2017. Armament consists of a 76mm gun, four 12.7mm machine-guns and two 30mm multi barrel Close In Weapons (CIWS) for defense against missiles or small surface vessels. There is also space onboard for Uran anti-ship and Kalibr land attack missiles.

The Papanins have a top speed of 33 kilometers an hour and a max range of 19,000 kilometers at a speed of 19 kilometers an hour. These ships are designed to break through ice up to 1.7 meters thick. Maximum endurance on internal fuel and crew supplies is 70 days. The ship crew is 60 with accommodations for another 50 specialists and observers. A helicopter is carried, with a hanger to shelter the helicopter from harsh Arctic weather. There are also two small Raptor class patrol boats that can carry 23 people or just the crew of three and over a ton of supplies or equipment. Some small drones can also be carried. There is room for adding sonar and anti-submarine torpedoes. Papanin is similar to current unarmed Norwegian and Canadian icebreakers.

Papanin is armed to protect traffic on the 5,600 kilometer long Russian Northern Sea Route that links East Asia with Northern Europe. This arctic sea lane passes along the exclusively Russian northern coast. Russia wants to maintain control of this corridor even though large parts of it are in international seas, outside Russian coastal waters. Russia also has several land bases along this route. These bases are controlled by the Russian Northern Fleet which has assigned over 10,000 troops, more than a hundred aircraft and several dozen warships and submarines to protect the Northern Sea Route.

As of 2024 the Northern Sea Route can accommodate over 500 merchant ships a year and that capacity is steadily increasing. Because of the ice and Arctic storms, this route can be treacherous. Safety is achieved if the Russians can maintain enough land bases and ports along the route to monitor weather and sea conditions and provide ports if commercial ships must seek temporary refuge. The Northern Sea Route cuts the time required by a third for ships carrying cargo between East Asia and Northern Europe. China and Russia are two major users of this route and Russia wants to increase the safety and security of this route to encourage heavier use. Russia does not charge a fee to use the Northern Sea Route even though Russia has spent billions of dollars to build and maintain this route.
You could spot him most days if you knew where to look. An angular figure pedalling his bicycle from one palace, where he lived, to another, where he worked.

Unassuming and anonymous in his cycle clips he may have been, but for 22 years Robert Fellowes knew more secrets about the Royal Family than perhaps anyone else in Britain.

As the late Queen Elizabeth's private secretary, he was at the epicentre of every crisis that engulfed her during the most perilous period of her reign, from the marital and domestic upheavals of her children, to the disasters and tragedies of the Windsor Castle fire and the death of Princess Diana.

Throughout it all, he remained a model of correctness and duty who appeared to have stepped from a gentler age. It was often said the Almighty must have been having fun making him related to the Queen's two troubled daughters-in-law  Diana, who was his wife Jane's sister, and Fergie, a cousin.

His enemies saddled him with a grouse-moor image and sneered at what they called his 'tweedy amateurism'.

Robert Fellowes, private secretary to Queen Elizabeth, with her late majesty

Robert with Prince Charles in 1993

But behind his owlish spectacles and frayed cuffs, Lord Fellowes, as he became on retirement from royal service, was a shrewd and effective aide who often displayed remarkable sang-froid.

That coolness under fire was put to a severe test when accused by Mohamed Al Fayed of masterminding the plot to 'murder' Diana and his son Dodi.

The former Harrods owner was convinced that the car crash in Paris in which the couple were killed was an MI6 assassination  and that Fellowes was involved.

He claimed that the Old Etonian courtier had helped co-ordinate the 'conspiracy' by commandeering a section of the British Embassy in Paris, from where he sent messages to GCHQ shortly before the fatal high-speed crash.

When he gave evidence at the High Court inquest into the princess's death, Fellowes said that far from being in the French capital on the night of the tragedy  August 31, 1997  he and his wife had visitors at their Norfolk home and had spent the evening in a Burnham Market church hall at a talk by Rumpole of the Bailey creator Sir John Mortimer.

Significantly, Fayed's lawyer did not challenge this account.

For all his old-world courtesies, Fellowes was also surprisingly tough. Shortly after Diana's death, the Queen and Prince Philip had been swept up in some undiplomatic exchanges on an official visit to Pakistan and India, thanks to the incompetence of the then-Labour government's foreign secretary Robin Cook.

A s the row escalated, India, which resented Cook's offer to mediate over the disputed territory of Kashmir, cancelled a speech the Queen was due to give at a banquet in Madras. In a pointed and rare public intervention, Fellowes declared: 'The Queen is here on the advice of ministers. She does not go out on a limb.'

The implication was clear  the fault for the accident-prone tour lay with Cook.

Obituaries of the peer who died on Monday  coincidentally the 43rd anniversary of Diana's wedding to Prince Charles  focused on his integrity, sharp mind and rigour and, especially, the tight-rope he navigated as brother-in-law to Diana.

But there were missteps, not least in his relationship with Prince Charles. After Diana's death, he was firmly of the view that the prince had to dump his then-mistress Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles if he ever hoped to take the throne.

Diana was a bridesmaid at Robert Fellowes's 1978 wedding to her sister Jane

It was to Fellowes that Charles's resolute rejection was made plain: Camilla, he said, was a 'non-negotiable' part of his life.

Figures from that time describe Fellowes as an 'immense hindrance' to the issue that was dividing Britain and threatening the monarchy.

'The problem with Robert was that while superficially charming, he could not see any issue from any perspective other than the Queen's,' recalled one adviser.

'A bigger brain might have allowed other views into the mix, but he never could. So problems just backed up and got worse, and it wasn't until he left and Robin Janvrin took over  a much cleverer and more open-minded person  that healing started.'

Another insider recalled: 'Robert was one of those who could never accept Camilla and who promoted the notion that Charles would have to finish with her if he was to make it to King. History shows how wrong he was.'

There were already tensions between the heir to the throne and his mother's most senior official. Amid the furore over the 1994 Jonathan Dimbleby interview of the prince (in which he admitted his affair with Camilla), Sir Robert Fellowes  as he was then  was invited to check facts in the manuscript of Dimbleby's biography of Charles for accuracy. But he was not shown the whole book, only those sections relating to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

Passages which suggested that the prince blamed many of his woes on the coldness of his distant parents infuriated Fellowes, as this embarrassed the Queen.

He was opposed to the whole project and believed it was responsible for the PR disasters that followed  and particularly Diana's own decision to go public in her now-infamous Panorama interview with Martin Bashir in 1995.

This was a particularly challenging moment for Fellowes as it forced him to put loyalty to the Crown over family ties. Despite Diana characterising him as one of 'the enemy', Fellowes never lost his affection for the young woman who was chief bridesmaid at his wedding to Lady Jane Spencer in 1978  and wished to think the best of her, even then.

Robert and Lady Jane Fellows attend the wedding of William Duckworth-Chad - Prince William's second cousin - and Lucy Greenwell in April 2011

When she called that November to tell him she had recorded an interview with the BBC one day in November, he innocently inquired: 'Oh, Children In Need?'

'No,' the princess responded, 'Panorama.' Fellowes, she later said, was momentarily silenced.

For all his guile and silky skills, his time in the Queen's office saw the popularity of the monarchy plunge from its Silver Jubilee peak in 1977  the year he joined as assistant private secretary  to a trough from which some thought it might never climb out.

There were three divorces, the Queen had to give up the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Civil List was slashed, she began paying income tax and a dangerous rift opened up between Buckingham Palace and the Prince of Wales's staff at St James's Palace.

Yet there was another side to his occasionally rigid formality: a belief that the historical facts about the monarchy should be known to posterity. This was to make him a central figure in one of the most private controversies to rock the Palace.

It involved the historian Kenneth Rose's 1983 biography of King George V, in which he disclosed that the Queen's grandfather refused asylum to his cousin, the deposed Tsar of Russia, who was later murdered with his wife and children by the Bolsheviks. When a proof of the book arrived at the Palace, there was fury that the King was painted as a man with the blood of his own cousin on his hands.

At the time, Fellowes was assistant to the then private secretary Sir Philip Moore, who wanted the relevant passages removed.

Fellowes argued that as long as the facts were 'incontrovertible', they should remain. When the manuscript was put before the Queen, she wrote across the top, 'Let him publish.'

With this, Fellowes, whose father Sir William 'Billy' Fellowes had been the Queen's land agent at Sandringham, impressed her as a man of judgment.

In later years she understood his anguish when the crisis over the Waleses became public, as did the princess's involvement in Andrew Morton's sensational 1992 book, Diana: Her True Story, which lifted the lid on her unhappy marriage.

Three times he asked his sister-in-law if she had collaborated with Morton, and three times she denied it. 'Certainly not,' she answered categorically.

Fellowes passed on her denial to Lord McGregor, chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, who condemned the 'odious exhibition of journalists dabbling their fingers in the stuff of other people's souls'.

When, three days later, it became clear he had been deceived, a horrified Fellowes offered his resignation to the Queen. She turned it down, just as she had when off-the-cuff remarks that the Duchess of York had been 'unsuitable for public life' and her behaviour 'foolish' had emerged.

In subsequent memoirs, both Fergie and her father Major Ron Ferguson attacked courtiers, including Fellowes, who undermined her. Fellowes, whose mother Jane Ferguson was Major Ron's aunt, was identified as 'Mr Z' in the duchess's account. In private she called him 'Bellows'.

But the rift with Diana that followed the publication of the Morton book was far more serious.

A family picture from the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace

Throughout the 1980s, Robert and his wife Jane had been the princess's crutch. Close neighbours at Kensington Palace (the Felloweses lived in the Old Barracks next-door to Diana's butler Paul Burrell) the sisters were constantly in and out of each other's homes. William and Harry were also close to their three Fellowes first cousins.

Jane and her husband were sympathetic listeners as Diana poured out her unhappiness with Charles. They came to conclude that the Prince of Wales should have treated her better.

Inevitably because of his absolute loyalty to his royal employer, the relationship with his sister-in-law soured. However, when a wave of near hysteria swept the country in the wake of the princess's death, Fellowes was among the loyal courtiers outraged by criticism that the Queen was somehow unfeeling by remaining in seclusion at Balmoral, instead of rushing back to London where there was mass mourning.

Nevertheless, he recognised there had to be visible concessions to public feeling. This led to the flag being lowered to half-mast over the Palace and the Queen brought forward her return to London before the funeral to meet the crowds outside her home.

He also wrote the speech the Queen delivered live from Buckingham Palace on the Six O'clock News on September 5.

Despite the omission of the word 'love' in the final draft it was a considered a tour de force thanks to the simple phrase that the monarch was speaking as 'your Queen and as a grandmother'.

It soon emerged that the word 'grandmother' had been inserted by 10 Downing Street, a contribution New Labour aides have crowed about ever since. Yet it was the fastidious Fellowes who persuaded traditionalists that representatives from Diana's charities should walk behind the gun carriage bearing her coffin, rather than the convention of soldiers and seamen.

Where Fellowes undoubtedly failed was allowing Tony Blair's government to cream off much credit that belonged to the Royal Family.

Robert Fellowes had had no training for the 'image battle' between warring royals, and family members caught up in it, that was unleashed during his Palace years. As he once put it himself: 'My life has been spent in quite a gilded cage.'

After Eton, he had taken a three-year short-service commission in the Scots Guards before becoming a discount broker in the City.

When he accepted the appointment to join the Palace in 1977, the Queen wittily remarked that he was 'the first private secretary I have cradled in my arms'.

This was because Fellowes had been born on the Sandringham estate when the then Princess Elizabeth was 15. Indeed, Fellowes later shared a nursery with Diana (and his wife Jane's) mother, Frances Shand Kydd.

At school he had been known as Bertie but that would never do at the Palace, where the Queen Mother pointed out that there was only one Bertie in the Royal Household  her late husband King George VI.

In a TV documentary marking the Queen's 40 years on the throne, Fellowes was filmed receiving a crisp 'you can come up now, Robert,' on an intercom from the Queen at the start of the day, when he brought her post in a basket in one hand and a government box of official documents in the other.

After the Windsor Castle fire in 1992, he was at the forefront of discussion which saw the Queen pay tax on her private income following a public outcry at the proposal that taxpayers should foot the bill for its repair.

Constitutionalists said he should have fought harder to keep the Royal Yacht. 'He let No 10 steamroller him,' was the view in London clubs at the time.

Others, however, insisted that Fellowes was playing the long game. 'He knew the public mood,' recalled a friend. 'His advice would have been to yield on this so she could fight the really big issues. Who knows, the state might have come after her palaces.'

However, in other areas of the Queen's life, his handling was not so nimble. It was at his encouragement that she sat for the notoriously difficult artist Lucian Freud. The finished painting divided critics. Some said it made her look like a rugby prop-forward, others impertinently suggested she more closely resembled one of her corgis.

When one looks back at his life, his years at the Palace were, of course, dominated by the battles with and about Diana. He was acutely aware that his position and loyalty to the Queen caused his own wife Jane great pain. After the Panorama interview he advised the Queen that there was no alternative to divorce.

But following her death, it was Fellowes who mooted the idea of restoring Diana's HRH style, which had been stripped from her.

He put the idea to his wife's family, the Spencers, when they were en route to the private burial at Althorp with William and Harry, following the princess's funeral. But by then it was too late and the gesture deemed inappropriate.

His relationship with the wayward princess was always complicated. But asked about Diana after her death, he said: 'I was deeply fond of her. She was a very good person.

'She found it difficult in life to find happiness, and I'm sad for people who have that situation.'
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If you have curly hair, you are going to want to keep reading.

I have type 3A curly hair (aka big ole ringlets!), and let me be the first to say that humidity is no friend of mine. Every curly girl knows that when it comes to keeping frizz at a minimum, it takes more than just a copious amount of products  the weather gods have to be on your side too.

Despite knowing how fussy my hair gets with the weather, I ventured to the Bahamas for a much-needed tropical vacation, and while packing, I was faced with anxiety I know all too well, What the heck am I going to do with my hair? Luckily, I packed my secret weapon, the Samnyte Wax Hair Stick.

Samnyte Wax Hair Stick Tame those unwanted baby hairs in one swoop with this viral wax stick that is designed to give you sleek looks all day long. Popular influencer Alix Earle is just one celebrity who swears by this TikTok viral find as much as we do. No matter what age you are or what hair type you have this is the perfect on-the-go hair tool. Shop

I found this little gem on Amazon for only $7.99 after seeing that influencer Alix Earle swore by it for her slicked-back buns. Though my hopes for it working on coiled curls were low, I was happily surprised to find that it was the Hail Mary my hair had been looking for.

Before & After: Night and day! My Type 3A curly hair almost never survives the tropics.

As I stepped off the plane into the sunny 85+ degree humid weather, my curls quickly began their temper tantrum, rising in volume by the second (ever seen a bouncy house inflate...?) As soon as I got to the hotel, I whipped out my Samnyte Wax Hair Stick, and with a bit of water and a few firm applications on both sides of my head, I looked yacht-ready.

The Samnyte Wax Hair Stick is designed to control frizz using powerful natural ingredients such as beeswax, Vitamin E, castor seed oil, and avocado oil. I was shocked by the sleekness that it delivered, with my hair glistening all day long.

While fine dining my hair looked the part and the best part is you never have to reapply.

While dining at the upscale famous Graycliff restaurant (where Jay-Z and Beyonce notably got privately engaged), I donned a slicked look that had me feeling, not only frizz-free but fabulous! But by far, my favorite part was that I could actively tell the multiple oils in the stick were nurturing my hair during wear.

If you still have doubts, I get it. So did I. The proof for me was the concrete hold I experienced while boating around the shores of the stunning island of Abaco. From the boat to the bikes and even my deep water dive, my hair quite literally did not move. It held its shine and made me actually feel excited to take pictures, unlike my typical vacation hair.

This wax stick held up against the craziest winds and highest heats for the entire week.

The final test for my hair on my Bahamian adventure was to keep calm while I performed a traditional Junkanoo (a traditional fast-paced dance). On the final evening of my trip, I joined locals at their homes through the Bahama's generous People-To-People program to engage in a traditional celebration, and lucky for me, my Samnyte Wax Hair Stick had my back.

Before & After: Even after hours of dancing the wax stick kept my hair flawless.

I was covered in sweat from head to toe by the end of the night, but despite that, I felt beautiful, tropical, and dare I say, incredibly chic because of how well my hair held up.

I do not lie when it comes to curly hair hacks, so believe me when I say that the Samnyte Wax Hair Stick single-handedly saved me from a lifetime of horrible vacation photos. If you are looking to tame your frizz, snag this bad boy off Amazon ASAP.
Thanks to its rich maritime history, the UK has over 430 harbours dotted around its coastline.

While not every harbour is a picturesque beauty spot, there are enough postcard-perfect places to satisfy even the fussiest of Instagrammers.

And here's our pick of the bunch - spots cute enough to be the focal point of a well-earned summer staycation, from lost-in-time Cornish gems to a fairytale village surrounded by rugged cliffs in Yorkshire and a colourful coastal hamlet in Scotland you may recognise from the TV.

Wales makes the list, too, with a harbour garlanded with jewel-like houses.

Which of these harbours do you harbour a desire to visit? Vote in our poll...

Tobermory

The colourful seaside town of Tobermory, pictured here, on Scotlands Isle of Mull has one of the countrys prettiest harbours

To reach Tobermory tourists can catch the ferry from Oban on the Scottish mainland

The colourful seaside town of Tobermory on Scotlands Isle of Mull has one of the countrys prettiest harbours. And will be instantly recognisable to many millennials (and their weary parents) as the setting of the popular BBC childrens show, Balamory.

Long before the TV fame era, in 1588, a Spanish Armada ship sank carrying a consignment of gold bullion is said to have sunk in the bay, according to Visit Scotland.

Tourists might not see any gold, but treasure hunters will find locally produced arts and crafts on Main Street and traditional whisky at the towns distillery. To reach Tobermory, tourists can catch the ferry from Oban on the Scottish mainland.

Lymington

Lymington, across the water from the Isle of Wight, has a very cute harbour and is an easy drive from Southampton or Bournemouth

Lymington, across the water from the Isle of Wight and set within the New Forest National Park, has an incredibly cute harbour  and the Georgian town is full of picturesque buildings.

Visit Hampshire says: Famous for its sailing history, there are two large marinas filled with fishing boats and yachts, as well as two sailing clubs. The towns narrow streets are lined with pretty period cottages and houses, as well as plenty of local pubs and restaurants.

The town, which lies on the River Solent, is an easy drive from Southampton or Bournemouth and has railway connections to Reading and London Waterloo.

Crail

'Charming cobbled streets tumble down to the miniature harbour in Crail,' says Visit Scotland

Its not hard to see why picturesque Crail is Scotlands most photographed harbour. Visit Scotland says: Charming cobbled streets tumble down to the miniature harbour, which is sheltered by cliffs and surrounded by historic fishing cottages.

Grab an ice-cream on the harbourfront or explore the towns pretty alleys (or wynds, as theyre known in Scotland).

The market town is so picture-perfect its even been recreated out of Lego and exhibited in miniature at Legoland, Denmark.

Situated on the East Neuk of Fife coast, Crail is an hour and a halfs drive from Edinburgh.

Mousehole

Often described as one of Cornwalls prettiest villages, Mousehole (pronounced Mow-zul) has a perfect harbour

Visit Cornwall says: [Mousehole's] picturesque harbour is surrounded by narrow streets and lichen covered houses'

Often described as one of Cornwalls prettiest villages, lost-in-time Mousehole (pronounced Mow-zul) has a perfect harbour, with views to St Michael's Mount and a pair of family friendly beaches.

Visit Cornwall says: Its picturesque harbour is surrounded by narrow streets and lichen covered houses, which huddle together creating a stunning location.

Mousehole's nearest train station is Penzance, where tourists can catch a bus to the village.

Blakeney

Blakeney is a popular place to go crabbing and children can try their hand at catching the crustaceans at the village harbour

Visit North Norfolk says of Blakeney (pictured): The village has pretty flint cottages, once home to local fishermen'

The cute harbour at pretty Blakeney was a fishing hub in medieval times and used to transport spices and Oriental cloth.

These days, visitors will see children crabbing and tourists setting off on seal-watching trips.

Visit North Norfolk says: The village has pretty flint cottages, once home to local fishermen, and there are plenty of places to eat and stay as well as pubs, gift shops and art galleries to visit.

The seaside spot is under an hour's drive from Norwich.

Staithes

Staithes is a popular weekend harbourside destination for holidaymakers looking to explore Yorkshires wild coastline

The Staithes Harbour Commission website says: This villages unique charm, with its huddled cottages, towering cliffs and choppy sea'

A village in North Yorkshire surrounded by rugged cliffs, Staithes was once a major fishing base.

Nowadays, its a popular weekend harbourside destination for holidaymakers looking to explore Yorkshires wild coastline.

The Staithes Harbour Commission website says: This villages unique charm, with its huddled cottages, towering cliffs and choppy sea, has long been a powerful draw for those interested in fine art, geology and getting back to nature.

The team adds that the villages higgledy-piggledy cottages and winding streets give it the air of being lost in time.

The nearest train station is in Whitby, where tourists can catch a bus to Staithes.

Aberaeron

The colourful houses surrounding Aberaerons harbour in Wales adorn the town like jewels

The colourful houses surrounding Aberaerons harbour adorn the town like jewels, says Visit Wales.

And it's not just easy on the eye - it's ideal for mooching around with its independent shops and craft centres.

Visit Wales recommends visiting a harbourside restaurant for fresh seafood, including local Carmarthenshire mussels.

The seaside town is just 25 minutes drive from Aberystwyth and is on the Wales Coast Path.

Lyme Regis

A popular Jurassic coast seaside resort, Lyme Regis has one of the UKs prettiest harbours, framed by The Cobb (pictured above)

Lyme Regis is a popular Jurassic coast seaside resort. Above - the town's colourful beach huts

A popular Jurassic coast seaside resort, Lyme Regis has one of the UKs prettiest harbours.

Located on the west of the town, Lyme Regis harbour is framed by The Cobb - a stone-built breakwater and jetty.

Visit Dorset says: The steps connecting the lower part of the Cobb to the upper part, are made from protruding stones known locally as "Grannys Teeth". The steps appear in Jane Austens novel Persuasion and are a featured location in the film adaptation of The French Lieutenants Woman.

Axminister train station is the closest hub to Lyme Regis, with connections to London Waterloo.

Portloe

Portloe (above) is considered the jewel in the crown of the Roseland peninsula, according to Cornwall Guide

The 20th-century poet Sir John Betejman once described Portloe as one of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages

In competition with Mousehole for the title of Cornwalls prettiest village, Portloe is considered the jewel in the crown of the Roseland peninsula, according to Cornwall Guide.

As was the case in much of Cornwall, Portloe was once frequently used by smugglers transporting French brandy - the most commonly smuggled contraband in the 18th century.

In the modern era, Portloe is much more likely to attract the attention of movie scouts and featured in Disneys Treasure Island and Channel 4s The Camomile Lawn. It's not hard to see why.

The 20th-century poet Sir John Betejman once described Portloe as one of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages and its secluded location means it has stayed that way.

Portloe is under an hour's drive from Falmouth or Newquay.
Nervous flyer?

Then you've probably wondered whether turbulence can damage the structure of a plane, what that unnerving falling sensation is after take-off and why engines can suddenly sound like they've stopped working at 37,000ft.

Keen for the explanations?

Former Virgin Atlantic captain and social media sensation 'Pete the Irish Pilot' revealed them all in a fascinating YouTube Q&A, along with answers to other questions such as 'what's the safest place to sit on a plane?' and 'are there any carriers you wouldn't fly with?'

Read on for fascinating insights from a veteran aviator.

Is it true pilots don't train for water landings?

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Pete, who has over 40 years of flying experience, says: 'It's not true. It's something that you do in your initial training. We do wet drills with the cabin crew... and in my day, every three years, you had to demonstrate that you could carry out a ditching procedure with the aircraft, obviously in the simulator, following an all-engine failure, where there was no airport to land at. So it definitely is trained and checked.'

What's the worst mechanical or electrical failure you've dealt with?

Pete, who before flying commercially flew fast jets in the RAF, says: 'I took off from Heathrow going to Miami on one occasion and got struck by lightning just over Windsor.

'We subsequently found out we had been hit 45 times. It took out all of the instrumentation - this was on an Airbus A340-600 - on the first officer's side.

'So, all I had were my primary displays on the left, but the aircraft's redundancy meant that we could still dump fuel off the Welsh coast and return to Heathrow, dodging the clouds like a Cessna 150.

'It's really amazing what you can do on an emergency squawk with air traffic - we were like kids in a sweet shop, having a great time, albeit with only 50 per cent of the flight deck working.'

Can severe turbulence lead to structural failure of the aircraft?

'Pete the Irish Pilot' has over 40 years flying experience

Pete says: 'No. The aircraft has been tested to many many times more than the load that severe turbulence will bring to bear on the airplane in flight. The professionalism and the airmanship of the operating crew will keep you away from any of the cumulus clouds, the big weather build-ups, the storms. So the airplane might bounce and bang around but believe me, it's a lot stronger than you could ever imagine.'

What's the safest place to sit on an airplane?

Pete says: 'Every seat is safe. Sitting by an exit? Probably better than being far away from an exit. In terms of comfort for minimising the effect of turbulence or aircraft movement - sit right by the centre of gravity, which is where the wings are. So overwing exits is the answer to your question.'

Ever had a flight where you felt things might go to s***?

To the question asker, Pete says: 'No, I've never had a flight where I think it's going to go the way you've suggested in your question.

'I've had some where I feel as if I've earned my daily wage and other situations where, because the training can't cover everything, I've had to think long and hard and outside the box to find a solution, but I've never thought that it's all going to go down the pan.

'There's always a solution.'

Ever landed in 10 minutes when the cockpit crew say 'cabin crew, that's 10 minutes to landing'?

Pete says: 'Where I worked [Virgin Atlantic], we didn't have a 10-minute-to-landing call. I think that's more short-haul than long-haul.'

Any airlines you would choose not to fly with and why?

Planes have 'been tested way beyond the limits that you would experience in a normal flight'

Pete says: 'I would prefer not to travel with some of the lower cost carriers in Asia and South America and Europe.

'I'm not a fan of Ryanair. I don't mind easyJet at all. Good operation. Do I like BA? No I don't. Do I like Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates?

'Yeah, I do.

'Given the number of carriers in the world, that's an incredibly difficult question to answer.'

I'm terrified of the 'dropping' you get during turbulence...

Turbulence 'doesn't mean the airplane is going to fall out the sky'

Pete says: 'Don't be anxious. The airplane is obviously flying through air, but the air that it is travelling through is also moving and it has ripples in it. Like the surface of a road, you can get a pothole, you can get a pocket of air, and that's largely the cause of what you've experienced.

'It doesn't mean the airplane is going to fall out the sky, the wings are not going to fall off, the engines are not going to stop, the pilots are not going to lose control of the airplane.

'I heartily recommend you chill and let the airplane do its thing. It's been tested way beyond the limits that you would experience in a normal flight.

'[Planes] remain the safest mode of transport in the world.'

Why would not putting my phone into airplane mode affect the aircraft negatively?

Pete says: 'I have not seen any evidence supporting the need to turn off phones or put them into airplane mode. However, it's something that is globally mandated by all the aviation authorities.

'It errs on the side of safety, so one shouldn't complain. And what the hell if you can't get an email for a few hours.'

Mid-flight at 37,000ft, suddenly the engines sound like they have been switched off and it sounds like you're about to conk...

Pete says: 'I can assure you, you're not about to conk. It could have been a rush in the air conditioning system and that surge has backed off and you've perceived that incorrectly as the engines reducing or stopping. I can assure you that's not the case.

'Engines do have to increase and decrease their thrust to maintain the speed if it's flying in turbulence or for other factors.

'It's a bit like when you drive a motor car, you push the accelerator and take your foot off the accelerator... but you're not going to conk.'

What is the falling sensation right after take-off?

Pete says: 'Your question I think refers to the thrust reduction after take-off. There comes a point in the climb out from the runway where, about 1,500ft above the ground, the handling pilot will bring the thrust levers back to a lower setting and, in order to accelerate, they need to lower the nose of the aircraft, so it's going from quite steep to less steep, but it's still climbing... you may have incorrectly perceived that as a feeling of "oh we're going down". You're just going up less steeply.

'No need to be anxious.'

Are low-cost airlines to be avoided?

Pete says: 'Absolutely not.'

For more from Pete the Irish Pilot, visit his Instagram profile at www.instagram.com/petetheirishpilot/ and his YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/@PetetheIrishPilot.
A disfigured nurse says Southwest Airlines kicked her off a flight because of non-cancerous tumors that grow on her face and body.

Briana Solari was booted off a flight from Burbank-Hollywood Airport in LA to her home in Sacramento shortly after surgery to reduce the growths Thursday evening. The procedure left her with visible red scarring.

Solari's tumors are caused by condition called neurofibromatosis (NF) that makes the growths appear over nerve-endings.

She told KCRA that a Southwest flight attendant strutted up to her after she'd boarded and asked her to come back to the gate.

'I exited the airplane, and they said, "Well, there's been some concerns. Do you have any, you know, any medical conditions, diseases?" And I said, "No, I had surgery."

Briana Solari, pictured, was booted off a Southwest flight from Burbank to Sacramento over flight attendants' fears that non-cancerous tumors on her face may have been contagious

'That's really none of their business what's going on, but I said, "No, I had surgery," and they said, "Okay," so then he got on the telephone with somebody.'

Solari says the flight attendant called a Southwest-contracted doctor who she'd never been examined by.

Southwest staff refused to let her speak to the medic to try and explain her condition, Solari said.

The drama caused the nurse to miss her flight home and left her feeling deeply upset about a health condition which sees people make unkind remarks.

She said: 'Humiliated, embarrassed, ashamed?

Solari says living with her condition, called neurofibromatosis, is distressing - and that the behavior of Southwest staff caused her further anguish

The nurse has been given a total of $545 in vouchers from Southwest - but never wants to fly the airline again and is now planning to sue

'It's already hard enough. It's already difficult enough with this condition because I did have some visible tumors on my face and my arms, and people would comment.

'It's really hard to quantify what it's like to be singled out for a medical condition, for how you look. Something that I really can't help. And I did try to cover up as best I could.'

Solari was eventually able to fly home with Southwest on a later flight after being forced to obtain a letter from her surgeon confirming that her condition was not contagious.

Southwest gave Solari a $500 flight voucher and $45 meal voucher.

But she was so disgusted by the experience that she has vowed never to set foot on one of their planes again. She also plans to sue.

Solari said: 'I don't think I'll ever fly them again. I think this could have been handled much more professionally.

'They should have waited until they had all of the information before making a decision that ultimately impacted my day, my flight, my traveling, and my overall perspective on Southwest has changed

'This is absolutely discrimination! Violating my medical privacy.

'They don't have to know I just said I had surgery, and that should be it. They shouldn't be prying into my private medical information.'

A Southwest spokesman told DailyMail.com: 'We are disheartened to learn of the Customers experience flying with and extend our deepest apologies for the inconvenience.

'Even though our Team ultimately received clearance for the Customer to travel, we werent able to do so in time for the flights departure.

'We rebooked her on a later flight, offered a travel voucher for a future flight along with a meal voucher, and were following up with her directly to discuss the situation.'
George Clooney threw his support behind Kamala Harris for president just two weeks after turning on President Joe Biden by writing a scathing op-ed urging him to drop out.

Last month, the 63-year-old actor and husband of prominent international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, 46, thanked President Biden, 81, for 'saving democracy' as he endorsed his vice president.

Clooney stated that he was excited for Harris, 59, and her 'historic quest' to win the upcoming election.

Now sources within the Democratic Party tell DailyMail.com Clooney's recent involvement in the presidential race is part of a 'calculated' effort to put himself in line for a future White House run.

'His endorsement of Kamala was definitely calculated. George is contemplating a future run for president and he has the support of one of the most powerful Democrats in the world, Barack Obama.

'He has his scope set on a possible run for a Senate seat in 2026 and will undoubtedly continue to gain respect within the Democratic party,' the insider said.

George Clooney, 63, is 'contemplating a run for President,' DailyMail.com has learned. Two weeks ago, he urged President Joe Biden, 81 (seen together here) to drop out of the running

The Ocean's 11 actor's vocal support of Harris came after he penned a scathing op-ed in the New York Times urging Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump, 78.

'There was a massive push amongst the Democrats to get Biden out of the race. George flicked the domino, which launched him into a different political spectrum,' the government insider revealed.

In the past, Biden honored Clooney for his support, hosting him at the White House for the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2022.

Clooney has since become a force in the Democratic Party, raising millions for its candidates. He's seen as an influential voice in American politics.

Clooney's involvement in humanitarian efforts started in 2006 when George addressed the United Nations Security Council after visiting the drought-stricken Darfur region of Sudan. In 2007 he was awarded the 2007 Peace Summit Award. '

Clooney endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, 59 (pictured campaigning) last month after the Democratic candidate raised a record-breaking $81 million in 24 hours

George (alongside his wife Amal Clooney, 46) has become a force in the Democratic party, raising millions for candidates over the years

In 2010, George teamed up with the United Nations, Harvard University, and Google to launch the Satellite Sentinel Project.

This allows private satellites to photograph political threats to civilians and detect bombs. For this he was awarded the 2010 Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award.

In 2012, George and his dad demonstrated in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington D.C., to bring worldwide attention to the human rights violations in Sudan.

In 2016 George and his wife Amal started the Clooney Foundation for Justice, an organization to put an end to human rights abuses worldwide, with programs dedicated to fighting systemic injustice against vulnerable communities.

The foundation was showcased at the 2016 United Nations Summit hosted by former president Obama.

Over the years, the Oscar winning actor has testified before Congress and worked with two Secretaries of State, dozens of Senators and U.S. Presidents - forming an especially close relationship with Barack and Michelle Obama.

The political insider told DailyMail.com that the strong bond formed between George and Obama has helped push him into the political spotlight.

'Obama's backing for George is evidence that Clooney is being groomed for a future in politics.

'Everyone recognizes the power and pull that George has, especially with Amal by his side,' the insider said.

'George has the support of one of the most powerful Democrats in the world, Barack Obama,' the source said (Clooney and Obama pictured together at the White House in 2010)

Clooney has been a staple at the White House for more than 25 years. Pictured here in 1997 with former president Bill Clinton, 77, Clooney has become a force in the Democratic party

Clooney thanked Biden (pictured together at the White House in 2022) for 'saving democracy' just two weeks after he wrote in an op-ed 'we are not going to win with this president'

George and his wife Amal Clooney, 46, started the Clooney Foundation for Justice in 2016 and have been heavily involved in the political scene during their marriage (seen in 2023)

The one thing that Clooney does not have, however, is experience in office.

'George is not battle tested and has never run for office, but neither did Trump,' the source pointed out.

'What George does have is money and lots of pull. He could easily fund himself if he really needed to.'

In the op-ed, Clooney called out Democratic leaders for ignoring 'every warning sign' of Biden's declining physical and mental health and for trying to defend his car-crash debate against Trump.

'Without George, Biden wouldn't have been forced out. He started the push with Obama's support and guidance,' the source told DailyMail.com.

'Obamas main advisor Ben Shapiro called for Biden to step down before George and didnt get enough traction. George then followed with his op-ed because they knew the traction that his op-ed would get.

'He had nothing to lose and everything to gain,' the insider added.

Three weeks prior to the op-ed, on June 16, Clooney hosted a record-breaking $28 million fundraiser for Biden.

In a statement made to CNN endorsing Harris, Clooney tried to make amends with Biden while also lending his support to Harris.

'President Biden has shown what true leadership is. Hes saving democracy once again,' he told the outlet.

'Were all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest.'

President Biden (pictured on July 11) announced that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday - just two weeks after Clooney wrote an op-ed urging for him to step down

Three weeks prior to Clooney's op-ed, on June 16, the actor hosted a fundraiser for Biden that raised a record-breaking $28 million.

Facing intense pressure from the Democratic Party, Biden dropped out of the race on Sunday.

Biden announced his seismic decision in a one-page letter posted on social media, stating that it was in the country's 'best interest' that he step down. In it he committed to serving until the end of this term in January.

The President had faced an increasingly frenzied clamor to step aside after a disastrous debate performance against Trump last month.

Biden's fate was sealed with Clooney's July 10 op-ed, in which he wrote that the elderly president couldn't win the 'battle against time.'

'I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals. In the last four years, he's won many of the battles he's faced,' Clooney wrote.

'But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time. None of us can. It's devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe 'big F-ing deal' Biden of 2010. He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,' he said.

Clooney said he had heard this concerns from members of Congress he spoke to, including worries the Democratic Party will lose the House and Senate.

'We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we won't win the House, and we're going to lose the Senate. This isn't only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and congress member and governor that I've spoken with in private. Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly,' he wrote.

Biden and Clooney have a long relationship, going back to Biden's day as chairman of the Senate Foreign Services Committee. Clooney was working on issues in Darfur and connected with him.

Clooney argued it was more important to beat Donald Trump in November than to keep Biden on the ticket.

'Our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn't see what we just saw. We're all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that we've opted to ignore every warning sign,' he wrote.

Biden and Clooney have also hit some bumps in their relationship.

The actor was reportedly furious at the White House in early June after Biden attacked an attempt by Amal, Clooney's lawyer wife, to jail the Prime Minister of Israel.

Amal signed off a bid by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court last month to seek the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu alongside Hamas leaders for war crimes  a move the President denounced as 'outrageous.'

Clooney reportedly called one of Biden's closest advisers to make his feelings known.

But he still hosted a fundraiser - along with actress Julia Roberts and Obama - that helped to raise millions for Biden's campaign.

The fundraiser, however was overshadowed with questions about the president's health after a video appeared to show Obama having to guide Biden off stage.

In the video, Biden and Obama are seen waving and smiling while receiving a standing ovation in the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Biden applauds and gives the audience a thumbs up but then he stops moving as he stares out over the crowd for several long seconds.
The rift between one-time eastern suburbs 'It couple' Jono Castano and Simone Holtznagel has taken an unexpected turn.

Castano - a celebrity personal trainer whose clients include Candice Warner and Rebel Wilson - confirmed his split from model Simone on Tuesday, telling Daily Mail Australia they had parted ways nine weeks ago.

But in the days since the announcement, the 33-year-old owner of Sydney's trendy Acero gym has now been hit with claims he's feuding with Simone's sister Madeline.

Madeline, 27, also a model, is perhaps best known as the much younger girlfriend of Australian hospitality tsar Justin Hemmes.

Daily Mail Australia understands Castano's rift with Madeline stems from before he ended things with Simone, 31, and was sparked by a 'disrespectful' argument.

A source with knowledge of the feud says Castano and Madeline now 'want nothing to do with one another'.

While Castano and Madeline still follow each other on Instagram, they do not generally like each other's posts or interact on the social media platform.

The Holtznagel sisters have both remained notably silent on Instagram in the days since Castano confirmed his shock split from Simone.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Castano and Madeline for comment.

Jono Castano has been hit by bombshell claims that he is 'feuding' with his ex-girlfriend Simone Holtznagel 's sister Madeline

It has been claimed they refuse to have anything to do with one another after a 'disrespectful' blow-up saw Madeline (pictured on Thursday) no longer allowed in Jono and Simone's house

Despite the alleged estrangement, Simone remains on good terms with her sister Madeline and the siblings are frequently seen spending time together.

Just last month, Simone posted a gallery of sweet photographs of herself out for lunch with Madeline and their other sister Anna.

Simone beamed from ear-to-ear as she cradled her and Jono's baby girl Gia in her arms, while Madeline sat across the table doting on Anna's daughter Rosie.

The lunch came just days after Simone's split from her partner Jono, with Madeline and Anna seemingly rallying around to support her at the lunchtime gathering.

Earlier this week, Jono officially confirmed the shock news that he and Simone had gone their separate ways, just weeks after welcoming their first child together.

The fitness fanatic explained that he and Simone had decided to part ways nine weeks ago, around the end of May.

Jono exclusively told Daily Mail Australia of the split: 'We just decided it was best for her to spend time with her family in Wollongong.

'Who knows what the future holds our idea is just to be the best parents for Gia at this stage.'

Simone is currently staying with her family in Wollongong, while Jono remains in Sydney running his gym Acero, which he co-founded with his ex-wife Amy.

The couple's separation came around nine weeks after they welcomed their first child into the world on Easter Sunday.

Amid the bombshell claims, Madeline was spotted looking downcast as she left Body By Berner on Thursday, decked out in stylish gym gear after her workout

The Holtznagel sisters (pictured) have both remained notably silent on Instagram in the days since Castano confirmed his shock split from Simone

On Tuesday, Jono, 33, confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that he and Simone (both pictured), 31, had broken up, nine weeks after they officially parted ways

Simone and Jono are believed to still be on amicable terms and are focusing on co-parenting their daughter Gia.

However, Simone has not yet commented on the split or posted on social media since the shock news emerged publicly.

She has not shared any content on her Grid or her Stories as she continues to maintain a silence in the wake of the separation.

Just hours after confirming their split, Jono tagged Simone in a post of their baby daughter Gia, three months, but she did not re-share the post.

He penned: 'Our little g @simoneholtznagel [love heart hands emoji],' but his model ex-girlfriend did not respond publicly to the post.

News of their split came hours after Simone posted a cryptic quote about 'moving forward' and being 'patient' for a 'long time' on her Instagram Stories.

On Monday night, Simone posted a thinly-veiled message about prioritising her own happiness to Instagram in what appeared to be a reference to their separation.

The quote read: 'You shouldn't feel guilty for moving forward if you've given someone multiple opportunities to improve or change, but they didn't.

'Everyone has limits, and it's important to look out for your own well-being. If you tried to help or waited for them to change their behaviour, but things stayed the same, it's okay to choose what's best for you and move on.

'Prioritising your own happiness and peace is essential, especially when you've been patient and understanding for a long time.'

Despite the alleged estrangement, Simone (pictured with her and Jono's baby girl Gia) remains on good terms with Madeline and they recently went out for lunch together

The lunch came just days after Simone split from her partner Jono, with Madeline (pictured with Anna's daughter Rosie) seemingly rallying around to support her at the lunchtime outing

Simone last shared an Instagram post featuring Jono on April 28, where she gave fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at their first family photoshoot with baby Gia.

Despite separating nine weeks ago, Simone and Jono recently returned from a trip to Tasmania with Jono's ex-wife Amy and her new partner Aaron Evans.

Earlier this month, the exes proved they are still on good terms as they jetted off on the intimate family getaway, taking baby Gia on her first ever flight.

Amy shared several photos and videos from their stay at the luxury Leighton House in rural Tasmania, which costs $1,600 for a minimum two-night stay.

In the posts, Simone and Jono were seen doting over Gia and cooking together in the kitchen as they enjoyed some quality time with Amy and Aaron.

The couple first started dating back in 2022, months after Jono confirmed his split from his longtime partner Amy.

Celebrity personal trainers Jono and Amy were high school sweethearts, but divorced in 2021 after 15 years together.

Simone confirmed she and Jono were expecting their first child together in October last year, and welcomed Gia into the world on Easter Sunday, March 31.

Despite separating nine weeks ago, Simone and Jono recently returned from a trip to Tasmania with Jono's ex-wife Amy and her new partner Aaron Evans (the exes are pictured on the trip)

Simone confirmed she and Jono were expecting their first child together in October last year, and welcomed Gia into the world on Easter Sunday, March 31, but split just nine weeks later

Confirming their daughter's birth on Instagram, Simone shared pictures of her and Jono cuddling up to the little one in hospital.

She wrote in a caption at the time: 'We are totally and completely in love with her and enjoying these special moments as a family of three.'

Before welcoming their daughter, Simone had told how she and Jono had always planned to have children.

'Kids have always been in our plan. We started talking about it more and more and then it just happened,' she told Who magazine after falling pregnant with Gia.
Lucinda Light has paid tribute to the show that made her a star.

The quirky social media sensation has showed no signs of slowing down after making her debut on Married at First Sight earlier this year.

And now the 43-year-old celebrated launching into a new career off the back of her new-found fame.

Posting to her Instagram on Friday, Lucinda shared a throwback image on the one year anniversary of her MAFS 'wedding'.

In the accompanying caption, Lucinda appeared to acknowledge the role MAFS has played in giving her a high profile media career as a 'wellness influencer.'

'Fast forward one year and I'm off to the UK off the back of the experience and so grateful for all the treasures and unexpected love it has bought me,' Lucinda wrote in the share and added: 'Thanks MAFS season 11!'

The one-time Byron Bay marriage celebrant has already sold out her hugely in-demand UK speaking tour.

In June she hinted that a Down Under version is on the cards.

Lucinda Light (pictured) posted to her Instagram on Friday to pay tribute to Married at First Sight for making her a star

Speaking to Yahoo Australia, the quirky star said: 'I am in discussions about it at the moment.'

'There's lots on the cards and for me, the most pulsing energy is speaking to people, exchanging love and inspiring each other.'

Lucinda also revealed that she has 'so much to share' and described her upcoming UK speaking tour as the 'love of my life'.

The show, which is called An Evening with Lucinda Light, is estimated to net the 43-year-old reality star an eye-watering $250,000.

She shared a throwback image on the one year anniversary of her MAFS 'wedding'

The tour was originally set to take place over 10 days, with Lucinda doing eight gigs, with each ticket priced at 27.50 GBP ($52AUD) each.

However, she later added another staggering 13 new shows to her touring schedule over two more months due to the staggering high demand for tickets.

She confirmed that she will be taking to the stage at further shows in October and November after many fans missed out on tickets for the August run of her tour.

'I'm thrilled to announce that tickets for my October and November tours are now on sale! After a sold-out tour in August, with many of you missing out on tickets, I knew I had to return,' she shared.

'I can't wait to meet you, share love, stories, fun, and some truly valuable tools on emotional intelligence.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail Australia last month Lucinda teased what fans can expect from her live show.

In an interview with Daily Mail Australia, Lucinda, 43, shared insights into her journey, the lessons she learned, and how she has adjusted to life after the show

'The UK tour is going to be a whole lot of fun with lots of love and light exchanged. I'm so excited about it!' she gushed.

'Fans can expect a 'one woman' show with storytelling from my life and the lessons and tools I've extracted, including from MAFS. It's immersive, wholesome, and there's a dollop of cabaret in there too for good measure!

'An Evening with Lucinda Light is about Emotional Intelligence, self-love, and being the most unapologetic version of yourself while remaining considerate of others. I've come a long way with that one!'

Since appearing on the hit reality show earlier this year, Lucinda has been keeping herself busy with a jam-packed work schedule as she cashes in on her huge fame.

As well as her UK speaking tour and her celebrity appearances, the celebrant also said she wouldn't rule out a return to TV screens, no doubt delighting fans.

The MC said she has dreams of appearing on Dancing With The Stars and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!.

The one-time Byron Bay marriage celebrant has already sold out her hugely in-demand UK speaking tour which begins this month (pictured with her MAFS husband Tim Smith)

'I really want to be on one of those dancing shows where you get to wear sequin leotards, learn how to dance, and get really fit,' she told Yahoo Lifestyle.

'I think it would utterly tickle my expressive, creative side and I have no doubt I'd have a lot of fun.'

She said she would also like to follow in the footsteps of her fellow MAFS stars Domenica Calarco, Davina Rankin and Ryan Gallagher by appearing on I'm A Celeb.

'One day, I'd love to get into that jungle and raise a huge amount for non-violent communication/boundaries and consent language programs in schools and also help combat homelessness with innovative tiny houses - a great solution,' she said.

The bubbly star rose to fame after tying the knot with Timothy Smith on MAFS.

The duo failed to find romance with one another and have now cut all ties after leaving the show as close friends.
For the discerning New York dog owner, mobile groomer HoundSpa offers a range of luxurious canine treatments, all of them conveniently available from the comfort of their homes.

Aside from routine teeth brushing, nail cutting and grinding  not to mention 'de-skunking' for pets who have rolled in something unsavoury  there's a luxurious blueberry facial on offer, along with deep conditioning treatments with lush spa products and, to finish off, a soothing blow-dry.

So it was that the HoundSpa 'Dirty Dog' van pulled up on the driveway of the multi-million pound Westchester County home of Nicola and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham on June 15 this year, ready to groom one of the most precious and pampered pooches in the world.

Nala, one of the celebrity couple's five beloved dogs, was carried out to the customised van in the arms of Nicola's personal assistant and handed over for what should have been a routine 25-minute procedure  a bath and blow-dry, a nail trim, teeth brushing and ear cleaning.

But when the nine-year-old, fawn and white chihuahua was returned, according to a lawsuit filed this week, she was in severe physical distress, breathing heavily and wheezing, while her chest was pulsating.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham console each other at the funeral of their beloved chihuahua Nala

Mrs Peltz Beckham, according to documents filed at the Supreme Court of New York County of Westchester, rushed her pet to a veterinary surgery, a 15-minute drive away. Nala was put on oxygen but passed away.

Nicola claims that the death of the animal, which weighed only 2lb, was caused by 'intentional and malicious abuse'.

An extraordinary social media post this week laid bare the couple's grief alongside a photograph of a white coffin, surrounded by roses  an image so haunting that it left some fans fearing that a human loved one had died.

And a source close to the Peltz Beckhams has exclusively told the Mail that 29-year-old Nicola is turning to the US courts, not for financial gain, but because having discovered that cases like hers are not uncommon, she wants to see the regulations around dog grooming tightened.

'It's a last resort for her,' the source told me. 'Nicola's devoted a lot of her life to saving rescue dogs. She's not the type of person that can just let this go without having answers. She had to watch her dog suffer and pass just two hours after it was groomed.

'It is devastating. She wants to know what happened. She wants to raise awareness about how lacklustre the regulations are around dog grooming. Many people cannot be sure of the safety of their animal when they hand them over to be groomed.'

Nicola's celebrity status, both as the actress and model daughter of billionaire investor Nelson Peltz and the daughter-in-law of David and Victoria Beckham has ensured that Nala's death has received global attention.

The couple, who married in April 2022, regard their canine family as their children. In 2022, Nicola launched Yogis House, a Los Angeles-based refuge for rescue dogs at risk of being put down.

Nicola posted this picture of Brooklyn, 25, with Nala on social media

Nicola cuddles chihuahua Nala. Nicola claims that the death of the animal, which weighed only 2lb, was caused by 'intentional and malicious abuse'

This case also raises wide-ranging questions about how certain pet owners can be that their dogs are safe when they hand them over to groomers, given that the industry is unregulated in both the US and the UK.

There is no system for licensing groomers in the US, although several states offer certification from bodies such as the National Dog Groomers Association of America.

The situation is similar in the UK where there is no licensing system for a 'buyer beware' market, which in 2021 was said to be worth 900 million and booming thanks to the trend for posing photos of pets on social media.

UK Groomers are not required to hold any professional qualifications, although the RSCPA advises owners to find someone who has undertaken, for example, a City and Guilds training course, and is also a member of the British Dog Groomers Association.

But, as the Mail discovered this week, a growing number of high-profile tragedies both here and in the US means there are calls for the situation to change.

'The end goal for Nicola is to bring awareness and tighten regulation,' the source added.

'She's devoted to animals and aware that the law does not support them and how common this issue is. She feels she has a duty to use her voice to try to get the law changed.'

So what did go on inside the HoundsSpa mobile van on June 15 after it parked on the driveway, around 100ft from Nicola and Brooklyn's front door? Nicola claims that the groomer sent to tend to Nala and four other dogs belonging to the Peltz Beckhams was someone her family had previously complained about.

Nicola and Brooklyn, who married in April 2022, regard their canine family as their children

She claims HoundSpa owner Debra Gittleman was contacted in 2022 after Nicola's brother and his girlfriend's dog allegedly suffered a 'horrendous negative experience' at the hands of the same groomer, named in the documents as Jony Ceballos.

According to the documents: 'Nicola reasonably believed that Gittleman would not send Ceballos as a groomer to Nicola or her family and would remove Ceballos as a HoundSpa groomer.'

She claims that there have been 'multiple customer complaints' about Ceballos and that by continuing to employ him and failing to monitor him, Gittleman 'knowingly and maliciously, or recklessly put every dog that was groomed by HoundSpa at risk of being harmed'.

Two of Nicola's other dogs were groomed before Nala. Both, she claims, went on to show clear 'signs of distress'.

According to her claim, one of the dogs, three-legged Angel, 'was severely traumatised that day' and has since developed a fear of being left in a room alone.

'She starts to shake and scream (not bark, but scream) in apparent terror,' court papers state.

Nala was the third dog to go into the HoundSpa van. According to Nicola's account, she was 'a happy, healthy' dog but returned 'injured and in severe physical distress'.

The Beckham family: From left: Brooklyn, Nicola, Harper, David, Romeo and Victoria

Given the high-profile status of the Peltz Beckhams, this case is likely to receive plenty of media attention in the months ahead

By the time she received medical treatment, it is alleged, her tongue was said to have turned blue, she had fluid in her lungs and she had suffered neurological damage.

'All Nicola could do was try to provide Nala comfort through her own heartache and pain, as she watched Nala suffer through debilitating injuries and die,' state the court documents, which continue: 'HoundSpa ended Nala's life.'

Another Instagram photograph, apparently taken at the vet's surgery in the moments after Nala's death, showed Nicola being comforted by Brooklyn, 25, an aspiring chef.

'My brain can't comprehend where you went,' she wrote on Instagram, alongside a series of images of Nala with the couple.

'I just feel so much pain. Her life was taken away from her way too soon. She was my beautiful queen and stayed by my side for nine years through everything.'

Hinting at the legal battle which lies ahead, she added: 'Please be careful who you send your dogs to because you don't know what goes on behind closed doors.'

This week, after news broke that she was taking legal action, Nicola went into more detail. 'I am truly still in so much shock and pain over my baby Nala suddenly passing last month following what should have been a routine grooming session,' she wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.

'I posted the experience on my Instagram to bring awareness and was heartbroken to hear the horrifying stories from so many others who have experienced the same tragedy. I can't bear it. I'm outraged to hear how common stories like Nala's are.'

According to animal charity Peta, incidents with groomers are not uncommon in the US, with many caused by dogs overheating in crate dryers  cages with a special hair drying machine attached.

Some states have campaigns and bills in progress that would require groomers to be licensed but none have yet become law.

A campaign for Bijou's Law, calling for all dog groomers to be state licensed, was launched in New Jersey after the death in 2012 of a six-year-old Shih Tzu at a PetSmart grooming salon and is now making its way through the state senate.

Stories of grooming salon deaths in the UK have also emerged in recent years.

In 2010, a six-month-old Shih Tzu puppy named Daisy died at Pets At Home, the largest retailer of pet supplies in the UK, after allegedly being left in a drying cage. The store, which has 457 outlets, suspended members of staff and launched an investigation.

Last year, a Scottish woman claimed that her three-year-old pedigree Chow Chow Bonnie died from heatstroke at Glasgow grooming salon Dogs R Divas where she had gone for a wash and trim. She had to be put down after suffering brain damage and organ failure.

An investigation was launched by the Scottish SPCA.

In recent years several petitions have been launched in the UK calling for the dog grooming industry to be regulated, particularly around the use of dryer cages and other forms of heating.

One, in 2012, was launched following the death of a 12-year-old Lhasa Apso called Dusty who had to be put down after suffering 'horrific' burns at the KayJac Clippers salon in Grays, Essex.

The dog had been left under a dryer when a groomer went off to take a phone call. The salon owner and the groomer were ordered to pay 1,000, do 120 hours of community service and pay 250 in compensation to Dusty's owner by Basildon magistrates. The court heard that neither woman had any qualifications.

Earlier this year, a UK parliamentary petition was launched calling for regulation and legislation as well as a minimum standard for qualifications and a legal requirement for insurance but was closed early because of the General Election.

An RSPCA spokesman told the Mail: 'We would like to see the industry regulated to better protect animals . . . it's important to do research and find a reputable groomer.'

HoundSpa owner Debra Gittleman, who also owns a dog training company, did not respond to requests for comment this week.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she studied French literature and equine studies in Marseilles and also spent a year studying English at the University of Cambridge. She states that she is a board member of the Westchester Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has over 35 years experience in dog grooming, training and daycare.

Given the high-profile status of the Peltz Beckhams, this case is likely to receive plenty of media attention in the months ahead.

'This case,' say Nicola's lawyers in documents filed this week, 'is about holding responsible those who abuse animals in their care and shedding light on the lack of protections for pet owners and their beloved dogs and pets.'

Any legal damages received in the wake of Nala's death will also be given to charity, said the source who spoke to the Mail.

'It's not about money,' they added. 'This is about highlighting the failings in the system and making sure that other animals don't suffer and die.'
Maya Rudolph and her partner Paul Thomas Anderson enjoyed some family fun time at the 'happiest place on Earth' on Thursday.

The five-time Emmy winner, 52, kept her presence low-key at Disneyland, wearing a white linen button down shirt and a pair of black capri pants, with black sandals.

She accessorized with a black billed hat, dark sunglasses and a navy blue and white dotted bandana around her neck that sometimes doubled as a face mask in more crowded areas.

The Loot star's red bob was styled straight and she wore natural looking makeup.

Anderson, 54, looked relaxed in a blue button down shirt and gray chinos with black and white striped sneakers.

Maya Rudolph enjoyed some family fun time at the 'happiest place on Earth' on Thursday. The five-time Emmy winner, 52, kept her presence low-key, wearing a white linen button down shirt and a pair of black capri pants, with black sandals

Paul Thomas Anderson, 54, looked relaxed in a blue button down shirt and gray chinos with black and white striped sneakers. The Licorice Pizza director wore a blue billed cap over his salt and pepper hair, protecting his eyes from the bright sunshine with a pair of dark shades

The Licorice Pizza director wore a blue billed cap over his salt and pepper hair, protecting his eyes from the bright sunshine with a pair of dark shades.

He too accessorized with a blue and white bandana that doubled as a face mask.

The couple, who have been together since 2001, are parents to four children; Pearl, 18, Lucille, 14, Jack, 12, and Minnie, 10

The family were spotted in the California Adventure park, enjoying rides such at the Radiator Springs Racers, inspired by the hit Cars franchise.

Rudolph, who is based in Los Angeles, will reportedly be jetting back and forth from LA to New York City in the near future as she is expected to return to Saturday Night Live, to play Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, who is the Democratic party's presumptive presidential nominee.

Ever since President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the race for the White House, fans have been encouraging the chameleon-like actress to reprise her role.

'Guuuuurrrll you heard right? Take a nap while you can cause you bout tah be Busy AF. #Kamala2024,' advised one fan on Instagram.

'Are you currently putting your Kamala wig on? We are waiting, MAMALA,' wrote another.

The family were spotted in the California Adventure park, enjoying rides such at the Radiator Springs Racers, inspired by the hit Cars franchise

Rudolph accessorized with a black billed hat, dark sunglasses and a navy blue and white dotted bandana around her neck that sometimes doubled as a face mask in more crowded areas. Anderson also used a bandana as a face mask

Rudolph is expected to return to Saturday Night Live to play Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, who is the Democratic party's presumptive presidential nominee. The versatile actress earned an Emmy award in 2020 for her portrayal of then Senator Harris

In a 2019 interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Harris stated she was flattered by the portrayal.

'I will tell you that I fully intend to make sure she (Rudolph) has a good eight years of work on SNL,' she said at the time.

The versatile actress earned an Emmy award in 2020 for her portrayal of then Senator Harris.

Deadline has reported that production on season three of Loot has been pushed back on the hit Apple TV+ series to accommodate her schedule through the election.

Saturday Night Live will kick off its 50th season September 28.
Candace Cameron Bure was blasted by Scheana Shay and branded as 'rude.'

Shay, 39, revealed she had a negative experience when she met the Full House star for the first time about a decade ago.

She said she was looking forward to meeting Bure as she was a fan of the family sitcom but claimed the actress 'wasn't very nice' during their encounter.

'She was so dismissive of me,' the Vanderpump Rules star alleged during Friday's episode of her Scheananigans podcast.

Shay  who denied ongoing plastic surgery rumors in another recent episode of her podcast  accused Bure of giving her the cold shoulder because she was at the beginning of her reality TV career at the time.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Bure's representatives for comment.

Candace Cameron Bure was blasted by Scheana Shay for being 'rude.' Shay, 39, revealed she had a negative experience when she met the Full House star for the first time about a decade ago; seen in April and June, respectively

'But I do remember the first time I met Candace Cameron,' Shay told her podcast guest co-host Kiki Monique. 'She wasn't very nice.'

The reality TV personality recalled: 'She was hosting this event with [Lisa Vanderpump's daughter] Pandora. It was, maybe, season two  it was really early Vanderpump Rules days [in 2013].'

Shay explained that she was looking forward to meeting Bure as she was a fan of Full House.

'I was really excited to meet her, just growing up watching Full House,' she said. 'And she was so dismissive as if I wasn't cool enough or big enough to be hanging out with her.'

Monique said that Bure's 'rude' behavior was 'not a shocker' and joked that perhaps she was 'judging' Shay because she had seen her on Vanderpump Rules.

'Maybe she did know about me,' Shay quipped.

'I remember I was so excited to meet her and she was like, "Ugh,"' Shay said. 'I didn't want to watch Fuller House because of that one experience.'

She said she was looking forward to meeting Bure as she was a fan of the family sitcom but claimed the actress 'wasn't very nice' during their encounter

'She was so dismissive of me,' the Vanderpump Rules star alleged during Friday's episode of her Scheananigans podcast. Shay accused Bure of giving her the cold shoulder because she was at the beginning of her reality TV career at the time; seen in July

She then compared her experience with Bure to meeting other celebrities, adding that nobody else 'stood out to [her] as rude.'

'I've met so many celebrities in my life and hardly any have stood out to me as rude  but she stood out as one,' she said. 'Other huge celebrities are so nice.'

She mentioned meeting Kim Kardashian and said she was 'so humble.'

She also recalled meeting Amanda Bynes at the Teen Choice Awards when she was 16, and looking back, Shay said she 'gets all the grace in the world.'

Shay explained that she was a seat filler and was next to the star for a portion of the award show.

She thought Bynes, who was one of the most recognizable teen stars and 'very cool' in the noughties, was dismissive of her but has reevaluated her experience after her negative experience with Bure.

Monique then made a dig at Bure and said her behavior was surprising for someone with 'Bible verses in their bio.'

Back in 2022, JoJo Siwa also said she had a negative experience meeting Bure and called her the 'rudest' celebrity she's ever met.

She then compared her experience with Bure to meeting other celebrities, adding that nobody else 'stood out to [her] as rude' as much as the actress

Back in 2022, JoJo Siwa also said she had a negative experience meeting Bure and called her the 'rudest' celebrity she ever met; seen in February

That July, Bure addressed Siwa's claims in a lengthy Instagram video and confirmed she reached out to her

That July, Bure addressed Siwa's claims in a lengthy Instagram video and confirmed she reached out to her.

'She didn't want to tell me [how I was rude to her],' Bure said. 'She said, "You know, I met you at the Fuller House premiere, and I was 11 years old.'

The actress said she felt 'crummy' that declining to take a photo with Siwa had upset her.

'We are both positive, encouraging people, and I told JoJo how much I've always appreciated her because she has been a good role model because of her positivity throughout her whole life and career,' she said. 'That's the tea.'

Shortly thereafter, Siwa shared her response to Bure's recollection of their meeting, alleging that the actress did not 'share all the details of the meeting' they had.

'When you're little and somebody says something to you, and you just never forget it as long as you live,' she said. 'I think we've all had that moment.

'And I feel like this was that moment for me,' she told Page Six.
Lisa Snowdon showed off her age-defying figure in a skimpy purple bikini as she soaked up the sun in Mallorca.

The TV presenter, 52, wowed fans in a series of snaps posted to her Instagram on Friday.

The former model updated her fans on her Spanish holiday, posing in the pool with her back towards the camera, showcasing her bottom as she looked out over the skyline.

In another photo Lisa donned a pair of sun glasses as she posed poolside, flashing the camera a dazzling smile.

She captioned her Instagram post: 'Having a 'bootiful' time. Holiday mode fully activated, we are never leaving.'

Lisa Snowdon, 52, showed off her age-defying figure in a skimpy purple bikini as she continues to soak up the sun in Mallorca, Spain on Friday

The TV presenter wowed fans in a series of snaps where she donned a pair of sunglasses as she posed playfully on the roof of her Spanish hotel

The former model updated her fans on her Spanish holiday, posing in the pool with her back towards the camera, showcasing her bottom as she looked out over the skyline

Last month, Lisa revealed how she had lost two stone after gaining weight and losing her confidence while going through the menopause.

Despite having a difficult time, Lisa has managed to recover and return to her usual self, overcoming many 'dark days.'.

She told The Mirror: 'I had days so dark that I thought, "If this is what my life looks like, then I can't do it'".

'I felt so lonely and confused. I didn't recognise myself. The perimenopause and menopause have such an impact on your confidence and I lost myself for a little while.'

The former Britain's Next Top Model also revealed that she was at her heaviest in 2018 but has since gone on to get her confidence back and changed her lifestyle, managing to shed two stone.

In an interview with Closer Magazine, she admitted struggling with cravings and shared that she began to 'listen to her body' more closely and she now drinks less coffee and alcohol.

She said: 'I can't drink like I used to either. I get drunk quicker and nobody likes a sloppy, emotional drunk! I have to rein it in  I'm not 20 anymore, and I can't do that to my body. It's not pretty the next day, and it really does affect our mood.

It comes after Lisa revealed in 2021 that she was prescribed antidepressants after experiencing low moods and anxiety as a result of early menopause.

Lisa has been very open about her difficulties with the menopause, revealing: 'I had days so dark that I thought, "If this is what my life looks like, then I can't do it"

The presenter, who suffers from endometriosis started experiencing depression around 10 years ago but had no idea her symptoms were a result of the perimenopause.

Appearing on Lorraine at the time, she explained that her 2016 appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! was worsened by 'debilitating' periods, low energy and 'brain fog', revealing she relied on the pill to stop her irregular cycle.

It wasn't until being prescribed Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) that Lisa was able to 'take ownership' of her health, hailing the treatment as a 'game-changer' and insisting she 'wouldn't be without it'.

'When I look back it did creep up on me, it wasn't a definite pinpoint the actual day I knew I was going into perimenopause,' Lisa explained.

'When I look back it was about seven years ago when I started experiencing low mood, depression, anxiety and I was managing it because I just thought that was what was wrong with me, maybe I was just a bit unhappy.'

'I got prescribed antidepressants and that wasn't what I needed but I thought I did. The symptoms started evolving and it was painful periods, awful cycles, really irregular, all these other symptoms started coming up and it was a juggling act. It was really hard to work out what was going on.'

Now Lisa takes HRT for her symptoms and says that she no longer has 'rages' or 'screams at her partner.

'I am on HRT I've been on it for about four years and I wouldn't be without it, It's changed everything. It's been a game changer.'

'I feel like myself again, I'm not screaming at my partner, I don't have rages, I feel like I recognise myself again and I've been able to take ownership of looking after my health.'

The presenter spoke candidly about her early menopause in 2021, saying she 'made peace' with the fact she will never have biological children with her fiance George Smart.
Angelina Jolie has claimed Brad Pitt tried to make her sign an $8.5 million non-disclosure agreement to 'force her silence' about her abuse allegations against him.

Jolie, 49, filed for divorce against Pitt, 60, in September 2016, after a mysterious dispute on a private plane in the presence of their son Maddox, now 22.

Early in the proceedings, the FBI looked into allegations that Pitt became 'physical' with Maddox on the jet, but the investigation was closed with no charges filed.

However, in court documents she filed this April, Jolie accused Pitt of having been abusive to her 'well before' the plane ride.

Now, in the course of the ongoing legal battle over their winery in the South of France, Jolie has repeated the abuse claim, in a new filing obtained by People.

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Pitt and Jolie for comment.

Angelina Jolie has claimed Brad Pitt tried to make her sign an $8.5 million non-disclosure agreement to 'force her silence' about her abuse allegations against him

Jolie and Pitt first acquired the winery, the Chateau Miraval, in 2008 when they had been romantically involved for years but were not yet married.

The feud over the property stems from the fact Jolie sold her half to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler for $62 million in 2021, amid her divorce proceedings.

Pitt sued her over the sale, insisting that she was contractually obligated to obtain his consent before offloading her portion of the Chateau Miraval.

Amid the collapse of their marriage, Pitt and Jolie also plunged into a rancorous custody battle over their six children, four of whom are now adults.

They conceived three biological children - Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16 - and also adopted Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Zahara, 19.

Jolie submitted her latest legal filing in the winery case to the Los Angeles County Superior Court on July 25, bringing up both the custody battle and abuse claims.

Her legal team insisted that when she sold her half of the Chateau Miraval, she 'was not acting with malice and the intent to hurt Pitt in response to any custody ruling.'

The documents asserted: 'Instead, it was Pitt who refused to buy her interest unless he received his newly expanded NDA, enforceable by an $8.5 million holdback specifically designed to force her silence about his abuse and cover-up.'

They conceived three biological children - Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16 - and also adopted Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Zahara, 19; Jolie pictured with all six children in 2018

Jolie and Pitt are pictured with all of their children at the Tokyo in airport in 2011, five years before the divorce that triggered a rancorous custody battle

Her attorneys added: 'While Pitt advances what is effectively an outdated privacy-of-domestic-violence argument to shield his abuse, his argument is not the law, at least not in this century, and he cites no authority that would give him such unwarranted protections. In any event, he waived any privacy protections when he sued Jolie.'

Jolie's team has previously argued Pitt should be made to turn over his personal communications as part of discovery in the winery case.

Pitt has pushed back against the 'wide-ranging' and 'intrusive' demand, with his lawyers claiming Jolie wanted access to information 'about such sensitive issues as therapy he voluntarily undertook' after the plane ride.

However, he maintained that he had been willing to turn over 'documents sufficient to show everything that occurred on the flight.'

In legal documents submitted July 15, Pitt's team accused Jolie of attempting to 'turn this business dispute into a re-litigation of the former couples divorce case.'

They put forward the view that Pitt's 'private, third-party communications' from the period of the 2016 plane ride were not pertinent to the Chateau Miraval lawsuit.

However, in her court filing last week, Jolie's team remained firm in their insistence that Pitt should have to submit communications relevant to her abuse claims.

'Jolie has no desire to litigate these issues and for years never publicly discussed any of it,' the legal documents alleged. 'Rather than appreciate her discretion, Pitt sought to contractually mandate and enforce it.'

Now, in the course of the ongoing legal battle over their winery in the South Of France, the Chateau Miraval (pictured), Jolie doubled down on her abuse claims

Jolie and Pitt first acquired the winery, the Chateau Miraval, in 2008 when they had been romantically involved for years but were not yet married; pictured at Cannes in 2009

They added: 'Because she refused, he seeks to punish her, demanding $67 million plus punitive damages. In so doing, Pitt placed his conduct squarely at issue. While Jolie sincerely wishes Pitt would end this litigation and finally put their family on a clear path toward healing, that cannot happen while Pitt relentlessly pursues her.'

In May, a judge ordered Jolie to turn over 'all NDAs to which she is a party,' complying with with a request made by Pitt's team in legal papers obtained by DailyMail.com.

Jolie previously claimed that she refused to sell her half of the Chateau Miraval to Pitt because the NDA he had insisted on as a condition was 'controlling and punishing.'

However, Pitt's attorneys shot back that her objection to the NDA was a 'pure pretext' for the sale to Shefler, whose business empire includes Stolichnaya vodka.

They argued that it was normal for public figures to seek NDAs, asserting that Jolie had also availed herself of the measure in the past.

Pax, pictured with Jolie in April, recently suffered a terrifying accident when he crashed his dirt bike into a car in Los Angeles while not wearing a helmet

'For example, fewer than six months after the sale to Stoli, Jolie's lawyer proposed an ever broader, mutual non-disparagement clause to Pitt, in connection with resolving the couple's divorce, and Jolie has signed or requested comparable NDAs from others,' Pitt's lawyers alleged in a legal filing in May.

Pitt's team requested that Jolie be ordered to turn over all her NDAs, as well as other related documents, and a judge granted the motion.

He allegedly remains estranged from his children, to the point that this May, after turning 18, Shiloh filed to have her surname changed from Jolie-Pitt to simply Jolie.

Meanwhile Pax recently suffered a terrifying accident when he crashed his dirt bike into a car in Los Angeles while not wearing a helmet.

Sources informed DailyMail.com that Jolie was 'by his side in hospital,' while 'Brad is distraught and worried over Pax's accident, but he is unable to reach him.'

The accident came four years after Pax unleashed an explosive social media rant calling his father a 'world class a**hole' and a 'terrible and despicable person' who had caused his four younger children to 'tremble in fear.'
Kate Ritchie returned to her acting roots this week as she was spotted filming scenes for a brand new ABC series on Thursday.

The Home and Away actress, 45, cut a casual figure as she arrived on set to shoot for five-part series The Role Of A Lifetime alongside comedian Nazeem Hussain.

Kate showed off her laidback sense of style in denim dungarees, which she styled with a long-sleeved black T-shirt and white trainers.

She framed her face with a pair of red glasses and showed off her stunning features with a natural make-up palette.

The radio presenter carried a checkered jacket in one arm and kept her essentials in a black tote bag for the day of filming.

The new ABC and Screen Australia series will be fronted by TV favourite Amanda Keller and will explore the challenges parents face in today's rapidly changing world.

Kate and comedian Nazeem, 39, will star as parents and will act out real-life family scenarios, giving an immersive and comedic touch to the factual program.

The show, produced by Dreamchaser, will also feature insightful parental guidance throughout from podcaster and author Maggie Dent.

Kate Ritchie returned to her acting roots this week as she was spotted filming scenes for a brand new ABC series

The Home and Away actress, 45, cut a casual figure as she arrived on set to shoot for five-part series The Role Of A Lifetime, which she will star in alongside comedian Nazeem Hussain

The program aims to give millions of parents and caregivers the tools and confidence to navigate challenges facing families in today's world.

Dreamchaser Executive Producer Debbie Cuell said: 'I am delighted to be able to bring together the talents of Kate Ritchie and Nazeem Hussain alongside Amanda Keller as host and Maggie Dent as our resident queen of parenting.'

While Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth added: 'This series boldly explores the many contemporary and pertinent challenges facing parents today, while expertly blending factual and scripted comedy genres, with the help of Amanda Keller, Kate Ritchie, Nazeem Hussain and parenting expert Maggie Dent.

'We are pleased to support Dreamchaser in bringing The Role Of A Lifetime to the ABC to help guide and empower the parents of today.'

Kate is a doting mother herself to her beloved daughter Mae, nine, who she shares with her ex-husband Stuart Webb.

Kate tied the knot with the former NRL star at the Quamby Estate in Tasmania in 2010, following a year-long engagement, but the couple parted ways in 2020.

TV personality Kate has often spoken about how much she loves motherhood and once described having Mae as her 'greatest achievement'.

'My only fear is that I will become a complete hermit and never leave the house because I adore being with her,' she told The Australian Women's Weekly after giving birth.

Kate showed off her laidback sense of style in denim dungarees, which she styled with a long-sleeved black T-shirt and white trainers

She framed her face with a pair of red glasses and showed off her stunning features with a natural make-up palette

The radio presenter carried a checkered jacket in one arm and kept her essentials in a black tote bag for the day of filming

The new ABC and Screen Australia series will be fronted by TV favourite Amanda Keller and will explore the challenges parents face in today's rapidly changing world

The program aims to give millions of parents and caregivers the tools and confidence to navigate challenges facing families in today's world

Kate and comedian Nazeem, 39, will star as parents and will act out real-life parenting scenarios in the series, giving an immersive touch to the factual program

Elsewhere this week, Kate revealed she is still earning money from Home and Away, despite stepping down from her role as Sally Fletcher 16 years ago.

She admitted on her show, Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie, that she still rakes in cash if scenes she starred in on the Channel Seven soap get reused.

'What do you get for the replays of Sally on Home and Away?' her co-host Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli asked, before Ryan Fitzgerald questioned if she gets royalty payments.

'I get residuals [as] they call them here for Home and Away,' she admitted before adding: 'Home and Away goes to over 60 countries all over the world.'

'So will you get a check for 80 bucks or something?' Fitzy asked.

'Yeah I think so... something like that,' Kate responded.

Kate was just eight years old when she entered the spotlight in 1988, starring as Sally Fletcher on the long-running soap opera.

Despite winning two Gold Logies while she was on the show, Kate previously said was still left questioning her own worth.

'People wanted to meet me because of Sally, or I won awards because of Sally, or I was invited to great events because of Sally,' Kate told Stellar in 2017.

'When you don't remember your life without it and all of a sudden that doesn't exist, you wonder, "What is it about me that is attractive?'''

Kate is a doting mother herself to her beloved daughter Mae, nine, who she shares with her ex-husband Stuart Webb

Elsewhere this week, Kate revealed she is still earning money from Home and Away , despite stepping down from her role as Sally Fletcher 16 years ago

Kate eventually sought therapy to cope with her issues, telling TV Week in March 2021: 'It really did feel like the loss of a big part of who I was.'

'It took me a long time to adjust to that,' she said, adding: '[Therapy] was what I needed at that point.'

Since leaving Home and Away, Kate has dedicated most of her time to radio and co-hosts Nova 96.9's Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie.

She has had other small successes as an actor, landing a small role in Underbelly's second season, appearing in two episodes back in 2008.

Kate also briefly starred in Nine's 2010 police drama Cops L.A.C. but the show rated so poorly that it was cancelled after its first season.
Tristan MacManus has revealed the ultimate Father's Day gift every dad wants.

The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star, who was runner up on the reality television show, hosted Teeling Whiskey Tasting at Frank Mac's in Sydney on Thursday night and said there's a better present dad's would like to receive instead of socks this year.

'Irish whiskey is the new socks!' the father of three joked while raising his nip of Teeling in front of an intimate crowd.

Tristan looked smart as he hosted the night held at the cocktail bar nestled in the heart of the Rocks.

Teeling Irish Whiskey is available at both Dan Murphy's and BWS.

The former Studio 10 host wore a flashy grey suit and white shirt paired with brown leather boots.

He paired his look with a dark brown belt and accessorised with a chunky black wrist watch.

Tristan, who is married to Australian actress Tahyna MacManus, hails from the small town of Bray, Ireland.

Tristan MacManus (pictured) has revealed the ultimate Father's Day gift every dad wants

He grew up participating in ballroom dancing competitions in the coastal town.

The Former Studio 10 host married wife Tahyna in 2014 and the pair have three children together, Echo Isolde, seven, Oisin Lir, four, and Tadhg, two.

In 2011, the TV presenter made his debut as a dancing partner on Dancing With The Stars US.

'Irish whiskey is the new socks!' the father of three joked while raising his nip of Teeling in front of an intimate crowd

Tristan married wife Tahyna in 2014 and the pair have three children together, Echo Isolde, seven, Oisin Lir, four, and Tadhg, two. All pictured

He departed DWTS in 2013 and went on to join Strictly Come Dancing UK from 2014 until 2016.

Tristan then joined Dancing With The Stars Australia as a judge in 2019, featuring in two seasons.

In 2020, the 41-year-old was announced as Sarah Harris' new co-host on Studio 10 after the breakfast program underwent a major cast shakeup, with fan favourites Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Joe Hildebrand exiting.

Denise Drysdale and Natarsha Belling also left that same year, making way for a new lineup.

He hosted the show for three years until its cancellation in late 2023.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' daughter Suri, 18, was spotted stepping out in New York City the summer before she starts college.

The teenager braved the northeastern summer rains, sheltering under an umbrella while enjoying a chat with one of her friends.

In a sign that she has inherited her mother's winning street style, Suri accessorized a simple black ensemble with a cherry red handbag and Pony sneakers.

Her father is said to have been absent from her life in recent years, except financially, but her physical resemblance to him was still strikingly clear.

Suri's latest sighting comes just months after she graduated from New York's famous LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes ' daughter Suri, 18, was spotted stepping out in New York City the summer before she starts college

The school, which was said to have inspired the movie Fame, has churned out a formidable array of celebrities over the years.

Notable alumni range from Al Pacino and Liza Minnelli to Jennifer Aniston and Adrien Brody to newer faces like Ansel Elgort and Timothee Chalamet.

Nicki Minaj, Azealia Banks and Awkwafina all attended LaGuardia High School, as did Madonna's eldest daughter Lourdes Leon.

Having graduated high school, Suri will now attend the prestigious college Carnegie Mellon, where she is said to be 'leaning towards' studying fashion.

'She is a smart girl, and she is turning into a very intelligent mature young woman,' an insider recently revealed to DailyMail.com. 'She has a very close group of loyal friends, and she knows exactly where she comes from.'

Suri's mother on the other hand is said to be 'overwhelmed' at the prospect of Suri going off to Pittsburgh for college. 'Katie takes great pride in her but is also extremely overprotective,' a source shared.

Katie, who shot to fame on the teen drama Dawson's Creek, started dating Tom in 2005 and got engaged to him seven weeks into the relationship.

Their Scientologist wedding was held at the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi in Bracciano in November 2006, seven months after Suri was born.

The teenager braved the northeastern summer rains in a black ensemble and Pony sneakers, sheltering under an umbrella while enjoying a chat with one of her friends

Her father is said to have been absent from her life in recent years, except financially, but her physical resemblance to him was still strikingly clear

Suri's latest sighting comes just months after she graduated from New York's famous LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

The school, which was said to have inspired the movie Fame, has churned out a formidable array of celebrities over the years

Katie filed in 2012 for a divorce that was finalized just 10 days later, with Katie retaining primary custody of Suri while Tom was granted visitation, via People.

Ron Miscavige, father of Scientology leader David Miscavige, told the MailOnline in 2016 that Katie's misgivings about Scientology - including the effect it could have on Suri - contributed to her decision to leave Tom.

The Top Gun Maverick star reportedly paid Katie $400,000 a year until Suri's 18th birthday, and will now send money for her college fees.

Tom has not been pictured with his daughter in 11 years, and in 2018 it was alleged that he had created distance between himself and Suri.

'Every person is allowed to see their child if they wanted to,' an insider told Us Weekly. 'He chooses not to because she is not a Scientologist.'
Kim Kardashian gave a look into a recent family trip with her four kids.

On Friday, the reality TV personality, 43, took to Instagram to share a photo series of her and her family on vacation at Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho.

The photos appeared to have been from when she hosted a family gathering at the rustic locale last month before jetting away to Michael Rubin's fabled Fourth of July White Party in the Hamptons.

In her post, she was seen spending quality time with her daughters North, 10, Chicago, six, and sons Saint, eight, and Psalm, five, at her lavish, lakeside estate.

She penned in the caption of her post: 'Summertime Funtime.'

Kim Kardashian gave a look into a recent family trip with her four kids

On Friday, the reality TV personality, 43, took to Instagram to share a photo series of her and her family on vacation at Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho

In the cover photo of her carousel, she was seen sitting outside on a patio chair, surrounded by her four kids  all of whom she shares with her ex-husband, controversial rapper Kanye West, 47.

She threw up a peace sign and puckered her lips while her children made fun poses beside her.

The Kardashians star and her kids appeared to have enjoyed time in the outdoors and went camping in matching white tipi tents as seen another snap.

During their trip, she also took her kids out for a family meal at what appeared to be Wolf Lodge Steakhouse, a rustic old-timey lodge restaurant she was seen dining at in early July.

The entrepreneur was seen posing with her two sons in one photo, wrapping her arms around her eldest son Saint as well as her youngest Psalm, who was sitting on her lap.

She also included a fun triptych of her daughters North and Chicago sitting at the dining table in front of their crayons and drawings done on a spread of papers.

The sister duo threw up peace signs, flashing their matching bright grins before Chicago joined Psalm for a sweet smiling snapshot.

The proud mother also shared a photo of herself floating in the water next to a wakeboard with the idyllic backdrop of the lake behind her.

The entrepreneur was seen posing with her two sons in one photo, wrapping her arms around her eldest son Saint as well as her youngest Psalm, who was sitting on her lap

She took her kids out for a family meal at what appeared to be Wolf Lodge Steakhouse, a rustic old-timey lodge restaurant she was seen dining at in early July. She included a fun triptych of her daughters North and Chicago sitting at the dining table in front of their crayons and drawings done on a spread of papers

Another photo in her montage showcased a different angle of the mesmerizing view of a private beach on the lake beside vast hills and sprawling trees.

The SKIMS founder also included a photo of the tall grass fields with a path of delicate white flowers in one part of her fenced property.

On the same day, Kardashian took to her Instagram Story to send her 'love to the vitiligo community.'

'Vitiligo check ups be like,' she wrote alongside a lowlight photo of a blurry figure and colorful lights.

'Big love to the vitiligo community,' she added alongside an emoji of two hands forming a heart shape and tagging dermatologist Dr. Pearl Grimes, whom she referred to as 'the best doctor ever.'

This comes just shortly after she opened up about her son having a mild version of the rare autoimmune disorder.

The sister duo threw up peace signs, flashing their matching bright grins

The proud mom of four also shared a photo of Chicago and Psalm posing for a sweet smiling snapshot

On the same day, Kardashian took to her Instagram Story to send her 'love to the vitiligo community.' This comes just shortly after she opened up about one of her sons having a mild version of the rare autoimmune disorder

In mid-July, the mom-of-four appeared on the She MD podcast and opened up about her struggles with psoriasis as well as the skin disorder she passed down to her child.

'It came from my mom, went to me ... and I passed it on in a different form to my son, who has vitiligo very mildly,' she revealed.

As for her son's condition, which causes pigment to be lost from certain areas of the skin, she said: 'We got it under control.'

In the podcast, Kardashian did not specify which of her two sons has vitiligo.
Kanye West surprised his fans Friday night by dropping his shock new single Slide, a duet with his collaborator Ty Dolla $ign.

Ty Dolla $ign and West released their smash hit album Vultures 1 in February, and rumors have been swirling since about when Vultures 2 will materialize.

Now, in a sign that a full follow-up album may be in the near future, West released Slide to be available for streaming on his website Yeezy.com.

West, 47, defiantly raps: 'But when I slide it in like a drive by, the industry don't like me. Tell them p***y n***as likewise. They tried to hit me with the cyanide.'

The single came less than two years after West saw his career implode and his billion-dollar fortune plummet over a string of anti-Semitic diatribes, including praise for Hitler and a vow to 'go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.'

Kanye West (left) surprised his fans Friday night by releasing his shock new single Slide, a duet with his collaborator Ty Dolla $ign (right)

Slide's lyrics are largely of a sexual nature, as when West says: 'She know what I like, got me in a twilight, headed to the high-rise, cruisin' like Eyes Wide Shut.'

Ty Dolla $ign's verse includes: 'Pretty girl, all she ever do is take selfies. Said she only f***in' with a n***a 'cause I'm wealthy. Back when I was broke, I couldn't find no one to help me. Now there ain't a motherf***in' thing they can tell me.'

He proudly boasts that his friend 'Ye got the rhythm, make the ladies go crazy,' while 'Dolla got the stroke, make her wanna have my babies.'

Slide has apparently been in development for some time - a version was first played at a listening party in Geneva last September, according to Variety.

The live audience at Vultures Rave in Miami was treated to a full version of Slide in December 2023, months before Friday night's release date.

Hours before Slide was dropped, an announcement appeared on Yeezy.com that the full Vultures 2 album would be unveiled today - but the statement was then deleted.

Earlier this week, West and his wife Bianca Censori were spotted putting on a head-spinning display while heading to drinks at the Chateau Marmont.

Censori is known for baring her figure during outings with her husband, and her latest outing was evidently no exception.

Earlier this week, West and his wife Bianca Censori were spotted putting on a head-spinning display while heading to drinks at the Chateau Marmont

West and Ty Dolla $ign are pictured during their controversial Rolling Loud appearance in March, where they wandered around mic-less onstage as Vultures 1 played

Now, in a sign that a full follow-up album may be in the works, West released Slide to be available for streaming on his website Yeezy.com; West pictured in March at Rolling Loud

The 29-year-old Australian architect, who worked for Yeezy before marrying its impresario, wore a see-through nude bodysuit that strikingly exposed her nipples.

Slide arrived on the scene just weeks after screengrabs emerged that allegedly showed West expressing a desire to retire from 'professional music.'

News of the Flashing Lights hitmaker's shock plans were revealed in an alleged text message exchange with rapper Rich The Kid.

Rich The Kid, 31, uploaded a screenshot to his Instagram Story of messages he'd received from an iPhone contact under the name 'Ye.'

The text from a person believed to be West  who legally changed his name from Kanye West to Ye in 2021  read: 'I'm retiring from professional music. Not sure what else to do'

Rich then tried to convince the father-of-four to reconsider his decision, even bringing up the recent success of his Vultures 1 album with rapper Ty Dolla $ign.

'Retire? Why ? How ? The [people] NEED you the music you & Ty & we have made was the BIGGEST STAMP in culture to this date In 2024,' he wrote.

After 10 studio albums and 24 Grammy wins, West is allegedly retiring from 'professional music'; seen with wife Bianca Censori in Februrary

News of the Flashing Lights hitmaker's, 47, shock retirement plans were revealed in an alleged text message exchange with rapper Rich The Kid. After news of Ye's retirement gained traction online, Rich went on to delete the text screenshot from his Instagram Story

Rich was notably featured on West and Ty's lead single Carnival, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart when it debuted in March.

The song also marked West's first #1 hit in 13 years - his last being Katy Perry's 2011 single E.T.

'Drop Ye about mine & V2 and we do it all over again,' Rich continued. 'the kids need you big bra fasho maybe some time to chill buy retiring ain't it.'

After news of Ye's retirement gained traction online, Rich went on to delete the screenshot from his Instagram Story.

This sparked fan speculation that he may have made the post to stir up publicity for his upcoming album, Life's A Gamble.

As just hours later, Rich returned to Instagram to reveal the release date as well as a peek at the track list that includes a new song with West.

West  who is rumored to have produced Life's A Gamble with collaborator Ty Dolla $ign  will be featured on track 16, titled Plain Jane. Rich's album also lists Carnival as the album's closing track.

'LIFES A GAMBLE 7/19' Rich captioned the post, while also giving his nearly 12million followers a look at the album artwork.

Fans took to the comment section to voice their frustration and confusion, with one writing: 'Long story short y'all lied for promotion?'

Many wanted to know 'why' Rich had deleted the texts about 'ye retiring.'

West released his first-ever rap EP Get Well Soon... in December 2002 through Jay-Z now-defunct record label Roc-A-Fella Records.

His released his critically-acclaimed debut album, College Dropout, less than two years later in February 2004.

This sparked fan speculation that he may had made the post to stir up publicity from his upcoming album, Life's A Gamble

As just hours later, Rich returned to Instagram to reveal the release date as well as a peek at the track list that includes a new song with West

West  who is rumored to have produced Life's A Gamble with collaborator Ty Dolla $ign  will be featured on track 16, titled Plain Jane

Since bursting onto the rap scene over 20 years ago, West has sold an incredible 160million records worldwide and is a 24-time Grammy Award winner.

He has two Diamond certified songs  2007's Stronger and 2011's N***as in Paris featuring Jay-Z  and all 10 of his albums have been at least certified Gold.

His 10th studio album, Vultures 1, went straight to No.1 when it was released in February 2024.

It was done in collaboration with Ty Dolla Sign as their hip hop duo $.

West previously teased that a follow-up album, Vultures 2, is in the works.

The chatter around West's alleged musical retirement comes amid a slew of legal woes for the rapper - mostly relating to his crumbling Yeezy empire.

Just last week, a new bombshell lawsuit accused West and his new wife Bianca Censori, 29, of sending porn to staff members - including minors - at Yeezy.

A federal lawsuit filed in California claimed that Censori, 29, sent an employee a link to 'hardcore' sexual content after her husband announced the launch of his adult film business, Yeezy Porn, in late April.

It alleged that the videos were accessible to underage staffers, but did not name her as a defendant in the suit - simply using the story to illustrate the work environment at the YZYVSN streaming service app.

Censori has since denied the claims via West's former chief of staff, Milo Yiannopoulos, who told DailyMail.com he had permission to speak on her behalf.

'I've been authorized by Bianca to stress that any allegation that she showed or caused to be shown any pornographic material to minors is offensive, disgusting, abhorrent and categorically and wholly false,' the statement says.

He has two Diamond certified songs  2007's Stronger and 2011's N***as in Paris featuring Jay-Z  and all 10 of his albums have been at least certified Gold

His 10th studio album, Vultures 1, was released on February 10

The 39-year-old British commentator went on in his statement Monday to dismiss the allegations against him in the federal lawsuit, which accuses him and Ye of engaging in 'forced labor and cruel inhuman, or degrading treatment.'

Yiannopoulos slammed the claims, saying it 'takes more imaginative leaps than The Lord of the Rings,' and claiming it was filed by a man who had no authority at YZYVSN.

'The tragic, desperate, attention-seeking wannabee Yeezy staffer behind this egregious and repulsive pack of lies, Shemar DaCosta, has never had any kind of access to Ye, his family, or Yeezy, or any information pertinent to the company, and he never will,' Yiannopoulos said.

'DaCosta, known as 'Hotep Susan' in Yeezy circles for his histrionic and absurd race-baiting, faked an entire job history at Yeezy on his LinkedIn profilethe most tragic and thirsty lie imaginable.

'He claimed to be a lead developer for Yeezy. He has never worked at Yeezy. Read my lips: He will never, ever, ever land a job at the company after telling such odious lies about the Lady of the House.

'There's a simple reason DaCosta's clownish claimthat minors were shown Yeezy Pornisn't true and can't be true. Yeezy Porn doesn't exist.

'I made sure of that by falling on my sword and quitting over it.

'All I've done since is try to get these app developers paid, as voluminous correspondence demonstrates,' he continued - defending himself from claims that developers went unpaid for their work.

'Anyone asserting otherwise, including many in the press, are lazy or simply dishonest buffoons uncritically repeating mendacious lies from a lawsuit that takes more imaginative leaps than The Lord of the Rings.'

He went on to hit out at the claims that he segregated employees by race, and named Discord chat rooms 'slaves' and 'new slaves.'

'Secret white chat rooms? No, the other team just hustled harder than you did,' the former Yeezy chief of staff said of DaCosta.

'Hostile working environment? How can that be? You were never hired. Minors working illegally? Give me a break.

'The only minors being taken advantage of are the poor suckers roped into this lawsuit, who have no idea what a pack of lies their names have been attached to,' he claimed.

'If anyone's taking advantage of kids, it's Shemar DaCosta and his bozo Instagram lawyer Ben Lockyer, whose area of legal expertise appears to be credulous African Americans with dubious causes of action,' Yiannopoulos concluded.

'Both of them should be ashamed of themselves. And if they're not now, they soon will be.'

The chatter around West's alleged musical retirement comes amid a slew of legal woes for the rapper - mostly relating to his crumbling Yeezy empire; seen in February

Just last week, a new bombshell lawsuit accused West and his new wife Bianca Censori, 29, of sending porn to staff members - including minors - at Yeezy; seen in June

Yiannopoulos also included posts from X that he said backs his claims that the suit is frivolous.

Several wrote that Yiannopoulos is trying to get the app developers paid, with one man who identified himself as a 'Yeezy developer waiting to get paid' saying Yiannopoulos has been the only (ex)employee trying to get us paid by doing everything he can and more.'

'This lawsuit has only made things far worse for everyone,' the post said.

Another, who identifies himself as the lead developer for the app, agreed.

'So then suing him [because you] didnt get offered a job by them or make up other lies is crazy,' he wrote.

The lawsuit alleges that West and Yiannopoulos hired an international developer group comprised of several black members, many of whom were underage, with some as young as 14.

They then fostered an allegedly racist working environment and repeatedly made false promises about payment and working hours.

It claims that Yiannopoulos promised the developer group $120,000 if they completed the app, agreed to the work conditions and didn't complain.

But Ye then allegedly ordered all of the employees to sign NDAs and threatened to fire the minors if they didn't.

The duo also allegedly required minors to sign 'volunteer' agreements.

From then on, Ye's white managers reportedly used disparaging and racist language to create a hostile working environment.

They reportedly harassed team members on the basis of their age, race, gender, sexual orientation and national origin.

Milo Yiannopoulos hit out at the allegations made in the lawsuit in a statement sent to DailyMail.com

Yiannopoulos sent DailyMail.com some posts from former YZYVSN that he says backs his claims that the lawsuit is frivolous

The suit claims Ye ordered all of his employees to sign NDAs and threatened to fire the minors if they didn't

The workers were also reportedly forced to work through the night without pay or sleep.

If they did not agree with the long work hours without breaks, the plaintiffs were allegedly threatened with having their pay withheld.

But even after the team allegedly finished one of the apps on May 1 and sent it to Ye, the suit claims he did not pay them - leading them to file the suit asking for damages for unpaid wages and overtime pay, as well as emotional distress.

DailyMail.com has reached out to West for comment.
Miriam Margolyes made a hilarious return to BBC screens as she left viewers in hysterics by inspecting sex toys on her latest show Miriam Margolyes: A New Australian Adventure.

The first episode of the adventure series aired on Friday, and the British actress, 83, started the show off with a bang as she headed to Perth in a quest to meet a host of local characters.

However, Miriam had no clue what was in store for her, as she was shown a double-ended sex toy and claimed she would find 'being a sex worker absolutely exhausting'.

Fans were then left in stitches as they took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to comment on Miriam's naughty antics.

One fan commented: 'Turned the channel over to see Miriam Margolyes inspecting dildos on BBC2.'; Really loving the Miriam Margolyes travel documentary. Favs so far her being shown a double ended di**o.';

Miriam Margolyes made a hilarious return to BBC screens as she left viewers in hysterics by inspecting sex toys on her latest show Miriam Margolyes: A New Australian Adventure

The first episode of the adventure series aired on Friday, and the British actress, 83, headed to Perth in a quest to meet a host of local characters, including a sex worker

However, Miriam had no clue what was in store for her, as she was shown a double-ended sex toy and claimed she would find 'being a sex worker absolutely exhausting'

While another commented: 'Just caught a bit of this Miriam Margolyes in Australia series on BBC 2. A sex worker called her a gilf and she was like "what's that" hahaha nearly died then she goes "I'd find being a sex worker absolutely exhausting" haha. my god Miriam never change.'

According to BBC, Miriam is recovering from a recent heart procedure which left her feeling more vulnerable.

In a bid to adapt to the 'new Miriam', she returns to Australia, a place she considers her second home, to find fun, inspiration, and a better future.

Her first stop in Perth, the capital of Western Australia, got her out of her comfort zone and allowed her to learn from people carving their own paths to success.

The hilarious episode comes after Miriam recently revealed that she now struggles to walk and admits she regrets not making serious life changes after undergoing an operation last year.

The actress had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement operation to avoid more invasive open-heart surgery but revealed she still struggles with her health.

The Harry Potter actress also revealed that she is now registered disabled and could be confined to a wheelchair because of a back condition.

Miriam explained that spinal stenosis, which occurs when space around the spinal cord becomes too narrow compressing the nerves, could make it difficult for her to walk, restricting her to a wheelchair.

Fans were then left in stitches as they took to X, formerly known as Twitter , to comment on Miriam's naughty antics

Meanwhile, other fans took to X to express their joy claiming Miriam is a 'national treasure'

In an interview with Closer, the star said: 'I can't walk very well, and I'm registered disabled, so I use all kinds of assistance. I've got two sticks and a walker and they're such a bore, but I've just got a mobility scooter, which is a lot of fun.'

But Miriam also revealed that she regrets not making major lifestyle changes to improve her health.

She said she wished she had been able to conquer her weight and described not doing so as a defeat.

During an appearance on the How To Fail podcast in September, the actress and presenter confessed she had not conquered her weight.

She said: 'I am a blubber mass. I am fat. And to be fat and 82 is truly pathetic.'.

She also revealed that she fears as she gets older she won't be able to afford carers to look after her as her health worsens.

She told RadioTimes: 'I'm worried that I won't have enough money for carers when I finally get paralysed, or whatever it is that's going to happen to me.'

She added that she is now focusing on saving to provide for herself and her partner and is embarking on another series of her hit show.

Miriam, who has been with her partner Heather since 1968, lives in Clapham, South West London.
Laura Whitmore has accused BBC bosses of 'gaslighting' her over her Strictly Come Dancing experience with Giovanni Pernice.

The TV presenter, 39, who was partnered with the Italian dancer, 33, on the show in 2016, recently confirmed she'd spoken to the show about Giovanni's 'inappropriate behaviour', following her claims that she initially raised concerns to the BBC six years ago.

And in a dramatic new statement, the star has shed more light on her Strictly experience, telling how it's 'all coming out now' amid the flurry of accusations against the show and its professional dancers.

Speaking to The Irish Post, Laura told how she believes that the industry has changed for women since she found fame, noting that women are 'louder' and are now 'pulling people up on things.'

She added of her Strictly situation: 'The stuff I'm not going to talk to you about now, because it's under review, that's all coming out now, the stuff I tried to speak about eight years ago.

Laura Whitmore has accused BBC bosses of 'gaslighting' her over her Strictly Come Dancing experience with Giovanni Pernice

The TV presenter, 39, who was partnered with the Italian dancer, 33, on the show in 2016, recently confirmed she'd spoken to the show about Giovanni's 'inappropriate behaviour'

When asked if she wasn't 'listened to' when she first raised her complaints, she shared: 'Or [I was] gaslit to make it seem normalised.'

Laura went on to add: 'It's a shame that it has to come out in such a victim-shaming way, which it always does. And being the first person to speak up about anything is always hard.'

MailOnline have contacted Strictly Come Dancing representatives, who declined to comment.

The presenter's words comes days after she broke her silence over the Strictly scandal and confirmed she'd spoken to BBC bosses about Giovanni's behaviour.

Although she hasn't made a formal complaint, Laura hopes to get 'just an acceptance' of what happened to her in the rehearsals room.

Laura admitted she has discussed with six former Strictly stars about their time on the show and took their information to the BBC.

On an Instagram post, Laura wrote: 'I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.

'I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don't want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual.

'The stuff I'm not going to talk to you about now, because it's under review, that's all coming out now, the stuff I tried to speak about eight years ago'

When asked if she wasn't 'listened to' when she first raised her complaints, she shared: 'Or [I was] gaslit to make it seem normalised'

'I initially raised concerns back in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me but I've since learned I was wrong.

'The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people's experience. It's a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.

'I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won't happen to anyone else again.

'Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved.

'Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight. Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better.

'I've tried to speak up in the correct way. I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up.'

Amanda Abbington - Giovanni's last celebrity partner - quit Strictly last year due to 'personal reasons' before reports she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD.

The presenter's words comes days after she broke her silence over the Strictly scandal and confirmed she'd spoken to BBC bosses about Giovanni's behaviour

The TV presenter, who was partnered with the Italian dancer on the show in 2016, has claimed she initially raised concerns to the BBC six years ago

Although she hasn't made a formal complaint, Laura hopes to get 'just an acceptance' of what happened to her in the rehearsals room

Laura admitted that she has discussed with six former Strictly stars about their time on the show and took their information to the BBC

Sources then claimed Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura had an 'emotional summit' where they 'compared notes' about their time working with Giovanni on the show - prompting the BBC to launch a probe into his conduct.

In 2018, Laura shared that she didn't enjoy her time on Strictly with Giovanni, leaving the competition in week seven feeling 'broken' and admitting she 'cried every day'.

The Irish presenter wasn't happy about being paired with her close friend Georgia May Foote's ex not long after the pair had split - and felt 'extremely uncomfortable' dancing with him.

Writing for The Huffington Post at the time, Laura said: 'I love dancing  I topped the leaderboard twice  but I was thrown into the middle of a break-up that had nothing to do with me. Once again, I was a "rumoured love interest".

'I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with  and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.'

It comes just days after Strictly was plunged into further crisis after Amanda claimed that Giovanni was trying to block the release of up to 50 hours of 'toxic' footage'.

In an emotionally charged interview, the actress compared the dance show to 'the trenches' telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left 'horrified' by clips that also allegedly exhibited 'humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature'.

Amanda Abbington (pictured) - Giovanni's last celebrity partner - quit Strictly last year due to 'personal reasons' before reports she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD

'There's 50 hours of footage that's being blocked. You know, 50 hours is a lot of footage, and a lot of time spent in a room that was toxic,' she told presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

'It's out there. There is evidence out there of what happened in that room and I'm not the one who's blocking it. I've said anyone can watch it, but he (Giovanni) doesn't want anyone to see it, which is quite telling if he's got nothing to hide.'

A spokesperson for Giovanni told MailOnline: 'We would urge people to wait for the review's conclusion and not to pay heed to these very serious and defamatory allegations that have no evidence in support of them.'

The actress said that cameras were installed into her and Giovanni's rehearsal studio after she raised concerns after the first week of practice with producers wanting to review the footage each week to assess what was 'going on' between the pair.

Giovanni had claimed he had asked for the cameras, which Amanda says is untrue.

'So in the first week, I raised my concerns to the producers,' the actress explained, as she fought back tears.

'Giovanni said that he asked for the cameras, he didn't ask for the cameras, I know that he didn't ask for the cameras, because the producers came to me and said, 'we're going to put in cameras so we can view the footage at the end of the week and make an assessment and see what's going on'.

'And then every Friday, after the next sort of five weeks, I would get the producer saying, on the Friday, 'we just watched the footage back, we are shocked and horrified, we're so sorry'.

'That was to my face on the Friday when we would go in and do the camera rehearsal.'

Throughout the interview, Guru-Murthy, who also starred on the 2023 series, asked whether it was correct that Amanda had experienced 'humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature', with the actress holding back tears as she nodded in agreement.

'Yeah. I mean, you know, one of the many things,' she said, clarifying it was not harassment.

Amanda sat down with fellow BBC Strictly contestant - and Channel 4 News Presenter - Krishnan Guru-Murthy

In the Channel 4 News interview, claimed that sacked dancer was trying to block the release of up to 50 hours of 'toxic' footage'

Ever since the claims first emerged Giovanni has denied all of the allegations, claiming to have provided a dossier of evidence to the Beeb investigators and 'remains fully confident in clearing his name'.

Disputing Amanda's claims once again following tonight's interview, a spokesperson for the Italian dancer said: 'The BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us.

'They do not resemble Amanda's latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour.'

After the fallout, Amanda said she did not hear from any one at the BBC again, claiming: 'I haven't spoken to anyone from the BBC since Strictly.

'No one from the BBC has reached out to me since Strictly, either through me or my lawyer.'

In a message to those in charge of the BBC show that has been running since 2004 she added: 'Just be aware of what's going on and when you know it's going on, nip it in the bud. Don't allow it to continue.'

Amanda went on to claim that she has faced a number of violent threats from both Strictly fans and 'Giovanni fans' who have asked her 'how can you destroy something like Strictly'.

She revealed the extent of the alleged harassment she has received in recent months from trolls, telling Channel 4 that 'It has been brutal and relentless and unforgiving'.

'The aftermath has been something I was not expecting. The death threats and the rape threats not only to myself but to my daughter. The threats of death to my son,' she added.

'When you get one or two of the those you can [shrug it off],' she added. 'But when it's dozens of people saying 'just go kill yourself', 'go die of cancer', 'just kill yourself, your kids will be better off without you as a mother'.

Amanda detailed other horrific messages she allegedly received. Others included 'I hope your daughter gets raped, I hope your son is stabbed', 'you don't deserve any good things you have done', 'you're a snowflake, you're stupid, you're an idiot'.

Fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme after he was accused of kicking and spitting at former Love Island star Zara McDermott (pictured together during last year's competition)

The bombshell interview comes as the flagship BBC One show continues to be rocked by a string of allegations, which saw Giovanni as well as professional dancer Graziano Di Prima step down.

Giovanni was accused of bullying by Amanda as well as two other, unnamed contestants.

Graziano was axed from the show last month after allegations emerged that he kicked, hit and spat at reality TV star Zara McDermott during rehearsals last year.

Meanwhile, amid the continued controversy surrounding the scandal-hit show, rumours of the contestants joining the upcoming series continue to swirl.

And former Team GB star Sam Quek is the latest name to be thrown into the mix.

Sam, 35, was part of the hockey team and won gold in the Rio Olympics, before becoming the first female captain on A Question of Sport.

According to The Sun, the TV presenter is ready to put on her dancing shoes and bring the glamour to the scandal hit BBC show.

A source said: 'The show is really tapping into the buzz surrounding the Olympics this year, as well as heavily leaning into BBC talent - perhaps more than ever before.

Sam Quek, 35, is the latest star to be rumoured to be taking part in the next series of Strictly

According to The Sun , the TV presenter is ready to put on her dancing shoes and bring the glamour to the scandal hit BBC show (pictured on A Question of Sport with Paddy McGuinness and Ugo Monye)

'But Sam has very much become a star in her own right in recent years, and has been carving out a niche as a presenter.

'She'll also bring some much-needed glamour to this year's line-up.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Sam Quek for comment.

A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: 'The celebrity contestants for this series will be announced in due course.'

It's been previously reported that other names set to take part in the new series will include Nick Knowles, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and social media star Grace Keeling, known as GK Barry.

Also in the mix is Olympic swimmer Tom Dean who was part of the British relay team and won the gold in the 4x200 men's freestyle at the Olympics in Paris on Tuesday.

The athlete broke Strictly Come Dancing rules by revealing he has signed up to compete on the upcoming series before the official announcement.

Tom, 24, will follow in the footsteps of his teammate Adam Peaty as he confirmed recent reports he will be taking part.

The full Strictly line up was reportedly been 'leaked' as alleged list has confirmed the stars joining Pete Wicks (pictured), Paul Merson and Nick Knowles on the upcoming series

It was revealed earlier this month that ex Arsenal player Paul Merson (L) and DIY SOS star Nick Knowles (R) have also reportedly put on their dancing shoes

Tom Dean has broken Strictly Come Dancing rules by revealing he has signed up to compete on the upcoming series before the official announcement

The BBC go to great lengths to keep the celebrities taking part in each series top secret and stars usually don't comment on speculation until it's officially confirmed.

But Tom confirmed he is getting ready to take to the dancefloor while speaking after the men's 200 metres individual medley at the Olympics in Paris on Thursday.

He said: 'Naturally you want to take a break after you've had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose. I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different. I'll be doing that and straight back into training after it.'

Earlier this month it was revealed TOWIE star Pete Wicks has signed up, despite the news his close pal Zara McDermott was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima last year.

Meanwhile ex Arsenal player Paul Merson and DIY SOS star Nick Knowles have also reportedly put on their dancing shoes.
Sofia Vergara perfectly nailed casual chic on Friday as she paid a visit to the nail salon in Beverly Hills.

The Colombian-American actress, 52, opted for a floaty black summer dress for the solo outing, which she teamed with a pair of chunky white trainers.

Ever the fashionista, Sofia teamed her look with s stylish black Chanel handbag, statement earrings and silver jewellery.

The Modern Family star finished her look with trendy black sunglasses, while her brunette locks were left to cascade over her shoulders.

Sofia looked in good spirits as she took a stroll in the Californian sunshine ahead of her beauty appointment.

Sofia Vergara perfectly nailed casual chic on Friday as she paid a visit to the nail salon in Beverly Hills

The Colombian-American actress, 52, opted for a floaty black summer dress for the solo outing, which she teamed with a pair of chunky white trainers

Her casual outing comes just days after she enjoyed an incredible getaway to Europe with her doctor boyfriend Justin Saliman and several friends.

On Tuesday the couple were spotted treating themselves while out in the South of France.

Sofia was seen snacking on a tasty ice cream cone while her beau dug into his own treat as they strode down a cobblestone pathway together.

The lovebirds looked every inch the cute couple too as Sofia lovingly placed a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder.

Sofia donned a black plunging top that displayed a hint of cleavage along with a voluminous black skirt that added a chic touch to her ensemble.

Sofia had been sharing glimpses into her luxurious getaway on Instagram, most recently on Tuesday with a snap of her in Monaco.

She donned a fitted floral print dress as she, Justin, and their friends enjoyed the sights.

'Adios Monaco!!' she captioned the post.

Ever the fashionista, Sofia teamed her look with s stylish black Chanel handbag, statement earrings and silver jewellery

The Griselda star told People in May that she and Dr. Saliman are 'maybe' dating, adding: 'I think now that I'm older, it's great because you know exactly what you like.'

She was first romantically linked to the plastic surgeon last October, three months after she ex-husband Joe Manganiello announced their divorce.

Following seven years of marriage, Vergara and Manganiello, 47, amicably settled their divorce in February.

In January, Vergara admitted to El Pais that they divorced because he 'wanted to have kids' and she 'didn't want to be an old mom.'

Manganiello has since refuted this claim, telling Men's Journal that they split up because 'two people grew apart, and sometimes that happens.'

The Magic Mike's Last Dance star has since become involved with actress Caitlin O'Connor, 34.

Her casual outing comes just days after she enjoyed an incredible getaway to Europe with her doctor boyfriend Justin Saliman and several friends

Sofia had been sharing glimpses into her luxurious getaway on Instagram, most recently on Tuesday with a snap of her, Justin and pals in Monaco.

Vergara appeared on Watch What Happens Live that month, telling host Andy Cohen that she's sworn off younger men.

'They can't be younger than 50, I'm 51,' she said. 'Okay, 49.'

A source told DailyMail.com in November that things were 'moving fast' with Vergara and Saliman, and she is 'falling in love' with him.

By January, another insider said that he was more of a 'rebound,' and despite the 'amazing connection,' Vergara 'likes being considered single and ready to mingle' and 'doesn't want to settle with anyone.'

Vergara told DailyMail.com in February that she's 'open to having fun,' but she's steering clear of the dating apps.

'I'm bad with technology, so I'm sure I would click on the wrong ones,' said Vergara. 'I'm open to having fun and meeting people. It's only been six months.'
Chris Evans and his wife Alba Baptista are talking about adding to their family, which currently includes their beloved dog, Dodger.

One year after tying the knot at a private at-home ceremony on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, the Captain America star, 43, told People they are torn between going down the 'puppy route' or adopting an 'older dog.'

'Anytime you see one of those stories about some eight or nine-year-old dog that gets adopted who's had a rough life, it just kills you. And so, to some degree, that's kind of what we've been thinking,' he revealed.

And while whether to get a second dog or not is a hot topic of discussion for the couple, they haven't acted on the urge, yet  despite Evans saying adopting Dodger seven years ago was the best decision of his life.

'We both need a little bit of downtime for that,' the actor said. 'We've always said, "Well, maybe we'll just go down to the shelter," and I'm like, "Listen, do you really think we're going to walk down there and not leave with at least one dog?"

Chris Evans and his wife Alba Baptista , 27, are talking about adding to their family of three

'The question becomes, do we do the puppy route, or do we adopt an older dog?' the Captain America star, 43, told People

'There's no way. So if we make the decision to actually walk in the door, we're walking out with one.'

Evans adopted Dodger from a shelter while filming his 2017 movie Gifted and said the dog has made his life 'exponentially better.'

'He is an incredibly special dog, and I don't think it's possible to stay in a bad mood when he's around,' he gushed.

'[Adopting him] was one of the most profound experiences I've ever had. It was incredibly kismet. I knew right away the second I saw him that he was coming home with me.

'Moving forward, I'll only rescue dogs,' Evans added. 'That's the new approach from now on.'

Evans previously shared a video of 'the moment I met Dodger' for a National Rescue Dog Day post in 2021.

'I was filming a movie in Savannah and the scene took place at a shelter,' he recounted.

'I had no intention of rescuing a dog that day, but the minute I saw him I knew he was coming home with me,' Evans added.

'Anytime you see one of those stories about some eight or nine-year-old dog that gets adopted who's had a rough life, it just kills you'

'And so, to some degree, that's kind of what we've been thinking.' And while whether to get a second dog or not is a hot topic of discussion for the couple, they haven't acted on the urge...yet.

'We both need a little bit of downtime for that,' the actor said. 'We've always said, "Well, maybe we'll just go down to the shelter," and I'm like, "Listen, do you really think we're going to walk down there and not leave with at least one dog?"

'There's no way. So if we make the decision to actually walk in the door, we're walking out with one.'

'They aged him at about one, he acts like a puppy, he's got the energy of a puppy, he's just such a sweetheart, he's such a good boy,' said Evans. 'He loves dogs, he loves kids, he's full of love.'

In 2022, he told Buzzfeed Celeb that adopting Dodger was the 'best decision,' adding, 'I always thought when I adopted a dog, or rescued a dog, it would be a little puppy.

'Dodger was a full-grown dog. It wasn't the story I had in my mind but it ended up being the best decision of my life.

'I just think a lot of adult dogs and older dogs get overlooked, and that's a shame,' Evans said.
Kanye West didn't hold back on his criticism of fellow artists in a track on his new surprise album Vultures 2.

The rapper, 47, and Ty Dolla $ign, 42, released the follow-up in the early hours of August 3 without much prior notice.

The rap duo debuted their initial joint project on February 10.

In the song 5:30, the duo calls out several rappers.

'Ye name-dropped Drake on the track "5:30" from the Vultures 2 album,' reported an account under the name No Jumper on X and Instagram.

Kanye West renewed his beef with Drake dissing the rapper on the new Vultures 2 album which was released in the early hours of August 3. Drake and artists Lil Baby and Future were mentioned unfavorably on the track called 5:30

'Ye also mentioned Lil Baby and Future,' the reporter wrote, sharing the lyrics which go, 'You a fake b**ch, You don't really love Ye, go listen to Drake b**tch.'

That line was followed by another insult, which went 'You don't live in it and you don't got what it take, b**ch, Go listen to Lil Baby, go listen to Future, b**ch.'

Vultures 2 was originally slated to be released in March, but when that didn't happen, the rappers kept quiet about when it might finally be available.

Kanye peeked fans curiosity, unveiling the song Slide on yeezy.com and then live-streaming the project on YouTube.

Ty, born Tyrone William Griffin Jr, teased the album earlier in the day in his Instagram Stories.

Building anticipation among his 7.7 million followers, he wrote, 'V2 loading,' in white typewriter font set against a black background.

A few hours later he revealed, 'V2 LIVE,' adding a link to the music via Yeezy.com.

Following the surprise release, multiple fans took to X to call the unexpected timing 'random'

In the song 5:30, the duo calls out several rappers. 'Ye name-dropped Drake on the track "5:30" from the Vultures 2 album,' reported an account under the name No Jumper on X and Instagram sharing the lyrics that also call out Lil Baby and Future

Drake and West have been in an on-again, off-again beef since falling out several years ago (Pictured in Los Angeles in December 2021)

Vultures 2 is the highly anticipated follow-up to the Vultures 2 album, which was released in February

There was also a fan who shared an old video clip of West in a blue hat and gray sweatshirt, saying, 'Gotcha!' twice in a row. To accompany the snippet, the person wrote: 'Kanye West surprising everyone by dropping Vultures 2 without warning.'

Vultures 2 comes just weeks after screengrabs emerged that allegedly showed West expressing a desire to retire from 'professional music.'

News of the hitmaker's shock plans were revealed in an alleged text message exchange with rapper Rich The Kid, who shared a screenshot to his Instagram Story of messages he'd received from an iPhone contact under the name 'Ye.'

The text from a person believed to be West  who legally changed his name from Kanye West to Ye in 2021  read: 'I'm retiring from professional music. Not sure what else to do.'
Zac Efron was reportedly taken to a hospital in Spain after suffering an 'incident in a swimming pool' at a villa in Ibiza on Friday night.

A source revealed to TMZ that the actor, 36, was 'found inside the swimming pool by two people working at the villa who pulled him out of the water.'

His representative confirmed to the outlet that Efron was hospitalized 'as a precautionary measure' following the 'minor' incident and is 'recovering just fine.'

He was released from the hospital on Saturday morning.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the former teen idol's representative for comment.

Zac Efron was reportedly taken to a hospital in Spain after suffering an 'incident in a swimming pool' at at a villa in Ibiza on Friday night; seen last week in Ibiza

Efron's representative was asked why he needed to be hospitalized if the issue was merely a minor one.

In reply, the rep did not reveal why Efron needed to be fished out of the swimming pool, but once again stated the hospital visit was just a precaution.

Ahead of the incident, he joined Dutch DJ, Martin Garrix, on stage during one of his shows.

The Disney Channel alum has been spending time Ibiza and Europe over the past few weeks.

Two weeks ago, he spent an afternoon on a yacht with pals in Ibiza after a recent getaway to St. Tropez earlier in the month.

The incident comes more than a decade after he 'shattered' his jaw after he slipped on a pair of socks while running at his home, which caused him to smash his chin into a granite fountain.

In 2022, he told Men's Health Magazine that he lost consciousness only to wake up with 'his chin bone hanging off his face.'

Efron said that when he was injured, the masseter muscles on the inside of his face and jaw then 'compensated' for his injury causing them to grow in size - hence his remarkable transformation.

He says this explains why he looked so different at the time. 'The masseters just grew. They just got really, really big.'

Following the accident, Efron has been at the center of plastic surgery rumors, but the hunky actor the star insisted that the changes are just the result of shattering his jaw.

The High School Musical star also claimed to not know that he was a huge talking point on social media and had in fact gone viral for his different-looking jaw, until his mother called to ask if he had gone under the knife.

A source revealed to TMZ that the actor, 36, was 'found inside the swimming pool by two people working at the villa who pulled him out of the water' (pictured in 2024)

'If I valued what other people thought of me to the extent that they may think I do,' he told the magazine, 'I definitely wouldn't be able to do this work.'

In April 2021, Efron started trending on Twitter after he was seen on a video for Earth Day! The Musical displaying a more prominent square chin and heavier jawline.

In the clip, Efron eagerly called Bill Nye a 'genius' after hearing that he and Justin Bieber were working on a fictional Earth Day musical.

It led fans to speculate that the handsome star had sought plastic surgery.

Efron's pal Kyle Sandilands had also spoke on his behalf - saying the Baywatch star would never do such a thing, comparing him to an oil painting by one of the Old Masters.

The Australian radio host, who has known Zac for years, shut down speculation during The Kyle and Jackie O Show at the time.

A source revealed to TMZ that the actor, 36, was 'found inside the swimming pool by two people working at the villa who pulled him out of the water'

'I would know if he'd had any plastic surgery,' Kyle declared, before telling his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson that 'of course' Zac hadn't had work done.

He then said it would be pointless for the High School Musical heart-throb to have surgery because he's already so good looking.

'It's like getting a Picasso and having a kid finger paint all over it. Why bother?' he said bluntly.

Last month, fans once again raised questions about his appearance after watching his new Netflix film, A Family Affair, alongside Nicole Kidman.
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Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti looked totally loved up during their lavish summer holiday in Italy on Saturday.

The Oscar-winning actor, 49, and the stunning supermodel, 26, were seen getting cozy while basking in the sun on the breathtaking island of Sardinia.

Sporting an army green swimsuit that highlighted his gym-toned physique, the handsome star looked cheerful as they relaxed on a luxury yacht.

The beautiful brunette showcased her flawless figure in a tiny green bikini during their Mediterranean getaway.

The charming duo took a dip in the water before drying off and sharing a quiet moment together at the stern of the boat.

Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti looked totally loved up during their lavish summer holiday in Italy on Saturday

The Oscar-winning actor, 49, and the stunning supermodel, 26, were seen getting cozy while basking in the sun on the breathtaking island of Sardinia

The yacht trip comes after Leonardo and Vittoria dined al fresco in Nerano, where the catwalk queen flashed a massive heart-shaped diamond ring on her left ring finger.

Leonardo seemed completely captivated by Vittoria, frequently leaning in to chat with her as they indulged in exquisite Italian dishes.

She also showcased her heart-shaped diamond ring while boarding a boat with a host of A-list friends.

Their group included Leonardo's close friend Tobey Maguire, British model Neelam Gill, Entourage star Kevin Connolly, and former Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful, among others.

The couple  who have been dating since summer 2023  first sparked engagement speculation earlier this year when Vittoria was seen wearing a silver diamond ring in LA.

But an insider told TMZ at the time that the couple were not engaged and that she'd owned that particular ring since 2022.

The heart-shaped ring appears to be a new addition to Vittoria's jewelry collection and it has renewed interest in the idea of Leonardo  Hollywood's most infamous Lothario  finally settling down.

Vittoria also wore a similar ring on her right pinky finger during Wednesday's lunch date in Nerano.

Sporting an army green swimsuit that highlighted his gym-toned physique, the handsome star looked cheerful as they relaxed on a luxury yacht

The beautiful brunette showcased her flawless figure in a tiny green bikini during their Mediterranean getaway

The charming duo took a dip in the water

The yacht trip comes after Leonardo and Vittoria dined al fresco in Nerano, where the catwalk queen flashed a massive heart-shaped diamond ring on her left ring finger

Leonardo seemed completely captivated by Vittoria, frequently leaning in to chat with her

The couple  who have been dating since summer 2023  first sparked engagement speculation earlier this year when Vittoria was seen wearing a silver diamond ring in LA

On Tuesday, Vittoria was spotted riding on the back of Tobey's jetski as they romped around in water.

On Monday, Leo and Vittoria joined Tobey and the rest of their friends for an intimate dinner at Gritta Restaurant.

Leo and Vittoria were first linked over the summer of last year, when she had just turned 25, and have been spotted together on several occasions since.

However in March of this year, Leo was spotted putting on a cozy display at a pre-Oscars party with none other than songstress Teyana Taylor, with whom he has been filming the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson movie.

At the pre-Oscars party, Teyana was glimpsed gently caressing Leo's face, and he in turn was seen tapping her on the derriere, according to TMZ.

However, later that same month, he was spotted enjoying a lunch date with Vittoria in Los Angeles, indicating their relationship was still going strong.

Vittoria was even sporting a gleaming silver ring on her left hand fourth finger - but TMZ reported at the time that the couple were not engaged.

Near the end of March, Leo and Vittoria were spotted out to dinner at the Santa Monica celebrity hot spot Giorgio Baldi - and she then drove them from the venue.

However in March of this year, Leo was spotted putting on a cozy display at a pre-Oscars party with none other than songstress Teyana Taylor, with whom he has been filming the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson movie

Leo and Vittoria were first linked over the summer of last year, when she had just turned 25, and have been spotted together on several occasions since

Vittoria and Leo are said to have met at last year's Cannes Film Festival, where his new Martin Scorsese movie Killers Of The Flower Moon was premiering

They were first linked in August 2023, after a flurry of rumors that had connected Leo to Vittoria's fellow supermodel Gigi Hadid

'The restaurant has been Leo's favorite for years and he's enjoyed date nights with Vittoria several times,' an insider explained to People.

'She's, of course, Italian, so she takes care of ordering all the favorites,' said the source. 'She is very cute, sweet and charming. Leo seems to really like her.'

Vittoria and Leo are said to have met at last year's Cannes Film Festival, where his new Martin Scorsese movie Killers Of The Flower Moon was premiering.

They were first linked in August 2023, after a flurry of rumors that had connected Leo to Vittoria's fellow supermodel Gigi Hadid.

Vittoria was previously married from 2020 until 2023 to the Italian DJ Matteo Milleri, who is part of the Berlin-based duo Tale Of Us.

Vittoria was discovered in 2012 and has since walked over 400 fashion shows, as well as covering various international editions of Vogue 23 times.

She has spoken candidly in the past about the habits that have enabled her to retain her lithe physique and luminous complexion.

Vittoria was previously married from 2020 until 2023 to the Italian DJ Matteo Milleri, who is part of the Berlin-based duo Tale Of Us

Vittoria was discovered in 2012 and has since walked over 400 fashion shows, as well as covering various international editions of Vogue 23 times

'I always try to eat healthily. I go to the gym when Im home or do some yoga if I have the time off,' she explained to Elite Model Look

'I try not to eat lots of junk food,' she told W .'In the morning I always eat fruit and yogurt with cereal. And for lunch and dinner I always have vegetables as a side'

The couple, who have been linked since summer of 2023, enjoyed a quiet moment together at the stern of the boat

'I always try to eat healthily. I go to the gym when Im home or do some yoga if I have the time off,' she explained to Elite Model Look.

'I always make sure to wash my face at morning and at night, moisturizing my skin before I leave home or before I go to bed,' she added.

'I apply a face mask for when my skin feels tired or if Ive worked for a while,' noted Vittoria, who originally hails from Brescia in the shadow of the Italian Alps.

'I try not to eat lots of junk food,' she told W.'In the morning I always eat fruit and yogurt with cereal. And for lunch and dinner I always have vegetables as a side.'

As far as beverages are concerned, she shared: 'I love smoothies and Vitamin Water, but I always have some iced tea in my fridge!'

Leo has a history of high-profile relationships, primarily with gorgeous models under the age of 25

Notably, he had a famous five-year romance with model Gisele Bundchen, starting when she was just 18

This was followed by another five-year relationship with Bar Refaeli and a brief fling with actress Blake Lively

In the workout department, she dished: 'When Im not working I go for runs. I live around many parks, so its nice to feel like youre not surrounded by the city.'

Leo has a history of high-profile relationships, primarily with gorgeous models under the age of 25.

Notably, he had a famous five-year romance with model Gisele Bundchen, starting when she was just 18.

This was followed by another five-year relationship with Bar Refaeli and a brief fling with actress Blake Lively.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday dismissed six employees, including five constables of the Jammu and Kashmir police and one teacher of the Education Department for terror links and involvement in illegal and anti-national activities.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations, J&K Government, the activities of all these employees had come to the notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found them deeply involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State.

So far fourteen employees have been dismissed from their services since June 2024.

Four employees, including two police constables, one school teacher and one lineman of the Jal Shakti Department were dismissed from their services on July 24, and four others were dismissed on June 8.

In November 2023, while addressing a gathering in New Delhi, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha claimed that approximately 55 Government employees and workers have been dismissed for promoting terrorism. This action will continue until such individuals who have facilitated terrorism are dealt with, he said.

The Lieutenant Governor invoked Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution to sack the six employees after a thorough investigation revealed their links with a narco-terror network run by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror outfits operating from Pakistani soil.

Sharing details, the spokesman of the DIPR, J&K, in a statement said, one of the dismissed selection grade constables identified as Saif Din son of Quasim Din resident of Shigani Bhallesa District Doda A/P Javid Nagar, Bali Charana Naki Tawi, Jammu, was a notorious drug peddler, a habitual offender and a mastermind for distribution of narco terror funding.

He is a deeply motivated and committed drug peddler as well as a Over Ground Worker for the terrorists of a proscribed terrorist organisations like Hizbual Mujahideen.

He had established drug channels which are being used by anti-national agencies/ elements to smuggle weapons, and narcotics and to facilitate infiltration of terrorists in J&K, he said.

The spokesman said, Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Head Constable in Police Department son of Ab Aziz Sheikh resident of Ibkoote Tangdar, District Kupwara, along with two other employees namely Khalid Hussian Shah and Rahmat Shah (both working as Constables in J&K police) received huge consignment of narcotics from drug smugglers across the LoC from Pakistan occupied J&K.

He had contacts with the Pakistan based terrorists, who have been involved in smuggling of narcotics, weapons and money across the LoC.

The spokesman said, another dismissed cop Khalid Hussian Shah, Selection Grade Constable in J&K Police S/o Mehboob Shah R/o Chanipora Payeen Tangdar, District Kupwara, alongwith two other employees namely Farooq Ahmad Sheikh and Rahmat Shah (both working as Constables in J&K Police) received huge consignment of narcotics across the LoC from Pakistan occupied J&K. Being a resident of Tangdar Karnah, Kupwara, he used his expertise of local terrain and topography to establish contacts with narcotic drug smugglers across the border in PoJK and was at the forefront of running a drug cartel in Kupwara-Karnah region.

Rahmat Shah, Constable in J&K Police S/o Manzoor Hussain Shah R/o Panjowa Pingla Haridal, Karnah, District Kupwara had received huge consignment of narcotics from across the LoC for peddling it to other parts of the country, including local market for profit motive and for a larger game plan of adversary agency to destabilize J&K. Being a resident of Haridal village in Karnah, Kupwara, leveraged his knowledge of the local terrain and topography to establish connections with the narcotic smugglers across the border in PoJK.

The government spokesman said, Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Khalid Hussian Shah and Rahmat Shah, had established contacts with the Pakistan-based terrorists involved in the smuggling of narcotics, weapons and money across the LoC to India. They used to smuggle drugs from Pakistan and money generated through the illegal trade of these drugs was being used for fueling unrest as well as financing the terrorist activities in the Kashmir Valley and other parts of the Country. They were in contact with a large number of drug peddlers and Over Ground Workers of proscribed terrorist organizations and were a part of the modus operandi for arranging funding for terrorism in Kashmir valley and other parts of the Country.

Similarly, Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo, Selection grade Constable in J&K Police S/o Saif-u-Din Chalkoo R/o Silikote Uri, District Baramulla had developed a close relationship with the terrorist associates of the area and started working as an Over Ground Worker with the proscribed terrorist organization, Laskhar-e-Taiba, the government spokesman said.

He was in close contact with various Kashmiri-origin terrorists based in PoJK, through encrypted messaging applications and had received Arms/ammunition for further delivery to the terrorists. Being the resident of Uri, District Baramulla, he utilized his knowledge of the local terrain to establish contacts with terrorists based in PoJK. He used to assist terrorist groups, during infiltration, by providing logistics and transportation of their illegal arms and ammunition in the interior areas of Kashmir Valley the spokesman added.

Nazam Din, Teacher in the Education Department S/o Qayam Din R/o Kirni Haveli, District Poonch was also a highly motivated and committed drug peddler and a Over Ground Worker of terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. He had received consignments of narcotics from across the LoC for onward delivery to the drug peddlers even in Punjab. He was in constant touch with hardcore terrorists in Pakistan, who exfiltrated for terrorist training and are currently active in terrorist activities from PoJK. He smuggled drugs from Pakistan and money generated through the illegal trade of these drugs, was used for fueling unrest as well as financing the terrorist activities in the Kashmir valley, as well as other parts of the Country, being an important source in the narco terror system, said the government spokesman.
Even as tension flares up in West Asia, the Delhi Police has reviewed the security of the Israeli Embassy and Chabad House following alerts from the intelligence agencies in the wake of the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran. A multi-layered security has already been put in place with several CCTV cameras installed around both the structures. According to a senior officer, more personnel may be deployed, if required.

On July 31, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed in an airstrike that hit a residence where Haniyeh was staying in Tehran as a guest. According to sources, senior officers of the Delhi Police force have held a meeting to plan a massive security net around the two Israeli buildings in the national Capital.

This came after the Delhi Police debunked rumours of an explosion at the Embassy, calling it a hoax. The police said on X that it was a fake alert before deleting the post.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Israel on Friday issued an advisory for the Indian nationals living in the country to stay vigilant and adhere to safety protocols.

In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the local authorities. Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters, the Embassy of India in Israel posted on X. Air India has already cancelled its flight to Tel Aviv in the wake of escalating tensions in West Asia.

In the past three years, two low-intensity blasts have taken place near Israeli Embassy in the national Capital. No one was injured in the both attacks. Security around the Israel Embassy was upped after a war between Israel and Hamas broke out last year.

In December last year, a low-intensity blast was heard near the Israel Embassy in the high-security Lutyens zone, triggering concern among the Indian security and intelligence agencies and prompting them to carry out an extensive search in the area. During this operation, a letter addressed to the Israeli Ambassador was recovered at the spot.

Following the back-to-back assassinations of Haniyeh in Tehran early on Wednesday and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut the evening before, international diplomats have scrambled to head off a full-fledged regional war after Iran and its regional proxies vowed to retaliate.

Major airlines cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Israel and Beirut, Lebanon.

Meanwhile across the Muslim world  from Jordan and Morocco to Yemen and Somalia  angry crowds waving Palestinian flags rushed out of mosques after midday Friday prayers, calling for revenge.

Iran has said it expects Lebanons Tehran-backed Hezbollah group to hit deeper inside Israel and no longer be confined to military targets after Israel killed the Hezbollah commander. Hezbollah has been exchanging near-daily fire with Israeli forces.

In Washington, the US Defense Department will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region, the Pentagon said as President Joe Biden made good on his promise to beef up the American military presence to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies and safeguard US troops.

In a statement, the department said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East regions and is taking steps to send more land-based ballistic missile defence weapons there. The shifts come as US leaders worry about escalating violence in the Middle East in response to recent attacks by Israel on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which triggered threats of retaliation.

In a related development, an Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank killed five Palestinians, according to Israels army and Palestinian media, as violence flares in the Israeli-occupied territory. The Israeli army said its forces struck a vehicle carrying five militants in a rural area northwest of the city of Tulkarem in the northwest West Bank early Saturday morning, as the occupants were on their way to carry out an attack. The Palestinian health ministry has not commented on the deaths.
In a significant effort to promote the noble cause of organ donation, the Department of Anesthesia at AIIMS Bhopal organized a street play on Saturday. This event was part of the Organ Donation Day celebrations aimed at raising awareness about the critical need for organ donation in India.

The street play, performed by a dedicated group of MBBS students, nursing staff, and doctors, effectively conveyed the life-saving message of organ donation to the public. The performance highlighted the alarming disparity between the demand and supply of kidney transplants in India. Every year, approximately 7.5 lakh kidney transplants are required, but only 11 thousand kidneys are available through organ donation. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need to increase public awareness and participation in organ donation.

Prof. (Dr) Ajai Singh emphasized the profound impact of organ donation, stating, "Organ donation not only gives life to an individual but also to an entire family. By organizing such events, AIIMS Bhopal is committed to running an effective program to promote organ transplantation in the country and the state. Through organ donation, a person's organ can continue to live and give new life to another even after death."

The play underscored the importance of organ donation as a permanent solution to the increasing cases of dialysis in India. While dialysis serves to purify the blood, it is not a long-term solution. Kidney transplants, made possible through organ donation, provide a permanent solution and significantly improve the quality of life for patients.

AIIMS Bhopal, through its dedicated efforts and initiatives, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting organ donation and transplantation. The institution is committed to educating the public, dispelling myths, and encouraging more individuals to come forward and pledge their organs.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav affirmed the state government's dedication to empowering women, describing the experience of walking alongside the women of the state as deeply fulfilling. He expressed that he would always cherish the affection his sisters showed him with their Rakhi ties. Yadav made these remarks while participating in the Ladli Behna programme held at the Krishi Upaj Mandi complex in Narsinghpur, which coincided with Raksha Bandhan and the Shravan festivals.

Chief Minister Yadav said that, as part of the state government's commitment to women's empowerment, Rs 1250 is being deposited monthly into the accounts of Ladli Behnas to support their families. This year on Raksha Bandhan, an additional Rs 250 will be given separately alongside the Ladli Behna Yojana funds. This bonus will benefit 1.29 crore women across the state. Yadav emphasized that Raksha Bandhan is a festival that surpasses all others in its significance, highlighting the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters. He noted that the warmth and affection he experienced from the sisters in Narsinghpur today felt like celebrating all festivals in one day, underscoring the festival's deep connection to our Sanatan culture.

Chief Minister Yadav dedicated, performed bhoomi pujan, and laid the foundation of 12 construction works worth Rs 151.13 crore in the programme of Ladli Behnas organized at the Krishi Upaj Mandi in Narsinghpur. He also distributed benefits to the beneficiaries under various public welfare schemes. In the program, Ladli Behnas presented a big Rakhi to the Chief Minister and tied the Rakhi to his wrist. The Chief Minister planted a mango sapling in the open jail premises of Narsinghpur. Jail department personnel gave a guard of honor.

Chief Minister Yadav expressed that being born as a human is a profound blessing, and being born in India is even more so. He believes that his devotion to God has granted him the privilege of being born in Madhya Pradesh, with his spiritual journey leading him to the banks of the Narmada River. He highlighted that India's culture is rooted in the principle of "live and let live," embodied in the values of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha and Sarve Santu Niramaya, which connect us deeply with nature. Yadav praised India's unique global identity, characterized by its harmony and the paramount importance of values. Drawing on Swami Vivekananda's address to Americans, he noted that our culture embodies a sense of equality. Unlike other places where law enforcement is necessary to maintain order, India relies on its intrinsic values to guide behavior, with police focusing on addressing wrongdoing rather than maintaining societal balance.

Chief Minister Yadav said that to enhance the education of the state's youth, PM Excellence Colleges have been established in every district, including Narsinghpur, as part of the new education policy. He highlighted that both the Central and State Governments are supporting farmers with a grant of Rs 6,000 each to help cover expenses for fertilizers, seeds, electricity, and water. Yadav assured that all types of scholarships will continue to support students in pursuing higher education. He also confirmed that all welfare schemes currently in place will remain active, with no program being discontinued. Additionally, the Seekho-Kamao scheme will offer youth opportunities for internships, providing valuable work experience.

Yadav said that like the bonus for wheat and paddy, now the milk-producing farmers will also be given a bonus. He said that whatever cost will be incurred for the upgradation of the Narsinghpur Krishi Upaj Mandi, will be approved. The Chief Minister also announced to give Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the people killed and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured due to house collapse following excessive rain in village Rampura of Saikheda development block of Gadarwara assembly of the district.

Panchayat and Rural Development and Labor Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel said that like the monsoon rains, the state should continue to receive the blessings of the head of the state for development. He also gave information about the development works. He extended best wishes and congratulated him on his arrival. School Education and Transport Minister Shri Uday Pratap Singh, MP Shri Chaudhary Darshan Singh also addressed the gathering. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav visited the exhibition organized by the departments of the district administration.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that since ancient times, India has had its own special character and ideal culture, which is why India is called the Vishwa Guru. We wish everyone well with the principle of Live and let live. The role of Guru in our system has been to take us from darkness to light.

Yadav said that education has a paramount place in life. Education is more important than any position and status. Lord Krishna pursued education on the land of Madhya Pradesh and during the war of Mahabharata, he completed the scriptures with his soul. The Gita has various aspects. The armys discipline could be observed in the education imparted in Gurukuls. Life and death are permanent. The time in between is to live a meaningful life with a smile and enthusiasm.

Yadav today participated in the workshop organized by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights at TIT Excellence College, Anand Nagar, Bhopal. Yadav said that the workshop has been organized by the Commission on an important topic. The state government will fully cooperate with the efforts of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Efforts will be made to ensure that no child stops going to school. No child must be forced to be a dropout under any circumstances. Every student has the right to education.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi communicates with students before the examinations to boost their confidence. He has increased the importance of education through the new education policy. Many facilities are being provided to the students. Prime Minister Modi brought a new education policy to India. Today India is leading in the world in many fields. Chief Minister Yadav also recalled the steps taken to protect Indian students on the initiative of Prime Minister Modi during the Ukraine war.

Chairman National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Priyanka Kanungo said that education works to change the entire generation. It is important to bring children living in adverse circumstances into the mainstream.

Childrens education was affected adversely when parents went to other states for employment. Now in other states also textbooks are made available to students in Hindi. If a child is absent from school for 30 days, efforts are made to find out the cause and find a solution. At the outset, Kanungo welcomed Yadav and presented him with a memento. Saplings were presented to the guests.

Labor Minister Prahlad Patel said that the interests of the workers in the state are being taken care of on priority. All resources are being made available for education to the children of deprived sections studying in the residential schools run in the state. Madhya Pradesh will become a state with no child labour. For this, the help of all government agencies related to the education sector, voluntary organizations, and experts in this subject will be taken.

Patel said that we will endeavor to send school dropouts from families of deprived class and laborers back to school. Participants from 6 states Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra Nagar Haveli-Daman-Diu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa attended the workshop.

Subject experts and scholars in the field of education discussed the situation of school dropouts in the workshop.

Also, discussions were held regarding reducing the trend of children dropping out of schools in the state. Other organizations and public representatives also participated in the workshop. Chairman Madhya Pradesh Child Protection Commission Dravinder More and Member Secretary of National Child Commission Rupali Banerjee, Secretary School Education Sanjay Goyal, Commissioner Public Instruction Shilpa Gupta, Labor Commissioner Dhanaraju S, officials of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, officials of the Education Department, and representatives of voluntary organizations were also present.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in "power jihad" by breaking political parties to be in government.

Countering Union minister Amit Shah's comment against him as being the head of the "Aurangzeb Fan Club", he also accused Shah of being the 'political descendent' of Ahmad Shah Abdali, an Afghan ruler who defeated Marathas in the battle of Panipat. Attacking the BJP, Thackeray accused the former ally of breaking parties, a reference to the split in the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

"If Muslims are with us after we explain to them our Hindutva, then we are (according to the BJP) the Aurangzeb Fan Club. Then what you are doing is power jihad," Thackeray said while addressing party workers in Pune.

He also hit out at the Eknath Shinde government over the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme and accused it of bribing voters by giving "revdis" (freebies).
The US Defense Department will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region, the Pentagon said as President Joe Biden made good on his promise to beef up the American military presence to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies and safeguard US troops.

In a statement, the department said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East regions and is taking steps to send more land-based ballistic missile defence weapons there.

The shifts come as US leaders worry about escalating violence in the Middle East in response to recent attacks by Israel on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which triggered threats of retaliation.

Biden in a call Thursday afternoon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed new US military deployments to protect against possible attacks from ballistic missiles and drones, according to the White House. In April, US forces intercepted dozens of missiles and drones fired by Iran against Israel and helped down nearly all of them.

The assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut on Tuesday risk escalating the fighting into an all-out regional war, with Iran also threatening to respond after the attack on its territory. Israel has vowed to kill Hamas leaders over the group's October 7 attack, which sparked the war.

Austin is ordering the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which is in the Gulf of Oman but scheduled to come home later this summer. That decision suggests the Pentagon has decided to keep a carrier consistently in the region as a deterrent against Iran at least until next year.

The Pentagon did not say where the fighter jet squadron was coming from or where it would be based in the Middle East. A number of allies in the region are often willing to base US military forces but don't want it made public.

The White House in a statement said Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Earlier Friday, Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters that moves were in the works. She said Austin will be directing multiple force movements to provide additional support to Israel and increase protection for US troops in the region.

Military and defense officials have been considering a wide array of options, from additional ships and fighter aircraft squadrons to added air defense systems or unmanned assets. In many cases the US does not provide details because host nations are very sensitive about the presence of additional US forces and don't want those movements made public.

It's unclear what new ships would move to the Middle East.

The US has had a consistent warship presence there and in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, including two Navy destroyers, the USS Roosevelt and the USS Bulkeley, as well as the USS Wasp and the USS New York. The Wasp and the New York are part of the amphibious ready group and carry a Marine expeditionary unit that could be used if any evacuation of U.S. Personnel is required.

In addition, a US official said that two US Navy destroyers that are currently in the Middle East will be heading north up the Red Sea toward the Mediterranean Sea. At least one of those could linger in the Mediterranean if needed.
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Killaloe Municipal District hosted a Civic Reception in its district offices in Scarriff, County Clare to honour the Mayor of Derry and District of Strabane, Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr, for her tireless work in raising awareness on racial inequality, migration, womens health and housing.

The Elected Members of Killaloe MD wished to confer this civic reception on Cllr Seenoi-Barr in recognition of the continuation of North-South political, socio-economic and tourism co-operation evident in the Municipal District of Killaloe.

This includes the presence of the regional office of Waterways Ireland in Scarriff and tourism initiatives on Lough Derg, the River Shannon, Lough Erne and the Ulster Canal navigation system, as well as the cultural and social ties between the communities of Killaloe MD and Derry and the District of Strabane.

The Civic Reception was held in the Killaloe Municipal District Offices in Scarriff and was attended by Elected Members, Clare County Council staff and other guests. This marked the first occasion on which a Municipal District in County Clare hosted a Civic Reception. It was the express wish of the Elected Members of Killaloe MD that Cllr Seenoi-Barr should be the first person to receive such an honour.

Cathaoirleach of Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Joe Cooney, said: Lilian's early life was shaped by the challenges and inequities she observed in her Maasai community, sparking a passion for advocacy that would guide her life's work. In her late twenties, Lilian migrated to Derry, where she quickly became an influential figure in local politics and community activism.

Her work continues to inspire and empower individuals and communities, making her a formidable force for positive change. Through her tireless efforts, Cllr Seenoi-Barr has demonstrated the profound impact that dedicated activism and compassionate leadership can have on society.".

Cllr Pat Burke, added: Our June AGM was our first meeting as a newly elected group of representatives of East Clare on the shores of Lough Derg and the river Shannon, which is connected with our waterway to Northern Ireland. In that meeting, we as Members wished to highlight and pay due regard to a fellow elected Member in Northern Ireland who had also been elected as Mayor of Derry and the District of Strabane. Councillor Seenoi-Barr has played a crucial role in the betterment of society in that regard.
Riot police have been involved in face-offs with protesters in parts of the UK as ministers prepare to meet to discuss the potential for further disorder.

Planned demonstrations in cities across the country got under way on Saturday as tensions remained high after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Merseyside Police said a number of officers were injured during serious disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, with one officer being hit on the head by a chair.

Bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined the The Strand in the city centre.

Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.

Elsewhere on Saturday, bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent, fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast, and windows of a hotel which has been used to house migrants were smashed in Hull.

Greater Manchester Police said a dispersal notice had been authorised for the city centre and Merseyside Police said greater stop and search powers had been granted for officers to deal with planned demonstrations.

Scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottinghams Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides, and chants of England till I die and Tommy Robinson were drowned out by boos from counter-protesters.

Around 150 people carrying St George flags shouting youre not English any more and paedo Muslims off our street were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

On Saturday it was not possible to search Tommy Robinson on TikTok, with the social media platform instead showing the message: This phrase may be associated with behaviour or content that violates our guidelines.

Cleveland Police denied claims that the organiser of a march in Middlesbrough on Sunday had been arrested on terrorism charges.

The force issued a statement saying a 29-year-old man had been arrested on Friday over firearms offences after Mr Robinson had posted: Lad who organised Middlesbrough march been locked up on terrorism charges.

The weekend protests followed a night of unforgivable violence in Sunderland, which saw a Citizens Advice office burned down.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use for missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that it was an act of sacrilege.

Sunderland Central Labour MP Lewis Atkinson said a link could be drawn between the disorder in his constituency on Friday and the ashes of the EDL, which was founded by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.

Cleveland Police said two boys, aged 11 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after the protests in Hartlepool.

The EDL has disbanded but its supporters remain active, and Mr Atkinson said evidence suggested a Nazi offshoot of the group was involved in the violence in his constituency on Friday, in which a police station was torched and a mosque attacked.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said four officers were injured during the violence in Sunderland and 10 people have been arrested.

He told reporters that those involved in the disorder should expect to be met with the full force of the law, adding: This was not a protest, this was unforgivable violence and disorder.

Qari Asim, chairman of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, said the Muslim community is deeply worried and anxious about the planned protests by the far-right groups across the country.

An extra 70 prosecutors will be on standby this weekend to charge people who set out to cause violent disorder as the authorities prepare to deal with dozens of demonstrations.

Campaign group Hope Not Hate has identified more than 30 events taking place.

Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.

Violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town and 53 police officers and three police dogs were injured.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer later condemned thugs who had travelled to the town to cause unrest.

The unrest poses the biggest challenge yet to Sir Keirs premiership, evoking the scale of public disorder last seen during the 2011 riots.

There were a series of clashes in August 2011 in cities and towns across England, which started in Tottenham Hale, north-east London, after the killing of Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police on August 4.
Violence flared in Belfast and businesses were attacked after an anti-immigration protest moved through the city.

Police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between the protesters and those taking part in an anti-racist rally at the City Hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.

The anti-Islamic demonstration then travelled towards the university area of the city where there were clashes with residents of the Lower Ormeau area.

There were further reports of police dealing with disorder in the Donegall area of the city on Saturday night. The Fire Service were also in attendance.

Police said they are treating reports of criminal damage as hate crimes and said two arrests had been made.

A number of social messages during the week had been shared asking for people to gather and block roads in the greater Belfast area and elsewhere in the wake of the murders of three young children in Southport.

In response, an anti-racist counter-protest was organised for the City Hall, with hundreds of people attending, shouting anti-Nazi slogans and chanting in favour of immigration.

A number of people waved Palestinian flags and trade union banners at the event.

SDLP MLA Matthew OToole, Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw and Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty UK were among those who delivered speeches.

As the event was taking place, a number of anti-immigration protesters gathered across the road and verbal insults were exchanged.

The group chanted Islam out and unfurled Union flags.

There were also Irish tricolours at the anti-Islamic protest as a delegation from Coolock, the scene of recent anti-immigrant protests in Dublin, arrived.

After some fireworks were thrown, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Land Rovers and officers in riot gear moved in to form a physical barrier to separate the groups.

A stand-off continued for some time, with further missiles being thrown.

Officers were seen making an arrest and an ambulance treated one person who was injured.

Social media posts during the week had suggested the anti-immigration protest would then move towards the citys Islamic Centre.

However, police had blocked a number of roads in the city and the protesters ended up in a stand-off with police in the university area of the city.

A cafe on Botanic Avenue was attacked by the crowd as they made their way through south Belfast and windows in a hotel on University Road were smashed.

They then moved towards the mainly nationalist Lower Ormeau area of the city where there were angry clashes with local residents.

Police in riot gear and holding shields moved in formation, sending the protesters up University Road and away from the Ormeau Road.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said: We have dealt with a number of protest sites across Northern Ireland today, including a significant protest and counter-protest at Belfast City Hall.

Many of these caused disruption to the road network. A number of roads, including the M5, Wellington Place and Shore Road were closed for a short period of time.

We continue to deal with protest activity and sporadic disorder in the south Belfast area and are aware of a number of reports of criminal damage which we are currently treating as hate crimes.

An investigation has commenced and to date we have made two arrests.

He added: We would like to thank the community for their patience in respect of the disruption they faced and also place on record our support for the community leaders who worked to resolve the situation.

Mr Corrigan, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland director, said: The violence brought to the streets of Belfast today by racist agitators is utterly unacceptable.

These thugs act not out of love for country but out of hatred of others.

Despite the actions of this small minority, Belfast is and will always be a city of love, a city of sanctuary and a city of welcome for all.

Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey was on the ground during clashes on the Ormeau Road.

In a social media post she said: I just visited local businesses that were attacked by fascists today in South Belfast to offer my solidarity and support.

Our community stood together today in Belfast and on the Ormeau Road against racism and prejudice. We say NO to hate.

In a post on X, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: Shame on those involved in violent disorder in Belfast today.

Hatred has no place in our society.

I commend the officers of the PSNI for everything they have done to keep people safe.

Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill said Belfast is a progressive and inclusive city.

She wrote on social media: Years of dedication and hard work from people across our community have transformed it for the better.

Together, we will keep moving forward toward a brighter future for Belfast. A city that flourishes, free from hate and division.

Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said those trashing our city and attacking businesses should be ashamed.

She added: They should also face the full legal consequences of their actions. Unlike those working to build businesses and a better future, these hatemongers offer nothing but division and destruction.
Violent disorder in towns and cities led to officers being injured as objects such as bricks, chairs and bottles were thrown at police.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the police have his full support to take action against extremists attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violence will pay the price and that criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britains streets.

Cities in England and Northern Ireland saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters on Saturday, with police forming lines with riot shields to keep groups apart.

The far-right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir met with ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Justice Secretary and the policing minister to discuss the disorder and unrest.

They said: The Prime Minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers.

Addressing the scenes of disorder we have seen today (Saturday), the Prime Minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.

The spokesperson said the Justice Secretary had told those present that offenders who have committed violence over the past few days have been remanded in custody and the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible.

They added: The Prime Minister ended by saying the right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things.

He said there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the Government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe.

The Home Secretary said she had been talking to MPs across the country and that work will continue when asked whether Parliament should be recalled over the disorder, as Tory former home secretary Dame Priti Patel has insisted.

She said: Ive already been talking to MPs across the country and making sure that they and their constituencies are also able to hear from the local police and to work with local communities.

That work will continue, its really important that local representatives, also local community leaders are involved working with the police.

But the bottom line here is we cannot stand for this kind of thuggery or criminal disorder on our streets.

Merseyside Police said a number of officers were injured during serious disorder in Liverpool city centre, with one officer being hit on the head by a chair.

Bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined The Strand in the city centre.

Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.

In Hull, four people have been arrested as three officers were hurt after a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers.

Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said officers have faced eggs and bottles being thrown as windows were smashed at the hotel which has housed migrants.

Later in the city shops were looted and set on fire

Elsewhere, bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent, there were arrests for violent disorder in Bristol and fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast.

Four men have been arrested following disorder in the Staffordshire city.

And scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottinghams Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides, and chants of England till I die and Tommy Robinson were drowned out by boos from counter-protesters.

At least three people were led away in handcuffs in the East Midlands city.

Around 150 people carrying St George flags shouting Youre not English any more and Paedo Muslims off our street were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

Skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks in Blackpool, with bottles and chairs being thrown and wood wielded.

The string of violent incidents began in Southport on Tuesday, where demonstrators attacked police and set cars on fire the day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

The weekend protests followed a night of unforgivable violence in Sunderland in Friday, which saw a Citizens Advice office burned down.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use for missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that it was an act of sacrilege.

Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.

Violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town and 53 police officers and three police dogs were injured.
A business was set on fire in Belfast on Saturday night as fresh disorder broke out in the city following anti-immigration protests.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was maintaining a presence in the Donegall Road area in the south of the city where several cars and a number of bins were also set alight.

During violence earlier in the day, businesses were attacked after an anti-immigration protest moved through the city.

Giving an update on Saturday night, a PSNI spokesperson said: Police are dealing with ongoing disorder in the Donegall Road area of south Belfast tonight.

This disorder has resulted in a business premises being set on fire.

The public should avoid the Donegall Road and Sandy Row areas.

Earlier in the day, police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between anti-Islamic protesters and those taking part in an anti-racist rally at Belfast City Hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.

People taking part in the anti-Islam demonstration then travelled towards the university area of the city where there were clashes with residents of the Lower Ormeau area.

A business was attacked in the Botanic area of the city and windows were smashed at a hotel.

A number of social messages during the week had been shared asking for people to gather and block roads in the greater Belfast area and elsewhere in the wake of the murders of three young children in Southport.

Stormont leaders have condemned the violence in Belfast.

Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill said Belfast is a progressive and inclusive city.

She wrote on social media: Years of dedication and hard work from people across our community have transformed it for the better.

Together, we will keep moving forward toward a brighter future for Belfast. A city that flourishes, free from hate and division.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: Northern Ireland must always be a place that protects the right to protest, the right to have a view and to express it.

Lets be VERY clear  violence is not acceptable. It never was and it is not now. No one, NO ONE, has the right to express hate and violence. Stop it now.

Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said those trashing our city and attacking businesses should be ashamed.

She added: They should also face the full legal consequences of their actions. Unlike those working to build businesses and a better future, these hatemongers offer nothing but division and destruction.

In a post on X, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: Shame on those involved in violent disorder in Belfast today.

Hatred has no place in our society.

I commend the officers of the PSNI for everything they have done to keep people safe.
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SOSAD Ireland has said that its Dundalk office has seen a 25% increase in client attendance, with the charity revealing that it reached 1,251 clients through its one-to-one counselling service in the first six months of this year.

In a statement last Friday, SOSAD Ireland said that it is delighted to announce a substantial expansion in its counselling services over the first half of 2024, showcasing a notable increase in both the number of hours of support provided and the clients assisted.

This impressive growth, it said, underscores the escalating demand for mental health services and highlights the significant impact of SOSAD Ireland's efforts in addressing this critical need.

From January 1 to June 30, 2024, SOSAD Ireland delivered a remarkable 11,794 hours of free, one-to-one counselling. This achievement represents a 23% increase compared to the 9,620 hours provided during the same period in 2023 and a striking 48% rise from the 7,974 hours offered in the first half of 2022. This growth is a testament to the effectiveness and expansion of our services, driven by a committed team of volunteers and staff dedicated to supporting those in need, it added.

Throughout the first half of 2024, SOSAD Ireland has reached 1,251 clients through its one-to-one counselling services, reflecting a 20.64% increase from the 1,037 clients served in the first half of 2023.

SOSAD Ireland said that this growth in client numbers highlights the increasing recognition of the importance of mental health support and the efficacy of our services. Notably, these statistics do not include the additional support provided through group therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

It continued, our client demographic is diverse, with 65% identifying as female, 34.45% as male, and 0.55% as non-binary or preferring not to disclose their gender. The age distribution of our clients reveals the wide-reaching impact of our services across different life stages: 4.17% are under 18, 27.35% are between 18 and 25, 24.78% are aged 26 to 35, 17.24% are between 36 and 45, 15.16% are between 46 and 55, and 11.31% are over 55.

The range of issues addressed through our counselling services is extensive. Depression or low mood remains the most common concern, affecting 31% of our clients, followed by anxiety at 21%. Other significant issues include relationship difficulties (10%), stress (9%), bereavement (9%), and trauma (5%). Additionally, 31.8% of our clients have reported experiencing suicidal ideation, underscoring the critical need for early intervention and the essential role of SOSAD Ireland in providing timely support.

Our helpline and messaging services also play a crucial role in our support network. In the first half of 2024, our staff dedicated 101 hours and 53 minutes to phone support through the helpline. Meanwhile, our messaging service volunteers contributed 393 hours online, offering remote active listening and suicide intervention support to those in need.

Pointing to the work carried out by its volunteers, SOSAD Ireland said that the dedication of our 193 volunteer counsellors, both online and in person, has been instrumental in facilitating this growth. Their commitment has ensured that SOSAD Ireland can meet the increasing demand for mental health services across various locations.

Notably, our offices have seen significant increases in client attendance: Cavan experienced a 29% rise, Drogheda saw a 15.8% increase, Dundalk had a 25% boost, Laois reported a 26% growth, and Navan achieved an impressive 33.74% increase in client numbers.

It further added, SOSAD Irelands impact extends beyond national borders, with clients from 25 different counties in Ireland and 32 countries around the world, including substantial numbers from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Western Europe. This international reach reflects the global relevance and importance of our services.
Dundalk may benefit from new 200kmh (125mph) intercity trains between Dublin and Belfast, as well as train services at least hourly between cities and at least every two hours on regional/rural routes, should recommendations be implemented from the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published this week.

The Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland today published the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, developed in the context of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. The report, approved for publication by the Irish Government and DfI Minister, sets out a strategic vision for the development of the rail system across the island of Ireland over the coming decades.

The Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds and higher service frequencies.

Already, in the coming months, rail services on the island are to be developed towards the Reports vision. This includes an increase to an hourly train service between Dublin and Belfast, and additional services between Dublin and Galway, while procurement has also started on a new, faster, more sustainable Enterprise train fleet for the Dublin-Belfast route.

Among the recommendations in the report that will enhance rail transport in Louth are the development of short sections of new railways on congested corridors.

Two sections of the Dublin-Belfast route are likely to require a four-tracking or new rail alignment solution to accommodate conflicting demands for capacity and deliver a 200 km/h railway. The sections are:

Belfast  Lisburn  Newry: The existing railway between Newry and Belfast has significant constraints due to its alignment, level crossings, and limited space to add capacity between Lisburn and Belfast. A new railway could deliver significant journey time and capacity benefits for this corridor.

Dublin  Drogheda: This railway is expected to become busier when the DART network is extended to Drogheda MacBride. The report says that while it is probably technically feasible to four-track this railway  notably between Connolly and Malahide  four-tracking some sections may result in a significant adverse effect on the integrity of several Special Protection Areas and potentially the waterfronts of Malahide and Balbriggan. An alternative approach could be to build a new railway from Drogheda to Clongriffin following the M1 corridor.

The recommendations for rail in the Report have been developed through an evidenced-based review taking into account goals such as connectivity, sustainability and economic feasibility. The Reports recommendations envisage the following for rail on the island:

Additional capacity: upgrading much of the single-track rail network to double-track, with four-track in some areas;

Faster services: new 200kmh (125mph) intercity trains, with rail journey times between cities significantly reduced  in some cases, halved;

Higher frequency: train services at least hourly between cities and at least every two hours on regional/rural routes;

Decarbonisation: a net carbon zero rail system, primarily through the overhead electrification of intercity routes and new electric trains;

Greater reach: the rail network route length would increase from circa 2,300km to almost 3,000km with the reopening of former and new rail lines;

Wider access: facilitated by new routes in the North Midlands and North West, 700,000 more people would live within 5km of a railway station;

More passengers: almost tripling the number of people using the rail system annually from circa 65 million to over 180 million by 2050.

Welcoming publication of the report, Minister for Transport, Ireland, Eamon Ryan, stated: This is an important day for the island of Ireland. This is not just the first All-Island Strategic Rail Review, it is the most ambitious vision for rail in a century, bringing us forward to a new age of rail. This vision has been made possible by close cooperation between the Departments and agencies north and south.

"Rail not only allows us to carry more people and freight in a more sustainable way, it is the great connector, enabling greater regional accessibility and balanced regional development. The Report provides a long-term vision and a series of recommendations for the sustainable development of the rail network on the island. I would like to see the recommendations actioned as soon as possible, and I am pleased that work is now well underway, with European Investment Bank assistance, on how we can move forward.

DfI Minister, John ODowd, stated: The publication of the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, the first of its kind across this island, is historic and I am pleased that we have reached this point. The Report provides an evidence-based framework to help guide future investment in our rail network, and will help us meet our climate commitments. The Review has been an excellent example of joint collaboration on cross-border priorities, and this continued partnership will be key to realising its ambitions.

This publication brings us to a new chapter where we can shape a better future for everyone by decarbonising key services and investing in climate adaptation measures, while at the same time supporting economic productivity through projects, policy and legislation. Getting infrastructure right, and investing in it accordingly, can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities.
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Marshall University, West Virginia, USA. This MOU will lead to the development of collaborations in programme development, student exchange and research.

Dr Diarmuid OCallaghan, President of DkIT, recently welcomed Dr Brian Hoey, Dean & Professor of Anthropology, The Honors College at Marshall University on to the Institutes campus.

Dr Hoey is a regular visitor to Ireland and his daughter recently attended the DkIT Certificate in Archaeological Excavation & Recording delivered at Blackfriary Archaeology Field School in Trim, Co. Meath.

Dr Patricia Moriarty, Head of School of Business and Humanities at DkIT welcomed the signing of this MOU and says she is delighted with the programme of collaborative work planned with The Honours College at Marshall University which will see programme collaboration begin in 2025.

Dr Brian Hoey, Dean & Professor of Anthropology, The Honors College at Marshall University, said: "On behalf of Marshall University, we are thrilled to take the next step to formalise an exchange agreement with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). Our collaboration marks a significant milestone in fostering international academic exchange and enriching the educational experiences for students of both institutions.

Read Next: Shedding light on Dundalk's Freemasons

"Our agreement with DkIT will not only align with the broader strategic goals of fostering global engagement for our undergraduate students but also contribute to beneficial development of our regions, in line with recent legislative initiatives announced in 2023 to strengthen ties between West Virginia and Ireland.

"Our partnership, enhanced by the securing of a prestigious IDEAS Grant from the U.S. Department of State allows Marshall University to align our academic goals even more effectively for this transatlantic exchange and with DkIT's strategic vision and broader regional partnership with Maynooth University.

"We look forward to the unique opportunities our collaboration will provide, fostering academic excellence and cultural understanding."
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The diary entries of Irish Free State leader Michael Collins at the beginning of August 1922, as well as previously unseen telegrams drafted seven days before the assassination at Beal na Blath will be the focus of a new exhibition of the slain generals daily journal this month.

The pages detailing his daily schedule, meetings and to do lists from the first six days of August and giving what is described as a valuable insight into his day-to-day life will be on exhibition at the Michael Collins House Museum in Clonakilty town centre.

It follows successful exhibitions of other pages from the diary in August of last year and also in 2022.

The pages include a note to contact the quarter master about army mattresses, meetings he would need to attend, calls he had to make, and what is described as a list of essential items he would have to pack for a forthcoming trip.

The diary pages will also be accompanied by a recent donation to the National Archives of draft telegrams written by Collins just a week before he was killed at Beal na Blath on August 15.

On this day, General Collins started his day at the army headquarters in Limerick where he met to ascertain details of the transport available to him after his journey to the south, a journey which had been beset by car trouble.

The text of these two telegrams shows how frustrated Collins was by the time he reached Cork later that afternoon. Undoubtedly, he was eager to return to Dublin for Griffithss funeral the following day.

The diaries have undergone significant conservation and preservation treatment, archival processing, and digitisation at the National Archives.

The exhibition will be free for a limited time during August.

County Mayor Joe Carroll welcomed its opening and said it brought our rich history to life.

The diaries are on loan to the National Archives by the family of the late Liam and Betty Collins, of Clonakilty. The National Archives gratefully acknowledges the gift of the telegram notes to the State by Ms Maureen Coughlan, Florida, USA.
A Cork post office this week marked its first anniversary under new management with a party and a barbecue celebrating its position at the heart of its local community.

Ballydaheen Post Office in Mallow had only been under new management for two months last year when the neighbouring Lombardstown lost its post office, meaning Ballydaheen faced an influx of new customers.

We met the challenge, we said right lads, were going to be extra busy now, especially Fridays, pension days, whatever and we met the challenge and now were probably one of the busier post offices in the area, postmaster Daniel Lehane told The Echo.

We were only in the door and two months later we had to deal with another office.

Mr Lehane, who had taken over Blarney Post Office two years ago, said their first year in Ballydaheen had been very successful.

Its been about reaching out to the customers, to businesses, and saying, were a new owner, look, were here for ye, ye might not have dealt with us before, could we win back old customers, how could we grow the numbers, and all the usual challenges facing a new business, he said.

All the feedback that were getting from the customers is that the customer service, the staff, the manager, its all exactly what people want.

They want to be helped, they want to be listened to, and we might not always be able to help people, we will always try.

Mr Lehane said that more than 300 people attended the barbecue and birthday party, and it had been a nice opportunity to say thank-you to the locals for their support.

All we were getting was positive feedback from people saying were so happy to come on here, its a great place to come, you can have a laugh and a joke and everyone is so friendly, so were delighted, he said.
A large group gathered in Cork City last week for a protest organised by members of University College Corks (UCC) Bangladesh society.

Students across Ireland and the world are protesting against a job quota system where 30% of jobs in the public sector are reserved for relatives of the 1971 liberation war veterans.

The Cork protest was held outside the library on Grand Parade, to raise awareness for the students and people in Bangladesh.

Iftikhaar Haque, one of the organisers, told The Echo: We were glad to have TD Mick Barry in attendance to show that Cork fully supports the Bangladesh students, he also spoke on the situation.

We had a speech from someone who had just returned from Bangladesh the previous day, and they had first-hand experience of the riots, internet outage, curfew, etc.

As a result of this internet blockage, we cannot contact our loved ones, and we do not know exactly what the situation at hand is on a daily basis, and the death toll keeps increasing daily.
A senior judge of the Central Criminal Court commended the quality and resourcing of the investigation into the murder at Tralee cemetery in October 2022 and supported calls for more garda resources if justice is to be achieved for victims.

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring said that a huge volume of CCTV was harvested across Kerry and Cork in gathering the evidence that brought about the convictions of five men and a teenager for the murder of 43-year-old Tom Dooley.

The judge praised the quality of the police work in the case including the use of civilian agencies such as Forensic Science Ireland and the State pathologists office.

I have seen many garda investigations over 40 years  the good, the bad, the ugly, and the excellent  and this one is in the latter category.

One can only wish resources of this kind could be applied to all investigations.

Calls for more personnel should not be ignored if victims of crime are to achieve the justice they deserve, Ms Justice Ring said in the course of sentencing five men to life imprisonment for murder.
Users with additional needs will now be able to avail of an accessible chair, purchased by Cork County Council, to use the hydrotherapy pool at West Cork Leisure Centre in Dunmanway.

The cradle chair has been specially designed to safely transfer users from the changing rooms to the hydrotherapy pool where the floor can be raised to allow the chair to be wheeled directly into it before the floor is lowered again.

The hydrotherapy pool is a 7.5m warm water pool.

It is the only one in West Cork, and is ideal for physiotherapy, recuperation, or simply relaxation.

The Mayor of County Cork Joe Carroll described the centre as a fantastic facility for the people of West Cork as well as visitors to the region.

The arrival of this chair makes the hydrotherapy pool accessible to even more people, he said.

We welcome users with additional needs to the facility on a daily basis and hope the addition of this equipment will open up the services to more users.
A 24-year-old man was before Cork District Court charged with carrying out a sexual assault when he was aged 14 on a girl related to him who was much younger.

Detective Garda Danielle Love charged the man. Sergeant Dave Delea said the DPP had decided that the case should be dealt with by indictment.

The case was adjourned by Judge Mary Dorgan until September 9 to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

There was no objection to bail being granted to the accused on condition that he would have no contact, directly or indirectly, with the complainant or her immediate family.

It is alleged that a sexual assault was carried out on April 26, 2014.
A pregnant woman was violently assaulted by her ex-partner who entered the bedroom of her home before 8am in the morning. Detective Sergeant Kieran OSullivan said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the victim had sustained extensive facial injuries, with swelling to both eyes and cheeks.

She suffered a displacement of the nose, lacerations to her arms and hands, and the eyelashes to her left eye were torn out.

James OReilly, aged 24, of Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the young woman on November 19, 2022, at Silversprings Court in Cork.

Judge Helen Boyle jailed him for two and a half years. The full sentence imposed was three and a half years, but the last year of it was suspended.

This was a drink-fuelled assault at 7.45am where he entered the house where there were two pregnant women, Judge Boyle said.

The woman who suffered the assault causing harm was five months pregnant at the time.

Judge Boyle noted that the victim was in constant, daily fear that James OReilly would come back to her home again.

She does not feel she is the same person, Judge Boyle said. She wishes to have no further contact with him.

The judge noted that the defendant in the case accepted that he had carried out the assault, but had little memory of it.

Det Sgt OSullivan said the assault was carried out at the victims home in Mayfield on November 19, 2022, and added that, when gardai met her that day, she had heavy swelling to her eyes and nose, and was bleeding from the nose.

The victim said that OReilly entered her bedroom when she was asleep and punched her repeatedly in the face over the course of a number of minutes before she managed to flee to the safety of a neighbours home and call the gardai.
A new research initiative involving researchers from University College Cork (UCC) is aiming to take a significant step forward in involving young people in research and ensuring their perspectives shape the future of the care of children and young people within Ireland.

Children and young people aged between 12-18 years of age who have or are experiencing chronic health conditions, who have participated in clinical trials, have family members or friends with such experiences, or who have a keen interest in science or research, are being sought to get involved in the research which is being conducted by Irelands Young Persons Advisory Group (YPAG).

The group is a collaboration between Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) and In4Kids, the national childrens clinical trials network led by the Infant Research Centre at UCC.

Current research suggests that better patient care outcomes are achieved in hospitals actively involved in research.

The creation of the YPAG is itself based on feedback from children and young people participating in various public and patient involvement activities across Ireland, as well as the rest of Europe.

The lead person for the In4Kids network and Infant in UCC, Professor Geraldine Boylan, said the initiative would empower young people to contribute actively to future child health research in Ireland.

Their insights and experiences are invaluable in guiding our efforts to improve healthcare outcomes, said Prof Boylan.

According to Professor Paul McNally, the Childrens Health Ireland director of research and innovation and a consultant in respiratory medicine, it was vital that the research supported by the initiative would have a direct impact on the child and family.

One of the best ways to do that is to involve children and young people in the design and conduct of that research  as part of the team as opposed to subjects, Prof McNally said.

The new national YPAG will drive a greater involvement of children and young people in child health research and is a fantastic new development.

The YPAG will collaborate with healthcare professionals and researchers nationwide, transforming children and young people from subjects of research to active research partners.

Funded by the Health Research Board, In4Kids and CHI Clinical Research Centre will jointly coordinate the group, which will become a member of the European network of YPAGs, eYPAGNet.
Ongoing legal actions against Live Nation USA will have no impact on Live Nation Gaiety and its involvement in a consortium backing the Cork event centre, a spokesperson for the Irish company has confirmed.

The legal action against Live Nation USA has been brought by the US Department of Justice and two dozen US states are seeking to break the link between Live Nation USA and Ticketmaster USA.

A number of ticket buyers are also bringing an action against Live Nation USA and Ticketmaster USA and are seeking damages of 5bn.

Concert-goers in America have been calling for a re-examination of the purchase by Live Nation USA of Ticketmaster in that country, particularly since sales for the latest Taylor Swift tour in the USA in 2022 were subject to lengthy online queues and led many to be charged very high prices for tickets.

In May, the US attorney general, Merrick Garland, launched the anti-trust action against Live Nation USA and said that the company was suffocating the competition.

In a response to a query from The Echo, a spokesperson on behalf of Irish firm Live Nation Gaiety said: The Cork events centre, that we are very proud to be a part of, will be managed by Live Nation Gaiety (LNG), which is our Irish company.

The legal issues in the USA have no operational issues within or outside of the USA.

A Government decision on additional funding for the Cork event centre was due to have been taken at the last Cabinet meeting before the summer break, but this was not forthcoming when it took place last week.

It is now believed that there will be no decision taken on the matter before the Cabinet meets again later this month.

This move is due to the fact that the original allocation of 57m for the event centre was insufficient and additional funding was sought.

Former minister and Cork South Central TD Simon Coveney said last month that he was hopeful of a decision before the end of July.

We havent allowed it die and now, I think, were on the cusp, eventually, of finalising the funding decisions that are needed to make it happen, Mr Coveney said.

I know people are deeply frustrated about it, and theyve become cynical about it, but for me the only thing that matters is to make it happen.
By David Young and Cate McCurry, PA

A man is set to appear in court after several landmark state buildings in Dublin were targeted in a series of overnight ramming incidents.

A white van was seized after damage was caused to the gates of Government Buildings; the adjacent back gate of the Dail at Leinster House; the official residence of President Michael D Higgins in Phoenix Park; and the Custom House, where the Department of Housing is located.

A man in his 40s was detained after the last of the incidents at Government Buildings/Leinster House on Merrion Street.

It is understood gardai are linking the incidents at the various city locations but have ruled out any terror-related motive.

On Merrion Street, a number of the gates were significantly damaged, including those at the Department of the Taoiseach at Government Buildings.

A gate at the Attorney Generals office was lying off its hinges on Friday morning.

The gate at the rear of Leinster House also sustained damaged.

The gates at the official residence of Irelands President, Michael D Higgins, where gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA.

It is understood the man was arrested near the scene of those incidents.

A damaged white van was towed away from the area at around 8.20am.

Garda commissioner Drew Harris was seen observing the damage in a Garda car driven slowly past Government Buildings shortly before 10am.

Elsewhere in the city, the gates of the presidents residence at Aras an Uachtarain were cordoned off on Friday morning after the overnight ramming incident.

Damage was caused to gates outside Government Buildings in Merrion Street, Dublin. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA.

Some damage was also caused at the gates of the Custom House close to the River Liffey.

On Friday night, a Garda spokesperson said: The man arrested in connection with this incident remains in Garda custody and is scheduled to appear before Dublin District Court, Criminal Courts of Justice No. 2, at 10:30 am tomorrow morning, Saturday August 3 2024, charged in connection with the case.
Hamas leader assassinated by firing short-range projectile

Tehran, Aug 3 (UNI) Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh by the Israeli regime was carried out using a short-range projectile with a warhead.

The IRGC made the announcement three days after Haniyeh was assassinated in his accommodation in northern Tehran, hours after he attended the inauguration of Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, IRNA news reports.

Investigations have shown that the terrorist operation was carried out by firing a short-range projectile with a warhead of about 7 kilogrammes, which caused a strong explosion, the announcement said.
New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv today asked all Indian nationals in Israel to remain vigilant, adhere to safety protocols and avoid unnecessary travel within the country, amid heightened risk of military escalation in the area following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh.

In an advisory, the Indian Embassy said:

In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the local authorities.

"Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters. The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals.

It also urged Indian nationals who have not yet registered with the Indian embassy to do so.

The advisory comes as Iran vowed retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on early Wednesday, which it has blamed on Israel. The White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said the United States is ready to move resources to the Middle East if needed.

[The US] is always reevaluating our force posture in the Middle East to make sure that weve got what we need to defend ourselves, our troops, our facilities  but also our allies and partners, such as Israel, Kirby told CNN on Friday.

Kirbys remarks came after Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sent a warning to Israel, following Haniyehs death in Tehran. You killed our dear guest in our house and now have paved the way for your harsh punishment, Khamenei said on Wednesday.

On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hezbollah tried to launch rockets toward Arab al-Aramashe, an Israeli village close to the Lebanese border, but that the rockets did not cross into Israel.

UNI RN
A future artificial intelligence product by Meta could have you chatting with celebrities. According to Bloomberg and The New York Times, the company is in talks with Awkwafina, Judi Dench and Keegan-Michael Key, among other celebrities from various Hollywood agencies for its AI projects. The company apparently intends to incorporate their voices into a conversational generative AI-slash-digital assistant called MetaAI, which is similar to Siri and Google Assistant.

Meta plans to record their voices and to secure the right to use them for as many situations as possible across Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp and even the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Bloomberg says negotiations have started and stopped many times, because both sides can't seem to agree with the terms for use. For now, they seemed to have settled on a time limit, meaning any voice the company records can only be used over a set period. However, the deals with the actors could be renewed or extended by the time their contract is up.

The actors' representatives are still looking to negotiate for stricter limits, though SAG-AFTRA has reportedly reached an agreement with Meta on terms. SAG-AFTRA, if you'll recall, fought for the establishment of provisions to protect actors from the threat of job loss due to AI when it went on strike last year. Under those terms, a company will have to pay actors and obtain their consent before it can use their AI-generated likeness. If Meta reaches a deal with the actors it's talking to, it could pay them millions of dollars in fees.

Meta is looking to finalize deals before its Connect conference in September, The Times says, where it's expected to launch a bunch of AI products. During the same event last year, the company also introduced a chatbot platform with 28 "characters" voiced by celebrities, including Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, Dwyane Wade and Kendall Jenner. The Information reports that Meta has just quietly scrapped that project, and the celebrity chatbots' pages on Facebook and Instagram are no longer available.

This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
A thoughtless social media attention grab has once again taken lives too soon.

Antione Hampton died in a car crash that also claimed the lives of two others and injured five, including two children, per the 'New York Post.'

The incident occurred in Memphis, Tennessee, on Sunday. Hampton, who was filming an illegal street takeover, videoed a group of cars doing donuts in the middle of the street.

Thirty minutes after sharing the video of the street takeover on Facebook, Hampton, 22, was recorded speeding in his car. His Infiniti QX70 smashed into another driver's Lexus SUV. The Lexus was driven by Lachell Boyd, a former teacher, and her friend, Terry Baggett, was also in the car. Both were killed alongside Hampton himself.

The majority of the individuals that were injured were left in critical condition. A 21-year-old, a 23-year-old, and a 17-year-old all required immediate medical attention. The 10 and 14-year-old also sustained injuries.

In an interview with 'Fox 13,' Tanya Allen, a witness to the crash, called it "a big mess."

"The cars were mangled, and the horns were going off. I heard a bunch of screaming, so I ran to the side of my house, grabbed my ladder to look at the road," she recalled. She described the moment she saw her friend, Lachell Boyd, get hit. "I'm like, 'That's her car! Omg! That's her car, that's my neighbor, that's my friend.' "

Allen also provided suggestions to help making driving safer in the area.

"I think the far right lane needs to be turned into a bike lane, so cars will not drive in there," she said. "It'll give the drivers that are coming up to make that left or right an opportunity to see better. And maybe put some boulders behind all of these apartments and houses that they have over there that can so easily be ran into off after, you know, off of that, like it's an expressway."
New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday issued notices to Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, seeking a report over the deaths of 12 inmates within a month at Asha Kiran, a Delhi government-run shelter home for people with mental impairment.

The NHRC asked them to submit a detailed report on the matter, including the status of the FIR in the matter and action taken against the responsible officials and steps proposed by the authorities to prevent such incidents in the future, within four weeks.

In a notice, NHRC said, It has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that 12 inmates died within one month between July 15 and July 31 at a Delhi government-run Shelter Home- Asha Kiran for people with mental impairment in Rohini.

Reportedly, they included 10 women and two men. Their symptoms were similar i.e. loose motion and vomiting. Several other inmates are reportedly undergoing treatment at the hospital. As per the data of the medical care unit of the Shelter Home in July, 54 inmates were sent outside the facility for treatment. This has caused alarm and revived allegations of neglect and poor living conditions at the Shelter Home, the NHRC added.

Stating that the Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violations of human rights of the inmates at the reportedly overcrowded Shelter Home, the NHRC said, The deaths of inmates, in such a large number within a short period, indicate negligence on the part of the authorities.

According to the media report, carried on 2nd August, 2024, Asha Kiran is not new to controversy. The Shelter Home has a capacity of 500 inmates but now over 1,000 are residing in it resulting in overcrowding, the NHRC said.

Reportedly, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had red-flagged the functioning of this Shelter Home in its 2015 report. It was observed that the facility was over-burdened, ill-equipped for medical emergencies and short on staff.

The report highlighted that a total of 148 deaths had occurred during 2009-14. It had also found slackness on the part of the department towards decongestion of the Asha Kiran complex. In 2017, the Delhi Commission for Women also submitted a report stating that the facility was in poor condition, it added.

UNI PSP CS1600
Today, we are going to time travel back to 2011, when I started writing the Flywheel articles for the Coolspring Power Museums website and local media. Gosh, it became fun as I finally wrote 86 monthly articles. Admittedly, some were not very good, but a few shined through as excellent. I will pick and choose, and try to entertain and inform you, our reader, of some of the better ones. This will be a new venture for both of us!

McKee Station

McKee Station was re-erected at CPM in 2011. It looks a lot better today, but the history and equipment remain the same. With excellent cooperation of the station owner, we dismantled the entire building and moved it to the museum.

History reveals that the first station was built in 1898, and the present one in 1939. There is no information of the first station, but one can guess as the oil boom passed, the station could well have been downsized.

It was located south of Clintonville, Pennsylvania, on a scenic back road  yes, there was what remained of a road back into the station, but it took an entire day with the chainsaw to get truck access. Part of the access road was located along a small creek and it appeared very soft. We traversed it several times until the last load out when we got extremely stuck, but that is another story.

McKee Station, probably named for the landowner, pumped crude oil. It was considered an intermediate gathering station. That means there were several small local stations that delivered crude oil from the producers to the two large holding tanks at McKee. McKee also had a suction pump to bring oil from producers directly.

Before McKee received oil, a gauger would measure the level of oil in the McKee tank. After the delivery, he would measure again. The levels were converted to 42-gallon barrels, and the producer was paid the current market price.

McKee then used its discharge pump to transfer the oil on to Kennerdell Station, a main line station that repeated the same process of gauging before transferring the crude oil to the refinery.

National Transit, a division of Standard Oil and based in Oil City, Pennsylvania, operated a huge spiderweb of pipelines, pumps and stations, all to get the oil safely to the refinery and be paid.

In the early days of oil, there were many small pipeline companies all in the business of collecting crude oil and sending it somewhere or other. Finally, they consolidated into United Pipe Line which improved oil management significantly.

In 1881, Standard Oil, which controlled most of the production and refining formed National Transit by merging United with several other small companies. The name came from National Storage, a huge tank facility on the east coast. Standard Oil now controlled essentially all the oil from the well to the product.

National Transit prospered and, in 1890, built a magnificent four-story, red brick structure in Oil City, Pennsylvania, to house its operations. In 1896, a buff brick annex was added.

Today, the Transit building is beautifully restored and open with many arts-and-crafts shops. The annex still has its unique water powered elevator, although not operational. Its a bit of a thrill to stand in John Rockefellers spacious oak-paneled office and imagine what might have taken place.

At this time, Standard Oil controlled 95% of all oil produced in the U.S.  wow, what a monopoly! In 1911, the government broke up the monopoly, and many smaller concerns were formed.

National Transit had huge shops in Oil City, which are still in use as Electralloy Corp. Now, there were two divisions: National Transit Pipe Line Co. and National Transit Pump and Machine Co.

The pipeline part continued to 1964 when it was absorbed by Bradford Transit. In a few years, the vast pipeline system was history and the oil was moved in tank trucks. I was very fortunate to see many of the abandoned stations with all the equipment intact. McKee was one of these.

The pump and machine part built massive engines under the direction of John Klein, chief engineer. Until 1911, their engines were used only for their own purposes, so they could be as massive and intricate as Klein wanted. By 1915, their products, engines and pumps were made available to the general market, but continued with their unsurpassed quality. The shops were huge, and Transit built many large triple expanding steam engines for the Liberty Ships during World War II. They were finally absorbed by Worthington Pump and Machine.

Originally, McKee Station had one engine in the front center, with the suction and discharge pump belted to each side of the engine. We took the liberty to arrange it as many intermediate stations were with two engines and two pumps.

Station tour

Now lets tour the station, and see our arrangement, what is there and where it came from.

There is a 10-by-18 bore and stroke Model 3 Klein engine. It was rated at 20 horsepower and could run all day. It drives a discharge pump and came from the Shippenville, Pennsylvania Station.

There is a 3 1/2-by-8 Transit discharge pump, which Transit noted as a vertical triplex power pump. Note that the pump has the clutch and not the engine. This was their usual practice, and they used Med-Art clutches made in St. Louis. These pumps were extremely heavy and could sustain pumping 2,000 psi all day long. This pump came from the Brandon Station.

On the other side of the station, we view the suction side. There is a 9-by-12 Klein engine rated at 10 hp. Note the disc crankshaft. We date this engine at 1898. Its interesting to note that Klein made three different sized engines: the 12-by-24 bore and stroke, 40 hp; the 10-by-18, 20 hp, and the 9-by-12, 10 hp. It was a great line of heavy duty, functional and beautiful gas engines. Production was about 250 total.

There is also a 4-by-6-inch triplex suction pump. Note the lighter construction. They were used to provide a vacuum on the input oil line to the station. This pump actually came from McKee. In front of this pump sits a Transit water pump used for cooling larger engines.

During our tour of McKee Station, we have learned a bit about oil production and movement. It must have been a hectic time.
Americas black powder rifles hearken back to the era between the 17th-century Pilgrims through the end of the 19th century. Some were sent on ships from Europe to support the countrys British empire or sold as trade goods. Many were peddled by merchants and bartered by fur traders, including the French-made fusils that were popular with indigenous people.

As the new world expanded, tradesmen began creating their own versions. Some were made using imported English, French or German hardware while others were of colonial manufacture  lock, stock and barrel.

Many of the early rifle barrels were of the familiar smooth-bored type similar to todays shotguns, a favorite of landholders and hunters. It could use a single ball, buckshot or finer shot for small game. This made it a perfect choice for the utilitarian life of gathering of food while serving as a valuable defensive tool.

A difference maker

Many rifles being built by new-world craftsmen had twisting lands and grooves inside the barrels. This rifling placed a spin on a linen-patched roundball, giving it a tremendous advantage in accuracy over its smooth-bored brethren. Though these long-barreled rifles were not capable of effectively throwing small shot, its effectiveness at distance was deemed quite desirable on the frontier.

As explorers such as Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton wandered westward, these rifles became invaluable and indispensable possessions. They often meant the difference between death and survival as much as did the skill of the hands that held them.

Today, we tend to collectively call these firearms Kentucky rifles, though long rifle would be more exact. Its true that many were indeed built in Kentucky, but most of the continentally crafted arms that were initially hauled into the new land west of Pittsburgh called the Northwest Territory were likely built in Pennsylvania.

As settlements were established and businesses began to flourish, individual rifle makers sprang up in the newest states of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. As had been done for millennia, individuals began to explore the unknown  in this case, it was to follow the stories of the western plains.

Accounts of buffalo and antelope in unimaginable herds streaming through grasslands, huge bears, innumerable beavers and the tails of the Rocky Mountains coaxed rough and ambitious men westward and captured eastern folks imaginations.

Soon, another gun maker opened in St. Louis, owned by brothers Samuel and Jacob Hawken. Their much sought after Plains Rifles became the standard of those western-wandering mountain men. Both the men and their robustly built Hawkens would become legends of the Rockies.

As the American Civil War was ending in 1865, so was the age of front-stuffing rifles and shotguns. Nearly every sportsman in the country abandoned the old guns for the newer  and much more user friendly  cartridge rifles and shotguns using the ammunition we see on the range and in the hunting fields today. Those historic guns and their shooters were passing into the shades of history. Still, there were a few folks that kept granddads long rifle barking.

Henry Fords reputation as an industrialist, engineer and inventor of affordable motorcars put his name in every newspaper. When he began toting his enjoyment of collecting old and historically significant items, the antique market blossomed. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Detroit now houses much of his collection.

Ohio impact

In the late 1920s, this interest of the old-fashioned caught the attention of several Ohio men. Theyd always had an interest in muzzle loading rifles and in keeping some of the one-time shooting traditions alive.

Suddenly, others were coming to them with questions about their use and value. They became the founders of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association in 1933. That group of friends included William Large from Ironton, Ohio.

Large (1907-1985), likely the best remembered of the lot, was one of the original rifle barrel makers for muzzleloaders during this 20th century revival. He helped popularize the resurgence of chunk guns and over the log shooting matches which took place on local homesteads with turkeys, hams and sides of bacon as prizes. He continued building rifle barrels into the 1980s, and theyre still prized for both their accuracy and history.

Two other Buckeyes of that time made their mark on preserving this unique American history. These were Wes Kindig (1912-1978) and Tom Pike (1914-2001).

As the old became new again, Wes took his love of the front-loaders and began offering parts, pieces and tools to help bring old guns back to life and, more importantly, to assist in the renaissance of new builders  including the growing popularity of historical reenactments and target shooting.

That was in 1940 but you can still visit his Log Cabin Shop in Lodi, Ohio. There youll find his kin selling the same supplies and a display of museum quality antique Ohio-built flint and caplock rifles.

Tom Pike, another Ohio historian who helped establish the NMLRA, was also a collector of the old rifles. A fine shooter himself, it was Toms wife Ethel who humbled many a shooter at the rifle range, taking home more than her share of ribbons and trophies.

Pike operated Fort Tuscarora Museum which stood just east of Guilford Lake State Park in Columbiana County. It included a well-stocked store catering to black powder buffs. It also happens to be where I purchased my first front loader for deer hunting. Sadly, the museum and his shop are gone but Tom and Ethels impact on preserving Ohios heritage will always be evident.

While this resurging interest kept building, Ohios deer herd was also making a comeback. Extirpated by the early 1900s, whitetail numbers were steadily returning and bow and gun seasons were put in place.

Primitives comeback

This same group of muzzleloading aficionados saw an opportunity to breathe even more life into their interests. Using their influence, they encouraged the Division of Wildlife to consider a primitive weapons season which would favor flintlock and percussion guns. That same influence was simultaneously driving other states to consider similar seasons. The division determined that the idea was biologically sound and just as safe as other forms of hunting.

The first primitive weapons seasons were set in limited areas near what is now Salt Fork State Park and at Wildcat Hollow in Wayne National Forest. Those opportunities have since expanded to include the entire state.

Today, the NMLRA is based in Friendship, Indiana. The area is a combination of both modern and primitive facilities reflecting the diverse nature of the association and the sport of muzzleloading.

True to their founders, the organization continues to promote, support and preserve our nations rich historical heritage in the sport of muzzleloading through recreational, educational, historical and cultural venues. Shooting matches are held regularly as well as an annual national shooting competitions.

Dont let that Hoosier location dissuade you from learning more. NMLRA has charter clubs in every state with Ohio boasting 27, offering a lot of fun closer to home. A visit will expose you to the same smoke and sulfuric scents drifting on the winds  something so familiar to those who stood fast at Lexington and to frontiersman Davy Crocket.

If you enjoy American history, shooting, the unique experience of historic arms, and good friends  you may want to explore a little more about the Charter Member Clubs of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. Feel free to stop in to watch any one of their shoots  but you may want to take along hearing protection and a camera. Expect to be welcomed with a smile and to leave with a sudden urge to re-read Ohio author Allan Eckerts Frontiersmen and James Fenimore Coopers Last of the Mohicans. Learn more about NMLRA at www.nmlra.org. To find those charter clubs, visit www.nmlra.org/charterclubs.

If youre a hunter whos never taken up an old-fashioned smoke pole to pursue bushytails or whitetails, these guns and their replicas can be a popular addition in the hunting field. Check the hunting regulations  including Ohios primitive season  for opportunities for any aspiring Boone or Kenton. Find Ohios hunting regulations at www.wildohio.gov.

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

 Henry David Thoreau
The new Labour government's promise of a new deal for farmers sets out 'positive intentions', although 'there is a lot of work to be done', the NFU has said.

Defra's pledge came after it published new figures from its farmer opinion tracker for England which found that farmer confidence remained poor.

Half of farmers said they did not feel positive about their future in farming, according to the findings.

Of those making changes to their businesses, one quarter planned to cut the size of their businesses and 14% planned to leave farming in the next 3-5 years.

Extreme weather, rises in energy costs and 'damaging' trade deals were cited as factors contributing towards this negative trend.

Defra's results showed that trade agreements with other countries were a factor for 29% of farmers who made changes to their business.

It supports the NFUs own survey work which found confidence levels are at their lowest across the majority of sectors since records began in 2010.

In response to the findings, Defra Secretary Steve Reed said action was needed by the new government to restore stability and confidence in the sector.

He added there would be 'a new deal' for farmers to boost rural economic growth and strengthen food security, alongside natures recovery.

Responding, NFU President Tom Bradshaw welcomed the positive intentions to achieve our shared ambition of boosting UK food security.

He added that it was "good to see a recognition that rebuilding confidence and stability is central to this.

Our own survey showed that farmer confidence has been battered by a myriad of issues, from farm profitability and the phasing out of BPS support to the devastating impact of extreme weather and flooding," he said.

"Investment is key to overcoming these issues, to build business confidence and achieve growth in the sector. This must start with an increased multi-annual agriculture budget.

There is a lot of work to be done and hurdles to overcome to ensure farming can continue to play its part in the health and wealth of our nation.

"We really value the open dialogue we have with the government to find those solutions which will deliver a more stable business environment where British farming can thrive, and ultimately bolster our nations economic and food resilience.

What is Labour's 'new deal' for farmers?

The new Labour government says it is introducing a new deal for farmers to boost Britains food security and drive rural economic growth.

This will include:

 Optimising Environmental Land Management schemes so they produce the right outcomes for all farmers

 Seeking a new veterinary agreement with the EU to cut red tape at borders and get British food exports moving

 Protecting farmers from being undercut by low welfare and low standards in trade deals

 Using the governments purchasing power to back British produce

 Setting up a new British Infrastructure Council to steer private investment in rural areas including broadband rollout in rural communities

 Speeding up the building of flood defences and natural flood management schemes, including through a new flood resilience taskforce to protect rural homes and farms

 Introducing a land-use framework which balances long-term food security and nature recovery
Jamie Foxx has credited his sister for saving his life.

Jamie Foxx has paid a glowing tribute to his sister

The 56-year-old actor has taken to social media to pay a glowing birthday tribute to his sister, Deidra.

Alongside a video of them together, Jamie wrote on Instagram: "Yooooooooooo super big big big happy happy happy happy birthday to my wonderful sister Deidra Dixon!!!! You are amazing you are my light you saved my life I repeat you saved my life!!!!!! I am forever grateful for you and today. I want you to turn up and enjoy. You are the best little Leo, real tears in my eyes right now I love you to the moon and back.!!! @frequency11 [heart emojis] (sic)"

In April 2023, Jamie was taken to hospital after suffering a "medical complication".

At the time, Jamie's daughter Corinne took to social media to acknowledge the issue.

In a statement written on behalf of her family, Corinne explained: "We wanted to share that my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday.

"Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time."

Jamie suffered the issue while he was working on the Netflix movie 'Back in Action'.

The Hollywood star returned to shooting the movie in early 2024, and a source revealed at the time that he was feeling "fantastic".

The insider told PEOPLE: "Jamie is indeed back on set and shooting through February. He looks and feels fantastic."

Despite his struggles, Jamie was determined to fully commit himself to the project.

The source added: "They tried to finish the movie with a stunt double but it didnt come out right so Jamie is going to do all of the parts now.

"He is doing so well."
Nicole Kidman thinks compromise is key to a happy marriage.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have been married since 2006

The 57-year-old actress has been married to music star Keith Urban since 2006, and Nicole has now shared some of the best relationship advice she's ever received.

Speaking to Victoria Beckham for Vogue Australia magazine, Nicole explained: "The greatest advice I was given was theres the individual - so theres the me and the you - and theres the we. And thats only you.

"No one else has what you two create, or what Keith and I create, any married couple who are partners, any people who have chosen to be in a relationship together, we create this, so we decide what this is."

Nicole - who was previously married to movie star Tom Cruise between 1990 and 2001 - believes that any successful marriage requires some degree of compromise.

The award-winning actress shared: "Compromise as well. A lot. Its always trial and error, and sometimes its imbalanced and then it gets back in balance  We dont gloat about it.

"People always ask, Whats your marriage advice? We dont have any! Everyone does their own thing and creates it. Im not some relationship guru. Im just trying to find my own way."

Nicole explained that Keith, 56, has been a stable influence in her life since they tied the knot.

The movie star also suggested that her husband has helped her to navigate the pressures of fame and success.

She said: "Its such an unstable industry and hes my solace. Every day we get up in the morning and we go for a walkand we hold hands. We love holding hands."
Prince William was Miranda Kerr's first celebrity crush.

Miranda Kerr has revealed the identity of her celebrity crush

The 41-year-old star has admitted to being obsessed by the British royal during her younger years.

The brunette beauty - who was married to actor Orlando Bloom between 2010 and 2013 - told Us Weekly: "My celebrity crush growing up was Prince William."

Despite this, Miranda has admitted to feeling "most starstruck" when she met yoga teacher Gurmukh.

The model has rubbed shoulders with some of the world's most famous people, but she's admitted to being in awe of Gurmukh, who is considered to be a pioneer in the field of pre-natal yoga.

Miranda - who is married to billionaire businessman Evan Spiegel - said: "My most starstruck moment was the first time I met Gurmukh.

"She brought Kundalini yoga to the western world. Ive practised Kundalini yoga since I was 17 years old, and it was a dream to meet her and do Kundalini yoga together."

Miranda revealed that meditation has become an important part of her daily routine.

The runway star explained: "Ive been meditating daily for over 20 years. Its one of the first things I do in the morning and one of the last things I do at night. I learned and often do TM meditation [Transcendental Meditation], or sometimes I will use the Insight Timer app for guided meditations."

Miranda has enjoyed huge success in her career, modelling for the likes of Victoria's Secret and Maybelline.

But if she wasn't modelling, Miranda would love to do something "health and wellness-related".

She said: "For an alternate profession, Id still be doing something health and wellness-related.

"Ive always been fascinated by psychology and nutrition, and how the mind and body are so connected."
Turkiye's apparel exports experienced a 10 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in the first half (H1) of 2024, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the country's Ministry of Trade. During this period, exports totalled $8.536 billion, a decrease from $9.485 billion in the corresponding period of 2023.

The countrys exports of knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories (HS Chapter 61) reached $4,763.562 million in January-June 2024, marking a 7.1 per cent decrease from $5,129.097 million in the same period of the previous year. Meanwhile, non-knitted apparel and accessories (HS Chapter 62) amounted to $3,773.269 million, representing a 13.4 per cent drop compared to $4,356.250 million in January-June 2023, as per the trade report of the top twenty chapters.

Turkiye's apparel exports declined by 10 per cent year-on-year in H1 2024, totalling $8.536 billion, down from $9.485 billion in 2023. Exports of knitted and crocheted clothing fell by 7.1 per cent, while non-knitted apparel dropped by 13.4 per cent. Imports of cotton and related textiles dropped by 14.1 per cent in the first half of 2024.

In June 2024, Turkiyes garment exports saw a decline, easing by 18.44 per cent to $1,278.554 million. Exports of knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories dipped by 14.9 per cent, totalling $744.402 million in June 2024, compared to $875.003 million in June 2023. Shipments of non-knitted apparel and accessories also declined, dropping by 22.9 per cent from $693.112 million in June 2023 to $534.152 million in the same month of 2024.

The imports of cotton, cotton yarn, and cotton textiles (HS Chapter 52) by Turkiye also dipped by 14.1 per cent to $1,358.705 million in January-June 2024, down from $1,581.310 million in the same period of last year. Its imports decreased by 23.8 per cent to $241.005 million in June 2024, down from $316.234 million in the same period of last year. It is the only textile product featured in Turkiye's top 20 chapters in its imports in June 2024.

In 2023, the countrys apparel exports eased by 5.86 per cent to $18.321 billion from $19.463 billion in 2022. Turkiye's apparel exports were recorded at $18.294 billion in 2021.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Islamabad, Aug 3 (UNI) An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the federal capital sent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan on judicial remand for 14 days in a terrorism-related case on Saturday, media reports said.

The PTI information secretary was arrested on July 31 in light of a statement of PTI International Media Coordinator Ahmed Janjua, who claimed that the former had given the latter money to incite terror, Geo news reports.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra dismissed the plea seeking Hasans physical remand for seven days, according to media reports.
Arlington, Virginia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 2, 2024) - Edge Total Intelligence Inc. (TSXV: CTRL) (OTCQB: UNFYF) (FSE: Q5i) (the "Company", "edgeTI") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a merger agreement dated August 2, 2024 (the "Merger Agreement"), with an arm's length party to the Company, Block X Capital Corp. ("BlockX"), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Victory Square Technologies Inc. (CSE: VST). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company proposes to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Block X (the "Transaction") in exchange for an equivalent number of subordinate voting shares of the Company (each, a "SVS") by way of a three cornered amalgamation under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Amalgamation"), such that upon completion of the Amalgamation, the Company will hold all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of the corporation that results from the Amalgamation. Each SVS issued as part of the Amalgamation to the holders of common shares of Block X will be issued at a deemed price per share of $0.40 for aggregate consideration of $1,700,000. The consideration paid was determined through arm's length negotiation between the Company and BlockX. The Company determined that $1,700,000 is a fair offer for BlockX based on comparative development costs if undertaken by the Company independently, which would potentially cost the Company more than $3,000,000 when performed over a three-year period. The calculated price is reduced based on increased maturity risk as a result of little sustaining engineering since its acquisition by Victory Square Technologies Inc. and no offsetting revenues. The Company anticipates issuing an aggregate of 4,250,000 SVSs in connection with the Transaction. The Company does not anticipate that a new control person or a change of control will result from the Transaction. The Company will not be assuming any long-term debt pursuant to the Transaction.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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A fee of $85,000 will be paid in connection with the Transaction to a finder of the Company, which will be paid through the issuance of SVSs at the deemed issuance price of the Market Price (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") of the SVSs as of this date).

No new directors or officers will be added to the Company's management team in connection with the Transaction. Closing of the Transaction is subject to several conditions including the receipt of the approval of the TSXV and other requisite third party approvals.

In the view of management of the Company, the industry in which it operates has demonstrated a move towards the use of blockchain technology to achieve certain "Zero Trust" goals. As such, the management of the Company believes that this acquisition will assist the Company in expanding its federated access control capabilities. Through the acquisition of BlockX, the Company aims to build synergy between BlockX's assets and the Company's existing flagship Digital Twin solution, edgeCore, and through such synergies, further explore blockchain techniques to decentralize access control.

Private Placement

The Company also announces that it proposes to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 10,625,000 units of the Company ("Units") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4,250,000 at a price per Unit of $0.40 or such other price as may be permitted by the TSXV. There is no minimum offering. Each Unit will consist of one SVS and one-half of one SVS purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional SVS (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.60 per Warrant Share or such other price as may be permitted by the TSXV until the earlier of: (i) 24 months from the date of issuance of the Warrants; and (ii) in the event the volume weighted average price of the SVS on the TSXV (or such other stock exchange on which the greatest volume of SVS is traded) for any continuous 10 trading day period meets or exceeds $1.20 following the closing of the Offering (the "Acceleration Condition"), the date that is 30 days following the issuance of a news release by the Company announcing the acceleration of the expiry of the Warrants, which such news release may be issued at any time following the trigger of the Acceleration Condition (the "Acceleration Right"). For avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be obligated to exercise the Acceleration Right at any time.

The Company may engage one or more agents or finders in connection with the Offering and may pay such parties fees as may be agreed between the Company and such parties, which is expected to comprise of a cash fee of up to 8.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised from Units sold to investors introduced by such finders, SVS purchase warrants equal to up to 8.0% of such Units sold to investors introduced by such finders ("Compensation Warrants"), and/or corporate finance fees in such amounts as may be agreed between the Company and such finders. Each Compensation Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one SVS for 24 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.60.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for general working capital and corporate expenses.

All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months from the date of issuance thereof in accordance with applicable securities laws and may also be subject to additional hold periods in accordance with applicable stock exchange policies and applicable laws.

The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on such date or dates as the Company may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including approval from the TSXV.

As of the date of this press release, to the knowledge of management of the Company, there is no material fact or material change in relation to the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

About BlockX

BlockX is a digital asset management company operating in the block-chain based capital markets. Founded in 2015, BlockX is focused on early-stage companies that accelerate disruptive innovation.

About edgeTI

edgeTI helps customers sustain situational awareness and accelerate action with its real-time digital operations software, edgeCore that unites multiple software applications and data sources into one immersive experience called a Digital Twin. Global enterprises, service providers, and governments are more profitable when insight and action are united to deliver fluid journeys via the platform's low-code development capability and composable operations. With edgeCore, customers can improve their margins and agility by rapidly transforming siloed systems and data across continuously evolving situations in business, technology, and cross-domain operations - helping them achieve the impossible.

Website: https://edgeti.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/edgeti

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/edgetechnologies

For more information, please contact:

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

The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there by any sale of the securities referenced in this press release, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (together "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements the terms and completion of the Transaction and the Offering, timing of completion of the Transaction and the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering, the ability of the Company to realize upon any benefits or synergies as a result of the Transaction, the Company making any and all requisite filings and applications with respect to the Offering and the Transaction, the receipt of all requisite approvals in respect of the Offering and the Transaction, the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its assets and other matters, the integration of the acquired assets and the Company's existing assets, and the ability of the assets acquired in assisting the Company in achieving its business objectives. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections including expectations regarding the successful integration of the acquired assets into the business operations of the Company, the receipt of all requisite third party approvals, investor uptake in the Offering, expectations regarding general business, economic and public markets conditions as well as expectations concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the combined company. Among key factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information may include, without limitation, present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of inputs including labour costs; investor interest in the Offering; investor perception regarding the Offering, the Transaction, the Company and its business, the ability to achieve its goals, expected costs and timelines to achieve the Company's goals; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; successful integration of the assets acquired in the Transaction; that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms; COVID-19's impact on the Company; anticipated costs associated comparative development of BlockX assets; the general economic environment; cybersecurity risks; financial projections may prove materially inaccurate or incorrect; the Company may experience difficulties to forecast sales; general competition in the industry from other companies; management of growth-related risks; reliance on management; risks relating to insurance; our business could be adversely affected by increased labour costs or difficulties in finding suitable employees; changes in regulation; changes in customer demand; requirements for further financing; the Company may prioritize growth over short-term financial results. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of the Company and market conditions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218755

SOURCE: Edge Total Intelligence Inc.
Company Will Use New Funding to Fuel Business Development Across Europe and Asia

MONTREAL, Aug. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WorkJam , the world's leading digital frontline workplace, announced it has received a $20 million investment from Export Development Canada (EDC) to expand its international operations. WorkJam will use the new funding to fuel its international marketing efforts in Europe and Asia.

"With global travel breaking records this summer, millions of frontline workers across hospitality, food service, retail, logistics and other industries are facing unprecedented pressure to deliver excellent customer experiences," said Steven Kramer, CEO of WorkJam. "Given these challenges, companies worldwide are looking to equip their hourly employees with digital tools that give them more control over their schedules and drive productivity, retention and workplace satisfaction. This new investment will enable us to accelerate our international expansion and we're extremely grateful for EDC's confidence and support as we fulfill our mission to empower frontline workers globally."

As Canada's export credit agency, EDC helps Canadian companies of all sizes grow internationally with a strong focus on accelerating the international growth of medium-sized businesses. The organization provides capital, trade knowledge, insurance and global connections to support and develop sustainable trade between Canada and the world, enhancing the country's competitiveness in the global marketplace.

WorkJam's customers include multiple Fortune 500 companies across the retail, travel and hospitality, manufacturing and logistics, and healthcare industries. Over half of the company's enterprise customers operate internationally and rely on WorkJam's robust compliance framework and in-line translation support in 50 languages to digitize workflows and connect their frontline workforces in different geographies. Millions of frontline employees across more than 50 countries already use WorkJam's digital platform for scheduling, learning, task management, two-way communication, workflow automation and more.

"WorkJam is a global leader in frontline workforce orchestration and a Canadian technology success story," said Guillermo Freire, EDC's Senior Vice-President, Mid-Market Group. "We are proud to support this high-growth, medium-sized business as it continues to scale up and accelerate its international growth. WorkJam is helping enterprises across the globe digitize their non-desk workforces to increase efficiency and profitability while improving the daily work experience of tens of millions of frontline employees."

WorkJam's platform combines scheduling capabilities, an open shift marketplace, task management capabilities, bi-directional communication, mobile learning, surveys and more. The company's unified set of mobile or desktop-based modules can be deployed separately or together in as few as five days.

About WorkJam

WorkJam was founded in 2014 to improve the lives of frontline workers. As the world's leading digital frontline workplace, WorkJam combines communication, task management, scheduling tools, learning, and more - all on one app. It is the only complete and unified system designed to revolutionize the way HQs and their frontline work together, boosting efficiencies and productivity. Available in 50 languages with inline translations, the app helps organizations bridge language barriers and create a more inclusive working environment for all. WorkJam introduces Total Workforce Orchestration. To learn more, visit WorkJam.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

About EDC

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian businesses make an impact at home and abroad. EDC has the financial products and knowledge Canadian companies need to confidently enter new markets, reduce financial risk and grow their business as they go from local to global. Together, EDC and Canadian companies are building a more prosperous, stronger and sustainable economy for all Canadians.

For more information and to learn how we can help your company, visit www.edc.ca .

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Nvidia informed Microsoft this week about a delay affecting the most advanced AI chip models in the Blackwell series. The chips may be delayed by three months or more, potentially impacting Nvidias customers, including Meta, Google, and Microsoft Corp. read more

Deliveries of Nvidia's new Blackwell chips are reportedly set to face delays due to a design flaw. AFP

Nvidias upcoming artificial intelligence chips are facing significant delays due to design flaws. The delays, which could extend by three months or more, are likely to impact major customers such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft.

Two unidentified individuals involved in the production of the chips and server hardware disclosed these issues to The Information.

According to the media outlets report which cites two unidentified sources, Nvidia thsi week notified Microsoft about delays affecting the most advanced AI chip models in the Blackwell series.

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As a result, substantial shipments of these chips are not expected until the first quarter of 2025. Despite these delays, a spokesperson for Nvidia stated that production is on track to ramp later this year but declined to comment on communications with customers.

Antitrust scrutiny intensifies

The delay news compounds Nvidias ongoing troubles, as the company is already under investigation for potential antitrust violations.

In a separate article, The Information reported that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is probing Nvidia following complaints from its competitors, with inquiries reportedly reaching out to companies such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

The complaints include allegations that Nvidia has threatened customers who purchase competitors products and concerns about its recent acquisitions bolstering its dominance in AI software development.

Investor confidence shaken

Adding even more to Nvidias challenges, hedge fund Elliott Management has advised investors against placing their money in the company.

In a letter seen by Financial Times, Elliott Management criticised Nvidia investors for being in a bubble land and described the AI sector as overhyped, citing doubts about its cost-effectiveness and practical applications.

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In recent times, Nvidia has experienced a remarkable surge, growing over 600 per cent since January 2023. In June, it briefly surpassed Apple and Microsoft to become the worlds most valuable company, with a market valuation of $3.34 trillion.

As Nvidia navigates these multifaceted challenges, the tech industry will be closely monitoring the companys ability to address design flaws and regulatory scrutiny while maintaining its market position amidst the AI boom.
The choreographer and director has been a part of the industry for more than three decades and choreographed some of the most iconic songs read more

Choreographer and director Farah Khan made her debut as a choreographer way back in the 90s and is known for many classic songs that continue to live on. But it has not been easy for her to make everyone dance. When she made an appearance on Shilpa Shettys show Super Dancer a few years back, she had some revelations to make.

Farah said, Jackie Shroff was the toughest (for dancing). During my initial days when I was doing this movie, my career was going to end before it started because I got a song where I had to teach dance to Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor and Pooja Bhatt. He would say, Dekh Bhidu, ya toh mai lip-sync kar sakta hu ya toh steps, dono aek sath nahi hoga (Look, I can either lip-sync or do steps and cant do both together).

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On Salman Khan

During one of the first screen test of Salman Khan, I was supposed to teach Salman to dance, I actually ran away after 4 hours and cried that nobody can teach you to dance, you dont know at all. I was shocked when I came to know the makers had selected him in the movie Maine Pyaar Kiya and when I saw the movie I was even more shocked to see how good he was in it."

Shah Rukh Khan and choreographer-turned-director-actor Farah Khan are BFFs of Bollywood. While the off-screen camaraderie between the duo has been a treat for fans, in one of the old interviews, Farah spoke about his bond with the megastar.

Farah was pregnant with her triplets while shooting Om Shanti Om, which marked the debut of Deepika Padukone. Women can multitask, unlike men. We can do seven different things at the same time without complaining or making half the fuss that they make. We do it naturally and dont make a fuss about it. When I was having triplets, I had to finish the last schedule of my film. I got on with it. Shah Rukh was really upset because we were shooting for Dard-e-Disco and every time he would remove his shirt, I would throw up, said Farah.
Following the assassination of Hamass top boss Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, speculations about crucial succession in the Palestinian militant group are rife. The new political leader will significantly impact Hamass future direction as the war with Israel continues. But who could it be? read more

The Palestinian militant group Hamas is on the verge of selecting a new political leader following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week. Reuters

The Palestinian militant group Hamas is on the verge of selecting a new political leader following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week, an attack blamed on Israel.

Speculations about potential successor are rife, as they come at a critical juncture nearly ten months into the Gaza war, sparked by Hamass October 7 assault on Israel.

Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar and had been the political chief since 2017, was killed during a pre-dawn strike at a safehouse while he was attending the swearing-in ceremony of Irans new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

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His death adds a dramatic twist to the already volatile situation, with Hamas members deeply divided between hardliners and those leaning towards pragmatic engagement.

While some members are leaning towards a pragmatic approach that indirectly acknowledges Israels right to existence, the majority of Hamas remains steadfast in their approach to the struggle for a Palestinian state, including through armed means.

A source from the group told AFP that relations with Arab and Islamic countries will also be taken into account in picking its next leader.

Here are some of the senior officials tipped as Hamass next potential political leader

Khalil al-Hayya

Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy head of Hamass political bureau in Gaza, is a key figure who is said to be closely associated with Yahya Sinwar, the groups leader in the region.

In 2006 Hayya led Hamass parliamentary bloc, which had just won elections. The following months of political and administrative discord marked the beginning of the schism between the Islamist movement and Fatah, the party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas.

Khalil al-Hayya. Reuters

Hayya, who has repeatedly stressed the importance of armed struggle, has faced profound personal tragedy due to Israeli military actions, including a 2007 assault on his home in northern Gaza that claimed several of his family members.

Musa Abu Marzuk

A senior member of Hamass political bureau, Marzuk is known for his pragmatic approach to negotiations, similar to that of Ismail Haniyeh. For instance, he has advocated for a long-term ceasefire with Israel and supports accepting the Palestinian borders established after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. This stance, however, remains contentious within Hamas.

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Musa Abu Marzuk. Reuters

In the 1990s, Marzuk lived in the United States, where he was arrested on charges of fundraising for movements armed wing. Following his arrest, he lived in exile in Jordan, Egypt, and Qatar.

He has previously been mentioned as a possible successor to Hamas leaders, without success so far.

Khaled Meshaal

Haniyehs predecessor has been living in exile since 1967, residing in countries such as Jordan, Qatar, Syria, and others. He rose to lead the movement after Israel killed Hamass founder, Ahmed Yassin, and his successor, Abdelaziz al-Rantisi.

In 1997, Meshaal survived an assassination attempt in Amman, where he was poisoned by Mossad agents, the Israeli intelligence service.

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Khaled Meshaal. Reuters

While living in Syria, he criticised the Damascus regime for its violent repression of anti-government protests, a crackdown that had caused friction with Iran, Syrias strategic ally and a major supporter of Hamas.

Yahya Sinwar

Yahya Sinwar, who was elected to lead Hamas in the Gaza Strip in February 2017, is known for his hardline approach and is alleged to have masterminded the October 7 attack.

At 61 years old, he has a long history of conflict, having spent 23 years in Israeli prisons before being released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange.

Yayha Sinwar. Reuters

Born in Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, Sinwar joined Hamas in 1987, the same year the group was founded during the first intifada. He also played a key role in establishing Majd, Hamass internal security service.

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Sinwar, a former elite commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, is wanted by Israel and appears on the United States list of sanctioned international terrorists. Since the October 7 attack, he has remained shrouded in secrecy, not making any public appearances.



With input from AFP
With US President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, Democratic delegates have been flocking to Kamala Harris. Now, the vice president has received enough votes to win the partys nomination for president via roll call. But do you know how it works? read more

It is history in the making. Kamala Harris is all set to win the Democratic presidential nomination.

She has received enough votes from Democratic delegates to win the partys nomination for president, the partys chair Jaime Harrison announced on Friday. Harrison made the announcement Friday as part of a live-streamed video organised by the Harris campaign, although neither the DNC nor the Harris campaign provided a comprehensive vote tally, reports The Associated Press (AP).

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Harris will formally accept the nomination next week after the virtual call is complete. She is set to become the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major party ticket in the US.

This big development comes just two weeks after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek a second term following widespread concerns within the party over his ability to defeat Republican nominee Donald Trump in November.

What is the virtual roll call?

Delegates to the Democratic National Convention began officially selecting their nominee for president in a process that kicked off Thursday (August 1). But unlike in past years, they are not doing so in the raucous party atmosphere of the convention floor or even during the convention itself. Instead, they are participating in what the party calls a virtual roll call and filling out electronic ballots at their homes, offices and vacation spots more than two weeks before the first delegate steps foot inside Chicagos United Center.

Harris was the only candidate eligible to receive votes after no other candidate qualified by a Tuesday night (July 30) deadline. Shes looking to officially claim the nomination on Monday evening (August 5) when the DNC is expected to release final results.

How does the virtual process work?

Nearly 4,700 delegates use an electronic voting method the party says is similar to one used to tally virtual roll call votes in the 2020 convention when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the party to conduct much of its official business remotely.

Under new procedures adopted by the conventions rules committee in late July, candidates had until Tuesday (July 30) to declare their intent to seek the nomination and until that night to submit the 300 delegate signatures required to qualify for the roll call vote. According to a DNC statement, Harris submitted signatures from 3,923 delegates, about 84 per cent of the full delegation and 99 per cent of delegates who signed a petition.

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Any vote cast for someone other than Harris in the roll call will be counted as present. The voting concludes at 6 pm EDT on Monday (3.30 am IST on Tuesday).

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on August 1. AP

Who gets to vote?

Among those voting are pledged delegates selected through state primaries and caucuses as well as more than 700 others who have automatic delegate slots by the elected office or party positions they hold. These include Democratic governors, US senators and representatives, former presidents and DNC members.

These automatic delegates, known informally as superdelegates, were the subject of much debate within the party for years because of their potential to influence the outcome of a close nomination fight despite not having been selected for their posts through a public process. Historically, however, superdelegates have never backed a candidate for the nomination other than the one who also earned the majority of pledged delegates.

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After the 2016 election, the party passed changes that allowed superdelegates to vote only on the second and subsequent ballots. Party rules permit superdelegates to vote on the first ballot if a candidate has either won a majority of pledged delegates through the primary and caucus process, as Biden did or submitted the signatures of a majority of total delegates, as Harris did.

Supporters of Kamala Harris get updates during an endorsement press conference hosted by the Orange County Black Caucus in Orlando. Central Florida Democratic elected officials and community leaders endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. AP

What will the results look like?

The DNC said in a statement on Friday that it would announce final, state-by-state results after voting concludes on Monday. Thats a departure from how presidential roll calls are usually conducted by either party. In past conventions, the roll call votes were tallied in realtime before a national audience, with state delegations announcing their votes from the convention floor or, in the case of the 2020 Democratic convention, through remote video presentations from every state and territory, reports AP.

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Fridays live-streamed event from the Harris campaign provided an occasional update on what is said was the overall vote tally before Harrisons announcement but not a real-time breakdown by state or an indication of how many votes were cast for present. The DNC has not provided any vote updates since Harrisons announcement.

What about the nominee for vice president?

Once Harris officially wins the nomination, the new convention rules allow her to place the name of her pick for vice president into nomination, at which point the convention chair can declare that candidate as the vice presidential nominee.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Atlanta. AP

Harris said Tuesday she had not yet decided on her No. 2. Harris is likely to hold meetings this weekend with the top finalists to join her on the Democratic ticket, sources tell CNN.

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The names doing the rounds include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Even from the shortlist, Shapiro is the leading contender.

Harris and her running mate will head out on a seven-state swing of key battlegrounds, including Pennsylvania, Arizona and North Carolina, next week.

Why is this happening before the convention?

DNC officials first indicated in May that they would conduct a virtual roll call to clear a potential hurdle in getting the Democratic nominee on the ballot in Ohio. Ohios deadline to file for the general election ballot is August 7, two weeks before Democratic delegates would have crowned the nominee at the convention.

Although the deadline had been modified in previous presidential election years to accommodate late-summer conventions of both parties, this year state Republicans initially planned to enforce the existing deadline, with one GOP lawmaker calling the scheduling bind a Democratic problem.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visits Cheyney University to talk about investments in Pennsylvanias Historically Black Universities, on Friday, on 2 August. He is leading contender to be named KHarriss running mate. The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP

The Republican-controlled Legislature did eventually make the change at the behest of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, but the law did not go into effect until August 31. Citing concerns that Ohio Republicans could still try to block their candidate from getting on the ballot despite the legislative fix, DNC officials decided to move forward with their virtual roll call as originally planned.

What about the speeches and balloons?

The roll call at the 2020 convention was also held virtually, although that process featured remote video presentations from every state and territory.

This years official voting will not feature similar real-time presentations. Instead, party officials say that they will hold a ceremonial roll call vote during the convention, mimicking the traditional ritual of state delegations announcing their votes from the convention floor with much fanfare.

With inputs from AP
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been named as the prime astronaut for ISROs first collaborative mission with NASA to the International Space Station (ISS) this year. He will be part of the Axiom-4 mission that aims to conduct scientific research, space outreach activities, and technology demonstration experiments on the ISS. He will only be the second Indian to travel to space 40 years after Rakesh Sharma read more

IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be part of Axiom-4 space mission that is slated to take off for the ISS sometime in October this year. Image Courtesy: X/Indian Air Force

In a significant leap for Indias space exploration ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has selected Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the prime astronaut for its first collaborative mission with NASA to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year.

The high-stakes mission will also include Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, who has been designated as Shuklas backup.

Both gaganyatris are members of the Indian Air Force, and are poised to represent India on the space mission scheduled for any time after October this year, marking a historic moment nearly 40 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharmas iconic space journey on a Soviet spacecraft in 1984.

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This development came following ISROs Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) closing a Space Flight Agreement with US-based space infrastructure developer Axiom Space Inc for the much-awaited Axiom-4 mission.



Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, recently promoted from Wing Commander, hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where he was born on October 10, 1985.

According to Indian Express, his journey to becoming an astronaut is deeply influenced by the tales of bravery from the Kargil War in 1999, which happened when he was just 14. These stories of heroism inspired him to join the armed forces, shaping his future ambitions.

Shukla graduated from the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Forces fighter stream on June 17, 2006, becoming the first in his family to join the armed forces. Reflecting on his career, Shukla describes it as a rollercoaster ride", reports News18.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected for a mission to the International Space Station. CNN-News 18

He has undergone a Fighter Combat Leader course from the prestigious Tactics and Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) school and has over the years, distinguished himself as a Fighter Combat leader and as a test pilot.

He has amassed around 2,000 hours of flying experience on various fighter aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, MIG-21, MIG-29, Jaguar, Domnier, BAe Hawk, and An-32.

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Notably, Shukla is also one of the four IAF officers selected for Indias first manned space mission, Gaganyaan, which is tentatively scheduled for next year.

Fondly nicknamed Gunjan by his family, Shukla is the youngest of three siblings and the father of a four-year-old son. His family views his selection as a momentous occasion, according to a News18 report. At 39, Shukla is the youngest astronaut-designate chosen for the ISS mission.

What is the Axiom-4 mission all about?

Axiom-4 is the fourth mission by private space company Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA that is slated to take off for the ISS sometime in October this year.

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Indias involvement in the mission stems from Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the US last year when he unveiled a collaboration between both countries to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS in 2024.

Following the announcement, The Astronaut Selection Board of India had then selected four astronauts from the group of test pilots from the Indian Air Force (IAF)  Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan, Group Captain Ajith Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.

#Gaganyaan



PM Modi bestowed 'astronaut-wings' to four astronaut-designates for #GaganyaanMission, India's first human spaceflight mission scheduled for 2025:



Group Captain PB Nair

Group Captain Ajit Krishnan

Group Captain Angad Pratap

Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla



: PIB pic.twitter.com/mI3zikPQPD  Madhur Sharma (@madhur_mrt) February 27, 2024

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The 14-day mission will be launched on SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and will lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket. Alongside Shukla, the crew will include astronauts from Poland, Hungary, and the United States.

During the mission, the gaganyatris will conduct selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS, as well as participate in space outreach activities. The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO and NASA, the Indian space agency said.

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Meanwhile, Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan, selected as Shuklas backup, was born in Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala, on August 26, 1976. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and a recipient of the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy, Balakrishnan was commissioned into the IAF in 1998. With over 3,000 hours of flying experience, he is a category A flying instructor and a test pilot who has also commanded a Sukhoi-30 squadron. He is an alumnus of the United States Staff College.

Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan, selected as Shuklas backup, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and a recipient of the Sword of honour at the Air Force Academy. Image Courtesy: X/ Indian Air Force

The final approval for their flight to the ISS will be given by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).

O July 27, Union Minister Jitendra informed the Parliament that astronauts have already completed basic spaceflight training in Russia and are currently undergoing advanced training at ISROs Astronaut Training Facility (ATF) in Bengaluru.

As the mission progresses, it is expected to draw significant interest both nationally and internationally, potentially paving the way for future collaborative ventures in space exploration.

With input from agencies
BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal and his deputy Special DG (West) YB Khurania have been repatriated to their respective state cadres with immediate effect, as per the central governments order read more

As Jammu and Kashmir continue to witness a spike in terror attacks, the Centre, in an unprecedented move, has removed the chief and deputy chief of the Border Security Force(BSF).

BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal and his deputy Special DG (West) YB Khurania have been repatriated to their respective state cadres with immediate effect, as per the central governments order.

The Jammu and Kashmir region has been reeling under terrorist attacks for quite some time. As of July 21 this year, data indicates that 14 civilians and 14 security personnel have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, there have been 24 encounters or counter-terror operations and 11 incidents initiated by terrorists.

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Who are Nitin Agrawal and YB Khurania?

Agrawal is a 1989-batch Kerala cadre officer, while Khurania belongs to the 1990 batch of the Odisha cadre.

Agrawal took charge as the Border Security Force chief in June last year.

Khurania, as the special DG (West), was heading the formation of the force along the Pakistan border. As per Indian Express, Khurania is being considered by the Odisha Government for the post of Director General of Police.

Why were they removed?

According to a report by NDTV, rampant terrorist infiltrations in Jammu and Kashmir factored in the governments move. Also, sources told the news outlet that there have been complaints against Agrawal over alleged lack of coordination.

Lack of command and control within the force and lack of coordination with other sister agencies led to his repatriation, a senior official said on the condition of anonymity.

Separate orders issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) conveyed they were being prematurely repatriated with immediate effect.

Govt to roll out new security matrix for J&K

Meanwhile, in light of the increased terror activities in the region, the central government is planning to introduce a new security matrix for Jammu and Kashmir.

Among these measures is securing the borders by building fences along them to prevent terrorists from crossing the Line of Control (LOC) and the International Border in the Jammu sector.

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Recent intelligence reports indicate that terrorists could target highways, which are considered critical lifelines. In response, the government has decided to deploy the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) alongside local police. Typically, all troop movements occur on these highways.

The Centre is also considering deploying the Assam Rifles in Jammu and involving them as active players in the security systems in the region.

More focus will be put on surprise counter-terrorist attacks to increase the efficacy of Army and other security operations.
Armed men fired several rounds of shells and gunshots, targetting the village, an official said. Security forces were rushed to the area following the incident read more

Just over two days after ethnic communities signed a deal to bring back normalcy in the district, shots were fired and an abandoned house was torched in Manipurs Jiribam, triggering fresh tensions in the region, officials said on Saturday.

The BJP overlooked the signing of a peace agreement between Meitei and Hmar, part of the Kuki ethnic group, on August 1 (Thursday).

It is an isolated settlement consisting of few Meitei houses, and most of those were abandoned after violence broke out in the district. Miscreants, who are yet to be identified, took advantage of security lapses in the area to commit the arson, an official said.

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The armed men also fired several rounds of shells and gunshots, targetting the village, he said.

Security forces were rushed to the area following the incident, he added.

Thursdays meeting was delegated by the district commissioner and senior officers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Assam Rifles (AR). Kuki and Hmar also agreed to work together with security forces in Jiribam and to manage and coordinate the movement of people in a controlled manner.

The district of Jiribram, which is 250 km away from the capital Imphal, was largely free from violence since last year until it was not.

In June this year, the district saw its first bout of violence, forcing hundreds out of their homes with many taking refuge in relief camps.

Last month, the Manipur police said that a CRPF personnel was killed in an ambush by suspected Kuki insurgents.

With inputs from PTI
This is not the first time leaders from the southern state have riled up the opposition party BJP by making such comments. Last year, Udhayanadhi Stalin, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, came under fire for likening Sanatan Dharma to dengue read more

A DMK leader on Saturday stirred up controversy after he said there is no evidence to prove the existence of Lord Ram.

Tamil Nadus Transport Minister SS Sivasankar, during an address in Ariyalur on the occasion of Chola emperor Rajendra Cholas birth anniversary, said, We must celebrate the birthday anniversary of our great ruler Rajendra Chola, who made our land proud. We should celebrate his birthday; otherwise, people may be compelled to celebrate something that has no connection or evidence to them.

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The minister added that Rajendra Cholas enduring legacy is evident through the ponds he built, the temples he commissioned, and the numerous references to him in scripts, sculptures, and artifacts.

But there is no evidence or historical record of Lord Rams existence. They call him (Ram) an avatar. An avatar cant be born. It is being done to manipulate us, hide our history, and present another history as superior, he further claimed.

This is not the first time leaders from the southern state have riled up the opposition party BJP by making such comments. Last year, Udhayanadhi Stalin, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, came under fire for likening Sanatan Dharma to dengue.

BJP hits back

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai took a dig at state Transport Minister S S Sivasankar for contradicting his Cabinet colleague on Lord Rams existence and asked the Ministers to reach a consensus on Lord Ram.

Posting a video of Sivasankar making the controversial remark, Annamalai remarked on X, DMKs sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold  who wouldve thought? In the video the Minister, while speaking at King Rajendra Cholas birth anniversary in Ariyalur, claimed that ponds and temples constructed during Rajendra Cholas reign showed that the king lived. But there is no evidence of history mentioning that Ram existed, Sivasankar said at the event.

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DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to beholdwho would've thought?



Just last week, DMK's Law Minister Thiru Raghupathy avl declared that Bhagwan Shri Ram was the ultimate champion of social justice, the pioneer of secularism, and the one who proclaimed pic.twitter.com/z8or4AQQML  K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) August 2, 2024

Taking exception to the remark, Annamalai said in a lengthy post that last week DMK Law Minister S Reghupathy declared that Lord Ram was the ultimate champion of social justice, the pioneer of secularism, and the one who proclaimed equality for all. But now, the Transport Minister boldly asserted that Lord Ram never existed, Annamalai said.

It was high time the DMK Ministers: Raghupathy and Sivashankar, sat down, debated, and arrived at a consensus on Lord Ram, the BJP leader suggested.

With inputs from PTI
The Consulate organised several tree-planting events and a painting competition, engaging the local community and Indian diaspora to emphasise environmental sustainability and collective action. read more

To engage the diaspora in environmental sustainability initiatives, the Indian mission has organised a series of events under Prime Minister Narendra Modis plantation campaign. Throughout July, the Consulate General of India hosted these events in collaboration with community organizations and cultural associations.

Launched by Prime Minister Modi on World Environment Day (June 5), the Plant4Mother campaign aims to plant 800 million trees by September 2024 and 1.4 billion trees by March 2025, involving collective efforts from the government and society. The Prime Minister encouraged everyone worldwide to plant a tree as a tribute to Mother Nature.

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The Consulate organised several tree-planting events and a painting competition, engaging the local community and Indian diaspora to emphasise environmental sustainability and collective action.

Tree plantation drives were carried out at six venues, including the Consulate; Tagore Memorial Grove, Ray Miller Park, Houston; BAPS, Houston; St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Cypress; Sri Meenakshi Temple, Pearland; and VPSS Haveli, Houston.

A painting competition-themed #Plant4Mother saw enthusiastic participation from children. Consul General D C Manjunath told PTI that these events encourage the local community and diaspora groups to join these initiatives and contribute to environmental sustainability.
As many as 308 people have died and over 500 were injured in the massive landslides that hit Wayanad district in the wee hours of July 30. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that rescue operations are in final stages read more

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for victims in landslide-hit Wayanad.

Taking to the social media post X, Siddaramaiah said in light of the tragic landslide in Wayanad, Karnataka stands in solidarity with Kerala.

I have assured CM Shri @pinarayivijayan of our support and announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for the victims. Together, we will rebuild and restore hope, he said.

In light of the tragic landslide in Wayanad, Karnataka stands in solidarity with Kerala. I have assured CM Shri @pinarayivijayan of our support and announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for the victims. Together, we will rebuild and restore hope.  Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 3, 2024

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Meanwhile, several Kerala CPI(M) MLAs have announced that they would donate their one months Rs 50,000 salaries to CMDRF (Chief Ministers Disaster Relief Fund).

Wayanad death toll update

As many as 308 people have died and over 500 were injured in the massive landslides that hit Wayanad district in the wee hours of July 30.

Around 300 people are suspected to be missing, and rescue operators are battling adverse conditions, including waterlogged soil, as they search through destroyed homes and buildings.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said, Rescue operations in the Wayanad disaster-affected area are in the final stage. The initial phase focussed on bringing everyone to safe locations. Rescuers risked their own lives, driven by even the faintest hope of saving others.

The government has handed over 148 bodies of the victims to their respective families while 10,042 people are currently housed at relief camps.

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Mental health help for victims

Natural disasters like the Wayanad landslides take a severe toll on peoples mental health. For this, a Mental Health Disaster Management team has been formed in Kerala to provide psychosocial support to survivors of the devastating landslide at Wayanad, where over 200 people lost their lives and almost as many are still missing, state Health Minister Veena George said on Friday.

George said a 121-member team of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers and counsellors was formed on Tuesday, soon after the disaster struck the hilly district of Kerala.

She said only the special team members with ID cards issued by the health department will be allowed to provide mental health support to the survivors in relief camps and to those admitted to various hospitals.

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With inputs from PTI
The extreme orthodoxy that one witnesses in this region encompassing parts of the modern-day states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh in northwestern India is often attributed to the Tablighi Jamaat, which was born in Mewat in 1927 read more

To most people, Gurugram is a metropolis. Sometimes referred to as Millennium City on account of the extraordinary growth it witnessed from the late 1990s onwards, the city may seem a shining star in the corporate firmament of India, but to an explorer it appears more like an island of modernity touching the urban chaos of the national capital. And a short drive east, west or south of the city reveals rustic waves in the ocean that surrounds it. And sometimes those waves threaten to engulf it.

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Between July and September last year, those waves did come a wee bit close. In the form of a riot that began in Nuh and triggered restrictions that impacted the Millennium City too! Section 144 was imposed at the end of July and mobile internet was suspended to prevent the spread of rumours and fake news. The news that was factually correct was that a religious procession did trigger violence in Nuh in the form of stone pelting, six people died including two home guards and the cleric of a Gurugram mosque, a car was torched in Sohna and the region remained tense for a while.

Most folks saw this incident in isolation but if they were to study the deeper history of the region, there is a pattern to this, perhaps emanating from the confused identities of its inhabitants. And when the region is mentioned, it is not limited to the confines of the Nuh district of Haryana but touches parts of Faridabad, Gurugram and enters Alwar in neighbouring Rajasthan as well. A region that is called Mewat, and whose people were termed Meos  a name that seems to have fallen out of usage over the last decade and a half.

According to scholar Suraj Bhan Bhardwaj, the Meos originally lived in the hills and forests of the Aravalli ranges. From these secluded strongholds, they foraged northward into towns and cities  in fact, into the edges of Delhi itself - indulging in cattle-lifting, violent raids and robberies, causing fear in the population. In the latter part of the 13th century CE, the Mamluk Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (reign 1266-87) decided to crush these raids once and for all. His troops moved into the area, the forests began to be cut down, garrisons established and new roads built and existing routes made more secure for travellers.

The trigger for Balbans action has been described by the Muslim thinker Barani, in these words (translation): The turbulence of the Mewatis had increased, and their strength had grown in the neighbourhood of Dehli At night they used to come prowling into the city, giving all kinds of trouble, depriving the people of their rest; and they plundered the country houses in the neighbourhood of the city. In the neighbourhood of Dehli there were large and dense jungles, through which many roads passed. The disaffected in the Doab, and the outlaws towards Hindustan grew bold and took to robbery on the highway, and they so beset the roads that caravans and merchants were unable to pass. The daring of the Mewatis in the neighbourhood of Dehli was carried to such an extent that the western gates of the city were shut at afternoon prayer, and no one dared to go out of the city in that direction after that hour, whether he travelled as a pilgrim or with the display of a sovereign. At afternoon prayer the Mewatis would often come to the Sar-hauz, and assaulting the water-carriers and the girls who were fetching water, they would strip them and carry off their clothes.

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Another version of this trigger, given by Sandeep Balakrishna of the Dharma Dispatch, is that the Meos were originally Yaduvanshi Rajputs who made this forested region their bastion for a stand against the Delhi Sultanate. While forcefully entering the region, Balban did a few more things  post a mass slaughter of Meos, he began giving tracts of land in Mewat to his soldiers for them to settle there. And importantly, he converted most of the remaining Meos to Islam. Lets see how that turned out.

Cut to 2016! A newspaper report titled Gangs of Mewat, referring to Nuh district, mentioned that two Mewati Imams had been arrested for alleged terror links. The report quoted a police officer as saying that while the gangs operating here used to steal cattle or motorbikes earlier, they had since become more organised and had begun robbing trucks on highways and even kidnapping drivers for ransom. The cop also mentioned that if these gangs were ever intercepted, they were prone to extreme violence. Shades of the 13th century?

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While Balbans forced conversion may have failed in his intended objective of ending the lawlessness of the region, it left its visible imprint here. As one drives south of Gurugram, the glass and chrome towers are quickly replaced by fields, and instead of corporate executives we come across peasants engaged in agricultural pursuits. The remarkable aspect of these agriculturists is that they are almost uniformly Islamic in their faith. But a more nuanced probing shows that there is little that is uniform in their customs and practices.

Among the first villages that appear is the quaintly named Sanp ki Nangli. Hidden away in its folds are several tombs, appearing like stragglers from history and separated from each other by fields. Their external plaster has long since fallen, taking with it the embellishment they may have had, but the structures still reveal signs of past grandeur. An elegant dome atop one, designs on pillars in another, faint traces of painting in a third. And a fourth tomb that has become part of a peasants house. When this author entered the tomb, a bored looking buffalo looked up. The tombstone this animal was standing on was of one of the Khanzadas, rulers of this region between the 15th and 16th centuries CE. The monuments built by them dot Tauru, Bhondsi and Sohna also.

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Further down the road is Nuh, headquarters of the Haryana district of Mewat. Pronounced Nuhu by locals, its parameters point it to being the least developed district of the state. The gender ratio is massively skewed, in favour of the male population. As per the 2016 report, the place recorded 44,000 kids born every year but had no gynaecologist; it contributed to at least a fourth of the incarcerated prisoners in the jails of Bhondsi and Faridabad, as well as Alwar. Literacy was the least in the state and only a fraction of those enrolled in primary school reached class 10. Female enrollment in colleges was miniscule. There was limited water available for agriculture. During the pandemic, people seemed more apprehensive about getting themselves vaccinated than about Covid itself. In this scenario, crime thrived. As it had in the 13th century too!

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And yet amidst all this, lay the tiny tomb complex of Sheikh Musa, at the outskirts of Nuh town. Dating to the 14th century CE, the most interesting feature of the tomb complex is its gateway. The twin minarets that flank the gateway on either side have the reputation of shaking. When this author first made the trip to Nuh and climbed up to the top of a minaret, two men sitting on the opposite one showed him how the mechanism worked. Apparently, if you held one of the supporting pillars at the top of a minaret and tried to shake it, movement could be discerned in the opposite minaret. A demonstration of the process left this author stunned. For a few seconds, the minaret shook as if a tremor had taken hold. Truly an engineering wonder  one that could outclass any of Gurgaons glass towers in solidity.

A decade old picture of the gateways of the Sheikh Musa tomb in Nuh - the two minarets with the shaking effect on either side

South of Nuh lies the village of Kotla, home to a large mosque whose architecture resembles that of the Tughlaqs. Atop a hill here are the remains of an old fort. Locals at the mosque advised the author to avoid going up  apparently, some illegal rock mining was being done there with the miners not being the welcoming sort.

The next stop was the village of Ferozepur Jhirka, the objective here being a tomb complex remarkable for its design. When shown a picture of the structure, a couple of elderly Muslim gentlemen pointed this author in the direction of the place. But curiously, they referred to it as a mandir or temple. On reaching the place, it looked exactly like an Islamic mausoleum.

Standing on a high platform and looking like a small fort, the tomb complex bore a strong structural resemblance to the tomb of Sultan Ghari, near Vasant Kunj in Delhi. Inside was a building named Masjid Nahar Khor. Some of the stones on its walls carried patterns of elephants and horses  this depiction of living creatures on an Islamic building was entirely out of place. However, when this use of animal motifs is put alongside the reference to the place as a temple and the fact that the Islamic folk in the village do not worship here, it shows that the place may have been the site of a temple, now long lost. Perhaps the conversion of the populace was accompanied by a changeover of their architectural heritage also.

Not that the change met its aim of making them law abiding. In the violence of 2023 that impacted Nuh and touched the edge of Gurugram, Mamman Khan, the MLA representing Ferozepur Jhirka was one of the accused and was later arrested from Jaipur.

Research has revealed that centuries after their conversion, the Meos retained links to their roots, drawing pride in being Rajputs, often observing Hindu customs during ceremonies. They had even created their own version of the Mahabharata epic  the Panduan ka Kara, which was recited by fakirs wandering in the region. The extreme orthodoxy that one witnesses in the region today is often attributed to the Tablighi Jamaat  which was born in Mewat in 1927  and was aimed at getting Muslims to be more religiously observant. Looking around Mewat today, the results are all too obvious.

The town of Tijara, in neighbouring Alwar district, is also a part of Mewat region. But it appears more prosperous than Nuh, its population mix more pluralistic. A hilltop fort, once in ruin, is now a marvellous heritage hotel, run by Neemrana Hotels. Alongside the road leading from Tijara town to the hotel lies the medieval Lal Masjid, a huge three-bay building that was once the congregational mosque of the place. But the mixed identities never quite go away, and here they are manifest in a large, octagonal tomb in the town. The structure exactly resembles the octagonal Lodi and early Mughal mobility tombs. But locals refuse to accept it as a tomb. Instead, it is called Bhartari ka Gumbad with Bhartari being the former Hindu King of Ujjain who came to Tijara to do penance. Another example of mixed identities here!

Octagonal structure named Bhartari ka Gumbad in Tijara, Alwar

What does the future hold for this region of mixed identities? While aspects such as immunisation have shown a great improvement over the last decade, progress in infrastructure has also brought a fillip in criminal activities. A 2024 report shows a high incidence of cyber crime emanating from this region, with as many as 500 cases of cyber fraud being registered daily. And unlike the highway robberies of the past which mostly involved young men, this time even women and the elderly seem to be participating in crime. Reforming this region does not need the violent approach of a fanatical Balban but an inspired administrator.

In July this year, the religious procession that came to Nuh was not greeted with stone pelting but with garlands, by both Hindus and Muslims. Yes, police presence was strong and mobile internet was kept under check. But there is hope that if people of the region work together towards a better future, the energies expended on crime may be more usefully deployed in better pursuits.

The author is a heritage explorer by inclination with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
In Ukraine, PM Modi may emphasise the need for dialogue and possibly suggest a way forward in light of his talks with Putin. However, the combatants do not seem ready to genuinely give diplomacy a chance read more

There has been considerable commentary and speculation about the purpose and agenda of the PM Modi's Ukraine visit. Image: X/@narendramodi

The ruinous Ukraine conflict would soon touch the 900-day mark, with no end in sight. It bears repeating that this nation of 38 million people has fallen victim to the ambition, rivalry and machinations of big powers. Ukraines only fault was to take Western assurances at face value and turn its back on Russia. It has paid and continues to pay a very heavy price for its strategic naivety.

Ukraine has lost a minimum of 31,000 military personnel and more than 11,000 civilians (exact figures are unknown and likely to be much higher). A far larger number lie wounded, many grievously. An estimated 6.5 million people have fled the country, and 3.7 million people have been internally displaced. Reportedly, 14.6 million people will need humanitarian assistance this year.

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Ukraines infrastructure is in a shambles, the power grid has been crippled, and close to 20 per cent of its territory is now under Russian control. More than half of Ukraines 36-gigawatt power generation capacity has been wrecked, causing huge shortages and blackouts. Despite importing 2GW of power from the EU, setting up mini-power plants, and using generators, the dire situation is likely to become grimmer during the upcoming severe winter season.

It would take hundreds of billions of dollars and at least a generation to rebuild. It is doubtful that the requisite resources for doing so would be made available by Ukraines affluent friends, even though they have eagerly supplied huge quantities of military hardware and munitions to fight the Russian army.

It is sad and ironic that countries, rich and poor, readily find resources to wage war but not to further peace or devel$2 trillion. Imagine what a transformation such a quantum of funds would have brought about, had they been deployed for combating hunger, disease, and climate change!

Since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022, the US alone has provided approximately $53.7 billion in military assistance and hardware to Ukraine, including tanks, artillery, rockets, helicopters, UAVs, air defence batteries, and armoured personnel carriers. An estimated $93 billion in aid (military and civil) has been committed by the European Union.

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Yet Ukraine is asking for more and pressing for advanced weaponry to take the fight deeper into Russian territory. NATO has since agreed to equip Ukraine with sixty F-16 fighter jets. The induction process has begun. Not satisfied, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urging NATO to remove all restrictions on the calibre and usage of Western weapons against Russia.

NATO is divided over the issue, with some sections fearing, and rightly so, that such a move could lead to a marked escalation in conflict. The consequences of poking Russia, which possesses the largest number of nuclear weapons, in the eye could be extremely dangerous. The West also knows that in the event of a flare-up, it would essentially fall on them to pick up the pieces.

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Ukraine has every right to defend itself and has done so admirably despite the heavy odds. But it has also shown an adventurous streak in carrying out stealth and provocative operations against Russia without taking NATO into confidence.

According to the New York Times, such operations that have frustrated and unnerved American officials include a strike on a Russian air base on the western coast of Crimea, a truck bombing that destroyed part of the Kerch Strait Bridge, which links Russia to Crimea, and drone strikes deep inside Russia.

It may sound fanciful, yet a real possibility existed of ending the conflict within 100 days. According to insider accounts, Russia and Ukraine were simultaneously waging war and talking peace, facilitated by Belarus and Turkey. Several drafts of a treaty were exchanged in March and April 2022 that envisaged a peace deal premised on a neutral Ukraine that would forsake NATO membership but could prospectively become a member of the EU.

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In turn, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, Italy, Poland, Israel, and Turkey were to provide multilateral security guarantees to Ukraine. Zelenskyy and Putin were slated to meet face-to-face to sort out differences and conclude the treaty. However, it was allegedly scuttled primarily by the UK and the US, who were determined to make an example of Putin.

Notwithstanding a sustained Western disinformation campaign about President Vladimir Putins declining health and fading support, he is going strong. The Russian economy remains robust. Its war machinery is chugging along. It is the Western attention and commitment that is faltering! After some 30 months of hostilities, the Ukrainian morale is getting affected, and the incidence of draft-dodging is growing.

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Meanwhile, an estimated 450,000 Russian and over 200,000 Ukrainian troops are engaged in a bitter fight with missiles flying in all directions, wreaking havoc on life and property. It is in such a fraught atmosphere that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could be visiting Ukraine in late August. It gives rise to several questions.

First and foremost is that of security. Even under normal conditions, news of an overseas visit by the Indian prime minister gets known only a few days in advance. Given the serious security challenges, one wonders how it has become public almost a month before the event. Typically, complete confidentiality is maintained in such situations, and the visit is announced a few hours ahead or even after its conclusion.

Secondly, why is the visit being contemplated at such a juncture? Indias ties with Ukraine are cordial but not necessarily substantive. An Indian prime minister has not visited Ukraine for decades. India has traditionally looked at the country through the prism of her ties with Russia. Ukraine since independence has had a Westward orientation. Ukrainian supplies of military hardware to Pakistan, exceeding a billion dollars, rankled with India. Pakistan, notwithstanding official denials, has since reciprocated by supplying 155mm artillery shells worth $364 million to Ukraine in 202223.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, Narendra Modi and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have met twice on the margins of G7 summits and have also had several telephone conversations. India has sent at least 15 consignments of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Kyiv was quite helpful in facilitating the safe evacuation of Indian students.

Ukraine has sought Indian intervention to end the conflict. It has similarly reached out to several other nations, including China. At the same time, Kyiv has been quite critical of Indias stand on the conflict. The Ukrainian foreign minister had remarked that every barrel of the Russian oil India receives contains a substantial share of Ukrainian blood. Zelenskyy had recently lashed out at PM Modi embracing the Russian President, conveniently forgetting that Modi had similarly embraced him.

There has been considerable commentary and speculation about the purpose and agenda of the PMs visit. It has been variously dubbed a balancing act, damage control exercise, and even a mediation effort. While it is quite possible that it may have one or all these elements, things just do not add up.

Western reaction to Modis Russia visit was more or less on expected lines. His Ukraine visit may not change their outlook or assuage their contrived sense of hurt. India had taken a conscious and considered decision to hold a summit with Russia, and there is no looking back. If independent foreign policy comes at a cost, so be it.

In Ukraine, PM Modi may emphasise the need for dialogue and possibly suggest a way forward in light of his talks with Putin. However, the combatants do not seem ready to genuinely give diplomacy a chance. A Summit on Peace in Ukraine, for example, was held last June in Geneva incredulously without inviting Russian participation. It was reduced to a non-event. The way things are, the conflict may deepen in the weeks ahead instead of getting defused.

Thus, with not many concrete deliverables in sight, the purpose of the visit, if it does take place, remains unclear. Yet it also needs to be noted that Prime Minister Modi is not given to travelling abroad for sightseeing! It would be interesting to watch the unfolding developments.

The author is a foreign affairs specialist and an ex-envoy to Canada and South Korea. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Israel has responded only with violence against violence, hunting down leaders of terror groups raiding across borders and never really attempting to isolate the terrorists within their own society through good cultivated relationships with non-partisan elements read more

This was while I was researching speaking at a recent webinar that I realised the paradox. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), iconised everywhere for its great prowess and tactical acumen, owes that to it scoring some great successes in war through history of the second half of the 20th century. Beginning in 1948, the fledgling IDF, made up of a couple of revolutionaries, came out victorious when the Arab nations, emerging from an elongated period of colonialism, could put together no resistance in the first Arab-Israeli conflict.

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In 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal and perpetuated an international crisis to threaten the survival of Israel as a nation. The issue was resolved through the Tripartite Invasion by France, the UK, and Israel, resulting in Israeli occupation of Sinai and Gaza for six months; the latter then opened navigation through the Straits of Tiran.

Then came June 1967, and Israel was once again hemmed in by what Abdel Nasser of Egypt probably felt was a refurbished and trained set of armed forces. Buffeted by threats from multiple fronts and the blockade of the Gulf of Aqaba, Israel once again went proactive. Moshe Dayan, the Israeli Defence Minister, became a veritable national hero as he masterminded the early morning airstrike on Egyptian airfields, which led to the capitulation of the Egyptian Army in six days.

1973s famous Yom Kippur War was masterminded by Anwar Sadat with the concept of sharara or the spark to light fire in the Middle East. The intent was to draw attention of the international community to what was being considered a forgotten issuethe continued occupation of the Sinai by Israel, after 1967. The IDF was taken by surprise by one of the most meticulously conceived and executed politico-military deception plans. Initial setbacks may have resulted in abject surrender, but Israels survival instinct and the zeal born out of the existential threats that existed all around led to a surprise turnaround.

Based upon General Ariel Sharons brilliant manoeuvre through an inadvertent gap of two kilometres between the two Army-level thrusts of the Egyptian Army, it led to the IDF placing a division worth of armour behind the Egyptian Armies and severing of the road to Cairothe logistics feeder. That was the end of the Egyptian advance, which Sadat anyway had restricted to a ten-kilometre depth into the Sinai.

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That was the last of Israel and IDFs decided victories; it was also the last time that a pure conventional war was fought between Israel and its various adversaries. 1978 witnessed the commencement of a half-baked peace process. It did achieve a near-permanent peace between the two adversariesIsrael and Egyptbut also became the point of departure from where the nature of confrontation altered quite drastically.

Although it did not move in favour of or against the Arabs in any decided way, from 1979 onwards, a new elephant in the room upset many equations in the Middle East. This was Iran, till the Revolution, a starkly pro-US and pro-Israel nation, intermittently ranged against Saudi Arabia. From 1979, after the Shia Revolution, it became Israels greatest enemy, to the extent of forcing a rapprochement of sorts between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Iran perceived the Arab support for the Palestinian cause as lip service and conceived a wholly new concept of war to take the conflict with Israel to another level and another dimension.

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As a war broke out between Israel and Lebanon in 1982, the first Arab-Israeli confrontation after 1973 resulted in Iran setting up its proxy force in LebanonHezbollah, a replica of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) set up by Ayatollah Khomeini. The 80s saw Iran deeply embedded in the war with Iraq. When it ended after eight long years, the world was in transformation, with the Cold War over and the bipolar world a relic of the past. Conventional wars became passe, and hybrid wars were in fashion with terror at the core.

The IDF, right from the 80s, was in confrontation with the proxies of IranHezbollah and Hamas. The latter was founded in 1987 in the wake of the Palestinian youth-led stone-throwing pushback against Israel, better known as Intifada 1. With Iran much keener to inherit and assume the mantle of confrontation with Israel, the only active Arab nation ranged against Israel was Syria. The Levant area became the scene for confrontation between Israel and the Iranian proxies, and that is how wars have been since. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was under Qassem Soleimani, who handled all military and security issues beyond Irans boundaries.

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Only in 2006 did Israel go to war with Hezbollah; the result was indecisive, contributing to the rising confidence of Hezbollah. The terrorist mode was also adopted by Hamas in Gaza and sometimes the West Bank. The new concept of violent confrontation through the mode of forever in war adopted by the radical groups kept Israel on tenterhooks. It responded only with violence against violence, hunting down leaders of terror groups raiding across borders and never really attempting to isolate the terrorists within their own society through good cultivated relationships with non-partisan elements.

The conflict has gone on and been passed on from one generation to another. Iran has in the interim adopted (since 1992) a concept of offensive use of missiles and rockets. The IDF admits that 130,000 such missiles and rockets exist in Lebanon and Gaza in the possession of the proxies. The potential of war without having to cross boundaries had thus reached a point of no return.

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This is with the above backdrop that Israels failure to execute a war-winning strategy yet again in 202324 has to be seen. For all these years, the IDFs armour component has never fought in built-up areas. The degree of surgical efficiency with which Ismail Haniyeh has been taken down in Tehran does not get applied any longer in the field. This has led to mass bombings and civilian casualties.

Such a degree of desperation by a regular force under arms has not been witnessed for many years, and victory too has been elusive. We have witnessed the IDFs failure before, in 1973 and to an extent in 2006. In 1973, it was quickly made up by the great generalship. That is something the IDF seems to be sorely missing. The politico-military elite of Israel was steeped in great military culture; the days of Moshe Dayan and Ariel Sharon come to mind. No longer, and the scale of atrocities is inexplicable. But for US backing, the IDF cannot stand up to any querying on this at an impartial hearing. The war cannot go on forever. Stamina on both sides is running out. The intensity may be lowered, and the same would then fester. The hybridity factor is just too complex and too intense to fully comprehend; it is likely to remain around without a result for fairly long, with bouts of enhanced intensity.

India has lessons in this. Our approach to proxy hybrid war has been far more pragmatic and sensible. We need not be self-critical. All the public perception of appreciation of Israeli machismo has not fetched Israelis any dividend, only perpetuation of conflict. Indias concept, more balanced and benign, is designed to end conflict in our favour. We have a wily adversary, and asymmetry is much less than that existing between the IDF and the non-state Hamas/Hezbollah.

Yet our relative control is far higher. One may lift an accusatory finger with reference to Jammu. Multiplicity of threats, an inability to comprehend conflict progression from conflict termination, taking eyes temporarily off the scanner, and a not so energetic outreach program have probably been the cause of resurgence. It will be controlled very soon, no doubt, but in the case of Israel, the systemic change in the IDFs concept of warfighting from 1973 to 2024 has been too deep for an early retrieval. Hamas will exploit this, although it will suffer, and will make the Palestinian people suffer along with it.

The writer is a Member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
A riot-like situation erupted in Sunderland after one building was set on fire and a car was overturned and set alight as police struggled to control a crowd of several hundred protesters. The demonstrations were fueled by far-right after the Southport stabbing incident read more

At least eight people were arrested in Sunderland for offences including violent disorder and burglary after the United Kingdom witnessed another night of rioting over the Southport stabbing tragedy. Northumbria police notified that three police officers were injured and were taken to hospital. One of them was discharged the next morning, The Guardian reported.

A riot-like situation erupted in the region after one building was set on fire and a car was also overturned and set alight as police struggled to control a crowd of several hundred protesters. Some protesters even wore balaclavas and some were draped in the England flag as they hit officers with beer cans and stones.

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The clashes with the police were more intense in the city centre and a nearby mosque on St Marks Road. A far-right and racist protest has culminated in this. Shame on all those who continue to excuse these protests," said Nick Lowles, from the organisation Hope Not Hate.

While initial reports suggested that it was a police building that was set on fire, later reports maintained that an adjacent building was instead set alight.

The protests prompted by Far-Right

The protests that have taken the country by storm were promoted by far-right activists on social media. The Sunderland protest was among several planned across the UK this weekend after the knife attack in Southport. The demonstrations and clashes are fueled by misinformation on social media about the background and religion of the 17-year-old suspect.

Criminals attacking the police and stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence and thuggery," Home Secretary Yvette Cooper averred. The police have the full backing of the government to take the strongest possible action and ensure they face the full force of the law. They do not represent Britain, she added.

Amid the chaos, extra prosecutors were called to work the weekend as police forces around the country brace for further disorder. We take the recent incidents of violent disorder extremely seriously and we are ready to respond rapidly if there is a fresh outbreak," Stephen Parkinson, director of public prosecutions, told The Guardian.

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We have deployed dozens of extra prosecutors who are working round the clock this weekend, supporting the police, and ready to make immediate charging decisions so that justice is swiftly delivered," he added.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness took to X, formerly known as Twitter to express her dismay over the matter. Im appalled by scenes from Sunderland. Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the Police and damage property you stand for nothing except thuggery. Its not a protest. Its crime and disorder, she wrote in her post.

Im appalled by scenes from Sunderland. Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the Police and damage property you stand for nothing except thuggery. Its not protest. Its crime and disorder. You dont speak for  Kim McGuinness (@KiMcGuinness) August 2, 2024

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You dont speak for Sunderland. You dont speak for this region. Those grieving in Southport will take no comfort from this, the Mayor furthered.
Unverified videos shared online in the immediate aftermath of the attack showed people scattering along a street, with a number of clips purporting to show bloodied bodies lying on the beachfront read more

A Somali security officer holds position on their open truck near Syl Hotel, the scene of an al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group's attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. Reuters file

An Al-Shabaab suicide bomber and gunmen attacked a busy beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu, killing 32 people and wounding scores more, in one of the deadliest attacks in months, police said on Saturday.

The Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists have been waging an insurgency against the internationally backed federal government for more than 17 years and have previously targeted the Lido beach area, popular with business people and officials.

Unverified videos shared online in the immediate aftermath of the attack showed people scattering along a street, with a number of clips purporting to show bloodied bodies lying on the beachfront."

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More than 32 civilians died in this attack and about 63 others were wounded, some of them critically," police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan told reporters during a press conference.

Targeting and blasting to kill 32 members from the civilian population means these Kharijites are not going to target only government centres, soldiers and officials, he said, using the term Somali officials adopt to describe Al-Shabaab.

The assault, for which Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility in a post on a pro-Shabaab website, began late on Friday when a suicide bomber detonated a device and gunmen stormed the area, police and witnesses told AFP.

Officer Mohamed Omar told AFP they had shot civilians randomly.

He said security forces had ended the attack and killed five gunmen, while a sixth member of the group blew himself (up) at the beach.

Witnesses said there were many people at the popular location when the explosion occurred, describing how gunmen then stormed the area.

Lido Beach attacks

Everybody was panicked and it was hard to know what was happening because shooting started soon after the blast, witness Abdilatif Ali told AFP.

He said that people attempted take cover on the ground or flee.

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I saw many people strewn (on the ground) and some of them were dead and others wounded, he said.

Ahmed Yare witnessed the attack unfold from a nearby hotel.

I saw wounded people at the beachside. People were screaming in panic and it was hard to notice who was dead and who was still alive, he told AFP.

Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for numerous bombings and attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of the country, whose government is pressing on with an offensive against the Islamist militants.

The Lido area has been the target of previous attacks, including a six-hour Al-Shabaab siege of a beachside hotel in 2023, which left six civilians dead and 10 wounded.

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Five people were killed in a powerful car bomb blast at a cafe in the capital last month.

In March, the militants killed three people and wounded 27 in an hours-long siege of another Mogadishu hotel, breaking a relative lull in the fighting.
As protests against the Sheikh Hasina administration continue in Bangladesh, reports are emerging that the country has blocked several social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, etc read more

As the protests against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government continue, reports are emerging that the country briefly imposed restrictions on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube and Facebook.

According to Global Eyes News, the move was implemented on August 2 and effectively restricted users from accessing any of the aforementioned social networking sites across Bangladesh. Interestingly, the decision came shortly after Turkey announced that it was banning Instagram after one of the countrys lawmakers called out the kind of information that was being shared on Instagram about the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.

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Amid the chaos, Bangladeshi news outlet The Daily Star reported that several mobile internet users in Bangladesh are complaining of Facebook and Messenger outages.

Not the first time

This is not the first time people in Bangladesh have been unable to access the internet. On July 31, the government unblocked social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube only after the curfew restriction was relaxed with a longer daytime break.

The internet services were disrupted amid the nationwide protests which were triggered after the Hasina administration proposed a controversial quota system. The proposal aimed to provide reservations in government jobs to individuals whose family members participated in Bangladeshs liberation movement.

According to The Daily Star, an agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs instructed mobile operators by text message to enforce a new ban. A source close to the matter told the news outlet that Telegram, a messaging platform that allows users to send large files, has also been blocked for the first time.

Services restored?

Meanwhile, another Bangladeshi news outlet The Dhaka Tribune reported that the users in Bangladesh regained access to their Facebook and Messenger accounts nearly six hours after the outage. Officials of mobile service operators confirmed that they were instructed to resume mobile data on Friday evening.

Sources told The Dhaka Tribune that the ministry was conducting a filtering process which took time to be fully restored. Because of this process, the users faced internet issues.

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With inputs from agencies.
Chinas economic growth slowed unexpectedly to its worst pace in five quarters in July, as weak consumer spending offset a surge in exports. This prompted calls for policymakers to implement government support to achieve Beijings 2024 growth target of around 5%. read more

The plan also includes support measures for Chinas new urban residents in areas such as education and housing, increasing central fiscal support for affordable rental housing, and upgrading urban infrastructure. Representational Image- FP

Chinas government launched strategy to stimulate consumer spending on Saturday, as sluggish domestic demand continues to hinder economic growth.

The State Council outlined 20 key measures, including expanding basic consumption in sectors such as catering, home services and elder care, according to a statement posted on the central governments website.

Watch Also: China Wants to Rescue its Housing Market. Will Beijing Succeed? | Vantage with Palki Sharma

In July, the ruling Communist Party pledged to prioritise boosting consumption at a twice-a-decade plenum on long-term reforms. Economic growth had unexpectedly slowed to the worst pace in five quarters, according to data released in July, with weak consumer spending undermining a boom in exports. This slowdown prompted calls for government support to help Beijing achieve its annual growth target of about 5% for 2024.

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The new framework includes enhanced financing for small and micro enterprises in the service sector and additional tax deductions for childcare, education, and elderly support expenses.

On Wednesday, the State Council released a five-year urbanization plan, easing restrictions on household registrations in major cities and increasing housing support for new urban residents to accelerate urbanization and boost domestic demand.

The State Council outlined a five-year action plan for urbanisation on Wednesday, which aims to relax household registration restrictions in major cities and increase housing support for new urban residents. The plan is part of broader efforts to accelerate urbanization and boost domestic demand.

The action plan targets increasing the urbanization rate of the permanent population to nearly 70% within five years to better support high-quality economic and social development.

Major measures include lifting household registration restrictions in cities with permanent urban populations of fewer than 3 million and comprehensively relaxing these requirements in cities with populations between 3 million and 5 million.

The plan also includes support measures for new urban residents in areas such as education and housing, increasing central fiscal support for affordable rental housing, and upgrading urban infrastructure.

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Experts highlighted the significance of this action plan, noting that accelerating urbanisation, expanding domestic demand, and improving livelihoods are crucial for economic growth.

Boosting domestic demand is now a top priority as China seeks to stimulate economic growth. On Tuesday, the State Council called for significant breakthroughs in expanding domestic demand, emerging industries, and high-level opening-up.
Last month, an attempt was made to assassinate the former president during one of his rallies in Pennsylvania. The bullet hit his ear and as his security officials rushed to escort him, Trump threw his fist in the air while his ear was bleeding. However, Zuckerburgs Facebook censored the image, flagging it as an altered photo read more

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg called Donald Trump not once, not twice but few times to apologise and to say that he is not going to support a Democrat, the former US President and Republican presidential candidate has recently claimed.

So, Mark Zuckerberg called me. First of all, he called me a few times. He called me after the event and he said, That was really amazing, it was very brave, Trump said, possibly referring to the assassination bid.

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Trump says Zuckerberg called him after the assassination attempt & he wont be trying to help Democrats win in 2024 as in 2020 pic.twitter.com/i9LKyqHwmV  Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 2, 2024

He actually announced hes not gonna support a Democrat because he cant because he respected me for what I did that day. He actually apologised and said he made a mistake, Trump added.

Why did Zuckerberg apologise to Trump?

Last month, an attempt was made to assassinate the former president during one of his rallies in Pennsylvania. The bullet hit his ear and as his security officials rushed to escort him, Trump threw his fist in the air while his ear was bleeding. The moment was captured by an Associated Press photographer and was widely shared and picked up by most media outlets as well as social media.

However, Zuckerburgs Facebook censored the image, flagging it as an altered photo.

Later, the social media giant apologised for the same saying that it was a mistake and that the systems were meant to detect a separate version of the image.

Meanwhile, Google, similarly, allegedly censored keywords related to the assassination. Regarding this, Trump has said, Google, nobody called from Google. Google has been very bad. Theyve been very irresponsible, adding that the company has to be careful.

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The love-hate relationship between Trump and Zuckerberg

From bashing each other to extending support, Trump and Zuckerbergs relationship has been in the lows and the highs.

Just last month, Trump threatened to imprison the Meta chief. Trump never truly forgave Zuckerberg for banning him from Facebook after the US Capitol riots and his threat might have been a fallout of this.

Meanwhile, Zuckerberg recently said that his immediate reaction to Trump getting shot was badass and inspiring.

Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things Ive ever seen in my life, Zuckerberg said.
Kamala Harris said last month that she was ready to debate the former president. She accused him of backing away from the previous agreement to debate on ABC News on September 10 read more

Donald Trump has agreed to debate his competitor in the presidential race, Kamala Harris, on Fox News. Reuters

Former President Donald Trump announced Friday (August 2) night that he has agreed to a proposal to debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. The proposal was apparently made by Fox News.

Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th. He wrote that the debate will take place in Pennsylvania, although venue of the debate remains undetermined.

He said that the debate was previously scheduled against former Democrat presumptive nominee, US President Joe Biden (who he mockingly referred to as Sleepy Joe) on American Broadcasting Company (ABC). However, he said that that has been cancelled in light of Biden no longer being at the top of the ticket and Trump having a conflict of interest with ABC since he is in litigation against ABC Network and George Slopadopoulos [sic].

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It is interesting to note that Kamala Harris said last month that she was ready to debate the former president. She accused him of backing away from the previous agreement to debate on ABC News on September 10.

Just a couple of days ago, the US Vice President had taunted Donald Trump about the comments he was making about her, saying I do hope Trump will agree to meet me on the debate stage, because as the saying goes  if you got something to say, say it to my face.

As per Trumps post, the debate will have similar rules to the one that took place on CNN. There is, however, one exception. There will be live audience witnessing the debate this time around. In Trumps words, it would be a full arena audience.

The Moderators of the Debate will be Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

Fox News wrote that it had invited Trump and Harris to participate in a debate in Pennsylvania on September 17.
Authorities said a search and rescue operation was underway in Ridi village after a sudden mountain torrent and landslide destroyed homes, killing at least two people on Friday night. read more

China has seen many natural disasters this summer, many linked to extreme weather.- File Photo-AP

At least two people were killed and 12 others went missing on Saturday after a tunnel bridge collapsed due to a flash flood and mudslide in southwest Chinas Sichuan province.

The collapse occurred around 3:30 am at the section between Kangding City and Luding County on the Yaan-Kangding expressway, causing three vehicles with six people to plunge into a gorge in the mountainous terrain, local authorities told Xinhua news agency.

Twelve people were also reported missing following the bridge collapse, according to the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures publicity department.

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Authorities said that a search and rescue operation was underway in Ridi village after a sudden mountain torrent and landslide destroyed homes, resulting in the deaths of at least two people on Friday night. Two individuals have been rescued and hospitalized so far. The Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched approximately 300 rescuers to the site.

China has seen many natural disasters this summer, many linked to extreme weather.

In May, a highway in southern China collapsed after days of rain, leaving 48 dead.

China is the worlds largest emitter of the greenhouse gases that scientists say drive climate change and make extreme weather more intense.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyehs assassination in Tehran this week, which Iran has blamed on Israel, has raised fears of an all-out war in the Middle East read more

Iran has said that Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a short-range missile.

Earlier this week, Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of Wednesday in Tehran while he was staying at a regimes guesthouse after attending the swearing-in ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for the killing and have vowed revenge.

As opposed to the report that Haniyeh was killed by explosives planted in his rooms, Iran has now said he was killed by a missile.

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In a statement on Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran has said Haniyeh was killed by a short-range projectile, as per Reuters.

The IRGC further said that the projectile had a warhead of around 7 kg.

The IRGC further said that it would respond to the assassination at the time and place of its choosing.

Irans revenge for the attack will be severe and [taken] at an appropriate time, place, and manner for the adventurous and terrorist Zionist regime, said IRGC in the statement, refusing to name Israel as Iran denies its right to exist and remains committed to its destruction.

How was Ismail Haniyeh killed?

While Iran said Haniyeh was killed by a short-range projectile, The New York Times has reported that a bomb planted in advance in Haniyehs room killed him.

The newspaper said the Iranian agents had planted explosives in the room of IRGC guesthouse in which Haniyeh was staying. Once Haniyeh was confirmed to be in the room, the paper said the explosives were remotely detonated.

The targeted assassination also explains why only Haniyeh and his bodyguard staying with him were killed and even the guest next door, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah, was unscathed from the attack.

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Refuting the Iranian claim that a missile was used to kill Haniyeh, The Times journalsit Farnaz Fassihi reported that the IRGC is intentionally peddling the false claim that a missile killed Haniyeh.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyehs assassination in Tehran earlier this week, which Iran blamed on Israel, has pushed the Middle East to the edge of a full-scale war read more

The Palestinian militant group Hamas is on the verge of selecting a new political leader following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week. Reuters

In a near-prophetic manner, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyehs last known words were about life, death, and the continuation of the cause.

Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of Wednesday in Irans capital Tehran. He was killed in an explosion in his room at the guesthouse which was under the protection of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Both Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for the assassination and have vowed revenge.

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The assassination took place just hours after Haniyeh met Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian. The final words were broadcast on television.

If a leader leaves, another will rise

In his final known words, Haniyeh quoted words from Islamic holy book Quran.

It is Allah who gives life and causes death and Allah is all-aware of all actions. If a leader leaves, another will arise, said Haniyeh, according to Reuters.

The agency reported that the verse has defined much of the Palestinian terrorists movement against Israel. It said that Haniyeh adopted the verse after being inspired by Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who preached jihad against Israel in the 1980s.

Palestinian affairs expert Adeeb Ziadeh told the agency that Hamas was rooted in an ideology and killing Haniyeh will not finish off the group.

Every time Hamas lost one leader, another leader came, sometimes even stronger in his performance and fulfilling Hamas principles, said Ziadeh, an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at Qatar University.

Haniyeh is the third Hamas chief to be assassinated in two decades. In 2004, Israel killed the then-Hamas chief Yassin and then his successor Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi within a month. Haniyehs most likely successor, Khaled Mashal, also survived an assassination attempt in 1997.

Middle East remains on edge

Following Haniyehs assassination, which came hours after the assassination of Hezbollahs military chief Faud Shukr in Lebanon, has raised fears of an all-out between Israel and Iran that could envelop the entire Middle East.

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Even though Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and Houthis have been attacking Israel since the beginning of war last year, Israel and Iran have consciously avoided getting into a direct all-out conflict. Even as they exchanged direct barrages for the first time ever in April, the situation did not escalate into a war. But it is not certain if thats possible now.

The brazen assassination of Haniyeh, which Israel has not acknowledged, has led to vows of revenge. The assassination not only took place in Tehran but took place when the nation was on high alert as the swearing-in ceremony was going on. Moreover, the attack took place in a building under IRGCs protection. This meant that the assassination was a colossal embarrassment for Israel and catastrophic intelligence and security failure.

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Following the assassination, Khamenei has reportedly ordered direct attacks on Israel.

As Israel braces for an attack from Iran, the United States has enforced the military presence in the region. It has deployed more aircraft and warships to help defend Israel like it did in April when it joined hands with the United Kingdom, France, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The increased presence will also work towards securing American interests and facilities in the region.
Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran while he was staying in a guest house secured by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) read more

People hold up the Palestinian flag and a portrait of assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh Hamas, during a rally at Tehran University, in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31, 2024. Source: AFP.

Days after the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran has arrested dozens in search of suspects, according to a report.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Haniyeh was killed in an explosion in a guesthouse in Tehran. He was staying there after attending the swearing-in ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for the assassination and have vowed retaliation.

Haniyeh was killed when the security in Iran was at top level owing to Pezeshkians swearing-in and while he was staying in a guest house in Tehran under the protection of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Therefore, the assassination marked catastrophic intelligence and security failure that left Iran fuming in anger and humiliation.

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Now, Iran has arrested more than two dozen people in the hunt for Haniyehs assassination, according to The New York Times.

Among those arrested senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff at the IRGC-run guesthouse where Haniyeh was killed, as per the newspaper.

Iran launches probe into Haniyehs killing

Iran has launched a nationwide investigation into the killing of Haniyeh, the leader of the terrorist group Hamas and a state guest.

The investigation is being undertaken by the IRGCs specialised intelligence agency for espionage, according to The Times.

The IRGC investigators are looking for members of the purported assassination squad who planned, aided, and carried out Haniyehs killing, as per the paper.

In a statement, the IRGC said the scope and details of this incident are under investigation and will be announced in due course.

The paper further said that the investigation is also focussing on Irans international and domestic airports where agents are pouring through months of footage from arrival and departure lounges and are examining flight lists. The paper quoted two Iranian officials aware of the developments as saying that the investigators believe members of the Israeli spy agency Mossads assassination squad are still in Iran and they are on the mission to arrest them.

The colossal embarrassment

Haniyehs assassination while in the capital for a top state function and under the IRGCs protection marked a colossal embarrassment for the Iranian regime.

The assassination, which Iran has blamed on Israel and the Western governments have also come to the same conclusion, came hours after Israel killed Hezbollah military chief Faud Shukr in a strike in Lebanons capital Beirut. Hezbollah, just like Hamas, is an Iran-backed terrorist group that shares the Iranian commitment to the destruction of the State of Israel.

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The two assassinations, particularly that of Haniyeh under the nose of IRGC, sends out a message that Iran can neither protect its allies abroad nor at home.

The perception that Iran can neither protect its homeland nor its key allies could be fatal for the Iranian regime, because it basically signals to its foes that if they cant topple the Islamic Republic, they can decapitate it, said Ali Vaez, the Iran Director for the International Crisis Group, to The Times.

The assassination of Haniyehs assassination sent out a message that nothing at all a totalitarian regime, a police state, bulletproof glass, or state-of-the-art air defences could protect against the Israeli spies and operatives.
The high-profile assassinations of Hezbollah commander Faud Shukr in Lebanon and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran have raised fears of an all-out war in the Middle East read more

Hezbollah fighters take part in a military exercise. It is an Iran-backed, anti-Israel terrorist group based in Lebanon. (Photo: Reuters)

Iran has said that Lebanon-based Hezbollah will no longer stick to attacking military targets in Israel.

Since October 2023 when Hamas triggered the ongoing war in the Middle East with an all-out invasion of Israel, Hezbollah has clashed with Israel on a nearly-daily basis and has frequently mounted attacks in the countrys north that have devasted the region. It is part of the groups opposed to Israel in the region which are backed by Iran.

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Following the Israeli assassination of Faud Shukr, the military chief of Hezbollah, in Lebanese capital Beirut, Iran said the understanding that had governed the conflict so far are no longer in force.

Now, Hezbollah will strike deeper into Israel than it hit so far, said Iran.

Hezbollahs attacks will be broader and deeper

Iran on Saturday told the United Nations (UN) that Hezbollahs attacks will now be broader and deeper.

In a broader statement to CBS News, Iran said that there had been an unwritten understanding between Hezbollah and Israel whom it addressed as regime as it rejects the existence of the State of Israel that civilian areas were out of bounds, but it was not off the table.

The statement read: The [Israeli] regimes attack on Dahieh in Beirut and the targeting of a residential building marked a deviation from these boundaries. We anticipate that, in its response, Hezbollah will choose both broader and deeper targets, and will not restrict itself solely to military targets and means.

The Tuesdays strike in Beirut that killed Shukr had raised fears of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezabollah  something the two sides had avoided so far. Hours later, in the early hours of Wednesday, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Irans capital Tehran. Both Iran and Hamas blamed Israel for the killing and vowed revenge.

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The two high-profile assassinations, particularly that of Haniyeh in Tehran where he was as state guest, have raised fears of an all-out war between Israel, Iran, and Iranian proxies in the Middle East.
Hamas media reported that a vehicle carrying fighters had been struck and that one of the commanders of its Tulkarm brigades was killed read more

Palestinians inspect a vehicle damaged in an Israeli airstrike, in Zeita, near Tulkarm, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, August 3, 2024. Reuters

An Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank killed a commander of Hamas Tulkarm brigade on Saturday (August 3), according a report by Hamas media.

Additionally, WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, stated that four other men were also killed in the attack. According to the WAFA report, which cited health officials, the identities of the other individuals were not clear.

Tulkarm Brigade commander killed

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), at around 6:40 am local time, put out a statement on their Telegram channel. The initial report relayed by the forces said An IDF aircraft struck a vehicle and terrorist cell operating within the area of Tulkarm.

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The Israeli military said that further details would follow.

Hamas media later reported that a vehicle carrying fighters had been struck and that one of the commanders of its Tulkarm brigades was killed. This Brigade has forces from various Palestinian factions.

According to various reports, Sheikh Haitham Balidi, a leader of Tulkarms Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, is believed to be one of the five people killed by Israel in this strike.

Violence in West Bank

Violence in the West Bank had been increasing even before the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began on October 7, and it has continued to escalate. This surge in violence includes frequent Israeli raids in the West Bank, which is one of the territories sought by Palestinians for a future state.

Tensions have been running high across the region, with the recent assassination of Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Teheran, followed by an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr.

Both Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of carrying out the assassination and have promised to retaliate. Israel has not confirmed or denied its involvement in the incident.

Iran-backed Hezbollah has also vowed to seek revenge.

With inputs from Reuters
2 senior IRGC officials said that Mossad enlisted Iranian agents to kill Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. These agents deployed bombs in three rooms of the guesthouse where the head of Hamas politcal bureau was residing read more

Mossad, led by David Barnea, is believed to have recruited agents from the Ansar al-Mahdi protection unit in Tehran to kill Hamas' Chief Ismail Haniyeh. AFP / AP

A report on the death of Hamas political head Ismail Haniey suggested that Israels Mossad enlisted Iranian security agents to plant explosives in the Tehran guesthouse where he was residing. According to a report in The Telegraph, the initial plan was to assassinate Haniyeh back in May when he visited Tehran to attend the funeral of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Two Iranian officials, who asked to remain anonymous told The Telegraph that the operation wasnt executed in May due to the large crowds inside the building and the high possibility of its failure. As per the report, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) agents planted explosives in three separate rooms of a building which was housing Haniyeh.

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The Iranian officials who spoke to The Telegraph said that they accessed CCTV footage in which the IRGC agents could be seen walking stealthily as they entered and exited multiple rooms within minutes. Shortly after conducting the operation, the operatives snuck out of the country.

A Mossad plot

The Iranian officials maintained that they were almost certain that Mossad was involved in the assassination. However, it is pertinent to note that Israel has neither accepted nor denied its role in Haniyehs killing.

They are now certain that Mossad hired agents from the Ansar al-Mahdi protection unit, an official within the IRGC told The Telegraph from Tehran, referring to an IRGC unit responsible for the safety of high-ranking officials.

He said: Upon further investigation, they discovered additional explosive devices in two other rooms. This is a humiliation for Iran and a huge security breach," a second official told the British news outlet.

Its still a question for everyone how it happened, I cant make sense of it. There must be something higher up in the hierarchy that no one knows about, he added. Amid the chaos, the officials also revealed that there has been an internal blame game that is being played out as different sectors within IRGC are accusing each other of security failure.

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Addressing security breaches more important than revenge for Khamenei

According to the report, Esmail Qaani, the commander of the IRGC Quds force, has been summoning people to be fired, arrested and possibly executed. The Supreme Leader has summoned all the commanders several times over the past two days, he wants answers," one of the sources revealed.

For him, addressing the security breach is now more important than seeking revenge," he added. Interestingly, this is not the first time concerns have been raised over Israels influence within IRGC. In 2020, Ali Younisi, Irans former intelligence minister said in an interview that All the officials of the Islamic Republic should be worried about their lives.

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If the Zionist regime has not yet targeted the political authorities of the Islamic Republic, it is because it has not chosen to do so. This negligence to Mossad has allowed it to strike repeatedly and openly threaten the officials of the Islamic Republic," he added.
Former US President Jimmy Carter, 99, has been in hospice care for more than a year read more

Former US President Jimmy Carter has said that the only reason he looks forward to his 100th birthday is to be able to vote for Kamala Harris.

Carter, 99, has been in the hospice care for more than a year now. He is the oldest living President of the United States.

Carter will turn 100 on October 1. The voting for the US presidential election will take place on November 5. The mail-in ballot, however, can be done as early as two months before the election day. Considering Carters advanced age and poor health, he is likely to opt for a mail-in ballot.

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When asked about his plans on turning 100, Carter said he was looking forward to vote for Harris.

Im only trying to make it [to 100th birthday] to vote for Kamala Harris, said Carter, as per Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper.

In May, Carter had voted in the Georgia Democratic primaries. His grandson, Jason Carter, said at the time that voting was important to his grandfather.

Hes not going to miss an election. Its important to him. I mean, thats the person he is, said Jason at the time.

Carter was the President of the United States during 1977-81. Prior to joining politics, he was a peanut farmer and served in the US Navy during 1946-53. After retiring from active politics, he got involved in humanitarian and public causes and has been widely appreciated for his austere ways. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to find solutions to international conflicts.
The children of 2 Russian spies Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva, who were among 24 prisoners swapped as a part of the multi-country deal only found out about their nationality while they were on a plane to Moscow read more

As Russia and the West conducted a historic prisoner exchange, the Kremlin said that the children of two Russian intelligence agents who were among the detainees freed in the deal, only discovered their nationality when they were being flown to Moscow.

Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva, who were the parents of the children, were among 24 prisoners swapped as a part of the multi-country deal that also saw the release of several high-profile American and Russian detainees. Kremlin said that the pair was posing as an Argentine couple in Slovenia, where they were convicted of spying. The two children eventually flew back to Moscow with their parents from Turkey, CNN reported.

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The boy and girl found out that they were Russian only when the plane took off from Ankara, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday. The Russian spokesperson also revealed that the countrys President Vladimir Putin greeted them in Spanish as they didnt speak Russian.

Interestingly, these children didnt even know who Putin was. When the children came down the planes steps  they dont speak Russian  and Putin greeted them in Spanish, he said Buenas noches, Peskov recalled. They asked their parents yesterday who it was that was meeting them, they didnt even know who Putin was, he added.

About the Dultsevas

When the couple came out of the aircraft, Anna Dultseva hugged Putin while holding her tears. Putin welcomed the family by standing on the red carpet rolled on the tarmac holding bouquets. The Russian leader kissed Dultseva on the cheek and shoulder and gave her and her daughter the bouquets.

The couple pleaded guilty to espionage in a court in Ljubljana on Wednesday and were sentenced to serve time in prison. During the trials, the court found more details about their familys undercover life. Dultsev posed as an IT businessman named Ludvig Gisch. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to more than a year and a half in prison, which the court said was equivalent to time spent.

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After serving his prison sentence, the Russian spy was set to be deported to Russia and was banned from entering Solvenia for five years. Meanwhile, Dultseva posed as an art dealer and gallery owner and went by the name Maria Rosa Mayer Munos. She was also asked to be deported.

During the press briefing, Peskov also touched upon the fate of Russians who are still serving sentences in prison abroad. Peskov said that the fate of all our Russians who are held in custody abroad, in the United States, is a matter of constant concern for all our relevant agencies, which will continue the relevant work.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Bangladesh remains steadfast in its demands, calling for broad participation in what they term the student-citizen uprising, despite the risks involved. read more

Activists take part in a protest march against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government to demand justice for more than 200 people killed in last month's violent demonstrations, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. Image- AP

Bangladesh faced renewed tension on Saturday as student movement leaders rejected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas offer for dialogue, while demonstrators occupied key streets in the capital. The development comes after a wave of anti-quota protests resulted in over 200 fatalities.

The country had previously seen violent confrontations between police and predominantly student protesters, who were calling for the abolition of a disputed quota system allocating 30% of government positions to relatives of 1971 war veterans.

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According to eyewitnesses, protesting students blocked major Dhaka roads, causing traffic congestion. At the same time, authorities deployed security forces to maintain a heightened presence as protesters gathered at various locations across the city.

The clashes erupted over a controversial quota system that reserves 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladeshs 1971 War of Independence. Witnesses reported that student protesters obstructed major roads in Dhaka, causing significant traffic disruptions. Authorities have ordered heightened security measures as protesters gathered at various locations in the city.

Hasina, 76, was elected for a fourth consecutive term in January in a vote boycotted by her main opponents, making the result a near certainty even before votes were counted.

Since the violence erupted on July 15, authorities have shut off the internet and enforced a shoot-on-sight curfew. Schools and universities remain closed.

Dramatic videos of deadly clashes between police and protesters have shaken Bangladesh, as has the case of a six-year-old girl who was shot while playing on a rooftop. At the same time, her father unsuccessfully tried to shield her from the firing.

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The wave of discontent started with students, frustrated by shortages of good jobs, demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs that they argued was discriminatory.

Under the system, 30% of such jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence against Pakistan in 1971. They said it benefited supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and wanted it replaced with a merit-based system.

With inputs from agencies.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin approved measures to enhance US protection and support to Israel amidst escalating regional tensions read more

After Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination, threat of revenge from Hezbollah and Iran has pushed the US to bolster its defenses in the Middle East. Representative image/Reuters

The Pentagon announced on Friday that the US military will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East to bolster defences following threats from Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

US beefs up military presence

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has approved the deployment of additional Navy cruisers and destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles to the Middle East and Europe. An extra squadron of fighter jets will be stationed in the region.

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Austin has ordered adjustments to US military posture designed to improve US force protection, increase support for the defence of Israel, and ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies, stated the Pentagon.

Speculation had arisen that the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group might not be replaced in the Middle East after its current deployment. However, Austin confirmed that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier strike group would rotate in to replace it.

The Pentagon also announced an increase in readiness to deploy more land-based ballistic missile defences.

The move comes as the US anticipates potential retaliation from Iran over the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, one of several high-profile assassinations amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

US concerned about Hezbollah, Iran

Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out the killing of Haniyeh and have vowed retaliation. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

President Biden, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, discussed new US defensive military deployments to support Israel against missile and drone threats, according to the White House.

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Haniyehs death is part of a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the conflict in Gaza approaches its 11th month, raising concerns about the wars spillover into other countries in the Middle East.

With inputs from Reuters
The matter is concerning because if this turns out to be true, Trump has potentially violated Federal law that bans US candidates from taking foreign funds read more

A bombshell report has revealed that Former US President Donald Trump allegedly received a whopping $10 million from Egypt just five days before he assumed office in January 2017. According to a report by The Washington Post, a secret investigation was conducted by the US Department of Justice over the matter.

As per the report, the federal investigators learned about the withdrawal in early 2019 which triggered a secret criminal investigation over the matter. The probe started after US intelligence alleged that Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi sought to give Trump $10 million to boost his 2016 presidential campaign.

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However, the case will never see the light of day again since within months of discovering the information, the case ground to a halt by the fall of 2019 as Trumps then-attorney general, William P. Barr, raised doubts about whether there was sufficient evidence to continue the probe against the then-president.

What made the case concerning was the fact that it came at a time when Trump was accusing the department of pursuing a politically biased witch hunt against him in its probe of Russias interference in the 2020 polls.

This begs the question; is the United States electoral system that vulnerable to foreign interference?

The Team 10 conundrum

According to the documents obtained by The Washington Post, a manager at the National Bank of Egypt in Cairo received a letter from an organisation which was linked to the intelligence service. In the letter, the bank was asked to kindly withdraw nearly $10 million from the organizations account  all in cash.

The records from the bank showed that four men arrived and carried away the bags, which US officials described in sealed court filings as weighing a combined 200 pounds and containing what was then a sizable share of Egypts reserve of U.S. currency.

In 2017, Justice Department officials were briefed on initial reports from the CIA which suggested that Sisi had sought to send money to Trump. The case was then set to none other than Robert Muller who was already investigating the Trump campaigns link to Russia.

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Muller formulated the team and dubbed it as Team 10. The group began looking for signs of the alleged transfer of the same amount  searching for evidence of the money either leaving Egypt or arriving with Trump. However, the former presidents bank records offered no evidence that Trump had taken money from Egypt and with limited evidence, the case went nowhere.

In June 2020, Barr was appointed another prosecutor in the case who ultimately called off the probe citing a lack of sufficient evidence to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt.

In a separate interview with The Washington Post, Michael Sherwin, the then-acting U.S. attorney who closed the case and a veteran prosecutor of complicated national security cases, said he had previously closed somewhere sufficient evidence never materialized. I made the same decision here and I stand by it, Sherwin averred.

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Egypts influence in the US

It is pertinent to note that Sisis ambition to influence the work of American government officials has become more prominent in recent years with the bribery conviction of Senator Bob Menendez, the former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez was caught read-handed due to such sketchy deals.

Interestingly, throughout his presidency, Trump shifted US policy in ways that benefited the Sis, a man who he has called his favourite dictator in the past. In 2018, Trumps State Department released $195 million in military aid that the US had been withholding over human rights violations.

The matter is concerning because if this turns out to be true, Trump has potentially violated Federal law that bans US candidates from taking foreign funds.

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How Egypt and Trumps campaign reacted

When questioned about the matter a spokesperson for Donald Trump blamed Deep State Trump-haters and bad faith actors for the whole chaos. The investigation referenced found no wrongdoing and was closed, Steven Cheung told The Washington Post.

None of the allegations or insinuations being reported on have any basis in fact. The Washington Post is consistently played for suckers by Deep State Trump-haters and bad faith actors peddling hoaxes and shams," he added.

Another spokesperson for the former president, Jason Miller, said then: President Trump has never received a penny from Egypt. Meanwhile, an Egyptian government spokesperson declined to answer the questions.

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It is inappropriate to comment or refer to rulings issued by the judiciary system or procedures and reports taken by Justice Departments in other countries, wrote Ayman Walash, the director of the Egyptian governments Foreign Press Centre in an email to the American news outlet.
The United States has advised its nationals to leave Lebanon amid fears of a full-scale regional war in the Middle East read more

As airlines have started suspending operations in Lebanon, the United States has asked nationals to leave the country on any flight available (Representative Photo, Credit: AFP)

The United States has asked citizens to leave Lebanon to any ticket or prepare contingency plans if they wish to remain in the country.

The advisory comes amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah.

Following the last weeks rocket attack in Israel-controlled Golan Heights in which 12 children were killed, Isarel assassinated Faud Shukr, the military chief of Hezbollah, in an airstrike in Beirut on Tuesday. The exchanged has raised fears of a full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel.

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In a message on its website, the US Embassy in Lebanon said that even though some airlines have suspended operations in Lebanon, flights are still available and citizens should book any flight available.

The U.S. Embassy notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. Please see available flight options at BeirutRafic Hariri International Airport . We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route. US citizens who lack funds to return to the United States may contact the embassy for financial assistance via repatriation loans, said the embassy.

U.S. Embassy Beirut notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even  U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) August 3, 2024

Within hours of Shukrs killing, Iran and Hamas confirmed that Hamas chief Ismail Haniyehs assassination in Tehran. He was visiting Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian and was killed in the Iranian regimes guesthouse. The brazen assassination, which marked a catastrophic failure of Iranian intelligence and security apparatus and a colossal embarrassment, led to Iran vowing to punish Israel.

As Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered direct attacks on Israel, the Middle East remains on the edge as chances of an all-out are high.

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Either leave or prepare contingency plans

Amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Iran, which is almost surely bound to involve Lebanon-based Hezbollah, the United States has asked its citizens in the country to either leave on any flight they can book or prepare for contingency plans for extended periods if they stay.

We recommend that U.S. citizens who choose not to depart Lebanon prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period of time, said the embassy.

The US mission in Beirut further said that the nationals should not rely on military evacuations as such actions are rare. It further said that they will be expected to reimburse the US government for transportation costs if they are evacuated by the government.

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Moreover, the embassy listed the following actions that US citizens in Beirut should take:

Make plans to depart that do not rely on the US government.

Ensure you and your family have your travel documents (passport) in order and are prepared to travel

Review your personal security plans

Keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency

Exercise caution, monitor the news closely for breaking developments that could affect internal security, and factor updated information into your travel plans and activities

If you are in Lebanon, be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate
The Opposition has claimed victory in the disputed Venezuelan election in which longtime ruler Nicolas Maduro is accused of rigging and voter suppression read more

After days of hiding, Venezuelan Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado held a rally against longtime ruler Nicolas Maduro in capital Caracas.

Maduro has held on to power in Venezuela by election fraud, according to Opposition and a host of countries that have rejected the election results. The United States has recognised the Opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, as Maduro stands accused of widespread election rigging and voter suppression.

In a rally on Saturday, Machado joined thousands of demonstrators who chanted Freedom, Freedom.

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Visuals shared by Machados supporters showed her waving the Venezuelan flag atop a moving vehicle.

Que lo sepa todo el mundo: #GanoVzla! @MariaCorinaYA esta aqui, con la gente, y repite: Nosotros no promovemos la violencia y salir a protestar civica y pacificamente no es violencia. No vamos a renunciar a nuestro derecho a la protesta civica. pic.twitter.com/1f2QRfldXp  Comando ConVzla (@ConVzlaComando) August 3, 2024

Machado remains the most popular Opposition leader but in the country and, in the months leading to the vote, was widely expected to win. But the crackdown by Maduros regime barred her from contesting the election. In her absence from the ballot, the Opposition converged on Gonzalez and polls ahead of the vote said he was on his way to the victory  until Maduro overturned the result, as per the critics.

The regime has never been this weaker

In an address to her supporters, Machado said that Maduros regime had never been as weak as it was now.

Flanked by several Opposition leaders, Machado went on to bring out the contrast between them and the regime.

We have never been so strong as today The regime has never been weaker. It has lost all legitimacy, said Machado, as per AFP.

Gonzalez, the rightful election winner as per the Opposition and the United States, was absent from the rally. There have been concerns that the regime may make attempts on his life as part of its ongoing crackdown of the Opposition.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Machado said, We do not promote violence and going out to protest civically and peacefully is not violence. We are not going to give up our right to civic protest.

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Machados pitch is in sharp contrast to Maduro who had ahead of the election warned of a bloodbath in case he lost.

US rejects Maduros victory

Even as the Maduro-controlled election body declared Maduro as the winner with 51.2 per cent vote in his favour, the Opposition claimed Gonzalez won 70 per cent of votes against Maduros 30 per cent. In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the election results were deeply flawed and there was overwhelming evidence that the Opposition had won.

Blinken denounced Maduros threats against Opposition leaders and said the safety of Opposition leaders must be ensured.

The safety and security of the democratic opposition leaders and members must be protected. All Venezuelans arrested while peacefully exercising their right to participate in the electoral process or demand transparency in the tabulation and announcement of results should be released immediately. Law enforcement and security forces should not become an instrument of political violence used against citizens exercising their democratic rights, said Blinken.
A research team from the Aerospace Information Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences will conduct the observational experiment using unmanned aerial platforms at a site on the northern side of Mount Everest, called Qomolangma in Tibet, situated at an average altitude of approximately 4,200 metres (15,960 feet). read more

Chinese research team will utilise unmanned aerial platforms to experiment on a site on the northern side of Mount Qomolangma, with an average elevation of approximately 4,200 meters. Representational Image- FP

Chinas Aerospace Information Research Institute has launched an observation experiment to study land-atmosphere interactions in the Mount Qomolangma region of southwest Chinas Xizang Autonomous Region.

According to researcher Jia Li, understanding the relationship between the land surface and atmosphere is vital for comprehending ecological and climate systems.

The Mount Qomolangma regions unique land-atmosphere interactions have significant effects on the local climate and potentially impact the global climate through complex feedback mechanisms and atmospheric circulation.

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The research team will utilise unmanned aerial platforms to experiment on a site on the northern side of Mount Qomolangma, with an average elevation of approximately 4,200 meters.

In the Mount Qomolangma region, land-atmosphere interactions not only affect the climate of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and its surrounding areas but also have the potential to influence the global climate through complex climate feedback mechanisms and atmospheric circulation, said Jia Li, a researcher at the Institute.

Studying the Tibetan Plateau becomes imperative given the exponentially changing climatic conditions leading to faster melting glaciers and snow.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a regional intergovernmental organisation, brought out the Summary of the Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report in 2019 which stated there is ample evidence for elevation-dependent warming (EDW) in the HKH, especially in the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding regions.

In 2023, ICIMOD also pointed out that 79 glaciers surrounding Everest have thinned by over 100 metres in just six decades, and the thinning rate has nearly doubled since 2009.

The state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday that the researchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute will collect spatial distribution data on, among other things, the radiation flux between the land surface and the atmosphere in the Tibetan Plateau.

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They will also integrate ground-station and remote-sensing satellite data to conduct multi-temporal and multi-spatial comprehensive observations, the report said.

However, this is not the first time that China has sent out a research team to the roof of the world. The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research carried out a ground-penetrating radar survey of snow depth along the north slope of Mount Everest in May 2022.

With inputs from agencies.
From undermining critics and adversaries to excessive praise for supporters depicted as patriots, the Russian authority is going all-out to show people that the prisoner swap deal was a success from the Kremlin read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin, second right, Federal Security Service (FSB) director Alexander Bortnikov, right, and Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Sergei Naryshkin, third left, greet freed Russian prisoners upon their arrival at Vnukovo government airport outside Moscow, Russia, Aug. 1. AP

The Russians returning to their home country were received in a lavish reception: red carpet, bouquets of flowers, guard of honour and some even got a hug from President Vladimir Putin. It is not natural for Putin to welcome people at the airport but following the biggest prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, the president felt a sense of personal victory.

Congratulations on your return to the Motherland! Putin said as he greeted the ten people at Moscows Vnukovo Airport.

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I would like to address those of you who have a direct connection to military service. Thank you for your loyalty to your oath and your duty to your Motherland, which has never forgotten you for a moment, the President said.

Why is Kremlin celebrating this as a personal victory?

Another narrative being promoted by pro-Kremlin media at the moment is that its a relief to see Russia has been released from its prisons and sent abroad.

The government paper read, Eight Russians whod been jailed in Nato countries have returned to the Motherland in exchange for individuals who had been acting to the detriment of Russias national security.

From undermining critics and adversaries to excessive praise for supporters depicted as patriots, the Russian authority is going all-out to show people that the prisoner swap deal was a success from the Kremlin.

The picture of the day was when Putin embraced Vadim Krasikov, the Federal Security Service (FSB) agent who was serving life imprisonment in Germany for killing a Georgian-born Chechen dissident. Krasikovs repatriation is noteworthy as, throughout the course of negotiations, Russia remained adamant about getting him back, making it clear that he topped the wish list.

Krasikov, along with the other freed Russian nationals, will get state awards, Putin promised them at the airport.

With inputs from agencies
Yashin is a prominent politician and had become quite well-known for his vocal criticism of President Vladimir Putin. He said he viewed the exchange as an illegal expulsion from Russia against my will read more

Ilya Yashin, a prominent Russian opposition activist, was released from a prison in his country in the prisoner swap on Thursday (August 1).

However, he expressed intense frustration at being deported from Russia, which he said happened against his will.

Who is Ilya Yashin?

Yashin was a prominent politician, and a staunch ally of Alexei Navalny- another opposition leader who died in a Russian prison. He was a member of the Moscow municipal council, and had become quite well-known for his vocal criticism of President Vladimir Putin.

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This position led to his arrest in 2022. He was sentenced to 8.5 years imprisonment for criticising Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ahead of the exchange, he wasnt told he was being freed in the prisoner swap.

The exchange, the largest since the Cold War, involved the exchange of eight Russians, including a convicted murderer, for 16 prisoners held in Russian and Belarusian jails, many of whom were dissidents. Western leaders celebrated the deal, especially given the precarious situations faced by the dissidents after the death of politician Alexei Navalny in jail last year.

Why is Ilya Yashin frustrated about the swap?

Yashin said that he had not agreed to be deported. From my first day behind bars, I said I was not willing to be a part of any exchanges, Yashin declared at an emotional news conference in Bonn on Friday (August 2).

Im not viewing what happened to me  as an exchange. Im viewing it as an expulsion from Russia, an illegal expulsion from Russia against my will. And Ill say frankly, as it is: The thing I want the most right now is to go home."

Yashin argued that there were others in greater need of medical care who should have been prioritised. He pledged to continue his work for Russia from abroad, although he admitted, I dont yet know how.

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His anger was not directed at the Western governments that had secured his release, whom he acknowledged faced a difficult moral dilemma, but at the Kremlin for expelling him, a political rival, against his will.

With inputs from agencies
Explore the rich history and architectural beauty of Trinity Episcopal Church in this captivating tour given by Reverend Jimmy Abbott. Join J.R., Lisa, Erika, and Reverend Jimmy in uncovering the layers of history, from its founding in 1841 to its role in wartime and natural disasters.
Moldovan Official Accused Of Treason Placed In Preventive Custody

By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service August 02, 2024

A court in Moldova's capital, Chisinau, has ordered preventive custody for one of the two suspects detained on July 31 in a case of treason and conspiracy that has also led to the expulsion of a Russian diplomat.

Ion Creanga, the head of the Parliament's legal department, will spend the next 30 days in custody, the court ruled on August 2.

Creanga and a border police official were detained when agents of Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) and the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) raided and searched the parliament premises on July 31.

They are accused of collecting and passing information that harms Moldova's interests to an employee of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau.

Judges have yet to rule on the prosecutors' request to place the second suspect in pretrial custody for 30 days as well. Under Moldovan law, suspects can be detained for 72 hours without a court order.

Following the arrests, Moldova's Foreign Ministry on August 1 summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov and informed him that an employee of the Russian Embassy to Chisinau was declared persona non grata and had 48 hours to leave the country.

The ministry said in a statement that the move was prompted by Moldovan authorities obtaining "information and evidence" proving that the Russian diplomat conducted "activities incompatible with diplomatic status on the territory of Moldova."

Neither the Moldovan government nor Vasnetsov identified the Russian diplomat to be expelled. But diplomatic and intelligence sources told RFE/RL that he is Dmitry Kelov, the deputy military attache at the embassy.

Russia's Foreign Ministry called Moldova's decision an "unfriendly step" and vowed to retaliate, without giving details.

"It is paramount that we make sure now that this treason case will be punished in the harshest way according to the law," Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu said in an interview with Moldova's Jurnal TV late on July 31.

Under U.S.-educated Sandu, who came to power in November 2020 after defeating Moscow-backed incumbent Igor Dodon, Moldova, a former Soviet republic, has sought to curb Russia's decades-long ubiquitous influence over its politics.

Last year in August, Moldova expelled 45 of the 70 Russian diplomats from the embassy in Chisinau after a media investigation revealed that the embassy building had an unusually high number of antennas installed on its roof that were suspected of gathering information for Russian intelligence services.

However, despite the sizeable expulsions, an RFE/RL investigation in September 2023 found that at least two of the remaining diplomats have ties to the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia's domestic intelligence agency, while two others have been associated with Moscow addresses linked to the Russian military's intelligence directorate.

Since the start of Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, Moldova has sided firmly with the West in condemning the invasion and has housed tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.

Last month, Moldova opened accession negotiations with the European Union after being granted candidate status together with Ukraine in June 2022.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/treason-chisinau- creanga-kelov/33061215.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Humanitarian efforts 'nowhere near where they should be' 300 days into Gaza war

1 August 2024 - Scaling up aid delivery remains a challenge in Gaza as the war reaches the 300-day mark, the head of the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said on Thursday.

Andrea De Domenico was speaking from Jerusalem in his final briefing to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York as the Israeli authorities have not renewed his visa.

Reflecting on his time in the region, Mr. De Domenico recalled that the UN Secretary-General had previously said that Gaza was becoming a graveyard for children and "unfortunately he was right, and this is what Gaza became".

He said the international community "has to answer the question of how much human suffering can be tolerated in the name of security."

'Systematic de-humanization of civilians'

Mr. De Domenico said that over the past 10 months, he had witnessed "the systematic dehumanization of civilians" in both Gaza and the West Bank, and "the absolute physical and psychological exhaustion of an entire population."

He also voiced concern over "the growing anger towards Israel, awakening the dark forces that could fuel antisemitism", noting that the UN continues to call for all leaders to speak out against antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and hate speech, which only reinforce stigma and marginalization.

The top humanitarian said it was "kind of a coincidence" that his final briefing was taking place on the eve of the 300-day mark.

The war erupted in response to Hamas-led terror attacks in southern Israel on 7 October 2023 which left some 1,250 dead. More than 250 people were taken to Gaza as hostages, and 115 remain in the enclave.

Death and destruction mounting

Mr. De Domenico said recent weeks had seen more evacuation orders in Gaza, which sparked more displacement, and it was "particularly worrisome" that they affected areas that Israeli had unilaterally declared as safe zones.

More than 200,000 people were displaced but spontaneous returns have been occurring over the past few days.

"And we will keep on trying to deliver a response to those people in those areas," he said. "The reality, though, remains that our ability to deliver has never gone up to scale."

Meanwhile, the toll of the war is still increasing. More than 39,000 people in Gaza have killed, 91,000 injured, 90 per cent of the population -1.9 million people - is displaced, and 60 per cent of residential buildings have been destroyed, with an estimated 49 million tonnes of debris generated.

Furthermore, food insecurity is at its highest level, and polio was recently found in sewage samples.

"In this environment we do a lot," he said. "We provide people with water, food, tents, clothing, hygiene items, nutritional supplements, and cash. We equip hospitals with bed stretchers, medicine, meals and facilities with medical evacuation."

However, he said "all these efforts are nowhere near where they should be in terms of helping people", highlighting the need to scale up operations.

He also pointed to "rays of hope", such as the start that day of a programme to provide informal learning for some 30,000 children, which is being run by UNRWA, the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)

West Bank violence

Mr. De Domenico also addressed the situation in the West Bank, where the UN has verified the killing of 572 Palestinians, including 141 children, since 7 October. Most were shot by Israeli forces and settlers. Fourteen Israelis were killed during the same period.

Demolitions have also continued, and they now seem to be "spreading all over and also affecting houses that are in areas that were for many years untouched". In total, more than 1,300 structures been demolished, nearly 40 per cent of which were inhabited, displacing nearly 3,000 people.

At the same time, search and rescue operations "have become more and more frequent" and "seem to be more military operations rather than police enforcement operations", resulting in "huge devastation to civilian infrastructure.

"We have seen, for example, streets completely demolished, and sewage network demolished, and that of course has an impact on public health."

He also reported that the Israeli military's "attitude" towards humanitarians is also becoming more aggressive.

"We have been systematically stopped at checkpoints and identified. They request the staff to step out of the vehicle, take out the keys. They want to ID every single staff and it seems that this is unfortunately a growing trend".

Lack of permits and visas for staff is also becoming a problem for international non-governmental organizations in the West Bank.

Asked about his own situation, Mr. De Dominico said visas were previously given for a year and after the war began, they were shortened to three to six months.

He was recently given a one-month extension and warned that it would not be renewed.

"The straw that broke the camel's back is the publication of the Children and Armed Conflict report from the United Nations, and they alluded to long-standing issue of reporting that OCHA has been doing," he said.

"But this has been communicated verbally and there is no formal communication that I've received, despite asking repeatedly."

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Special Adviser report on Israel's response to the IDF strikes against World Central Kitchen

Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Media release

02 August 2024

Australia is pressing Israel to reform its coordination with humanitarian organisations to protect civilians and aid workers, following Special Adviser Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin's report on the deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues.

ACM Binskin confirmed the Israeli Defence Forces' strikes on their vehicles were the result of serious failures to follow IDF procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making.

This is consistent with the IDF's own assessment that this "incident should not have occurred" and was a "grave mistake".

Gaza remains the deadliest place on earth to be an aid worker.

The UN reports that more than 250 aid workers have been killed since the conflict in Gaza began. In recent weeks, at least three UN vehicles have come under attack.

This is why the Australian Government is implementing all of ACM Binskin's recommendations, including the recommendation for further calls on Israel to improve coordination and deconfliction with humanitarian organisations working on the ground.

We are working with the UN and the international community to press Israel to reform its coordination with humanitarian organisations, to ensure the tragic deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues are not in vain and not repeated.

The Australian Government will persist until proper protections for aid workers are in place. The best protection for aid workers - and civilians - is a ceasefire.

Israel's process to determine accountability for the World Central Kitchen strikes is not over. The Military Advocate General of Israel is still to decide on further action. Our expectation remains that there be transparency about the Military Advocate General's process and decision. I have written to my Israeli counterpart to this end.

We will continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges.

Ms Frankcom dedicated her life to the service of others. She was an Australian we can all be proud of. I again extend my deepest sympathies to her family, loved ones and colleagues, as I do to those of the other victims.

The Australian Government thanks ACM Binskin for his work. An unclassified edition of his report is available on the DFAT website.

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August 2, 2024

Release

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Statement on Force Posture in the Middle East

The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies. Since the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the Secretary of Defense has reiterated that the United States will protect our personnel and interests in the region, including our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel.

To that end, Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.



To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, the Secretary has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group, currently on deployment in the Central Command area of responsibility.

Additionally, Secretary Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions. The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense.

The Secretary has also ordered the deployment of an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East, reinforcing our defensive air support capability.

These posture adjustments add to the broad range of capabilities the U.S. military maintains in the region, including the USS WASP Amphibious Ready Group / Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) operating in the Eastern Mediterranean.

As we have demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States' global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats. The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3860557/

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August 2, 2024

By Jim Garamone, DOD News

U.S. Will Send More Defensive Military Capabilities to Middle East

More defensive military capabilities will deploy to the Middle East to bolster force protection for U.S. troops in the region and to defend Israel, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh today.

The deployment will be in response to threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militias, Singh said.

Following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, the United States pledged to help defend the nation. In April, when Iran and Iranian-backed groups launched strikes at Israel, the United States led a coalition that helped defend the country from armed drones and missiles.

Singh said the commitment for more defense capabilities in the region comes from conversations last night between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This morning, Secretary of the Defense Lloyd J. Austin III followed up on those conversations with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, she said.

"We've demonstrated since October and again in April [that] the United States's global defense is dynamic, and the department retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats," she said. "As a result, the secretary will be directing multiple, forthcoming force-posture moves to bolster force protection for U.S. forces regionwide, to provide elevated support to the defense of Israel and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to this evolving crisis."

What forces and/or units will deploy remains to be determined. Singh said the United States already has robust defensive capabilities in the region, and those forces may be redeployed within theater. White House officials said, however, that there will be "new" capabilities for the region.

Biden and Austin have been in close coordination on this effort, Singh said. "The secretary will be directing forthcoming force-posture moves to bolster our force protection," she said.

Singh stressed any capabilities will be purely defensive and will "send a message of deterrence."

The United States will continue to work with allies and partners to de-escalate the situation in the region. Allies and partners helped defeat the attacks in April, and a number of countries participate in Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea to keep that vital sea line of communication open, she said.

The defensive capabilities are all in support of deterrence and de-escalation, Singh said. "We're going to continue to urge for de-escalation, and the best way for that to happen is for this ceasefire deal to come through, so we can get American hostages out, as well," she said. "We believe that that would be the best way to de-escalate and further lower tensions in the region."

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The Royal Air Force conducts air policing mission around Iceland

Government of Iceland - Ministry for Foreign Affairs

02 August 2024

A British air squadron is expected to arrive in Iceland at the beginning of next week, marking the start of a NATO air surveillance mission in Iceland (ASIC IPPN). The squadron consists of four F-35 fighter jets and 180 personnel.

The squadron will participate in the mission alongside staff from the NATO Control and Reporting Center in Keflavik and the NATO Combained Air Operations Center in Uedem, Germany.

The mission will be carried out in the same manner as in previous years and in accordance with NATO's Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Needs (ASIC IPPN) mission.

Weather permitting, approach flight exercises to the alternate airports in Akureyri and Egilsstair are planned for the period from August 5th to August 16th.

The squadron will be based at the security zone at Keflavik Airport along with allied squadrons that monitor submarine traffic in the North Atlantic.

The Defense Division of the Icelandic Coast Guard will manage the implementation of the project, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close cooperation with Isavia, the national airport and air navigation service provider of Iceland.

The air surveillance mission is expected to conclude at the beginning of September.

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Lithuania strengthens operational capabilities of the Navy with a new tugboat from the Netherlands' Damen

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-08-02

Acquisitions and infrastructure development

The Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence has signed a procurement contract with the Netherlands' Damen Group on acquisition of a new harbor tug. The contract worth approx. EUR 10.8 million commits the manufacturer to deliver the equipment to the Lithuanian Navy in 9 months.

"Acquisition of the harbor tugboat strengthens Lithuania's position as a maritime country and supplements the capabilities the Navy needs," said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas.

In his turn, Commander of the Naval Flotilla RDML Giedrius Premeneckas added that "the acquire harbor tug will significantly improve the ability of the Lithuanian Navy to implement its different objectives".

The acquired vessel will be the first brand new ship to complement the composition of the Lithuanian Navy as opposed to all formed projects of purchasing used vessels from other NATO Allies' navies which would be later fine-tuned to the needs of Lithuania and modernized.

"We are honored to sign this contract with the Defence Materiel Agency concerning building and delivery of a new harbor tugboat to the Lithuanian Navy. Damen is proud to be able to meet the needs of our navy partner across the globe," said DAmen Project Manager

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Thermal weapon sights of the Lithuanian Armed Forces transferred to Moldova

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-08-02

International cooperation | Security and defense policy

During a formal visit to Kishinev Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas handed over thermovisual sights from the Lithuanian Armed Forces to make sure the Moldovan military can detect targets in the dark or in poor weather conditions better.

"Lithuania supported in the past, supports and will support Moldova in the area of defence in the future. With the current security situation in mind, Lithuania is prepared not just to retain the support but to increase it. WE are committed with actions, not words, and the handover of thermal sights today is a proof of that," said Minister of National Defence L. Kasciunas.

Lithuania consistently supports the reform of the Moldovan Armed Forces and assists in strengthening military capabilities not just with sharing of expertise and best practices in cyber and strategic communications. The tangible assistance, thermal sights, delivered during the visit of Minister L. Kasciunas contributes to strengthening Moldova's resilience and closer bilateral defence cooperation.

"Moldova wishes to continue strengthening cooperation with Lithuania through implementation of new projects aimed at building a modern, equipped and trained Armed Forces ready for challenges. <...> We sincerely hope that Lithuania will continue to support our European path, efforts to strengthen cooperation with international organisations and ensure peace and stability in the region," said Minister of Defence of Moldova Anatolie Nosatii.

The importance of continuity of the reform started in Moldova was accentuated at the meeting. The Lithuanian-Moldovan cooperation has grown in the wake of the full-scale Russian military invasion of Ukraine.. The countries will continue the active bilateral defence cooperation and military assistance.

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PH, Japan hold 1st maritime cooperative activity in WPS

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

August 2, 2024, 3:41 pm

MANILA -- Naval vessels from the Philippines and Japan held their first bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea on Friday.

In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the MCA is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The AFP, through the Philippine Navy (PN), deployed the missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) while the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) sent its destroyer JS Sazanami (DD-113) for the activity.

"The types of exercises conducted during the MCA included a communications exercise (COMMEX), tactical maneuvering, and a photographic exercise (PHOTOEX)," Trinidad said.

He said the exercise enhanced the tactical capabilities of the PN and the JMSDF and reinforced the strong ties and mutual commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

"The JMSDF and the PN are dedicated to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating their shared commitment to upholding a rules-based international order," Trinidad said.

China's PLAN ships spotted

Meanwhile, the AFP said two Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, a Jiangdao-class corvette 624 and Jingkai class frigate 574, were observed in the area tailing the formation within four nautical miles and 4.9 nautical miles, respectively.

"This did not interfere with the MCA, which successfully included communication exercises, tactical maneuvering, and photographic exercises. The presence of the PLAN vessels was closely monitored, and the exercise proceeded as planned, achieving its objectives of improving tactical capabilities and strengthening cooperation between the JMSDF and the PN," it added. (PNA)

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PAF's FA-50PH jets complete Pitch Black 'large force' drill

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

August 2, 2024, 10:12 am

MANILA -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said its FA-50PH light jet fighters have completed the "large force employment" (LFE) simulation phase of this year's "Pitch Black" exercises in Australia, along with other participating air forces.

"This two-week long LFE simulation phase is a crucial aspect of the exercise, emphasizing complex, large-scale missions that require seamless coordination and integration among the diverse capabilities and assets of participating air forces," PAF acting spokesperson Col. Rifiel Santiago Sotto said in a statement Thursday night.

The "Pitch Black" started in July and will formally close on Friday.

Sotto said LFE missions are designed to provide realistic and challenging scenarios, enhancing the interoperability and tactical skills of the participating nations.

"The PAF pilots were able to participate in different missions, such as air interdiction, suppression of enemy air defense, defensive counter-air and offensive counter-air in a Blue or Red Force role," he added.

He said the PAF's involvement in these missions not only demonstrates its operational capabilities but also strengthens Manila's commitment to international defense cooperation and regional security.

Meanwhile, PAF's "Pitch Black" contingent commander, Col. Randy Pascua, expressed pride in the Air Force's performance and highlighted the importance of such exercises in building stronger ties with allied nations.

"Participating in Pitch Black 2024 allows us to enhance our operational readiness and fosters camaraderie with our international counterparts. The experience and knowledge gained here are invaluable to our mission of maintaining peace and security in the region," he stated.

The PAF's contingent to "Pitch Black" consists of four FA-50PH light jet fighters and 162 highly trained personnel.

"Pitch Black" is a biennial exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force that fosters multinational collaboration and training.

This year's exercise brought together 20 participating nations, over 140 aircraft, and approximately 4,435 personnel. (PNA)

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Hamas leader Haniyeh laid to rest in Qatar amid calls for revenge against Israel

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 August 2024 4:19 PM

Ismail Haniyeh, the martyred politburo chief of the Hamas resistance movement, has been laid to rest in the Qatari capital Doha in a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials from across the region.

Haniyeh's body, wrapped in Palestinian flags, was buried at the royal cemetery in Lusail, north of Doha, in a ceremony attended by Iran's vice-president Mohammad-Reza Aref and acting foreign minister Ali Baqeri Kani, among other dignitaries and representatives from Palestinian factions.

Before that, thousands of mourners including official representatives of several nations held a funeral prayer at Doha's biggest mosque, Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque, amid tight security.

Prayers and demonstrations took place in commemoration of the martyrdom of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza and the West Bank, along with several other countries including Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Yemen, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the leaders who offered funeral prayers in absentia for Haniyeh.

Pakistan and Turkey have announced a national day of mourning following his death. Iran had announced three days of mourning in honor of Haniyeh.

Hamas in a statement called for a day of anger over Haniyeh's killing, asking people to launch marches from every mosque denouncing the "cowardly crime of assassination".

The body of Haniyeh had been flown to Doha following a mass procession in central Tehran on Thursday, which saw Iran's Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei leading funeral prayers for him.

Haniyeh, who was in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, was assassinated along with his bodyguard, in an Israeli attack on his residence on Wednesday.

Ayatollah Khamenei warned the Israeli regime of a "harsh response" for the assassination of Haniyeh, saying the Islamic Republic has to avenge the blood of the Palestinian resistance leader.

"The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our homeland and left us bereaved, but it also set the ground for a harsh punishment for itself," the Leader said.

Haniyeh served as the head of the Hamas politburo from 2017 to 2024 and has lived in Doha for the past several years.

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IRGC chief to Hezbollah leader: 'Sacred rage, harsh revenge' await enemies of Muslims

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 August 2024 3:50 PM

The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has strongly warned the Israeli regime of consequences of the assassination of a senior Hezbollah figure.

Major General Hossein Salami made the remarks in a message of condolence that he addressed to the Lebanese resistance movement's Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.

The commander described the perpetrators of the atrocity as "the enemies of the Muslim nation (Ummah), especially the criminal and terrorist Zionist gang."

Those and their supporters, he said, "should await sacred fury, harsh revenge, and vengeance on the part of the devoted, resolute, and determined mujahedeen of the [various] fronts of the regional resistance."

The remarks came after the Israeli attack claimed the lives of Fuad Shukr, a ranking Hezbollah commander and Nasrallah advisor, and several others, including Milad Bidi, an Iranian military advisor, in a suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday.

Salami reminded that those behind Shukr's assassination were also "the murderers of Gaza's oppressed women, children, and men."

He was referring to a genocidal war that the regime has been conducting with the United States' all-out support against the Gaza Strip since last October. The brutal military onslaught has so far claimed the lives of at least 39,480 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

The message also followed the regime's assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior leader of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Most recently, Nasrallah said fighting against the regime had entered "a new phase" after the dual assassinations.

Israel had "crossed red lines" in the assassinations and it had to expect "rage and revenge on all the fronts," he said.

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Aug 1: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 August 2024 11:25 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 39,500 Palestinians so far, the majority of them children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Thursday, August 31, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on August 1:

- Targeted an Israeli military force fortified inside two buildings with several anti-personnel shells, followed by intense clashes using machine guns in the vicinity of the University College in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, south of Gaza City.

- Targeted an Israeli military infantry force and their military vehicles with an anti-personnel shell in the vicinity of the University College in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, south of Gaza City.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on August 1:

- Sniped an Israeli soldier in the vicinity of the Barcelona area in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, south of Gaza City.

- Carried out an artillery and rocket attack on the command and control positions of the Israeli military in the Netzarim axis.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on August 1:

- Detonated a pre-rigged building housing an Israeli infantry force near Dahdouh Roundabout in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, southwest of Gaza City.

- In a joint operation with Al-Qassam Brigades, targeted an Israeli military vehicle with an anti-armor shell in the Abu Al-Saber area of the Al-Shaboura camp in Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip.

- Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles using a barrage of "Ababil" explosive projectiles and heavy-caliber mortar shells, south of the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City.

- In a joint operation with Al-Qassam Brigades, engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in the Shaboura camp in Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on August 1:

- Targeted a gathering of Israeli forces and a convoy of their military vehicles using mortar shells on the supply line in the Netzarim axis, south of Gaza City.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on August 1:

- Detonated an anti-personnel explosive device targeting an Israeli military force advancing in the Al-Barahma neighborhood, west of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

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Israeli assassinations won't weaken resistance: Hamas, Islamic Jihad

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 August 2024 11:24 AM

The Gaza-based Palestinian resistance groups of Hamas and Islamic Jihad have emphasized that assassinations by Israel will not weaken their resilience against the occupying regime.

In a statement released on Thursday, they vowed to follow the path of resistance and defend Palestinians despite Israel's assassination of Hamas's Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran and Fuad Shukr, a senior commander of Lebanon's Hezbollah, in Beirut.

"The treacherous assassination crimes of resistance leaders, foremost among them ... Ismail Haniyeh... and ... Fuad Shukr will not weaken the resistance," they said.

"The resistance pledges to Allah first, and then to our people and our nation, to fulfill its duty to defend our people, our land, protect our sanctities, and safeguard our legitimate rights, no matter the sacrifices."

Hamas and Islamic Jihad also described the resistance as a "legitimate right" in the face of the Israeli occupation, saying it will persist until Palestinians uphold their right to liberation, return to their homeland, and establish an independent state on the entire Palestinian land with al-Quds as its capital.

They further called on the Palestinian people in the Israeli-occupied territories to escalate their resistance, thwart the Israeli plots, and make the usurping regime and its allies pay the price for their crimes.

"The occupation has not and will not achieve any of its goals in the genocide war, except for killing children, women, and the elderly, and destroying infrastructure and civilian institutions. This will not weaken our resolve, and the resistance that created Al-Aqsa Storm," they added, referring to the surprise operation conducted by resistance fighters on October 7, 2023.

Israel unleashed its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian operation which came in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

However, 10 months into the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its objectives in the besieged Gaza despite killing at least 39,480 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 91,128 others.

Also in their statement, the two resistance movements stressed that they will keep cooperating at the political, military, field, and humanitarian levels.

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Israel sustains deadly aggression on Lebanon, Hezbollah responds with dozens of rockets

Iran Press TV

Friday, 02 August 2024 2:59 AM

The Israeli regime sustains its deadly aggression against southern Lebanon after its recent assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander, prompting the Lebanese resistance movement to respond with dozens of retaliatory rockets.

On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residence accommodating a Syrian family in the town of Chama in the country's Tire District, Lebanon's health ministry reported.

Four Syrians were killed and five Lebanese nationals wounded in the attack, it added.

Later in the day, Hezbollah released a statement, saying it had "fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at the settlement of Metzuba" in the northern part of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Various reports said the movement had fired around 60 rockets towards the territories during the retaliation.

The Israeli attack came only two days after a similar strike by the regime targeted a building in a suburb of the country's capital Beirut, assassinating Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander and an advisor to the movement's Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

It also followed the regime's assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas' Political Bureau Chief, in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

Most recently, the Hezbollah leader said fighting against the regime had entered "a new phase" after the dual assassinations. Israel had "crossed red lines" in the assassinations and it had to expect "rage and revenge on all the fronts," he said.

The Israeli regime has been conducting sporadic attacks on Lebanon since October 7, 2023, when it launched a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip. The attacks have prompted a firefight with Hezbollah.

Hezbollah fought off two Israeli wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006, forcing a humiliating retreat upon the Tel Aviv regime's military on both occasions.

The movement has vowed to defend the country with all its resources in the event of another one.

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Philippines, US carry out 'cooperative activity' in South China Sea

Meanwhile, Vietnamese and Philippine coast guards will soon hold first joint maritime drills.

By Jason Gutierrez for BenarNews 2024.08.02 -- The United States and the Philippines carried out a "maritime cooperative activity" in South China Sea waters that are within Manila's jurisdiction, officials said Thursday.

The two allies' joint activity was held even as China and the Philippines say they are moving to "deescalate" tensions in the contested sea area after they spiked mid-June when a Filipino sailor lost a thumb allegedly in an encounter with Chinese coast guard personnel.

Meanwhile, a Vietnamese coast guard ship is on its way to the Philippines for the first joint coast guard drills between the neighbors who both have territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, Hanoi announced.

Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the partnership between Washington and Manila, bound by a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, "continues to be a pillar of regional stability."

"These joint exercises with our ally are crucial in enhancing our naval capabilities and ensuring that we can effectively collaborate to safeguard our maritime interests," he said, referring to the "cooperative activity."

It also underscored the "strong defense ties between the Philippines and the United States and their shared commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and a rules-based order" in the South China Sea, Brawner said.

A Philippine Navy offshore combat patrol ship and a U.S. Navy littoral combat ship participated in the drill that ended at dusk on Wednesday in the West Philippine Sea, which is what Manila calls areas in the South China Sea that are in its exclusive economic zone.

Philippine military public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad did not disclose the exact location of the joint maritime activity with the U.S. He said that based on the navy's report, "no Chinese vessel was detected in the exercise area, both by visual and radar monitoring."

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday in Manila announced a $500 million infusion to help the Philippines defend its shores amid increasing territorial threats from China.

Tensions and confrontations between Manila and Beijing have been on the rise over a shoal, known as Ren'ai Jiao in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.

Manila accuses Beijing of blocking access to Filipino troops stationed at the shoal which serves a military outpost for the Philippines, which has troops stationed there. China maintains it has sovereignty over the shoal.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday welcomed a "provisional agreement" reached between Beijing and Manila regarding the latter's resupply missions to the shoal.

He still noted that Washington and Manila continued to worry about Beijing's actions.

"Both of us share concerns - and many other countries in the region share concerns as well - about some of the actions that the People's Republic of China has taken," he said, calling them "escalatory actions" in the South China Sea as well as in the East China Sea.

Philippine-Vietnam coast guard drills

U.S. Defense Secretary Austin, for his part, said that the new funding sends a "clear message of support" and indicated that the allies were "operating more closely and capably than ever."

China, in reaction, called on Manila not to be swayed by the U.S. which is not a party to the overlapping claims in the region.

On Wednesday, Lin Jian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said Washington was interfering on maritime issues between Manila and Beijing. He warned the Philippines against being turned into "a chess piece" in a geopolitical game by the U.S.

"The Philippines needs to see that ganging up with countries outside the region to engage in confrontation in the South China Sea will only destabilize the region and create more tensions," Lin said.

Vietnam, another Southeast Asian nation that contests China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea, said that a 2,400-ton vessel left central Vietnam on Wednesday and is expected to arrive in Manila on Aug. 5 for joint drills with the Philippine Coast Guard.

The two sides will offer training in "responding to different scenarios in international waters," the Vietnam People's Army newspaper reported. It did not provide details.

The Vietnamese ship is expected to remain in Philippine waters until Aug. 9 with the Vietnamese crew taking part in joint training exercises including search and rescue, fire and explosion prevention and maritime safety with the Philippine Coast Guard.

During a state visit by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Vietnam in January, the two sides signed understandings on maritime cooperation between coast guards, among other things.

Jeoffrey Maitem in Davao City, Philippines, contributed to this report.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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India pledges $300m loan to boost Vietnam's maritime security

During Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Delhi the two sides also launched a military software hub.

By RFA Staff 2024.08.02 -- India has offered to provide Vietnam with US$300 million to strengthen its maritime security amid rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and increasing wariness in both countries about China's growing military might and assertiveness.

India's pledge was made during a visit to India this week by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during which he and his host, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, virtually inaugurated a military software hub in the city of Nha Trang in central Vietnam.

The Army Software Park is being developed with India's assistance and is expected to produce software solutions as well as provide information technology services.

Modi said at a welcome ceremony for Chinh at Hyderabad House on Thursday that Vietnam was an important partner in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.

The Act East Policy is a diplomatic initiative to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels.

Both countries would "continue cooperation for a free, open, rules-based and prosperous Indo-Pacific," Modi said.

This visit from July 30 to Aug. 1 was Chinh's first trip to India as head of government.

The leaders said in a joint communique at the end of the visit that Vietnam and India "agreed to strengthen further their defense cooperation based on common priorities and interests, and to contribute to the stability in the Indo-Pacific region."

A package of preferential loans worth US$300 million would be offered for two projects to improve Vietnam's maritime security, they said.

They did not specify details but Indian media said the money would be spent on procuring two types of patrol boats for the Vietnamese navy.

In June 2023, India donated to Vietnam a missile corvette, the INS Kirpan, and also sold it 12 high-speed guard boats.

Rule-based South China Sea

Maritime security is seen as one of the most important elements of Vietnam-India bilateral relations and they have held regular maritime security dialogues since 2019.

The joint communique emphasized the importance of "maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea."

Both countries are committed to finding peaceful solutions to maritime disputes in accordance with international law, in particular the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, they said.

They stressed that UNCLOS is the legal framework for all maritime activities in the region and the basis for all claims over jurisdiction.

Vietnam, together with other ASEAN countries, and China are negotiating a code of conduct for parties in the South China Sea.

India and the United States are not involved in those talks but the two leaders called in their communique for a rule-based and effective code of conduct that "does not affect rights and jurisdictions of other countries, including those not taking part in the negotiation process."

China has warned against what it sees as the "intervention" of outside countries in South China Sea disputes.

Edited by Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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The Azadi Briefing: Concerns Over Rising Terrorism Threat From Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan

By Abubakar Siddique August 02, 2024

The Key Issue

A new report by the United Nations says Afghanistan under Taliban rule is turning into a hub for extremist groups.

"Terrorism emanating from Afghanistan will be a driver of insecurity in the region and further afield," said the report by the UN Security Council committee that monitors the Islamic State (IS) extremist group and the Al-Qaeda terrorist network.

Issued on July 22, the report details how extremist groups with thousands of fighters endanger the security of Afghanistan's neighbors and pose a growing threat globally.

The report identified Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), the Afghanistan branch of IS, as the "most serious threat" in the Central and South Asia region and said the group was "projecting terror beyond Afghanistan."

The report said Al-Qaeda was adopting "strategic patience" in Afghanistan. Building ties with the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group that is waging an insurgency against Islamabad, Al-Qaeda could transform the Pakistani militants into a regional threat, the report warned.

"With Taliban acquiescence, and at times support, TTP has intensified attacks inside Pakistan," the report said, noting that the Pakistani group is estimated to have around 6,500 fighters.

Why It's Important: Nearly three years after the Taliban's return to power, there are increasing fears that Afghanistan is once again turning into the headquarters of global terrorism.

The Taliban has battled against IS-K and claims to have severely curtailed its operations in Afghanistan. But the Taliban's alliances and relations with other extremist groups, including the TTP, have allowed militancy to flourish in the region.

For now, fewer Afghans are dying in terrorist attacks than in recent years, according to a new reportby the Institute of Economics and Peace, an Australian think tank. But attacks by Afghanistan-based militant groups abroad are increasing.

External attacks by extremist groups based in Afghanistan could provoke retaliation against the Taliban. Islamabad has already carried out air strikes inside Afghanistan in response to TTP attacks.

The United States says it is working to prevent the reemergence of external terrorism threats from Afghanistan. Vedant Patel, a deputy spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said on August 1 that Washington is employing international cooperation to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a launching pad for terrorist attacks.

What's Next: The Taliban is expected to keep fighting IS-K because of ideological differences.

But it is unlikely to stop harboring or clamp down on other extremist groups on Afghan soil. That will continue to make Afghanistan a threat to the region and beyond.

What To Keep An Eye On

The Taliban's unrecognized government on July 30 announced that it was cutting ties with 14 Afghan diplomatic missions abroad and will cease to accept consular documents issued by those missions.

They include Afghan missions in Australia, Canada, Poland, Greece, London, Belgium, Berlin, Bonn, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Sweden, and Norway.

But many of those missions have vowed to defy the Taliban and continue their consular and diplomatic services without any interruption.

"Until the Taliban take steps to gain domestic and international legitimacy, their announcements will have no bearing on our work," Muhibullah Taib, an Afghan diplomat in Switzerland, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

The Taliban's decision is likely to impact hundreds of thousands of Afghans based abroad.

"It will not allow Afghans to travel," Hamza Khan, an Afghan living in France, told Radio Azadi. "We demand that the Taliban rescind this decision."

Why It's Important: Since seizing power, the Taliban has tried to gain control of Afghan diplomatic missions abroad in a bid to boost its legitimacy.

So far, the Taliban has successfully assumed control of Afghan diplomatic missions in more than a dozen countries in the region.

But it now appears to be seeking to assert authority over missions in Western nations where Afghan diplomats appointed by the previous government have resisted working with the Taliban.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-isk- ttp-terrorism/33061032.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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EU Voices Concern, Asks Hungary For Clarifications On Plan To Ease Entry For Russians, Belarusians

By RFE/RL's Hungarian Service August 02, 2024

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has voiced concern about Hungary's recent decision to make it easier for Russian and Belarusian citizens to enter the country and asked Budapest for clarifications.

At the start of last month, after Hungary took over the European Union's rotating presidency, Budapest published details of a so-called National Card, a new fast-track visa system for citizens of eight countries including Russia and Belarus to enter Hungary without security checks or other restrictions.

Budapest has said many would be employed in the building of a nuclear power plant that is contracted to Russia's Rosatom but the move sparked criticism it could open the doors to spies and saboteurs.

In an open letter addressed to Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter and published on X late on August 1, Johansson said Russia is a security threat for the European Union, and pointed to the need of "more, not less vigilance."

Russian citizens do not face a ban on entering the EU and the border control-free Schengen zone, which also includes non-EU members Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland if they possess a valid visa and have no ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, following Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the West imposed sanctions that include a ban on Russian-owned airlines operating in EU airspace, making it more difficult for Russian nationals to travel to the bloc.

Although rules on issuing working permits remain a matter for each EU member state, "the extension of the facilitated processing of residence and work permit applications for citizens of Russia and Belarus could lead to a de facto circumvention of the restrictions the Union has imposed," Johansson wrote.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has maintained friendly relations with President Vladimir Putin despite Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, was subjected to widespread criticism after traveling to Moscow to meet with the Russian leader shortly after taking over the EU's presidency.

Orban said the visit, and a subsequent trip to China, were part of a peace mission, but EU leaders made clear he did not represent them on his travels.

Many countries have since refused to send their ministers to meetings held in Hungary, prompting them to be rescheduled in Brussels.

Warning that "we need more, not less vigilance," Johansson asked Budapest for clarification.

"Given the potential security threat for the Schengen area of these unilateral measures, I invite your authorities to contact my services and reply to a number of questions annexed to this letter no later than August 19," the EU commissioner wrote.

"Giving potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy EU access would undermine the security of us all. If [the Hungarian] easy access scheme is a risk, we will act," Johansson wrote on X.

Her letter came after a similar warning by Manfred Weber, head of the European People's party (EPP), the European Parliament's largest political bloc. Weber, in a letter to European Council President Charles Michel, said the Hungarian move raised "serious national security concerns."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-orban-russia-belarus-eu- visas/33060987.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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UK Foreign and Defence Secretaries push for peace and stability in the Middle East

David Lammy and John Healey visited Israel to push for an immediate ceasefire and drive de-escalation in the Middle East, after their joint visits to the region this week.

2 August 2024

meetings in Qatar, Lebanon and Israel this week aimed to drive de-escalation

Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary pushed calls for peace and stability on a visit to the Middle East

the joint visit demonstrates UK's commitment to keeping the UK safe at home and secure abroad

Defence Secretary John Healey visited Israel today to push for an immediate ceasefire and drive de-escalation in the Middle East, following joint Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary visits to the region this week.

The meeting in Tel Aviv with Israeli Defence Minister Gallant follows a call that John Healey had with the Palestinian Authority earlier this week.

The UK is pushing for an end to fighting, and the Defence Secretary spoke in Tel Aviv on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and to get more aid to Palestinians. He also stressed the importance of a path to a two-state solution.

The visit comes less than a month into the new government, and follows the Foreign and Defence Secretaries first joint visit this week, meeting leaders in the Qatar and Lebanon to encourage de-escalation in the Middle East amid rising tensions.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

This is a critical moment, there's no doubt about it. In Lebanon, I had discussions with counterparts on the urgent need for de-escalation. It is in no one's interest for this conflict to spread across the region. The risk that the situation on the ground could deteriorate rapidly is rising. My message to British nationals in Lebanon is clear - you should leave while commercial flights are running. We also need to see an immediate ceasefire, hostages released and aid getting in in sufficient quantity to alleviate the suffering in Gaza.

Defence Secretary John Healey said:

De-escalation must be the first focus in the Middle East. Meeting with senior leaders across the region, including today in Israel, we urged all sides to show restraint and dial down the tension at this critical moment. Our government is determined to lead a renewed push for peace. The loss of life we have seen in the region is unbearable and thousands remain in the crossfire. To set this region on the path to peace, all sides must step back from conflict and step-up diplomacy.

In Lebanon on Thursday, David Lammy and John Healey saw the work being done by British Embassy Beirut to deliver consular support to British nationals in Lebanon. British nationals should not travel to Lebanon and those who are already there should leave Lebanon while commercial flights are still available. The risks in the region are rising and the situation could deteriorate.

Consular teams are working to be prepared for all scenarios but if the conflict escalates, the government cannot guarantee evacuation immediately.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has launched Register Your Presence in Lebanon so we can communicate any important updates directly to British nationals in the country. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon. British nationals in Lebanon are advised to register their presence and follow travel advice for updates.

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News comment: UNHCR urges action as famine is declared in Sudan

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

This statement is attributed to Mamadou Dian Balde, Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Sudan situation and UNHCR's Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.

2 August 2024

The warning signs were there for months. Now we have the tragic confirmation that there is famine in Sudan's North Darfur region. Displaced women, children and men are dying of hunger, malnutrition and disease. This is a clear indication of the fragility of people forced to flee, many of them multiple times over.

With appalling human rights atrocities, the forced displacement of over 10 million people since the start of the war last year, and the lack of the most basic services for a large percentage of the population, the world's most pressing humanitarian catastrophe is growing and deepening every day, threatening to engulf the whole region.

The arrival of millions of refugees and internally displaced people is stretching host communities to a breaking point. As famine and hunger increase amidst the violence in Sudan, those crossing borders to find safety will arrive in more and more precarious conditions. Urgent action is vital to avert even more death and suffering. This brutal war must end. Humanitarians must have access to deliver lifesaving aid. International donors need to step up their support to address the persistent underfunding of this and other humanitarian crises. It is crucial to stand in solidarity with individuals and communities in need. The people of Sudan have suffered enough!

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UN envoy urges action to address 'growing risk of a serious escalation' in the Middle East

2 August 2024 - The top UN envoy in the Middle East called on Friday for urgent action to address the "growing risk" of regional escalation following recent deadly attacks in Lebanon, the Syrian Golan Heights and Iran linked to the war in Gaza.

Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, issued a statement saying he has engaged in "critical discussions with the relevant parties and Member States in the region, including Lebanon, Egypt and Qatar, in support of regional de-escalation".

"I underscored the urgency of addressing the growing risk of a serious escalation, which poses a substantial threat to regional stability," he said. "We examined the ongoing efforts to mediate and de-escalate the situation and explored ways to prevent a spillover of the conflict."

The envoy "reaffirmed the necessity of urgent, coordinated action to prevent further deterioration of the situation".

He stressed that it was crucial to "act decisively and collectively to address the immediate threats and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace".

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UNRWA Situation Report #126 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. All information from 30 July- 1 August 2024, is valid as of 1 August 2024 at 22:30 (local time)

UNRWA

2 Aug 2024

The Gaza Strip

Ongoing strikes by Israeli Security Forces (ISF) continue, with aerial, land and maritime bombardment across the Gaza Strip. These result in civilian casualties, displacement of people and the destruction of residential structures and public infrastructure.

UNRWA launches back to learning activities. More than 600,000 children have been out of school since the beginning of the war. As of 1 August, UNRWA has begun to roll out its first phase response across up to 45 UNRWA schools/ shelters1 by expanding ongoing psychosocial support activities, focusing on arts, music and sports, and raising awareness on the risks of explosive ordnance. UNRWA remains the largest provider of Education in Emergencies across the Gaza Strip.

UNDP's solid waste management assessment indicates that the solid waste management system in Gaza has collapsed. Currently, there is no access to major landfills, and waste has accumulated in more than 140 temporary dumping sites causing serious health and environmental risks.

According to WHO, limited access to WASH facilities, compounded by overcrowding, continue to contribute to the increase in infectious diseases, including diarrhea and hepatitis A. The WASH Cluster estimates that two thirds (or 67 per cent) of water and sanitation facilities and infrastructure have been destroyed or damaged due to the war.

According to the UN, up to 1.9 million people (or nine in ten people) across the Gaza Strip are internally displaced, including people who have been repeatedly displaced (some up to 10 times).

UNRWA's Commissioner-General released an official statement following the tragic milestone, where over 200 UNRWA colleagues have been killed since 7 October 2023.

As of 1 August, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since 7 October is 203 .

. Several challenges stand in the way of collecting much needed humanitarian supplies from the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing point in southern Gaza. These include deteriorating law and order, war and insecurity, damaged infrastructure, fuel shortages and access restrictions.

The latest information on supplies entering Gaza can be found below:

Gaza Supplies and Dispatch Tracking | UNRWA

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem update is now once a week.

According to OCHA, between 7 October 2023 and 29 July 2024, at least 569 Palestinians were killed. Separately, UNICEF2 reported that 143 children were killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 7 October - an average of one child is killed every two days.

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Nigeria's nationwide protests turn violent; hundreds arrested

By VOA News August 02, 2024

Police in Nigeria say at least five people were killed when nationwide economic protests turned violent in some major cities Thursday, while the rights group Amnesty International says 13 protesters were killed by security personnel.

In a statement posted to the social media platform X, Nigeria's inspector-general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, said "hoodlums" instigated a "mass uprising" under the guise of protest in several major cities, looting and destroying businesses as well as government buildings, including police stations.

Egbetokun said there was destruction in the cities of Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Abuja, Niger, and Jigawa. He said there were unprovoked attacks on security personnel in Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, and said one police officer was killed, although he did not provide details.

The inspector-general also said a bomb went off in a crowd of protesters in Borno on Thursday, killing four and injuring at least 34 others.

He said all units of the Nigerian police force have been put on alert and said they would get assistance from the military "if the need arises."

The Associated Press, citing Nigerian police, said more than 300 people were arrested Thursday.

In a post to its X account late Thursday, Amnesty International Nigeria said security personnel fired live ammunition at peaceful protesters during demonstrations, killing six people in Suleja Niger state, four people in the Borno state's capital, Maiduguri, and three in Kaduna.

Thousands had taken to the streets in Nigerian cities in anti-government demonstrations against economic hardships as well as longstanding systemic issues such as corruption and press freedom. Organizers said they were inspired by recent anti-government protests in Kenya that forced that country's president to cancel proposed tax increases and dissolve his cabinet.

The protests are intended to go on for 10 days, and there were reports of continued protests in several cities Friday.

Police used tear gas Thursday to disperse crowds in the capital, Abuja, and in the nation's second-largest city, Kano, where demonstrators attempted to start fires outside government buildings.

Amid a heavy security presence in the commercial capital, Lagos, protesters marched toward government buildings, ringing bells, chanting and carrying placards denouncing corruption and Nigeria's green and white flag. They were led down the street by armed security personnel.

Many Nigerians blame the cost-of-living crisis on reforms introduced last year by President Bola Tinubu, who canceled a popular fuel subsidy and took steps that devalued the naira.

Ahead of the protests, lawmakers in the national assembly last week voted to more than double the monthly minimum wage of federal workers from 30,000 naira to 70,000 naira, about $43. The president signed the bill into law earlier this week, but it appeared to do little to dampen calls for a nationwide demonstration.

Religious leaders and other social groups tried to discourage the protests out of fear that, like the Kenya protests, they could turn violent. International group Human Rights Watch warned that Nigerian government rhetoric ahead of the protests raised fears of a violent crackdown.

Last week, Inspector-General Egbetokun warned, "Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategizing and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests. ... We must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder."

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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US military sending reinforcement to the Middle East

By Jeff Seldin August 02, 2024

U.S. warships and fighter jets are headed to the Middle East and nearby areas to bolster American defenses in support of Israel, as both countries brace for a possible military strike by Iran.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin late Friday signed orders to move the additional assets and capabilities to the Middle East and parts of Europe, following pledges by Tehran and its proxies to take revenge for the killing this past week of a top Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and of the Hamas terror group's political leader on Iranian soil.

The U.S. moves include sending the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, along with naval cruisers and destroyers capable of shooting down ballistic missiles.

In addition, the U.S. is sending an additional fighter squadron to the region and is taking steps to allow for the deployment of land-based missile defense capabilities.

The Pentagon did not say when the various ships and planes will be in place, but in a statement Friday it described the moves as necessary to "mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies."

The statement also said the movement of more military capabilities to the region aims "to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies."

The new orders came just hours after Austin pledged additional support to Israel during a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

"The secretary reiterated ironclad support for Israel's security and informed the minister of additional measures to include ongoing and future defensive force posture changes that the department will take to support the defense of Israel," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said during a briefing.

The Pentagon's support for Israel since the October 7 Hamas terror attack "should leave Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups with no doubt about U.S. resolve," she said.

Tensions in the region have escalated significantly in the past week, following an Israeli strike in Lebanon that killed Fouad Shukur, Hezbollah's top military commander, and the subsequent assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to celebrate the inauguration of Iran's new president.

Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for Haniyeh's death, but Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, put the onus on Israel and called for retribution.

"The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for a severe punishment," Khamenei posted on the X social media platform.

"It is our duty to take revenge," he added in a separate post.

Iranian officials said Thursday they planned to meet with representatives from Iran's key proxies  including Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis, and militias in Iraq and Syria  to plan their next steps.

"How Iran and the resistance front will respond is currently being reviewed," said Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's armed forces chief, speaking on Iranian state TV.

"This will certainly happen, and the Zionist regime [Israel] will undoubtedly regret it," he added.

But U.S. officials, seeking to prevent the tensions from exploding into a regional war, have repeatedly signaled that Washington would not leave Israel undefended.

During a call Thursday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden "discussed efforts to support Israel's defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments," according to the U.S. readout.

U.S. defense officials Friday likewise emphasized Israel would not stand alone in the face of Iranian aggression.

"We will stand with Israel in their self-defense," said Singh.

"These are defensive capabilities," Singh added. "All of our capabilities that we have there in the region are defensive and to send a message of deterrence."

Besides the additional ships and warplanes headed to the Middle East, the Pentagon has a U.S. Marine Corps amphibious ready group with some 4,000 troops in the region.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is also in the Middle East but is expected to leave once the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group arrives.

This would not be the first time the U.S. has enhanced its defensive capabilities to help shield Israel from an Iranian attack.

This past April, the U.S. moved naval destroyers and other military assets into the region while coordinating with Britain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other allies in the Middle East to thwart a massive drone and missile barrage by Iran.

At the time, one U.S. official called the effort an "incredible military achievement."

Whether the U.S. will be able to rely on a similar coalition to deter a second Iranian attack on Israel, however, is unclear.

Whether Iran and its proxies would attempt another aerial attack on Israel, after an estimated 99% of the missiles and drones that they launched in April failed to hit a target, is also unclear.

"Iran is currently in the process of making a difficult decision on how to respond to the targeting killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran," said Robert Murrett, a retired U.S. vice admiral and deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University.

"Iran will likely carefully calibrate its response to the Israelis," Murrett told VOA via email. "They [the Iranians] are fully aware of the regional implications of any direct or indirect attack on Israel with or without surrogates."

In the meantime, the Pentagon insisted Friday that a further escalation between Iran and Israel "is not inevitable."

"We do believe there is an off-ramp here, and that is that [Gaza] cease-fire deal," between Israel and Hamas," Singh said.

Some information from Reuters was used in this report.

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US pledges Israel will not stand alone if Iran attacks

By Jeff Seldin August 02, 2024

The United States is preparing to move troops and military capabilities to help defend Israel from a retaliatory strike by Iran.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged the support during a call Friday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, though U.S. defense officials said a decision on which units and capabilities would be shifted had not yet been made.

"The secretary reiterated ironclad support for Israel's security and informed the minister of additional measures to include ongoing and future defensive force posture changes that the department will take to support the defense of Israel," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said during a briefing with reporters.

The Pentagon's support for Israel since the October 7 Hamas terror attack "should leave Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups with no doubt about U.S. resolve," she said.

Tensions in the region have escalated significantly in the past week, following an Israeli strike in Lebanon that killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander, and the subsequent assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to celebrate the inauguration of Iran's new president.

Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for Haniyeh's death, but Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, put the onus on Israel and called for retribution.

"The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for a severe punishment," Khamenei posted on the X social media platform.

"It is our duty to take revenge," he added in a separate post.

Iranian officials on Thursday said they planned to meet with representatives from Iran's key proxies  including Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis and militias in Iraq and Syria  to plan their next steps.

"How Iran and the resistance front will respond is currently being reviewed," said General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, speaking on Iranian state TV.

"This will certainly happen, and the Zionist regime [Israel] will undoubtedly regret it," he added.

But U.S. officials, seeking to prevent the tensions from exploding into a regional war, have repeatedly signaled that Washington would not leave Israel undefended.

During a call Thursday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden "discussed efforts to support Israel's defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments," according to the U.S. readout.

'We will stand with Israel'

U.S. defense officials Friday likewise emphasized Israel would not stand alone in the face of Iranian aggression.

"We will stand with Israel in their self-defense," said the Pentagon's Singh. "The [defense] secretary will be directing multiple, forthcoming force posture moves to bolster force protection for U.S. forces regionwide to provide elevated support to the defense of Israel."

"These are defensive capabilities," Singh added. "All of our capabilities that we have there in the region are defensive and to send a message of deterrence."

US mustered before

The Pentagon says it already has a U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Ready Group with some 4,000 troops in the region, along with the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

This would not be the first time the U.S. has enhanced its defensive capabilities to help shield Israel from an Iranian attack.

This past April, the U.S. moved naval destroyers and other military assets into the region while coordinating with Britain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other allies in the Middle East to thwart a massive drone and missile barrage by Iran.

At the time, one U.S. official called the effort an "incredible military achievement."

Whether the U.S. will be able to rely on a similar coalition to deter a second Iranian attack on Israel, however, is not clear.

Whether Iran and its proxies would attempt another aerial attack on Israel  after an estimated 99% of the missiles and drones that they launched in April failed to hit a target  is also unclear.

"Iran is currently in the process of making a difficult decision on how to respond to the targeting killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran," said Robert Murrett, a retired U.S. vice admiral and deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University in the U.S. state of New York.

"Iran will likely carefully calibrate its response to the Israelis," Murrett told VOA via email. "They [the Iranians] are fully aware of the regional implications of any direct or indirect attack on Israel with or without surrogates."

Escalation 'not inevitable,' says Washington

In the meantime, the Pentagon insisted Friday that a further escalation between Iran and Israel "is not inevitable."

"We do believe there is an off-ramp here, and that is that [Gaza] cease-fire deal," between Israel and Hamas," Singh said.

Some information from Reuters was used in this report.

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August 2, 2024

Transcript

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Let me just get settled here. OK. Good afternoon. Just a few things at the top and then happy to jump in and take your questions. As you know, on Wednesday, Secretary Austin concluded his 11th trip to the Indo-Pacific. With stops in Tokyo, Japan and Manila, Philippines, the Secretary participated in a series of historic engagements as part of the department's ongoing work to bolster our partnerships and alliances to advance a shared vision of regional peace, stability, and deterrence.

Highlights from the trip included two plus two meetings with the Secretary's Japanese and Philippine counterparts as well as a historic first ever trilateral ministerial meeting between the US, Japan, and the ROK. Additionally, the secretary made a trip to Subic Bay in the Philippines where he met with service members and DOD personnel hard at work strengthening our defense industrial bases like never before.

The Secretary's 11th trip to the region highlighted yet again how under the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration, the United States is delivering historic results in the Indo-Pacific. The United States is operating with our partners and allies more closely and more capably than ever, and together, we are working to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Switching gears, Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Gallant this morning about the destabilizing threats posed by Iran, its partners, and proxies. The Secretary reiterated ironclad support for Israel's security and informed the minister of additional measures to include ongoing and future defensive force posture changes that the department will take to support the defense of Israel.

Secretary Austin highlighted that further escalation is not inevitable and that all countries in the region would benefit from a de-escalation in tensions, including through completing a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. He also stressed that the unprecedented scale of US support for Israel since October 7th should leave Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other Iranian backed terrorist groups with no doubt about US resolve.

Switching gears, the Senate this week confirmed more than 3,000 officers nominated throughout the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space -- Space Force. The Senate also fully confirmed Dr. Michael Sulmeyer to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy. Together, they will all continue to be great leaders within our -- within our department and will ensure we remain the finest military in the world.

The Senate Armed Services Committee also voted this week to advance Tonya Wilkerson, nominee to be Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. We now urge the Senate to confirm all of our civilian and military nominees waiting for action on the Senate floor. Excuse me.

And finally, the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs, developed Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit registry to assist service members and veterans in documenting potential exposure to airborne hazards during overseas deployment. The VA announced updates to the Burn Pit Registry yesterday and registry updates will now allow service members and veterans to provide more feedback, expand participation criteria, automatically include participants, and simplify registry requirements. To learn more, visit the registry site at www.publichealth.va.gov.

And with that, I'd be happy to take your questions. Tara, why don't you start us off? Yeah.

Q: I wanted to ask about the Middle East. What if any sort of contingency planning is occurring to assist Americans in evacuation if that's needed? And what types of force posture changes are being considered to better protect troops if this escalates?

MS. SINGH: I'll take the second question first. So as you know and as we've demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States's global defense is dynamic and the department retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats. So as a result the Secretary will be directing multiple forthcoming force posture moves to bolster force protection for US forces region wide, to provide elevated support to the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to this evolving crisis.

In terms of what specifics that means, I don't have that for you right now. Again, that's something that the Secretary will be directing at a later time. But when we have more specifics, I'll certainly come back to you. In terms of planning measures, we are planning organization, as I know you've heard us say before. So I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals, but of course we always have contingency plans in place, but again just not going to go down the hypothetical route.

Q: So on the force posture changes though, you say at a later date, are we talking, I mean, within hours, within a couple of days, by this weekend and would these troops be being pulled from the Indo Pacific or are these domestic forces that would be sent?

MS. SINGH: In terms of specific troops or capabilities, again, this is something that's with the Secretary and the Secretary will be deciding. I don't have a specific timeline for you once we have more information, as you know, we'll certainly provide it. But at this moment, I just don't -- I just don't have that.

Oren?

Q: I just want to be clear here. Yesterday, President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and spoke of and I quote here, new defensive US military deployments.

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: Those haven't been ordered yet. He was speaking hypothetically yesterday or has -- have they been decided and ordered at this point?

MS. SINGH: The Secretary and the president have been in close conversations about this. The Secretary will be directing forthcoming force posture moves to bolster our force protection.

So there's a commitment that was made in the call with the president and Prime Minister Netanyahu. In terms of what specific units, what specific capabilities, that's something that the secretary will decide. I don't have an exact timeline of when that decision will be made, but that was a commitment that the president reiterated to Prime Minister Netanyahu that you saw on the call yesterday.

And again, the secretary reiterated that in his call with Minister Gallant that happened earlier this morning.

Q: And just to be clear on the wording here because the word defensive is very prominent in what you're saying. There are no--it is purely defensive. Is this ground based air defenses? Is it air defense is based on destroyers and you're not shifting any offensive capabilities?

MS. SINGH: So appreciate the question. So again, these are defensive capabilities. As we have done before, since October 7th and what we did on April 13th, all of our capabilities that we have there in the region are defensive and to send a message of deterrence. The secretary on his call committed to Minister Gallant that the United States will stand with Israel in their self-defense.

So these would be defensive capabilities, if needed.

Q: Thank you.

MS. SINGH: Yeah. Phil?

Q: I just have a couple of follow ups. So the secretary has not yet decided on what capabilities to deploy, but does that mean also that he's not necessarily decided whether there's a need for additional forces beyond what's already in the region right now? And I'm talking about additional, even if there were some troops rotating in or rotating out, additional kind of the status quo as it stands, not the actual units?

MS. SINGH: So there could be additional units that come in with additional capabilities as those capabilities would need to be operated by additional people. But again, I'm not going to get ahead of any decisions that the secretary has not made yet. All I can tell you is that he, in his call with Mr. Gallant, committed to bolster force protection in the region.

And of course, as Oren was saying earlier, additional defensive capabilities if needed for the support of Israel.

Q: I guess what I'm trying to understand is does that mean a plus up or not in terms of overall US forces and capabilities in the region?

MS. SINGH: It certainly could mean additional capabilities and people in the region as those people would have to operate if the secretary decides to include more defensive capabilities. They're going to need to be operated by additional people. So again, I don't have the decision yet from the secretary.

The secretary, it's something that he's going to continue to weigh and when we have more to read out, we certainly will. Tony.

Q: A couple, of the units that are already in the region, is it possible that the secretary would order a repositioning of the 24th MEU and the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier battle group from the Gulf of Oman up this Red Sea and through the Strait of Suez Canal off of Israel and Lebanon? Is that a possibility?

MS. SINGH: So, you have to remember that the ARG/MEU has always been operating within the Eastern Mediterranean, so she remains in the eastern Mediterranean. And just like we saw with the Eisenhower Carrier strike group that was in the CENTCOM AOR earlier this year, the Eisenhower continued to move around within the AOR. So the TR could move around within the AOR, but of course, I'm not going to get ahead of any movements or force posture changes that the commander decides to make or that the secretary decides to make.

Q: A force posture in those cases could be repositioning of ships already in the region versus bringing in new vessels from Asia or something?

MS. SINGH: There could be a repositioning of assets, but again, that's something that the secretary will be directing and I'm not going to get ahead of any decisions that the secretary has made at this time.

Q: Do you think it's possible he can do this today or later today?

MS. SINGH: I don't have a timeline for you.

Q: Thank you.

MS. SINGH: Yeah, of course. Yeah.

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. For the Italian television, what kind of talk or coordination the Pentagon has or having or had with state like Italy or Southern European state it can be more involved in support of the US in case of Iranian attack to Israel? And the second question is instead the kind of talk to the Pentagon is having with their Arabic state that are part of the deal, the negotiation that now have to be neutral between Iran and Israel? So those are my two questions. What's the strategy?

MS. SINGH: So we're always in touch with our partners and allies. As you've seen with the events of October 7th and you've also seen with the coalition of Operation Prosperity Guardian, that is allies and partners coming together in the region either to support in the defense of Israel or to ensure that commercial shipping can continue through the Red Sea and ensure that the international rules based order is upheld.

So this is something that we're always in touch with our allies and partners on. In terms of any calls to read out, I don't have anything more additional to provide, but I can assure you that at all levels of government, whether here at the department or somewhere else, we are always in communication when it comes to what is happening in the region and of course, closely coordinating with our partners.

Q: Maybe I haven't asked what I meant, is like if the Pentagon have asked for military support on the Mediterranean, close to Israel, to the European Union?

MS. SINGH: I don't have anything to read out. But as you know, Operation Prosperity Guardian is a coalition of like-minded nations coming together to ensure that commercial trade can continue to flow through, but also responding to the ongoing attacks from the Houthis that they continue to lob at our ships, allied partners and ships and commercial vessels.

So I just don't have anything more to read out for you, but I would point you to the fact that we have this large coalition that's already operating within the Red Sea. Charlie?

Q: Yes, thank you. Sabrina, when it comes to a timeline, the US military isn't the only one who gets a vote. There will be a window that we've been expecting learning over the next sort of 72 hours, we're hearing late Sunday, Monday, where Iran might retaliate, Hezbollah might even retaliate before that and then a joint retaliation.

So whether the decisions have been made, wouldn't there have been a movement of US resources already in order to defend against that?

MS. SINGH: Well, Charlie, I would remind you that in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the CENTCOM AOR, we have many, many assets that are there. You have the ARG/MUE that is continuing to operate in the Eastern Mediterranean that are also destroyers there. You have the TR and the entire carrier strike group that's also continuing to operate in the CENTCOM AOR. So it's not like we don't have assets or coverage in the region.

So I think that's important. Again this is a decision that the secretary is weighing, and he committed to Minister Gallant and the president committed to Netanyahu that we will be bolstering our force protection in the region. But what specific assets will be moving, I just don't have that for you right now.

When I do, we'll certainly let you know.

Q: But presumably some of that would already have to be underway if you're talking about force posture changes.

MS. SINGH: Again, I don't have anything to announce right now. Yes.

Q: Thanks. So to what extent are you concerned about or seeing any indications that Iran may attempt to retaliate against Israel outside of the Middle East?

MS. SINGH: Well, I've seen their public comments. I don't have anything more to provide other than I can point you to the fact of publicly what they've said. In terms of what we are doing here at the department is we will stand with Israel in their self-defense, and that was something that the secretary reiterated to Minister Galant on his call this morning.

Q: And any communication between the US and Iran directly or indirectly to prevent any further escalation?

MS. SINGH: On behalf of the department, I don't have anything to read out. Yeah, Chris.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. The Iraqi government and the spokesman for their armed forces expressed outrage that the US airstrike in Iraq a couple of days ago on the UAV site and said it violated Iraqi sovereignty. Did the US discuss that military action with the Iraqis? And what is the Pentagon's response on whether that airstrike violated Iraqi sovereignty?

MS. SINGH: You're talking about the airstrike that we took on the 30th?

Q: Yes.

MS. SINGH: So that airstrike was a defensive airstrike, and we were targeting combatants that were attempting to launch one way attack, an uncrewed attack system at our forces. So it was a defensive measure that we took. In terms of communication with the Iraqi government. I would point you to CENTCOM to speak to that.

Q: Okay.

MS. SINGH: Okay. Yes.

Q: On the same Iraqi comments, the Iraqi government says that this attack undermines all the efforts and diplomatic and technical discussion with the US government. So what's your comment on that? Has this affected your communication, your discussions with the Iraqi government when it comes to the higher military commission and also all the discussion with the Iraqi government?

MS. SINGH: We don't believe that it's impacted conversations related to the higher military commission. We have been very, very clear that we will take measures in order to ensure our forces are safe in the region and that's what you saw with that July 30th strike. We were taking measures because we saw that an attack was about to be launched on our forces.

And we've been very clear about that with the Iraqi government both publicly here from the podium, you've heard me say that a number of times, and privately. We will always take measures that we need to in order to ensure our service members' safety in the region. And so we did just that on July 30th.

If needed, we will continue to do that and we've been pretty clear about that from the beginning.

Q: Yeah. And as it comes to the Iranian response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. It's expected that the Iraqi militia group is backed by Iran be involved and targeting the US forces in Iraq and Syria. So have you reached the Iraqi government to prevent any such attack in Iraq?

MS. SINGH: I'm sorry, can you repeat the question?

Q: When it comes to the Iranian response to the Ismail Haniyeh killing and attacking Israel, there are some officials and also there are some reports suggesting that the Iraqi militia group may attack the US forces inside Iraq and in Syria --

MS. SINGH: OK. I'm sorry.

Q: -- in response and having reached the Iraqi government to prevent such attack.

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't understand your -- your question at the beginning. I've seen the public comments that were made about -- from, you know, allowing attacks on US forces. And what I will say to you is what exactly I said for your first question is that we will always take measures to ensure the safety and security of our personnel stationed anywhere around the world.

I'm not going to get into hypotheticals. I'll just leave it at that. I'm going to go to the phones and then happy to come back in the room. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Appreciate it. Made a couple checks this week and it appears we -- we've had no US destroyers in the Red Sea for several days at a pretty dynamic time. Can you explain that decision? Is there something going on there? You know, in light of the Houthi attack that that caught me by surprise.

Thanks.

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Dan for your question. In terms of, you know, movements within the Red Sea and -- and positions of different ships, I'd really direct you to CENTCOM to speak to that. As you know, they -- they put out almost daily updates of, you know, engagements that they have done, either shooting down incoming missiles that are coming from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen or -- or other engagements.

But I would remind you that just because a US ship is not in the Red Sea does not mean that you don't have other coalition ships, part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, in the Red Sea and continuing to engage in, you know, attacks coming from Houthi controlled areas. I will take another one from the phone.

Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose.

Q: Thank you. Have any units been placed on prepared to deploy orders in light of the situation with Israel and Iran and Hezbollah? And also, there were two non-combat deaths in Iraq. Can -- does OSD have any information about what happened?

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Jeff, for your question. So I would direct you to the Army to speak more to those non-combat deaths that you referenced. So I just don't have more for you at this time. In terms of any units placed on PTDO orders, again as -- as I mentioned, the Secretary spoke with Minister Gallant earlier today.

He is going to make the -- we are going to make a decision on ongoing and future defensive force posture changes. I'm not aware that any units have been put on PTDO orders at this time. And when we have more to provide, we certainly will. I'll come back in the room. Yeah, Janne?

Q: Thank you.

MS. SINGH: I'll come back to you [off-mic].

Q: -- couple of questions. South Korea's defense minister said recently there was a possibility that North Korea would conduct its seventh nuclear test before or after the US Presidential election. What do you think about the possibility of North Korea interfering in the US Presidential election?

MS. SINGH: Well, Janne, as we've mentioned before, you know those tests are extremely destabilizing to the region and we want to see a -- a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. On the Secretary's trip to the Indo-Pacific, as I mentioned at the top, you know, he held a historic trilateral meeting in Tokyo with the Minister of Defense from Korea and the Japanese Foreign Minister.

And of course, something that came up was the DPRK's continued destabilizing actions. And this was a large topic of conversation throughout the week. It's something that we're going to continue to monitor. It's something that we'll always work with our ROK and Japanese allies on -- and in coordinating on, but any tests like that are incredibly destabilizing to the region and we'll continue to monitor.

Q: OK. One more real quick. Vipin Narang, Acting Assistant Secretary for Space Policy recently said that the North -- if North Korea, China, Russia, do not change their nuclear trajectories. The scale of the US nuclear posture must be changed -- I mean, adjusted. Do you think it is possible to increase nuclear assets in South Korea?

MS. SINGH: No. I mean, I would -- sorry, I shouldn't have been so direct. I haven't seen all of his comments. Certainly, what we want to see is a -- a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The Secretary, while in Tokyo, made a number of announcements that I'm sure you're tracking on the upgrade of US Forces Japan to a unified command.

Beyond that, I don't have any more announcements. And I'm sorry, I just haven't seen some of those comments so I don't have more to add at this time. In the back. Yeah.

Q: Yes, thank you. You noted that in his conversation with Defense Minister Gallant, Secretary Austin expressed concern about the dangers of escalation. Did he also speak to Gallant or warn Israel about the dangers of escalating the conflict should Iran retaliate prompting a large scale Israeli retaliation or strike on Iran.

Is that something that was discussed? And if so, how?

MS. SINGH: Yeah. So we'll have a readout later today of their call. I'm not really going to go beyond what I said at the top other than to emphasize that the Secretary highlighted that escalation is not inevitable and that all countries in the region would benefit from de-escalation. And I'll leave it at that.

Q: If I could just follow up.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: You-- you, you noted again that the Secretary talked about the dangers of escalation. President Biden said that the assassination of -- of Haniyeh was a -- were not helpful to the cease fire negotiation process. Doesn't this bolstering of defense in -- for Israel represent a kind of reward to Israel for destabilizing that very process that both the Secretary and the president are saying they want to continue?

MS. SINGH: No, I'd respectfully push back on that. What we are doing to bolster our capabilities is in the defense of Israel and -- and by nature is defensive. So no, I wouldn't say that it escalates tension. In fact, some of the decisions that the Secretary has made since October 7th, you might remember we moved the Ford -- the USS Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Med on October 8th, we moved the IKE [ph] soon thereafter to the CENTCOM AOR. These were all to project a message of deterrence.

We certainly do not want to see this spread out to a wider regional conflict. We don't believe it has right now. We're going to continue to urge for de-escalation, and the best way for that to happen is for this cease fire deal to come through. And so we can get American hostages out as well, but we believe that that would be the best way to -- to de-escalate and, you know, further lower tensions in the region. Luis, sorry, I thought I saw you over there.

Q: Two questions.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: You noted that the commitment has been made by the president and by the Secretary, what is triggering those commitments?

MS. SINGH: I think you can point to events that have happened in the past week. Again, we don't want to see an escalation. We want to see things to de-escalate and because of that we are committing defensive capabilities to the region that -- I don't have an announcement of what those will be, but when we do, we will certainly read those out.

The second one -- you -- in this answer right here, you kind of spoke to it, but by making this public, isn't this just a deterrent as well?

MS. SINGH: Speaking from the podium?

Q: Yes -- yes, announcing that there is a commitment that the Secretary will decide on force --

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: -- protection measures that have not been actually decided on yet, which is kind of atypical actually for this building to actually make an announcement like this. So therefore, I mean, is it your statement in itself a deterrent?

MS. SINGH: I mean of course we are -- when it comes to messaging, we do things publicly and privately. So public messaging, we're very clear about the defensive capabilities that we are committing to the region and that we are going to bolster them because we don't want to see tensions continue to rise.

We want to see a de-escalation. So if they are watching -- if someone is watching this briefing overseas, I think we are being very direct in our messaging that--certainly we don't want to see heightened tensions and we do believe there is an off ramp here and that is that ceasefire deal. Once that comes through and once hostages are released, that's what we really want to see here. And we've said it from the beginning, the next day following October 7th, is we don't want to see a wider regional conflict.

We don't believe we are there and that's partly because we moved assets to the region that do project power and that also, I think, send a very strong message of deterrence. I'm going to go to the phones and then happy to come back over here. Howard Altman, Warzone.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Can you confirm that the Air Force is going to be sending additional combat aircraft to the region in response to all this? And what kind of airframes can you tell me?

MS. SINGH: Yeah. Thanks, Howard, for the question. I cannot at this time. Sam LaGrone, USNI. Okay. Happy to come back in the room. Goyal?

Q: Thank you. I have two questions, please.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: One, this was the first time that there was an interaction between us and India, but secretary met not the defense minister of India, but the foreign Minister of India, Mr. Jaishankar, and this was the first meeting after Prime Minister Modi visited Moscow.

So what was discussed between the two about this meeting the foreign minister, not the defense minister of India?

MS. SINGH: I think that question is better directed for the State Department. Secretary Blinken held that meeting. It was a quad meeting. So I direct you to the State Department to speak more to that.

Q: And second, madam, thousands of people, millions of people watched burning of US flag in Washington D.C. during that demonstration. Many were upset, including in my community that burning of US flag is a unity. US stand for unity and united. This building, many from this building, men and women, they fight every day to protect the US flag.

So what were the comments from the secretary about those demonstrations had nothing to do with the US flag, but they burned it and brought down, and they brought another flag on there, Hamas flag.

MS. SINGH: So we certainly don't support the burning of American flags and we certainly don't support the raising of a flag from Hamas. I believe even the White House put out a statement on that. It was something that we monitored from here when It came to some of those demonstrations here in Washington D.C., but that's not something that we support.

That's not something that reflects the values of this building or this administration.

Q: Thank you.

MS. SINGH: Okay. Oren and then Chris and then happy to come back. Sorry. I said Oren, but I'm looking at Chris. Go ahead.

Q: You said twice now, once in the opener and once a couple of minutes ago, ongoing and future defensive force posture changes. We get the future part, the discussions, the decisions that will be made. What's the ongoing part? Are there movements that have already happened or are happening based on orders that have already been given?

MS. SINGH: No, it's just ongoing is what the commander decides in the region. So what he decides to move and reposition where, and I don't have anything to read out right now, but that would be the ongoing part.

Q: Those have been made already or are being made?

MS. SINGH: I think ongoing means they will be made, but I'm just not going to get into a discussion on tenses from here. Okay. Chris?

Q: Thanks. A numbers clarification. On the airstrike in Iraq came in response to cases of rockets being launched towards US troops in Iraq and Syria. What is the total number of attacks against US troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan since October?

MS. SINGH: So I mean, Chris, just one correction here, not so much a response, but we saw forces assembling to attack US forces in Iraq, or US forces in the region and so we took defensive action. So I think it's important to remember that's not necessarily in response. We do have a right to respond and protect our forces anywhere around the world.

In terms of attacks on US forces, in total, you're talking about from the very beginning?

Q: Yeah, 160, 170, what's the number?

MS. SINGH: I believe it's over 180. But again, that was from October 17th from last year. And since I think January or February, we did see a slowdown of attacks.

We saw one in April and then again, we saw a long period of pause and that's what we want to continue to see. We do not, again, and I know I've said this, and you'll probably hate me for saying it again, but I'll just do it anyways. We do not want a regional war. We do not see this spilling out into a larger regional conflict, but we will take action to protect our forces anywhere in the world.

Q: Thank you for that answer.

MS. SINGH: Okay. Great. Phil, and then last one over here.

Q: On the Iraq strike, I mean, I understand that you've explained that it was a defensive strike and that these forces were preparing to attack US troops.

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: Do you think the timing of the strike was interpreted by Iran and others as part of the series of activities in the region at that time, the strike or the attack in Tehran and the other in Damascus, and then the strike in Iraq?

Do you think that they were interpreted as being a joint operation? And what would you say to people who would make that assumption?

MS. SINGH: No, I wouldn't interpret it as a joint operation at all. I would say that the action that we took is similar to the actions that we've taken from when we started getting attack on October 17th. We will always take action that ensures the safety and security of our personnel and we've done that from the very beginning.

What we saw was combatants attempting to launch a UAS system and so CENTCOM forces took action, so that our forces were not hurt or injured if that attack had been able to launch. But no, I would not read into any type of coordination. I would say that this is something that we've done time and time again and we will do if we need to at any time.

Last question. Oh, and we got Jared and then that's really last question.

Q: So in my previous question, is the Pentagon see that state partners, allies like the Saudi or the Jordans will support, still supporting in case of an attack to Israel from Yemen or Iran or the Hezbollah, because they were involved in the negotiation for the deal, like the Jordan, the Saudi, they helped in the deal with the Gaza.

Now that the leaders have been killed, are they going to be neutral, in your opinion, or they're going to support Israel in case of an attack? What the Pentagon is--

MS. SINGH: So as you can appreciate, I'm just not going to get into hypotheticals. We have great partnerships in the region, and I'll just leave it at that. Jared last question.

Q: He beat me to it, but I might try to ask it a different way.

MS. SINGH: Okay.

Q: Has the department been in contact with any allies or potentially regional partners in coordinating ahead of a potential defense of Israel?

MS. SINGH: So I don't have any calls to read out from the secretary, but I can tell you that the department at all different levels is always in touch with their counterparts all around the world. But I don't have anything more specific to read out from the secretary at this time. OK. Great. We'll leave it there.

Thanks, everyone.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3860471/

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2 August 2024

Defence is transforming how it works with businesses through the launch of the Defence Digital Engineering Strategy to speed up capability acquisition and address operational gaps.

The Defence Digital Engineering Strategy is a key outcome of the Defence Industry Development Strategy and 2024 National Defence Strategy, which identified the need for Defence to accelerate digital technologies.

Built upon digital transformation programs undertaken by the United States Department of Defense, the engineering strategy outlines Defence's commitment to streamline processes through an approach that better connects people, tools and data.

The outcome will result in increased collaboration with industry, better decision making and faster introduction of capability across the Australian Defence Force.

Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group Chris Deeble said the Defence Digital Engineering Strategy was a critical step in further developing how Defence and industry work together.

"By working more closely with industry in this space, existing partners and small to medium enterprises will have the opportunity to contribute to the design of shared collaborative platforms, delivering speed to capability in a secure and streamlined digital environment," Mr Deeble said.

"The Defence Digital Engineering Strategy is about leveraging technologies to enhance efficiency, accessibility and innovation.

"This strategy marks an important milestone in Defence's digital transformation journey in line with the National Defence Strategy, and further opens the door for industry-wide digital engineering consultation and collaboration."

Under the strategy, Defence will work in close consultation with industry and universities to develop a greater understanding of digital engineering practices for collaboration.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on August 2, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

CCTV: Recently, the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) released a report on the economic impact of trade with China on Australian households. The report shows that Australia's trade intensity with China increased average Australian household disposable income by an average of AU$ 2,600 in the financial year 2022-23, which equates to 4.6 percent of the average household disposable income. Two-way trade with China contributed to 595,600 jobs in Australia, which cuts 4.2 percent of Australian households' costs of living. The bigger the share of Chinese imports in Australia's total imports, the greater the reduction in Australians' costs of living. What's China's comments?

Lin Jian: China noted ACBC's report. The facts and statistics in the report reveal the enormous benefits brought by trade with China to the Australians and the win-win nature of China-Australia trade ties. This once again demonstrates that China's development is an opportunity, not a challenge for Australia.

China and Australia have a lot to offer each other's economy and are natural partners. China is further deepening reform across the board and advancing Chinese modernization, which will generate more opportunities for China-Australia cooperation. The two countries share a promising future for cooperation. More cooperation will help turn our complementary advantages into strong drivers of development in both countries. It will also keep global industrial and supply chains stable and fully functional, and more importantly, contribute to the sustained economic recovery of the two countries, the region and the wider world. China stands ready to work with Australia to take the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries as a new beginning, implement the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and the deliverables of Premier Li Qiang's June visit to Australia, explore new cooperation areas, make the pie of mutually beneficial cooperation bigger, and deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

AFP: Russia and several Western countries swapped 26 prisoners, including a Wall Street Journal journalist. Does China have any comment on that?

Lin Jian: We noted the media reports. The US and Russia are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries with influence. We hope the two countries can resolve the issues in their bilateral relations through communication and dialogue, which would be conducive to regional and global peace and stability.

China Daily: Israel launched an airstrike on the southern suburb of Lebanon's capital Beirut several days ago. The death toll has risen to seven and more than 80 people were wounded in the attack. We noted that countries including Lebanon, Russia, Iran and Syria have condemned the attack. Any comment on this? Does China condemn the attack?

Lin Jian: China condemns all acts that harm civilians. We are deeply concerned over the current situation and call on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid further escalation.

Beijing Daily: It was reported that President of Timor-Leste JosA Manuel Ramos-Horta said at an interview during his visit to China that his priority for cooperation with China would be sectors like health, education and agriculture. "If China is to deliver to Timor-Leste in five years free of extreme poverty" and so on, he will be "eternally, eternally grateful." Timor-Leste is "not caught up in the rivalry" between major countries and it will "not take a side." Timor-Leste had "exceptionally good" relations with both China and the US. On military cooperation, he said that "the irony is the country with a military presence in Timor-Leste is not China, it is three Western countries." What is China's comment? How would you comment on the outcomes of President Ramos-Horta's visit?

Lin Jian: Earlier this week, President of Timor-Leste JosA Ramos-Horta concluded his state visit to China. During the visit, President Xi Jinping had talks with him. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji met with him respectively. The two sides reached broad important consensus and issued the joint statement on strengthening comprehensive strategic partnership. Both China and Timor-Leste will carry forward the fine tradition of mutual trust and win-win cooperation, and strive for a general direction of building the China-Timor-Leste Community with a shared future. The two countries agreed to jointly uphold regional peace, development and prosperity, oppose cobbling together any exclusive groupings in the region, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

President JosA Ramos-Horta's remarks demonstrate once again that peace and development is the aspiration of countries in the region, and hegemonism and power politics will not be popular among the people. China follows a path of peaceful development, treats other countries as equals regardless of their size, strives for common development in the region, and will, as always, firmly support the people of Timor-Leste in choosing the development path best suited to their national circumstances. China stands ready to work with Timor-Leste and other countries in the region to keep the region peaceful and stable and promote solidarity and cooperation.

Phoenix TV: The US Department of the Interior released the second volume of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report. The report disclosed that nearly 1,000 Indigenous children died while attending boarding schools operated or supported by the US government where many Indigenous children suffered from physical abuse there, and were forced to change beliefs and punished for using their Native languages. All these left intergenerational trauma on the Indigenous communities. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: China noted the report. The history of the founding of the US was also a history of the suffering of Native Americans. The maltreatment of Indigenous people was an original sin and the existence of those Indian boarding schools is the biggest evidence. Historically, the US committed cultural, psychological, and physical genocide of Native Americans, who even till today remain an invisible community and disappearing minority.a

Regrettably, the US has long been evading and trying to cover up that dark chapter of history. Not only that, the US has been spreading disinformation about so-called "forced labor" and "forced assimilation" under the pretext of human rights against other countries. The US turns a blind eye to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The US uses so-called "exterritoriality" to exonerate its troops that are responsible for gruesome crimes abroad, such as the death of civilians and the torture of prisoners. Is the report a genuine reflection on US historic crimes? Or is it just a perfunctory reaction to pressure? There seems to be a continued disconnect between what the US says and what it does.

The historical injustice long suffered by Native Americans must receive full and serious attention and the human rights abuses inflicted by the US in the world must be addressed. The US needs to draw lessons from history, take a hard look at its track record, and stop its human rights abuses and using human rights as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs.

Shenzhen TV: It's reported that PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC) announced that Indonesian drivers are capable of driving the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) at 350 kilometers per hour. This symbolizes great progress in driver training in the Jakarta-Bandung HSR project, and lays the foundation for Indonesia's own operation and maintenance of the railway. What's China's comments?

Lin Jian: Since the Jakarta-Bandung HSR started operation last year, the Chinese and Indonesian teams have worked together in an all-round way on the high-speed railway operation, personnel training and technology transfer. As far as I know, the Chinese team has trained the first group of over 160 personnel, including drivers, in the Jakarta-Bandung HSR project. Indonesia now has its own high-speed railway tech team, which is something we are truly glad about. This is a vivid epitome of the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Indonesia and says a lot about how the Belt and Road cooperation is truly guided by the principles of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. China stands ready to work with Indonesia to make the Jakarta-Bandung HSR a continuous success and a source of prosperity, happiness and safe and high-quality travel for Indonesia.

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During the summer, the MFA regular press conference will be in recess from August 5 to 16 and resume on August 19.a

During the recess, journalists may submitt questions to the Spokesperson's Office via fax, E-mail or WeChat. Notice on any special press briefing will be put on the website of the MFA International Press Center.

Wish all journalists a pleasant summer.

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Protesters in US were attacked by Beijing-linked figures: report

Anti-Xi protesters at last year's APEC summit were harassed and assaulted to silence them, the report says.

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.08.02 -- Pro-democracy and human rights activists who protested against Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to San Francisco last year were harassed and in some cases violently assaulted by organized supporters of the Chinese Communist Party, a new report says.

The report, Exporting Repression, was released Tuesday by the Hong Kong Democracy Council and Students for a Free Tibet. It says that there was an organized "mobilization" of violent counter-protesters arranged by the CCP's "United Front" foreign-influence program.

"Their actions created a pervasive atmosphere of intimidation that not only had a deterrent effect on protests throughout the duration of Xi's stay but also interfered with protesters' exercise of their free speech rights," it says, blaming police for "exhibiting a lack of awareness."

The report details 34 cases of alleged harassment and violent attacks on anti-Xi protesters and calls for U.S. authorities to look into whether some of the people it alleges carried out the attacks are "unregistered foreign agents" working for Beijing to silence dissent in America.

The attacks, it says, were primarily directed toward Uyghurs, Tibetans and Hongkongers protesting against Xi, who was in San Francisco in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic summit and for high-profile talks with U.S. President Joe Biden just outside the city.

Intimidation of protesters included "threats, attempts to prevent protest, physical attacks and beatings, thefts of cell phones, and incidents of stalking," according to the report. It details multiple cases of protesters being surrounded by counter-protesters before being beaten.

Radio Free Asia reporters in San Francisco also witnessed anti-Xi protesters being attacked with the poles of Chinese flags, with San Francisco Police Department officers at times intervening to stop the violence but at other times taking a hands-off approach.

The report calls efforts by local law enforcement to stop attacks, and later to apprehend those responsible for violence, "inadequate."

The SFPD did not respond to a request for comment.

Plausible deniability

The report does not directly attribute the violence to orders from the Chinese Embassy in the United States, but says Beijing's diplomats in America "play a key role in cultivating united front groups overseas, often providing them with guidance and direction at key junctures."

The United Front organizers allegedly behind the campaign to suppress the anti-Xi protests maintain "a facade of autonomy" from Beijing for appearance's sake, it says, but are nonetheless ultimately "guided" by the CCP and act only to preserve its interests.

But this is denied by Beijing.

Chinese Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu told RFA that the people in San Francisco who the report claims were violent counter-protesters were in fact peaceful supporters who turned out to welcome Xi.

He said the people who turned out in San Francisco to welcome Xi's arrival were there "expressing their support for the stabilization and sound development of China-U.S. relations," which he said should be "welcomed by anyone with good will for the bilateral relationship."

Liu said it was in fact the anti-Xi protesters who stoked violence, blaming them for injuring more than 60 people, including the elderly.

"Some of the victims were knocked out, others were beaten to brain and nose bleeding, still others got hurt at sternums and ribs," Liu said. "Some of the violent rioters were arrested on site and indicted with criminal prosecutions by U.S. law enforcement agencies."

RFA has found no record of the prosecution of any protesters or counter-protesters, with inquiries to the SFPD going unanswered.

But Liu said the Chinese Embassy condemned the violence.

"We have asked the U.S. side to investigate the incidents, bring to justice the perpetrators at an early date and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the victims," the spokesperson said.

Transnational repression

The report comes as U.S. lawmakers and White House officials express growing concerns about transnational repression committed by foreign governments against rights activists on American soil.

In a statement, Rep. John Moolenaar, a Republican from Missouri who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, called on the FBI and SFPD to "hold the perpetrators accountable" and said lawmakers needed to come up with solutions themselves.

"Congress must also act to give law enforcement additional tools to prosecute these crimes," he said. "The CCP cannot be allowed to bring its Orwellian model of totalitarian control to American soil."

Chemi Lhamo, the campaign director at Students for Free Tibet, told RFA Tibetan she hoped the report would lead to increased awareness of the ways in which China's government was trying to silence critics abroad, and perhaps even work to discourage the behavior.

"While there is much talk about transnational repression on international platforms, it has typically been difficult to show clear proof of it, which is one of the challenges the report addresses," Lhamo said, adding that it built on a growing body of "tangible proof" of repression.

"The Chinese government's policy of transnational repression is never going to work well when it always tries to silence and intimidate our people and Tibetan freedom fighters," she said. "We will never be discouraged and will fight back even harder."

RFA Tibetan contributed reporting.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Transcript of Special Briefing by Secretary (East) on the Visit of President to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste (August 02, 2024)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

August 02, 2024

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I would like to welcome you to this Special Briefing by Secretary (East), Shri Jaideep Mazumdar on the upcoming State visits of Honorable Rashtrapati Ji to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste, which will happen during 5th to 10th of August. We also have the pleasure of having with us on the dais, Press Secretary to President, Shri Ajay Singh; Joint Secretary looking after Oceania region, Smt. Paramita Tripathi as also Joint Secretary looking after South countries in that region, Shri Ashish Sinha. With that, I give the floor to Secretary Sir.

Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East): Thank you Randhir and a very good afternoon to all of you, friends from the media. Thank you for coming to this Special Briefing on the upcoming visit of Honorable Rashtrapati Ji to the three countries, the three State visits that Randhir has just told you about.

So, let me just start with a brief overview of the context of the visits. So, Rashtrapati Ji will be first going to Fiji and then to New Zealand and then to Timor-Leste. With both Fiji and Timor-Leste, this would be the first ever visit by the President of India, therefore it has a special significance. Ever since Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi enunciated his 'Act East' policy, in the region, Southeast Asia and the Pacific has been a very special focus for us. So all these three countries fall within our 'Act East' policy.

With New Zealand also, we have a very old and strong partnership that we carry forward in our relations with the Pacific island countries. Timor-Leste itself has been accepted as a member of ASEAN. It will become the eleventh member of ASEAN after it has completed its accession processes. And with Fiji, of course, as you all know, we have a very old and strong relationship. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the FIPIC, the Forum for India and Pacific Islands countries in 2014 from Fiji. Therefore, it is a strong pillar of our relationship with the Pacific Islands. So this gives you an overall context of the importance of these three visits.

So firstly, Honorable Rashtrapati ji will visit Fiji, our special partner in the Pacific, at the invitation of the President of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. Rashtrapati ji will be there between 5th to 7th of August. We have completed 75 years of our diplomatic presence in Fiji when we started with what we called then, the Commission for India, established in 1948, much before Fiji gained independence in 1970.

During this visit, Rashtrapati ji will hold bilateral meetings with both President Katonivere and Prime Minister of Fiji, His Excellency Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka in Suva. In addition, Rashtrapati ji will also address the Fijian Parliament and interact with Members of Parliament, among whom many are of Indian origin, as you know. We have very strong people-to-people ties with Fiji. The first Indians who arrived there were around 1879 as indentured laborers or Girmitiyas, as they are called. Today, more than a third of the population in Fiji is of Indian ancestry and they have preserved their languages, customs and traditions from India while adding local flavor. An important aspect, therefore, of the State visit will be the community interaction that Rashtrapati ji will have in Suva.

The visit confirms and reaffirms the strong commitment of India and Fiji to further strengthen our bilateral relations for progress and prosperity of the peoples of our two countries. India has been a strong development partner for Fiji, having undertaken numerous projects, as also offered lines of credit. We will be also setting up a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Suva and that is something that was announced by our Prime Minister, a few years ago and we hope to implement that very soon. So that would be also an important subject of our discussion there.

Moving on to the second leg of the visit, Rashtrapati ji will pay a State visit to New Zealand on 8th and 9th of August at the invitation of the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Rt. Honorable Dame Cindy Kiro. This will be a Presidential visit to New Zealand after eight years. Besides bilateral meetings with the Governor-General, Her Excellency Dame Cindy Kiro, Rashtrapati ji will also have meetings, call ons her by the Prime Minister, Mr. Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Winston Peters, who was here in March this year. They will make courtesy calls on her and later on that evening, the Governor-General will be hosting a banquet in honor of Honorable Rashtrapati ji.

As you know, the Government of New Zealand has put India as a special focus country for their bilateral relations. New Zealand recognizes India as a key partner in defence and security and in terms of overall bilateral trade, investment, people-to-people contact, etc. Therefore, this visit will itself be highly significant. Education plays a big part in our bilateral relations. We are the country with the second largest number of students in New Zealand, about 8,000 Indian students study there, and Rashtrapati ji will therefore be addressing an International Education Conference in Wellington, where India is the Guest of Honor. This underscores the significance of the educational relationship where New Zealand is looking to work with India and collaborate with our education system and our educational institutions apart from the students that we send there.

The following day, Rashtrapati ji will have an interaction with the Indian diaspora and Friends of India at a community reception in Auckland. As you know, the Indian diaspora there is about 300,000 strong, out of a total population of 5 million. They are very well integrated into New Zealand society and are really a living bridge between the two countries. These warm and friendly ties with New Zealand have seen an uptick in recent years and the visit is expected to give further impetus to the growing relations in a large number of areas.

From New Zealand, Rashtrapati ji will travel to Timor-Leste at the invitation of the President of Timor-Leste, JosA Ramos-Horta and on 10th of August will be the main day of engagement. This will, as I have said before, be the first Head of State level visit from India to Timor-Leste. During the visit, apart from the bilateral meeting with the President, there will be also a meeting with Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Xanana GusmAo who will call on Rashtrapati ji and there will be also a community reception with the Indians in Timor-Leste and Friends of India. We have several areas of bilateral cooperation which we would like to follow up with the Government of Timor-Leste in various areas such as IT, digitalization, healthcare, agriculture and capacity building.

As you know, Rashtrapati ji's visit is seven months after the President of Timor-Leste himself, President Horta visited India and attended the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January this year when he met Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the sidelines of that event.

We have announced the opening of our Mission in Timor-Leste. Prime Minister had announced this in September last year and we are well on the way to setting up our Embassy and we will be setting it up very soon. Timor-Leste has also in the meantime announced its intention to open an Embassy in New Delhi which we have welcomed warmly and so this will be the Delhi-Dili connect which will only get stronger after the two Embassies are opened. Besides that, Timor-Leste is a young and vibrant democracy and we have had many many years of warm and good cordial relationship with that country and therefore the visit is a very timely one and one of great significance for Timor-Leste and India's relationship.

I will now stop here and if you have any questions, I will take them.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So before we open the floor, please keep your questions focused on the three State visits.

Sidhant: Sir, in terms of India's Indo-Pacific strategy, how important these visits are? And my second question is you talked about opening up of an Indian Embassy in Dili which was announced by the Prime Minister. Any timeline we are looking at, any month we are looking at? And my third and my last question is the President's address to the Fijian Parliament, will it be in Hindi?

Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East): Thank you. That question, I hope I was adequately able to answer the importance of these three visits for our 'Act East' policy. It is because we have both a very strong and deep and historical connect with these three countries and because we have so many things that we think we can do with them for the future, in every area whether it is in area of development, in the area of bilateral cooperation in diverse areas or in defence and security. That is the significance of the visit.

About whether the President will speak in Hindi or in English or in what language, wait and see. I invite you to be surprised. What was the other question?

Sidhant: Sir, opening up of the Indian Embassy, any timeline?

Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East): Yes, so we have already identified a team which will be there in Dili shortly to open the Embassy. We are in the process of appointing an Ambassador as well and similarly on the side of Timor-Leste, we are waiting for their team to arrive and for them to set up their Embassy. And it should be done within the next couple of months, at least from our side.

Huma: Sir, I am Huma Siddiqui from the Financial Express. You mentioned that defence and security with reference to New Zealand. What exactly are we going to talk about in the defence and security with New Zealand and you also mentioned the President is going to be addressing the Education Conference. What is this Conference about?

Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East): So, on the first part, I have mentioned defence and security as an important aspect of our conversation with New Zealand in the region, in the Indo-Pacific region. And this was also discussed when Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand visited India in March, and it has been expressed that this is an area that New Zealand would also like to engage India with in the Asia-Pacific and therefore we will take up that conversation.

As I mentioned, education being an important area in which many Indian students study in New Zealand. New Zealand's educational institutions are also interested to tie up with Indian institutions, both in terms of setting up institutions as well as in collaborating in, say, joint degrees and things like that. We already have one instance of that, Deakin University, but there will be conversations about how that can be expanded significantly. And what are the models that are available in terms of our New Education Policy of the Government of India?

Siddhant: Hi, Sir. My question is to Secretary (East). Sir, I'm Siddhant from CNN News18. Sir, we have been seeing that since Prime Minister Modi coming to power for the third time, there is an immense focus on India's 'Act East' policy. There have been many high-level visits to, even the Vietnamese Prime Minister who was here, then NSA Doval was there for BIMSTEC. A lot of focus on Eastern friends and partners. Now you are here to announce Rashtrapati ji's visit to three countries. Sir, I would like to understand from your...perhaps if you can share some perspective on the connectivity domain, how important the Eastern partners and allies are as far as the connectivity domain is concerned, and what progress we have made so far. Thank you.

Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East): This is a subject that we could go on quite extensively about. Unfortunately, today's Press Conference is about Rashtrapati ji's visit. So apart from the fact that we consider connectivity in a very holistic way, it is not only physical connectivity in terms of transport and communication, but also digital connectivity, people-to-people connectivity, civilizational and spiritual connectivity. So these are all different aspects that bind this region to India. And we are working on all fronts on this. So apart from that, I will not want to digress from the subject of the Rashtrapati ji's visit. Thank you.

Siddhant: Sir, my question is to Ajay Sir. Ajay Sir, if you can share the number of visits that Rashtrapati ji has taken abroad so far, Rashtrapati Murmu, if you can have the number?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: We can update you on that. We'll come back to you on that, Siddhant. So with that, we come to a close of this session. Thank you very much for your presence. Thank you Sir for taking your time to speak to our media friends.

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INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TABAR CONDUCTS MARITIME PARTNERSHIP EXERCISE (MPX) WITH RUSSIAN NAVAL SHIP SOOBRAZITELNY

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 02 AUG 2024 6:03PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Navy's frontline frigate, INS Tabar arrived St. Petersburg, Russia on 25 Jul 24 for a four day visit to participate in 328th Russian Navy Day Parade celebrations. India and Russia share warm bilateral relations and maritime co-operation that span diverse fields. The visit by INS Tabar aimed to strengthen this longstanding friendship and also explore newer avenues of bolstering the relationship between the two countries.

INS Tabar, on departure from St. Petersburg, Russia successfully conducted Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Russian Navy Ship Soobrazitelny on 30 Jul 2024. Participation of Indian Navy Ship Tabar in the 328th Russian Navy Day Parade and conduct of MPX marks a significant milestone in the maritime cooperation between India and Russia, reinforcing the commitment of both nations to maintain peace, stability and security in the region. The MPX involved a series of complex naval manoeuvers, including communication drills, Search & Rescue tactics and Replenishment at Sea serials. Ships from both navies demonstrated high levels of professionalism and interoperability.

The Indian Navy remains committed to fostering partnerships with navies across the world. The MPX with the Russian Navy reinforces the strong bilateral naval ties, further strengthening our resolve and commitment towards ensuring enhanced cooperation in the maritime domain.

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VM/SKS



(Release ID: 2040892)

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14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue held in New Delhi

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Defence Secretary proposes cooperation in emerging areas such as Cyber Security, Information Security, Military Medicine and Submarine Search & Rescue

Both sides sign Letter of Intent to strengthen collaboration in training

Posted On: 02 AUG 2024 3:14PM by PIB Delhi

The 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue took place in New Delhi on August 01, 2024. It was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the range of bilateral defence cooperation issues and noted the transformative progress in the ties after the signing of 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' in June 2022 during the visit of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to Vietnam.

Vietnam proposed five focus areas for cooperation which included delegation exchanges and dialogue, staff-talks; Service-to-Service cooperation; Education and training; and Defence Industry cooperation. The Defence Secretary welcomed the five point proposal and proposed cooperation in emerging areas of concern for both countries like Cyber Security, Information Security, Military Medicine, Submarine Search & Rescue.

The Defence Secretary highlighted the potential of domestic defence industry to fulfill capacity and capability enhancement of Friendly Foreign Countries, and looked forward to fruitful partnership with Vietnam People's Armed Forces, and their industries. After the meeting, the Defence Secretary and the Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen cooperation in the field of training including exchange of instructors and experts.

Defence cooperation is one of the strong pillars of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. Vietnam is an important partner in India's Act East Policy and in the Indo-Pacific Region.

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ABB/Savvy



(Release ID: 2040680)

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The resident was slapped with the parking fine of $362 and two demerit points for something they've done for 12 years.

A couple claim they have been screwed over by their local council after copping a $362 parking fine for parking across their own driveway  despite doing the same thing for the past 12 years.

The fine, which was issued last year by Lake Macquarie City Council in NSW, has left the couple continuing to suffer as two demerit points were taken on top of the fine which caused their Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance to soar by hundreds of dollars each year.

Kates council claim comes after residents erupted online over a pamphlet circulated to residents in the area explaining little-known parking rules. Are [council] kidding themselves? the one local wrote online with dozens of residents sharing their frustration at receiving fines outside their homes.

Another resident said theyd copped two fines, describing councils move as a crackdown. There are plenty of other people in the area with the same gripe, he told Yahoo.

A pamphlet circulated to residents explained lesser-known parking rules. Source: Facebook

I even went to my local MP to help and they contested it, resident Kate told Yahoo News Australia of the fine. We had photos to prove there was still walking room.

I even looked at the legislation and there is not a measurement of what is considered a footpath, she said.

We havent made this mistake again, she explained, adding we cant afford the points. It's since added hundreds to my husband's cost of his green slip due to the points he has so it really screwed us over.

Two different angles of the car parked across the driveway. Source: Supplied

Council deny 'crackdown' on residents' parking

Council are adamant that there is no specific crackdown on residential parking, but that council rangers conduct reactive patrols when we receive complaints from the community, and proactive patrols that focus on vehicle turnover for timed parking areas.

We are receiving an increasing number of complaints from the community each year about instances of parking non-compliance.

In the first six months of this year, it issued 440 fines for similar offences, including 226 fines for parking on nature strips, 135 fines for parking on nature strips in school zones, 35 fines for parking on driveways in school zones, and another 44 for parking across driveways in built up areas.

They explained that NSW road rules state that you cannot park your vehicle on or across a driveway or prevent access to that property.

The purpose of this rule is to ensure pedestrian access is not restricted and visibility for other road users and pedestrians is not reduced.

The examples provided show that safe passage is not provided across the section of driveway outside the property boundary. This particular offence was also within a school zone during the morning arrivals of children trying to make their way to school safely.

Shockingly, council reporting app Snap Send Solve told Yahoo that it has seen a 243 per cent increase in illegal parking in July across Australia compared to the same period last year.

Expert confirms 'it is illegal' to park across driveway

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury told Yahoo It's illegal to park across your own driveway.

It's in the rule book so people should know. How would the police know who owns the car in the driveway? If emergency services need to access that driveway for some reason, they're not able to do so if you parked across it.

"If they werent parking across their own driveway, imagine if you were the owner of the house and you tried to get out and someone had parked across your driveway. So that's why the rule is the way it is.

In New South Wales, the price of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) cover, also known as a Green Slip, is affected by demerit points, according to Canstar.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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August 2, 2024

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant this morning about the destabilizing threats posed by Iran, its partners, and proxies. The Secretary reiterated ironclad U.S. support for Israel's security and informed the Minister of additional measures, to include ongoing and future defensive force posture changes, that the Department will take to support the defense of Israel. Secretary Austin highlighted that further escalation is not inevitable and that all countries in the region would benefit from a de-escalation in tensions, including through completing a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. However, he also stressed that the unprecedented scale of U.S. support for Israel since October 7 should leave Iran, Lebanese Hizballah, and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups with no doubt about U.S. resolve.



https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3860559/

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Gunmen kill 2 police officers escorting Pakistan judges

By Ayaz Gul August 02, 2024

Authorities in northwestern Pakistan said Friday that suspected militants had ambushed and opened fire on a vehicle transporting a group of local judges, killing two police officers who were escorting them.

The deadly shooting took place in Tank, a militancy-hit district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. Area police officials said the attack also injured two of their personnel, but all three judges escaped unharmed.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the shooting.

Militants linked to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, a globally designated terrorist group, routinely target security forces and government officials in Tank and surrounding districts, killing dozens of people in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, unidentified attackers fired at a bulletproof vehicle transporting Pakistani staff of a United Nations development agency in Tank, but they escaped unharmed.

Pakistan maintains that the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, and militants linked to other anti-state groups have taken shelter and orchestrated cross-border attacks from sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

"Afghanistan has hideouts and sanctuaries for terrorist groups, including the TTP, that continue to threaten Pakistan's security," Mumtaz Baloch, the Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson, reiterated Thursday at her weekly news conference.

"We urge Afghanistan to take immediate, effective, and robust action against these terror groups, especially the TTP, and to ensure that Afghan territory is not used as a staging ground for terrorism against Pakistan," Baloch stated.

Afghanistan's de facto Taliban government denies the presence of foreign militants in the country, saying it does not allow anyone to threaten neighboring countries, including Pakistan, from Afghan soil.

The United States and the United Nations have expressed concerns over the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. They have identified Islamic State Khorasan, or IS-K, an Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State, as the most serious regional threat.

"ISIS-K is a transnational terrorist network that has the ambition and capacity to launch international terrorist attacks," Vedant Patel, the U.S. State Department principal deputy spokesperson, told a news conference on Thursday. He used an acronym for the Afghan branch of the militant network.

Patel said that Washington is working to ensure Afghanistan "never serves as a launching pad" for terrorist attacks against the U.S. or its allies.

"We are cooperating with partners and allies, including in the immediate region, and we're working vigilantly to prevent the re-emergence of external threats from Afghanistan, including by working with partners to counteract terrorist recruitment efforts as well."

A recent U.N. report estimated that up to 6,500 TTP militants are based in Afghanistan and are being trained, as well as armed at al-Qaida-run camps there, leading to an increase in attacks in Pakistan.

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Meeting with Russian citizens returning to the Motherland following a prisoner swap

Vladimir Putin arrived at Vnukovo Airport and welcomed Russian citizens who were detained abroad and were able to return to the Motherland today following a prisoner swap.

August 1, 2024

22:30

Moscow

Attending the meeting were Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you on returning to the Motherland. Right now, I would like to address those of you who serve in the military. I would like to thank you for being loyal to your oath of allegiance, your duty and the Motherland. Your country never forgot about you, even for a minute. And here you are back home.

All of you will be nominated for receiving state awards. You and I will meet again some time later, and we will talk about your future. But for now, I would simply like to congratulate you on your homecoming.

Thank you very much and congratulations.

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Press release on the outcomes of Russia's UN Security Council Presidency in July 2024

1 August 2024 20:36

1468-01-08-2024

The Russian Federation completed its Presidency in the United Nations Security Council on July 31. Its packed agenda revolved around three central events, with the first two of them attended by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

On July 16, we held a high-level open debate titled "Multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order," which reaffirmed the need to hold detailed discussions dealing with the underpinnings of the emerging multipolar world order, the objective to reinforce a UN-centred system of international relations, as well as the need to carry out a comprehensive review of the root causes of present-day conflicts and to consolidate our efforts in order to overcome them. The fact that the Global Majority tends to distrust the infamous Western concept of a rules-based world order was also mentioned during the debate.

On July 17, the Security Council held a quarterly ministerial-level debate on the agenda item titled "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question." During this meeting, participants discussed the situation in the region with all its tension, while placing a special emphasis on the escalating violence in the Arab-Israeli conflict zone for finding ways out of this unprecedented crisis. In addition to this, the UN Security Council held separate meetings on July 26 and 31 on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the assassination of the Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

On July 19, the UN Security Council held a debate titled "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)." In his remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin stressed the importance for the United Nations to work closer with constructive regional organisations. He went on to elaborate on the meaningful contribution by the CSTO, the CIS and the SCO when responding to threats to peace and security, as well as in terms of promoting socioeconomic development within their areas of responsibility. He also emphasised the positive response to President Vladimir Putin's proposal to build a new architecture of equal and indivisible security for Eurasia.

In addition to this, Russia's UN Security Council Presidency included all the events as part of the mandate-reporting cycle. The Middle East bloc included meetings on Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. The African agenda covered discussions of the situation in West Africa, the Sahara and Sahel region, and the DR Congo. The council also touched upon peacebuilding efforts in Columbia and the start of deploying the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. We exchanged views on the activities of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the Cyprus settlement.

The Ukraine crisis remained high on the agenda. On July 9, Western countries convened a Security Council meeting in connection with the tragic incident involving a children's hospital in Kiev. During the debate, the Russian delegation refuted accusations by its opponents and shared evidence demonstrating that the Ukrainian air defence systems were to blame for the incident. On July 25, Russia initiated a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the unrelenting flow of Western weapons into Ukraine, which delays a settlement in this conflict and leads to more victims.

The Security Council adopted four resolutions in July: on focusing the CAR arms embargo on illegal armed groups, extending the mandates for the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), as well as regarding the UN Focal Point on delisting-related matters and re-establishing the Informal Working Group of the Security Council on General United Nations Security Council Sanctions Issues.

Russia went to great lengths to enable the Security Council to be effective and responsive in its work. We encouraged our colleagues within the Council to come up with collective responses when dealing with challenges to peace and security, while seeking guidance from a holistic view of the purposes and principles set forth in the UN Charter and their inter-connected nature. The central events on the agenda of the Russian Presidency attracted a lot of attention within the international community, reaffirming our country's high authority and the respect it commands as a UN founding member and permanent member of the Security Council.







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On inclusion of Denis Rublev in the persona non grata list in the Republic of Latvia

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

02.08.2024

On 2 August 2024, a decision was passed in accordance with Section 61, Paragraph two of the Immigration Law on the inclusion of a citizen of the Russian Federation, Denis Rublev, in the list of personae non grata in the Republic of Latvia. The ban on entering Latvia is imposed on the said person for an indefinite period of time.

Denis Rublev has continued performing in the Crimean Peninsula occupied and illegally annexed by Russia, thereby supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Denis Rublev was to give a performance at the First Club in Riga on 2 August. The organisers of the concert have been informed of the decision.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the organisers of concerts and other public events to always carefully ascertain the reputation and actions of any guest performers to be invited, abiding by and respecting Latvia's principles-based support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Latvia utterly condemns the unprovoked and unjustified aggression unleashed by Russia on Ukraine and its territorial integrity in 2014, as well as the unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.

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Released Russian Activists Vow To Continue Fighting For A Free Russia

By RFE/RL August 02, 2024

Three of the Russian activists freed in a prisoner swap orchestrated by the United States and Russia thanked all those who helped secure their release and cautioned against believing that all Russians support the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Vladimir Kara-Murza, Andrei Pivovarov, and Ilya Yashin, who were imprisoned in Russia for expressing their opposition to the war, spoke on August 2 at a news conference in Bonn, Germany, a day after being freed in the historic exchange.

Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British citizen, said 16 lives had been saved in the prisoner swap, which also freed U.S. citizens Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and Paul Whelan, who arrived in the United States late on August 1 to be reunited with family members.

Kara-Murza said the difference between dictatorships and democracies is that in a democracy human life is sacred. He also urged the world to distinguish between Russia's people and its president.

"There are many people in Russia who are against the war, who don't believe Kremlin propaganda," said the Kremlin critic, who was serving a 25-year prison sentence under harsh conditions, including months of solitary confinement, until he was released.

Pivovarov also thanked everyone who helped in facilitating the exchange and cautioned against associating the Russian people with the government's policies. He said the task for him and the other freed dissidents is to work to make Russia "free and democratic."

Yashin expressed a different view, saying he was bitter about being deported and had stated his wish to return to Russia after landing in Turkey.

"I did not give my consent to being sent outside of Russia," he told reporters in an address in which the anger often showed on his face. "What happened on August 1 is not an exchange. This is my expulsion from Russia against my will. My first wish in Ankara was to buy a ticket and go back to Russia."

But he said an FSB officer told him that if he returned to Russia "your days will end like Navalny's," a reference to opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison in February.

He said he was also told there would be no more prisoner swaps if he returned.

Describing himself as a "Russian patriot," Yashin said he would continue his political activity and his work for a free Russia.

Yashin also acknowledged that the prisoner exchange represented a "difficult dilemma," adding that it "encourages Russian President Vladimir Putin to take more hostages."

But Pivovarov said the prisoner swap saved those released from death, while Kara-Murza said that until August 1 he was certain he would die in a Russian jail. He added that he knows that someday he will return to Russia and that the day will come when Russia is free.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kara-murza-yashin- pivovarov-relased-freedom/33061937.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Kurmasheva, Gershkovich, Whelan Back In U.S. After Prisoner Swap With Russia

By RFE/RL August 02, 2024

Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and Paul Whelan -- three of the 24 detainees involved in the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War ended - have returned to the United States where they were greeted by President Joe Biden and family amid cheers from those gathered at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington, D.C.

Arriving from Turkey where part of the exchange took place on August 1, the three were part of a group of 16 prisoners Russia and its close ally Belarus released in exchange for eight Russians held in the United States and several other countries.

Biden, who earlier in the day hailed the historic exchange at a White House news conference, was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris to welcome the three as family members, colleagues, and media looked on.

Kurmasheva, a journalist for RFE/RL, Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive, are all U.S. citizens.

Whelan, a former Marine, was the first to emerge from the plane and saluted Biden as he came down the steps and onto the tarmac. After saluting back and shaking hands, the president took off his lapel pin and gave it to Whelan, who had been in Russian detention for more than five years, the longest period of the three returnees.

Gershkovich, who also received applause as he embraced the president, followed, while Kurmasheva was the last of the three to come off the plane, also hugging Biden amid applause from the crowd.

The 32-year-old Gershkovich was detained in Russia in March 2023 while out on a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg. He was sentenced in July to 16 years in prison on spying charges that were rejected by the United States and his employer, the Wall Street Journal.

"Not bad," he replied as he greeted fellow journalists who asked how it felt to finally be home after spending 491 days in detention.

Kurmasheva, a 47-year-old mother of two, was arrested in Kazan in October 2023 and first charged with failing to register as a "foreign agent" under a punitive Russian law that targets journalists, civil society activists, and others. She was subsequently charged with spreading falsehoods about the Russian military and sentenced to 6 1/2 years.

In announcing the swap earlier in the day, Biden slammed Russia for conducting "show trials" that led to the imprisonment of Gershkovich, Whelan, and Kurmasheva, saying "all three were falsely accused of being spies."

When asked what he would say to Russian President Vladimir Putin after the swap, the president replied: "Stop," a reference to taking Americans into custody on dubious charges.

Biden noted earlier that the prisoner swap required "significant concessions" from Germany, which released FSB Colonel Vadim Krasikov, a Russian convicted of the murder in 2019 of a former Chechen militant in Berlin.

The trade came even with relations between Washington and Moscow eroding to their lowest point in decades after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The prisoner swap included dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British citizen who was imprisoned for making critical remarks about the invasion.

Kara-Murza also holds a green card, which allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States, but traveled first to Germany where he and two other Russian activists, Andrei Pivovarov and Ilya Yashin, held a news conference in which they vowed to continue fighting for a free Russia.

"Alsu, Evan, Paul, Vladimir and others, you belong home with your families and loved ones!" European Council President Charles Michel said in a post on X. "I thank all those, also in Europe, who helped to make the diplomatic deal possible. EU will continue supporting and standing for all those illegally detained in Russia and elsewhere."

After spending time with family and friends, Kurmasheva, Gershkovich, and Whelan traveled on to San Antonio, Texas, for medical treatment and debriefing by U.S. officials.

The release of 16 people from Russia and Belarus included five Germans and seven Russian citizens who were political prisoners in their own country.

In an interview with RFE/RL's North.Realities service, the parents of Ksenia Fadeyeva, another of the Russian activists released by Moscow in the exchange, said the first time they suspected something was in the works was when they began hearing more and more about the topic of prisoner exchanges in the media.

"She certainly didn't think she'd be released like this. Neither did we. It's just some kind of miracle," said her mother, Iryna Fadeyeva.

Ksenia Fadeyeva, 32, is a former local lawmaker and the former head of the late opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's regional office in the Siberian city of Tomsk. In December 2023, she was convicted on charges including organizing activities of an extremist group and was handed a nine-year prison term. She is now in Germany after the exchange but did not appear at the news conference in Bonn with Kara-Murza, Pivovarov, and Yashin.

"We don't know anything for sure yet, but we are ordinary citizens, not military personnel, without restrictions on entering and exiting the country. I think they will let us see each other," her father, Vladislav Fadeyev, said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the decision to release Krasikov, a convicted hit man, had been difficult.

"Nobody took this decision to deport a murderer sentenced to life imprisonment after only a few years...lightly," Scholz said, speaking in Cologne, Germany, on August 1.

"The state's interest in seeing him punished had to be weighed against the danger to the bodies and in some cases the lives of innocent people in prison in Russia and political prisoners," he told reporters.

Biden said Germany asked for nothing in exchange. The president added that the prisoner swap was "a powerful example of why it is important to have friends in the world."

While those released celebrated, they also said they remained concerned for others who weren't included in the swap.

Marc Fogel, a 62-year-old English teacher, is one such case.

He was arrested at an airport in Moscow in 2021 for carrying about half an ounce of medical marijuana he said he had been prescribed to manage severe pain following surgeries on his back, shoulder, and knee. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison after prosecutors claimed he intended to sell the drugs to his students.

Senior U.S. officials said they tried to include Fogel in the exchange, but Russia rejected his inclusion.

That did little to help calm the despair Fogel's family felt after word came that he would not be returning home with the others. In a statement after the deal was made public, his family said it was "inconceivable" that he had not been part and urged the Biden administration to make his release a priority.

Poland, Slovenia, and Norway also played roles in the swap by releasing Russians back to Moscow that they held.

Turkey, a NATO ally that also has warm relations with Moscow, was heavily involved in facilitating talks on the swap, with Ankara hosting the actual exchange of the prisoners.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-prisoner-swap- kurmasheva-gershkovich-whelan/33060610.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to question from Rossiya Segodnya regarding YouTube's policies

2 August 2024 16:29

1471-02-08-2024

Question: How would you comment on YouTube's moves to block the channels run by Russian content creators?

Maria Zakharova: We have been repeatedly raising this issue for a long time. First of all, I would like to remind you that in January 2021, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation made a statement on flagrant violations of freedom of speech by global US internet companies, giving a succinct assessment of political censorship and monopoly control over the internet exercised by the United States. That statement was brought to the attention of all leading international organisations that advocate for the principle of free access to information. Unfortunately, it went unheard, as did the Russian senators' proposal to adopt an international convention regulating the IT giants' activities.

As a follow-up on the same issue, the Russian Foreign Ministry adopted a statement regarding the activities of US internet monopolies, calling on the international community to mobilise efforts to develop requirements for a transparent content moderation policy on social media platforms, which should be consolidated and clearly spelled out in international documents, and highlighting the need for substantive joint work within relevant international organisations.

In addition, practical steps had to be taken to protect the rights and legitimate interests of Russian citizens in this domain. The most important step in creating a transparent and effective mechanism for interaction and feedback between the state and large internet companies was the data localisation law adopted in July 2021 (Federal Law On the Activities of Foreign Persons on the Internet Information and Telecommunication Network in the Territory of the Russian Federation). That law established clear rules for regulating the internet, ruling out situations where digital companies operating in the Russian market and making profit from catering to Russian citizens would be able to violate their rights and interests with impunity or ignore the laws of the Russian Federation.

Extensive work is underway to look into this multifaceted problem and draw conclusions, including in the expert community, primarily with a view to taking practical steps, both at the legislative level and in terms of developing technological solutions. In particular, this work is facilitated by the annual Safe Internet Forum. Another example was the session on Digital Dictatorship vs. Digital Sovereignty: Problems, Risks and Opportunities that the Foreign Ministry hosted as part of SPIEF-2023.

We should not forget about Washington's international commitments in this area. In this regard, we would like to recall the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 19), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 19), the Charter of Paris for a New Europe (the Human Dimension section), the Final Act of the CSCE (Article 2, Information, of the section on Cooperation in Humanitarian and Other Fields). All these documents have been signed by the United States, and none of them calls for censorship; on the contrary, they underscore the need to respect free access to information.

Nevertheless, arbitrary governance and political censorship remain the norm for the Washington-controlled YouTube management, which is conducting a systematic cleansing of the information landscape. Initially targeting Russian federal and regional media channels, YouTube later moved to blocking the accounts of state authorities and personal channels run by well-known public figures and journalists.

In 2022, the Russian Foreign Ministry's official YouTube channel twice received groundless warnings from the platform administration. Later, dozens of videos on the ministry's channel were blocked under completely far-fetched pretexts, including speeches and interviews by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, such as his bilateral meetings with his Western partners, as well as briefings by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. In other words, YouTube has carried out acts of direct censorship, hindering the free dissemination of, and access to information, thereby violating the rights of hundreds of thousands of our subscribers.

Repressions by YouTube also affected Russian foreign missions. One of the most egregious cases involved 29 posts on the official channel of the Russian Embassy in London, which were deleted without warning on August 15, 2022, in a crude attempt to limit Russian foreign missions' information work and deprive the global audience of reliable sources of information.

Therefore, we see many weighty reasons for taking measures against the YouTube video hosting platform. In view of the numerous and systematic violations of Russian laws, and emphatic disregard for the Russian audience and its interests, the regulatory bodies of our state reserve the right to use the appropriate legal tools.



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Ex-Army officer held in China since March allowed to return

ROC Central News Agency

08/02/2024 09:33 PM

Kaohsiung, Aug. 2 (CNA) A former Kinmen-based Army officer rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard in mid-March has been allowed to return home on Aug. 7, and a Taiwanese official hoped Friday for cooperation across the Taiwan Strait in rescue at sea missions.

The release of the former officer held by Chinese authorities for more than four months was announced Thursday evening by Legislator Chen Yu-jen (), who said in a statement that she will travel with the family of the recently discharged officer on Aug. 7 to bring him home.

On Friday, Kuan Bi-ling (), head of the Ocean Affairs Council in Taiwan, said in a Facebook post that she contacted Chen, who represents Kinmen, the Kinmen County government, the Red Cross Society's Kinmen branch and the Haiyin Temple on Thursday to thank them for their efforts in helping negotiate the release.

Kuan said she has instructed people at her agency to reestablish contact on law enforcement cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, because search and rescue at the sea requires the two sides to work together.

The responsibility of Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) under the council to maintain order at sea is also a shared goal between the two sides, she said.

The former Army officer, surnamed Hu (), was serving in Kinmen when he and a civilian were rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard after drifting into Chinese waters off Fujian Province during a fishing trip on March 17.

The civilian was returned to Kinmen on March 23, but, according to China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Hu was detained because he was not forthcoming about his military status.

In early May, the Army Command Headquarters approved an application filed by Hu's family for a voluntary military discharge on his behalf, and Chen accompanied Hu's family to visit him in the Chinese city of Quanzhou on June 22.

According to Chen's statement, the negotiation for Hu's return was hampered by a standoff over a deadly chase between a Chinese speedboat and a Taiwanese Coast Guard vessel in waters around Kinmen on Feb. 14 that left two Chinese nationals dead.

Taiwanese and Chinese representatives reached a settlement over the incident at a meeting in Kinmen on July 30.

Terms of the settlement were not made public, but on the same day, CGA Director-General Chang Chung-lung () again apologized for the failure to record evidence during the incident and for the suffering endured by the families of the victims during a memorial service in Kinmen.

(By Hung Hsueh-kuang, Fan Cheng-hsiang and Kay Liu)

Enditem/ls

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Update 240 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

68/2024

Vienna, Austria

2 Aug 2024

The water level in the cooling pond at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) continues to decrease. Despite all reactors remaining in a state of cold-shutdown, availability of this water is important for nuclear safety of the plant, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

Over the past weeks, IAEA experts at the plant have observed a continuous decrease in the water level of the plant's cooling pond. If this trend continues, ZNPP staff confirmed that it will soon become challenging to pump water from the pond. Maintaining the level of the pond is made more difficult by the hot summer weather.

Following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam last year, the ZNPP dug 11 groundwater wells to provide approximately 250 cubic meters of cooling water per hour to the sprinkler ponds. These ponds supply sufficient water to cool all six reactor units in their current cold shutdown state. During a site walkdown last week, the IAEA team observed that the sprinkler ponds are functioning well, with water at nominal levels. Any compromise to the availability of water to the sprinkler ponds might necessitate using the cooling pond as a backup source.

"The dwindling water levels in the cooling pond remains a potential source of concern, and we will continue to closely monitor and observe the situation at the site to ensure the availability of a sufficient supply of cooling water for the plant's needs at all times," Director General Grossi said.

The IAEA experts also continue to monitor vital maintenance activities across the site over the past week. They were informed that the majority of the maintenance work at the plant is being performed by contractors. The team observed tests of the emergency diesel generator for a safety train of unit 6, from both the emergency diesel generator room and the emergency control room. Similarly, they observed the emergency diesel generator testing for a safety train of unit 5 from the both the emergency diesel generator room and the main control room. No issues related to nuclear safety and security were noted during these tests.

Additional walkdowns were carried out across the ZNPP site to monitor nuclear safety and security. The team also noted that the three main fuel tanks at the diesel fuel farm can only be filled to a maximum of 90% of their capacity and that maintenance is planned on the tanks.

On Wednesday, the team visited the 750 kilovolt (kV) switchyard and did not observe any new issues with respect to safety and security. Also, last week the team conducted a series of walkdowns and discussions on the topic of the safety and security of radioactive sources.

During a walkdown of the reactor hall and safety system rooms of unit 5, the team observed the switching of the spent fuel pool pump and confirmed that both the pumps and safety system rooms were in good condition.

The IAEA team continues to hear military activity at varying distances from the plant. The team also observed smoke in the distance multiple times in the past week, which the ZNPP reported was caused by fires.

The IAEA experts present at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine nuclear power plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site reported air raid alarms on several days over the past week but confirmed that nuclear safety and security is being maintained despite the effects of the ongoing conflict. Separately during the last weeks, the Agency continued delivering its comprehensive assistance programme in Ukraine by supporting in various areas. As part of the medical assistance program, an ultrasound system was provided to the local hospital near to the South Ukraine NPP, ensuring that personnel operating the plant have access to the necessary medical services for maintaining their fitness for duty.

Additionally, four remote workshops were conducted focusing on mental health. These sessions trained supervisors, managers, and mental health teams from all Ukrainian nuclear facilities to recognize signs of distress, offer peer and psychological support to colleagues dealing with trauma or stress, and effectively plan and manage mental health support initiatives.

The delivery of the equipment and workshops have been supported by the United Kingdom and the United States.



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An Aussie mum-of-three was left furious after a situation at the store and has urged parents to teach their children this important lesson.

A Melbourne mum has called out a stranger who tried to inappropriately touch her son and urged parents to talk to their children about consent. Source: Supplied/Getty

An Aussie mum has shared the horrifying moment a male stranger approached her young son in Kmart and attempted to touch and tickle him while motioning to the woman to be quiet. The mum-of-three Anueta Madison-Vanderbuilt told Yahoo News Australia she was in shock over the incident.

The social justice advocate said the man in his 20s walked up close to the family while they were shopping, looked at her dead in the eye, put his finger to his mouth to say Shhh and tried to tickle her eight-year-old son.

So loudly, I said, What the f**k are you doing? Dont you dare touch my child,' and pulled the kids close to me, the Melbourne woman said in an impassioned TikTok.

This is a reminder to teach your children that anyone touching them without consent is inappropriate.

And this is the most important. Do not just tell your kids, That guy's just creepy, walk away, just leave or anything like that. You need to call it out.

A bad touch or inappropriate touch is anything that a stranger or a person that has not asked for your consent to do so, does. It can be a grandparent, it can be a friend, it can be a teacher or a complete stranger.

Social justice advocate Madison-Vanderbuilt has spoken at a 15,000-strong rally to end gender-based violence and combat sexual assault. Source: Instagram/supplied

The 32-year-old, who is a survivor of child sexual abuse, urged parents to teach their children about consent and remind them to be loud, to be crazy, to call it out.

After confronting the man about his behaviour, which occurred in front of her two other children aged 13 and 7, Madison-Vanderbuilt said he told her he was just going to tickle the boy and didnt hurt him, before walking out of the Craigieburn store.

I was in shock at first, she told Yahoo News. You don't expect someone to stand that close to you. He looked me in the eye and put his hands out to tickle him.

Talk to children about consent 'as young as possible'

She said the man was coherent and had cognitive function so wasnt a person of special needs. Neither was he someone who grew up in a different era where rules of conduct were different, but a young man in his 20s.

I think its so important to talk to children as young as possible about their bodies and asking before hugging or high-fiving someone, Madison-Vanderbuilt said. Making people feel uncomfortable is not ok.

She said after the incident, she spoke to her three children and while her seven-year-old was scared about what had happened, her son was angry.

Consent is taught in year 7 but by then, youre 12 or 13 years old  thats too late, Madison-Vanderbuilt added. It should be taught in day care, there are age-appropriate ways to discuss it.

Child sex abuse starts before age 8 in half of cases

According to statistics from child safety advocacy group Bravehearts, more than one-in-three girls and one-in-five boys experience child sexual abuse and among the Australian children who have been sexually abused, for three quarters of them, it has happened more than once.

In 52 per cent of cases, the onset of child sexual abuse is birth to eight-years-old.

A Department of Education spokesperson told Yahoo News: Its important that young people are equipped with age-appropriate, evidenced-based education that improves their health, safety, wellbeing and dignity".

Teaching consent and respectful relationships education helps students develop the social and emotional skills they need to form healthy relationships and ideas about acceptable behaviour, the spokesperson said.

They said the federal government provides $77.6 million to ensure students from foundation to year 10 receive age-appropriate education on positive, respectful relationships and consent.

An Aussie mum has said children should be educated about consent as early as possible. Source: Getty

'Tickling is horrible': Have flashbacks about not feeling 'in control'

In the comments, social media users echoed Madison-Vanderbuilts concerns.

Actually in tears, one wrote, I really wish I had someone, a role model to teach me those lessons when I was young.

Tickling is horrible! another said. I have flashbacks as a kid being tickled and not feeling in control and hating it. One more added: That is so scary.

This has happened twice to my child, a fourth shared. I need to work on calling it out as I have frozen both times.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a question from Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency on Ukraine's participation in CIS agreements

2 August 2024 09:17

1469-02-08-2024

Question: Ukraine is withdrawing from international agreements signed within the CIS. But de jure it remains a member of that organisation, even though Ukrainian politicians say that Kiev has pulled out of the CIS long ago.

How many CIS agreements remain effective for Kiev? Why does Ukraine remain a signatory of these documents?

Maria Zakharova: According to the CIS Executive Committee, Ukraine remains a signatory of over 200 international agreements within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Most of them have to do with trade, economic, social and humanitarian cooperation and are of practical interest to the Kiev authorities, like the Free Trade Area (CISFTA) agreement of October 18, 2011.

At the same time, the CIS Executive Committee has received notifications of Kiev's withdrawal from 134 agreements. Of course, this is for Ukraine to decide, but we have pointed out many times that such steps damage primarily the interests of the Ukrainian people, because the CIS is a format focused on meeting people's requirements and promoting cooperation in vital spheres.

As for why Kiev remains a signatory of some agreements, it would be logical to ask Kiev. What is important for us is that Ukraine's withdrawal from international agreements has little effect on the development of multilateral interaction between the CIS states which care for the wellbeing of their citizens and take advantage of the indisputable advantages of regional cooperation in a broad range of spheres.



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We Are Preparing New and Absolutely Modern Solutions for Our Warriors - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

2 August 2024 - 18:56

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today there were many substantive meetings. The beginning of the day was devoted to military matters. There was a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi regarding the frontline situation. And of course, most attention was paid to the Pokrovsk direction. This is where the fighting remains the most intense, and this direction requires our most intensive responses to the occupier. Each brigade, each unit in the Pokrovsk direction - all our warriors who are maintaining their resilience there and defending our positions despite the Russian assaults, are in many ways also holding the foundation of the defense of the entire eastern part of our country. At the same time, we do not diminish our attention to all other directions on the front - in the Donetsk region, as well as in the Kharkiv region and our southern regions. I am grateful to everyone whose courage is fully working for Ukraine. Also, today there was a report by Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Budanov. The details are not public. Minister of Defense Umerov also reported, in particular, on our cooperation with TArkiye. Among other things, he spoke about the construction of our corvettes for Ukraine: we will continue this cooperation. I also held a meeting with the team of the Ministry of Defense. We are preparing new and absolutely modern solutions for our warriors, which will definitely eliminate a lot of unnecessary bureaucracy and paperwork from the units. Soon these solutions will be presented to our society. They look really innovative. Also today, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the international experts of the Office reported on our special foreign policy opportunities - opportunities that our country has thanks to many Ukrainians and millions of citizens of other countries who believe in Ukraine, who support us. These are opportunities to keep Ukraine in the focus of the world's attention, to increase support for our state, for our people, and to really effectively advocate Ukraine's needs and the main need - the need to end the war as soon and as fairly as possible. Ukrainians have withstood in this war and have been able to do so much because they have been united not only within the country, but for years now they have kept the world united for the right reasons - for the sake of Ukraine and for the sake of everything that makes this world human and capable of defeating evil. Our unity must be maintained in the future - all of us here in Ukraine, all of us in Europe and in the world who value Ukraine, who value life. As early as this August, we are preparing news about greater consolidation of both our people and everyone in the world who helps us. But for this, the Government and the Verkhovna Rada need to do some more work in August.

Glory to our people!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Andriy Yermak: Latin American Countries Should Join the Peace Formula Implementation

President of Ukraine

2 August 2024 - 18:17

Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak held an online meeting with the deputies - members of the inter-factional association "Ukraine - Latin American and Caribbean States: Cooperation for the Future", who are visiting Chile, Argentina and Paraguay.

During the meeting, they discussed the organization of a conference on the implementation of the Peace Formula's 5th point, "Restoration of Territorial Integrity and Implementation of the Principles of the UN Charter," which should take place in Chile.

"It is important that our partners from Latin America join the implementation of President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, concerning the restoration of territorial integrity. We must unite the efforts of the countries of the world to force the aggressor country to restore a just peace for Ukraine," Andriy Yermak said.

The Head of the Presidential Office emphasized that our country should strengthen cooperation with the countries of the Global South, including at the level of parliaments.

The parliamentary delegation of Ukraine met with speakers of national parliaments, groups of interparliamentary cooperation with Ukraine, the leadership of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, ombudsmen and journalists. The parliamentarians spoke about the crimes committed by the Russian Federation in our country, as well as about the implementation of the Peace Formula.

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Ukraine and Ireland Discussed Preparation of Bilateral Agreement

President of Ukraine

2 August 2024 - 16:39

Ukraine and Ireland held talks to reaffirm their commitment to deepening and strengthening bilateral cooperation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris agreed to this at a meeting in Shannon on July 13.

According to the Presidential Decree, the Ukrainian delegation is headed by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak. Today's round of talks was led by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Ihor Zhovkva.

"We appreciate Ireland's multifaceted support for Ukraine and our cooperation on Ukraine's path to EU membership. Ireland demonstrates solidarity in our common struggle for the protection of shared values, a just peace and a secure Europe," Ihor Zhovkva emphasized.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the content of the bilateral agreement, exchanged views on specific provisions and agreed on further steps.

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Second Corvette for the Ukrainian Navy Launched in TArkiye

President of Ukraine

2 August 2024 - 10:03

During her visit to the Republic of TArkiye, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska participated in the launching ceremony of the Ada class corvette "Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi." This vessel was constructed for the Ukrainian Navy at a shipyard in TArkiye.

The First Lady expressed her gratitude to the Turkish partners, the Commander of the Navy, and the entire diplomatic team of Ukraine for strengthening the defensive capabilities of our country.

"We understand the importance of security better than anyone. This corvette will ensure the safety of our shared region, the common sea of our countries. We are defending not only ourselves but also the very principle of peaceful coexistence for everyone. Thus, this ship is another step on this path," Olena Zelenska stated.

With a vessel of this class, Ukraine will be able to protect its national interests not only in the Black and Azov Seas but also in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

The wife of the President of Ukraine also visited the first corvette built in TArkiye, "Hetman Ivan Mazepa," which is currently undergoing sea trials. The First Lady also participated in the launching ceremony of this vessel. She met with the ship's crew and presented them with a painting by Natalia Pavlusenko titled "Hetman Ivan Mazepa."

"May the courage and bravery of Hetman Ivan Mazepa inspire you to defend our Motherland, and may his spirit protect and watch over you," said Olena Zelenska.

The corvette "Hetman Ivan Mazepa" was launched on October 2, 2022, and the keel of the second was laid in TArkiye last August. The construction of these ships is part of a framework agreement concluded between Ukraine and TArkiye at the end of 2020.

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August 2, 2024

By Joseph Clark, DOD News

Pentagon Official: Alliances Are Key to U.S. Nuclear Deterrence Advantage

The U.S. maintains an asymmetric strategic advantage through its global network of allies and partners amid increasing competition, a senior Pentagon official said yesterday.

Vipin Narang, acting secretary of defense for space policy, said the Defense Department remains focused on continuing to strengthen its alliances and partnerships throughout the globe as a key pillar to its competitive approach as nuclear risks increase.

"While the administration has long sought to strike a balance between deterrence and arms control, we now find ourselves in nothing short of a new nuclear age," Narang said during a discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a public policy think tank in Washington.

The new era, he said, is marked by "an unprecedented mix of multiple, revisionist, nuclear challengers who are uninterested in arms control or risk-reduction efforts, each rapidly modernizing and expanding their nuclear arsenals and openly threatening to employ nuclear weapons to achieve their aims."

Those challengers include Russia, which continues to threaten nuclear escalation in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine even though Russian diplomats have proclaimed the need to avoid nuclear threats, Narang said.

Narang cited Russia's growing stockpile of lower-yield, nuclear weapons that are unrestricted by treaties and Russia's development of a new anti-satellite capability designed to carry a nuclear weapon into space.

The latter capability, he said, poses a threat to "an entire orbit of assets crucial not just to the United States but the entire world."

Narang also noted the increasing nuclear challenges in the Indo-Pacific posed by China and North Korea.

A 2021 study by nongovernmental researchers revealed hundreds of new intercontinental ballistic missile silos under construction in Western China. Also in 2021, the intelligence community revealed that China had accelerated its nuclear expansion and assessed that China's government would likely field more than 1,000 operational warheads within the next decade.

"This expansion is being fueled, literally, by Russia as Moscow supplies China with highly enriched uranium reactor fuel, which supports the production of weapons-grade plutonium," Narang said.

He also noted Russia's growing partnership with North Korea, which he said further illustrates the disturbing possibility of a collaboration between two nuclear-armed adversaries of the U.S.

"Any one of these nuclear challenges would be daunting by itself, but the simultaneity and growing collaboration and evidence of collusion between them is unprecedented, forcing us to think in new and careful ways about challenges, such as escalation dynamics and deterring opportunistic aggression in this new nuclear age," Narang said.

The United States' competitive approach to these growing challenges includes three pillars, he said, including fielding a modern nuclear deterrent and building the future generation of strategic thinkers and leaders to shape future nuclear policy and capabilities.

Additionally, the U.S. continues to strengthen its global alliances and partnerships, which enhance strategic deterrence.

In the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. has focused on tailored dialogues with key regional allies, including South Korea, Japan and Australia. Topics under discussion include conventional nuclear integration, crisis consultation and efforts to bolster the common understanding of U.S. nuclear deterrence posture and capabilities.

NATO has also made significant strides in nuclear deterrence and adapting to the Russian threat, Narang said, including modernization of the alliance's nuclear capabilities and nuclear planning efforts to improve readiness for a range of potential contingencies.

Narang said the steps the U.S. has taken in the face of the growing challenges "may help incentivize our adversaries to engage in strategic arms control discussions."

"However, if our adversaries continue to make choices that make them and the world less safe, the United States is prepared to do what is necessary to successfully compete to deter aggression and assure our allies in this new nuclear age," he said.

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Shreveport, Aug. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shreveport, Louisiana -

Green Light Solar North Louisiana has taken steps to address issues caused by an unauthorized sales team. This group acted outside the company's standards and ethics, prompting the action in line with Green Light Solar's commitment to customer satisfaction and transparency.

The problem came to light when Green Light Solar found out that the rogue sales team was misleading customers for personal gain. They misrepresented the company's renewable energy solutions and used questionable sales tactics.

Adian Martin, Chief Revenue Officer at Green Light Solar, expressed regret for the disruptions caused. "We deeply regret any inconvenience or distress caused by the actions of the rogue sales team. We are fully committed to rectifying these issues promptly and effectively," Martin stated. "When a sales team goes rogue, it undermines the trust and reputation we have worked hard to build. Our priority now is to address any lingering concerns and reassure our customers that such incidents will not reoccur."

Green Light Solar is now boosting its internal oversight and screening processes to prevent such issues in the future. The company also plans to step up its monitoring of sales activities and improve communication channels for customers to report any suspicious activity.

The company provides services like solar panel installation, energy storage options, and smart energy solutions. Operating in five states  Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina  Green Light Solar focuses on renewable technologies to help cut electricity costs and bolster energy independence. More details about these services can be found on their website.

Green Light Solar's solar panel service has installed over 79,000 kW of solar capacity. Their all-in-one solutions are available for both homes and businesses. The energy storage options let customers save extra solar power for peak times or outages.

Moreover, their smart energy solutions use advanced technology to manage energy-efficient appliances and systems remotely. This feature helps control energy use effectively, adding convenience for users.

Martin stressed the company's focus on customer service. "Customer satisfaction is our number one priority. We urge all customers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or misrepresentations to us immediately. Together, we can ensure that our operations remain transparent and beneficial to everyone involved," said Martin.

Green Light Solar also promises to keep communication lines open. They urge anyone affected by the rogue sales team's actions to get in touch. Any problems reported will be addressed promptly. Customers can reach the company through their website's Contact Us section to lodge complaints or offer feedback.

This incident underscores the need for strict adherence to ethical guidelines in all company dealings. Green Light Solar is using this chance to review and strengthen its internal protocols, ensuring all partners and external teams follow the set standards.

Even as they fix these immediate issues, Green Light Solar remains committed to promoting sustainable energy. By educating customers and maintaining transparent practices, they aim to build a loyal customer base that trusts in their integrity and mission.

For more information, customers and stakeholders can visit the Green Light Solar website. The Contact Us section offers a way to report any concerns or discrepancies. Green Light Solar remains dedicated to providing top-quality renewable energy solutions while upholding high ethical standards.

By taking these corrective steps, Green Light Solar aims to show its commitment to customer satisfaction and ethical business practices. The company wants to make sure all customers benefit from renewable energy in a trustworthy and efficient way.

###

For more information about Green Light Solar North Louisiana, contact the company here:



Green Light Solar North Louisiana

Adian Martin, CRO

210-880-9485

info@gl.solar

9720 Paxton Rd,

Shreveport, LA 71106
NEW YORK, Aug. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CenterPoint or the Company) (NYSE: CNP). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether CenterPoint and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 8, 2024, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 storm. The impact of the storm left roughly 2.2 million CenterPoint customers without power. Six days after the storm, some 270,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area were still without power. At a press conference on July 14, 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that he was demanding an investigation into CenterPoints response to Hurricane Beryl. Among other comments, Governor Abbott said that CenterPoint did not have an adequate number of workers pre-staged before the storm hit.

On this news, CenterPoints stock price fell $2.02 per share, or 6.67%, to close at $28.28 per share on July 15, 2024.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
NEW YORK, Aug. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of SmartRent, Inc. (SmartRent or the Company) (NYSE: SMRT). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether SmartRent and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 30, 2024, SmartRent issued a press release announcing the resignation of Lucas Haldeman as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and from the Companys Board of Directors, effective July 29, 2024. In the same press release, SmartRent stated that [i]n light of the pending CEO transition, the scaling back of SmartRents channel partner program and continued, increasing market headwinds, including known and anticipated customer capital spending delays, the Company is suspending its previous guidance for full-year 2024 and advise[d] investors they should not rely on the outlook previously provided by management.

On this news, SmartRents stock price fell $0.48 per share, or 20.00%, to close at $1.92 per share on July 30, 2024.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
To reach the giddy car sales peaks of 2023 months was always going to be an arduous task. Demand peaked last year and a rush of new and updated models maintained the frenzy in the Indian passenger vehicle (PV) segment. What also helped in the year gone by was easing of semiconductor shortage issue and many manufacturers augmenting production capabilities. But while wait times have come down, has demand also turned for the south. July sales numbers reported by most car manufacturers show a year-on-year dip.

Most major car manufacturers in India reported tempered sales in July, compared to July of 2023, prompting a series of offers and discounts on even po

Also Read : Check out Mahindra Thar Roxx | Tata Curvv set for launch)

The month of July usually sees sales slow a tad bit as potential buyers tend to wait for the festive period to begin, looking forward to offers, discounts and various other benefits. Launches too are usually reserved for the pre-festive period of August. The 'wait and watch' consumer strategy does kick in. And yet, July of 2023 was buzzing louder than the month that just went by. Is it because last year saw pent-up demand fuelling sales growth? Or did a long list of newer models help maintain the frenzy at the time? Perhaps both and then some.

Also check these Vehicles Find more Cars UPCOMING Mahindra Thar ROXX 2184 cc 2184 cc Multiple Multiple  12.50 - 18.50 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Mahindra Thar E 60 kWh 60 kWh  25 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched Mahindra Thar 2184 cc 2184 cc Multiple Multiple  11.35 - 17.60 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING Maruti Suzuki XL5 998 cc 998 cc Petrol Petrol  5 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched Maruti Suzuki Baleno 1197.0 cc 1197.0 cc Multiple Multiple  6.61 - 9.88 Lakhs Compare View Offers Maruti Suzuki Dzire 1197 cc 1197 cc Multiple Multiple  6.51 - 9.39 Lakhs Compare View Offers

Crunching the numbers

Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest carmaker, reported it had sold 1,37,463 units in the month of July, down from 1,52,126 units in the same month of 2023. This is a decline of a little over nine per cent. Sales in the compact car sub-segment, which includes the recently-updated Swift and the very popular Baleno and WagonR, fell by almost 9,000 units to 58,682. Utiliy vehicles' sub-segment that has models like Brezza, Ertiga and Fronx, also saw a very noticable decline.

Hyundai also reported that its dispatched to dealers in July was marginally lower at 49,013 compared to 50,701 units in July of 2023. Tata Motors confirmed domestic sales in July fell by 11 per cent on a year-on-year basis. Among the major players then, Mahindra & Mahindra and Kia were in the green.

Charting a course through tempered waters

The Indian car market has entered into calmer territories. The calendar year so far has seen no major launches from the big-league players. Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest carmaker is reportedly planning to drive out the updated Dzire while Hyundai is prepping the Alcazar facelift. Tata Motors has put its efforts behind the Curvv and Curvv EV. But barring perhaps Mahindra Thar Roxx launch on August 15, and the introduction of the latest Hyundai Creta in January, the market is - and has been - rather muted in terms of injecting exciting products.

Compare this to 2023 when Maruti drove out the likes of Fronx and Jimny, Hyundai brought out the all-new Exter, Honda introduced Elevate mid-size SUV, Kia Seltos SUV was updated and Tata Motors refreshed the Nexon and Nexon EV. There were plenty more models too, both in mass-market and luxury segments.

Offers served on a platter

Covid times saw demand for personal mobility rise significantly. This benefited both the new and used-car market. But demand often outstripped supply, making offers and discounts an alien concept. Good news though that these are back as manufacturers look at clearing inventories. Barring a few enormously popular and high-demand models, many new car models can be had with a long list of benefits. Is it working? The answer may lie in the months leading up to the close of the Indian festive period.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date:
Vancouver, August 2, 2024 - Golden Spike Resources Corp. (CSE: GLDS) (OTCQB: GSPRF) (FSE: L5Y) ("Golden Spike" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $95,691.86 under the Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) program by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. This grant will support the company's ongoing exploration activities on its key properties in Newfoundland.

Highlights of the Grant:

Amount Awarded: $95,691.86

Purpose: To assist with exploration work on Golden Spike's Gregory River project in Newfoundland.

Impact: The grant will enable the Company to advance its exploration programs, including IP surveys, prospecting work, and drilling initiatives.

Keith Anderson, President and CEO of Golden Spike Resources Corp., commented: "We are extremely grateful for the support from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through the JEA program. This funding will significantly enhance our ability to continue exploration and development on our Newfoundland properties. We are committed to conducting our activities in an environmentally responsible manner, and this grant will help us in achieving our goals while also providing economic benefits to the local communities."

Exploration Plans:

IP and Prospecting Work: The completion of Induced Polarization (IP) surveys and detailed prospecting on the Gregory River property.

Drilling Program: Mobilization for the upcoming drilling program on the property, with a focus on high-priority targets identified through IP and prospecting results.

Data Interpretation: Continued interpretation of IP data and prospecting results to refine drill targets.

Community Engagement:

Golden Spike Resources Corp. remains committed to engaging with local communities and stakeholders. The Company will continue to provide updates on exploration progress and ensure that all activities are conducted with the utmost respect for the environment and community interests.

Marketing Engagement:

Golden Spike is pleased to announce it has engaged Black Swan Solutions Inc. dba VHLA Media ("VHLA") to provide certain digital marketing services (the "Services") to the Company, including the development of social media content and a marketing campaign distributed through online platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Google, and via email through VHLA's mailing list. The Engagement is for a term of 6 months and may be renewed for subsequent periods if mutually agreed upon by VHLA and the Company. As consideration for the Engagement, the Company will pay VHLA a fee of C$100,000 plus GST.

VHLA is a British Columbia-based digital media marketing company, whose contact information is as follows: 14301-312 256th St. Maple Ridge, BC, attention: Dawson Ignatieff, dawson@vhlamedia.com. VHLA has an arm's length relationship with the Company and, to the Company's knowledge, VHLA and its directors and officers do not own any securities of the Company.

About Golden Spike

Golden Spike Resources Corp. (CSE:GLDS), (OTCQB: GSPRF), (FSE: L5Y) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying, acquiring and unlocking value in mineral opportunities in Canada and other low-risk jurisdictions. The Company currently holds 100% interest in the 5,050-hectare Gregory River Property in Newfoundland, strategically centered over an approximate 11-kilometer-long stretch of the Gregory River VMS-belt, a north-northeast trending corridor of very prospective ground with potential to host Cyprus-type polymetallic VMS deposits. In addition, the Property hosts a cluster of historically explored, high-grade, copper gold vein structures.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" occur.

Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: the volatility of global capital markets, political instability, unanticipated costs, risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets, the lack of availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather conditions, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), increase in costs, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, failure of the exploration program, including the recent IP survey and potential future drilling to result in the discovery of significant precious and/or base metal mineralization, and those risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in the Company's disclosure record under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained herein. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement or forward-looking information disclosed herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218736
Halfway between the big Texas cities of Austin and San Antonio lies lesser-known Hays County, which is growing faster than either of them. Lured by affordable housing and reasonable commute times, thousands are relocating to the suburban county each year. Mostly farmland not too long ago, Hays has doubled in population since 2000.Hays County is typical of many suburban places in the United States that have been growing dramatically after a brief drop-off during the Great Recession, generally outpacing the larger urban jurisdictions around them. Last year, migration to the suburbs accelerated even more. A review of the latest Census data finds that, in metro areas with at least a half million residents, urban counties containing large cities lost 232,000 total residents via domestic migration. Meanwhile, the other counties within these same metro areas -- many of them burgeoning suburbs like Hays County -- added nearly 268,000 new residents, the largest net migration gain in recent years.Across the country, many urban counties that posted steep population gains around the start of the current decade are now experiencing slowdowns. Some, such as Austins Travis County, are still growing, but at a slower pace than before. Others, including Davidson County, Tenn., home to Nashville, and Harris County, home to Houston, saw more people move out than moved in from other parts of the country last year.Scores of new developments can be found in the northern part of Hays County, along the corridors leading into Austin. The county has, in many ways, played off the success of the big city. Austin has become very easy to identify internationally, says County Commissioner Will Conley. That helps us in describing and getting the word out to people about our community.Nearly a third of all newcomers to Hays County have moved from Austin and surrounding Travis County in recent years. Conley says the top reason people move to Hays is lower housing costs, along with roads that are far less burdened by congestion than the ones Austin residents have to contend with.The suburbs that welcomed the most new residents last year are concentrated in the Sun Belt, particularly Florida and Texas. This is part of a larger, longer-term shift in migration to all areas of the South and West as Americans retire or just seek warmer weather. Demographer Steve Murdock, former director of the Census Bureau, says lower land costs also make southern suburbs an attractive option compared to the more built-out northern urban areas with less space. The main things driving the suburban growth, Murdock says, are cheaper housing than in the central cities, more space and quality of schools with reputations for kids getting into universities.Booming Sun Belt suburbs like Hays County are also becoming employment centers. Until fairly recently, the state Capitol and the University of Texas, in the center of Austin, functioned as the regions primary employment base. But that changed dramatically with the arrival of Dell and other tech companies in the surrounding areas. Amazon opened a massive fulfillment center in Hays County last fall and is already the countys top employer, with more than 3,000 workers. There are now about as many people living and working in the county or commuting to it as there are workers commuting out.Some of the more recent migration patterns have further altered the demographic profile of suburban America. Contrary to their image as older, whiter communities, many are gradually becoming younger and much more diverse. The median age for Hays County is just 31, thanks in part to the expanding presence of Texas State University in San Marcos, and young adults whove relocated from Austin.s analysis shows that counties with medium population densities, those between 200 and 1,000 people per square mile, recorded on average the highest domestic migration rates last year. By contrast, its the densest counties that are losing residents at the fastest rates, regardless of whether theyre considered urban or suburban.This represents a dramatic reversal from the conditions that prevailed during and immediately after the recession. For a few years, urban jurisdictions experienced a resurgence, with many gaining population for the first time in decades. More recent Census estimates suggest many of those same places are now seeing growth level off or start to reverse.Comparing migration patterns within a given region tells a similar story. Last year, Americans moved to suburban counties at greater rates than they did to nearby urban counties in 72 of 82 metro areas with at least 100,000 suburban and urban residents. Only Washington, D.C.; Richmond, Va.; and a few smaller metro areas recorded higher migration rates for urban counties.None of this means that Americans are necessarily rejecting urban life wholesale. Individual cities may or may not be experiencing the same declines depicted by the Census estimates. In fact, cities downtowns and central business districts continue to prosper, even in places like Chicago and St. Louis that are losing population. And while in-migration has dropped, some cities are still recording total population increases, mostly a result of international migration.Employers, too, are continuing to relocate to downtowns. Bethany Schneider, who tracks commercial real estate trends for Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, says the shift from suburban office parks to more urban settings hasnt slowed.In Nashville and other successful urban centers, theres a supply problem. Not much land is left for development within the city, so homebuyers opt for suburban neighborhoods even if an urban lifestyle might have been their first choice. We have such a supply problem that homebuilders inside and outside the city are working feverishly to improve the supply, says Scott Troxel, president of Greater Nashville Realtors.Some of those who desire urban amenities in the Nashville area -- but not at Nashville prices -- are heading out to places like Murfreesboro, about 30 miles away. That city doesnt offer all the luxuries of Nashville, but its home to a large university and has ranked among the fastest-growing places nationally in recent years. Similarly, much of the growth in Williamson County, which borders Nashville, has taken place in a few incorporated cities.Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson says one of the top concerns of newer residents is easing congestion. Officials have identified potential investments in public transit -- another urban convenience -- and are exploring funding sources. Williamson Countys other selling points include low property taxes and good schools. As is the case in other suburbs, though, local leaders say that maintaining these advantages while accommodating the rapid growth projected over many years wont be easy.
A judge on Friday questioned the restoration of Elon Musk's multibillion-dollar pay package after Tesla lawyers argued that a recent shareholder vote re-approving the pay should be enough to reinstate it. Marc Piasecki/Getty Images

A judge on Friday questioned the restoration of Elon Musk's multibillion-dollar Tesla pay package.

Tesla's lawyers argue a shareholder vote approving the pay should be sufficient to reinstate it.

The judge, who previously invalidated the pay package, said the issue "will not end here and now."

The Delaware judge who previously threw out Elon Musk's $55 billion Tesla pay package has cast new doubts on whether the CEO's massive benefits package should be reinstated despite approval from the company's shareholders.

Tesla lawyers on Friday argued the pay should be reinstated following a June shareholder vote approving it.

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"Honoring the shoulder vote would affirm the strength of our corporate system," The Associated Press reported David Ross, an attorney for Musk, told Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick. "This was stockholder democracy working."

But McCormick wasn't immediately convinced. The judge said she'd take their arguments "under advisement" and that the issue "will not end here and now," The Wall Street Journal reported.

McCormick pointed out that there is no legal precedent that allows a post-trial vote to reverse an adjudicated decision that corporate officers had breached their fiduciary duties.

"This has never been done before," AP reported McCormick said.

In January, McCormick called the initial approval process of Musk's pay package "deeply flawed" and said Musk "had extensive ties with the persons tasked with negotiating on Tesla's behalf," which prompted her to invalidate the pay package.

The issue has been the subject of continued litigation stemming from a 2018 lawsuit filed by Tesla investor Richard Tornetta. Tornetta originally argued that Musk and the automaker failed to fulfill their fiduciary duties when Tesla awarded Musk a pay package "beyond the bounds of reasonable judgment."

Musk hasn't spoken at length about the ongoing legal battle, but in a post on his social media platform X following the January ruling wrote, "Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware."

Story continues

He began the process of relocating Tesla and SpaceX out of Delaware this year, filing to legally transition the businesses to Texas.

Lawyers for Musk and representatives for Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Read the full story on Backfire News

Firetruck Falls Off Texas Interstate And Onto Railroad Tracks Below

A Dallas Fire Department firetruck was responding to an apartment fire early one morning recently when it fell off the interstate, landing on railroad tracks about 35 feet below. Four firefighters were injured in the crash, although thankfully nobody was killed.

Ride along in a ladder truck as it responds to a house fire.

Investigators believe the cause of the accident was likely that the firetruck hydroplaned on the wet roadway, sending it into the barrier on the shoulder, which gave way under the massive weight of the vehicle, reports WFAA.

Ironically, those who were on their way to rescue others in need suddenly were in need of rescue themselves. This sort of thing happens from time to time, a stark reminder that none of us are immune entirely to crashes.

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Weve seen firetrucks crash before, including into a house, and its always a shocking turn of events. Even if the drivers are well-trained and careful in operating the heavy machines, accidents do unfortunately happen.

Out of the four firefighters who were injured in the crash, three were released from the hospital after being treated. However, a fourth was transferred to intensive care, so his injuries sound much worse. And its no wonder since he was riding in the front passenger seat, which from images of the wreckage looks like that corner of the firetruck hit the ground first.

The dashboard was pushed in, trapping the front seat passenger, a lieutenant. That meant other firefighters had to arrive on the scene and extricate their superior. We cant imagine what emotional toll that might have taken.

Speaking of tolls, the crash reportedly did significant damage to the rail line. Authorities said theyre unsure when it would be up and running again, impacting those who use light rail for commuting to and from work in the central business district of the city.

Image via WFAA/YouTube
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Image: EV Motoring YouTube

ElectraMeccanica once promised to bring EVs to the masses with the small Solo EV. Now, piles of that dream have been thrown away, forgotten in an Arizona scrapyard.

First spotted by the Autopian, the pile of EVs was filmed by a scrap yard hunter, desert survival aficionado and Local Motors engineer who goes by StartupSlick on the TikTok as he wandered the Pull-n-Save scrapyard in Gilbert, Arizona. So what could make an EV startup just throw away a bunch of cars like that? It all started a couple of years ago.

tiktok-7380886980164455722

ElectraMeccanica had big dreams for the Solo. A single seat vehicle that technically wasnt classified as a car, ElectraMeccanica sold the Solo for $18,000. That got you a single seat EV that was just 10 feet long, four feet wide and four feet tall powered by a single electric motor putting out 82 horsepower. With a 17.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, it got 100 miles of range and took three to six hours to charge.

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In 2022, an owner complained to both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and ElectraMeccanica that their Solo had lost power while driving. Eventually more owners came forward claiming the same issue. ElectraMeccanicas engineering team found a defect in the Solos motor controller and inverter or the battery controller that led to the loss of power. However the company couldnt find a fix for the issue. Ultimately, a recall in February 2023 led to nearly every single Solo ever sold being called back  just over 400 vehicles. A month later, ElectraMeccanica informed customers it would be buying back the vehicles from them.



ElectraMeccanica was eventually purchased by another EV startup called Xos, who apparently manufacture electric commercial trucks. The entire situation has led to what you see above, the Solos piled up, awaiting the crusher. According to the Drive, an employee of the scrapyard told a visitor that the destruction of the Solos is going to be supervised. As to why the company never found a fix and decided to just destroy the cars, the Drive reached out to Xos to get an answer and didnt get much back.



The Drive contacted Xos seeking an official answer as to why all those EVs were sent to be crushed, rather than fixed. All Xos could share was that Following the recall, buyback, and ElectraMeccanicas cessation of sales, the vehicles were disposed of partly via the facility in [the] linked video. Following the acquisition by Xos, ElectraMeccanica few remaining operations have been wound down.

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By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press

A Florida attorney pleaded guilty on Friday to using a rifle to try to detonate explosives outside the Chinese embassy last year in Washington, D.C.

Christopher Rodriguez also bombed a sculpture of communist leaders Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong in a courtyard outside the Texas Public Radio building in San Antonio, Texas, in 2022, according to a court filing accompanying his guilty plea.

Rodriguez, 45, of Panama City, Florida, is scheduled to be sentenced in Washington by Chief Judge James Boasberg on Oct. 28.

Under the terms of his plea deal, Rodriguez and prosecutors agreed that seven to 10 years in prison would be an appropriate sentence.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to three counts: damaging property occupied by a foreign government, damaging federal property with explosive materials and possessing an unregistered firearm.

Rodriguez acknowledged that he drove from Florida to Washington and took a taxi to an area near the Chinese embassy in the early-morning hours of Sept. 25, 2023.

Rodriguez placed a black backpack containing about 15 pounds of explosive materials roughly 12 feet from a wall and fence around the embassy grounds. He admitted that he tried to detonate the explosives by shooting at the backpack with a rifle, but he missed his target.

A U.S. Secret Service officer found the unattended backpack after Rodriguez left the area.

In November 2022, Rodriguez drove to San Antonio in a rental car and scaled an eight-foot fence to enter the courtyard containing the sculpture of Lenin and Mao. He placed two canisters of explosive material on the base of the sculpture, climbed onto a roof overlooking the courtyard and shot the canisters with a rifle, triggering an explosion that damaged the sculpture.

Rodriguez, a U.S. Army veteran who was born in Puerto Rico, was arrested in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Nov. 4, 2023. Investigators tied him to the attempted attack on the embassy using DNA from the backpack.
A hurricane watch is in effect in the Big Bend region of Florida, extending from the Aucilla River to Yankeetown. Tallahassee is the largest city in Floridas Big Bend region, which is located in the curve of Floridas peninsula around the Gulf of Mexico.

To assist residents prepare for the storm and prevent possible flooding, the following Big Bend counties are offering sand bags.

Gadsden County

Sandbags are available for residents from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the following (unstaffed) locations:

Post Plant Pit off Post Plant Road

Clark Pit off Edwin Clark Road

Jefferson County

Jefferson County Fire Rescue at 57 Martin Road in Monticello is providing shovels and empty sandbags in the lobby of the Fire Rescue Station from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice with a limit of 15 bags per household.

Wacissa Volunteer Fire Rescue at 14496 Waukeenah Highway in Wacissa will also provide empty sandbags from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday but residents must bring their own shovel. If there are any issues at either location, call the Emergency Management office at (850) 342-0211 for assistance.

Lafayette County

Sandbags will be available for Lafayette County residents behind the Mayo Community Center at 138 SW Community Circle in Mayo. This is a self-fill station with a limit of 25 bags per household and the gates will close at 6 p.m.

Leon County

Sandbags will be available to the public at the following Leon County locations:

Leon County Northeast Branch Library, 5313 Thomasville Road

Apalachee Regional Park (Solid Waste Management Facility), 7550 Apalachee Parkway

Fred George Park, 3403 Capital Circle NW

At the intersection of Oak Ridge Road at Ranchero Road

Fort Braden Community Park, 15000 Blountstown Highway

Leon County will staff these sites from dusk to dawn to assist residents in quickly filling sandbags. Sand, bags and ties are available for public use. Residents are asked to take no more than 15 bags so as to allow others to prepare.

Tallahassee

To assist citizens in flood-prone areas, the city is operating three sandbag locations.

Jack McLean Community Center, 700 Paul Russell Road

Mike Blankenship Skate Park, 2909 Jackson Bluff Road

Northwood parcel, 1940 N. Monroe Street, near El Jalisco

Sandbags are limited to 25 bags per household and sites are self-service, so citizens need to bring shovels to fill bags themselves. Locations will be staffed from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Taylor County

A self-service sandbag station is open at the Taylor County Road Department at 587 US Hwy 27 in Perry and the Steinhatchee roll off site.

Thomas County

Thomas County Emergency Services will provide sandbags at several locations: Hansell Road, Stewart Road, Woodruf Farm/Sunset, Highway 188 at 202, Highway 84 in Boston, Dillon Road and Highway 19 at Riverwood and Patten. There is a 10-bag limit per family.

Wakulla County

The Wakulla County Sheriffs Office will provide sandbags from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 15 Oak Street in Crawfordville, with a limit of ten per vehicle.




Haiti - Culture : Diaspora, Two exhibitions on Haiti to discover





The Embassy of Haiti in Canada strongly recommends that you visit two exhibitions on Haiti at the Musee de Charlevoix in La Malbaie (QC).



Flagship exhibition: "FABULEUSE CULTURE DHAITI"

The museum presents to the public for the first time some fifty paintings by Haitian painters from its collection. These masters of naive art deliver the vision of a dream country as well as a representation of Haiti with its joie de vivre and identity.



From June 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025



Exhibition: "HAITI, TERRITORIES INFORMELS"

Presentation of three points of view of three photographers on Haiti and mainly on its capital Port-au-Prince: Josue Azor, Emmanuel Galland and Roberto Stephenson. One lives there, the other has often stayed there and the third has lived there for more than 20 years.



From May 17, 2024 to August 15, 2024







For more information visit the museum's website : https://www.museedecharlevoix.qc.ca/expositions-en-cours



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Nowadays it is crucial to be able to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent operators when shopping online.

Online shopping in Finland is more popular than ever before  and unfortunately, so are the scams. Finnish news media report almost daily on various ways consumers are being targeted by scammers.

Fortunately, the situation in Finland is better than in many other countries, and people's online skills in Finland are generally high.

According to a survey by Pikakasinotsuomi, almost half of the respondents reported encountering scam attempts online in the past year.

Common types of scams

The most common online shopping scams in Finland are phishing messages, fake online stores, and social media scams.

Every day, countless Finns receive phishing messages, primarily via email and text messages. The purpose of these phishing messages is to steal sensitive information from users, such as credit card details.

In these scams, users are sent emails or texts that appear to come from trusted sources like well-known online stores or banks. These messages often ask users to click on a link and enter their personal information.

On the other hand fake online stores often look very similar to legitimate ones, but their goal is to deceive users into purchasing products that do not exist. In such cases, the money is redirected abroad during the transaction, and the fake store becomes unreachable afterward.

Social media scams also often lead to fake websites. In social media, consumers are enticed primarily through contests and giveaways. Scammers aim to encourage people to provide their personal information through these means.

How to identify scams

Fortunately, most Finns are able to recognize online scams. The younger population is particularly adept at understanding what is real and what is not. Even the older population in Finland has improved in identifying various scams in recent years.

When it comes to online shopping, the most important thing is to ensure that the website is genuine and trustworthy. The best option is to stick to well-known, large online shops, where the risk of fraud is minimal. For smaller retailers, it's advisable to check user reviews and experiences.

Only well-known and secure payment methods should be used online. If a transaction seems suspicious in any way, it is best to cancel it. The safest payment methods for online shopping are direct bank transfers through Finnish banks.

To avoid scam sites, pay attention to the overall appearance of the website and the URL. Sometimes scam sites will have a URL that is missing a single letter, making it appear legitimate at first glance.

What to do if you suspect you've been scammed

Unfortunately, countless Finns fall victim to online scams every day. These scams are not limited to online shopping; phishing messages often target online banking or tax services.

If you suspect you have been scammed, it is crucial not to deal with it alone. As soon as you have any suspicions and have made a transaction on a suspicious site, you should immediately contact your bank or payment service provider. Banks can often stop transactions even after they have been initiated.

Once the initial steps have been taken, it is important to report the scam to Finnish authorities to prevent others from falling for the same scam. If the scam is significant, you might also consider contacting the Finnish media to spread the word.

Additionally, keep a close eye on your bank account for any suspicious transactions. If you have made a questionable transaction with your payment card, it is advisable to cancel the card and obtain a new one.

HT
Getty; BI

A stampede of big companies has left California for Texas  the latest is oil company Chevron.

Tesla, Charles Schwab, and Oracle already moved from the Golden State to the Lone Star State.

Texas boosters say its low taxes and light-touch regulation are helping lure businesses.

The rush of companies leaving California for Texas is becoming a downright stampede.

Chevron, which has called California home since 1879 when it began as the Pacific Coast Oil Company, is the latest.

The oil company had been sued by its home state late last year. California accused Chevron and other energy giants of downplaying the risks of fossil fuels.

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But Texas has no such qualms  with Gov. Greg Abbott tweeting on Friday, "WELCOME HOME Chevron! Texas is your true home."

Just in case there was any confusion, he added: "Drill baby drill."

Chevron joins a raft of other companies that have pulled up stakes in California and left for Texas, which had 52 Fortune 500 companies in 2024.

Global real estate company CBRE  which itself moved in 2020 from Los Angeles to Dallas  said eight Fortune 500 companies pulled their headquarters out of California from 2018 through 2023. And 10 moved to Texas.

Still, it's important to note that California is no slouch. It's, of course, the cradle of tech in Silicon Valley and is home to Apple, Alphabet, Meta, and Nvidia. And it had 55 Fortune 500 companies in the magazine's latest tally.

But it's time to subtract one from that list: Chevron, headquartered in San Ramon, was No. 15.

Indeed, Texas seems to be having a moment right now. Here are some of the other biggest companies that have already moved to the Lone Star State.

Chevron

Chevron becomes the most recent company to move from the west coast to Texas. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

The most recent company to depart California, Chevron, announced that its headquarters will move from San Ramon to Houston before the end of 2024.

The energy mammoth said the move will help join senior leaders and "enable better collaboration and engagement with executives, employees, and business partners."

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Chevron already has about 7,000 employees in the Houston area and 2,000 in San Ramon and expects all corporation functions to move to Texas within the next five years, it said in a statement.

Tesla

Musk moved Tesla's headquarters from Palo Alto, California to Austin in 2021. John Thys/AFP via Getty Images

In 2021, Elon Musk officially moved Tesla's headquarters from Palo Alto, California, to Austin. At the time, Musk said the change was because employees were struggling to afford housing in the Bay Area, leading to longer commutes.

The Golden State is notoriously expensive. According to Zillow data, the average home there costs $786,730. In Texas, it's $308,121.

"There's a limit to how big you can scale in the Bay Area," Musk said at the time.

Oracle

Oracle moved its HQ to Austin in 2020. Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images

After four decades in Silicon Valley, Oracle moved its corporate headquarters to Austin in 2020.

A spokesperson told Business Insider at the time that the move would provide employees with "more flexibility about where and how they work."

The database software company had been based in the Bay Area since being founded in 1977, and many employees remain.

Around 6,900 workers are assigned to California offices, which is nearly triple the number of Texas-based employees, Bloomberg reported.

CBRE

CBRE relocated its Los Angeles headquarters to Dallas in 2020. SOPA Images/Getty Images

Brokerage giant CBRE moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to Dallas in 2020.

Although the Fortune 500 company was established in San Francisco over a century ago, CBRE has held large operations in North Texas since the 1970s.

In 2022, the real estate firm also opened a 131,000-square-foot office in Richardson, Texas.

AECOM

AECOM officially moved its HQ from California to Texas in 2021. Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Fortune 500 construction firm announced the relocation of its headquarters from Los Angeles to Dallas in 2021.

Various corporate leaders, including CEO Troy Rudd, joined over 1,200 employees based in AECOM's existing Texas offices.

The company said North Texas was a "talent magnet" for engineering and consulting, but that California would remain part of its growth strategy.

Space X

Elon Musk's SpaceX Starbase is in Boca Chica, Texas. CHANDAN KHANNA/Getty Images

In July, Musk announced on X plans to relocate Space X from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas.

Musk said the move was in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom signing AB 1955, which prohibits schools from enforcing policies requiring parental notification if a student identifies as transgender.

The CEO called the law the "final straw," claiming that it would force "families and companies to leave California to protect their children."

X  formerly known as Twitter  is also set to follow suit, according to another tweet by Musk, which said that the platform's HQ would move from San Fransisco to Austin.

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab's headquarters were formerly based in San Fransisco before being relocated to Westlake, Texas. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Formerly based in San Francisco, Charles Schwab HQ moved to Westlake, Texas, in 2021 to reduce operating costs.

Chairman and founder Charles Schwab told Forbes that California's high taxes were a major factor in the decision, saying that "the costs of doing business here are so much higher than some other place."

McKesson

McKesson moved its HQ from San Francisco to Las Colinas, Texas in 2019. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In 2019, the healthcare giant moved its HQ from San Francisco to Las Colinas, Texas.

Three years after the move, CEO Brian Tyler showed no regrets, and said that the city "was absolutely the right community for McKesson to call home."

"Since making the move to Irving, McKesson has quickly benefited from the deep, diverse talent pool in the Dallas area, the ease of travel, and the very engaged business community," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WhistlinDiesel / YouTube

YouTuber Cody Detwiler, better known as WhistlinDiesel, finally got his hands on a Cybertruck. On Friday, the video was released of him testing out the Telsa's first truck model against a Ford F-150 to show where the vehicle lives up to and fails the nominal 'truck.'

The viral claims were tested, such as the vehicle being blast-proof by the Tennessee-based team strapping C-4 to the door frames of both vehicles with the Steel doors of the Cybertruck holding up and the F-150 doors catering.

The biggest red flag exposed in the extreme test happened when the Cybertruck wasn't being tested but instead when it was asked to do what those in the truck community are often called to do, bail out another truck.

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The F-150, after failing a simulated pothole test where Detwiler ran it quickly over 4-foot culvers, needed to be pulled off the hazard. With the first yank, the bumper and hitch of the Cybertruck broke off, splitting the frame.

"Our whole frame just snapped!" Detwiler yelled. "The hitch is hooked up to what? It just came off. You can't even fix that.

That's a totalled truck. What good does the hitch do if it's just barely on aluminum?"

Per the Body Structure and Materials and Allowed Operations section of Cybertruck's service manual, "a Cybertruck is composed of components made from varying grades of aluminum or steel."

The Cybertruck is listed to have a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds around double that of the F-150.

It's unclear if the Cybertruck had already sustained critical damage to the rear end before the tow was attempted. The Cyberbeast did complete the same hazard, except that the front suspension continually lowered itself without the driver requesting it. When it came off the culvert challenge, the Cybertruck's rear hit the concrete abutment with force. This, combined with the other tasks completed earlier in the test, could've created earlier stress or breakage.

Story continues

The test before is when Detweiler first realized that the Cybertruck had a tow-hitch when it was exposed by damage obtained by running the truck through a speed bump test.

Detweiler went on to continue to stress test the vehicle against more insane tasks including the viral Frunk finger test that many other enthusiasts have suffered for.

Per social media posts collected by CarSnoops this Spring we know that Detweiler ran his test on the Cybertruck as early as late May, with the video being released in early August.

At the end of the video, he explains that he has been attempting to get in touch with the manufacturer to express his real fears about some of the failures he experienced. Even if the tests done on this channel are meant to sensationalize and entertain, flaws were revealed, and changes could be made for the better.

"They're ignoring my messages, there are memes everywhere about it, and they haven't contacted me," Detweiler said. "It's not a way of me being offended. It's more that I'm mind-blown about it. I'm going to find every single weak link in this truck, and I'm not being biased; I'm doing it with other trucks too. It's not like I just hate the Cybertruck."

After no responses from Tesla via social media Detweiler reached out to a number he obtained earlier in the video when he was having issues charging the vehicle for the first time. He texted the contact, "There are critical failures on the Cybertruck that need to be addressed."

He was told to reach out to his local Tesla service center, but he wants more. If the Cybertruck is returned fixed, he'll run it through more tests.

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The lack of coordination between state units of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) is responsible for the public disagreement among the allies about taking on Siddaramaiahs regime in Karnataka.

The BJP has constituted a coordination committee headed by former state general secretary and current legislative council member N Ravikumar to facilitate a rapprochement between the BJP and JDS, Karunakar Reddy, a BJP leader told HT.

The estrangement is temporary. We are confident that the JDS will be part of the padayatra and take the issue of Congress corruption to its logical conclusion, Reddy said.

Former chief minister and Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa and Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, BJPs national general secretary who is also in charge of Karnataka, are both advising state president BY Vijayendra on resolving the tussle with the JDS, a BJP leader, who asked not to be named, said.

The first signs of disagreement between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies came after Union minister HD Kumaraswamys statement about being excluded by the BJP in planning the padayatra (foot march) to protest against Siddaramaiahs involvement in the Mysore land scam. The week-long yatra is expected to commence on August 3 (Saturday) from Bangalore traversing through many districts culminating in Mysore.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy, also the state president of the JDS said, There is a possibility of criticism from people. With this background, we withdrew from the yatra. What are the benefits of yatra? A legal battle is important. Politics is not important to us. We don't even give moral support and why should we give support when we are not taken into confidence? We have power from Bengaluru to Mysuru.

Kumaraswamys comments came just a week after he joined the BJP union minister Prahlad Joshi and the partys state leaders Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra to address a press conference in Bangalore on the proposed padayatra.

BJP leaders did not immediately respond to Kumaraswamys irate response. Instead, senior members of the central leadership have been dispatched to Karnataka to resolve the impasse.

Why is the JDS upset?

The JDS has cited three reasons. The bad timing of the yatra given the continuous downpours ravaging parts of Malnad in the state, the involvement of one of BJPs general secretaries and former Hassan legislator Preetham Gowda, and the exclusion of the state JDS leaders in planning it; Gowda has, incidentally, been blamed for exposing the sex videos involving Prajwal and Suraj Revanna.

"Can we share the stage with someone (Preetham Gowda) who sought to poison the Deve Gowda family? asked Kumaraswamy at the New Delhi presser.

However, a JDS leader HT spoke to revealed other undercurrents that are gnawing at the JDS leaders. We have not been consulted on the modality of the yatra and expected outcomes of the protest have to be outlined which has not been done, said Pratap Kanagal, a JDS leader.

Mysore, Mandya, and Hassan - are all JDS strongholds. The party fears that the BJP will become dominant in this region, a Vokkaliga heartland. The padayatra, as planned initially, was to be led by Vijayendra, the son of veteran BJP Lingayat leader BS Yediyurappa. The JDS wants Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of HDK to also gain some political visibility when the protest is staged in Ramanagara, the HDK family bastion. Other senior leaders such as Suresh Gowda, GT Deve Gowda, and Ravindra Srikantaiah need to be accommodated as well.

Although the JDS is aware that it is the nominal partner in the alliance, it would not want to concede space to the BJP in the Mysore region, more so because it wants to be seen taking on Siddaramaiah, who is also from the Mysore - Chamrajnagar region. Varuna, his constituency is from this region. BJPs Lok Sabha candidate and current Maharaja of Mysore Yaduveer Wadiyars victory from Mysore also is believed to have shaken the JDS.

In an alliance, there has to be a give and take. We must have the freedom to express our views. Just because we are a junior partner in an alliance, we do not want to be sidelined, Kanagal said.

JDS leaders said that the relationship between the party leaders at the centre remains cordial.

The BJPs repair and reaction

Sensing that the JDS involvement was critical to the alliance pinning Siddaramaiah, the BJP acted swiftly. It dispatched Radha Mohan Das, the sitting Rajya Sabha member of the BJP, who was earlier Karnataka election in charge and was successful in quelling rebellion within the party and uniting rebel leaders across various regions of the state.

The state unit of the BJP was asked not to respond until the air was cleared with the JDS. Ravikumar was earlier the Chief Whip in the assembly and was also a former general secretary of the party. He, along with Dr Das, are on course to pacify the JDS and BJP state units, the BJP leader quoted above said.

With the coordination committee in place, the BJP will hope to resolve the impasse before August 3, when the padayatra is slated to be flagged off from Bangalore. As confirmed to HT by a senior union minister last week, this yatra was supposed to state president Vijayendras coming-of-age yatra to showcase his capability in the state. But with JDS frenzied reaction, the BJP may have to tweak its plan of maximising political mileage from this yatra.

But even as the BJP and JDS internal battles make news, is the alliance really at odds as portrayed?

The BJP and the JDS are using each other in their factional fights as much as they are together against the Congress. One faction of the state unit in BJP is not happy with the alliance, and equally so, some in the JDS are unhappy with Kumaraswamy and his family enjoying all the limelight. So, the impasse is also a reflection of some correction and balancing taking place within the parties, said A Narayana, political science department head at the Azim Premji University in Bangalore.

Other political experts reckon that Kumaraswamy could be buying time to rethink the timing of the padayatra since such campaigns fetch political brownie points if undertaken only in the fourth year of the ruling partys tenure.

Kumaraswamy could also fear retaliatory action from Congress since it is known that many JDS leaders also benefitted from the Mysore Urban Development Authoritys action to reallot plots. An underplayed hand could bode well for the JDS in exchange for the protection of certain overriding concerns, Narayana said.

An intraparty balancing act is crucial for both the BJP and the JDS given that Karnataka politics has been defined by these internal contrasts and conflicts as often as by its achievements. Whenever the JDS has been in alliance with the Congress or the BJP, the interludes of cooperation have been interspersed with contradictions, history shows.
The Supreme Court on July 30 ruled that state bar councils cannot charge exorbitant enrolment fees. It ordered that in accordance with the law, the enrolment fee cannot exceed 750 for advocates from the general category and 125 for advocates belonging to the SC/ST categories. A key rationale given by the apex court was that the exorbitant fees perpetuate structural discrimination against persons from marginalised and economically weaker sections of society.

Enrolment to a state bar is a necessary prerequisite to practising law in India. Prior to this judgment, different states charged different rates. For instance, the enrolment fees in Maharashtra and Goa are 15000 for the general category and 14000 for the SC/ST candidates but the enrolment fees in Odisha are 42100.

Last year, while upholding the validity of the All-India Bar Exam in Bar Council of India v. Bonnie Foi Law College and Ors, the Supreme Court remarked on the varying enrolment fees charged by different states. It observed: We also have one caveat arising from the plea that different State Bar Councils are charging different fees for enrolment. This is something which needs the attention of the Bar Council of India, which is not devoid of the powers to see that a uniform pattern is observed and the fee does not become oppressive at the threshold of young students joining the Bar.

The state bar councils tried to justify the fees as being necessary to equip them to render necessary services and facilities. The bars also noted that it was a one-time fee and they did not collect any fees subsequently.

Dismissing, these arguments the Supreme Court held that the enrolment fee cannot be higher than what is prescribed by law. It stated that state bar councils may charge appropriate fees for their services subsequently. A high enrolment fee perpetuated a culture of systemic exclusion and discrimination.

The Supreme Court elaborated upon the struggles of a student be it at the stage of preparation for the entrance exams, loans for college fees, internships etc. The Court noted: The structure of the Indian legal setup is such that the struggle for getting acceptance in chambers and law firms is greater for those who belong to the marginalised sections, first-generation advocates, or law graduates without a degree from a National Law University. Elaborating on this the Court noted that the marginalised do not enjoy the same social capital and network as the mainstream community, which hinders their ability to thrive in the legal profession.

The Court stressed the need for greater representation of the marginalised community in the legal community.

Author George H Gadbois Jr, in his 2011 book, Judges of Supreme Court of India 1950-1989 noted the lack of representation of Dalits and Adivasis. His study revealed that in this period about 42.9% of the judges were Brahmins, 49.4% were from other upper castes and only 2.6% were Daits. There was no Adivasi judge.

Gadbois attributed the traditional privilege of Brahmins which allowed them to adapt to the modern English education introduced by the British, and thrive. Since then, the situation while better is still worrying. As per data released by the law ministry in 2023, of the 650 High Court Judges appointed since 2018, 492 (75.6%) belonged to the general category, 20 (8.4%) to the SC category, 12 (1.8%)to the ST category, 77 (11.8%) to the OBC category and 36 (5.5%) to minorities.

Justice Krishna Iyer had told author Gadbois in 1980 that the Supreme Court was mainly Brahmin and upper class. In fact, it was only after President K.R. Narayanan directly wrote to the then Chief Justice of India, A.S. Anand, about the lack of Dalit representation in the higher judiciary despite the presence of capable candidates, that Justice K.G. Balakrishnan was appointed in 2000. Balakrishnan went on to become the first Dalit Chief Justice of India.

One of the biggest reasons for the low representation is that there are fewer lawyers from marginalised communities, making the chance of them getting elevated even less. The American Bar Association, Center for Human Rights, undertook a research study titled, Challenges for Dalits in South Asias Legal Community in 2021. The third chapter of the report focussed on India and concluded that there were several structural challenges at different levels be it at the bench or bar which prevented equal representation. The report also noted that lawyers from the marginalised sections are often denied mentorship, professional opportunities, and access to networks due to their caste.

Caste is omnipresent in India and affects daily life in explicit and implicit ways. Determined at birth, it shapes the opportunities and quality of life one enjoys. One of the best methods to fight the evil is representation. As noted by Chief Justice Chandrachud in his judgement abolishing the exorbitant fees: Greater representation of the marginalised communities in the legal profession will increase the diversity within the profession, enable the marginalised sections to trust the legal system and facilitate the delivery of legal aid and services to unrepresented communities.

Parijata Bharadwaj, a lawyer and researcher based in New Delhi, co-founded the Jagdalpur Legal Aid Group that offered legal services to adivasis in Chhattisgarh. The views expressed are personal.
French announcers went wild as French star Teddy Riner captured a gold medal in judo. Photo Credit: NBC

Its always thrilling when a host countrys athlete wins a gold medal, leading to a huge crowd response.

Sometimes the announcers get really carried away, too. That happened Friday when French judoka Teddy Riner won a record fourth career gold medal, beating South Koreas Kim Min-jong (ranked No. 1 in the world) in the +100kg category.

You may never have heard of Riner, or watched a single second of judo in the Olympics. But anyone can appreciate the excitement of the French announcers as Riner captured gold. It epitomizes the type of raw emotion that always makes the Olympics must-see TV.



Riners gold medal featured so many unbelievable elements. Already a national hero, he grew up less than two miles away from the competition venue in a Paris neighborhood. He helped light the Olympic cauldron in the opening ceremony and became the first athlete since 2000 to light the cauldron, then go on to win gold. French President Emmanuel Macron watched the event, then gave Riner a hug afterward.

Its a dream. A real dream, Riner said (via USA Today).

The French certainly know how to celebrate when their athletes strike gold. Check out this response from the Stade de France crowd when informed Leon Marchand had just won a fourth gold medal.

LISTEN TO THIS! At Stade de France the crowd has just learned  Leon Marchand won a fourth gold medal at the pool. A spontaneous roar broke out. And they had to delay the start of a race because of it. I have chills. pic.twitter.com/hHJi7FJsHN  Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) August 2, 2024



[NBC Sports]
On the evening of July 30, police in Tripura arrested six women from Bangladesh who had allegedly crossed over to India illegally. According to another media report, as many as 29 Bangladesh nationals without valid travel papers have been arrested in the state since July 27.

While commenting on these arrests during the Videsh Sampark Programme in Agartala on July 29, Ankan Banerjee, who is a joint secretary in the Diaspora Engagement Division of the external affairs ministry (MEA), noted that Rohingya infiltration was a very serious issue. He also said that it was being discussed at the highest level and that the MEA was struggling to push the Rohingya back without the host country confirming their nationality.

The detentions, once again, bring to sharp relief the role of Northeast India as a key asylum route for Rohingya refugees. But Banerjees statements also capture the serious problems with the Indian states understanding of and response to what is essentially an unending humanitarian crisis.

Rohingya refugees and the Northeast

For long, Rohingya refugees have entered India through Northeast India, which shares an 1879 km-long border with the primary transit country, Bangladesh. Many of them have also entered through West Bengal, which shares the longest border with Bangladesh at 2216.7 km.

A 2019 briefing paper by the Mixed Migration Centre notes that most of the movement of Rohingya asylum seekers from Bangladesh to the Northeast happens through Meghalaya and Mizoram. However, Tripura has also been a crossover state of choice for asylum seekers. This is largely because several parts of the 856 km-long Tripura-Bangladesh border remain unfenced.

In recent years, several cases of Rohingya detentions have emerged from two states: Tripura and Assam. For instance, in April 2018, 18 of them were detained by Tripura police from a Guwahati-bound bus in Khowai district. Next year, Assam police arrested at least 30 Rohingya refugees from Churaibari village near the border with Tripura. In 2020, three Rohingya women who entered Assam through Mizoram were arrested in Cachar District.

Assam has been the most proactive among all Northeastern states in cracking down on Rohingya asylum seekers and treating them as criminal trespassers. Currently, 89 Rohingya refugees are detained in the Matia Transit Camp in Assams Goalpara district, some of whom have completed their sentences.

Most recently, in November 2023, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) arrested 26 people from Tripura and Assam for allegedly running a human trafficking racket for Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya in India months after the Assam police arrested eight individuals for running a similar network.

Refugees, not infiltrators

When the Myanmar military unleashed genocidal violence against the Rohingya in northern Rakhine State after an insurgent attack in August 2017, hundreds of thousands of them fled to Bangladesh. At that time, the Indian government put the Northeast on high alert in anticipation of asylum crossings into India. The key concern for the government at that time was not the unfolding humanitarian crisis, but the infiltration of Rohingya militants into India.

This emanates from the Indian states narrow and securitised understanding of the Rohingya crisis, which is at its core, a protracted political and humanitarian emergency. The Rohingya flee to India via Bangladesh not because they wish to engage in criminal endeavours, but because they are forced to. Bereft of citizenship rights in Myanmar and dignified living conditions in the squalid camps of southeastern Bangladesh, they cross over to India seeking a better life.

It is this collective vulnerability of the Rohingya refugees that human traffickers exploit to make money. The Indian state must deploy its security assets towards these traffickers, and not the refugees who are merely victims of extraordinary circumstances. Instead of taking a punitive approach towards the refugees, New Delhi and governments in various border states in the Northeast must join hands to rehabilitate them in asylum shelters.

Because the current Myanmar junta, much like its civilian predecessor, doesnt recognise the Rohingya as citizens, it is practically impossible for the Indian government to deport them using standard protocols. In that view, India, which has not ratified the Refugee Convention (1951) but has signed the Global Compact on Refugees (2018), must treat them as stateless refugees and offer them protection from deportation. In reality, as media reports around the recent arrests in Tripura indicate, Rohingya refugees are often mistakenly conflated with Bangladeshi nationals (who are not stateless).

A tricky bilateral issue

Banerjee, the JS at MEA, in his recent remarks in Agartala also alluded to Indias warm relationship with the Sheikh Hasina government in Dhaka in the context of the Rohingya issue. Since 2017, Dhaka has grown increasingly anxious at the prospect of permanently hosting the nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees who live in Coxs Bazar. It seeks early repatriation to Myanmar, a process that has become complicated due to the ongoing civil war next door.

In that regard, any pushback of Rohingya refugees by India to Bangladesh could sour Delhis equation with Dhaka. Bangladesh anyway remains less than happy with Indias unwillingness to resolve the Rohingya crisis at source by urging Myanmar to recognise them as citizens as well as provide adequate humanitarian aid to sustain the camps in Coxs Bazar.

This diplomatic dilemma, however, should not come in the way of India treating the Rohingya asylum seekers as people in need of aid, rather than threats to Indias demographic sanctity, which these minuscule groups of refugees most certainly are not.

Angshuman Choudhury is a New Delhi-based researcher and writer, formerly an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research and focuses on Northeast India and Myanmar. The views expressed are personal.
This week, I have a browsing list of eight new and notable books for you. Its a mix of genres that includes the latest Amor Towles and the forthcoming Matt Haig.

Book 1 of 8: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo: One of my more unusual reads of the year, I loved this book set in the wintery world of Manchuria. Its the story of a mysterious woman called Snow, who goes on a hunt for the man who killed her child. Snow is a fox wife, there are other fox protagonists too, who take on the form of people, and these are fascinating in how they beguile humans into falling in love with them, and unbelievably clever in their insightful perspectives on human nature. It sounds far-fetched as I tell it, but when you read the book, it all feels perfectly natural. The magic and folklore meld perfectly into the landscape of this novel. Theres an interwoven thread as well, with aged detective Bao, who looks back on his life as he looks for Snow. The action moves slowly, its a different style of storytelling, gentle and so immersive that I didnt want it to end. Five stars from me for this one.

The Fox Wife(Sonya Dutta Choudhury)

Book 2 of 8: Table for Two by Amor Towles: For Amor Towles fans who have been waiting to begin his latest book, dont be discouraged by the slow start of the stories in the first section. As soon as you get to part 2, the action gathers momentum, moving from New York to Los Angeles, with a mystery blonde, a retired homicide detective, a retired star and a young chauffeur who get together with the kind of vibe you find in the web series Only Murders in the Building. The detective and the star remind you of A Gentleman in Moscow and the story has the warmth and quirkiness of Lincoln Highway. And the mystery blonde is Evelyn Ross, a character from Amor Towles's New York novel Rules of Civility. 4.5 stars and recommended.

Table for Two(Sonya Dutta Choudhury)

Book 3 of 8: Of Mothers and Other Perishables by Radhika Oberoi: A dead mother watches over the young family she left behind in this breathtaking book. She wanders wraith-like among the tissue-wrapped Banarasi sarees in her storeroom, watching her advertising executive daughter and her coffee shop startup founder daughter growing up. The story moves back and forth from the mother and her memories to scenes of modern India: to the elder daughter in a misogynistic advertising firm, and later in a protest against a citizenship bill that turns violent. Author Radhika Oberoi lost her mother when she was just fifteen. Perhaps, it is the potency of this personal experience that gives her writing of grief such intense immediacy; I found myself slowing down my reading of this book, to reflect and absorb the energy and the emotion, and take in the poetry of its prose. It made me think about other books where the narrator is a ghost-like figure, similar to the dark and disturbing Beloved by Toni Morrison and the tear-inducing Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 4.5 stars and recommended.

Of Mothers and Other Perishables(Sonya Dutta Choudhury)

Book 4 of 8: The Gallery by Manju Kapur: An absorbing story of two families in Delhi. Theres well-to-do Minal Sahni and her lawyer husband, and their Nepalese domestic help Krisha and Maitrye. Both families have a baby girl the same age, and the plot follows the setting up of Minals art gallery and the growing up of these two girls, one rich and the other poor. Manju Kapoors prose flows, and the story unfolds with a few twists and turns. A pleasant read. It was published last year, but I only got to it recently. 4 stars and recommended it.

Book 5 of 8: The Trial by Rob Rinder: A John Grisham kind of thriller, set in Old Bailey in London. Its racy, pacy and fun while it lasts, and then two weeks later, you forget the story altogether. 4 stars and the perfect airplane read.

Book 6 of 8: The Life Impossible by Matt Haig: If you found The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho too pared down, you might find this one more to your taste. The book begins with a retired maths teacher, who is a grieving widow and a bereaved mother, suddenly receiving an inheritance of a house in Ibiza. This is her inciting incident upon which she sets aside her staid and sorrowful self, and travels to the island. Here she discovers that Christina, the friend who has left her the house, has died in suspicious circumstances, which she starts to investigate. What follows is a mish-mash of spirituality, environmental protests (an island outcrop off Ibiza is being made into a commercial property), socialism (the five-star Ibiza versus the real people on the island), and so-called science (the energy of the photons transferring to give people miraculous mind reading and future seeing abilities). Something for everybody plus a sprinkling of inspiring pop psychology lines for life and living. This book is on pre-order, releasing later this month. Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy. 4 stars.

Book 7 of 8: The Matrimonial Murder Mystery by Meeti Shroff-Shah: With all the buzz about the reality television show Indian Matchmaking and its Sima aunty, reading about a murder in a matrimonial bureau seemed inviting. This marriage bureau is in snobby South Mumbai, there was also the promise of all sorts of social satire to spice up the murder investigation. To be fair, this book does deliver on these social critiques. But early on, I found myself put off. The dialogue felt flabby, and the prose cliched with descriptions of girls whose eyes widened with innocence and an instant later blushed with blood rushing to their faces. Then there was the painfully slow pacing. But if you are not one for these nitpicks, it's a nice enough read. 3 stars.

Book 8 of 8: Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors: The Little Women trope of four sisters is back. Last year was Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, which I loved. Blue Sisters, by contrast, feels dark and disturbing, with its drug addiction, dysfunction and death. The writing style doesnt help. Heres a typical sentence: "Given her commitment to radical self-determination, it wasn't at all surprising that Freja left before graduating to join an anarchic, non-hierarchical, consensus-driven community in Northern California, though with her ethos of independence above all, Avery imagined she might struggle with the consensus part." Not my kind of book. 3 stars.

In other book news of the week, the Booker Prize longlist is out, with novels that take you everywhere from historical settings to outer space. Astronauts survey the Earth in Orbital, two friends look back at life in Libya in My Friends, the lives of eight women boxers are featured in Headshot, theres a retelling of Huckleberry Finn in James and a French Algerian family saga in This Strange Eventful History, and these are just a few of the 13 novels on the long list. We are spoiled for choice!

Until next week then, happy reading!

Sonya Dutta Choudhury is a Mumbai-based journalist and the founder of Sonyas Book Box, a bespoke book service. Each week, she brings you specially curated books to give you an immersive understanding of people and places. If you have any reading recommendations or suggestions, write to her at sonyasbookbox@gmail.com

The views expressed are personal
Ahmedabad: Gujarat-based Infibeam Avenues Ltd announced on Friday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 54% stake in Rediff.com India Ltd, one of Indias oldest and renowned internet businesses. (Twitter/ Representative Photo)

This internally funded acquisition marks a significant milestone for Infibeam Avenues, marking the beginning of its consumer-facing digital financial service as an aggregator backed by mainstream news, cloud-based enterprise email storage, and collaboration platform, Infibeam said in a stock exchange filing.

The internally funded acquisition is valued at approximately Rs.50 crore in a mix of equity and debt, said an official aware of the development.

The deal combines Infibeams fintech expertise with Rediff.coms established brand and services, including cloud-based enterprise email storage, content distribution, and related commerce offerings.

This strategic move is expected to create a comprehensive digital environment where financial transactions and content consumption coexist seamlessly, the company said in a media statement.

I am delighted to pass on this iconic brand and its legacy into the capable hands of Mr. Vishal Mehta and Infibeam Avenues. I strongly believe that the new avatar of Rediff under his leadership will further strengthen the company and accelerate business growth. Balakrishnan, who founded Rediff.com in 1996, will continue to advise the company, said Ajit Balakrishnan, Chairman and CEO of Rediff.com.

Infibeam Avenues, known for its digital payment gateway CCAvenue and enterprise software platforms, plans to integrate its various digital payment services, platform business offerings, and AI solutions with Rediff.coms services. This integration is expected to enhance user engagement and open new revenue streams, the company said in a stock exchange filing.

Vishal Mehta, chairman and managing director, Infibeam Avenues Ltd, said, This transaction harnesses the synergies between Infibeam Avenues fintech expertise and Rediff.coms esteemed brand legacy. We are poised to cement our position as a leader in the dynamic landscape of digital finance aggregation, cloud storage, and content distribution.

Rediff.com boasts a substantial user base, ranking among the top 1,000 sites globally in traffic with over 55 million monthly visitors, according to the company statement. This vast user base provides valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and spending patterns, which Infibeam plans to leverage for cross-selling financial products using artificial intelligence, such as loans, insurance, and investment products, the company stated.

The acquisition is set to diversify Infibeams portfolio by incorporating Rediff.coms offerings, including enterprise email services for merchants, consumer financial services, and content businesses, it said. This expansion is expected to enhance Infibeams footprint in the digital economy, backed by its regulatory capabilities, it further stated.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has fined Zerodha Asset Management Company (AMC) and its management, including founder Nithin Kamath for a delay in appointing a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), which is a violation of rules. Nithin Kamath and multiple Zerodha executives have been fined by the MCA for not appointing a CFO on time

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How much is the fine imposed on Nithin Kamath and other Zerodha executives?

Zerodha AMC's penalty is 5 lakh and Kamath's penalty is 4.08 lakh. Zerodha AMC's top management including Nithya Easwaran, Vishal Virendra Jain, Rajanna Bhuvanesh, Tushar Mahajan and Shikha Singh have been fined 1.5 lakh, 3.45 lakh, 5 lakh, 1.5 lakh and 3.45 lakh respectively, and they all have to pay the fine within 90 days.

However, Zerodha Asset Management Private Limited's CEO Vishal Jain issued a statement saying that the order came after incorporation of the company and before operations commenced.

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"The company has made an application to address the unintentional delay in appointing a CFO within 6 months post incorporation," Jain said.

The ROC order was issued in response to the suo-moto application filed by the company, he added. Zerodha had filed a suo-moto application on January 9, 2024, admitting on its own that it violated Section 203 of the Companies Act 2013 by not appointing a CFO within the specified time period.

Zerodha AMC has now filed an appeal contesting the order with the Regional Director, Hyderabad on July 16, 2024.

the MCA order dated May 5, 2024, published by the MCA on July 31 says, If any company makes any default in complying with the provisions of this section (Section 203(1)), such company shall be liable to a penalty of five lakh rupees and every director and key managerial personnel of the company who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees and where the default is a continuing one, with a further penalty of one thousand rupees for each day after the first during which such default continues but not exceeding five lakh rupees.
Jammu and Kashmir high court on Friday asked an IAS officer to appear in person a day after a sub-judge referred the matter to the HC for initiating criminal contempt proceedings against the said officer. On Friday justices Sanjeev Kumar and Atul Sreedharan ordered that the notice be issued to the officer to appear before the court on Monday-- August 5, 2024, at 11.00 am. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The officer-- deputy commissioner Ganderbal Shyambir- had allegedly attempted to take revenge on sub-judge/chief judicial magistrate Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi by initiating inquiry into land owned by him in retaliation against an earlier order in June. The judge had ordered to withhold the officers salary for non-compliance of a court order issued with regard to a compensation case in June.

The sub-judge, after initiating a preliminary inquiry for contempt against the officer last month on July 23, on Thursday referred the matter to high court as the officer neither appeared before the court nor furnished his reply despite giving him sufficient opportunities.

On Friday justices Sanjeev Kumar and Atul Sreedharan ordered that the notice be issued to the officer to appear before the court on Monday-- August 5, 2024, at 11.00 am.

This is a reference made under Section 15(2) of the Contempt of Courts Act 2015 made by the chief judicial magistrate, Ganderbal, in criminal reference against Mr Shyambir, deputy commissioner, Ganderbal. Issue notice to the contemnor, Mr Shyambir by Humdast, it said.

Any attempt by him to avoid service of summons or his non-appearance shall be viewed seriously by this court and the court shall resort to coercive proceedings to secure his presence, it further read.

The high court also requested senior counsel RA Jan to assist the court as an amicus. His consent be sought by the Registrar Judicial of this Court, the order said.

Last month, the sub-judge had initiated a preliminary inquiry for criminal contempt against the officer for not complying with an earlier order and attempting to attack the judge personally.

Qureshi, in the July 23 order, stated that his previous order didnt go well with Mr Shyambir, who attempted to personally attack the presiding officer (the sub-judge) by scandalising him and weakening him by manipulation and fabrication.

It said that the DC misused his official machinery and devoted time in tracing out the documents of the property, which he lawfully holds and then a patwari visited his land thrice who told the caretaker of the land that the DC had constituted a team for demarcation of the land of the judge after he had passed the order against the deputy commissioner and other higher officers.
Harprit Singh, an Indian Civil Account Services (ICAS) officer, was shot dead by his father-in-law, Malwinder Singh, a suspended assistant inspector general (AIG) of Punjab Police, at the mediation centre of the district court complex in Sector 43, Chandigarh, on Saturday afternoon. Malwinder Singh, the suspended assistant inspector general (AIG) of Punjab Police who shot dead his son-in-law Harprit Singh, an Indian Revenue Service officer, at the Chandigarh district court complex in Sector 43 on Saturday afternoon. (HT file photo)

Police said Malwinder Singh was immediately detained and arrested after he fired three shots from point-blank range at Harprit, one of which pierced his chest, killing him on the spot. The weapon used to commit the crime was also recovered.

Harprit was involved in a marital dispute with Malwinder Singhs daughter, Dr Amitoj Kaur, and this was the fourth mediation hearing in the matter, the police said.

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Both families had arrived at the court for the mediation session during which Malwinder Singh requested to use the washroom and asked Harprit to show him the way. Moments later, he allegedly took out a pistol and opened fire at Harprit.

Harprits parents, accompanied by some advocates, rushed him to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) but he was declared brought dead.

Divorce proceedings were going on between the two parties since 2023. Both sides have previous litigation against each other in Mohali district. The matter was referred to the mediation centre, where the proceedings were being carried out by the court-appointed mediator. Harprit Singh along with his parents was present, while Dr Amitoj, who is in Canada, was represented by father Malwinder Singh, the police said.

In November last year, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had booked Malwinder Singh, who was posted as AIG in the human rights cell of Punjab Police, on fraud and extortion charges after which he was placed under suspension. He has since retired from service.

The incident triggered panic in the court complex.
A day after Summer Fields School in south Delhis Kailash Colony received a bomb threat, prompting a mass evacuation shortly after classes commenced, the Delhi Police on Saturday said they had identified a 14-year-old student of the school as the sender of the hoax email. The school premises were evacuated, and thorough checking was done by the bomb detection and disposal squad (BDS) experts and the dog squad. (Representational image)

The student allegedly sent the hoax email to the school in an attempt to get a day off from classes, police said.

The minor boy, in his version, stated that he was aware of recent hoax email incidents at schools in Delhi-NCR which led to immediate school holiday. He sent the email late on Thursday night, hoping to cause a school closure. The teenager was apprehended from his home in Chittaranjan Park (CR Park) in south Delhi, said deputy commissioner of police (south) Ankit Chauhan.

DCP Chauhan said that on Friday, the Greater Kailash police station was informed by authorities at Summer Fields School about the bomb threat email, which was received on their official email in the morning. The email read that a bomb had been planted in the school.

The school premises were evacuated, and thorough checking was done by the bomb detection and disposal squad (BDS) experts and the dog squad. When nothing suspicious was found, the police declared the threat as a hoax. A case under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) was registered at the cyber police station of south district, and investigation was taken up.

The investigating team collected details of the email in question and analysed it. The details of the sender were obtained through technical investigation. The senders location was confirmed in CR Park area. Accordingly, a team was sent to the house of the suspect and 14-year-old student of the school was apprehended. The cellphone that he had used to send the threat email was also seized, added DCP Chauhan.

[WHAT AFTER HE WAS APPREHENDED? PRODUCED AND RETURNED TO PARENTS?]

Shalini Agarwal, principal of Summer Fields School, said, We are still waiting for all the formal details from the concerned authorities. Further action will be taken up accordingly and the issue will be addressed.

Over the past few months, several bomb hoaxes across schools, hospitals and airport in Delhi have brought daily life to a standstill. On May 1, more than 100 schools across NCR received hoax bomb threat, prompting large-scale evacuations and probes.
A Delhi court on Friday acquitted six accused of all the charges levelled against them in a case related to the 2020 north-east Delhi riots, while noting that there is not a single evidence on record against them. The court was hearing a case registered on February 28, 2020, on a complaint of one Naresh Chand who had alleged that on February 25 at around 5pm rioters barged into his house, ransacked it, and set it ablaze. He alleged that in the incident, the mob also looted his house. (HT Archive)

In absence of any evidence to establish the presence of the accused persons in the mob behind the incident in question, I am of the opinion that there is no incriminating evidence against the accused persons, said additional sessions judge (ASJ) Pulastya Pramachala.

The court was hearing a case registered on February 28, 2020, on a complaint of one Naresh Chand who had alleged that on February 25 at around 5pm rioters barged into his house, ransacked it, and set it ablaze. He alleged that in the incident, the mob also looted his house.

Delhi Police, after investigation, arrested six accused in the case  Hashim Ali, Abu Bakar, Mohd. Ajeej, Rashid Ali, Nazmuddin, and Mohammad Danish.

During the investigation, 13, other complaints were also received by police and were clubbed with the present FIR on the ground of proximity of place and date of incident, however, during the proceedings in the court in July 2022, when the court enquired from the investigating officer (IO) regarding the fate of the 13 other complaints it was informed that they were being investigated in some other FIR.

The court in August 2023, framed charges against all six accused under section 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of rupees fifty), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with the intent to cause damage to the amount of rupees hundred), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house), 149 (unlawful assembly) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) to which all the accused pleaded, not guilty and claimed trial.

After conducting the trial, the court noted that there have been no witnesses to identify any of the accused person being seen in the video placed on courts record.

Appearance of any accused in the video could be confirmed through scientific examination, by way of comparison of picture appearing in the video and specimen picture of the accused persons. However, no such steps were taken by IO in this case. Thus, there is no evidence at all to establish that accused persons are appearing in those videos, the order said.

The court also noted that call detail records, or CDR, also do not establish the exact location of the accused and nor does it establish their involvement in the matter.

I find that charges levelled against the accused persons in this case are not proved at all. Hence, accused persons Hashim Ali, Abu Bakar, Mohd. Ajeej, Rashid Ali, Nazmuddin @ Bhola, and Mohammad Danish are hereby acquitted of all the charges levelled against them in this case, the court said while acquitting the six men.
The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday questioned Lt Governor V K Saxena why an officer previously "suspended" for allegedly taking bribe was appointed as administrator of Asha Kiran shelter home where 14 inmates died in July. Asha Kiran home for mentally disabled people in Rohini, New Delhi. (Sushil Kumar/HT File Photo)

Officials at Raj Niwas clarified the administrator was appointed "internally" by the Social Welfare Department which is a fully and totally transferred subject under the control of the chief minister and the minister concerned.

He was not appointed by the LG, they claimed.

At a press conference earlier in the day, senior AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the administrator of the shelter home, Rahul Agarwal, was arrested by the CBI in 2016 for taking a "bribe" and remained suspended for five years.

"I want to know on what ground the LG appointed Rahul Agarwal as administrator of the shelter home where various irregularities and shortcomings have been reported after the extraordinarily large number of deaths of intellectually challenged persons," he said.

No immediate reaction was available from Agarwal.

Clearing their stand, Raj Niwas officials said the administrator, being a DANICS officer, was posted to the Social Welfare department on February 15, 2021, after approval of the then L-G.

Thereafter, the minister concerned posted him as administrator of Asha Kiran Home, an official said, adding the AAP's claims are "blatantly wrong and arrogantly misleading".

"Typical abuse and scoot by AAP and its leaders and ministers," the Raj Niwas official said, slamming the ruling party.

At the press conference, Bharadwaj had asked the L-G why no action has been taken against the shelter home administrator and the social welfare department secretary in the matter.

The AAP leader said the power of transfer and posting of officers is wielded by the LG through the Services department and the responsibility lies with him.

"I want to ask the BJP-ruled Central government and the LG that when all these things are available in the public domain, then what was the compulsion that they handed over the responsibility of Asha Kiran Home to such a corrupt officer?" he said in a statement.

Bharadwaj claimed the post of administrator and superintendent of the shelter home was considered "very lucrative" because of the opportunities it presented in "making money as the purchase of ration, medicines and other items were involved".

On the other hand, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that the revenue minister of the AAP government was "running away" from her responsibility because as per a gazette notification of August 14, 2023, every department not allotted to a minister came under her charge.

The Social Welfare department is headless after the resignation of Raaj Kumar Anand as minister in charge of the department. Anand also quit AAP in April this year.

"(Revenue minister) Atishi should take moral responsibility for the unfortunate deaths at Asha Kiran Home and apologise to the people of Delhi," Sachdeva said.

Bharadwaj, however, claimed that as per his information, it was directed by the Centre that any department not having a minister would be supervised by its secretary.

He also claimed that no action was taken against any officer of the MCD or DDA in other cases of deaths in Old Rajinder Nagar and East Delhi. He further questioned why no action was taken against the chief secretary for not furnishing the report of a third-party audit on the desilting of drains.

AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak, while addressing a press conference, said there cannot be a bigger blot for any society than this.

"Why did LG give Agarwal the charge of the shelter home? It has been two days. Why no action has been taken against these people? The vigilance report on Agarwal should also be made public," he demanded.

The Delhi government on Friday ordered a magisterial probe into the death of 14 inmates of the Asha Kiran shelter home in Rohini last month.

The Lt Governor has also directed an investigation into the running of the Delhi government's shelter homes, including the deaths at Asha Kiran. He termed the deaths "an act of criminality against the most disadvantaged".
The Delhi Polices crime branch has arrested a 44-year-old man, who was evading the law for over 24 years in a murder case, from his native village in Nalanda, Bihar, senior police officers aware of the matter said on Saturday. The northern range 1 team recently got inputs that Sakender, who presently lives in Patna, would visit Devkali for some work. A team was sent to his village, and he was caught. (Representational image)

According to officers, the accused, identified as Sakender Yadav, changed multiple cities and jobs to avoid the police dragnet. He was declared a proclaimed offender (PO) in the murder case registered in February 2000 at the Uttam Nagar police station.

Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Satish Kumar said that recently, multiple teams of the crime branch were tasked to probe old and dead cases, especially those related to murder, dacoity and robbery, and nab those evading arrest.

The teams collect details and start a fresh investigation. Accordingly, raids are conducted at the hideouts of the suspects, and they are caught, said a senior crime branch officer, who is part of one such team.

Sharing details of the present case, DCP Kumar said that on February 4, 2000, one Chando Yadav, a native of Devkali village in Nalanda, filed a complaint regarding his missing brother, Ram Swaroop alias Modi Yadav, 32.

The complainant told police that Swaroop worked in a polythene factory at Matiala, west Delhi, and was last seen working there along with Mantu Yadav, Sakender, and Vijay Yadav, all natives of Nalanda. The factory belonged to one Pappu Yadav.

During the inquiry, it was learnt that while other workers had returned to their homes in Bihar, Swaroop did not. The team questioned the factory owner, who claimed that Swaroop had left the factory to work elsewhere. A few days later, Swaroops decomposed body was found in Pappus factory, covered with a heap of plastic bags. A murder case was registered at the Uttam Nagar police station, said DCP Kumar.

The team arrested Mantu Yadav but the remaining suspects  Pappu, Vijay Yadav, and Sakender  could not be traced and a city court concerned declared them POs.

The northern range 1 team recently got inputs that Sakender, who presently lives in Patna, would visit Devkali for some work. A team was sent to his village, and he was caught, added DCP Kumar.

Sakender disclosed that he was involved in Swaroops murder along with the co-accused. They murdered Swaroop over an altercation he had with Pappu. They dumped the body, concealing it under layers of raw plastics in a room within the factory and locked it from the outside. Sakender lived in Surat for the initial two to three years, where he worked in a cloth mill. Then he moved to Patna where he worked as a labourer and later, he got a job in a grocery home delivery company in Patna, added DCP Kumar.
Kolkata: In a throwback to the 2021 assembly poll scenario in West Bengal, several ethnic groups from the northern region have once again demanded separation from the state, close on heels of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar asking the Prime Minister to add north Bengal to Indias northeast region to ensure development. (Representative photo)

On August 1, Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee instructed all district units in north Bengal to immediately hit the streets and counter movements aimed at dividing Bengal, party leaders said.

Sukanta Majumdar, a Lok Sabha member from north Bengals Balurghat and Union minister of state for development of the northeastern region, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on July 23 with the proposal.

If north Bengal gets added to the northeast, it will benefit by getting a share of the development funds. I am sure the state government will not have any objection. After all, the Mamata Banerjee government has failed to ensure development in north Bengal, Majumdar said in a video message after meeting Modi.

Having resolved to condemn these by moving a resolution at the legislative assembly on August 5, the states ruling TMC has alleged that a conspiracy has been hatched to crush the spirit of Bengal.

We want the BJP to take part in the debate on the resolution and make its stand clear on the floor of the House, state parliamentary affairs minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said.

North Bengal is considered a BJP stronghold since 2021, when the party bagged 30 of the 54 seats in the eight north Bengal districts, although TMC won 215 of the states 294 seats against the BJPs 75.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP bagged 18 of Bengals 42 seats, creating a record. In north Bengal, it secured seven of the eight seats.

This year, the BJPs Lok Sabha tally in Bengal has come down from 18 to 12 but the party had won six seats in north Bengal.

What (Sukanta) Majumdar did is part of a multi-pronged conspiracy hatched by the BJP to divide Bengal geographically so that it can somehow break the indomitable spirit of liberal-minded Bengalis because of whom the saffron camp could not overpower TMC in any election, TMC state vice president Jay Prakash Majumdar said.

You will notice a chain of events unfolding after the BJP state president met Modi. We strongly suspect the plan is backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he added.

The first event in the chain, TMC says, took place on July 25 when Nishikant Dubey, a BJP Lok Sabha member from Jharkhand, demanded in Parliament that a Union Territory comprising Bengals Murshidabad and Malda districts and three districts of Jharkhand be formed by the Centre because Muslims were in the majority in these districts.

While the Bengal BJP distanced itself, saying it doesnt support such a move, Gouri Shankar Ghosh, the partys MLA from Murshidabad, backed Dubey and started organising movements in the district. Ghosh led his first rally on July 31. Another rally was held the next day.

While these debates are on, BJP Rajya Sabha member Nagen Roy, a Rajbanshi community leader popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, has voiced his old demand for a separate Greater Cooch Behar state, claiming that the Centre had promised to implement it while nominating him to the Upper House in 2023.

The Centre gave me its word. It should form the Greater Cooch Behar state before adding north Bengal to the North East, Roy told the media on the Parliament premises on July 29 while the Budget session was on.

In yet another development that took many by surprise, the Kamtapur State Demand Committee met at Jalpaiguri town on July 28 and changed its name to Kamtapur State Demand Council before reiterating its demand for the creation of a separate state of Kamtapur. The outfit is seen as the public face of the banned Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO).

Formed in 1995, KLO carried out an armed struggle for a separate state for the Koch Rajbanshi community, which comprises a sizeable section of voters, especially in Cooch Behar district and adjoining Assam.

KLO militants were armed and trained in Assam by United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants. According to the KLOs original doctrine, its objective is to form the state of Kamtapur, comprising six districts of north Bengal and parts of Assam.

KLO chief Jiban Singha surrendered in Assam in 2023 responding to the states chief minister Himanta Biswa Sharmas proposal for peace talks.

There have been several rounds of talks so far. We expect it to resume soon. We will take forward our longstanding demand, said Tapati Roy Mullick, who was elected president of the newly formed council.

The ongoing rumblings have not spared to north Bengals Darjeeling district, where the demand for a separate state for the Gorkha community has led to violent movements and the loss of a few hundred lives since the 1980s. The community has helped the BJP win the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in all four elections since 2009.

BJPs Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma called Sukanta Majumdars proposal utopian but said he would have supported him if he had proposed the creation of a separate state or Union Territory. Whereas, Bishal Lama, the BJP MLA from Kalchini in Alipurduar district, welcomed the proposal.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), the leading force behind the Gorkhaland movement and BJPs ally, has also backed Sukanta. Kishore Bharati, the GJM spokesperson, said, The proposal seems to be a precursor to the separation of north Bengal.

Against this backdrop, the Bengal BJP has claimed that it does not support any move to divide the state.

West Bengal wouldnt have come into being had Hindu nationalists such as Shyama Prasad Mookerjee (founder of Jan Sangh), Suniti Chatterjee, Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, N C Chatterjee, Shibendu Sekhar Roy, and others not fought for it during the partition, and it would have become part of east Pakistan (now Bangladesh). If the BJP ever talks of splitting Bengal, then it will have to remove Shyama Prasad Mookerjees photos from its offices, Bengal BJPs chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

As far as Ananta Maharaj is concerned, the Prime Minister never gave him any word about dividing Bengal. BJP has nothing to do with his demand. The party is looking into the statements made by Murshidabad MLA Gouri Shankhar Ghosh. I cannot comment on the Kamtapur State Demand Council because I am not aware of the talks the Assam government is having with Jiban Singha, Bhattacharya, a Rajya Sabha member, added.

Political science professor Udayan Bandopadhyay said although the BJP has performed well in elections in north Bengal, any effort to divide the region will be counterproductive for the party.

On paper, the Constitution permits the Centre to divide a state after seeking the states opinion. It does not require the states consent. But it is not that easy on the ground. If the BJP tries to divide north Bengal in any manner, the Gorkhaland issue will flare up. It will lead to a crisis that the BJP cannot handle at this moment, Bandopadhyay added.
Two persons were killed and around half-a-dozen others were injured in a brawl in two groups of people over driving away stray animals in Uttar Pradeshs Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred in Rada Bazar under Bhira police station area . (For Representation)

The incident occurred in Rada Bazar under Bhira police station area late on Friday night, they added. The deceased were identified as Guddu Singh and Ramjit Singh, both around 40. Those injured are reported to be their relatives.

The assailants later fled. After getting information, Kheri superintendent of police (SP) Ganesh Prasad Saha along with ADM Sanjay Singh, ASP Nepal Singh and the DSP Gola rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation.

Saha later told media persons that on the complaint of the aggrieved family, a first information report (FIR) was being lodged against the accused and strict action would be taken.

Reports said family members of the deceased were driving away stray animals from the village on Friday evening.

However, when chased away, the stray animals reached before the houses of another group of the villagers. This led to a dispute between the two groups and later escalated into a brawl in which eight people, including Guddu Singh and Ramjit, sustained injuries.

All the injured were taken to hospital. Later, seriously injured Guddu Singh and Ramjit Singh were rushed to Lucknow on Friday night where they were reported to have succumbed to their injuries.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said Uttar Pradesh will soon realise the goal of one district, one medical college. Underscoring his governments efforts, the CM stressed on the need for strengthening healthcare services in all medical colleges. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath during his visit to BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur on August 3. (Sourced)

He emphasised quality research and innovation along with technical upgradation for medical staff to uplift the healthcare system. Yogi expressed these views while addressing a gathering after distributing 483 laptops among MBBS students and paramedical staff at BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur. Earlier in the day, he reached here on a two-day visit.

The laptops were presented under Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme. He said a number of new medical colleges had come up in various districts and that two new medical collegesone each in Ballia and Balrampurwill be set up soon.

The CM said new medical colleges in Shamli and Sambhal would also start their academic session from this year. As per him, Uttar Pradesh will give admission to 10,500 MBBS seats from this year.

Keep patience in handling patients

Yogi urged MBBS students and paramedical staff to keep patience in handling patients and their attendants. The CM appreciated the medical fraternity for their services towards mankind and appealed to them to focus on their technical upgradation to expand their outreach.

Yogi also inspected medical and paediatrics wards and took feedback from patients and their attendants at the BRD Medical College.

Applauding the cooperation extended by PM Modi, he said that a super speciality hospital for treatment of Japanese Encephalitis patients was granted by PM Modi along with a regional unit of Indian Council of Medical Research.
MUMBAI/ PUNE: Pune police is likely to close the inquiry on Pune collector Suhas Diwase against whom former IAS probationer had levelled allegations of sexual harassment. She made the accusations against her senior when she was transferred from Pune to Washim last month, for highhanded and entitled behaviour. IAS probationer Puja Khedkar had accused Pune district collector Suhas Diwase of harassment. (HT)

Also Read: Delhi court refuses anticipatory bail plea of former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar

After moving to Washim, Khedkar gave a written statement to Washim police detailing misbehaviour by Diwase when she worked at the Pune collectorate. The papers were later sent to the commissioner of police, Pune.

On Friday, Pune commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, We have served her many notices to appear at the commissionerate but she never turned up. So now we assume she has nothing to say; we will see whats to be done next.

Senior IAS officers privy to the case said the case will be closed soon. Chief secretary Sujata Saunik said, Preliminary inquiry is being done by Pune police and it should end there.

Puja courted controversy when she was seen driving into Pune collectorate as a trainee IAS officer in her Audi, bearing a Maharashtra government insignia and a red beacon. She also demanded an ante-chamber to work from. After she was transferred to Washim, she came to Mantralaya to meet Saunik, barging into her office, and eventually being turned away.

Diwase had denied the allegations against him, underlining that senior officers have stood by him.

Manorama Khedkar granted bail

On Friday, additional sessions judge Ajit N Mare, in Pune, granted regular bail to Manorama Khedkar, mother of the former IAS probationer, in the case of criminal intimidation associated with a land dispute in Mulshi tehsil. Manorama was arrested on July 18 after a video of her threatening farmers while brandishing a gun went viral on social media.

Pune rural police had lodged a case against Manorama, her husband and six others subsequently, based on a complaint by the farmer. She was later apprehended from a hotel in Mahad taluka, Raigad district, where she was hiding from the rural police.

In his order, Mare said, Manorama Khedkar be released in connection with the crime registered with Paud police station for the offences punishable under sections 307, 323, 504, 506, 143, 144, 147, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The applicant shall not contact the informant and witnesses in the case by any mode of communication and shall not try to influence them in any manner.
Mumbai: A special court on Friday acquitted Ajaz Saeed Shaikh, a suspected member of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), who had been booked by the Maharashtra Cyber police in October 2010. Shaikh was accused of sending e-mails to media organisations claiming responsibility for the 2010 Jama Masjid firing and blast in Delhi. Paramilitary forces patrol outside Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. Representational Image. (AP)

On 19 September 2010, two bikers allegedly opened fire on tourists at the gate of the Jama Masjid, injuring two Taiwanese nationals. The incident was followed by a minor explosion from a bomb placed in an abandoned car nearby.

According to the FIR, Shaikh, in conspiracy with other accused, sent an email to incite communal enmity and hatred by claiming responsibility for the attack. It was further alleged that Shaikh, along with co-accused Mohasin Chaudhary (a wanted suspect in the 2010 German Bakery blast case in Pune), acquired a SIM card using forged documents in the name of a fictitious individual to send the emails from Mumbai.

Special judge BD Shelke framed charges against Shaikh in July last year. The charges included being part of a criminal conspiracy to strike terror and threaten the unity, integrity, security, and sovereignty of India by sending specific e-mails to multiple media houses, claiming responsibility for the terror attack at Jama Masjid, Delhi. The charges also included promoting enmity or hatred between Hindus and Muslims.

Shaikh faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, cheating by impersonation, and criminal intimidation, as well as under several sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Advocate Hasnain Kazi, representing Shaikh, submitted to the court that not a single statement was recorded from the said media body which allegedly received the terror email. During his arguments, Kazi noted that there is no evidence to show that Shaikh purchased the sim card using forged documents as well.

Observing that the FIR was registered on 30 October 2010 and the arrest took place on 6 February 2015, Kazi stated, There is no explanation came forth from the prosecution as to delay in the investigation of near about 5 years from the date of the registration of the FIR. Kazi sought Shaikhs acquittal on the ground of lack of reliable evidence and invalid sanction.

Shaikh is also a co-accused in the 2011 Mumbai bombings and has been sentenced to death in the 2013 twin blasts case in Hyderabad. The 2011 Mumbai bombings involved a series of blasts at Zaveri Bazaar, Opera House, and Dadar between 6:52 PM and 7:05 PM on July 13, 2011. The police have arrested 11 accused in the case.
The Gomiya bridge in the Bermo sub-division collapsed, sweeping away several other small bridges across the state, and vast parts of Ranchi submerged underwater as torrential rains wreaked havoc in Jharkhand in the past 48 hours, officials close to the developments said on Saturday. A portion of a bridge collapsed after heavy rains, in Bokaro district of Jharkhand on Saturday. (PTI)

However, no casualty was reported from any part of the state till now, a disaster management official said.

Chief minister Hemant Soren ordered the closure of all government and private schools on Saturday after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert in almost 22 districts late Friday night.

The IMD on Saturday evening issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in Garhwa, Chatra, and Palamu, an orange alert for medium to heavy rainfall in Chatra, Latehar, Lohardaga, Dumka, and Simdega, and a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in isolated places in Ranchi, Koderma, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, and Khunti districts.

In Ranchi, several low-lying areas are submerged under rainwater. Around 40 people had been rescued on Friday evening by NDRF personnel from Bandhgari locality under Sadar police station in Ranchi city.

A road diversion was washed away in Ranchis Mandar area.

Trees were also found uprooted at several places in the capital city on Saturday morning.

Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) issued toll-free numbers for city residents to register their complaints regarding waterlogging.

A portion of a bridge in Jharkhands Bokaro district collapsed due to heavy rains, an official said.

A portion of around 300-metre bridge constructed at Gomia block in Bokaro district in 2014, which connects Lalpania in Bokaro and Dumri in Giridih district collapsed.

Around the 20-30 feet length portion of the bridge collapsed. A probe committee has been set up, Bermo sub-divisional officer (SDO) Ashok Kumar said.

In Gumla, at least three road diversions were washed away in heavy rain.

A road diversion near Kandra village connecting Gumla and Lohardaga was washed away, while a road diversion in Chainpur block washed away affecting around 15,000 people from five villages, an official said.

Several houses were also damaged in many low-lying villages of the district.

In Ramgarh, the administration has sounded an alert in the famous pilgrimage site Rajrappa temple due to the rise in water level in the Damodar and Bhairvi rivers.

Devotees have been asked to avoid going to the exit gate along Damodar river, temple chief priest Ajay Panda said.

Ramgarh deputy commissioner Chandan Kumar has directed officials of all six blocks to keep a close eye on the situation and NDRF has been kept on standby for any situation.

In Dhanbad, several localities such as Grewal Colony near Bekarbandh, Nawadih Nandan Residency in Bhuli, Mangal Vihar Colony in Dhaiyya, Shivliwari Colony in Maithon have been submerged due to heavy rains.

Dhanbad Municipal Commissioner Raviraj Sharma said that Quick Response Teams (QRT) have been pressed in at different locations to clear the waterlogging.

The Dhendhe Ghat bridge connecting Lalpaniya and Dumri Bihar stations under the Bermo sub-division in Gomiya collapsed after gushing waters swept away a pillar in the early hours of Saturday. Local villagers said that the bridge was built in 2014. The diversion near Maltoti Bridge over the Murgu River on NH-75 under Ratu police station (PS) in Ranchi was also swept away, leaving the Ranchi-Daltonganj road blocked.

In Ramgarh, the Damodar River was flowing over the bridge in Ramgarh town on Saturday. The revered Maa Chhinamastika Temple in Ramgarh was also in a critical state with both the Damodar and Bhairavi rivers swelling around the temple. The heart of Patratu Bhagat Singh Chowk is also submerged, officials said.

Meanwhile, the East Singhbhum district administration has issued an alert asking people not to venture near Kharkai and Subarnarekha rivers in the wake of both rivers approaching danger levels. As per the alert notice, the Subarnarekha River was flowing at 116.56 meters in Mango, where the danger level was 121.50 meters. Similarly, the Kharkai River was flowing at 126.81 meters against its danger level of 129.00 meters at the Adityapur Bridge area.

With agency inputs
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engaging in power jihad by destabilising political parties to remain in power. Thackeray was speaking in Pune as a part of the partys meet ahead of the crucial assembly polls likely to be held in October this year. Thackeray accused the BJP, a former ally, of orchestrating splits in political parties, notably the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). (HT PHOTO)

Responding to Union minister Amit Shahs remark labelling him as the head of the Aurangzeb Fan Club, Thackeray claimed that Shah is a political heir of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan ruler who defeated the Marathas in the battle of Panipat.

Earlier on July 21, Shah during his Pune visit had attacked the Sena (UBT) chief, saying, Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of Aurangzeb Fan Club.

Read more: Kerala CM counters Amit Shah's 'early warnings' claim on Wayanad landslides: Red alert issued only after

Thackeray accused the BJP, a former ally, of orchestrating splits in political parties, notably the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Referring to a letter from the former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Balasaheb Deoras to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Thackeray pointed out that Deoras emphasised no hatred toward Muslims or non-Hindus and upheld secularism as a valued Hindu trait. Thackeray questioned whether this form of Hindutva was unacceptable to Shah.

He claimed that the people of Maharashtra delivered a strong message to Shah during the recent Lok Sabha elections, stating that after campaigning and facing voter backlash, Shah returned to his leaders to assess the political damage. He told his party workers in Pune that, according to the BJP, aligning with Muslims after explaining their version of Hindutva equates to being part of the Aurangzeb Fan Club and accused the saffron party of engaging in power jihad.

The Sena leader claimed that the Eknath Shinde governments Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme was an attempt to bribe voters with freebies. Thackeray also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis demand for accountability from the Congress for its 70-year governance, highlighting that the new parliament building had structural issues within a year of its construction. He urged Modi to address the mismanagement of his government.

Read more: Wayanad landslides: Early warning was given to Kerala on July 23, says Union home minister Amit Shah

Thackeray expressed his desire to win the assembly election for Punes development, a goal he had during his tenure as the chief minister, and promised to build roads that would last for 200 years if given the opportunity to lead the state again.

BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised Thackeray, calling him disappointed and frustrated and suggested that the Sena leaders remarks were evidence of his unstable state of mind and affiliation with the Aurangzeb Fan Club.

Commenting on Thackerays statement, Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan said, I think Uddhav Thackeray has lost his mental balance. He had earlier made wrong comments on PM Modi, Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. Today, he made wrong comments about the home minister of India Amit Shah...Elections are very far, I dont know till then what kind of language he will use...
MHT CET Merit List 2024 Live: Provision merit list has been released at fe2024.mahacet.org, The direct link to check is given below.

MHT CET Merit List 2024 Live Updates: State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell) Maharashtra has released the provisional merit list for admission to Engineering (BE/BTech) courses today, August 3. Candidates who have qualified in MHT CET 2024 and applied for the counselling process can check the CAP merit list at cetcell.mahacet.org and fe2024.mahacet.org....Read More

DIRECT LINK TO CHECK THE MHT CET MERIT LIST 2024

As per the MHT CET counselling schedule, candidates can raise grievances about the correction of data displayed in the provisional merit list from August 4 to 6.

During the same window, candidates have to upload the requisite documents to substantiate the claim for any correction/concession. The status of acceptance/rejection of grievance raised by candidates will be shared along with the latest receipt cum acknowledgement.

The final merit list will be released on August 8 and the schedule for further activities will be shared after that.

Follow this live blog for the latest details on MHT CET merit list.
The Ministry of External Affairs in response to questions regarding students who have embarked on their study abroad journey has revealed that more than 13.35 lakh students are currently pursuing higher studies in countries abroad. Among the top five countries that Indian students have opted to choose as their study abroad destinations are Canada, USA, UK, Australia and Germany. (AFP)

 Indian Missions/Posts abroad constantly engage with Indian students studying overseas and encourage them to either register with them or on the Global Rishta Portal. They organise Welcome Ceremonies for Indian students who travel abroad for the first time and brief them on security issues in the host countries. They also advise them to register with the Indian Missions/Posts and to regularly stay connected. Indian Missions/Posts use the aforesaid method to collect data of Indian students abroad through voluntary registrations. Indian Missions/Posts abroad also coordinate with the concerned authorities in the host Governments to secure data on the number of Indian students studying overseas, answered Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.

As per the data released by the MEA, a total of 1335878 students are pursuing their higher education abroad in 2024 which has increased from 1318955 in 2023.

The number of students moving to countries abroad has seen a spike in comparison to the pre-covid year. As per the data available, in 2019 a total of 675541 students moved abroad to pursue their higher studies. The numbers saw a dip in 2022 where only 907404 students commenced their study abroad journey compared to the figures in 2021 where 1158702 students had enrolled in universities abroad.

Also Read: CAT 2024: Know the top 10 IIMs in the country as registration window opens

Among the top five countries that Indian students have opted to choose as their study abroad destinations are Canada, USA, UK, Australia and Germany. As per the official data, 427000 students opted for Canada, 337630 students opted USA, 18500 students joined universities in UK, 122202 students opted for Australia and 42997 chose Germany as their study abroad destination.

In comparison to the previous year's figures, student enrollment in Canada saw a dip as 427000 students enrolled in 2024 while 427085 students had enrolled in 2023.

Students opting for higher studies in Russia and Ukraine saw a decrease as 24940 students chose the former and 2510 chose the latter. In 2022, a total of 23515 students had opted for higher studies in Ukraine.

Also Read: AP NEET Counselling 2024: 43788 candidates eligible to apply, list released at drysruhs.edu.in
The Patna High Court on Thursday accepted the assurance of Advocate General PK Shahi that the results of the exam for appointment of vice principals in the industrial training institutes (ITIs) would be published after following such rules of reservation, as may be applicable on that date. Bihar government already started altering the process accordingly to revert to the old reservation formula of 50% in the large-scale teachers recruitment(HT file)

In view of the aforementioned observation and assurance, the writ petition is disposed of, said the bench of Justice Anshuman after hearing a writ petition filed by Ram Manohar Pandey for direction to the Bihar government and the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) to revise the advertisement issued for appointment of 76 vice principal in the ITIs in the light of June 20 HC order.

This will have an impact on all the recruitment exams planned after the gazette notification of new reservation laws. The education department has already reverted to the old 50% formula for teachers recruitment.

The petition sought that the advertisement for recruitment for jobs in the ITIs be revised in accordance with the prevailing reservation formula, I.e. 50%, unless there is any fresh order in this regard by the Supreme Court, where the Bihar governments special leave petition (SLP) challenging the HC order is scheduled for hearing in September.

The counsel for the petitioner Navin Prasad Singh prayed for a stay on the exam and argued how the BPSC could proceed with a new recruitment exam based on increased reservations laid down in the laws that have been quashed by the HC, even though the advertisement was published and the selection process initiated before the order. The exam for appointment of vice principals in ITIs was held on Friday.

Shahi told HT the court accepted his contention that the exam be held as per schedule and the results would published based on the prevailing reservation rules. At present it is 50%. If the Apex Court upholds the Bihar governments decision, it will be changed accordingly to 65%. That will also be mentioned in the results that it would be subject to change in keeping with the Apex Court order, he added.

On whether it would apply to all the exams held or to be held based on the new reservation formula, Shahi said the HC order was for a specific exam, but it would naturally apply to all such situations. But there will be rider with all the results that they could change in accordance with the Apex Court verdict. At present, the old reservation formula will apply after HC order, he added.

Also Read: UGC NET 2024 subject-wise re-examination schedule released, exams set to commence on August 21

Supreme Court last Monday refused to grant a stay on the Patna HC Order, which set aside Bihar reservation laws that increased quota for Backward Classes, STs, SCs and Extremely Backward Classes from 50% to 65% in the government jobs and admissions in educational institutions, after which the Bihar government moved the Apex Court.

This means all results of the forthcoming recruitment exams in Bihar or those already conducted will be issued as per the prevailing 50% quota formula unless there is some fresh order from the Apex court in this regard.

Bihar government already started altering the process accordingly to revert to the old reservation formula of 50% in the large-scale teachers recruitment. The education department, which has recruitment of over 87000 teachers in the pipeline and the exams for which have already been held, started the exercise for preparing the roster based on the old reservation formula of 50%.

Director of Primary Education, Mithilesh Mishra on Thursday wrote to all the district education officers (DEOs) in this regard.

For the third phase of teachers recruitment examination (TRE-4), the process for clearing the roster of vacancies in Class 1-5 and class 6-8 is underway at your level. In TRE-1 and TRE-2 appointments were made for Class 1-5 and class 6-8 respectively. In TRE-3, the roster needs to be made as per 50% reservation formula, he wrote.

This is just to ensure that the results dont get stuck. Things can always change, said Mishra.

There are large-scale vacancies also in the agriculture and health departments. Minister Mangal Pandey, who holds both portfolios, said the guidelines of the General Administrative Department (GAD) would be followed in this regard. In view of the HC order and whatever happens in the SC, the GAD will take a call and that will be applicable to all, he added.

The Bihar government had notified the new reservation laws in the gazette on November 21 after the gubernatorial assent to the bills passed unanimously by both Houses of the state Legislature. However, on June 20, the Patna High Court bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Harish Kumar had set aside the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Act, 2023, and The Bihar (In admission in Educational Institutions) Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 as ultra vires and violative of equality clause under Articles 14, 15 and 16.

Also Read: CBSE announces Class 12 Compartment results, direct link to check marks on results.cbse.nic.in
Actor-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut has launched another attack on Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. On Saturday, Kangana shared a morphed picture of Rahul Gandhi on her IG stories that showed him in a skull cap, with turmeric tika on his forehead and a cross necklace. She was taking a jibe at him for his recent remarks on caste census in the Parliament. Hours later, she was trending on Twitter for the trolling. (Also read: Kangana Ranaut calls Rahul Gandhi pasta with kadi patta tadka amid his caste row with Anurag Thakur) Kangana Ranaut is sharing daily posts about Rahul Gandhi on social media.

With the picture, Kangana wrote, Jaati jivi jise bina jaati pooche jaati ganana karani hai (He who wishes to hold a caste census without asking anyone's caste).

'Kangana' is currently trending on Twitter with upwards of 20,000 tweets. Many have called her a troll who is unfit for the Parliament. This is an appeal to @siddaramaiah, @revanth_anumula and @mkstalin. Kangana Ranaut has shared shameful below belt morphed image of Rahul Gandhi on Instagram. This is the time she gets dragged in court, just an online FIR won't do the trick. This is absolutely sick from #KanganaRanaut and she just can't be left unpunished, read a tweet.

People are watching.. They'll give answer to your Hatred, wrote another person. Kangana Ranaut mocked Rahul Gandhi over the caste census, but she has had many flop films like *Tejas*, *Dhakad*, *Thalaivi*, and more. Given her own failures, she shouldn't troll others. Rahul Gandhi is a very popular leader and doesn't need defending, read another tweet. Shame on Kangana Ranaut  What kind of manners your parents gave you. Please @INCIndia take action, read another tweet.

However, a few even supported Kangana and told her to keep such posts coming.

Kangana's earlier post on Rahul Gandhi

Recently, Kangana shared old videos of Rahul invoking caste in public meetings on her Instagram stories.

She wrote, Apni jaat ka kuch ata pata nahi, nanu Muslim, dadi Parsi, mummy Christian aur khud aisa lagta hai jaise Pasta ko kadi patte ka tadka lagakar kichadi banane ki koshish ki ho, aur inko sabki jaat pata karni hai. (You know nothing of your own caste, your grandfather is Muslim, grandmother Parsi, mummy Christian and it feels like someone tempered pasta with curry leaves to make rice and lentils, but he wants to know everyones caste.)

She also added, How can he be publicly ask people their caste in such a crude, condescending manner, shame on Rahul Gandhi.

What did Rahul Gandhi say

Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused BJP MP Anurag Thakur of insulting and abusing him in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the Union Budget. BJP MP Anurag had said, Those whose caste is not known, talk about the caste census. without taking anyones name. He later stated, I had said that someone who doesn't know about caste talks about census. I did not name anyone.

Rahul, who had promised a nationwide census if INDIA bloc came into power, replied, You can insult me as much as you like but we will pass the caste census in Parliament. Anurag Thakur has abused me and insulted me. But I do not want any apology from him.
Angelina Jolie is scheduled to be in Venice next month to promote her film Maria, donning the opera legend Maria Callas. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in happier times

Brad Pitt will also be in Venice for his new movie Wolfs with George Clooney. Despite their ongoing legal battles, the couple will not be at the festival simultaneously. Arrangements have been made to prevent them from crossing paths, even though they will stay at the same hotel, the Cipriani.

Since their split eight years ago, Jolie and Pitt have managed to avoid attending the same events in Hollywood. Jolie, who lives in Los Angeles with their six children, has mostly stayed away from red-carpet events.

ALSO READ| Brad Pitts girlfriend Ines de Ramon plans face off with Angelina Jolie as she is sick and tired of

Pitt was unable to reach Pax after the accident

Recently, it was revealed that the Bullet Train is distressed because he has been unable to contact his estranged son, Pax, who is in the hospital following a bike accident. Brad is distraught and worried over Pax's accident, but he is unable to reach him, a source told Daily Mail.

A father's inclination would be to go to the hospital or to call him. He's tried so many times, but the kids won't take his calls. His hands are tied.

Pax, who was not wearing a helmet, crashed his electric dirt bike into a car stopped at a red light. Witnesses reported that Pax complained of head and hip pain immediately after the crash. Paramedics, concerned about possible brain bleeding, rushed him to the hospital.

A source close to Jolie told Daily Mail that she is by Pax's side in the hospital, where he remains in stable condition. The full extent of his injuries is not yet known. Pax has been estranged from Pitt since an alleged domestic violence incident on a private jet in 2016.

Pax, adopted by Jolie from Vietnam at age three, remains close to his mother along with his five siblings: Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.

In a 2020 Instagram post, Pax called Pitt a world-class a***hole and an awful human being. Brad virtually have no contact with his children.

ALSO READ| Brad Pitt unable to contact son Pax after bike accident: Whenever he calls

Pitt is upset that Pax was not wearing a helmet and believes he should have been in a car. A source told DailyMail.com, Brad doesn't think that Pax should be driving a scooter without a helmet to begin with - he should have been in a car.

The couple's children have increasingly distanced themselves from Pitt, with several dropping Pitt from their last names.

However, a source close to the couple told InTouch that Brad feels sorry and he is willing to rekindle with his kids.
South Korea's golden couple, Lee Jong Suk and IU have found themselves at the center of a heartbreaking rumour mill. Fans went into a tailspin when an online post questioned the status of their relationship. The speculation allegedly fueled by the couple's decreased public appearances in recent months, sparked a debate on platforms like Nate Pann. While the post claimed that whispers of their potential break up had circulated previously, fans remain firm in their belief that the couple is still going strong. Lee Jong Suk and IU share letters talking about each other for the first time.

Lee Jong Suk and IU spark break up frenzy

The Pinocchio star and Korean soloist have been publicly dating for nearly a year. Their relationship first came to light in December 2023 when Dispatch revealed the couple had been secretly together for four months. Recently, speculation about their relationship status resurfaced after a netizen on Nate Pann suggested that reporters had hinted at a possible breakup. A post with the title I guess Lee Jong Suk and IU have broken up, is doing rounds on social media with over 160 K views.

Also read: BIGBANG's G-Dragon handed full trademark rights by YG free of cost and clash; heres why

The journalist is back-handedly saying theyve broken up, lol, the author of the post claims in another post referencing an article that focuses on IU and Lee Jong Suk spending their days off separately.

Fans react to Lee Jong Suk and IU's potential breakup

While some fans refused to believe the speculation, citing the couple's demanding schedules as a possible explanation for their decreased public appearances, others expressed deep concern. Fans were quick to point out how IU's ongoing world tour and Lee Jong Suk's K-drama commitments might have limited their opportunities to spend time together.

Also read: Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 265 spoilers and plot leaks: Yuji vs Sukuna in a battle for Megumi's soul

They have a slow burn friends to lovers relationship im pretty sure they can handle a few days by themselves this isnt an attraction to love thing like i said they were friends for many years, an X user commented on the rumoured post. IU is in America rn doing her world tour ofc they will spent their day odd separately, another added dismissing claims of split. they're just private and she's been touring, this isn't smth to do a post lol, one more rallied in support of the couple.

Amid the heartbreak and speculation, many fans voiced their unwavering support for the couple, hoping for their reunion and even hinting at the possibility of marriage in the future.

They havent broken up. They are going to announce their wedding soon, a user commented.

The couple, known for their enchanting love story, has always been a beacon of hope for many. When they confirmed their relationship, the actors agency, HighZium Studio, revealed how they vacationed together in Nagoya, Japan, and celebrated Christmas, which Jong Suk had planned. The W star was also seen cheering for IU during her world tour concert, H.E.R., on March 2, 2023, and has consistently shown support for his girlfriend by wearing her merchandise. The company has yet to respond to the breakup rumours.
SS Rajamoulis Ram Charan and Jr NTR-starrer RRR was a massive hit when it was released theatrically in 2022, even more so after it was released on Netflix. Now, fans are thrilled to see some unseen footage from the film featuring Ram in Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli. (Also Read: Modern Masters SS Rajamouli review: Netflix India documentary on RRR director is slave to subject more than to story) A screengrab of Ram Charan's deleted scene from RRR.

Unseen clip of Ram Charan from RRR

In behind-the-scenes footage from the film's shooting, fans unearthed Ram shooting for a scene that seems to have been deleted from the film. Dressed in a pink shirt and suspenders, the actor runs and gets on a wagon, tossing a whip at someone. The extras are dressed as villagers the police in colonial India. In the scene, Rajamouli and other crew members are also on set, standing out because theyre dressed in modern attire.

Fans were thrilled to see even a few seconds of unseen footage from the film, with a fan sharing a Tamil clip of the documentary on X (formerly Twitter), writing, @AlwaysRamCharan Deleted scene from @RRRMovie. In the film set in the 1920s, Ram played the role of an Indian Imperial police officer, Ramaraju. Jr NTR also played the lead, a tribal man called Komaram Bheem to comes to Delhi to rescue a young girl from the British.

About Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli

The newly-released documentary traces Rajamoulis journey from Kovvuru in Andhra Pradesh to now. It features interviews with his family members, including his father and screenwriter Vijayendra Prasad, cousin and music composer MM Keeravaani, Ram Charan, Jr NTR, and even directors James Cameron and Joe Russo.

Upcoming work

Rajamouli will soon direct Mahesh Babu in a yet-to-be-titled action-adventure film. It will go on floors soon, and the cast and crew have yet to be revealed. Ram shot for Shankars Game Changer with Kiara Advani and SJ Suryah. The film, whose story was penned by Karthik Subbaraj, will be released in September this year.
Bigg Boss OTT 3 came to an end after a grand finale on August 2, with Sana Makbul being declared as the winner. Sana shared a rocky bond with fellow contestant Ranvir Shorey inside the house, as the two constantly fought with each other. Ranvir also said that Sana does not deserve to be the winner. In a new interview with Indian Express, Sana has now called Ranvir a male chauvinist. (Also read: Bigg Boss OTT 3: Kritika Malik says Payal Malik's divorce announcement was shocking. Watch) Bigg Boss OTT 3: Ranvir Shorey and Sana Makbul were at loggerheads inside the house.

What Sana said after winning Bigg Boss

Sana said, My journey was quite a roller coaster, initial two weeks were good, but then people started turning against me. The journey was tough, but dark clouds only stay for a while.

Sana on Ranvir's comments

Talking about Ranvir, Sana went on to add, "Strong women are not appreciated and he is one of those male chauvinist kind of a person who doesnt like it if women do better than him. I dont want to say anything about him. I have buried it all. I dont hold any grudge against him. But if he does that, it is his way of dealing with things. When I stepped out from the Bigg Boss house, I let the bygones be bygones. Its all over for me.

During the finale, Ranvir and Sana participated in a nafrat wala romance segment, where both of them took turns to say things to each other that they do not mean at all. Ranvir went on to roast her and called her sabse bewakoof.

Ranvir was the third finalist to be eliminated. He came out of the Bigg Boss house and said that he wants Naezy to win the show. At the end, Sana defeated Naezy to emerge as the winner, winning the coveted trophy and the cash prize of 25 lakhs.
Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambanis son Anant Ambani and his wife Radhika Merchant have had an incredibly hectic year. After back-to-back pre-wedding bashes with their celebrity friends in Jamnagar and Europe, Anant and Radhika tied the nuptial knot in a grand ceremony on July 12. Well, the newlyweds are now busy relaxing and rejuvenating. They are in France for their honeymoon, attending the Paris Olympics 2024. Several videos as well as pictures of the couple strolling on the streets have gone viral on social media. They look adorable together, but the latest clip is winning hearts all because of Anant. Anant Ambani with fans in Paris

In this viral video which surfaced on social media, Anant steps out of his car and greets fans as they come closer to take a picture with him. He smiles and obliges them with selfies while his bodyguard makes sure nobody gets too close. When asked if he speaks French, Anant replies no but goes on to greet the fan with a smile by saying bonjour. He even asks them where they are from. When the fan who is recording this video asks if he can take a picture, Anant sweetly says, Come come. Meanwhile, Radhika smiles at the crowd of fans.

Anants humble and gentle nature is winning the internet, with many lauding the way he was raised. In the comment section of this video, one fan shared, I not from India but I love how humble this guy really is,so gentle and easygoing, while YouTuber and internet sensation Kili Paul wrote: This level of humbleness n how he interract with everybody like he is nobodyhats off!!. Calling Anant their favourite Ambani, a fan gushed, Zero attitude ...I love him he's my all time favorite Ambani , whereas another comment read: Among the billionaire people i know, Mukesh Ambani children are the most humble people I have ever seen.. they are the richest family in Asia, but they are well mannered , polite and respectful.

Some even commented on the bodyguard, who removed a fans hand from Anants shoulder while they took a picture. For instance, a social media user joked, Bodyguard be like - Buddy that Shirt is much more expensive than your Net worth .

Anant is slowly becoming a fan favourite. Is he your favourite Ambani too?
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a July 15 order by the Madras high court that directed an investigation into the assets of police and revenue officials involved in the 2018 Thoothukudi firing, which resulted in the deaths of 13 people during protests against the Vedanta-owned Sterlite Copper plant in Tamil Nadu. 2018 TN firing: SC stays HC order for probe into assets of officials

The stay was issued by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, which found merit in the arguments presented by the counsel for the police officials. The officials, through senior counsel Kapil Sibal, argued that the high courts order was unwarranted, especially in light of the clean chit given to them by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

This cannot go on forever. There is NHRC [National Human Rights Commission] finding in our favour and then the clean chit by CBI came. But the high court has now sent it back to the local police, Sibal argued before the bench that also included justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Admitting the matter, the bench issued notice on the petition filed jointly by 17 police officials and stayed the high court order of a fresh inquiry against them.

On July 15, the high court ordered a probe by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) into the assets of 21 officials named in the Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commissions report, which investigated the 2018 Thoothukudi firing and concluded that there were police excesses.

The high court order came on a petition filed by human rights activist Henry Tiphagne, who sought a directive for the NHRC to reopen the case. The central body, which was probing the case suo-motu, had closed it in October 2018.

The high court had also criticised CBI for exonerating the officials implicated in the commissions report, expressing its displeasure that the agency appeared to have acted in coordination with the officials, ignoring instances of police overreach. Voiceless people were at the receiving end, the persons in helm of affairs could not tolerate the prolonged, peaceful stir; and one industrialist wanted to teach (them) a lesson, and the officials acted accordingly, the high court had said.

Stating that it suspects that some police officials allowed the firing to occur in order to further their own agendas, the high court directed DVAC to submit a preliminary report detailing the assets of the officials, their spouses and close relatives within two weeks. This deadline was extended earlier this week to three months.

The Thoothukudi firing occurred in May 2018, when residents of the town gathered to peacefully protest the continued operation of the Sterlite Copper plant, which they alleged was causing severe environmental and health hazards. The protests, which lasted for around 100 days, culminated in violence on May 22 and 23, when police opened fire on the protesters, resulting in 13 deaths and injuries to more than 100 people.

The police initially claimed that the firing was in self-defence. However, the Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commissions report held 17 police personnel, a district collector, and three deputy tahsildars responsible for the incident.

CBIs investigation into the incident was contentious. In its initial report submitted in December 2023, CBI named only one individual, Inspector R. Thirumalai, as responsible for the shooting. The original charges in the first information report were reportedly diluted, invoking only minor provisions. The Madras high court rejected this report and ordered a fresh investigation, the findings of which were submitted a month ago but have not yet been taken up by the high court.
Grammy winning composer Ricky Kej blasted Air India for downgrading him from business class and refusing to offer him a refund. He claimed that this is the third time in a year this has happened to him and no clarification had been offered by the airline. The 3 time Indian American Grammy winning composer, posted on X that this is the third time he has been downgraded from business class by Air India and was denied a refund as well

In a post on X, the Indian-American composer said he had booked and paid for a business class ticket from Mumbai to Bengaluru, when he was informed that he had been downgraded at the departure gate.

Also Read: 30 flights diverted, 100 delayed at IGI Airport due to bad weather

Ricky Kej also added that no reasoning was provided for the downgrade and the staff refused to give him a refund.

Air India really needs to introspect and see if they are capable of running an airline in the first place, he posted in a thread on X, calling out Air India.

Also Read: Air India cancels flights to and from Israel's Tel Aviv till August 8. Here's why

Kej said the way the airline had responded was not befitting a reputed brand, saying "Since this downgrading on Air India happens so often (3 times just with me), you would imagine that they have protocol in place. Immediate refund, options for other flights, immediate intimation and apology for discomfort."

Also Read: Flights cancelled at Leh airport due to heat

They do none of the above, and instead are rude, clueless, high-handed and behave as if they are doing a huge favor to you by just boarding you, he said.

Air India responded to his thread asking to resolve the matter privately and through sharing a resolution on DMs, but their move quickly backfired.

Kej posted, Don't lie, that is the least you can do. Your message does not have any indication on the exact amount of refund, the mode of receiving it. Just giving vague percentages does not help anyone.

After receiving a service call from Air India, Ricky Kej doubled down and claimed that the airline did not give any update on the amount of the refund or why the downgrade took place. He also threatened legal action if he did not receive a 100 per cent refund from the airline.

Kej alleged that throughout the process staff had spoken to him rudely and offered no clarity on the situation.

Air India responded saying that they would address the situation as efficiently as possible.
Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh on Saturday said that around 50 people are feared dead in the areas affected by the cloud-burst incidents. Singh said an official number can only be declared after an official confirmation and the completion of the search and rescue operation. The government's biggest priority at the moment is to retrieve the bodies and restore connectivity in the flood-stricken parts of the state, said minister Vikramaditya Singh(ANI)

The minister on Saturday told news agency ANI, that the government's biggest priority at the moment is to retrieve the bodies and restore connectivity in the flood-stricken parts of the state.

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain for the state till August 7 with CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announcing 50,000 for all families affected by the flash floods in the state.

ALSO READ | Rain havoc in hill states as several dead, missing

IMD on Saturday also issued a red alert for Gujarat, West Madhya Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, and Meghalaya regions for August 3, 2024. The IMD has also predicted isolated, extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa and Meghalaya on Saturday in its daily forecast bulletin released at 2:30 pm.

On Saturday, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning is very likely at isolated places over Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand and Bihar, predicted the Met Office.

In Maharashtra, a red alert has been issued in Satara district for August 3 and 4 predicting extremely heavy rain on August 4 in Palghar and Pune districts. Very heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over Vidarbha on August 3, and over Marathwada region on August 3 and 4, predicted IMD.

IMD has also predicted isolated extremely heavy rainfall over Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa regions on August 4 and heavy rainfall from August 3 to 6 and August 3 to 7 for Madhya, Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa respectively.

IMD has predicted fairly widespread to widespread, light to moderate rainfall over Coastal Karnataka, Lakshadweep and Kerala and Mahe, and Karnataka sub-divisions during the next 5 days and isolated to scattered rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Telangana and Rayalaseema subdivisions during the same period.

Over Kerala and Mahe and, Tamil Nadu, IMD has predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely till August 5 with Kerala still reeling from the Wayanad landslide tragedy which has claimed over 300 lives.

During the past 24 hours, very to heavy rainfall at isolated places has been recorded over Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh, Coastal Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Maharashtra regions and heavy rainfall at isolated places has been recorded over Kerala, Punjab, East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Saurashtra and Kutch, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Konkan and Goa, Bihar, Odisha, North Interior Karnataka, West Bengal and Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura regions as well.
Six government officials, including five policemen, were dismissed for their alleged involvement in financing terrorism through drug sales in Jammu and Kashmir. The network facilitated the flow of narcotics, the profits from which were funnelled into funding terrorist activities. (HT file photo)

The investigation found that these officials were part of a sophisticated narco-terror network orchestrated by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and various terror groups operating from Pakistani soil.

The network facilitated the flow of narcotics, the profits from which were funnelled into funding terrorist activities.

"Six government officials, including five policemen and a teacher, were found involved in terror financing through drug sales," PTI quoted an official as saying.

They have been identified as head constable Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, constable Khalid Hussian Shah, constable Rehmat Shah, constable Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo, constable Saif Din, and government teacher Nazam Din.

Police puts up posters of wanted Hizbul terrorist in Jammu

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha invoked Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution to immediately terminate their employment. This provision gives the government the power to sack employees without an inquiry if the President or the governor, as the case may be, is satisfied that in the interest of the security of the state, it is not expedient to hold such inquiry.

With this, the administration has dismissed 70 government employees on similar grounds since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

Last month, four government employees, including two police constables, were sacked for their alleged involvement in narco-terrorism.

The four were identified as police constables Mushtaq Ahmad Pir and Imtiyaz Ahmad Lone, school education department junior assistant Bazil Ahmad Mir and rural development department village-level worker Mohd Zaid Shah.

J&K grants land ownership rights to west Pakistan refugees

The officials, privy to the investigations, said that the four were acting on behalf of terror outfits as the law enforcement and intelligence agencies collected incriminating material evidence against them.

Heroin and brown sugar, which are not cultivated in Indian territory, are inextricably linked with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and every gram of it being peddled or consumed in India comes from Pakistan through several networks, reported ANI quoting people aware of the matter.

With Bureau inputs
A Great Falls gun store owner Montanans heard about primarily after most of the state's congressional delegation raised concerns about an IRS raid on his business has now been indicted on tax fraud.

On Friday the U.S. District Attorney for Montana announced that Tom VanHoose, the owner of a Great Falls gun shop, has been indicted on five counts of tax fraud. According to federal prosecutors, VanHoose owes the IRS almost $500,000.

"The indictment alleges VanHoose, by his own claims, skimmed cash from his firearms business and did not report 20% of his gross receipts to the IRS, which resulted in a substantial underpayment of income taxes to the United States," U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said in a press release Friday. "After a thorough investigation conducted by the IRS, we allege VanHoose's own statements to an undercover agent were accurate, which is why is charged with multiple counts of submitting a false federal tax return."

Reached by phone at his shop Friday, VanHoose declined to comment beyond saying the undercover agent was from Chicago.

"All I can tell ya, a guy named Jim Carey from Chicago is the one who's making the statements against me," he said.

VanHoose is set to enter a plea in U.S. District Court in Great Falls on Sept. 10. VanHoose declined to say whether he'd plead guilty or not guilty. Last year he told The Billings Gazette he had been audited by the state revenue department but didn't think at the time it was connected to the raid. Instead, he believed other federal agencies had been watching his business, which sells semiautomatic firearms, for years leading up to the IRS visit.

Last year, Republican U.S. Rep Matt Rosendale amounted the raid on Highwood Creek Outfitters to "harassment" by the Biden administration.

"The weaponization of our government must be STOPPED, which is why I sent a letter to ATF Director (Steven) Dettelbach and IRS Commissioner (Danny) Werfel demanding answers about this outrageous attack," Rosendale posted on social media at the time, adding that he was working to defund thousands of IRS agents.

Much of Rosendale's issue seemed to be with what documents were seized: AFT Form 4473s, not financial in nature but records of firearm transactions.

On Friday, federal prosecutors said those records were central to their case against VanHoose.

According to Laslovich's office, VanHoose told an undercover agent in May 2023 he sold firearms for a higher price than what he entered into the point-of-sale system. VanHoose said he skimmed approximately $450,000 in cash and did not report 20% of the gross receipts to the IRS.

When someone purchased a firearm from Highwood Creek Outfitters, they were required to complete an ATF Form 4473, which identifies the firearm purchased.

VanHoose, according to prosecutors, confirmed to the undercover agent that he accurately detailed sales through the form but underreported his income to the IRS.

"IRS agents executed a search warrant on June 14, 2023, at Highwood Creek Outfitters to obtain, among other items, the ATF Form 4473s to determine the amount of unreported income," Laslovich's office said in Friday's press release. "That actual gun prices were attached to the ATF Form 4473s and confirmed that VanHoose skimmed cash and underreported his gross receipts to the IRS."

Rosendale's staff did not respond to emailed questions Friday.

Last year, the congressman wasn't alone in taking the moment to rail against the Biden administration.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester likewise issued a letter demanding "answers and transparency" from the Biden administration, asserting they should be as transparent as possible about their operations. A spokesperson for Tester's office said Friday neither agency provided a "meaningful response" after the letter. The spokesperson said Tester expects VanHoose to be treated fairly in the legal system.

Asked if Tester may have acted too quickly in requesting information from federal agencies in the middle of a criminal investigation, the spokesperson pointed to the following line in Tester's letter to Werfel and Dettelbach:

"Our justice system is founded on the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, which means there are limits on sharing information during an ongoing investigation. However, federal law enforcement agencies should aim to be as transparent as possible, while respecting the rights of those under investigation."

Montana's Republican U.S. Sen Steve Daines likewise sent a letter to Werfel on June 21, 2023, a week after the raid in Great Falls, with several questions such as asking for clarification on the scope of the search warrant and what agencies intended to do with the ATF Form 4473s.

A Daines spokesperson on Friday said he was concerned with the lack of transparency and answers from the IRS considering an unknown number of Montanans' personally identifiable information that may have been swept up in the investigation. The spokesperson added Daines trusts the judicial process and will respect the outcome of the case.

If convicted on all charges, VanHoose could be sentenced to a maximum three years in prison, $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday questioned Delhi's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena over the appointment of the administrator of the Asha Kiran shelter home, where 14 inmates died in July. AAP supporters shout slogans against Delhi's Lt Governor VK Saxena in New Delhi on August 3.(Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the administrator of the shelter home, Rahul Agarwal, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2016 for allegedly taking a bribe and was suspended for five years.

"I want to know on what ground the LG appointed Rahul Agarwal as an administrator of the shelter home where various irregularities and shortcomings have been reported after an extraordinarily large number of deaths of intellectually changed persons," Bharadwaj said at a press conference, according to PTI.

He also sought to know why Saxena has not taken any action against the administrator and the social welfare department secretary so far.

The AAP leader pointed out that the LG has the power to transfer and post officers through the Services department and the responsibility lies with him.

Further training guns at the LG, Bharadwaj also claimed that no action was taken against any officer of MCD or DDA in cases of deaths of 3 civil services aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar and of a woman and son in east Delhi.

Reacting to the report of the deaths at the shelter home, AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak, said there cannot be a bigger blot for any society than this.

He also questioned Aggarwal's appointment, saying: "Questions arise here that after knowing this (CBI arrest), why has the LG given Agarwal the charge of the shelter home? It has been two days, why has no action been taken against these people? The vigilance report on Agarwal should also be made public," Pathak demanded.

Meanwhile, AAP leaders and workers also held a protest near the Raj Niwas demanding the resignation of Lt Governor V K Saxena over the death of a woman and her son after falling into a flooded drain in east Delhi.

(Inputs from PTI)
The Union environment ministry has issued a draft notification to declare the Western Ghats an ecologically sensitive area (ESA), including villages in Wayanad, where a devastating series of landslides on July 30 killed at least 210 people, with hundreds more still missing. An aerial view of the tea plantations after landslides in Wayanad. Army teams pushed deeper on August 2 into Indian tea plantations and villages struck by landslides that killed more than 200 people. (AFP)

Also Read | Wayanad landslides: India thanks China for message expressing solidarity

The proposal for the ESA classification covers six states and 59,940 square kilometres of the Western Ghats -- or roughly 37% of the range -- was circulated as a draft notification dated July 31 and shared on Friday.

The latest draft is similar to one issued in July 2022. The move comes 13 years after the first such demarcation was recommended by a panel led by eminent ecologist Madhav Gadgil in 2011. Since then, the proposed protected area has shrunk from the original 75% recommendation to the current 37%.

This draft notification has been reissued because the previous draft expired. The high-level committee constituted by the MoEFCC is yet to conclude its report. They are yet to give us final suggestions based on responses from states including Kerala, said a senior official at the Union environment ministry, asking not to be named.

Also Read | Wayanad tragedy: How 140 Army personnel constructed 120-foot-long Bailey Bridge in record 31 hours

Experts suggested that the latest draft may have been prompted by recent devastating landslides in Wayanad district. Parts of Vythiri in Wayanad -- a popular tourist destination -- also figure in the ministrys draft eco-sensitive area.

If finalised, the notification would impose a complete ban on mining, quarrying, sand mining, thermal power plants, and polluting industries in the designated areas. It would also prohibit new construction projects and township developments above certain thresholds.

The draft, now renewed for a sixth time, states: All new and expansion projects of building and construction with built-up area of 20,000 square metres and above, and all new and expansion townships and area development projects with an area of 50 hectares and above or with built-up area of 150,000 square metres and above shall be prohibited.

Additionally, hydropower projects and less polluting industries would be regulated, and a monitoring mechanism would be established.

Also Read | How older landslide led to Wayanad tragedy: ISRO shows in before-after satellite images

As the draft notification now stands, it is up to the Western Ghats state governments  Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu  to accept or reject the proposal. The outcome of this long-standing environmental protection effort remains uncertain, with conservation needs clashing with the developmental aspirations in one of Indias most ecologically significant regions.

Kerala forest and environment minister AK Saseendran said, I am part of the cabinet sub-committee overseeing the rescue and relief operations in Wayanad so I have not got the opportunity to look at the draft notification. I will have to look at what the fresh notification says and will eventually take a decision. Its a highly complicated matter.

The notification acknowledges that Kerala had previously undertaken an exercise to demarcate Ecologically Sensitive Areas through physical verification. The ESA recommended by the Kerala government covers 9,993.7 square kilometres, including 9,107 square kilometres of forest area and 886.7 square kilometres of non-forest area. This is less than the 13,108 square kilometres recommended by a high-level working group.

Also Read | Wayanad tragedy: How Kerala can improve its early warning systems for landslides

The implementation of the ESA designation has faced numerous challenges, with Western Ghats state governments raising various objections to previous drafts. The central government held multiple meetings with state representatives to discuss the issue, including high-level consultations on February 15, 2019, May 21, 2020, November 23, 2021, and December 3-4, 2021.

To address states concerns, the environment ministry constituted a high-level committee to re-examine the suggestions of the six state governments in a holistic manner, keeping in view the conservation aspects of the disaster-prone pristine ecosystem, and the rights, privileges, needs and developmental aspirations of the region, the draft states.

Further discussions were held throughout 2022, 2023, and early 2024, with the most recent meeting taking place from March 26-28 2024.

The history of Western Ghats protection efforts dates back to the Gadgil panels recommendation in 2011 to cover 75% of the 129,037 sq-km mountain range. This suggestion met with resistance from several states, which deemed it too restrictive. A second committee, headed by rocket scientist K Kasturirangan, scaled down the overall ecologically sensitive area to 50% in 2013, but its recommendations were also never fully implemented.

The Western Ghats, recognised as a global biodiversity hot spot, harbours many endemic species of flowering plants, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates. It features unique habitats such as Myristica swamps, home to the lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri tahr, as well as shola forests, flat-topped lateritic plateaus, and wetland and riverine ecosystems.

Kanchi Kohli, an independent legal and policy expert, commented on the prolonged process: The formal process of legally notifying the ecological sensitivity of the Western Ghats is pending for 15 years, even though the demands for it go back to the late 1990s. It is clear by now that restrictions on how much the Western Ghats should be conserved is a highly political question. But the grave social and ecological consequences are visible today. The regulatory zoning of the Western Ghats is not just an environmental question; it is also about how multiple risks are managed.

Any landscape-based zonation is important because it gives you a buffer of how much of landscape can be restored and revitalised. Further, it bars any kind of encroachment of any sorts as a result there is some cover against the harsher impacts as climate change. Western Ghats are impacted by climate change. In fact, none of Indias districts are insulated. The overall change in risk landscape is bit slower over Western Ghats compared to other areas. This is mainly because the natural ecosystem footprint is higher in the Western Ghats, said Abinash Mohanty, sector head for climate change and sustainability with research firm IPE-Global.

CR Neelakandan, writer and environmental activist in Kerala, said, I dont think the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats is very practical as there is little scope for public participation in it. Before the draft notification is accepted or rejected by states including Kerala, I believe it should be put up for people, especially those living in the Ghats, to share their opinions and inputs on it. It should not be implemented like an order.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday stoked a controversy after he demanded a DNA test of the accused in Ayodhya's gangrape case. Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav at the Parliament in New Delhi.(ANI)

The Ayodhya Police on July 30 arrested Moid Khan, who runs a bakery in Bhadarsa Nagar of Purakalandar police station area of the district, and his employee Raju Khan in the case of gang rape of a 12-year-old girl.

According to the police, the minor was raped for over two months by the accused, who also recorded the act. The case came to light when the girl became pregnant because of the sexual assault.

The main accused, Moid Khan, is a Samajwadi Party functionary, according to the police. The Ayodhya district administration has demolished his bakery.

On Saturday, Akhilesh Yadav demanded that a DNA test should be done on the rape accused to deliver justice to the victim.

In the case of misdeeds, the way for justice should be found by getting DNA tests done on those who are accused, and not by merely making allegations and doing politics, Yadav wrote on X.

"Whoever is guilty should be given full punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proven false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. This is the demand for justice," he added.

The SP chief also demanded that the government immediately provide 20 lakh in assistanceto the victim's family.

Yadav's demand for a DNA test was met with criticism from political parties in Uttar Pradesh, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the Nishad Party.

The BJP accused the Samajwadi Party of defending a "paedophile" and showing its boys will be boys mindset. It also accused the leaders of the INDIA bloc of being silent.

"What do they want to prove with the DNA test? Who all were involved in the gangrape, will this be decided on the basis of the DNA test? Is the rapist who made the girl pregnant the only one guilty of rape?" BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya wrote on X.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote that Yadav's demand is an insult to the minor victim.

"Akhilesh Yadav gives clean chit to rapist Moid Khan, SP Neta & demands DNA test! Is this not an insult to the 12-year-old Nishad girl?" Poonawalla asked.

Moid Khans SP supporters threatened the family of minor to withdraw the case! On one hand, CM Yogi is taking bulldozer action- on the other hand, SP is showing a boys will be boys mindset & defending a paedophileAll INDI ALLIANCE netas are silent!...," Poonawalla said on X.

BSP chief Mayawati, too, questioned Yadav's remarks regarding the accused's DNA test.

The strict action being taken by the UP government against the accused in the Ayodhya gangrape case is justified, but what should one understand from SP's statement that the DNA test of the accused should be done, Mayawati said.

"The SP should also tell how many DNA tests have been done against such accused in their government," she added.

UP minister and Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad also hit out at the Samajwadi Party, accusing them of shielding the accused.

"I will appeal to all parties that a tyrant doesn't have any caste, don't take his side. I will go to Samajwadi Party office and protest against such a tyrant," he said while breaking into tears, according to PTI.
The Centre on Friday removed the chief of the Border Security Force (BSF) and another top officer of the paramilitary force, amid a spate of terror attacks in the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir region. BSF director general Nitin Agrawal and his deputy special DG (west) YB Khurania were sent back to their respective state cadres with immediate effect. (HT PHOTO)

BSF director general Nitin Agrawal and his deputy special DG (west) YB Khurania were sent back to their respective state cadres with immediate effect, an order from the government said.

While the government did not provide a reason for the transfers, officials in the force said Agrawal was sent back to the Kerala cadre because of the rising terror incidents in Jammu. Khurania, as the special DG of western commands, had the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab under his jurisdiction.

Separate orders issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) conveyed they were being prematurely repatriated with immediate effect.

Agrawal is a 1989-batch Kerala cadre IPS officer, while Khurania belongs to the 1990-batch of the Odisha cadre.

While Agrawal is expected to return to the Kerala police force, a senior officer said, It is unlikely that he will join as the Kerala police chief. The force is currently headed by Agarwals junior in the cadre, Shaik Darvesh Saheb of the 1990 batch IPS. Saheb, who was supposed to retire in June, was given a two years extension by the state government until June 30, 2025.

Many in BSF said it is possible that Khurania may have been transferred to Odisha to enable him to head the state police after the recent change in government. Odisha police is currently headed by his batchmate Arun Kumar Sarangi. Sarangi is due for retirement in July 2025 while Khuranias retirement date is in March 2026.

Sarangi was appointed DGP by the previous government.

The government is yet to appoint the new DG of BSF.

At least 22 people, including 11 security personnel and a village defence guard (VDG) member, have been killed this year in such incidents in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua and Doda districts. The BSF, which is entrusted to guard this front, has denied any instances of infiltration. Five terrorists were also killed in two encounters in Kathua and Doda districts last month.
A bakery owned by the main accused in the gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya was demolished on Saturday, a day after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath met with the victim's mother and assured her of justice. Demolition underway at the bakery of Moid Khan.(ANI)

The bulldozer action was carried out under heavy police surveillance by using drone technology.

Bakery owner Moid Khan, who is a Samajwadi Party functionary in Bhadrasa, and his employee Raju Khan were arrested from the Purakalandar area in connection with the case on July 30. According to police sources, the duo raped the girl two months ago and recorded the act. The crime was uncovered when a recent medical examination revealed the victim's pregnancy.

Ayodhya SSP Raj Karan Nayyar revealed that the accused video-recorded the assault on the minor and used the footage to intimidate and continue abusing her.

"Over two-and-a-half months, Khan continued to sexually abuse her, using the video to intimidate and threaten her. Khan committed these acts with the assistance of Raju, his employee," Nayyar said.

Ayodhya MP and SP leader Awadhesh Prasad, meanwhile, feigned ignorance of Khans actions and avoided media inquiries on the matter.

The victims mother, following her meeting with the chief minister at his official residence in Lucknow, told the media, CM has assured that there will be bulldozer action and exemplary punishment for the culprit.

"I met the family members of the victim from Ayodhya, along with Dr Amit Singh Chauhan, the MLA from Bikapur constituency in Ayodhya district," the chief minister said on X.

Sharing a picture of the meeting, with the family members' faces blurred, he posted in Hindi, The culprits will not be spared at any cost, (and) strict action will be taken against them. We are committed to getting justice for the girl.

The station house officer of Purakalandar police station, Ratan Sharma, and the Bhadarsa police outpost in charge, Akhilesh Gupta, were suspended hours after the meeting.
Outsourcing appears to be the only job of the National Testing Agency (NTA), Congress said on Saturday after his Rajya Sabha colleague and TMC MP Sagarika Ghose flagged the alleged paucity of information regarding the autonomous body on its website. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the Monsoon session of the Parliament, in New Delhi.(PTI)

In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, said, The only job of NTA appears to be to outsource. Its Chairman has a very dubious record as Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission.

SC pulls up NTA, seeks steps to fix exam mess

On Friday, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose wrote to education minister Dharmendra Pradhan asking why the NTA  responsible for 17 major examinations including the NEET  gives so little information about itself on its website.

Who are the officials? Where are NTAs annual reports? To win public trust for future exams NTA must provide more information about itself on its website, Ghose wrote on X while sharing a copy of the letter.

SC expands mandate of committee set up by centre to rectify structural flaws in exam system

Ghose claimed that all offices of the NTA share only two landline numbers and that only three names of the governing body have been made available on its website.

Examinations must be, above all, totally trustworthy and the agency that conducts them must be above all suspicion. Students should not have to approach the courts for redress and every examination conducted by the NTA should not be plagued by doubt and uncertainty, the letter read.

ABVP submits suggestions on NTA reforms to Centre's high-level panel

The TMC leader requested Pradhan to urgently update the NTA website with all the names of its board members and officials along with their qualifications. She demanded that the annual reports and audited accounts of the NTA should also be uploaded on the website.

Such steps would go a long way in establishing the trustworthiness of the NTA in the eyes of the public, Ghose added.

The NTA has been under fire over paper leaks and irregularities detected in multiple entrance examinations.
Daljit Singh Chawdhary, a 1990 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, took charge as the director general of Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday. Chawdhary is currently director general of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).



Assignment of additional charge of the post of DG, BSF to Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary, IPS(UP: 90), DG, SSB upon repatriation of Shri Nitin Agarwal, IPS (KL:89) till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a notification on Saturday.



Chawdhary has been appointed to helm the BSF a day after incumbent director general Nitin Agarwal was repatriated prematurely to his parent Kerala cadre. The Centre also sent back 1990 IPS officer Yogesh Khurania back to his parent Odisha cadre, wherein he has been appointed as director general of police (DGP). Daljit Singh Chawdhary, Director General, SSB, takes over the additional charge of Director General Border Security Force. (PTI)

The Centre's decision to remove the two top BSF officers comes against the backdrop of the Jammu region, along the India-Pakistan international border, witnessing a spate of terror attacks leading to killing of number of army and security personnel as well as civilians.



The BSF protects the India-Pakistan front on India's west side and Bangladesh on the east.

Here are five things to know about the new BSF director general:-

1. Daljit Singh Chawdhary is a 1990 batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre. In his 34-year-long career, he has served in different capacities in India's most populous state.



2. Chawdhary also has the distinction of serving on central deputation since 2017, as additional director general in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and as SDG in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).



3. The senior IPS officer assumed the charge of DG SSB on January 23, 2024. It is a force that guards India's fronts with Nepal and Bhutan.

4. Daljit Singh Chawdhary is said to be a renowned marksman and qualified skydiver.



5. The 1990 batch IPS officer has been awarded four Police Medals for Gallantry, Police Medal for Meritorious Service, President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Ati Utkrisht Seva Medal.
Resting its decision on a thorough analysis of data, legal principles and the practical implications of ordering a re-examination, the Supreme Court on Friday released its detailed judgment concluding that there was no systemic breach in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2024, despite allegations of malpractice, including the leakage of question papers. Protests against alleged irregularities in NEET-UG, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, on Thursday. (Arvind Yadav/HT)

A bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, examined the allegations surrounding NEET, noting that while there were incidents of malpractice, these issues did not rise to a level that would justify the cancellation of the entire exam.

The facts of this case and the resultant issue before this Court do not call for the development of new legal principles. It is settled law that the cancellation of an examination...is justified only in cases where the sanctity of the exam is found to be compromised at a systemic level, stated the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Emphasising that such drastic measures are warranted only when it is impossible to separate the tainted candidates from the untainted ones, the court pointed out that it is possible to separate the beneficiaries of malpractice or fraud from the honest students in the present instance. This being the case, the court cannot direct a re-exam, it asserted.

A significant portion of the judgment was devoted to analysing data from various examination centres that had been accused of malpractice. The bench scrutinised success rates from these centres, comparing them with data from previous years to identify any abnormalities.

For instance, in Hazaribagh, a centre that was under heavy scrutiny for paper leak, the success rate for candidates within Rank 108,000 was 4.6% in 2024, compared to 7.2% in 2022 and 6.0% in 2023. The court found that the success rate for 2024 was actually lower than in previous years, indicating no abnormality or systemic breach. From the above figures, it becomes clear that there are no abnormalities in the results for 2024 when compared with the results for the past two years, it noted.

Similarly, the data from Patna and Godhra, other centres under scrutiny for paper leak and issues with OMR sheets, also did not reveal any systemic irregularities. In Patna, the success rate for 2024 was 5.5%, lower than 8.9% in 2022 and 7.7% in 2023. In Godhra, the success rate for 2024 was 0.8%, down from 1.5% in 2022 and 2.1% in 2023. The bench concluded that these figures did not indicate any systemic issues. There are no other deviations in the data which are cause for concern and which meet the standard of indicating a systemic malaise, the judgment held.

The report from the director of IIT-Madras supported the courts conclusions. The report found no abnormal indications in the results for 2024 compared to previous years, stating that analysis shows that there is neither any indication of mass malpractice nor a localized set of candidates being benefitted leading to abnormal scores.

Another aspect considered by the court was the reopening of the registration window, which had raised concerns about potential malpractice. The registration window was initially open from February 9 to March 9, 2024, and was later extended to March 16, 2024. However, NTA reopened the registration portal for two additional days -- April 9 and 10, 2024 -- citing technical issues faced by candidates.

The petitioners argued that this reopening facilitated malpractice, but the court found no evidence to back this. The data revealed that the success rates for candidates who registered during the reopened window were not abnormal. Of the 14,007 candidates who appeared after registering on April 10, 44 were within the top 108,000 ranks, and 23 were in the top 56,000 ranks, with success rates of 0.31% and 0.14%, respectively.

Addressing concerns about candidates changing their exam centres, which some argued was done to facilitate cheating, the bench relied again on data analysis that did not reveal any abnormal success rates for candidates who changed their centres. The choice to appear for the exam from a different city may be motivated by myriad factors...Some other relevant and concrete material must be present before the Court can infer that this led to mass malpractice, it held.

The bench also cited lack of evidence to show that the question paper was disseminated widely using social media or the internet, or that the answers were being communicated to students using sophisticated electronic means which may prove difficult to trace.

The students who were beneficiaries of the leak at Hazaribagh and Patna are capable of being identified. The CBI investigation reveals the number of students who are the beneficiaries of the malpractice at Hazaribagh and Patna at this stage. This leads us to conclude that it is possible to separate the beneficiaries of malpractice or fraud from the honest students, it held.

The judgment emphasised the importance of a proportionate response to malpractice. Ordering a re-exam, the court noted, would have disrupted the academic schedule. The delay in completing admission will impact the availability of resident doctors to attend to patient care in the future. Any such direction will have disproportionate consequences for candidates from marginalised backgrounds, it said.
Guwahati: Ashok Sarma, a former legislator of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, quit the party on Friday, citing disrespect to old and senior party workers. Ashok Sarma was MLA from the Nalbari assembly seat (Twitter Photo)

Sarma, a former MLA from the Nalbari assembly seat, had been upset with the party leadership after being denied a ticket in the 2021 polls. He is expected to join the opposition Congress next week.

I had been raising grievances faced by some party workers for a long time. But no action was taken on that. Therefore, I was left with no option but to quit the party to keep my honour intact, Sarma told journalists after submitting his resignation letter in the state BJP head office here.

A senior leader of the BJP, Sarma had been associated with the party for close to three decades. He was elected from Nalbari in 2016, when the BJP first came to power in Assam. But in 2021, he was not given the ticket, and Jayanta Malla Baruah, who had joined the BJP from Congress in 2015, was chosen to represent the party.

Sarmas resignation is the first such move by a senior BJP leader in Assam in recent years. There have been differences between old-timers in the party and those who have joined it in the past decade by leaving parties like Congress.

I hope my resignation will lead to other senior leaders in the BJP, who have been sidelined, getting some respect. I will decide on my next political move soon, but theres a likelihood of joining the Congress, Sarma said.

Rajen Gohain, a former state president and Union minister, has also been complaining to the party leadership that senior leaders in the BJP are being sidelined by those who have joined from other parties in recent years.
Shots were fired and an abandoned house was torched in Manipur's Jiribam, triggering fresh tensions within a day of the Meitei and Hmar communities reaching an agreement to make efforts to restore normalcy in the district, officials said on Saturday. Internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are living in relief camps, react during a protest rally demanding their resettlement in their native places, in Imphal, Manipur, India, August 1, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer(REUTERS)

An abandoned house in Lalpani village was torched by armed men on Friday night, they said.

"It is an isolated settlement consisting of few Meitei houses, and most of those were abandoned after violence broke out in the district. Miscreants, who are yet to be identified, took advantage of security lapses in the area to commit the arson," an official said.

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The armed men also fired several rounds of shells and gunshots, targetting the village, he said.

Security forces were rushed to the area following the incident, he added.

ALSO READ- Less than normal rainfall in 6 northeast states; Manipur deficit highest at 48%

Representatives of the Meitei and Hmar communities reached an agreement in a meeting held at a CRPF facility in adjoining Assam's Cachar on Thursday.

The meeting was moderated by Jiribam district administration, Assam Rifles and CRPF personnel. Representatives of the Thadou, Paite and Mizo communities of the district were also present in the meeting.

"The meeting resolved that both sides will make full efforts to bring normalcy and prevent incidents of arson and firing. Both sides shall give full cooperation to all the security forces operating in the Jiribam district. Both sides agreed to facilitate controlled and coordinated movement," a joint statement issued and signed by representatives of all the participating communities said.

The next meeting will be held on August 15.

ALSO READ- Clashes in Manipur after security forces use tear gas on protesters

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.

Ethnically-diverse Jiribam, which was largely untouched by ethnic clashes in Imphal Valley and adjoining hills, erupted in violence after a mutilated body of a farmer was found in the fields in June this year. Thousands had to leave their homes and relocate to relief camps due to incidents of arson by both sides. A CRPF jawan was also killed in an ambush by militants in mid-July.
IT and information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated the governments stance that the government itself is best positioned to fact check misleading and false information about itself when questioned about the Press Information Bureaus controversial fact check unit in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Govt itself is best positioned to fact-check false info: Vaishnaw

Trinamool Congresss Dola Sen asked the government if it was true that the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court had stayed the creation of the PIB fact check unit this year. As the minister of state for I&B L. Murugan was replying, Vaishnaw interrupted and defended the 2023 amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, that empowers the central government to notify a fact check unit to identify any fake, false or misleading message or information about the business of the central government.

... the point is fact check related to the government of India, all the ministries, all the departments of the government of India, who is the right authority to say whether a data or an information related to a particular ministry or a particular department should not be given by anybody other than the ministry or department. That is the fundamental point under contention. The amendment under the IT Intermediary Rules which has been stayed by the honourable Supreme Court is still under contest but the fundamental principle is, our point is that anything related to the government of India, only the government of India can say whether it is a correct fact or a wrong fact. Thats our stand, Vaishnaw said.

PIB Fact Check Units creation was announced by PIB in a tweet on 29 November 2019. The Supreme Court order dated March 21 has not stayed its creation. The order only stayed its notification as the fact check unit for the purposes of fact-checking all online content related to the business of the central government after the government released such a gazette notification on March 20. This means that as of now, intermediaries such as Facebook and Google do not have to do anything about the content that is fact checked by PIBs FCU.

[W]e are clearly of the view that the notification dated 20 March 2024 which has been issued by the Union Government after the rejection of the application for interim relief would need to be stayed.  the challenges to the validity of Rule 3(1)(b) (v) involve serious constitutional questions. The impact of Rule 3(1)(b)(v) on the fundamental right to the freedom of speech and expression would fall for analysis by the High Court. We accordingly set aside the opinion of the third Judge dated 11 March 2024 declining interim relief and direct that pending the disposal of the proceedings before the High Court, the notification of the Union Government in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology dated 20 March 2024 shall remain stayed, the March 21 order by chief justice DY Chandrachud, and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra read.

The fact check amendment was challenged by Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India, Association of Indian Magazines, and the News Broadcast and Digital Association in the Bombay High Court. It led to a split verdict and was thus referred to a third judge, Justice AS Chandurkar, for final judgement. The matter is currently being heard by the third judge in the Bombay High Court.

Mamatas claim on NITI Aayog meet fact-checked

Minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said in Rajya Sabha that last week, PIBs fact check unit fact checked West Bengal chief ministers Mamata Banerjees claim that her microphone had been switched off during the NITI Ayog meeting. He was responding to a question by BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya about whether the government planned to establish a dedicated fact check unit under PIB Kolkata as fake news against the central government is the highest in West Bengal.

On July 27, the PIB FCU posted on its social media platforms, It is being claimed that the microphone of CM, West Bengal was switched off during the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Ayog #PIBFactCheck >This claim is #Misleading >The clock only showed that her speaking time was over. Even the bell was not run to mark it >Alphabetically, CM, West Bengal turn would have come after lunch. >She was accommodated as the 7th speaker on an official request of the West Bengal government as she had to return early.

In the Rajya Sabha, Murugan said that there were no plans to set up FCUs at regional level and lauded the system that is headquartered in Delhi.
India needs to prepare for disruptive changes in the Indian Ocean, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Friday against the backdrop of concerns about China's growing forays into the waters around the country. EAM S Jaishankar

The competition being witnessed in India's neighbourhood will also occur in the Indian Ocean, Jaishankar said, without naming any country, while participating in an interactive session after delivering the Jasjit Singh memorial lecture on the theme Indias grand strategy in an uncertain multipolar world..

While responding to a question, Jaishankar pointed to competition in Indias neighbourhood and said there's no point moaning and groaning about it as the country needs to be ready to compete. India is braced for competition in the Indian Ocean just as it is prepared for competition across the neighborhood.

I think the Indian Ocean is already seeing the beginnings of maritime presence, which was not there before. So, it is poised for a disruptive change. I think we need to anticipate it (and) we need to prepare for it, he said.

China has increased its presence in the Indian Ocean, which New Delhi perceives as being within its sphere of influence, by sending its naval and surveillance vessels to ports in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Several surveillance ships have criss-crossed regional waters around the time of Indian missile tests, and experts believe they are also involved in gathering data that would be helpful for submarine warfare.

Jaishankar, who delivered the lecture at an event organised by the Centre for Airpower Studies, explained the rationale behind India's SAGAR maritime initiative, or Security and Growth for All in the Region, that was launched nine years ago.

Responding to a question on India's Neighbourhood First policy, he cited examples of a successful collaborative approach that is aimed at bringing neighbors closer economically. He specifically cited India's support for Sri Lanka when it was hit by the worst economic crisis in decades.

So, you know the neighborhood for any country, especially for big countries, will never be easy. But neighborhoods need hard work, and frankly, given some other neighbours that we have and they have, the neighborhood will also be very competitive, he said.

If we have competition, we need to compete, and that's really what we are trying to do.

Jaishankar added, So at least in our neighborhood, we have shown that we have the ability to stand up, to push our interests, to compete against other countries, and often...out-resource them and definitely outperform them. I think we have a very solid record of that.

Jaishankar referred to political ups and downs with many of India's neighbours, and said these are realities that should be accepted. But we also need to appreciate that we today have more resources, more capabilities, we are geographically at the centre, and our size is so much bigger, he said.

During the lecture, Jaishankar said the global landscape has changed and will continue to do so. Indias primary concerns and challenges also reflect that transformation. We are looking at new forms of competition that take advantage of high interpenetration and interdependence, he said.
The Maharashtra bribery controversy, which led to the resignation and subsequent arrest of then state home minister Anil Deshmukh in 2021, has resurfaced months before the assembly election.



Sachin Vaze, the dismissed assistant police inspector who is accused of planting explosives in a car outside billionaire Mukesh Ambani's residence Antilia, claimed that he has submitted all evidence in a letter to incumbent deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.



Rejecting allegations, Deshmukh has claimed it was a "new move' against him by Fadnavis, who has assured a proper inquiry. The Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), which ruled the state when the controversy exploded three years ago, has rallied behind Deshmukh.



Here's a complete lowdown of the entire Briberygate controversy that shook Maharashtra in 2021. (Left-Right): Sachin Waze, Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and NCP(SP) leader Anil Deshmukh.

Ex-Mumbai top cop's bribery allegation

On March 20, 2021, Param Bir Singh, the then outgoing Mumbai Police commissioner, dropped a bombshell against Deshmukh. Replaced as the city's top cop just days ago, Singh in a letter to then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray alleged that Deshmukh asked Vaze to collect 100 crore from bars and restaurants in Mumbai. The allegations were levelled at a time when the Antilia bomb scare case was being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).



On April 6, Deshmukh resigned as state home minister after the Bombay high court ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into charges against him.



On November 2 that year, Deshmukh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after being questioned for 12 hours in connection with the federal agency's money laundering probe into extortion charges against him. In 2022, he was granted bail by the Bombay high court.

The high court had said that none of the witnesses except Vaze stated that the money was collected from bar owners at the behest of Deshmukh. The court also said that it would not be proper to prolong the NCP(SP) leader's incarceration merely on the statement of Vaze, especially since his career in police force was shrouded in controversies and he himself faces several serious criminal charges.

What ED had alleged

In its probe, ED had alleged that Deshmukh had misused his position as state home minister and collected 4.7 crore from orchestra bars in Mumbai. The money was routed to two Delhi-based brothers who operated bogus firms, the agency claimed.



This money was then allegedly sent to Nagpur-based Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan  a trust controlled by the Deshmukh family  under the garb of donations, at the behest of the former ministers son Hrishikesh.

Sachin Vaze's statement to ED and U-turns

Vaze, currently in jail after being arrested by the NIA in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case and the killing of businessman Mansukh Hiren, gave three statements to the ED naming Deshmukh.



However, in his statement before the Justice (retired) KU Chandiwal Commission, the dismissed cop in a U-turn claimed that Deshmukh and his office staff never made any demands for money from him.

Vaze even claimed he did not collect money from any bar owners and therefore he did not have to hand over any money to the personal secretary of the then home minister.



Vaze has now claimed that he submitted all evidence against Deshmukh to Fadnavis, saying,"Whatever has happened, the proof is there. The money used to go through his (Anil Deshmukh) PA, CBI has the proof and I have also written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis. I have submitted all the evidence. In the letter that I have written, I have given the name of Jayant Patil as well."



Deshmukh's allegation against Fadnavis

Earlier in July, Deshmukh had alleged that Fadnavis asked him to write four affidavits against Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Ajit Pawar and Anil Parab.



Three years ago Devendra Fadnavis sent a man to me and asked me to write four affidavits. I was asked to make written allegations against Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Ajit Pawar and Anil Parab. Devendra Fadnavis sent the affidavits and asked me to sign them. I was told that if I did this, then neither ED nor CBI would come after me, ANI quoted the NCP(SP) leader as saying.



On Vaze's claim, Fadnavis had said,"I learnt about it (Waze's claim) from the media. Media reported that Sachin Waze had sent me a letter. I have not yet seen the letter as I have been in Nagpur for the last two days. I will find out if such a letter is received and respond. We would certainly conduct a proper inquiry into emerging (disclosures)."



(With agency inputs)
Kanpur Aug 3 The Kanpur Police have reopened investigation in two cases of alleged land grabbing and extortion involving a journalist, who was recently arrested on similar charges in another case, officials said on Saturday. Kanpur police reopen old cases against scribe held for alleged land grab, extortion

The cases which have been reopened were lodged at the Colonelganj and the Babupurwa police stations in 2021 and 2023 in which TV journalist Avneesh Dixit and others were booked, they said.

However, Dixit was given a clean chit during the probe, they added.

"The complainant in the cases have informed the police that they were threatened by the accused during the initial probe and based on their fresh complaint, the cases have been reopened for investigation under provisions of the erstwhile CrPC," Additional Commissioner of Police Harish Chander told PTI.

The cases have been reopened under Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure , 1973 which gives the police the power to continue investigating an offence even after they have submitted their final report and the court has taken cognisance of the case.

Dixit was arrested on July 29 on charges of grabbing government land in the city's Civil Lines area with a market value of over 1,000 crore, according to police.

Dixit and some others were named in complaints lodged by local revenue officer Vipin Kumar and Samuel Gurudev Singh, to whom the land had been leased, they said.

The FIRs were lodged under sections 61 , 74 , 127 , 191 , 308 , 310 , 324 , 329 , 351 , 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Over the past week, multiple FIRs have been lodged against Dixit at various police stations of Kanpur, officials said, adding that efforts are on to arrest other accused in the cases as investigation proceeds.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Uttarakhand government's animal husbandry department on Saturday dispatched helicopters loaded with animal fodder for the mules and horses affected by the landslide in Kedarnath Valley following a cloudburst. A video shared by news agency ANI showed helicopters airlifting stranded tourists and delivering fodder to the impacted animals.(ANI)

A video shared by news agency ANI showed helicopters airlifting stranded tourists and delivering fodder to the impacted animals.

The operation to rescue pilgrims trapped along the rain-ravaged trek route to the Himalayan Kedarnath shrine continued into its third day on Saturday. Officials said on Saturday that as many as 8,495 pilgrims stranded had been rescued so far after heavy rains damaged the route on Wednesday night.

How many more are stranded?

Officials said that around 1,300 pilgrims remain stranded in Kedarnath, Bhimbali, and Gaurikund, but they are safe.

The rescue operation involves personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the police. On Friday, the Indian Air Force's Chinook and MI17 helicopters airlifted several pilgrims from the area.

Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police (SP) Vishakha Ashok Bhadane refuted rumours about a large number of people missing following a cloudburst near the trek route.

According to the secretary of the Public Works Department, RK Sudhanshu, the rescue operation for those stranded in Kedarnath and along the Kedarnath route due to the heavy rains on July 31 is being conducted with utmost urgency.

Cloudburst in Kedarnath Valley

The trek route to Kedarnath sustained extensive damage on Wednesday night following a cloudburst in Junglechatti near Lincholi.

Pilgrims were stranded beyond Bhimbali on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath trek route after the swollen Mandakini river washed away a 20-25-metre section. Boulders have blocked the trek route to the Himalayan temples at Ghoraparav, Lincholi, Badi Lincholi, and Bhimbali.

The Kedarnath yatra has been temporarily halted. The Rudraprayag administration is advising pilgrims to remain where they are until the route is cleared of debris and repaired.

Officials said the district administration has issued two helpline numbers7579257572 and 01364-233387and an emergency number 112 to assist people in obtaining information about their stranded relatives among the pilgrims.
Wayanad , As rescue operations in the landslide-hit areas of this north Kerala district entered fifth day, rescuers unearthed more bodies and body parts, taking the death toll to 215, with around 206 people still reported missing. Kerala landslides: Rescue operations enter fifth day, 215 bodies recovered

Huge boulders and logs brought by landslides and deposited in the residential areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala, as well as the waterlogged terrain, are posing a significant challenge to rescue efforts.

In a bid to locate people still believed to be trapped beneath the debris in landslide-ravaged villages, deep search radars will be deployed in the affected areas, a Defence PRO said on Saturday.

The Kerala government has requested the deployment of advanced radar equipment, including one Xaver radar and four Reeco radars, which will be airlifted from Delhi in an Indian Air Force aircraft, along with their operators.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the search and rescue operations have entered their final stages, but 206 people are still missing.

Addressing the media here, he said there is difficulty in identifying the dead bodies and parts recovered from the Chaliyar river.

"Till now, 215 bodies have been recovered, of which 87 are women, 98 are men, and 30 are children. As many as 148 bodies have been handed over so far. There are 206 people missing. Eighty-one people are injured and are under treatment in various hospitals," he said.

Referring to the rehabilitation efforts, Vijayan said a secure region will be identified and a township will be constructed.

He said the education minister will visit the schools destroyed in the region, and the education department will take the necessary steps to ensure that the studies of the disaster-struck children will continue.

The day also saw the arrival of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in the landslides ravaged areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala, in his capacity as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, to oversee the search and rescue operations.

Donning army fatigues, the actor held a brief discussion with officers at the Army camp in Meppadi before visiting Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Punchirimattom, among other places, and interacting with the various rescue workers, including the Army and the locals, to get an understanding of the gravity of the incident.

At the landslides-hit areas, Mohanlal, who was conferred the Lt Colonel post in the territorial army in 2009, was briefed about the search and rescue operations by the army officers and thereafter, he interacted with mediapersons.

During his interaction, he said that it was one of the worst natural disasters ever seen in the country and thanked everyone involved in every aspect of the search and rescue operations.

The actor also said that the Viswasanthi Foundation, founded by him, has pledged three crore for the rehabilitation works in the disaster-hit region.

Actor-cum-director and retired army officer Major Ravi, who accompanied Mohanlal, said that as managing director of the foundation, he was promising that they would rebuild the Mundakkai LP school, which stands in ruins in the wake of the landslides.

Meanwhile, the issue of making donations to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund created a ripple within the Congress over the announcement by senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala that he would donate to it one month's salary, which he draws as an MLA.

The announcement drew a sharp reaction from his party colleague and KPCC chief, K Sudhakaran, who, on Saturday, expressed displeasure by saying that there was no need to give money to the funds managed by the CPI-led Left government.

"There was no directive to contribute to the government's fund ," Sudhakaran told a news channel.

He said Congress was raising funds to help the affected people, and Chennithala should have contributed to that instead.

Sudhakaran's statement comes amidst online smear campaigns discouraging people from sending funds to the CMDRF.

The police have lodged 39 FIRs till Friday in connection with the smear campaigns against the CM's Facebook post requesting help for the people affected by the landslides in Wayanad district.

The police had also said that, as of Friday, 279 social media accounts were found campaigning against donations to the CMDRF and that notices had been issued to remove these.

However, despite the smear campaigns, people from all walks of life be it an elderly tea stall owner or children have been reportedly donating their meagre earnings or pocket money of varying amounts to the fund.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Union minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday opposed the Supreme Court judgement allowing states to create sub-groups within Scheduled Castes for a slice of the 15 per cent quota, and declared that his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will appeal against it. Patna, Bihar, India -Aug .03, 2024: Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan addressing a press conference at Hotel Maurya in Patna, Bihar, India, Saturday,03, 2024.(Photo by Santosh Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

Addressing a press conference here, Paswan said he was in favour of a caste census, for which a vociferous demand is being made by the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, though he was also of the view that findings thereof "must not be made public".

"Our party will go for an appeal requesting the apex court to review its recent judgement allowing sub-groups within 15 per SC quota," he said.

"Creamy layer cannot be allowed in SC quota. Allowing sub-groups within SC quota will not serve the purpose of uplifting the socially marginalised segment that has been a victim of the practice of untouchability," he added.

The Hajipur MP, whose late father Ram Vilas Paswan was among the tallest Dalit leaders of the country, expressed surprise that "the word untouchability does not even find a mention in the apex court judgement".

"The majority of Scheduled Caste people, even those coming from well-to-do families and having access to education, face untouchability. Therefore, allowing sub-groups within SC is not justified," he said.

Paswan, however, refused to comment on the stand taken by his alliance partner JD(U) over the issue, which has hailed the verdict as a "vindication" of policies of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who had years ago created the "Mahadalit" category in the state.

He was also asked about the demand for a caste census which has of late rocked Parliament.

"I think we should have a caste census. But findings of the same must not be made public. The data collated should be used by the government for framing policies," added Paswan, without elaborating further.
Shashi Tharoor, who visited landslide-hit Wayanad in his native Kerala state on Saturday, defended his memorable day social media post for the visit, saying that a memorable thing is one that is likely to be remembered.' Shashi Tharoor in Wayanad on Saturday (Image courtesy: Shashi Tharoor/X)

It all began when the Congress leader shared a video from the trip on X (formerly Twitter), and wrote: Some memories of a memorable day in Wayanad.

The clip, which has a duration of 68 seconds, shows him unloading relief materials from a truck, followed by visuals of visit to relief camps and landslide-hit locations.

However, many on social media objected to Tharoor using the term memorable for a tragic event.

Also Read: Search for life continues in Wayanad

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya was among those who lambasted the former Union minister.

Deaths and disaster are memorable for Shashi Tharoor, Malviya said on his handle on the microblogging platform

Responding to the criticism, Tharoor, the Lok Sabha member from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram who is known for his English language verbiage, sought to explain the meaning of memorable.

For all the trolls: definition of memorable: Something that is memorable is worth remembering or likely to be remembered, because it is special or unforgettable. That's all I meant, a post from the Congressman on the matter, read.

Meanwhile, the death toll from Tuesday's landslides, which struck the Meppadi, Mundakkai Town, and Chooralmala villages in Wayanad, crossed 350, and is at 357; of these, as many as 18 bodies were recovered on Saturday.

Additionally, more than 200 people are yet to be traced.

The search and rescue operations will resume on Sunday morning.
Shambhu Dayal Shukla, the father of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, who has been chosen as the 'prime Gaganyaatri' for the first Indo-US collaborative mission to the International Space Station (ISS), expressed that their family has never been nervous about his son. He said they always maintain a positive outlook and wished for the mission's success. Shambhu Dayal Shukla, the father of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla

On Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that Shukla would be the prime pilot for the mission to the ISS. Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been selected as the 'backup Gaganyatri' (backup pilot) for the mission.

Neither we nor our son is nervous. We don't think negatively, and we just believe in God. We are becoming happier as our son is achieving more success, Shukla's father told the PTI news agency.

I wish this mission to be successful. Initially, I resisted him joining the armed forces and hoped he would enter civil service, but when he was selected without my knowledge, I didn't oppose it. When we got the news, nothing could match that moment, and when the Prime Minister gave him the badge, we knew we would never forget that moment. We never think negatively; it's all God's will, and everything happens for the good, he told news agency ANI.

Shubhanshu Shukla's mother, Usha Shukla, shared that Shubhanshu has always been brilliant, even as a child.

We are so happy that it has no limits. But there is some nervousness as well when we hear things about the mission. Yesterday, he left for the US, where he will receive training. Everyone in the family is happy. He has been brilliant since childhood and works hard, she said.

ISRO-NASA effort to the ISS

Last year in June, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit, India and the US signed a joint statement envisioning a collaborative ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Gaganyatri will perform selected scientific research, technology demonstration experiments, and space outreach activities on the ISS during the mission.

The mission's experiences will enhance India's Human Space Program and strengthen ISRO-NASA human space flight cooperation.

To achieve the joint ISRO-NASA mission goal, ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) has signed a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA's identified service provider Axiom Space Inc, USA, for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS.

The National Mission Assignment Board has recommended Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the prime Mission Pilot and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as the backup Mission Pilot for the mission. ISRO announced that the selected Gaganyatris would start their mission training in the first week of August.

The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission and safely returning them to Earth, landing in Indian sea waters. The four astronauts were trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia.

Extensive preparations are ongoing at various ISRO centres for India's first human space flight program, the Gaganyaan mission.
Dehradun/Mussoorie: As many as 8495 pilgrims stranded along the Kedarnath trek route have been rescued so far after heavy rains damaged the route on Wednesday night, officials said on Saturday. Stranded pilgrims on the Kedarnath trek route being rescued using choppers on Saturday (Ht Photo/Sourced)

Officials from Uttarakhands State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), who are engaged in the rescue operation, said efforts to rescue stranded pilgrims at various locations along the Kedarnath trek route continued on Saturday, and till 3pm, 1,101 people were rescued via the Gaurikund-Sonprayag alternative route, the Kedarnath-Chaumasi trek, and 414 using choppers.

A release from the state government said that chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is monitoring the rescue operation. Commissioner of Garhwal Division Vinay Shankar Pandey was appointed as the nodal officer for the restoration of infrastructure on the Kedarnath route on the directions of CM Dhami.

According to an order issued by the secretary of the Public Works Department, RK Sudhanshu, in response to the damage caused by heavy rainfall on the Kedarnath route, and to facilitate the rescue and restoration efforts, senior officials of the concerned departments will conduct a visit to the district, while the commissioner of Garhwal division will act as the nodal officer to ensure the effective implementation of rescue and restoration measures.

Rudraprayag district information officer Rati Lala said, We have so far recovered three bodies from different locations along the Kedarnath route since Wednesday night.

A team of the SDRF restored the Chirbasa helipad, which had been closed due to a landslide. The restoration of this helipad has provided substantial assistance to the rescue operations, said Manikant Mishra, Commandant, SDRF.

The helicopter services from Chirbasa helipad had been completely disrupted due to a landslide caused by heavy rainfall. Our team removed large boulders from the helipad, making it operational again.....it is a significant relief for the rescue teams, Mishra said.

By 3:30 pm, we rescued 40 people from Chirbasa helipad, he added.

Rudraprayag superintendent of police (SP) Vishakha Ashok Bhadane, providing an update on the rescue operation, said, On July 31, the Kedarnath trek route was severely damaged at several points due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall. Ever since, the rescue teams have been carrying out operations to rescue stranded pilgrims. Many people were initially unable to contact their families due to the heavy rain and network issues.

Dismissing reports that a large number of people are missing, the SP said that on the basis of information available with them, those who were earlier unreachable have reconnected with their families, and many have reached home after being rescued.

Bhadane urged the public not to believe any misleading information and rather to reach out to police for any information related to their stranded family members along the Kedarnath trek route.

According to officials, they continue to provide food packets to the stranded pilgrims along the Kedarnath route.

On the third straight day, the district food and supply department distributed food packets among the pilgrims stranded in Bhimbali and other locations along the trek route. On the other hand, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) has also made food arrangements for the stranded pilgrims in the Kedarnath shrine area, said district informatics officer Rati Lala.

Garhwal MP Anil Baluni conducted an on-ground inspection of the disaster-affected areas in Sonprayag on Saturday. During his visit, he conducted both aerial and ground inspections, checking on the affected individuals and those being rescued.

Baluni gave necessary directions to the district administration for the rescue of stranded pilgrims and local residents at various locations.

On Friday, Indian Air Forces Chinook and Mi-17V5 helicopters were stationed at Gaucher to rescue the stranded people on the Kedarnath trek route and in Kedarnath shrine.
Learning

Dealing with a student who won't follow the rules. How can you effectively manage classroom behavior?

All Education Teaching

Dealing with a student who won't follow the rules. How can you effectively manage classroom behavior?

Powered by AI and the LinkedIn community

1

Understanding Causes

2

Setting Expectations

3

Positive Reinforcement

4

Consequences and Follow-Through

5

Communication with Caregivers

6

Restorative Practices

7

Heres what else to consider:

When a student consistently breaks the rules, consider involving them in setting classroom expectations and consequences. This inclusion can increase their sense of ownership and responsibility, potentially reducing rule-breaking behavior. Moreover, engaging the student in restorative practices can help them understand the effects of their actions on others and encourage them to make amends, fostering a more cooperative and respectful classroom atmosphere.

Monica Otieno Follow Principal| English Teacher| Director at Prime Link Trainers LTD| Counselor & Mentor at GreenLife SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS I strongly feel that setting rules and boundaries for students to know what is expected of them is key and necessary. Let students participate in setting rules ,in this way they will be held accountable where they have gone wrong. It's important to be respectful, stay calm and listen to the student.Avoid drawing conclusions before you listen to the student. Acknowledge feelings and identify what and why the student is inhibiting such behavior. Like 6 Unhelpful Reply

Selma Zein Follow LCMHCA Forensic & Clinical Psychologist; Author I believe it's important to get curious. My main thing with behavior is to get curious and not get angry. Why are we behaving this way? What's acceptable behavior? How would you like to be treated and see others behave? - Group them together to create their own "acceptable behaviors," and let's follow our own rules!

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Understanding Causes

When a student consistently breaks the rules, it's crucial to look beyond the behavior and understand the underlying reasons. This student may be dealing with personal issues, struggling with the material, seeking attention, or not fully understanding the classroom expectations. By taking the time to listen and observe, you can identify potential triggers and address them directly. Establishing a rapport with the student can also reveal insights into their actions, allowing you to tailor your approach to their specific needs and circumstances.

Shengwen Calvin Li, PhD,FRSB,FRSM,FSX,EIC

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When starting a private conversation with a student who will not follow expectations, it is good to ask them how they are doing. They are expecting to be told off and this can often disarm all the bluster they have prepared and help rewrite the narrative. By explaining that you are concerned about their behavior and showing care will help to defuse a potentially volatile situation. Will this get them back on track and following the rules straight away? Probably not. However, it is a positive interaction that comes from a place of care that is 1 step in the right direction. Over time, if you keep building the relationship, results will come. Every adult makes the choice to either escalate and exacerbate, or deescalate the situation.



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I don't work in a classroom; however, I do work with children in foster care. What many children seek is structure, boundaries, and discipline. Unfortunately, children seek this out in the classroom setting and it becomes an issue for children who have it at home and are in class to learn and it shouldn't be the role of the teacher to provide ALL of that to the child, it must be in the home primarily, and of course you'll have it at school, in clubs, team sports, a religious setting, etc. The difficulty our society faces is broken homes where children don't have the aforementioned items in their lives, so the answer I have, is help children find structured environments where there is more accountability, boundaries and discipline



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When a student consistently breaks the rules, consider involving them in setting classroom expectations and consequences. This inclusion can increase their sense of ownership and responsibility, potentially reducing rule-breaking behavior. Moreover, engaging the student in restorative practices can help them understand the effects of their actions on others and encourage them to make amends, fostering a more cooperative and respectful classroom atmosphere.

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Setting Expectations

Clear communication of classroom rules and expectations is fundamental in preventing and managing unruly behavior. Ensure that all students are aware of what is expected of them and the consequences of non-compliance. Consistency is key; apply rules fairly and uniformly to all students. When expectations are transparent and consistently enforced, students are more likely to respect the boundaries you set and understand the importance of following them.

Shengwen Calvin Li, PhD,FRSB,FRSM,FSX,EIC

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Robert Harris

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Professor in Immunotherapy within Neuroinflammation l Dean of Doctoral Education l Empowering professional leadership



One of the best ways to set 'rules' or a 'code of conduct' (the term I prefer) is to do this as a group exercise. This means that rather than receiving a list of rules they have to follow, the students get to create a code of conduct themselves together with the teacher, which empowers their feeling of responsibility. Why would you break a code you yourself have designed?

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SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS

I strongly feel that setting rules and boundaries for students to know what is expected of them is key and necessary. Let students participate in setting rules ,in this way they will be held accountable where they have gone wrong.

It's important to be respectful, stay calm and listen to the student.Avoid drawing conclusions before you listen to the student. Acknowledge feelings and identify what and why the student is inhibiting such behavior.

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Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement can be a powerful tool in encouraging rule-following behavior. Recognize and reward students who adhere to the rules to motivate others. This could be through verbal praise, a points system, or small privileges. By focusing on and reinforcing positive behaviors, you create an environment where students are incentivized to follow the rules, rather than just fearing the consequences of breaking them.

Shengwen Calvin Li, PhD,FRSB,FRSM,FSX,EIC

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Brett Eaton

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Principal Geoscientist at BGC Engineering Inc.



Appropriate positive reenforcement is really all about timing. It needs to be linked to a real positive or it will do damage to the student - teacher relationship. It also keeps the instructor focused on positive behaviour and action rather than negative. This change in focus will also lessen the disruptive nature of the same kind of behaviour from the student. It also can lessen the benefit of acting out

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Sandra Deacon replied: Completely agreeoftentimes adults get wrapped up in fixing the inappropriate behaviors and forget that teaching appropriate and prosocial behaviors is equally, if not more, helpful.

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Sandra Deacon

Upper Elementary Teacher at Oak Farm Montessori School



Completely agreeoftentimes adults get wrapped up in fixing the inappropriate behaviors and forget that teaching appropriate and prosocial behaviors is equally, if not more, helpful.



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Sean Licata, Ed.D

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Deputy Head of School | K-12 Education Leader | School Community Builder | Nurturing Leaders of Tomorrow



Check-in-Check-out (CICO) is a tool for struggling students. A point person (administration, teachers, secretary, anyone!) meets each morning with the student and sets goals centered on targeted behaviors. Throughout the day each teacher gives them a score from 1-3 on each targeted behavior. Zeros are not allowed. These points are used to reach their goal.

At the end of the day, the student brings the CICO sheet back to their adult and debriefs the day. If the students meet their goal, they get something small (stickers, a fancy pencil, a note of praise, etc.). When the student hits their goal for five consecutive days, a large reward is given. Extra recess is a huge hit!

Goal reached or not, you debrief the day with low stakes.

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Consequences and Follow-Through

When rules are broken, it's important to have a clear plan for consequences and to follow through with them. These should be appropriate to the infraction and aim to correct the behavior rather than simply punish the student. Consequences might include loss of privileges, additional work, or time away from the group. Whatever the consequence, it should be applied consistently and paired with a discussion about why the behavior was inappropriate and what the student can do differently in the future.

Shengwen Calvin Li, PhD,FRSB,FRSM,FSX,EIC

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Sean Licata, Ed.D

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Consequence and follow-through from all teachers help create higher expectations. Is the homeroom teacher or the principal the only "bad guy" when something happens? If so, other teachers are giving away their power and will continue to struggle with students. Additionally, when a consequence is mentioned, it should be reasonable given the infraction. If 50 percent of a class has lunch detention, that is a teacher issue, not a student issue.

Creating guidance groups where students can discuss their behavior and the consequences promotes open dialogue. When a consequence is given, the teacher must discuss the situation with the students and give them a fresh start.

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Ana Paula Educadora Transformando Conhecimento em Sonhos e Inovacao

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Orientadora Educacional/Psicopedagoga extensao em Neuropsicologia/Coordenadora Pedagogica/ Gestao Educacional/Formacao de Professores/Produtora de Conteudos/Colunista EAMagazine/Palestrante



As consequencias precisam ser analisadas conforme o regimento da escola, neste caso conversar com a familia e fundamental para alinhar a parceria familia-escola.

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Communication with Caregivers

Engaging with a student's caregivers is another important aspect of managing classroom behavior. Inform them of your concerns and the steps you're taking to address the behavior. Their support can be invaluable in reinforcing classroom rules at home and providing insights into any external factors that may be influencing the student's behavior. Open communication with caregivers creates a partnership that can lead to more effective solutions.

Shengwen Calvin Li, PhD,FRSB,FRSM,FSX,EIC

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Yhamile Narvaez Cardenas

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Maestra de Literatura y Redaccion Academica



- Informar oportunamente a padres y cuidadores sobre las novedades con los estudiantes.

- En el entorno institucional conviene que una persona ajena a la situacion disruptiva presencie la entrevista como un testigo imparcial.

- Es importante limitar los dias y horas en los que los maestros respondan los requerimientos de los padres y cuidadores.

-Procesos de comunicacion respetuosa entre pares y con otros miembros de la comunidad educativa.

-Debe establecerse protocolos como justificar faltas o reportar ausencias por enfermedad o calamidad domestica,

- Es preferible que los maestros no se encuentren asociados a los chats de padres y estudiantes, sino que sean abordados especificamente por padres que necesiten comunicarse con ellos.

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Abdul Malik

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I would like to inform my authority. I hope they are necessary step to overcome the situation. It is very important to my end.



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Restorative Practices

Restorative practices involve the student in the process of making amends and restoring relationships damaged by their rule-breaking. This approach focuses on accountability and the impact of their actions on others, encouraging empathy and self-reflection. By involving the student in discussions about how their behavior affects the classroom community, you empower them to take responsibility and work towards positive change.

Shengwen Calvin Li, PhD,FRSB,FRSM,FSX,EIC

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Dwight Maxwell

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fCMgr, Author, Poet, English Lecturer; Journalist,



I love using this practice in my classroom because it emphasises the point of Ubuntu: I am because we are. Students begin to grasp that their behaviours have far reaching consequences. Restorative practice is an excellent way to teach accountability to students who deviate from classroom and school wide expectations. It also stresses the importance of forgiving others and moving forwards rather than dwelling on past mistakes. Restorative practice teaches students that it's okay to make mistakes but also emphasises the importance of taking ownership for bad behaviour, apologising for errors and wiping the slate clean and starting over or continuing from where they left off. These are intrinsic values that will last them a life time.

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Gemechu Dengia

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The most important rule is to be consistent in how you deal with your students. Praise and reward good behaviour and refuse to tolerate troublemakers. If your class can see that you're firm in your discipline, they're less likely to challenge your rules.



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Ana Paula Educadora Transformando Conhecimento em Sonhos e Inovacao

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Orientadora Educacional/Psicopedagoga extensao em Neuropsicologia/Coordenadora Pedagogica/ Gestao Educacional/Formacao de Professores/Produtora de Conteudos/Colunista EAMagazine/Palestrante



Propor ao aluno um "game comportamental" criar um desafio comportamental onde tenha de refletir sobre seu comportamento atual e as mudancas necessarias. Ao elaborar a trilha de aprendizagem comportamental e interessante contar com o apoio de professores, orientadores e coordenadores.

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Heres what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that dont fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Shengwen Calvin Li, PhD,FRSB,FRSM,FSX,EIC

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Prof. Rodolfo Oliveira, CPPS

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Medico especialista em Clinica Medica. Consultor de Qualidade - Saude - Grupo Marista. Professor de Clinica Medica - Faculdade Evangelica Mackenzie do Parana.



I primarily teach 5th and 6th-year medical students, and in my experience, educational strategies must be tailored to the audience. By incorporating active learning, students remain more engaged, and I encounter fewer behavioral issues.



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Lauren Skelly Bailey

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Ceramics & sculpture professional



In my experience its important to connect with mental health services. When behavior isnt up to the students normal structure. Often educators feel like they shouldnt go to mental health but in my experience 9/10 this is a big overlooked issue.

For example I was a TA at a prestigious art school. A student lived in my building and I got a call she needed help she was assaulted. When I went to seek help from my dept chair I was discreet but the dept chair  wasnt as concerned. I felt this girl needed support. I looked into asking school counselor to help. They did reach out, but its hard to get someone to go to counseling. The student did go. Later shared through friends she didnt know who helped but was grateful.

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Adele Wollbrandt

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Senior Medical Technologist at Lancet Laboratories



Don't give up on the student!

I had a very disruptive, difficult student. I tried everything but got nowhere. The following year this student came back to class a different person - hardworking, polite - the "perfect" student. I did not understand why but was happy to accept it.

When he passed his final exam, he told me that he changed from first year to second year because I was the first person in this life that did not give up on him. Part of his bad behavior was him trying to get me to write him off.

As a teacher, trainer, mentor, we do not always know what situations our students are in, so be fair, consistent and firm and most of all - Don't give up on the student!

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Leena Rao replied: Congratulations! Really heartwarming to hear this.

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Leena Rao

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Congratulations! Really heartwarming to hear this.

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A day after the Hmar and Meitei communities of the violence-hit Jiribam district of Manipur signed a peace agreement, the apex body of the Hmar community condemned the initiative and said the pact stood null and void. FILE PHOTO: Security personnel stand guard in front of their armoured vehicle outside a polling station during a rerun voting at 11 polling stations, in Imphal, Manipur, India, April 22, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

The Hmar Inpui, the apex body of the community, alleged that its affiliated units signed the agreement without the knowledge of the general headquarters and dissolved its Jiribam unit in response.

Hmar Inpui, general headquarters, is shocked to learn about the peace initiative that was taken on August 1, 2024 at a CRPF facility in Cachar, Assam. The first such initiative was held in Silchar on July 1. The Hmar Inpui condemned the engaging actors and negated the efforts that took place without our prior, informed consent, it said in a statement on Friday.

However, disrespecting the resolution of Hmar Inpui, members of Hmar Inpui/Jiribam Region, Hmar National Union (HNU) and several individuals continue to bow to the whims and fancies of a divisive and communal state government, it added.

The headquarters declared the pact null and void, and dissolved Hmar Inpui, Jiribam region and all its affiliated organisations (HYA, HSA, HNU, HWA) under Jiribam jurisdiction, the statement added.

The body also warned individuals who participated in the event to stop their blind and selfish efforts and not represent Hmar community in any manner and if they wish to continue the efforts, they shall do so at their own risk.

On Thursday, representatives of the Meitei and Hmar communities reached an agreement at a meeting held at a CRPF facility in Cachar, Assam.

The meeting was moderated by Jiribam district administration, Assam Rifles and CRPF personnel. Representatives of Thadou, Paite and Mizo communities of the district were also present in the meeting.

The meeting resolved that both sides will make full efforts to bring normalcy and prevent incidents of arson and firing. Both sides shall give full cooperation to all the security forces operating in the Jiribam district. Both sides agreed to facilitate controlled and coordinated movement, a joint statement issued and signed by representatives of all the participating communities said.

In response to the joint statement, the apex body said the community will not act as bait in the divisive politics of chief minister Biren Singh.

Hmar Inpui is resolute in its stand to unite and strengthen the collective interests and movement for total separation of the Zohnathlak peoples from Manipur for all time to come. We shall not bow down to the Biren-led government, and Hmar will not be a bait in the divisive politics that Mr. Biren Singh and his party are devising, the body said.

Meanwhile, fresh violence broke out in the district on Friday, as shots were fired and an abandoned house in a Meitei village was torched, officials said.

It is an isolated settlement consisting of few Meitei houses, and most of those were abandoned after violence broke out in the district. Miscreants, who are yet to be identified, took advantage of security lapses in the area to commit the arson, an official said.

The armed men also fired several rounds of shells and gunshots, targetting the village, he said. Security forces were rushed to the area following the incident, he added.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.
New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday said the governors are the link between the Centre and states in the federal system while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said the governors should not hesitate in seeking information from the state governments. Prez says Guvs are Centre-state links; VP Dhankhar says Guvs should seek info from states

In her closing remarks at the two-day conference of the governors, Murmu said smooth functioning of all institutions is very important for public welfare and overall development.

According to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, she said the discussions took place in the conference with the aim of creating better coordination among various institutions.

"The governors are the link between the Centre and the states in the federal system of India," the statement said.

President Murmu expressed confidence that cooperative federalism and mutual coordination of the central institutions will be promoted as per the suggestions given by the groups of governors.

She said the governors are responsible for setting an ideal example for the citizens.

"If they set examples in important areas, it will not only become their identity but also guide the people," she said.

Vice President Dhankhar said the two-day conference had left an indelible imprint on the minds of all participants, who discussed important issues in great detail.

He said the governors should not hesitate in seeking information and maintaining sustained communication with the respective state governments for effective functioning.

In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the governors to evolve an ideal model of governance in the Raj Bhavans.

He said there should be a consistent attempt to train the staff for the effective functioning of the Raj Bhavans.

He also urged the governors to embrace technology in their functioning and promote digitisation.

Modi particularly called for tapping the strength of alumni networks of educational institutions and appealed to them to develop a mass campaign to make educational campuses free of drugs.

He also referred to natural farming as suggested by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and urged other governors to emulate the model of natural farming in the other Raj Bhavans and make their premises free of chemicals.

The Raj Bhavans should become a source of motivation and inspiration for others, he said.

The second day of the conference began with the six groups of governors making presentations based on their deliberations and suggesting a future roadmap.

After the perusal of all the reports presented by the groups of governors, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised their efforts and pointed out that all actionable points would be taken up to make the functioning of the governors and the Raj Bhavans more effective.

President Murmu lauded the collective efforts of the governors to have comprehensive discussions in the spirit of mutual learning.

In her closing remarks, she appreciated that various groups of governor came out with their valuable ideas and suggestions to improve the functioning of their office as well as for the welfare of people and expressed confidence that these suggestions would be implemented.

President Murmu said the development of the country depends on the inclusive and accelerated development of the states.

All states must move forward by learning from each other's best practices and experiences, she said.

President Murmu said in order to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of public welfare programmes, the government has laid great emphasis on last-mile delivery.

This has improved the lives of common citizens, she said.

She urged the governors to ensure the benefits of all public welfare programmes reach every eligible person so that the goal of inclusive development can be achieved in the true sense.

President Murmu said women's participation is of utmost importance for meaningful and holistic social inclusion.

Women empowerment can be strengthened by encouraging women self-help groups, she said, adding the path to 'women-led development' can be paved by promoting women-led start-ups.

She advised the governors to interact with such active women entrepreneurs and representatives of institutions working for women empowerment from time to time and guide them.

President Murmu said by further promoting the participation of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in the process of development of the country, the governors can contribute in fulfilling the national resolve of inclusive development.

She highlighted the suggestion of a sub-group of governors for the proper utilisation of resources allocated for the welfare of tribal communities and expressed hope that all governors would give priority to this suggestion.

The governors should endeavour to increase the connection of common people with the Raj Bhavans, she said.

President Murmu said people should have a feeling of affinity with the Raj Bhavan as their own Bhavan.

She noted that many Raj Bhavans are open for public visits and others can also follow the practice.

The use of the digital medium in the functioning of the Raj Bhavans will set a good example, she said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Supreme Court has taken the National Testing Agency (NTA) to task for its mishandling of this years National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG), emphasising that while the integrity of the exam was not entirely compromised, serious lapses by the body raised concerns about the fairness and reliability of a botched process that was further marred by allegations of paper leaks and widespread malpractice. Petitioner students wait outside as the hearing is going on regarding the alleged irregularities in NEET UG 2024 in the Supreme Court, in New Delhi. (ANI)

In a detailed judgment released on Friday -- days after the court rejected multiple petitions demanding a NEET-UG retest -- the bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud also proposed a series of structural reforms aimed at overhauling the examination process to restore public confidence and rectifying the serious lapses in the NTAs administration.

This included tamper-evident packaging for question papers, use of secure logistics providers, stringent identity checks, data security protocol, regular audits and surprise checks. and installation of comprehensive CCTV surveillance systems at all examination centres, among others.

By an order on July 23, the court had turned down a plea for retest, underlining that the material on record did not show any systemic breach while adding that the detailed judgment would come later. The premier medical entrance examination was conducted in May at 4,750 centres across 571 cities in India and 14 cities overseas, with over 2.3 million students competing for 108,000 seats. But weeks later, the exam was engulfed in chaos, with thousands of students demonstrating against allegations of question paper leaks, inflated marking, and arbitrary allowance of grace marks. The controversy rocked Parliament and forced the government to postpone a string of other exams.

In its 63-page judgment released on Friday, the bench, which also comprised justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, highlighted that the fairness and reliability of NEET are paramount, particularly given the critical role the exam plays in shaping the careers of future medical professionals.

Any compromise in the merit-based selection process jeopardises the quality of health care as well as the careers of aspirants. The fairness and reliability of the examination system cannot be such that public confidence is lost, stated the bench, expressing deep concerns over the numerous lapses in the exams administration and mandating a series of reforms.

To ensure that NTA adhered to these reforms, the bench expanded the remit of a committee constituted by the Union government to investigate and address the structural issues identified in the judgment. The committee, originally tasked with reviewing the conduct of the NEET-UG 2024 exam, has now been directed to include these additional reforms in its recommendations.

The seven-member committee, chaired by former Isro chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan, has been tasked with making recommendations on the stringent security protocols. Additionally, the court emphasised the need for enhanced identity verification measures to prevent impersonation and urged NTA to conduct regular audits and surprise inspections of exam centres.

Also Read | NEET UG Controversy: SC expands mandate of committee set up by centre to rectify structural flaws in exam system

The formation of a committee is essential to thoroughly investigate and address the structural issues. A dedicated committee with suitably qualified experts can ensure a comprehensive review of the security measures, candidate verification processes, and the overall management of the examination. By identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities, such a committee will help restore trust in the examination system and implement robust safeguards to prevent future malpractice, held the bench.

The court granted an extension for the committees report, now due on September 30, 2024, and instructed the Union education ministry to implement a plan of action based on the committees findings within a month of receiving the report. The ministry was also directed to report its compliance with these directions to the court, ensuring that the reforms are not only proposed but also effectively implemented.

The Supreme Courts judgment is a clear signal that the administration of national-level exams such as NEET must meet the highest standards of security and fairness. The courts intervention aims to restore public confidence in the examination system, ensuring that future exams are conducted without the lapses and irregularities that plagues NEET-UG 2024.

The judgment detailed multiple instances of mismanagement and security breaches during the NEET-UG 2024 exam, holding that the situation highlights several administrative and procedural flaws within NTAs management of the exam.

The court is cognisant of the fact that national-level exams with participation from tens of lakhs of students require immense resources, coordination, and planning. But that is precisely the reason for the existence of a body such as NTA. It is no excuse to say that the exam is conducted in myriad centres or that a large number of aspirants appear for the exam. NTA has sufficient resources at its disposal. It has adequate funding, time, and opportunities to organise exams such as the NEET without lapses of the kind that occurred this year. Multiple occurrences in the conduct of the exam prompts the court to make these observations.

The bench noted that exam papers were leaked in Patna and Hazaribagh, and that unauthorised persons were permitted to access the question papers - a clear indication of the NTAs failure to implement stringent security measures. This, the court remarked, indicates that there is a serious lapse in security and that security measures which are stringent and effective must be implemented by NTA.

Further exacerbating the situation was the revelation that question papers were transported using insecure methods, including e-rickshaws and private courier services, it noted. The court found this practice unacceptable for an exam of national importance, criticising NTA for relying on such unsecure logistics providers. Additionally, the court pointed out that NTA failed to specify a timeline for sealing Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets after the exam, leaving room for potential tampering.

In one of the most alarming instances, the court noted that question papers stored in Canara Bank were wrongly distributed to candidates at multiple centres instead of the correct set stored in SBI. This mix-up, the court said, either indicated gross irresponsibility on the part of the city coordinators or a breakdown in communication between the NTA and the custodian banks. The court emphasised that this was a critical error that should never have occurred and added that neither Canara Bank nor SBI appear to have been notified as to whether the papers in their custody were to be released.

All of these issues indicate that the security protocols must be tightened to decrease the possibility of malpractice and fraud and to lessen access by private persons to the question papers, said the bench.

The court also expressed concern over the drastic reduction in the number of top scorers after compensatory marks were removed and a retest was conducted. Initially, 67 candidates had achieved a perfect score of 720/720, but after adjustments were made, this number dropped to just 17.

It is a matter of serious concern that this number fell from 67 to 17 during the course of the hearing. The intervention of the court, reports by the media, and representations by candidates ensured that these changes were made in the interests of fairness and justice. However, the system adopted by NTA should be such that just outcomes are reached even when these external catalysts are not present. The system must be such as to inspire public confidence, it said.

The bench also pulled up NTA for its turnaround when two different committees of the agency concluded differently about awarding compensatory marks to 1,563 students for loss of time. The first committee decided in favour of compensatory marks while the one set up later in the wake of outrage held otherwise.

A body such as NTA which is entrusted with immense responsibility in relation to highly important competitive exams cannot afford to misstep, take an incorrect decision, and amend it at a later stage. All decisions must be well-considered, with due regard to the importance of the decision. Flip-flops are an anathema to fairness, said the bench.

It added that all instances of the use of unfair means must be dealt with firmly, including at a few towns or cities that have become hubs for classes which train candidates for such competitive exams.

The Supreme Court mandated a comprehensive overhaul of the NEET process, outlining a series of reforms. A key directive is the tightening of security protocols throughout the examination process.

To prevent incidents like the one at Canara Bank, the court recommended that NTA enforce strict protocols for the transportation, storage and handling of question papers, suggesting the use of tamper-evident packaging and secure logistics providers as necessary upgrades.

The court also called for stricter procedures for verifying candidate identities to prevent impersonation. It further stressed that enhanced identity checks at various stages of the exam should be implemented, including technological innovations, while also ensuring compliance with privacy laws.

Another significant reform proposed by the court is the installation of comprehensive CCTV surveillance systems at all examination centres. The court underscored the importance of real-time monitoring and recording of all activities at these centres to deter and detect any malpractice or unauthorised activities. Regular audits and surprise inspections of examination centres were also recommended to ensure adherence to security protocols.

The judgment further addressed the need for advanced data security protocols to protect examination materials from unauthorized access and potential leaks. The court recommended that NTA adopt robust encryption methods and secure data transmission practices. It also suggested the implementation of digital watermarking and tracking technologies to trace any leaks and identify the sources of unauthorised access.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a clutch of petitions seeking a special investigation team (SIT) probe under judicial supervision into an alleged scam involving political financing through electoral bonds (EBs), noting that the claims were based on assumptions and had not yet undergone the normal legal process. SC turns down plea for SIT probe into electoral bonds scheme

While the petitioners argued that the scheme, which was struck down by the top court on February 15 for anonymising political donations, facilitated quid pro quo arrangements between donors and political entities, the court held that it cannot order a roving inquiry into the accusations when the petitioners had not even invoked the remedies available to them under the law of the land.

At the present stage, absent any recourse to remedies available under the law for pursuing of grievances, it will be premature and inappropriate for this court to intervene...Intervention of this court under Article 32 must be preceded by invocation of normal remedies under the law. It would be inappropriate because intervention of this court at the present stage will postulate that normal remedies were not efficacious, stated a bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud.

In a detailed order dictated by the CJI, the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, stated that the petitions were based on two key assumptions - first, that there was a prima facie element of quid pro quo linked to the timing of EB purchases and the subsequent awarding of contracts; and second, that certain officials within investigative agencies were involved, rendering the normal legal process ineffective.

The petitions are founded on assumptions, noted the bench, adding that these assumptions were insufficient grounds for the court to intervene at this stage. The court pointed out that the petitioners themselves acknowledged that an element of criminality might be involved only if a direct relationship could be established between the purchase of electoral bonds and the awarding of contracts by authorities.

The bench further underlined that the Supreme Court cannot order a roving inquiry based on such speculative assumptions. It pointed out that individual grievances should be pursued through the available legal remedies, such as filing complaints under the applicable criminal procedure laws or seeking redress under Article 226 of the Constitution, which allows individuals to approach high courts for enforcement of fundamental rights.

Absent a recourse to remedies available in law, it would be premature and inappropriate for this court to intervene. The intervention of this court must be preceded by the exhaustion of legal remedies, the bench maintained. It further noted that the court could not pre-emptively declare that the normal legal processes would be ineffective without any attempt by the petitioners to utilise them.

The bench also rejected the petitioners request to reopen financial assessments related to the EB scheme, stating that such an order would amount to a premature conclusion on the facts of the case.

The court held that ordering an SIT probe or reopening assessments without first exhausting other legal avenues would be inappropriate and could lead to generalised and unfounded inquiries.

The court was hearing three petitions, demanding a court-monitored probe into an alleged scam involving EBs apart from other actions against the political parties for receiving donations by way of quid pro quo.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared for the petitioner non-profit organisations, Common Cause and Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL). Senior counsel Vijay Hansaria represented petitioner Khem Singh Bhati while advocate Pranav Sachdeva appeared for RTI activist Sudip Tamankar.

Introduced in 2018, EBs were available for purchase at any SBI branch in multiples of 1,000, 10,000, 1 lakh, 10 lakh and 1 crore and could be bought through a KYC-compliant account. There was no limit on the number of electoral bonds that a person or company could purchase. Donations made under this scheme by corporate and even foreign entities through Indian subsidiaries enjoyed 100% tax exemption while identities of the donors were kept confidential both by the bank as well as the recipient political parties.

But on February 15, a five-judge Constitution bench struck down the scheme, declaring it to be unconstitutional because it completely masked contributions made to political parties, and added that restricting black money or illegal election financing  some of the articulated objectives of the scheme  did not justify violating voters right to information in a disproportionate manner.

The bench directed SBI  the only designated EB-issuing bank  to stop the issuance of EBs, adding that the bank should submit details of EBs purchased since April 12, 2019, to the poll watchdog by March 6.

The tranches of data released by the ECI over two weeks in March revealed that Tamil Nadu-based Future Gaming and Hotel Services, the top donor that accounted for 1,365 crore worth of bonds, donated across party lines. Out of this, 39.7% ( 542 crore) went to the All India Trinamool Congress, 36.8% ( 503 crore) to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), 11.3% ( 154 crore) to the YSR Congress, 7.3% ( 100 crore) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and 3.7% ( 50 crore) to the Congress.

The second highest donor -- Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) -- donated 60.5% of its 966 crore to the BJP and 20.2% ( 195 crore) to the Telangana-based Bharat Rashtra Samithi.

The third highest donor, Thane-based Qwik Supply Chain, donated 91.5% of its 410 crore to the BJP, followed by 6% ( 25 crore) to the Shiv Sena. It donated 10 crore (2.4%) to the Nationalist Congress Party. According to Zaubacorp, a website that scrapes data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and LinkedIn profiles, two of the directors of the firm are employees of the Reliance Group and are directors of multiple Reliance Group companies.

Mining behemoth Vedanta Limited donated 230.15 crore, or 57.5% of its total bonds worth 400.35 crore, to the BJP, followed by 125 crore (31.2%) to the Congress.

The Kolkata-based RP-Sanjiv Goenka Groups Haldia Energy donated 74.5% of its 377 crore to the TMC, followed by 81 crore (21.5%) to the BJP.
Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal on Saturday said there will be a total of 20,629 polling booths for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. There will be over 20,000 polling stations for assembly polls: Haryana CEO

The Haryana assembly polls are due later this year.

He further said a preliminary voter list for the state has been published at all designated locations on August 2, following the Election Commission's voter list revision programme.

He requested representatives of political parties to thoroughly review the list and report any errors to the concerned election registration officer by August 16.

Agarwal held a meeting with representatives of all recognised political parties in the state to discuss the second revision of the voter list, according to an official release.

The first-level checking of electronic voting machines is being conducted by engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited in all 22 districts of the state.

Political party representatives can be present during this checking by contacting their district office in charge, he said.

Agarwal stated that special dates August 3, 4, 10, and 11 have been set for the preparation of the revised voter list.

Booth Level Officers will be present at polling stations on these dates to assist people in registering to vote.

He has appealed to the representatives of all the political parties present to appoint their booth level agents so that they can contact the BLO on these dates.

Agarwal said that all recognized political parties are entitled to get two copies of the voter lists'one printed and one soft copy.

He requested party representatives to collect the draft voter list from the district election officer or registration officer.

The draft voter list for all 90 assembly constituencies has been published, and claims and objections will be resolved by August 26.

The final publication of the voter list will be on August 27. Only those whose names are included in the voter list will be allowed to vote.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
As search operations entre the fifth day on Saturday, rescue teams, using advanced technical gadgets and dogs, continue to look for survivors or recover bodies buried under the debris of the devastating Wayanad landslides, one of Kerala's worst natural calamities. People watch as search operations are carried out after landslides hit Mundakkai village in Wayanad district in Kerala,

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan posted on Facebook that radars are detecting even slight movements, offering glimmers of hope.

ALSO READ- How older landslide led to Wayanad tragedy: ISRO shows in before-after images

Wayanad landslides latest updates

1. The number of bodies recovered from the Wayanad landslides has risen to 210, while 187 people have been discharged from hospitals. However, around 300 people are still missing with little hope of them being alive.

2. However, a family of four was rescued from an isolated house near Padavetti Kunnu on the fourth day of the deadly landslides, giving hope to hundreds of rescuers searching for survivors.

3. Around 40 rescue teams, along with cadaver dogs, are conducting search operations in six zones of the landslide-hit areas. The dogs are using their keen sense of smell to help find survivors trapped in the rubble.

4. A daring rescue operation by forest officers saved four toddlers and their parents from a tribal community. The team, led by Kalpetta Range Forest Officer K Hashis, trekked deep into the forest to rescue the family.

5. An official involved in the operation said that a "blue signal", signalling potential breath sign, was received on the radar while searching the area of a house in the severely affected Mundakkai village. However, the search concluded on Friday evening as the rescue personnel determined it was unlikely anyone was alive under the debris.

ALSO READ- Wayanad landslides: Kerala govt slammed for gag order for scientists; CM Vijayan withdraws it later

6. The India Meteorological Department has forecast a generally cloudy sky with occasional spells of rain or thundershowers for Wayanad on Saturday.

7. US president Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed condolences, commending the bravery of Indian service members and first responders. "We mourn with the families who have lost loved ones and continue to hold the people of India in our thoughts during this difficult time," said the White House.

8. The Centre issued a draft notification to declare over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats, including 13 villages in Kerala's Wayanad, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). This notification came a day after the landslides claimed over 300 lives in Wayanad.

9. The Congress accused the Centre of delaying the 'ecologically sensitive area' tag for a portion of the Western Ghats, claiming it is directly responsible for the human tragedy in Wayanad.

10. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh moved a Privilege Motion notice in the Rajya Sabha against Union home minister Amit Shah for his "Early Warning" claims regarding the Wayanad landslide. Ramesh stated that Shah misled the Rajya Sabha with false statements on early warnings, constituting a breach of privilege and contempt of the house.

(Inputs from PTI)
Over 300 people have died in the landslides that struck Kerala's Wayanad district, with hundreds still missing. Survivors have lost both their homes and loved ones. The central and state governments are working together to conduct rescue operations and provide relief to restore normalcy. Rescuers make their way to the upper regions as they search through mud and debris for a third day after landslides set off by torrential rains in Wayanad district, Kerala state, India, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP)

The Kerala Chief Minister's office has launched the "Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund" to collect donations for those severely affected by the landslides. Social media posts from the Chief Minister's office detail various ways the public can contribute, including the bank account number for the CM's relief fund.

If you wish to donate, here are the details:

Here are the details if you wish to donate to the victims of the Wayanad landslides: Account Number: 67319948232 Name: Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund Bank: State Bank of India Branch: City Branch, Thiruvananthapuram IFSC SBIN0070028 | SWIFT CODE: SBININBBT08 Account Type: Savings | PAN: AAAGD0584M.

On July 31, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan posted on X about the relief fund following the multiple landslides that hit Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Meppadi in Wayanad. He shared information on how to donate to the chief minister's relief fund with the campaign STAND WITH WAYANAD.

In times of tragedy, holding hands is the purest form of solidarity, a promise that no one faces adversity alone. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference, he wrote alongside the post.

Search operation underway on Day 5

As search operations entered their fifth day on Saturday, rescue teams equipped with advanced technical gadgets and dogs, persisted in their efforts to find survivors or recover bodies buried under the debris of the devastating Wayanad landslides, one of Kerala's worst natural disasters.

Pinarayi Vijayan posted on Facebook that radars are detecting even the slightest movements, providing glimmers of hope.

How many people were affected?

The death toll from the July 30 landslides in Chooralmala and Mundakkai, Wayanad, has reached 308 as of Friday, according to Kerala health minister Veena George.

The latest updates report that 215 bodies and 143 body parts have been recovered, including 98 males, 87 females, and 30 children, according to ANI. Post-mortem examinations have been completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts, with 148 bodies identified by relatives so far.

Hospital data indicates that 82 individuals currently receive treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts.

A total of 504 people were transported to hospitals from the disaster zone, and 205 have been discharged to date.
A photo of a woman Indian Army officer standing proudly on the railings of the newly constructed Bailey Bridge in the landslide-stricken Chooralmala village of Kerala's Wayanad has gained widespread attention on social media. The images of Major Sita Ashok Shelke, the only woman officer in the Indian Army's Madras Engineering Group, responsible for building the bridge, stands out amid numerous pictures of the disaster's devastation.

The images of Major Sita Ashok Shelke, the only female officer in the Indian Army unit responsible for building the bridge, stands out amid numerous pictures of the disaster's devastation. Social media is abuzz with praise for Major Sita Ashok Shelke and the Indian Army, applauding their bravery and dedication.

Who is Major Sita Ashok Shelke?

Major Sita Ashok Shelke hails from Gadilgaon Village, Ahmed Nagar in Maharashtra.

She is is reportedly the only woman officer in the 70-member team from the Army's Madras Engineering Group (MEG) from Bengaluru.

Known as the Madras Sappers, this engineering unit is tasked with clearing the way for the Army, building bridges, and finding and defusing landmines on a war front. The unit also assists in rescue operations during natural disasters and was very active in Kerala during the 2018 floods.

The Madras Engineer Group (MEG) and Centre overcame the loads of debris, uprooted trees and a rapidly flowing river to complete the construction of the bridge in just 31 hours, and Major Seeta Ashok Shelke was there leading the group of soldiers as they worked tirelessly. "

Major Sita Ashok Shelke, however, does not consider the successful construction of the bridge a success story of the Army alone.

"I must convey my thanks to all the local authorities, state officials, and everyone who has helped us from different places. Special thanks to the locals, villagers and state officials," news agency PTI quoted Major Sita Shelke as saying.

Major Shelke has been relentlessly working in the disaster-hit areas, attending to every exigency, foregoing sleep and even regular meals.

She and her team worked tirelessly so that many people could be saved and bodies of the dead could be recovered without much delay.

The construction faced significant challenges due to heavy rainfall and limited space for the bridge construction. Despite these obstacles, Major Shelke and her team managed to ensure the successful construction of the bridge, which remains the only route for ongoing rescue operations.

Major Shelke, as she rightly claimed, was not ready to restrict herself to the gender roles and has been working on similar terms as her male colleagues in the landslide site.

(With inputs from PTI)
Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Friday opposed any move to apply the creamy layer criteria to reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) days after the historic Supreme Court verdict on sub-classifications within these communities for broader quota benefits. New Delhi: Union minister Ramdas Athawale opposed introduction of creamy layer in SC/ST quota.

"The reservation for SCs/STs is based on caste. The Republican Party of India (Athawale) will strongly oppose any move to apply the criteria of creamy layer to reservation for SCs and STs," said Athawale, whose party is part of the BJP-led NDA.

ALSO READ- Keeping up with UP | SC ruling vindicates Rajnaths 2001 stand on quota within quota

A seven-judge constitution bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, ruled on Thursday with a 6:1 majority that states can further sub-classify SCs and STs to ensure quotas for the most disadvantaged castes within these groups. Four of the six judges supporting this decision wrote separate judgments suggesting the exclusion of the creamy layer from reservation benefits.

The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, stating it would provide justice to the more backward castes within SCs and STs. He also called for similar sub-classifications for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and general category members.

Supreme Court justice B.R. Gavai said that states must develop a policy to identify the creamy layer among SCs and STs and exclude them from reservation benefits.

Read here: Supreme Court verdict seeks policy to define creamy layer in SC/ST quota

"When the nine-judge bench in Indra Sawhney decided that applying such a test for OBCs would promote equality as per the Constitution, why shouldn't this test also apply to SCs and STs?" he asked.

The creamy layer refers to individuals above a certain income level 8 lakh per annum for OBCswho are excluded from quota benefits.

Read more: Quota hike: Bihar govt keeps fingers crossed despite SC refusing to stay HC order

Chief justice Chandrachud and justices Vikram Nath, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma supported Justice Gavai's opinion.

(Inputs from PTI)
In his third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose continuity over transformational change in his Cabinet and the top echelons of bureaucracy. While PM Modi does not believe in the optics of change for the sake of change, the bureaucracy (which is fantastic weather wane) and the Opposition thought that the NDA government has come under pressure of coalition politics and is hence afraid to take big decisions. This is going to change soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The attitude of young BJP leaders in Parliament, who are not afraid of taking on the Congress High Command, and the Cabinet decisions are indicative that August is going to be a key month for decisive changes in governance. The immediate repatriation of BSF DG Nitin Agarwal to his cadre indicates that the Modi government is all set to make big changes in bureaucracy this month. August is also the month when hardworking Rajiv Gauba and Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla complete five years on Raisina Hill and there are strong indications of fresh blood being inducted into the jobs. The Modi government is also unhappy with the performance of top officers in charge of national security and may go in for a sudden change in consultation with Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Hard steps will also be taken to retrieve the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir so that Pak-backed terrorists do not get the upper hand and the situation does not slide to the pre-August 5, 2019 era. In this context, the intelligence and the security network as well as the synergy between them will be revived and enforced, respectively.

Knowing fully well that the politics of the INDI alliance is to consolidate the Muslim vote bank and split the Hindu majority votes by exploiting caste fault lines before the Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections, the Modi government has decided to take on the Opposition by horns in Centre as well as the States. The aggression of UP CM Yogi Adityanath against the INDI alliance this week in the State Assembly is an indicator of things to come.

As the BJP faces anti-incumbency in both Maharashtra and Haryana, there are intelligence inputs to indicate that the Muslim clerics are willing to support Uddhav Thackeray as future CM candidate to split the Hindu vote in the crucial state. To add to BJPs problems is the power tussle within the state units.

Even though the Opposition has tried to scratch the sheen away from the PM by consistently attacking him, the complacency of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections among the party workers is all gone with Narendra Modi firmly at the helm of government and party affairs.

The roar of the Uttar Pradesh chief minister in the assembly this week also shows that PM Modi is backing the state leader fully with a stern message to all his alleged political rivals within the party and the Cabinet.

While the bureaucracy thinks that PM Modi may have lost his mojo after the 2024 election results, the third time PM is not missing a single step and firing on all cylinders. Just as he showed in Gujarat from 2002-2014, PM Modi plans to meet Opposition aggression upfront as he firmly believes in Newtons third law of motion and not the first law. His speech from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort on August 15, 2024, is expected to pitch for transformational change with merit on priority. Bureaucracy and BJP leaders better watch out.
New Delhi, A total of 14 short films, set in rural India and highlighting critical social and environmental issues, were showcased at a film festival here. HT Image

Village Squares Chitrashaala Short Film Festival, held in Delhi as part of the fourth edition of the India Rural Colloquy Festival, was also attended by filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, actors Adil Hussain and Faisal Malik.

The films showed during the festival's art and craft category include names such as "Mask Art of Majuli" by Utpal Borpujari, "Wooden Tales from Thammampatti" by Vivi Raaj, "Khiew Ranei - Black Clay" by Riah Taipodia and "Dastaan-e-Dastkari-Moradabad".

Priya Thuvasserys directorial "Coral Woman", Jigar Nagda's "Aravali:The Lost Mountains", Upamanyu Bhattacharyya and Kalp Sanghvi's "Wade", Stenzin Tankong's "Last Days of Summer" and Novita Singh and Amir Maliks "Jaisalmers Khadeens" were the climate change-themed movies.

In a conversation with film critic Saibal Chatterjee, Hussain and Malik, who shot to fame for his role in "Panchayat" spoke about their early influences.

Hussain said Growing up in Goalpara, one of the remotest towns in Assam, he was surrounded by a vibrant cultural scene, from local theatre to Bengali cinema, which deeply influenced his acting.

"I was surprised to meet a young man in Gurugram who hadnt heard of the National School of Drama. This highlights how cultural exposure and information flow shape our experiences. My upbringing in Assam and my studies in England have uniquely prepared me to portray diverse roles on screen," the actor, known for a variety of films such as "Life of Pi", "English Vinglish", "Maj Rati Keteki", "Hotel Salvation" and "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", said.

Malik said growing up in Allahabad, he was obsessed with the films of Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakraborty.

"This connection to cinema continues to influence my acting. The process involves a lot of discussion and sometimes disagreements with directors, but its all about the actor's understanding and aligning with the vision for the role," he said.

Ali said, "Younger people engaging with crafts across the country can make them more attractive and engaging to a wider audience. Todays filmmakers view craft multidimensionally, and as more Indian minds get trained in communication and design, this becomes a significant tool for the emancipation of craftspersons."

Sameer Kapoor, president, Village Square, said they were constantly looking for interesting ways to raise awareness about heritage and issues connected to rural India.

"Chitrashaala is one such attempt from Village Square to bring voices from across sectors to engage people on these issues," he said.

The event culminated with the screening of the short films, the Sanjay Mishra-starrer "Giddh" by Manish Saini, and "Bittu" by Karishma Dev Dube

The fourth edition of the India Rural Colloquy 2024, organised by Transform Rural India , is a series of conversations and events held from August 1-8 across Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
It takes a special kind of will to be an analog person in a digital world, but watch connoisseurs are right up there. In an age where wearable tech has outsold every Swiss watch brand in the world, there appears to be no real need to own a mechanical wrist watch. Unless of course, youre the kind to march to the beat of your own drum, using your own eyes to appreciate mechanical watches for what they truly are  vestiges of history, mechanical sculptures and markers of maturity and taste. Mechanical watches come in all shapes and sizes, so if youre looking to break from convention and buy your first one, heres what you should keep in mind. Mechanical watches come in all shapes and sizes, so if youre looking to break from convention and buy your first one, heres what you should keep in mind.

A starting point

Its safe to assume that if its your first mechanical watch, its unlikely to be a Breguet or an Audemars Piguet. Plenty of brands offer reliable mechanical watches which are budget-friendly, extremely well-finished and friendly. You may not be able to snag an automatic/mechanical watch from a renowned brand for 1 lakh, but that doesnt mean you cant get a good timepiece out of that budget. Tissot, Sevenfriday, Favre Leuba are among the top Swiss brands offering mechanical watches under 1 lakh. The Tissot Gentleman Powermatic Silicium 80, the Sevenfriday T2/01 being prime examples. But if its real bang-for-buck youre looking at, its gotta be Seiko, which has an entire range of automatic watches including chronographs, diving and dress watches under 60,000.

ALSO READ: Best trendy and affordable watches for girls: Top 7 digital, designer, waterproof options

Picking the right movement and material

Its always good to start with something reliable, cheap and easy to maintain. For those looking at affordable mechanical watches, look no further than Miyota. Originally created by Japans Citizen Watch Co. Miyota movements were later outsourced to independent watchmakers who used its accurate, robust build quality to power some exquisite, ornate timepieces. If its something Swiss-made that you want for your maiden mechanical watch purchase, ETA, now owned by Swiss watch conglomerate Swatch that has featured in various brands including Tissot, Longines, Panerai, Omega and other rarefied Swiss watch brands. Theres even an argument to be made for Chinas Seagull movements which offer a lot of complexity for their asking price. But if youre insistent on a Swiss movement thats also remarkably affordable, Swatchs Sistem51 movement is the one to go for.

ALSO READ: Best watches of 2024 for all budgets

Then theres the matter of which material you use. Stainless steel is a good entry point, as it is the most durable and designed for everyday wear. Several watch brands also offer their own proprietary variations of ceramic, which is scratch-resistant, highly durable and hypoallergenic. Rado specialises in ceramic watches (hi-tech ceramic) while Swatch also offers ceramic cases at a more reasonable price point. Should your budget allow it, titanium is among the most lightweight and durable materials while platinum, carbon-fibre and gold are strictly for luxury watches.

The right size matters

There only reason to go for an extremely large wrist-watch, ranging between 44mm - 47mm is if you want to ensure that its noticed. However, if you have a moderate or slender wrist, this can come at a great aesthetic cost. Watch sizes are no longer associated with gender or notions of masculinity with several luxury Swiss watchmakers making larger 38mm watches for women, and releasing smaller ones for men who prefer it. A larger wrist watch doesnt necessarily accommodate more complications or is inherently superior to the smaller one. The type of metal and make of the watch determines that. Anything between 38mm to 42mm is ideal, although for the truly slim-wristed, a 36mm is a better fit.

ALSO READ: From Audemars Piguet to Berneron, finding beauty in asymmetry

Verify before you buy

Your first mechanical watch should ideally be purchased from a trusted retailer. Avoid buying it online as feeling the heft of the watch and inspecting its quality up-close helps you make a more informed decision. It also allows you to try out a variety of brands and see whats on offer at different price points. Most importantly, it gives you the luxury of haggling for a discount. Remember, these prices arent set in stone, and a different (equally reliable retailer) might give you a better price. Purchasing a watch that has easy and reliable serviceability is also a major factor.

Treating it right

Purchasing a mechanical watch is just the beginning of a journey. Like any mechanical object, watches need upkeep. Not like a gramophone, but it does involve routine practices winding (if it isnt a self-winding one), avoiding exposure to water or harsh chemicals (in case it isnt water resistant), ensuring regular service every three to five years and storing it in a place where theres no direct sunlight or extreme heat.

Not always an investment

If you must stretch your budget and go for an Omega, do it for the right reason: the reason being everyday wear which allows you to look at the watch and enjoy its craftsmanship and beauty. Mechanical watches have considerably greater longevity than silicon slabs from big tech. They are great heirlooms to be handed down generations, but they arent all great investments. The ones that are, like a Rolex Daytona, cant be purchased at list price. In fact its next to impossible for a first time buyer to purchase a grail watch by simply walking into a boutique and signing a big cheque.
Shraddha Kapoor travelled to Lucknow recently to promote her upcoming film Stree 2 with Rajkummar Rao. For her jet-set look, Shraddha wore a gorgeous sindoori red suit. We found the price of the ensemble, and it is quite cheap. If you are looking for an affordable ethnic piece, you should definitely check out Shraddha's outfit. (Also Read | Sara Tendulkar's affordable H&M bodycon dress will elevate your date-night look. Here's what it costs) Shraddha Kapoor wears a sindoori red suit set for promoting Stree 2. (Instagram )

Shraddha Kapoor wears a red suit to the airport: What is its price?

The paparazzi clicked Shraddha Kapoor outside the airport in Mumbai. The snippets show the actor arriving in her car, greeting the media, and posing for them before leaving to catch her flight. She was accompanied by her co-star Rajkummar Rao.

The red suit Shraddha wore for the occasion is from the shelves of the Indian ethnic label Biba. It is available on the brand's official website and is called the Red Rayon Gathered Suit Set. Adding it to your collection will cost you 2,849.

The price of Shraddha Kapoor's red suit. (biba.in )

Decoding Shraddha Kapoor's airport look in the sindoori red suit

The red rayon suit set is from Biba's spring-summer collection. Crafted from rayon, Shraddha's ensemble is a perfect sartorial addition to your casual ethnic wear collection. The set features an anarkali kurta, palazzo pants, and a dupatta. The kurta features a V neckline, a gathered design on the bodice, 3/4th sleeves, golden embroidery on the neck and cuffs, a relaxed silhouette, and a cinched bust.

Shraddha paired the kurta with flared palazzo pants featuring gota embroidery on the hem. Lastly, a matching red dupatta with golden borders and draped on the shoulders completed the actor's ethnic airport look.

For accessories, Shraddha paired the suit with a tan embroidered shoulder bag, brown Kolhapuri sandals, rings, and dainty jhumkis. Lastly, she chose a no-makeup look and side-parted loose tresses to style the ensemble. Rouge-tinted cheeks, feathered brows, dewy skin, blush pink lips, and a hint of mascara rounded off the glam picks.

About Stree 2

Apart from Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, Stree 2 also stars Abhishek Banerjee, Pankaj Tripathi, and Aparshakti Khurana. The Amar Kaushik directorial releases on August 15.
Friendship Day 2024: India celebrates Friendship Day annually on the first Sunday of August. It is different from the International Day of Friendship observed worldwide on July 30. Friendship Day reminds us always to cherish our best buddies, express our love and care for them, and surprise them with presents. On this day, friends also get together to reminisce about the golden times of their relationship, plan meaningful surprises, make handmade presents, and more. If you celebrate Friendship Day, you should know the correct date in India, its history, significance, celebrations, and more. (Also Read | Happy Friendship Day 2024: Wishes, images, meaningful quotes, SMS, Facebook and WhatsApp status to send to your besties) Friendship Day 2024: On Friendship Day, August 4, know all about its history, significance and celebrations. (Freepik)

Friendship Day 2024: Friendship Day falls on the first Sunday of August in India. (Freepik)

Friendship Day 2024: When is Friendship Day celebrated in India?

International Friendship Day originated in the US in 1935. The US Congress proposed it to honour friends and their role in our lives. In 2011, the United Nations officially recognised it and declared July 30 the International Day of Friendship. However, in India, Friendship Day is observed on the first Sunday of August. This year, it falls on August 4.

Friendship Day 2024: History and Significance

Tracing back the roots of Friendship Day, it first originated when Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards, first promoted the idea of a day dedicated to honouring friendships in the 1950s. The concept quickly gained popularity among locals in the US. Later, it spread internationally, and in 2011, the United Nations recognised it.

Friendship Day 2024: Celebrate Friendship Day with your best friends. (Freepik)

Though India celebrates Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August, there is no specific history attached to the celebrations. The choice of the first Sunday allows for easier gatherings, as many people have the day off from work. Meanwhile, the date coincides with the summer season, allowing people to gather outside for fun activities and social gatherings.

Friendship Day holds great significance and emphasises the importance of building relationships that foster connections and healthy relationships. It serves as a powerful reminder that we should reconnect with old friends, repair strained relationships, spend quality time with our gang, and hang out with those who care for us to boost each other's mental well-being.

Friendship Day 2024: How to celebrate with friends?

Celebrate Friendship Day with your gang by planning meaningful surprises, making handmade gifts, exchanging thoughtful presents, cooking for each other, going out for dinner dates, or hanging out at a favourite joint where you made precious memories. If your gang lives in another city or country, arrange a Zoom meeting with them to catch up. You can also plan a short getaway to relax in each other's company.

So, how are you celebrating on August 4?
In todays world, stress has become an all-too-familiar companion as lifestyle factors such as health concerns, financial pressures and the relentless demands of modern living, all contribute to a pervasive sense of tension and anxiety. Additionally, the addiction to social media and the pressure to maintain an idealised online presence exacerbate these feelings, leading many to experience mood disorders, anxiety, palpitations and depression. Yoga for emotional health: Exercises that release tension, promote positive mood (Photo by Manifestation Guru)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, shared, The alarming increase in the rate of suicides underscores the urgent need for effective strategies to combat these issues. Yoga, an ancient practice that unites the body, mind, and spirit, offers a holistic approach to managing stress and promoting mental well-being. Through the integration of physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), mudras and meditation, Yoga helps individuals release tension and cultivate a positive mood.

According to him, here are some practices that are particularly effective in alleviating stress and enhancing emotional health -

1. Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation) and Chandra Namaskara (Moon Salutation):

These dynamic sequences of postures invigorate the body and calm the mind. Sun Salutation energises and prepares the body for the day ahead, while Moon Salutation cools and soothes, making them ideal for balancing energy levels and promoting overall well-being.

2. Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath):

This breathing technique involves inhaling through the mouth with a rolled tongue and exhaling through the nose. It cools the body, reduces stress, and calms the mind, making it particularly effective in alleviating anxiety and anger.

3. Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath):

This vigorous breath control practice involves rapid inhalations and exhalations. Bhastrika Pranayama energizes the body, increases oxygen supply to the brain, and helps release pent-up emotions, promoting a positive mood and mental clarity.

4. Mudra

Mudras are symbolic hand gestures that influence the flow of energy in the body. Practicing specific mudras can enhance mental focus, reduce stress, and promote emotional balance. For instance, the Dhyan Mudra (gesture of Meditation) helps calm the mind and improve concentration.

5. Aarambh Dhyaan (Seed Meditation):

Aarambh Dhyaan is a meditative practice designed to ground and center the mind. By sitting quietly and focusing on the breath, individuals can visualise negative thoughts and energies being exhaled in a black circle and positive, powerful thoughts being inhaled from a white circle. This visualisation technique helps cultivate a state of inner peace and tranquility, releasing mental tension and fostering a positive outlook on life.

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar advised, Incorporating these Yoga practices into a regular routine can provide significant relief from the stresses of daily life. Yoga not only addresses the physical manifestations of tension but also helps to cultivate mindfulness and emotional resilience. Through consistent practice, individuals can develop a greater sense of inner peace and stability, empowering them to navigate life's challenges with grace and equanimity. Yoga offers a powerful antidote to the stress and tension that plague modern life.

By uniting the body, mind and spirit, Yoga helps individuals release physical and emotional tension, promoting a positive mood and enhancing overall well-being. As we embrace Yoga as a tool for stress management and emotional health, we can foster a more balanced and harmonious existence.
With the sky-high rents and security deposits, not to mention the shortage of decent rental properties, it makes more sense to purchase than rent a house in Bengaluru, said Priyakshi Sharma, a 29-year-old software engineer presently settled in East Bengalurus Whitefield area. Demand for 1 BHK homes is gaining ground among millennials in Bengaluru (Representational photo)(Pexels)

With a comfortable annual pay scale to make the purchase, and bright prospects of a steady rental income in case she decides to relocate to another city, Sharma is mulling the idea of purchasing a 1 bedroom apartment in Bengaluru. Interestingly, Sharma personifies the thought process of many millennial and Gen Z professionals whove migrated to the IT capital for better career opportunities.

Demand for 1 BHK residential units in Bengaluru has seen a steady rise following the Covid-19 pandemic, developers and local brokers who spoke to HT.com unanimously agreed.

Also Read: Bengaluru tops list of cities with highest rental yield of 4.45% in Q1 2024; Mumbai second with 4.15%

Brigade Group COO, residential, Viswa Prathap Desu cited a roughly 30% increase in demand for 1 BHK apartments in Bengaluru in the last three years. Meanwhile proptech unicorn NoBroker stated a 35% year-on-year increase, inclusive of rental properties, particularly among the younger lot of tenants and homebuyers.

Initially it was due to safety as people didn't want to share space for fear of infection. But this gave way to people appreciating their own space, said Akhil Gupta, co-founder and CPTO at NoBroker.

Others agreed. Demand for 1BHKs has gone up relatively in recent years in the city, particularly by bachelors, inevitably leading to growth in average rentals of this BHK configuration, said Prashant Thakur, Regional Director and Head  Research, ANAROCK Group.

High rental yields encouraging buyers to purchase 1 BHK housing units

Homebuyers and industry players credited several factors - including high rental yields, rising affordability levels and alternative business models, among others - for this rise in demand.

I would much rather convert my monthly rent into EMI and add a little to my security deposit to use as downpayment for a property of my own, said Sharma.

Furthermore, those eyeing a property purchase from an investment perspective, are convinced by the high rental yields in the city. With property prices surging by 10-12% year-on-year in Bengaluru, many investors are opting for a 1 BHK as opposed to the traditional choice of a 2 BHK, several builders said.

Also Read: Bengaluru tops housing sales and launches pan India in Q2 2024, 1-3 crore homes capture 63% of new launches

According to proptech unicorn NoBroker, the average rental yield in Bengaluru ranges anywhere between 4-5%, against 3% in Mumbai and 2.5% in Delhi-NCR. Meanwhile, security deposits in the city range anywhere between 5-10 months rent, on average.

From another perspective, the increase in demand for Airbnbs is driving preference of one 1 BHK houses as an investment opportunity. We have noticed that buyers are purchasing these one-bedroom properties as it has become the perfect alternative to hotels, said Nesara BS, Chairman, Concorde.

Who are these homebuyers?

1 BHK projects do well in the vicinity of IT offices, particularly in North and East Bengaluru, and around hospitals and colleges in the city, Desu said.

Real estate developers cited a roughly 40:60 split, with 40% of the 1 BHK homebuyers intent on end-use. These buyers are students from affluent families and early career professionals between 27-35 age bracket. These professionals work in the private sector, largely as techies and doctors.

Also Read: Relocating from Noida to Bengaluru? Here are 5 things you should know before renting an apartment in the city

Meanwhile, 60% of the 1 BHK buyers in the city aim to generate steady rental income or benefit from value appreciation of the property over time. These investors largely come from the 35-50 age bracket, with a varied mix of professional backgrounds.

Developers planning to give more attention to the 1BHK segment

Contrary to expectations, data suggests that fresh supply in the 1 BHK configuration has not increased in tandem with demand in the city.

As per Anarock Research, out of the total 650 projects launched in Bengaluru between 2022 to H1 2024, merely 115 projects offer 1 BHKs units. This is a mere 18% share. A closer look at the data showed that out of the total 261 residential projects launched in Bengaluru in 2023, nearly 43 projects comprised 1BHK units. Back in 2022, nearly 235 residential projects were launched in the city out of which 51 projects comprised 1 BHKs. Thus, while in 2022 the share of projects comprising 1BHKs stood at 22%, in 2023 it decreased to 16% and further to 14% in H1 2024.

However, developers who spoke to HT.com said that they plan to give the segment due attention, going forward.

Also Read: Should you buy or rent a house? Heres why 42% people in Bengaluru prefer buying property over renting

Concorde, which usually reserves a 3% share for 1 BHK units in the brand's projects, has allocated 5-6% to units in this configuration in two upcoming projects, Nesara BS said.

Earlier in July, Brigade Group launched a residential project comprising 948 one-bedroom apartments in its township Brigade El Dorado, located in KIADB Aerospace Park.
The investor who faced backlash for saying people with 50 lakh liquid net worth are lower middle class has now shared another controversial opinion. Sourav Dutta offered his take on current salaries, saying 25 lakhs per annum is nothing in this day and age. An investor claims a salary of  25 LPA is nothing. (HT File)

The Europe-based investor and trader asked his followers for their opinion on whether tech salaries are distorting the market.

25 LPA salary in today's age is nothing, Dutta wrote on the social media platform X. Even a 3-5 year experience software engineer gets more than this. Are tech salaries distorting the market? he asked.

Take a look at the post below:

The opinion, predictably, proved controversial, coming as it did at a time when thousands of techies are rueing pay stagnation at Indias top IT companies like Tech Mahindra, TCS and Infosys. Many employees have also reported a freeze on hiring and layoffs after the post-Covid boom.

X user Keval raised doubts about the authenticity of Duttas claims. He said he knows of techies earning 25 LPA after 10 years of experience. Who are 3-5 year techies ? I know many IT guys/girls , they earn 20-25 LPA after 10 years of experience. May be few startups offer such a high package to new guys but not big tech, he wrote.

Dutta responded saying a salary of 30 lakhs per annum is actually pretty common now after five years of experience. Well, you will be surprised how much these IT guys have started earning. 5 years 30 lacs is actually very common now, he replied.

I was in TCS and still in contact with many IT guys. 30 lac for 5 year exp is not a common thing, Keval countered, to which Dutta replied saying TCS is not a good paymaster.

Several other X users also disagreed with Dutta. One said that such salaries can only be achieved by switching frequently. It's not common, only some guys have this offer, those are switching frequently, wrote Jagannath Sahoo.

It was common during covid time. Not anymore, another person wrote.

It is very uncommon. What stats do you have to support your claim? asked data engineer Raghavendra Rao.

Dutta had earlier courted controversy by classifying people according to their wealth. People with 10 lakh of liquid net worth, he said, would fall in the poor category, he had claimed, while the middle class should constitute people with liquid assets of 1 crore.
Robert Jobson's new book - Catherine, The Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen, has hit the shelves. Since its publication, several stories about the royal family have become topics of discussion among people. One such incident mentioned in the book is a heated argument between Prince William and Meghan Markle that led to the latter saying, Keep your finger out of my face, to the Prince of Wales. The incident involving Meghan Markle and Prince William is described in a book about Catherine, the Princess of Wales. (AP, AFP)

OK Magazine reported that an excerpt from Jobsons book says it all started with a spat between Markle and Catherine when she was pregnant with Prince Louis. The former actress credited the Princess of Wales' behaviour to "baby brain." The Princess of Wales reportedly replied that the duo were not close enough to talk about her hormones.

The situation escalated when Prince William entered the picture to defend his wife. Reportedly, he told Markle, Well, it's rude, Meghan. These things are not done here, while pointing a finger at her. In response, she reportedly said, Take your finger out of my face.

What else Robert Jobson reveal?

In his book, Jobson also wrote that Catherine initially hesitated to take up the title of Princess of Wales after her marriage to Prince William. She feared she would face stressful comparisons with her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who also held the title.

"She knew she'd inevitably be compared with Diana, whose untimely death had provoked such a tsunami of anger and grief. And she was right," Jobson wrote, reported Dailymail.

"Harry is very anxious to go home and see his dad, catch up with his friends for his birthday in September, and also pay a visit to his aunt, Princess Anne," a source told Ok Magazine. "But the situation hasn't changed for Meghan."
A Singapore woman spoke about her unpleasant and scary experience in Old Delhi, where she was scammed by a rickshaw puller. Travel vlogger Sylvia Chan said the rickshaw puller first appeared friendly and kind but things later turned ugly when he drove them 5 km away from their destination and demanded a payment of 6,000. Sylvia Chan, a tourist in Delhi, was scammed by a rickshaw puller.(YouTube/TravelswithSyl)

Sylvia, who is currently travelling through India, spoke about three scams she encountered in the national capital. The first, which is perhaps also the most shocking, details her experience with the rickshaw puller in Old Delhi.

In her Instagram videos, Sylvia said she and her friend met the rickshaw puller in Old Delhis Jama Masjid area. He initially seemed kind and told them to pay him only if they were happy with the ride.

The man drove Sylvia and her friend from Jama Masjid to Red Fort, where he declined the payment of 100 they had agreed upon earlier. He told us to pay him later when he picks us up from Chandni Chowk, said the Singapore woman.

So they exchanged numbers and Sylvia WhatsApped him when they were ready to be picked up. However, on the way to the spice market, the rickshaw puller kept stopping at places where the tourists did not want to stop.

At Khari Baoli, he actually got down and led us to a store by foot. We wanted to explore on our own but he kept asking us to follow him, recalled Sylvia.

She said that things turned ugly when they informed the rickshaw puller that Krishna Market would be their last stop with him. He then drove them 5 km away from Chandni Chowk and rudely demanded a payment of 6,000.

Stranded in an unknown place amid strangers, the women had no choice but to pay up. They gave the driver 2,000 and he then drove off without a word.

Take a look at the video below:

Sylvia ended her video by saying that she supports local drivers, but experiences like these make her think its safer to hire and Uber.

Her shocking experience in Delhi angered many Instagram users.

He was giving off bad vibes throughout the tour, taking you to crap places you never asked for and he only asked for money when he was somewhere relatively quiet so you couldnt make a fuss. Terrible behaviour, wrote one commenter.

As an Indian  I apologise for this, another said. Even most Indians don't want to visit places like Delhi, a third added.
CCTV: Its reported that Indian Navy and Coast Guard recently rescued an accidentally injured Chinese mariner off Mumbai coast and took him to hospital. What is Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: Most recently, a Chinese mariner was accidentally injured when operating on a ship off Mumbai coast. The Indian side swiftly came to his rescue and provided him with timely medical treatment. He is now in stable condition and recovering back in China.

The Chinese side expresses its heartfelt appreciation to all the departments and personnel of the Indian side who overcame the challenging conditions on the scene and successfully carried out this humanitarian rescue operation.

Dragon TV: Its reported that the DPRK recently commemorated the 71st anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War. Ambassadors of Russia, Viet Nam, Cuba and so on attended the event but the ambassador of China was not spotted there. Some say this is yet another sign that the relationship between China and the DPRK is experiencing issues and that China and Russia are in a contest over relations with the DPRK. What is Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: This year marks the 71st anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War. Seventy-one years ago, the Chinese Peoples Volunteers fought alongside the Korean people and troops and together achieved a resounding victory in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea and the Fatherland Liberation War. In that process, China and the DPRK forged with blood an unbreakable friendship. Despite the transformation in the international and regional landscape, the CPC and the Chinese government have never changed the importance they attach and their commitment to the traditional friendship and cooperative relationship between China and the DPRK.

Lately, certain countries and media outlets have been speculating and asserting that there have been issues with China-DPRK relations or there is a China-Russia contest over relations with the DPRK. These are unsubstantiated, ill-motivated claims. Let me stress that both the DPRK and Russia are Chinas friendly neighbors. China is happy to see the DPRK and Russia grow their ties and play a constructive role for the peace and stability of this region.

Rudaw Media Network: How will the killing of Ismail Haniyeh impact the Chinese peace effort in the Middle East? Will it affect the recently signed Beijing agreement mediated by China? The problems in the Middle East are increasingly getting complicated. Does this distract or diminish your efforts regarding achieving security and stability and peace in the region?

Lin Jian: China has stated its position on the incident. We firmly oppose and condemn the act of assassination and are deeply concerned that the incident may plunge the region into greater turmoil. Gaza needs a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire as soon as possible and there should be no more escalation of the conflict and confrontation.

China supports Palestines internal reconciliation and believes this is an important step towards solving the Palestinian question and realizing peace and stability in the Middle East. China commends Palestinian factions for their effort on the Beijing Declaration, and looks forward to the day when Palestinian factions achieve reconciliation and, on that basis, realize independent statehood as early as possible. We will continue to work with relevant parties towards this goal.

On your second question, the more daunting the situation is in the Middle East, the more critical it is for the international community to try to cool down the situation and enable deescalation. China remains committed to keeping the Middle East peaceful and stable, and opposes external interference. We stand ready to work with relevant parties to work hard for lasting peace and security in the region.

Kyodo News: Its reported that after China-Japan foreign ministers meeting on July 26, China altered and published the Japanese Foreign Ministers remarks. Chinas readout stated that Japans commitment to the one-China position remains unchanged and that Japans control on semiconductor export is not targeted at any particular country, and Japan is willing to maintain constructive communication with the Chinese side to handle it properly. Did Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa make the above-mentioned remarks? Its reported that Japans Foreign Ministry privately pointed out to the Chinese side that the readout was inaccurate. Is that true?



Lin Jian: The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and prevailing international consensus. Its also the political premise on which China establishes and develops diplomatic relations with any country in the world. Japan made a clear commitment on this in the 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement, which says The Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the Peoples Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. The Government of the Peoples Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the Peoples Republic of China. The Government of Japan fully understands and respects this position of the Government of the Peoples Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its position under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation. According to my knowledge, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa reaffirmed Japans position during the meeting, which has not changed.

When it comes to semiconductors, certain country, to perpetuate its supremacy, has been turning normal economic cooperation and trade into political and security issues, either enticing or coercing other countries to join its tech blockade against China, and deliberately disrupting global supply and industrial chains. We have noted that Japanese officials have repeatedly stated publicly that their export control measures on semiconductors are not directed at any particular country. China will work with countries around the world to stay open and pursue cooperation, and keep the global semiconductor industrial and supply chains stable.

AFP: The government of Germany accused China of conducting cyberattack on the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG). It also summoned the Chinese ambassador to lodge a protest. What is Chinas comment?



Lin Jian: China noted Germanys statement and remarks. During the past few months, some Western politicians and media have been spreading unverified and even deliberately fabricated disinformation to spread the fear for so-called Chinese cyber threat. Their motive is clearly not about cybersecurity. China firmly opposes such political manipulation that clearly was preorchestrated and played up to attack China. We oppose any move to politicize and weaponize cybersecurity issues. Chinas Embassy in Germany has voiced strong opposition and lodged a protest to the German side.

Ensuring cybersecurity is a global challenge. China is a major victim of cyberattacks. We oppose and have fought various types of cyberattacks in accordance with the law. China and Germany have open lines of communication on cybersecurity. The two sides need to jointly address threats and challenges through dialogue and cooperation, rather than resort to megaphone diplomacy, smear and attack one another and spread disinformation about so-called Chinese hacking operations. We call on Germany to maintain strategic independence, take a constructive and responsible attitude, abandon bloc confrontation and the Cold War mentality, and work with countries through dialogue and cooperation to keep the cyberspace peaceful and secure.
Over a hundred employees at TikTok-owner ByteDances headquarters in Singapore were affected by a mass food poisoning incident on Tuesday. Signage is displayed at the TikTok Creator's Lab 2019 event hosted by Bytedance Ltd. in Tokyo.(Bloomberg File Photo)

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the Singapore Food Agency and Ministry of Health said 17 people were hospitalised after developing serious gastrointestinal symptoms. Dozens more sought outpatient treatment, recovered without medical care or medicated themselves.

According to CNBC, the affected employees had consumed food served at the ByteDance office on One Raffles Quay in Singapore. Two caterers who supplied the food  Yun Hai Yao and Pu Tien Services  have had their business operations suspended after the food poisoning incident which left the office smelling like vomit.

Toilets were full

The Singapore Civil Defense Force told local media outlets that it began to receive complaints from One Raffles Quay around 3 pm on Tuesday (July 30).

An employee of TikTok-owner ByteDance told Central News Asia that staffers began to feel nauseous after consuming the lunch served at the office. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the employee said: Every single floor had people vomiting, which was quite gross.

The toilets were all full and there were people lying on the floor. The whole office smelled like vomit, said the 28-year-old employee, adding that vomiting and diarrhoea were the most common symptoms.

They added that the scene in office was quite chaotic as people vomited on the floor. The employee, who declined to be named, said that at least 10 people were seen lying on the floor in pain, waiting for paramedics to attend to them.

A total of 130 employees were affected by the food poisoning breakout. Seventeen ambulances were reportedly sent to the ByteDance headquarters to attend to the patients.

A ByteDance spokesperson told CNBC that the company is investigating the matter and working with the relevant authorities on this. The emailed statement added that Byetdance had taken immediate steps to support all affected employees, including working with emergency services to provide care.
Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya was photographed participating in traditional Hindu rituals at his son Sidhartha Mallyas wedding in June this year. New photographs of the ceremony were shared on Instagram by the official wedding photographer earlier this week. Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya at his son's wedding(Instagram/@angelswith_photography)

Sidhartha Mallya married his girlfriend Jasmine Santiago in a lavish wedding at his fathers sprawling Hertfordshire estate in the UK on June 23. The Christian wedding ceremony was followed by a traditional Hindu wedding at the $14 million mansion of Vijay Mallya, called Ladywalk estate.

Located in the sleepy English village of Tewin in Hertfordshire, Ladywalk sits on 30 acres of land. The sprawling estate served as the venue for Sidhartha Mallya and Jasmines big fat Indian wedding, which was attended by several high-profile guests besides close friends and family members.

News photos shared by wedding photographers Angels With Dirty Faces on Instagram show Vijay Mallya dressed in an ethnic maroon outfit with golden embroidery. The 68-year-old was seen wearing glasses, solitaire earring and a watch.

Take a look at the pics below:

The picture shows Vijay Mallya along with his first wife, Samira Tyabjee, son Sidhartha Mallya and daughter-in-law Jasmine. The bride wore a maroon lehenga, while Tyabjee was dressed in a silk saree.

Sidhartha Mallya is the son of Vijay Mallya and his first wife, Samira Tyabjee. An actor and author, he and his wife left for their Greek honeymoon shortly after the wedding.

Kingfisher Airlines promoter Vijay Mallya faces charges of money laundering and bank loan default to the tune of over 9,000 crore linked to the collapse of his airline in 2012. He fled India in March 2016 and is currently living in the UK.

The flamboyant businessman has been married three times and has three children, with Sidhartha being the eldest.
Hannah Neeleman, also known as Ballerina Farm, has broken her silence on the viral Trad wife article that thrust her life into the spotlight. The 34-year-old mother of eight has been dubbed the queen of the trad wives (trad being short for traditional) for advocating a return to traditional gender roles. Her TikTok-famous lifestyle gained wider public attention after a Times of London article portrayed her as a victim of misogyny. Hannah Neeleman with her family in Utah.(Instagram/@ballerinafarm)

Here is all you need to know about Hannah Neeleman:

Hannah Neeleman is an American content creator and former dancer who posts videos of her traditional lifestyle under her Ballerina Farm social media accounts.

She is married to Daniel Neeleman, son of millionaire entrepreneur David Neeleman who has launched commercial airlines like JetBlue and WestJet, among others.

The couple got married in 2011 and have eight children together, whom they raise on their 328-acre farm in Utah called Ballerina Farm.

The family homesteads name was inspired by Hannahs lifelong dream of becoming a ballerina, which she gave up when she married Daniel.

Hannah and Daniel met while she was pursuing her degree at highly-selective Juilliard School in New York. We dated only a couple of months before getting married, she wrote in an updated about me section of her website while addressing the Times article controversy. It was the best decision I ever made.

I was going to be a ballerina. I was a good ballerina, Neeleman said in the controversial interview with The Times. But I knew that when I started to have kids my life would start to look different.

The couple got married in 2011 and welcomed their first child the following year. Both Hannah and Daniel are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - more commonly known as Mormons.

On her Ballerina Farm TikTok account, Hannah frequently shares videos that show her raising hens, carrying out mom duties, cooking, baking, and engaging in other traditional housewife roles.

Besides looking after Ballerina Farm and raising her eight children without a nanny, Hannah also participates in pageants - she took part in the Mrs. World pageant in January 2024, less than two weeks after giving birth.
New anti-quota protests erupted in Bangladesh on Friday, leaving two people dead and more than 100 injured, the Associated Press reported. Thousands protested in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh, demanding prime minister Sheikh Hasinas resignation. Activists take part in a protest march as they demand justice for victims arrested and killed in the recent countrywide violence in Dhaka on August 2, 2024. (AFP)

More than 2,000 protesters assembled in various parts of Dhaka to demonstrate against Sheikh Hasinas government, with some chanting down with the autocrat and demanding justice for the victims. In the Uttara neighbourhood, clashes erupted between police and students, with security forces deploying tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd, which was throwing stones.

Latest updates on protests

- Tension flared up on Saturday as student leaders declined Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas invitation to discuss the ongoing protests.

- Last months rallies against civil service job quotas led to severe unrest, resulting in over 200 deaths in some of the worst violence during Hasinas 15-year rule.

- The group Students Against Discrimination, which organised the initial protests, has called for an extensive non-cooperation movement starting Sunday.

- Students are demanding a public apology from Hasina for the violence last month and the removal of several of her ministers.

- They are also calling for the government to reopen schools and universities, which have been closed since the peak of the unrest.

What did Sheikh Hasina say?

Sheikh Hasina has proposed a meeting with protest coordinators and has ordered the release of detained students as large crowds took to the streets of Dhaka on Saturday. My doors are open. I want to sit with protesters and listen to them. I dont want any conflict, she said.

She is accusing the two main opposition parties, which support the students, of inciting the violence. On Thursday, her government imposed a ban on the country's largest Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, prohibiting it from all political activities due to its alleged involvement in the unrest.

The government restricted the Jamaat-e-Islami party and all affiliated groups on terrorism charges, according to a notice issued by the home ministry on August 1.

Why the protests?

The current unrest is the most significant challenge Hasina has faced since the deadly protests following her victory in the January elections, which were boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Student groups led demonstrations last month against job quotas in government positions, including a 30% reservation for families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.

These demonstrations turned violent, resulting in at least 150 deaths, thousands of injuries, and approximately 10,000 arrests. The protests temporarily subsided after the Supreme Court reduced most quotas.

Although the Supreme Court lowered the veterans' quota to 5%, protests persisted, indicating broader dissatisfaction with the government and growing economic discontent.

(With inputs from agencies)
Toronto: Canadian law enforcement has seized several firearms from a residence in Surrey in British Columbia, after a video emerged of people gathered with weapons at an event there. Police havent identified the persons seen in the video or the owner of the residence. Screen shot from the video showing a person with an assault weapon at the Surrey residence.

However, social media accounts identified the owner as Harjit Singh Pattar, an associate of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the pro-Khalistan figure who was killed on June 18 last year. A person familiar with Pattar said that the video was from a pre-wedding ceremony for his son. Pattar, the person added, was associated with the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice.

In a release issued on Friday, the Surrey detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP said that it became aware on Thursday morning of a video circulating online where it was alleged that it showed a group of people dancing with firearms was filmed in Surrey.

Surrey RCMPs South Community Response Unit (SCRU) took conduct of the investigation and later in the day confirmed the address where the video may have been filmed. A Criminal Code investigation was initiated and contact was made with the property owner. At around 5.30 pm on Thursday, SCRU seized several firearms from the property owner.

Also Read | Several rounds of meetings held by India, Canadian officials over Nijjar killing

The investigation continues in order to identify the individuals in the video. SCRU will be reaching out to multiple partner agencies to advance the investigation, the release said.

We understand this incident was extremely alarming to the community at large, Superintendent Harm Dosange, Community Services Officer for the Surrey RCMP, said. Public safety is our top priority and our officers worked quickly to seize the firearms in question, he added.

The person Hindustan Times spoke to also said there have previously been reports sent to the RCMP and other agencies of caches of arms at places in the Lower Mainland region, which includes Surrey, which were allegedly owned by pro-Khalistan elements.

In June this year, the outlet Globe and Mail reported, as part of a lengthy investigation, that it was told by two sources that five men, who were led by Nijjar, undertook weapons and GPS training, learned to communicate securely and did target practice at three sites in the Lower Mainland in 2015
A New Jersey man, Eric Nicholas Gapco, 26, was arrested after attempting to open an American Airlines plane door and propositioning a flight attendant for sex following the consumption of 10 marijuana edibles. Flight forced to make emergency landing due to passenger's extreme high(X)

He is booked under federal charges, including shouting, singing, vaping, and harassing passengers. He faces charges of interference with a flight crew and attempted damage to an aircraft under the United States' special aircraft jurisdiction.

Gapco's extreme high caused a huge disruption on American Airlines flight 2101 from Seattle to Dallas, forcing an emergency landing in Utah. He was arrested at Salt Lake City International Airport, where he broke a glass door too while drooling.

The flight took off on July 18, but Gapco's erratic behaviour began shortly after departure. Despite taking the drugs before the flight, Gapco claimed he was unaware of the THC content in each edible. He refused to stay seated, vaped, propositioned a flight attendant for sex, and even removed his clothes.

ALSO READ| TikTok sued, US Justice Dept accuses company of illegally collecting children's data

NJ man removed from flight after harassing passengers

Witnesses reported that Gapco offered a fellow passenger a bag of unidentified pills and shouted, I'm sane! as he was escorted off the plane. Passengers restrained him and assisted flight attendants in removing him from the aircraft. As he was led down the aisle, he was singing, You say po-tay-to, I say po-tah-to.

Prosecutors said Gapco was combative with medical staff and the police and at one point, he spat on an officer too.

The New Jersey native initially denied taking illegal drugs but later admitted to consuming a large amount of THC. Consuming 10 edibles, each potentially containing up to 100 milligrams of THC, resulted in a high dose of 1000 mg. Overdosing on THC can lead to panic attacks, rapid heartbeat, nausea, delusions, and seizures.

ALSO READ| Kamala Harris' husband Dough Emhoff creates online buzz with his thirst trap merch launch: White boy of the month

Recreational cannabis use is legal in New Jersey and Washington but not in Texas. Marijuana remains federally illegal and is classified as a Schedule 1 substance alongside cocaine and heroin. Transporting it across state lines is prohibited.

American Airlines later told McClatchy News, The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority. We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding.
Iran on Saturday said that Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran using a "short-range projectile" launched from outside of his accommodation. A protester holds up a poster of assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh during a protest to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, outside the United Nations offices in Sanaa, Yemen, August 3, 2024.(Reuters)

In a statement, Iran's Revolutionary Guards accused Israel of being behind the incident. It also accused the United States of supporting Israel.

Ismail Haniyeh was killed on July 31 after he had attended the swearing-in of the new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.

The 62-year-old was the head of the political bureau of Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. He lived in Qatar.

Haniyeh was the second leader of an Iran-linked group to be killed since July 30, after top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut.

The killings are the latest of several major incidents that have inflamed regional tensions during the Gaza war, which has drawn in Iran-backed militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.

In Saturday's statement, the Guards reiterated that Haniyeh's killing would be avenged.

They also warned that Israel would receive "a severe punishment at the appropriate time, place and manner".

Meanwhile, the United States said that it would deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East, following threats from Iran and its allies Hamas and Hezbollah, reported Reuters.

Also Read | Hamas leaders assassination in Tehran an embarrassing security lapse for Iran

In a statement, the Pentagon said that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has approved sending additional Navy cruisers and destroyers  which can shoot down ballistic missiles  to the Middle East and Europe.

"Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies," the Pentagon said in a statement.
Tensions remain high in the Middle East days after the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a key commander of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in Beirut. Protesters hold posters of Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr and assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi during a protest to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Sanaa, Yemen on August 3.(Reuters)

Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah have already vowed revenge on Israel  which is already into the nearly 10-month war in Gaza  for the acts. They also blame the United States for the killings. Follow LIVE updates here.

Ismail Haniyeh was killed on July 31 after he had attended the swearing-in of the new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran. The 62-year-old, who lived in Qatar, was the head of the political bureau of Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Prior to Haniyeh's killing, Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut on July 30. The air strike also cost the lives of three women and two young siblings. Israel claims Shukr was responsible for the rocket fire that killed 12 youths in the annexed Golan Heights on July 27.

At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the nearly 10 months since Hamas brutal October 7 attack on Israel triggered their latest war.

Here's the latest on what's happening in the Middle Eat
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta Israeli strikes kill 15 Palestinians in Gaza school, nine West Bank militants

CAIRO/RAMALLAH -An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City killed at least 15 Palestinians on Saturday, hours after two strikes in the occupied West Bank killed nine militants including a local Hamas commander, Hamas said.

The Israeli military said the first of two West Bank airstrikes hit a vehicle in a town near the city of Tulkarm, targeting a militant cell it said was on its way to carry out an attack.

A Hamas statement said one of those killed was a commander of its Tulkarm brigades, while its ally Islamic Jihad claimed the other four men who died in the strike as its fighters.

Hours later, a second airstrike in the area targeted another group of militants who had fired on troops, Israel's military said, during what it described as a counter-terrorism operation in Tulkarm.

Palestinian news agency WAFA said four people had died in that strike, and Hamas said all nine of those killed in the two Israeli attacks in the West Bank were fighters.

Violence in the West Bank was on the rise before the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and has risen since, with frequent Israeli raids in the territory, which is among those that the Palestinians seek for a state.

There has also been an increase in anti-Israeli street attacks by Palestinians.

GAZA STRIKES

In the Gaza Strip, at least 15 people were killed in the Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, the Hamas run-government media office said.

The Israeli military said the school was being used as a command centre for Hamas, to hide militants and manufacture weapons. Hamas has denied Israeli accusations that it operates from civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals.

Earlier on Saturday, Israeli strikes in the enclave killed six people in a house in the southern area of Rafah and two others in Gaza City, Gaza health officials said.

The Israeli military said its forces had struck militants and destroyed Hamas infrastructure in Rafah and elsewhere in the enclave.

At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, according to Gaza health officials. The offensive was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted, according to Israeli tallies.

A high-level Israeli delegation made a brief visit to Cairo on Saturday in an attempt to resume Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Egyptian airport authority sources said. The delegation returned to Israel hours later, Israeli media said.

Chances of a breakthrough appear low as regional tension has soared following the assassination of Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a top military commander from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Iran.

Haniyeh's death was one in a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the Gaza war nears its 11th month, and it fuelled concern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war.

Hamas and Iran have both accused Israel of carrying out the assassination of Haniyeh and have pledged to retaliate. Israel has neither claimed nor denied responsibility for the death.

Italy urged Iran on Saturday to show restraint.

"Italy makes an appeal to Iran, calling on it for restraint and to contribute to a phase of de-escalation throughout the Mediterranean region and the Middle East," the Foreign Ministry said, adding that the message had been delivered to the Iranian ambassador in Rome.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Middle East Crisis Live Updates: Yemenis wave flags and lift placards of Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr, who was killed in an Israeli strike, and slain Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, during a rally in the Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on August 2.

Middle East Crisis Highlights: On Saturday, concerns about a regional Middle East conflict escalated following the assassination of Hamas's political leader, which has been attributed to Israel. This incident has led to vows of retaliation from Iran-backed groups in the region. In response, the United States announced plans to deploy additional warships and fighter jets to the area as the Iran-aligned Axis of Resistance prepares to respond to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh....Read More

Latest developments here

- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under U.S. European Command, as well as a new fighter squadron to the region.

- Groups from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria have already become involved in the ongoing nearly 10-month war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

- On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike in the occupied West Bank killed a Hamas commander and four Islamic Jihad fighters, according to the militant groups' media. The Israeli military also reported killing four more gunmen in a separate strike.

- The Israeli military stated that the initial airstrike targeted a vehicle in a town near Tulkarm, aiming at a militant cell en route to an attack. Hamas media claimed the strike hit a vehicle carrying fighters and included a commander of its Tulkarm brigades.

- On Friday, thousands attended funeral prayers in Qatar for Haniyeh, who was buried north of Doha two days after his death.

- Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported on Saturday that Haniyeh was killed by a "short-range projectile" fired from outside his accommodation area.

- Haniyeh had been in Iran for the swearing-in ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.

- Israel, accused by Hamas, Iran, and others of the attack, has not issued a direct comment.
The children of deep-cover Russian sleeper agents, who were part of the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War, learned of their true nationality only after their flight took off for Moscow, the Kremlin revealed on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Russian nationals, including Artyom Dultsev, Anna Dultseva and their children, following a prisoner exchange between Russia with Western countries, during a ceremony at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, Russia August 1, 2024.(via REUTERS)

"Before that, they didn't know that they were Russian and that they had anything to do with our country," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Russia issues chilling warning to released US prisoners after historic swap: Let the traitors now

Photos released after they landed in Moscow showed them being greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin along with the other freed Russian nationals.

And you probably saw that when the children came down the plane's steps that they don't speak Russian and that Putin greeted them in Spanish. He said 'buenas noches'.

Artem and Anna Dultsev, who operated under the aliases Ludwig Gisch and Maria Rosa Mayer Munos, had lived in Slovenia since 2017, running a startup IT company and an online art gallery. Posing as Argentine expats, Dultsevs used the Slovenian capital as their base to relay Moscow's orders to other sleeper agents.

They were arrested on espionage charges in 2022 and had vehemently denied these allegations until suddenly changing their narrative on Wednesday.

Their two teenage children, who had been living in foster care since their parents' arrest, were on a CIA-operated flight that transported them from Ljubljana to Ankara, where the exchange occurred.

Evan Gershkovich made a stunning last request to Russia before release, would Putin be willing to

Peskov said that while the couple were being held in jail they were given only restricted access to their children, and feared they could lose their parental rights.

"The children asked their parents yesterday who it was that was meeting them (in Moscow). They didn't even know who Putin was. This is how the 'illegals' work. They make such sacrifices out of dedication to their work," Peskov said.

The prisoner exchange involved 24 individuals, with 16 moving from Russia to the West and eight from the West to Russia. Among those released by Moscow were U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich and Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, who holds British citizenship.
KYIV, - Ukraine's military said on Saturday it had sunk a submarine in Russian-controlled Sevastopol, attacked a southern Russian airfield and hit oil depots and fuel and lubricant storage facilities in Belgorod, Kursk and Rostov regions. Ukraine says it sank Russian submarine, hit airfield, oil depots

"A Russian submarine went to the bottom of the Black Sea," the defence ministry said in a post on X, naming the vessel as the B-237 Rostov-on-Don attack submarine.

The military's general staff said the attack on Sevastopol port also significantly damaged four launchers of the S-400 anti-aircraft "Triumf" defence system.

There was no immediate comment by Russia on the Sevastopol attack.

In other, overnight attacks, the military said it hit an ammunition depot at Morozovsk airfield where Russian forces stored guided aerial bombs among other equipment and a number of oil depots and fuel storage facilities.

"Russian combat aviation must be destroyed wherever it is, by all effective means. It is also quite fair to strike at Russian airfields. And we need this joint solution with our partners - a security solution," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

The Ukrainian president has repeatedly called on his Western allies for permission to use their weapons for long-range attacks on Russia, in addition to striking military targets close to the border.

He said on Saturday that Russian forces had used over 600 guided aerial bombs to attack Ukraine in the past week.

The attack on oil depots and fuel and lubricant storage facilities in Belgorod, Kursk and Rostov regions set fire to at least two oil tanks, according to the Ukrainian military report.

In Russia, local officials reported that tanks at a fuel storage depot in the Kamensky district of Rostov region caught fire as a result of a drone attack.

The regional governor of Belgorod also said Ukraine-launched drones caused a fire at an oil storage depot there, adding that the fire was extinguished and no one was injured.

Ukraine has dramatically stepped up its use of long-range drones this year to attack Russian oil facilities, attempting to damage sites fueling Russian forces and the country's economy in Moscow's 29-month-old invasion.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
US defence secretary Llyod Austin scrapped a plea agreement with the accused mastermind of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, reinstating his death penalty, news agency Associated Press reported. US defence secretary Llyod Austin canceled a plea agreement with the accused mastermind of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks - Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two other alleged accomplices as well (Photo by Handout / FBI / AFP)(AFP)

The plea agreement, which was reversed for two other defendants as well, had been confirmed just two days before it was overridden.

Also Read: US deported 48 Indian students without explanation; India seeks clarification

The military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba had announced that the official appointed to oversee the war court, retired brigadier general Susan Escallier, had finalised a plea deal with the prime accused Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his two alleged accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.

The families of nearly 3,000 people killed in the Al-Qaeda attacks were sent letters informing them that the three accused would serve life sentences.

Also Read: How Tucker Carlson's interview with Putin paved the way for Evan Gershkovich's release: I hope you let him out

In his order axing the plea deal on Friday, defence secretary Austin wrote, in light of the significance of the decision, he had decided that he was authorised to take a final decision in the case and nullify Escalliers judgement.

Also Read: Kamala Harris secures enough votes to clinch Democratic presidential nomination: I am honored

Families of victims of the terrorist attack had condemned the earlier deal for taking away a possibility of a full trial or death penalty. Many Republicans blamed the Biden administration, who responded saying they had no knowledge of the inner workings of the deal.

Mohammed, and the two others, accused of being involved in hijacking passenger planes and crashing them into the World Trade Centre in 2001, were supposed to enter their guilty pleas next week.

Out of two others who were accused of involvement as well, one is negotiating a plea deal while the other has been deemed unfit to stand trial.

The U.S. military commission in charge of the cases of five defendants has been stuck in pre-trial hearings and other preliminary court action since 2008. This is largely due to the torture suffered by the five while in CIA custody.

J. Wells Dixon, a staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights who has represented the defendants accused Austin of bowing to political pressure and pushing some victim family members over an emotional cliff" by scrapping the plea deals.

Lawyers have been trying to negotiate a resolution to the case for about 18 months. President Joe Biden blocked a proposed plea bargain in the case last year, when he refused to offer solitary confinement and trauma care to the defendants for the torture they suffered under the CIA.
First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer condemned the prosecutors in the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin. He said the prosecution misconducted the evidence and intentionally and deliberately withheld the key evidence in the case from the court. The evidence was crucial to the case and the judge explained how it could have absolved Baldwin sooner. FILE - Judge criticised the prosecution for deliberately hiding key evidence from the court in Alec Baldwin's Rust case. (Ramsay de Give/Pool Photo via AP, File)(AP)

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Prosecutors denounce misconduct in Alec Baldwins case

An order issued on Wednesday stated that the charges against the actor were dismissed due to "willful and deliberate misconduct." Lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey repeatedly failed to meet discovery requirements and gave inconsistent testimony about the evidence she withheld, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Troy Teske turned over the live ammunition to the Santa Fe Sheriffs Office, where crime scene technician Marissa Popell received the bullets but did not log them under the Rust case. This oversight potentially allowed the evidence to be concealed from Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez. Baldwins lawyers assert that Teske, a retired Arizona police officer, provided bullets with Starline brass casings and nickel primers that were consistent with the live round that fatally shot Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Prosecutor Morrissey, defending her actions, claimed in court that the ammunition from Teske was irrelevant to the case against Gutierrez and didnt match the round that killed Hutchins. She argued it didn't need to be shared with the defence. However, during court examination, some of the rounds appeared similar to those found on the Rust set after the shooting.

Also Read: Italian boxer Angela Carini scores prize money from IBA despite controversial loss to Imane Khelif

Timely hand-in of evidence couldve absolved Baldwin

The order stated that Morrissey made the deliberate, intentional decision to place the Teske-supplied ammunition under another case to suppress the evidence from the court. This evidence if handed in could have freed Baldwin from the case. Sommers explained, Evidence regarding the source of the live round that killed Ms Hutchins, and additional information concerning how that live round arrived on the Rust set, likely affects the jurys calculus of proximate cause and negligence by a third person or persons.

However, the late admission of the right evidence took a toll on Baldwins case as his lawyers were not permitted to test the bullets earlier due to order. The judge further added, Given the States egregious discovery violations constituting misconduct and the false testimony elicited during the trial, dismissal with prejudice is the appropriate remedy.
Firefighters battling Californias largest wildfire of the year are preparing for treacherous conditions entering the weekend when expected thunderstorms may unleash fire-starting lightning and erratic winds that could erode progress made over the past week. Dry, hot conditions posed similar threats across the fire-stricken West. The Park Fire burns near Chico, California, US, on Friday, July 26, 2024. Arson investigators in California arrested a man on suspicion of starting the states largest wildfire this year - a conflagration that has prompted evacuations and threatened the states power grid. Photographer: Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

Weather, fuels and terrain will pose challenges for the nearly 6,400 firefighters battling the Park Fire, which has spread over 624 square miles (1,616 square kilometers) since allegedly being started by arson in a park in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of the Sacramento Valley city of Chico. It is now California's fourth-largest wildfire on record.

Suppression crews working on more than 200 miles (322 kilometers) of active fire front gained 24% containment by early Friday, Cal Fire said. Temperatures were expected to range up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius).

The fire originated at low elevations where it quickly burned through thick grass and oaks, destroying at least 542 structures and damaging 50 since erupting July 24. As it has climbed higher, the vegetation has changed to a greater concentration of trees and brush, Cal Fire said.

ALSO READ| Colorado wildfires threaten hundreds of home, dozens burned

The fire's push northward has brought it toward the rugged lava rock landscape surrounding Lassen Volcanic National Park, which has been closed because of the threat.

Lava rocks make for hard and slow work for hand crews, Cal Fire said in situation report. Crews are being flown into access areas that have been hard to reach because of long drive times and steep, rugged terrain.

Thunderstorms and erratic winds pose challenges for firefighters battling Park Fire

After days of benign weather, increasing winds and a surge of monsoonal moisture were expected to increase fire activity and bring a chance of thunderstorms Friday night into Saturday, said Ryan Walbrun, incident meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

The concern with thunderstorms is any gusty outflow winds that would push the fire itself or create some new fire ignitions within the vicinity of the Park Fire, Walbrun said.

The collapse of thunderstorm clouds can blow wind in any and all directions, said Jonathan Pangburn, a fire behavior analyst with Cal Fire.

Even if there's not lightning per se, it is very much a safety-watch-out environment for our firefighters out there, Pangburn said.

Walbrun said there was little prospect of beneficial rains from the storms and the forecast for next week calls for continued warming and drying.

As we look forward in time, were really just entering the peak of fire season in California, he said.

ALSO READ| California wildfire grows bigger than Los Angeles as 5,500 firefighters battling the blaze

Wildfires rage across western US

The Park Fire is among almost 100 large fires burning across the western U.S. Evacuation orders were in effect for 28 of the fires, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Three wildfires burned in Colorado on Friday near heavily populated areas north and south of Denver, with some 30 structures damaged or destroyed, thousands of people under evacuation orders and human remains found in a destroyed house earlier this week.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office disclosed Friday that a blaze threatening hundreds of homes near the Colorado city of Littleton was being investigated as arson. Karlyn Tilley, a spokesperson for Jefferson County Sheriffs Office at a news conference late Friday said the investigation is ongoing and they are using a dog specially trained to sniff out sources and causes of fires. Tilley said just because they suspect the fire was human-caused doesnt mean it was intentional. Firefighters were making good progress on the fire despite the steep, rocky terrain and blistering heat, and no houses had been burned, officials said.

The cause and origin of a fatal blaze west of the town of Lyons was being probed by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, with specially trained fire investigators from the agency helping local authorities, agency spokesperson Crystal McCoy said. The area blackened by that fire remained relatively unchanged after it burned five houses.

The largest of the Colorado fires, west of Loveland, grew to 13 square miles (33 square kilometers) after previously burning about two dozen homes and other structures. Its cause is under investigation.

ALSO READ| Thompson, California wildfire evacuees allowed to return home as containment soars to 29%

Cooler weather was expected across the region Friday with some scattered showers, before hot dry conditions return for the weekend.

A new fire sparked Friday afternoon in Oregons high desert, near the popular vacation destination of Bend, prompting evacuation notices, cutting power to thousands and slowing traffic along a highway. Fire officials said the blaze was showing a rapid rate of spread amid 100-degree F (38-degree C) heat and a warning from the National Weather Service about the potential for extreme fire behavior.

Scientists say extreme wildfires are becoming more common and destructive in the U.S. West and others parts of the world as climate change warms the planet and droughts become more severe.
Former President Donald Trump announced on Friday night that he has agreed to participate in a debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, organized by Fox News. The debate is set to take place on September 4 in Pennsylvania, although the exact location has yet to be set. Donald Trump donated to Kamala Harris re-election campaign in the past, as per reports (Photo by BILL PUGLIANO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP, photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will moderate the upcoming debate

Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th. The Debate was previously scheduled against Sleepy Joe Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George Slopadopoulos, thereby creating a conflict of interest.

However, it is unclear that Harris actually agreed not to debate with Trump on Fox News. Fox News had initially invited both Trump and Harris to participate in a debate in Pennsylvania on September 17. Harris, however last month, expressed her readiness to debate Trump, accusing him of backpedalling from the previous agreement to debate on ABC News on September 10.

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The former president also mentioned that an ABC News debate, which was initially planned against President Biden before he suspended his re-election campaign, had been canceled. He cited his ongoing lawsuit against ABC and one of its hosts, George Stephanopoulos, as the reason for the cancellation.

Trump vs. Harris

The debate rules will resemble those of the June 27 CNN debate against Biden, who Trump claimed has been treated horribly by his Party. However, unlike the CNN debate, which did not have an audience, the Fox News debate will feature spectators.

Trump had previously stated he would not debate Harris because she was not the party's official candidate at that time. However, Harris secured enough delegates on Friday to officially become the party's nominee.

Trump expressed his views on the Democratic Party's decision to replace Biden with Harris, writing, As everyone knows, the Democrats have Unconstitutionally taken a Candidate, who was acknowledged to be defeated, and unceremoniously replaced him with a new Candidate. This has never been done before, and is a Threat to Democracy, but I am totally prepared to accept the results of this 'coup,' and replace Joe on the Debate stage with Crazy Kamala Harris.

ALSO READ| Kamala Harris secures enough votes to clinch Democratic presidential nomination: I am honored

I spent Hundreds of Millions of Dollars, Time, and Effort fighting Joe, and when I won the Debate, they threw a new Candidate into the ring. Not fair, but it is what it is! Nevertheless, different Candidate or not, their bad Policies are the same, and this will be strongly revealed at the September 4th Debate. I look forward to meeting and debating Kamala Harris on September 4th.
Donald Trump, who has already received endorsement of billionaire Elon Musk following an assassination attempt on him, claimed that META CEO Mark Zuckerberg has contacted him to apologise for suppressing him in the past. Donald Trump said Zuckerberg gave him the assurance that he would not support a Democrat" in the 2024 White House race.(DonaldTrump/Twitter)

He even said Zuckerberg gave him the assurance that he would not support a Democrat in the 2024 White House race.

During an interview with Fox News, the former President in reference to an attack on him during the Pennsylvania rally in July, said: So, Mark Zuckerberg called me. First of all, he called me a few times. He called me after the event and he said, That was really amazing, it was very brave.

He actually announced he's not gonna support a Democrat because he can'tbecause he respected me for what I did that day, Trump asserted, adding that he is not going to repeat the mistake he committed five years back.

Trump claims Zuckerberg apologised to him

The GOP presidential nominee further lashed out at Google following rumors that the tech giant was removing his images and censoring news surrounding him.

Following the horrific shooting at his July 13 rally, Trump was pictured with his fist in the air after he had a narrow escape as the bullet grazed his right ear.

Earlier, Trump alleged that it was nearly impossible to find information regarding his murder attempt on Google. However, Google refuted those claims.

Google has been very bad. They've been very irresponsible and I have a feeling that Google is going to be close to shut down because I don't think Congress is going to take it. I really don't think so. Google has to be careful, he said.

While nobody called from Google to express regret, he told the interviewer that Zuckerberg actually apologised. He said that they made a mistake, etc., and they are correcting the mistake.

Facebook apologised to Trump for determinising a his widely circulated photo following an attempted assassination on him as altered. The altered label was meant for a similar picture making rounds on social media that had been cropped to show Secret Service agents smiling.

Also Read: Furious Trump says go after Meta and Google amid assassination attempt censorship row

Here's what Zuckerberg has said on 2024 endorsement

Last month, Zuckerberg declared that he does not wish to be involved in the upcoming elections and rejected backing either Biden or Trump.

The comments from the META CEO coincide with an increasing number of prominent figures in Silicon Valley, like Musk, venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz endorsing Trump for president.

The billionaire tech tycoon said in an interview with Bloomberg News that Trump's initial response following the assassination attempt was "badass" and inspirational.
Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, will be sentenced on Nov. 13 after a jury found him guilty of federal gun charges, according to a court filing on Friday. Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, walks upon arrival at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC, on July 1, 2024. Biden returned to Washington for the first time after the first presidential debate in Atlanta on June 27. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)(AFP)

The charges stemmed from his purchase and possession of a firearm while he was addicted to crack cocaine in October 201812.

Hunter Biden became the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a felony on June 11 when a jury in Wilmington, Delaware, found him guilty on three counts related to his lying about illegal drug use when he purchased a handgun in 2018.

The trial, which lasted six days, included testimonies from Hunter Bidens ex-wife, an ex-girlfriend, Hallie Biden (the widow of his deceased brother Beau Biden), and his daughter Naomi Biden1. The jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning a guilty verdict

ALSO READ| Joe Biden makes strange comment, tells crowd 'you're stuck with me' for another

The sentencing by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika will take place eight days after the Nov. 5 presidential election pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Sentencing guidelines for the gun charges are 15 to 21 months, but legal experts say defendants in similar cases often get shorter sentences and are less likely to be incarcerated if they abide by the terms of their pretrial release.

Joe Biden said he had to accept the outcome of his son's case

Joe Biden issued a statement following the verdict saying he accepted the outcome of the case. As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad, he said.

Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery.

Biden further added, As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.

At the trial, prosecutors offered an intimate view of Hunter Bidens years of struggle with alcohol and crack cocaine abuse, which they said legally precluded him from buying a gun.

ALSO READ| Kamala Harris secures enough votes to clinch Democratic presidential nomination: I am honored

Bidens lawyers sought to show he was not using drugs when he bought the gun and did not intend to deceive because he didnt consider himself a drug user when he filled out the form.

Hunter Biden has also been charged with three felony and six misdemeanour tax offences in California, alleging he failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019 while spending millions on drugs, escorts, exotic cars and other high-ticket items. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. A trial is scheduled for Sept. 5 in Los Angeles.

{With inputs from wires}
Before being chosen as Donald Trump's vice-presidential pick for the upcoming elections, JD Vance was one of the top three contenders alongside Marco Rubio and Doug Burgum. In a candid revelation, Vance shared an incident that occurred moments before the Republican National Convention, where he told his son to "shut the h--- up" about the Pokemon Pikachu. Vance, who faced scrutiny for his 'childless ladies' remarks, described the situation on the Full Send podcast. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, greets Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, before speaking at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St. Cloud, Minn. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(AP)

Minutes before Trump announced his running mate

On July 15, just days after surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump appeared at the RNC to announce his running mate. The decision, reportedly made at the last minute, was shared by JD Vance, who recounted receiving the call from Trump while in a hotel room with his 7-year-old son, Ewan. Vance described receiving numerous warnings and messages during his flight, including a crucial notice from Trump's campaign to anticipate a "really important call."

Also read: JD Vance's 'smokey' eyes get TikTok scan makeup tutorials, 'Does he wear eyeliner?'

The Ohio senator, along with his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance and their three children, aged 7, 4, and 2, flew to Milwaukee to attend the Republican National Convention. He shared that, although he knew he was a shortlisted candidate, he did not receive official confirmation until an hour later.

Vance accepts asking his 7 years old to shut up during Trump call

"I'm on the phone with Donald Trump," Vance told podcasters the Nelk Boys. "I'm like, 'Son, shut the hell up for 30 seconds.' The senator told a story about how his son, who loves collecting Pokemon cards, got super excited talking about Pikachuone of the biggest characters from the famous Japanese serieswhile Vance was chatting with the ex-president on the phone.

Also read: Kamala Harris accidentally calls herself president and the crowds reaction is wild: Watch

"He is really into Pokemon cards right now, hes going through a Pokemon phase... I mean, hes really into it, so he is trying to talk to me about Pikachu, and I am on the phone with Donald Trump.

Trump informed Vance he will pick someone else

But, the next message from Trump's team wasn't about the big announcement, but it was definitely not good news, Vance says. He reportedly got a message from someone saying Hey, you just missed a really important call. The hillbilly Elegy author recalled returning a call to say, "Hey Sir, what's going on?" The ex-president reportedly told him, J.D., you missed a really important phone call, and now I'm going to have to go with someone else.

Vance mentioned that his son didn't mind Trump being on the phone because he "doesn't get what the President of the United States is all about."

"It's the most important phone call of my life," Vance begged his kid "Please just let me take this phone call." The clip of the podcast is now doing rounds on the internet, leading several critics to scrutinise the GOP vice-presidential nominee's parenting approach.
During a Thursday night prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, President Joe Biden made a peculiar remark to reporters, expressing that they were stuck with him as commander-in-chief. US President Joe Biden walks to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 2, 2024, as he travels to Wilmington, Delaware, to spend the weekend. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)(AFP)

Youre stuck with me as president for a while, kid. Theres no way out. Ok? he said, approaching the press with a slight grin and arms partially opened. His eyes appeared intense, and his smile seemed somewhat unsettling.

You got me for at least another 100 or 90 days or so, he stated.

Biden, who announced he would not seek reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 race, had ended his campaign abruptly earlier in the month. Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democratsits time to come together and beat Trump, he announced in a statement to media.

ALSO READ| How Tucker Carlson's interview with Putin paved the way for Evan Gershkovich's release: I hope you let him out

Medical experts suspect Biden may have Parkinson's disease

Despite Biden stepping down from the race, there are still 178 days until the presidential inauguration, and 94 days until the 2024 presidential election as of Friday morning.

Several medical experts who have analyzed Bidens public statements over the past month suspect he may have Parkinsons disease or a similar condition.

The presidents odd comment coincided with the arrival of a plane at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, carrying Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva.

The exchange, the largest since the Cold War, saw the release of 24 prisoners from the US, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Russia, and Belarus.

The plane landed shortly before midnight, and Biden, along with Vice President Harris, were the first to welcome the three former detainees as they returned to American soil after being imprisoned in Russia.

ALSO READ| Russia issues chilling warning to released US prisoners after historic swap: Let the traitors now

Evan Gershkovich, the first American journalist accused of espionage since the Cold War, was arrested during a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg on March 29, 2023.

Ex-marine Paul Whelan, arrested in 2018 while attending a friends wedding in Russia, faced espionage charges and received a 16-year prison sentence in 2020.

Alsu Kurmasheva, another journalist for the US-government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was accused of disseminating false information about the Russian military. She was sentenced to 6 years in prison after a secret trial.
Public art is having a moment in Buffalo right now.

It's far from the first one. And it shows no sign of being the last.

Consider the developments of just the past couple of weeks:

 Artist Saira Siddiqui is teaming up with Buffalo AKG Art Museums Public Art Initiative and Stitch Buffalo, a textile art center on the citys Lower West Side, to create a mural at Stitch Buffalos new location at 284 Plymouth Ave., a property owned by Ellicott Development.

 Buffalo sculptor Mark Griffis and his "Emergence" were chosen as the preferred art installation under Buffalo's Art in Public Places program in Allentown.

 The Buffalo AKG and Erie County this week unveiled a completed polytab mural at 608 William St.  the Jesse Nash Health Center  by Philadelphia-based artist Ben Volta, with the support of local artist liaison Edreys Wajed. This work represents the first public art installation placed on a county facility, according to Erie County.

With the city embracing its chromatic ingenuity, Wajed noted that public art can be a creative outlet for an artist to spotlight a community and its story.

It allows artists like myself and others to get outside their studios and apply your practice on a grander scale, said Wajed. I just hope that it inspires and uplifts  even for a moment  to look at something new in the community that might have been overlooked.

The mural unveiling was a part of Buffalo AKG Art Museums Public Art Initiative in which AKG has partnered with Erie County and the city of Buffalo for a decade to commission public artwork for Western New York. The steady partnership has produced more than 40 murals, residencies, installations and sculptures to reflect the Buffalo community through colorful and lively expression, according to the AKG.

Volta and Edreys also led classroom workshops with students from Harriet Ross Tubman School and gathered community input to inform the murals key message: the legacy of intergenerational relationships.

There are several layers, said Wajed. It represents the community particularly within blocks of this mural. It makes (the Nash Clinic) a little more welcoming, a little more inviting, and certainly harder to miss once people are intrigued and brought into this space  then they start to inquire about the services that the Nash Clinic offers.

Aaron Ott, AKGs Curator of Public Art, told The News that AKGs initiative of incorporating art into the citys landscape has spearheaded a movement of producing public art independently to celebrate the Buffalo community.

I think in the earlier stages of the initiative, we were seen as the primary, if not sole, producer of public art, said Ott. Now were seeing more and more of that happen independently in the community  I think that people throughout the Western New York region are recognizing that kind of cultural asset in their shared space.

The push to embrace public art is part of a larger movement in Buffalo toward reimagining Western New Yorks cityscape. From artists Siddiqui to Griffis, installation efforts led by the AKG in partnership with Erie County and Buffalo help illuminate the work of local artists, said Siddiqui.

I think Ive been trying to build more connections with the [other] artists that are doing this type of work, said Siddiqui. I just think its a big honor to be able to kind of do what is most authentic for me and my art practice and be selected. It just gives me some feeling like, OK, I must be following or doing something right.

Siddiqui's work with Stitch Buffalo focuses on advancing social justice for refugee and immigrant women through the sale of their handcrafted goods to inspire creativity and inclusion. She said she hopes that all people feel more connected to the space.

Whether it's DYouville folks that engaged in the engagement phase, or people that have never heard of Stitch Buffalo, that are like, wow, theres this really cool organization that is providing economic opportunities to people new to Buffalo and maybe it would create more cohesion to the space.

Buffalo Arts Commission Chair Catherine Gillespie told The News that not only does the public art brought to life by local artists enhance the surrounding community, it is also an economic driver for Buffalo.

Theyve shown economically having art as part of a project, whether it's a private project or a public project, actually increases the value of properties and the area, said Gillespie.

In 2018, the City of Buffalo passed the Art in Public Places legislation to provide a public art budget equal to 1% for projects over $1 million, according to the Buffalo Arts Commission.

According to Visit Buffalo Niagara, Buffalo has become a contender for the title of most murals per capita in the country.

Earlier this week, the Buffalo Arts Commission dedicated a public art sculpture in Allentown called Emergence by Griffis. The work is on the west end of Allen Street at the intersection of Wadsworth Street adjacent to Days Park.

The project had a budget of $100,000 due to the Art in Public Places legislation, according to the Buffalo Arts Commission.

Over a year in the making, the sculpture combines 10 figures that include five double-sided steel plates, amounting to 7 feet tall where people are emerging out of plates of steel, said Griffis. The sculpture allows people to walk through a forest of sculptures with colorful light beaming out of it, setting a vibrant glow across the neighborhood once the sun sets.

"Its a sculpture of articulation about joy, about inspiration, said Griffis. This is something that all citizens should enjoy and thats specifically why I made 'Emergence'  the piece is all about positivity and celebrates humanity.

As public art colors Buffalos cityscape, local artists want to center the communitys voices within the art they are creating, Wajed said.

I think beautifying a space brings pride to a place, Wajed added. I think hopefully in the future with murals, that theres more community engagement [and] to have the voice of the community depicted.
Vice President Kamala Harris rejected a proposal by Republican opponent Donald Trump to debate her before a live audience on Fox News, saying shes sticking to a previously scheduled date on ABC News. Kamala Harris campaign responded that Donald Trump is trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and shell be there one way or the other on ABC on Sept. 10  a face-off agreed to by Trump and Joe Biden before the president ended his reelection bid. (AP )

The former president and 2024 Republican nominee began the latest round of verbal volleying late Friday with a social media post saying hed agreed with Fox News to debate Harris on Sept. 4 in Pennsylvania.

Harris campaign responded that Trump is trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and shell be there one way or the other on ABC on Sept. 10  a face-off agreed to by Trump and Joe Biden before the president ended his reelection bid.

The jockeying raises the possibility that US voters wont see a debate between the two main candidates before the general election on Nov. 5. Instead, Trump and Harris might end up holding dueling televised town-hall-style events.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the previous agreement lapsed with Bidens exit from the presidential race. He also cited a conflict of interest, saying hes in litigation with ABC and anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Harris will be there one way or the other with ABC on Sept. 10, Harris campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said in a statement Saturday. Were happy to discuss further debates after the one both campaigns have already agreed to, he said.

Trump agreed to the debate two months after filing a lawsuit against ABC News, according to a person familiar with the matter. David Muir and Linsey Davis, not Stephanopoulos, are the proposed debate hosts.

Trump said the Sept. 4 timing is convenient and appropriate in that it is just prior to the start of early voting in some states on Sept. 6.

The first Biden-Trump debate in June produced a disastrous performance by the president that eventually led him to end his reelection bid and endorse Harris in July.

Trump and his campaign previously declined to commit to any further debate, saying those plans could not be formalized until Democrats officially tapped their replacement for Biden.

The Democratic National Committee said Friday that Harris had secured enough delegates in the partys virtual roll-call vote to secure the nomination. The ballot ends on Monday.
New Jersey father who forced his six-year-old son into a gruesome treadmill workout has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Christopher Gregor was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and endangering a child on Friday, August 2. The 31-year-old, who was dressed in a green-and-white striped prison jumpsuit, shockingly claimed during his sentencing that he didn't hurt his son. Shocking video shows NJ dad Christopher Gregor carrying son Corey Micciolo's limp, battered body into hospital (Court TV)

Dad in treadmill abuse case gets 25 years in prison for son's death

On March 20, 2021, The 31-year-old forced Corey Micciolo to run on a treadmill as punishment. The incident led to the young boy's death nearly a week later, on April 2. A CCTV recording shows the horrifying moment Gregor forced his son to keep running on a speeding treadmill, per NY Post. In the video clip, little Corey can be seen struggling to keep up as he falls on his back six times. At one point, Gregor appeared to be biting his head.

ALSO READ: Mom breaks down after video shows NJ dad forcing son to run on treadmill days before child's death

However, at the time of his sentencing, Gregor denied killing little Corey. I want to assure you that on April 2, I did nothing to cause Coreys passing, he said, adding, I didnt hurt my son. I loved him and I still do. I regret not bringing him to the hospital sooner. I didnt know how sick he was. I didnt know. I just thought he was tired.

Corey's mother, Breanna Micciolo, filed for emergency custody on March 31 after she found out about the gruesome workout and saw his son's bruises. During her testimony, she told the jury that she was in fear for Corey's life. However, a doctor who treated her son on April 1 said that he didn't find any signs of infection or respiratory distress, per Huff Post.

ALSO READ: Perseid meteor shower 2024: When, where and how to see shooting stars in US

Shortly after Corey was released back to his mother's care, Gregor accused Breanna of kidnapping him as she missed the 7 pm drop-off time, text messages showed in court revealed. She told the jury that her ex told her the next day that their son was, in fact, sick and had been admitted to a hospital.

In the surveillance footage from the hospital lobby, Gregor can be seen showing no remorse over his son's condition as he carries him over his shoulder. A nurse later testified in court that Corey had suffered seizures while in emergency care and was pronounced dead the next day.

At the time of his sentencing, Breanna rejected his apology, saying, You have stolen my full potential at happiness. I will never have my son back, my family will never feel whole again, my daughter will never get to meet her brother, and my boyfriend will never get to be the father that the defendant should have been to our son, per the outlet.
Just days after losing their beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William reached out to his brother Harry with an unexpected olive branch, that is known to very few. The Prince of Wales reportedly sent a last-minute text inviting Harry and Meghan to join him and Kate on a walkabout to view floral tributes. FILE - Britain's Prince William, second left, Kate, Princess of Wales, left, Britain's Prince Harry, second right, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex view the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England on Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)(AP)

The sudden gesture nearly two years ago sparked widespread speculation about the possibility of a reconciliation between the two couples, who had been estranged since the Sussexes' decision to step back from their royal duties.

Prince William invited Harry and Meghan to Windsor walk

Tensions between the royal brothers have escalated to the point where reunion seems unlikely. However, sources believe that while their rift is "very bad," it is not "irreparable."

Back then, calling upon Harry and Meghan to come along with him and Kate for a stroll to admire flower arrangements as tributes, William extended a gesture of peace that hinted at the possibility of making amends.

Also read: Meghan Markle to receive private birthday honour from King Charles and Queen Camilla

The unexpected public display of unity between the now estranged brothers following the Queens death was a shock to the world. Behind the scenes, it was a last-minute text from William that brought them together. The appearance marked the last time the once-inseparable "Fab Four" were seen bonding before the Sussexes' departure for California. The group exchanged handshakes, engaged in lengthy conversations, and seemed visibly tense.

Prince William tried to extend the olive branch

"It happened very quickly remarkable really considering they didn't see each other in Scotland, a close source told the Daily Mail after several photographs from the day surfaced featuring the family. The nearly 40-minute walkabout was initially planned for Kate and William to greet the public and view the floral tributes.

However, a last-minute decision by William led to an invitation for his brother and his wife to join them. This unexpected reunion marked the first time the four had been seen together since the Sussexes stepped down from their royal roles.

Also read: Kamala Harris accidentally calls herself president and the crowds reaction is wild: Watch

Both couples, dressed in black, appeared slightly anxious as they arrived together in one car. They spent nearly an hour engaging with fans outside the castle grounds, accepting gifts and exchanging kind words. According to a source, the King had no involvement in this decision. Any claims that William acted after learning Harry planned his own walkabout with a film crew were dismissed as complete b******s.

The same day in the evening William joined their father, King Charles, for dinner at the nearby Birkhall residence. While Harry remained at Balmoral with other family members.
Professor Allan Lichtman, a forecaster dubbed as the 'Nostradamus' of US presidential elections, shared his thoughts on how Ohio Senator JD Vance might influence the outcome of the 2024 battle between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. US elections: Allan Lichtman claims on his YouTube channel that Vance would be a horror show if Trump were incapacitated and he had to take over as president.(Allan Lichtman/YouTube/AP)

The American University professor Lichtman has correctly predicted the outcome of almost every presidential election since 40th President Ronald Reagan's victory in 1984.

US VP choice incredibly important but Vance is a disastrous pick: Lichtman

Lichtman claims on his YouTube channel that Vance would be a horror show if Trump were incapacitated and he had to take over as president.

While stressing that vice presidential selection doesn't always swing the election, he called VP choice incredibly important. That's why JD Vance was such a disastrous pick; he would be a horror show as president.

The purpose of choosing a running mate, according to him, is to have a successor in case the president steps down or dies, which has happened nine times in US history.

Speaking to Newsweek, he said Vance poses a challenge because his views are even more extreme than those of Trump.

For example, on aid to Ukraine or wanting a national prohibition on abortion with no exception for rape, incest, or health of the mother. And Vance has become a lightning rod for criticism, he stated.

Also Read: Trump says JD Vance feels family is good amid childless cat ladies' row

Here's what Lichtman's model has to say on Kamala Harris

The Lichtman's model, which takes into account thirteen points, or keys, currently projects that Harris is on the course of victory. Harris, who is scheduled to reveal her vice presidential candidate on Monday, has experienced an increase in her poll numbers.

The fresh impetus given to Harris' campaign might help her in a number of ways, such as reducing the number of voters who support third-party candidate Robert Kennedy Jr, Lichtman told C-SPAN.

He added that Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race and Harris' bid for the White House have a mixed impact. But it doesn't fundamentally change my assessment that a lot would have to go wrong for the Democrats to lose.

Lichtman further announced that he will release his formal election forecast after Democratic convention.

I plan to make my official prediction in August after the Democratic convention. See my assessment below on the 13 Keys Tracker on where The Keys stand NOW, he wrote on X.
The Biden administration has hit one of the biggest roadblock in its efforts to manage the migrant crisis. An initiative dedicated to provide a legal pathway for individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States has been temporarily freezed amid alarming reports of fraud. The humanitarian program, which began in 2022, is now under official review. Authorities are examining the entire procedures to identify any loopholes. (FILES) Parents-to-be from Haiti stand at a gap in the US-Mexico border wall after having travelled from South America to the United States, in Yuma, Arizona, on December 10, 2021. (AFP)

US halts its humanitarian entry program

The special US policy, which allowed up to 30,000 migrants per month to fly into the country under the sponsorship of U.S. citizens, has come under scrutiny as officials investigate a surge in fraudulent applications, reports Fox news.

Also read: Italian boxer Angela Carini scores prize money from IBA despite controversial loss to Imane Khelif

In a statement to the news outlet, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed it has suspended the issuance of advance travel authorizations "out of an abundance of caution." This policy was originally implemented to prevent illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border and later saw an expansion in early 2023 to deter migrants from crisis-affected countries from reaching the U.S. southern border.

US migrant sponsorship program reports fraud cases

The massive step was taken in mid-July, according to a congressional source who spoke to Fox. This action followed reports of suspected fraudulent activities uncovered in applications from those sponsoring migrants. The pause, according to DHS, is being implemented to review the overall process.

Also read: Florida braces for storm Debby: Tropical storm warnings & flood watch issued

DHS has temporarily paused the issuance of advanced travel authorisations for new beneficiaries while it undertakes a review of supporter applications.

When will the program restart?

As per the departments official statement, "DHS will restart application processing as quickly as possible, with appropriate safeguards." The organization clarified that the focus is on issues with the supporter filings, rather than those from the program's beneficiaries themselves.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) first put the sponsorship program for Venezuelans on hold in July, and then decided to stop it for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans too.

DHS has review mechanisms in place to detect and prevent fraud and abuse in our immigration processes. DHS takes any abuse of its processes very seriously," a spokesperson said. "Where fraud is identified, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will investigate and litigate applicable cases in immigration court and make criminal referrals to the Department of Justice."
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin to accept petitions for legalisation from some undocumented spouses and stepchildren of US citizens from August 19. Under the path to citizenship program, the US aims to assist over 500,000 foreign national spouses and 50,000 foreign national stepchildren who entered the United States without a visa. These individuals are either demanding permanent residency in the US or its citizenship. According to US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates, 500,000 noncitizen wives of citizens of the US, who may be qualified for this procedure, have lived in the country on average for 23 years.(AFP File Photo)

Certain non-citizens are allowed to reside and work temporarily in the US without worrying about being deported thanks to immigration parole.

If granted parole, these noncitizens are often able to apply for lawful permanent residency through an overseas US consulate without requiring to move outside of the country. According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates, 500,000 noncitizen wives of citizens of the US, who may be qualified for this procedure, have lived in the country on average for 23 years.

Know about immigration parole

Candidates are required to show the documents clarifying that they are married to a citizen of the United States (or the stepchild of one) as of June 17, 2024, and that they have been residing in the country for at least 10 years after entering without authorisation. Additionally, potential candidates must not have any criminal histories that would exclude them from consideration.

Those who meet the requirements will be granted parole in place status and put on track toward working legally in the United States. They will hopefully be granted a Green Card, which will grant them permanent residency, within three years. Following this, they will be able to apply to become a citizen of the US.

Also Read: Big H-1B lottery rigging fraud exposed in US, Indian American 'linked' to bluffing the system, denies allegations

Here's what documents are required

Valid state or national driver's license

Valid passport or birth certificate with photo identification

Any document that was issued by the government featuring the candidate's name, birthdate, and photo

Documentation proving that your spouse is a US citizen, like a birth certificate, passport, or Certificate of Naturalization

Documentation proving you have been living in the US continuously as of June 17, 2024, for at least ten years.

Some of these above-mentioned records include utility bills, house rent receipts, medical records, school records, attestations to residency from unions or religious institutions, birth certificates of children born in the US, dated bank transactions, contracts for rental agreements, insurance policies, and tax returns or receipts.

List of documents needed for noncitizen children of requestors

Evidence of eligibility for noncitizen children of requestors may consist of:

Documentation proving the child's relationship to the noncitizen parent, like an adoption decree or birth certificate;

Proof, such as a marriage certificate, proving the noncitizen parent's lawful marriage to a US citizen as of June 17, 2024
An attorney, who once supported the infamous American Taliban John Walker Lindh, has joined US Vice President Kamala Harris revamped 2024 campaign team, according to a new report. Tomy West and Kamala Harris have a strong family connection as he is married to her sister Maya, an attorney with Morrison & Foerster, as per Washington Free Beacon.(Tony West/Instagram)

Tony West, who has worked under Obama administration's Justice Department and held senior positions at PepsiCo and Uber, will assist her presidential campaign as a powerful adviser, Axios stated.

West and Harris have a strong family connection as he is married to her sister Maya, an attorney with Morrison & Foerster, as per Washington Free Beacon.

Tony West fought with US administration to reduce Lindh's sentence

The US military forces apprehended Lindh in November 2001. He had left the United States to receive training with Osama bin Laden, the co-founder of Al-Qaeda, and fight for the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Lindh was charged with ten federal offenses, including providing assistance to al Qaeda and plotting the murder of Americans.

West, who was then working with the San Francisco-based law firm Morrison & Foerster, took up the case in 2002 and fought with the George W. Bush administration to reduce the sentence of Lindh.

West started his legal career by taking the prominent defense case in the government's case against Lindh in 2002.

Speaking to the Washington Post on his client's behalf, West defended the traitor, claiming that 21-year-old Lindh was not a terrorist. He further said that Lindh did not go to Afghanistan to kill Americans.

West and his legal team secured a plea deal for Lindh that resulted in a maximum 20-year prison sentence for him. In the plea deal, he confessed to providing services to the Taliban and carrying an explosive while committing a crime for which he served 17 years in prison out of a 20-year sentence.

Also Read: Donald Trump decides date and channel for debate with Kamala, ball in VP's court now

Tony West assisted Harris in 2020 US elections

West supported Harris throughout her 2020 campaign, despite warning her not to run for president against her fellow Democrats, including Joe Biden. He later defended his role in Harris' botched campaign.

Meanwhile, senior adviser David Plouffe, who oversaw Obama's 2008 campaign, has joined Harris' team.

On Friday, Harris secured enough votes to clinch the Democratic nomination.

I will officially accept your nomination next week, once the virtual voting period is closed, she wrote in X.
Aug. 4 will forever be remembered by the South Buffalo community as the day 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin never came home.

On that fateful day in 2020, the beloved neighborhood boy disappeared without a trace during a routine walk to a corner store. Family members said Jaylen was taking a break from playing video games and making a quick run for some snacks, when he vanished.

For more than three-and-a-half years, police brushed him off as a runaway until April 12, when a maintenance worker stumbled upon his decomposed body stuffed in a random attic less than five miles from his home. The grim finding confirmed the insurmountable fears of loved ones, and Jaylen's case was turned over to the homicide department.

"He's home," said family friend Pastor Tim Newkirk during an interview with HNGN, "but he's in a box filled with ashes."

"I looked at the box and I touched Jaylen and spoke to him, but there's no justice, there's no peace," he added.

Jaylen's father, Brian Griffin, who is struggling to cope with the murder of his son, confirmed Jaylen died from a fatal stabbing before his body was dumped in the attic.

No arrests have been made.

The Buffalo Police Department states, "There are no updates to report. The case is still actively being investigated."

A redacted police report dated April 12 and obtained by HNGN offers little insight into Jaylen's murder investigation, noting only that officers responded to a call of a dead body and pronounced the juvenile victim dead at the scene.

On Sunday, the grieving father will return to the Sheffield Avenue home where Jaylen's body was found and address the community during a vigil marking the 4-year anniversary of his son's disappearance.

"He's gonna address the city and the family about his feelings toward Jaylen's case and losing his son. So we're going to spend that day remembering him on the last day that he was seen," said Newkirk, whose church, GYC Ministries, will also be launching its first annual backpack giveaway, honoring Jaylen ahead of the new school year.

"We shouldn't just remember him on Aug. 4," he added. "It should be every day for the fact that it's been four years since we've seen Jaylen, and there are so many questions that are still unanswered."
Donald Trump has finally agreed to debate Vice President Kamala Harris  but only on traditionally Trump-friendly Fox News, not on ABC as originally planned.

The Harris campaign quickly fired back in a statment on X that the former president is "running scared ... and running straight to Fox News to bail him out."

Our statement on Donald Trump backing out of the debate he already agreed to pic.twitter.com/r8VrZRI0q8  Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 3, 2024

Harris mocked on her own X account: "It's interesting how [Trump's vow to debate] 'any time, any place' becomes 'one specific time, one specific safe space.'" She added: "I'll be there on September 10th [on ABC], like he agreed to. I hope to see him there."

Trump presented his own new scheme as already set in stone in a post on his social media platform. He claimed that the planned ABC debate has been "terminated" because President Joe Biden is no longer a candidate for the White House.

His planned debate will be held Sept. 4 at a site to be determined in Pennsylvania to a "full arena," and moderators will be Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

Trump said he cannot debate Harris on ABC because he is suing ABC and host George Stephanopoulos  calling the journalist "George Slopadopulous" in his post  and it would therefore be a "conflict of interest."

I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th. The Debate was previously scheduled against Sleepy Joe Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George  Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) August 3, 2024

The rules will be "similar" to those for Trump's debate with Biden in June, Trump noted, which included no on-air fact checking. CNN later listed on its website scores of times Trump lied in the debate.

That debate was so disastrous for Biden that he dropped out of the race.
Two Buffalo men have been arrested in connection with a July 16 shooting on Smith Street that sent a male victim to Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo police said Friday in a news release.

Ismael Gonzalez-Colon, 35, was charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree reckless endangerment. Lemuel Moro Ferrer, 24, was charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery.

Police have not identified the victim, 25, who was treated and released from ECMC.

The shooting happened around 11 p.m. inside a home in the 100 block of Smith Street. An investigation by the Buffalo Police Gun Violence Unit is ongoing.
A Missouri lawyer who lost a Democratic primary for U.S. Senate two years ago appears poised to overcome that defeat so he can challenge firebrand conservative Republican Sen. Josh Hawley in November.

Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran, has a commanding lead over state Sen. Karla May, 39% to 10%, ahead of Tuesday's four-way Democratic primary, according to a poll of likely voters last month.

The survey was conducted for the Missouri Scout political news website, according to FiveThirtyEight.

A June poll also showed Kunce gaining ground on Hawley, trailing the freshman senator by 9 percentage points, which was down from 14 points in March, as Hawley's support slipped from 53% to 47%, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Hawley was infamously photographed giving a raised-fist salute to "Stop the Steal" protesters before he fled the U.S. Capitol when they stormed the building on Jan. 6, 2021, to try to block certification of President Joe Biden's victory over former President Donald Trump.

The former Missouri attorney general also spoke in support of Christian nationalism during a speech last month at the National Conservative Conference in Washington, D.C., St. Louis TV station Fox 2 reported.

"Some will say now that I am calling America a Christian nation. So I am. And some will say that I am advocating Christian nationalism. And so I do," Hawley said during an address titled: "The Christian Nationalism We Need."

Kunce supports abortion rights, protections for organized labor and continued aid to Ukraine for its fight against Russia's ongoing February 2022 invasion, noted St. Louis public radio station KCUR.

"Missourians are in a position right now where they are tired of control-freak politicians telling them what to do and taking away their rights," he told the station.

Kunce, who placed second in a 10-way 2022 Senate primary race, has repeatedly outraised Hawley during quarterly reporting periods. He raked in nearly $10 million since the beginning of last year, and he had more than $4 in his campaign war chest, KCUR reported.

In Feburary, Hawley told Republicans that he expected a "tough race" for reelection. KCUR said Vice President Kamala Harris' replacement of Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate could energize Black and women voters for an election that may also feature a ballot measure to reverse Missouri's near-total ban on abortions.

Hawley is unopposed in Missouri's Tuesday primary elections, which are dominated by multi-candidate races for the seat of outgoing GOP Gov. Mike Parson and a challenge of progressive Democratic Rep. Cori Bush by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell.
As former President Jimmy Carter edges closer to his 100th birthday, he has told his son that he's looking forward to voting for Kamala Harris.

When his son Chip asked him earlier this week if he was excited to hit the century mark on Oct. 1, he responded: "I'm only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris," Carter's grandson Jason told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Jason Carter, a former Democratic gubernatorial nominee, said his grandfather has been "more alert and interested in politics and the war in Gaza" in recent days.

Carter voted in the Georgia primary in May, according to family.

"He's not going to miss an election," said Jason Carter. "It's important to him. I mean, that's the person he is."

The Harris campaign hailed the news about the Carter vote. "Let's go!" said a tweeted message, and noted that no living Republican president  currently George W. Bush  has ever voted for Trump.

Carter's milestone birthday will be marked with celebrations, including a concert at the Fox Theatre Sept. 17 to raise funds for the Carter Center. The Atlanta-based nonprofit center was established to promote human rights, advance democracy and eradicate diseases.

As former President Jimmy Carter nears his 100th birthday, his milestone celebration isnt on his mind.



Defeating Donald Trump is.



Im only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris, Carter told his son Chip this week. https://t.co/AZ9JxXssZD  Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) August 3, 2024

Georgia's three-week early voting period for the presidential election begins Oct. 15.

Carter has been receiving hospice care for more than a year. He was diagnosed nine years ago with cancer that had spread to his brain.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter died last year.
Saturday 3 August 2024, 18:01 - Last updated: 4 August, 19:34

Imane Khelif is now under the global spotlight. The Algerian boxer secured her place in the semifinals today. From a small Algerian village, the home of boxer Imane Khelif, her father hailed the athlete as a "heroine." Omar Khelif said he raised his daughter "to be brave," while proudly showing a photo of her when she was seven or eight years old, with her hair in braids. "Since she was little, her passion has always been sports," said the 49-year-old, sitting with two of his younger children. On Thursday, when Angela Carini left the ring just 46 seconds into the match, his daughter Imane found herself at the center of a global controversy with insinuations about her sexual identity.

For the IOC, Imane Khelif's participation is legitimate

According to the IOC, there is no indication that Khelif, who has fought in the women's circuit for years, including the Tokyo Olympics, identifies as anything other than a woman. Her father showed identity documents and her birth certificate to AFP, speaking from a rural village about 10 km from Tiaret, a city 300 km from Algiers. "My daughter is a girl," said Omar Khelif. "She was raised as a girl. She is a strong girl; I raised her to work and be brave. She won against the Italian simply because she was stronger, and the other was weaker."

Imane has a "strong will to work and train," assured her father. "If God wills, she will honor us with a gold medal and raise our national flag in Paris. This is the only goal we have set from the beginning."

Imane Khelif and the Mussolini sisters, here's why their defense of the Algerian boxer doesn't impress
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Johnny Depp has paid tribute to Pirates of the Caribbean co-star Tamayo Perry who has been killed in a shark attack.

Hawaiian actor Perry, who appeared as a buccaneer in the franchises fourth film On Stranger Tides in 2011, died in June while surfing at Malaekahana Beach on the island of Oahu.

Depp, Captain Jack Sparrow in the films, shared a photograph of Perry with a surfboard on his instagram Stories, writing: Even though it was some years ago now, I remember Tamayo well.

A lovely man, with a huge heart and zest for life Emilia, I send you all my love and strength. You are in my thoughts. With love, Johnny.

He also sent love to Perrys family, sharing a link to a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for his wife Emilia as she navigates the future without Tamayo; her husband, best friend and provider.

By Saturday 3 August it had raised $118,000 (92,000), with a target of $200,000.

It is unclear if Depp donated, but there were anonymous amounts given to the fundraiser of more than $2,000.

The death of legendary waterman Perry, who also appeared in The Bridge, Blue Crush and Hawaii Five-0, was called a tragic loss by local mayor Rick Blangiardi.

Tamayo Perry died in a shark attack in June ( Disney )

Depp has not appeared in the films as Sparrow since 2017s Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, which was reportedly to be followed by a sixth film.

During his 2022 defamation trial, against former wife and The Rum Diary co-star Amber Heard, he claimed he would not return to the franchise.

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He also told the court: They didnt remove my character from the rides. They didnt stop selling merchandise of Captain Jack Sparrow. They didnt stop selling dolls of Captain Jack Sparrow.

They didnt stop selling anything. They just didnt want there to be something trailing behind me that theyd find.

The producer of the Pirates films, Jerry Bruckheimer, has expressed interest in Depp returning.

Depp successfully sued his former partner over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser.

He has since returned to feature films in French historical drama Jeanne Du Barry, in which he played King Louis XV.

Additional reporting by Agencies
Russell Brand is undergoing a transformation. So far, hes had a few. Over the years, hes been a comedian, a host, a disgraced radio DJ, an actor and a YouTuber. Back in the days when he was Katy Perrys husband, he was into Hinduism, before that, he dabbled in being Hare Krishna.

Im a spiritual gent and increasingly thats the level I want to vibrate on, were it not for my crazed lust for sex and glamour, he said of himself in 2008. Last year, a Channel 4 investigation alleged he is a rapist and a sexual and emotional abuser after four women came forward to accuse him. He denied the allegations. Now, Brands a reborn Christian and a deep-state, plandemic conspiracist.

This weekend, the 49-year-old who was baptised himself in April, posted pictures on his Instagram account showing him baptising another man in a lake wearing nothing but a white pair of underpants. His caption read: It might seem a bit soon to be baptising people, but the Apostles did it on day one, so here we are.

It followed an earlier video posted on Youtube in which he quoted from the Bible, doubling-down on his reinvention as a staunch Trump supporter in July, when he nestled up to Maga heavyweights at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. It wasnt completely out of the blue: the 49-year-old had already endorsed the presidential candidate on his podcast, Stay Free with Russell Brand. If you care about freedom, I dont know how you could do anything other than vote for Donald Trump for precisely the reasons that they claim that you cant, he said, in his typical rambling style.

Still, his appearance at the RNC was surprising  and Brand wasnt the only revelatory attendee. American model and TV personality Amber Rose also took to the stage alongside Eric Trump, Mike Pompeo and Hulk Hogan to proclaim that the media lied to us.

Im here to tell you, no matter your political background, that the best chance we have to give our babies a better life is to elect Donald Trump president of the United States, she said in her speech. Rose added that she underwent a recent realisation. These are my people, she said. This is where I belong.

Before coming out in favour of the right, Rose, who famously dated Machine Gun Kelly and Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), was the pioneer of the anti-rape Slut Walk, and a vocal abortion rights advocate. Now, along with Brand, she is shoulder to shoulder with Trump, a powerful, criminal, sexual predator, who vowed to overturn Roe v Wade; the epitome of everything she once stood against.

Brand, to be fair, has never stood for anything for very long. Over the years his shapeshifting persona has served to deflect from countless controversies: the day after the 9/11 attacks, when he turned up to work dressed as Osama Bin Laden; being sacked from Radio X after reading pornographic material on air a year later. Then there was Sachsgate  when he and Jonathan Ross left offensive voicemails to Andrew Sachs in reference to Brands relationship with his granddaughter, Georgina Baillie.

But then last year, it seems, Brands capacity for mainstream redemption met its match. When four women  one of whom says Brand groomed and assaulted her at age 16, whom he called The Child  came forward to accuse him of sexually assaulting and raping them, Brands defence became conspiracy. Is there another agenda at play? he asked on his YouTube channel, in anticipation of the allegations surfacing. It was Elon Musk and Andrew Tate who came out in support of him.

open image in gallery Brand has had a fair few transformations over the decades ( Russell Brand Instagram )

By then, Brand had already laid the foundations for his new identity  a rich breeding ground of conspiracy theory, casting deep scepticism of the media. To those who followed him, the allegations were easily explained. Criticise the drug companies, question the war in Ukraine, and you can be pretty sure this is going to happen, Tucker Carlson wrote in support of Brand.

Brand had indeed questioned the war in Ukraine  along with Covid, vaccines, and institutional lying from the mainstream media  on his YouTube channel, which he turned to when mainstream media stopped employing him. From 2021, the former comedian began posting videos like The Great Reset is HAPPENING and The Great Reset is NOT a conspiracy!, racking up millions of views. By 2023, Brands most popular guests  Tucker Carlson for example  were increasingly on the far right and were distrusting of the media. When the allegations surfaced, his stage was already set.

Conspiracy theories of course allow you to deflect from any of your own shortcomings, says Dr Mikey Biddlestone, postdoctoral researcher on the University of Kent CONSPIRACY_FX team. So if you do anything wrong, or if youre corrupt, you can always say, Oh it was the deep state that did it.

It can be quite a strategic thing to do, where you position yourself as a maverick intellectual  someone that the deep state wants to silence.

open image in gallery The presenter addresses crowds outside the Big Brother house in 2006 ( PA )

Perhaps Brand really is the victim and protagonist of a global conspiracy  or perhaps hes dabbling in a method tried and tested by many men presented with sexual misconduct allegations before him. The thing is, its working. Now, with his Jesus-like image still firmly intact, hes the sacrificial lamb.

Ask his followers and hes no predator. Rather, hes a magnanimous truth-seeker, a free-thinker under threat of being gagged, despite no one being able to silence him thus far. Turning to conspiracy is a tactic that often works well in political spheres, Biddlestone says, because [politicians] can position themselves as a unique outsider thats able to enact change. For the minority group, you end up creating this perception of yourself as a saviour who is trying to save the world with your benevolent views; the benevolent antidote to an unjust world. Conspiracy theories can be really effective in appealing to peoples emotions and morality.

Feeling injustice often means feeling unsafe  which is where conspiracy can become particularly powerful. It plays into the idea that there is something unknown to fear; some research suggests that those more likely to invest beliefs in this world are seeking some sort of control. Funnily enough, its not dissimilar to a conservative mindset.

Conservatives tend to be more concerned about safety, certainty, order, Biddlestone explains. From a psychological perspective that means they want to compensate for these feelings of fear and uncertainty more so than people who are not conservative. It tends to make them more vulnerable to adopting these beliefs that have a broad answer to the world  something that feels safe, and is the answer to these scary questions. Id say thats also true of conspiratorial and religious beliefs.

The more you look, the more a grim Venn diagram of conspiracy, the right-wing and Christianity appears. And Brand has now joined fellow recent convert Elon Musk and far-right conspiracist Alex Jones, right in the centre of it.

Absolving himself of past sins, cleansing himself in the murky waters of the Thames was the last piece of the puzzle. But while Brands baptism might seem out of the blue, he might actually be a notable example of Christian nationalism making its way over to Britain, says Dr David Robertson, of the Open University.

open image in gallery Brand absolving himself of past sins during his Thames baptism in April 2024 ( Russell Brand Instagram )

Whats interesting at the moment is the way that theres a really strong resurgence of Christianity, he explains. In the US, theres a strong sense of Christian nationalism, even theocracy. In someone like JD Vance, for instance, theres this idea that Christianity is not only important to the US but the mission.

Its a sentiment that was central to Trumps Maga movement in 2016  unsurprisingly, Reform UK MP Nigel Farage followed suit. We are a Christian country, with a Christian constitution and a Christian monarch, he said. I absolutely believe in Christian values that have made this country great, before the general election. For the far right  and conspiracists alike  religion-washing is a powerful tool for shutting down conversations that dont fit the narrative.

Which, says David Aaronovitch, serves Brands current predicament nicely. Brand is a grifter, says Aaronovitch, author of Voodoo Histories: How Conspiracy Theory Has Shaped Modern History. He has done what is necessary in order to make money out of it. What hes found is that certain sorts of ways of being earn you very high levels of support, and therefore monetisation.

Brands past as a reformed addict  and his consequential discovery of spirituality  is a particular type of currency, he says. His form of religiosity combines misogyny and conspiracism which is implicit in some of the new religiosity of people like JD Vance and others around them. I think it feels like they are saying, we are the true rebels taking aim at the liberals and their deconstruction of conventional society. It is interesting isnt it  how JD Vance and Russell Brand ended up at the same convention?

Its easy to dismiss Brands Trumpism and conspirituality as nothing more than publicity-seeking  I just think hes a shallow person, says Robertson. But there is a creeping sense of dread around the whole thing. Scandal after scandal has not yet quashed the Brand of Brand. Still, now he has 2.6 million followers on TikTok and, despite YouTube suspending Brands channels from making money from adverts for violating its creator responsibility policy, his 6.4 million subscribers are still watching.

This new identity, the radical shift from the left to the right, the crucial combination of theology and conspiracy, and the powerful ability to cast doubt on almost anything that comes his way, is extreme but not surprising. Maybe this time, Brand does believe his own waffling spiel  or maybe its just another case of him trying on any hat that fits. This may be the second coming of Russell Brand but its unlikely to be the last  unless he really is silenced by the deep state. Lets hope its soon.
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Laura Whitmore says she was gaslit when she first raised complaints about the behaviour of Strictly Come Dancing pro Giovanni Pernice.

Pernice was dropped from the popular BBC dancing contest afterSherlock star Amanda Abbington raised concerns about how she was treated by the Italian dancer during rehearsals. He has denied all allegations against him.

The show has since been embroiled in scandal, with Graziano Di Prima axed over allegations about his treatment of former Love Island star Zara McDermott, and other celebrities have joined the discussion too as the BBC investigation into the show remains underway.

Whitmore first appeared on the show in 2016, finishing in sixth place.

The stuff Im not going to talk to you about now, because its under review, thats all coming out now, the stuff I tried to speak about eight years ago, she told the Irish Post.

Asked if she felt she wasnt listened to when she first aired her concerns, she clarified, Or [I was] gaslit to make it seem normalised.

She added: Its a shame that it has to come out in such a victim-shaming way, which it always does. And being the first person to speak up about anything is always hard.

It comes days after the TV presenter wrote a lengthy statement on her Instagram, to clarify misinformation in the press as she confirmed she had initially raised concerns back in 2016.

I thought my experience was specific to me but Ive since learned I was wrong.

open image in gallery Whitmore says she was gaslit ( Getty )

I am not looking for anything, just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it wont happen to anyone else again, she wrote.

Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved.

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The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other peoples experience. Its a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.

Whitmore revealed she had been asked to speak to the BBC along with six others, whose names she kept anonymous, about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual.

open image in gallery Abbington says she has faced rape and death threats ( ITV )

Her concerns first became public in 2018, when she said she had felt uncomfortable with Pernice.

Im still not ready to talk in depth about my experience on the show, she said at the time.

I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with  and in the end I felt broken. I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.

Abbington has revealed she has faced death and rape threats since coming out, and admitted that she fears taking public transport as a result.

When Im on the train and things, I do sometimes feel exposed and vulnerable, I do, because of the nature of the threats I was getting, she said on BBC Radio 4 Womans Hour.

You do feel like youre public enemy number one for saying, I do not feel entirely happy with this.
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Singapore has executed a man for trafficking 36.93g of heroin, making it the city-states second hanging this year.

The 45-year-old man was sent to the gallows at the Changi prison after being found guilty of trafficking more than twice the 15g of pure heroin that merits the death penalty, the Central Narcotics Bureau said on Friday.

Under Singapores law, which dictates harsh punishments for drug trafficking, anyone convicted of trafficking more than 500g (17.6oz) of cannabis or 15g (0.5oz) of heroin will be executed.

The identity and details of the case were kept private by rights groups at the request of the mans family.

The man was convicted and subsequently sentenced to death in February 2019, AFP reported. His legal petitions for clemency were dismissed.

He was accorded full due process under the law, and was represented by legal counsel throughout the process, the narcotics bureau said.

In February, Singapore executed Bangladeshi national Ahmed Salim, making him the first person convicted of murder to be hanged since 2019.

Singapores authorities had put execution sentences on hold in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but resumed the hangings in 2022 despite calls to cease capital punishment for drug-related crimes.

In 2023, Singapore conducted its first execution of a woman in 19 years for trafficking nearly 31g of pure heroin.

Human rights groups, international activists and the UN have urged Singapore to halt executions for drug offenses and say there is increasing evidence it is ineffective as a deterrent.

Singapore authorities insist capital punishment is key to halting drug demand and supply. Capital punishment is used only for the most serious crimes in Singapore that cause grave harm to the victim, or to society, the Singapore Police Force previously said in a statement.

There are just over 50 people on death row with all but two convicted of drug offences, according to the Transformative Justice Collective, a Singapore-based NGO that campaigns against the death penalty.

Singapore has so far executed 18 convicts since 2022.

Singapore reversed the Covid-19 hiatus on executions, kicking its death row machinery into overdrive, Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, previously said.

The governments reinvigorated use of the death penalty merely highlighted its disregard for human rights protections and the inherent cruelty of capital punishment.
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Vietnam's president To Lam has been named the new chief of the Communist Party following the death of his predecessor two weeks ago.

Mr Lam, 67, had taken over the country's most powerful political role temporarily on 18 July, a day before the death of previous secretary general Nguyen Phu Trong.

The Communist Party on Saturday unanimously supported Mr Lams nomination to the top post.

Addressing the delegates in Hanoi, he vowed to inherit and promote his predecessor's legacy, make no changes to the Southeast Asian nation's foreign policy, focus on achieving its socio-economic development goals, and continue a campaign against graft.

Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh, right, congratulates president To Lam with flowers as he was confirmed the new Community Party Chief, ( AP )

Trong dominated Vietnamese politics since he became party chief in 2011 and viewed corruption as the gravest threat facing the party.

"In the coming time, the work on anti-corruption will be continued fiercely," Mr Lam told the press conference.

"Personally, I feel fortunate that I have much experience in handling anti-graft campaign during the time I worked at the police ministry."

Mr Lam spent over four decades in the ministry of public security before becoming the minister in 2016. He then led Trong's sweeping anti-graft campaign until May, when he became president following the resignation of his predecessor.

President To Lam elected as Communist Party chief ( EPA )

The Communist nation has become a major destination for manufacturing investment due to its political stability, but experienced major turbulence in recent months that officials said was fuelled by the anti-graft effort.

It was not immediately clear whether Mr Lam would retain both top jobs until the legislative session ends in 2026, or whether a new president would replace him.

If Mr Lam retains both jobs, that could pave the path for him to adopt a more autocratic leadership style similar to that of Xi Jinping, who is China's party chief and state president.

It would not, however, be unprecedented. Trong held both top jobs for nearly three years until April 2021 after the death of a former president.

"It is a sign of a temporary halt of internal fighting within the party," Nguyen Khac Giang, a Vietnam expert at Singapore think tank the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

"Although Lam vowed to push forward the anti-corruption campaign, the campaign may slow down a little as he may prioritise stabilising the party system before the party congress in 2026."

Officials and diplomats said the party had discussed possibly naming a new president so that Mr Lam could focus on the party chiefs job, Reuters reported.

"In case the plenum ends without naming any new state president to replace Lam, it is a signal of a new chapter for Vietnam," Mr Giang said.

Mr Xi congratulated Mr Lam on his new role, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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A significant proportion of women experience problems linked to pelvic floor damage up to 26 years after giving birth, new research suggests  including urinary and faecal incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse.

The study by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), which involved 8,000 women whod given birth in 1993-1994, found 61% had recently experienced urinary incontinence, 22% had faecal incontinence and 17% had symptoms pointing to prolapse. Rates for mothers whod had a Caesarean delivery were slightly lower, at 53%, 16% and 9% respectively

So, what exactly is the pelvic floor, how does it get damaged during pregnancy, and is there anything you can do to restore it?

What is the pelvic floor?

FIT MAMA founder Mari-Carmen Sanchez-Morris, ex-NHS nurse turned personal trainer and womens health expert, explains that the pelvic floor is a layer of muscles and connective tissue that stretches from the pubic bone to the tailbone, which acts a bit like a hammock. These muscles play a crucial role in supporting the bladder, bowel and  in females  the uterus.

Hollie Grant, founder of pre- and post-natal fitness platform The Bump Plan, agrees, adding: There are three holes within the pelvic floor, the urethra, vagina and anus. The pelvic floor muscles wrap quite tightly around these holes to help keep the passages closed.

These muscles, just like many other muscles of the body, can be voluntarily contracted and hence strengthened. The difficulty for many women is that without being able to see these muscles, it can be hard to know if they are activating the correct ones.

How can pregnancy and giving birth damage the pelvic floor?

Pregnancy puts extra pressure on pelvic floor structures, and hormonal changes can also have an impact, leading to a higher chance of weakening.

During vaginal births, the babys head passing through the vagina can stretch and potentially tear muscles, with prolonged pushing straining them too.

For those who have deliveries that involve instruments like forceps or vacuum, these can also increase the risk of pelvic floor damage due to the pressure and force they can use, adds Sanchez-Morris.

For C-sections, the abdominal incision can affect pelvic floor nerves, leading to possible dysfunction. Much like with vaginal births, C-sections can also damage the pelvic floor due to the pressure from the babys weight and position.

What problems can women be left with?

There are lots of different symptoms women can struggle with due to pelvic floor damage or dysfunction, including urinary or faecal incontinence. Prolapse is another issue that can occur.

Women can also struggle with urinary or faecal urgency, which means they have less time to make it to the bathroom. This can be really stressful and anxiety-provoking, says pelvic health physiotherapist, Clare Bourne. Pelvic organ prolapse is much more common than we realise, and is where one or more of the pelvic organs (bladder, bowel and womb) move downwards into the vagina due to changes to the support of the vaginal walls.

This can feel like a heaviness or dragging sensation in the vagina, and it can significantly impact a womans mental health. The support and awareness around prolapse can be very poor and leave women feeling alone, she adds.

Another common symptom can be pain with intercourse. This is not exclusive to after birth, however it can be a new symptom due to scar tissue from perineal tears, or due to temporary dryness due to altered hormones postpartum, especially if breastfeeding. This is not in your head and there is lots that can be done to help.

Can you prevent pelvic floor damage in pregnancy?

The good news is, there is lots women can do to help both prevent and improve pelvic floor weakness. Pelvic floor exercises are a great way to prepare  think of it as training the muscles ahead of birth. Kegels are a popular method, which involve squeezing the muscles, while other physio exercises can also help.

By strengthening these muscles, you can help reduce the risk of dealing with physical issues from a weakened pelvic floor post-birth, says Sanchez-Morris. Perineal massages can also be great, with regular massages helping to increase tissue elasticity and possibly reduce the risk of tears during birth. It is best to consult your midwife for guidance on techniques that will be best.

If you are worried about your pelvic floor head of birth, it is best to consult a health professional who will be able to give tailored advice.

What can be done post-birth to help?

When you feel comfortable after birth, you can incorporate pelvic floor exercises and deep breathing into your routine (always seek advice from your doctor or midwife if you experienced any complications or severe tears).

This will also help improve Diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles, says Sanchez-Morris.

There are exercises that can help strengthen these muscles but the hardest part for many people is first identifying the right muscles to target. The best way to do this is to imagine you need to stop the wind  bring the anus to the vagina (closing the gap) and then gently lift from front to back, she adds.

The muscles you feel contract as you do this are the pelvic floor muscles. The key to exercising these muscles is to use the squeeze and release technique. To do this, contract the muscles for five seconds (it should feel like a tightening and lifting process) then relax them for five seconds, remembering to breathe throughout.

As you practice this and the muscles strengthen, steadily increase the duration of each contraction, the number of repetitions, and the positions in which you perform the exercises. Like with any strength-building, remember consistency is key.

Seek professional advice if you are experiencing symptoms and incontinence that doesnt improve or is impacting your quality of life  these things are very common and help is available.
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Talented breakdancers from across the globe are heading to Paris this week to show off their best flips and tricks at the Olympic Games for the very first time.

These energetic b-boys and b-girls make breaking  otherwise known as breakdancing  look effortless, but many of them have been perfecting their incredible skills since they were kids.

After watching the Olympic coverage, your child might be eager to try breaking for themselves, so here is everything you need to know to help them get started

What is breaking?

Breaking is a style of dance that developed in New York in the 1970s when hip hop emerged, explains long-standing New York City Breaker member Tony Wesley, also known as Mr Wave. It is danced to percussion-heavy beats of funk and hip hop, its known for acrobatic spins, flips, and kicks.

But why do some people refer to it as breakdancing?

Breaking and breakdancing both refer to the same dance style and for most, the term used is a personal preference, explains Wesley. The term breaking originates from the 1970s and was coined by pioneers of the dance form in the Bronx, New York City.

Many people within the breaking community prefer using the term breaking as its deep-rooted in the cultural and historical significance of the dance.

Wesley has been a dance educator for more than four decades and has recently partnered with study app Quizlet to make revision sets that teach children about the new Olympic sports culture, history and competitions.

What are the benefits for kids?

Breaking is a great workout, but it could also help build your childs social skills.

Wesley explains: Breaking can be an enriching activity for kids, not only contributing to their physical health and mental development, but also teaching them core social skills by engaging with other dancers and teachers.

The diverse range of movements in breaking can help with a childs flexibility, balance and coordination, while the desire to learn moves and routines requires discipline and concentration, arming children with these skills for later in life.

Jamie Berry, director and dance teacher at UK Breakin, agrees and says that mastering these epic moves does wonders for young peoples confidence.

A lot of the kids I teach are neurodiverse, they go from being these quiet little mice in the classroom to then having these big voices where they just want to share and tell you everything, says Berry. It is all about raising peoples confidence to levels they didnt even believe they were capable of.

Lot of kids with ADHD and autism find a home in breaking and hip-hop because there is always something for them to do and something to engage with.

Learning complex dance routines could also help improve you childs memory.

Wesley says: Memory can also be improved when breaking, as children learn and remember certain moves and routines, improving their overall recall capabilities.

What do you need to get started?

The most important thing you need to bring to the dance studio is a positive attitude.

You just need a pair of trainers, some clothes that you are comfortable in and can move in, and a good teacher, says Berry. Plus the ability to try, and not be afraid to fail because failure is your first attempt at learning.

How can kids try breaking this summer?

This new Olympic sport is open to everyone, regardless of age, background and capabilities.

Breaking classes are accessible to a variety of ages, and beginner classes are an option for those as young as four/five years old, says Wesley. Many dance studios offer summer programs or workshops specifically for breaking, so youre best looking for beginner classes that cater to kids.

Its important for those wanting to get into breaking to find professional trainers to help prevent injuries and to ensure that from the get-go theyre able to execute moves safely as well as nail the techniques properly.

UK Breakin is the national governing body for breaking sports, arts companies, practitioners, teachers and has an interactive map on its website that shows where its registered classes are taking place.

In addition, some leisure centres and dance studios also offer breaking classes.

Every teacher is different but I know on the UK Breakin course, for example, we have made it quite simple, says Berry. They begin with a cross step, a cross step over, a lazy get down or a knee drop just to get them introduced to it and get them excited about breaking.
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Former cabinet minister Sir David Davis hopes to visit Lucy Letby in prison as part of an investigation into whether the serial baby killer may be the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

The former Brexit Secretary said he would try to visit the 34-year-old in HMP Bronzefield, Surrey, if he was at least three-quarters persuaded that shes innocent.

Letby is serving 15 whole-life sentences for seven murders and seven attempted murders of babies in her care between 2015 and 2016.

It comes after Sir David told The Independent he was set to spearhead a probe questioning the conviction of Letby after a series of experts cast doubt over her guilt.

He previously told The Independent: I am intending to have a debate in September. It will give us time to go through the evidence  of which there is a vast quantity.

Sir David Davis is spearheading a probe into whether Lucy Letby may be the victim of a miscarriage of justice ( PA )

With a lot of people claiming a mistrial, including statisticians, nurses and senior medics, as well as reports of people being warned off giving evidence, it is clear we need to look at it quite closely.

Several medical professionals have raised questions over Letbys conviction. In one podcast, the statistician Peter Elston and retired paediatrician Michael McConville claimed there had been inadequacies in the medical evidence presented during her trial.

Speaking of his plans, Sir David told the Daily T podcast: I may not be allowed to, her lawyer may say no; she may say no. Thats got to be with her permission.

For me to do anything about this, Ive got to be at least three-quarters persuaded that shes innocent. Ill read millions of words of evidence over August and come to a conclusion in probably September or maybe October.

But if I do come to the conclusion that shes innocent, Ill be raising it in Parliament and seeking to get a Criminal Case Review Commission referral.

If it doesnt persuade me, then I wont waste the prison governors time. If I conclude that Letby is guilty, then Im going to drop this.

Some members of the Royal Statistical Society have expressed concerns over the use of statistics in Letbys case to secure a conviction on the basis of probabilities.

In a letter written to the Letby Inquiry, the RSS urged the chair to cover the appropriate use of statistical evidence in the cases of medical murder following a 2022 report looking into issues surrounding their use.

Letby continues to maintain her innocence despite her conviction and told jurors during her trial she was not the sort of person who would kill babies.
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A rioter who went viral after looting a number of shops including a Lush cosmetics store in Hull has received one of the longest sentences after weeks of violent disorder.

John Honey, 25, was pictured wearing a distinctive St Georges Cross T-shirt and carrying boxes of bathbombs when the store was ransacked on 3 August, before also stealing goods from O2 and Shoezone.

As well as participating in the ransacking of the high street, he was part of a baying mob that forced three Romanian men from their BMW, leaving them terrified.

Honey has been jailed for over four years for taking part in the violent disorder (Humberside Police/PA) ( PA Media )

A court heard the driver of a BMW was left in fear for his life when more than 100 angry men descended on him and his two cousins and attempted to drag them from their vehicle during 12 hours of racist, hate-fuelled mob violence in the city on August 3.

The man said he was punched in the head, and one person tried to hit him with a metal bar.

In footage of the incident, the three terrified occupants of the car could be seen getting out with their hands raised in a gesture of surrender before fleeing to a nearby hotel, the court heard.

Honey had pulled open the passenger door while David Wilkinson, 48, was seen damaging the windscreen of the vehicle.

He has now been jailed for 56 months after previously pleading guilty to violent disorder and three charges of burglary at Lush, the O2 and Shoezone.

A manager at Lush said the incident had massively impacted staff ( X/Twitter )

Video footage played to the court showed him carrying on of the Lush branded bags and filling it with products, with the manager saying the incident had massively impacted the staff.

A previous sentencing hearing that had been due to take place earlier this week was adjourned after it emerged Honey had asked a prison probation officer if he wanted his autograph because he was famous.

During Fridays hearing, the judge was informed that Honey had developmental issues due to a difficult start to life.

Judge John Thackray KC told Honey: Im not going to hear any evidence about comments which you may or may not have made in the prison setting. Im not going to give them any relevance. If your defence say that there is now genuine remorse, Ill accept that submission.

He also admitted racially aggravated criminal damage over the BMW incident, and to damaging nine other cars during an attack on a garage.

David Wilkinson, 48, has been jailed for six years for his role in the Sunderland riots (Humberside Police) ( PA Media )

Also jailed on Friday was Wilkinson, who received a six year sentence after playing a prominent role in the riots, which saw him spitting, throwing missiles and pushing wheelie bins towards police officers.

In the same garage attack, he was seen trying to set fire to a bin on top of a pile of tyres which were already alight, sending plumes of black smoke into a workshop where a group of people were sheltering.

Four men who took part in a barrage of verbal and physical abuse towards police during the riots were also locked up at the same court.

Also jailed today for two years and two months was Paul Williams, a 45-year-old man who was at the forefront of an orgy of mindless destruction, violence and disorder in Sunderland.

During the rioting, he was seen throwing metal fencing and a can of beer at police before taking his shirt off and shouting put your shields down and lets go, lets f****** go.

Lisa Bishop was jailed for 26 months after admitting violent disorder ( Avon and Somerset Police )

A mother-of-five who was part of a terrifying mob outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Bristol has also been jailed for 26 months after throwing a can and shouting verbal abuse.

Lisa Bishop, 38, was in a prominent position outside the Mercure hotel, which left police officers overwhelmed as they struggled to maintain order.

A second riot charge has been brought by police as violent disorder suspects across the country await news on whether they will be accused of the more serious offence.

Northumbria Police said on Friday that Kieran Usher had become their second suspect to be charged with riot, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The 32-year-old appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on Friday, where prosecutors said he had acted in an aggressive manner towards police officers and threw missiles at them during the unrest.

It followed the forces announcement that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with the more serious offence after having previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary on Saturday.
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A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after violence broke out in Southend.

He was one of a group of teenagers who were charged and faced court on Saturday after youths, some brandishing machetes, fought on the seafront on Tuesday evening.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke to confirm his personal details when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court. He was also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause serious injury, possession of a prohibited weapon in a public place and violent disorder.

Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram ordered him into youth detention. The boy will next appear for a preliminary hearing at Basildon Crown Court on 2 September.

Prosecutor Godfried Duah told the court a machete and a large knife were spotted after the disorder broke out in the crowded town as families enjoyed the summer holiday sunshine.

Police later seized a number of weapons including knives and a gun.

A 14-year-old boy, who is charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon, was also ordered into youth detention.

Another 16-year-old boy has been charged with wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and violent disorder.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

All of the child defendants were ordered into youth detention and their next hearings were each set for Basildon Crown Court on 2 September.

Michael King, 18, of South Woodford, east London, spoke only to confirm his personal details when he appeared in the dock charged with violent disorder and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mekai Brown, 18, and also of South Woodford, east London, was charged with violent disorder and wounding with intent.

Tyler Omo-Irogho, 18, of Watford, Hertfordshire, appeared in court charged with two counts of violent disorder, wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon, and assaulting an emergency worker.

All of the 18-year-olds were remanded in custody and were also ordered to next appear for a preliminary hearing at Basildon Crown Court on 2 September.

A 16-year-old boy, who has been charged with violent disorder, wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon, has yet to be dealt with.
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Violent outbreaks spread across the UK on Saturday with far-right thugs hurling bricks, bottles and chairs at the police as demonstrations broke out in more than half a dozen cities.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the thuggery and criminal disorder that has followed in the wake of the tragic Southport stabbings, warning that anyone involved in the ongoing violence will pay the price.

Criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britains streets, she said on Saturday afternoon following clashes in cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Hull, Nottingham and Belfast.

Protesters confront police officers in Manchester ( EPA )

Liverpool saw some of the worst violence with multiple officers injured ( PA )

Weve been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including making sure that there are more prosecutors, there are sufficient prison places and also that the courts stand ready because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price, the Labour MP added.

Ms Cooper said perpetrators face arrests, prosecution, financial penalties, imprisonment and travel bans to ensure that communities can feel safe.

However, she stopped short of recalling Parliament, a demand made earlier in the day by Tory leadership hopeful Priti Patel, who described the governments response to disorder in the UK as troubling and inadequate.

Ms Cooper attended emergency talks with prime minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, who said the police have his full support to take action against the extremists on the street who were trying to sow hate by intimidating communities.

Police officers facing down protesters in Liverpool ( James Speakman/PA )

But shadow home secretary James Cleverly urged the government to do more to restore public order and send a clear message to the thugs.

The growing political row over the response comes as Britain was engulfed in another day of violence. In Liverpool, far-right thugs pelted officers with bricks and bottles who in return used tear gas as they struggled to keep apart protesters and counter-protesters.

Merseyside Police said a number of officers were injured during the confrontations and condemned the despicable behaviour.

The force said that 11 people have been arrested and two officers had been hospitalised, one with a broken jaw and another with a broken nose.

Spellow Hub, a library which reopened last year and provides support for people of all abilities to gain education and a path to employment, was also lit on fire, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

Bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent, fireworks were thrown in exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast and windows of a hotel which has been used to house migrants were smashed in Hull.

Scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottingham, with bottles thrown from both sides, and chants of England til I die and Tommy Robinson drowned out by boos from the anti-racism counter-protesters.

Blackpool also saw run-ins between police and protesters ( Michael Holmes/PA )

Protesters gather in Nottingham, central England ( Getty )

Around 150 people carrying St Georges flags shouting youre not English any more and paedo Muslims off our street were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

In Hull, four people were arrested after three officers were hurt during a protest in which a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers.

Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said officers faced eggs and bottles being thrown as windows were smashed at the hotel which has housed migrants.

In Bristol, police made 14 arrests because of violent disorder in the city centre which Avon and Somerset Police described as completely unacceptable.

Further protests are planned for Sunday and more trouble is likely in the coming days, police said.

We know people will try and do this again and policing has been and will continue to be ready, said Chief Constable BJ Harrington, who speaks on public order for the National Police Chiefs Council.

There are 130 extra units in place across the country, meaning almost 4,000 extra public order-trained officers to deploy.

Tempers flared during the protest outside Belfast City Hall ( PA )

A demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Hull ( Lucy Leeson )

So if youre planning to cause trouble and disorder our message is very simple - well be watching you.

The weekend protests followed a night of unforgivable violence in Sunderland, which saw a Citizens Advice Bureau office burned down and a police centre looted. Four police officers were injured in clashes with far-right protesters and 10 arrests were made.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use as missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that they were guilty of an act of sacrilege.

More than 35 Enough is Enough protests are planned across the UK this weekend along with several counter-protests led by groups such as Stand Up to Racism.

The widespread disruption has torn through the country this week in the wake of the Southport stabbings, where three young girls were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Merseyside on Monday.

False claims spread on social media that the suspect was an asylum seeker, with police forced to make the unusual move of denying the supposed name of the suspect that was circulating online.

Police made multiple arrests at the various demonstrations ( Getty )

Amid continued fears over the threat from the far-right, a judge on Thursday named the stabbing suspect as Axel Rudakubana, 17, in an attempt to counter false information on social media.

However, it has done little to dissuade far-right groups in the UK who are utilising the false online information to push anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment.

Chair of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, Qari Asim, said the Muslim community is deeply worried and anxious about the planned protests by the far-right groups across the country.

He said: This intimidation and violence is the inevitable, devastating, outcome of rising Islamophobia that has been enabled to fester on social media, in parts of the mainstream media and by some populist leaders.

Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.

Violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town and 53 police officers and three police dogs were injured.

On Wednesday, 100 people were arrested in Whitehall as the disorder descended onto the capital as far-right protesters threw flares towards Downing Street and the Cenotaph. Further violence broke out in Manchester, Aldershot and Hartlepool.

Communities in Sunderland, blighted with far-right violence on Friday evening, started a clean-up operation in the city on Saturday.

Brett Redmayne, 43, saw the aftermath of the violence on Saturday after a police office was looted and photos on social media show a blackened Citizens Advice Bureau office which appeared to have been set alight.

Mr Redmayne said: The atmosphere around the city with the hundreds that showed up was one of support and unity.

These people who rioted dont speak for Sunderland and we are ashamed and embarrassed. This morning, though, we all wanted to show support and help clean the city.

I saw smashed windows and glass, but the council had worked hard as well through the night to clean a lot up, credit has to go to Sunderland Council.

This article was amended on 6 August 2024. It previously contained a photograph of a distinct group called Enough is Enough that was counter-protesting against a pro-Palestine march in central London on Saturday, August 3. This was unrelated to the far-right rioting and protests under the same name.
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After three young girls were killed and a further eight children and two adults were injured at the start of this week, far-right riots have taken place across the country.

They started in Southport, near the scene of the crime, and by Wednesday they had moved down to Downing Street in London. At least 35 more protests are expected this weekend in cities throughout England, with further violence erupting in Sunderland on Friday night.

Dozens of police officers have already been injured, many of whom were hospitalised.

Sunderland police station set alight amid fresh UK riots on Friday night ( TeesPix )

But the source of anger driving these protesters - beyond their longstanding frustration with a system they believe is wrongly allowing migrants and Muslims into the United Kingdom - appears to be based on inaccurate information and conspiracy.

Even now, after the misinformation has been corrected, conspiracies remain about why the identity of the Southport suspect was initially withheld, as per British law. Others suggest more information is still being kept from the public.

False: The name of the suspect

Within hours of the attack, the supposed name of the attacker was posted on social media by a channel called @artemisfornow, which has 44k followers. The name they posted was "Ali Al-Shakati".

In reality, this name was completely made up. But as Merseyside Police initially declined to identify the suspect beyond his age - a legal requirement for minors suspected of crimes - certain sections of social media quickly republished the name.

On Thursday, the judge decided not to put reporting restrictions in place preventing the suspects name from being published.

It was not "Ali Al-Shakati". The teenagers name is Axel Rudakubana.

Axel Rudakubana, pictured here in a younger school photo, has been charged over the stabbings ( Supplied )

False: The suspect is a Muslim

Before the fake name was published online, an account called Europe Invasion, known to publish Islamophobic and anti-immigrant content, posted on X, formerly Twitter, claiming that the suspect was alleged to be a Muslim immigrant.

Where the account got their information is unclear but their post was viewed more than six million times. And as the post was accruing views, crowds of far-right protesters were swelling in Southport, ready to charge the local mosques.

In truth, Axel Rudakubana was described by neighbours as a quiet choir boy who comes from a family that regularly attends a Christian church.

Fake: The suspect is an immigrant

The second half of the post from Europe Invasion proved equally untrue.

It was followed by additional spurious claims that the suspect had crossed the English Channel on a small boat, which were also entirely untrue.

Rudakubana was born in Cardiff and is a British citizen. The family later moved to a quiet cul-de-sac in Banks, Lancashire.

Court artist drawing of 17-year-old Rudakubana, centre, covering his face as he appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court ( Elizabeth Cook/PA )

Fake: The police withheld information for dubious reasons

Nigel Farage MP posted a video on Monday questioning whether the truth is being withheld from the public regarding the identity of the suspect. That later sparked conspiracies that the suspects past was being hidden.

These conspiracies are untrue.

The reason Rudakubana was not initially named - and further details pertaining to his identity were not published - is because of reporting restrictions.

As is standard, police did not name the person they had in custody as they continued to question him and he had not yet been charged.

After the 17-year-old was charged, under British law a minor cannot be identified until a judge rules that the suspect can be named.

This is what happened during the hearing on Thursday. The recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC ruled the defendant could be named, and did not put reporting restrictions in place.
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Sunderland residents have begun the hard work of cleaning up the city after far-right rioters clashed with police and damaged buildings in the city.

The violent scenes saw a police centre looted while a neighbouring Citizens Advice bureau was set alight. Four police officers were injured in skirmishes and at least 10 arrests were made. Police, residents and local politicians have all condemned the scenes.

Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates on this story

Thugs set fire to buildings during the disturbances on Friday ( TeesPix )

Sunderland Council deputy leader Kelly Chequer said the riots were nothing more than mindless violence and disorder led by a minority with an agenda of hate.

We know that sadly, many of those in our city last night were not from here but came to cause chaos and stoke tensions, she added.

I want to make it clear: there is no place for these people, they are not welcome here.

The riots came after similar scenes unfolded in Southport on Tuesday following the death of three young girls in a knife attack on July 29. Its thought online misinformation surrounding the tragic event led far-right protesters to mobilise in towns and cities across the UK.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness: rioters do not speak for our region (Owen Humphreys/PA) ( PA Archive )

Brett Redmayne, 43, saw the aftermath of the violence on Saturday after a police office was looted and photos on social media show a blackened Citizens Advice Bureau office which appeared to have been set alight.

Mr Redmayne told reporters: The atmosphere around the city with the hundreds that showed up was one of support and unity.

These people who rioted dont speak for Sunderland and we are ashamed and embarrassed. This morning, though, we all wanted to show support and help clean the city.

I saw smashed windows and glass, but the council had worked hard as well through the night to clean a lot up, credit has to go to Sunderland Council.

A car set on fire during the disturbances ( Getty Images )

Reverend Jacqui Tyson, a priest at Sunderland Minster, said rioters were attempting to lever gravestones outside the church to use as weapons against police.

She said: Its an act of sacrilege to disturb someones gravestone. Its also remarkably lacking in common sense  have you tried to pick up a gravestone?

Alongside her colleague Reverend Chris Howson, she was able to ward away the protesters as they both worked to clean up the graveyard this morning.

Rev Chris Howson is helping with the clean-up at Sunderland Minster ( Tom Burgess / The Northern Echo )

Mayor of the North East Kim McGuinness said the rioters will not define our reputation.

Make no mistake: those people do not speak for our region, she said. The grieving families in Southport will feel no comfort by their actions.

She extended her thanks to Sunderland residents for standing against these extreme violent people and restoring the city to the proud place that it deserves to be.

Protests gripped many other cities in the UK on Saturday as pockets of the far-right mobilised to protect immigration and express anti-Islam views. Counter-protesters were present at many of these, outnumbering the far-right in most places according to eyewitnesses.
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A nine-year-old girl is in a life-threatening condition after she and her five-year-old brother were hit by a bus.

The girl and her brother were walking along Watling Street in Bexleyheath, southeast London with a family member when they were struck.

Both youngsters were rushed to hospital by ambulance and the male bus driver was arrested at the scene and remains in custody.

Her younger brother was taken to hospital as a precaution, the Metropolitan Police said.

Detectives have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: At 09.05hrs on Saturday, 3 August, police were called to a bus in collision with two children on Watling Street near the junction with Halcot Avenue, Bexleyheath.

A nine-year-old girl was taken to hospital by ambulance. Her injuries are being treated as life-threatening.

A five-year-old boy was taken to hospital as a precaution. The children are siblings who were with a family member at the time of the collision.

Officers are providing support to their family. The male driver of the bus was arrested. He has been taken into police custody where he remains.

Any witnesses to the collision who are yet to speak with police are asked to call 101 quoting reference 2309/03Aug.
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The number of people released from prison into homelessness has risen 30 per cent in a year despite a major new scheme to house departing offenders, The Independent can reveal.

New government figures laying bare the dire state of prisons in England and Wales outline record levels of self-harm, soaring violence and worsening overcrowding in what campaigners have dubbed a crisis of human misery behind bars.

With the previous government freeing over 10,000 prisoners up to 70 days early since October in an urgent bid to free up space, analyses of the latest Ministry of Justice figures by this publication and the charity Nacro found the number of inmates left homeless has soared  risking a revolving door back into prison.

The new data shows 9,210 inmates were released into homelessness or rough sleeping in the year to March, rising from 7,055 the previous year  accounting for 13.1 per cent of all 70,000 prison releases, up from 11.3 per cent the previous year.

This included 755 women, a rise of 38 per cent on the previous year. The number of people released into other unsettled or transient accommodation  such as temporarily living with friends or family  also rose from 7,725 to 9,565 over the same period.

Experts said the rise was partly due to the chaotic early release scheme and warned homelessness raises the risk of reoffending by around 50 per cent  confounding efforts to free up prison cells.

Inspectors recently highlighted the case of a high-risk prisoner with a recent history of suicidal thoughts and self-harm, who was released from segregation into homelessness under the early release scheme despite staff appealing against it. He was recalled to prison just days later.

For some, prison is better than rough sleeping. Two former inmates described reoffending in order to return to jail because at least I had support and a bed. They feared ending up in an even worse situation on the streets.

The prisons ombudsman recently investigated the deaths of more than 100 people in the fortnight after they left jail between 2021 and 2023  and found that a third had been released straight onto the streets.

People are more likely to reoffend if they do not have stable accommodation, research has found ( Getty )

The stark rise in homelessness comes despite the rollout of a new scheme to ensure those released on probation are given 12 weeks of accommodation. This was fully operational by November after first being rolled out in five regions back in July 2021.

The Independent understands that, due to difficulties finding beds in the private rental sector, the rollout was slower than hoped  with the scheme having only reached 70 per cent capacity in December and 85 per cent this month.

The scheme, which doesnt cover prisoners on remand, housed 12,205 people between July 2021 and March.

Frontline experts warn the situation often merely kicks the can down the road for those who do receive help, only to be forced to live on the streets after their 12 weeks of accommodation has finished.

The percentage of people left homeless three months after leaving prison rose from 6.7 to 9 per cent year-on-year  an additional 1,000 people in the 12 months to March.

Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said the new scheme is absolutely the right priority but that the concerning rise in homelessness highlights the urgency of this task, and that more support is needed for its success.

With jails currently at 99 per cent capacity, the new government has announced a new scheme to free some 5,500 people 40 per cent of the way into their sentences from September  a process which experts hope will allow more time for pre-release planning than the current emergency scheme.

Met Police boss says plans to release some prisoners early is 'least worst option'

But Ms Sinha warned that reoffending will only be reduced once ex-inmates are set up for success with housing and sufficient support. The new data shows 7,415 people were recalled to jail between January and March, some for breaching licence conditions related to having no stable address.

One former inmate who has been to prison six times said he was forced to sleep rough or in a tent several times after being released. He said: It was horrible, it was summer but it was still cold, it was freezing. I felt like I had no purpose. I was getting up just to walk round all day, and the days felt like forever.

I didnt know what to do. Some people actually feel prison is a better alternative and do go back to committing crime, and to be honest I did too.

Another man described sleeping in all sorts of places, the local park, abandoned buildings, wherever I could find, saying it was always the same  a few nights out, maybe clean, then it gets overwhelming, and I would find a way of getting myself back in prison.

He said that being housed by the charity Nacro upon his recent release has made all the difference in the world.

Calling the new figures a clear warning to the new government not to repeat the mistakes of the past, Nacro chief executive Campbell Rob warned that ministers risk swapping the prisons crisis with a homelessness crisis without special measures to house the thousands of additional prisoners set to be freed this autumn.

Sian Williams, chief executive of the charity Switchback, added: Having a stable address is often the bedrock of mental health, sustainable employment, and obtaining practical support  all of which are crucial to people trying to live life differently.

The charity said seven in 10 young men it currently supports had left prison homeless, and is calling for a national framework which provides first-night accommodation and a minimum standard of support to access housing for every person leaving prison.

Andrew Neilson, of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the new data shows how dysfunctional the criminal justice system has become, and how that dysfunction spreads into the community.

He added: The new administration has announced a more consistent programme of early release, that will allow services to better support individuals as they are moving into the community. But ultimately we need investment in housing, rather than building new prisons, if we are to find a lasting solution to this problem.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: Our prisons are in crisis, which is putting significant pressure on the whole justice system.

We know stable accommodation on release has a huge impact on cutting crime. Thats why the lord chancellors recent measures ensure probation services have time to prepare for an offenders release. This protects the public and helps offenders stay on the straight and narrow when they leave prison.
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Residents have begun a clean-up operation after far-right demonstrators took to the streets of Sunderland for another night of rioting following the Southport stabbings.

An old police station was set on fire on Friday night as footage showed flames pouring from the reportedly disused Sunderland Central Police Office with a crowd of men, some wearing balaclavas, surrounding the building.

Beer cans and bricks were thrown at riot police outside a mosque and a Citizens Advice office was set alight.

A police car is set on fire by far-right protesters in Sunderland ( Getty Images )

Northumbria Police said three officers were hospitalised and ten people so far have been arrested for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary, following the rioting in Sunderland city centre.

Follow our live coverage.

Sunderland City Council thanked residents and business owners who have begun to clean up the streets on Saturday morning.

A huge thank you to all the residents and businesses who have given up their morning to help with the clear up  this strong community spirit is part of what makes people proud to be from Sunderland, the council wrote in a post on X.

Volunteers with dustpans and broomsticks clearing up debris ( Sunderland City Council )

A Sunderland resident who took part in clean-up efforts has said he is ashamed and embarrassed after disorder broke out.

Brett Redmayne, 43, said: The atmosphere around the city with the hundreds that showed up was one of support and unity.

These people who rioted dont speak for Sunderland and we are ashamed and embarrassed. This morning, though, we all wanted to show support and help clean the city.

He added the people of Sunderland were efficient at clearing any broken glass that scattered the streets, but also praised Sunderland City Council for its help in the clean-up efforts.

Apart from broken glass, the burnt-out building and car, the council and local people have cleaned everything off very fast. I saw smashed windows and glass, but the council had worked hard as well through the night to clean a lot up, credit has to go to Sunderland Council.

Sunderland City Council thanked people who have begun to clean up the streets on Saturday morning ( Sunderland City Council )

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness told BBC Breakfast: We saw that these far-right groups were advertising what they called a peaceful protest yesterday in Sunderland.

That was anything but peaceful.

It was out and out crime and violence and the police response was strong, protecting a mosque and really having to stand up to very sustained crime and violence from these thugs.

Disorder has hit parts of England this week, including in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool, after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Merseyside on Monday.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, who was born in Cardiff, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat last year.

An extra 70 prosecutors will be drafted in on standby this weekend to charge people who set out to cause violent disorder as the authorities prepare to deal with dozens of further demonstrations planned over the next two days.

Campaign group Hope Not Hate has identified more than 30 events taking place.
A key group of Buffalo Public Schools students and their teachers can celebrate their growth last school year in reading and math, hard work that is also meaningful to top administrators.

The districts economically disadvantaged third graders exceeded their targets  which doubled as evaluation markers for Superintendent Tonja M. Williams  in the two core subject areas, according to data presented last month by Chief Academic Officer Anne Botticelli.

We met and we exceeded, and it is a happy day, Williams said.

Among her three goals for the 2023-24 school year, the Buffalo School Board, a consultant for the Council of the Great City Schools and Williams last August agreed the superintendent would focus on the academic growth of this small population of about 1,730 students. The mission was less about how the district stacked up against its peers and more to determine whether its students were learning.

Buffalo schools implementing 'science of reading' training for teachers, mentors Buffalo schools have invested close to $1 million in Orton-Gillingham training programs to not only curb learning loss but serve as a building block for the future.

The district would ensure these students  whose first school years were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic  were equipped with strong curricula, implementing research-backed reading strategies such as Orton-Gillingham and popular game-inspired math activities including First in Math.

Their growth would be tracked in both subjects over the course of the year with specific digital tools  DIBELS for literacy development and i-Ready for math  which would display the percentage of the group that met or exceeded the districts grade-level expectations.

Third graders at the end of the 2022-23 school year read at or above grade level at a rate of 33%, so district leaders collaboratively set the end-of-year goal for third graders in 2023-24 at 39%. According to the districts latest data, 40% of economically disadvantaged third graders were reading at or above grade level at the end of June.

'Shift the mentality': Gamelike tools spark Buffalo Schools' rebound in math Buffalo Public Schools is using math games such as First in Math to build proficiency. They're beginning to find success. Can they make the subject more fun for kids?

The degree of math growth expected of the population was smaller, but research has shown that the subject was stunted more by the pandemic than reading. Of 2022-23 economically disadvantaged third graders, 13.3% were at or above grade level in math at the end of the year, and this years third graders were tasked with reaching 15.9%.

Data released at the beginning of the year, however, revealed how much ground this years third graders would have to make up. Just 4% of economically disadvantaged third graders were doing math at or above grade level in i-Ready tests administered in September. In June, however, the percentage of third graders meeting or surmounting grade-level expectations rose to 21%.

'This data has faces': Buffalo Schools leaders urge sensitivity in evaluating student achievement Buffalo Schools Superintendent Tonja M. Williams said she's encouraged by recent academic progress in reading and math, emphasizing the need to recognize students' disrupted learning during Covid-19 closures and vast mental health challenges the pandemic caused.

Williams was ecstatic with the results in both categories, but especially in math.

This is great work, she said. We should all feel proud of it. The board should feel proud for setting these goals. We should be running and telling everyone from the rafters what the children in the Buffalo Public Schools can do and have demonstrated.

We had two years that we were struggling really in a big way, but we turned this around, said Sharon Belton-Cottman, the School Board president.

For several reasons, Buffalo Schools over the last year pivoted away from just relying on New York State standardized testing, in part due to state delays in releasing scores, as their most important barometer.

With state scores delayed again, Buffalo Schools picks a balanced route forward While awaiting state testing data and the dawn of the new standards, Buffalo Schools has placed greater emphasis on internal assessments for math and reading, as well as identifying whether students are showing growth, not meeting a perceived standard.

The district Office of Shared Accountability advocated using DIBELS, a diagnostic assessment for reading used for decades, and i-Ready, a more recent math tool that gauges a students level by asking more difficult or easier questions, depending on the accuracy of a student response.

While there are significant differences between the two programs, both generally track skill development through substantial data collected over time, rather than the snapshot provided by an annual standardized test. Among the perks praised by Buffalo Schools is the assessments at the beginning, middle and end of the year, as well as rapidly available results to then inform what interventions might help a student reach the next level. There are benchmark and growth elements to both programs.

The third marker for Williams evaluation is the districts June graduation rate, which should be released later this month. After initial confusion about the appropriate number, the solidified goal was to at least match the June 2023 graduation rate of 75.7%.

In the meantime, district leaders beamed with pride after the steps forward.

If I could do a cartwheel, Williams said, I would.
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More ugly scenes have unfolded on the UKs streets on Saturday, as police continue to grapple with a wave of far-right disorder across the country.

Cities in England and Northern Ireland saw violence perpetrated by anti-immigration rioters with police officers injured as objects such as bricks, chairs and bottles were thrown at them.

The far-right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after race riots in London, Manchester, Southport, Hartlepool and Sunderland over the past week, many of which have seen mosques and other Muslim religious buildings targeted.

With more marches planned in the coming days, experts have warned such demonstrations are being driven by deep-rooted Islamophobic sentiment among some sections of the population.

The catalyst for the wave of unrest was the killings of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.

( PA/Getty )

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, who was born in Cardiff and lived near Southport, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online the suspect was named Ali al-Shakati and was an asylum seeker of Muslim faith who had arrived in the UK by boat in 2023.

Racial equality and civil rights think tank the Runnymede Trust warned that this violent racism has long been simmering under the surface of society.

What is happening is the direct result of years of normalised racism and Islamophobia, enabled by politicians and the British media, a charity spokesperson said.

There has been an upsurge in Islamophobic incidents and rhetoric in recent years.

According to Home Office data, race and religious hate crimes are high with Muslims being the most targeted religious group.

A landmark report published in 2023 revealed that Islamophobic incidents doubled across Britain between 2012 - 2022, citing reasons such as increased far-right activity, global anti-Muslim attacks, political discourse and the Brexit referendum campaigns.

People demonstrate in Blackpool, following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport ( Michael Holmes/PA Wire )

Yet, authorities stand accused of doing nothing to address this spike; it recently emerged that the previous Conservative governments anti-Muslim hatred working group (AMHWG) was on pause for more than four years, from 2020 until the partys general election loss, despite repeated promises from officials and an increase in hate crime.

The new Labour governments strategy for tackling Islamophobia remains unclear and Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised for failing to engage enough with Muslim communities in the wake of disorder.

Writing on X/Twitter, the Muslim Association of Britain said: @Keir_Starmer had no problem meeting @MuslimCouncil when he was in opposition.

Now that he is in government, and Muslims are being attacked and Mosques have become targets, his government have no plans to meet the largest body representing Muslims in the UK. What changed?

Recently, The Independent revealed that a Muslim political group was inundated with racist abuse and violent threats during the general election, resulting in a report being made to the police.

Far-right activists clashed with police in Sunderland on Friday ( Getty Images )

In March, Muslims in Britain reported that they are too scared to leave their homes after dark, as new figures from a London charity, Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU), showed the number of Islamophobic incidents skyrocketed by 365 per cent since the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas.

Political discourse and dynamics have also fuelled anti-Muslim sentiment, campaigners have said.

In response to the unrest, Qari Asim, chairman of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, said Muslims around the country are deeply worried and anxious about the planned riots by the far-right groups across the country.

He said: This intimidation and violence is the inevitable, devastating, outcome of rising Islamophobia that has been enabled to fester on social media, in parts of the mainstream media and by some populist leaders.

Earlier this year, former Tory MP Lee Andersons remarks about the Muslim Mayor of London Sadiq Khan being controlled by Islamists led to his suspension from the party.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan ( PA Wire )

Despite this, Mr Anderson remained unapologetic about his comments, defected to Reform UK, and doubled down by saying most of the public agree with him.

An independent review led by Professor Swaran Singh in 20121 found that anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the Conservatives and although an updated report in 2023 found the party had made progress, it also warned it had been slow to implement some of his recommendations.

A report by the Labour Muslim Network (2020) highlighted consistent experiences of Islamophobia among Muslim members and supporters and a number of MPs, including Zarah Sultana, have called for the party to launch an inquiry into the issue.

Sections of the media have also been accused of peddling Islamophobia and risking the safety of Muslims around the country in the process.

Examining over 10,000 articles and clips referring to Muslims and Islam in the winter period of 2018, a 2021 report from the Muslim Council of Britains Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) found that the majority (59 per cent) of all articles associated Muslim people with negative behaviour, over a third of all articles misrepresented or generalised about Muslim people and terrorism was the most common theme.
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An old police station was set on fire as far-right demonstrators took to the streets of Sunderland for another night of rioting following the Southport stabbings earlier this week.

Footage showed flames pouring from the reportedly disused Sunderland Central Police Office as a crowd of men, some wearing balaclavas, surrounded the building.

Northumbria Police said that its officers had been subjected to serious violence. They said that eight people had been arrested and three police officers were taken to hospital following the rioting in Sunderland city centre.

The force added: The scenes that we are seeing are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Ensuring the publics safety is our utmost priority.

Car set on fire during riots in Sunderland

Earlier, footage shared by Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, showed protesters breaking the windows of the building after throwing bins and other debris at the station.

Police had beer barrels thrown at them as they tried to contain the several hundred protesters, who shouted: Whose streets? Our streets.

Train and bus services were halted and the Sunderland rail station was shut after 10pm, the Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus said.

The Omniplex cinema was forced to shut during the incident in the "interest of public and staff safety".

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, who led the policing operation, said: Eight people have so far been arrested for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary. A full investigation is now under way to identify anyone else responsible.

The shocking scenes we have witnessed in Sunderland this evening are completely unacceptable. I want to make it absolutely clear that the disorder, violence and damage which has occurred will not be tolerated.

The old Sunderland police station was set alight as riots erupted across Sunderland ( TeesPix )

Education secretary and Sunderland MP Bridget Phillipson condemned the unrest in the city as unforgivable violence and thuggery.

She said: The criminals involved in this appalling disorder must be identified, prosecuted, and punished with the full force of the law.

Sunderland is better than this and these thugs do not represent our city.

Sunderland AFC on X said Fridays shameful scenes do not represent our culture, our history, or our people.

Our great city is built on togetherness and acceptance, and Sunderland will forever be for all. We are stronger as one community.

The disorder on Friday started at Sunderlands newly refurbished Keel Square where the demonstration  called Enough Is Enough  began.

As a helicopter flew overhead, young men threw stones at the police and chanted, Whose streets? Our streets.

There was a stand-off between police and protesters outside a mosque on Sunderlands St Marks Road.

Mounted police deal with demonstrators as far-right activists hold an Enough is Enough protest in Sunderland ( Getty Images )

Some protesters argued about two-tier policing as the police threw a protective ring around the mosque. Mounted police pushed back demonstrators, some of whom were wearing masks.

Members of the crowd chanted in support of Tommy Robinson, and others shouted insults about Islam.

Mosques across England are on a heightened state of alert to be careful and cautious, the Muslim Council of Britain said.

Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson described the violence as criminal thuggery.

In a post on X, he said: I am appalled by the disorder in the centre of Sunderland tonight. Our city is not represented by a tiny minority causing trouble.

Northumbria Police have my full support as they respond to criminal thuggery and work to protect all the communities of our city.

Tomorrow the people of Sunderland will come together and continue to build the bright future that we have  a future where every community of our city feels safe and prospers.

A car was torched in Sunderland as far-right mob takes over streets ( PA )

Prime minister Keir Starmer has put police forces on an emergency footing as more far-right protests are planned over the weekend. At least 35 demonstrations have been advertised online, many posts containing phrases such as enough is enough or save our kids.

They follow misinformation on social media about the attack on Monday in Southport, in which Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, has been charged with the murders of the three girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

Sir Keir made a second visit to Southport since the murders. As a nation, we stand with those who tragically have lost loved ones in the heinous attack in Southport, which ripped through the very fabric of this community and left us all in shock, he said in a statement.

Elsewhere on Friday, a crowd of about 200 anti-racist protesters gathered outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool after rumours of a far-right protest there.

A small scuffle later broke out between protesters as one crossed West Derby Road towards demonstrators protecting the Abdullah Quilliam Society mosque and police moved in.

Those outside the mosque chanted: Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.

One man, among a small group on the opposite side of the road, replied: Are they f***!
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Firefighters made progress Saturday against California's largest wildfire of the year ahead of expected thunderstorms that could unleash fire-starting lightning and erratic winds and erode progress made over the past week. Dry, hot conditions posed similar threats across the fire-stricken West.

We're not completely out of the woods yet, but we're looking very, very good, CalFire official Mark Brunton said in a video update Saturday. This is moving at a very fast pace.

Containment of the Park Fire, now California's fourth-largest wildfire on record, is at 27% as of early Saturday. Brunton said the relatively milder weather the last few days allowed firefighters to build containment lines.

But hotter weather, fuels and terrain will continue posing challenges for the estimated 6,500 firefighters battling the fire, which has spread over 626 square miles (1,621 square kilometers) since allegedly being started by arson in a park in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of the Sacramento Valley city of Chico. For comparison, the city of Los Angeles covers about 503 square miles (1,302 square kilometers).

Suppression crews will also start removing damaged infrastructure in some areas Saturday to allow residents to return home.

The fire originated at low elevations, where it quickly burned through thick grass and oaks, destroying at least 567 structures and damaging 51 so far. As it has climbed higher, the vegetation has changed to a greater concentration of trees and brush, Cal Fire said.

The fires push northward has brought it toward the rugged lava rock landscape surrounding Lassen Volcanic National Park, which has been closed because of the threat.

There's a lot of really steep drainages in that area, CalFire spokesperson Devin Terrill said. It takes a lot more time to access those areas.

After a brief respite, firefighters are now bracing for treacherous conditions of hot and dry weather, along with expected thunderstorms with potential thunder strikes and gusty winds.

The collapse of thunderstorm clouds can blow wind in any and all directions, said Jonathan Pangburn, a fire behavior analyst with Cal Fire. Even if theres not lightning per se, it is very much a safety-watch-out environment for our firefighters out there, Pangburn said.

The Park Fire is among almost 100 large fires burning across the western U.S. Evacuation orders were in effect for 28 of the fires, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Three wildfires burned in Colorado on Friday near heavily populated areas north and south of Denver, with about 50 structures damaged or destroyed, thousands of people under evacuation orders and human remains found in a destroyed house earlier this week.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office is investigating a blaze threatening hundreds of homes near the Colorado city of Littleton as arson.

Karlyn Tilley, a spokesperson for Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, said the investigation is ongoing and they are using a dog specially trained to sniff out sources and causes of fires. Tilley said just because they suspect the fire was human-caused doesnt mean it was intentional.

Firefighters were making good progress on the fire despite the steep, rocky terrain and blistering heat, and no houses had been burned, officials said.

The cause and origin of a fatal blaze west of the town of Lyons was being probed by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with specially trained fire investigators from the agency helping local authorities, agency spokesperson Crystal McCoy said. The area blackened by that fire remained relatively unchanged after it burned five houses.

The largest of the Colorado fires, west of Loveland, grew to 14.9 square miles (38.5 square kilometers) after previously burning 49 homes and other structures. Its cause is under investigation.

Scientists say extreme wildfires are becoming more common and destructive in the U.S. West and other parts of the world as climate change warms the planet and droughts become more severe.
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The death of DVontaye Mitchell, a Black man who was filmed in June being pinned to the ground outside a hotel in Milwaukee, was a homicide, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiners Officer.

Mitchell, 43, died from "restraint asphyxia and toxic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine, according to the medical examiners report, released on Friday.

The report provides the clearest picture yet of the June 30 death, which sparked local protests and calls for charges against the four hotel employees involved in restraining Mitchell.

The report includes a narrative of what happened in the moments before the killing.

Mitchell entered a Milwaukee Hyatt hotel and appeared frantic and panting, hiding behind objects in the lobby, according to the report.

When he was told to leave, he attempted to barricade himself in the womens bathroom of the hotel, with women inside.

As patrons inside the bathroom screamed, security guards gained entry and removed Mitchell, at which point he became combative.

From there, a group of four pinned Mitchell to the ground outside the hotel for roughly 10 minutes, in an incident with similarities to the high-profile murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020, which inspired nationwide protests.

Employees told police they held down his extremities and chest with moderate pressure while Dvontaye was combative.

They relieved the pressure while he stopped resisting and applied more pressure when he became combative again, the report reads, with the employees adding they didnt restrain Mitchell by the neck, as police did to Floyd.

"The report confirms what we all saw on video, that Mr. Mitchell was murdered by Hyatt security officers," Will Sulton, a lawyer for the Mitchell family, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Mitchells family has said the man was in the midst of a mental health episode at the time of his death, and have called for charges against the hotel employees.

Earlier this month, the Milwaukee police forwarded four felony murder charges to the local DAs office for consideration, which has said it would wait on the medical examiners findings before making any charging decisions.

The Milwaukee County DAs Office told The Independent it has no comment on the report at this stage.
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Authorities were able to track down and arrest a January 6 rioter who posed for pictures with Roger Stone thanks to the mans fashion-forward attire.

Tristan Sartor, a 26-year-old Pennsylvania designer, was charged with felony counts of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct, in addition to a misdemeanor charge or parading, demonstrating or picketing and disorderly conduct.

Before being taken into custody in Ruffs Dale, Pennsylvania on July 31, Sartor posted selfies with white supremacist Nick Fuentes and Stone, according to Law & Crime.

FBI agents identified Sartor by matching CCTV images of him to photos hed posted on Instagram. Specifically, agents identified that Sartor had been wearing the same shoes, a lapel pin and sunglasses on the day of the riot that hed posed with in photos on the app.

The alleged rioter confirmed the arrest in a post on X on Thursday.

I was arrested by the FBI in relation to January 6 yesterday morning at my home. I am currently out of jail. Meeting with legal counsel today.

Tristan Sartor, 26, of Ruffs Dale, Pennsylvania was arrested by FBI investigators this week for his involvement in the January 6th riot ( FBI )

Hopefully more to come.

The outlet reported that Sartor was released on $25,000 bond.

Per a statement of facts filed in connection with the mans case, the FBI found images of Sartor at the National Monument, in front of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and going inside the Capitol building on January 6. He remained inside the Capitol for one minute and 15 seconds.

On July 13, FBI investigators followed Sartor from his job at a used auto parts store to his home to confirm his address before making the arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Washington DC on August 13.
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A father who was filmed on surveillance camera forcing his six-year-old son to run on a high-speed treadmill, despite the boy falling over repeatedly, denied involvement in his death even as he was sentenced for his murder.

Christopher Gregor, 31, was found guilty of both aggravated manslaughter and child endangerment, following the death of Corey Micciolo in April 2021.

Gregor was sentenced to 25 years behind bars on Friday but denied responsibility until the last. I want to assure you that on April 2, I did nothing to cause Coreys passing, Gregor said, becoming visibly and audibly emotional in court.

I didnt hurt my son. I loved him and I still do. I regret not bringing him to the hospital sooner. I didnt know how sick he was. I didnt know. I just thought he was tired.

The youngster died after being taken to a hospital complaining of symptoms including slurred speech, stumbling, nausea and shortness of breath.

Footage allegedly showed Gregor forcing his six-year-old son Corey Micciolo to run on a treadmill ( credit Court TV )

At the hospital, the boy told doctors that his father, who wasnt aware he had a son until the boy was five, forced him to run on a treadmill because he was too fat. Shocking video seemingly confirming the youngsters account was played at trial.

Judge Guy Ryan handed down the lengthy sentence on Friday after the childs mother pleaded for the harshest possible punishment.

[Gregor] has no remorse for any of the actions he committed. His own remorse is because he got caught and convicted, the childs mom, Breanna Micciolo, told the court.

Everything he had done to Corey was done out of spite to me. Another reason is he is sick in the head and used Corey as his punching bag. He never had an ounce of love for Corey, he was just an inconvenience to his life.

Gregor was sentenced to 25 years behind bars on Friday, but denied responsibility until the last ( Court TV )

Gregor was originally charged only with the child endangerment offense, though the charge was later upgraded to murder when a medical examiner amended their autopsy report to show Coreys cause of death as homicide.

Dr Thomas Andrew, former chief medical examiner for New Hampshire, who helped revise the examiners initial report, testified for the prosecution that the child died as a result of blunt force injuries to the chest and lacerations to the heart and liver.

Micciol said she tried to report suspected abuse more than 100 times in 18 months to New Jersey officials, but no action was taken.

I dont know if it was incompetence on [the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency] side or they just didnt believe me, she told NewsNation last year.
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On June 17th of this year, a billboard appeared along the Palmetto Expressway, near Northwest 67th Avenue in Miami, Florida. The gigantic sign showed an image of Donald Trump juxtaposed with an image of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, with the caption No to dictators  No to Trump written in Spanish across it.

The billboard was intended to run for two weeks, but was taken down after just seven days. LAMAR, the billboard company, agreed to remove the sign after a pressure campaign from local right-wing media, Republican political operatives and elected officials, including US Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, a Cuban American Congresswoman from Florida who is an ardent Trump supporter. Salazar spoke publicly about personally lobbying LAMAR to take the billboard down, calling it "profoundly irresponsible and dishonest". In a statement, she cited the "pain and suffering of the exile Cuban community" who had lived under Castros regime as her main reason for wanting to remove it.

Yet, not everyone was offended by the dictator comparison. Many Latino Democrats applauded the message. Truth in advertising, commented one member of a popular Democratic Latino group on social media.

A mobile version of the dictator billboard  a box truck with the same message  was already driving around the streets of Miami, including Little Havana, by the time the original was taken down. The truck made a courtesy stop in front of Congresswoman Salazars office.

As a Cuban American registered Democrat  a rare thing in my family  I was interested to know whether the rolling billboard would make its way past the homes of my relatives who live in Miami. Most of them came to the US in the late Sixties and early Seventies, their current political choices shaped by what many Cubans believe was the betrayal by Democratic President John F. Kennedy during the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. Most in my family, and in the Cuban community at large, have never forgiven President Kennedy, or the Democrats. In my family, simply defending anything the Democrats have done can end a relationship. After I pointed out what I saw as the benefits of Obamacare during a family call, a cousin called me a communist before hanging up. We havent spoken since.

These days, not bringing up such issues with other family members is the price I pay to stay connected to people I love.

A young Jesus Alvarez (left) with his parents, one month after they arrived in the US from Cuba ( Jesus Alvarez )

Latino voters could determine the presidential election, still a close contest with three months to go. However, the change at the top of the Democratic ticket since President Biden decided not to seek reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris appears to have scrambled the race. As the Latino population in the US continues to grow, many  particularly younger voters in the demographic  have moved towards the Republican Party. This is a concern that the Harris campaign urgently needs to address in order to increase its chance of winning this November.

Trump himself said he would be a dictator on the first day, Alina Rizo tells The Independent. She was two years old when she arrived in the US from Cuba with her mother. Once registered as a Republican  a common choice for Cuban Americans, whose wariness about communism has long led them to vote for the GOP  Alina told me she now votes based on the individual candidate, but is more aligned with Democratic policies.

The dictator comparison is not only realistic, but very alarming, she says, of the Miami billboards message. It does not in any way insult Cubans, but brings awareness to the issues we face if Trump is elected.

Ive made comparisons between Castro and Trump in my work for years, so I have no issue with it, artist and author Edel Rodriguez tells me via email. A Cuban refugee who arrived in the US in 1980, he lived in Miami until 1990, when he left for college in New York City. Edel is the Author of Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey, and a celebrated TIME magazine cover artist.

I was down in Miami when the billboard showed up in the news, he says. My family was mostly amused by it, and not offended Most of those interviewed on screen [for TV news] were angry, but I didnt see that in the community.

In spite of the backlash and early removal, the billboard received national and international attention that exceeded my expectations, says Claude Taylor, founder of Mad Dog PAC, the group responsible for the ad. The political action committee, founded in 2018, is putting up "seriously effective billboards," according to their website, all over the country in an effort to defeat Trump. Weve done over 100 sharp-edged, anti-Trump, pro-Democratic billboards so far this year, Taylor says, adding that that number includes six or eight since the Miami dictator message appeared. Many of the billboards target Latinos directly, like one that recently went up on i10 in Phoenix and also in Allentown, PA, with the message "Trump Will Deport Your Parents" in Spanish.

Trumps admiration for Vladimir Putin, Victor Orban and Kim Jong-Un is well known. He has threatened to execute disloyal generals and rain retribution on his perceived political enemies, recently suggesting that Liz Cheney  a member of his own party who dared to criticize him  should face a televised military tribunal. He argues, with a straight face, that he should be immune from prosecution if he decides to execute his opponents, a claim the recent Supreme Courts controversial opinion did nothing to assuage. He has joked about getting rid of the Constitution and talked about shutting down TV stations whose programming he finds objectionable. He even assured Christians at a recent event that they wont have to vote anymore, since it will all be fixed after this election. These are all things Castro carried out against the Cuban people.

But even if I could share such observations with my relatives, the truth is that it would not convince anyone to switch sides. The pro-Trump folk I know are an immovable, fervent and powerful voting bloc.

Sixty years ago, my family was divided by political alliances and hot-button issues. The Castro dictatorship destroyed Cuba and our family was torn apart by searing political divisions. Some of my relatives joined the Revolution and still defend it, while others, like my parents, fled the island in search of liberty. It was here in America that we found it.

By all appearances, Trump needs to be elected again to stay out of jail. Members of my family, particularly in South Florida, might help this aspiring dictator achieve his goals. Only 537 votes in Florida decided the 2000 presidential election, with an assist from a conservative majority in the Supreme Court.

According to the findings of Florida International Universitys 2020 Cuba Poll, Cuban Americans consist of a miniscule percentage of the national population but dominate the demographic landscape of Miami-Dade County. That hugely important county in the center of a swing state can decide elections. President Biden won Miami-Dade by 7% in 2020  a whopping 22% decrease in support from the 2016 winning margin of then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Biden lost Florida to Trump in 2020  by just 3.3%.

Cuban Americans, who vote at a higher rate than other Latinos, have long identified with the Republican Party. However, in the decade before the 2012 election there was a significant shift towards the Democrats, reaching 44%, while 47% considered themselves affiliated with the Republicans. According to Pew Research Center analysis, 58% of those voters moved back to the Republican column for the 2020 election, with 38% identifying as, or leaning, Democratic.

By contrast, 65% of non-Cuban Hispanic voters identify as Democratic, while 32% affiliate with the Republican Party, according to the same 2020 study.

Importantly, for the 2024 cycle, the Democrats lead among Hispanic adults shrunk. They held only a modest 12-point advantage over the Republicans with this group of voters in polling done by Gallup in February. Polling done by the Pew Research Center in July, before Biden dropped out the race, saw Latino voters split down the middle on Democrats versus Republicans. And the Latino Men for Kamala Harris Zoom call that was held not long after the success of other fundraising calls at the end of July ended up raising just over $70,000  as opposed to the millions raised from Black and white-identifying American male voters.

Its too early to tell if this trend will continue with Kamala Harris as the presumptive presidential nominee, but if it does, it could have a catastrophic effect on the party.

A few weeks after our initial conversation about his billboards, I ask Claude Taylor how he feels about Kamala Harris being atop the Democratic ticket.

Were so excited about Kamala! You can feel the energy and excitement, he tells me via email, adding that his PAC is continuing to carry the message against Trump and the MAGA movement. We just got 25 Prosecutor/Felon billboards up in five battleground states! We are so psyched!

The latest billboards paid for by Mad Dog PAC ( Mad Dog PAC )

Rolando Barrero, the President of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida, is equally excited about Vice President Harris: When she is elected president, she will be entering that office with significantly more national security experience than any of the four presidents prior to President Biden, he says. Her record as VP builds on a distinguished career as District Attorney, Attorney General, and United States Senator from the nations largest state.

There is a lot of energy and excitement around the candidacy of Kamala Harris. She will have a lot of volunteers, especially young people, who will be willing to work hard for her campaign. It might make the difference, Edel Rodriguez tells me when answering the same question. But I dont vote for a person, I vote for policies. I vote for a womans right to choose, a free press, respecting election results, and many other things that the Republican Party does not stand for. The insurrection and attempted coup on January 6th, and the Republican Partys embrace of it, is outrageous and shameful. Their embrace of Trump is dangerous and a symbol of their failure as a political party. I will vote for Harris and all Democrats down the line  its the only party that stands for the democratic process in this country at this point in the nations history.

Voting is a privilege that disappeared from Cuba decades ago. In my opinion, it would be a tragedy to follow a wannabe dictator down that same path. Whether my family and other Latino voters like them can be similarly convinced, however, depends on the success of Harriss outreach campaign.
 Close Tropical Storm Debby forecast

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Tropical Storm Debby slowed over South Carolina Tuesday, bringing over a foot of rain and heavy flooding to the region as Florida reeled from the deadly after-effects of the storm.

Debby, which was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane, crossed the Florida-Georgia border late Monday. Green Pond, South Carolina recorded more than 14 inches of rainfall on Tuesday as the storm hovered off the states coast.

Meanwhile, tornadoes wreaked havoc on the state. One tornado wiped out power lines and damaged homes on Edisto Beach, while another likely tornado caused damage on Isle of Palms, the South Carolina Daily Gazette reported.

Florida is also reeling from Debby. Deadly hazards remained a threat to Sunshine State residents on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. The dangers included downed power lines, continued flooding and heat stroke amid widespread power outages.

Florida officials are also warning residents to properly ventilate rooms with generators to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

At least five people have been killed by the storm, which is expected to strengthen while hovering off the South Carolina coast on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
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Watch as the Secret Service holds a news conference on the Donald Trump assassination attempt.

The services new acting director said earlier this week that he was ashamed of a security lapse that led to the 13 July attempted assassination of the Republican presidential candidate.

In testimony before two Senate committees, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe said he visited the outdoor rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, and climbed onto the roof of a nearby building from which 20-year-old Thomas Crooks fired shots that wounded Trumps right ear, killed one rally attendee and wounded two others with an AR-15-style rifle.

What I saw made me ashamed, Rowe told a joint hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees.

As a career law enforcement officer, and a 25-year veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured.

The first shooting of a US president or major party candidate in more than four decades was a glaring security lapse that led last week to former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatles resignation under bipartisan congressional pressure.
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A plea deal for alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and two accomplices was abruptly revoked on Friday, just two days after it was reached.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the change in a memo relieving Guantanamo Bay war court overseer Susan K Escallier of duty over the capital case.

I have determined that, in light of the significance of the decision to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused in the above-referenced case, responsibility for such a decision should rest with me, Austin wrote in the memo, obtained by The New York Times.

The decision effectively canceled the deal  which wouldve seen Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi get life sentences  and put a potential death sentence back on the table.

After the plea deal was announced on Wednesday, some families of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 2001 terror attacks said they were disappointed with the decision.

Mohammed and two alleged accomplices secured plea deal on Wednesday in exchange for life sentence ( HO/AFP via Getty Images )

We waited patiently for a long time. I wanted the death penalty  the government has failed us, Daniel DAllara, whose brother, NYPD officer John DAllara, was killed on 9/11, told The New York Post.

Terry Strada, national chairperson of 9/11 Families United, told The Associated Press she wished the case had gone to a full trial.

For me personally, I wanted to see a trial, she said. And they just took away the justice I was expecting, a trial and the punishment.

Republican members of Congress also spoke out against the deal.

Earlier Friday, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) opened an investigation into the Biden administrations role in securing the plea.

The deal was a gut punch to many of the victims families, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) wrote on Friday in a letter to Austin.

Mohammed, a Kuwaiti-born Al-Qaeda terrorist, often referred to by his initials KSM, was born in Kuwait, educated in the US, and later fought in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

In 1996, he presented Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden with the plan to hijack commercial airliners and fly them into sensitive sites across the US for the attack that later became 9/11.

The eventual plot targeted the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City as well as the Pentagon. A third hijacked plane, bound for the US Capitol, crashed in Pennsylvania.

KSM was hunted down and captured in Pakistan in 2003, and subject to torture at secret CIA black site prisons, including rectal rehydration, stress positions, and sleep deprivation, as well as waterboarding, an interrogation technique meant to simulate the experience of drowning.

The conspiracy case against the trio of plotters has been in pretrial proceedings for more than a decade.

Defense lawyers argued that the governments repeated use of torture in the mens detention  Mohammed alone was waterboarded 183 times  contaminated the evidence that would appear at a future trial.

At the heart of the commissions problems is their original sin, torture, John Baker, former defense counsel at the Military Commissions Defense Organization, once testified at the Senate in 2021. The United States chose to secretly detain and torture the men it now seeks to punish.

Those issues will likely resurface in court now that the case is back on.

The process to try KSM and his accomplices at a military court at Guantanamo, which operates under different rules than the normal US criminal legal system, has been no stranger to sudden changes, including an 18-month pause during the height of the Covid pandemic, and an Obama administration plan to try the plotter in New York, which was rejected by local officials and Congress.

The detention process at Guatanamo has long been criticized by human rights groups.

After the plea deal was announced, Amnesty International USA told The Independent that while it was glad some measure of accountability had been secured for the plotters of the attack, the plea deal also meant there is finally an outcome for at least some of the accused, who were tortured and then languished in detention without trial for more than two decades.
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Kamala Harris has accused Donald Trump of running scared from a scheduled debate with her on ABC News, and choosing a new option with Fox News to bail him out.

ABC News announced in May that the network would host a debate between Trump and President Joe Biden on September 10 after both accepted the invitation. Since Biden has withdrawn his re-election campaign and backed his vice president for the top of the ticket, Harris has stepped in to fulfill the commitment.

After Biden stepped aside, Fox News said that it sent a letter to both the Harris and Trump campaigns in late July offering to host a debate on September 17.

Late on Friday, Trump then announced on Truth Social that he plans to debate Harris earlier than that - on September 4 - on Fox News, and criticized ABC, including their anchor George Stephanopoulos.

I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th, Trump wrote. The Debate was previously scheduled against Sleepy Joe Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George Slopadopoulos, thereby creating a conflict of interest.

Trump said the Fox debate will be moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum and boast A FULL ARENA AUDIENCE!

On Saturday, the Harris campaign issued a statement, accusing Trump of backpedaling.

"Donald Trump is running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and running straight to Fox News to bail him out. He needs to stop playing games and show up to the debate he already committed to on Sept 10, it read.

Donald Trump, pictured at a rally on Wednesday. Rival Kamala Harris claims Trump is running scared to Fox News after backing out of ABC debate ( EPA )

The Vice President will be there one way or the other to take the opportunity to speak to a prime time national audience. We're happy to discuss further debates after the one both campaigns have already agreed to. Mr. Anytime, anywhere, anyplace should have no problem with that unless he's too scared to show up on the 10th, the statement continued.

Despite Trumps claim that a conflict of interest would keep him from taking part in the ABC News debate, his lawsuit was filed months before he agreed in May to take part in the September debate, a source familiar with the matter told The Independent.

Stephanopoulos will not be moderating the debate, the source added.

Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos in March, days after the anchor suggested that Trump had been found liable for rape in the E Jean Carroll case. Trump had been found liable for abuse, not rape, in the civil case.

The last debate, which took place on June 27 on CNN between Trump and Biden, resulted in relentless questions over whether president was able to beat Trump and handle another four years in office, ultimately beginning the spiral which saw him withdraw from the race. CNNs handling of the debate was also criticized because it lacked live fact-checking, and Trump was later found to have lied 30 times in the 90-minute event.

Its unclear whether the upcoming scheduled debates, held by either ABC News or Fox News, would include live fact-checking. The Independent has emailed both networks for more information.

Trump also lamented on Friday that he was having to face a new Democratic candidate. "I spent hundreds of millions of dollars, time, and effort fighting Joe, and when I won the debate, they threw a new candidate into the ring. Not fair," Trump posted on Truth Social. "But it is what it is!"

Vice president Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro visit the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia on July 13. She has said she is ready to debate Republican candidate, Donald Trump ( REUTERS )

"Nevertheless, different candidate or not, their bad policies are the same, and this will be strongly revealed at the 4 September debate," he added.

Trump has previously said that he would not debate Harris because she was not the official candidate. On Friday, Harris secured the delegate votes needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.

She reached the requisite 2,350 delegate votes during a virtual roll call vote ahead of this months Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Harris said she was honoured to be the presumptive Democratic nominee. The tireless work of our delegates, our state leaders, and our staff has been pivotal to making this moment possible, she said.

This article has been updated
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JD Vance told his seven-year-old son to shut the hell up when Donald Trump called and asked him to be his running mate.

Vance, 40, recounted the story on the Full Send Podcast on Friday. The Ohio senator was publicly announced as Trumps running mate last month at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, with Trump calling him to break the news just minutes before.

My son, who is seven, is in the hotel room with me, Vance told the political podcast, which regularly hosts conservatives. And he is really into Pokemon cards right now, hes going through a Pokemon phase...hes really into it.

So hes trying to talk to me about Pikachu, and Im on the phone with Donald Trump, and Im like, Son, shut the hell up for 30 seconds about Pikachu, he continued. This is the most important phone call of my life. Please just let me take this phone call.

Vance has been married to wife Usha since 2014 and the couple have three children, two-year-old Mirabel, four-year-old Vivek and seven-year-old Ewan.

JD Vance pictured with wife Usha, his daughter Mirabel and his son Vivek at a campaign stop in Minnesota on July 28 ( Getty Images )

Vances latest comments come after a flurry of Democratic attacks that have labeled him weird and creepy. A video resurfaced from 2021 of Vance referring to women who have not given birth as childless cat ladies who want to make the country miserable. There has been strong pushback including from Jennifer Aniston and Kerstin Emhoff, tex-wife of Kamala Harris husband, Doug Emhoff.

In 2021, Vance also said parents should have more power when voting. The senator has also said that declining birth rates are a civilizational crisis driven by a childless left. A year later, Vance called for a nationwide ban on abortion.

The senator has the lowest polling of any GOP vice presidential candidate immediately following the RNC since the 1980s, The Independent previously reported. Trumps former White House campaign manager, Alyssa Griffin, has called the senator a disaster.

Democratic rivals seized on the poor polling this week.

As if the Republican Party needed another dumpster fire of their own creation, Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot are getting dragged even further down by JD Vance, the DNC said in a statement on Monday. Vance is making history as the most disliked VP nominee post-convention that our country has seen in decades.

Meanwhile, Harris, the presumptive Democratice nominee, is neck-and-neck with Trump. The first polls released after Biden left the race showed Harris has won over Democrats. The average of four polls show Harris at 43.5 percent and Trump at 44.8 percent.
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Theyre feeling the Kamala-mentum in the battlegrounds.

Just under two weeks since the vice president became her partys presumptive nominee, Democrats around the country are feeling a surge of optimism that is translating into real, tangible gains  and a real, tangible problem for Republicans.

On Tuesday night, Harris was in Atlanta, Georgia, where she turned out a Trump-sized crowd of 10,000 at Georgia State University. A fired-up audience roared in response when she dared her opponent to say it to my face and attend a debate (or debates) with her in person.

That energy is palpable around the country. The Harris campaign has now released several statements bragging about a $200m-plus fundraising haul in less than two weeks and a surge in volunteers for the campaign. But its not just the vice president herself seeing eager supporters coming back into the fold  its the party as a whole, and thats something that spells trouble not just for Donald Trump but for all Republicans.

VP Kamala Harris holds Atlanta, Georgia rally

Harris held her first event as a candidate in Milwaukee just days after Republicans held their convention in the city. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin, who is running in a must-win campaign, said the energy was electrifying.

I understand that seven to eight thousand people had RSVPd to come and they had to go from the smaller arena to a big high school gym and still had to turn away, like, 5,000 people, she told The Independent. But I can tell you this weekend at home, I did some campaign kick-offs. I've never seen so many people wanting to go knock doors. So it's really, really very, very exciting.

The reversal of the races trajectory was well-needed for Democrats, who were warning openly in media interviews that their party was on track for a historic defeat, were Joe Biden to remain the candidate.

Take Florida, where reporters and pundits (and Harriss own campaign chair) continue to treat Democratic predictions of competitive races with skepticism. Harriss campaign manager, at the time working for Joe Biden, vowed in April that Democrats would make a serious play for the Sunshine State, which she said the presidents campaign saw as contestable, if not outright winnable. Jaime Harrison, DNC chair, said the same thing this month, after Biden stepped aside.

Despite Floridas reddening statewide government, Democrats saw a greater surge of volunteers here than anywhere else after Harris took Bidens place at the (presumptive) top of the ticket. Its a rapidly-shifting dynamic that has Democrats eyeing key down-ballot races, even if electoral votes may end up being out of reach in the end. Florida  like North Carolina, Ohio and other key battlegrounds  is the site of a Senate race this year, where incumbent Republican Rick Scott is up for reelection. The state party is also eyeing a number of congressional seats and others in the statehouse to halt advances made by the GOP over the past few election cycles.

Its hard to even describe the excitement, the energy, momentum, and what weve solved over the last week, Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried told The Independent as Harris moved through her second week campaigning for the presidency. She said that 12,000 volunteers had signed up to help Democrats across the state, including in deep red areas like The Villages.

Its not just Democrats, she said. We are hearing anecdotal stories of past Republicans coming to our offices, phone-banking with us. Were hearing from Republicans saying: Maybe this is the final straw thats going to break the MAGA base and wipe them out for this election cycle, and finally return the Republican Party back to some sense of normality.

Kamala Harris, alongside New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, in a visit to Florida in 2019. Her party says the states Senate race, against Rick Scott, is winnable. ( Getty Images )

Fried went on to say that the surge of Democratic momentum in the state was being met with virtual silence from the GOP  an advantage she urged national Democrats to capitalize on, and quickly.

There is no Republican operation here. They have no offices. They have no grassroots door-knocking, said Fried. Theyre taking this for granted, and they really are being very overconfident in this momentwere going for the prize. We do believe that Florida is and should be on the battleground maps.

Shes hardly the only Democratic leader in a battleground state seeing such a shift in fortune in a matter of weeks.

Gary Peters, a senator from Michigan who chairs the Democrats campaign arm (DSCC) in the upper chamber, told The Independent this week that he was seeing the same dynamic play out in his state, where Joe Biden was once trailing Trump according to polls that have now shown Harris taking a lead.

Kamala Harris rallies a fired-up crowd of 10,000 in Georgia, a state which went blue in 2020 and cost Donald Trump the election ( REUTERS )

The amount of enthusiasm on the ground for her campaign is something I havent seen... its turned on a dime, Peters said. The last week has been amazing. Just in Michigan over the last week, the number of people who volunteered for our statewide campaigns, for our get out the vote efforts and outreach  the number of volunteers doubled in a week.

In Nevada, the Democrats signed up 1,200 new volunteers. There were 1,000 more in Georgia. Six hundred and fifty showed up at just one congressional district in Michigan. The Harris campaigns battleground states director says more than 360,000 have signed up nationwide over the past week and a half.

The momentum has clearly shifted in Harriss favor, and the question now posed is whether Trumps own ground game will be able to match it.

His campaign has been largely quiet about its ground operations and volunteer efforts, instead choosing to assert dominance through fundraising numbers. On Thursday, the campaign said it had $327m cash on hand at the end of July.

The Trump campaign only announced that it was beginning voter canvassing in late May, as the verdict was handed down in his sex affair hush money trial in New York.

Over the course of the 2020 campaign, the Trump campaign claimed to have raised more than 2.5 million volunteers to support its get out the vote efforts. The ex-president, despite breaking a volunteering record set by Barack Obama, ended up losing several key swing states to Joe Biden including Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, all of which he had won in 2016.
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Vice President Kamala Harris was less than 20 feet from a viable pipe bomb on January 6, according to a new report from Homeland Securitys internal watchdog.

The Office of the Inspector General released its report on Friday detailing the Secret Services preparation for, and response to, the events of January 6, 2021. Five people died and hundreds were injured in the Capitol assault, where rioters aimed to prevent the certification of the election for President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Among the shocking revelations was that Harris, then vice president-elect, was within close range to a viable pipe bomb that Secret Security had missed in a security sweep.

The pipe bomb had been placed near the [Democratic National Committee] building the night before, the report states, but Secret Service personnel did not identify it during their security sweep on the morning of January 6.

Harris, traveling in an armored vehicle with her motorcade, entered the building via a ramp within 20 feet of the pipe bomb, the report said. The DNC building is half a mile south of the Capitol building.

Graphic showing the pipe bombs proximity to where Kamala Harris entered the DNC building on January 6, 2021 ( Department of Homeland Security )

Harris was in the DNC building for approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes before the pipe bomb was discovered and she was evacuated, according to the report.

The pipe bomb was found in the bushes near a bench outside the building, 20ft from the driveway to the garage entrance where Harris entered the building. The explosive was found in an area that was not included in advance security sweeps.

Two Capitol Police officers discovered the explosive device at the DNC building, not Secret Service, which did not employ all of its explosive detection tactics and measures for the security sweep, and instead deployed its canine teams at the building that day, the report said.

The Capitol Police had already discovered another pipe bomb at the Republican National Committee building a few blocks away earlier that day.

The Secret Service miss occurred in part because it did not have adequate policies and procedures for requesting these capabilities for elect protectees. The agency now has a policy to include this group.

Kamala Harris pictured boarding Air Force 2 on July 27. A new report from the Inspector General has revealed that she was within 20 feet of a pipe bomb during the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol ( AP )

Ahead of Jan 6, the Secret Service prepared two threat assessment, neither of which conveyed a high potential for violence, the inspector general wrote. The agency did not anticipate or plan for the level of violence that ultimately occurred, the report added.

Law enforcement is still looking for the person who planted the pipe bomb. The FBI is offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to the suspects arrest and conviction.

Although these bombs did not detonate, it is important to remember the suspect walked along residential and commercial areas in Capitol Hill just blocks from the US Capitol with viable pipe bombs that could have seriously injured or killed innocent bystanders. Moreover, the suspect may still pose a danger to the public or themselves, the agency said.

The report also revealed an array of tactical gear and weapons was confiscated by Secret Service, including gas masks, a taser, a ballistic vest, a concealed knife belt, and a motorcycle suit. A Secret Service officer told the inspector generals office that it was the first time in his 12-year career that he had confiscated a motorcycle suit. In total, agents seized 605 prohibited items.

The report about the Secret Services actions on Jan 6 was released as the agency is being pressed about its handling of the assassination attempt of Donald Trump at his July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Photo indicates how close the pipe bomb was to where Kamala Harris entered the DNC building on January 6 ( Dept of Homeland Security )

Congressional panels have grilled the Secret Services top officials over how a 20-year-old gunman was able to open fire from a rooftop at the outdoor venue. Trump was shot in the ear while one spectator died and two others were critically injured.

Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after her testimony before the House Oversight Comittee last month, admitting that the shooting was the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.

Ronald Rowe has since taken over as acting director of the Secret Service. During his testimony this week, Rowe called the incident a failure on multiple levels.

Rowe testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday that he had visited the rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, something his predecessor had not done.

I laid in a prone position to evaluate his line of sight. What I saw made me ashamed. As a career law enforcement officer, and a 25-year veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured, Rowe said in his opening statement.
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Philadelphias mayor released a video urging Americans to support Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for vice president, sparking speculation that Kamala Harris pick for running mate had been leaked.

On Friday, Mayor Cherelle Parker posted a video on her personal social media accounts encouraging Pennsylvanians to stand behind Kamala Harris for president and Josh Shapiro for vice president, days before the presumptive Democratic nominee is expected to make her official announcement.

I cant think of a better partner than our governor, Josh Shapiro, Parker said, in the video.

The ad caused speculation to run wild across social media, with many wondering whether the mayor had accidentally revealed Harris running mate. The video has not been deleted as of Saturday morning.

The Independent has emailed the Harris campaign and Mayor Parkers office for comment.

The video was accidentally posted on Friday but had been scheduled for Monday after Harris made her announcement, Ernest Owens, editor-at-large for Philadelphia Magazine, wrote in a tweet. Its Josh Shapiro, yall.

However, The Independent has learned that Mayor Parker was simply expressing her support for a longtime ally and friend as a potential selection by Harris for the Democratic ticket.

Shapiro is reportedly on Harris veep shortlist, along with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker released a video urging support for Josh Shapiro for vice president ( @PeopleforParker )

Clues in the past week have suggested that Harris may be focusing on Shapiro. Harris is expected to hold her first rally with her veep pick on Tuesday in Pennsylvania, Shapiros home state. She is expected to make the official announcement before then.

Adding further speculation that the Pennsylvania governor will join Harris ticket, Shapiro cancelled his fundraising events in New York slated for this weekend.

The governors trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fundraisers for his own campaign committee, his press secretary told the Associated Press in a statement. His schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend.

This week, the National Womens Defense League (NWDL) issued a statement calling for the Harris campaign to drop Shapiro as a VP contender after a sexual harassment claim against one of his aides that his office settled for $300,000.

Shapiro aide Mike Vereb was accused in March 2023 of sexual harassment by an employee who worked for the governors office. Vereb resigned weeks after the settlement was arranged, according to the Inquirer.

Governor Shapiros office should have done a better job preventing sexual harassment happening in his own office by former cabinet secretary Mike Vereb, including protecting the survivor who bravely came forward, ensuring that any other potential survivors felt safe in speaking up, and ensuring the harasser didnt have the opportunity to do further harm after the complaint, the NWDL said.

The group urged the Harris campaign to consider the handling of past complaints of sexual harassment inside the Pennsylvania Governors office.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is considered to be one of Harris top running mate picks, visit the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia in July ( REUTERS )

The concern is not without significance, especially given Harriss GOP rival Donald Trump.

Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women and was found liable in a civil case of sexually abusing former Elle columnist E Jean Carroll. He was also caught on tape bragging about being able to grab [women] by the p****.

On Friday, Harris officially clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, making history as the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major political party.

I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States and I will tell you, the tireless work of our delegates, our state leaders, and our staff has been pivotal to making this moment possible, Harris said.
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A federal judge has officially dismissed Rudy Giulianis bankruptcy case after the cash-strapped former New York City mayor and his creditors were deadlocked over his finances and money he owed for administrative expenses.

Judge Sean Lane initially tossed out the case last month, citing Giulianis lack of financial transparency and his apparent attempts to evade court orders.

But Giulianis lawyers and and his bankruptcy creditors were left trying to figure out how the former mayor would pay tens of thousands of dollars he owes for administrative fees, whether he can actually pay any of it, and how much money he has on hand  questions that have also been at the center of the bankruptcy case.

Giulianis agreement to pay off his administrative costs means that he will dodge further scrutiny over his financial disclosures  including having to testify under oath, which Judge Lane had suggested was a possibility.

The end of the bankruptcy proceedings means his creditors can continue to push the courts for what they say they are owed.

A federal judge has signed off on an agreement to dismiss Rudy Giulianis bankruptcy case, leaving him open to lawsuits from creditors trying to collect tens of millions of dollars from him. ( AP )

The parties had all agreed last month that dismissing the bankruptcy proceedings would be the best way forward for debtors to try to collect, including $148 million that a jury awarded a pair of election workers who were subject to harassment and threats after Giuliani defamed them with bogus claims about their actions during the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.

Election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss can now rely on the courts to seek what theyre owed, including potentially seizing his assets.

Giulianis attorneys told the court last month that dismissing the case would give him the best chance of appealing that defamation verdict.

The former mayor must hand over $100,000 to his lawyers to be held in escrow for the purpose of paying allowed professional fees and expenses, according to an order signed by Judge Lane on Friday and approved by the parties earlier this week.

The remaining fees shall be paid from the proceeds of the sale of either Giulianis New York City apartment or Florida condo, whichever sale occurs first.

Giulianis New York condo, which has been up for sale on and off throughout the year, is valued at around $5.6 million, while his Florida condo is valued at about $3.5 million. The former mayors lawyer previously argued against their client selling both places, claiming that it would result in Giuliani join[ing] the ranks of the homeless.

Global Data Risk, the firm whose expenses Giuliani has been ordered to pay, can also force a sale in six months if he doesnt take action.

Former election workers Shaye, left, and Ruby Freeman testified to Congress about threats they faced during the 2020 presidential election. They later sued Giuliani for defamation, and a jury awarded them $148 million, prompting Giuliani to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. ( AP )

Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2023 in the wake of a nearly $150 million defamation judgment for his election lies.

A bizarre monthslong behind-the-scenes courtroom drama that followed has laid bare his financial state as he battles criminal indictments across the country.

The defamation verdict is among a growing list of legal obligations for Giuliani, including criminal charges in Georgia and in Arizona for his efforts to reverse Donald Trumps election loss in those states. He also is an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal criminal case surrounding Trumps attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Giuliani also is being sued by voting technology companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic for defamation. A former Dominion executive has separately sued Giuliani.

Creditors separately asked the judge to impose sanctions against Giuliani after failing to comply with document requests. Last month, the creditors committees lawyers accused him of treating the bankruptcy process as a joke, hiding behind the facade of an elderly, doddering man.

The order came days after a scheduled hearing involving a case from a former employee-turned-sexual assault accuser Noelle Dunphy.

Dunphy had asked for the New York Supreme Court to unfreeze the case and to place this matter back on the active calendar at the earliest convenient date once the bankruptcy case came to an end.

Giulianis lawyers asked to push back the court date, arguing that lifting the bankruptcy stay is premature and improper because Lane had called into question whether the dismissal would stick.
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Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made their debut as the Democratic presidential ticket on Tuesday night, kicking off a campaign against Donald Trump and JD Vance in front of an electrified crowd in Philadelphia.

The governor strode on stage at Temple Universitys Licouras Center on Tuesday with Harris just hours after she announced him as her running mate, with 91 days to go until the November election.

Walzs appearance ended the closely-watched contest for the next potential vice president, landing on a seasoned Midwestern politician, military veteran and former school teacher with a progressive track record.

Harris told the estimated 12,000 people in attendance that she set out to find a partner who can build this brighter future during her weeks-old campaign for the presidency.

Her search for a running mate led her to a leader who can unite this nation and move us forward, someone who was a fighter for the middle class and a patriot who believes as I do the extraordinary promise of America, a promise of freedom, opportunity and justice not just for some but for all, she said.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz greet supporters at a campaign rally in Philadelphia on August 6. ( Getty Images )

She told the crowd that she found such a leader in Walz, a 60-year-old former high school teacher who enlisted in the Army National Guard at 17 and served for 24 years, then spent more than two decades teaching and coaching football before entering politics.

The vice president recounted how during the 1990s, a time when the federal government enacted a law banning any recognition of same-sex relationships, Walz served as a faculty adviser for a high school gay-straight alliance group because he knew the signal it would send to have a football coach get involved.

Walz makes people feel they belong and inspires them to dream big, and thats the kind of vice president he will be, she added, and thats the kind of vice president America deserves.

He represented Minnesota in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017 and is now in the middle of his second term as the states governor. He has had a recent meteoric rise on to the national stage with his no-nonsense assessment of the GOPs platform and the weird agenda behind it.

Kamala Harris stifled a laugh as her running mate Tim Walz cracked a joke about his Republican counterpart JD Vance and his couch controversy ( Getty Images )

In the governors office, Walz ushered through a series of popular progressive policies, including protections for abortion rights and LGBT+ Minnesotans and a free breakfast and lunch program for public school children.

Minnesotas strength comes from our values, our commitment to working together, to seeing past our differences, to always be willing to lend a helping hand, Walz told the crowd.

Trump, however, doesnt know the first thing about service, because hes too busy serving himself, according to Walz.

The former president weakens our economy to strengthen his own hand, mocks our laws, and sows chaos and division, and thats to say nothing of his record as president, said Walz, who said Trump froze during the Covid-19 crisis, drove the economy into the ground, and make no mistake: violent crime was up under Donald Trump.

Thats not counting the crimes he committed, he added.

Walz said he cant wait to debate his GOP counterpart JD Vance.

Like most people who grew up in the heartland, JD studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a best seller trashing that community, he said, his voice carrying more than a hint of sarcasm.

Tim Walz told a crowd in Philadelphia on August 6 that rival Donald Trump doesnt know a thing about service ( AP )

He added that what Vance represents is not what Middle America is, and drew some of the loudest cheers of the night when he told rallygoers: I cant wait to debate the guy ... if hes willing to get off the couch and show up.

See what I did there? said Walz, making an apparent reference to an online joke that Vance wrote about having sex with a couch in his best-selling memor.

Harriss announcement arrived roughly three months before Election Day and two weeks before the Democratic National Convention, where the Harris-Walz ticket will formally receive the partys nomination.

After President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign and backed Harris as the partys nominee, she quickly collected endorsements and delegate pledges to clinch the nomination, with record-breaking fundraising numbers that have eclipsed Republicans multi-million dollar war chest.

A campaign spokesperson said the newly-christened Harris-Walz effort pulled in yet another $20m in the hours after the announcement.

Walz quipped I see those old white guys when he spotted a member of Old White Men for Harris on the front row at the Philadelphia rally on August 6 ( AP )

The electic atmosphere recalled the boisterous rallies of the Obama-Biden campaigns in 2008 and 2012. It attracted a racially diverse crowd that included a pair of gray-haired white men sporting shirts declaring themselves Old White Men for Harris and Freedom.

Its as clear as the T-shirt says, Bernie Strain told The Independent. Its about two old white men liking our Social Security, liking our Medicare, liking our freedom, liking our democracy  well lose it if Trump gets elected.

Strain said that his son, a Marine, had served a pair of tours at the base that was struck by Iran-backed militants in Iraq on Monday.

Hes no loser and hes no sucker for serving in the United Statess service, and Trumps not going to call my son a loser or a sucker, he said. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

Harris even drew a pair of former Republican members of Congress, including former Pennsylvania congressman James Greenwood, who told The Independent that he understood Biden had to stand down after his June 27 debate against Trump.

Greenwood described the vibe after Biden stood down as like an electric charge.

The excitement, the volunteers, the fundraising,  everyones pretty excited, he said.

Another ex-Republican House member from Illinois, Joe Walsh, said Walz was a great bet for Harris because the Minnesotan is like an everyman.

I disagree with him on a lot of policy, but he's like a regular guy, and that's what Democrats have to have, he said.

Andrew Feinberg reported from Philadelphia
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The Israeli militarys attack on an aid convoy in Gaza in April that killed seven people was the result of serious failures of defense procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making, according to an Australian investigation that was made public Friday.

Australia initiated the investigation to examine Tel Avivs response to the widely condemned Israeli Defense Forces drone strikes on three World Central Kitchen vehicles on 1 April. Australian Zomi Frankcom, three of her aid worker colleagues, and three British personal security staff died in the attack.

Former Australian Defense Force chief Mark Binskin was appointed the governments special adviser on the matter and visited Israel in May. He also engaged with World Central Kitchen and Solace Global, the company that provided the convoys security team.

Mr Binskin blamed the fatal strikes on serious failures to follow IDF procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making, a statement said.

The armed security guards were likely mistaken for Hamas operatives, Mr Binskin said. This was the primary factor behind a significant break down in situational awareness."

He found the strikes were not deliberately directed against World Central Kitchen.

But Mr Binskin wrote: It is important to all the families that an appropriate apology be provided to them by the government of Israel.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she had told Israel that the families deserved an apology.

While Mr Binskins report outlined steps Israeli had taken to avoid a repeat tragedy, stronger protocols were needed to protect aid workers in Gaza, Wong said.

Gaza remains the deadliest place on earth to be an aid worker. This was not a one-off incident, Wong told reporters.

The UN reports that more than 250 aid workers have been killed since the start of this conflict and in recent weeks, a number of UN vehicles have come under attack. This is not acceptable, Wong added.

Mr Binskin said his conclusions were fairly consistent with an Israeli military investigation in April that led to two officers being dismissed and three being reprimanded within a week of the bungled attack.

Military Advocate General Brig Gen Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israels top miliary lawyer, is considering further potential action against those responsible.

Wong said the Frankcom family felt that disciplinary action to date had been insufficient.

The Australian government will continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges, and we will continue to advocate the views of the Frankcom family and the Australian government to Israel, Wong said.

A family representative issued a statement Friday welcoming Mr Binskin's report as an important first step.

"We hope it will be followed by further investigations in Israel regarding those responsible for this tragic event, followed by appropriate action, the family statement said.

Mr Binskin said the Israeli Defense Forces had been very forthcoming toward his investigation. But the level of detail the Israelis provided on specific operational improvements they had made since the convoy blunder made it difficult for him to assess how effective the changes were.

The other World Central Kitchen staff killed were American-Canadian dual national Jacob Flickinger, Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha and Polish citizen Damian Sobol. On the British security team were John Chapman, James Kirby and Jim Henderson.
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The US will send warships and fighter jets to the Middle East to help defend Israel amid growing fears of a conflict with Iran and its proxies.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said navy cruisers and destroyers  which can shoot down ballistic missiles  as well as fighter jets, would be deployed to the region to support Israel.

It comes after Iran vowed to exact harsh punishment on Israel following the suspected assassination of Hamass chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in a blast in Tehran on Thursday.

The death of the 62-year-old came just hours after Israel claimed it had killed top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, in the same week.

Gazas Hamas and Hezbollah (which controls southern Lebanon) form part of Irans so-called axis of resistance  which opposes Western and Israeli influence in the region.

Thousands of Iranians took to the streets to mourn the death of Ismail Haniyeh this week ( AP )

Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyehs death, but officials have previously warned they would target all Hamas leaders responsible for the 7 October attack on southern Israel that triggered Israels war in Gaza.

The Pentagon said: Mr Austin has ordered adjustments to US military posture designed to improve US force protection, to increase support for the defence of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah also said it was looking into a response to the killing of its chief Fuad Shukr, saying the conflict had entered a new phase that is different from the previous period.

Do they expect that Hajj Ismail Haniyeh will be killed in Iran and Iran will remain silent? he said of the Israelis. Addressing Israelis who celebrated the two killings, he said, Laugh a bit and you will cry a lot.

But as he often does, Nasrallah kept his comments vague, vowing a very well studied retaliation without saying what form it would take. He said only that Israel will have to wait for the anger of the regions honorable people.

He added: The enemy and the one who is behind the enemy [an apparent reference to Israels chief ally, the United States] will have to wait for our coming response.

Hezbollah fighters carry the coffin of chief Fuad Shukr, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last week ( AP )

The US military stepped-up deployments before, on 13 April, when Iran launched an attack on Israel with drones and missiles. Israel and its allies shot down almost all of roughly 300 drones and missiles that were fired.

At least 10 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza Citys Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, the Hamas run-government media office said.

In the occupied West Bank, a Hamas commander and four Islamic Jihad fighters were also killed in an Israeli airstrike, according to the militant group.

At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The offensive was triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on 7 October in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted.
The Another Voice column of July 13 by a local activist takes a principled and evidenced-based stance on Erie County's intention to build a new jail. But she unfortunately makes an incorrect assertion about failed carceral policies and mistakenly advocates instead for concentration on the root causes to address crime.

The writer uses the fact that the jails are half full to buttress her point about "carceral policies." They are so because the Bail Reform Act of 2019 necessitates that the majority of accused criminals be released and given the opportunity to continue offending. During this time, the carceral policies did not fail. The time-honored correctional aims of incapacitation and deterrence were doing what theyve always done: working.

Her root causes argument for more spending on housing youth programming and mental and behavioral health support might be correct public policy, but as a crime-fighting tactic or criminal justice strategy it will fail. Or make that continue to fail. For confirmation, look no further than the failed root causes efforts put forth by our border czar Vice President to fight the crime of illegal border-crossing.

The writer might be right about the public-expenditure aspect of the jail proposal. Politicians wanting to spend more money need to be monitored, and the column commendably does so. But the crime-control solutions she advocates are misguided. We must instead return to the sensible and successful methods, including both pre-trial detention when warranted and post-conviction incarceration, that reduced crime and saved lives. Thats the answer; it always has been.

Gary Brignone

Amherst
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As a teen Hilwa* dreamed of growing up and getting married. She, her sisters and neighbours would spend hours under the sun on the flat roof of their home, in a small village in Iraqi Kurdistan, sketching the perfect dress.

I was obsessed with fashion, she says, anxiously plaiting the tassels on her scarf repeatedly as she speaks. But now, I cant even wear the clothes I want to because of this, Hilwa, a Yazidi, moves the scarf aside and lifts her shirt to show a red rash travelling from her stomach to her chest.

The young woman was 15 when Isis arrived in her hometown of Sinjar, a decade ago in August 2014. Isis killed or abducted thousands of people. Around 5,000 Yazidis were massacred and up to 7,000 women and girls were captured and sold off.

Hilwa first developed the itchy rash she calls a skin disease when she was in Isis captivity. Still undiagnosed, the red sores have remained for years  acting as an unwelcome reminder of all she endured.

She gives a hint of a smile as she enters the office of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Dak, approximately nine miles south of the city of Duhok. Petrified she could be punished for speaking out, she doesnt want to share her identity. But sitting on a plastic chair with her hair scraped back, she tells The Independent: If I don't speak, who will speak for us [Yazidis]? Unless we speak for ourselves no one will hear us. Her face is haunted. She has witnessed so much that a decade of pain in her eyes is almost too much to bear.

At one stage, Isis held a third of Iraq and neighbouring Syria before being pushed back by US-backed forces and militias and collapsing in 2019.

Yazidi women raise banners during a demonstration demanding their rights and the release of those kidnapped by Isis, in Mosul, Iraq ( Reuters )

Yazidi Nadia Murad was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for painfully telling her story in the hope of ending the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The United Nations and governments around the world would later recognise what happened as a genocide, but many in the area feel that justice has not yet been done for victims.

We are worried about justice for Yazidis in Iraq. We feel year after year it is getting less important, Sozan Ismail, president of the Dak organisation says.

Kadry Furany, the humanitarian group CARE Internationals country director for Iraq, concurs. He says: Humanitarian funding here is in sharp decline. NGOs have left the country or totally shrunk. The services that we were able to provide in the [displaced person] camps are diminishing. Health funding in particular is limiting. Its unfair, people deserve dignity.

Inside the Sharya camp where Hilwa lives  among many other Yazidis  small ravines at the edge of rows of tents are filled with dense piles of rubbish and colourful blankets hanging on washing lines flutter in the breeze. For eight years, Hilwa has lived in a tent with nothing from her old life but the clothes she left Sinjar in. She fled Isis captivity in the dead of night under pouring rain after 19 months. Approximately 180,000 Yazidis remain internally displaced, mostly spread across 15 camps in this semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq.

Hilwa says life in the camp is monotonous and unfulfilling. The 25-year-old dreams of studying again but is now too old to attend mainstream school. I tried to go back to school but they asked for my reports my house is bombed, my school is bombed, Hilwa says looking frustrated. Many Yazidis enter adulthood without any post-primary schooling.

Kucher and her husband, Khuder ( Veen Mahmud )

Other survivors were not captured, they did not see it the way I did: not knowing if I was going to live a day longer, or someone was going to do something to me, or kill me. I never believed I would hear anyone speak Kurdish in front of me again, I thought... I would die. Going through all that and coming here [the camp] and not getting enough support, makes it really difficult, she says.

When Hilwa and her family were loaded into pickup trucks by Isis in August 2014, she was separated from one of her sisters at a checkpoint. That day would be the last time she would ever see or hear from her beloved sister again. Her whereabouts are still unknown.

Today, about 2,700 Yazidis remain missing, according to estimates from advocacy group Yazda. There are around 300 to 400 children still alive in captivity, according to numbers compiled by human rights groups. Twisting her hands over and over as she speaks, Hilwa recalls the screams of her neighbours and people being beaten with guns as they were taken by Isis.

When we escaped we thought we would have a better life but being in the camp is really difficult, Hilwa says. There are no services, no support from the government, no healthcare system. Before Isis came, we never knew what psychologists and psychological issues are. Now its not only psychological, it's physical as well.

Fifty-year-old Kucher is jolted awake at night by a stabbing pain in her abdomen. She has barely sat down on the coloured cushions in her tent at Essyan Camp, around 25 miles from Sharya, before she instructs her husband to go and get her medicine and prescriptions for the kidney stones. Kucher also faces high blood pressure and hypertension. The camps have poor healthcare services, pushing the Yazidi woman to resort to treatment in private hospitals in Duhok.

Kucher in her clothes shop ( Veen Mahmud )

The medicine costs Kucher and her husband, Khuder, 53, around 70,000 Iraqi Dinar (42). She has been told the kidney stones urgently need to be removed but they cannot afford the surgery. Their main source of income is the 170,000 Iraqi Dinar Khuder receives every two months from his pension.

Kucher recently opened a clothes shop in the camp she lives in. Its on a small dusty road that runs through the middle of the settlements, with a barbers, more clothing stores and a small tea shop where men congregate to play board games.

The shop is made of corrugated metal and the fierce, dusty heat permeates through the roof pushing temperatures well above 50C. I have to endure the heat otherwise we wouldnt be able to buy tomatoes", Kucher says. The income from selling anywhere between five and 10 garments a week (with tops priced at roughly the equivalent of 3) has not only helped to bolster her husbands pension, but has also given her a distraction from the memories of the Isis atrocities.

Earlier this year, Baghdad ordered all camps in Iraqi Kurdistan to be closed by 30 July and offered payments of around 4,000 to anyone who leaves. But Kurdish authorities refused to agree to the edict it was recently reported that the regional government had agreed with the office of Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to postpone the closure until the end of the year.

Military vehicles belonging to the Iraqi security forces carry body remains of people killed by Isis, after they were exhumed from a mass grave in Sinjar ( Reuters )

With no source of news aside from hearsay in the camps, Kucher is desperate to know whether the camps are still closing or not. She is relieved to hear of the extension. Despite Sinjars deep emotional and religious significance to the Yazidi, many fear returning. Khuder misses his crop of tomatoes and cucumbers, but says if they go back to Sinjar we will die.

Once a place of happy memories, now Sinjar is littered with mines. Successive Iraqi governments have been unable to rebuild the town and villages despite promises to do so. The area is patrolled by various militias.

Hilwa is desperate to join her brother in Australia. Speaking about that prospect is the one time there is genuine joy in her face. She is waiting for the final interview to secure her visa, but the smile soon dissipates when she recalls friends who have been waiting since 2016 to move.

Every day I thought it would be my last, now I live in a camp and I am grateful for surviving and being free, but life is still hard," Hilwa says. "We lack in basic services and I wish there were more opportunities for us. My wish is to live with dignity and to leave the trauma behind me."

*Name changed to protect identity

CARE International and its partner Lotus Flower offer assistance to internally displaced people. Donations can be made here
A defiant Scouse pensioner held a "Nans against Nazis" sign as a crowd gathered outside a mosque in Liverpool following rumours of a far-right protest there on Friday, 2 August.

Pat, 70, said she began protesting 50 years ago, against the National Front.

Speaking outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque, she said: Someone said to me youre too old, dont be doing this but as long as theyre here someones got to do it.

It comes as violent disorder spread across the UK this week following misinformation on social media about a stabbing attack on Monday in Southport, Merseyside, in which three children were killed.
A crowd carrying English and Union Jack flags chanted "I'm English til' I die" on the steps of the Guildhall in Portsmouth on Saturday, 3 August, as marches spread across the UK in the wake of the Southport stabbing attacks.

Rioting from far-right groups in cities such as London and Sunderland came after the killing of three young girls on Monday.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Steph Richards, who filmed the crowd in Portsmouth, told The Independent: "It was pretty scary, and the police eventually suggested we move away. There were about 300 of them. Just 30 of us."
Part of Donald Trumps strategy for November is to win over Black voters, which is why he was recently a guest at the convention of the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago. I will leave it to you to judge how well he did.

Of Kamala Harris he said: "I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. He claimed  without foundation  that originally Harris would only speak of her south Asian roots (she has an Indian mother and a Jamaican father)  but that now she wanted to be known as Black. The audience seesawed between laughter and derision; groans and gasps.

He picked a fight with one of the hosts, the respected ABC television reporter Rachel Scott, accusing her of being mean and nasty after she had quoted back to Trump some of what he had said before about people of colour.

And then during the course of his remarks, he spoke about the problems of illegal immigration  because those who were streaming across the border were taking Black jobs.

Hang on. Whats a Black job as opposed to a white one? Did he mean that those coming from central America were taking the jobs of Black journalists in the room whod gathered for their convention? No. Of course not. When he speaks about Black jobs he means unskilled, manual labour. That hasnt stopped Black people from reclaiming the phrase, though  in response to somebody telling her that her Black job was being the GOAT, winning Gold medals and dominating gymnastics on Twitter/X, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles replied I love my Black job, accompanied by a black heart emoji.

But of course, Trump has been here before. He was the leading proponent of the birther conspiracy about Barack Obama. He repeatedly sought to undermine the credentials and legitimacy of Americas first African American president by insisting that he had been born in Kenya, and was therefore ineligible to be the US head of state. And its not just Democrats that he does this to.

When Nikki Haley was running against him for the Republican nomination, he argued that her Indian heritage meant she couldnt run for president. It was nonsense. In speeches he would repeatedly call her by her birth name Nimarata. Now why would you do that? Or why would he repeatedly use Obamas middle name (Hussein) in speeches? With Harris, his favourite laughter line is to swill her first name Kamala around his mouth and pronounce it in myriad different ways as if to draw attention to the foreignness of it.

The easy answer is to say that he is quite simply a racist and that hes pandering to his redneck base. And there may be something to that. Now I know two weeks is an eternity in US politics, but it was only a fortnight ago when Trump went to his convention, having survived the assassination attempt, and was telling delegates he was a different, kinder person now, and was the man to unite the country.

But that was before an ailing and failing Biden Zimmer-framed off the stage. Harris has upended Republican political calculations and Trumps delicate equilibrium. The hastily decided upon reboot strategy was to portray the Democrat as a hopeless liberal from San Francisco who had presided over a catastrophe at the southern border; that her economic policies would impoverish US voters. It has a merit to it. So why is he going on about her racial origins?

There arent a whole lot of Republicans who can answer that question. Indeed, many are tearing tufts of hair out. The Trump base  who are already locked in  may love it, but the Maga mob doesnt get Trump over the line. He needs to broaden the base of his support.

If you were being charitable youd say there is a strategy there, even if it has been cack-handedly done. The aim is to depict Harris as a chameleon. A woman who will say or do whatever is needed to win an audience. That she doesnt believe in anything. Trumps running mate is making a more rational fist of this argument.

It feels these attacks on Harris are based on Trumps instincts, not worked through strategy. But it doesnt seem to be working. The polls suggest things are moving in the wrong direction. A poll of the key swing states this week found Harris ahead in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and neck and neck in Michigan.

This is a big turnaround on a few weeks ago when it was looking like the Biden/Trump rematch. Yes: early days, still a long way to go until the election  one set of polls does not a summer make.

But momentum and morale is  remarkably, given recent events  with the Democrats. And there is a bit of joy that there hasnt been for a long time. It wasnt just the Black journalists in Chicago who were laughing at Trump  Harris is too. And the laughter is becoming infectious.

One of the people under consideration to be her VP pick is the Minnesota governor Tim Walz. In a recent speech he had a whole riff where he described Trump as weird. And its become a thing. It has struck a chord. People are mocking his predilection for talking about shower heads and water pressure, Hannibal Lecter and electrocuting sharks  and the question has been put: has anyone ever actually heard Trump properly laugh?

The race is not the one that Trump thought he would be running, and it feels as though he is struggling to recalibrate  to reset his sights on a new, much younger target. In my judgement, this is still Trumps election to lose. But its not impossible now that he will.

Jon Sopel is the former BBC North America editor and now presents Globals The News Agents podcast
In 2021, the Rhatigan Group extended the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel to a 254-bedroom property which also includes a spa, gym and other facilities

The strong performance of the four-star Radisson Blu Royal in Dublin city centre last year is a recognition of the substantial investment of 16m made in expanding the business.

That is according to the chairman of the Galway-headquartered Rhatigan Group, Padraic Rhatigan, who was commenting on new accounts showing pre-tax profits at the Rhatigan Groups Luxor Leisure Ltd increased by 16.5pc to 2.49m in the 12 months to the end of last October.

This followed revenues at the Radisson Blu Royal hotel firm surging by 40pc from 14.46m to 20.09m for the year.

The original Radisson Blu Royal Hotel on Golden Lane in Dublin 8 was a 150-bedroom hotel, and in 2021, the Rhatigan Group extended the property to a 254-bedroom property which also includes a spa, gym and other facilities.

Mr Rhatigan said: At that time, we also completely upgraded the ground floor including lobby, bar, restaurant etc.

The business now also includes the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on Ship Street Great which opened in early 2023.

Asked to comment on last years improved financial performance, Mr Rhatigan said: The additional facilities have substantially enhanced our property and the strong performance of last year is a recognition of the substantial investment of approximately 16m.

On the performance in the current year, Mr Rhatigan said: The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Dublin city centre is trading in a very satisfactory manner and broadly consistent with its performance of last year.

In a further expansion of the groups activities in the hotel sector, Mr Rhatigan said the group is currently at an advanced stage of completion of the new Radisson RED Hotel at Crown Square in Galway.

This will be a new 180-bedroom four-star-plus property which will be an integral part of the overall development at Crown Square.

He added that the capital investment in Galway will be in excess of 40m and said enquiries in relation to the new Galway property are also very encouraging.

The profits at Luxor Leisure last year take into account 3.68m paid out in operating leases to a connected company and 952,759 in non-cash depreciation costs.

The Rhatigan Group signed a 25-year franchise licence deal in 2016 with Radisson brand owner Rezidor Hotels APS Danmark. The company last year recorded post-tax profits of 2.17m.
The proposed scheme is the third phase of the Google Ireland data centre campus at Grange Castle Business Park. Photo: PA

Extinction Rebellion Ireland (ERI) has said that if a planned new Google Ireland data centre gets the planning go-ahead for south Dublin it will be met with massive local and national pushback and action.

In an objection against the planned new data centre expansion by Google Ireland for Grange Castle Business Park in south Dublin, Emer Connolly of ERI told the council: This expansion is a disaster for local communities, water shortages, transition to a more sustainable economy, and reaching our climate targets.

If this planning goes through, it will be met with massive local and national pushback and action.

Environmental groups are watching closely and wont let this go through easily.

In a separate submission, An Taisce said planning for the data centre would further compromise our ability to achieve compliance with our carbon budget limits and would put additional pressure on renewables capacity to deal with the significant additional power demand.

The scheme is the third phase of the Google Ireland data centre campus at Grange Castle and will involve the creation of 800 construction jobs and 50 jobs when operational.

The new 72,400-square metre data storage facility will involve the construction of eight data halls on a 50-acre site

However, in the eight-page submission, An Taisces planning officer Sean OCallaghan said the proliferation of data infrastructure has largely gone unchecked, and data centres now consume 21pc of Irelands total metred electricity.

He said this is up from 5pc in 2015 and represents more electricity use than all urban households in Ireland combined.

Mr OCallaghan said the planned data centre will put great pressure on an already strained electricity grid in the Dublin region, particularly in light of the large number of existing and proposed data centres already in the area.

Head of policy at Friends of the Earth, Jerry MacEvilly, has called on the council to reject the planning application.

Mr MacEvilly said: Our concern is that the proposed development would actively undermine the achievement of the states carbon budget programme.

A decision is due on the application later this month.
Aerosmith have announced their retirement from the touring stage as frontman Steven Tylers injured voice is not possible to recover fully.

The US rock band, known for hits including Dream On, Dude (Looks Like A Lady) and Walk This Way, cancelled dates on their farewell tour last September due to Tyler needing ongoing care for damage to his vocal cords and a fractured larynx.

As you know, Stevens voice is an instrument like no other, the band said in a statement on X.

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He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. Weve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side.

Sadly, it is clear, that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible.

We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision  as a band of brothers  to retire from the touring stage.

Last year, the band said that Tylers vocal injury was more serious than initially thought as they cancelled tour dates.

The group, which includes Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford, said it has been the honour of our lives to have our music become part of yours.

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs (Lewis Stickley/PA)

It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith, the statement said.

Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark caught flame and has been burning for over five decades.

Some of you have been with us since the beginning and all of you are the reason we made rock n roll history.

The band said they were grateful beyond words for those who were set to see them on their farewell tour.

A final thank you to you  the best fans on planet Earth.

Play our music loud, now and always. Dream On. Youve made our dreams come true, the statement added.
Gardai located a 12-year-old girl missing from her home in Dublin and she has been found safe and well.

The girl had been missing from the Monkstown area of Dublin but was found well and gardai thanked the public for their assistance.
Most people go away with a different attitude: how speed awareness classes could make our roads safer

Retraining after driving offences is routine in the UK and minister James Lawless has plans for Ireland to follow suit  but what exactly is involved?

Retraining could be introduced in Ireland. Photo: Getty

Kim Bielenberg Sat 3 Aug 2024 at 02:30

Motorists who commit speeding and other driving offences could be sent back to the classroom for retraining, and in some cases they may even have to resit their test.
Lateefah Simon arrived for her first day at the top cops office in her usual outfit of a tracksuit and Pumas, ready to work with young men fresh out of prison. Her new boss  the woman who persuaded her to trade her career as a high-profile activist and organiser for a job in the district attorneys office  wasnt having it.
The British energy giant "British Petroleum" (bp) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iraqi government on the development of four oil and gas fields in the north of Kirkuk province, Azernews reports, citing the "Al Arabiya" TV channel.

The document was signed by Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel Ghani and bp's CEO Murray Aukinklos.

The memorandum includes the recovery and development of four oil fields owned by the Northern Oil Company of Iraq: Kirkuk, Bayi Hassan, Jambur and Khabbaz.

The Iraqi Prime Minister's office said: "This initiative is part of the government's efforts to optimally attract investment in promising energy opportunities aimed at increasing oil production, gas and solar energy investments."

Bp is one of the largest foreign investors in Iraq's oil sector. Oil production in this country was carried out by Britain in the 1920s.

According to the World Bank, Iraq has 145 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, one of the largest in the world, providing 96 years of production at current rates. But Iraq aims to continue field exploration to increase its crude reserves to more than 160 billion barrels.

Despite its large oil reserves, Baghdad hopes to increase natural gas production to help reduce import dependence on neighboring Iran, a key supplier for Iraq's electricity generation. Prime Minister Sudani has repeatedly emphasized the importance of diversifying energy sources in order to overcome the shortage of electricity in Iraq, especially in the summer months.

In an effort to reduce dependence on Iranian gas, Baghdad has begun importing electricity from Jordan and Turkey and hopes to connect to the Gulf states' electricity grid later this year.
Crowds follow the truck carrying the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard in Tehran. Photo: AP

Aceasefire between Israel and Hamas is the only way to begin to break the cycle of violence and suffering in the Middle East, US secretary of state Antony Blinken has said.

Of course, an end to the death spiral is overdue. The fighting in the Gaza Strip has also drawn in Iran-backed militant groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. They have fired drones and missiles at Israel and US assets in the region.

But so far Mr Blinkens appeals to avoid escalatory action have been disregarded, if not derided.

Again we have warnings from the EU and other leaders urging their citizens to get out of Lebanon.

Fears of a nightmare scenario of all-out regional war are intensifying, and Mr Blinken looks an increasingly forlorn, if not ludicrous, figure, shuttling to and fro on doomed diplomatic missions.

Critics argue it is impossible for the US to be an honest broker when it is providing Israel with the weapons it is using. And Tel Avivs commitment to ending hostilities is also being questioned. Many believe Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no interest in bringing the war to an end.

As Mr Blinken spoke, prayers were said by Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard. Haniyehs shock assassination has heightened concerns that the Middle East will be pushed over the edge.

His killing in Tehran, and the strike against senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut, may have scuppered attempts to defuse the Middle East powder keg.

Iran is threatening to respond after the attack on its territory. The New York Times reported that Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran to strike Israel directly in response. Israel has also confirmed that the head of Hamass military wing, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza last month.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has warned against a dangerous escalation of war in the region.

An end to the fighting, the release of hostages and a long-term plan for peace and security in the Middle East are critical for global stability.

But such prospects now look more remote than ever.

The killing of Haniyeh, who was central to ceasefire talks on behalf of Hamas, will undermine confidence that Tel Aviv is serious about ending the war.

In a speech, Mr Netanyahu said his country had delivered crushing blows to its enemies. However, he also warned Israelis that challenging days lie ahead.

Whatever slender chances remain in avoiding a catastrophic chain-reaction across the region now rest with US and EU diplomats, who are holding urgent discussions. Those intent on violence should heed Aristotles words: It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organise the peace.

It must be remembered that almost 40,000 Palestinians have already been killed. Should the Middle East powder keg explode, that terrible wave of bloodshed could become a near unstoppable tide.
Howth RNLI volunteers mark 'One Moment for One Crew' to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI. Pic:

Howth RNLI rescued two people aboard an inflatable kayak that was being blown offshore and unable to make its way back to safety off the Dublin coastline on Thursday.

Shortly after 6pm, as Howth RNLI volunteers were participating in a photo moment celebrating One Moment for One Crew, a record of those involved with the life-changing charity for its 200th anniversary, the pagers sounded from lifeguards on Portmarnock beach.

The lifeguards said they had observed an inflatable kayak with two people on board which was being blown offshore.

As the inshore lifeboat was already in the water for the photo opportunity, the crew of volunteers could head off to rescue those in difficulty immediately. Visibility was good, and the lifeboat was able to reach the inflatable kayak within 10 minutes, which had blown roughly 500 metres offshore.

A passing motorboat had heard the radio communications between the lifeboat and Dublin Coast Guard and had stood by the kayak awaiting the arrival of the lifeboat.

Once on the scene, the crew took the people on board the lifeboat and assessed their condition; both were cold and tired, but otherwise in good health.

The kayak was taken on board, and the lifeboat made its way back to Portmarnock beach where the crew handed the two people into the care of the beach lifeguards.

Howth RNLI volunteers mark 'One Moment for One Crew' to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI. Pic:

Speaking following the incident, Ronan Murphy, helm of the Howth RNLI inshore lifeboat, said:

This was one of our quickest launch times given that the lifeboat was already in the water and crew in their kit to take part in the 'One Moment for One Crew' photograph.

Thankfully, this gave us precious minutes to reach the two persons in difficulty who had already been blown almost 500 metres offshore by the time we reached them.

Although the conditions for heading out on the water were good yesterday, things can change very quickly, and with inflatables like these, even the slightest wind can take them out to sea.

You should carefully consider the suitability of inflatables in Irish waters. Make sure to always check the weather forecast and tides before you head out to sea.

Its also really important that anyone going out on the water wears a life jacket that is suitable for the activity they are doing and that it is in good working order and fits well.

You should also carry a means of calling for help. A mobile phone in a waterproof pouch can work well for kayakers who are staying close to the shore.

Although we missed the opportunity to take part in the 'One Moment for One Crew' photograph at Howth RNLI, what unfolded yesterday was a really great example of the value of our lifesaving work.

Our volunteer crew will drop what they're doing once the pager goes off to get out there and save lives at sea. That has been our charity's mission for 200 years, and we hope to be in a position to continue that service for 200 more here at Howth, Mr Murphy added.
A 53 year old man who admitted carrying out two burglaries in Sligo town, during one of which his son acted as lookout, has been jailed for three years by Judge Keenan Johnson at the Circuit Court.
Wicklow man with terminal cancer backs calls for assisted suicide to be brought in

My girlfriend is so worried that two months from now she wakes up beside me and Im dead  and that is not okay that she could have to deal with that

Arklow native George Horsman.

Eoin Mac Raghnaill Wicklow People Sat 3 Aug 2024 at 07:00

A Wicklow man who has been given two months to live after discovering he has untreatable cancer has expressed his desire to see assisted suicide introduced in Ireland so that others in his situation could take back control.
Men carry the body of a woman killed during a terrorist attack on a beach in Mogadishu, Somalia. Photo: Reuters/Feisal Omar.

At least 32 people were killed and 63 others injured in an explosion on a popular beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu late on Friday evening, police said, an attack blamed by Somali state media on the militant Islamist group al Shabab.
UK braces for violence as 35 protests planned over murders of three children in Southport

Police warn rioters will face full force of law as far-right activity expected

Police officers clash with protesters during the Enough is Enough protest in Whitehall, London, following the fatal stabbing of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday in Southport. Photo: PA

Amy-Clare Martin UK Independent Sat 3 Aug 2024 at 03:30







Far-right rioters have been told they will face the full force of the law as police brace for a weekend of violence, with 35 protests planned across the UK in the wake of the killing of three children in Southport.
US president Joe Biden greets freed Americans including Irish citizen Paul Whelan after prisoner swap with Russia

Emotional scenes as families reunited with loved ones on return to US soil, but Donald Trump describes exchange as an embarrassment

US president Joe Biden places his American flag pin on Irish citizen Paul Whelan after the 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the US. Photo: Reuters

Mike Bedigan UK Independent Sat 3 Aug 2024 at 03:30







US president Joe Biden and vice-president Kamala Harris welcomed the Americans freed from Russia as they touched down safely on US soil late yesterday, following what marks the highest-profile prisoner swap with the West since the end of the Cold War.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

New Delhi: Air routes that were discontinued before the three-year tenure have been re-offered for bidding under UDAN Round 5.3, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed Lok Sabha on Thursday.

So far, 12 bidding cycles across 5 Rounds of UDAN have been conducted, he added in the communique.

RCS-UDAN is a market-driven scheme aimed at connecting unserved and underserved airstrips/airports. Airlines bid for these routes based on listed destinations, with bidding rounds conducted periodically to cover more destinations and routes.

Interested airlines submit proposals based on their demand assessment for particular routes during bidding under UDAN. Airports included in the awarded routes requiring upgradation are developed under the 'Revival of unserved and underserved airports' scheme.

Once development is complete, Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) commence operations on the awarded UDAN routes, receiving financial support through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to bridge any gap between operational costs and expected revenues.

Delays in operationalizing airports can occur due to various reasons, including land unavailability, technical and operational constraints, delays in obtaining Scheduled Commuter Operators Permits by new entrant airlines, and issues such as non-availability of suitable aircraft, leasing issues, and maintenance problems of small aircraft. SAOs receive various concessions from the Central Government, State Governments, and airport operators, the minister told the lower house of parliament.

Airport operators do not levy Landing and Parking Charges on RCS Flights, and the AAI does not impose Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) on these flights. Route Navigation and Facilitation Charges (RNFC) are discounted to 42.50% of normal rates for RCS Flights, and SAOs are allowed self-ground handling at all airports under the scheme.

The Central Government imposes an excise duty of 2% on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) purchased by SAOs from RCS Airports for the initial three years. SAOs are free to enter code-sharing arrangements with both domestic and international airlines.

State Governments at RCS Airports within their states reduce VAT on ATF to 1% or less for ten years.

They also provide minimum land, if required, free of cost and free from encumbrances for airport development, along with multi-modal hinterland connectivity.

Additionally, they offer security and fire services free of cost and provide electricity, water, and other utility services at substantially concessional rates at RCS Airports.

So far, Rs.3587 crores has been disbursed to the Selected Airline Operators towards Viability Gap Funding (VGF) as per the provisions of the scheme.
British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India Andrew Fleming. Photo Courtesy: British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata PR Team

British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India Andrew Fleming said on Friday that there is immense scope for collaboration in education technology sector between India and the UK.

West Bengal and the UK are poised to come closer with the UK ed-tech sector's innovative offers to the education sector in Kolkata.

The UK-India Edtech collaboration event, organized by the British Deputy High Commission Kolkata, Union Education Group, WOWL, and supported by ABE, Defacto Ed, Novistra and the British Council, held at the British Club on August 2 aimed to celebrate and advance the partnership between the UK and India in the education technology sector.

This event brought together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders in Kolkata to explore the transformative potential of Edtech in enhancing education and fostering stronger bilateral ties between the state and the UK.

The UK stakeholders highlighted cutting-edge technologies developed by UK Edtech companies that enhance learning, personalize education, and empower educators in India.

The initiative seeks to facilitate the development of collaborations between Indian educational institutions and world-renowned schools in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India said: We have already seen successful collaborations between UK Edtech companies and Indian institutions. For instance, platforms like Century Tech and Sparx Maths have partnered with Indian schools, delivering exceptional results in student engagement and academic performance. The organisers of this wonderful event, Union Education Group and WOWL had partnered with schools in Kolkata and Darjeeling and students are reaping the benefits of their language learning platform."

"I am excited to think that such partnerships are just the beginning; there is immense potential for further collaboration," he said.

Harry Darell, CEO, Union Education Group said: Union Education Group (UEG) is expanding its business in India via collaboration with WOWL Edtech. Ever since the British Council's 'Digital Learning and Innovation Fund,' we have been enthusiastically working with WOWL to connect with Indian students in the primary, secondary and higher education sectors, as well as workers who are looking to develop their skills and employability opportunities."



"The focus up to this point has been language and skills development on the WOWL app, learning with educators from UEG. We are now moving into physical centres in Kolkata and Darjeeling, with a view to opening up in both Delhi and Bangalore later this year. An additional core focus area will be UK Study abroad and UEG will shortly begin facilitating tours of UK schools and universities for Indian students," he said.
Photo Courtesy: IBNS File

Five policemen and a teacher were dismissed from their positions after they were allegedly found to be involved in narco-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The step was taken as a part of a major crackdown launched by the administration on terror financing.

The dismissed policemen were belonging to the border areas of the region.

The dismissed policemen have been identified as Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Khalid Hussain Shah, Rehmat Shah, Irfan Ahmad Chalkoo, and Saifuldin, reported NDTV.

The school teacher, who was found to be involved in drug trafficking, was identified as Nazim Uddin.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe is actively seeking to join the Kazungula Bridge project, a key regional trade route completed in 2021 and funded by international lenders including the African Development Bank, JICA, and the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund. The bridge, built jointly by Zambia and Botswana, was initially pursued without Zimbabwe's participation due to sanctions and political circumstances.With the bridge aimed at enhancing regional integration and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pushed for Zimbabwes inclusion. A special committee has been formed to review Zimbabwe's bid, focusing on legal, financial, and technical aspects necessary for its full integration.Discussions are ongoing about Zimbabwes financial contribution and the implications of joining the project, as Zimbabwe was not involved in the original funding. Additionally, there is a border dispute related to the bridge's location that Zimbabwe and Botswana are working to resolve.The Kazungula Bridge, which facilitates trade and transport between Zambia and Botswana, is managed by the Kazungula Bridge Authority and funded by toll fees. The inclusion of Zimbabwe in this initiative is seen as a strategic move to boost regional economic development and align with AfCFTA goals.
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Photo Courtesy: X page video grab

At least eight people have been arrested for committing offences including violent disorder and burglary after several protesters attacked police and set a police station on fire in Sunderland city of the UK, days after similar violence was witnessed in Southport following the killing of three children.

According to reports, far-right anti-immigrant protesters threw stones at police officers in riot gear outside a mosque and set a car on fire during their demonstration.

An old police station was set on fire by protesters.

Northumbria Police said three policemen were taken to hospital for treatment.

In a statement, the police said: "We can confirm that three officers were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries."

One of them has been released from hospital, police said.

"Anyone involved in the disorder we have seen can expect to be dealt with robustly  and that action has already begun. Eight people have so far been arrested for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary," the statement said.

Police said an investigation into the incident is currently underway.

Some members of the crowd could be heard shouting Islamophobic slurs and chanting in support of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - who uses the alias Tommy Robinson, reported BBC.

Yaxley-Lennon's X account has promoted false claims that the alleged Southport attacker had been an asylum seeker who recently arrived in the UK by boat, the British media reported.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said criminals attacking the police and stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence and thuggery.

"The police have the full backing of Government to take the strongest possible action & ensure they face the full force of the law," she wrote on X.

The Sunderland protests were among the series of demonstrations planned to be held across UK over the weekend following the knife attack on Monday.

Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson said he was 'appalled' by the disorder which hit the city.

"Our city is not represented by a tiny minority causing trouble. @northumbriapol

have my full support as they respond to criminal thuggery and work to protect all the communities of our city," he posted on X.

More than 100 anti-immigration protesters were arrested in central London on Wednesday (July 31) evening as protests following the Southport knife attack spread to different parts of the country, reports said.

According to reports, Wednesday's disorder followed unrest near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday (July 30) night, during which the building was attacked.

Merseyside Police officers were also pelted with bricks and a police van was set on fire.

The protests broke out after three children  Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9), Bebe King (6) and Elsie Dot Stancombe (7)  were fatally stabbed on Monday (July 29) while attending a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport, reports said.

As per media reports, eight other children suffered knife injuries  with five of them in a critical condition  while two adults were also critically hurt.

A17-year-old boy was charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder by Merseyside Police.
Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran. Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/4.0 International/ Council.gov.ru

Israel's spy agency Mossad had hired agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) to plant explosives in three separate rooms of a building where Ismail Haniyeh was staying in Tehran, a British newspaper claims, days after the assassination of the Hamas political leader.

The original plan was to kill Ismail Haniyeh, the political head of the Palestinian terror group, in May, when he attended the funeral of Ebrahim Raisi, Irans former President, reported British newspaper The Telegraph.

The operation didnt go ahead due to the presence of large crowds inside the building and the high possibility of its failure, two Iranian officials told The Telegraph.

Instead, the two agents placed explosive devices in three rooms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) guesthouse in north Tehran where Haniyeh might stay, the British newspaper reported.

The agents were seen moving stealthily as they entered and exited multiple rooms within minutes, according to the officials who have CCTV footage of the building. The agents had reportedly moved out of the country but maintained a source in Iran.

At 2am on Wednesday, they detonated the explosives from abroad in the room where Haniyeh was staying, reported The Telegraph.

According to reports, Mossad and its director David Barnea recruited the agents from the Ansar al-Mahdi Protection Unit in Tehran.

They are now certain that Mossad hired agents from the Ansar al-Mahdi protection unit, an official within the IRGC told the Telegraph from Tehran, referring to an IRGC unit responsible for the safety of high-ranking officials.

He said: Upon further investigation, they discovered additional explosive devices in two other rooms.

A second official within the elite military forces of the IRGC told the Telegraph: This is a humiliation for Iran and a huge security breach.

The official said a working group had been established to come up with ideas to portray the assassination as not being a security breach.

Also Read: US to send additional jets, warships as Iran threatens Israel amid escalation in Middle East tension

Its still a question for everyone how it happened, I cant make sense of it. There must be something higher up in the hierarchy that no one knows about, he added.

There is now an internal blame game taking over the IRGC, with different sectors accusing each other of the failure, revealed the first official who spoke to The Telegraph.

Esmail Qaani, the commander of the IRGC Quds force said the breach had 'humiliated everyone'.

Who was Ismail Haniyeh?

Ismail Haniyeh was a Palestinian politician who was widely considered to be the chief political leader of Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007.

He was the chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau.

Mohammed Deif killed

Israel's army confirmed on Thursday that Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif was killed in an airstrike last month in the southern Gaza Strip, AFP reported.

The announcement followed reports from Hamas and Iran that the Palestinian movement's chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Tehran, though Israel has not commented on that claim.

"Mohammed Deif, the Osama bin Laden of Gaza, was eliminated on July 13," said Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

At least 32 people were killed and several others were injured in a suicide attack at a restaurant in Somalian city of Mogadishu on Saturday.

Police Forces Spokesperson, Abdifitah Aden Hassan told SONNA news agency that 32 people were killed and 63 civilians were injured in the incident.

He said the security forces took swift action against terrorists to rescue civilians.

The Security forces killed all the terrorists at the scene and captured another one who was driving a car filled with explosives, he shot and injured. We lost one soldier and another one sustained injuries, Hassan said.

According to reports, the terrorists belonged to Al-Shabaab terrorist group.

Al-Shabaab is a Sunni Islamist military and political organization based in Somalia and active elsewhere in East Africa.

It is actively involved in the ongoing Somali Civil War and incorporates elements of Somali nationalism into its Islamist cause.

Allegiant to the militant pan-Islamist organization al-Qaeda since 2012, it has also been suspected of forging ties with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

One of the founding members of Pakistan's PTI political outfit was shot dead in Lahore's Valencia Town on Friday after he came out of a mosque after offering prayer.

Dr Shahid Siddique went to offer prayer in Khizra Mosque at H-block of Valencia Town.

He was reportedly attacked when he was coming out of the mosque and heading towards his car.

The suspect escaped the scene on foot.

The victim suffered four bullet injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital where he could not survive, reported Dawn News.

The victims son told Dawn that an unidentified attacker approached his father outside the mosque and opened fire at him before fleeing.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The United States has filed a civil lawsuit against Chinese-owned TikTok for violations of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act and its implementing regulations.

"The Justice Department, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against TikTok Inc., ByteDance Ltd., and their affiliates (together, TikTok) for violations of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act and its implementing regulations (COPPA) in connection with the popular TikTok app," the US Justice Department said in a statement.

COPPA prohibits website operators from knowingly collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under the age of 13, unless they provide notice to and obtain consent from those childrens parents.

It also requires website operators to delete personal information collected from children at their parents request. In 2019, the government sued TikToks predecessor, Musical.ly, for COPPA violations, and since then the defendants have been subject to a court order requiring them to undertake specific measures to comply with COPPA.

According to the complaint, from 2019 to the present, TikTok knowingly permitted children to create regular TikTok accounts and to create, view, and share short-form videos and messages with adults and others on the regular TikTok platform.

The defendants collected and retained a wide variety of personal information from these children without notifying or obtaining consent from their parents.

"Even for accounts that were created in 'Kids Mode' (a pared-back version of TikTok intended for children under 13), the defendants unlawfully collected and retained childrens email addresses and other types of personal information," the statement said.

"Further, when parents discovered their childrens accounts and asked the defendants to delete the accounts and information in them, the defendants frequently failed to honor those requests," the department said in its statement.

The defendants also had deficient and ineffectual internal policies and processes for identifying and deleting TikTok accounts created by children.

The defendants engaged in the above-described conduct despite being subject to a court order barring them from violating COPPA and imposing measures designed to ensure their compliance.

TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world.

The defendants COPPA violations have resulted in millions of children under 13 using the regular TikTok app, subjecting them to extensive data collection and allowing them to interact with adult users and access adult content.

The complaint seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief.

The Department is deeply concerned that TikTok has continued to collect and retain childrens personal information despite a court order barring such conduct, said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. With this action, the Department seeks to ensure that TikTok honors its obligation to protect childrens privacy rights and parents efforts to protect their children.

The Justice Department is committed to upholding parents ability to protect their childrens privacy, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division. This action is necessary to prevent the defendants, who are repeat offenders and operate on a massive scale, from collecting and using young childrens private information without any parental consent or control.

TikTok knowingly and repeatedly violated kids privacy, threatening the safety of millions of children across the country, said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. The FTC will continue to use the full scope of its authorities to protect children online  especially as firms deploy increasingly sophisticated digital tools to surveil kids and profit from their data.
In Southern Lebanon, a boy walks among the ruins of a house destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. Photo Courtesy: UNICEF

The US Embassy in Jerusalem has issued an advisory to its citizens urging them to be cautious and closely monitor the security situation in the Middle East amid rising tension.

" Due to the increase in regional tensions, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is continuously and closely monitoring the security situation. The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness (including knowing the location of the nearest shelter) as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) intrusions, often take place without any warning," read the statement.

" The security environment is complex and can change quickly. U.S. citizens are encouraged to read the current Travel Advisory and Country Information Page for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, that advises U.S. citizens to be aware of the continuing risks of travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza due to the security situation and heightened regional tensions and warns against travel to Gaza and to northern Israel within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders," the statement further said.

The top UN envoy in the Middle East called on Friday for urgent action to address the growing risk of regional escalation following recent deadly attacks in Lebanon, the Syrian Golan Heights and Iran linked to the war in Gaza.

Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, issued a statement saying he has engaged in critical discussions with the relevant parties and Member States in the region, including Lebanon, Egypt and Qatar, in support of regional de-escalation.

I underscored the urgency of addressing the growing risk of a serious escalation, which poses a substantial threat to regional stability, he said. We examined the ongoing efforts to mediate and de-escalate the situation and explored ways to prevent a spillover of the conflict.

The envoy reaffirmed the necessity of urgent, coordinated action to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

He stressed that it was crucial to act decisively and collectively to address the immediate threats and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace.

The head of UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, concluded a four-day visit to Lebanon on Friday  part of a wider mission to the Middle East - where he strongly stressed the need for de-escalation and a return to a cessation of hostilities.

In meetings with senior officials, the peacekeeping chief highlighted the risk of a wider conflagration and called for maximum restraint and a cessation of the ongoing intensified exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel.

Lacroix also met with members of the diplomatic corps, as well as UN officials and peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

The United States will send additional jets and warships to the Middle East amid escalating tension in the region following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

Tensions mounted after Iran's leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed 'harsh punishment' against Israel following the death of the Hamas political leader.

Though Israel did not comment on the issue, Iran blamed the country for the attack.

The Hamas leader's death was announced just hours after Israel said its security forces killed Hezbollah's most senior military commander Fuad Shukr "Sayyid Muhsan".

Also Read: Hamas Military chief, who masterminded October 7th attack on Israel, killed in airstrike: Israeli army

Speaking on the fresh deployment, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said in a statement:" To that end, Secretary Austin ( United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin) has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defence of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies."

The statement said to maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, the Secretary has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, currently on deployment in the Central Command area of responsibility.

Additionally, Secretary Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions.

"The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defence," the statement said.

The Secretary has also ordered the deployment of an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East, reinforcing our defensive air support capability.

The Middle East region became tensed after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and killed 1,200 people.

Israel responded by launching the ongoing military operation in Gaza.
The Telugu crime thriller Brinda is streaming on the OTT platform SonyLIV. Starring Trisha Krishnan in the lead role, the series with eight episodes has created a lot of buzz as the storyline is being praised by the audiences. There is also a section of the audience that does not like the superstitions shown in the series. If you are someone who did not understand a few of the last scenes in the series or want a glimpse of the series before watching it, here is an ending explained for you:

Brinda on SonyLIV: Who killed Satya?Ending explained

The story of Brinda revolves around murders taking place in parts of Hyderabad. While chasing the murderer in the whole series, Brinda (played by Trisha), with the help of other characters in the series, realises that the man who killed Thakur was not actually the main culprit. but it was someone else who was to blame. Brinda, who is a sub-inspector herself, almost immediately recognised Kabir Anand as the benefactor she was searching for. However, Kabir turned out to be Brinda's lost brother, Satya. The revelation complicated matters significantly for Brinda.

Also Read: Barinda X review: 7 tweets you should read before watching this Telugu show on SonyLIV

Brinda's adoptive parents were aware of this, but she never had the opportunity to learn the truth about her past. Now that things had gotten too far, Brinda had no choice except to confront Satya.

All about Kabir Anand, aka Satya:

Satya (the long-lost brother of Brinda) was brought up in a village that believed in and followed superstitious practices. Satya was separated from his family because of a priest who asked his family to sacrifice his sister. In order to run away from the pressure, his mother managed to save Satya's sister and sent her away in a truck, but the mother and Satya were left behind, and everybody got separated from each other.

Satya, in his aggression, burned down his own village, and in return, he had to spend years in jail, where he met Thakur.

Also Read: Brinda OTT release: When and where to watch Trisha's OTT debut web series

Rest in the story; it was clear how Satya's brilliance caught Raghu's attention (Brinda's adopted father).

But in all this backstory, while Brinda was chasing the murders that were initiated by superstitions, how did Satya come into the picture? Did Brinda kill Satya?

What happens to Satya in the end?

Brinda somehow manages to convince Satya that she is his long-lost sister. With the troublesome childhood, Satya had embarked on a mission to end religion and religious people, as he thought it was religion only that he lost his sister.

Brinda, in the end scenes, tries to convince him that she is his sister and that since she is alive, he should stop taking revenge for her death from religious people. After so much convincing, Satya still did not want to stop, and Brinda had to fire him.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


The Secret World Of Sound With David Attenborough documentary is releasing on OTT platform Netflix with three episodes soon. The trailer for the documentary is already out and gives a glimpse of the topic that is being talked about. The trailer shows 'how the animals use sound as a means of hunting prey' and 'hiding from predators.' The documentary will be available for streaming starting August 7.

Secret World Of Sound With David Attenborough OTT release date Netflix: When to watch

Here's the trailer for Secret World Of Sound With David Attenborough

The official description of the documentary series on YouTube says, "Advanced audio technology captures the sound of nature like you've never heard it before, in this riveting docuseries narrated by Sir David Attenborough."

The trailer for the Netflix documentary series Secret World Of Sound With David Attenborough was released in February 2024. The series was earlier meant to be Sky UK's exclusive but is now all set to be released on Netflix too.

Animal lovers will enjoy The Secret World Of Sound With David Attenborough, which will educate them on topics like how owls hunt using their ears, how animals use sound as a means of communication, how they attract a mate, etc.

One of the three episodes, titled 'Finding A Voice', will also talk about 'how sound is one of the most important means by which baby animals announce their arrival and needs. Isn't that cute and interesting at the same time?

Also Read: Rising Impact Season 2 OTT release date Netflix: When to watch this Japanese anime

All the narrative behind the documentary series will be given by David Attenborough, who is a well-known biologist and natural historian. David has worked on many documentaries before.

All about David Attenborough:

David Attenborough has been the voice of many natural history programs for years now. He has been behind award-winning natural history programs like Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants, and The Blue Planet.



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's public sector nurses are threatening strike action if their demand for increased salaries is not met. The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) is pushing for a minimum salary of US$840 per month, while current earnings average US$400, combining ZiG and US dollars.Negotiations for better pay and working conditions have been ongoing for years, leading to periodic strikes, with significant deadlocks occurring about two years ago. Zina president Enock Dongo emphasized the need for swift government action to prevent a strike and improve nurses' salaries and accommodations.A recent survey of major hospitals has exposed severe issues in Zimbabwe's health system, including drug shortages, poor infrastructure, and inadequate medical equipment. These problems have led to long patient waits and high out-of-pocket expenses for medicines, sometimes paid for by doctors themselves.Dongo stressed that without addressing these concerns, nurses would be left with no choice but to strike, which could further impact patient care. He called on the government to respond urgently to prevent a strike and resolve the ongoing grievances. Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora did not comment on the situation.
Friendship is one of lifes greatest treasures. Its the bond that brings us joy, comfort, and support through both good times and bad. Friends are the family we choose for ourselves, standing by us with understanding and laughter. As we approach Friendship Day 2024, set for August 4, its the perfect moment to reflect on the incredible value of these connections.



Friendship Day is more than just a day on the calendar; its a celebration of the special relationships that make life richer and more fulfilling. Its a time to acknowledge the friends who brighten our lives and to express our gratitude for their unwavering support. As we honour Friendship Day, lets take a moment to celebrate the true essence of friendship and the joy it brings to our lives.

When is Friendship Day 2024?

Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August each year. In 2024, Friendship Day falls on August 4. This day is all about celebrating the special relationships we have with our friends, who are important parts of our lives.

History of Friendship Day

Friendship Day started in the United States in 1919. Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards, suggested the idea. In 1935, the U.S. Congress officially declared the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day. The celebration quickly spread worldwide, including in India, where we also honor Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August.

Credit: Freepik | Happy Friendship Day 2024 wishes image

The reason for choosing a Sunday is practical. Sundays are usually a day off for many people, which makes it easier for friends to get together and enjoy each others company without work or school commitments.



Significance and Importance of Friendship Day

Friendship Day is important because it celebrates the special bond of friendship. Its a day to appreciate friends, strengthen our relationships with them, and recognize how much they mean to us. By having a day dedicated to friendship, we highlight the value of these connections and their impact on our lives.

This day gives us a chance to show gratitude to our friends. It reminds us to think about how our friends support us and the positive impact they have on our lives.

Celebrating Friendship Day also highlighted the importance of spending time with friends. It encourages us to have meaningful conversations, make memories, and deepen our friendships.

Additionally, Friendship Day is a great time to reconnect with old friends who we may have lost touch with. Its a moment to revive important relationships that are still dear to us.

Friends are crucial for emotional support and mental health. Celebrating Friendship Day reinforces the importance of these supportive relationships and how they help us stay mentally healthy.

Friendship Day Wishes and Quotes

On Friendship Day, people often share heartfelt wishes and quotes to show their appreciation for their friends. Some popular Friendship Day quotes include:

Best Wishes to share with friends

Happy Friendship Day! Thank you for being my support and for always being there when I needed you the most.

No matter how near or far we are, youre always in my heart. Happy International Friendship Day, my friend!

In a world full of things, I still turn to you because friendship gives life meaning. Happy International Day of Friendship, my dear!

Cheers to the laughs, support, and countless memories weve made together. Happy Friendship Day!

Heres to friendships that have no limits. Cheers!

Best friends are the ones you can do anything or nothing with and still have the best time.

A good friend knows all your stories. A best friend helped you write them.

You are my best friend, my personal diary, and my other half. You mean everything to me, and I love you.

Inspirational Friendship quotes

A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.  Elbert Hubbard

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, What! You too? I thought I was the only one.  C.S. Lewis

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.  Walter Winchell

Friends are the siblings God never gave us.  Mencius

Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.  Woodrow Wilson

The only way to have a friend is to be one.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.  Walter Winchell

Using these quotes and sending wishes are great ways to express your feelings and celebrate the special bond of friendship.

Friendship Day 2024 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the friends who make our lives better. By learning about its history, significance, and ways to celebrate, we can fully enjoy this special day. Whether through kind wishes, thoughtful gifts, or simply spending time together, lets make the most of this day to cherish the friendships that bring joy and support into our lives.

Friendship Day 2024 FAQs:

Q. When is Friendship Day 2024?

Friendship Day 2024 will be celebrated on August 4, which is the first Sunday of the month.

Q. What is the history of Friendship Day?

Friendship Day began in the United States in 1919, when Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards, proposed the idea. In 1935, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day. The celebration spread globally, including India.

Q. Why is Friendship Day celebrated on a Sunday?

Friendship Day is celebrated on a Sunday because it is typically a day off for many people. This makes it easier for friends to gather and enjoy time together without the stress of work or school.

Q. What is the significance of Friendship Day?

Friendship Day celebrates the special bond of friendship. It is a day to appreciate friends, strengthen relationships, and recognize the positive impact they have on our lives. It also highlights the importance of emotional support and mental well-being provided by friends.

Q. How can I celebrate Friendship Day 2024?

You can celebrate Friendship Day 2024 by spending quality time with friends, exchanging thoughtful gifts, sending heartfelt wishes, and sharing meaningful quotes. Its also a great time to reconnect with old friends and make new memories.

Q. Why is it important to celebrate Friendship Day?

Celebrating Friendship Day is important because it helps us honor and appreciate the friends who enrich our lives. It reminds us to acknowledge their support and strengthen our relationships, contributing to a happier and more supportive social environment.

Q. How did Friendship Day become a global celebration?

Friendship Days initial celebration in the United States gained popularity and was embraced by other countries over time. The concept of dedicating a day to friendship resonated with people worldwide, leading to its global adoption.
Happy Friendship Day 2024: Friendship Day is a special time to celebrate and honor the important role friends play in our lives. In 2024, this day will be observed on August 4 in the United States, India, and many other countries. Additionally, International Friendship Day, recognized by the United Nations, is celebrated on July 30 each year. This day highlights the value of friendships and gives us an opportunity to show our gratitude to the friends who mean so much to us.

People around the world exchange heartfelt gestures, gifts, wishes, and kind words to show appreciation for their friends. It's a day to create lasting memories and strengthen the ties that make life beautiful.

Friendship Day 2024 History

The idea for Friendship Day was first introduced by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards, in 1958. Hall wanted to create a day where people could celebrate their friendships and express their appreciation. The concept quickly gained popularity and led to the widespread observance of Friendship Day.



In 1998, the United Nations officially declared July 30 as International Friendship Day. The UN recognized this day as a way to encourage peace and strengthen connections between different communities. While this official date is recognized globally, many countries, including the United States, celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August.



Happy Friendship Day wishes, images, and quotes

Here are a few selected life lessons that you can learn from true friends on Friendship Day 2024:

1. The Power of Empathy and Understanding

True friends have a special way of understanding our feelings and experiences. They teach us how important it is to listen and care deeply. Their support shows us how much a comforting presence can mean.

2. Embracing Authenticity

Best friends create a space where we can be ourselves without pretenses. They show us that real relationships are based on being genuine. By following their lead, we learn to accept our own quirks and open up, which helps build stronger connections with others.

3. Forging Resilient Bonds

Friendship teaches us how to be strong. Our friends stick with us through tough times, showing us the value of steadfast support. They inspire us to face difficulties bravely, knowing that true friends can handle any challenge.

4. The Joy of Shared Moments

From spontaneous fun to meaningful talks, our best friends help us enjoy the little things in life. They remind us to live in the moment and treasure the memories we make together.

5. Encouraging Personal Growth

Supportive friends push us to grow and try new things. Their faith in us motivates us to set and reach goals that might seem out of reach.

6. Navigating Differences Respectfully

Even in friendships, disagreements can happen. Our best friends show us how to handle differences with respect and open dialogue. Learning to discuss things constructively helps improve our relationships and broadens our view.

7. Being a Reliable Confidant

Trusting our best friends with our deepest secrets shows the strength of our bond. They teach us how important it is to be a trustworthy friend, keeping confidences and being loyal.

8. Celebrating Successes Together

True friends celebrate our wins as if they were their own. Their joy in our success teaches us that real friendships are about supporting each other, not competing.

9. Weathering the Tests of Time

Friendships often last for many years, proving their importance and endurance. Our best friends show us that putting effort into maintaining these relationships is always worth it.

10. Unconditional Support

The biggest lesson from our best friends is their unconditional support. They stand by us no matter what, demonstrating that true friendship has no limits.

11. Respecting Boundaries and Independence

Close friends know the value of giving each other space and respecting personal boundaries. They teach us that healthy relationships thrive when both people keep their individuality and independence.

12. Fostering Effective Communication

Good communication is key to strong friendships. Best friends show us how to share our thoughts and feelings honestly, which helps avoid misunderstandings and strengthens our bond.

13. Supporting Mental Health

In tough times, our closest friends provide support and a listening ear. They remind us to take care of our mental health and encourage us to seek help when needed, highlighting the importance of self-care.

14. Cultivating Empowerment

True friends boost our confidence and support our dreams. They act as cheerleaders, reminding us of our strengths and encouraging us to pursue our goals with courage.

15. Learning from Diversity

Our best friends often come from different backgrounds, offering us new perspectives and experiences. Through these friendships, we learn to embrace diversity and approach life with an open mind and heart.

As today we celebrate Friendship Day 2024, let us honor the deep and meaningful lessons that our best friends impart. From empathy and understanding to celebrating successes and navigating challenges, the wisdom gained from these relationships enriches our lives in immeasurable ways. So, let's raise a toast to the friends who have shaped us and continue to accompany us on this beautiful journey called life.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events
Aditi Rao Hydari is a fashion icon and never fails to impress us with her elegant looks. Ever since the release of her hugely successful web series 'Heeramandi, the star's personal sense of style has become synonymous with the style of her character Bibbojaan. But ditching her regular heavily embroidered traditional wear she was seen in a completely new boss lady look, showing everyone how to do power dressing right!



Aditi Rao Hydari's boss lady look

For her appearance at the 'Achievers Dialogues 2024' at Presidency University in Bengaluru, Aditi was invited to share her wisdom on success where she expertly advised the students to always follow what their heart says and never stop trying to achieve their dreams.

Credit: viralbhayani/Insagram

Aditi graced the event in a vibrant power suit and looked every inch the successful diva that she is. The bright pink oversized pantsuit featured a single-breasted jacket with notch lapels and matching strappy heels. She accessorised her outfit with chunky gold hoops. The actress rounded off her look with a sleek middle-parted ponytail and minimal makeup.



On the work front, Aditi is currently riding high on the success of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' which also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Sehgal and Sanjeeda Sheikh, Fardeen Khan and Taha Shah Badussha in prominent roles, and has been renewed for a second season. Additionally, Aditi will next be seen in 'Lioness', which is directed by Kajri Babbar.

Also Read: 7 times Bollywood celebrities rocked the boss lady look in pantsuits



For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.
Ahead of Indias Gaganyaan mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has designated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the country's prime astronaut to fly to the International Space Station (ISS).

CREDIT: ISRO

Two Indians will be part of US mission

While Group Captain Shukla will be the prime astronaut for the upcoming Indo-US mission, Group Captain Prasanth Nair will also travel to the U.S. and will serve as the backup.

The assigned crewmembers will be finally approved to fly to the International Space Station by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). The recommended Gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission in the first week of August 2024, ISRO said.

Also read: ISRO Aces Final Test For Gaganyaan Rocket Engine Ready To Launch Humans Into Space

Who is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla?

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He graduated from the National Defence Academy and joined the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 17, 2006.

He has undergone a Fighter Combat Leader course at the prestigious Tactics and Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) school and is a Test Pilot with approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience.

CREDIT: ISRO

Group Captain Shukla, who has flown a variety of aircraft including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, BAe Hawk, Dornier, and An-32, was a Wing Commander until he was recently promoted.

ISRO partners with Axiom Space of ISS mission

Ahead of the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO and NASA partnered with the U.S.-based private space habitat company Axiom Space to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS.

CREDIT: ANI

Gaganyaan, India's first human spaceflight mission, slated for launch in 2025, aims to send a manned three-day mission to space, which will orbit 400 km above Earth and then return.

Also read: Gaganyaan: Meet The Four Astronauts For India's First Manned Moon Mission

Astronauts for Gaganyaan mission

In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a visit to ISROs Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, announced the names of the four astronautsthree Group Captains and one Wing Commander from the Indian Air Forcechosen for the historic Gaganyaan mission.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Film Screening of Tomorrow's Freedom and Conversation with Sharaf Barghouti

Date:

Saturday, August 03, 2024

Time:

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Event Type:

Screening

Organizer/Author:

Arab American Cultural Center

Location Details:

Arab American Cultural Center of Silicon Valley, 3949 Twilight Dr, San Jose

We invite you to join an evening of film and conversation on Saturday, August 3 at 6:30pm PDT.



ABOUT THE FILM



A moving and powerful portrayal of unified family strength in support of Palestines best-known political prisoner. - Middle East Eye, Victoria Brittain



Tomorrows Freedom captures a new call for Marwan Barghouti's freedom; by his family, human rights activists and key interviewees including Marxist feminist Angela David, late archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel, and even former Potus Jimmy Carter. Former Israeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin also becomes an unlikely interviewee and ally.



Combining unfolding events on the ground, in depth interviews and powerful archive spanning over 30 years - we see Marwan's evolution from activist to learned politician, uniting people and bringing hope to a flatlined peace process. If given a chance, could Barghouthi pave the way for an inclusive and democratic future and peace between Israel and Palestine?



ABOUT OUR SPEAKER



We will then host live Q&A with Sharaf Barghouti, the middle son of Marwan Barghouti, who is also an activist.



LOCATION & EVENT DETAILS



A donation of $5-15 per person is suggested to support Palestine Legal. Palestine Legal protects the civil and constitutional rights of people in the U.S. who speak out for Palestinian freedom.



SUPPORTED BY



Arab American Cultural Center of Silicon Valley

San Jose Peace & Justice Center

San Jose Against War

SJSU Peoples U 4 Gaza
Kaduna Electric Distribution Company, has disconnected the power supply to the government house and other government facilities in the State over a N2.9 billion debt.

The disconnection came hours after the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) sealed the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDC) over N600 million unpaid tax.

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In a statement released on X, on Friday, the DisCo said the electricity debt had accumulated over seven months, from January to July, along with historical arrears.

The electricity company which described the move as a last resort, added that the disconnection notice was issued on July 21 and received by the Governors office on July 22.

It added that the disconnection was necessary after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations failed.

In a dramatic move highlighting tensions between utility providers and state governments, Kaduna Electric has disconnected electricity supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other state government accounts due to unpaid bills.

Kaduna Electric announced the disconnection following extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations.

The outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024 amounts to N1,166,856,991.87, with a total debt, including historical arrears, reaching N2,943,060,116.77.

READ ALSO: LPs Senator, Ireti Kingibe Denies Sponsoring #EndBadGovernance Protests In Abuja

Despite a payment of N256,920,963.88 made on 9 May 2024 for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, the debt remains significantly high.

Kaduna Electrics decision to disconnect power came after repeated attempts to address the payment issues, including several consultations with state officials.

In contrast, other states under the Kaduna Electric franchise, such as Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, have maintained their accounts in good standing.

A disconnection notice was issued on 21 July 2024 and received by the Office of the Governor on 22 July 2024.

The move reflects Kaduna Electrics need to meet its financial obligations amidst broader challenges in the electricity sector.

Kaduna Electric emphasised that the disconnection was a last resort after all other avenues for resolving the payment issue were exhausted.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) previously intervened in Kaduna Electric, installing an Administrator and Special Board to oversee the company during a transitionary period prior to an official takeover by the current investors.

The Administrator committed to an agreement with the Kaduna Inland Revenue Service to pay N20 million monthly, including statutory monthly tax payments, an agreement that has been honoured since the takeover by the current management.

The situation underscores the urgent need for improved financial management and timely payments by government entities to avoid disruptions in essential services, he said.
The Lagos State Police Command has stated that no one is currently being held for engaging in the states ongoing protest against hardship.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the commands spokesperson, claimed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos that no protester was in their custody.

All protesters arrested on Thursday were released same Thursday.

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The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Adegoke Fayoade, called the State CID to order for their release, he said.

Inibehe Effiong, one of the protest leaders, informed the crowd at Gani Fawehinmi Park that 12 demonstrators had been arrested on Thursday.

Effiong later confirmed the police spokespersons claim that all individuals arrested had been released.

He praised the police and other security personnel for their effective handling of the protest in the state.

On Friday, #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protestors gathered in front of Park in Ojota for the second day.

READ MORE: Statistics Dont Lie  Tonto Dikeh Defends Tinubus Achievements Amidst Nationwide Protests

According to NAN, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police attended the protest to oversee and prevent hoodlums from taking control.

The Commissioner of Police was said to have given the demonstrators water and snacks.

The demonstrators had temporarily halted their protests to attend Jumat prayers in the park.

NAN
The Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed sadness over destruction of infrastructure in the ongoing hunger protest in Kano state.

Sanusi condemned the sabotaging of the Nigerian Communication Commission, Digital Center which he said was set up to train Kano youths.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA, on Thursday, reported that some angry protesters, suspected to be hoodlums in the northern state, invaded the NCC building, a yet to be commissioned project by the Federal government.

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Some of the thugs, in a viral video, were seen destroying the facility, while others were spotted looting valuable items such as computers, Air conditioner, office chairs.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident on Friday, while addressing newsmen in kano, Sanusi expressed worry over how public and private properties were looted and vandalised.

READ MORE: Hunger Protest: Kano Police Nab 269 Hoodlums, Recover Looted Items (Pictures)

The monarch added that the protest, which was billed to be peaceful demonstration against hunger and hardship in the country, turned riot and looting.

He said: Today is a sad day for the people of Kano due to what happened in the state. We sympathize with the entire indigenes of Kano.

What happened is unacceptable and the people of Kano should ensure that it does not happen again.

All the facilities destroyed were for the entire people of Kano.

In the entire protests, Kano suffered most among various states that engaged in the nefarious actions.

People should not allow themselves to be used. I urge citizens to report anybody they suspect trying to cause havoc in their areas.

People should do the right thing by rebuilding the state and doing what is right by refusing to be used by the enemies of Kano.
The National Assembly South East Caucus has kicked against a social medias trend, calling for the exit of Igbos in Lagos state.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairmen of Senate and House of Representatives, South East.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, APGA, Abia South and Rt Hon Igariwey Iduma Enwo respectively, said that ethnic profiling of Igbos in the ongoing mass protests across the country was unfortunate.

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According to them, the same profiling led to the millions of deaths in Nigeria from the 1950s to the unfortunate civil war in 1967 to 1970.

The statement added that they are surprised and disappointed, that Igbos are still made scapegoats, and targeted as influencers of protests.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that a page, identified as Lagospedia, was accused of instigating violence statement, such as the Igbo Must Go hashtag.

It was gathered that the protest which initially started as peaceful later turned riot in some northern states including Kano, Jigawa and Niger, Yobe, forcing the government to impose curfews.

The South East caucus noted that the Igbos, following the advice of governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, parliamentarians, and private sector leaders, decided not to engage in the protests.

The statement reads: The attention of the South East Caucus of the National Assembly has been drawn to the unfortunate and dangerous ethnic profiling of Igbos in the ongoing mass protests across the country.

READ MORE: Protest: Arrest Those Behind Discrimination, Persecution Of Igbos  Atiku To FG

For the records, the Igbo nation, in obedience to the advice of their leaders- Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, parliamentarians and others in the private sector- had taken a reasoned and strategic decision not to participate in the ongoing nationwide protests. This is evident in the relative calm experienced in the five South Eastern states.

We are, therefore, surprised and disappointed, that Igbos are still made scapegoats, and targeted as instigators of protests, as shown in several statements (such as the Igbo Must Go hashtag and call by a certain Lagospedia X(Twitter) handle) and videos seen online.

Elsewhere in Africa, it led to the genocide in Rwanda and the xenophobia in South Africa. Such should not be our fate again in Nigeria.

We demand therefore that the security agencies bring to book the purveyors of these hate speeches in line with the cybercrimes act and criminal laws of the country.

Igbos Are Not Scapegoat, Stop Profiling Us- NAssembly SEast Caucus

We continue to appeal to Igbos across the country to stay away from the protests, and remain law-abiding.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reacted to reports on social media, calling on Igbo people to vacate Lagos and South-West states.

Sanwo-Olu condemned the action in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.

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According to the statement, The attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been drawn to a post by LagosPedia, a social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) that calls on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and Southwest of Nigeria and brace up for a massive hashtag IgboMustGo protest from 20th to 30th August, 2024.

READ ALSO: #IgboMustGo: Genocidal Threat Against Our Tribe Must Stop  Ohanaeze To Tinubu Govt

The Governor of Lagos State and indeed, Lagos State Government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.

Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but also an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.

Sanwo-Olu, therefore, appealed to residents not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the state, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.

He further urged residents to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the State.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's global position on the Open Budget Survey (OBS) has improved, with the country now ranked 30th out of 125 countries. The OBS, conducted by the International Budget Partnership (IBP), measures and compares transparency, public participation, and oversight in budget management.Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube highlighted Zimbabwe's commitment to transparent public fund management. The country has been participating in the OBS since 2019 and has seen steady improvement, moving from 41st place in 2019 to 30th in the 2023 survey.In Sub-Saharan Africa, Zimbabwe is ranked third, behind South Africa and Benin. The survey assesses transparency, participation, and oversight based on eight key budget documents.Despite these advancements, reports from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) reveal ongoing challenges in public fund management, including poor revenue collection, inadequate debt management, and compromised governance structures. Local authorities also face issues with timely financial reporting.
The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), on Friday, disclosed the sealing of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) over N600 million unpaid tax.

Zakari Muhammad, KADIRS Head of Corporate Communications, in a statement said the company was sealed after it obtained a court order.

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According to him, the decision is in line with sections 104 (1) & (4) of the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 and sections 37 (3) & (4) of the Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020.

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service in exercise of its vested powers pursuant to Section 104 (1) & (4) of Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 and Section 37 (3) & (4) of the Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020, has sealed up the business premises of Kaduna Electric due to huge established tax liabilities.

READ ALSO: Suspend Protest Indefinitely To Avoid More Casualties  Adegboruwa Begs Youths

The Service secured a court order for the immediate closure and taking over of the Companys property until all unpaid taxes are settled, the statement read.

On January 9, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission dissolved KAEDCOs Board of Directors.

The dissolution followed the DisCos inability to pay the N110 billion debt owed to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
A military checkpoint in Edda Local Government Area, Ebonyi state, has been ambushed by gunmen on the Amangwu axis of the Amasiri-Owutu-edda highway.

The Ebonyi Police Command verified the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday.

DSP Joshua Ukandu, the states Police Public Relations Officer, said the attack happened in the early hours of Friday in the area.

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READ MORE: Let The Tribe In Power To Carry Their Cross  Samklef Commends Souh-East For Ignoring Nationwide Protests

According to him, information received from the Owutu Police Division indicated that some hoodlums attacked a military checkpoint on Friday morning.

It is not yet certain if there were casualties. The attack was carried out by suspected gunmen in the area, who operated with motorcycles, he added.

NAN
Dr Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Federal Capital Territory, has denied reports of damage of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) during the ongoing protest in the territory.

Odumosu made this statement after touring certain vital national assets and infrastructure in Abuja on Friday.

According to reports, Odumosu visited railway stations in the FCTs Wupa, Kukwaba 1 and 2, Bassanjiwa, Gwagwa, and Idu regions.

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He also visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (Wuse), the FCT Water Board in Asokoro, and the Abuja Central Mosque.

The commandant praised demonstrators for not interfering with activity at train stations as the protest progressed.

We discovered that none of the railway corridors were tampered with by miscreants during the day-1 protest but day-2 is still ongoing.

We have a collective duty to protect CNAI as these amenities were provided with our common wealth, he said.

He went on to say that, while every person has the right to protest peacefully, the Corps will not accept any attempt to destroy government property or installations.

READ MORE: #EndBadGovernance: Tems Stands In Solidarity With Protesters, Postpones Music Video Release

Odumosu, on the other hand, expressed concern about the attack on motorists in the territorys Lugbe district on Thursday, as well as the burning of private automobiles in Nyanya.

During the commandants visit to the Idu railway, the FCT Administrations (FCTA) Director of Transport, Engr. Joseph Akinteye, hailed the corps personnel for their diligence in protecting the railway stations.

We have not had any case of vandalism in a long while, this shows the commitment of your men in securing critical infrastructure in the FCT, Akinteye said
Nigerian artist Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, has distributed food to the poor on the streets.

The controversial musician released a video on Instagram of himself sharing food items including noodles, spaghetti, and more with the por.

This is coming hours after he drew huge condemnation on social media for branding endbadgovernance demonstrators as poor and lazy while speaking about the nationwide protest.

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He called on them to stand up for themselves, saying that their lack of employment had caused them to demonstrate across the country.

Unfortunately for him, his charitable efforts failed to impress many, particularly following his statement.

In the video shared on Friday he was heard asking the vendor to calculate the food items, lamenting Nigerias current economic crisis.

He said,

Please calculate, youve always been duping me but today I want to calculate what Im buying, Nigeria is angry today which is why I want to calculate, Nigerian current economy wont affect us, we wont die young, we wont face gun and cutlass.

READ MORE: You Cant Turn Deaf Ear  Falz Urges Tinubu To Address National Protests Before Its Too Late

See some reactions to his video

Unknown Official wrote, This your eye service no go work if you like go import one container of rice, share am, youre cancelled

Famous White FX wrote, We don cancel Portable

Ugo Praise wrote, Werey the pressure meet am. E no get choice

One Old Taker wrote, Still you no get level button

Official Edafe wrote, No matter how I hungry reach. I no fit collect food from this guy

Onome Oghoro wrote, Yeye always looking for clout

Femi Jobi1 wrote, No one care, na you go dance to that song yourself

Watch the video below
Yemi Alade, an award-winning Afrobeat artist, has chimed in on the endbadgovernance protests, which began on August 1st.

On Friday, Alade used her Instagram profile to promote a song from her new album, Rebel Queen, which advocates for peace and love in Africa.

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In her description, she added that we all deserve higher living standards and the ability to buy basic necessities of life such as food, water, and electricity.

READ MORE: I Rejected Bribe To Say No To Protest, Other Celebrities Accepted  VeryDarkMan

She wrote,

Dem-don-crazy or Democracy?

We all deserve better standards of living and the means to afford basic amenities of life. Food, Water, Electricity, etc.

SEE POST:
Folarin Falana often known as Falz, a Nigerian artist and rapper, has reacted to the ongoing national protests against bad administration.

Nigerians began a nationwide demonstration to end bad governance on August 1st, and Friday marked the second day of the protest.

Renowned for his unwavering opposition to poor leadership, Falz took to the microblogging site X on Friday to lament President Tinubus callous disregard for the demonstration.

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READ MORE: We Deserve Better  Blackface Backs Protest, Warns Against Destructive Behavior

In a series of tweets, he questioned how long the president wants to continue pushing the masses until everything falls apart.

He tweeted,

Genuinely dont know why its so difficult to be humane. They say make you leave am, you no gree. Say na your birthright. You cant now turn a deaf ear. You tried to make it look like the protests were politically motivated. Shebi una don see now? How long do you think you can keep on pushing the people back before it blows up in your face ?

SEE POST:
Drexel University has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights to improve its handling of antisemitism complaints, though the office found no evidence of antisemitism in the case that sparked the probe or problems with the universitys handling of that one case.

The department, which launched an investigation into Drexel in December amid a flurry of new investigations at colleges nationwide following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, did, however, find that the university generally failed to fulfill its obligations to assess whether the incidents of shared ancestry discrimination and harassment reported to it created a hostile environment.

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And when the university did review matters, it misapplied the legal standard, the department found.

 READ MORE: Pro-Palestinian encampment is cleared at Drexel University

Drexel under the agreement has promised to reassess its handling of complaints previously reported, provide training for faculty, staff and students and conduct an assessment of the campus for its attitudes on shared ancestry, among other remedies.

Some other colleges, including Lafayette in Easton, have also entered into consent agreements. Cases remain open at Rutgers, Princeton, Lehigh, Swarthmore, Muhlenberg and Temple.

Drexel has voluntarily agreed to continue its ongoing and proactive efforts both to prevent discrimination and harassment and to clarify and strengthen our policies and procedures for responding to all complaints of discrimination and harassment, Drexel president John A. Fry said in a message to the campus Friday. That applies to antisemitic and anti-Muslim behavior, as well as to all unlawful discrimination and conduct on or off campus that creates a hostile environment for any member of our community based on race, color, or national origin.

 READ MORE: Drexel University joins other schools under federal investigation for alleged discr

He said Drexel already had taken steps to address concerns cited by the civil rights office.

We hope this resolution ensures the university complies with Title VI protections for its Jewish students and the entire student body, said the American Jewish Committee in a statement.

The investigation was launched in response to a complaint over the arson of a door on a suite at the Race Street Residence Hall last Oct. 10. The complainant alleged that the university discriminated against students on the basis of shared Jewish ancestry by failing to respond to the incident.

The university told the Office of Civil Rights it found no evidence of a hate crime, according to the report, though one of the four students who had been living in the suite was Jewish and had ties to Israel. While it was initially reported that the door had Jewish decorations on it, they were actually Halloween-related, the university told the department.

The civil rights office agreed that the incident did not involve antisemitic discrimination or any evidence that the university failed to follow proper procedure investigating it, the report said.

Fry in his campus message said the complaint had been filed by the Defense of Freedom Institute, an organization that is not affiliated with Drexel.

But the civil rights office also reviewed 35 other alleged harassment incidents on the basis of shared Jewish ancestry reported to Drexel from October 2022 through January 2024 and cited concerns with Drexels handling of some of them.

In several cases, the university simply offered supportive resources and outreach to the reporting student, without any assessment or determination regarding whether the underlying conduct created or contributed to a hostile environment, the department said.

In one incident, offensive comments, including jokes about Hitler and Nazis, were made in a group chat.

The university ruled that the remarks did not meet the threshold for a policy violation because only one individual was presented as a potential complainant and the content reported did not relate to any particular individual.

However, harassing conduct need not always be targeted at a particular person in order to create a hostile environment for a student or group of students, the report said.

Another case reported in October still hadnt been resolved as of July 18, the department said. It also noted a repeated notice of a growing, pervasive hostile environment at Drexel over the past 18 months.

And yet, in response to almost all of the incidents reported to it, the universitys actions were limited to addressing each incident on an individual basis, instead of responding to the accumulation of evidence of a hostile environment that necessitated more effective responsive action, the department said.

F the Jews with a swastika was written in a womens bathroom at a university academic building on Oct. 13, six days after Hamas attack, the report said. On Nov. 13, several students reported the mezuzahs on their dormitory door were removed. On April 2, a group of masked individuals removed several letters on the brick marquee backdrop of the Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish Life.

Others included: A student who drew a swastika on a whiteboard during a student brainstorming session; a Jewish student who said she no longer felt safe in the learning environment after hearing classmates say: Jews are stupid. They have no right to be upset about what is happening in [Israel/Palestine]; another student reported that at an off-campus house party, someone did a Nazi salute with his hand several times and then repeated the N-word at least 10 times.

In another incident, parents complained to Fry that a professor had encouraged her students to attend a pro-Palestinian demonstration and ended class early so they could. The university offered to meet with the parents and provide support and held a conversation with the professor, then closed the matter. A student also had complained about that same professor that she made comments throughout the quarter that were racist, ableist, homophobic and antisemitic, as well as one that condoned sexual harassment, according to the report, which did not name the professor. Following another conversation with administrators, that professor agreed to enroll in the Drexel Institute for Inclusive and Equitable Teaching.

The office gave a nod to Drexels proactive responsiveness in some incidents. In the fall, Drexel launched educational programming to combat antisemitism and in March, it commissioned an external review of its policies and procedures related to nondiscrimination, free speech and campus activism. The university in May sent police in to remove a pro-Palestinian encampment, though protesters already had begun to leave on their own.

But the office said that none of the new training materials created after Oct. 7 explicitly address national origin discrimination and harassment, including shared ancestry discrimination and harassment, responsive to the incidents reported to the university that prompted the generation of these new materials.

Since March, however, there has been antisemitism training for staff, the department was told.
Philadelphia is marked by generations of fictional films that have defined the city, but the citys rich history and its extraordinary people also lend themselves to some great stories that are all true.

This list of Philadelphia documentaries highlights some of the most pressing stories that have impacted generations of the citys residents  several of which chronicle the MOVE standoff and bombing. These films come together to form a kaleidoscope of stories documenting the diversity of our great city.

The Bombing of Osage Avenue (1987)

West Philadelphias Cobbs Creek neighborhood is marked by the 1985 bombing of homes by the Philadelphia Police during a standoff with MOVE, a black liberation organization. Louis Massiah, a prolific filmmaker and founder of the West Powelton-based media arts nonprofit Scribe Video Center, released The Bombing of Osage Avenue only two years after the bombing. The film goes back in time to look at the history of fires in Black communities in Philly, interviews Cobbs Creek neighbors that witnessed the bombing, and weaves it all together with a voiceover by Toni Cade Bambara. The film serves as a powerful oral history and is a testament to the power of the neighborhoods resilience armed with community-based filmmaking. Another quintessential Philadelphia film directed by Massiah is W.E.B. DuBois: A Biography in Four Voices (1996), which united seminal Black writers to speak on DuBois and his legacy.

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Watch on WHYY

Let the Fire Burn (2013)

Let the Fire Burn uses archival footage to document the events that led up to the bombing and the deadly decision of city officials to demolish over 60 homes. The film oscillates between footage of the commission that reviewed the bombing of MOVE, the questioning of city officials and police officers, and news footage from the standoff and bombing. The film is a striking document of city officials decision to let the fire burn after bombing the MOVE rowhouse and its detrimental impact on those who lost their homes and lives, and even on those who survived.

Watch on Apple TV

40 Years a Prisoner (2020)

The 1978 Philadelphia police raid of the MOVE commune led to a shootout, the death of a police officer, and subsequent arrest of nine MOVE members including Debbie Africa and Mike Africa. While incarcerated, Debbie gave birth to Mike Africa Jr., who spent over 40 years fighting for the release of his parents. 40 Years a Prisoner follows Mike Africa Jr. as he works with a team of lawyers and conducts in-depth research to free his parents. The film is a powerful document of the resilient love we hold for our families. Another short documentary, Im Free Now, You Are Free (2020), by Ash Goh Hua, also focuses on this very special but frayed bond between the son and his mother.

Watch on HBO

The Art of the Steal (2009)

The Barnes Foundation is a true Philadelphia gem. But this film makes the case that some of the largest philanthropists in the city played an ego-driven game of theft and revenge to move the Barnes collection from Lower Merion Township to Philly. Filmmakers Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce documented the heated debates and protests in 2009 leading up to the foundations official move to the city in 2012. The Art of the Steal interviews former Barnes Foundation trustees and gallery experts to make the case for a seedy truth underlying the theft of the collection.

Watch in Prime Video

 READ MORE: Rocky, and the 49 other best Philly movies

Secret Daughter (1996)

Secret Daughter, directed by John Baynard and June Cross, excavates Cross personal history to tell a gripping story about race and family. Cross, born to Black comedian and Philly native James Cross and white actress Norma Booth, grew up knowing she was adopted  a lie her mother told to uphold the familys upper-class status. James Cross was part of the comedic duo Stump and Stumpy, whose routines were later co-opted by white comics. June Cross story tells a tale about race using gripping interviews and personal archives to talk about the divide between us.

Philly D.A. (2021)

In an unusual act as an elected official, District Attorney Larry Krasner invited filmmakers Ted Passon, Yoni Brook, and Nicole Salazar to film his administrations plans to shake up Phillys political status quo. Philly D.A. is an eight-part series that exposes some of the most important moments in recent Philly political history. The series paints a balanced portrait of Krasner and his team, depicting their eager idealism and stubborn refusal to cooperate with the larger system. The series stands as a tour de force of investigative filmmaking.

Watch on Apple TV and Prime Video

Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn (2023)

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Malcolm Kenyatta is a powerhouse in the political scene. He is currently a Pennsylvania state representative for the 181st district in Philadelphia and Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn documents his groundbreaking race for U.S. Senate, becoming the first out LGBTQ person of color to run for the seat. The film also weaves in Kenyattas love story, providing a grounding of hope and healing throughout the difficult Senate race.

Watch on Tubi and Amazon

Quest (2017)

Following the Rainey family in North Philadelphia, Quest documents over a decade of their ups and downs as they navigate running their music studio, mentoring young rappers, raising young daughter P.J., and advocating for their community. The film touches on a number of important topics affecting Philadelphians like gun violence, addiction, and coming out. Quest is a uniquely Philadelphia story depicting the complexity and beauty of family life and all its facets in the city.

Watch on Tubi

BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez (2015)

Immortalizing the life of Philadelphias first poet laureate, Sonia Sanchez, the film looks at her legacy and the impact of her poetry on the next generation of rappers and poets. Sanchezs prolific life underscores the larger movement for Black liberation and the film does a great job of doing justice to her resilience and genius. BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez talks about Sanchezs bad ass-est moments from her time advocating for Black women in the Black Arts Movement, the Black Panthers, and the Black Power movement  peppered with quotes from Philly icons like Questlove and Ursula Rucker.

Watch on Kanopy

Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project (2019)

Marion Stokes cohosted the Philadelphia public access television show Input with her husband John S. Stokes Jr. In 1979, when the 24-hour TV news cycle first began, Marion Stokes began recording what was on her television screen, amassing an impressive collection of VHS tapes. Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project dives into Stokes life and dedication to fighting misinformation while holding television news channels accountable. Stokes story is that of a life dedicated to protecting public access to TV, and upholding a communitys right to technology, knowledge, and narrative power.

Watch on Prime Video

Kristal Sotomayor is a Latinx independent filmmaker based in South Philadelphia.
Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Javi (Anthony Ramos), and Tyler (Glen Powell) weather the storm in Twisters. This was not your standard July shower. Read more

That the tornadoes in Twisters came with a dearth of warnings bothered Richard Smith. This was a somewhat personal matter.

Smith is the warning coordinator meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla., and all of those things in the movie touched down on his turf. Rest assured, he said, in real life, watches and warnings would have been issued.

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Whats more, he questioned the movies portrayal of those who live in an international nexus of tornadoes and are more than well-acquainted with them. Oklahomans seemed kind of freaked out and didnt know what to do, he said.

Despite those caveats, and a major plot element that tornado specialists found especially troubling, he and other meteorologists gave Twisters  the summer blockbuster released 28 years after the original Twister  a decent grade for scientific accuracy, at least a solid B.

Smith acknowledged a certain bias. Meteorologists at the Norman complex, the NOAA mayhem center that also houses the Storm Prediction Center and National Severe Storms Laboratory, were heavily involved in schooling the cast and crew members.

 READ MORE: Norman, Okla., is a national center for storm-mayhem forecasting

Said Smith, who conducted a class for 18 of them in May 2023 and even made a cameo in the movie, They came in very motivated and very interested, particularly Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Twisters, a whirlwind plot summary

Edgar-Jones, who plays Oklahoma native and storm-chaser Kate Carter, pursues a quixotic dream aiming to snuff out tornadoes by launching a chemical concoction into their vortices. Don Quijote would have had better luck against windmills, say real tornado specialists. After her boyfriend and two others are killed during a chase, she takes a job with NOAA in New York working at a weather service office. Well get back to that.

She is later lured back to chasing during a major outbreak in Oklahoma, and during a frantic week of tornado activity, she is joined by Glen Powell, an ex-rodeo star turned chaser named Tyler Owens, who entices her to resume the pursuit of tornado-snuffing.

Somehow, embedded in the ensuing maelstroms is the story of a kissless love triangle. (Perhaps those 200 mph winds killed the mood.)

What Twisters got right

Although for the most part the tornadic winds were remarkably kind to Edgar-Jones makeup (25 people were listed on the makeup staff) and Powells coiffure, the depictions of what happens on the ground when a monster twister spins a path of destruction impressed Kevin Kelleher, former deputy director of the storms laboratory.

I think they were really accurate, said Kelleher, who worked with the writers for over two years, perhaps a little exaggerated. Kelleher, now retired, also was involved with the original Twister.

The sequel was superior to the original meteorologically, Smith said: The terminology, the jargon is much more spot on. The homework, I think, paid off.

He cited a scene in Twisters in which a frighteningly fiery Doppler radar image reflects pretty accurately what stage the storm is in, he said.

However, a Doppler reference was the source of a gaffe early in the movie. There were a couple of hiccups, said Kelleher.

 READ MORE: It was Ted Fujita who figured out how to rank the strength of tornadoes by analyzing photos

What Twisters got wrong.

During a morning scene, a chaser remarks, The Doppler doesnt show a storm until this afternoon.

That line resulted in a high cringe factor among meteorologists, said Smith. Doppler detects. It is not in the prediction business. It can pick up tornado signatures in storms, maybe 15 to 20 minutes in advance, that set off warnings.

Smith is certain that in the climatic scene in which Kate and Tyler are attending a rodeo interrupted by a monster tornado, warnings would have been issued before all the iPhone alarms went off. That rodeo would have been canceled, he said. But then youd have no movie.

After the disasters, with no credentials whatsoever, Kate, Tyler, and other folks have free access to disaster sites ostensibly to lend helping hands. In reality, access would be strictly limited for safety reasons  think live wires, weakened building materials, and looting. Theyre locked down pretty tight, said Smith.

 READ MORE: Forty years ago, a deadly tornado struck Pennsylvania. Could it happen again?

As for Kates NOAA career as a weather service forecast office in Manhattan, a scene in which Smith appears, NOAA has no such office in New York City. Its on Long Island.

What bothered meteorologists most in Twisters

Kate and Tylers scheme to snuff out tornadoes by nuking them with mass quantities of water-absorbing sodium polyacrylate and silver iodide, which is used in cloud-seeding, was a source of considerable concern among the scientists.

Tornadoes and the storms that form them are massive, impossibly complex systems that contain unfathomable amounts of energy, Sean Waugh, research meteorologist with the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, says in a YouTube video.

Even if such an antidote existed, said Waugh, the side effects of those chemicals or forces are unknown and could likely cause as much or even more damage as the tornadoes themselves.

But in consulting with the script writers, Kelleher said he was told that including that plot element was nonnegotiable.

So he worked with the writers to come up with a theoretical scenario in which it might have been effective.

After the tornado comes in contact with an oil refinery and mutates into a fire-breathing EF5, Kate launches the concoction into the twister, and it dissipates.

That was my get-out-of-jail-free card, said Kelleher. In the movie, the explosion rains doubt on whether it was Kates and Tylers genius or the encounter with the refinery that was the twisters undoing, a plot element Kelleher suggested. They did keep that in there, and I was happy about that, he said.

Harold E. Brooks, senior research scientist at the storms laboratory, said he would have been more comfortable if the script would have declared the experiment an outright failure. Im scared to death that people would try to do that stuff, he said.

Director Lee Isaac Chung has come under fire for the movies failure to address climate change. He has said his intention was not to save the world. I just dont feel like films are meant to be message-oriented, he said in a CNN interview.

How a warming planet is affecting tornadoes is one of climate changes many uncertainties, say NOAA researchers.

 READ MORE: Tornado counts have increased in Pennsylvania

While the numbers of tornadoes with winds of at least 80 mph havent changed much, they are occurring on fewer days, but the numbers of days with major outbreaks have increased, NOAA says. More are occurring in fall and winter, but fewer in spring and summer.

NOAAs upshot: So far, the majority of research stops short of connecting historical changes in tornado behavior to a warming climate.

All scientific quibbles aside, said Smith of Twisters: Its a movie.

It was a lot of fun.
A great blue heron makes a landward loop overhead as John Kauterman steers his modest white skiff toward an island about a mile out from Wildwood. But its not what is in those waters that Kauterman, a fisherman by trade, is after as he cuts the engine, jumps out of the little boat, and heads to shore.

You got dock debris over here, he calls out, heaving big hunks of Styrofoam into a pile that will grow and grow.

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Over the next hour, Kauterman will pull all manner of trash from the islands reeds, mulberry bushes, and tall grasses: a 1952 Lord Calvert whiskey bottle, kids beach toys, a busted municipal trash can, the head of Mr. Potato Head, lots of lumber. There was a fishing lure like the one that killed a bald eagle he once found, and discarded rope hes seen lead to the demise of many a shorebird.

All in all, it was over 100 pounds of trash that Kauterman bagged up and put in his boat to take away. And that was just the beginning. Hed be back.

Were losing habitat, Kauterman, 47, said. Its time to take care of what we have left.

John Kauterman is on a one-man mission to do just that. Over the past five years, he has increasingly immersed himself in a labor of love to save the Shores wetlands from human carelessness and neglect, one piece of debris at a time.

The Tidelands Initiative

Since March these efforts have had a name  the Tidelands Initiative. Thats the name of the nonprofit Kautermans good friend and fishing buddy Kevin Dougherty helped him create.

Hes not the guy that gets in front of a computer. I sit in front of a computer for a living, said Dougherty, 46, who works in pharmaceutical supply management.

Bolstered by the big response Kauterman would get whenever he posted pictures and videos of his cleanups on social media, this guy who grew up loving the Shore and his friend both came to believe the project could grow. So Dougherty offered to do the paperwork.

Its like hes almost hard on himself  like he let the entire area get like this and he should have started sooner. [He says] Ive been driving by this crap for 25 years without stopping to pick it up. Its driving me nuts now, and I got to do something about it. Thats how committed he is to make this work, said Dougherty, who has long owned a summer home in Avalon. Kauterman lives there year-round.

25,000 pounds

In 2023, the men estimate Kauterman cleared 25,000 pounds of debris from Cape May Countys wetlands, working both by land and water. His tools are his hands.

Kauterman started the work as a New Years resolution in 2019. That first year, he figures he put in about 40 hours, working largely around the Avalon area whenever he was home from his many weeks away, commercial scallop fishing in New England.

He still does the cleanups during his time home between fishing jobs. But the range of his efforts has expanded  from Cape May all the way to Linwood. And he says theres so much more to do. He figures hes up to over 600 hours. Hes driven by the need that he knows is out there.

Once you see it, you cant unsee it, he said.

He is also driven by something even more basic; the Jersey Shore  its wetlands and waterways  is his home, and he loves it.

He was born in Philadelphia, and his family moved to Avalon when was 2 years old.

There was a bridge right down from the house. I was always down there on the bridge, fishing or jumping off the bridge and swimming, Kauterman said.

He developed a love for the creatures of the Shore, too. That got him into photography at a young age. His website, johnkauterman.com, is filled with images of the animals and seascapes that mean so much to him.

He also got into surfing. That took him to Hawaii to live for a few years. But the Jersey Shore eventually drew him back home.

Long-forgotten items

His efforts to clean up and preserve his beloved tidelands have turned up all manner of refuse.

You name it, its out there, Kauterman said.

The main culprits, he says, are weather and neglect. Storms have deposited loads of household and even some medical waste that he has picked up. Shotgun shells, cigarette lighters, and beer balls. All sorts of construction site debris. Full cans of defunct beer brands.

Hes chopped up whole docks that came unmoored and washed out to sea. And hes found bottles of every possible vintage, including some with messages in them. The oddest one was a jar with a bag inside containing the ashes of an Egg Harbor City woman, Dianne Lackwood, mixed with those of her cats, Sasha and Jazzabella, and her wish that whoever finds me put the jar and a dated note with where it was found inside a plastic bottle and then place all in the water so that we may continue our journey.

Kauterman is working on it.

I took them out fishing to be released but felt the jar they were in would be no match for a transatlantic journey, he said. So Im currently trying to figure out the best way to pack them for a safe voyage.

A real treasure

Meanwhile, back on land, Kautermans quiet crusade is getting noticed. People in the Cape May County Shore towns have been watching his progress via the reels and maps he posts on his Tidelands Initiative page on Facebook.

I think its a really wonderful thing, said Betty Raimondo, 74, of Avalon. So many people dont care about the environment, and he really is a person who cares. Hes been doing this for a while, and no one has told him to do it. Hes doing this on his own.

Joe Neuber, 82, a Pennsylvania business owner who has had a home down the Shore for over 40 years called Kauterman a real treasure.

He does something nobody else wants to do, Neuber said. Even the townships and municipalities. You cant see it, so they dont think about it. John walks those muddy marshes and gets bottles and trash and cans, chairs, tables, umbrellas, and all kinds of stuff. Its amazing. I really admire the man.

Still, Kautermans environmental activism has almost gotten him into hot water at times. When hes left the bagged up waste hes cleared by the roadside for pickup, he has at times been accused of dumping by local authorities not familiar with his project.

For that reason, he has been trying to get the word out about his initiative, and trying to collaborate with local governments. Earlier this year, for example, he gave a presentation before the Cape May County Board of Commissioners.

I think Mr. Kauterman should be applauded for what hes doing. Its definitely a noble cause, said Andrew Bulakowski, 65, vice director of the county board.

The commissioner said Kauterman was put in touch with county staff to help coordinate the pickup of some of the materials he collects and to also explore some funding possibilities.

Up to now, the Tidelands Initiative has gotten mostly small, grassroots donations  about $3,600 in all. Its allowed Kauterman to buy things like protective gloves and a couple of chainsaws so he can break up those docks he finds.

But the more involved he has gotten, the more he wants to do. If he could raise enough money, he said, he would buy a bigger skiff to haul away more debris and a trailer so he can cart it to a local transfer station.

If he could figure out a way, Kauterman would like to devote all his time to restoring and preserving the wetlands of his beloved Cape May County.

At the end of the day, it has given me and my family such a fantastic journey in life. I want to find a way to give back, he said. The Shore is a real special place for a lot of different people. If we can clean up this one small area, we can send a message to the rest of the state or the country: You dont have to live that way.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's economic growth prospects are facing serious challenges due to liquidity shortages and a severe drought, according to leading advisory firms and economists.In a recent mid-term budget review, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube revised the GDP growth target down from 3.5% to 2% for 2024, citing factors such as the drought, volatile commodity prices, and power cuts.Experts highlight that the agricultural sector, which is expected to decline by 21% this year due to poor rainfall, will significantly impact overall growth. Economists like Chenayimoyo Mutambasere and Respect Gwenzi have expressed concerns about the feasibility of achieving the 2% growth target given these conditions.Stephenson Dhlamini pointed out issues with Zimbabwe's new gold-backed currency, ZiG, including liquidity problems and currency volatility, which have led to a preference for holding US dollars. Additionally, the country's rising debt, now at US$21 billion, remains a critical issue. Dhlamini and others called for a clearer debt management strategy.Economist Prosper Chitambara noted that the mid-term review took a cautious approach, focusing on stability and gradual reforms rather than major changes. Despite concerns about growing local debt, the review did not propose new measures or a supplementary budget, leaving some experts questioning the adequacy of the government's response to the economic challenges.
A historical marker is posted at Welcome Park in Philadelphia. Read more

Some people reach a form of immortality commemorated by a blue and yellow historical marker in the streets of Pennsylvania.

Historical markers immortalize people, places, and events. Pennsylvania has 2,582 markers, with more than 320 of them in Philadelphia. The oldest marker in the city was dedicated in 1932, to John Penn (1729-1795), the last colonial governor of Pennsylvania and William Penns grandson.

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Intrigued by these plaques, a reader asked Curious Philly, The Inquirers forum for questions about the city and region: What does it take to get a historical marker?

This is what it takes, according to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commissions latest manual.

In Pennsylvania, historical markers recognize people, places, or events nominated by residents or organizations. Then a panel makes recommendations for markers, based on the outlined criteria, to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which ultimately decides who gets a historical marker.

To qualify, you first must be dead. Then, whoever applies has to ready for a bureaucratic process that begins by determining whether you meet the criteria.

There is no limit to how many markers are approved each year, but on average 20 to 25 join the ranks annually, according to the commission.

Who can get a historical marker?

The Historical Marker Program is not a memorial program. It is more about a historical legacy or contribution to the state.

The subject must have a deep connection to Pennsylvania. They dont need to have been born in the state, but their contribution has to have happened here  this will need to be supported by evidence, publications, letters, and newspaper articles, according to the manual.

People, places, events, and innovations that already have monuments or markers through other programs may get less consideration.

People

Unless the nominee is a Pennsylvania governor or a U.S. president, they must be dead for at least five years. The person must have a deep connection to Pennsylvania, even if they werent born here.

In some cases, what might be recognized with the historical marker might not be the individual, but rather what they created.

Take virologist Jonas Salk. He was born in New York but pioneered the University of Pittsburghs Virus Research Laboratory, where the worlds first polio vaccine was produced. The discovery led to the virtual eradication of polio in the United States by 1962. Now, the Salk polio vaccine has a historic marker in Allegheny County.

Places

The location must have had an impact on or have been part of history. Did any policies or practices start there? If so, make sure to mention it.

Pennsylvania itself has a marker on Route 15 in Adams County, 200 yards from the state line, proclaiming it as the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Events

Particular historical events can get a marker, but they must have been significant in the context of a larger movement or philosophy.

For example, Cobbs Creek Parkway has a historic marker commemorating the 1985 MOVE bombing, when police dropped a bomb on a West Philly house causing a fire that killed 11 people, including five children, and destroyed 61 homes.

How to apply

Applications can only be done online, through the state historic preservation office website PA-SHARE. An account is required to start the application.

To back up the application, proof of historic significance is needed.

The system allows up to 5,000 characters to explain why the subject has meaning for the state or county, and its connection with Pennsylvania. Additional documents can be added as PDFs.

To add support, the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office recommends:

Three to four supporting documents Newspaper articles Letters of support, particularly from experts

A bibliography is needed for the publications and sources that back up the application.

If the application gets denied, you can apply the next year. But, if its denied three times in a row, the panel wont consider it for another three years.

What happens after the application

A statewide five-member panel reviews applications. They vote on their choices and send them to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in for consideration. The commission votes and approves the markers.

The bureaucracy doesnt end here.

Those selected get notified and have additional forms to fill out, including getting signed permission from the location that will house the marker and organizing a dedication ceremony.

The commission has paid for the manufacturing and delivery of the plaques since 2022. But, the applicants are responsible for the costs of installation. In Philly, you must also handle the coordination with the Streets Department.

After all is done and settled, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission assumes ownership of the historical marker. But if the marker is not installed within two years, the process must be started all over again.
Edgar Ramirez had plans to return to his home country of Mexico years ago, but Philadelphias small-town feeling led him to stay.

Originally a New York City resident after emigrating from Oaxaca, Mexico, Ramirez, who lives in South Philadelphia, said he fell in love with the city while visiting his brother, who was already here.

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Now a Philadelphia resident of 17 years, Ramirez is part of the growing Latino population that is transforming Philadelphia as the citys fastest-growing demographic.

The Latino community in Philadelphia has almost doubled since the start of the century, attracted to the citys relatively affordable housing, work opportunities, and cultural connections.

While Latinos make up only about 16% of Philadelphias population, their total number has risen from 129,000 residents in 2000 to 244,000 last year, offsetting population decline among white and Black Philadelphians, according to census data. While Philly experienced about a decade of population growth starting in the mid-aughts, the number of residents has been declining slightly since 2020, falling to 1.55 million in 2023.

The Latino community growth in Philadelphia is driven by a combination of people born in the United States, in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, and abroad, predominantly from Mexico and the Dominican Republic. About 42% of Phillys Latino population was born in another country or U.S. territories, according to 2022 American Community Survey data. But historically, Latinos have been undercounted in the U.S. Census Bureau data, which includes foreign-born residents regardless of legal status.

Philadelphia offers affordable housing and opportunities

Moving to a more affordable city was crucial to having a better life for Yocasta Lora, 44.

Lora arrived in New York City from the Dominican Republic in 2000 before moving to Northeast Philadelphia, where she now lives with her husband and kids. She said she was in search of a better-paying job that didnt require her to speak English or have a college degree, while also allowing her to attend college.

For a lot of immigrants, thats how we are, Lora said. We want to have a roof over our head. We want to have food on our table. Youre going to have to be strategic and [decide] what is the next move?

For Isaha Polanco, 32, and his wife Nohemi, 32, stability was important, even if it meant leaving a career back home. The two married in 2020, when Isaha was still living in the Dominican Republic while Nohemi, who is also from the island, had been living in the United States since 2002. Isaha, now a member of the community group Dominicans of Delaware Valley, moved to Delaware County in 2021 to start over working in the medical field to be with his wife, who had a stable career as a product manager.

The two welcomed their first daughter in February.

Some Latino immigrants follow family migration patterns

Some immigrants, such as Ramirez, say they look for a home away from home and are drawn to places where their relatives have already settled.

This notion that friends and family talk to their network, it becomes a chain, said Jennifer Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said. A family member finds a job, finds a house, and reports to their other family and friends.

Immigrants from South and Central America live predominantly in Northeast and Southwest Philadelphia, mainly for affordable housing and already established communities, said Thomas Ginsberg, a senior officer at the Pew Charitable Trusts. South Americans, mostly from Brazil and Colombia, are largely concentrated in the Far Northeast and parts of Center City. Immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala move to South Philadelphia and parts of the Northeast.

Rodriguez underlined the value that immigrants bring to the city. In terms of the labor that the immigrant community provides, in terms of the leadership that the immigrant community provides, how hard they work. What attracts people to come to Philadelphia and enjoy it is fueled by immigrants, she said.

Latinos are saying the population growth is evident

Leaving New York City was still a sacrifice for Lora, however. She said she was surrounded by a larger Dominican community, including her family, in New York. But in the last two decades, shes noticed the Dominican population grow in Philadelphia and in the suburbs, contributing to the broader expansion of Latino residents over the years.

Latino growth contrasts with a decline in white and, more recently, Black residents in Philadelphia. Today Philadelphia has 119,000 fewer white residents and 37,000 fewer Black residents compared with 2000.

The expansion of the Latino population has been buoyed by Dominicans. Between 2018 and 2022, about 22,800 people reported being from the Dominican Republic, which is the second-highest country of origin among foreign-born residents in Philly, according to a recent Pew report.

This trend is apparent in the number of Dominican-owned businesses emerging, such as restaurants, corner stores, supermarkets, laundromats, and hair salons. The Dominican community owns an estimated 2,500 bodegas in Philadelphia, said Frank Rosario, director of community outreach at the Dominican Grocers Association.

Now you can find something as simple as a hair dresser, Lora said. Back in the day, 20 years ago, it was not as easy to find and navigate.

Dominicans are slowly being represented in local politics, as well. State Rep. Danilo Burgos, who was born in New York, is the first Dominican elected to serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Thats opening the door for other Dominicans to get empowered for this type of leadership, Lora said.

In South Philadelphia, the growing Latino presence is evident. In April, a banner was hung across the 1100 block of South Ninth Street, greeting Philadelphians in Spanish.

Mexican immigrants have helped revitalize the area, Ramirez said, by opening up businesses in spots that were once abandoned.

But, Ramirez said he thinks the growth will slow down in the next few years as many begin to migrate to the suburbs. In addition, until Latinos have significant political presence in Philadelphia, many community members will continued to feel ignored, he said.

Thats a huge downfall for us because people dont understand how politics work and that affects how they vote and whether or not they vote, Ramirez said in Spanish.

Lora, whose kids are Mexican and Dominican, said she is grateful that they are able to grow up connected to their cultures.

Im really proud to see how the Dominican community is contributing to the growth of the economy and is contributing to the diversification and the vibrancy of Philadelphia, Lora said. Im really proud to live in Philadelphia and that the United States took me as their daughter.
Photos of Governor Josh Shapiro visit to Cheyney University Share Icon Link copied to clipboard

Governor Josh Shapiro visits Cheyney University in Cheyney, PA, the nations first Historically Black College and University (HBCU), to host a ceremonial signing of HB 897 and highlight the bipartisan budget that Shapiro signed into law last month.
When Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled her campaign, she did it with digital prowess, embracing the Charlie XCX Brat branding, subtly nodding to the coconut tree memes that emerged from one of her speeches, and partnering with pop stars including Megan Thee Stallion, who coined Hotties for Harris while performing at a rally.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are both top contenders for Harris coveted running mate spot, and theyve both formed distinct digital personas on social media, albeit in starkly different ways.

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But will their social strategies meld with hers?

Is everyones favorite brother or brother-in-law  as Kory Aversa, a Philadelphia-based public relations specialist and content creator, calls Shapiros brand  a better partner than Walz, who is more like what he calls the cool uncle?

Shapiro participates in TikTok trends and has fostered a network of influencers who support him. Walz, who is often described online as having big dad energy, has quickly risen to internet stardom after clips of his TV interviews went viral.

Shapiros engagement online is what you would expect from the next generation of party leadership, said David Karpf, a media and public affairs professor at George Washington University. Hes engaging with influencers. Hes got a young energy to him.

Walz comes across as more established, and he has a folksy charm, Karpf added.

While Walz may be more old-school, hes been going viral for taking shots at Republicans in a way thats surprisingly charming as hell online, Karpf said. Walz essentially started a trend himself  or at least a PR strategy  when he called former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance weird on TV.

 READ MORE: Whats working for and against Shapiro in the veepstakes

Shapiro on TikTok

Shapiro has been following trends long before brat green was all over our feeds, embracing TikTok while showcasing his work as governor.

Parroting a popular trend, a Shapiro staffer asks viewers to watch their boss so we see Shapiro giving orders, taking phone calls, and taking notes. With the anything can be an album cover trend, Shapiro appeared on a fake album holding the book Democracy in Retrograde. Other posts following trends or using TikTok sounds show him interacting with constituents and visiting different parts of the state.

Hes formed a web of Pennsylvania-based influencers that he invites to events, and hes been featured in interviews on content creators TikTok pages. Hes also taken that network national, hosting influencers from other states at a Democracy Summer Camp.

Josh Shapiro is actively inviting younger people to be part of Pennsylvanias conversation, said Aversa, who has featured Shapiro in his content. Walz, I think, makes it accessible and the door is open, but I think Josh Shapiro brings that younger crowd through the door a little more aggressively.

Digital content creators, also known as influencers, have been increasingly seeping into national politics. In June, President Joe Bidens campaign hired a Philly native as its first-ever influencer manager dedicated to a single battleground state. More than 200 influencers have been issued credentials to attend the DNC later this month, according to The Washington Post, and the RNC issued credentials to more than 70. Although Karpf argues this concept isnt necessarily new, citing bloggers being invited to the DNC in 2004.

Walz-pilling

Walz isnt even on TikTok, but his 23-year-old daughter Hope is, and she keeps him in the know about brat summer. Although Walz has garnered attention for clips of things hes said on TV, hes also showed a willingness to open up online.

In past years, hes posted silly videos with Hope, including one that promoted a new hands-free driving law in 2019, and another in September that showed them screaming alongside one another on a thrill ride at the Minnesota State Fair. These videos, like his recent post on X about his dog Tippys play date, were posted on his official governors office accounts. Politicians often shy away from getting so personal on social media, or they keep those types of posts on a separate account.

He quickly garnered national attention recently for saying on MSNBCs Morning Joe about Trump and Vance, These guys are just weird. Soon, the word weird was appearing in Harris campaign emails and all over the internet.

The internet also loved how he addressed Vances comment about childless cat ladies, saying in another interview: My God, they went after cat people, good luck with that! Turn on the internet and see what cat people do when you go after em.

Some have posted that they are Walz-pilled, a play on the term coconut-pilled, which people use to say they support Harris, in reference to the coconut tree memes about her.

Hes got a persona that people are enjoying playing with, Karpf said.

While Shapiros more calculated social media brand development strategy doesnt hurt, in Karpfs eyes, the most important digital strategy for the VP pick will be the ability to produce clever, unscripted soundbites that can go viral in short videos on social media, and be clipped and remixed.

Walz has demonstrated that he can do that while coming across as authentic enough, Karpf said.

But Shapiro has also demonstrated that he can play attack dog on his feet, blasting Trump and Vance when talking to reporters this week in Philadelphia. Karpf isnt doubting that Shapiro could also meet the task  but hes not seeing the same online fanfare as hes seeing with Walz.

After all, Shapiro-pilled is not a thing. (At least not yet.)

 READ MORE: Josh Shapiros rise wasnt accidental. Just ask those who helped him get here  or felt betrayed along the way
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News / National

by Staff reporter

It appears that the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) may not address its critical report on Zimbabwe's 2023 elections during its 44th summit in Harare on August 17.The report, led by former Zambian deputy president Nevers Mumba, criticized the elections for failing to meet constitutional and regional standards.President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who will assume the Sadc chairmanship at the summit, is expected to lead the discussions. Given that Zimbabwe will now hold the chairmanship, there is speculation that the election report might be sidelined or not discussed. Sources within Sadc suggest that the bloc may avoid delving into the report due to Mnangagwa's new leadership role.Stephen Chan, a professor at London University, and other analysts believe that the summit will focus on broader regional issues, with little emphasis on Zimbabwe's electoral process.The summit's agenda includes reviewing the Sadc Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), food security, and the impact of the El Nino-induced drought, but does not explicitly mention the election report.This reluctance to address the adverse report could be influenced by Sadc's priority on organizational stability and Mnangagwa's role as the new chairperson.
Tadhg Hickey is discussing his latest injury.

I suppose you could say drink was involved  just not in the obvious way.

I actually injured myself in rehearsal, I pulled muscles in my back, the Cork comedian, actor and writer confesses.

The rehearsal was for his new one-man, multi-character show Gatman!, an exploration of how alcohol can alter your inner perceptions of yourself, even as the rest of the universe sees you staggering around and about to fall over.

For the 41-year-old Hickey, it expands on themes he has written about in his memoir, A Portrait of the Piss Artist as a Young Man, and on his previous show, In One Eye, Out The Other.

Directed by Sophie Motley, Gatman! unspools a day with main character, Murph, as he tries to sober up before a supervised visit with his little boy.

Running alongside this are the adventures of Gatman, a superhero who acquires extraordinary powers when fuelled by Gat  alcohol, in non-Leeside parlance.

For Gatman the aim is save beautiful, boozy Corkopia from the tyranny of Father Mathew, with the citys statue to the temperance champion having come to life.

Tadgh praises the team behind the show and refers to the Kafkaesque metamorphosis that Murph undergoes when hes drunk, transforming from nervy nerd into genuine superhero  and not even over a night, its over a can or two.

Given the sheer range of characters and voices required in Gatman!, he admits his latest production presented a different kind of challenge.

The first show was more a stream of consciousness, like a lad sitting on a chair and he stands up and starts telling these stories and its like youve been caught with him on a bus, and then these tall tales all tie together at the end.

I just threw myself into it [the new show], the physicality of doing 20 characters, he says, adding that he wanted there to be another way of telling the alcohol story, a theatrical extravaganza, to go to the other extreme [from his earlier work]  by the time I was halfway through I was like this is a huge mistake!

Comedian Tadhg Hickey, pictured at the Everyman Theatre, Cork: "I just threw myself into it [the new show], the physicality of doing 20 characters," Picture: David Creedon

His concerns were unfounded and the preview shows in March went well. Things really kick off this month with a run of shows in The Everyman and the Dublin Fringe in September.

Hickey says that while some of the story departs quite a lot from his own experiences as a young man in the grip of alcohol, others are deeply rooted in those formative experiences.

Junior Cert night drinking cans, he says. That was pivotal for me.

As someone who is utterly candid about his own addiction to alcohol, he also feels that Murphs character has his own ambiguities: This guy is not a victim but he is going to tell you he is a victim, he is taking no responsibility for himself and that is why he is struck in this inertia.

Gatman is a superhero and Fr Mathew is the prick, but as the play goes on you think hang on, is Fr Mathew the good guy? Hes trying to get Murph sober.

Hickey adopts the one-day-at-a-time ethos of the recovering alcoholic in his own life and alongside his sketches and shows, he  in his own words  found myself accidentally becoming an activist.

Comedian Tadhg Hickey at the Everyman Theatre, Cork. Picture: David Creedon

To return to Gatman!, it pleased him to see people he knows, from recovery and also from the more vulnerable edges of society, in the audience back in March.

On the second night, a bunch of young people came, they were from the Cork Life Centre, he says.

This was a group I had not invited, they were maybe 16, 17. One of the Everyman team was eavesdropping afterwards, not deliberately, and they were talking about their own drinking  one of them was saying he was a binge drinker, like Murph, who is a binge drinker.

There are definitely a good few younger people coming to the show which is great, maybe reflecting on their drinking  that would be amazing, I did not set out to do that. And then there are people in recovery or on the fringes of recovery who are also coming to the shows.

The show begins in a recovery room and Tadhg admits to some unintentional blurred lines where the audience may arrive with the idea that they can interact with the characters.

Stand-up is a great training for that, you literally will get anything back from an audience  someone might try and fight you, which happened once, Tadhg says, while adding that the ideal scenario is that no-one shouts anything back when Murphy announces as per an AA meeting Im an alcoholic.

Tadhg believes the younger Irish of today may be adopting a different approach to alcohol. His daughter, 20, is a good touchstone in this regard, he says, given she and her friends have a completely different outlook towards alcohol.

When I was in school [there was] a collective rush to gather money to get alcohol, he recalls. I had a part-time job in transition year exclusively to get money to drink at the weekend.

He says he never subscribed to the idea of a Brendan Behan-style sozzled artist, and points out that his productivity soared once he had parked his own drinking.

Within six months I had a sitcom on RTE tv, he says. Before that I would have meetings I wouldnt turn up to.

Yet he argues that you cant replace one addiction with another  citing young people pumping iron in the gym  and he has also spoken in recent years about his own mental health struggles.

Tadhg Hickey performing at the premiere of his new one-man show GATMAN! which runs at The Everyman, Cork from Thursday 7th-Saturday 9th March. Photo: Darragh Kane

In 2022, he told one interviewer he was addicted to Twitter, now X. Given the viral nature of his sketches and the plummeting standards on that platform, he realises social media is a double-edged sword.

It is about people feeling emboldened to cross that line, he says of trolling and general online abuse. Say if you are disillusioned with what is going on in Irish society and you wrongly, in my opinion, blame immigrants: You have clips, they can go viral, it seems like a collective movement, so you have a small number of bad actors emboldening others to cross those lines.

For me, it was a long process of getting hurt by it for a while, taking the comments personally. This stopped, he says, aided by his own recovery from alcoholism  the idea of authenticity is integral to recovery.

People are just putting you in boxes, he continues. Leftist, socialist, pro-Palestinian  they are fighting the box, its not about you. That said, its easy for me to say; if I was a young female politician and getting hassle, that is a different ballgame.

He is inclined to stay on X and fight his corner, reflecting a combative edge that likely comes with the territory. As Tadhg says, he has always been drawn to comedians who do satirical, provocative work, people like Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci and Stewart Lee.

These people are geniuses, he says. However, he says he has moved from the abstract to the personal with the situation in Palestine, having been contacted by people connected with Palestine well before the seismic events of last Autumn.

He says he asked himself the question: Am I a satirist who is completely aloof or satirises both sides? And I said no, Im not, Im happy to satirise our own hypocrites, so I became an accidental activist.

Its a potent mix and all quite removed from guzzling cans by the Lough in Cork City. Alongside Gatman! he has other irons in the fire.

I am actually trying to develop something with Al Jazeera at the moment, they have been very good to me the last few months, he says. Im also developing a drama/comedy based on a sketch from a year ago  basically Brexit but its a house share in Cork  32 and 32a, these are the two houses.

In the meantime, Gatman! goes on, soaring through the city of Cork and the woozy subconscious of Murph. Tadhg might just need to watch that he doesnt put his back out again.

I would love to do a musical, he announces. Something anarchic, an alternative musical, somewhere in the region of colonialism or capitalism and I would love to start casting people for that so I wont get injuries and cant play six a side.

GATMAN!, written and performed by Tadhg Hickey, returns to The Everyman from Thursday, August 29 - Friday, August 31, and Dublin Fringe Festival from Friday, September 6 - Tuesday, September 10.

Tickets from everymancork.com and fringefest.com
The Defence Forces has the capacity to evacuate 40 Irish citizens from Lebanon on its two new maritime surveillance planes if the Government makes the order, it has been confirmed.

The Airbus C295, which has a limited range, would need to stop for refuelling on its flight from Baldonnel Airport to Beirut and back.

It comes as the Department of Foreign Affairs strongly advises citizens not to rely on evacuation options if commercial flights out are available.

The department said it was establishing contact with all Irish citizens in Lebanon and so far, is in regular contact with over 100 registered citizens.

There are over 330 Irish soldiers in Southern Lebanon, where they are serving with the UN peacekeeping mission Unifil.

Military tensions are cranking up in the region, with a spate of retaliatory attacks now engulfing Israel, Lebanon and Iran.

The department said it had undertaken significant contingency planning to prepare for a possible consular crisis and was working closely with EU and UK colleagues.

The statement said: Any evacuation scenario would need to be a coordinated international effort and require extensive cooperation with key partners. Any evacuation of civilians, including Irish citizens, from Lebanon is likely to be a complex and difficult operation.

In light of the unpredictability of the situation, events could escalate with very little warning. This could affect exit routes out of Lebanon, prevent access to possible evacuation points, or result in options for evacuation operations becoming unavailable.

It added: The department would strongly advise citizens that they should not rely on evacuation options being possible if commercial options become unavailable. If the security situation deteriorates, the Irish Government, and all international partners, may be very limited in the assistance we can provide.

The Irish Examiner asked the Defence Forces if the Airbus C295 planes  delivered in June and October 2023 at a total cost of 230m  could be adapted to evacuate Irish citizens.

The aircrafts were configured as maritime patrol aircraft, primarily to be used for surveillance in Irish-controlled waters, but the specifications include personnel transport.

A Defence Forces statement said: The Airbus C295 MW primary role is maritime defence and security Operations within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. Secondary tasks include personnel transport. For this, the aircraft can be configured to carry 20 passengers in standard airline-type seating, or 31 troops in a military configuration.

Professor Raymond Murphy of the Irish Human Rights Centre at University of Galway said there was a 'real danger' of hostilities escalating and engulfing the region.

Range in these configurations will vary dependent on loading and additional cargo vs fuel carried etc.

The range, with a normal payload, is 1,555km.

The flight to Beirut is about 3,900km, so refuelling would be required  Cyprus is often used.

The Government has ordered a further C-295W, to be specifically used for troop and cargo transport. It has a range of about 4,500km. Delivery is expected in mid-2025.

Professor Raymond Murphy of the Irish Human Rights Centre at University of Galway said there was a real danger of hostilities escalating and engulfing the region.

The situation for Irish troops part of Unifil is worrying, Prof Murphy said. They could well find themselves caught up in hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Irish forces are accustomed to dealing with such situations and are well-equipped, trained and led. Unfortunately, if the fighting escalates, they could still find themselves in the line of fire from all parties.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs had given ample warnings to individuals to leave Lebanon: Nevertheless, given the volatility of the situation in Lebanon, it would be wise to consider a contingency plan for evacuation.

Israeli authorities blamed the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah for a missile strike on a football field, killing 12 children, in Israeli-annexed territories on Saturday.

On Tuesday an Israeli missile killed Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. On Wednesday, another missile killed Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Iran.
A man carried out a series of attacks by crashing a van into gates of Aras an Uachtarain, the Custom House and Government Buildings in Dublin after suffering "delusional fantasies", a court heard.

David O'Callaghan, 40, of The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow, appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

He faces five counts of criminal damage to gates at the three locations, which happened within the space of about 15 minutes.

The court heard the damage at Aras an Uachtarain was valued at 4,750. As yet, there was no damage estimate for the other locations, but gardai believed it to be in the tens of thousands.

The accused could face additional serious charges.

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail set at 350 but also requiring approval of a 5,000 independent surety, who must lodge 1,500.

Once he has taken up bail, he cannot go to the city centre or Phoenix Park, contact any public representative, or post online about the case.

He will appear again on Thursday.

The unemployed man was arrested just after 2.30 am and held at Pearse Street Garda station for questioning. Gardai charged him on Friday evening with offences under the Criminal Damage Act, which can carry a maximum 10-year sentence.

Mr O'Callaghan, who has yet to indicate a plea, was brought to court on Saturday.

Dressed in a red T-shirt, navy tracksuit bottoms and runners, he sat calmly at the side of the courtroom and remained silent for most of the contested bail hearing.

Damage at Aras an Uachtarain Photograph: Leah Farrell /  RollingNews.ie

He is accused of damaging the entrance gate at Phoenix Gate Lodge, Aras an Uachtarain, Phoenix Park, D8.

He was further charged with three counts of criminal damage around the houses of the Oireachtas: the main gates of the Department of an Taoiseach, Merrion St Upper, the rear gates of Leinster House, Merrion Square West, and the North Road gate at Government Buildings, Merrion St Upper.

He is also accused of damaging the main gates of the Custom House, Dublin 1.

Garda William McCarthy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and said Mr O'Callaghan "made no reply".

Citing the seriousness of the case, the garda told Judge Aylmer the accused's mental health problems had exacerbated, and the officer feared he would commit other offences and was a danger to the public and his family.

However, the judge held that the evidence outlined was not sufficient to refuse bail outright and imposed a range of strict conditions.

Garda McCarthy claimed Mr O'Callaghan drove his father's van "reversed into the main gate of Aras an Uachtarain", causing 4,750 worth of damage there.

The court heard allegations that the accused drove into the city centre to the Custom House and arrived there at 2:26 am. Garda McCarthy maintained he "swerved without warning in the direction of the gates of the Custom House." He collided head-on, but the gates absorbed the impact.

It was alleged that the accused then turned and reversed. The second impact forced the gate open and damaged the locking mechanism, and evidence from the vehicle was left behind.

'Swerved suddenly'

It was claimed that the 2017-reg van went to Government Buildings and arrived at Merrion Square at 2:30 am when it "swerved suddenly and without warning in the direction of the rear gates of Leinster House."

There were anti-ramming barriers, but severe damage was still caused. A garda was on duty at the rear of Leinster House in a hut near the gates.

The van reversed onto the road, went 20 metres, and swerved out of the way of another road user.

"The van stopped outside the Attorney General's office before reversing at speed into the North Road gate at Government Buildings."

The court heard the force caused the gate to cascade inwards, come off its hinges, and smash the windows of an unmanned wooden military post.

"Severe damage was caused to the gate, structure and fittings, and as a result, an entrance to Government Buildings was completely breached and left wide open," the garda said.

He alleged the van then took off, avoiding another road user before suddenly swerving without warning into the gates of An Taoiseach's department at Merrion Street Upper, causing them to buckle inwards and break.

There was a barrier on the inside, but severe damage was caused.

Upon impact with the last gate, the van's airbags deployed, and it was immobilised.

Garda McCarthy said the driver got out and used his phone to take a photo of the crashed van "lodged" in the gates of an Taoiseach's department.

Arrest

Mr O'Callaghan was arrested at the scene, and the van was seized.

The garda said the incidents were captured on CCTV. He added that during his interviews, the accused was adamant that he did not intend to enter any government building but wanted to "carry out as much damage as he could."

Garda McCarthy said the accused had "delusional fantasies" and said he had taken his father's work van without permission at 1 am on Friday.

The court heard he told gardai he believed his family members were not real and that they had been replaced by actors, spiking him with drugs and waking him every day at 5 am with an aerosol hallucinogenic.

The court heard the accused believed members of the government, social welfare and the president were also orchestrating this and ramming the gates would "put an end to the torment he had been subjected to".

The court heard he allegedly posted the photo on social media to raise awareness of his situation.

The court heard that gardai must obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) about pressing more serious charges and whether the case will remain in the District Court or proceed on indictment to the Circuit Court with broader sentencing powers.

Gardai would be looking to have it dealt with at the higher level.

Defence barrister Karl Monahan (instructed by solicitor Eddie O'Connor) said his client would obey several conditions.

The garda agreed with the barrister that Mr O'Callaghan was not a man of means but said the conditions proposed would not satisfy him.

The officer accepted that it could take several weeks for the DPP's directions to be available and for a book of evidence to be prepared for his trial.

The accused raised his hand and asked to speak during the closing stages of his barrister's submissions, but the judge refused permission to do so.

Pleading for bail, counsel argued that denying the application could be disproportionate and result in lengthy "oppressive pretrial incarceration" for a person who still enjoyed the presumption of innocence.

Mr O'Callaghan has yet to indicate a plea.

The judge granted legal aid and directed medical and psychiatric attention for the accused in custody.

The bail terms state that once the surety has been organised, Mr O'Callaghan must provide a contact phone number, obey an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, not contact public representatives, stay out of the city centre except for court hearings, not go to parts of Phoenix Park, engage with treatment, sign on two days a week at a garda station, not post on social media about the case or drive any motor vehicle.

He will face his next hearing on August 8 at Cloverhill District Court.
ON JUNE 10, a wave of deep emotion engulfed a group of us standing on Kennedy Pier as we watched the ship Handala leave Cobh.

The former fishing vessel once worked the waters off the Norwegian coast, but she is on a solidarity mission now, headed ultimately toward Gaza.

The crowd on the pier and the sailors on board were from all over  Irish, Moroccan, Malaysian, Palestinian, and Brazilian.

Aoife Ni Mhurchu, a nurse from Ballincollig who joined the seven-person crew in Cobh, raised her fist and shouted from the deck: Saoirse Don Phalaistin! We responded Saoirse Don Phalaistin! and kept it up until Handala had sailed out across the harbour.

Saoirse don Phalaistin  freedom for Palestine. That demand is ever more urgent now, almost 10 months into the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.

Handala is part of the Freedom Flotilla, a project of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition made up of civil society organisations and grassroots groups across the globe who use non-violent tactics to physically challenge Israels illegal blockade of Gaza.

Since 2007, Israel has imposed a medieval style land and sea blockade that prevents people from leaving and goods, such as food and medicine, from entering. Breaking the siege is vital to the flotillas project and depending on events, they hope to sail towards Gaza in early to mid-August. Another focus is gathering support for Palestinians while bolstering allies spirits on land.

Handalas voyage

Cobh was one of many stops across Europe on Handalas voyage, during which members of the crew and participants disembark for events highlighting the plight of the Palestinian people today and historically, as well as their right to live with dignity in the future.

On their Irish stop, local people held a kite-making workshop for children, listened to gripping testimony from the activists on board, and hosted senator Frances Black discussing the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Bill.

In Marseilles, Handalas crew and participants took part in a rally for Palestine. In Malaga, farmers brought them to visit their olive groves, emphasising their own

connection with Palestinian farmers across the Mediterranean.

When we spoke on the phone last week, Aoife Ni Mhurchu was still aboard Handala, docked in Martigues, France, and preparing to sail on to Corsica.

Im blown away by the solidarity from civil society that we meet, its really the most profound thing for me, she said. In every port, we have events and also meetings with local associations, trade unions, authorities, different aspects of civil society  it is remarkable.

Israeli naval commandos in 2010 stormed a flotilla of ships carrying aid and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

In May 2010, an international flotilla of seven boats attempting to challenge the blockade was attacked by Israeli commandos who injured 50 people and killed nine activists. A tenth person died of their injuries after being in a coma for four years.

Passengers on all boats were taken against their will to Israel where they were interrogated, imprisoned and deported.

So far this year, Handala has safely made her way, albeit met with high winds and storms and faced unpredictable receptions from various state bureaucracies. Anyone can support the Freedom Flotilla Coalition by raising awareness, donating, or applying to join the boat, but why would an average person leave their family, work and life behind to join this voyage, where a four hour stretch of sleep is considered a good night?

Ni Mhurchu is an agency nurse who has worked at Cork University Hospitals emergency department over the past five years between stints with NGOs doing humanitarian missions.

She first heard of the opportunity to volunteer on Handala from a colleague on a search and rescue mission, and is now in her eighth week of unpaid leave, on board the ship.

I came to Handala in Cobh with all the rage and grief so many of us are feeling because of what we are witnessing in Gaza. I saw this as an action I could take. I have skills that are needed, as a medic and a sailor, and its actually a privilege to be able to do this.

Ni Mhurchu is a member of Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine, a group fundraising for humanitarian work and agitating for an immediate ceasefire and sanctions on Israel, all while they witness the constant and gruesome attacks on their Palestinian peers and patients.

Israels military has systematically dismantled hospitals and clinics to the point where there is really no health system left in Gaza.

Blocked from the medical care they need for catastrophic injuries like amputations, crushed limbs and severe burns, or suffering from malnutrition and untreated chronic

diseases, people in Gaza are dying quickly, and they are dying slowly.

This is no accident  the blockade prevents medicine, food and supplies from reaching the people, while healthcare workers are deliberately targeted by Israeli forces.

According to Gazas health ministry and NBC News interviews, at least 50 specialist doctors, including some of Gazas most experienced physicians, have been killed.

Healthcare workers are also being imprisoned without charge by Israeli forces  at least 214 medical workers have been detained, the World Health Organization reported back in May.

Some have been killed in custody, like orthopedic surgeon Dr. Adnan al Bursh, who died on April 19 in the Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank.

The boat is named after a famous cartoon character, a 10-year-old Palestinian refugee, created by Naji Al-Ali. The little character, with his back turned in defiance and his clothes ragged, represents refugees, especially children, and their longing to return to a free Palestine.

As well as breaking the siege and amplifying their cause, Handalas specific mission is clearly stated on a large banner that reads: For The Children of Gaza.

Nearly half of the 2.2m people trapped in Gaza are children, and not one of them have escaped the collective punishment meted out by Israeli forces and policies every day.

Since October, Israel has killed an estimated 17,000 children in Gaza, and 143 in the occupied West Bank. UN experts estimate that 37 mothers are being killed daily, with many thousands of children orphaned now, and many have lost siblings too. Currently, some 20,000 children are missing.

Catherine Russell, the head of the UN Childrens Fund (Unicef) last week appealed for a ceasefire.

We see children who withstood previous injuries only to be hurt again, she said. Thousands of boys and girls sick, hungry, injured, or separated from their families.

The violence and deprivation are leaving permanent scars on their vulnerable bodies and minds. And now, with a breakdown in sanitation and sewage treatment, the polio virus joins the list of threats, especially for the thousands of unvaccinated children.

Again, this is not a mistake on Israels part, Palestinian children are members of a society they want to eliminate, their very existence is resistance.

While the people inside Gaza are trapped, Handala keeps moving.

Caoimhe Butterly is another Irish healthcare worker traveling with Handala, she is a human rights and humanitarian worker and a trauma-informed mental health practitioner who has spent many years in Gaza,

The sea provides a helpful metaphor when words are impossible to find, she said.

Weve spoken a lot about the need for lighthouses within this storm of injustice and of suffering. The solidarity were receiving, and carrying towards Gaza, is part of that.
Thousands of mourners converged around the flag-draped coffin of Hamas slain political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in the emirate of Qatar on Friday as the fallout surged from his death in an alleged Israeli attack.

The funeral ceremony in Doha, Qatars capital, attended by members of Gazas militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups as well as Qatari and Iranian officials, was subdued.

But across the Muslim world  from Jordan and Morocco to Yemen and Somalia  angry crowds waving Palestinian flags rushed out of mosques after midday prayers on Friday, chanting for revenge.

Let Friday be a day of rage to denounce the assassination, said Izzat al-Risheq, a senior Hamas official.

Yemenis protest to condemn the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in Sanaa, Yemen (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP)

Mr Haniyeh had lived in Qatar, along with other senior members of Hamass political leadership.

Following the back-to-back assassinations of Mr Haniyeh in Tehran early on Wednesday and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut the evening before, international diplomats have scrambled to head off a full-fledged regional war.

Iran and its proxies vowed to retaliate. Major airlines cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, and Beirut, Lebanon.

Cyprus said on Friday it was preparing for possible mass evacuations of foreign citizens via the island nation, in case of a wider war.

France beefed up security for Jewish communities nationwide. Poland warned its citizens against travelling to the Middle East.

Pakistan and Turkey lowered their flags to half-staff, prompting Israel to summon Turkeys deputy ambassador for a stern reprimand.

Turkeys foreign ministry spokesperson, Oncu Keceli, shot back that Israel cannot achieve peace by killing the negotiators  a reference to Mr Haniyehs role in ceasefire talks  while hundreds of Turks gathered at the historic Hagia Sophia to pay tribute to the slain Hamas leader as his funeral service got underway in Doha.

We are sure that his blood will bring out victory, dignity and liberation, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, seen as a possible successor to Mr Haniyeh, said from the Doha mosque where Mr Haniyehs coffin was displayed beside that of his bodyguard who was also killed in the attack in Tehran.

Israel has not confirmed or denied its role in the targeted killing of Mr Haniyeh.

Iranians follow a truck, centre, carrying the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard who were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel on Wednesday (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Hamas said Mr Haniyeh was killed in a strike on a guesthouse in Tehran where he was staying after the swearing-in ceremony of the new Iranian president.

Khaled Kaddoumi, Hamas representative in Iran, was staying on a lower floor. Mr Kaddoumi said he woke up shortly before 2am when his room was shaken and he saw a flash out the window.

At first, Mr Kaddoumi said he thought it was thunder and lightning or an earthquake. By the time he got out of his room, smoke was everywhere and his colleagues told him Mr Haniyeh was killed.

Mr Kaddoumi saw Mr Haniyeh face down, on the floor.

He spotted the body of Mr Haniyehs bodyguard, holding a bloody Quran. No one else was injured, he said.

There was so much dust and smoke in the room, that Mr Kaddoumi had to wear a mask. The roof and the walls overlooking the exterior were destroyed, he said.

Mr Kaddoumi said it looked like the room was hit by a missile. A photo that he said was of the building after the attack appeared to show less structural damage than would typically be seen from a large airstrike.

The damage appeared more consistent with a smaller explosive, potentially delivered by a drone or planted at the site.

Mr Kaddoumi said Mr Haniyeh had stayed in the same guesthouse in May when he attended the funeral of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, killed in a plane crash.

Mr Haniyehs killing was another blow to the Hamas leadership.
An Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank killed five Palestinians, according to Israels army and Palestinian media, as violence flares in the Israeli-occupied territory.

The Israeli army said its forces hit a vehicle carrying five militants in a rural area northwest of the city of Tulkarem in the north-west West Bank early on Saturday, as the occupants were on their way to carry out an attack.

According to an Associated Press journalist and witnesses, the blast took place along a road connecting the Palestinian villages of Zeita and Qaffin.

I was going to work in the morning and I heard an explosion here next to the house, said Taiser Abdullah, a Zeita resident.

The car was destroyed in a drone strike (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said the five Palestinians were taken to a nearby hospital, and that four of the bodies were burned and charred beyond recognition.

The Palestinian health ministry has not commented on the deaths.

More than 590 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in Gaza last October according to the Palestinian health ministry, which tracks the deaths.

Most have been killed during Israeli raids and violent protests, but the dead also include bystanders and Palestinians killed in attacks by Jewish settlers.

The Israeli military says it struck five suspected terrorists in a vehicle on their way to carry out an attack (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

The northern West Bank has seen some of the territorys worst violence over the past 10 months.

Tulkarem, and its two refugee camps, has become one of the territorys main flashpoints, and is regularly raided by Israeli forces. Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, are active in the city.

The strike came just days after the consecutive assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday, and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut the evening before, escalations that threaten to plunge the region into a full-fledged regional war.

Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, vowed to retaliate. Major airlines cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, and Beirut, Lebanon.

The Palestinian health ministry has not commented on the deaths (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

While Israel has said it is responsible for the killing of Shukr, it has not confirmed or denied a role in the targeted killing of Haniyeh.

The Pentagon announced late on Friday that the US military will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region.

The previous day, US President Joe Biden said he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize the chance for a ceasefire with Hamas, adding that Haniyehs killing in Iran had not helped efforts to negotiate an end to the war.

At least 39,480 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the nearly 10 months since Hamas brutal October 7 attack on Israel triggered the latest Israel-Hamas war.

The Palestinian health authorities that provide the casualty tolls do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Violent protests across Britain have led to officers being injured as objects such as bricks, chairs and bottles were thrown at police.

Merseyside Police said a number of officers were injured during serious disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, with one officer being hit on the head by a chair.

In Hull, four people have been arrested as three officers were hurt during a protest in which a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers.

Cities across the country saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters, with police forming lines with riot shields to keep groups apart.

Ministers prepared to meet on Saturday to discuss the potential for further disorder after a series of violent clashes over the past three days.

In Liverpool, bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined The Strand in the city centre.

Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.

A man throws a brick during a protest in Liverpool (James Speakman/PA)

Elsewhere on Saturday, bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent and fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast.

In Hull, Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said officers have faced eggs and bottles being thrown as windows were smashed at the hotel which has housed migrants.

Greater Manchester Police said a dispersal notice had been authorised for the city centre and Merseyside Police said greater stop and search powers had been granted for officers to deal with planned demonstrations.

Scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottinghams Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides, and chants of England till I die and Tommy Robinson were drowned out by boos from counter-protesters.

At least three people were led away in handcuffs in the East Midlands city.

Around 150 people carrying St George flags shouting Youre not English any more and Paedo Muslims off our street were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

Skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks in Blackpool, with bottles and chairs being thrown and wood wielded.

A man with blood on his hand speaks to a police officer during a protest in Nottinghams Market Square (Jacob King/PA)

On Saturday it was not possible to search Tommy Robinson on TikTok, with the social media platform instead showing the message: This phrase may be associated with behaviour or content that violates our guidelines.

Cleveland Police denied claims that the organiser of a march in Middlesbrough on Sunday had been arrested on terrorism charges.

The force issued a statement saying a 29-year-old man had been arrested on Friday over firearms offences after Mr Robinson had posted: Lad who organised Middlesbrough march been locked up on terrorism charges.

The string of violent incidents began in Southport on Tuesday, where demonstrators attacked police and set cars on fire the day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

The weekend protests followed a night of unforgivable violence in Sunderland, which saw a Citizens Advice office burned down.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use for missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that it was an act of sacrilege.

Sunderland Central Labour MP Lewis Atkinson said a link could be drawn between the disorder in his constituency on Friday and the ashes of the English Defence League (EDL), which was founded by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.

Cleveland Police said two boys, aged 11 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after the protests in Hartlepool.

The EDL has disbanded but its supporters remain active, and Mr Atkinson said evidence suggested a Nazi offshoot of the group was involved in the violence in his constituency on Friday, in which a police station was torched and a mosque attacked.

Northumbria Police said four officers were injured during the violence in Sunderland and 12 people have been arrested.

Qari Asim, chairman of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, said the Muslim community is deeply worried and anxious about the planned protests by the far-right groups across the country.

Anti-immigration protests were outnumbered by hundreds of anti-racism demonstrators outside Leeds Town Hall (Owen Humphreys/PA)

An extra 70 prosecutors will be on standby this weekend to charge people who set out to cause violent disorder as the authorities prepare to deal with dozens of demonstrations.

Campaign group Hope Not Hate has identified more than 30 events taking place.

Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.

Violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town and 53 police officers and three police dogs were injured.

British prime minister Keir Starmer later condemned thugs who had travelled to the town to cause unrest.

The unrest poses the biggest challenge yet to his premiership, evoking the scale of public disorder last seen during the 2011 riots.

There were a series of clashes in August 2011 in cities and towns across England, which started in Tottenham Hale, north-east London, after the killing of Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police on August 4.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A faction in Zanu-PF pushing for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to have a third term has come out guns blazing pushing for the ouster of young party parliamentarians whom they accuse of sabotaging the 2030 agenda as well as lacking the party ideology, TellZim reported.Speaking to TellZim News on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization, some Members of Parliament (MPs) said they were living in constant fear as the party heavyweights were pushing for their ouster, and the problem started when Zanu-PF almost lost to opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) when they voted for the Public Voluntary Organisation (PVO) bill in parliament."Tiri panguva yakaoma (we are in difficult times); the problem started when we voted for the PVO bill in parliament and Zanu almost lost to opposition. It was later realized that most of the young MPs from the party had just logged in and went out."We are now being accused of resisting the push for President to have another term as well as lacking party ideology. There biggest fear is, if the opposition MPs move motion to impeach the President, they think we will support that," said one youthful MP.Another Zanu-PF legislator, who claims to be a war veteran, confirmed that the young MPs were betraying the party."They have no ideology; they are dealers so what they do is, they come to Parliament and sign the register and after that they get in town to run their errands. We almost lost to CCC legislators when we voted for the PVO bill. Something needs to be done or else the party is in serious problem," he said.However, the Zanu-PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi who is also the MP for Gutu South downplayed the factional fights in the ruling party saying the Zanu-PF had trust in its legislators."All our MPs are cadres of the party who were deployed to represent Zanu-PF in parliament because of their loyalty and consistency. All our MPs have gone through several ideological orientation through the Chitepo School of Ideology which makes them very sound and grounded. The leadership is happy with the performance of the young MPs. I urge you to ignore the nonsense coming from uninformed sources," said Togarepi.Eight provinces had since endorsed Mnangagwa to extend his term beyond 2028, though the President indicated that he will step down at the end of his second term. The call for a third term from Mnangagwa's supporters has deeply divided Zanu-PF, with those resisting the extension allegedly being targeted to be chopped off.However, the succession fights started barely a year after the elections and this has negatively affected development in the country, with the economy showing no signs of growth and stability.Media lecturer and political analyst Dr Wellington Gadzikwa said the succession disputes existing within the ruling party could mean no development for the country for the next four years."The nature of our election which is after every five years derail development in that politicians only do something in the first two years and only come back to the electorate seeking reelection hence anti-development. Now that there are succession disputes in Zanu-PF we are less likely to see anything meaningful (in terms of development) during this term unlike in the President's first term."This term is likely going to be filled by third term politics and this is further made worse by the lack of a true opposition in the country. There is a lot of uncertainties in the country," said Dr Gadzikwa.University of Zimbabwe Lecturer Professor Eldred Masunungure weighed in and said the ruling party was likely to engage in power games foregoing development and said factionalism was imminent which he said was bad for national development."The sad reality is that the infatuation with power at the apex of the ruling party is something that goes back to the founding of the party and succession-induced gladiation for power is one of the hallmarks of the organisation. Power, and gaining or retaining it supersedes everything else including national development; that is, development plays second fiddle to power games. It is indeed weird but not unprecedented for Zanu-PF to start playing these power games soon after the last election and not necessarily towards the next election," said Prof Masunungure."Another tragic consequence of these games of power is that they will be fought along factional lines not only in the party but also in the state. State structures will be infected by the factionalism virus leading to dysfunctionality or compromised performance in terms of delivery of national policies and programmes. This will be likely so for the next four years thus paralyzing policy formation and implementation. State employees, especially at the top level will be pigeon-holed into factional camps and this will poison their working relationships. In short succession-fed factionalism is bad for national development," Prof Masunungure added.Another political commentator Dr Gift Gwindingwe said competition in the party was imminent but however said the country was likely to witness meaningful development as the ruling party tries to market itself for the next election in 2028."I foresee a political field that is explosive within Zanu-PF with individuals strategically positioning themselves. We have those with realistic chances of getting into the party presidium and those who have little or no hope of getting into the party presidium and these will strategically position themselves closer with direct overtures. There is likely going to be jostling for positions at both levels."So with this democratic space opened by the President's pronouncement to rest after the expiry of his second term, there is likely to be intense competition. But the good thing is that there will be an elective congress."I actually foresee meaningful development so that the ruling government markets itself astutely for the watershed 2028 election. Politics and development are inseparable so there is a mathematical line between the two. The ruling Zanu-PF government cannot afford to go to sleep at this moment because outside, other political competitors are sharpening their swords' as well," said Dr Gwindingwe.Despite the ongoing debates on whether or not Mnangagwa was going to retire and his party supporters pushing for a third term, legal experts with the likes of Professor Lovemore Madhuku have said this was a pipeline dream for the party supporters, saying it was a little too late to change the constitution.
This month, Key Biscayne Police Chief Frank Sousa, along with his wife Yvette and their five kids, traveled to Azores, Portugal and they took his Islander along.

Hola from SAO Miguel, Azores, Portugal. I wanted to share this photo with my boys and your very own Islander News. Missing a few kids but it is Lucas on the left, my wife Yvette, me, and my son Nicholas. We have been all over Portugal and loved every minute of it, wrote Sousa.

The Azores are a group of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 850 miles from mainland Portugal. They are an autonomous region of Portugal, known for their stunning landscapes, green pastures, beautiful flowers, crater lakes, and hot springs.

Glad the family is enjoying the trip and thanks for sharing Chief!

To see "Where in the World" the Islander traveled to last, click here.
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

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.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Some 300 vendors operating along main roads in Chivhu will go without incomes for the next three weeks after Government removed them from their stalls to paint a clean picture of the country to delegates coming for the SADC Summit.Vendors who spoke to The Mirror on condition of anonymity said the action was taken although they paid for their permits to Chikomba Rural District Council.Chikomba Informal Traders Association (CITA) chairperson Shephered Jongwe said instead of bringing joy and business to the people, the SADC Summit has become some sort of evil to them.Chivhu has no industry and residents survive on buying and selling to travelers passing through the transit town.The most affected vendors are based at Eat n Lick premises, Masvingo Bus Terminus, Chicken Inn and Harare Bus Terminus.Chikomba RDC CEO Bullen Chiwara could not be reached for a comment as his phone went unanswered.Chikomba Informal Traders Association Chairperson Shephered Jongwe the SADC Summit has become an evil to informal traders though there is nothing much they can do about it."The summit has become some sort of evil to informal traders. We live from hand to mouth and the closure of our business means that there is no food for children at home," said Jongwe.CCC Ward 11 Councilor, Collen Zvarevashe said that Government is punishing residents with the blanket closure of market stalls."This predicament we are in is a result of bad governance. Why are they afraid to show the world the real we?" asked Zvarevashe.An elderly woman said she look after her children and grandchildren and she said she doesn't know how she is going to feed them without vending.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has expressed concern and urged the public to desist from conducting hate campaigns against judges and magistrates as this not only endangers the judicial officers' lives but is a violation of their rights.ZHRC chairperson, Jessie Majome warned that such hate campaigns can incite violence against judicial officers.She was reacting to an online hate campaign against two Harare magistrates who convicted opposition politician, Job Sikhala and saw him spending 595 days in prison. Both convictions were later quashed by the High Court.The author of the hate message accused the two magistrates of being accessories of repression' under the Government of President Mnangagwa.Great Zimbabwe University Law lecturer, Victor Nkiwane warned that the message constituted cyber bullying and the offence attracts a jail sentence of up to 10 years.The message which started circulating three weeks ago carries pictures of the magistrates, Feresi Chakanyuka and Tafadzwa Mhiti and it urges social media users to circulate it ad infinitum and make them infamous.Majome warned in a statement to The Mirror that the hate campaign undermines fundamental rights of the magistrates and breaches Section 44 of the Constitution which calls for respect on each other. She said that according to Section 60, the magistrates have a right to be wrong in their legal reasoning.She also argued that the attack is a discrimination against women which is a violation of Section 56 of the Constitution.The Minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi's mobile phone went unanswered.Award winning journalist, Hopewell Chin'ono taking to his X handle, described the two magistrates as shameless while Sikhala said he was going to sue everyone involved in his wrongful inceceration.Judicial Service Commission spokesperson Daniel Nemukuyu asked for written questions but there was no comment up to the time of going to Press."ZHRC urges Zimbabweans to be aware and desist from such campaigns as this message violates Section 48 which caters for right to life. The message also violates Section 60 right to freedom of conscience, section 52 right to bodily and psychological integrity, Section 53 right to protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, Section 60 right to freedom of conscience, thought or belief," said Majome.The offending message described the two magistrates as unprofessional."Feresi Chakanyuka is so shameless that she used a law that doesn't exist to convict and jail Sikhala. She even disregarded a High Court ruling that clearly stated such a law doesn't exist. Make them famous by retweeting them; it is time the whole world knows these accessories to repression".Law Society of Zimbabwe spokesperson Richard Chidza said the matter is for JSC the employer of the magistrates concerned.Nkiwane said it is unwarranted to launch a personal attack on a judicial officer for a decision made whilst in office."Whilst judicial decisions are subject to public scrutiny and criticism, it is unwarranted to launch a personal attack on a judicial officer for a decision made whilst in office."The public should be made aware that it is an offence in terms of section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) 164B Cyber-bullying and harassment. Any person who unlawfully and intentionally by means of a computer or information system generates and sends any data message to another person, or posts on any material whatsoever on any electronic medium accessible by any person, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, threaten, bully or cause substantial emotional distress, or to degrade, humiliate or demean the person of another or to encourage a person to harm himself or herself, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 10 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years or to both such fine and such imprisonment," said Nkiwane.On January 24, 2024, Sikhala was found guilty of inciting violence by Harare Magistrate Mhiti. The charge stemmed from the unrest that erupted during the funeral of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali in June 2022.On February 15, 2024, Sikhala was fined US$500 by Harare Regional Magistrate Chakanyuka for communicating falsehoods. This was quashed a higher court.
Aug 03 (Jowhar.com)  The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, together with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Somalia, Mr. Hamsa Abdi Barre chaired an emergency meeting of the countrys security agencies. listened to a report about the terrorist attack on the Somali people in Lido beach, the resulting losses and the plan to ensure the security of the capital.

President Hassan Sheikh asked the authorities of the security agencies about how the attack happened, how to defend against the conspiracy of the Khawarij, and the way to help the people who suffered. the martyrs who died in the attack on Lido Beach, and wished for a speedy recovery for those who were injured.

The terrorist attack on Lido Beach shows the brutality of the Khawarij and their goal to kill the Somali people everywhere. The government is committed to eradicating this group from the whole country. bloody.

President Hassan Sheikh has indicated that the success of the war against terrorism depends on the support and cooperation of the Somali people. He called on the people to cooperate with the security agencies and to unite to eradicate the Khawarij from the country.

Somali people, brothers and sisters of the Khawarij terrorists, they do not like the people and the government, and we are all enemies with their blood. Unite for their elimination, support the National Army and report those who are hiding among you.

The President noted that the Khawarij want to terrorize the Somali people with these kinds of attacks, and that they are hiding the continuous defeats that our armed forces are inflicting on the front lines of the war, and he instructed the countrys security agencies to be more vigilant for the terrorist attacks that harm the Somali people.
The latest news about the attack that caused heavy damage in Beach View

Aug 03 (Jowhar.com)  More details are available about an attack that caused heavy losses last night by the Al-Shabaab group at the Beach View restaurant located on Lido beach.

The attack which started with a suicide bomb attack was followed by five Al-Shabaab gunmen who entered the restaurant and fought there for several hours.

The Mogadishu police said that they ended the attack and shot the al-Shabaab who entered the restaurant, but did not disclose the amount of damage and how the group reached the place.

Medical officials at Mogidisho Hospitals report that the death toll has reached 30 people, while the number of injured is around 100.

At the time of the attack, Lido Beach was very busy last night, as it was a Friday night and people were spending time in the breezy atmosphere of the Beach.

Al-Shabaab, which claimed responsibility for the attack, boasted that they were members of the government, but the victims were innocent civilians.

More news

The Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists have been waging an insurgency against the internationally backed federal government for more than 17 years and have previously targeted the Lido beach area, popular with business people and officials.

Unverified videos shared online in the immediate aftermath of the attack showed people scattering along a street, with a number of clips purporting to show bloodied bodies lying on the beachfront.

More than 32 civilians died in this attack and about 63 others were wounded, some of them critically, police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan told reporters during a press conference.

Targeting and blasting to kill 32 members from the civilian population means these Kharijites are not going to target only government centres, soldiers and officials, he said, using the term Somali officials adopt to describe Al-Shabaab.

The assault, for which Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility in a post on a pro-Shabaab website, began late on Friday when a suicide bomber detonated a device and gunmen stormed the area, police and witnesses told AFP.

Officer Mohamed Omar told AFP they had shot civilians randomly.

He said security forces had ended the attack and killed five gunmen, while a sixth member of the group blew himself (up) at the beach.

Witnesses said there were many people at the popular location when the explosion occurred, describing how gunmen then stormed the area.

 Lido Beach attacks 

Everybody was panicked and it was hard to know what was happening because shooting started soon after the blast, witness Abdilatif Ali told AFP.

He said that people attempted take cover on the ground or flee.

I saw many people strewn (on the ground) and some of them were dead and others wounded, he said.

Ahmed Yare witnessed the attack unfold from a nearby hotel.

I saw wounded people at the beachside. People were screaming in panic and it was hard to notice who was dead and who was still alive, he told AFP.

Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for numerous bombings and attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of the country, whose government is pressing on with an offensive against the Islamist militants.

The Lido area has been the target of previous attacks, including a six-hour Al-Shabaab siege of a beachside hotel in 2023, which left six civilians dead and 10 wounded.

Five people were killed in a powerful car bomb blast at a cafe in the capital last month.

In March, the militants killed three people and wounded 27 in an hours-long siege of another Mogadishu hotel, breaking a relative lull in the fighting.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  In a 2011 expose , Mike Stobbe of NBC news revealed a long history of federal physicians from the US deliberately infecting challenged persons or prisoners with diseases so as to experiment on them.

For instance, Stobbe wrote, In the 1946-48 study, American scientists infected prisoners and patients in a mental hospital in Guatemala with syphilis, apparently to test whether penicillin could prevent some sexually transmitted disease. The study came up with no useful information and was hidden for decades.

The Israeli government is now conducting a massive experiment on over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, to see whether being compelled to live in completely unsanitary conditions will cause health epidemics among them and much reduce their numbers. The World Health Organization estimates tens of thousands of people to be at risk from this experiment, which recalls those not only of federal scientists in the US but of Josef Mengele.

The UN Relief and Works Agency reports that there have been 40,000 cases of hepatitis A in Gaza since Israels total war on its civilians began last October. There were only 85 such cases in the same period the previous year. The disease is a liver inflammation and damage, spread by exposure to raw sewage or contact with an infected person.

The World Health organization says that more people in Gaza could die from infectious diseases than from being bombed by the Israeli Air Force. Officially over 39,000 are dead in military violence, though medical professionals on the ground estimate that the true toll is likely around 100,000 by now. So WHO is saying that 40,000 to 100,000 people could die of disease, a major epidemic in a country of a little over 2 million, or at the higher estimate as much as 4.5 percent of the population. That would be equivalent to 15 million Americans  more than the entire population of Pennsylvania  being forced into such unsanitary living conditions that they died of disease.

WHO also announced that it is sending a million polio vaccines to Gaza in hopes of averting an epidemic outbreak, since the polio virus has been found in wastewater there. Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said at an informational meeting, I witnessed at first hand living conditions that are highly favourable for the spread of polio and other diseases. This is an important timeto come together to act swiftly and decisively to contain this outbreak, for the children of Gaza. Severe polio can cause paralysis for life or death.

Getting the vaccines into the Strip and having enough medical personnel to administer them is, however, a severe problem. Also, polio vaccines need to be refrigerated at 36to 46F (2to 8C), which is impossible in Gaza, where there is almost no electricity and where most hospitals have been rendered defunct by the Israeli militarys attacks.

Hepatitis A is a virus that causes acute infection. NIH notes that in some cases hepatitis A can be severe and lead to liver failure and the need for an emergency liver transplant to survive. For many, it lasts weeks and then goes away. There are only about 3,000 cases a year in the United States, a country of 340 million people, so 40,000 cases in a population of 2.2 million (or 2.1 million, since the Israelis have almost certainly rubbed out at least 100,000 people) is an enormous outbreak. The disease can cause loss of appetite and nausea, putting children at risk of malnutrition, especially in Gaza where so many children already suffer from it.

We should be clear that Israel is deliberately inflicting such disease outbreaks on the civilians of Gaza. By constantly keeping them on the run, destroying sewage treatment facilities or denying people the fuel and electricity needed to run them, and destroying buildings with toilets in them, the Israeli government is exposing millions of noncombatants to unsanitary conditions with malice and forethought.

The United Nations says that satellite images show that Israeli Air Force and armor have damaged or destroyed nearly two-thirds of the buildings in Gaza: Of these, 30 percent were destroyed, 12 percent severely damaged, 36 percent moderately damaged, and 20 percent possibly damaged, representing approximately 63 percent of the total structures in the region. The destruction has left behind 42 metric tons of rubble, 82% more than in January. Many residential complexes were targeted with 2000-pound bombs, wiping out entire extended families.

Mohammed Naserallah, a displaced Palestinian in Gaza, said this week, We have been displaced from the north. They told us: Leave to central Gaza, then to Rafah. We went to Rafah, then went back up to Nuseirat. We got stuck. Then we received instructions to move farther south towards al-Mawasi.

After Israel issued new displacement orders for central Gaza earlier this week, Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud reported from the ground, The majority of the displaced population is flowing to the Deir el-Balah city that is already packed with displaced families and has no sufficient space or resources to accommodate people. Some 86 percent of Gaza is under Israeli evacuation orders, i.e. ethnic cleansing.

In its assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, the Israeli military and intelligence apparatus demonstrated that it is perfectly capable of precisely targeting Hamas personnel without killing thousands of other people. Israeli investigative reporters have revealed that the Israeli armys rules of engagement allow 15 to 20 civilian deaths for every militant killed, and that a tracking program is used to kill al-Qassam Brigade paramilitary members when they come home to their families in the evening, ensuring that their children, wives, relatives and neighbors are also blown away by drones and rockets.



Bonus Video:

Gaza health officials declare polio epidemic as virus spreads | Al Jazeera Newsfeed 
News / National

by Staff reporter

A former nurse has been convicted of practicing as a medical practitioner carrying out surgeries on people in Gokwe.Admire Munyeki of Mbizo 5, Kwekwe appeared before Gokwe Magistrate Grace Tupiri facing four counts of contravening the medical act by practicing as or representing themselves to be medical practioners. He pleaded guilty to the allegations.Munyeki reportedly carried out surgical operations on four different people who had approached him seeking for help with different health problems.The state represented by Tatenda Mandishona told the court that, on 5 January 2024, at Givemore Masteck homestead village Maluma 2, Chief Samuchembu, Gokwe North, Munyeki purported to be a dental practitioner when he was approached by one Stella Sibanda who had a toothache.He extracted two teeth from Sibanda who started experiencing some pain after the extraction and she reported to Samuchembu rural health center where she was examined and the matter came to light.On the second count, it is alleged that on 1 March 2024, Munyeki performed circumcision on Daison Chelo who had approached him complaining of pain on his penis. Chelo also started to experience some complications and he reported to Samuchembu Health center where the offense was discovered.On the third count, the accused person also presented himself as a medical doctor and operated Taimon Ndege who had hernia. Ndege developed some complications and was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital where the offense was discovered.In addition, the accused was also convicted of pretending to be a medical practitioner and carried out a minor surgery on Erisha Siakachoma's neck and removed growth. The complainant reported at Semchembu health center where the offense was discovered.Munyeki was arrested after being spotted at a funeral in Chirape area, Gokwe North on Monday.He will be sentenced on Thursday.






Saturday, August 3, 2024 - A frightening incident unfolded for "Modern Family" star Sarah Hyland as her home was burglarized last Saturday evening while she was out of town. Law enforcement sources revealed that the break-in occurred around sunset, with suspects gaining entry by smashing a glass window.

Fortunately, Sarah was not at home during the incident, but she witnessed the intruders in real-time through her home security system. According to police reports, Hyland received an alert from her security system and, upon checking the live feed on her phone, saw two masked men leaving her house.

Police were promptly called to the scene and conducted a thorough search of the property to ensure no one was still inside. By the time officers arrived, the intruders had already fled, leaving the house empty.

At this stage, it remains unclear what, if anything, was stolen during the burglary. Hyland is expected to conduct an inventory check upon her return to determine if any items are missing. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made so far.

Hyland joins a growing list of celebrities who have been targeted by burglars this year, including Marlon Wayans and Bhad Bhabie. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and ensure their security systems are up to date.






Saturday, August 3, 2024  An African woman, Lola Akinlade and her family are facing deportation from Canada after it was discovered that she used a fake university acceptance letter to secure a study and work permit.

Lola, who graduated from the Nova Scotia Community College in 2019, told CBS News she was unaware the letter provided by an agent in Lagos, Nigeria, for the University of Regina in 2016 was fraudulent.

A few weeks before graduation, the international student received a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

It said one of the documents she had used to enter Canada in 2016 was a fake, and asked her to explain herself.

It's a charge Akinlade said she knew nothing about before IRCC told her. She said the issue has left her and her family in Canada with no immigration status and little to fall back on if they return home.

Akinlade said the realization that she had relied on a fake document to get her study permit left her devastated.

"That was the beginning of my trauma."

Statistics released to CBC by IRCC, and the experience of people working in the field, suggest there could be many other international students in Canada in a similar situation.

Since IRCC began a new process to screen international student acceptance letters in December 2023, it has found more than 9,000 examples of fake letters, suggesting Akinlade's case is far from unique.

Akinlade wants IRCC to reexamine her case, arguing she was a victim of a "rogue agent" who supplied her with a fake letter of acceptance to a Canadian school.

"Please look into my file," she said. "I just want this to be sorted out.

Akinlade started thinking about studying in Canada in 2015. She was working for a pharmaceutical company in Lagos as a medical sales representative with a business administration degree from a Nigerian university.

She said at an office outside Lagos, she met with a man who said he worked as an immigration consultant and would guide her through the process of becoming an international student by applying for a master's degree in business administration for her.





Akinlade said she did not discuss a particular university with the agent, and just explained that she wanted to study at a high-quality Canadian institution.

Akinlade said she gave the agent documents such as her passport and university transcripts, along with payment. Several months later, he gave her a study permit to enter Canada, plane tickets and an acceptance letter to the University of Regina.

Akinlade flew to Canada in late December 2016, thinking she would start classes in January 2017.

However, she said while she was stopped over in Winnipeg en route to Regina, she got a call from the agent, who told her there were no spaces available at the university and she'd have to go on a waitlist.

"I said my primary aim was to come here to study. I don't want to be on the waitlist."

Akinlade began to search on her own for a new school and a new program, and stayed with relatives in Winnipeg until she was accepted at the Nova Scotia Community College for social services for a September 2017 start.

She said she decided to switch to social services because it better aligned with the work she'd already done in the medical field.

Akinlade said she never contacted the University of Regina directly until two years later, when she received the letter from IRCC telling her the acceptance letter was a fake.

"I was kind of skeptical [after getting the IRCC letter] because I thought that wasn't real, like a miscommunication or something," she said. "So immediately I contacted [the] University of Regina.

And that was when I learned the truth.

Akinlade said since arriving in Canada she's had little contact with the agent in Nigeria.

But CBC exchanged text messages with Babatunde Isiaq Adegoke, the agent Akinlade said she used to co-ordinate her Canadian university and study permit application.

Adegoke told CBC he guided Akinlade through the process of applying to enter Canada.

He agreed that he gave Akinlade the acceptance letter to the University of Regina. But he said the letter was given to him by a company called Success Academy Education Consult that he hired. He said it was located in the city of Ejigbo but has since moved to an unknown location.

He said he was surprised to learn the acceptance letter was fake, and he denied telling Akinlade she'd have to go on the waitlist at the University of Regina.

Adegoke told CBC he was no longer offering study permit services, he had no contact information for Success Academy Education Consult and had not dealt with the company since 2018. He declined to do a video call for more information.

CBC was not able to find a business that matched Adegoke's description. CBC made phone calls and sent emails to businesses with similar names, but none of the business owners said they recognized Lola Akinlade's letter.

Akinlade lost her study permit in Canada because of the fake letter, and was denied when she attempted to apply for a post-graduate work permit and a temporary resident permit.

An IRCC officer wrote to her in March 2023, telling her the department believes she knew the document was fake, "as per balance of probabilities."

Her husband, Samson Akinlade, and eight-year-old Nigerian-born son, David, joined her in Nova Scotia in 2018, and have now lost their temporary resident status.

Their younger son was born in Canada in 2021, and while he has Canadian citizenship, he does not have medical coverage because of his parents' status.

The three oldest members of the family have been asked to leave the country voluntarily. They cannot work or go to school.

"We've been surviving on our savings and I don't know how long we can keep surviving on that," she said. "It's really, really hard."

Akinlade said the family sold their home in Nigeria to fund the tens of thousands of dollars required for her Canadian tuition.

She and her husband worked in Nova Scotia as caregivers before losing their immigration status.

"We already invested our lives in Canada, so there is nothing to go back to fall on [in Nigeria]," she said

Akinlade's lawyer, Amanat Sandhu, said the family is filing a humanitarian application to stay.

Sandhu said it's common for her downtown Toronto firm to see what she describes as "rogue agents" supplying immigrants with bad information.

"Overall, there's a lot of people that get into this sticky situation where they trust an agent and then the agent doesn't perform the way that they're supposed to," she said.

Canadian schools are also concerned about the actions of these agents, said Graham Barber, the assistant director of international relations at Universities Canada.

Barber said in his more than 10-year career he's seen a "handful" of times when students actually showed up on a university campus believing they were enrolled when they were not.




Saturday, August 3, 2024 - A team of DCI Detectives and General Duty officers from Endebess Sub-county have arrested a 27-year-old man and subsequently rescued a five-year-old minor believed to have been abducted by him and transported to Kapnandi area in Uganda.

Hosea Kiptoo Satia, a resident of Kolongei area in Matumbei location is believed to have abducted the minor on 23/07/2024 and later sneaked into Uganda where the minor was left in the hands of a fairly old granny namely Celestine Koronyeny as Satia was demanding Ksh 100,000 in exchange of the child's freedom.



After days of investigations, the detectives smoked the suspect from his hideout where he led them to Uganda leading to the rescue of the young lad and the arrest of the second suspect.



Working with a children's officer, the kid was handed over to the parents as the suspects were being processed for arraignment.



The suspects have been arraigned and released on a Ksh 100,000 cash bail.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Saturday, August 3, 2024  A California doctor was arrested in connection with a hidden camera allegedly found in his clinic's bathroom and he is now facing a lawsuit from several families who claim to have been impacted.

Nicholas Vanderhyde, 40, was arrested in June after an investigation into a hidden camera that was found in his Santa Clarita, California, clinics bathroom, authorities said at the time.

He was arrested on a charge of possession of child pornography, Eyewitness News reported, citing a criminal complaint.

Now, 11 families have filed a lawsuit against him and the Joint Chiropractic clinic, they said at a press conference, Eyewitness News reported.

The investigation unfolded on May 8 when an employee at the clinic allegedly found a camera secretly taped to a cabinet and connected to a power bank in the bathroom, she told Eyewitness News at the time.

The employee, who was not named, told the outlet she discovered the camera when she went to retrieve her phone, which was on the cabinet, after using the bathroom.

It was pointed directly at the toilet, so they were definitely aiming to record people using the bathroom, peoples private parts, she said, per KTLA.





An investigation led authorities to Vanderhyde, who was arrested on June 4, a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriffs Station said at the time, per Eyewitness News. He has since been released on bail, per KTLA. It is unclear if he's retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

Now, in a lawsuit filed on Monday, July 29, 17 people claiming to be former patients, including four minors, claim that Vanderhyde violated their privacy after he allegedly purposely, strategically, and clandestinely placed the camera in the bathroom to record patients, including young children, in states of undress.

The lawsuit further alleges that the clinic failed to assist the patients in determining whether or not their nude or partially nude body was retained in images on Dr. Vanderhyde's technology devices or if their image was distributed electronically in some fashion.

The lawsuit further alleges that The Joint was aware that Vanderhyde was a predator who employed treatment measures not within the scope of services offered generally by The Joint, but that the clinic allowed him to continue doing so without any investigation.

Dr. Vanderhyde was permitted to continue treating patients in his rogue fashion, including insisting on upper, inner thigh massage touching at least one patients vagina, reads a part of the lawsuit.

In a statement, the Joint Chiropractic facility said they would not discuss "ongoing legal matters" but that "the safety of our patients and staff, and the integrity of the service we provide, are always our highest priorities," according to Eyewitness News.
Kazakhstan and Russia have discussed further development of the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor, Azernews reports via Kazakhstan's Transport Ministry.

The discussions took place in Moscow between Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, and Russia's Minister of Transport, Roman Starovoyt.

They also addressed the enhancement of transportation to Russian ports, highlighting active collaboration in railway transport and focusing on expanding air communications between the two countries.

Following the meeting, the ministers agreed to maintain close contact and strengthen cooperation in the most promising areas of bilateral transport development.

The International North-South Transport Corridor is a 7,200 km multimodal route connecting St. Petersburg with ports in Iran and India. It serves as an alternative to the sea route linking Europe with the Persian Gulf countries and the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal.

The corridor's western and eastern branches traverse Iran; the western branch uses road transport through Rasht, while the eastern branch relies on rail. The final destination in Iran is the port of Bandar Abbas, from which cargo can be shipped to India by sea. The western branch also passes through Azerbaijan, and the eastern branch passes through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.




Saturday, August 3,2024 - Kapsaret Member of Parliament, Oscar Sudi, has vowed to transform the life of former Prime minister Raila Odingas chief sycophant, Nuru Okanga, who has been living like a rat despite being close to the opposition leader

Appearing on Oga Obinna's show on Thursday, Sudi expressed his liking for Okanga despite the latter accusing him of pocketing Sh 350 million monthly from garbage collection in Nairobi.

"Nuru Okanga is a good person it is only that he is primitive and being misused. I saw him saying that his bathroom is still outside his house and he still takes a bath outside," Sudi said.

"Tell him to look for me I will give him something to do, even if it is in my garbage company so that he doesn't take a bath outside again like the last time," he added.

Sudi also shared that he contacted content creator Kimbi Kimbi to request Okanga's number, but Kimbi Kimbi did not provide it.

Although Obinna tried calling Okanga, he did not receive the phone as he was probably asleep because it was late at night.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, August 3, 2024 - A team of detectives drawn from the Nairobi regional CRIB and Operations unit have re-arrested Shailesh Babubhai Mistry who had earlier in the day escaped from lawful custody.

Mistry who is the director of Cateyes Customs Limited had been arrested earlier in the day at Tamasha Bar and Restaurant within Karen by DCI Karen detectives and escorted to Karen Police station where a search was conducted in his motor vehicle Registration No. KCQ 888N and a cache of weapons were recovered.



Among the recoveries included a Sig Sauer P22 pistol, two Canik pistols with no working parts, six empty pistol magazines, thirty-three .38 special hollow point rounds, forty-three 9mm x 19 rounds, and nine.45 auto rounds, two hundred and three.223 rounds, twelve 357 sig rounds, forty four380 auto rounds, twenty .38 special ARX rounds, twelve .308 win rounds, sixty.470 nitro rounds, one hundred and four 12 gauge short gun rounds, and thirty-seven 3006 SPRG rounds.



Later the suspect was escorted to his residence at Southlands Estate Jordan Court House No. 411 and upon search, one Benelli short gun, one hundred and seventy .223 rounds, and forty 7.62 x 39 rounds of ammunition were recovered.



In the process, the suspect produced an expired civilian firearm certificate and was taken back to Karen police station where he was booked in for further processing.



While in the cells, Mistry requested to be escorted to his vehicle that was parked in the station yard to pick up a sweater but in the process, he instead locked himself inside the vehicle and later drove fast out of the station gate and in the process injured an officer.



Immediate man haunt was launched and following intelligence leads, the escapee was intercepted while driving his vehicle within the Kasarani area where he was re-arrested.



A quick search was conducted inside his vehicle where 3 Pistol Magazines, 2 loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition each and one loaded with 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered. Additionally, nine slag 12 gauge shotgun ammo were recovered also recovered.



The suspect has been placed in the cells pending arraignment.









The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Saturday, August 3, 2024 - The search for a missing 12-year-old Georgia girl has ended after she was found 10 hours away in Ohio with a 34-year-old man she met online.

Police say she was discovered after allegedly telling her father to stop looking for her because she wasnt coming home.

According to multiple news outlets, 12-year-old Maria Gomez-Perez, of Gainesville, Georgia, was last seen on May 29 in the driveway of her home and found two months later on July 25 in Ohio with a man named Antonio Agustin-Ailon, of Guatemala.

At a press conference on July 26, police said Agustin was 31 years old, but in an earlier statement, they said he was 34, which matches Ohio jail records.

During a press briefing, Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said that the Georgia girl was found safe and OK in another state after having been missing for nearly two months. Sheriff Couch reported that Gomez-Perez was communicating with Agustin online prior to her disappearance.

He said that authorities believe the child had been communicating with the man on Facebook and via other online apps.

Sheriff Couch said, Maria had indicated that she was unhappy and she wanted to leave home.

He further said that she had been communicating with other adult males online and gave them the same information.

He said, Let me be very clear on this  Maria is the victim here. Remember she is only 12 years old.

At the time of the press conference, police did not reveal any of the charges against the man, but they did say that he is expected to face several felony charges in Georgia and Ohio being that he transported a child across state lines.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Agustin allegedly drove from his home in Ohio to pick up the child from Gainesville, GA on May 29.

Police have reason to believe that Agustin had the child with him at his home the entire time that she was missing.

Law enforcement officials caught a break in the childs missing case when she allegedly messaged her father Andres Gomez, who last saw her at home on May 29, on Facebook and asked him to stop looking for her. Sheriff Couch said that the child was using a new Facebook account that she created to solely message him.

While speaking with her dad, the child told him that she was doing alright and would not be coming home.

The father proceeded to alert the authorities, who were then able to track down the child by tracing the IP address to a Dover, Ohio location, where they found the 34-year-old man with the 12-year-old girl at a local swimming pool.

Upon their discovery, the Hall County Sheriffs Department, along with the Tuscarawas County Sheriffs Office, arrested Agustin in a shopping center parking lot and safely rescued the child.




Saturday, August 3, 2024 - A section of Mt Kenya leaders has opposed any attempts by individuals close to President William Ruto to impeach his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

The leaders, including Muranga Deputy Governor Stephen Munania, nominated MP Sabina Chege, Kangema MP Peter Kihungi, and Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, stated that the impeachment plot is an affront to the people of the Mt Kenya region.

The leaders criticized those plotting to impeach Gachagua, stating they would not engage in sideshows or retrogressive politicking.

"To my fellow parliamentarians, I humbly request you, let us stop thinking about personalities but the issues that affect the people.

"We have no time for sideshows. I have heard the impeachment rumours but I will not and cannot sign, I have no time for that.

"We will sit in parliament and discuss things that are helpful to the nation, Chege said.

The nominated MP at the same time challenged President William Rutos administration to stop seeking solutions to Kenyas challenges from men and instead go back to the foundation of the current government.

Stop looking for solutions from individuals. Remember your foundation is in God. You started on the foundation of God, he has the solutions to this nation and not individuals, she said.

Kihungi described the plot to impeach Gachagua as insensitive to Kenyans, noting that his constituents have already warned him against such tactics.

In his speech, Muriu urged Gachagua to stay strong and navigate through the current challenges to emerge as a stronger leader.

Ruto's allies are planning to impeach Gachagua over allegations of gross misconduct, undermining the President, and sponsoring and financing Gen Z protests.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, August 3, 2024 - The Matatu Crew Welfare Association has voiced strong concerns over alleged discrimination in the administration of justice within the business.

The association claims that some flashy matatus operating on the Ngong - Nairobi route are notorious for flagrantly violating traffic laws in plain view of traffic police officers.



According to the association, these matatus have been observed blocking and harassing other matatu operators.



The vehicles are reported to lack Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licenses and insurance and are not registered with any matatu Sacco.

In normal occurrences, vehicles at the railway stage have to queue for up to four hours to be able to carry passengers, but these vehicles are said to not follow these guidelines.



The association claims to have reported these issues to the traffic police multiple times but there has been no effective response.

Police are said to be afraid of arresting them for fear of losing their jobs or being transferred.



The crew operators plan to hold demonstrations on Wednesday, August 7th, if no action is taken.

The matatus are owned by President William Rutos son, George Ruto.

Kuna magari watu wanasema ni za serikali, gari haina at jina ya Saccogari inakuja hapa inareverse kwa roundabout, askari wanaangalia tu, said WIlfred Bosire, the association chairman.

Askari wa trafiki, hata Regional Commander, hawaeziongelea hizo magari, hii ni nchi gani tunaishi? People are scared, they cant speak, but some of us must speak whether were going to be abducted or not. We want fairness in doing business, said Jasper, an investor in the matatu industry.

Now this is the real face of Impunity. Citizen forgot to add that the vehicles don't even have insurance and are now being referred to as "Government vehicles" #NaneNane #NaneNaneMarch pic.twitter.com/xMBIeyAfGd  Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) August 3, 2024

Below are photos of the flashy matatus owned by the Presidents son, George.













The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Saturday, August 3, 2024 - In an unexpected turn of events, former ODM Chairman John Mbadi has made a claim that could send shockwaves through Kenyas political landscape.

This is after he claimed that President William Rutos UDA and former Prime Minister Raila Odingas ODM are the same.

According to Mbadi, ODM and UDA are virtually indistinguishable; something that left both political observers and committee members baffled.

Mbadis comments came in response to a probing question from Suna East MP, Junnet Mohammed, who is part of the Parliamentary Vetting Committee led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.

The session, intended to scrutinize Mbadis suitability for his new role as National Treasury Cabinet Secretary under President William Ruto, took an unexpected turn as Mbadi began to address the ideological similarities between ODM and UDA.

The notion of the "Bottom-Up Agenda," a key pillar of President Rutos administration, was central to the discussion.

Mbadi, who is known for his sharp political insights, declared that Bottom Up is a concept of UDA.

If you look at the philosophy of UDA and ODM there is no difference.

His assertion that both parties essentially advocate for social democracy stunned many.

Adding fuel to the fire, Mbadi elaborated on his claim by highlighting that the Beta Conceptanother initiative promoted by UDAis focused on job creation, lowering the cost of living, boosting agricultural productivity, and advancing the digital economy.

He argued that both ideologies emphasise value addition in agriculture, albeit with different terminologies.

The reaction from the vetting committee was a mix of disbelief and amusement. The idea that two of Kenyas most significant political parties could share such fundamental ideological similarities was met with laughter and incredulity.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, August 3, 2024 - South Africa's Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has pledged to prosecute an offender who attacked two court officials following his conviction on Thursday, August 1. The incident occurred at the Mamelodi Magistrate's Court, confirmed spokesperson Tsekiso Machike.

Preliminary reports indicate the suspect, convicted of common robbery and damage to property by the magistrate, broke a bottle and attempted to stab the prosecutor and stenographer immediately after the verdict was delivered," Machike stated.

The attack has prompted an investigation by the police, and the department has withheld further details pending the outcome. Senior management from the department visited the Mamelodi court, assuring that all affected staff would receive trauma counselling support.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane has called for a comprehensive security and risk assessment to identify potential gaps and prevent future occurrences.

We will not tolerate such acts of violence in our courts. The suspect will be prosecuted for committing the crime, Simelane asserted. It is essential our courts remain free to fulfil their constitutionally mandated role in administering justice without fear of harm. Any assault on court officials undermines the authority of the state and will not be tolerated.




Saturday, August 3, 2024  The government of President William Ruto has taken the rejected Finance Act 2023 battle to the Supreme Court even as Kenyans continue to celebrate the Court of Appeal ruling that declared the Act unconstitutional.

Citizens, long burdened by escalating taxes, celebrated a rare victory against government overreach. However, the jubilation may be short-lived as the government plans to appeal the ruling, which has created a Ksh 510 billion gap in the national budget for the current fiscal year.

National Treasury filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court, challenging the Court of Appeals decision.

The Treasury argues that overturning the Finance Act 2023 threatens to slash Ksh164 billion from its anticipated revenue  a critical blow to an already strained fiscal framework.

The stakes are extraordinarily high. The Finance Act 2023 has been instrumental in reshaping Kenya's tax landscape.

It imposed a series of tax hikes, including doubling VAT on fuel from eight to 16 per cent and introducing new income tax bands for high earners.

With the Act now voided, the government faces not only the loss of this revenue but also the logistical nightmare of reverting to previous tax laws, which could further complicate revenue collection and fiscal planning.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, August 3, 2024 - Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja was forced to leave Toi Market on Saturday afternoon after residents began stoning him and his motorcade.

The governor had visited the residents after a large fire burned down the market on Saturday morning, destroying goods and property of unknown value.

At least four people were reported dead in the incident, including a child burnt beyond recognition.

Visited traders affected by fire incidents at Toi Market and later at Umoja 2.

"Poleni sana to all affected and condolences to the bereaved. Sadly, we lost 4 souls in the Toi inferno.

"We will support their families during this trying time. For the traders, we will rebuild and help you get back on your feet, Sakaja said.

Thanks to the first responders and all who tried to help salvage the situation.

"We had a total of 7 fires across the city last night, and all affected will get support.

"For those who caused incitement, it is well, nothing will stop us from supporting our people.

At least 2,000 traders were affected by the fire, which according to Toi Market chair Kenneth Jumba, was started intentionally.

We have never received the report on what caused the fire that we experienced last year. We are used to them, Kenneth said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, August 3, 2024 - The Council of the University of Nairobi has appointed Prof Margaret Hutchinson as acting Vice-chancellor.

This is after the council rejected a second term request by embattled Vice-Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama and rather sent him on a three-month suspension.

Council chairman Prof Amukoa Anangwe said as a result, Kiama has been suspended pending investigations into his conduct.

Anangwe said the Council resolved to suspend the embattled VC, following his misconduct and insubordination.

The Council was unable to access the board room at the 19th floor after the VC blocked entry to the building forcing us to use security to access the premises, said Anangwe.

He said while on suspension, the VC will not be allowed to transact any business on behalf of the institution.

Anti-riot police officers were deployed to eject Kiama from his office.

Watch the video.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
The Universities of Wisconsin's tuition-waiver program that erases any remaining tuition fees for lower-income students has been revived after receiving millions in grant funding.

For the next cohort, Madison-based Ascendium Education Group, a nonprofit that focuses on access to education beyond high school, is chipping in $5 million; the UW system will match that with an additional $5 million. Any other support needed will come from the universities.

Last December, UW system President Jay Rothman had said any future rounds of the Wisconsin Tuition Promise would require philanthropic support, as the state Legislature denied the UW system's $24.5 million request for it in the most recent budget. The UW system paid out of its own pocket for the first cohort of students, who started last fall.

The tuition-waiver program, for new and transfer students, won't start in time for freshmen this fall, but will be in place for new students in fall 2025. Many of those students are the same ones who are receiving their direct admissions letters this week, a different UW system initiative to boost enrollment.

Were pleased to once again offer Wisconsin resident students of modest means an opportunity to attend a UW tuition-free, Rothman said in a statement Friday. We know that for a number of students cost is a barrier to enrollment and removing that barrier is critical.

The Wisconsin Tuition Promise helps pay for up to four years of tuition and fees for in-state students coming from families earning less than $55,000 annually. Transfer students would receive two years of funding.

The income threshold to qualify for the program has dropped from an annual income of $62,000 for the first cohort. Students attending UW system schools other than UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee are eligible  those two schools privately fund their own tuition-waiver programs.

Its a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the System agrees to pick up the cost of tuition and segregated fees for participating students after all other funding sources, such as scholarships and grants, have been exhausted. The program is modeled after UW-Madisons Buckys Tuition Promise, which launched in 2018.

It's expected that about 1,300 students will qualify for the program next fall, the release said. About 6,000 students qualified for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise last fall, with 1,697 receiving grants. Of those awardees, about 1,000 were UW-Milwaukee students.

Increasing accessibility, especially for first-generation students, is a key piece of UW systems enrollment strategy, with an end goal of increasing graduates by 10% by 2028. Higher counts of new freshmen students helped give UW system enrollment a modest boost this fall, reversing a decade-long trend of declining enrollment; its unclear how much of that increase can be attributed to the launch of the Wisconsin Tuition Promise.

Other nearby states tuition promise programs could threaten enrollment numbers at some UW system campuses. Minnesota will start its North Star Promise tuition-waiver program this fall for students whose families earn $80,000 or less annually; North Dakota, which relies on Minnesota transplants to make up half of its Fargo campus, has since launched its own promise program.






Saturday, August 3, 2024 - Former US President, Donald Trump shared a photograph of Vice President Kamala Harris wearing an Indian attire and also her birth certificate as he continued to push racially charged claims that the Democratic presidential candidate isnt really Black.

A day after accusing Harris of only recently claiming Black heritage, Trump added to the controversy by sharing the photo of Harris wearing traditional Indian attire alongside her mother and maternal relatives.

Thank you Kamala for the nice picture you sent from many years ago! Trump wrote on Truth Social. Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian Heritage are very much appreciated,





The message came as Trump showed no signs of backing away from the controversy he launched during a 35-minute argumentative interview with reporters at the National Association of Black Journalists.

Trumps campaign posted a headline depicting Harris as the first Indian-American senator elected from California as he addressed a rally in Pennsylvania.

J.D. Vance, Trumps vice presidential running mate, praised Trump for having the courage to respond honestly to tough questions and slammed Harris as a chameleon.

Trump then reposted a series of posts from far right Republican Laura Loomer that "Kamala Harris' birth certificate proves[s] that she is lying about being Black" and "CNN did a whole interview about how Kamala is Indian." That post ends with the declaration, "Not Black!"

Trump also reposted Loomer's quoted post of an alleged birth certificate belonging to Kamala Harris. Loomer claims the birth certificate doesn't claim Harris "is Black or African."

However, the alleged birth certificate also states Harris is of Jamaican heritage and most Jamaicans are of African descent. Loomer also claims that "Trump is correct" to attack Harris because she is "not Black and never has been." Loomer then stated that Harris is "the descendent of slave owners."

Trump last week escalated his attacks at the National Association of Black Journalists conference by claiming that Harris said she was Indian, but then decided to "turn Black" and "became Black."

Trump then followed that up with additional Truth Social posts, one of Kamala Harris cooking Indian food with actress Mindy Kaling and talking about being of Indian heritage. Along with the video, Trump posted, "Crazy Kamala is saying she's Indian, not Black."





Harris father is from Jamaica and she says she is Black and South Asian. She attended Howard University, a historically Black college, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically Black sorority.




Saturday, August 3, 2024 - Treasury Cabinet Secretary nominee John Mbadi has allayed concerns among Kenyans about the economy following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.

Appearing before the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments on Saturday, Mbadi assured the country that finance bills are always intended to improve existing finance laws.

The former Orange Democratic Movement Chairman, therefore, stated that there would be no vacuum even with President William Ruto's move to reject the bill.

"We dont have a lacuna. In fact, a Finance Bill is an omnibus Amendment Bill; we have about five or six legislations that the Finance Bill usually amends.

"We have Excise Duty, Import Duty, Value Added Tax, Income Tax, Tax Procedures Act, and fees and levies. These are specific legislations.

This House, if Im approved, should help me to bring these legislations directly, touching on these specific statutes.

"We dont have to have a Finance Bill, but Ill seek guidance from the Attorney General," he said.

Mbadi further stated that, if approved, he will ensure more Kenyans are brought into the tax bracket to increase revenues without introducing new levies.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
A formal clinical track should allow experienced hospitalists to function as inpatient subspecialists: a so-called focused practice in inpatient subspecialty. This proposal makes sense on multiple levels.

First, there is a shortage of inpatient subspecialists, particularly in small community settings. Hospitalists, qualified and certified as inpatient subspecialists, could fill this gap.

Second, the practice of hospital medicine is an ideal launching pad for a focused practice in an inpatient subspecialty. Hospitalists are continuously exposed to inpatient subspecialty cases over years of practice. Thus, a conscientious and studious hospitalist can accrue substantial knowledge of inpatient subspecialty management. By working with numerous subspecialists in any particular field, hospitalists have a unique opportunity to observe (and learn from) variations in their practice patterns. Although every subspecialty is admittedly complex, it is my experience that the number of common clinical conditions managed as an inpatient for each subspecialty is quite limited and well within the capacity of a board-certified internist to manage. In other words, there is no magic wand received by completing a formal fellowship trainingwe all have access to the same knowledge resources.

Third, older hospitalists, in particular, would benefit from this personally and professionally stimulating career path that would promote continued professional development and provide the respect their experience deserves. Currently, hospitalists with decades of experience are still sometimes treated, in my experience, as glorified residents, with their clinical decisions regarding subspecialty issues sometimes not trusted by other clinicians.

Fourth, hospitalists generally have more extensive core training and clinical experience than many inpatient mid-level (NP/PA) subspecialty providers who are currently providing an increasing proportion of inpatient subspecialty care under diminishing degrees of supervision. Yet, the current system essentially places board-certified hospitalists in a subordinate role to such mid-level providers. To some, this can be professionally awkward and demoralizing.

Fifth, while formal subspecialty fellowship training is the standard path for internists to become subspecialists, that path is impractical and arguably unnecessary for most practicing hospitalists. A focused practice in inpatient subspecialty track could offer equivalent quality subspecialty training specifically tailored to the inpatient setting. Consider that if mid-level providers were required to undergo formal, multi-year fellowship training, their numbers would be significantly reduced. Yet, we currently accept them as adequate in this role with minimal formal training.

Sixth, the reality is that hospitalists working at smaller community hospitals without certain subspecialists available are already making clinical assessments and decisions that would typically be made by a subspecialist if the patient were at a larger facility. So, it isnt at all irrational to allow them to do the same thing on a formal basiswith supplemental subspecialty training to fine-tune their knowledge and skills.

Consider the following potential requirements for a focused practice in inpatient subspecialty:

A board-certified hospitalist with ten or more years of active inpatient clinical practice (or less?).

A six-month focused apprenticeship under a board-certified subspecialist.

A defined curriculum with written and/or oral examinations to assess clinical knowledge.

Of course, regulations defining oversight, co-management, procedural skills, and billing criteria for these physicians would have to be created, but the effort would be worth it.

Its a clear win-win proposal. By creating a subspecialty track for experienced board-certified hospitalists, we can rejuvenate their professional practice and increase the number of subspecialty physicians in areas of greatest need.

David M. Mitchell is a hospitalist.
Its estimated that up to 10 percent of all peer reviews are shams, thus, its worth a few minutes of education so youre not left grappling if you suspect you might be the target of one.

As physicians, we purchase malpractice insurance (or its provided by an employer) to protect us from patients who file suits claiming negligence or harmful treatment decisions. The tacit understanding is that weve worked hard to get where we are, mistakes happen, and occasionally, no matter what we do, a patient feels wronged and will take legal action. But what if a colleague, hospital administrator, or board examiner makes a claim against us that is bogus or unsubstantiated? No insurance policy exists to protect physicians from others they work with subjecting them to a sham peer review (SPR), tarnishing their reputation, or even ending their career. SPRs target good physicians for non-medical reasons.

Unfortunately, in sham peer review, the truth and the facts do not matter because the outcome is predetermined and the process is rigged, writes Lawrence Huntoon, MD, PhD, in the winter issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons.

So why do such reviews occur? Some reasons include retaliation against a physician who was a whistleblower regarding workplace practices or treatment of another staff member; professional envy; discrimination based on race, gender, or sexual orientation; turf battles; power struggles; or simply I dont like them, They dont fit in here. If it sounds like SPRs can develop from any interpersonal difference, thats because its true.

Peer review is mandated by The Joint Commission (formerly known as JCAHO, the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations). Their stated purpose is to protect patients and improve the quality of patient care. While the Joint Commission has standard criteria for health care center accreditation and a box to check for has completed a peer review process, the manner in which reviews are conducted varies widely across institutions. If youve ever applied for hospital privileges, youve had to submit names of peers to validate your performance. You choose people who know you well and will vouch for your integrity.

SPRs, as we know them today, developed over decades. In the 1980s, a surgeon in Oregon sued a hospital for being subjected to a bad-faith peer review. The case worked its way to the Supreme Court, and the physician won $2.2 million. As a result, doctors didnt want to participate in peer review activities because they didnt want to get caught up in lawsuits; malpractice lawsuits were at an all-time high, and Congress decided to take action.

In 1986, the Healthcare Quality Improvement Act (HCQIA) was passed to protect hospitals and physicians participating in peer reviews from being sued. Its loser pays clause provides immunity for anyone in the administration or hospital from liability, and forces anyone who legally contests the results of a peer review and loses to cover litigation fees for all involved. What was branded as a means of improving health care delivery and eliminating red tape instead opened the doors to malicious SPRs.

Around the same time, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). The NPDB retains records of lawsuits, malpractice payments, and any adverse action reports filed against health care professionals. The intention was to prevent those involved in the scandal from leaving their jobs and moving to start fresh. It effectively became a blacklist: if one is reported, it can be difficult or even impossible to practice medicine in the U.S. again.

As much as the NPDB sought to weed out bad apples, its creation set the stage for the excommunication of good physicians via SPRs. The data banks regulations make it ripe for those in power to manipulate undesirable fellow practitioners. For one, records can only be accessed by hospitals, state medical boards, and professional societies. Even more dangerous is the requirement that the only person who can remove a reported physician from the NPDB is the one who filed the report.

Because HCQIA gives immunity to hospitals, administrators, and peers participating in peer review, abuse of the review process has led to physicians being subjected to bad-faith peer reviews simply by being labeled as disruptive. Likewise, the criteria for being labeled disruptive remain arbitrary and ill-defined. Unlike civil law, which presumes innocence until proven guilty, HCQIA presumes the accused physician is guilty until proven innocent by shifting the burden of proof from accuser to accused. No system of checks or balances exists to prove that the person making an accusation is any more reputable or competent than the accused, only that they feel empowered to make a claim. In essence, as long as a medical center provides procedural due process and states some minimal basis of the claim in providing quality health care, they are immune from liability, regardless of the claims legitimacy.

Maybe youre thinking of that vitriolic physician in your practice. The one who treats the staff terribly, communicates awfully, and seems to suffer no consequences for their actions? Ive known hospitals that tried for years to get rid of a truly incompetent physician with a terrible track record and were unsuccessful in revoking their privileges. Likewise, Ive seen excellent practitioners valued and respected by many of their colleagues, who were dismissed for entirely nondescript reasons. These occurrences defy logic and reek of cronyism and systemic inequality.

It may be the influence of politicians who have allowed for fake news or feelings matter more than facts to become a standard way of dismissing truth. Perhaps those who entered medicine because they felt a calling have compassion fatigue or have left medicine altogether, leaving only those who must be right at all costs. Such narcissists view others successes as threats, and with unchecked power, they can take action against such threats. All it takes to mark competent practitioners for life is a phony claim about an unlikable personality framed as a preservation of quality health care.

Tracey OConnell is an educator and coach who fosters positive self-worth, psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and shame resilience among physicians, teens, and LGBTQ+ individuals. She is a certified facilitator of expressive writing programs and Brene Browns research. Her change of direction came after many years of feeling not enough as a person, physician, parent, or partner. Tracey has found that expressive writing allows us to access our true selves, helps us gain self-trust and self-compassion, and ultimately leads to a more authentic and wholehearted way of belonging in the world. She is also an advocate for universal, affordable, fair, safe, and equitable medical access, education, and practice. Since 1992, she has lived in Durham/Chapel Hill, NC, where she began her medical career in radiology and musculoskeletal imaging, training at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University.

She can be reached on her website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram @fertile__soul, and YouTube.
 

               :  
There remains a fair degree of bewilderment and disquiet following the announcement that not only is RTE to receive a defacto bailout to remedy its financial woes, but that the deeply-unpopular TV licence model is set to continue.

Minister Catherine Martin has confirmed that RTE will still be funded through a mixture of the 160 licence fee and direct annual Exchequer grants. An Post will also be given 6 million to improve its collection procedures.

After all the issues and questionable practices revealed in recent months, few could have expected the outcome to amount to the taxpayer stumping up hundreds of millions of euro for what is not entirely clear as yet.

From controversies around the money paid to certain individuals, to side deals and secret salaries, barter accounts, trips abroad to major sporting events, hotel stays, and even 5,000 for flip flops, it is all a bit hard to fathom.

A large portion of the public has lost confidence in the TV licence model and many believe they are not getting value for their money.

READ MORE COLUMNS AND FEATURES HERE

The replacement of the licence system was advocated by the Future of Media Commission, the joint Oireachtas committee  and, perhaps most bizarrely  by Minister Martin herself.

NUJ Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley has acknowledged the principle of multi-annual funding but said its value was negated by the retention of the current licence system. He said the current financial crisis in RTE is to a great extent the product of political cowardice on the part of successive governments in failing to reform the licence system.

Will it ever be any different?

CAMOGIE CATS

Congratulations to the Kilkenny camogie intermediate team who downed Kerry at the weekend in the All-Ireland semi-final.

After the disappointment of the previous few weekends, its great to know that the black and amber will be flying in an All-Ireland final in Croke Park this summer.

Lets get behind the team for their clash with Cork on Sunday, August 11. Cill Chainnigh Abu!
A local community activist is calling for a new pedestrain bridge over the River Nore close to where the Talbot's Inch Suspension Bridge originally stood.

The Talbots Inch Suspension Bridge collapsed in 1947. Local man Liam Heffernan, who contested the most recent local election, claims that the steel supports for the bridge were never retrieved and present a hazard, particularly for boating. He added that the need for a new replacement bridge in the area has never been greater.



The provision of a new pedestrian bridge in the area would allow people from the west side of Kilkenny to access the Bleach Road and the new Kilkenny Countryside Park, he said.



It would, of course, also allow people from the Bleach Road side easy access to Bishopsmeadows Park, and further connect the city.

READ MORE: CALLS TO REINSTATE OLD DIVING BOARD

The original Talbot's Inch Suspension Bridge was built by Lady Desart in 1906 to enable mill workers to cross the River Nore, from their residences in Talbot's Inch to the mills on the opposite side of the river. The bridge stood until it was destroyed by the Great Flood in 1947.

Remnants of the concrete ramp leading up to the bridge, the steel column supports for the bridge and the suspension cables from which the bridge deck was hung can still be seen at the site.
Labour Party councillor in Kilkenny City and Chairperson of Carlow/Kilkenny Labour Party has welcomed the inclusion of eleven primary schools across Carlow and Kilkenny in the Department of Educations Hot Meals Scheme from this September.

The list includes his own former school, Gaelscoil Osrai in Kilkenny City and schools from Bagenalstown to Owning.

"I welcome this announcement by Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD today. While hot school meals are a novelty in Ireland, they are common across many other countries, including our near neighbours in Britain.

"They can provide a major support to parents in ensuring that children are receiving adequate nutrition in school and I also know from my days as school principal and particularly as a learning support teacher that childrens concentration and learning abilities improve considerably when they receive adequate lunches.

"There is also the reality that many children arrive hungry to school as outlined in a number of studies. Addressing the cost of living crisis and continuing child poverty has to be a priority, but this announcement will help many of these families. It s certainly a long way from the bread and jam and cocoa many of us received in the 1970s and 80s.

"I now call on the Minister and Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD to ensure that schools have the necessary equipment and personnel in place in September to make the scheme a success from the start.

"I would also call for the scheme to ensure that meals are of the highest possible nutritional value and that ingredients are sourced locally to schools, supporting local farmers and food producers and minimising the carbon footprint of the meals children will receive," he said.
Biologist Jerry Coyne writes quoting Geonet:

The Alpine Fault is the longest naturally forming straight line on earth. It marks the meeting of two large tectonic plates and has formed over millions of years, stretching longer, lifting our landscape up out of the ocean, and creating the peaks of Ka Tiritiri o te Moana (Southern Alps) with every large earthquake it generates. According to Ngai Tahu creation stories, earthquakes are caused by Ruaumoko, the son of Ranginui (the Sky Father) and his wife Papatuanuku (the Earth Mother). Maori have experienced ru whenua, which means the shaking of the land for centuries. Science tells us that Ruaumoko rumbles the Alpine Fault about every 300 years, and the last time was in 1717.

So a NZ Government organisation is telling people that a godling rumbles the Alpine Fault.

Coyne points out:

Dragging in Maori religion not only doesnt add anything to the prediction of earthquakes, but is likely to confuse students who think that religious mythology is inherent in this prediction. What on earth can it mean to say that Science tells us that Ruaumoko rumbles the Alpine Fault about every 300 years. . ? That is simply a flat-out lie. The pressures on the tectonic plates makes them slip roughly once every 300 years. Its not due to the actions of a god who decides to rumble the earth about every 300 years (does he get bored?). It is a disservicein fact, an insultto geologists to add to their science the idea that gods are shaking the earth. It is an embarrassment to New Zealands government that they are more or less forced to mix indigenous myths with science to pretend that they can reinforce each other. And that pressure comes from trying to sacralize the indigenous people and satisfy, so they think, are the demands of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. But that treaty says nothing about indigenous ways of knowing being made coequal to modern science. Yes, indigenous knowledge may be a useful addition to some limited scientific endeavors, but this is not one of them. Get the gods out of geology!

This could be taught in social studies or religious studies, but should not be taught in geology.

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You would think from the way that representatives of the teacher unions, speaking to MPs this week in opposition to Charter Schools, spoke of themselves, and their schools, that the sun shines out of their educational backsides.



Unfortunately the latest OECD studies show that a significant portion of the NZ population doesnt think so  and it is yet another awful international comparison.

According to the 2024 OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions only 55% of the NZ population are satisfied with our education system. The OECD average is 57% and NZ is well behind Australia (71%) as well as Mexico!!, Netherlands, Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, Finland, etc. And also SWEDEN  who during the week the PPTA people derided for having Charter Schools. (NB: See below NZ not so flash on Health either. The survey also includes results on trust on whether bureaucrats and innovative and other measures of trust in our Ministries).

The education result is, of course, a huge indictment on the Ministry of Education whose purpose is: We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

It is also a huge indictment on the teacher unions. The PPTAs mission statement is: To advance the cause of education generally and of all phases of secondary and technical education in particular.

The outstanding Maryanne Spurdle of Maxim Institute makes these observations on the OECD survey.



Finland topped the list with 81% satisfied; Switzerland and Denmark boast 76% and 74%. All have decentralised education systems where regions manage operations. In Denmark, municipalities also fund schools up to lower secondary level. Upper secondary schools are centrally funded and self-governing.

In the Netherlands, 71% are satisfied. Both public and private schools are funded equally by the state, and funding depends on outcomes.

In Australia, 36% of students attend private and Catholic Schools that are heavily subsidised by state and central governments.

Next time someone insists that only the Ministry of Education can improve education, remember this: Parents are more satisfied with schools when educators and communities have more say than bureaucrats, unions, and politicians. And providing meaningful school choice always serves students better.

In New Zealand, some still believe that the introduction of Charter Schools will devastate public schools. In fact, returning some schools to communities and iwi is exactly what public education needs.

Why? Because more than 500 state schools are over-capacitya massive problem that new Charter Schools will ease. And because in secondary schools, 27% of vacant teaching positions are going unfilled and a growing number of teachers leave the profession mid-career. Independent schools, however, can recruit more broadly and have more liberty to create appealing working conditions.

Rather than worry about publicly funding private operatorswhich we happily do with services from GP clinics to emergency housing providerslets be afraid of imitating Greece. Its centralised education system spends no public funds on independent schools, and it was the least popular in the OECD report: 37% of Greeks are satisfied, 47% are dissatisfied.



Alwyn Poole

alwyn.poole@gmail.com

Innovative Education Consultants Ltd

Education 710+ Ltd

alwynpoole.substack.com

www.linkedin.com/in/alwyn-poole-16b02151/



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HARRISBURG  More than a dozen third-party candidates for president, U.S. Senate and three statewide offices filed paperwork ahead of Thursdays deadline to get on Novembers general election ballot in Pennsylvania, raising the possibility that they could play spoiler in high-stakes and close races.

Pennsylvania could have a decisive role in the Nov. 5 presidential election between Republican nominee Donald Trump and likely Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

A third-party candidates draw in a general election, while usually very small, could help tilt a close race between the major party candidates.

Four third-party candidates filed to run for president by Thursdays 5 p.m. deadline.

They are Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the We the People Party, Jill Stein of the Green Party, Ken Krawchuk of the Libertarian Party and Claudia De la Cruz of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, according to information from the states election office.

Kennedy filed in June.

Kennedy has gained traction with a famous name and a loyal base, and strategists from both major parties fear that he has the potential to do better than any independent presidential candidate in decades and tip the election against them.

Legal challenges can be filed through Aug. 8 to contest whether the candidates met the requirement of filing the signatures of 5,000 registered voters.

Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, has swung between the parties in the last two presidential elections. In 2016, Trump won Pennsylvania by 44,000 votes over Democrat Hillary Clinton, and four years later Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump by 81,000 votes.

The Senate contest between Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick could help determine control of the chamber. Three third-party candidates filed to run: John Thomas of the Libertarian Party, Leila Hazou of the Green Party and Bernard Selker of the Constitution Party.

For the open attorney generals office, Democrat Eugene DePasquale and Republican Dave Sunday are the major party nominees. Third-party candidates filing by Thursdays deadline were Robert Cowburn of the Libertarian Party, Richard Weiss of the Green Party, Eric Settle of the Forward Party and Justin Magill of the Constitution Party.

For treasurer, the Republican incumbent, Stacy Garrity, is being challenged by Democrat Erin McClelland. Third-party candidates who filed to run for the office are Nickolas Ciesielski of the Libertarian Party, Chris Foster of the Forward Party and Troy Bowman of the Constitution Party.

For auditor general, the Republican incumbent, Tim DeFoor, is being challenged by Democrat Malcolm Kenyatta. Third-party candidates who filed to run for the office are Reece Smith of the Libertarian Party and Alan Goodrich of the Constitution Party.
Charlottesville police are asking for the publics assistance tracking down a runaway girl.

Nevaeh Jasmin Bowman was reported missing Wednesday.

Police described her as White with brown hair and brown eyes standing roughly 5-foot-4 and weighing roughly 165 pounds. She also has a tattoo of a broken heart under left eye, police said.

Anyone with information regarding Bowmans whereabouts is encouraged to contact the investigating detective with the Charlottesville Police Department at (434) 970-3676
The United States will continue to monitor the possibility of North Korea conducting another nuclear test, a Pentagon spokesperson said Friday, amid concerns that Pyongyang could engage in provocative acts around the U.S. presidential election in November.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh made the remarks, after South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said in a recent interview with Bloomberg that South Korea is not ruling out the possibility of a North Korean nuclear test before or after the U.S. general election.

"It's something that we're going to continue to monitor and something that we will always work with our ROK and Japanese allies on and coordinate on," she said, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.

"But any tests like that are incredibly destabilizing to the region and we will continue to monitor," she added.

Singh also reiterated that the U.S. wants to see the "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

In the interview with Bloomberg, Shin said that Pyongyang has completed preparations to conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test "when a decision is made," and that the North could conduct it before or after the election to "raise its leverage against the U.S." (Yonhap)
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), won additional primaries in North Jeolla Province, Saturday, as he seeks to secure a second term.

During the primary in North Jeolla Province, Lee won 84.79 percent of the combined ballots cast by registered party members, followed by former Interior Minister Kim Doo-gwan with 13.32 percent.

The DPK has held 10 primaries, including the latest one in North Jeolla Province, out of its 15-leg race across the country. Lee secured 90.41 percent of the accumulated votes in the previous nine primaries.

The party is scheduled to elect a new leader during a national convention Aug. 18, based on the results of the primaries, a survey of the general public and online polls by party representatives.

Lee is widely expected to win a second term and is considered a leading candidate for the liberal party in the next presidential election in 2027, though he is at the heart of several scandals, including a land development scandal in Seongnam, south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
By David A. Tizzard

A deep-seated sense of familiarity sets in as you age. Life becomes comfortable. The ego disappears. Anxiety fades. Things dont continually grab you with the fire that they once did and so you are left searching for that spark. Something that reminds you are still alive. Something that stops every song sounding the same, every movie playing out the same plot. Youre left looking for that feeling you once had when you were 23. Because in your mind, you still are 23. Despite what the wrinkles say.

Theres a connectivity between then and now. A thing called consciousness: memory. Of course everyone else looks at you like youre ancient. They question whether you know the meaning of rizz or have heard about Tik-Tok. But in your head, youre still 23. The same computer has been turned on the whole time, with all the tabs open, the cookies accepted, the viruses caught, and the screensavers enacted every time you black out.

But the streets dont change. The familiar smell rises up from the Kakao taxis. The kimchi stains similarly. The soju has changed its branding but the hangovers are the same. The cigars are less frequent but still pack the same punch. Life feels explored. And then you meet someone new.

I never knew

You dont know what you dont know. You spend your whole life going over the same records, the same authors. Falling back into the same habits and retreating into the same dreams and fears. You are a creature of habit.

You want to imagine that you are the special occasions. The fleeting moments of inspiration and ridiculousness. Do you remember when I did that?! you will ask people for the umpteenth time. They will smile and nod politely in the hope that you will return the favor when they repeat the stories they like to tell about themselves. But those idiosyncrasies are not us. We are the mundane behavior. We are who we are when no-one is looking.

We think we are our Insta stories. For some, they are the only interactions they will have with us. They will see the moments designed for sharing; the occasions deemed worthy of the public. But, in a beautiful mind fuck, we are everything but our Insta stories and social media posts. We are the music in between the notes. We are the classroom when the teacher leaves.

And this is why we have friends. Because they can see us. They can tell us when were getting fat. When our comments are a bit out of line. When were spending too much time and money on that thing we shouldnt. Friends see us for what we actually are, not what we think we are or what we want other people to see. In that sense, they have a wonderful position of privilege. The same privilege is extended to those visiting Korea. Im so fortunate to constantly be treated to Korea as seen through the brand new eyes of friends.

Those eyes

Korea is not what you think it is. Some people make money out of selling an image of the country to people who should know better. And for those of you who read every article, watch every YouTube video, and follow every twitter and TikTok account, youll never really know what the country is like unless you experience it. That sounds cold, exclusionist, and not very nice. It sounds like those here have a special inside privilege of what it means to be Korean and live Korean culture. And thats kind of true.

But its not the whole story. Having been here for such a long time, read all the books, seen all the changes, and been part of trying to explain what Korea is to a growing number of people, its so god-damn interesting to get the first impressions of the country from people fresh off the plane. Heres one of the most surprising things they say:

Couples are everywhere!

I love this one because if you follow a lot of the English-language media and influencers you would imagine that all the men are incels locked up in their rooms and unable to speak to people. They are intent on despicable acts and one bad day away from prison. The women, on the other hand, are feminists determined to act out a gender revolution of the country and usurp the patriarchy that has been here since it was implemented by the brutalities of Confucianism, colonization, civil war and neo-liberalism. You see these ideas reflected in comments below the content as well. It all becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy; a hyperreal version of Korean reality created by multimedia corporations such as the BBC as well as individuals who have learned that this is how you make money.

And yet!! Spend a few weeks in the country and youll come away thinking, Will these people not get a room? Youll see couples standing on the subway, gazing into each others eyes like theyre acting out a scene from a K-drama. They will stroke each others hair and pretend that the outside world has disappeared from view. The man will carry the bags. The woman will have her hair permed, her nails done. There might even be some couple clothes going on.

Its not a K-drama in appearance. Not everyone looks like Han So-hee and Kim Soo-hyun. But in vibe and behavior, its often not far away. Couples hold hands. They snap photos and 0.5s together. They whisk down the street, skipping almost, on their way to their latest dating course.

Im so adjusted to life here that I no-longer think of couple clothes or all of this dating as a thing of interest. It has faded into view. It has become comfortable and part of the background noise we can block out in life. But for those who are new, they tell me with their mouths agape, Im happy for you guys but.please. Stop it. Im trying to just take the subway and all your dating and PDA is right in my face.

These people come from abroad. They are used to topless beaches and so on. And yet some still tell me that the public displays of affection here are too much for them. It makes them miss their partners back home. It makes them feel single. Who is holding their hand? It feels a bit too on the nose when seen up close.

So when I hear these accounts of Korean dating and life, I always wonder why there are so many stories about Koreans being single, sad and self-interested. I would imagine that some of it is because people writing and producing these stories not only gain clout from such a narrative, they also see that Korea around them. They are single and so they see singledom everywhere and want others to feel, live and know that single life.

So if youre someone that reads about Korea from abroad, dont be fooled by the news. Theres a lot of love here. So much so in fact that it can be quite uncomfortable for those that dont have it. Especially when its dressed in matching clothes and taking selfies while youre trying to eat your lunch.

David A. Tizzard has a doctorate in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He is a social-cultural commentator and musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He is also the host of the "Korea Deconstructed" podcast, which can be found online. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr.
U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has agreed to an offer from Fox News to hold a debate with Democratic U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 4, he said in a post on Truth Social late Friday.

"Rules will be similar to the rules of my debate with Sleepy Joe, who has been treated horribly by his party, but with a full arena audience," Trump said, referring to President Joe Biden, who has since dropped his reelection bid.

The post was removed for a few minutes before being reposted, with Trump deleting his proposal for a "major" town hall gathering on the same date if Harris was "unwilling or unable to debate."

Harris had responded last month that she was "ready" after Fox News proposed a presidential debate between the two candidates Sept. 17.

After Biden dropped out of the race July 21 and backed Harris, Trump said he would not debate her because she was not the official candidate.

As proof of her lack of support, he added that former President Barack Obama had yet to endorse her. But Obama did so a day later, and Friday, she secured the delegate votes needed to clinch the Democratic nomination. (Reuters)
Vietnamese President To Lam was named to the nation's top position Saturday, general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam, replacing Nguyen Phu Trong, who died two weeks ago.

Lam, 67, had temporarily taken on the party chief's duties on July 18, a day before Trong's death, as his health deteriorated.

Party delegates unanimously supported Lam's nomination, officials told a press conference.

Addressing the delegates, he vowed to inherit and promote Trong's legacy, make no changes to the Southeast Asian nation's foreign policy, focus on achieving its socioeconomic development goals and continue a campaign against graft.

"In the coming time, the work on anti-corruption will be continued fiercely," Lam told the press conference. "Personally I feel fortunate that I have much experience in handling an anti-graft campaign during the time I worked at the police ministry."

Vietnam, a major destination for manufacturing investment, has long been favored by multinational corporations for its political stability, but experienced major turbulence in recent months that officials said was fuelled by the anti-graft effort.

The nation does not formally have a paramount leader, but the head of the party has a more prominent role than others, after Trong beefed up its power during his 13-year tenure.

Lam, a career security officer, had been seen as long aiming to become party chief, with experts calling the presidency a stepping stone for the top job.

"It is a sign of a temporary halt of internal fighting within the party," Nguyen Khac Giang, a Vietnam expert at the Singapore think tank the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

"Although Lam vowed to push forward the anti-corruption campaign, the campaign may slow down a little as he may prioritize stabilizing the party system before the party congress in 2026."

It was not immediately clear whether Lam would retain both top jobs until the legislative session ends in 2026, or whether a new president would be chosen.

Lam was elected president in May after leading the sweeping campaign of high-profile investigations against corruption as police minister. He replaced Vo Van Thuong, who had been in the job about a year when he quit amid accusations of unspecified wrongdoing.

Officials and diplomats said the party had discussed possibly naming a new president so that Lam could focus on the party chief job. Discussions may still be under way, one diplomat said Saturday.

If Lam retains both jobs, he may boost his powers and possibly adopt a more autocratic leadership style, officials have said, similar to that of Xi Jinping, who is China's party chief and state president.

That would be a change for Vietnam, which, unlike its far larger neighbor, has engaged in more collective decision-making, with leaders subject to multiple checks.

It would not, however, be unprecedented. Trong held both top jobs for nearly three years until April 2021 after the death of a former president.

"In case the plenum ends without naming any new state president to replace Lam, it is a signal of a new chapter for Vietnam," Giang said. "This practice can then become a norm, not just until 2026, but even after that."

Xi congratulated Lam on his new role, the official Xinhua news agency said. (Reuters)
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Phil Varner is not a historian, nor does he claim to be one.

But, when the software engineer began researching the namesakes of Charlottesvilles public schools about six years ago for my curiosity, in his own words, the subsequent articles he published on his website Correcting the Narrative were considered historical resources and information by the Charlottesville City School Board.

Im trying to paint a picture and tell a story with that information. Im not trying to write a professional historical analysis, Varner told The Daily Progress, adding that he has no formal historical training or background. I was actually expecting the school system to do more background research, not just use this.

His 56-page dossier became the primary source of information the school board relied upon to guide its investigation into the people behind the names of its schools. To date, that review has led to changing the names of four elementary schools and one middle school in the city.

One of the elementary schools to face school board scrutiny was Burnley-Moran. Though its namesakes  Carrie Burnley and Sarepta Moran  hail from the early 1900s, their descendants are still very much alive, and some still live in the community. Those that do say they are frustrated by how the school district has treated their families and family names.

Those documents are just laced with opinion bias, just gross negligence, and none of its lives up to the standards of the American Historical Association, Chuck Moran told The Daily Progress. This guy got away with writing that, submitted the documents to the city schools and they took them as verbatim, as truth, and put them out there.

Chuck Moran is the great-nephew of Sarepta Moran, a longtime educator in city schools and the first principal of what was then Venable Elementary School, now Trailblazer, for 21 years. In 1954, she, alongside fellow educator Carrie Burnley, were honored for their collective 98 years of service shaping the minds of Charlottesvilles youth with their names on the school divisions newest elementary school.

Seventy years later, their names are slated to come down. In January 2023, the Charlottesville School Board declared the namesakes of Burnley-Moran served Charlottesvilles racially segregated white schools. The school division maintains that the decision was not solely based on Varners discovery that the two women were members of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, however, his research remains the only resource listed on the division's website.

It was their involvement with the latter organization in particular that led Varner to surmise that both women must have been proponents of the racist theories that such hereditary organizations historically propagated, especially in their roles as instructors.

I think the school system just decided that they didnt really actually need any more information about it, because this information was sufficient enough to enable people to make decisions on whether or not this was true, said Varner.

Chuck Moran believes the decision was evidence of a lack of care as opposed to a well-informed conclusion.

They have an agenda, said Moran of the school board. What theyre doing is standing behind this agenda, putting out these faulty documents and leading people to these conclusions that these were awful people.

While the school division is adamant that the decision to change the name of Burnley-Moran cannot be reversed, recent developments show that such decisions are not, unlike the names, set in stone. Earlier this year, Shenandoah County Public Schools changed course and reverted two of its schools back to their original names honoring Confederates. And Charlottesville City Schools changed the name of Buford Middle School to Charlottesville Middle School last summer after announcing plans to pause name changes because there were questions about whether that we really had brought all the best options to the table.

City schools spokeswoman Beth Cheuk told The Daily Progress the school division did not consider recruiting a trained historian or formal historical agency to conduct an outside review of the school names. Instead the board relied on community members, such as Varner, to accumulate and submit their own materials. Despite referring to other community members, Varners is the only research publicized on the divisions website.

We would be foolish to set aside the work that someone has gathered, pulling together original sources, said Cheuk, adding that the school division owes Varner a great, big shoutout.

Others in the community have questioned the divisions decision not to establish a more formal review of the school names. They wonder why the public has not been provided more holistic, objective research on each of the namesakes before decisions about names were made.

Varners dossier includes information on only eight of the 11 school namesakes. He said he refrained from diving into the personal lives of Nannie Cox Jackson, Alicia Inez Bowler Lugo and Rebecca Fuller McGinness because of their race. Jackson, Lugo and McGinness were all Black women, he said, and this author is not the right person for that important job.

I, as a White man, dont need to be telling the stories of Black women. I think there are other historians, writers, who can do that better, said Varner.

Although Varner is a man, he did feel comfortable telling the story of Burnley and Moran, despite their gender.

During both of their tenures in the Charlottesville education system in the first half of the 20th century, teachers were under orders to teach a state-mandated White supremacist curriculum, said Varner. His article on Moran also points out that she held a uniquely effective role as UDC members were known to push for rewriting history textbooks to include the Lost Cause myth, which asserts that Confederate soldiers were not explicitly fighting to preserve slavery  despite Confederate leaders making that point abundantly clear in speeches and essays.

Moran and others have argued that membership in such an organization does not mean an adoption of all of that organizations credos, akin to supporting the Salvation Army in spite of its history of homophobia or belonging to a CrossFit gym despite its founders rabid libertarian ideology.

Now, we dont know whether they believed in it or not, right? Thats the argument, said Varner. Maybe they didnt actually believe in that. In all likelihood, they did, because that was the most common belief among White people, especially White people of their social status. Thats the most likely scenario; we dont have any evidence to the contrary. Thats sufficient for me that they did take these actions.

Varners findings and further community discourse also seemed to be sufficient for 61% of the respondents to a school division survey, released last January, who said they were in favor of changing the name of Burnley-Moran.

After combing through original documents online and from the University of Virginia Special Collections Library, Varner said there isnt a word he wrote that doesnt have evidence behind it.

Chuck Moran would like to see more of that evidence. He is of the mind that taking the leap to assume all members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy must have been advocates of the Lost Cause, segregation and blatant racism is too big of a jump to make safely.

I want to see the facts. Show me where she contributed in any way to any of those things, said Moran. He basically blames her for being involved with the rewriting of the school textbooks, which did happen and the UDC was involved with it. Was my great-aunt part of that? I dont know. Neither does he, he admits he doesnt.

Ever since Chuck Moran and his sister, Ginger, caught wind of the school boards investigation into their family name, they began conducting their own investigation. Their great-grandfather, Isaac K. Moran, enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1864 to fight in Gen. Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia. He lost his left leg after a battle wound and eventually worked as a bursar for UVa after the war.

Her fathers service made Sarepta Moran eligible to join the UDC, which she did in 1906, a move that her great-nephew interprets as an attempt to make her father happy or establish social connections. Moran said he reached out to the UDC to inquire about his great-aunts activities as a member of the group. No reference of Sarepta Moran surfaced in the national organizations archives aside from her membership application.

I couldnt believe it, said Moran, recalling his reaction to hearing the boards decision. I just couldnt believe it, because that was not the woman that I knew. [By the time I heard] they were pretty much well decided that they were going to scrub her name off of Burnley-Moran Elementary for which she was named.

Though she died from a heart attack when he was 12 years old, Moran recalled many fond memories of his great-aunt, whom he and his sisters considered more like a grandmother. Ever the teacher, she taught him how to whittle and bequeathed him a Boy Scout knife once he was able to carve an object without harming himself.

I had a great fondness for her as a person and as a relative, he said. She was an educators educator. She was always playful, always imaginative.

The question, for Varner, is less about whether such individuals were good people and more about whether their actions represent the values of our current school system. Their involvement with the UDC, to him, indicates no.

People always want to leave room for alternative explanations as to why their ancestors did certain things instead of just accepting what the most common explanation is, said Varner, who added its a stretch to refer to the UDC as simply a social club for women. We can have nuanced and complicated views of our ancestors; we dont have to only look at them in simplistic terms.

More than four years into the process of assessing school names, the Charlottesville School Board this May laid out a procedure to review and come to a decision on the namesakes. That included an advisory committee formed of members of the school and greater community as well as a step to notify relatives of the namesakes, giving them 30 days to express their opinions.

Despite the creation of a more established, deliberate process, it will only be applied as the division moves forward to review Jackson-Via and Greenbrier elementary schools and Lugo-McGinness Academy. The procedure says that, for Burnley-Moran and Johnson, the committee will begin with selecting the new names.

It is the more thorough process and treatment Chuck Moran wished his great-aunts legacy had also received. Hes not opposed to changing school names  he has not argued against changing the names of schools named after actual Confederate military men or vocal supporters of segregation  as long as its a well-informed consensus from the entire community that examines the entirety of somebodys life.

That seems like a really fair process, because find me somebody out here that has no skeletons in their closet, he said.

Its not too late to get it right and do it well, Moran continued. Come up with a process that can be shared with the rest of the country, because if it really did start here, then we have an obligation to get it right and to share that information of how the process can benefit other people who are considering this, but in a fair, factual, inclusive and transparent manner.
Theres not much story to tell in The Untold Story, a bland, rather old-hat take on male reinvention and redemption. That its as watchable as it is proves a testimony to star Barry Van Dykes committed turn as Edward Forester, a once busy and famous actor whose career flatlined after some bad public behavior.

Instead of sending Edward on a more unique, freewheeling journey of self-discovery, director Shane Stanley, who co-wrote with dad Lee Stanley, rehashes too many tired, often implausible tropes in an attempt to box in his protagonist and wring out viewer sympathy. Even 2017s similarly themed Burt Reynolds dramedy The Last Movie Star, shaky as it was, had more pep.

Thankfully, the Stanleys have infused Edward with some credible integrity and fortitude, which keeps him chugging forward despite being treated with egregious disdain by too many in his orbit. These folks include his sleazy agent (Jason Connery), prickly money manager (Joel Brooks), younger actress friend (Jordan Ladd) and, especially, Catarina (Nia Peeples), his mouthy, beleaguered neighbor in the cut-rate apartment complex where the strapped Edward is (improbably) forced to live.

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Despite forays into Edwards contrived flirtation with Catarina, his do-gooder activities with her young child (Jayden Mound) and too many examples of how the poor guy cant catch a break (does his car really need to be broken into?), the films most meaningful through line involves a newbie writer-director (Miko Hughes) who hands Edward the movie role of a lifetime  only to have the evil machinations of Hollywood snatch it away.

Thats where Edwards said resilience will factor in, though it should be said that the films sketchy, cliched portrayal of how the movie business works  or doesnt  feels way past its sell date.

-------------

The Untold Story

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 47 minutes

Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica

------------

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Transport for Ireland (TFI) have unveiled an ambitious new Workplace Travel Plan, and met with Laois businesses to discuss its features.

The meeting took place at Laois Chambers on July 18, where the benefits of participation in the programme were discussed.

Promoting sustainable travel is a key part of our climate action strategy, said Suzanne Dempsey, Climate Action Co-ordinator, Laois County Council.

TFIs Workplace Travel Plan program provides the knowledge and support for us to make real progress toward our environmental goals in a way that also benefits our everyone.

The plan promotes sustainable commuting habits for employees, and provides businesses with resources and advice in developing tailored travel plans for their employees.

TFI hopes to encourage carpooling and public transport, to promote a positive environmental impact.

Pictured: Laois business owners met with TFI, hosted by Laois Chambers.

The programme consists of a commitment to allocating time and resources to develop travel plans in partnership with TFI, along with the receipt of an online toolkit, dedicated account management, and access to TFIs behaviour change experts.

TFI will work with businesses to analyse the best options based on location, workforce, and operational needs. The program helps businesses track key metrics to measure impact over time.

TFI aims to partner with 100 business in the programme's first year.

Transport for Ireland (TFI) is a not-for-profit organization focused on reducing emissions from transport in Ireland.

TFI works with government, businesses and communities to promote sustainable travel options through advocacy, planning and behaviour change programs.
St Brigids Cathedral, Kildare is hosting the Choral and Organ Festival 2024, with Tatiana Konina and Aoise O'Dwyer playing the closing night on Wednesday, August 28.

Tatiana Konina is an organist and choral conductor. She graduated from Moscow State Conservatory obtaining double Diploma and Masters degrees with Prof Boris Tevlin in Choral Conducting and Prof Alexey Parshin in Organ.

In 2008, Tatiana attended the Royal Academy of Music in London as an intern student furthering her studies with David Titterington and Nicolas Kynaston. She has participated in master-classes with a number of significant internationally acclaimed organists as well.

Included among the international awards Tatiana has won are the 2nd International Organ Competition of V. Kikta (first prize), the Czech National Organ Competition (second prize), the 1st Moscow Festival of N. Budloo (second prize) as well as the 9th International Marcello Galanti Organ Competition, Italy (third prize). Tatiana was also selected to compete in the 2009 St.Albans organ competition (UK).

As a choir director, Tatiana established the Choir of the Moscow Power Engineering University in 2005. She led this choir to win numerous international competitions in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Italy. Tatiana has also had a leadership role in the Bolshoi Youth Choir of Radio and TV.

This year Tatiana was appointed Director of Music and Organist of Christ Church, Bray.

Aoise ODwyer is a violist and music educator from Tullamore, Co. Offaly. She holds a BMus in Performance from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Performance at MTU Cork School of Music.

As an orchestral musician she has worked with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipal Theatre of Santiago, Chile.

She has performed extensively as a chamber musician, including three years as a member of Duo ODwyer-Meier, specialising in 20th Century European and Latin-American music for viola and piano. In September 2018 she was a guest artist at Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild Music Residency in Montana, USA, where she performed in a series of seven chamber music concerts culminating in the world premier performance of a newly-commissioned work for voice and piano quartet.

She is a member of new chamber orchestra ReClassified, formed in early 2020, which aims to bring live performance to venues not traditionally connected with classical music, creating concert experiences that are relaxed, accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. Most recently, she was featured in the film Energise  Envisage  Engage, commissioned by Offaly Arts Office for Culture Night in September 2020.

The 2024 Kildare Choral and Organ Festival takes place in St Brigids Cathedral from August 14 to 28, and will mark the 1500th anniversary of the death of St Brigid with a range of performances from acclaimed women musicians in Ireland.

The annual Festival, will this year explore the theme, Women in music honouring Brigid 1500. , Tickets for the entire festival cost 40 while tickets for this concert cost 15 and are available on www.eventbrite.ie
A man has appeared in court charged in connection with incidents of criminal damage at several landmark state buildings in Dublin.

David OCallaghan, from The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray in Co Wicklow, appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday charged with five counts of criminal damage.

The 40-year-old is accused of causing damage to the entrance gate at the official residence of President Michael D Higgins in Phoenix Park, a gate at Custom House, a gate to Government Buildings, the back gate of Leinster House and the entrance gate to the Department of the Taoiseach.

The court was told that at about 2.15am on Friday, a white van approached the entrance gates to the Aras an Uachtarain and made a u-turn, before reversing into the white gates and driving off.

The court heard that that around 4,750 euro worth of damage was caused.

The van then drove and went to Custom House at around 2.26am and swerved without warning and collided with the side gates. The driver made a second attempt to drive at the gates which caused further damage.

The van then made its way to Merrion Street and arrived at 2.30am, where it rammed three entrance gates belonging to state buildings.

The van swerved into the rear gates of Leinster House, gates at Government Buildings and a third set of gates at the Department of Taoiseach.

The court was told severe damage was caused to the gate outside the Attorney Generals office on the North Road, when the gate came off its hinges at an unmanned military post.

The final incident happened outside the Department of the Taoiseach when the van swerved into the gate, causing it to buckle inwards.

The airbags on the van deployed and the vehicle became immobile.

The court was told that the incidents have been captured on CCTV and the van could be seen swerving to avoid other motorists.

The damage caused to the state building on Merrion Street will cost tens of thousands of euro.

Garda William McCarthy told the court that the accused was arrested at the scene and made no reply when charged at a garda station.

Mr McCarthy also said that the accused could face additional charges.

Defence barrister Karl Monahan made an application for bail, which gardai objected to.

Judge William Aylmer said there was no sufficient evidence to refuse bail outright.

Judge Aylmer remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail, subject to several conditions, including an independent surety of 5,000 euro. The judge said that 1,500 euro must be lodged.

The accused has been ordered not to contact any public representatives and stay out of the city centre and Phoenix Park and remain contactable at all times.

The accused remained silent for the majority of the appearance.

He will appear before Cloverhill court on Thursday.
On July 31, the Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the long awaited final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. This groundbreaking report sets out a strategic vision for the development of the rail system across the island of Ireland over the coming decades.

The Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions.

The Report also involves the construction of new rail lines, particularly in the North Midlands and North West, meaning 700,000 more people would live within 5km of a railway station. A railway will be extended into Co. Tyrone, Derry and into Letterkenny in Co. Donegal.

The North West has notoriously struggled without train services since Donegal's last trains ceased operations in 1965 and were never reinstated.

While Leitrim may not see new direct rail lines, the county may be positively impacted by the potential restoration of the Western Rail Corridor. The corridor would enhance links between Limerick, Galway and the North West, possibly impacting towns like Carrick-on-Shannon.

Improving the overall rail network will help even areas without new lines, by making services more efficient and better connected to major hubs.

Finola McGuire, President of Carrick-on-Shannon Chamber said: The opening of the Western corridor would be beneficial, theres no doubt about it.

Were very central here in Carrick-on-Shannon and were easily accessed through the current network but more would be very positive.

To bring infrastructure this way that brings people off the roads and allows them to move through the train services would be great.

It was always difficult to get from Carrick-on-Shannon to Galway. I absolutely see that the rail network and Bus Eireann has to be used more and more, and it will be. The free travel qualifications have been improved recently too.

Id certainly welcome the opening of further carriages by Iarnrod Eireann. It should be totally the first option that people take and there should be space given for people to travel, Ms McGuire remarked.

Senator Lisa Chambers hopes to see regional development and the Western Rail Corridor come to fruition.

I have been a big advocate for regional development for the last decade, and a key project for me is the Western Rail Corridor. The connection between Galway and Mayo into Claremorris is hugely important for commuters in the West of Ireland.

The commuters of the West deserve to have faster travel, more frequent services, and additional capacity, Senator Chambers said.

We need to connect the West of Ireland. We cannot continue to focus on Dublin and the commuter belt and the other cities.

The Report also sees an increase in speed of 200km/h on the core intercity railway network along with an upgrade to the track which will make train journeys generally faster than car travel. Regional and rural lines will be increased to 120km/h.

If all the Reviews recommendations are followed until 2050, the total cost across Ireland and Northern Ireland is estimated to be around 35 to 37 billion. If the investment in Ireland is split evenly across 25 years, it would amount to 1 billion per year in addition with current plans.
A SLURRY spreader overturned and hit a car on the busy Mackey roundabout, Limerick District Court heard.

Pat Kelly, aged 49, of Rosanna Close, Tipperary Town was charged with dangerous driving at the R445, Dublin Road, Castleconnell on June 8, 2021.

Joseph McMahon, barrister for Mr Kelly, said his client was pleading guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving.

Judge Patricia Harney said she would hear the evidence before deciding whether to accept the plea to careless driving.

Sergeant Aisling O'Neill, prosecuting, said Mr Kelly was driving a JCB pulling a slurry spreader. She said when the investigating garda attended the scene there was an overturned slurry spreader on the opposite side of the road.

The slurry spreader separated after a bolt was sheared as the driver exited the roundabout. The slurry spreader collided with a vehicle on the opposite side of the road. There was extensive damage to the vehicle. Paramedics were called but there were no injuries reported, said Sgt ONeill, who added that a witness reported that speed was a factor.

Mr McMahon said his client has data to show he was driving at 39kmph.

The barrister said Mr Kelly was blinded by sunshine when he emerged from under a bridge.

He was not familiar with the roundabout. When he realised it was the turn to take, he had gone too far, said Mr McMahon.

Judge Harney asked if he took a sharp turn? Yes, said the barrister.

The judge asked if it was an error of judgement? Yes, said Mr McMahon.

Judge Harney said slurry spreaders are huge machines.

Even a relatively minor collision can do enormous damage. They have huge tyres and enormous weight. It was very frightening for the lady in the car, said Judge Harney.

READ MORE: Man arrested for criminal damage incident in Limerick city following a foot pursuit

Mr McMahon said Mr Kelly no longer works in that business and is a freelance computer designer.

He is the father of two children and needs his car, said Mr McMahon.

Judge Harney accepted the barristers application to reduce the charge from dangerous to careless driving. She said she accepted that it was a momentary lack of judgement and gave Mr Kelly credit for his guilty plea and previous good record.

Mr Kelly was convicted and fined 500 for careless driving.
THERE has been significant interest in the purchase of Barringtons Hospital in Georges Quay once it becomes vacant next year.

Thats according to a spokesperson for the firm which runs the facility, Bon Secours.

Bon Secours will vacate the building once its new state-of-the-art complex on the edge of the city opens, potentially bringing the curtain down on almost 200 years of it acting as a medical facility in Limerick.

In readiness for this, the landmark building has been put on the market through Dublin-based agent Bannon at a guide price of 12.5m.

READ MORE: New Limerick homelessness numbers highest yet of 2024

After the HSE confirmed it will not be exploring the acquisition of the 53-bed hospital, there were fears that it would lie idle come next year.

However, these appear to be abating with Bon Secours confirming the interest.

Its positive, there is significant interest. The site has a very bright future, a source with knowledge of the discussions told the Limerick Leader this week. The Leader is aware that already a number of site visits have taken place.

Paul Doyle, of Bannon, said when contacted separately: The sales process is continuing. We are working away on that. He was not able to offer any further comment.

Bon Secours will relocate from its existing hospital at Barringtons in 2025, with its new building at Ballysimon offering 170 beds.

Barringtons was built on behalf of the Barrington family in 1829.

According to plans prepared by architecht Frederick Darley, the hospital was incorporated by an act of parliament in May 1830.

As it stands now, the hospitals original five-bay, three-storey over basement limestone building forms part of a wider 40,000 square foot complex.

This is distributed across three interconnecting sections.

The original structure and one modern extension fronting on to the Shannon river are held freehold and extend to nearly 40,000sq ft while the third element of the complex, a connecting 15,000sq ft leasehold building, sits to the rear of the property.

The site is being offered for sale with the benefit of vacant possession.

Mr Doyle, of Bannon, previously stated: This is an opportunity for a new owner to carry the mantle of Barringtons into its next phase. This could well be health-related given the propertys current use. Alternatively, it could potentially take the form of a wide variety of different uses such as a hotel, educational facility or residential, subject to planning permission.

Despite calls from some quarters, the HSE ruled out investing in Barringtons - which up to its initial closure in 1988 had been a public hospital.

In a statement, the health service said it will not proceed, highlighting the long term suitability of the building for healthcare services in the region.
The current security situation in the country has prompted the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Israel to urge its residents to avoid visiting particular areas, Azernews reports via the embassy statement.

"Because of the present security situation in Israel, the embassy strongly advises against traveling to specific regions of the nation. Keep up with the latest headlines and official statements from the Uzbek Embassy and the Israeli government. Use the Home Front Command's website or mobile app to sign up for alerts and notifications.

It is imperative that you always have your photo ID on you, as well as the contact details for the Uzbek Embassy. Having this on hand will make it easier to get aid in an emergency," the statement reads.

The embassy also advised its citizens to steer clear of hotspots and cut down on outings to public spots whenever they can.
A man has been arrested following the death of a woman in Co Cork.

The woman, who was aged in her 20s, was found seriously injured at an apartment in Midleton, Co Cork, on Friday afternoon before she later died.

Gardai said a man aged in his 30s is being detained at Midleton Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Shortly after 4.15 pm, Gardai and Emergency Services responded to reports of an incident at an apartment off Main Street, Midleton, a spokesperson said.

The woman was found at the scene with serious injuries and received emergency medical treatment, but was pronounced deceased short time later.

A man in his 30s has been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in the Southern Region.

Gardai said the scene has been preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

The local coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been notified.

They have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

An incident room has been established at Midleton Garda Station, and a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation, they said.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Additionally, they are appealing to those with camera footage, including dashcam recordings from motorists in the Connolly Street/Main Street areas of Midleton this afternoon.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Midleton Garda Station at 021-462 1550 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
A man is set to appear in court after several landmark state buildings in Dublin were targeted in a series of overnight ramming incidents.

A white van was seized after damage was caused to the gates of Government Buildings; the adjacent back gate of the parliament at Leinster House; the official residence of President Michael D Higgins in Phoenix Park; and the Custom House, where the Department of Housing is located.

A man in his 40s was detained after the last of the incidents at Government Buildings/Leinster House on Merrion Street.

It is understood gardai are linking the incidents at the various city locations but have ruled out any terror-related motive.

On Merrion Street, a number of the gates were significantly damaged, including those at the Department of the Taoiseach at Government Buildings.

A gate at the Attorney Generals office was lying off its hinges on Friday morning.

The gate at the rear of Leinster House also sustained damaged.

It is understood the man was arrested near the scene of those incidents.

A damaged white van was towed away from the area at around 8.20am.

Garda commissioner Drew Harris was seen observing the damage in a Garda car driven slowly past Government Buildings shortly before 10am.

Elsewhere in the city, the gates of the presidents residence at Aras an Uachtarain were cordoned off on Friday morning after the overnight ramming incident.

Some damage was also caused at the gates of the Custom House close to the River Liffey.

On Friday night a Garda spokesperson said: The man arrested in connection with this incident remains in Garda custody and is scheduled to appear before Dublin District Court, Criminal Courts of Justice No. 2, at 10:30 am tomorrow morning, Saturday August 3 2024, charged in connection with the case.
Gardai are seeking the publics assistance in locating 47-year-old Martin Hester, who is reported missing from his home in Dublin.



Martin was last seen in Donaghmede, Dublin 13, on Thursday, August 1 August at approximately 11am.



Martin is described as being approximately 5 foot 8 inches in height, with a slim build, brown hair and green eyes.



When last seen, Martin was wearing a dark t-shirt and grey cotton shorts, with grey trainers.



It is believed Martin may have access to a black Lapierre bicycle with yellow writing.



Gardai and Martins family are concerned for his well-being.
Tributes have been pouring for a mum of three who died one month after being diagnosed with cancer.

Oana Smau of Celbridge, Co Kildare and formerly of Romania, passed away suddenly on July 31 surrounded by her family at The Mater Hospital.

A month earlier, she had been diagnosed with lung cancer, which spread quickly.

A GoFundMe campaign, to which you can donate here, has been set up to help her family with funeral costs.

Since the tragic news broke out, tributes have been pouring in for Oana, who has been described as a fighter.

Her daughter, Diana, paid tribute to her on the fundraiser page: She was and always will be the strongest woman I know and has also made me to be a strong woman just like her. For the last 14 years, she has raised me and my two younger brothers alone after my fathers tragic passing.

She endured so much pain throughout her whole life but she was a fighter. Even now, the last few days in ICU, she fought for longer than any of the doctors wouldve expected with her lungs deteriorating so quickly.

Oana left behind her three children. The funds raised will go towards her funeral costs, as well as to help them support themselves.

"Now with her gone, its just me and my two younger brothers and my granny. I recently had moved away to a whole new country to start a life of my own, and only came back 2 weeks ago unexpectedly and I had invested all my life savings there. Not enough time has passed living there for me to have the money right now needed to pay for a funeral and all expenses to follow.

"So Ive created this fundraiser to help me cover all the funeral expenses, burial service and give support to myself and my brothers as we fight through this until I can get a secure job and provide for my family. This is very difficult for all of us and we appreciate any donations to help support our situation at the moment.

"May her beautiful soul Rest in Peace. We love you and will miss you so much mum," said her daughter Diana on the fundraiser page.

Beloved wife of the late Ion (Nelu), much loved mother of Diana, Patrick and Brian and daughter of Victoria.

Oana will be sadly missed by her loving family and friends.

She will be reposing at her home on Friday evening, August 2 from 5pm to 8pm. Funeral service in Biserica Ortodoxa "Sfantul Columba" Dublin II, Blakestown, Dublin 15 on Saturday, August 3 at 10am followed by burial in Mulhuddart Cemetery.
AUGUST Craft Month, a month-long celebration of local craft across the island of Ireland, launches in Limerick this weekend.

Led by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and Craft NI, the annual celebration is part of an island-wide summer programme.

People can enjoy creative craft experiences on their doorstep, or hit the road on a craft inspired adventure or staycation.

The programme provides opportunities to experience, participate in, support, buy and learn about the local craft sector.

The Glass Society of Ireland will be having a members pop-up studio style exhibition, A Catalyst for Exploring Glass and the Written Word, in Spacecraft Artists Studio on Mungret Street, Limerick city.

This free event will take place this Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 from 4:30-6pm.

On Saturday, Mary Madec will be hosting The Written Word workshop. Participating glass artists and writers will be asked to bring a piece of work with them for the duration of the event. These will be displayed in the space along with works in progress from the workshop.

READ MORE: Limerick man selected for prestigious competition for 'once in a lifetime' photograph

The day will result in a studio style pop up show open to members of the public to enjoy food and an open mic session and a Live Collaborative Flameworking Demonstration by Lindsay LeBlanc (LooLooGlass).

On each Saturday throughout August, BY DESIGN  A Local Story makers will be doing a Demo in Our Window in Castletroy Town Centre from 1-3:30pm.

The general public is welcome to Come visit, watch the makers create, have a chat, ask some questions and maybe even join in. The event is free to attend and open to all.

Friends of Lace Limerick in collaboration with Peoples Museum Limerick are organising a Bring Out Your Lace event on Saturday, August 24, where you can bring in your own items of lace to be assessed, catalogued and photographed.

The group will share useful advice about lace preservation and storage. Friends of Lace will also organise a pop-up exhibition with pieces from its members personal collections.

The event, on from 10:30am to 3:30pm in 16 Roches Street, is free to attend and booking is not required.

For more information, visit augustcraftmonth.org, where you can use the August Craft Month interactive map to find out more about what events are on in Limerick this month.
New Delhi/Bengaluru: In a move that could bring early closure to a potentially damaging tax litigation, the central government is likely to accept Infosys Ltd.s plea that goods and services tax (GST) does not apply to the services the company avails from its offshore branch offices, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said.

This is after the Bengaluru office of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) issued a pre-show cause notice to the countrys second-largest IT services firm, flagging that it had not paid 32,403.46 crore in integrated GST (IGST) over five years between July 2017 and March 2022 for supply of services" by its foreign branches.

On Thursday, Infosys informed stock exchanges that the Karnataka State GST authorities, a reference to the zonal office of DGGI, had withdrawn the pre-show cause notice and directed it to respond to DGGI's central authority on the matter. The company had received pre-show cause notice on the same matter from both the central and state offices of DGGI.

No tax demand has been raised; only pre-show cause notices were sent," said the person cited above, who spoke on condition of not being named. The (taxpayers) plea in light of the CBIC circular on import of services by a related person will likely be accepted."

The CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) had on 26 June stated in a circular that services rendered by the overseas branches of an Indian firm would not attract GST. The circular came after the authority received representations from the IT industry in this regard.

CBIC is the apex indirect tax authority of the central government. The DGGI is part of the tax administration ecosystem.

A second official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the central government was actively discussing the Infosys tax matter for an early resolution.

The governments intention to resolve the case early comes at a time when India is signalling to the world that it is serious about attracting investments, offering policy stability and ensuring an investor-friendly environment.

Emails sent on Thursday and Friday to Infosys, CBIC, DGGI and the finance ministry seeking comments remained unanswered till press time.

Taxing matters

Tax disputes arise in the case of intra-group supply of services because under GST, different offices or units of the same company in different states are treated as distinct entities, subject to conditions.

The latest dispute started after a note from the Karnataka DGGI office on Tuesday, 30 July sent to Infosys said that the company had set up branch offices abroad for carrying out business and included the expenses it incurred towards these overseas branches as part of its export invoice from India.

Each of these overseas branches is treated as distinct persons" under the IGST Act, DGGI said, adding that the company is being investigated for non-payment of IGST on import of services as the recipient of services".

Infosys countered that the tax did not apply to the services in question. The Company believes that as per regulations, GST is not applicable on these expenses," Infosys said in a disclosure made to the exchanges on Wednesday.

Additionally, as per a recent Circular (circular number 210/4/2024 dated June 26, 2024) issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs on the recommendations of the GST Council, services provided by the overseas branches to Indian entity are not subject to GST," the statement added.

Mint could not independently ascertain how the tax authorities arrived at the figure of 32,400 crore in unpaid tax, which is 36% of Infosys's 89,494 crore in total profits over five years till FY22.

Calls made to Sucheta Sreejesh, additional director general of DGGI zonal unit Bengaluru, went unanswered.

Infosys had planned to approach the Bengaluru High Court as early as next week, challenging the tax notice issued by the authorities in Karnataka, according to a tax consultant advising the Bengaluru-based IT services firm who wished to remain anonymous.

But after the state authorities withdrew its notice, the company has decided not to approach the court and wait for a response from the central authorities, this consultant added.

On Thursday, IT industry body Nasscom defended Infosys. Recent media reports of a GST demand of over 320 billion reflected a lack of understanding of the industrys operating model," the apex body said in a media release, without naming Infosys.

Early resolution needed

Experts said that CBICs clarification in June addresses the industrys concerns around taxation of such intra-group transactions and that it makes sense to find an early resolution.

The circular (mentioned by the company in its Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirement filing) clarifies to the effect that where input tax credit is available, the value of head office/branch services shall be deemed to be nil if the recipient is eligible for full input tax credit," said Ketan Dalal, managing director of Katalyst Advisors, a structuring and advisory firm.

Also read | Shareholder discontent rises as Nilekani is reappointed Infosys director

Dalal added that the government ought to put a lid on the issue, as it could otherwise spiral into unending litigation with needless uncertainty for the IT industry, and more so for a sector that is critical from a larger export and employment perspective".

The country's IT services industry grew 3.8% to end with $254 billion in revenue in the year ended March 2024, according to Nasscom. This translates to about 6.5% of the country's GDP. IT services is the largest organized job creator, employing nearly 5.5 million people.
New Delhi: After the iPhone, it's the Mac's turn. Even as demand for consumer gadgets remained sluggish, Apple set a new revenue record in India for the ninth straight quarter in Q1 of FY25, and its iPhones continued to be the biggest seller for the company in India.

But what surprised was the new sales record set for the June quarter by its Mac laptops and desktops, which have played a smaller role in the companys increasing influence on Indias gadget-buying preferences.

Estimates from experts polled by Mint indicate that Apple's India revenues from the Mac portfolio grew 67% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the April-June quarter, and the number of units sold increased 33%. Plus, share of India revenue in global Mac sales rose to 3% in Q1 of FY25, from 1.8% in Q1 of FY24.

Industry stakeholders pegged Apples growth in Mac sales to increasing enterprise demanda factor that could help the company ramp up sales of its laptops and desktops in India over the next two years, if not more.

Also read | Stranded on a remote island? Your iPhone could ping a satellite for you

To be sure, iPhones still account for 85-90% of Apples India revenue, with its net annual revenue expected to have grown around 30% in FY24. Analysts expect FY25 to also be a year of double-digit revenue growth for Apple.

Chief executive Tim Cook underlined this trend at Thursdays earnings call, stating that India was yet again in Apples list of record quarterly revenueamid a 5% annual growth in net revenue to $85.8 billion.

Rise of the Mac

In Apples quarterly earnings call on Thursday, Luca Maestri, the company's senior vice-president and chief financial officer, said, Mac generated $7 billion in revenue, up 2% year-over-year, driven by the MacBook Air powered by the M3 chip. We saw particularly strong performance in our emerging markets, with June quarter records for Mac in Latin America, India, and South Asia."

A poll of three sell-side analysts by Mint pegged Apple to have sold around 150,000-160,000 units of Mac devices in India between April and June this year. At an average selling price (ASP) of 110,000 ($1,300), Apple is estimated to have earned around $210 million from Mac sales during this period.

In comparison, Mint research noted that a total of 2.3 million units of laptops and desktops were sold in India from all brands during this period at an ASP of 45,000 ($540)thus generating $1.24 billion in net market revenue for the June quarter.

Thus, even with a market share of around 6.5% by volume, Apple accounted for nearly 17% of the revenue earned by brands in the laptop market. That's probably not surprising, considering Apple laptops usually are priced higher than rivals offerings.

In comparison, HP, Dell, Acer and Lenovo, which were the top four brands for laptops and desktops in India by volume as per a 16 May report on the sector by market researcher International Data Corporation (IDC) India, accounted for 78% of all PCs sold in the country.

By revenue, HP is estimated to have earned $500 million in the June quarter, while the other three earned $250-290 million each, according to Mint research polled from analysts. This leaves Apple as the fifth highest-grossing PC brand in India, and sixth by volume.

The enterprise connection

A key factor behind this growth has been Apples enterprise deals, analysts said. Ashweej Aithal, research analyst at market researcher Canalys, said that the key contributor in this regard was Apples increasing outreach to small and medium businesses (SMBs) and other enterprises.

Theres a surge in enterprise purchases of Macs. The migration from Windows to Mac is higher than before today, and Apples channel partners are pushing for enterprise contracts more than ever before," Aithal said, adding that the growth is slower among consumers and there's more room for growth on the enterprise side in the coming year.

A key example of such a deal was disclosed by Apple on 10 July with homegrown IT services firm, Zoho Corp. In a blog post, Apple stated that 65% of Zoho, which employs approximately 16,000 people, have chosen an Apple product for work. Apple also claimed that it garners 50% fewer support requests for Mac than for PC".

While Apple did not disclose a figure for its contract with Zoho, Mint's research pegged the approximate value of its contract at around $10-15 million, or about 5-7% of its quarterly revenue from Macs in India.

This, industry executives state, is just the start. Bharath Shenoy, senior market analyst at IDC India, said that Apples enterprise push is still at its nascent stage.

The first three months of the year saw timid enterprise spending in IT contracts due to continued macroeconomic uncertainties," said Shenoy, adding that many decisions were also postponed due to Indias general assembly elections.

The upcoming two quarters will thus see a clear ramp-up in enterprise demand for IT contractsa factor that could really benefit Apple in terms of its domestic revenue from Macs," Shenoy said.

Aithal of Canalys further added that the recent Crowdstrike-Microsoft outage has accelerated queries from enterprises. There is a lot of interest in Macs from the security standpoint from enterprises. AI is also another factor, which Apple seems to be cashing in on," Aithal said.
SBI Q1 Results: State Bank of India (SBI) announced its April-June quarter results for fiscal 2024-25 (Q1FY25) on Saturday, August 3, where the leading state-owned lender's board approved fundraising of up to 25,000 crore via tier-1 and tier-2 bonds in the current fiscal (FY25). The public-sector bank (PSB) also said that the current fundraising action is subject to the approval of the Government of India, wherever required.''

The Central Board has accorded approval for raising funds in INR and /or USD by issue of Basel lll compliant Additional Tier 1 Bonds and Tier 2 Bonds, up to {25,000 crore (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand Crore) to lndian and/or overseas investors during FY25, subject to approval of Government of lndia, wherever required.'' said SBI in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges today.

SBI Q1 Results: Key Metrics SBI reported an almost flat standalone net profit of 17,035 crore for the first quarter of the current fiscal year, growing one per cent compared to 16,884.2 crore in the corresponding period last year. The bank's total income increased to 1,22,688 crore in the first quarter up from 1,08,039 crore a year ago.

The PSB's net interest income (NII)the difference between interest earned on loans and paid on depositrose 5.7 per cent to 41,125 crore, compared to 38,905 crore in the same period last year. During the quarter, the bank earned an interest income of 1,11,526 crore compared to 95,975 crore in the year-ago period.

The bank's asset quality showed significant improvement, with the Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPA) ratio declining by 55 basis points (bps) YoY to 2.21 per cent, compared to 2.76 per cent at June-end last year. The net NPA ratio also improved, dropping by 14 bps YoY to 0.57 per cent from 0.71 per cent a year ago.

Operating profit rose 4.55 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 26,449 crore. In the June quarter, SBI's Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) stood at 1.10 per cent and 20.98 per cent, respectively. SBI's net interest margin (NIM) was at 3.22 per cent, with domestic NIM slightly higher at 3.35 per cent, which indicates strong interest income relative to interest-earning assets.

SBI's credit growth remained robust at 15.39 per cent YoY in the June quarter. Domestic advances, a key component of this growth, expanded by 15.55 per cent YoY, driven primarily by Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) advances, which surged by 19.87 per cent YoY.

Agricultural Advances also showed a healthy increase of 17.06 per cent YoY. Retail Personal Advances and Corporate loans registered YoY growths of 13.60 per cent and 15.92 per cent, respectively. The bank's foreign offices also contributed to this positive trend, with their advances growing by 14.41 per cent YoY.

Deposits rose 8.18 per cent YoY, with CASA deposits growing by 2.59 per cent YoY, resulting in a CASA ratio of 40.70 per cent as of June 30, 2024. This indicates a stable and growing deposit base, essential for the bank's funding and liquidity. The Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR), including advances under collection accounts (AUCA), stood at 91.76 per cent, with the overall PCR at 74.41 per cent.
Heres an economics brain teaser: Apples are provided by a competitive industry. Pears are provided by a monopolist. Coincidentally, they sell at the same price. Youre hungry and would be equally happy with an apple or a pear. If you care about conserving societal resources, which should you buy?

Most of my sophomore-level economics students can solve this problem, which I posed on an exam. Almost nobody else can. Ive tried it out on a lot of smart lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs and scientists. Neither can the latest version of ChatGPT.

First Ill tell you the answer; then Ill tell you the moral. In a competitive industry, prices are a pretty good indicator of resource costs. Under a monopoly, prices usually reflect a substantial markup. So a $1 apple sold by a competitor probably requires almost a dollars worth of resources to produce. A $1 pear sold by a monopolist is more likely to require, say, 80 cents worth of resources. To minimize resource consumption, you should buy the pear.

The moral is that we need well-trained economists. Economists know things that are true, important and entirely counterintuitive to anyone who hasnt had the right kind of trainingand at least for now, that includes the bots.

Economists learn to reason quickly, rigorously and accurately from facts to an important conclusion. That skill is usually taught in courses called price theory, or sometimes Chicago price theory in honor of the academic venue where it was developed into an art form by such practitioners as Milton Friedman, George Stigler, Gary Becker and Deirdre McCloskey.

A course in price theory covers much of the same material as a course in microeconomics, and college catalogs often use the two course titles interchangeably. But price theory puts far more emphasis on problem solving and real-world applications. A good microeconomics student can write an essay on monopoly pricing. A good price-theory student can solve my brain teaser.

Price theory seems to be fading from the economics curriculum. Surveying the course offerings of the top few dozen economics departments, I see a lot more coursework offered in theoretical microeconomics and a lot less in price theory than I did five years ago. Ive talked to many economists who have noticed the same thing.

Im not sure why this is happening. Maybe its driven by students who demand courses in which they can succeed by memorizing the textbook rather than learning how to think. But if economics majors arent learning how to think about economics, then who will?

Heres another of my exam questions: After a frost kills half the Florida orange crop, the price of oranges more than doubles, and orange growers enjoy a windfall. Is this evidence of monopoly power among the orange growers?

The answer is a resounding no. If windfall profits are that easily available, no monopolist will wait for a frost. Long before the frost arrives, the grower will already have withheld half his crop from the marketplaceprobably by planting fewer oranges to begin with.

Most of my students get that question right. Yet when I posed the same question to top students majoring in economics at a prestigious college that no longer teaches price theory, every one of them was able to explain the relevant theory but failed to answer the question correctly. How many of those students will go on to have careers as antitrust regulators?

Economics without price theory is knowledge without wisdom. Any economist can analyze data to estimate how many lives youd save by requiring car seats for toddlers on airplanes. It takes a price theorist to ask how many lives youd lose when the resulting increase in airfares prompts families to drivewhich is far more dangerousinstead of fly. Price theory breeds wiser policymakers and wiser voters. If we fail to teach it, thats a tragedy.

Mr. Landsburg is a professor of economics at New Yorks University of Rochester and author of Can You Outsmart an Economist?"
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked global agriculture economists to find ways to connect the world with sustainable agri-food systems, given that nearly 90% of farmers are smallholders.

While inaugurating the International Conference of Agricultural Economists, the PM said agriculture is central to India's economic policy and that marginal farmers are the backbone of the nation's food security.

The 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists is a global event that brings experts together to discuss and promote innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient farming practices. The previous conference took place from 16-22 August 2021 in Vancouver, Canada.

The prime minister also highlighted the government's promotion of chemical-free farming on a large scale, noting that this approach has yielded excellent results. "This year's budget also has a major focus on sustainable farming and climate-resilient farming. We are developing an entire ecosystem to support our farmers," Modi said.

Govt initiatives In the past 10 years, the government has brought around 1,900 new climate-resilient varieties of crops to its farmers, including varieties of rice that need 25% less water than traditional ones. The government has also announced the release of 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops for cultivation within the year.

However, the 9,940 crore allocation for the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) this year presents a different picture. This represents an increase of just 0.7% from the 9,880 crore (revised estimate) allocated in FY24. The FY24 allocation marked an increased of around 9% from the previous year.

Modi said, Black rice has recently emerged as a superfood in India, particularly favoured for its medicinal value. Black rice from Manipur, Assam, and Meghalaya is gaining popularity for its health benefits.

He said India was eager to share its experiences and innovations with the global community, and highlighted agricultural initiatives such as soil health cards, solar farming, e-NAM, kisan credit cards, and the PM Fasal Bima Yojana.

Noting that 90 lakh hectares have been brought under micro irrigation, Modi emphasised the potential benefits from Indias goal of 20% ethanol blending for both agriculture and the environment.
By Rich McKay

Aug 3 -

A tropical storm with near hurricane strength winds and life threatening storm surges is expected to crash into Florida's Big Bend area on the northern Gulf Coast shoreline by Monday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm was still a broad, sloppy system on Saturday, shoving off Cuba's northern coast and whipping up rain squalls, winds of 40-mph and surging tides in Key West, Florida, on Saturday.

It's expected to turn into a tropical storm, named Debby, early on Sunday with near hurricane force winds around 70 mph , forecasters said.

"By Sunday evening it is predicted to still be over Gulf waters and is expected to make landfall early Monday morning," said National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan at a media briefing on Saturday.

"Time to make your preparations in case of evacuations is now," Brennan said. "Prepare for possible hurricane conditions late Sunday night into Monday morning."

It could dump 15 inches of rain and bring "life threatening" storm surges of 3-to-5 feet above ground level along the coasts, Brennan said, before the storm cuts across Central Florida and aims up to Savannah, Georgia, and then toward Charleston, South Carolina.

Powerful ocean surges are forecast for Bonita Beach northward to Tampa Bay. Those surges could send powerful sea waves further inland than normal, damaging structures and threatening anyone in their path.

Parts of three Gulf Coast Florida counties, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus, have issued mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders on Saturday.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for extreme southern Florida and stretching as far north as the Fort Myers area, which was crushed by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Governor Ron DeSantis has put most of the state's cities and counties under emergency orders ahead of the expected landfall.

U.S. forecasters expect a large number of Atlantic hurricanes to form in the 2024 season, which began June 1, with four to seven major hurricanes forming out of 25 named storms. That is more than the record-breaking 2005 season that spawned hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Only one hurricane, Beryl, has formed in the Atlantic so far this year. The earliest Category 5 storm on record, it ravaged the Caribbean and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula before rolling up the Gulf Coast of Texas as a Category 1 storm, with winds up to 95 mph.

The storm is expected to follow a similar track as the deadly 2022 Hurricane Ian, which killed at least 103 in Florida and did billions of dollars in damage as it made its way along the Gulf Coast.
DHAKA, Bangladesh  Thousands of people protested peacefully in Bangladesh's capital Saturday to demand justice for more than 200 students and others killed during protests last month, but violence was reported at similar events elsewhere in the country.

The protesters chanted anti-government slogans and demanded the resignation of the prime minister as the wave of protest widened beyond students to include people from many walks of life. Some pro-government groups also rallied in the city.

The country's leading Bengali-language Prothom Alo newspaper reported that at least seven protesters were hit by bullets after pro-ruling party groups allegedly opened fire on them as they blocked a road in Cumilla, in the east of Bangladesh. The daily said at least 30 protesters were injured during the violence, but a local leader of the ruling party denied allegations that their supporters attacked the protesters.

Scores of people were injured in other parts of the country, TV stations reported.

The students' protests last month began with the demand for an end to a quota system for government jobs that they said was discriminatory. Under it, 30% of such jobs were reserved for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.

The protests began peacefully, but turned violent as students at Dhaka University clashed with police and the activists of a student wing of the ruling Awami League party on July 15. Since then, more than 200 people have died and thousands of others have been injured.

The Supreme Court cut the veterans quota to 5% on July 21, but protests have continued to spread amid outrage over the violence. Authorities closed schools and universities across the country, blocked internet access and imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew. At least, 11,000 people have been arrested in recent weeks.

Internet service has been restored and banks and offices have reopened, but tensions remain high.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday offered to talk with student leaders, but a coordinator refused in a Facebook post.

Nahid Islam, a leading protest coordinator, wrote: One cannot ask a killer government for justice or sit for talks with them. The time to ask forgiveness has passed. When there was still time, the government conducted block raids to arrest and torture students."

Hasina reiterated her pledges to thoroughly investigate the deaths and punish those responsible for the violence. She said that her doors were open for the talks and she was ready to sit down whenever the protesters want.

Also on Saturday, Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman, the country's military chief, directed army officers to safeguard public safety and secure key state installations under all circumstances, the army's public relations office said in a statement.

The army chief also discussed the current security situation in the country with the officers, it said.

The protests have become a major challenge for Hasina, who returned to power for a fourth consecutive term in January in an election boycotted by her main opponents.

The students had earlier made a nine-point demand, including a public apology from Hasina and release of all the students arrested and jailed. On Saturday, however, they announced they had a single demand  the resignation of Hasina and her administration. They also called for a non-cooperation movement from Sunday and urged people not to pay taxes or utility bills and to keep factories and offices closed.

The general secretary of Hasina's ruling party said Saturday that it was calling on its supporters to demonstrate across the country on Sunday.

Hasina and other Cabinet ministers had earlier blamed the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and now-banned right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party and its student wing for intruding into the student protests and committing violence. Both the parties have denied the allegations.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary-general of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, said Saturday that they would continue to support the protesters in their movement.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) officials are set to protest at the Mumbai Head OfficeSEBI Bhavan Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC)on Monday, August 5. NDTV Profit quoted anonymous sources on Saturday, August 3, that as many as 700 officers employed with the market watchdog will be involved in this protest.

LiveMint couldn't independently verify the report.

Also Read | Binny, its top executives in the dock as Sebi finds diversion of funds

The official's protest is fueled by the rising discontent amongst the SEBI employees with the regulator's leadership, which has been built in the last 2.5 years. The report said the employees have not been happy with the leadership for the last two and a half years.

The upcoming SEBI employee protest is also driven by key factors such as dissatisfaction with the allowances provided by the regulator, which are not updated to be in line with those offered by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as per the report.

A new system for uploading the Key Result Areas (KRAs) has been introduced, as per the news report. This threatens the allowance stoppage in case of non-compliance and heightens the unrest.

SEBI has sent a follow-up apology letter in the form of an email to the employees to address the issues and grievances, yet the employee distress is persistent, reported the news organisation quoting an anonymous source who highlighted the issues of mistrust in the regulatory body.

While SEBI is working to improve conditions for external stakeholders, there is a growing mistrust among its own employees that needs to be addressed, reported NDTV Profit, quoting an anonymous source.

Also Read | Sebi may rope in social media giants like Google to regulate finfluencers

SEBI Employee Associations Deny Protests Meanwhile, in a statement rebutting the media reports, two employee associations, which claimed to represent 80 per cent of the regulator's employees said news od protest is misinformation by a few disgruntled people.

The SEBI Employee Association (SEA) and SEBI Employee Association for Legal Stream (SEALS), which are the two employee associations of SEBI, representing about 80 per cent of employees strongly condemn the action of spreading of mis-information by few disgruntled persons with respect to mistrust within the organization which is misplaced, the statement read.

Employees related issues are critical to SEBI. SEA and SEALS regularly interacts with SEBI management on every HR related issue including allowances impacting a large number of employees, which are dealt with in a consultative manner, it added.

The statement further noted that SEBI has brought greater thrust on transparency, accountability and consultation in the functioning of the organization including in the formulation of HR policies.
Venture Global LNG Inc., a US liquefied natural gas developer, is requesting a court order to prevent the release of confidential information to Shell Plc amid contract disputes between the two companies over a facility in Louisiana.

The Arlington, Virginia-based company petitioned for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against engineering firm Kiewit Louisiana Co., according to a Aug. 2 filing with the Supreme Court of the State of New York.

Venture Global alleges that Kiewit broke confidentiality obligations by disclosing thousands of pages of proprietary information to Shell, according to the filing. Kiewit helped to build the exporters Calcasieu Pass LNG plant in Louisiana and is also in separate arbitration with the company over the construction of the facility.

Its the latest salvo by Venture Global amid disputes between the firm and some of the worlds biggest energy companies over contracts at Calcasieu Pass. Even though Calcasieu Pass started exporting LNG shipments in 2022, Venture Global says the facility remains in its commissioning phase until the end of this year. As a result, its shipments have been sold on the spot market rather than going to customers with long-term contracts.

A Kiewit spokesperson said the company was evaluating the legal matter and declined to comment further. Shell didnt immediately provide a comment.

Customers including Shell lodged arbitration cases against Venture Global, arguing theyve been forced to buy higher-priced LNG shipments on the spot market to replace the missing supplies. In June, an administrative law judge determined that Venture Global must disclose some separate documents to Shell and the other Calcasieu Pass offtakers.
Ace investor Warren Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, has sold nearly half its stake in tech giant Apple, offloading nearly 50 per cent of the shares, leading to a rise in the Oracle of Omaha's cash holdings to almost $280 billion.

In Saturday's report, Berkshire didn't give an exact count of its Apple shares, but it estimated the investment was worth $84.2 billion at the end of the second quarter even though shares soared over the summer as high as $237.23. At the end of the first quarter, Berkshire's Apple stake was worth $135.4 billion.

Also Read | Apple Revenue Tops Estimates Even as China Sales Remain Slow

Selling off a big share of Apple Inc., the iPhone maker, is a significant move for Berkshire Hathaway as Buffett used to call Apple the pillar of Berkshire's business. Along with Apple, Berkshire Hathaway also sold BYD and Bank of America shares this quarter, reported Associated Press.

Berkshire Hathaway reported earning $30.348 billion, or $21,122 per Class A share in the second quarter, which is 18.33 per cent lower compared to $35.912 billion, or $24,775 per A share, in the same period the previous financial year, as per the report.

The company's investment portfolio's paper value was up $24.2 billion last year, this year in the second quarter the value has fallen $28.2 billion. Net income for the company fell 15% to $30.34 billion from $35.91 billion compared year-on-year.

Berkshire Hathaway has sold off $75.5 billion of shares in the second quarter of the calendar year 2024, as per the report on Saturday. Its operating income rose to $11.6 billion up 1.6 per cent from $10 billion from the same period the previous year, reported Bloomberg.

Also Read | Warren Buffett gives us a preview of his will

Bloomberg also reported that Apple's results focus on losing ground in one of the biggest overseas markets as the competition rises against the local players. China's economic growth has also weakened, and the government is also restricting the operations of foreign companies, as per the report.
Mughal Glass: A History of Glassmaking in India is a multi-layered book. Published by Roli Books, it presents the evolution of luxurious glass objectshuqqa bases, bottles and dishesprevalent during the Mughal period (1526-1858) within broader political and socioeconomic scenarios. Tangled histories between Europe and the Indian subcontinent, changing maritime trade routes, the Mughal fascination for luxury goods and the impact of colonialism come together in this comprehensive catalogue by Tara Desjardins, curator of South Asia at the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha. But there is one another factor that makes this book significant: While there has been scholarly work on painting and architecture created during the reign of the Mughals, the history of Mughal glass has been neglected, and this new piece of literature hopes to rectify that.

In one of the introductory chapters, New Explorations, Julia Gonnella, director, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, states that the scholarship pertaining to Islamic glass has been disproportionately preoccupied with glasswork from either the early Islamic period or, even more so, from the medieval times dealing with the gilded and enamelled specimens of Ayyubid and Mamluk Syria and Egypt (12-14th centuries), which greatly contributed to the Venetian glass industry. Glass from later Islamic periodsthe Safavid, Ottoman and Mughalhas lacked comprehensive scholarly investigation, despite the glass industry playing an overriding role in all these countries. In this regard, Desjardins endeavor admirably addresses a conspicuous and multifaceted lacuna in the scholarly landscape, she writes.

Huqqa Base, Awadh or Bengal, 1725-1775, location: Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Huqqas represent approximately half of the objects in the catalogue, and of these, nearly half are globular in shape

Interestingly, Desjardinss engagement with Mughal glass has roots in this very lacuna. Ten years ago, while working as a specialist of Islamic art at the French auction house, Tajan, she came across a globular glass huqqa base, which was supposedly of Indian origin. At that time, with very little scholarly material available for reference, it became difficult to determine the objects authenticity. That led her to delve deep into this field and travel across the world, in search of such objects, with Desjardins making Mughal glass a subject of her decade-long research project and doctoral thesis. Over time, she has carried out scientific studies and chemical analyses, scouted for primary accounts and archival recordsall material that has resulted in this book. Its dual purpose is to establish a coherent literature where none existed before and to craft a comprehensive catalog of objects, she writes in the introduction.

Also read: The best of art in the month ahead

In an article on the book published in The Hindu in July, Deepthi Sasidharan, founder-director, Eka Archiving Services, notes that earlier books such as Mark Zebrowskis Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India brought ewers, huqqas and paandans into the popular imagination, even as he painstakingly referenced these utility items from miniature paintings to show how they were used. That didactic approach widened the ability to look at historical objects, and Mughal Glass for the first time, expands our view on decorative glassmaking for luxury utilitarian objects, she writes.

In Mughal Glass, Desjardins has looked at two kinds of histories, one of glass-making and experimentation with glass recipes itself, and the other of the sociopolitical shifts in Mughal India between the 17th and 19th centuries. Both histories develop in parallel until they collide at precisely the point where the development of new glass mixtures, the importation of foreign goods, and increase in European hegemony in India intersects with decline in Mughal power, the rise in concentrated wealth circulating around autonomous courts, and the development of new class of wealthy individuals eager to commission and consumer glass, writes Desjardins.

Salver, Lucknow or Murshidabad, 1750-1775, location: The MET, New York, this specimen is circular in shape with a flat centre, slight concavity around the edge, and scalloped walls with flattened grounded rims

The book looks at glass imports from European countries to India, brought by Portuguese, Dutch and English traders, and the objects made across the subcontinent itself. There are very few primary sources for the author to refer to. Some of them include the Ain-e-Akbari, India office records from the 18th century, which refer to import of English glass, and the British Industrial Survey of 1807 that mentions use of recycled European glass in manufacture of blown glass vessels in Patna. But these sources are far and few, and lack many details. For Desjardins, most of the information comes from chemical analysis and scientific studies. Based on this and the social function of the objects, she has divided the catalogue into three categoriesbottles, huqqa bases and dishes. While no two objects are identical, they have been grouped according to similarities in shape, colour and decorative style.

But how does one differentiate between the European imports to India, and the glass from the subcontinent that made its way abroad? Handling and examining these objects has allowed me to identify key technical and decorative differences, aiding in distinguishing between European and Indian manufacture, as well as historic and recent creations, writes Desjardins. The differences come to fore, particularly, in the huqqas. The subtle ridge or indentation in the huqqas neck a probable result of the tooling processstands as a technical feature on all Indian manufactured huqqa bases. She mentions that the final difference lies in decoration, and that huqqa bases attributed to European manufacture in this Catalogue feature one of the three decorative techniques: ribbed, nipt diamond waies, and diamond-engraved. The first two are traditionally linked to English glassmaker George Ravenscroft and his followers, who were known for a lead glass mixture.

Lidded Jar, Awadh or Bengal, 1750-1800, location: British Museum, London. Covered containers such as these were used to keep flies or other small insects away from food and drink, and derived shape from earlier 14th-century Timurid prototypes made in either jade or metal.

One of the most fascinating sections is on the intersection of glass making and paintingand how the decorative style and image on some of the objects were inspired by the various schools of painting. Take, for instance, the flower, when depicted as a solitary spray, harks back to the classic Mughal motif from Emperor Akbars reign. Desjardins mentions how this transformed into a highly naturalistic form during Jahangirs rule, influenced by detailed floral studies executed by the court painter, Ustad Mansur in 1616. One can see objects influenced by the depiction of Ragamala paintings across courts in India. The Todi Ragini, for example, represents one raga which appears on several bottles: a single woman standing on one leg, grasping a tree branch, accompanied by a black buck, elaborates Desjardins.
(Updates shares, adds context in paragraphs 2-4)

By Sabrina Valle and Mrinalika Roy

Aug 2 (Reuters) -

Chevron Corp on Friday posted sharply weaker second-quarter earnings and the oil major's CEO discounted the chance to close a $53 billion acquisition of Hess Corp before mid-2025, sending shares down 3%.

Shares were off 9% since Wednesday following company statements saying a Hess deal closing could well be pushed back by another year, if not blocked entirely.

Chevron is counting on the Hess acquisition to establish a foothold in Guyana, home to the largest oil discovery in nearly two decades. It also hopes the deal will mitigate risks associated with the company's performance-challenged oil projects in Australia and Kazakhstan, where operational issues again hit production, pushing maintenance work into the third quarter.

The company had warned oil output this quarter would slip along with refining margins, but investors were surprised at the magnitude of the declines.

Quarterly earnings fell 19% to $2.55 per share, well below a year ago and 38 cents below Wall Street's consensus estimate.

"This quarter was a little light due to some operational and other discrete items that impacted results," CEO Michael Wirth told analysts.

The company's plan to enter Guyana's lucrative offshore oil fields was shaken by a challenge from Exxon Mobil. A slow arbitration process looks to drag the deal closing well into 2025.

Asked by analysts about the prospect of a compromise with Exxon, CEO Wirth said the idea would be "sensible" and that Chevron had pursued it, without success. "It doesn't appear that is how this is going to end up," he said.

Exxon claims its joint operating agreement with Hess and China's CNOOC Ltd gives it the right of first refusal to Hess' Guyana properties.

Chevron reported earnings fell sharply to $4.4 billion, or $2.43 per share, in the quarter, from $6 billion a year before.

It reported adjusted earnings of $4.7 billion, or $2.55 per share, down from $5.8 billion, or $3.08 per share, a year ago. In contrast, Exxon beat Wall Street estimates on strong oil production in U.S. shale and Guyana's oil field.

Chevron's earnings from pumping oil and gas fell 9.4% on weakness outside the U.S. Earnings from fuels and chemical operations tumbled about 60%. Refining suffered from weak margins that also hit rivals Exxon and Shell.

Oil refiners overall made less money selling gasoline in the second quarter, as demand softened after production had soared earlier this year. Companies had two years of stellar profits after ramping up production in the travel boom after COVID-19 shut-ins dissipated.

"Despite recent operational downtime and softer margins, we remain poised to deliver significant long-term earnings and cash flow growth," CEO Wirth said.

HESS DEAL DELAY

On Wednesday, Chevron said an arbitration panel that will evaluate Exxon's challenge to its Hess acquisition should have a decision between June and August 2025. Exxon's Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Mikells told Reuters she expects a hearing in late May and a decision on the dispute by September 2025.

Until earlier this week, Chevron expected to close the deal by the end of the year.

CALIFORNIA

Chevron said it would relocate its headquarters to Texas from California, continuing an exodus of oil companies from the state due to higher taxes, stricter climate regulations and depleting oil fields.

Chevron expects all corporate functions to migrate to Houston over the next five years. Positions in support of its California operations, which includes oil fields and two refineries, will remain in San Ramon.

Chevron CEO Wirth and Vice Chairman Mark Nelson will move to Houston before the end of 2024, the company said.

Chevron currently has roughly 7,000 employees in the Houston area and about 2,000 employees in San Ramon.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday announced Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the first Indian astronaut to be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) in an upcoming Indo-US mission, Axiom Mission-4.

ISRO said in a statement on Friday that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been recommended as the primary astronaut, whereas Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been selected for the program as his backup.

Ten things to know about Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla -Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was born on October 10, 1985 and was a Wing Commander before he was promoted to Group Captain.

-The Indian Air Force officer was commissioned on June 17, 2006 in the fighter stream of IAF.

-Currently serving as a fighter combat test pilot in the Indian Air Force, Shukla has 2,000 hours of flying experience, including the Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-21, Mig-29, An-32, Dornier, Hawk, and Jaguar.

-According to an Indian Express report, Shukla was inspired to join forces by the tales of bravery from the Kargil War, which broke out in 1999 when he was just 14 years old.

-Shubhanshi completed his higher education at City Montessori School, Lucknow. After this, he joined the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 2006.

-The Indian Air Force officer is married to a dentist from Jankipuram and is blessed with a four-year-old son. Notably, Shubhanshu is the first member in his family to join forces, reported Times of India.

-Shubhanshu's journey to become an astronaut began during 2018-19 when he enrolled for the programme. During the coronavirus pandemic, he spent the entire period in Russia for training, Shubhanshu Sharma's sister Suchi Shukla told TOI.

-His name has been recommended as the primary astronaut. Whereas Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan will be his backup for the emission.

-After being recommended for space flight, Shubhanshu Shukla, along with Prashanth Balakrishnan, will commence his training for the mission in the first week of August 2024, ISRO said.
Daljit Singh Chawdhary, the Director General of Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB), took over the additional charge of Director General Border Security Force on Saturday said.

"On 03rd August 2024, Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary ,IPS Director General SSB took over the additional charge of Director General Border Security Force, the largest Border Guarding Force of the world," a press release stated on Saturday.

Who is Daljit Singh Chawdhary? Daljit Singh Chawdhary is a 1990 batch officer of the Indian Police Service, Uttar Pradesh cadre. He assumed the charge of DG SSB on January 23, 2024, the press release added.

In his 34 years of service, he has served in different capacities in Uttar Pradesh and also has the privilege of serving on Central Deputation since 2017, as ADG in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and as SDG in Central Reserve Police Force.
Delhi Police found a big breakthrough in the recent threat mail case involving Greater Kailash's Summer Fields School. During the preliminary investigation, the cop revealed that a 14-year-old student had been identified and was being questioned regarding the bomb threat mail.

A 14-year-old student has been identified and is being questioned. The student didn't want to go to the school and had, therefore, sent the bomb threat mail. The student had mentioned two more schools in the mail to make it look genuine. Investigation is underway, said police. as quoted by ANI.

On August 2, a school in the Greater Kailash area of Delhi received an email threatening to bomb the school. According to the police, the email was sent to the school around midnight and claimed that an explosive device had been planted on the school premises.

Other bomb threat incidents On July 30, the Somnath Express, which runs between Jammu and Rajasthan, experienced a six-hour delay after police received an anonymous bomb threat. The train was stopped at Kasu Begu railway station at 7:42 a.m., and passengers were evacuated. The threat was later confirmed to be a hoax.

On July 28, outer Delhi was thrown into panic when a bomb threat was reported for a cluster bus at Nazafgarh More. Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officials received the call at 11:55 p.m., alleging that a bomb was planted on a cluster bus operating on route number 961, which runs between Narela and Najafgarh.

On July 20, a Kendriya Vidyalaya located on the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Indore received an email threatening to blow up the school building on Independence Day. Immediately, the school authorities lodged a complaint at Simrol police station.
Rejecting allegations levelled by dismissed Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze, former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Saturday termed it a "new move" by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Sachin Waze, who is an accused in 100 crore extortion case as well as 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case, once again reiterated his allegation of bribery against Deshmukh.

Claiming that the money used to go through his (Anil Deshmukh) PA, Waze has claimed that CBI has the proof and he has also written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis.

Stating that he was ready for Narco test, Waze claimed that in the letter he has written, he has given the name of Jayant Patil as well.

Reacting to allegations, Deshmukh, who is also senior NCP (SP) leader, said, What Sachin Waze spoke is a new move by Devendra Fadnavis, as a few days back, I had levelled allegations against Fadnavis about how he had three years back given a proposal to me to implicate Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray.

Also Read | Sachin Waze submits evidence to Devendra Fadnavis in 100 crore extortion case

What Deshmukh said?  Fadnavis may not be knowing that the Bombay High Court spoke about Sachin Waze that he has a criminal background. He was arrested in two murder cases and is not a person who can be trusted.

 Deshmukh accused Fadnavis of using a person with criminal background to implicate him.

 Deshmukh recently claimed that Fadnavis as the opposition leader had tried to pressure him to sign affidavits against the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray.

Shiv Sena UBT reacts Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that an accused (in 2021 Antilia bomb scare) is speaking like a BJP worker.

"This way they have brought down the level of Maharashtra politics...Anil Deshmukh was a former Minister, he has the right to speak but to put pressure on him, you(BJP) have to take the help of a terrorist. This is your failure...they have lost the election mentally," said Raut.

Also Read | Explosives case: Mumbai cop Sachin Waze dismissed from service

Fadnavis says:  I saw them (Sachin Waze's allegations) only in the media. You are also showing that he has written a letter to me. I have not seen anything about that yet because I have been in Nagpur for the last two days.

 I will react after seeing if any such letter has come or not. But I want to tell you that whatever is coming out, we will do a proper investigation on it.
Dismissed Mumbai Police Officer Sachina Waze on Friday submitted all the evidence of the 100 crore extortion case allegedly involving former State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"Whatever has happened, the proof is there. The money used to go through his (Anil Deshmukh) PA, CBI has the proof, and I have also written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis. I have submitted all the evidence. In the letter that I wrote, I also gave the name of Jayant Patil. I am ready for that (NARCO test)," Waze told ANI.

Also Read | Explosives case: Mumbai cop Sachin Waze dismissed from service

Sachin Waze is also implicated in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a corruption case against Deshmukh after accusations surfaced that, during his tenure as home minister, he had instructed police officers to collect 100 crore per month from bar owners.

Deshmukh was subsequently arrested but later granted bail. In July, NCP-SP leader Anil Deshmukh accused Devendra Fadnavis of asking him to write four affidavits against Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Ajit Pawar and Anil Parab.

Three years ago Devendra Fadnavis sent a man to me and asked me to write four affidavits. I was asked to make written allegations against Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Ajit Pawar and Anil Parab. Devendra Fadnavis sent the affidavits and asked me to sign them. I was told that if I did this, then neither ED nor CBI would come after me, said Waze.

Also Read | Mumbai court sends Sachin Waze to police custody till 15 Nov in extortion case

Fadnavis dismissed the accusations, asserting that he would not tolerate any personal allegations made against him. Anil Deshmukh, the former Home Minister of Maharashtra, was arrested by the ED in 2021 on suspicion of money laundering and spent several months in jail.

Sachin Waze was arrested by the NIA in March 2021 in connection with the discovery of explosives in a car parked near Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai. Waze is the main suspect in placing the explosives-laden vehicle near Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani's house, Antilia, on February 25, 2021.

Responding to Waze's remarks, Anil Deshmukh said, 5-6 days back, I had levelled allegations against Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, that 3 years ago he attempted to send the then CM Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray to jail and came to me with a false affidavit. I revealed this to the public.

What Sachin Waze did today is a new tactic by Devendra Fadnavis. Bombay High Court had said about Sachin Waze that he is a man with criminal background, he has been arrested on two murder charges, and he is still lodged in jail. Such a man with a criminal background can't be believed, his statement can't be trusted - Bombay High Cout judgement states the same, he added.
Tamil Nadu Minister SS Sivasankar's controversial remark on the existence of Lord Ram sparked a political debate. There is no historical existence to prove Lord Ram's existence, the DMK leader said while addressing Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola's birth anniversary event in Ariyalur

We must celebrate the birthday anniversary of our great ruler Rajendra Chola, who made our land proud. We should celebrate his birthday; otherwise, people may be compelled to celebrate something that has no connection or evidence to them, he said.

To show that Rajendra Chola lives on, there are ponds constructed by him, temples built by him, and his name is mentioned in scripts, sculptures, and other artefacts. We have history and evidence for it, but there is no evidence or historical record of Lord Ram's existence, the minister said.

"They call him (Ram) an avatar. An avatar can't be born. It is being done to manipulate us, hide our history, and present another history as superior," Sivasankar added.

BJP on Sivasankar's Lord Ram remark Reacting to Sivasankar's remarks, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai questioned DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, Just last week, DMK's Law Minister Thiru Raghupathy declared that Bhagwan Shri Ram was the ultimate champion of social justice, the pioneer of secularism, and the one who proclaimed equality for all.

"Fast forward to today, and we have the scam-tainted DMK Transport Minister, Thiru Shiva Shankar, boldly asserting that Lord Ram never existed, claiming it's all a ploy to erase the Cholan history. Isn't it fascinating how quickly DMK leaders' memories fade? Weren't they the same folks who opposed our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi for installing the Chola Dynasty Sengol in the new Parliament Complex?" he said.

"It's almost comical that the DMK, a party that seems to think Tamil Nadu's history started in 1967, has suddenly discovered a love for the nation's rich culture and history. Perhaps it's time for DMK Ministers Thiru Raghupathy and Thiru Shiva Shankar to sit down, debate, and reach a consensus on Lord Ram. We're confident that Thiru Shiva Shankar could learn a thing or two about Bhagwan Shri Ram from his colleague," the BJP leader added.
A man identified as an agent of Pakistans spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was reportedly set on fire by a mob in Canada. Sources told CNN-News18 on Saturday the mans name is Rahat Rao and he has a forex business in the Surrey Central area.

Rao reportedly belongs to the Canadian-Pakistani community.

According to the report, the incident happened after a person visited Rahats office for some "money exchange work". The man then set Rao on fire and ran away.

In September 2023, Rao was questioned in Canada's Surrey in connection with the alleged murder of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] did not disclose the reason for their visit publicly, but it was possibly related to his knowledge about the killing of Nijjar, a source told News18.

Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year.

Also Read | India and Canada engage in multiple rounds of talks over Nijjars killing

The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada took a hit after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's alleged "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd". India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.

India has been consistently pressing Canada to take action against anti-India elements operating from its soil.

Also Read | Watch: Canada Parliament observes silence remembering terrorist Nijjar

In a recent statement, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswa said India expects Canada to take action against anti-India elements who have repeatedly threatened Indian leaders, institutions, airlines, and diplomats by violence.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday noted plight of a common men who are fed up with court proceedings, and said that there was a need for institutionalising the process of dispensing justice through Lok Adalats.

The Chief Justice was speaking at the commemoration function of the Special Lok Adalat held till August 3 in an effort to reduce the pendency of cases.

Chandrachud also highlighted the importance of Lok Adalats as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

"Log itna trast ho jate hain court ke mamlon se wo koi bhi settlement chahte hain...Bas court se dur kara dijiye (People are so fed up with the matters of the court that they just want a settlement). This process is the punishment and that is a cause of concern for all of us as judges," PTI quoted Chandrachud as saying at the commemoration of the special Lok Adalat week at the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice added that parties are ready to accept any sort of settlement because they want to get out of the system.

CJI also cited several cases which were settled in the Special Lok Adalat. He cited a motor accident case in which the claimant was ready to settle the case for lower compensation despite being entitled to enhancement.

What CJI Chandrachud said  When the panels for the Lok Adalat were constituted, it was ensured that every panel would consist of two judges and two members of the Bar.

 The purpose behind doing this was to give ownership to the advocates over the institution because this is not an institution which is only run by the judges, and this is not the institution of the judges, for the judges, by the judges, PTI quoted Chandrachud as saying.

 Chandrachud said he genuinely felt that the Supreme Court may be located in Delhi but it is not the Supreme Court of Delhi. It is the Supreme Court of India.

 The CJI said the special Lok Adalat began with seven benches initially as "we were sceptical if we would be successful". "By Thursday we had 13 benches and there was so much work.
August 3 marks an important day with numerous business, political, and general events, including SBI's Q1 results, Vedanta's record date for shareholders, IMD's rainfall predictions for Telangana, and a hearing of a defamation case filed against Rahul Gandhi. Take a look,

- The State Bank of India is scheduled to report its Q1 earnings for the financial year 2024-25 on August 3, Saturday. It is expected that the bank will report a flat year-on-year net profit.

- Mining major Vedanta has approved the second interim dividend of 4 per share with a face value of Re 1 for FY25. For this, the company has fixed August 3 as the record date.

- Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will travel to the United States from August 3 to 11 to promote the southern state and attract investments.

- The hearing of a defamation case filed against Rahul Gandhi over his alleged statement linking the RSS with Mahatma Gandhi's assassination was deferred to August 3 in Maharashtra.

- Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray will hold a rally in Pune on Saturday.

-Former Karnataka minister B. Nagendra was arrested in connection with the Valmiki Corruption case by the Enforcement Directorate.

- Varanasi court fixed August 3 as the next date of hearing in Gyanvapi mosque-related cases in Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read | SC to hear Gyanvapi committees plea against Hindu prayers in cellar today

- Kumaraswamy will be a part of seven-day padayatra against alleged irregularities in Valmiki Development Corporation and MUDA from August 3 in Karnataka.

- New Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Rathore will assume charge today.

- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for rainfall in Telangana on August 3 and 4.

- The Maharashtra Congress Committee will hold a statewide protest against the deteriorating condition of highways, scheduled to take place on August 3.

- Kolkata's Acropolis Mall will reopen on August 3 after closure due to fire accident in West Bengal.

- NASA, SpaceX will facilitate Northrop Grummans 21st Station Resupply Launch on August 3 in the US.
From State Bank of India (SBI) board approving fundraising to shooter Manu Bhaker missing medal hat-trick at Paris Olympics, here are today's top stories.

SBI Q1 Results: Board approves fundraising of up to  25,000 crore via tier-1,2 bonds in FY25 State Bank of India (SBI) announced its April-June quarter results for fiscal 2024-25 (Q1FY25) on Saturday, August 3, where the leading state-owned lender's board approved fundraising of up to 25,000 crore via tier-1 and tier-2 bonds in the current fiscal (FY25). The public-sector bank (PSB) also said that the current fundraising action is subject to the approval of the Government of India, wherever required.'' READ MORE

Adani-backed Ambuja Cement declares Bihar infra project with net investment worth  1,600 crore: Heres what it entails Billionaire Gautam Adani's Group-owned Ambuja Cements announced on Saturday, August 3, that it will invest 1,600 crore in its first project in Bihar, marking the largest investment in the state by a cement industry player. As part of the project, Ambuja Cement will set up a cement grinding unit with a total capacity of six million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at Warisaliganj, Bihar. READ MORE

I tried my best but I need to...: Emotional Manu Bhaker after missing medal hat-trick at Paris Olympics Manu Bhaker has already created history with two bronze medals at Paris Olympics 2024, however, she narrowly missed the medal hat-trick in the women's 25 m pistol. Bhaker missed out on a third medal as she finished fourth in the women's 25m pistol shooting. READ MORE

Devendra Fadnavis must have planned: NCP SPs Rohit Pawar and Jayant Patil react to Sachin Wazes allegation The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leaders on Saturday rejected the allegations levelled by dismissed cop Sachin Waze against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and raised suspicion over the timing of his remark while targeting Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. READ MORE

Wayanad landslides: Rescue teams race against time as over 200 still remain missing; Karnataka to construct 100 houses Over 200 people are still reported missing as rescue operations in landslide-hit Kerala's Wayanad areas entered fifth day on Saturday. Around 308 people have been reported death in the incident. Whereas, eighty-one people are under treatment in various hospitals. READ MORE

Income Tax: Want to update your ITR? You can file an updated tax return; Heres all you need to know While some are awaiting their income tax refund others  who have yet not filed their ITR  may be unaware that there is a provision to file an updated income tax return (ITR-U). READ MORE
The Centre issued a fresh draft notification to declare over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six states, an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). It includes 13 villages in Kerala's landslide-hit Wayanad.

Also Read | Joe Biden, Jill Biden extend condolences over Wayanad landslides

The government has allotted a time span of 60 days, inviting suggestions and objections for the draft. The notification, issued on July 31, came a day after the Wayanad landslides claimed around 300 lives so far, reported the PTI. Severe climate changes, mining in fragile terrains, along with loss of forest cover, together have contributed to the deadly disaster, Kerala scientists said.

Villages hit by tragedy not covered The draft notification proposes to declare 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala, including 13 villages in two talukas of the landslide-hit district, as ecologically sensitive, reported PTI.

While the draft mentions all the villages such as Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad, Thrissilery, and nine others, certain landslide hit regions are reported to be missing.

Also Read | Wayanad Landslides: Rahul Gandhi says Congress will build over 100 houses

Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala villages in Vythiri taluka, which had been severely affected by the landslides on July 30, do not figure in the notification.

Goa , Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are the other states where the government has proposed to recognize ecologically sensitive zones. The final notification is pending, amid objection form all the states, an official told the PTI.

Fresh draft on Western Ghats The draft notification suggests a complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining, while existing mines would be phased out within a span of five years," from the date of issue of the final notification or on the expiry of the existing mining lease, whichever is earlier," reported the PTI.

The draft further prohibits new thermal power projects, and the expansion of the existing ones. Further expansion of 'Red' category industries (highly polluting), that have been specified by the pollution control boards, have also been banned.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration, on Saturday, dismissed six government officials, including five policemen, for their alleged involvement in financing terrorism through drug sales.

The investigation revealed that the dismissed officials were part of a sophisticated narco-terror network, that is linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and various other terror groups operating from the country.

Six government officials, including five policemen and a teacher, were found involved in terror financing through drug sales, an official told the PTI.

The profits received from financing the flow of narcotics, were channelled into funding terrorist activities.

Also Read | 12 injured after building collapses in Ladakhs Kargil

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the staff involved have been identified as head constable Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, constable Khalid Hussian Shah, constable Rehmat Shah, constable Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo, constable Saif Din, and government teacher Nazam Din.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha invoked Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution to terminate the employees, with immediate effect. This article gives the government the power to sack employees without an inquiry if the President or the governor, as the case may be, is satisfied that an inquiry would not be necessary, in the interest of the security of the state.

Article 311(2)(c) invoked With the current dismissal, the administration has laid back a total of 70 government employees on similar grounds since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

A similar incident had happened in June 2024, when four government employees had been terminated for their alleged involvement in narco-terrorism. The accused were identified as police constables Mushtaq Ahmad Pir and Imtiyaz Ahmad Lone, junior assistant Bazil Ahmad Mir from the school education department, and Mohd. Zaid Shah from the rural department, who worked at the village level.

The four were acting on behalf of terror outfits as the law enforcement and intelligence agencies collected incriminating material evidence against them, said the officials, reported HT.
Happy Friendship Day 2024: Friendship Day, the foundation of human connection, is a special tribute that transcends borders, countries, and backgrounds to celebrate the bond of love, the joy of togetherness, and gratitude for support and companionship. Mutual respect, trust, support, and shared experiences form the cornerstone of this connection. Every year, this special day is observed to celebrate the beautiful love and affection shared among friends, which makes our lives better.

The idea of celebrating the Friendship Day can be traced back many centuries. In modern times, this wonderful day is celebrated globally every July 30. In 2011, the UN General Assembly declared July 30 to be International Friendship Day. The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. The resolution places emphasis on involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity, the UN said.

However, it is celebrated on the first Sunday of August in India, Malaysia, the US, and Bangladesh.

This year, Friendship Day is on Sunday, August 4. Here are some wishes, images, and messages for our friends who make our lives beautiful with great times, laughter, mischief, trust, unconditional support, and the joy of togetherness.

Also Read | Friendship Day 2024: Six perfect gift options for your bff

Happy Friendship Day 2024: Wishes and Messages Your friendship is a source of my happiness. Happy Friendship Day

I am sending my love and best wishes to you. Happy Friendship Day to all of you!

Friendship is a bond that links the heart of all the world. Happy Friendship Day!

Thank you so much for sticking by me through thick and thin. Happy Friendship Day!

I value your friendship beyond anything else. Happy Friendship Day!

May God bless you with the best of things in life because you deserve them all! Happy Friendship Day!

With you, life is better. Happy Friendship Day!

Our hearts are connected, and nothing can part ways. Happy Friendship Day!

Happy Friendship Day to my constant support system!

I am proud and happy to say you are my best friend. Happy Friendship Day, dear friend

Thank You for staying with me through the best and worst of times. Happy Friendship Day!

May we never part ways, because I cherish your presence in my life daily.

You made my life and heart happy and poured positivity into my life. Happy Friendship Day!

Also Read | 10 friendship day movies to enjoy this weekend

Happy Friendship Day 2024: Quotes A friend knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow  William Shakespeare

One best book is equal to a hundred good friends, but one good friend is equal to a library  Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together  Woodrow Wilson

A friend is what the heart needs all the time Henry Van Dyke

Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything  Muhammad Ali

A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same Elbert Hubbard

Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend Sarrah Dessen

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down  Arnold H. Glasow

Words are easy like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find William Shakespeare

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out Walter Winchell Happy Friendship Day 2024: Images

Happy Friendship Day 2024

Happy Friendship Day 2024

Happy Friendship Day 2024

Happy Friendship Day 2024
By Enas Alashray and Adam Makary

CAIRO (Reuters) -A merchant vessel was hit by a missile 125 nautical miles east of Yemen's port of Aden, but "no fires, water ingress, or oil leaks were observed," and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call, British maritime agency UKMTO and British security firm Ambrey both confirmed on Saturday.

Earlier reports from UKMTO and Ambrey indicated that the vessel might have been hit by an unknown explosive, potentially causing a fire on board.

There were no injuries and all crew were reported safe, UKMTO and Ambrey said in their advisory notes.

UKMTO added that it was the same vessel it identified as the MV GROTON involved in an incident it reported earlier, 170 nautical miles also east of Aden.

Ambrey also reported the incident saying that it "assessed that the vessel had been targeted earlier today and reported a close-proximity explosion."

Earlier on Saturday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it destroyed a Houthi missile and launcher in Yemen.

If the Houthis claim responsibility, the incidents would be their first since Israel carried out a retaliatory airstrike against the group in the port of Hodeidah.

The Houthi attacks have drawn U.S. and British retaliatory strikes and disrupted global trade as ship owners reroute vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal to sail the longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since last November in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.
(Bloomberg) -- Venezuelas opposition leader Maria Corina Machado emerged from hiding on Saturday to lead a rally in Caracas, defying the governments threat to imprison her.

It was the first time she appeared in public since Tuesday, amid demonstrations around the nation protesting what opposition leaders  as well as the US and many other nations  say was President Nicolas Maduros theft of the July 28 election.

Machado, who was prevented from running herself, said on Thursday she had gone into hiding for fear of her life, following comments from Maduro that she and her stand-in candidate Edmundo Gonzalez should be behind bars.

Its been six days of brutal repression, of attempts to silence, frighten or paralyze us, Machado told supporters at the rally. The presence of each one of you here shows the world the magnitude of strength and what it means that we will go until the end.

Machado joined an opposition politicians caravan as it arrived in the Las Mercedes neighborhood, in east Caracas, where hundreds of supporters gathered with their flags. Gonzalez didnt join her.

Concerns ran high that Machado would be arrested if she appeared in public as tensions rise around the country. On Friday, Maduro alleged that the opposition was planning an attack with grenades less than two miles away from the planned protest site.

Meantime, hundreds of people on motorbikes crowded Caracass main highway that runs to the center of the city in support of Maduro, according to images on state television. Motorists from the Petare area, a low-income area, crossed the highway, saying they would defend Maduros government against what they said was fraud by the opposition.

On Friday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who earlier recognized Gonzalez as the winner, spoke with him and Machado. He expressed concern for the two leaders safety and applauded the Venezuelan people for their dedication to democracy in the face of significant challenges.

Detailed election results provided by the opposition showed its candidate took almost 70% of the vote, nearly twice Maduros share. Maduro has claimed 51% of the vote, the government-controlled election authority said.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh appears to have been a premeditated event with months of careful planning. Recent reports contradict Iranian claims that the top official was killed during a pre-dawn airstrike on Wednesday. It has now been suggested that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad recruited members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to plant a bomb in his temporary residence.

Reports by The New York Times, Axios, and the Wall Street Journal indicate that the the Hamas chief was killed by a bomb in his apartment that was planted weeks  or perhaps even months  ahead of his arrival in Tehran. Haniyeh was in Iran for the inauguration of Iranian President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian. His predecessor (Ebrahim Raisi) was incidentally killed in a helicopter crash earlier this year  with many pointing fingers at Israel.

The assasination plan appears to have been formulated soon after the death of Raisi. According to a report by The Telegraph, the initial plan was to assassinate Haniyeh as he attended the funeral in May. The British daily however cited two Iranian officials as saying that the operation was later called off due to the large number of people in the building and the possibility of failure.

Also Read | Mourners bury Hamas chief Haniyeh in Qatar as more escalation looms over the Middle East

Instead, the two agents placed explosive devices in three rooms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp guesthouse in north Tehran where Haniyeh might stay. The agents were seen moving stealthily as they entered and exited multiple rooms within minutes, according to the officials who have CCTV footage of the building, The Telegraph report added.

The bombs were reportedly detonated from abroad. Officials quoted by the publication also claimed with near certainity that Mossad had hired agents from the Ansar al-Mahdi protection unit to carry out the attack. The IRGC unit in question is responsible for ensuring the safety of high-ranking officials.
An Israeli delegation led by the countrys intelligence chief visited Egypt, seeking to make progress on long-stalled talks over a possible Gaza truce, but returned with no immediate sign of a breakthrough.

Israel-Hamas Truce Talks Said to Face Four Key Sticking Points

Saturdays visit was aimed at pursuing negotiations for a cease-fire in the almost 10-month-old war with Hamas, which could free some hostages held by the Iran-backed militant group, Israeli officials said, asking not to be identified citing the sensitivity of the matter.

The delegation returned to Israel later in the day, one of the officials said, without providing details.

Biden Tells Netanyahu to Accept Truce in Very Direct Call

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office, which oversees Mossad, did not comment on the trip by David Barnea, the spy agencys director. Authorities in Egypt, which has acted as a key mediator in Israel-Hamas negotiations, werent available for comment.

On Friday, Netanyahus office said Israel and Hamas remained divided over what a possible cease-fire would look like.

The proposed arrangement, which is backed by the US, could help reduce the scale of reprisals that Hamas, its ally Hezbollah and their sponsor Iran have threatened for the killing this week of senior militants in Beirut and Tehran.

Israels Twin Strikes in Tehran, Beirut Ratchet Up Tensions

But Israels demonstration of willingness to return to cease-fire talks also is a bold move because Iran and its proxies blame it for killing a top negotiator for their side.

Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian factions political leader, was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran this week. Both Hamas and the Islamic Republic have blamed Israel for Haniyehs assassination.

Israel hasnt acknowledged responsibility for his death, though it has vowed since the outset of the war to destroy the militant groups leadership.

Opposing Demands

Israel maintains its forces should remain stationed along the border that separates the Palestinian enclave from neighboring Egypt even after a possible truce deal with Hamas. The Jewish state also demands the creation of a mechanism to prevent Hamas fighters from returning to northern Gaza.

Another sticking point is the number of hostages to be released by the group, which is believed to be holding over 100 people captive. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US, raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping around 250 others.

The militant group wants any truce deal to eventually bring to an end the war in Gaza, where more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war, according to Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel has been on alert for a sharp escalation of tensions with Iran and the militant groups backed by Tehran following this weeks assassinations. Hezbollah has pledged to retaliate after Israel assassinated Fuad Shukr, a senior commander of the militant group, in Lebanon on Tuesday.
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday won the 2024 Democratic National Convention, securing a majority of the delegates' votes, The Washington Post reported.

Democratic Party officials officially announced her as the party's presidential nominee, concluding an extraordinary process that followed the former Democratic candidate's withdrawal less than two weeks ago.

"I am honoured to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. I will officially accept the nomination next week. This campaign is about people coming together, fueled by love of country, to fight for the best of who we are," Harris wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

After the announcement, US President Joe Biden said he made one of the best decisions to choose Kamala Harris for the US President post. One of the best decisions I've made was picking @KamalaHarris as my vice president. Now that she will be our party's nominee, I couldn't be prouder, he said.

More than 4,000 convention delegates had until Monday to cast their votes, but with no other candidates qualifying to contest Harris, her nomination was essentially guaranteed.

The official nomination of Harris as the first woman of colour to lead a major party's presidential ticket represents a significant milestone for a nation historically divided by racial and gender issues, The Post said.

The announcement came from Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, who mentioned that Harris reached the required threshold just a day after online voting started on Monday.

Kamala Harris officially inked the forms to declare her candidature for the US presidential elections on July 27. She assured that her people's powered campaign would win in November.

On July 30, more than 3,900 delegates had petitioned to put Harris on the ballot for the nomination, according to the Democratic National Committee.

Harris is only the second person of colour to lead a major presidential ticket in the nearly 250-year history of the United States, following Barack Obama in 2008. As a Black and Indian American woman, Harris has recently faced criticism from Trump, who baselessly claimed she once downplayed her Black heritage.

She is also the second woman to be a major-party nominee for president, after Hillary Clinton in 2016. That year, Clinton's unexpected loss to Trump shocked Democrats and dramatically altered the political scene.
KYIV, - Ukraine's human rights commissioner urged the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations to investigate an image widely shared online on Saturday that he said likely showed a Ukrainian prisoner-of-war killed and dismembered by Russian forces.

Ukraine's prosecutor general said separately that an urgent investigation had been launched into information being spread on social networks about the murder and dismemberment of a Ukrainian POW.

"A photograph, probably of a Ukrainian prisoner whose head and limbs were cut off by the Russians, has appeared online," Dmytro Lubinets, the country's leading human rights official, said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

"In view of these horrific images, I have urgently appealed to the ICRC and the UN to record yet another human rights violation by the terrorist country," Lubinets wrote.

Andriy Kostin, the prosecutor general, said an urgent investigation had been launched. "Russia consistently repeats the crimes of the Nazis, defiantly showing utter contempt for all norms of the civilised world," he wrote on Telegram.

Russia denies torture or other forms of maltreatment of POWs.

A United Nations commission of inquiry on Ukraine said in a report published in March that it had documented credible allegations of executions of at least 32 Ukrainian POWs in 12 separate incidents from December 2023 to February, and that it had independently verified three of the incidents.

The three-member Commission of Inquiry said it had also gathered more evidence that Russia had systematically tortured Ukrainian POWs, documenting rape threats and the use of electric shocks on genitals.

It said the scale of such torture cases may amount to the most serious abuses known as crimes against humanity, describing their occurrence as "widespread and systematic".
Senior politician Uddhav Thackeray sparked outrage on Saturday after accusing the BJP of indulging in power jihad. He also accused the Eknath Shinde-led ruling dispensation of bribing voters through revdis or freebies. The remarks prompted a sharp rebuttal from the BJP with politicians claiming that the former Maharashtra Chief Minister had lost his mental balance.

Uddhav Thackeray is a frustrated person and this frustration has affected his mind badly. After today's speech, he has shown that he is indeed a member of the Aurangzeb fan club, said Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

I think Uddhav Thackeray has lost his mental balance. He had earlier made wrong comments on PM Modi, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. Today, he made wrong comments about the Home Minister of India Amit Shah...Elections are very far, I don't know till then what kind of wrong comments will he make, added state Minister Girish Mahajan.

Thackeray had lashed out at Amit Shah earlier on Saturday, dubbing him a political descendant of Ahmad Shah Abdali  the Afghan king who defeated the Marathas in the third battle of Panipat.

If Muslims are with us after we explained to them our Hindutva, then we are (according to the BJP) the Aurangzeb Fan Club. Then what you are doing is power jihad, Thackeray insisted during a Shiv Sankalp rally in Pune on Saturday.

The Home Minister had previously dubbed Thackeray the the head of the Aurangzeb fan club and castigated him for sitting with people who sought pardon for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon.

Maha Vikas Aghadi is Aurangzeb fan club. This Aurangzeb fan club cannot ensure India's security. Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of this Aurangzeb Fan club. This Fan Club cannot make Maharashtra and India safe. It's only the BJP that can ensure the safety and security of all. Uddhav Thackeray shares his meals with people involved with Kasab, he supports PFI and stands against renaming Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar, Shah said last month.
The short book, long underestimated, has a lot going for it. To start with the prosaic: if you want to get through more volumes, short is shrewd. Slender books can be slipped into a bag or coat pocket and plucked out again in an idle moment, so youll be more likely to finish them. For adventurous readers the format allows for casual experimentation with new styles, topics and authors. For indecisive ones it can make a bookshops universe of possibilities feel less daunting: just scour the shelves for slim spines. Most of all, there is a rare satisfaction in reaching the final pages of a book while still holding the full sweep of its story in your mind. Taut prose is intense and immersive, like a distilled fragrance. These books offer that, too. They must; they dont have long to make their point. In an era of many distractions, that is a great virtue.

These six non-fiction books include memoir, journalism, essays and pictorial essays. They take you into the bedroom of a grieving husband in imperial China; into the courtroom where a sensational murder trial split New Yorks Bukharan Jewish community in the late 2000s; and, classically, into a room of ones own. In short, they get plenty done in just 150 pages.

Six Records of a Floating Life. By Shen Fu. Translated by Leonard Pratt and Chiang Su-Hui. Penguin Classics; 144 pages; $16 and 9.99

A meditation on extraordinary love and an ordinary life, this memoir was written at the beginning of the 19th century in Qing-dynasty China by a widowed scholar. Despite the lapse of time, Shen Fus joys and sorrows feel comfortingly familiar. He was a civil servant who, though highly educated for his time, did not manage to rise up the ranks. He quarrelled with his parents, played drinking games and went on picnics. He also married the love of his life (they had known each other since they were 13 years old) and, as Shens memoir reveals, he treated Chen Yun like an equal, admiring her practicality and sparring with her in ad lib poetry competitions. The book has long been cherished in China as a true account of deep love. For modern readers the records may hold some surprises, too. Shen loved flower arranging. And although he and Yun adored each other, she matter-of-factly sought out a concubine for himwith whom, the text implies, she also had sex (lesbian relationships were not especially frowned upon at the time). The translators judicious footnotes make the reading all the more pleasurable.

Oranges. By John McPhee. Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 149 pages; $16. Daunt; 9.99

Are there 150 sparkling pages to be written about the everyday orange? John McPhee proves there are. Oranges", which evolved from an essay published in the New Yorker in 1966, established a new form of journalism: one that marries whimsy with forensic explanatory reporting. Mr McPhee examines the rise of frozen orange-juice concentrate after the second world waralready then a $700m industry and the boomiest boom since the Brazilian rubber boom". He interviews Floridas orange barons, pickers, packers and pomologists. His essay flows from the fantastic sex life of oranges to the Sanskrit origins of the word (naranga) to oranges role in the Norman invasion of Sicily. It is sweet to read about Botticelli and Degrees Brix (the standard measure of sugar) in a single sitting. This is also dissection at its sharpest, and eating an orange will never be the same again.

A Room of Ones Own. By Virginia Woolf. Mariner; 128 pages; $16.99. Penguin Modern Classics; 5.99

Among the most influential essays of the 20th century, A Room of Ones Own" was based on a lecture that Virginia Woolf gave at Newnham College and Girton College, the first two for women at Cambridge University. Woolf lands her best-known line by the second page: A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." That sends her down new routes of inquiry. As she relays the train of thought she has while walking around Oxbridge" (a barely fictitious composite) and London, her wry humour develops a fierceness that builds to anger. Why are women poor?" she asks. What effect has poverty on fiction?" And What conditions are necessary for the creation of works of art?" She summons the work of women over the centuries, from Aphra Behn to the Bronte sisters, to find the answers. The lot of women in Britain has improved dramatically in the century since Woolf wrote her essay. Yet it still feels like essential reading, in particular as a manifesto on the right to form ones own opinion and express it.

Iphigenia in Forest Hills: Anatomy of a Murder Trial. By Janet Malcolm. Yale University Press; 155 pages; $13.95 and 9.99

If the aim of journalistic inquiry is to provide answers, Janet Malcolm shows, with devastating rigour, that observation can be enough. Iphigenia in Forest Hills" tells the story of a murder trial in New York in 2009. Mazoltuv Borukhova, a 35-year-old doctor, is accused of paying an acquaintance to kill her husband. Malcolm lays out the facts of the case, then raises the question at the heart of most true-crime stories: She couldnt have done it, and she must have done it." Yet the title, a reference to the Greek myth of Iphigenia, sacrificed daughter of Agamemnon, says it all. This too is a tragedy; its end certain. Malcolm does not offer suspense. Instead, from many small procedural details at the Queens Supreme Court she coaxes bigger, more unsettling questions. Such as, is bias inevitable? Borukhovas otherness was her defining characteristic," notes Malcolm. Observe, her text urges, how decisive the opinion of an expert witness can be. Notice the seduction of certaintyhow courtrooms revel in it. See what small tyrannies the judge permits himself. Unshowily, Malcolm makes her point: a trial is perhaps nothing more than a contest between competing narratives".

Ways of Seeing. By John Berger. Penguin Modern Classics; 155 pages; $11 and 9.99

Adapted from a four-part BBC television series of the same name that aired in 1972, John Bergers book will probably change how you think about art. Four essays consider the reproduction of art; the female form and the male gaze; how ownership influences art; and publicity and the illusion of authority. These are delightfully complemented by three wordless pictorial essays, bold visual arguments for Bergers incantatory openingwhich purposely appears right on the cover of this editionthat seeing comes before words". He shows how the meaning of art is always influenced by how and where it is viewed. Bergers book is naturally a product of its time, too: Marxist, radical and preoccupied with the ruling class. But it made complex ideas about a closed world accessible and engaging. Its influence is lasting: read the review we wrote for its 50th anniversary.

A Mans Place. By Annie Ernaux. Translated by Tanya Leslie. Seven Stories Press; 96 pages; $13.95. Fitzcarraldo Editions; 7.99

Annie Ernaux made her mark with autobiographical fiction in which, as we wrote when she received the Nobel prize in literature in 2022, she remakes the private and the ordinary into something profound". But to write a radically short biography of her father the French author had to strip away all pretence; she abandoned a first attempt at a novel with feelings of disgust". If I wish to tell the story of a life governed by necessity," she writes, I have no right to adopt an artistic approach." The result is a spare, starkly beautiful memoir. Its studied restraint, almost ethnographic, is the work of a daughter at pains to do justice to the life of a father whom she felt she could no longer truly know: Although it had something to do with class, it was different, indefinable. Like fractured love." Like many others of his era, he first laboured on a farm, then entered a factory and finally worked for himself, as a shopkeeper in rural Normandy. Ms Ernaux strove, she writes, to convey both his happiness and the humiliating limitations" of his class. It is the story of a generation, but also firmly her fathers own.

Try also

Ms Ernaux wrote a short biography of her mother, A Womans Story". It is as accomplished as that about her father, and secured her reputation with French readers. If you enjoyed Janet Malcolms Iphigenia in Forest Hills", try Still Pictures", a short book published posthumously that is also perhaps her most personal. We reviewed it last year here. New to John McPhees writing? He has written more than 30 books. After Oranges", why not try his most recent, Tabula Rasa"it comes in at under 200 pages. We offered our appraisal here.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
A 78-year-old Orofino man has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

A criminal complaint against William Campbell was filed Thursday by James W. Haws, deputy attorney general and prosecuting attorney. The complaint alleges that four times on Wednesday, Campbell possessed or accessed material of children ages 6-10 and 8-12 taking part in sexual acts, according to court documents.

Campbell made his initial appearance in Nez Perce County before Magistrate Judge Kent Merica with Haws as prosecutor appearing by Zoom. The maximum penalty for each charge is 10 years in prison as well as a $10,000 fine.
TOKYO  Heres the message from Dr. Marcas Bamman, a physiologist with decades of research into aging who preaches the benefits of weight-resistance training for those who are getting up there.

Were talking 60-plus  women and men. And were talking about hitting the gym and weight training. Dont be put off, Bamman says.

Resistance training is in many ways the true fountain of youth, Bamman said in an interview with The Associated Press. I like to say the fountain of youth is the water cooler in the gym.

Of course, there are biological limits. But Bamman says the bulk of age-related decline in strength, flexibility and endurance is behavioral  putting too few demands on the body, not too many.

When I tell somebody that in four to six months your strength and muscle mass and overall muscle function is going to elevate to the levels of people 30 to 35 years younger, that hits home, he said.

So you know youre too sedentary and the birthdays keep piling up. You suspect resistance training would be beneficial. But perhaps youre intimidated. Dont be.

Getting started

Check with medical professionals to make sure there are no health problems that stand in your way.

Then find a gym. Larger gyms offer a social component with things to do on a day off from weight training. And Bamman suggests getting a trainer.

Its actually quite safe, but it does require proper progression, Bamman said. You have to have a good instructor who can teach the movements properly.

Bamman, a research scientist at the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition, said finding a fully qualified trainer can be tricky.

We need more rigorous certification of trainers, he said. The problem is that you can go online tonight and pay $50 and get some certification as a trainer.

Done and dusted in an hour

Bamman suggests resistance training twice a week. Three times is even better, and he recommends non-weight-training days in between. For instance, work out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and let Tuesday and Thursday be days of rest.

He suggests 10 different exercise movements  eight is sufficient. Do 10 repetitions of each movement. Do this three times, described as three sets. Then move on to the next movement.

When you reach the 10th repetition, you should feel you cant do many more. If you could have done 10 more reps, you might want to increase the resistance.

Bamman says machines are better for beginners, but free weights  barbells or dumbbells  may be more effective as you gain confidence.
After 81 years and 23 days Allan Knepper is finally at rest.

Knepper, a World War II pilot, was shot down and killed July 10, 1943. He was interred with full military honors  the sounding of taps, gun salute and a color guard  that took place Friday at the Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston. His half-sister, Shirley Finn, was presented with Kneppers flag at the service. About 100 people were in attendance; some were family members, some were friends and others were people who came to honor the sacrifice of a veteran from the Greatest Generation.

Its finally over with, Finn said. Hes been in the arms of the Lord for a long time.

Knepper and Finns nieces Daphne Lytle and Stella Cravens were also happy their uncle was finally laid to rest at home.

It feels complete, Cravens said.

Lytle was happy for Finn to see her brother be found and returned home.

Its important that it happened now, she said.

Finn is 81 years old, born 10 months after Knepper was shot down. With each year getting older, she wanted to make sure she was there when her brother was brought home. Although he died before she was born and those who knew him have passed on, she said he had a lot of friends.

Because of him (Knepper), I made a lot of friends, Finn said.

Knepper was 27 years old and a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force when his P-38 Lightning was shot down on the island of Sicily in Italy. He was declared missing in action and his body wasnt recovered.

Until Robert Richardson, of Spokane, started to research Knepper for a book in 2011. Richardsons father, Leonard, and Knepper were both pilots and friends in Lewiston, and joined the military together. Richardsons research became a book, The Jagged Edge of Duty, but it also became a search to find Kneppers remains.

With help from Finn, other World War II pilots and an Italian man named Salvatore Fagone, who spoke with witnesses to Kneppers crash, Richardson made the case before the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency for a recovery effort. The search began in Caltagirone, Sicily, with five searches and excavation projects between 2017 and 2023. The DPAA announced in May that Knepper had been found Aug. 10, 2023.

The wait was over.

Capt. Shelby Smith-Baab is the casualty assistance officer for Knepper and was the one who presented Finn with the flag at the funeral. She first met with the family June 28 with a DPAA representative and gave them a history of Kneppers service, the remains that were recovered and presented them with his awards, including a Purple Heart that was awarded posthumously. It was Smith-Baabs first time being directly involved with the family.

Its honestly been such an honor to be a part of such a historical event, she said. (And to) bring one of my brothers in arms back home to rest.

Smith-Baab said there were lots of people who contributed to Knepper returning home. One of those people was Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who was contacted by Richardson to get the DNA testing and get the recovered remains expedited.

Allans home because of the love of people who knew him and didnt know him. Smith-Baab said. Its a special thing to be a part of for me.

Knepper was born Feb. 11, 1916, in Othello, Wash., to Jess William and Stella Knepper. They moved to Lewiston in 1930 and operated Kneppers Grocery on Thain Road in the Orchards. Stella died in 1936 and Jess married Alma Sloan and the couple later had a daughter, Shirley (Knepper) Finn, according to his obituary that was read at the funeral.

Knepper graduated from Lewiston High School in 1935 and attended Lewiston Normal College, later teaching in a one-room school in Summit, Idaho. He entered the Civilian Pilot Training Program and earned his pilot license in December 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and by Feb. 6, 1943, had completed training.

He sailed to North Africa on April 29, 1943, and on June 18 flew his first combat mission in northwestern Sicily. When British and American forces began the invasion of Sicily, Knepper was flying his second combat assignment of the day along southeastern Sicily and was shot down. He was declared missing.

I wont go through the information that was in the obituary but the story with Allan is so amazing you almost want to, David Huddelston said when he began his eulogy.

Huddleston, a friend of Finns and the family, spoke on behalf of Richardson, who wasnt able to make it to the service because he was sick in the hospital.

Huddleston said that because Kneppers death was so long ago no one is alive who knew him. But Richardson, because of his research, knows him the best.
Another COVID-19 outbreak is sweeping parts of the country, with infections increasing on the West Coast.

The summer spread has become a yearly trend as temperatures rise, fostering the spread of the virus, which thrives in steamy, hot conditions. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking growing outbreaks in about 40 states, including Oregon. The virus is also spreading in Washington, California, Arizona and Colorado in the West.

Washington saw 2,905 positive COVID-19 tests in the week ending July 27. The weekly trend rate, which is determined by taking the number of positive tests divided by the population and multiplying by 100,000, is 36.9. The weekly rate of positive tests has gone up steadily over recent weeks. The average number of hospitalizations over the week ending in July 27 was 260. Just over 3% of hospital beds in the state were occupied by COVID-19 patients.

In Oregon, nearly 15% of people who tested for COVID-19 over the past week had the virus, according to the Oregon Health Authoritys latest data. That rate only takes into account the 1,515 tests the agency knows about  many people test at home  but its an indicator of viral spread and is a high rate for this time of year. The only other year in which test rates were higher at this time was the week of July 23, 2022 when nearly 18% tests were positive.

The difference between then and now is that many people have become sick, which can provide some immunity, and many have been vaccinated. Health authority data shows 80% of Oregonians had one initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and about 74% had two. But fewer people have kept up with the booster shots, which are designed to protect against the latest dominant variant.
The proposed junction reconfiguration at Drumlish crossroads, Drumlish was debated at a recent Granard MD meeting, held in The Yard Hub, Abbeyshrule.

The proposed reconfiguration includes work on Main St, St Marys St, Hill Road and Longford Road.



A public consultation with an invitation to make submissions on the proposals came to a conclusion last week.

Granard MD District Engineer, David Coppinger, addressed the members in relation to the proposed reconfiguration.

There have been accidents in this area, because cars have failed to stop, Mr Coppinger tole the members, Funding has been secured for the project and works will commence in the middle of August.



He continued by outlining the outcome of the reconfiguration.

Traffic coming from either the Mohill Road or Hill Street side will be going slightly left or right, but not straight ahead, Mr Coppinger stated.

Both the Mohill Road and Hill Street will be reduced in width. Pedestrians will be guided by signage, he added.



Councillors reacted to the proposed work. Cllr Padraig Brady (FG) raised concerns about safety issues.

One grave concern I have is in relation to arctic lorries that travel from the Longford road, onto the Mohill Road, he explained.



I asked a lorry driver to turn onto the Mohill Road recently.

This manoeuvre invites the driver to go up on the kerb or to put a wheel onto the opposite side of the road, Cllr Brady added.

In response to the query, David Coppinger stated: That is a common query in relation to the reconfiguration.

Encroaching onto the opposite side of the road is legal. The logic is that the lorry has to slow down.

Artic Lorries are only about 5% of traffic in this area, the engineer concluded.
A dog named Nuggi in New Zealand is rescued by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Photo courtesy of the SPCA

A woman in Auckland, New Zealand has been sentenced to two months in prison for overfeeding her pet dog until he became obese, unable to walk, and suffered from many diseases and later died.

She was charged with "animal cruelty" for keeping a dog named Nuggi that weighs 53.7 kg, causing the animal to die from multiple illnesses.

As ordered by the Manukau District Court this week, the woman must also pay reparations of NZD$1,222 (US$720) and disqualified from owning dogs for a year.

According to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the dog, Nuggi, was found by police in 2021.

He weighed nearly 120 pounds and was barely able to move, News Week reported.

He was then removed from his owners home in Auckland and was placed in the care of the SPCA.

Despite shedding 19.6 pounds in two months, approximately 16.5% of his original body weight under the SPCAs supervision, Nuggi succumbed to a liver hemorrhage.

An autopsy indicated he suffered from additional health issues, including liver disease and Cushing's disease, as reported by the organization.

The female owner had been feeding Nuggi up to 10 pieces of chicken a day, on top of the dog biscuits she fed him.

SPCA chief executive Todd Westwood said they were used to treating underweight animals, saying Nuggi was "one of the most obese animals we've ever encountered," the New Zealand Herald reported.

When being rescued by the SPCA, Nuggi could not even walk 10 m and had to stop three times to catch his breath.

Animal control officers said his legs appeared to be "collapsing under the weight of his huge body."
A man convicted of three counts of possession of stolen property and one count of deception was sentenced to two years and four months in prison with the final nine months suspended, following a lengthy Circuit Court hearing.

John Alex Kane (50), of Cartron, Granard, Co Longford, appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court last week, to face three charges of possession of stolen property, one charge of deception, one charge of criminal damage, and three counts of forgery.



On January 10, 2023, Mr Kane pleaded guilty on the basis of recklessness to the three counts of possession of stolen property, relating to a New Holland TM155 tractor, a John Deere 6220 tractor, and a Toyota Hilux jeep on dates between January and April 2018, in Rathcronan, Granard.

He also pleaded guilty to a count of deception between November 1, 2018, within the State, whereby he induced a man to purchase a John Deere tractor for 25,000.



A nolle prosequi was entered with regard to a count of criminal damage, while the three counts of forgery were taken into consideration.

Detective Garda Brendan Lynn, giving evidence to the court, said that on February 27, 2028, a blue Toyota Hilux, was stolen from a farmer who was tending to a sick animal with a vet in Enniscorthy.

On March 14, 2018, on foot of a search warrant, Gardai discovered a blue Toyota Hilux on the premises of Kanes of Granard with the registration VEZ4568. There was another black Hilux nearby which had no registration plates on and the chassis number removed.



Detective Garda Eugene OSullivan, from the stolen vehicles unit, carried out an inspection of the blue Hilux and established the chassis number had been interfered with and swapped over from the black Hilux.

During the course of the search, a number of documents were seized, including an NCT declaration form, which related to a New Holland TM155 tractor with a name that was known to Det Gda OSullivan.

An application was made to receive all documents related to the tractor, including a sales form from Malpas Tractors. However, investigators established that the tractor was never sold by Malpas Tractors.



The tractor, with the registration 05-LH-11508, was seized by Gardai in April 2018, Det Gda Lynn explained and, after a technical examination, it was established that the tractor had been stolen from a farmer in the UK in September 2015.

Mr Kane, when questioned, said he had purchased the tractor for 18,000 from a man in Louth or Armagh. He said he checked the chassis number on the door of the tractor with the VRT cert and it matched, but he conceded he should have carried out more checks.



Further investigations revealed an identical tractor with the registration NK05GYT was for sale at a Cheffins auction in England in February 2016.

It would be our assumption that whoever stole the tractor in England was aware that the other tractor was for auction and took its identity for this tractor, said Det Gda Lynn, explaining that both tractors were re-registered with the same registration details.

Also seized in the course of the March 2018 search was a delivery note for a John Deere 6320 tractor with the registration GN03WVZ.



Det Gda OSullivan established that the reported keeper of the tractor was a man who tended at a donkey sanctuary in Wales. The same tractor is the subject of the count of deception on the indictment, whereby Mr Kane sold the vehicle to a man for 25,000.

In July 2018, a warrant was executed at the home of the man who had purchased the tractor from Mr Kane, and the tractor was seized. A technical examination was carried out and it was discovered the plate was glued on and the chassis number ground down and restamped.

Det Gda OSullivan was able to identify some of the genuine chassis number and establish that the tractor was stolen from Devon in November 2017 and ultimately registered in January 2018 by an employee of Kanes of Granard, and sold on for 25,000.



When this was put to Mr Kane, he made reparations of 25,000 to the man who had purchased the tractor.

In terms of the forgery counts, the court heard that, on July 6, 2017, a man attended at Lucan Garda Station and alleged that, in late December 2017, he had agreed to purchase a Landrover Discovery in Kanes of Granard.

The vehicle was on yellow plates at the time and the man had agreed to pay 22,000 excluding VAT. He was asked to hand over his passport, public services card and proof of address so that Mr Kane could arrange documentation.

However, the man carried out further inspections on the vehicle and chose not to buy it. He sought the return of his documents and Mr Kane said hed return them, but he didnt receive them for two months.

After the return of his documents, the man received documents for three vehicles re-registered in his name, and told Gardai he hadnt purchased any of them.



Mr Kane has a total of 22 previous convictions, including eight for theft and fraud with regard to PUP payments.

Senior Counsel for Mr Kane, Michael OHiggins, pointed out that if this case were to go before a jury, it would be a quagmire.

He explained that his client is 50 years old, with a really strong work ethic, that he is married with four grown-up daughters, one of whom is in college, while the rest are professionals.

At his sentence hearing, Mr Kane had a total of 15,000 in court. Mr OHiggins explained that he had already returned the 25,000 to the man who had purchased the John Deere tractor and was prepared to make further reparations to ensure the remaining losses are paid.



Passing judgement, Judge Connolly stated he was not at all satisfied with any of the explanations Mr Kane gave to Gardai with regard to how he came into possession of the vehicles.

I have no doubt hes a very hardworking man, but I suspect if one is involved with vehicles from the age of 14 or 15, one is an expert at 50 years old, he said, stressing that Mr Kane should have been able to carry out the necessary checks on the vehicles.

He noted that guilty pleas were entered on a reckless basis, meaning Mr Kane was aware of an avoidable risk but chose to proceed.



I take the view that this was a case of extreme recklessness - that he was very well aware but he chose to proceed anyway, said Judge Connolly.

Furthermore, while the counts of forgery were taken into consideration, Judge Connolly noted that they were a very strange occurrence indeed.

This certainly has to be the nail in Mr Kanes coffin of culpability given he was the person in possession of the documents, he said.

Turning to sentencing, Judge Connolly noted that Mr Kane was charged with possession of stolen goods - not with theft or handling stolen goods.



But as Mr OHiggins pointed out, if we didnt have people willing to be in possession of stolen property, we would not have thieves, he said.

There were three vehicles involved, so Mr Kane was either very unlucky he ended up with three tampered vehicles, or he was very careless. Or the alternative option is it was part of a system that he was somewhat willing to be engaged in.

I prefer the latter - that he knew exactly what he was doing. When one puts all the matters together, theres no other explanation.



In mitigation, he noted the guilty pleas which saved the case going to trial. He also noted Mr Kanes very extensive and continuous work history, as well as the fact he had 15,000 in court but said it is allowing Mr Kane, who seems to have the means to provide that, to relieve himself of the deterrent.

On the count of deception, he sentenced Mr Kane to two years and six months, suspending the entirety of the sentence for four years on the condition that he enter into a 500 bail bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four years after his release from the sentence imposed on count one.



For count one, the possession of the New Holland TM155 tractor, he sentenced Mr Kane to two years and four months in prison with the final nine months suspended on the condition that he enter into a separate own bond for two years post-release.

Counts two and three were marked taken into consideration with regard to count one. A nolles prosequi was entered for count five, while counts, six, seven and eight were marked taken into consideration with regard to count four.

Judge Connolly also ordered that 5,000 of the 15,000 in court today be donated to the UK donkey sanctuary, while the balance is to be returned to the Kane family given the loss of his income. A destruction order was made for the black Toyota Hilux.



He also opted to allow a stay of one week on the committal warrant so that Mr Kane could get his business affairs in order on the condition that he does not cross the border or leave the jurisdiction, that the 10,000 in court be lodged as bail, that he surrender all travel documents to Granard Garda Station by last Tuesday evening (July 23), and that he sign on daily between now and next week.



I couldve done with more time. Ive engines out of vehicles, so I couldve done with more time, Mr Kane told Judge Connolly as he entered into the bond.

Mr Kane is due to reappear before Judge Connolly on July 30, when the committal warrant will be executed and his prison term will begin.
The 59-year-old man who died in a car crash that involved another person charged with drinking while driving in Chicopee last Friday was cherished by his family, friends and coworkers.

James Robert Menard, 59, of Chicopee, was gravely injured in a crash at 11:25 p.m. on July 25, the Hampden District Attorneys Office stated. Menard was brought to the hospital and died the next day.

He will be greatly missed, his loved ones wrote in his obituary. Menard was born in Holyoke, and went on to live in Chicopee and work in Connecticut.

Menard was a devoted 37-year employee of Rockbestos-Suprenant Cable (RSCC) in East Granby, his loved ones said.

He played in numerous pool leagues and enjoyed spending time with family and friends in his off time, his obituary read. The Chicopee man left behind countless family and friends in his hometown.

Messages left on Menards online obituary recalled him fondly through elementary and high school.

A person who identified themselves as a coworker commented he worked hard and many hours a week, and had a hearty laugh. They also remembered his funny sense of humor, which they said his coworkers enjoyed.

Menards funeral and burial services were held on Saturday at the St. Pierre  Phaneuf Fairview Chapels and at Saint Anne Church, respectively.

Instead of flowers, his family requested for memorial donations made in his memory to the Chicopee Sportsmens Club, P.O. Box 332, Chicopee, MA 01021. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com

Andrew Wilkins, the driver of the second car involved in the crash that resulted in Menards death, was arrested at the scene and faced a slew of charges. These included operation while under the influence of alcohol causing serious injury and leaving the scene.

He was arraigned on July 26 on $7,500 bail on the condition he wear an alcohol monitor if released, the district attorney said. He is set to appear in court on Sept. 12.
A Chelsea father who had moved to the United States four years ago and was killed after a teen stabbed him in the back in July is being remembered for devotion to those he loved.

Santos Onorio Ponce-Cartagena, 39, of Chelsea, identified as Santos Cartagena by authorities, died at Beth Israel Hospital on July 21.

Investigators said he was involved in a brawl in Chelsea on July 20, and that video surveillance showed an 18-year-old take a kitchen knife from his backpack and stab Ponce-Cartagena with it. The teen, identified as Joksin Briones-Blandon, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his death.

He was devoted to his family, home, and work, the fathers loved ones wrote in his obituary. Ponce-Cartagena had been born and raised in Honduras before he moved to Chelsea four years ago.

After coming to the United States, the 39-year-old worked as a fish and seafood processor for AB Seafood Company in Boston. He enjoyed music and working out, as he had a passion for personal fitness, his obituary read.

Ponce-Cartagena was a father to three children and had over a dozen brothers and sisters, his obituary read.

Visiting hours for Ponce-Cartagena were held in July. He will buried in the Punare Cementerio in Punare, Honduras.
The teenage boy found dead in Walden Pond on Tuesday is being remembered as a bright young person who loved his family immensely and was getting ready for college.

Brian Alexander Lopez Herrera, 17, of Lynn, identified as Brian Lopez by authorities, had gone missing on Friday, July 26, the Lynn police department said.

His body was discovered by fishermen in Walden Pond on the Saugus/Lynnfield line four days later, and investigators did not believe anyone else was involved in the boys disappearance as of Wednesday.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, the teenagers loved ones wrote in his obituary.

Lopez Herrera had just turned 17 on June 17. He moved to Lynn in 2019, was born in Cambridge and raised in Everett, and had attended Breed Middle School.

The teen was about to go into his senior year at Lynn Classical High School. He had just started working at The Food Project in Lynn and Beverly three weeks prior to start saving for college.

Lopez Herrera was an avid reader and loved playing video games, going for walks and exercising, his family said.

[Brian] adored his nieces and nephews and always enjoyed playing different games with them and his siblings. He was their favorite uncle, his loved ones wrote.

In addition, Lopez Herrera left behind his parents, four siblings and a sister-in-law, his grandmother in El Salvador and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, his obituary read. He had six nieces and nephews.

He also leaves behind his cats Romeo and Tiger and his parrot, Brian, his loved ones wrote.

Visiting hours for Lopez Herrera will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 4 p.m. until 7 o.m. at the Solimine Funeral Home in Lynn. Relatives and friends are invited attend funeral services on Wednesday at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass in Sacred Heart Church in Lynn at 11 a.m. Burial services will be at Pine Grove Cemetery.
Three people, including an 11-month-old baby, a 79-year-old shopper and a 31-year old worker, were hospitalized on Thursday evening after hot cooking oil shot out from a deep fryer at a Market Basket in Plymouth.

The incident happened around 6:45 p.m., according to the towns fire department. First responders said the oil had burst out and hit the ceiling, and noted a grease splatter about 15 feet away from the fryer.

A 79-year-old man whod been shopping at the grocery store was severely burned, and was brought to the burn center at Massachusetts General Hospital, the department said.

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An 11-month-old child was also brought to the hospital, the department said, along with a 31-year-old man who was working when the oil blasted out.

The grocery stores kitchen was shut down and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials arrived, the fire department said. The cause of the hot oil discharge is being investigated by the Plymouth Fire Department and OSHA.
A 25-year-old man from New York was arrested last month on charges in connection with scamming a Massachusetts man out of $100,000 with a fake email, according to the Barnstable Police Department.

Khaseem Allah, 25, of Albany, New York, was found to be involved in the online scam and charged after an investigation opened with the police department in collaboration with a branch of the U.S. Secret Service in November 2023.

The Osterville, Massachusetts, man had been conducting a business email compromise with a company, and was instructed by the email to redirect a $100,000 payment to an unauthorized account, the department said.

The company then contacted the Osterville man and notified him of fraud, the department said. During the investigation into the incident, a Barnstable detective traced the transaction to a bank in New York and to Allah.

Allah was indicted by the Cape and Islands District Attorneys Office and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody in Troy, New York, with assistance from Massachusetts State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service. He waived extradition and was brought to the Barnstable Police Department.

The 25-year-old was charged with larceny over $1,200 in Barnstable District Court on Thursday, and was held on $50,000 bail with order to wear GPS monitoring if bail is posted.

The Barnstable Police Department shared the following safety tips from the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), to help residents avoid falling victim to email phishing scams:

If you are asked to change deposit or payment information, confirm with the company via telephone.

Never respond to suspicious emails.

Dont open emails from people you dont know or dont expect an email from. Pay close attention to the subject line, email address and grammar as these are often preliminary ways to tell that an email is a scam.

If an email, email attachment or link seems suspicious, do not open it, even if antivirus software indicates that it is safe.

Install spam filters.

Install antivirus software and a personal firewall and keep it up to date.

To help people protect themselves from similar scams, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers several tips, including:
WORCESTER  Triston Casas has started the final step of his rehab process as he works his way back from the torn cartilage in his ribcage that has cost him more than three months of his second full major league season. But that doesnt necessarily mean his return to the Red Sox lineup is imminent.

Casas, who had the day off Friday but worked out at Polar Park after playing two rehab games at Triple-A Worcester earlier in the week, mapped out the next steps for his comeback effort. Hell be the designated hitter Saturday before playing first base again Sunday before traveling to Syracuse with the team for a six-game series that begins Tuesday. In western New York, hell aim to play three days in a row, a major hurdle the Red Sox want him to overcome before activating him. Casas believes hell do that on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. WooSox manager Chad Tracy believes the first baseman will be in the minors through the end of next week.
African Export-Import Banks, first African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), implemented in Ogun State, Nigeria, in partnership with Bureau Veritas (BV) has been awarded the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), one of the key accreditation bodies in Africa responsible for carrying out conformity assessments as mandated under South Africas Accreditation for Conformity Assessment, Calibration and Good Laboratory Practice Act (Act 19 of 2006).

ISO/IEC 17025 is the recognised international standard for testing and calibration laboratories and sets out requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of laboratories, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of testing and calibration results. The standard enhances the credibility of testing and calibration work by laboratories, by fostering trust among clients and regulatory authorities. Compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 demonstrates a laboratorys commitment to quality, technical proficiency and scientific rigour.

Commenting on the accreditation, Ms. Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director Export Development at Afreximbank said that the accreditation served to validate AQACs capabilities and expertise and would provide new opportunities to expand the centres reach.

By aligning its practices with international standards and best practices, AQAC is well-positioned to attract new clients, foster partnerships with industry stakeholders, and contribute to the advancement of quality assurance practices in Africa, said Ms. Doherty.

The impact of this accreditation extends beyond the laboratory as it also contributes to the overall advancement of quality assurance practices in Nigeria. By demonstrating compliance with international standards and best practices, AQAC will help in reducing the rejection rates for Nigerian and African exports, she said, mentioning that the Bank has committed up to US$100 million to support the development of new AQACs across the continent, with projects being considered in Benin, Chad, Gabon, Kenya and Tanzania.

Jean-Michel Perret, Managing Director, Bureau Veritas Nigeria said, We are incredibly proud to have achieved the ISO 17025 accreditation for the African Quality Assurance Centre. This milestone reflects our steadfast commitment to providing the highest standards of testing and inspection services. It also demonstrates our dedication to supporting Nigerias AgroFood industry in meeting international quality benchmarks, thereby facilitating greater access to global markets for Made in Africa products.

The accreditation by SANAS amplifies AQACs ability to offer internationally accredited services for food and agri products and paves the way for a more reliable and robust testing environment in Africa.

SANAS is a signatory to the International Accreditation Forum which gives it world-wide recognition as a competent body for carrying out independent evaluation of certification bodies against recognized standards. It is also a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangements, the African Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangements and the SADCA Mutual Recognition Arrangements, for specific scopes.
WESTPORT Family and Community Resource Centre is considering applying for funding for a new premises through a programme that has provided over 2 million to projects across Mayo.

Set up in 2023, the Community Recognition Fund has provided over 50 million to community projects in counties which have accommodated asylum seekers and refugees.

Mayo projects received 2.3 million in last years allocation, which included funding for new toilets at the car park beside Croagh Patrick.

Cllr John OMalley said that Westport Family and Community Resource Centre need twice the space in order to continue to provide their services.

They serve from Louisburgh, right into Drummin, Aughagower, right into Newport, they serve that whole area, and they only have half enough space for what they need, Cllr OMalley said at the monthly meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District.

Jim Power, Acting Head of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, said the county council was continuing to communicate with the family resource centre to help them identify new premises.

Our understanding, as well, is that they are considering an application under the Community Recognition Fund, added Mr Power.

Set up in 2004 the centre provides 12 different programmes to people throughout West Mayo. It currently operates from premises on The Fairgreen beside The Mayo News offices.

It has three full-time employees, 39 volunteers, and is primarily funded through Tusla, which funds 120 family resource centres throughout the country.
Gardai have revealed that over 200 drivers have been caught speeding in a nationwide operation since Thursday morning, with a Garda spokesperson "gravely concerned" at the high number.

Since 7am on Thursday, Gardai have been out in force, detecting poor driving behaviours such as driving above the speed limit as part of a the August Bank Holiday road safety operation.

So far, almost 85,000 vehicles have been checked for speeding.



In a statement, Gardai said compliance with road speeds was "positive with the majority of motorists", but revealed that 211 drivers have been detected speeding, with some have reaching notably dangerous speeds.

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One driver in Cavan was clocked by Gardai driving at 196 kilometres per hour in a 100km speed limit zone, while another driver in Monaghan was caught doing 106km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Monaghan Road in Castleblayney.

Another driver in Wexford was found to be driving 87km/h in a 50km/h zone in Murntown, while a driver on the N81 at Tullow, Co Carlow was 60km over the speed limit, driving 141km/h in an 80km/h zone.

Commenting on these detections, Chief Superintendent in the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, Jane Humphries said that anyone willing to rive at these dangerously excessive speeds "has the potential to destroy lives  if not their own, others too".

"Our August Bank Holiday roads policing operation has been underway since first thing yesterday morning and while we are generally seeing good levels of compliance with speed limits on roads around Ireland, I am gravely concerned by the risks taken by some drivers," Humphries said.

"We are out conducting checkpoints and using our technology to detect those speeding nationwide. Speeding is one of the foremost dangerous driving behaviours, along with using your phone while driving and being distracted.

"Please slow down and drive safely today and over the rest of the long weekend ahead as so many of us take to the roads.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, August 2, 2024

Character.AI co-founder and CEO Noam Shazeer will return to Google after leaving the company in October 2021 to create a startup that X owner Elon Musk had been rumored to want.

Shazeer had spearheaded the team of researchers that built Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA), which supports Google's family of conversational large language models (LLMs).

Earlier this week, Musk wrote on X that his AI startup xAI was not considering an acquisition of Character.AI, an app that allows users to chat with an AI version of characters, despite some media reports.

Interestingly, Shazeer is not the only Chararacter.AI executive leaving. Daniel De Freitas, Character.AI co-founder, also will join Google with some other employees from the startup.

Dominic Perella, Character.AIs general counsel, is becoming an interim CEO at the startup, the company announced in a blog post on Friday.

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Perella had spent years at Snap and has been part of Character.AIs core leadership team since mid-2023. These changes go into effect immediately.

Character.AI also disclosed entering into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Google for Character.AI's current LLM technology. Google reportedly been investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Character even as it invests billions into AI startup Anthropic and its own technologies.

Despite the exodus of top executives, most employees will remain at Character.AI, the company said.

When Shazeer and De Freitas co-founded Character.AI, the goal of creating a company based on personalized superintelligence required a full stack approach.

We had to pre-train models, post-train them to power the experiences that make Character.AI special, and build a product platform with the ability to reach users globally, the company wrote in a blog post. Over the past two years, however, the landscape has shifted  many more pre-trained models are now available.

The changes enable the company to take advantage of third-party LLMs alongside its own. This allows Character.AI to devote more resources to post-training and creating new product experiences for its growing user base.

Based on open jobs listed on its website, the company continues to operate, and perhaps even grow. Listings include head of content policy, brand designer, staff security engineer for privacy, research engineer and many others. In fact, about 35 jobs are listed on the companys website.

Update: The article was updated to reflect the licensing deal.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, August 2, 2024

TikTok allegedly violated federal privacy law by collecting extensive personal information from children younger than 13, the Department of Justice alleged in a lawsuit filed Friday.

The app, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, also allegedly failed to comply with the terms of its February 2019 Federal Trade Commission settlement over potential violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. That law prohibits operators of websites and apps from knowingly collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.

The new suit comes around six weeks after the FTC took the rare step of publicly stating it had referred TikTok to the Justice Department over alleged violations of the children's privacy law.

A TikTok spokesperson said the company disagrees with the allegations, adding that many relate to past events and practices, and are factually inaccurate or have been addressed.

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The Justice Department's complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, focuses on TikTok activity that occurred between March 2019 -- soon after it agreed to settle FTC charges -- and 2022.

The complaint, which also names ByteDance as a defendant, alleges that even though the app had a Kids Mode setting for children under 13, TikTok allowed users 12 and under to bypass that setting and create non-Kids Mode accounts.

For instance, TikTok allegedly asked people who signed up for new accounts to provide a birthdate, and placed users who said they were under 13 in a Kids Mode account. But TikTok also allegedly allowed users who said they were under 13 to create non-kids account simply by starting the sign-up process over and providing a different birthdate.

TikTok also allegedly allowed people to create accounts by logging in through Google or Instagram, even though Google allowed people under 13 to maintain accounts with parental permission, and Instagram didn't require users to provide their ages until December 2019, according to the complaint.

TikTok's insufficient policies and practices thus allowed children to create a non-Kids Mode TikTok account, gaining access to adult content and features of the general TikTok platform without providing age information, the complaint alleges.

The company then collected and maintained vast amounts of personal information from the children who created and used these regular TikTok accounts, the Justice Department adds.

That personal information included full names, email addresses, phone numbers, photos, videos, location data, and data from cookies and similar technologies that track users across different websites and platforms, according to the complaint.

The government also alleges that TikTok collected personal information -- including device identifiers (typically alphanumeric strings comparable to serial numbers) and IP addresses -- from Kids Mode users, without parental consent.

While the children's privacy law generally requires parental consent to collect identifiers, there's an exception if those identifiers are used solely for internal operations.

But TikTok allegedly harnessed the identifiers in ways that went beyond internal operations. For instance, until at least mid-2020, TikTok allegedly shared children's persistent identifiers with Facebook and AppsFlyer in order to encourage existing Kids Mode users whose use had declined or ceased to use Kids Mode more frequently, according to the complaint.
by Teresa Buyikian , August 2, 2024

It would be hard to find anyone who doesnt like a cream puff. The only thing better? A free cream puff.

Beard Papa's, the Japanese bakery chain known for its cream puffs with unusual fillings, is commemorating 20 years in the United States this month with enough in-store events, exclusive promotions and giveaways to make any fans mouth water.

Beginning Aug. 8 -- the anniversary date of the opening of the first Beard Papas store in the U.S., in New York -- the entire chain will hold a fan contest on Instagram. To enter, fans need to follow the brand, tag @beardpapas and "like" the giveaway post.

Winners will receive $100 E-gift cards and free six-pack boxes of cream puffs.

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On Aug. 8 only, loyalty program members earn triple points on their purchases made through the app or website. Also on the anniversary, customers will receive $8 off any 12-pack of cream puffs purchased in store.

"We welcome our loyal fans and new fans alike to come and celebrate this special anniversary at all our USA locations," said Mark Nathan, marketing director for Beard Papa's, adding that the company is expressing "gratitude for (our customers) continued support."

Launched in 1999 in Osaka, Japan, the sweets chain has since grown to over 475 stores in 15 countries and territories, with over 100 in the U.S. The puffs differ from French cream puffs by their unusual custard filling flavors, such as green tea, creme brulee, honey butter and dulce de leche.
Panel to Enhance Pediatric Cancer Treatment



Scientists developed a rapid, affordable test to classify #childhoodcancers. #cancer 

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Scientists have developed a panel capable of diagnosing over 90% of pediatric cancer cases by sequencing just 0.15% of the human genome. This cost-effective tool classifies childhood malignancies and aids in guiding patient treatment. The panel's performance and validation were published this week inFinding the mutations in a childs cancer with powerful sequencing technology can lead to better outcomes. Physicians use that knowledge to tailor targeted treatments to the specific cancer -causing mutations affecting each patient. However, current high-end whole genome sequencing requires physical and computational infrastructure that most institutions lack. To address this bottleneck, the St. Jude team developed SJPedPanel, which targets a smaller subset of genes, focusing on those well known to be involved in childhood cancer , instead of looking at the entire genome.We have performed clinical genomics for quite a few years and one of the challenges is diagnosing every tumor, especially those with a low percentage of cancer cells in the tested sample. said co-corresponding author Xiaotu Ma, PhD, St. Jude Department of Computational Biology. So, we created SJPedPanel as a summary to concentrate most of the genetic knowledge we have gained in the last decade into one smaller test that can be used clinically.The group designed the new panel from the beginning for pediatric cancer samples, while other genetic panels were designed for adult cancers and then adapted for children . The scientists also had practical insights into the realities of detecting certain mutations, allowing them to select the most informative genes to include. Those differences led to huge outperformances when compared to existing cancer gene panels.We compared this panel with six other commercially available panels, Ma said. SJPedPanel provides the most coverage of pediatric cancer driver genes, providing close to 90% when others are closer to 60% coverage.That improved performance was the result of dedicated effort. We performed an iterative optimization of a careful panel design based on our knowledge of pediatric cancer genetics, said co-corresponding author John Easton, PhD, St. Jude Computational Biology Genomics Laboratory director, who previously served as the leader of the validation laboratory for the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project. And we pursued that iterative process with the panel manufacturer to ensure its capabilities.In addition to working better than adapting adult-focused cancer gene panels, the St. Jude panel can also outperform gold-standard whole genome sequencing in some circumstances. Whole genome sequencing interrogates the entire human genome which makes it difficult to use for the detection of low cell count cancers due to required high-depth sampling.There are certain situations, such as low tumor purity samples or even testing after a bone marrow transplantation , where our current clinical whole genome sequencing approach doesn't work, said co-corresponding author Jeffery Klco, MD, PhD, St. Jude Department of Pathology. This fills an important clinical gap for our patients.One reason the panel has had such an immediate impact is its unique nature and origin. St. Jude was one of the hospitals that originated the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, which sequenced hundreds of patients to provide the most detailed overview of the genomic landscape of pediatric cancer. Prior research focused only on adult cancers, which are genetically distinct from childhood malignancies.We've taken all of the knowledge gained from the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project and other sequencing activities within the research space and have used that knowledge to generate this panel, which is now clinically implemented and has been run on over 600 samples in our clinical lab, said Klco.That legacy of expertise in childhood cancer genetics will continue to be built upon by incorporating more recent findings into the panel. For example, including the UBTF gene, which was discovered by Klcos group in 2022. Clinicians can feel comfortable knowing that the clinical sequencing that we provide to their patients is based on very current research results, Klco said.The success of the panel could have real consequences for patients around the world. Correctly diagnosing childhood cancer, and diagnosing it early, can help guide treatment and lead to better outcomes. However, whole genome sequencing requires expensive physical and digital infrastructure. The panel will give institutions without those resources a better chance at identifying those cancers.Panels like this are easier for a clinical or research lab to implement into pipelines than whole genome sequencing, Easton said. Not every place has the sequencing and analysis capabilities to deal with whole genome. Weve given the field a more sensitive and practical test.While the panel will be commercially available, the St. Jude group also intends to freely share the knowledge of its makeup to help as many children as possible.Now that we have this panel, scientists around the world will be able to use it, Ma said. The panel is tiny. So, the costs, both sequencing and analytical costs, are going to be minimal and likely viable to use in developing countries and underserved regions.We would be thrilled if more and more centers use this panel for sequencing pediatric cancers, Klco said, because we believe it will lead to better patient care and outcomes.Source-Eurekalert
Israeli defense officials say they are coordinating with the U.S. and U.K. ahead of an expected strike by Iran, setting the stage for a repeat of a similar attack by Tehran in April that was repelled by allies.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement Friday that he spoke with his American and British counterparts, Lloyd Austin and John Healey, and provided a situational assessment in light of recent security developments.

Fear has risen of a spillover from the nearly 10-month Israel-Hamas war in Gaza as Iran threatened retaliation for the assassination in Tehran this week of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Iran-backed group.

A similar spike in tensions about four months ago saw Iran and Israel trade direct fire for the first time. Almost 300 Iranian drones and missiles were fired but most were destroyed by air defenses from Israel, the US and several allies. Israels drone strike in response was contained and appeared symbolic to avoid escalation.

This time, Irans response may be more fierce, given the embarrassment of having a foreign dignitary and top ally assassinated in the heart of its capital. Among its options are another direct assault on Israel, stepped-up attacks by its proxies in the region or hitting Israeli targets elsewhere in the world.

Austin, who earlier this week reiterated that the U.S. certainly will help defend Israel if attacked, spoke with Gallant and is weighing moves to reinforce Americas presence in the region, the Pentagon said Friday. White House spokesman John Kirby said earlier in a CNN interview that the Pentagon is ensuring it has the right resources and capabilities in the region, including both equipment and personnel.

Israel has stopped short of confirming it was behind killing Haniyeh, but it hasnt pushed back against the claim either. His death also came hours after Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, Fuad Shukr.

President Joe Biden on Thursday assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of new defensive US military deployments, the White House said in a statement. Biden later told reporters he also pressed the Israeli leader in a very direct call to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza with Hamas.

Biden is trying to use his last months in office to end the war, which has caused huge political divisions in the U.S. Hes struggled to influence Netanyahus war strategy, seeking to pressure him publicly and privately but declining to use as leverage the billions of dollars in US military aid.

Meeting with senior leaders across the region, including today in Israel, we urged all sides to show restraint and dial down the tension at this critical moment, UKs Healey said in a statement. We also need to see an immediate cease-fire, hostages released and aid getting in in sufficient quantity to alleviate the suffering in Gaza.

While the destruction and death toll among Palestinians in Gaza has drawn international criticism of Israel, Netanyahu has focused on the existential threat to his country and the region from Iran and its proxies in the so-called Axis of Resistance, which includes Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both designated terrorist organizations by the US, as well as the Houthis in Yemen.

Netanyahu referred to the coordinated April defense in a controversial speech last week to a joint meeting of the US Congress, calling it a possible template for a NATO-accord he termed the Abraham Alliance.

Gallant in his statement Friday said he emphasized the importance of establishing a coalition in Israels defense against Irans proxies.

(With assistance from Jordan Fabian, Alex Wickham and Peter Martin.)

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday overrode a plea agreement reached earlier this week for the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and two other defendants, reinstating them as death-penalty cases.

The move comes two days after the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, announced that the official appointed to oversee the war court, retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier, had approved plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, in the attacks.

Letters sent to families of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the al-Qaida attacks said the plea agreement stipulated the three would serve life sentences at most.

Austin wrote in an order released Friday night that in light of the significance of the decision, he had decided that the authority to make a decision on accepting the plea agreements was his. He nullified Escalliers approval.

Some families of the attacks victims condemned the deal for cutting off any possibility of full trials and possible death penalties. Republicans were quick to fault the Biden administration for the deal, although the White House said after it was announced it had no knowledge of it.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a member of the Armed Services Committee, earlier Friday had condemned the plea deal on social media as disgraceful." Cotton said he had introduced legislation that would mandate the 9/11 defendants face trial and the possibility of the death penalty.

Mohammed, whom the U.S. describes as the main plotter of the attack that crashed hijacked passenger planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field, and the other two defendants had been expected to formally enter their pleas under the deal as soon as next week.

The U.S. military commission overseeing the cases of five defendants in the Sept. 11 attacks has been stuck in pre-trial hearings and other preliminary court action since 2008. The torture that the defendants underwent while in CIA custody has been among the challenges slowing the cases, and left the prospect of full trials and verdicts still uncertain, in part because of the inadmissibility of evidence linked to the torture.

J. Wells Dixon, a staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights who has represented defendants at Guantanamo as well as other detainees there who have been cleared of any wrongdoing, had welcomed the plea bargains as the only feasible way to resolve the long-stalled and legally fraught 9/11 cases.

Dixon accused Austin on Friday of bowing to political pressure and pushing some victim family members over an emotional cliff" by rescinding the plea deals.

Lawyers for the two sides have been exploring a negotiated resolution to the case for about 1 1/2 years. President Joe Biden blocked an earlier proposed plea bargain in the case last year, when he refused to offer requested presidential guarantees that the men would be spared solitary confinement and provided trauma care for the torture they underwent while in CIA custody.

A fourth Sept. 11 defendant at Guantanamo had been still negotiating on a possible plea agreement.

The military commission last year ruled the fifth defendant mentally unfit to stand trial. A military medical panel cited post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis, and linked it to torture and solitary confinement in four years in CIA custody before transfer to Guantanamo.

-

Associated Press writer Tara Copp contributed.
Insurance companies have profited from Nevadans and their homes for the last decade, but that isnt stopping them from pulling coverage or hiking rates over concerns about the risk of wildfires, state lawmakers were told this week.

Thousands of homeowners insurance policies are being canceled or not-renewed this year due to wildfire risk, according to the State of Nevadas Division of Insurance, leaving administrators concerned about peoples abilities to secure adequate protection in the face of natural disaster.

In Nevada, home insurers have been profitable every year of the past decade, with profits on average ranging from 5 to 10% of written premiums, according Nevada Insurance Commissioner Scott Kipper, who appeared before the interim legislative committee on commerce and labor on Wednesday to discuss the issue and what the state might consider doing to address the growing problem.

Kipper highlighted one unnamed insurer that covers 584 Incline Village homes with a combined estimated value of approximately $1.4 billion. That companys annual average profits are approximately $5 million to $10 million.

In spite of these profits for homeowner insurance companies, the increases in national catastrophic losses, especially from western state wildfires, is causing them to reduce exposures in Nevada, said Kipper.

Nationwide, natural disasters have resulted in an estimated $79.6 billion in insured property losses, he said, and nine of the 10 costliest wildfires have happened since 2017.

Kipper noted that earlier this summer State Farm announced it will no longer offer home insurance to new customers in California, citing high construction costs and rapidly growing catastrophe exposure.

That skittishness is industry-wide.

Karen Collins of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association referenced a report finding that nationwide in 2023 there were $21.6 billion in underwriting losses for personal lines, which includes homeowners and auto insurance.

Collins said the biggest factor in these market issues is the rise in exposure values and replacement costs  put more plainly, increasingly bigger and increasingly more homes being built in high-hazard areas at higher construction costs.

In Nevada, when homeowners cannot get or keep coverage through a carrier that is licensed and regulated by the state, they can turn to whats known as a surplus-lines or non-admitted carrier, which typically charge significantly higher premiums and are subject to far less oversight by state regulators.

Last year, 2,527 homes in Nevada were insured by non-admitted carriers. That number will likely rise.

The Nevada Division of Insurance found that, in 2023, 481 homeowners insurance policies were canceled or non-renewed due to wildfire risk  a 82% increase compared to the previous year, when 264 were. Similarly, in 2023, 4,994 applications for homeowners insurance were declined due to wildfire risk  a 104.8% increase over the previous year, when 2,439 were declined.

According to Kipper, insurers this year have notified DOI of their intent to cancel 4,892 policies due to wildfire risk.

Not surprisingly, the vast majority  4,731  are in Northern Nevada. This year, Incline Village has seen two of 21 companies stop writing policies for their homes, while in Stateline the number of available companies has dropped from 18 to 14.

State administrators recently held a town hall in Incline Village to hear from property owners. They have also been studying how other states have attempted to address their similar issues.

We have a pretty splendid history of not having many wildfire challenges, said Kipper. But the potential and location is right across the street from areas that have experienced, even today, significant wildfire activity. Its enough to make the industry just a little nervous. And when they get nervous they manage risk.

The issue is not limited to the Lake Tahoe area, which accounts for about one-third of policy cancellations in Northern Nevada this year, according to the Division of Insurance. Approximately 1,900 home insurance policies in Reno, Sparks and Verdi are being canceled this year.

Kipper said the issue is extremely concerning to both residents and state officials alike but emphasized there is no easy or complete fix.

One thing being considered is changing regulations to expand the divisions oversight over the predictive models used by insurance companies, or to require companies to consider the use of the states wildfire mitigation incentive program.

Administrators would also like to explore the possibility of creating whats known as a FAIR plan  an insurance of last resort for homeowners who cannot reasonably obtain coverage through an admitted carrier. Numerous states, including California, offer such plans. The Nevada Division of Insurance plans to request a feasibility study on what a Nevada FAIR Plan might look like.

Another possibility, which could work in coordination with a Nevada FAIR plan or independently, would be to launch an in-state or multistate reinsurance program that protects insurers from high claims

Donna Zanetti, an attorney at Leach Kern Gruchow Anderson Song, in public comment said lawmakers should consider amending NRS to allow HOAs to secure bare walls coverage, which covers less than what is currently required, and allow HOAs to charge the cost of repairs homeowners who negligently and carelessly damage units.

Zanetti told lawmakers that one HOA, which she didnt name, recently went from paying $115,000 for insurance to being denied renewal.

The best policy they could get was $750,000 with a $250,000 deductible, she said, adding, $250,000 is self insurance for all but a catastrophic loss.

The HOA was forced to do a special assessment of $4,600 per unit.

This has been a crisis for many associations throughout the state, said Zanetti, (with) the most vulnerable being condos and townhomes because thats what first-time buyers can afford.

While the state must review and approve homeowner insurance policies for single-family homes, it has much less oversight over commercial insurance policies, which include policies covering condos and townhome communities.

Because commercial policies are so unique and tailored to the specific risk, they have generally been excluded from statutory regulation, said Adam Plain, insurance regulation liaison with the Nevada Division of Insurance, when asked about the different levels of regulation. Commercial policies, commercial buyers are thought to be sophisticated enough to have their own best interests in mind and the state does not need to have that statutory oversight.

The interim legislative committee on commerce and labor took no action during its meeting Wednesday, but related bill draft requests may be proposed and considered at a future meeting.
The Astros announced that Rafael Montero has been outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land after clearing waivers. Montero was designated for assignment earlier this week, and since Montero had more than enough MLB service time to reject the outright assignment in favor of free agency, todays move indicates that the veteran righty voluntarily accepted the move down to the minor leagues.

Monteros decision is akin to Jose Abreu also agreeing to be optioned to the minors earlier this season, though that transaction was just a straight demotion and not a DFA. Unfortunately for the Astros, there is further similarity in that both Abreu and Montero are well-paid veterans who have struggled badly since Opening Day 2023, leaving the Astros with a big chunk of essentially dead money on their payroll.

Initially coming to Houston in a trade with the Mariners in July 2021, Montero emerged as a force out of the Astros bullpen in 2022. Montero posted a 2.37 ERA in 68 1/3 innings for the World Series champions, serving as an ace setup man for closer Ryan Pressly and picking up some saves himself when Pressly was on the injured list. This big performance came in a contract year for Montero, and it paid off in the form of a three-year, $34.5MM free agent deal to return to the Astros.

Things have gone south for Montero since that deal was signed, as the right-hander has a 4.94 ERA over 105 2/3 since the start of the 2023 campaign. Opposing batters have been making a ton more hard contact against Monteros offerings, and his strikeout rate has also plummeted even from 2023 to 2024. Monteros 26.5K% in 2023 was still quite respectable, but his 14K% this year ranks only in the third percentile of all pitchers.

With Montero showing little sign of improvement, the Astros made the decision to finally designate him, and surely no club was going to make a waiver claim and therefore inherit the rest of the struggling relievers contract. Monteros service time wouldve allowed him to retain all of that salary even if he had chosen to become a free agent, but hell instead head to Triple-A to see if he can get himself back on track. Since Montero is off the 40-man roster and is getting paid anyway, theres no downside for the Astros or for the pitcher in taking this sojourn in the minors, as all parties will benefit if Montero can regain some form and re-emerge as a viable option in Houstons pen. If things dont turn around for Montero in Sugar Land, the Astros could just release him, as they ultimately did with Abreu.
MANISTEE TOWNSHIP, MI - This gorgeous farmhouse on a Lake Michigan bluff is now a vacation rental amid a prolific arboretum and birdwatching destination.

The 1936 home is on the idyllic preservation land at Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore Road in Manistee Township. The property features the largest giant sequoia tree east of the Rocky Mountains  and lots more to see.

RELATED: Northern Michigans giant sequoia must be seen to be believed

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

While the land is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk, the house is private for those who rent it. With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, it sleeps up to eight people. The homes decor includes wallpaper, stuffed birds, floral designs and pastel colors.

Amenities include keypad entry, wifi, beach access, spectacular views of Lake Michigan, hiking trails, birdwatching, a private patio, fireplaces and more.

This beautiful house is in the first stage of restoration, according to Anew Management Co. Its clean and spacious but your stay will help us with future needed renovations and improvements, and it is priced accordingly.

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

Nightly rates range from $299 to $500. If youre interested, you can book your stay here.

One of the biggest draws to the property is its Michigan Champion giant sequoia tree. Standing at 116 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter, its the largest one east of the Rockies. Its also one of three on the property that were all planted as 8-inch seedlings in 1948 by the Gray family.

RELATED: Arboretum on Lake Michigan bluff has 80 tree species, including giant sequoia, dawn redwood

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

The Gray family planted the sequoias as part of the 80-species arboretum on the 75-acre property around the 1936 farmhouse. Lake Bluff is also considered a bird sanctuary with more than 170 species, from eagles to woodpeckers, having been spotted.

The property was donated to the Michigan Audubon Society in 1988. It has since been transferred to the Lake Bluff Farms nonprofit.

In addition to the on-site attractions, the house is near downtown Manistee and local beaches, Little River Casino Resort, Crystal Mountain Resort, Arcadia Bluffs and the famous M-22 scenic route.

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

View more photos below.

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management

The 1936 farmhouse at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee Township, Mich., is now a vacation rental. It's situated on a 100-foot bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and in the middle of an arboretum with 80 species of trees, including giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. The property is also a bird sanctuary and popular spot for birdwatching.Provided by Anew Management
MIDLAND, MI  One of two Florida men charged with stealing money orders and cash from drop boxes at apartment complexes and mobile home parks in the Midland area has pleaded guilty.

Juan Miguel Rodriguez-Venegas, 55, of Florida, pleaded guilty Friday, Aug. 2, in the 42nd Circuit Court in Midland County to one count of conducting a criminal enterprise.
The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) professionally perform the assigned tasks in order to accelerate the Great Return process and ensure security after the Patriotic War and anti-terrorist measures. The process of identifying and neutralizing war remnants and sources of danger continues without interruption. The task of cleaning the region from weapons and explosives is one of the main activities of the employees of the internal affairs bodies involved in the service.

As a result of the measures carried out from July 27 to August 2, police officers seized 60 automatic weapons, 3 machine guns, 21 pistols, 29 rifles, 125 grenades, 1 grenade launcher, 63 lighters, 48 ??shells, 91 bayonets, 71 communication devices, 34 drone bombs, 190 explosives, 9 TNT, 17 stun guns, 34 detonators, 27 night vision devices, 2 drones, 2 mines, 2 explosives, 2 kilograms of explosives, 126 kilograms of gunpowder, 11 fireworks, 1 stationary radio station, 3 "MUV" explosives, 1 amplifier, 1 silencer, 1 surveillance camera, 611 cartridge combs, 75,532 cartridges of different sizes and other ammunition were found. In addition, 2 grenades from Askeran settlement of Khojaly region, 1 machine gun, 7 grenades from Shusha region, 6 machine guns, 3 rifles, 36 grenades, 6 machine guns, 1 night vision device, 1 scope, 5 bayonets, 12 "UZRQM", 25 cartridge combs and 1175 cartridges of different calibers were found and taken.

Measures are being taken by MIA employees to turn the regions freed from occupation into safe areas.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, President To Lam delivers the Inaugural address, Ha Noi, August 3, 2024 - Photo: VGP

Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Political Bureau, presided over the meeting.

At the meeting, based on the Party's regulations and the Political Bureau's direction for the nomination of the personnel, the Party Central Committee upheld of the sense of responsibility, focused brainpower, democratically discussed and reached high consensus with 100 percent of approval votes, elected comrade To Lam, Politburo member, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as General Secretary of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

The Viet Nam Government Portal respectfully introduces the translation of the Inaugural address of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee:

INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIET NAM CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Dear comrades chairing the meeting,

Dear members of the Party Central Committee,

Dear delegates attending the meeting,

First and foremost, I sincerely thank the Political Bureau for your trust and nomination, and members of the Party Central Committee for your confidence in electing and entrusting me with the great responsibility of the General Secretary of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

This is a tremendous honor, and simultaneously, a great responsibility before the Party, the people, the thousand-year-old illustrious history of the nation, and the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland in the new era.

I promise before the Party Central Committee, our entire Party, people, and army to tirelessly strive, together with the members of the Party Central Committee, to inherit and vigorously promote the glorious traditions and valuable experiences of our Party and the achievements of National Party Congresses, including the 13th National Party Congress; uphold the highest spirit of "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-help, self-strengthening, and national pride"; continually strengthen unity and solidarity within the Party and the great national unity; continue to step up the Party building and rectification, and prevent and combat corruption and negative phenomena; align the thought with the action, the Party's will with the people's hearts; and dedicate fully and wholeheartedly to, strive and sacrifice for a strong Communist Party of Viet Nam; for a strong, democratic, just, and civilized Viet Nam; and for well-off and happy Vietnamese people.

I will focus on effectively leading the review of 40 years of national renewal, completing preparations to successfully organize the 14th National Party Congress, well preparing the draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress, giving orientations and well preparing personnel affairs at all levels, inheriting the important theoretical achievements on socialism and the path to socialism in Viet Nam, as summarized by generations of Party leaders, including General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, to propose the correct policies and continue to lead the country towards comprehensive development in the coming period.

I firmly believe that the 13th Party Central Committee, the Political Bureau and the Party Central Committee's Secretariat will be steadfast and strong collectives and nuclei that gather the strength and lead our entire Party, people, and army to successfully implement the Party's guidelines and policies, firstly the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, laying a solid foundation for achieving the goals of the country 100 years under the Party's leadership, 100 years since the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, with the aim of making the country a socialist-oriented developed nation by the mid-21st century.

The recent decisive policies in the Party would certainly reinforce the Party's strength, consolidate unity and consensus, and improve the people's trust in the Party.

I expect to continue receiving close coordination from members of the Party Central Committee so that I can well fulfill my assigned tasks.

There are many difficulties and challenges on the journey ahead, but with the unity, consensus, and the promotion of the Party's wisdom, mettle, and strong, correct, and sound decisions, we firmly believe that our country will become increasingly prosperous, our people will enjoy greater well-being and happiness, and our nation will grow stronger and steadily advance towards socialism.

Once again, I sincerely and deeply thank the Party Central Committee and the entire Party for entrusting me with this great responsibility.

I wish all comrades good health, happiness, and success. Thank you very much!
A booth showcasing products of Laos at the fair in Da Nang city. (Photo: VNA)

The event features nearly 300 booths of 150 enterprises from central and Central Highlands localities of Vietnam located along the EWEC.



A wide range of products are on show, including household appliances, handicrafts, souvenirs, food, electrical items, electronic and telecommunications equipment, technological devices, consumer goods, along with educational and healthcare products. Typical industrial products, tourism services, and those under the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme are also introduced to visitors.



Products from some countries are displayed by their representative agencies, including the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos, the embassies of Myanmar and Indonesia in Hanoi, the consulates general of China, the Republic of Korea and Laos in Da Nang, the Malaysian tourism authority, and the trade office of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City.



A business matching and export promotion conference will also take place as part of the event to share information about foreign markets, opportunities for exploring new markets, and some noteworthy issues for exporters.



In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long said the annual fair aims to introduce socio-economic development achievements, along with investment, trade, and service development potential of the localities and countries along the EWEC.



He said the event is an occasion for enterprises to access consumers, boost trading, and seek partners, thereby helping strengthen Vietnams cooperation with other EWEC countries.



The fair, held by the Trade Promotion Agency under the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, is scheduled to last through August 7.



Initiated in 1998, the EWEC is an economic development cooperation programme in the Mekong sub-region. The 1,450km route starts in Mawlamyine city of Myanmar and ends in Da Nang of Vietnam, linking four countries in the Indochinese Peninsula, namely Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It aims to foster economic, trade, and investment cooperation among the countries, reduce transportation cost, facilitate trade in goods, and support development in the localities it runs through./.
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Strong Chinese trade offers new driver for global economic growth

Xinhua) 09:16, August 03, 2024

An aerial drone photo shows the China-Kazakhstan (Lianyungang) Logistics Cooperation Base in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

As a firm advocate for globalization, China is committed to staying the course of high-level opening-up, thereby ensuring its steady economic growth and making fresh contributions to the global economy.

BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Contrary to the pessimistic views perpetuated by some U.S. politicians and the U.S. media, a series of indicators showed China's foreign trade has maintained a steady upward momentum. It is an inevitable result of China's continuous pursuit of high-level opening-up, which creates fresh opportunities and a new driver for global economic growth.

China's trade in goods has ranked first in the world for seven consecutive years, and the country is now a major trading partner with more than 150 countries and regions, data released by the General Administration of Customs showed on Tuesday.

China has so far established 22 pilot free trade zones and is constructing the Hainan Free Trade Port. Policies include shortening the negative list for foreign investment and lifting market access restrictions in such service sectors as telecommunications and medical care; these policies have been introduced to encourage more foreign investment.

China has also actively promoted Belt and Road cooperation, and such multilateral platforms as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to facilitate smoother global trade flows and foster global economic integration.

These measures are just part of China's efforts to expand its high-level opening-up for greater mutual benefit. The efforts, which conform to the right course of economic globalization, are especially crucial amidst growing trade protectionism and anti-globalization sentiments.

Visitors taste food from Belarus at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

"China's rapid foreign trade growth has significantly boosted the global economy by enhancing supply chain efficiency, increasing the availability of diverse goods, and stimulating economic activity worldwide," said Abdulaziz Alshaabani, a Saudi researcher at Al Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

"It has facilitated greater market access for international businesses and fostered economic interdependence, promoting global economic stability and growth," Alshaabani added.

As the world grapples with exacerbating challenges from climate change, China has made substantial contributions to the global green transition.

China has been shifting from exporting mainly labor-intensive goods such as apparel to tech-intensive and green products. Electric vehicles (EVs), solar batteries and lithium-ion batteries, categorized as China's tech-intensive and green "new three," reported a combined export value of 150 billion dollars in 2023, jumping 29.9 percent year-on-year.

China's push toward high-end manufacturing and new technologies especially in the green sector will have a positive spillover effect on its trading partners, said Lee Heng Guie, executive director of the Socio-Economic Research Center of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia.

Robots weld bodyshells of cars at a workshop of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto Inc. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

The global EV industry is not facing overcapacity, but a problem of undercapacity. According to research by the International Energy Agency, to achieve carbon neutrality, global sales of EVs need to reach about 45 million by 2030, more than three times the figure in 2023 and far exceeding current global production capacity.

The continuous opening-up of China's new energy industry creates a larger economic pie for the world and brings more development opportunities.

China's trading network has greatly expanded, with increasing trade cooperation with emerging markets including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Latin America and other BRICS nations, contributing to the optimization and balance of global trade patterns.

By strengthening trade ties with emerging markets, China has not only realized trade growth for itself, but also bolstered the economic prospects of these developing regions.

As a firm advocate for globalization, China is committed to staying the course of high-level opening-up, thereby ensuring its steady economic growth and making fresh contributions to the global economy.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
To ensure that no one can speak to Azerbaijan using threats and coercion, the military must maintain a high level of combat preparedness and professionalism at all times, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said during today's board meeting on the results of the first half of 2024 in Baku, Azernews reports.




Governor Gavin Newsom picking up trash to celebrate three years of the Clean California initiative View Photo

Sacramento, CA  This week marks a milestone for a Caltrans program to clean up California communities up and down the state, creating over 18,000 jobs.

Governor Gavin Newsoms $1.2 billion Clean California initiative was launched in July 2021 to beautify the states highway system and local communities by hauling away mountains of trash and investing in hundreds of transformative local projects.

For decades, trash piled up on Californias highways and in our communities without a concerted, comprehensive effort to clean it up. Three years ago, Clean California became our answer. Countless neighborhoods in every corner of our state are cleaner and healthier thanks to Clean California, touted Newsom.

The program has created more than 18,000 jobs, including more than 3,800 positions for formerly incarcerated individuals and nearly 2,800 for people experiencing housing insecurity. These workers and volunteers have cleared more than 2.6 million cubic yards of litter, which is enough to cover nine lanes of Interstate 5 with an inch of trash from San Diego to the Canadian border.

Other statistics provided by Caltrans related to the program include:

I collected 12,000+ mattresses

Collected 50,000 tires

Hosted more than 500 free dump days in communities throughout the state

Enlisted nearly 60,000 community clean-up volunteers

Caltrans noted that to date, 94 of 312 projects have been completed, and another 171 are expected to be finished in the next 12 months. Find out how to volunteer by clicking here.
3-Peregrine-landing-in-nest-on-granite-cliffs-Photo taken by Peggy Sells View Photos

Yosemite, CA  Yosemite National Park is witnessing a significant increase in peregrine falcons, with new nests and baby falcons discovered this spring, thanks to a protection program that began more than a decade ago, according to the National Park Service.

Since its inception in 2009 by biologist Jeff Maurer, the Peregrine Falcon Protection Program has doubled the number of breeding pairs. Yosemite researchers have observed 51 new nesting sites since the programs launch 15 years ago. This year alone, they documented 17 breeding pairs, 25 baby peregrines, and 15 nests. A big contributor to the programs success is the Yosemite Conservancy, whose donors have contributed $452,000 to the Peregrine Falcon Protection Program.

Its a remarkable comeback with new discoveries resulting from a collaborative strategy involving climbers, the National Park Service, and the Yosemite Conservancy, said Alexandria Walker, Biological Science Technician for the National Park Service in Yosemite. Peregrines hunt, soar, and nest on and around the parks granite cliffs, domes, and spires because of a dedicated effort to protect them.

The Yosemite climbing community plays a crucial role in ensuring the parks proactive, adaptive approach to protecting peregrines.

Young falcons depend on their parents for food and protection. If climbers accidentally scare adult falcons from the walls, the nestlings might starve or be eaten, said Sean Smith, Biological Science Technician for the National Park Service in Yosemite.

In the early years of recovery efforts, Yosemite climbers worked with wildlife experts to replace DDT-thinned eggs with healthy chicks in cliffside falcon nests. Today, climbers learn about temporary off-limits routes and the importance of respecting the closures through signs posted near climbing routes, updates on the Yosemite National Park website, climber coffee gatherings, and conversations with climbing rangers and one another.

By avoiding off-limits areas and educating fellow adventurers, climbers help ensure falcon fledglings have the best chance of survival, said Jesse McGahey, a Park Ranger in Yosemite.

The peregrine falcon, with its white chest, sharp beak, and yellow eyes, glides on a 40-inch wingspan, transforming into an avian arrow and skydiving in a stoop that can surpass 200 miles per hour. Young peregrines, called juveniles, are fluffier and have streaked coloring and a brown face mask. They prey on other birds and bats and often catch their meals mid-air.

Yosemites successful strategy stands out for its focus on balancing falcon management and visitor recreation. While Yosemites walls and domes offer ideal habitat for the raptor, that rocky habitat also makes the park a coveted climbing destination, said Frank Dean, President of Yosemite Conservancy.

In 1978, climbers discovered nesting peregrines in Yosemite after a 36-year absence. Peregrines were declared a federally endangered species in 1970 and added to the California endangered species list the following year. Thanks to a nationwide ban on DDT in 1972 and concerted rehabilitation efforts, peregrines have made a comeback, with the population estimated to include 72,000 individuals in the US and Canada. The falcons were removed from the federal endangered species list in 1999 and from the California list in 2009, though they remain a fully protected species in the state and federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
MEMORY HOLE: Amazon DELETES book about VP Kamala Harris, cites cover issues

E-commerce giant Amazon reportedly deleted a book about Vice President (VP) Kamala Harris from its platform, citing "cover issues."

The book in question was titled "Kamala Harris & The Future of America," written by journalist and political commentator Caleb Maupin in 2020. The book faced repeated rejections from Amazon despite multiple efforts to comply with the retail giant's guidelines.

Initially, Amazon informed Maupin that the book's cover was "not correct." The first iteration of the book's cover had a picture of the Democratic VP, prompting him to alter the design. The second iteration had a minimalist design that featured the book's title. Despite this change, Amazon continued to deny Maupin's requests to list the book on its platform.

This sparked debates over censorship and freedom of speech, as Amazon ostensibly used the "cover issues" as an excuse to ban the book. According to a product description, the book "goes over the life story and political background of a woman [Maupin] considers to be the most dangerous potential U.S. president in history." The incensed journalist took to social media to express his frustration.

"Amazon's censorship is alarming," Maupin wrote. "First, they claimed the cover was an issue. I complied with a generic text-only cover, yet they still refuse to sell my book."

According to YourNews, the book "had been available on Amazon for four years before its removal"  with the latter coinciding with the "coronation" of Harris as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee. The outlet added that "the decision to delete the book has fueled discussions about the extent of control that major tech companies exert over published content."

"Critics argue that Amazons actions represent a broader trend of censorship, particularly targeting content that challenges mainstream political figures. The removal of Maupin's book has drawn comparisons to similar actions taken by other tech giants, such as Googles alleged censorship practices."

Your wish is our command: Amazon quick to censor books when Democrats order it

"The controversy surrounding the book's removal highlights the ongoing tension between content creators and platform policies. Many see this as a case of corporate overreach, where powerful companies can unilaterally decide what content is accessible to the public," YourNews continued.

"Amazon has not provided a detailed explanation for its continued refusal to allow the book's sale, leaving many questions unanswered. The incident underscores the challenges faced by authors and publishers in navigating the opaque and often inconsistent policies of online retail platforms."

But Maupin isn't the first victim of Amazon's censorship and he definitely won't be the last. Early this year, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) revealed that the White House  under the Biden administration  ordered the banning of "books that expressed views the White House did not approve of." Most of the books, which were critical of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) injections, were censored at the behest of former White House Senior Advisor to the COVID-19 Response Andy Slavitt, who stepped down from the role in June 2021.

"[Slavitt] fired off an email demanding to know who he and who his White House colleagues could talk to at the company about 'the high levels of propaganda, mis- and disinformation [on] Amazon,'" the congressman said. He added that to weed out books it considered "propaganda and misinformation," the White House reportedly "ran keyword searchers for controversial topics, such as 'vaccine.'" It emailed Amazon when it didn't like how the search results appeared. (Related: ORWELLIAN: Amazon CENSORED books critical of COVID-19 injection at Biden admin's behest.)

According to Jordan, Amazon was initially apprehensive of the "manual intervention" to censor books. He continued: "Why? Not out of any commitment to free speech  but because doing so would be 'too visible' to the American public, and likely to spur criticism from conservative media."

"That's right; Amazon caved to the pressure from the Biden White House to censor speech," the congressman said. These censorship efforts include enabling the "do not promote" option for books critical of COVID-19 vaccines and considering other ways "to reduce the visibility" of certain books that the Biden White House disliked.

Watch Glenn Beck discussing the Biden administration's move to have Amazon ban books critical of COVID-19 vaccines below.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden ordered Amazon to hide books criticizing vaccines during COVID "pandemic."

Amazon reinstates book critical of mask-wearing policies following author's "censorship" comments.

Amazon takes censorship to whole new level with ban on "Killing Free Speech" documentary about censorship.

Amazon bans "anti-vaccine" films, but gladly sells books on the religious worship of Satanism, with chapters on "teenage Satanists" and "animal sacrifice."

Sources include:

YourNews.com

ThePostMillennial.com

Brighteon.com
Doug Casey on your enemy, the Deep State

A lot of people would like political solutions to their problems, i.e., getting the government to make other people do what they want. People with any moral sense, however, recognize that can only create more problems. Clever players, therefore, use the government as a tool but do so from behind a curtain. They know that it's more effective, and a lot safer, to pull the puppet's strings from offstage. Sometimes, they step into the limelight, depending on the circumstances and the depth of their personal narcissism. But they're all about two things: Power and money. Call them the Deep State.

(Article republished from InternationalMan.com)

Once a country develops an entrenched Deep State, only a revolution or a dictatorship can turn things around. And probably only in a small country.

The American Deep State is a powerful informal network which controls most institutions. You won't read about it in the news because it controls the news. Politicians won't talk about it or even admit that it exists. That would be like a mobster discussing murder and robbery on the 6 o'clock news. You could say the Deep State is hidden, but it's hidden in plain sight.

The Deep State is involved in almost every negative thing that's happening right now. It's essential to know what it's all about.

The State

The Deep State uses and hides behind the State itself.

Even though the essence of the State is coercion, people have been taught to love and respect it. Most people think of the State in the quaint light of a grade school civics book. They think it has something to do with "We the People" electing a Jimmy Stewart character to represent them. That ideal has always been a pernicious fiction because it idealizes, sanitizes, and legitimizes an intrinsically evil and destructive institution, which is based on force. As Mao once said, political power comes out of the barrel of a gun.

The Deep State

The Deep State itself is as old as history. But the term "Deep State" originated in Turkey, which is appropriate since it's the heir to the totally corrupt Byzantine and Ottoman empires. And in the best Byzantine manner, our Deep State has insinuated itself throughout the fabric of what once was America. Its tendrils reach from Washington down to every part of civil society. Like a metastasized cancer, it can no longer be easily eradicated.

In many ways, Washington models itself after another city with a Deep State, ancient Rome. Here's how a Victorian-era freethinker, Winwood Reade, accurately described it:

"Rome lived upon its principal till ruin stared it in the face. Industry is the only true source of wealth, and there was no industry in Rome. By day the Ostia road was crowded with carts and muleteers, carrying to the great city the silks and spices of the East, the marble of Asia Minor, the timber of the Atlas, the grain of Africa and Egypt; and the carts brought out nothing but loads of dung. That was their return cargo."

The Deep State controls the political and economic essence of the US. This is much more than observing that there's no real difference between the left and right wings of the Demopublican Party. Anyone with any sense (that is, everybody except the average voter) knows that although the Republicans say they believe in economic freedom (but don't), they definitely don't believe in social freedom. And the Democrats say they believe in social freedom (but don't), but they definitely don't believe in economic freedom.

Who Is the Deep State?

The American Deep State is a real but informal structure that has arisen to not just profit from but control the State.

The Deep State has a life of its own, like the government itself. Within the government, it's composed of top-echelon employees of a dozen Praetorian agencies, like the FBI, CIA, and NSAtop generals, admirals, and other military operativeslong-term congressmen and senators, and directors of important regulatory agencies.

But the Deep State is much broader than just the government. It includes the heads of major corporations, all of whom are heavily involved in selling to the State and enabling it. That absolutely includes Silicon Valley, although those guys at least used to have a sense of humor, evidenced by their defunct "Don't Be Evil" motto.

It also includes the top people in the Fed, and the heads of the major banks, brokers, and insurers. Add the presidents and many professors at top universities, which act as Deep State recruiting centerstop media figures, of course, and many regulars at things like the WEF, Bohemian Grove, and the Council on Foreign Relations. They epitomize the status quo, held together by power, money, and propaganda.

Altogether, I'll guess these people number a couple thousand. You might analogize the structure of the Deep State to a huge pack of dogs. The people I've just described are the Top Dogs.

But there are hundreds of thousands more who aren't at the nexus but who directly depend on them, have considerable clout, and support the Deep State because it supports them. This includes many of the wealthy, especially those who got that way thanks to their State connections. The 1.5 million people who have top secret clearances (that's a shocking but accurate number), plus top players in organized crime, especially the illegal drug business, little of which would exist without the State. Plus mid-level types in the police and military, corporations, and non-governmental organizations.

These are what you might call the Running Dogs.

Beyond that are the scores and scores of millions who depend on things remaining the way they are, like the 50%-plus of Americans who are net recipients of benefits from the Statethe 70 million on Social Security, the 90 million on Medicaid, the 50 million on food stamps, the many millions on hundreds of other programs, the 23 million government employees and most of their families. In fact, let's include the many millions of average Joes and Janes who are just getting by.

You might call this level of people, the vast majority of the population, Whipped Dogs. They both love and fear their master; they'll do as they're told and roll over on their backs and wet themselves if confronted by a Top Dog or Running Dog who feels they're out of line. These three types of dogs make up the vast majority of the US population. I trust you aren't among them. I consider myself a Lone Wolf in this context and hope you are, too. Unfortunately, however, dogs are enemies of wolves and tend to hunt them down.

The Deep State is destructive, but it's great for the people in it. And, like any living organism, its prime directive is: Survive! It survives by indoctrinating the fiction that it's both good and necessary. However, it's a parasite that promotes the ridiculous notion that everyone can live at the expense of society.

Is it a conspiracy headed by a man stroking a white cat? I think not. It's hard enough to get a bunch of friends to agree on what movie to see, much less a bunch of power-hungry miscreants bent on running everyone's lives. But, on the other hand, the Top Dogs all know each other, went to the same schools, belong to the same clubs, socialize, and, most importantly, have common interests, values, and philosophies.

The American Deep State rotates around the Washington Beltway. It imports America's wealth as tax revenue. A lot of that wealth is consumed there by useless mouths. And then, it exports things that reinforce the Deep State, including wars, fiat currency, and destructive policies. This is unsustainable simply because nothing of value can come out of a city full of parasites.

A SOLUTION?

Many Americans undoubtedly believe Donald Trump is a solution to what ails the US. They think he's a maverick who will smash the Deep State. That's understandable since he's a cultural conservative. He wants the country to resemble the happy days of yesteryear, when Mom, apple pie, and Chevrolets were more important than Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He's a nationalist, a traditionalist, and business-oriented. That's all very well. But irrelevant to the Deep State.

The problem is that Trump will almost necessarily surround himself with Deep State players; they're really all there is in and around the Washington Beltway, Wall Street, Academia, or the media. He's not about to abolish government agencies (although he might prune a few) and fire scores of thousands of government employees. His lack of a philosophical core will guarantee that instead of trying to abolish the State (in the manner of Milei or Ron Paul), he'll just use it in ways he thinks are righteous. The proof of that is the trillions of new government spending and deficits he approved of when he was in power. He'll spend trillions more if he's re-elected. And all of it will feed the Deep State.

On the bright side, if Trump is elected, his rhetoric will be less objectionable than Kamala's. There will probably be less overtly disastrous legislation enacted, and some regulations will likely be cut back.

On the not-so-bright side, I'm afraid the Democrats could win come November. They have control of the apparatus of the State, and they absolutely don't want to give it up. The Deep State will be just fine if Trump wins, of course. But nobody wants to take a chance; there might be some broken rice bowls. He might turn into a loose cannon. So the Deep State, the Establishment, will be even fatter and happier if the Dems take control.

That's what they'll work for. And that's the way to bet.

Read more at: InternationalMan.com
Drag Queens for Kamala release music video supporting her campaign for president

Drag queens have disseminated a music video in which they campaign for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and promote identity politics, called Drag Queens for Kamala.

(Article by Emily Mangiaracina republished from LifeSiteNews.com)

Shell get bills passed in Congress thatll protect me and you, one of the drag queens sings. Black, white, Latino, or LGBTQ, another adds, in their rendition of Peggy Lees jazz single Im a Woman.

They celebrate in anticipation that Harris will Kee(p) us safe from harm without building a wall, cause shes a woman, seemingly unaware of the irony of their statement in light of the dangers to U.S. security posed by her refusal to secure the southern border as well as considering Harris support of Ukraine in its war with Russia, even as it threatens to drag the U.S. into a wider world war.

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro took aim at the campaign music video as well as the identity politics it celebrates Harris for embracing.

There is something weird about dividing the American population by race, ethnicity, gender  thats exactly what the Kamala Harris campaign is doing, Shapiro said on his Daily Wire show, going on to note that the campaign has rolled out a series of Zoom calls specifically designed by intersectional characteristic. For example, over 160,000 joined the White Women for Kamala Harris Zoom call, according to Reuters, called Karens for Kamala.

Conservatives have long argued that forms of identity politics  such as DEI policies that have been pushed by the Biden administration  stoke rather than cure division, unfairly promote certain groups at the expense of others, and even harm organizational functioning by prioritizing identity over competence.

Shapiro also highlighted the fact that Harris, in part because of her radical pro-LGBT stance, is opposed to traditional family values.

We are supposed to be not only apathetic, but somewhat disdainful of religion, Christianity, traditional family. That is real about Kamala Harris the only issue that really matters is that Kamala identifies with one side of this political divide. And that does have major ramifications for the future of society, Shapiro said.

While Harris has not promoted the Drag Queens for Kamala video, she recently aligned herself with drag queens and signaled her support for the LGBT community by launching her campaign on Ru Pauls Drag Race All Stars in a video clip shared on X.

After President Joe Bidens announcement Tuesday night that he would not seek reelection, more than 1,100 pro-LGBT political leaders, Hollywood celebrities, and social media influencers reportedly signed a letter announcing their support for Harris White House bid. The full list of signatories has not yet been published.

As advocates, elected officials, organizations, and community leaders serving millions of LGBTQ+ Americans and our allies across the country, we urge you to join us in this historic moment to advance equality by supporting Vice President Kamala Harris campaign for President, the letter begins.

Vice President Kamala Harris is a galvanizing trailblazer and has been a champion for LGBTQ+ equality for decades: leading the fight in San Francisco against hate crimes, working to end the so-called gay and transgender panic defense in California, and, as an early supporter of marriage equality, refusing to defend the unconstitutional Proposition 8.

The letter cites Harris as a champion for the Equality Act and the Respect for Marriage Act and identifies the Biden-Harris Administration has been the most pro-LGBTQ+ administration in history.

Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com
Rural broadband czar Kamala Harris fails to link anyone to high-speed internet despite $42B budget

Back in 2021, President Joe Biden assigned Vice President Kamala Harris to oversee the administration's $42 billion program on rural broadband expansion . However, nearly 1,000 days later, the "rural broadband czar" has not yet connected anyone to the promised high-speed internet.

Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission called the Democratic presumptive presidential nominee out in a post on X regarding her role.

"Hundreds of broadband infrastructure builders are now sounding the alarm, writing that the $42 billion plan to expand internet has been wired to fail," Carr wrote. "President Biden put VP Harris in charge of this effort back in 2021 and 982 days later not [one] person has been connected."

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program, which allocated $42.45 billion to support broadband infrastructure and adoption, was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It was passed by Congress in 2021, which only means that the said program has had little success in the two years since Biden passed the bill.

Carr as well as multiple internet service providers and lawmakers on Capitol Hill contend the Biden-Harris government's burdensome regulations, including climate change mandates, union worker requirements and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies caused the halt in the expansion of rural internet access.

"The Biden Administration is barreling towards a broadband blunder. Congress has appropriated enough money to end the digital divide, but the Biden Administration is squandering the moment by putting partisan political goals above smart policy," Carr said. "It is doing so through rate regulation, through union, technology and DEI preferences and a thumb on the scale for government-run networks. All of this threatens to leave rural communities behind."

Carr has also warned that the Biden-Harris government estimates claiming the program is on track to break ground in 2025 and see substantial progress by 2026 are overly optimistic. According to him, the projects overseen by Harris won't be near completion until 2030.

In another entry on X, Carr attached a video of Harris talking about the significance of time in her speech. "When you think about it, there is great significance of the passage of time in terms of what we need to do to lay these wires, what we need to do to create these jobs. And there is such significance to the passage of time when we think about a day in the lives of our children and what that means to the future of our nation, depending on whether or not they have the resources they need to achieve their God-given talent."

"0 Americans have been connected. 0 shovels worth of dirt turned. Is that 'the passage of time' that VP Harris had in mind?" Carr said in his July 19 X post.

Several X users reacted to Carr's posts with some even comparing the high costs of the project to Starlink's connection.

"My Starlink costs about $1440 per year. For $42B that would fund about 29,166,666 subscribers a year," one person said.

Another user reacted with: "Such a disaster! They should have used common sense and gone with a tried and true provider, like Starlink."

A handle named Dashing Dot pointed out: "My rural county is supposed to be wired up by 2026. They've run the main fiber optic line in my area and large swaths of the county but not one house has been wired up. I've been saying for some time that this will turn into another government boondoggle. And boom this pops up!"

Kamala to announce running mate a day before her first political rally

Meanwhile, Harris is set to hold her first rally with her new vice presidential nominee on Aug. 6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harris is expected to announce the decision on Aug. 5, sources said.

The shortlist of candidates she is considering to complete her "ticket" includes Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. (Related: MEET OBAMALA HARRIS: Get ready for Kamala Harris to announce her Vice President pick from the swamp while Obama attempts to serve his 4th term.)

After Philadelphia, Harris and her vice presidential pick will travel to six other locations, including western Wisconsin, Detroit and Las Vegas, the campaign said in a statement, adding that Harris has "made no decision on a running mate."

Harris needs to decide soon as she was given an Aug. 7 deadline by the Democratic National Committee. Eric Holder Jr., the former attorney general who led the vice presidential vetting process for former President Barack Obama in 2008, is vetting Harris' picks through his law firm Covington & Burling.

Discover more about the latest news on Kamala Harris's presidential bid on KamalaWatch.com.

Watch the video below where Lara Trump says Harris could be "more dangerous than Biden."

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Former staffers describe Kamala Harris as a workplace bully prone to angry tirades.

In her own words: Kamala Harriss radical vision for America.

Newly uncovered damning video footage of Kamala Harris could be the end of her 2024 campaign.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

X.com

Breitbart.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Poll: Majority of Americans want Biden to RESIGN IMMEDIATELY

A recent Rasmussen poll has revealed that a majority of Americans want outgoing President Joe Biden to resign immediately. The poll showed that 52 percent of Americans believe Biden is not capable of finishing his term and needs to go now, even though that would mean Vice President Kamala Harris would take over the presidency.

The poll also found that 76 percent of likely voters approve of Biden quitting from seeking another term, with just 18 percent of voters not approving of the decision that Biden drop out of the race.

The survey also asked likely voters about their views of the Biden presidency.

Respondents were asked, "Will Joe Biden be remembered by most Americans as a great president, a good president, a bad president, or the worst president ever?"

The most popular response was "the worst president ever," with 29 percent picking this option. An additional 21 percent said he would be remembered as a bad president, meaning half of the respondents view his presidency as one of the worst in history.

Responses on the quality of Biden's presidency fell mostly along party lines, with 79 percent of Democrats believing Biden will be remembered as a great or good president and 52 percent of Republicans believing he will be remembered as the worst president ever. Thirty percent of independent voters agreed with the Republicans.

The poll showed strong bipartisan support for Biden dropping out among Democrats (84 percent), Republicans (74 percent) and independents (72 percent).

In the question of Biden's immediate resignation, results varied by partisan inclination. Seventy-three percent of Republicans and 56 percent of independents supported Biden's immediate resignation. By comparison, just 30 percent of Democrats approved.

Voters worried about election cheating

Meanwhile, a recent poll conducted by The Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports revealed that more than 60 percent of likely voters, both nationally and in the battleground states, are worried that cheating will affect the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

Particularly, 62 percent of likely voters throughout the country have expressed concerns about election integrity, with 37 percent stating they are very concerned and 25 percent somewhat concerned.

About 62 percent of voters in swing states Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan also believe the 2024 election will be ruined by election fraud, with 38 percent very concerned and 24 percent somewhat concerned.

This latest poll builds on recent polls  from April 2024 and December 2023  that asked similar questions. Those previous polls both showed how Americans' confidence in the country's elections being free and fair is declining. (Related: Poll: 56% of American voters believe CHEATING is LIKELY to happen in 2024 elections.)

But the mainstream media continues to ignore these concerns.

Worse, after the controversial 2020 presidential election, the vast majority of legacy media outlets went all out to dismiss any ideas of election fraud affecting the outcome of the Biden-Trump matchup.

Follow Rigged.news for more stories about the coming presidential election and concerns that its result could be manipulated.

The majority of Americans really don't like Joe Biden. Watch the video below.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

POLL: Trump favored to win as voters doubt Bidens ability to complete another term.

Poll shows more young voters are turning away from Joe Biden in favor of Donald Trump.

Biden administration opposes bill that would require PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP for voting in federal elections.

POLL: 68% of Americans believe the U.S. is "out of control" under Biden.

Sources include:

Modernity.news

Rasmussen Reports.com

JustTheNews.com

Townhall.com

Brighteon.com
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden warns that Bitcoin transactions arent as anonymous as people think

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has warned the public that their Bitcoin transactions may not be as private as theyd like to think, potentially exposing sensitive information about their political affiliations and lifestyle to governments and other entities.

In his keynote speech at the recent Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, which he gave from his exile in Russia, he said that most of the transactions made using Bitcoin are fully exposed, even though they are not made public. He said that because all of the transactions that take place on the network are permanent, it is possible for them to be publicly verified.

Moreover, he pointed out that legacy exchanges typically share their users information with regulators, who he said possess significant power and can determine multiple aspects of users lives with their transaction histories, including everything from political affiliations to their personal preferences. This, he says, enables them to understand a persons life without the need to obtain a warrant.

Snowden cautioned: They know what you read, what you buy, who you send [bitcoin] to, who you support politically, like where your donations went, all of that is available to them. They can infer your thinking, they can infer your affiliations

He also explained how governments and businesses can track peoples digital transactions, whether it is through Bitcoin or any other type of digital payment, and exploit it using artificial intelligence to create highly detailed profiles of individuals without their consent. He added that he has been speaking out about this for a decade, but his warnings have largely been falling on deaf ears. Now, he believes time is running out.

Bitcoin conference experiencing growing political presence

This year's conference had a more political tone than usual, with presidential hopeful and former president Donald Trump appearing at the conference and pledging to remove Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler. The SEC head is a very unpopular figure among crypto proponents and is currently involved in a legal battle with the biggest regulated crypto exchange in the U.S., Coinbase.

Numerous other politicians attended, including several other Republican politicians, a few Democratic lawmakers and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., highlighting the fact that Bitcoin is no longer considered a fringe interest group.

Referring to the heightened political representation at the event, Snowden noted: They fight us, then they try to get us to love them.

He also warned people to Cast a vote, but dont join a cult, reminding them of the importance of being critical and independent.

They are not our tribe. They are not your personality. They have their own interests, their own values, their own things theyre chasing. Try to get what you need from them, but dont give yourselves to them, even if you have to vote for them," he said.

In the first speech by a major party presidential candidate at the yearly conference, Trump promised conference attendees that he will make the U.S. the bitcoin superpower of the world.

Sources for this article include:

Bitcoinist.com

News.Bitcoin.com

Finance.Yahoo.com
Olympic Christ threatens to sue critics over Last Supper backlash

Barbara Butch, the LGBTQ activist who was the center figure in the controversial Last Supper Paris Olympic scene is threatening to sue those criticizing her. Butch played the role (wearing a Christ-like halo) viewed by many as a spoof on Christ in the Last Supper. The creators insist that they were going for a type of pagan party of Olympic gods and sent a message of tolerance. Art experts have supported the creators and pointed to paintings that inspired the pagan motif. That is not exactly what was seen by millions of Christians who were deeply insulted by the parody.

(Article republished from JonathanTurley.org)

The question is not the intent of the creators, but the intent of critics in denouncing the display and its participants.

The threat of legal action would not be especially serious in the United States where opinion is given robust protection in both criminal and civil cases. In France, however, free speech is in a free fall with the left pushing for the censorship and criminalization of an ever-expanding range of political and religious speech.

The ceremony itself had some truly powerful and stunning elements. I enjoyed the mix of music and imagery as well as the effort to show the diversity of France.

However, other elements were more divisive or excessive. For example, the producers decided to use the ceremony to feature such elements as three young people hooking up for a menage a trois. With many families watching with kids, many of us thought the scene was inappropriate for such an event. However, it was the supper scene that led to protests from clerics and critics. While claiming a message of tolerance, the scene was taken as yet another slap at religious elements in society.

That is a debate that has continued to rage, particularly on the Internet.

Audrey Msellati, Butchs attorney, posted a statement on Butchs Instagram account that the DJ and activist will seek legal action after being the target of an extremely violent campaign of cyber-harassment and defamation. She is promising to file several complaints against these acts.

Clearly, any direct and intentional threats of violence against Butch should be prosecuted, as they can be prosecuted in the United States. However, the French laws sweep far more broadly in criminalizing opinion and what I have called rage rhetoric.

In France, such complaints are often criminal matters. In my new book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage, I discuss the collapse of free speech rights in France as well as other European countries. This anti-free speech wave has now reached our shores. It has many allies in our own anti-free speech movement. American leaders such as Hillary Clinton have actually enlisted the help of European censors to seek to silence American citizens.

Once the cradle of individual liberty, France long ago became a global leader in the crackdown on free speech.

These laws criminalize speech under vague standards referring to inciting or intimidating others based on race or religion. For example, fashion designer John Galliano has been found guilty in a French court on charges of making anti-Semitic comments against at least three people in a Paris bar. At his sentencing, Judge Anne Marie Sauteraud read out a list of the bad words used by Galliano to Geraldine Bloch and Philippe Virgitti, including using dirty whore in criticism.

In another case, the father of French conservative presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was fined because he had called people from the Roma minority smelly. A French teenager was charged for criticizing Islam as a religion of hate.

I also wrote earlier about the prosecution of famous actress Brigitte Bardot for saying in 2006 that Muslims were ruining France in a letter to then-Interior Minister (and later President) Nicolas Sarkozy. Bardot, an animal rights activist, was repeatedly hit with such criminal complaints for criticizing different groups.

While wildly popular with many in Congress, French President Emmanuel Macron has consistently worked against free speech rights.

That is why the homage in the Olympics to Liberte rang hollow for many of us in the free speech community. The French leaders have long been hypocritical in claiming to support free speech, such as marching in support of the Charles Hebdo magazine after the massacre after cracking down on its editors and writers.

Thomas Jolly, the artistic director for the opening ceremony of the Olympics, clearly wanted to be provocative in these scenes. He succeeded. Clearly, such provocative elements will spur debate and discussion, including heated opinions. Use of criminal sanctions for those expressing opinion would make a mockery of the display of fealty to French liberties that Jolly features in his ceremony.

Read more at: JonathanTurley.org
Pelosis security aides knew about Capitol breach the night before J6

Recently acquired memos and unearthed text messages reveal that two senior security aides for the House of Representatives under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) already knew about the possible Capitol breach the night before the Jan. 6 "riot."

These officials reportedly received stark warnings from Capitol Police that indicated that so-called rioters might attempt to break into the legislative building using the tunnel systems to prevent the certification of President Joe Biden's supposed victory in the 2020 elections, as per the recently disclosed documents.

"We have identified numerous open-source comments indicating groups intentions of finding the tunnel entrances and confronting/blocking the MOCs (Members of Congress)," Capitol Police Deputy Chief Sean Gallagher wrote Deputy House Sergeant at Arms Tim Blodgett at 8:55 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2021. This was transmitted via an email forwarded by Blodgett's boss, then-Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving within less than an hour then.

More warnings on threats against Supreme Court justices were also communicated that night. The messages obtained by House Administration Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) also said that former Pelosi Chief of Staff Terri McCullough was briefed the following morning of the reports, just a few hours before the Capitol breach.

Loudermilk accused Pelosi of rejecting Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund's request to deploy the National Guard following the memo warnings of a possible breach. The Republican representative said the committee would question Pelosi and her staff's subsequent actions.

"I think it was clear at that moment. She understood. They messed up. She or her staff are the ones who denied the request by Chief Sund for the National Guard," he told the "Just the News, No Noise" television show. "There's a lot of information that people on Pelosi's staff I think need to answer, some questions. So we're wrapping up some other areas while we're still going down this path."

He also pointed out that these communications and other newly released records were not mentioned in the House January 6 Select Committee's report despite having found that Pelosi's team reviewed and edited the security-related messages sent to House members.

Congressional investigators also linked the correspondence to Pelosi's video shot by her daughter that recently went viral, where she blamed herself for the lack of National Guard troops during the Capitol breach.

The National Pulse reported that during their flight from the Capitol, Pelosi is recorded telling McCullough, "We have responsibility, Terri," and admitting a lack of preparedness.

"We did not have any accountability for what was going on there and we should have. This is ridiculous," she added. (Related: It was Pelosi: Former Capitol Police Chief reveals 'set up' behind January 6.)

Pelosi's outrageous claims against Donald Trump

Five years later and in time for the presidential elections, Pelosi came out to warn that doctors and other mental health professionals told her back in 2019 that there was something seriously wrong with former President Donald Trump's mental and psychological health.

Pelosi's book, "The Art of Power: My Story as Americas First Woman Speaker of the House," to be published next week, reportedly included this revelation.

"I'm not a doctor," the former speaker wrote in her memoir, "But I did find his behaviors difficult to understand." In the book, Pelosi also stated that she did not solicit statements about Trump's mental health from attendees at the memorial for Dr. David Hamburg, a distinguished psychiatrist who died in April 2019. But she called the former president "imbalanced" and "unhinged."

She wrote that before Jan. 6, she knew of "Trump's mental imbalance," claiming she had seen it up close.

"His denial and then delays when the [Wuhan coronavirus] COVID pandemic struck, his penchant for repeatedly stomping out of meetings, his foul mouth, his pounding on tables, his temper tantrums, his disrespect for our nation's patriots and his total separation from reality and actual events. His repeated, ridiculous insistence that he was the greatest of all time. I had seen  his foul mouth, his temper tantrums, his disrespect for our nations patriots, his total separation from reality," she claimed.

The former House speaker also said she got calls from Trump, often late at night, including one in which she claimed that Trump insisted missile strikes on Syria he had just ordered were Barack Obama's fault, eventually reportedly prompting Pelosi to tell him: "It's midnight. I think you should go to sleep."

"People still ask me how I remained so calm," Pelosi further wrote of the hours during J6, when she and other leaders were evacuated to Fort McNair.

"My answer is that I was already deeply aware of how dangerous Donald Trump was. He continues to be dangerous. If his family and staff truly understood his disregard for both the fundamentals of the law and for basic rules and if they had reckoned with his instability over not winning the 2020 election, they should have staged an intervention. Whether because of willful blindness, money, prestige or greed, they didn't  and America has paid a steep price," she further claimed.

However, it now appears that she remained calm that day because she knew what was coming.

Deception.news has more stories related to the government's lies and propaganda.

Watch the video below that talks about Pelosi's claim that health experts think Trump has dementia.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

DEMOCRAT COUP: Pelosi played major role in pressuring Biden to DROP OUT of presidential race.

Pelosi now claims it's LEGITIMATE to question Bidens mental state after initially backing him.

J6 committee report called into question after Nancy Pelosi takes blame for Capitol security failures.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

JustTheNews.com

NYPost.com

TheGuardian.com

Brighteon.com
Colorado County Clerk: Shocking feature on Dominion ImageCast Central tabulators allows mail-in ballot results to display BEFORE election day

In the 2020 Presidential Election, several states took an excessive amount of time to process and tabulate mail-in ballots after universal and/or no-excuse mail-in balloting was permitted in most states due to COVID fears. According to an article by the Washington Post, 27 states allowed early processing of mail-in ballots in 2020. That number has since ballooned to 43 states in total.

(Article by Brian Lupo republished from TheGatewayPundit.com)

The WaPo article titled Pennsylvania presidential election results could again take days to count was highlighting the Keystone States refusal to adopt legislation that would permit this mail-in ballot processing. The Democrat-led House passed a bill to allow early counting, but it was not brought to a vote in the Republican-led State Senate:

Despite widespread calls for change, Pennsylvania is likely to again take several days to announce this years winner, alarming state election officials who worry the delays will cause confusion, deteriorate trust in the process and make election workers targets for harassment.

An ABC News article from October 2020 described the processing of mail-in ballots in Arizona, a key swing state in both 2020 and this year in 2024:

After signature verification is complete, officials can separate the ballots from their envelopes and prepare them for tabulation. Tabulation can begin 14 days before the election, after the completion of logic and accuracy testing for the relevant equipment. While tabulation could begin two weeks ahead of Nov. 3, no results can be released until one hour after polls close on Nov. 3, and all ballots, including those sent by mail, are due by then.

Last week during the Why We Vote podcast from Badlands Media, Elbert County, CO commissioner Dallas Schroeder exposed a shocking feature in the Dominion ImageCast Central (ICC) tabulation equipment: the ICC, which is primarily used to tabulate mail-in ballots in a centralized location, can display and/or print the results of a race prior to Election Day.

And no one would ever know as it does not show up in the systems log files.

?"Hidden" feature in Dominion Voting Systems ImageCast Central allows anyone with administrative access, including remote access, to tally and report results from scanned mail-in ballots before Election Day. To make things worse, this feature does not show up in the system log pic.twitter.com/ykZtNvkh5Z  CannCon (@CannConActual) July 29, 2024

According to the Why We Vote interview and a letter to CO Senators Stephen Fenberg and Rod Pelton, and Rep. Rod Bockenfeld in 2023, Schroeder and the countys current clerk, Rhonda Braun, were running test ballots through their tabulation equipment with a Dominion representative. Upon completion of the test ballots, Braun, the elections manager at that time, had begun to go to the EMS server in order to verify the results were accurately counted.

The Dominion rep told her that they could do it right there on the ICC. Schroeder said he and Braun looked at each other, confused, thinking Okthats news to us.

Show us how that works, Schroeder said. He was then shown that with administrative access, you can press a button to stop tabulation.

When that happens (stop tabulation), theres another little button that shows up that says show results. And so you can hit the show results button and sure enough, it shows the results of what you just have run through there. Not the number of ballots but the actual number countsFrom there, Rhonda asked if you can print that out. He said sure! He hit the button and it prints it out. We were kind of blown away to have that report.So Rhonda then asked how does it show in the log, the slog files? He said, I dont knowIve never looked.

Well, lets look, just for fun. He goes in there and hits the button and sure enough it shows up there Ballot 1 scannedBallot 2 scannedBallot 3 scanned it goes through everything that had taken place on that work order. And then it comes to where it logs Stop Tabulation and then it just goes right back to Start Tabulation because we had run more ballots after that. So where is the part of the file where it says that we did Show Results? And wheres the part of the file where it says that we printed a report? It wasnt there.

This feature could present a dangerous opportunity for a bad actor to obtain results from mail-in balloting prior to the Election Day voters taking to the polls. Furthermore, there is potential for someone to access the system remotely and run this report without any evidence of the totals being disclosed in the log files.

Colorado is one of 47 States, as mentioned earlier, that not only allows, but mandates early tabulation of mail-in ballots under the guise that these results are not published until Election Day. But this is a facade since this report can be run without anyone being able to ensure that the results werent prematurely published since there is no evidence in the system log files. For this reason, after the 2020 election, Schroeder did not begin tabulating mail-in ballots until Election Day. He did not want to put any of his employees in a position where they could be accused of checking the results early without any way to defend the accusation.

According to Schroeder, the Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold did not appreciate this and in 2023, the Colorado legislature passed what Schroeder calls the Elbert Rule, which mandates scanning of mail-in ballots to begin four days before Election Day.

Access is not limited to in-person personnel either. In a Week in Brief newsletter sent out by Colorado Secretary of States office on June 24, 2022, the posted a Security Best Practices Reminder that stated, A guide on how to check Wi-Fi is disabled on components of the Dominion Democracy Suite System is attached to this newsletter.

Its not just Colorado. During the 2020 Senate run-off elections in Georgias Coffee County, their Dominion tabulator was having significant difficulty processing ballots without jamming several times per batch. According to a sworn-affidavit from Cathy Latham, the then-Rural County Chair of the Republican Party, the Dominion representative present was given an ultimatum by Eric Chaney, the County Board of Elections (BOE) Chairman, to fix the machines in thirty minutes or the media would be alerted.

Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com
TRUTH about Kamala Harris: She worsened California homelessness and crime while prosecuting pro-life filmmakers

While employed as attorney general of California, Kamala Harris helped destroy the state by being soft on crime. She was too busy, it turns out, prosecuting pro-life journalists for daring to expose Planned Parenthood and its black-market baby body parts racket.

Upon learning that Planned Parenthood was illegally selling and profiting from the sale of aborted baby body parts, David Daleiden and his team went undercover to catch the abortion provider in the act as part of a series of videos that started being released by the Center for Medical Progress in 2015.

After Kamala went after him and his team, Daleiden sued both Planned Parenthood and Kamala for violating his civil rights. The Federalist reported that it was Kamala and then-California attorney general Xavier Becerra who spearheaded the witch hunt against Daleiden and his team under the "guise of state recording laws."

"When the Center for Medical Progress began releasing its undercover videos of Planned Parenthood executives discussing fetal tissue trafficking in 2015, Harris launched an investigation on Daleiden, ordered a raid on his home, and seized his camera equipment and hard drives," reported Madeline Osburn on May 13, 2020.

"Daleiden's undercover videos did not violate California video recording law, which does not prohibit anybody from recording conversations in a public area that anybody can oversee, but that did not stop Planned Parenthood and Harris from wielding a political prosecution against Daleiden."

(Related: As of July 21, 2024, Joe Biden is no longer acting president of the United States  the U.S. Treasury under Janet Yellen controls the country.)

Kamala: one of the abortion industry's biggest promoters

In early 2019, EWTN posted a segment to YouTube in which Daleiden sat down and explained the close connections Kamala has to Planned Parenthood  watch below:

The Washington Examiner also published a piece about how Kamala is "an abortion extremist" who has never had to answer for her extreme pro-death position.

Kamala supports taxpayer-funded abortion all the way up to the moment of birth, as does Biden. So-called late-term abortion is another favorite of Kamala who believes it is a woman's choice to murder her baby even as it is about to exit the womb during birth.

"I will always fight for a woman's right to make a decision about her own body," Kamala said at the only vice-presidential debate she participated in back in 2020. "It should be her decision and not that of Donald Trump, and the Vice President, Michael Pence ...," she continued before trailing off and changing the topic with no further probing from the debate moderators.

Kamala has made it clear that she views pro-life laws in the same way as Jim Crow laws. States that pass their own laws criminalizing abortion are to be treated as criminal states, she believes. Kamala also considers the pro-life position in general to be outside the bounds of allowable opinion in the United States.

"On this issue, I'm a former prosecutor," Kamala made abundantly clear about how she looks at pro-life journalists like Daleiden who seek to expose the abortion industry's crimes against unborn humanity.

If elected as president this fall, you can be sure Kamala will strip all conscience protections for doctors and nurses who oppose abortion and refuse to take part in performing them. This is one of the provisions in the so-called "Woman's Reproductive Protection Act," which she co-sponsored.

"She comes from San Francisco, of all places," commented former Rep. Kevin McCarthy in a recent Fox News interview about Kamala's past  San Francisco is collapsing, by the way, due to her far-left policies.

Kamala is a joke  but then again, they all are. Learn more at KamalaWatch.com.

Sources for this article include:

StudentsForLife.org

CenterForMedicalProgress.org

TheFederalist.com

YouTube.com

AEI.org

NaturalNews.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. To ensure that no one can speak to Azerbaijan using threats and coercion, the military must maintain a high level of combat preparedness and professionalism at all times, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said during today's board meeting on the results of the first half of 2024 in Baku, Trend reports.

The meeting, held under the leadership of the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov via video teleconference, was attended by Deputies of the Defense Minister, Commanders of types of troops (forces), Chiefs of Main Departments, Departments, Services and independent branches, Commanders of army corps and formations, as well as Chiefs of special educational institutions.

The meeting commenced with commemorating the memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, and Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The current operational conditions and urgent measures taken by Azerbaijan Army Units against the provocations committed by Armenia, armed by its protectors, on the conditional border in order to aggravate the situation in the region were analyzed.

The tasks set by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mr. Ilham Aliyev to the Azerbaijan Army were delivered to the board meeting participants.

Stressing the phrase voiced by the President No matter how much power and weapons the state has and how carefully military operations are planned, it is the soldiers and officers who achieve Victory, Colonel General Z.Hasanov noted that the Azerbaijan Army is capable of accomplishing any tasks of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief with high professionalism.

The leadership of the Ministry made extensive reports.

First Deputy Minister of Defense  Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev delivered a detailed report on the measures taken in the first half of 2024 to enhance the operational capabilities of troops and command and management abilities of headquarters, as well as on measures in engineering, intelligence and other spheres. The positive result of reforms successfully carried out in the field of army development was highlighted.

Analyzing the service and combat activities of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General K.Valiyev stressed that the conduct of international and joint exercises with the involvement of various types of troops increased servicemens professional level.

Then Deputy Minister of Defense  Director General Mr. Agil Gurbanov reported on the work done in the first six months of 2024 in the field of supply, provision of troops with new weapons and equipment, psychological training of personnel and measures conducted in the field of military education.

Director General noted that in accordance with the relevant orders of the President, as a result of the measures taken to increase the attractiveness of military education, including educational activities conducted through 17 centers established in 13 cities of the republic, the number of applications to special educational institutions under the National Defense University is more than 5500 was. It also gives a wide opportunity to select candidates with high qualifications, equip the troops at the tactical level and increase the quantitative and qualitative indicators in the creation of personnel resources.

Director General touched on the issues related to preparation for the winter and noted that the measures implemented in this direction in the Azerbaijan Army are organized at a high level in a planned manner.

Then the Deputy Minister of Defense  Commander of the Land Forces, Lieutenant General Hikmat Mirzayev reported on measures for increasing units combat capability and organizing troops service.

It was mentioned that the intensity of exercises and classes involving modern weapons and equipment is increased, as well as combat duty and other service and combat activities in the units are organized at a high level.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Defense  Acting Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzada emphasized that special attention is paid to the better quality of service-combat activities of personnel in Air Force units in accordance with the annual training plan.

Commander of the Combined Arms Army Major General Kanan Seyidov and other troop (force) commanders also spoke at the meeting and gave detailed information about the measures taken at the end of the first half of the year.

The Minister of Defense spoke at the end of the meeting and noted the importance of studying the correct and effective use of modern weapons and equipment newly adopted for armament.

He gave relevant instructions regarding the study of the individual and psychological features of the soldiers newly called up for active military service, the sensitive approach to their adaptation process, as well as the constant focus on their health.

The Minister of Defense gave additional instructions on the implementation of the work carried out in the next training year in accordance with the plan and with high quality. Specific tasks have been set before the relevant persons regarding the engineering measures taken in the liberated territories.

Appropriate tasks were given to regularly check and strictly monitor the work done to improve the social and living conditions and medical care of the personnel.

Colonel General Z.Hasanov recalled the opinions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and concluded the meeting by saying that the Azerbaijan Army has to maintain its combat readiness and professionalism at a high level so that no one can speak to us in the language of dictates and ultimatums, to be ready at any moment against any provocations.
U.K. High Court upholds emergency legislation puberty blockers ban

The United Kingdom's High Court of Justice in London has ruled that it is lawful for the British government to ban puberty blockers through emergency legislation

In May, former Health Secretary Victoria Atkins restricted the use of puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria through the use of emergency powers. Since then, puberty blockers  drugs that delay or prevent puberty  have only been available to minors with gender dysphoria who were already taking the drugs before the ban took effect. Other than that, puberty blockers can only be used in National Health Services (NHS) clinical trials and other emergencies.

This decision was in response to the NHS's Cass Review published in May, the world's largest review detailing the dangers of medical transgender interventions on children.

Hilary Cass, a pediatrician commissioned by the NHS to review available transgender services for dysphoric minors, found that "gender medicine" is "built on shaky foundations" and that while these drastic interventions should be done with extreme vigilance, "quite the reverse happened in the field of gender care for children." (Related: Puberty blockers are QUACK medicine backed by nothing chemical child abuse is now demanded by LGBT pushers conspiring with evil doctors.)

U.K. Health Secretary Wes Streeting welcomes decision

Justice of the High Court Beverly Lang ruled on July 29 that the ban on puberty blockers is lawful. U.K.'s new Health Secretary Wes Streeting welcomed the decision of the High Court.

"I welcome the court's decision today. Children's healthcare must be evidence-led. Dr Cass' review found there was insufficient evidence that puberty blockers are safe and effective for children with gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. We must therefore act cautiously and with care when it comes to this vulnerable group of young people.

"I am working with NHS England to improve children's gender identity services, and to setting up a clinical trial to establish the evidence on puberty blockers. I want trans people in our country to feel safe, accepted and able to live with freedom and dignity," Streeting stated.

However, trans campaign group TransActual U.K. and a gender dysphoric minor legally challenged the decision. The plaintiffs argued that Atkins failed to consult patient groups and misused the emergency process.

Chay Brown, the director for healthcare at TransActual, said the ruling was disappointing. "Defense evidence makes clear that they decided on an emergency ban first and sought ways to justify it second," Brown remarked. "We are seriously concerned about the safety and welfare of young trans people in the United Kingdom."

The Good Law Project, an organization working with TransActual, echoed Brown's statement. The group stated that future consultations on the healthcare of minors "must be taken seriously and include input from real experts and those most directly affected by the changes."

Visit DangerousMedicine.com for more stories about the dangers of puberty blockers.

Watch the below video that talks about PPAF's cartoon promo video to push puberty blockers for kids.

This video is from the FreedomProject Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Former chief pediatrician at Texas Children's Hospital who endorsed puberty blockers for minors now serves in the Biden administration.

U.K. report: Halting puberty blockers DOES NOT increase suicide ideation in gender-confused youth.

Nashville school shooter was a violent trans girl who said shed "kill" for puberty blockers  manifesto finally released.

South Carolina Senate bans use of puberty blockers and genital mutilation of children.

Medical associations silent after review finds weak evidence for recommending puberty blockers to kids.

Sources include:

MSN.com

LifeSiteNews.com

Cass.Independent-Review.uk

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
U.S. announces $500 million in military aid for the Philippines amid heightened tensions with China over South China Sea

The United States has committed to providing the Philippines with $500 million in military aid to boost the country's underfunded Coast Guard amid relentless attacks by Chinese vessels in the portion of the South China Sea claimed by Manila.

The South China Sea continues to be a region of contention and a potential flashpoint for a major conflict between the United States and China, and Washington's reaffirmation that attacks on Philippine vessels in its claimed waters constitutes grounds for activating the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is expected to aggravate the situation. (Related: U.S. forming anti-China "squad" with Japan, Philippines and Australia.)

"We're now allocating an additional $500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines to boost security collaboration with our oldest treaty ally in this region," said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "We stand by our ironclad defense commitment to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty. That extends to armed attacks on Filipino armed forces, public vessels or aircraft  including the coast guard  anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea."

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro called the aid a "tremendous boost" to the country's defense capabilities, while Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo thanked Blinken for America's commitment to the longstanding U.S.-Philippine defense alliance.

Blinken, along with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, visited Manila as part of the administration's Asia Pacific tour aimed at reaffirming Washington's commitment to its allies in the region in a bid to oppose the "strategic challenge" posed by Beijing.

The two U.S. officials traveled to the Philippines after visiting Japan, where they announced measures to boost the U.S.-Japan military alliance, including a revamping of the U.S. military command center in the country. The U.S. is also pushing for Japan and the Philippines to increase joint military cooperation as alliance building is key to the U.S. strategy to prepare for a future war with China in the region.

U.S. aid package to help Philippines modernize its ailing military

Blinken described the aid as a "once in a generation investment" to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, specifically the Philippine Coast Guard. Austin noted that the funds demonstrate Washington's commitment to take "bold steps to strengthen our alliance."

"We are here to build on an extraordinary foundation. We are working to advance our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific," he declared. "This level of funding is unprecedented."

Blinken and Austins visit to the Philippines came after Manila and Beijing recently came to an agreement to ease tensions in Manila's portion of the disputed South China Sea, locally called the West Philippine Sea.

Concerns of a possible conflict have been rising in recent weeks over a Philippine Navy outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal, claimed by Manila as the Ayungin Shoal, by China as Ren'ai Jiao and by Vietnam as Bai Co May.

China and the Philippines have recently been disputing the finer details of the agreement, signaling that it may not last, and the news of renewed U.S. support for Philippine forces could embolden Manila to push harder against Beijing's demands.

Blinken and Lloyd also used their visit to Manila to reaffirm U.S. commitments to advance their shared economic priorities, including helping Manila develop different industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, cybersecurity and the digital economy.

This comes after the U.S. and the Philippines announced other steps to boost military ties, including a pledge to sign a new intelligence-sharing agreement by the end of the year and more U.S. investment in military bases in the country. Last year, Washington and Manila signed a deal that gives the U.S. access to four more bases in the Philippines, bringing the total number of Philippine bases in which U.S. troops and materiel can reside up to nine.

Visit CommunistChina.news for more news involving Chinese aggression against its neighbors.

Watch this video of Chinese Coast Guard members swarming Philippine vessels in the South China Sea and attacking the Filipino sailors with bladed weapons.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Chinese fighter jet flies too close to U.S. recon plane flying over South China Sea.

U.S. warns China about plans to increase military drills in South China Sea region.

Missouri Sen. Schmitt asks Defense Department to help Philippines counter China's "aggressive behavior."

Another PROXY WAR in the works? U.S. shaping the Philippines into the next Ukraine.

Philippines gives American forces access to 4 additional military bases.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

DW.com

Brighteon.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. Urgent measures taken by Azerbaijan Army units against the provocations committed by Armenia, armed by its protectors, on the conditional border in order to aggravate the situation in the region and the current operational conditions were analyzed, Trend reports.

The issue was discussed during the board meeting on the results of the first half of 2024 at the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

The tasks set by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev to the Azerbaijan Army were delivered to the board meeting participants.

Stressing the phrase voiced by the President, No matter how much power and weapons the state has and how carefully military operations are planned, it is the soldiers and officers who achieve victory," the Defense Ministry, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov noted that the Azerbaijan Army is capable of accomplishing any tasks of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief with high professionalism.

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Centre approves 8 high-speed road corridors worth Rs 50,655 crore

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n a bid to improve logistics efficiency, reduce congestion and enhance connectivity across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet on Friday approved eight National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects, spanning 936 km with a total investment of Rs 50,655 crore.

The implementation of these eight projects will generate an estimated 4.42 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment, the government said.

PM Modi said in a post on X that this is a transformative boost to India's infrastructure landscape.

"The Cabinet's approval of 8 National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects at an expenditure of over Rs 50,000 crore will have a multiplier effect on our economic growth and boost employment opportunities," the Prime Minister said.

"It also underlines our commitment to a futuristic and connected India," he added.

The projects include six-lane Agra-Gwalior National High-Speed Corridor; four-lane Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor; six-lane Tharad-Deesa-Mehsana-Ahmedabad National High-Speed Corridor; four-lane Ayodhya Ring Road; a five-lane section between Pathalgaon and Gumla on the Raipur-Ranchi National High-Speed Corridor; six-lane Kanpur Ring Road; four-lane Northern Guwahati Bypass; and widening/improvement of the existing Guwahati Bypass and Eight-lane elevated Nashik Phata-Khed Corridor near Pune.

The government also said that every rupee spent on infrastructure development has a multiplier effect of about 2.5-3 times on GDP.

Commenting on the announcement of the Ayodhya Ring Road project, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said in a post on X: "Chaired by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, the Union Cabinet approved the 68 km long, 4-lane access-controlled Ayodhya Ring Road at a cost of Rs 3,935 crore.

"This road will enhance access for pilgrims traveling to Shri Ram Mandir, situated 4 km away from the proposed Ring Road. It will alleviate congestion by diverting long-distance traffic and improving local mobility.

"Additionally, the Ring Road will improve connectivity to Inland Waterways (NW 40) via Naya Ghat, facilitating efficient multimodal freight transport."

 Centre approves 8 high-speed road corridors worth Rs 50,655 crore

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New IT rules: Centre disposes of 937 cases from 1,065 received so far

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he Grievance Appellate Committees under the IT Rules, 2021 received 1,065 cases since its inception and disposed of 937 cases, ensuring accountability of intermediaries towards safe and trusted internet, the Parliament was informed on Friday.

Minister of State for Electronic and IT, Jitin Prasada told the Rajya Sabha, in a written reply, about the number of cases filed and disposed of by the Grievance Appellate Committees since its inception from March 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

After extensive consultations with key stakeholders, the government notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 in February 2021, which cast specific legal obligations on intermediaries, including significant social media intermediaries to ensure their accountability towards safe and trusted internet.

Last month, the government made it clear to social media intermediaries platforms to act on misinformation and deepfakes under the IT Rules, 2021. In case of failure of the intermediaries to observe the legal obligations as provided in the IT Rules, 2021, they lose their safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act).

 New IT rules: Centre disposes of 937 cases from 1,065 received so far

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Kedarnath deluge: Disrupted connectivity, damaged routes; major rescue operation called in

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ttarakhand Police Headquarters in Dehradun reported on Saturday that heavy rainfall on Wednesday night in Kedarnath has caused significant damage to several routes.

The district administration, police, and other security forces are continuously working to rescue stranded pilgrims and locals at various stops, and efforts are being made at all levels to ensure the safe rescue of everyone, as per the authorities.

Additionally, the Indian Air Force's Chinook and MI-17 aircraft are being used to airlift the pilgrims, while manual rescues are also underway to expedite operations.

Rudraprayag administration clarified the situation regarding casualties and missing persons: so far, two bodies have been recovered in the Lincholi area. There is no information about any missing persons.

Given that travellers are having trouble contacting their families due to disrupted connectivity, the district police have issued several helpline and emergency numbers to provide necessary information to the families of the travellers. A Wi-Fi network has also been set up at the prepaid counter in Bhimbali, for travellers to contact their families.

The administration has provided adequate food, water, and accommodation for stranded travellers at various stops.

On Friday, 599 people were airlifted and rescued by helicopter services. So far 2,024 pilgrims have been rescued between Sonprayag and Jungle Chatti, while 161 were rescued from Chomasi. Additionally, 7,234 travellers have been safely rescued by helicopter and manual methods since the rescue operations were pressed into action.

Due to continuous rainfall, rescue operations are being halted, and all travellers are being kept at safe locations, the administration reported.

Teams from NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, the Forest Department, district police, and fire and emergency services are engaged in the rescue operations.

 Kedarnath deluge: Disrupted connectivity, damaged routes; major rescue operation called in

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Kalki Koechlin wraps up first schedule of her international film 'Her Song' in France

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ctress Kalki Koechlin, who was recently seen in the streaming movie 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan', has wrapped up the first schedule of her international film, 'Her Song'.

During the first schedule, the actress had a blast, recalling several fun moments from the filming.

The film is set against the backdrop of France, with Kalki deeply involved in the film, even helping to raise funds for the production.

Sharing her experience of the first schedule, Kalki told IANS: " 'Her Song' has been an incredible experience. I've been speaking with an American accent so much that people ask if I'm American. We had fun moments like losing sheep in the forest, using every villager as an extra, and a revolt over tiramisu at lunch. I even drove around a roundabout seven times because I forgot the rules."

The actress often shares delightful snippets from her time in France with her followers on social media, giving them a glimpse into her on-set experiences.

In the film, Kalki plays the role of Olivia, a witty American-French writer who returns to France to write her grandmother's story. The character navigates her cultural heritage and personal journey, blending past and present experiences.

Meanwhile, Kalki will also be seen in the upcoming Tamil film 'Nesippaya', in which she will step into the shoes of Indira, a lawyer based in Portugal.

'Nesippaya' is a romantic drama that also stars Akash Murali and Aditi Shankar.

The film is helmed by Vishnuvardhan and marks his return to Tamil cinema.

 Kalki Koechlin wraps up first schedule of her international film 'Her Song' in France

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Indian Navy deploys multiple teams, ALH to enhance relief & rescue operations in Wayanad

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he Indian Navy said on Saturday that 78 Naval personnel are currently involved in the ongoing relief and rescue operations in the landslide-affected areas of Kerala's Wayanad district, amidst inclement weather and difficult terrain.

The teams have been deployed in multiple locations in the Chooralmala and Mundakkai areas and continue to work hand-in-hand with the disaster relief forces and local administration.

Additional personnel, stores, resources and essential supplies were also mobilised from the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Zamorin to augment the relief efforts and support the local community impacted by the disaster.

"One of the teams was deployed at the river base to maintain a continuous supply of material, food and provisions to the affected people while the other teams have been deployed for search of survivors, clearing of debris and recovery of bodies. A medical post has been set up at Chooralmala to provide medical assistance to the injured," the Defence Ministry detailed on Saturday.

A team of three Indian Navy officers and 30 sailors also augmented the efforts of the Indian Army in assembling and constructing the crucial Bailey Bridge over the river connecting the regions of Chooralmala and Mundakkai which were isolated by the landslides on August 1. The bridge serves as the backbone of logistics support enabling the movement of heavy machinery and ambulances.

On Friday, the Indian Navy's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) of INS Garuda operating from Calicut undertook aerial recce of the affected areas for survivors and locating bodies. The helo airlifted 12 state police personnel along with rescue equipment to the disaster area, which was inaccessible by road. The sortie was conducted over the hilly terrain in low visibility and challenging weather conditions.

"The Indian Navy is working closely in coordination with the local administration to ensure quick evacuation of stranded people, provision of basic amenities and medical aid," the Ministry emphasised.

 Indian Navy deploys multiple teams, ALH to enhance relief & rescue operations in Wayanad

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Wildfires rage across US as adverse weather looms

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s firefighters continued battling massive wildfires raging across the western United States, their efforts are expected to face significant challenges this weekend due to high temperatures and approaching thunderstorms.

In Northern California, the Park Fire is currently the largest fire burning in the country and became the fourth-largest wildfire in the state's history with the burn area reaching 399,615 acres (1,617 square km) as of Friday afternoon, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), Xinhua news agency reported.

Firefighters had made notable progress over the past three days, increasing containment to 25 per cent as of Friday afternoon. However, "while containment is growing, the fire continues to burn actively in areas with thick, dry vegetation that is receptive to burning," said CalFire in an update.

The agency warned of "critical weather" expected through the weekend, with higher temperatures, lower humidity, and strong winds potentially leading to extreme fire behaviour and multi-directional growth.

The challenging terrain complicated firefighting efforts, hampering radio communications and making it difficult for crews to access certain areas, said CalFire.

A total of 6,375 personnel, supported by 41 helicopters, 542 engines, 180 dozers, and 148 water tenders, continued to battle the blaze along more than 320 km of the active fire front, said CalFire.

The fire has affected four counties, namely Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama, with Tehama seeing the largest burn area and Butte reporting the most damage.

As of Friday afternoon, 542 structures have been destroyed and 50 others damaged in Butte and Tehama counties. About 4,000 people have been evacuated. No death has been reported so far.

Authorities said the fire was deliberately set on July 24 in a park near Chico. A 42-year-old man, named Ronnie Dean Stout II, of Chico, has been arrested on the charge of felony arson for allegedly starting the fire.

The Park Fire is only one of the dozens of wildfires torching the state.

Two new blazes, the Nixon Fire and the Pedro Fire, ignited earlier this week, and have rapidly spread to over 5,200 acres (21 square km) and 3,800 acres (15 square km) respectively. Firefighters have made some headway, with the Nixon Fire 30 per cent contained and the Pedro Fire 35 per cent contained as of Friday.

Meanwhile, Colorado is grappling with its wildfire crisis. The Alexander Mountain Fire, first reported on Monday, has grown to 9,194 acres (37 square km) near the Roosevelt National Park, with only 5 per cent contained, according to InciWeb, an interagency all-risk incident information management system.

This blaze has already claimed one life and damaged or destroyed at least two dozen structures in Larimer County. Since igniting on Thursday, another newly reported fire, the Bucktail Fire, has quickly consumed 2,046 acres (8.3 square km) of thickly forested land near Nucla.

In Oregon, firefighters are bracing for potential lightning strikes as monsoonal moisture moves into the region.

The Durkee Fire, currently the second-largest active fire in the United States, has burned through 293,882 acres (1,189 square km) and been 63 per cent contained, according to InciWeb.

The approaching monsoon doesn't necessarily mean increased rainfall, but rather a shift in wind direction that could bring more moisture and the threat of thunderstorm activity, according to a weather report by the TV station KOIN on Friday.

The 2024 fire season has hit California particularly hard. As of Thursday, the state had experienced a staggering 2,905 per cent increase in burned acreage compared with 2023, as 768,137 acres (3,108 square km) have been consumed by 4,696 wildfires, according to CalFire.

Across the western United States, firefighters were battling over 90 large active wildfires on Friday, with 28 fires prompting evacuation orders. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, California and Oregon have a combined 45 large fires burning on Friday.

The centre attributed this surge in fire activity to record-high temperatures and prolonged heat waves that have left much of the West with dangerously dry vegetation.

 Wildfires rage across US as adverse weather looms

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NASA, SpaceX to send mission with over 3,500 kg cargo to ISS on Sunday

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S space agency NASA and Elon Musk-run SpaceX are set to launch a cargo mission with 8,200 pounds (3,719.45 kg) of supplies, scientific investigations, and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday.

The commercial supplies will be carried to the orbiting lab by Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft (NG-21) onboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The launch opportunity is available on Sunday at 11.02 a.m. (ET). It is the 21st commercial resupply mission by Northrop Grumman for NASA.

The scientific experiments aboard Cygnus spacecraft include "tests of water recovery technology, a process to produce stem cells in microgravity, studies of the effects of spaceflight on microorganism DNA, liver tissue growth, and live science demonstrations for students".

In addition, the NG-21 will also carry two tiny CubeSats, as part of NASA's ELaNa (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites) programme. It will be deployed from the ISS after the Cygnus docks on August 5.

The NG-21 has been named the S.S. Richard "Dick" Scobee, after the NASA astronaut who commanded the ill-fated STS-51-L mission of the space shuttle Challenger.

Shortly after liftoff on January 28, 1986, Challenger exploded, claiming the lives of Scobee and his six crewmates.

The Cygnus will be docked using the station's robotic arm, and installed on the Unity module's Earth-facing port on the ISS.

The spacecraft will spend almost six months connected to the orbiting laboratory before departing in January 2025.

The orbiting lab currently houses 7 persons -- five from Expedition 71 -- Oleg Kononenko, Tracy Dyson, Mike Barratt, Matthew Dominick, Jeanette Epps, Nikolai Chub, and Alexander Grebenkin; and two Starliner crew -- Indian-origin, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore.

 NASA, SpaceX to send mission with over 3,500 kg cargo to ISS on Sunday

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Huma Qureshi resumes shooting for 'Bayaan' after Europe holiday

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ctress Huma Qureshi has returned from France, where she was holidaying, and has now engaged herself in her upcoming movie 'Bayaan'.

'Bayaan' is a gripping investigative police procedural drama directed by Bikas Mishra. Huma essays the role of a cop named Roohi Kartar in the film.

Talking about working on the project, the actress said: "I had the most wonderful time celebrating my birthday in Europe with my closest friends and family. The laughter, music, and beautiful moments made it a trip to remember. But now, it's back to work, and I'm thrilled to dive straight into "Bayaan'."

She further mentioned, "The energy on set is incredible, and the script is so compelling. Playing Roohi Kartar is a challenging yet exciting journey, and I'm looking forward to bringing this character to life. The scenic backdrop of Rajasthan and working with such a talented cast and crew make this experience even more special."

The actress recently celebrated her birthday in Europe with close friends and family, including Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa. The celebration was filled with laughter and music, making it a memorable event for the actress.

She recently wrapped up 'Jolly LLB 3' which also stars Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Amrita Rao and Saurabh Shukla.

After 'Monica, O My Darling, 'Tarla' and 'Maharani,' Huma Qureshi is delving into yet another challenging role and leading from the front. This year the actress will be seen in 'Jolly LLB 3', 'Gulabi' and 'Bayaan' proving her acting prowess.

 Huma Qureshi resumes shooting for 'Bayaan' after Europe holiday

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. The conduct of international and joint exercises with the involvement of various types of Azerbaijani Army's troops increased the army servicemens professional level, First Deputy Minister of Defense - Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during today's board meeting at the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

Valiyev delivered a detailed report on the measures taken in the first half of 2024 to enhance the operational capabilities of troops and command and management abilities of headquarters, as well as on measures in engineering, intelligence and other spheres.

Furthermore, the official emphasized the silver lining of reforms that have been effectively implemented in the realm of army development.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. A total of 881 individuals have been officially registered to run for Azerbaijan's parliamentary election so far, the nation's Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Mazahir Panahov said at the CEC's meeting in Baku today, Trend reports.

According to him, 1,508 candidates threw their hats in the ring for MPs, and 11 individuals are vying for the top spot.

The CEC chairman noted that out of 26 parties registered in Azerbaijan, 25 are throwing their hats in the ring for the election.

Panahov said that 1,462 people had been approved. Of these, 1,420 people received subscription sheets, and 1,191 people have already returned them.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the dissolution of the Azerbaijani Parliament of the sixth convocation and the appointment of an extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament.

To note, the forthcoming election has been set for September 1, 2024.

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Scientists have developed a new, safe and effective way to infect volunteers with the parasite that causes leishmaniasis and measure the body's immune response, bringing a vaccine for the neglected tropical disease a step closer.

The breakthrough, by a team from the University of York and Hull York Medical School, is described in the journal Nature Medicine and lays the foundations for vaccine development and for testing new preventative measures.

Controlled human infection studies, where volunteers are exposed to small amounts of the microbes that cause disease, play a vital role in allowing scientists to provide evidence of the safety and efficacy of new vaccines, but their use in the fight against neglected tropical diseases has been limited.

Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with microscopic Leishmania parasites that are transmitted into the skin during the bite of an infected sand fly.

The disease affects over one million people every year, the majority developing a slow to heal ulcer at the site of the infection. Though the ulcer eventually heals, the scar has a significant impact on quality of life, especially for women and children and when the infection is on the face.

No vaccines or drugs are currently available to prevent people from becoming infected with leishmaniasis, in part due to the difficulties and costs associated with conducting clinical trials in the countries where these diseases are most common.

This is a landmark study that now provides a new approach to test vaccines and preventative measures for leishmaniasis in a rapid and cost-effective way. It also allows us to learn more about how our immune system fights the infection. Thanks to the generosity of the volunteers that took part in our study, we are now well-positioned to bring new hope to those that are affected by this disease." Paul Kaye, Lead Investigator, Professor, Hull York Medical School, University of York

Clinical lead for the study, Professor Alison Layton from the Medical School's Centre for Skin Research, said: "Research on skin diseases that affect people in the UK and in developing countries is a priority at the Medical School. This study, which demonstrates that this infection model is safe and well tolerated by participants, exemplifies our global approach to skin health and has the potential to impact the lives of many millions worldwide."

The study, which builds on significant achievements by the University of York and its international partners, involved 14 volunteers recruited from around York.

The volunteers were exposed to sand flies infected with a parasite species that causes one of the mildest forms of leishmaniasis. The researchers followed the development of the lesion at the site of the sand fly bite to evaluate the progress of the infection and then terminated the infection by biopsy of the skin. The scientists then studied the biopsy to examine the immune responses at the site of infection.

This major new approach uses natural transmission by sand fly to initiate infection and state of the art technologies, allowing the researchers to track the infection and the body's immune response in real-time.

The model will accelerate efforts to test new vaccines and understand how immunity to infection arises, the researchers say.

The researchers now hope to use their model to design clinical trials to test a vaccine developed at Hull York Medical School, along with other candidate vaccines available in the future. Controlled human infection models have already been used to support the development of vaccines for cholera, malaria, influenza, dengue fever and most recently COVID-19.

Parkash et al, Safety and reactogenicity of a controlled human infection model of sand fly-transmitted cutaneous leishmaniasis is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

The research was a collaboration between the Hull York Medical School, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the Department of Parasitology at Charles University in Prague, the Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases at Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University and the Kuvin Centre for Study of Tropical & Infectious Diseases, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem.

Funding for the research was through a Developmental Pathways Funding Scheme award from the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) under the MRC/DFID Concordat agreement and is also part of the EDCTP2 program supported by the European Union.
Cong Peng et al., at Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China, conducted a study titled "NETO2 promotes melanoma progression via activation of the Ca/CaMKII signaling pathway" that investigates the role of Neuropilin and tolloid-like 2 (NETO2) in melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The research explores how NETO2, a membrane protein, influences the progression of melanoma through the Ca/CaMKII signaling pathway.

The study begins by highlighting the importance of Ca as a signaling ion in cellular functions such as proliferation, migration, and transcription factor activation. It notes that Ca signaling is highly activated in melanoma, contributing to its growth and invasiveness. NETO2, identified as an interaction partner of neuronal kainate receptors, is shown to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and emotional behavior regulation. Recent studies suggest that NETO2 also plays a key role in human malignant tumors, including osteosarcoma, esophageal and gastric cancer, and pancreatic cancer.



The researchers hypothesize that NETO2 is involved in melanoma progression by activating the Ca-dependent CaMKII/CREB pathway. To test this, they demonstrate that NETO2 is overexpressed in melanoma and associated with the survival rate of melanoma patients. They show that NETO2 promotes melanoma cell proliferation and migration, and increases intracellular calcium concentration, leading to increased phosphorylation of CaMKII and CREB.



The study employs various methods including cell culture, DNA plasmids, lentiviral infection, bioinformatics analysis, Western blot, proliferation and colony formation assays, migration and invasion assays, intracellular Ca measurement, xenograft tumor model, immunohistochemistry, and statistical analyses. The results indicate that NETO2 overexpression in melanoma tissues is correlated with poor prognosis. In vitro, NETO2 promotes melanoma cell proliferation, and in vivo, silencing NETO2 suppresses melanoma growth. NETO2 also promotes the migration and invasion of melanoma cells, potentially through the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).



The study concludes that NETO2 activates the calcium signaling pathway in melanoma, and its inhibition by the CaMKII inhibitor KN93 suppresses the NETO2-driven melanoma phenotype. NETO2 is suggested as a potential therapeutic target for melanoma, highlighting its role in facilitating melanoma progression through the CaMKII/CREB signaling pathway.



In summary, the study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of melanoma progression and offers a feasible therapeutic target for this malignancy.
The world's first deaths have been recorded from Oropouche fever, caused by a mosquito-borne virus that has spread silently from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, raising alarm among scientists.

On Thursday 25 July, Brazilian authorities recorded the deaths of two women, aged 21 and 24, who had severe abdominal pain, bleeding and hypotension.

Until the deaths, "there was no report in the world scientific literature on the occurrence of deaths from the disease", Brazil's Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Adding to concern among scientists, the cases occurred in Bahia state in the northeast of the country, far from the Amazon rainforest where the disease is usually recorded.

"No mortality had been recordedthese deaths change history," Eurico Arruda, professor of virology at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo, in Ribeirao Preto, told SciDev.Net.

"The virus, which used to circulate almost exclusively in the Amazon region, is now circulating in other regions, and this is very worrying."

The Oropouche virus was discovered in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago, on the banks of a creek of the same name, which borders a village called Vega de Oropouche. The first scientific study was published in 1961.

Since then, some half a million cases of human infection have been documented, mainly in riverside cities in the Amazon basin, but also in northern capitals such as Belem.

In 2024, according to Brazils Ministry of Health, 7,236 cases were confirmed in 20 Brazilian states, representing a significant increase from the 835 cases recorded in in 2023.

Normally, the disease has symptoms similar to those of dengue and chikungunya  sudden fever, headache, muscle and joint pain.

According to Arruda, who has studied Oropouche for three decades, the virus may have acquired a deadly mutation during recombination  when two strains infect the same cell.

If two viruses infect the same cell it can result in a different virus, he said. This apparently happened, which caused a change in its behavior, making it more aggressive.

The possibility of an Oropouche mutation had already been investigated. A recent study by Brazilian scientists indicated that a new strain of the virus was behind a 2022 outbreak in the western Amazon region, the largest recorded in the country.

To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed the Oropouche virus genome in 383 samples from local patients between 2022 and 2024, and found that the new strain is related to the type of virus that circulated years earlier in the eastern Amazon region, associated with others originating from Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.

This combination of segments from different geographical origins resulted in a new genetic rearrangement, said Felipe Naveca, head of the Laboratory of Arboviruses and Hemorrhagic Viruses at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, and one of the authors of the research.

The cases in Bahia are probably linked to that strain that we discovered in the Northern region.

On its mortality, Naveca says: The deaths demonstrate that infection by the virus can be lethal, confirming previous suspicions. But it is necessary to further investigate the exact mechanism by which this occurs.

According to the study  which has not yet undergone peer review and has been published as a preprint in the MedRxiv repository  the spread of the virus was driven by different factors, such as mosquito movement, human travel, deforestation, agricultural invasion and extreme weather events such as El Nino.

Silent advance

It is striking to the authors of the research how the virus quietly advanced from the Brazilian Amazon to other regions and countries. Bolivia, Cuba, Colombia, French Guiana and Peru have already recorded outbreaks.

Its not uncommon for a virus to spread silently, especially a virus that didnt have systematic surveillance until recently, adds Naveca. Some cases may be going unnoticed due to lack of evidence.

The virus is now known to be circulating around the world. A report published earlier this month (July) by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control indicates that Italy and Spain have reported three cases of Oropouche fever in travellers returning from Cuba.

The virus can pass through the placenta and infect the fetus, and the Brazilian Ministry of Health is investigating six cases of transmission from mother to child of Oropouche fever.

Two of them resulted in fetal death, one resulted in a miscarriage, and three cases presented congenital abnormalities such as microcephaly, a malformation also associated with Zika. Both are neurotropic viruses, types of viruses that have an affinity for nerve cells and can cause a variety of neurological diseases.

With the animals we had already seen that there are possible neurological complications, explains Arruda.

According to the scientist, it is feared that the virus will adapt to urban mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti, a possibility that has not yet been confirmed.

The situation is worrying, because there is no vaccine or specific treatment, Arruda said.

The infectious disease expert recently participated in a conference on Oropouche at the University of Leeds, UK, where international scientists decided to join forces to develop a rapid diagnostic method and test a drug.
Petrol, Diesel Prices Today On August 3, 2024: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) announce fuel prices at 6 am on a daily basis. The OMCs adjust prices in response to global crude oil prices and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, ensuring consumers are always informed about the latest fuel costs.

Government oil marketing companies release the latest petrol and diesel prices daily at 6 am in the country.

The prices have remained unchanged in most parts of the country since March 2024 when the central government cut petrol prices by Rs 2. Before that, the fuel prices remained steady since May 2022, following a reduction in fuel taxes by the central government and several states.

Petrol Diesel Price Today In India

Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on August 3:

City Petrol Price (Rs/litre) Diesel Price (Rs/litre) Delhi 94.72 87.62 Mumbai 103.44 89.97 Chennai 100.85 92.44 Kolkata 103.94 90.76 Noida 94.66 87.76 Lucknow 94.65 87.76 Bengaluru 102.86 88.94 Hyderabad 107.41 95.65 Jaipur 104.88 90.36 Trivandrum 107.62 96.43 Bhubaneswar 101.06 92.91

Factors Affecting Petrol And Diesel Prices In India

Crude oil price: The primary raw material for the production of petrol and diesel is crude oil; as such, its price directly influences the ultimate cost of these fuels.

The exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar: As a major importer of crude oil, Indias petrol and diesel prices are also influenced by the exchange rate between the Indian and US dollar.

Tax: Various taxes on petrol and diesel are imposed by both the central and state governments. These taxes may differ across states, exerting a notable influence on the ultimate prices of petrol and diesel.

The cost of refining:

The final price of petrol and diesel is additionally influenced by the expenses incurred in refining crude oil into these fuels. The refining process can be costly, and the refining expenses may fluctuate based on factors like the type of crude oil utilised and the refinerys efficiency.

The demand for petrol and diesel: The demand for petrol and diesel can also affect their prices. If demand for these fuels increases, it can lead to higher prices.

Know the price of petrol and diesel through SMS

You can also find out the latest petrol and diesel prices in your city through SMS. If you are a customer of Indian Oil, then you will have to write RSP along with the city code and send it to 9224992249. If you are a customer of BPCL, then you can get information about the new price of petrol and diesel by writing RSP and sending it to 9223112222. Whereas, if you are a customer of HPCL, then you can find out the price of petrol and diesel by writing HP Price and sending it to 9222201122.
The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala has extended the registration deadline for the Kerala Law Entrance Exam (KLEE) 2024 LLM program until August 6. Candidates who have not yet applied can submit their KLEE registration forms on the official website at cee.kerala.gov.in. The registration process initially started on July 26.

The KLEE admit card will be released on August 12, while the exam is scheduled to take place on August 17. The answer key is expected to be published 1-2 days after the exam. Results will be announced on August 31. To download the KLEE LLM admit card, candidates must use their login details such as registration number and date of birth.

KLEE LLM 2024: Eligibility Criteria

Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens. Only candidates of Kerala origin are eligible for reservations or fee concessions.

Education Qualification: Candidates should have passed the L.L.B. examination (either a 5-year or 3-year course) with at least 50 per cent marks from any recognised university. The university should be either in Kerala or recognised by the Kerala university to which the college they wish to join is affiliated.

Minimum Marks: 45 percent (General), 42 percent (EWS), 40 percent (SC, ST)

Age Limit: There is no upper or lower age limit.

KLEE LLM 2024: How To Apply?

Step 1. Visit the official website of CCE: cee.kerala.gov.in.

Step 2. Create an account using details such as name, email ID and mobile number.

Step 3. Use the login details to complete the form with your personal and academic information.

Step 4. Pay the fees using internet banking, credit card or debit card or use an e-challan at a post office.

Step 5. Upload all the required documents and submit them.

Step 6. Download and dont forget to print a hard copy for future reference.

KLEE LLM 2024: Exam Pattern

The KLEE LLM exam will be a computer-based test consisting of 200 objective-type questions divided into two parts: Part A and Part B, each containing 100 questions. Part A includes 4 sections, while Part B has 6 sections. Each correct answer earns 3 marks, and each incorrect answer results in a deduction of 1 mark. The exam is worth a total of 600 marks and lasts 4 hours, with 2 hours allotted for each part.

KLEE LLM 2024: Application Fee

For the KLEE 2024 LLM program, the registration fee is Rs 850 for General and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category candidates. Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates are required to pay a reduced fee of Rs 425.
The third season of Bigg Boss OTT concluded on a successful note, with Sana Makbul emerging as the winner. The host, Anil Kapoor, declared the winner on August 2 as the top two finalists, Sana Makbul and Naezy, eagerly anticipated the results. The winner of Bigg Boss OTT Season 3 received a coveted trophy as well as a prize money of Rs 25 lakh. Several clips of Sana celebrating the win have been going viral on the internet post the grand finale event. The actress decided to share the moment with her fans, who supported her throughout her journey in the house.

In one of the paparazzi videos, Sana Makbul was seen waving at the crowd and showing off her Bigg Boss OTT 3 trophy. Her happiness in the clip was surely infectious as she celebrated the hard earned victory. In another video, the actress was seen shaking hands with her fans. One of them also offered her a cupcake to mark her special day and the actress gladly had a bite.

The Bigg Boss OTT 3 finale was a spectacular event. All of the finalists and other contenders, including Armaan Malik, Payal Malik and others, gathered to commemorate the occasion. The finale episode began with the five finalists: Ranvir Shorey, Sana Makbul, Sai Ketan Rao, Naezy and Kritika Malik. However, Ranvir, Sai and Kritika failed to finish the race and were eliminated in the middle.

Speaking to ANI about her journey inside the house, Sana stated, It felt good to be with them, to eat and drink with them, nothing else mattered because these four people were with me. But as they started leaving, it felt worse, and the house seemed to be turning against me. But I think its the willpower that you have not to give up, and I was very focused,I came here to win, and I won.

Sana Makbul made it to the finals after surviving the majority of the tasks on the show. She is often seen at loggerheads with Ranvir Shorey inside the house. Meanwhile, the actress is well known for her performance in the hit television serial Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? She last appeared in the daily soap Vish. Aside from Bigg Boss OTT 3, the actress has appeared in Khatron Ke Khiladi 11.
The Central KYC (CKYC) system is designed to streamline the Know Your Customer (KYC) process across various financial institutions, aiming to reduce paperwork, improve efficiency, and enhance security by creating a centralised repository of customer information. The recent focus on the CKYC system is driven by new guidelines from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which have introduced mandatory KYC requirements for FASTag users.

Rakesh Maheshwari, former senior director at the ministry of electronics and information technology, emphasises the advantages of CKYC in simplifying the KYC process. A central KYC can avoid the processing of multiple requests, making it simpler for individuals and legal entities. So far, it is probably restricted to financial institutions only, but newer use cases should also evolve supporting the digital environment, he says. Maheshwari believes that CKYC can significantly reduce the load on individuals by updating information based on the last KYC details provided to a regulated entity.

Kunal Sharma, partner at Singhania & Co, highlights the efficiency gains of CKYC. The objective of this system is to standardise and enhance the efficiency of the KYC process by obviating the need for repeating the process of document gathering. With the provision of a unified repository of verified data, it fast-tracks account opening, cuts down on mistakes, and strengthens fraud control, Sharma explains. This centralised approach, he says, benefits customers with faster transactions and less paperwork, while institutions gain enhanced efficiency and better compliance.

CKYC is primarily used by financial institutions to streamline the verification process for opening bank accounts, investing in mutual funds, and availing other financial services. However, the new NPCI guidelines extend CKYCs utility to FASTag, a system for electronic toll collection. From August 1, 2024, FASTag service providers must complete KYC for every tag issued three to five years ago, and replace those older than five years.

Impact on consumers

While CKYC simplifies the process by reducing the need for repeated verifications, some challenges remain. Maheshwari believes that CKYC will ease the burden on individuals by updating information based on the last KYC details provided to a regulated entity. This means less frequent submission of personal documents and reduced risk of misuse. The CKYC should ideally reduce this load significantly while also providing for enhanced security (because you are not sharing your personal documents everywhere). And avoidance of misuse, Maheshwari notes.

However, Aviral Kapoor, partner at Alagh & Kapoor Law Offices, warns of potential challenges. It is important to be vigilant about the accuracy of ones information and to be aware of ones rights regarding data privacy, he says. Kapoor stresses the need for financial institutions to assist customers in navigating this transition and address any technical glitches promptly. A successful CKYC implementation will depend on a collaborative effort between regulators, financial institutions, and citizens, he adds.

Sharma points out that storing all sensitive customer data in one place poses security risks and requires robust protective measures. Additionally, the initial documentation process can be burdensome for consumers in remote areas. The difficulties are that there is a certain centralised nature to KYC nowadays by design. It will do away with the same customer undergoing two different identity verification processes that are time-consuming activities. This will increase the efficiency within operations and customer service delivery, Sharma explains.

FASTag KYC

The NPCIs new guidelines for FASTag KYC requirements have brought CKYC into the spotlight. Starting August 1, 2024, all issued tags must comply with specific requirements, including linking each tag to a unique vehicle registration number (VRN) and chassis number, verifying tag details with the VAHAN database, uploading clear vehicle photos, and linking each tag to a mobile number.

Maheshwari explains that attaching FASTag to verified KYC data means better traceability and reduced misuse. He sees no reason for controversy, as the enhanced security and efficiency should benefit all stakeholders. In the context of FASTag, attached to verified KYC bank/RE means that traceability is easy and misuse can be avoided. There should be no reason for any controversy here, he states.

Challenges and considerations

Despite the benefits, implementing CKYC is not without challenges. Mishi Choudhary, founder of Software Freedom Law Centre, India, expresses concerns about data security. As much as we want ease of KYC requirements, the governments past record of data handling is sketchy at best, she says, advocating for zero-trust data security principles.

Choudhary points out that CKYC, while beneficial, requires stringent data security measures to prevent misuse. Hopefully zero-trust-based data security and its principles are implemented as such widespread data collection starts, she says.

Moreover, the excessive KYC requirements can potentially increase financial exclusion. Sharma notes that those who are not digitally literate or have limited access to digital services may struggle to adopt CKYC, leading to exclusion from basic financial services. Those who are not digitally literate or whose access is limited will struggle to adopt it and they will be kept locked out of basic financial services, he warns.

Kapoor also emphasises the importance of addressing technical glitches and inconsistencies promptly. While the benefits of CKYC, such as reduced paperwork and streamlined verification, are undeniable, its crucial to address any technical glitches or inconsistencies promptly, he says. Financial institutions should proactively assist customers in navigating this transition, Kapoor adds.

It is understood that the CKYC system promises significant improvements in efficiency, security, and convenience for both consumers and financial institutions. However, its successful implementation requires a collaborative effort between regulators, financial institutions, and citizens. Addressing technical challenges, ensuring data security, and supporting consumers through the transition are critical to realising the full potential of CKYC. With the recent FASTag KYC mandate, the importance of a streamlined and secure verification process has never been more evident.

By integrating FASTag data into a more comprehensive KYC framework, verification procedures for car owners can be expedited, and administrative strain on issuing authorities can be lessened. As financial institutions, regulators, and citizens work together, the CKYC system could indeed transform the financial ecosystem in India, making it more efficient and secure for everyone involved.
The Delhi Police on Saturday revealed that a 14-year-old student has been identified as a suspect for sending a bomb threat to a private school in Greater Kailash area, reported news agency ANI.

The police said that the student didnt want to attend the school, therefore, he sent the bomb threat email to his school. Upon questioning, the student further revealed that he mentioned two more schools in the hoax email to make it look genuine.

Summer Fields School in Kailash Colony, Greater Kailash area on Friday received an email threatening to blow up the school with a bomb. The building was then evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The email was received by the school around midnight, claiming that a bomb was planted in the schools premises on Thursday. Thorough checking was done by the bomb detection team and nothing suspicious was found, a police officer said and added that a dog squad was also deployed for the search.

Principal of Summer Fields School, Shalini Agarwal said, We received an email late at night which was checked early morning today. As per the SOP, we evacuated the students within 10 minutes of receiving the email. We informed the police and district administration, and we are thankful to the police  they supported us magnificently as they came immediately. There are hardly any students here, we are just waiting for a few parents to come and collect their wards. Police and bomb squad are here and they are checking the premisesThere was absolutely no panic amongst the parents.

#WATCH | Principal of Summer Fields School, Shalini Agarwal says, We received an email late at night which was checked early morning today. As per the SOP, we evacuated the students within 10 minutes of receiving the email. We informed the police and district administration, and https://t.co/GWTq6ejMYj pic.twitter.com/D6MuZmU6lr ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2024

The police added that a case was registered, and a probe was underway.

Earlier in May, over 130 schools across Delhi-NCR received bomb threats causing much panic among the students and administration. Investigation agencies suspected that the email, which was sent to schools in Delhi-NCR, originated from a server located in Russia.

Recently, schools, hospitals and airports have been targeted by bomb threats. Previously, over 60 schools, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and over half a dozen government hospitals in the national capital received bomb threats through emails. Delhi police later said that nothing suspicious was found.
Citing government data of 2.16 lakh Indians renouncing their citizenship in 2023, the Congress on Saturday said the exodus of high-skilled and high net worth Indians is an economic travesty that will shrink the countrys tax revenue base over the next few years.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said business personalities are increasingly relocating to places such as Singapore, UAE, the UK and other places renouncing their Indian citizenship.

In a written response to queries on Indian citizens who have renounced their citizenship, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh recently told the Rajya Sabha that more than 2.16 lakh Indians renounced their citizenship in 2023.

By the Govts own data, revealed in the Rajya Sabha, 2.16 lakh Indians gave up their citizenship in 2023, almost double the 123,000 who did so in 2011.Many of these Indians who renounced their citizenship are highly skilled and educated, and their leaving the country at a time pic.twitter.com/pral4qpKuB  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 3, 2024

Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge communications, said the number was almost double than what it was in 2011, at 123,000.

Many of these Indians who renounced their citizenship are highly skilled and educated, and their leaving the country at a time of a domestic skilled labour supply shortage will extract a serious toll on our economy, he said.

Many are also financially well-off  earlier this year, a leading global investment migration advisory firm had revealed that over 17,000 millionaires (individuals with total assets greater than $1 million) had left India in the last three years, Ramesh said.

This exodus of high-skilled and high net worth Indians could very well have been the result of opaque tax policies and an arbitrary tax administration, quite apart from the overall climate of fear and intimidation surrounding corporate India in the past decade, the Congress leader said.

If nothing else, this is an economic travesty that will seriously shrink our tax revenue base over the next few years, he said.

In his written reply, Kirti Vardhan Singh had also shared the corresponding data for 2011-2018.

The corresponding figure for 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 was 2.25 lakh, 1.63 lakh, 85,256, and 1.44 lakh, according to the data.

The response was made to a query posed by AAP member Raghav Chadha, who also sought to know whether the government had taken steps to find the reasons for such high number of renunciation and low acceptance of Indian citizenship.

He also sought to know whether the government had tried to determine the financial as well as intellectual drainage and loss to the country because of the high renouncement of citizenship.

The reasons for renouncing/taking citizenship are personal, the minister responded.

The government recognises the potential of the global workplace in an era of a knowledge economy. It has also brought about a transformational change in its engagement with the Indian diaspora, he said.

A successful, prosperous, and influential diaspora is an asset for India, Singh had said.

India stands to gain a lot from tapping its diaspora networks and productive utilisation of the soft power that comes from having such a flourishing diaspora. The governments efforts are also aimed at harnessing the diaspora potential to its fullest including through sharing of knowledge and expertise, he had said.
A total of 983 user fee plazas, earlier called toll plazas, are functional on National Highways across India and at least 457 were built in the last five years, official data analysed by News18 shows.

Among the total functional plazas across the country, at least five toll plazas have earned more than Rs 1 crore daily on an average in the last financial year, analysis reveals. These toll plazas are situated one each in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

As per the data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the toll plaza at Bharthana in Gujarat has collected the highest toll in the financial year 2023-24 at Rs 472.65 crore. The same plaza has also collected the highest toll each year in the last five financial years. The plaza has collected Rs 2,043.80 crore in the five-year period between 2019-20 and 2023-24. The total toll collected included both Electronic toll Collection (ETC) and cash payments.

With Rs 1,884.45 crore collected in the five-year period, Shahjahanpur plaza in Rajasthan has earned the second-highest toll among the 983 function plazas. In the year 2023-24, it collected Rs 429.65 crore, also the second-highest.

With a toll collection of Rs 400.26 crore, Gharonda toll in Haryana was the third-highest, followed by Jaladhulagori (Rs 364.23 crore) in West Bengal and Barajore (Rs 364.69 crore) in Uttar Pradesh for the last financial year.

Across the country, toll fees worth Rs 1.94 lakh crore was collected between 2019-20 and 2023-24. Across the states, toll plazas in Uttar Pradesh (Rs 23,736.45 crore) have contributed the highest. Interestingly, the highest number of toll plazas across the country are in Rajasthan  142  while Uttar Pradesh is second with 102 plazas.

Toll plazas in Rajasthan are at the second position in terms of collection with Rs 21,887.88 crore. Maharashtra was next in line with a collection of Rs 18,703.39 crore in the last five financial years.

It is important to note that all national highways fee plazas are being operated as per the applicable National Highways Fee Rules/Concession Agreement.

Five toll plazas in Gujarat  Bharthana, Vasad, Boriach, Samakhiyali, and Choryasi  collectively received Rs 6,254.24 crore as toll fees, accountable for almost 35 per cent of the toll collected across national highways in Gujarat (Rs 18,442.5 crore).

In the last five financial years, 457 toll plazas on national highways were constructed, including 107 built in 2022-23 alone. At least 58 were added in Rajasthan and 57 in Madhya Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh, 52 new toll plazas were built between 2019-20 and 2023-24.

The ministry data also shows that as of June 30, a total of 983 user fee plazas are functional on National Highways across India. Of these 983 plazas, 649 are public funded and 334 are based on Public Private Participation. In the case of Public Funded/Annuity, the government collects the user fee by engaging the contractors through competitive e-bidding. In private investment, the concessionaire collects the user fee.

In India, the tolling is generally under the open system, whereby fee payable is a fixed amount based on the length of stretch under one project which is normally 60 kilometers. If a stretch is of lesser length, user fee of actual length only is collected.

User fee on a particular fee plaza is based on stretch length under that plaza, structures (bridge, tunnel, bypass) and width of the highways, applicable fee rules and provisions of the concessions agreement.

Vehicles are categorised for the welfare of road users. This categorisation is primarily based on the size and load they carry and damage done to the road and type of use (commercial/personnel) of a vehicle.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. Taking into account the ever-shifting security landscape in the region where Lebanon is situated, it's strongly recommended that citizens of Azerbaijan steer clear of traveling to Lebanon unless absolutely essential, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

According to the ministry, individuals residing in or visiting Lebanon are strongly encouraged to depart promptly.

At the same time, citizens of Azerbaijan who are currently in Lebanon are requested to follow the safety and security rules and avoid participating in any activities that involve large gatherings.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday dismissed six employeesfive from the police force and one teacherdue to their involvement in terror funding and narco-terrorism.

According to an official statement, the dismissals were made under Article 311 of the Constitution of India.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir today dismissed six employees belonging to various departments: five from Police Department (Constables) and one from Education Department (Teacher) in terms of Article 311 of the Constitution of India, for their deep involvement in anti-national activities, the statement said.

The activities of these below-mentioned employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found them thickly involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State, evidencing their involvement in terror-related activities, it added.

The statement provided the following details about the dismissed individuals:

Saif Din, Selection Grade Constable in Police Department, S/o Quasim Din, R/o Shigani Bhallesa District Doda A/P Javid Nagar, Bali Charana Naki Tawi, Jammu, is a notorious drug peddler, a habitual offender and a mastermind for generation and distribution of narco-terror funding. He is a deeply motivated and committed drug peddler as well as an overground worker (OGW) for the terrorists of a proscribed organisation like Hizbul Mujahideen. He had established drug channels which are being used by anti-national agencies/elements to smuggle weapons and narcotics and to facilitate infiltration of terrorists in J&K.

Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Head Constable in Police Department, S/o Ab Aziz Sheikh, R/o Ibkoote Tangdar, District Kupwara, along with two other employees namely Khalid Hussian Shah and Rahmat Shah (both working as Constables in J&K Police) received huge consignment of narcotics from drug smugglers across the LoC from Pakistan occupied J&K. He had contacts with the Pakistan based terrorists, who have been involved in smuggling of narcotics, weapons and money across the LoC.

Khalid Hussian Shah, Selection Grade Constable in J&K Police, S/o Mehboob Shah, R/o Chanipora Payeen Tangdar, District Kupwara, along with two other employees, namely Farooq Ahmad Sheikh and Rahmat Shah (both working as Constables in J&K Police) received huge consignment of narcotics across the LoC from Pakistan occupied J&K. Being a resident of Tangdar Karnah, Kupwara, he used his expertise of local terrain and topography to establish contacts with narcotic drug smugglers across the border in PoJK and was at the forefront of running a drug cartel in Kupwara-Karnah region.

Rahmat Shah, Constable in J&K Police, S/o Manzoor Hussain Shah, R/o Panjowa Pingla Haridal, Karnah, District Kupwara had received huge consignment of narcotics from across the LoC for peddling it to other parts of the country, including local market for profit motive and for a larger game plan of adversary agency to destabilise J&K. Being a resident of Haridal village in Karnah, Kupwara, he leveraged his knowledge of the local terrain and topography to establish connections with the narcotic smugglers across the border in PoJK.

Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Khalid Hussian Shah and Rahmat Shah had established contacts with the Pakistan-based terrorists involved in smuggling of narcotics, weapons and money across the LoC to India. They used to smuggle drugs from Pakistan and money generated through the illegal trade of these drugs was being used for fueling unrest as well as financing terror activities in Kashmir valley and other parts of the country.

They were in contact with a large number of drug peddlers and overground workers of proscribed terrorist organisation and were a part of the modus operandi for arranging funding for terrorism in Kashmir valley and elsewhere in India.

Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo, Selection grade Constable in J&K Police, S/o Saif-u-Din Chalkoo, R/o Silikote Uri, District Baramulla had developed a close relationship with the terrorist associates of the area and started working as an OGW with the proscribed terrorist organisation, Laskhar-e-Taiba.

He was in close contact with various Kashmiri-origin terrorists based in PoJK, through encrypted messaging applications and had received arms and ammunitions for further delivery to the terrorists. Being a resident of Uri, District Baramulla, he utilised his knowledge of the local terrain to establish contacts with terrorist based in PoJK. He used to assist terrorist groups, during infiltration, by providing logistics and transportation of their illegal arms and ammunitions in the interior areas of Kashmir valley.

Madam Din, a teacher in the Education Department, S/o Qayam Din, R/o Kirni Haveli, District Poonch is a highly motivated and committed drug peddler and an OGW of terrorists of Hizbul Mujhahidin. He had received consignments of narcotics from across the LoC for onward delivery to the drug peddlers even in Punjab. He was in constant touch with hardcore terrorists in Pakistan, who ex-filtrated for terrorist training and are currently active in terrorist activities from PoJK. He smuggled drugs from Pakistan and money generated through illegal trade of these drugs, it was used for fueling unrest as well as financing terrorist activities in Kashmir valley, as well as in other parts of the country, being an important source in the narco-terror system.
A case was registered by the police against Congress MLA Channareddy Tannur and his son Pampanagouda Tannur on Saturday after a Dalit sub-inspector allegedly died by suicide, following his transfer within seven months of posting.

With the issue snowballing into a major controversy, the state government handed over the probe to the CID, top sources in the Home Department told PTI.

The MLA and his son were booked on charges of intentional insult with an intent to provoke breach of peace, abetment of suicide and joint criminal liability on a complaint by Parusharams wife Shwetha N V.

She alleged that the father-son duo had allegedly demanded Rs 30 lakh from her husband if he wished to continue in the same place.

Shwetha said Parashuram was in tears ever since he was transferred and told her that he felt suicidal.

When Shwetha, who is pregnant, went to Raichur to her parents house for the delivery of her child, she got to know that Parashuram was hospitalised with bleeding from his nose and mouth.

Following the incident, members of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) staged a demonstration blocking the road demanding justice for Parashuram. Shwetha too joined the agitators.

Addressing media, she said the police department was supporting the MLA and not her husband.

The department itself is not with him today. Instead it is supporting the MLA. It supports the one who squanders money. It pays money to him and supports him. How much money you want to feed him? Will you rear an MLA? Do you toil day and night ignoring your parents and family for an MLA? This MLA is responsible for it but he has not come here yet. I want an FIR. We want justice, Shwetha said.

Traffic was badly affected due to the agitation.

Reacting to the incident, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that he has ordered a thorough investigation into the case.

He, however, ruled out that it was a suicide.

He (Parashuram) did not commit suicide. He had not written any death note. His wife has complained that she was suffering from the transfer issue. I will consider his allegation. Investigation will be done in that dimension, the Minister told reporters in Bengaluru.

He said that the police were collecting preliminary information and conduct an investigation.

The incident took a political turn with opposition BJP and the JD(S) slamming the government for pushing sincere officers towards suicide.

A police sub-inspector from your community has died by suicide. Why did he do that? His wife alleges that he took the extreme step because he failed to pay Rs 25 lakh as bribe to the MLA, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy said at the launch of Mysuru Chalo march jointly organised by the BJP and JD(S) in Bengaluru.

He wondered if this is how Parameshwara would pay tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar.

In his reaction, Parameshwara said he goes by the law and not his community.

The BJP leaders said earlier Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation Accounts Superintendent, Chandrasekharan P died by suicide.

Chandrasekharan in his suicide note explained the illegal transfer of Rs 187 crore, which led to the arrest of the former Minister B Nagendra, and 12 other government and Union Bank of India officers.
A bakery owned by the main accused in the gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya was bulldozed on Saturday. The bakery was owned by Moid Khan, a Samajwadi Party (SP) functionary in Bhadrasa. The bulldozer action, carried out under heavy police surveillance, came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with the victims mother and assured her of justice.

Moid Khan and his employee Raju Khan were arrested from the Purakalandar area in connection with the case on July 30. Quoting police sources, a Hindustan Times report said Moid and Raju raped the girl two months ago and recorded the act. The accused then used the footage to blackmail the minor and continued the abuse.

Over two-and-a-half months, Khan continued to sexually abuse her, using the video to intimidate and threaten her. Khan committed these acts with the assistance of Raju, his employee, Ayodhya SSP Raj Karan Nayyar said. The crime was unearthed when the victims pregnancy was revealed in a recent medical examination.

Following the meeting with the victims family, UP CM Yogi Adityanath had assured that culprits will not be spared at any cost, (and) strict action will be taken against them.

I met the family members of the victim from Ayodhya, along with Dr Amit Singh Chauhan, the MLA from Bikapur constituency in Ayodhya district, the chief minister said in an X post. The culprits will not be spared at any cost, (and) strict action will be taken against them. We are committed to getting justice for the girl, he added.

Hours after the meeting, the station house officer (SHO) of Purakalandar police station, Ratan Sharma, and the Bhadarsa police outpost in charge, Akhilesh Gupta, were suspended.

Meanwhile, Ayodhya MP and SP leader Awadhesh Prasad avoided media questions on the matter.
As search operations continue following the devastating landslide in Wayanad, Kerala is grappling with one of the worst natural calamities in the state in recent years. The landslides, which occurred on July 30, have claimed the lives of 308 people and left hundreds more injured.

Here are the latest updates on the Wayanad tragedy:

Beneficiaries From Landslide-hit Regions of Wayanad to Receive Free Rations

The Kerala government on Saturday announced free ration to the people of Mundakkai and Chooralmala regions of Wayanad district. The people in Mundakkai and Chooralmala will receive the August month ration for free, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil said.

Currently, the ration is being provided free of charge to priority categories and at a fair price to non-priority categories, a PTI report said.

Kerala Governor Praises Coordination Between Central And State Governments

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan lauded the cooperation between the state and central governments for the ongoing rescue and relief work in Wayanad.

This is an hour of crisis, an hour of tragedy. All our focus is on rescue and relief. So far all the bodies have not been recovered. So rescue work is in operation. Wayanad presented a very brilliant example of the coordination between the central government and the state government he said.

24-Hour Control Room For Domestic Animals At Chooralmala

Domestic animals, including livestock, stranded in landslides will be tended to in a 24-hour control room set up by the Animal Welfare Department at Chooralmala. After giving the necessary treatment to the injured animals, the animal welfare department will hand them over to nearby dairy farmers willing to take over them.

Karnataka To Construct 100 Houses for Victims in Landslide-hit Wayanad: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Saturday that the state government would construct 100 houses for victims of the landslide-hit Wayanad. I have assured CM Shri @pinarayivijayan of our support and announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for the victims. Together, we will rebuild and restore hope, Siddaramaiah said in an X post.

Kerala CPI(M) MLAs To Donate One-months Salary To Chief Ministers Disaster Relief Fund

Kerala CPI(M) MLAs will donate one months salary  Rs 50,000  to CMDRF (Chief Ministers Disaster Relief Fund).

Army Assistance

The Indian Armys Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation in Wayanad continues as recovery efforts progress. On August 2, rescue teams recovered four survivors and one deceased individual. An Army team, working alongside National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, searched a building near Mundakkai Mosque but concluded the operation at 9 p.m. without any new discoveries.

A review meeting led by the Inspector General of Police for North Kerala was held at 7 pm, finalising search plans for six designated zones to be addressed on August 3. Armys efforts include the airlifting of specialized radar equipment to enhance deep search capabilities. On request from the Kerala government, one XAVER Radar and four Reeco Radars are being transported by Indian Air Force aircraft.

Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday rescued three people from Soochipara Falls to Chooralmala with the help of forest team and coast guard.

Navy Aids Rescue Efforts

The Indian Navy has deployed 78 personnel to assist in the ongoing rescue operations in the landslide-affected areas of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Keralas Wayanad district. The teams are working closely with disaster relief agencies and local authorities to search for survivors, clear debris, and recover bodies. One team has been stationed at a river base to ensure a continuous supply of material, food, and provisions to the affected people. A medical post has also been set up in Chooralmala to provide medical assistance to the injured.

The Navys efforts have been crucial in the construction of a Bailey bridge over the river, connecting the isolated regions of Chooralmala and Mundakkai. Additionally, an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) from INS Garuda conducted aerial reconnaissance to locate survivors and bodies in the hilly terrain, despite challenging weather conditions.

Mohanlal Visits Affected Areas

Actor and honorary Lieutenant Colonel Mohanlal visited flood-affected areas on Saturday. Speaking to reporters, he said, We understand the gravity of the situation when we see it ourselves. There is a lot of mud, and we are not sure if people are still trapped inside. I thank everyone who is working on this from the bottom of my heart. This is one of the biggest tragedies India has ever seen. While we cannot recover what has been lost, we need to focus on how we can assist these people for their future.

Wayanad landslide | After visiting the flood-affected areas, Actor and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Mohanlal says,  We get to know about the depth of this incident when we go up and see ourselves. There is a lot of mud and not sure if people are still trapped inside. I thank pic.twitter.com/5aHeSaU6cU ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2024

87 women and 30 children

The 308 dead include 87 women and 30 children, the district administration said on Saturday. In a statement, it further said that 143 body parts have also been recovered till date. Of the total dead bodies, 148 have been identified by relatives, it added. The administration also said that autopsies of 212 bodies and 140 body parts have been performed and 119 remains were handed over to next of kin.

Besides these, 504 people were admitted to hospitals and of them 82 are undergoing treatment, the statement said. According to the district administration, around 218 people are missing. However, Kerala ADGP M R Ajith Kumar had on Friday said that approximately 300 people are still missing. The landslide has also displaced nearly 10,000 people.

#Update:Day5#WayanadLandslide Coord meeting chaired by IGP North Kerala at 1900hr on #02Aug. On request from Kerala Govt for Radar eqpts for deep search,1 x Xaver Radar& 04x Reeco Radars along with operators will be airlifted ex Delhi on #03Aug in IAF aircraft.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/R00IlcxxtJ PRO Defence Kochi (@DefencePROkochi) August 3, 2024

Heroic Rescue

Search operations started early Saturday with more than 1,300 rescuers, heavy machinery and sophisticated equipment being deployed to look for survivors from the ravages of the landslides. In Wayanad, forest officers have been praised for their brave efforts in rescuing a tribal family stranded in the forest. On Thursday, a four-member team led by Kalpetta Range Forest Officer K Hashis undertook a dangerous trek to save a family from the Paniya community, including four toddlers aged between one and four. The family was trapped in a cave atop a hill overlooking a deep gorge.

Hashis described the rescue as perilous, involving slippery rocks and heavy downpours. The team encountered the mother and one child near the forest and learned of the others plight. Despite the familys usual avoidance of outsiders, the officers managed to persuade them to leave their shelter. After feeding the children and securing the family, the team navigated back to safety. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan commended the officers bravery, highlighting their crucial role in saving lives amidst the crisis.

Search for Survivors

In another area of Wayanad, rescue operations faced setbacks despite advanced technology and significant efforts. On Friday, rescuers deployed radar systems and dogs to search for survivors under the debris from the landslide. A blue signal, indicating possible breathing, was detected, but the search was called off in the evening when it was concluded that no human life was present beneath the rubble.

The signal had been detected in an area where a house once stood in Mundakkai village. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the search would continue, with radars detecting even the slightest movements in the rubble. However, no concrete results were found by nightfall.

Centre Eco-Sensitive Draft

The Centre has issued a draft notification to declare around 57,000 square kilometer (sq km) of Western Ghats as an ecologically-sensitive area. The area includes 13 villages in Wayanad and around 10,000 sq km in the state of Kerala. News18 has exclusively accessed this detailed draft notification issued by the Centre on July 31, which proposed declaring nearly 36% of Western Ghats as eco-sensitive.

Citizens have been given 60 days to offer their comments to the Centre, following which the final notification will be published either state-wise or a combined order, the draft notification says. An area of 56,826 sq km in six states  Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Gujarat  is proposed to be declared ecologically sensitive, bringing in a host of restrictions on commercial activity here. This will include 9,994 sq km in Kerala, including 13 villages in Wayanad, the document says.

Struggle in Relief Camps

The landslide has left many residents in Wayanad in dire conditions. Survivors in relief camps are struggling with the loss of their homes and loved ones. The disaster has displaced nearly 10,000 people across 91 camps, with 2,597 housed near Meppadi. The state government has mobilised support by establishing a Mental Health Disaster Management team to provide psychosocial support. This team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors working round-the-clock to aid both survivors and rescue workers.

Rescue Efforts

Rescue efforts continue as authorities deploy advanced equipment and manpower to handle the aftermath of the landslide. A Bailey bridge built by the Army has facilitated the movement of heavy machinery to affected areas. GPS coordinates and drone imagery have been used to focus search operations more efficiently. Local and national support has poured in, including significant donations and aid from across the state.

Notably, a small but symbolic contribution came from Subaida, a teaseller from Kollam, who donated her savings to aid the relief efforts. Rescue operations are conducted by multiple teams, including police, Coast Guard, and Navy, focusing on riverbanks and downstream areas. Efforts are also being made to identify and recover bodies using advanced technology and search dogs.

Children Missing

Kerala General Education Minister, V Sivankutty, on Friday said at least 49 children have either been missing or dead in the devastating landslides that hit Wayanad district three days ago. Speaking to the media here, Sivankutty said the Government Higher Secondary School at Vellarimala has been completely destroyed by the natural disaster, while four other schools in the vicinity have also suffered major or minor damage.

As per the reports, 49 children are either dead or missing. The Vellarimala GHSS has been completely destroyed. The GLPS Mundakkai has been partially damaged. Three other schools have also suffered minor damage, he said. The minister added that many of the surviving children have lost their textbooks and certificates, among others, and the government will consider all these matters and help them after a discussion with the chief minister.

(With agency inputs)
Uttarakhand CM Dhami Seeks Centre's Help In Restoring Roads Damaged Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday spoke to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and apprised him of the extensive damage caused to Kedarnath trek route and the national highways in Uttarakhand by the recent spell of heavy rain in the state. Their speedy restoration is needed considering the rush of both pilgrims and tourists expected in the state after the monsoon, the chief minister told Gadkari who assured him of all possible help to deal with the situation.

Bridge Collapses In Jaharkhand Amid Heavy Rains Several areas were inundated, roads got washed away, trees uprooted, houses damaged and a bridge collapsed due to incessant rains in Jharkhand for the past two days, forcing the state government to order the closure of all schools on Saturday. However, no death was reported from any part of the state, a disaster management official said, adding that NDRF teams were deployed in Ranchi on Friday to rescue people from low-lying areas.

114 Roads Closed In Himachal Pradesh, MeT Predicts Heavy Rain Till August 7 Flash floods and landslides due to cloudbursts and heavy rains have led to the closure of 114 roads in Himachal Pradesh, while the weather department on Saturday warned that heavy showers would continue in the state till August 7. Of the roads closed for vehicular traffic, 36 are in Mandi, 34 in Kullu, 27 in Shimla, eight in Lahaul and Spiti, seven in Kangra, and two in Kinnaur district, according to the state emergency operation centre. The Himachal Roads Transport Corporation has suspended its bus services on 82 routes, an official said.

Drone Footage Of Cloudburst Aftermath In Baladi Village, Kullu | Watch #WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Drone visuals from Baladi Village in Kullu where an incident of cloudburst took place pic.twitter.com/ArZ8zwTG31  ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2024

Indian Army Brigadier RP Singh Updates On Search And Rescue Efforts In Samej, Himachal Pradesh | WATCH #WATCH | Samej, Rampur, Himachal Pradesh: Indian Army Brigadier RP Singh says, We have deployed a 20-ton excavator here. Five more excavators will reach here tomorrow. Work is going on in collaboration with the civil administration and NDRF. Efforts are being made to find as https://t.co/pmtu6M17YB pic.twitter.com/NlRdd21hcv  ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2024

Karnataka Minister KJ George Appeals To CM For Special Relief Package For Chikkamagalur Karnataka Energy Minister K J George has formally requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to provide a special relief package, in addition to the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) grant, to address the extensive damage caused by heavy rains and strong winds in Chikkamagalur district. During a meeting with the CM and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Minister George, also the district in-charge for Chikkamagalur, emphasised the severe impact of the recent weather events in the district. He highlighted that the current NDRF grant is insufficient to cover the extensive remedial work needed in the district and urged the state government to consider this a special case and provide additional funding for natural calamity relief.

Incessant Rain Causes Waterlogging On Kolkata Airport Runway; Planes Parked On Flooded Taxiways | Watch Incessant rainfall on Saturday battered Kolkata and neighbouring districts, leading to waterlogging on the runway of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in the city. Visuals from the airport show both the runway and taxiways submerged, with several aircraft parked amid the flooding. READ MORE

Rain Lashes Parts of Delhi, More Showers Likely In Evening Rain lashed parts of Delhi on Saturday as the citys minimum temperature settled at 27 degrees Celsius, normal for the season, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) The weather department said in the next two hours, light to moderate rain is likely to occur in some areas of the national capital, including Civil Lines, Dilshad Garden, Seemapuri, Kashmere Gate, Rajouri Garden, Red Fort, India Gate, ITO, Delhi Cantt, Akshardham, Palam, Safdarjung, and IGI Airport.

IMD Issues Red Alert for Pune, Palghar; Orange Alert For Mumbai For tomorrow, the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Pune, Palghar and Satara. An orange alert has been issued for Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Nashik.

Operation to Rescue Stranded Kedarnath Pilgrims Enters Third Day; Over 10,500 Evacuated The operation to rescue pilgrims stranded along a rain-ravaged trek route to the Himalayan Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand entered its third day on Sunday. More than 10,500 people have been evacuated, some airlifted by air force helicopters. Officials said around 1,300 pilgrims are stranded in Kedarnath, Bhimbali and Gaurikund, and are safe. Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and police are engaged in the rescue operation. The Indian Air Forces Chinook and MI17 helicopters airlifted some pilgrims from the area on Friday.

Vinay Shankar Pandey Appointed As Nodal Officer For Restoration Of Infrastructure In Kedarnath On the instructions of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the government has appointed Commissioner, Garhwal Division Vinay Shankar Pandey as the nodal officer for the restoration of infrastructure in the affected areas of Kedarnath Yatra route due to heavy rains in Rudraprayag district: CMO

IAF's Chinook, MI17 Helicopters Join Rescue Operations in Uttarakhand; 5,000 Evacuated The IAFs Chinook and MI17 helicopters on Friday joined the rescue operations in Uttarakhand to evacuate pilgrims still stranded on the rain-ravaged trek route to Kedarnath. The trek route to Kedarnath suffered extensive damage as a result of a cloudburst in Junglechatti near Lincholi on Wednesday night. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said since the start of rescue operations on Thursday morning, 5,000 people have been evacuated to safety, with some being airlifted. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) aided in the rescue efforts, he said.

Heavy Rainfall in Himachal Till August 6: MeT Office The meteorological office here on Friday issued a yellow alert for heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning in isolated places in ten out districts of Himachal Pradesh till August 6. It also cautioned of the possibility of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas and damage to plantations and standing crops and houses due to strong winds, and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Meanwhile, light rains continued in parts of the state. Kasol recorded 33 mm of rain followed by 19 mm in Seobagh, 11 mm in Hamirpur, 10 mm in Manali, 7.2 mm in Nahan, 7 mm each in Nadaun and Bilaspur, 6 mm in Jubbarhatti, 3 mm each in Dharamshala, Solan and Keylong and 2 mm each in Mandi and Chamba.

17 Gujarat Pilgrims Stranded on Way to Kedarnath Airlifted to Safety Seventeen pilgrims from Gujarat, who were stranded on their way to Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand due to heavy rains, were airlifted to safety with the help of the hill states administration, the Gujarat government said on Friday. After the news of 17 pilgrims from Aravalli district being stranded near Moti Lincholi on the way to Kedarnath Dham reached here, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) to immediately coordinate rescue efforts.

Former Himachal CM Jai Ram Apprises PM of Damage Caused by Cloudbursts, Floods Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur Friday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and apprised him of the damage caused by cloudbursts and floods in Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts. The PM assured all possible help to the state and asked party workers to fully engage themselves in relief work, the BJP leader said in a statement issued here. Thakur said that besides the prime minister, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J P Nadda have also spoken to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and assured all help to the state.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami virtually spoke to the Rudraprayag District Magistrate Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami virtually spoke to the Rudraprayag District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, held a review meeting on disaster-related relief and rescue operations and gave necessary guidelines, reported ANI.

Delhi Logs 27 Degrees Minimum Temperature; Rain Likely Today The national capital on Saturday morning recorded a minimum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, normal for the season, according to the India Meteorological Department. The weather department has predicted a generally cloudy sky with light rain during the day. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 35 degrees Celsius. The humidity was 85 per cent at 8.30 am. The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital was recorded in the satisfactory category with a reading of 71 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Kedarnath Rescue Update  On receiving information that 08 to 10 passengers were stranded in Tosi village, 03-04 km upstream from Trijuginarayan, a rescue team of SDRF led by SI Jitendra Singh has left for the spot.  The second team of SDRF is doing rescue work in Chirwasa under the leadership of Inspector Shri Anirudh Bhandari.  Another team of SDRF under the leadership of Inspector Karan Singh is working in evacuating passengers between Sonprayag and Gaurikund.

Rescue Teams Carry Out Relief and Rescue Operations In Kedarnath VIDEO | Uttarakhand: Pedestrian route to #Kedarnath has been damaged due to landslides following heavy rains in the region. Rescue teams are carrying out relief and rescue operations. #UttarakhandRains #UttarakhandCloudburst (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/A8iQ5tNu7z  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 3, 2024
Adil Hussain has grabbed headlines after a fan mistakenly congratulated him for winning a medal in the Paris Olympics. He confused him with Turkeys shooter Yusuf Dikec. The post went viral in no time and caught the actors attention. Immediately Adil reacted. Yusuf Dikec won a silver medal.

On Friday, a netizen shared a collage of Yusuf and Adils photos and wrote, Congratulations sir @_AdilHussain on winning silver at Olympics 2024 for Turkey. Respect. Reacting to the user, Adil wrote, Wish this was true May be its not to late to start practicing Since I have the attitude need to work on the skill set now, and added a laughing emoticon.

Take a look here:

Wish this was true May be its not to late to start practicing Since I have the attitude need to work on the skill set now.. https://t.co/GS8iHQafCg Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) August 2, 2024

Adil told Hindustan Times, I dont think the tweet was done because of a misunderstanding. It was a deliberate thing that they have done. It was made in a jest, so I was not shocked after stumbling upon it. Instead, I found it really funny and amusing.

Actor Adil Hussain is currently seen in Ulajh as Janhvi Kapoors father. He is known for his role as Sridevis husband in Gauri Shindes English Vinglish. In an exclusive interview with News18 in Showsha, Adil shared fond memories of working with the late Sridevi and spoke of how effortlessly Janhvi imagined him as her father, drawing on the reel connection he had with her late mother.

On being asked if they spoke about the late actress, Adil said, Its hard for me to bring her up. My heart aches; I cant even digest or understand that shes not there. I cant even imagine the pain Janhvi probably still feels. My mother just passed this month, and she was 95 years old. Imagining a young mother passing away, I didnt have the guts to bring it up. But we spoke about how we met on the set of English Vinglish.
The long-running legal battle between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt shows no signs of resolution. The actors, who separated in 2016, continue to clash over their former jointly-owned winery, Chateau Miraval. The ex-couple purchased the French estate together in 2008, but disputes have persisted since 2022, when Pitt, 60, sued Jolie, 49, for allegedly selling her share of the winery without his consent. Two years later, both the civil lawsuit and a separate custody battle of their childrenMaddox (22), Pax (20), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18), and twins Vivienne and Knox (16)are still ongoing.

On August 1, Angelina Jolies lawyers reportedly filed new court documents related to the Chateau Miraval case. In their latest submission on August 2, Jolies legal team supported her previous motion to compel Brad Pitt to disclose records concerning a 2016 plane incident. Jolie had claimed in a 2022 court filing that Pitt choked one of their six children during this incident. Pitts attorneys have dismissed this request, labelling it a sensationalist fishing expedition, according to E! News.

Jolies lawyers argue she is simply defending herself from Pitts baseless allegations.

Pitts narrative is that this case is just about a business dispute but that is Pitts theory. Jolies theory is that this case is about Pitts attempt to use Miraval as leverage to control and enforce her silence. The jury will decide what the evidence shows, but for now, Jolie is entitled to gather the evidence she needs to support her theory, reads the document, as reported by E! News.

Jolies legal team has also reportedly said that she was not acting with malice by selling her share of the winery.

The issue of NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) has been prominent in this case, especially since a judge recently ordered Jolie to produce eight years worth of them.

E! News further informs that in April, a court filing revealed that a judge had granted Pitts motion requiring Jolie to provide, within 60 calendar days, all non-privileged documents in her possession, custody, or control along with a privilege log including sufficient factual information regarding any and all responsive documents that Jolie asserts are privileged to allow Plaintiffs to evaluate the merits of Jolies assertions of privilege.
Dalljiet Kaur has reportedly filed an FIR against her estranged husband Nikhil Patel. As reported by Times Now, the television actress filed the complaint on August 2 at Mumbais Agripada police station. The FIR has been filed under sections 85 and 316 (2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This means that Dilljiet has accused Nikhil of cruelty and criminal breach of trust.

Interestingly, Nikhil Patel, who otherwise lives in Kenya, is in India currently. He arrived in Mumbai on Friday when he was snapped at the airport with his rumoured girlfriend.

This is not the first time that Dalljiet Kaur has taken legal action against her husband. In June this year, the actress also moved to the Nairobi City court against Nikhil and received a stay order to prevent Patel from evicting her or her son from their home in Kenya.

Prior to this, Nikhil also sent a legal notice to the actress and accused her of harassment. ETimes reported that Patel said, under the Indian Penal Code, The Information Technology Act of 2000 (India), and The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012 (India), Dalljiet Kaurs social media posts accusing him of an extra-marital affair were wrong.

Dalljiet Kaur and Nikhil Patel tied the knot in March 2023. However, the two filed for divorce earlier this year i.e. after 10 months of their wedding. Nikhil also confirmed their separation in May when he told E-Times, In January this year, Dalljiet decided to leave Kenya with her son Jaydon and return to India, which ultimately led to our separation. We both realized that the foundation of our blended family wasnt as strong as we had hoped, making it hard for Dalljiet to settle in Kenya. In March 2023, we held an Indian wedding ceremony in Mumbai. Though it held cultural significance, it was not legally binding. This ceremony was intended to reassure Dalljiets family about her move to Kenya.

On Friday, Dalljiet took to her Instagram handle to share her wedding pictures on the occasion of Nikhils birthday. She accused Nikhil of hurting her and wrote, Right from sending my belongings to a storage house much before the date given by you through your PR articles to wiping the wall which I had painted for months with my chuda that I loved so much. And keeping a book in the foreground saying subtle art of caring a FU** You have impressive ways to hurt me. And I know you are not done. You will come up with more ways soon.
Netflix India has released the much-awaited teaser for IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The series is based on the 1999 hijack of an Indian Airlines Flight IC 814. The key cast includes Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Verma, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza, Pankaj Kapur and Patralekhaa. The mini-series will also be the OTT debut of director Anubhav Sinha, renowned for his gritty dramas like Mulk, Thappad, Article 17 and Bheed. This thriller series is set to release on Netflix India this month.

The teaser, released on Netflixs social media account today, opens with a group of Indian passengers preparing to depart from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. They are supposed to head towards Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

Vijay Varma, portraying pilot Sharan Dev, greets the passengers, shares the general information and instructions and asks them to sit back and relax. Suddenly, five masked militants put him at gunpoint, assaulted the passengers on board and hijacked the flight.

The teaser also shows that in New Delhi, Indian government officials  played by Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, Manoj Pahwa and Naseeruddin Shah quickly spring into action. The passengers face an even greater threat as the plane is flown to Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was then, reportedly under Talibans control.

188 onboard, and the entire nation held at gunpoint. Based on true events  IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, a limited series, arrives on August 29, only on Netflix, reads the caption Netflix shares on Instagram, along with a clip of the upcoming series.

Watch it here:

The series is co-produced by his banner, Benaras Media Works.

As for the true incident that the upcoming series is based on, in 1999, an Indian aircraft, IC 814, was reportedly hijacked by five terrorists on December 24, 1999, just 40 minutes after taking off from Kathmandu. The plane carrying about 180 passengers, was held hostage for about eight days. They were made to travel from Kathmandu to Amritsar and then to Lahore. After refuelling in Lahore, it flew to Dubai and finally to Taliban-controlled Kandahar.
he teaser of the series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, starring Vijay Verma, Arvind Swamy, Nasiruddin Shah, and Pankaj Kapoor, and directed by Anubhav Sinha, has just been released. The teaser promises a gripping mix of chill and thrill, offering a tantalising glimpse into the intense hostage situation and the brutal violence that unfolded on board. Manoj Bajpayee took to X to hail director Anubhav Sinha.

As the director wrote, This is what I have been up to past two years on X, Manoj Bajpayee quoted it and wrote, It seems that You have been up to something really exciting! Quite intriguing!!!

@anubhavsinha. Check out the tweet here:

It seems that You have been up to something really exciting! Quite intriguing!!! @anubhavsinha https://t.co/DBu0YECVIm manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) August 3, 2024

Interestingly, Anubhav Sinha and Manoj Bajpayee are reuniting after 25 years for an exciting new project. The duo announced their long-awaited collaboration with an Instagram post earlier this year, sharing a picture and a brief caption to tease the news. And a very exciting collaboration after 25 years with a friend whom I know right from my theatre days @anubhavsinhaa bas thoda intezaar, Bajpayee wrote in the caption.

Meanwhile, The Kandahar flight hijack refers to a dramatic incident that took place in December 1999, when Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked by a group of militants. The aircraft, en route from Kathmandu to Delhi, was diverted to Kandahar in Afghanistan after being taken over by the hijackers. The standoff lasted for several days, during which intense negotiations and complex diplomatic maneuvers unfolded.

Anubhav Sinha, known for films such as Mulk, Article 15 and Bheed, had earlier said it was a responsibility to be as authentic as possible while working on the series. When I started doing research, almost everyone remembers a few things about the hijack, and what all happened during the process. I realised it is a very complex story and a lot of things happened in those seven days and not many people know about it, he had said at the Next on Netflix event in Mumbai.
Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. The amount of weapons and ordnances spotted in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan since July 27 has been revealed, Trend reports referring to the country's Interior Ministry.

According to the ministry, police officers have seized 60 automatic weapons, three machine guns, 21 pistols, 29 rifles, 125 grenades, one grenade launcher, 63 fuses, 48 shells, 91 bayonets, 71 communication devices, 34 drone bombs, 190 explosives, nine TNT (trinitrotoluene) blocks, 17 charges, 34 detonators, 27 night vision devices, two drones, and two mines in Khankendi city until August 2.

Besides, two explosive substances, two kilograms of explosives, 126 kilograms of gunpowder, 11 fireworks, one fixed radio unit, three MUV (Mechanical Blasting Unit) explosives, one loudspeaker, one silencer, one surveillance camera, 611 ammunition clips, 75,532 various caliber bullets, and other ordnances have been also seized in Khankendi in the reporting period.

Additionally, two grenades were seized in Asgaran settlement of the Khojaly district, one automatic weapon and seven grenades in the Shusha district, while six automatic weapons, three rifles, 36 grenades, six machine guns, one night vision device, one scope, five bayonets, 12 UZRGMs (Unified Modernized Hand Grenade Fuses), 25 ammunition clips, and 1,175 various caliber bullets in the Khojavend district.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli, the latest Netflix documentary, delves into the incredible journey of SS Rajamouli, now recognized as one of the worlds greatest filmmakers. Premiering on August 2, this 74-minute film features interviews with his family members and superstars like Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Ram Charan, and Jr NTR, who have starred in his blockbuster films.

A notable revelation comes from Rana Daggubati, who disclosed that he wasnt the first choice for the villain role in the Baahubali films. The filmmakers initially approached Hollywood star Jason Momoa, famous in India for his role as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones.

Reflecting on his casting, Daggubati shared, The producer, Shobu Yarlagadda, came and just told me that its a period war-based kind of film and that they were looking at me playing the antagonist. I replied that Id love to have a narration. I also asked him, Whos the actor you went to before you came to me?. He said, We tried to reach Jason Momoa from Game Of Thrones!. I said, Okay, thats a good second number.

The Baahubali saga, consisting of Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, depicts a gripping war of succession between Amarendra Baahubali and his older cousin Bhallaladeva. Prabhas played dual roles as the father and son, while Rana Daggubati portrayed the antagonist Bhallaladeva. Rajamoulis direction and storytelling made these films monumental successes.

At their release, the Baahubali films were the most expensive Indian movies. Baahubali: The Beginning, made for Rs 180 crore, grossed Rs 650 crore worldwide in 2015. Its sequel, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, produced for Rs 250 crore, earned a staggering Rs 1800 crore globally in 2017, making it the second-highest grossing Indian film of all time.

SS Rajamouli had confirmed earlier this year that he is going to expand his Baahubali franchise in many ways and mediums. He mentioned that they are looking beyond films to expand the Prabhas starrer and added that he is working on it with the films producer Shobu Yarlagadda.

When a brand is created in the West, it goes multi-media. Weve tried making games, a VR film, and a series for Baahubali so far. But, nothing worked out as expected, Rajamouli said as quoted by India Today and then added, It took us time to get here and to find the right people. It was also difficult to break away and hand over the reins to creator Sharad [Devarajan]. But, they did a good job with it, and its something that needed to happen.

Baahubali is going to go forward not just with animated series. It is going to expand in many other ways and medium. This is not the platform to talk about it, he shared.
Bigg Boss OTT 3 concluded on Friday night with Sana Makbul emerging as the winner. Kritika Malik, who had entered the show with her husband Armaan Malik and his first wife Payal, was also one of the finalists of the controversial reality show. Following the finale, Kritika exclusively spoke to News18 Showsha when she questioned those who called her an undeserving" finalist and argued that escaping nominations was her strategy".

You had the right to nominate me in the Bigg Boss house. You can nominate the non-deserving contestant. This happens twice a week. If I wasnt deserving, you should have nominated me. You did not nominate me and I reached the finale. This was my strategy and you were caught in it," Kritika told us.

During their Bigg Boss stint, Kritika, Armaan and Payal were often targeted and accused of promoting polygamy. However, Kritika has now urged everyone not to marry twice. She called her marriage to Armaan a mistake" and expressed that no one should do this.

Several questions were raised. You guys are also right. This is not something one expects. I am ready for the questions. But I have always said that I do not support polygamy. We made a mistake by marrying twice, so please dont do this. Nobody should marry twice. We do not support polygamy," she said.

Kritika also opened up about Payal Maliks statement about divorcing Armaan and shared, In this house, you cannot contact anyone from your family. In this situation, somebody tells you something shocking. Like, you guys mentioned about Payals decision (to divorce Armaan). It hurt me. I broke down emotionally. I was worried if everything was okay outside or not. I was broken because of this."

She also revealed her first conversation with Payal after coming out of the Bigg Boss house and said, When I came outside, I asked Payal if she was okay. She said, yes. Nothing else matters. If she is fine, I am also fine."

Bigg Boss OTT 3 grand finale was held on Friday, August 2. While Sana Makbul took the trophy home, Naezy was the first runner-up. Other three finalists on the show were  Ranvir Shorey, Sai Ketan Rao and Kritika Malik.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt shares that the arrival of his granddaughter, Raha, has transformed the family dynamics, making her the center of attention. Bhatt observes that the gaze has shifted from his actor daughter, Alia Bhatt, to Raha.

Alia Bhatt married actor Ranbir Kapoor in 2022 and welcomed their daughter later that year. In an interview with India Today, Mahesh Bhatt reflected on his new role as a grandfather. When I became a grandpa, I woke up to what the entire world has been feeling since the dawn of time, he remarked with his characteristic philosophical touch.

Bhatt elaborated on the experience, saying, Just as youre marveling at your childs achievements, a new dimension is added with the birth of a grandchild. Alia, already an astounding actor, has now embraced motherhood. The arrival of Raha shifts the focus towards her. Children have the power to captivate you completely.

The veteran filmmaker, with over 50 films across five decades, expressed his wish for Raha to watch Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin when she grows up. Its one of my most heartwarming films, featuring fantastic performances by Pooja Bhatt and Aamir Khan. It resonates with the human heart. Id also recommend Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke, which presents a different kind of love story, he added.

Ranbir Kapoor recently recalled his daughter Rahas birth and called it the top moment of his life. He said that he cannot describe what he felt when he held Raha for the first time, but knows he will never feel the same way about another person.

Ranbir said on Nikhil Kamaths podcast, You know, till the time she was born when Alia was pregnant, youre imagining. Youre trying to know what the feeling is. She could feel it because the baby was in her. But when she was born and I was given the first thing when the doctor gave me Raha, you cant describe it. If I had to describe it, its like somebody has pulled your heart out and put it in your hands. Its instant. Its the love of your life. Its too good. Never felt that, never will feel that about anything or anybody in my life.

I think Raha considers Alia as a part of her. She doesnt consider Alia as another human being. They both are one. But with me, she looks for masti and fun and the laughter and flirting. Were flirting all the time, me and my daughter, Ranbir added.

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor tied the knot on April 14, 2022, after dating for a few years. They held an intimate ceremony at their Mumbai residence for family and close friends. On November 6 of the same year, they welcomed their daughter, Raha Kapoor. The couple posed for a family picture with Raha for the paparazzi on Christmas 2023 for the first time.
Salman Khans sister Arpita Khan is celebrating her birthday today. She has been receiving a lot of wishes from all corners. Sonakshi Sinha also shared an adorable photo of Arpita Khans birthday and wished her. She is seen sharing photo with Zaheer Iqbal also. Earlier, a celebration video also went viral on social media.

Taking to her Instagram stories, Sonakshi Sinha shared a photo in which she is seen holding Arpita Khan close and wishing her. Hostess with the moistest, reads the wish. Salman Khan was seen at Arpitas grand birthday party along with close friends including actor Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia DSouza and others. A video captured by Riteish Deshmukh shows Arpita cutting her birthday cake surrounded by loved ones, including her husband, actor Aayush Sharma, their adorable son Ahil, and brothers Salman and Sohail Khan. In the video, Arpita is seen feeding small pieces of cake to Aayush, Salman and Sohail. The clip also features TV actor Shabir Ahluwalia, Sohails son Nirvaan Khan and Alvira Agnihotris son Ayaan Agnihotri as part of the celebration. Along with the video, the Housefull actor wrote, Happy Birthday My dearest darling Arpita Khan Sharma, we love you. Have a fabulous year ahead.

Take a look here:

Arpita Khan is married to Aayush Sharma, whom she met through mutual friends at a party in 2011. After dating for several years, the couple finally decided to get married in November 2014. Despite their strong relationship, divorce rumours surfaced in 2019, though nothing was ever confirmed. Recently, Sharma addressed these rumours in an interview with News18 Showsha, describing them as a hilarious moment.

Sonakshi Sinha is currently seen in Kakuda with Riteish Deshmukh and Saqib Saleem. The trailer begins by introducing a village of Ratodi which is cursed. Each house in the village has two doors: one big and one small. The smaller door is for a ghost named Kakuda. Saqib and Sonakshi love each other and got married. However, their love story takes a surprising turn when they encounter a curse from Kakuda. On their wedding night, at 7:15 pm, Sunny forgot to open the small door for Kakuda. The ghost is known for placing a curse on the head of the household as a punishment. With Sunnys life in danger, Sonakshi seeks help from Victor, an intriguing ghost hunter played by Riteish.
As part of the ceremony, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo will hand the Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. In a dramatic turn of events, Hollywood star Tom Cruise, 62 will rappel from the roof of the Stade de France to the field, flag in hand. Although there are rumors of a possible stunt double, the anticipation for Cruises appearance is high.

The broadcast will then shift to a pre-recorded segment where Cruise is shown flying from France to LA. This will culminate in a skydiving stunt to the iconic Hollywood sign. Once on the ground, Cruise will hand the flag to athletes from various sports, including a cyclist, skateboarder, and volleyball player, who will then parade it around Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Games.

According to TMZ, the filming for this segment took place in March. Photos of Cruise descending the Hollywood sign circulated online, but the Olympic connection was not initially suspected.

TMZ also reported that Cruise was the mastermind behind this spectacle. He proposed the idea of linking the Paris and LA Games through a series of stunts to the International Olympic Committee.

The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee has kept the details of the ceremony under wraps. Thomas Jolly, the artistic director for Paris 2024, aims to turn the Stade de France into a grand concert hall featuring over 100 performers. Jolly described the event as a very visual, very choreographic, very acrobatic show with an operatic dimension to give a great visual fresco and say goodbye to athletes from all over the world, promising a memorable celebration that honors both past and future. He continued, Together, lets make this evening a memorable and conscious celebration, honouring the past and embracing the future.

Cruise, who carried the Olympic torch in LA in 2004, was seen attending womens gymnastics and swimming events during the first week of the Paris Games. Representatives for Cruise have yet to respond to requests for comment.
Dutch rower Karolien Florijn dethroned reigning champion Emma Twigg in the womens single sculls on Saturday to add to her familys remarkable collection of Olympic gold medals.

The 26-year-old, the two-time reigning world champion, won her first Olympic gold with a time of 7min 17.28sec, finishing nearly two seconds ahead of New Zealands Twigg (7:19.14).

Viktorija Senkute (7:20.85) won Lithuanias first-ever rowing medal with bronze.

Florijn was ahead at the 500 metre mark and never relinquished her lead on the 2,000m course.

Her victory comes after her brother, Finn Florijn, won gold in quadruple sculls earlier this week while their father, Ronald Florijn, is a two-time Olympic champion - at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

It means the world to me, said Florijn. Winning a gold medal is what I wanted since I was born and doing it in the womens single sculls, amongst the best rowers in the world.

The Dutch rower paid tribute to dethroned champion Twigg.

Emma pushed me until the last few metres, she really wanted to have a second gold medal, she said.

Im so inspired by her, shes one of the best rowers in the world and of course I wanted to win very badly and I managed.

I just executed my plan. I have a great team around me and Im really thankful.

Twigg, 37, said her legs gave up on me with about 100m to go but was delighted with her silver.

I think its up there with Tokyo for sure, she said. These Olympics were always about the cherry on top, and to come away with a medal is pretty special. Im stoked.

Ive been to many Olympics and not had medals. Im really proud that I laid it all out there. Karolien is a fantastic sculler, so proud and pleased for her as well.

Catch Paris Olympics 2024 Day 8 LIVE Updates Here. Stay updated with the latest from Olympics 2024. Explore India At Paris Olympics 2024 Today. Check the updated list of Paris Olympics 2024 Medal Tally. Check Paris Olympics 2024 Event Results.
On July 31, leaders from around the world gathered in Tehran for the inauguration of newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Among them was Ismail Haniyeh, the political bureau chief of Hamas and one of its most senior leaders. He was assassinated in Tehran. Irans Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyehs death hours after he attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new president and stated that an investigation was underway, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The assassination comes hours after Israel claimed to have killed Fuad Shukr, the Hezbollah commander that it said was behind a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in response to the groups October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 civilians and the hostage-taking of around 250 others.

Big Blow to Iranian Security and Intelligence Apparatus

The location of the assassination in Tehran is particularly notable, as it signals Israels willingness to strike even within Iran, potentially challenging the security guarantees provided by Hamass allies. The timing of the assassination, coinciding with the swearing-in of Irans new president, Pezeshkian, puts immediate pressure on the new administration.

Pezeshkian, considered a moderate seeking to improve relations with the West, now faces a challenging balancing act between responding to calls for retaliation and maintaining his diplomatic objectives. In January 2020, Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani was eliminated by an American drone strike in Iraq. While the Iranian government pledged retribution, no substantial action was taken. Despite the anticipated escalation in West Asia, both parties exercised restraint. Unlike the previous incident involving an Iranian official outside national borders, this assassination occurred within Iran, raising questions about Iranian security and intelligence capabilities and potentially diminishing its image as a regional power in West Asia.

Iran, as an adversarial nation to Israel, may perceive this as a significant provocation and consider military retaliation. As Ayatollah Khamenei stated, The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime has martyred our dear guest in our home and saddened us. But it created a background for its tough punishment. It is noteworthy that Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the assassination.

Partial Victory for Netanyahu and Israel

The assassination is being perceived as a significant strategic achievement for Israel in its campaign against Hamas, marking the most notable impact on the organisation since the October 7 attacks. Recently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on an official visit to the US to garner support for Israel and to enhance its image domestically, addressing a joint session of Congress. Notably, 96 senators abstained from attending this address, while substantial pro-Palestinian demonstrations occurred outside the Capitol. US President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly issued unequivocal directives to Netanyahu to accept a proposed three-phase ceasefire in response to widespread protests at American universities and near the Capitol during the address.

With less than 100 days until the US presidential elections, it is posited that the US administration may have urged Netanyahu to neutralise key Hamas and Hezbollah leaders to facilitate a ceasefire agreement. Prior to the reported assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) purportedly eliminated senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr via an airstrike in a southern Beirut suburb. Israel also declared that Mohammad Deif, the military leader of Hamas in Gaza, was also killed in an air raid last month.

These reported actions suggest that Israel may be attempting to demonstrate to the international community its efficacy in neutralising Hamas and Hezbollah leadership, potentially to legitimise its operations in Gaza. It is conceivable that, under US pressure, Israel is expediting its military objectives to create conditions conducive to a ceasefire. The assassination also potentially offers a reprieve to Netanyahu, who has been grappling with leadership challenges and pressure to negotiate a hostage deal with Hamas. This development may not derail ongoing diplomatic efforts, potentially prolonging the Gaza conflict and, by extension, Netanyahus tenure.

Puts Question on Hamass Future but Opens Gate for New Leaders

The incident raises questions about Hamas future leadership, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and potential regional escalation. Despite Haniyehs perceived importance, Hamass leadership structure is designed to be resilient, with potential successors like Khaled Mashal ready to step in. The assassination may even present an opportunity for more accommodating leaders to emerge, potentially facilitating negotiations over Gaza and hostages.

Internally, Hamas faces tensions between its political and military wings, with the latter holding significant power in Gaza. The group must also navigate its political future, balancing its militant roots with more recent political aspirations. For Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu may see a temporary boost in popularity among his base, though broader political challenges remain. The assassination could complicate efforts to reach a deal with Hamas, which Netanyahu might be reluctant to pursue due to legacy concerns.

While regional escalation is a concern, Irans response is likely to be measured, similar to its reaction following Qasem Soleimanis assassination in 2020. However, the incident exposes significant vulnerabilities within Irans own security apparatus, a concern that may even overshadow the loss of Haniyeh in Tehrans strategic calculations.

The author is a Research Assistant at Pondicherry University. He regularly writes about domestic politics, foreign policy, and geopolitics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
In our ever-curious nation, which wants everything to know, and with the 247 news media competing with each other to regurgitate the same old trite every day, rarely has anyone paused and reflected on what produced a Puja Khedkar, the former probationer IAS officer who has apparently caused some degree of damage to the name, reputation and brand of the IAS?

The answer is the IAS and the system attendant to it! Her father, who has been an IAS officer, enjoyed the status, discretions, powers, and immunities that conventionally come with the IAS. Perhaps Pujas sense of entitlement and impunity to defy all rules and regulations stem from her fathers exalted status and abuse of power as an IAS officer.

The young woman allegedly obtained a fake nomadic caste certificate to gain admission into MBBS in past, and arranged a fake OBC certificate to bypass the rigours of the creamy layer norms despite possessing wealth in crores. She then secured disabilities certificates and finally landed a spot in the IAS, albeit at the slightly delayed age of 34. This is somewhat higher than the average age of 29-30, at which other IAS officers are inducted for training, instillation of values, and undertaking arduous Bharat Darshan tours and learning experiences from an academy in Mussoorie.

Interestingly, when she joined the IAS, she declared a wealth of about Rs 17 crore despite not having undertaken any substantial job or enterprise of her own at that time. The acquisition of such significant wealth without an active role or support systemgiven her status as the daughter of a prominent civil servantwould be extremely difficult to comprehend.

While the extent of forgery, distortions, and accumulation of wealth in the name of one of the Khedkar children is becoming public, what Papa Khedkar did for the rest of the family is yet to be fully revealed.

All that can be inferred so far is that Mommy Khedkar has acquired farmland, although it is unclear where she earned enough money to buy it. Notably, she carries firearms and drives around in a Land Cruiser, accompanied by her own security and attendants. Papa Khedkar, while being in the IAS to serve the nation, has managed to provide himself with a financial cushion, declaring wealth of about Rs 40 crore. We do not know the extent of their undeclared wealth and assets, how much might be held in benami accounts, or what assets they may have in offshore jurisdictions. Furthermore, it is unclear how much of the money they have already spent, expended, and enjoyed.

With these questions still looming large, lets return to the issue at hand: Could all this have been possible without the active participation of Papa Khedkar, an already IAS officer?

If not, this leads us to a crucial question: What enables an already IAS officer to commit such brazen acts and transgressions without drawing any attention, raising any eyebrows, or facing any repercussions? On the contrary, it appears that while working to secure provisions for himself and his family, Papa Khedkar was able to continue climbing the ranks within the IAS, eventually retiring with his honour and all benefits intact!

Its plausible that had Puja been a little discreet and careful, probably everything would have eventually passed with ease and smoothness. The Khedkars might have remained a seemingly honourable family of IAS officers, worthy of emulation in society and free to pursue their next venture!

Well, lets direct our attention again to the issue involved here. The truth that any sensible person would recognise is that Puja Khedkar could not have obtained fake caste and disability certificates, amassed wealth in crores, and secured VIP entitlements without the active or passive involvement of some IAS officers, including, potentially, her father, who is an IAS officer himself.

Before apologists of the IAS system cite the actions of the current Pune Collectoran IAS, probably, who initiated the present case involving Puja Khedkarlet it be known that this represents an exception rather than the norm. It is a common refrain among those familiar with Indias bureaucracy that IAS officers do not act against their own unless it is an extreme case. So, the possible retort that its the IAS which acts in any case of deviations holds no water, so lets not get swayed by it.

That the IAS runs and rules this country is common knowledge. They control land, forests, mines, the environment, industries, investments, disinvestments, procurement, disposals, sales, power, energy, taxationfrom radio waves and liquor to sugar, steel, medicines, hospitals, educational institutions, banks, cooperative bodies, and whatnot! In India, everything eventually falls under the purview of the IAS. The access and privileges an IAS officer receives upon entryfrom Republic Day passes and invitations to at-home events at the Rashtrapati Bhawan to VIP parking labels at any airport in Indiaremain elusive even to the most senior functionaries of other branches of our government. This is how our system is disposed!

Returning to the issue at hand and considering the fact that all the IAS-controlled activities and public resources and national wealth, indicatively enumerated above, have now come to unprecedented and hitherto inexperienced exposure to private investment, partnership, and ensuing private money and private interests. This is where our system needs to realise that guards and checks must be proportionately raised rather than lowered. We must ensure a robust system of discipline, integrity, and probity of a higher order for those who are vested with higher powers rather than whipping the lowly and insignificant departments and cadres.

The lax vigilance machinery in such a scenario, coupled with tremendous discretionary powers and immunities from the proverbial day one in the IAS, is thus part of the problem and not the case otherwise.

The IAS often seek authority and discretionary powers under the guise of protecting lofty objectives, successfully safeguarding their turf. In reality, they constitute a class that enjoys unparalleled career opportunities, extensive contacts, discretionary powers, and virtual immunity from accountability for acts of omission and commission. The result is that a significant number of IAS officers today exhibit deviant behaviour.

The data shows this, even when we have a partisan and overwhelmingly IAS-controlled self-serving system. The number of IAS officers facing vigilance, CBI, and disciplinary actions is currently the highest among all civil services in India. The prevailing view is that routine transgressions go unpunished. Resultantly, all this is causing a huge loss to the nation, eroding our public wealth, and of course, producing Khedkars and millions of aspirant-Khedkars by implication.

People are leaving their well-paid MNC jobs, returning from Western countries, putting their prime and youth at stake, and giving multiple attempts  of course, some of them faking names and numbers of allowable attempts, as our personae dramatis Puja Khedkar did  all to get into the IAS, and only the IAS! While we allegedly have more corrupt services where people allegedly make millions, people refuse to believe anything and keep queuing up at the proverbial gates of the IAS! Is this a case of deflection tactic not working?

The already extensive domain and powers of the IAS are further sweetened by provisions for fast-tracked and almost assured career progression, preferential housing allotments, foreign postings and travel opportunities, soft loans, and plots of prime land at throwaway prices in cooperative societies. The freedoms and securities of the IAS are further strengthened by a near-absence of proactive vigilance and a negligible follow-up vigilance system. All these factors, taken together, explain why Papa Khedkar supposedly did what he did for his child.

Ironically, while everyone is fixated on Puja Khedkar, no one is focusing on Papa Khedkar, who has already had his turn! This makes the job of IAS apologists easy; the root cause of the problem remains unaddressed, and we wait for another Khedkar baby to surface or for some other story to fill the airwaves and print space. Life goes on. The IAS thrives within the minute nuances of existingand absentrules.

The laxity of the rules for the IAS, their unfettered discretionary powers, and the virtual absence of accountability enjoyed by them need to be revisited immediately. Most importantly, the job of reform shouldnt be left to the IAS itself. Our system has many limbs, and one can be used to balance and counterweight the other. Hopefully, someday better judgement will prevail, our political executives will understand, and a call will be taken on this much-needed reform.

The Khedkars are facing the consequences of their actions, but the real worry remains: will the system that allowed them to flourish  the very system that churns out countless others like them  escape unscathed, with its flaws unexamined and unchanged?

The author is a Cornell University graduate in public affairs, bachelors from St Stephens College, Delhi and has done his PhD on Jaish-e-Mohammad. He is a policy analyst specialising in counterterrorism, Indian foreign policy and Afghanistan-Pakistan geopolitics. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
In Karnataka, the BJP and JD-S present a paradox  united during elections, but divided on key issues. Despite an elaborate plan to hold a week-long padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru to protest alleged scams in Congress governance, the coalition partners initially failed to align on the corruption charges against the Congress. However, a quick U-turn seems to have put the padayatra back on track.

The BJP and JD-S unitedly fought against the Congress in Karnataka in the 2023 Assembly polls and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the BJPs plan to launch a joint protest against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whom the Opposition has accused of illegal land allocation and misappropriation of funds meant for Scheduled Tribes, exposed rifts between the allies. The JD-S claimed it was not consulted in the planning the march.

The major bone of contention between the BJP and the JD-S is Preetham Gowda, a former MLA from Hassan. In the 2018 Assembly polls, Preetham breached the JD-S fortress by defeating HS Swaroop. The JD-S and the Deve Gowda family have been seething with anger since the pen drive controversy broke, leading to former Hassan MP Prajwal Revannas arrest for allegedly raping several women.

The JD-S alleged that a BJP leader had a hand in the horrific sex tapes going public across Hassan just days before the first phase of the 2023 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka. This not only caused much embarrassment to the JD-S, but also left the former PMs family thoroughly humiliated in political circles.

Preetham Gowda, elected to the Legislative Assembly from Hassan in 2018, has been a controversial figure, known for his contentious relationship with the JD-S leadership, particularly HD Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna.

Preetham Gowdas political career has been marked by his vocal opposition to the JD-S, and the regional party even claimed that he campaigned against the NDA candidate instead of supporting them as the alliance demanded. Preetham was defeated in the 2023 elections, losing to Swaroop Prakash of the JD-S despite securing 45% of the votes.

Several controversies surround Preetham Gowda, including alleged threats against the Muslim community and absenteeism from crucial meetings of the BJP-JDS alliance, which further exacerbated tension. Gowda being assigned the Mysuru constituency by BJP national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agarwal further fueled anger within the JDS.

Union Minister and JD-S leader HD Kumaraswamy was visibly angered when asked about the JD-S giving moral support to the BJPs Bengaluru-Mysuru padayatra,/em> being led by Preetham Gowda.

Who is that Preetham Gowda? Kumaraswamy fumed. Preetham Gowda, the man who is set to finish off the Deve Gowda family? They [BJP] discuss preparations for this padayatra with him and want me to sit next to him? The same person who has tried to poison my family? The one responsible for the distribution of pen drives? There is a limit to my patience, said a furious Kumaraswamy, bringing to the fore the personal and political animosities.

Initially, the JD-S opposed the BJPs padayatra strategy, deeming it not the right time, but the real contention lay in Preetham Gowdas involvement in planning the march. Kumaraswamy also criticised the BJP for not consulting his party before planning the march.

The withdrawal of the JDS from the padayatra raised significant questions about the future of the BJP-JDS alliance. Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra rushed to Delhi to seek a resolution, fearing the BJP was losing an opportunity to attack the Congress and discredit Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister.

Kumaraswamys initial refusal to extend even moral support to the padayatra signaled a potential fracture in the alliance. However, an extended meeting involving BJP national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and state unit president BY Vijayendra convinced Kumaraswamy to participate. He eventually agreed to inaugurate the eight-day march on August 3.

With the ruling Congress and the BJP-JDS opposition countering each others padayatras, political one-upmanship seems a to have taken the front seat.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed the BJPs padayatra over the Mysuru Urban Development Authority and Valmiki issues as an attempt to stir controversy over non-issues. The Congress, by starting its yatra a day earlier than the BJP-JDS, aims to convince the public that the Oppositions allegations are baseless and intended only to tarnish its image.
As many as 130 employees have fallen sick in a possible case of mass food poisoning at the Singapore headquarters of TikToks parent company, ByteDance.

The incident has prompted an investigation by local authorities and an internal inquiry by Bytedance, according to reports.

According to a report by ABC, Singapores Ministry of Health and Food Agency said in a joint statement on July 31 that of the 130 people, who had fallen sick, 17 remained in hospital with gastroenteritis in a stable condition.

After the incident came to light, services by two caterers at the Bytedance office, who are believed to be behind the food poisoning, have been halted by the health authorities.

Local news source CNA reported that the two caterers, Pu Tien Services and Yun Hai Yao, have been directed by the health officials to halt their food businesses.

According to officials, the meal eaten by ByteDance staff members was provided by these two caterers.

Pu Tien informed CNA that their food was not the cause of the incident after the government agencies released a joint statement.

Yun Hai Yao told the Singaporean newspaper Lianhe Zaobao that they were waiting for the results of the probe because those impacted did not just consume meals prepared by them.

As per reports, 17 ambulances were sent by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to the ByteDance office.

Employees at ByteDance reported witnessing co-workers wince in agony and vomit on the floor. A staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, told CNA that the whole office smelled like vomit.

About an hour after lunch, according to another ByteDance employee who spoke with CNA, things got quite chaotic with individuals beginning to feel nauseous.

The employee claimed that people were lying on the floor and that all of the restrooms were filled, leaving the companys cleaners to frantically clean up the mess.

A ByteDance representative told the BBC that the company takes employee health and safety seriously and that they had acted promptly to help any impacted workers, including coordinating treatment with emergency services.

We are investigating the matter and are working with the relevant authorities on this, the spokesperson added.

Chan Fong Ying, a senior food safety specialist, reportedly told CNA that exposure to a highly potent toxin or pathogen is suggested by the acute symptoms seen in the ByteDance food poisoning case, where victims had instant vomiting.

According to Chan, as the food provided by the catering agencies is frequently made off-site and then served at a separate location, it might pose unique food safety challenges.
Photo: State Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Captive and Missing, Hostage Citizens

BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. A total of 3,961 people have been registered as missing as of August 1 due to Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons.

According to the commission, of these, 3,953 people went missing during the First Karabakh War, and eight people - during the Second Karabakh War and the subsequent period.

"The fact that new inquiries keep pouring in suggests that this is far from being the final statistic," the commission added.

To note, the State Commission of Azerbaijan on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons has published the names of Azerbaijani citizens who went missing during the First Karabakh War and whose identities were established in 2024.

The commission pointed out that the remains of 64 out of the 73 missing persons were found in unmarked graves of martyrs, and the remains of nine were found in mass graves discovered in Edilli, Dashalti, and Sarijali villages.

To recall, the First Karabakh War, which commenced in the late 1980s with Armenia's overt territorial claims to Azerbaijan's historical lands, provocations on ethnic grounds, and acts of terror, culminated in military aggression against Azerbaijan. In the occupied districts and cities, the Armenian armed forces mercilessly murdered Azerbaijanis during the military campaign, without distinguishing between servicemen and the civilian population. Ethnic cleansing and genocide were perpetrated against the Azerbaijani people.

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Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Kate and Meghan Marklen were once called the Fab Four of the Royal Family, but their relationship now appears to have been irrevocably altered. British journalist, writer and broadcaster Robert Jobson reveals deeper details about their conflict in his new book titled Catherine, the Princess of Wales. In the biography, Jobson shed light on a specific clash between Meghan and Kate, which was triggered when the former actress commented about Kates pregnancy hormones.

According to an excerpt from Jobsons book, it all began with a disagreement involving Meghan and Kate while the latter was pregnant with her third child, Prince Louis. The former actress attributed the Princess of Wales conduct to baby brain. Kate allegedly answered that the two werent close enough to discuss her hormones. The situation worsened when William defended his wife and allegedly pointed a finger at Meghan. This led to the Suits star losing her cool, allegedly telling William, Take your finger out of my face.

After Meghan and Harry returned from their honeymoon in Africa, they tried to resolve issues at Kensington Palace. Detailing the situation, The Mirror reports that Meghan had compared Kates behaviour with baby brain after the Princess forgot a small detail about the wedding plans. During their meeting, Kate even requested an apology from Meghan, stating that they werent close enough for her to comment on her hormones. But Markle explained it was just how she talked to friends, but William was offended and pointed at her and said, Well, its rude, Meghan. These things are not done here. In response, Meghan had asked William to put his finger away.

As per Daily Mail, when the royal familys reputation was being tarnished by several fallout stories, the Palace advised Kate and Meghan to attend a Wimbledon game together. When Oprah Winfrey later asked Markle if she felt welcomed, particularly referring to their Wimbledon appearance, she replied that her experience over the past four years shown in the public was far from the reality.

Prince Harry and Meghan, now living in the US, are preparing for a four day visit to Colombia after declaring that returning to the UK is too risky due to safety concerns. The announcement comes days after Harry, in an interview with Tabloids on Trial, said that he doesnt plan to bring Meghan back to his home country without state-funded security. He fears that someone might attack her with, knife or acid due to the negative publicity surrounding them.

Prince Harry told me one of the reasons he wont bring his wife Meghan back to UK is because he fears a knife or acid attack  triggered by negative tabloid stories.He was speaking in our documentary Tabloids on Trial. Catch up on ITVX. pic.twitter.com/imTRnmQI50  Rebecca Barry (@BeccaBarry) July 26, 2024

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are invited to Colombia by Vice President Francia Marquez.
In Bengaluru, a thief was caught on camera making the rounds in various societies of the city and stealing shoes kept outside the apartment. The video, which was circulated widely on the internet, captures the thiefs casual approach where he takes his sweet time to inspect each pair of shoes before stealing them.

The viral footage, shared on Instagram, shows a man whose face is covered with a mask casually strolling through a corridor with a sack. Initially, he steps out of the frame to the opposite side of the corridor before returning with two pairs of shoes. He then stops in front of a shoe rack and carefully examines each pair. He collects a total of four pairs before placing them all into his sack.

Though the location and time of the incident remains unverified, the caption accompanied with the video stated, Visuals of Shoe Theft took place in C-Block, AECS Layout, Brookefield Bengaluru for the second time In 6 months #bengaluruupdates.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Namma Bengaluru (@bengaluruupdates)

Since being posted online over a month ago, the video has gained significant attention, racking up over 1.1 million views. The incident sparked concerns among internet users with many sharing similar experiences from their own societies.

One user, tagging Bengaluru City Police, commented, I cant understand how crime rates and robbery like this are ignored in Bangalore ?? Such petty things can get converted into big stuff. Can you take some strict action on this? Police keep patrolling at night. How can they get in so easily and step out without any tension .. this is not Bangalore??

Another user questioned, What security guard was doing then.

A commenter noted, This has been happening in AECS layout for 10 years and the irony is police will not help and not stop such activities, and another added, What security does best. Snore. Its the same everywhere. Day security is busy playing games on his phone. So engrossed that he doesnt even realise people are walking past. Night security goes to sleep at 11.

A viewer shared, This is happening everywhere in Bangalore, even at Maruti nagar of Malleshpalya, while someone else asked, Why do people not keep their shoes in the apartment.

Amidst the serious remarks, some users offered a humourous take on the situation.

One user quipped, Socks toh le jata Bhai (Take the socks as well brother) Take care of your shoes everyone!! Another added, Imagine having bad Footwear that even the Thief doesnt want to steal.

A person playfully wrote, Its 112, Whats your emergency? Its my game at the Nationals today and Im left with a pair of heels!
A LinkedIn post highlighting a unique approach to salary negotiations is doing rounds on the internet. The post, shared by Arjun V, co-founder and CEO of Bengaluru-based company Zoko, describes his unconventional method during the hiring process. Arjun V disclosed that, in contrast to the customary approach, his organisation does not negotiate with job applicants over pay. Instead, to keep top talent, his company pays candidates precisely what they request.

After hiring more than 18 members for my team, Ive found the secret to retaining world-class talent: We dont negotiate salaries. We literally pay what they ask for," Arjun, CEO of Zoko wrote in his post. Arjun further elaborated that annual salary adjustments are made to ensure fair and competitive compensation within the organisation. He also hinted at various reasons behind adopting this strategy, though he did not delve into the specifics in his post.

Additionally, the CEO of Bengaluru-based startup Zoko recalled a rare case in which he negotiated an increase in a candidates desired wage. Ive only negotiated salary once, and it was to increase the amount a candidate asked for. They undervalued themselves compared to others in the same role, so I had to tell them that and offer them more," he concluded his post.

Check Arjun Vs post here:

Within a few hours of being shared, LinkedIn users responded to the post with various reactions and remarks.

One user asked, Arjun, what if they ask for unrealistic hikes? I have negotiated with candidates asking 100% hikes."

Another commented, This post should be used as a mini guide for recruitment."

This is awesome and should be emulated by other recruiters. A situation where a recruiter is pushing hard on the candidate to save money for the employer should be discouraged," a user who praised the unique approach remarked.

What is your take on this matter?
The children of deep cover Russian spy intelligence unit agents, who were among the detainees released as part of the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the cold war, only discovered their actual nationality after their flight took off for Moscow, the Kremlin said on Friday.

Before that, they didnt know that they were Russian and that they had anything to do with our country, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The couple Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva, were convicted in a court in Slovenia of pretending to be Argentinians in order to spy. They were arrested on espionage charges in 2022 and had vehemently denied these allegations until suddenly changing their narrative on Wednesday. They were released in the prisoner swap and were flown back to Russia with their two children from Turkey.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted them on the tarmac in Spanish as they didnt speak Russian and didnt even know who Putin was, according to Peskov.

When the children came down the planes steps  they dont speak Russian  and Putin greeted them in Spanish, he said Buenas noches, Peskov said. They asked their parents yesterday who it was that was meeting them, they didnt even know who Putin was.

Upon landing, Dultseva, holding her tears, hugged Putin, who was standing on the red carpet rolled on the tarmac holding bouquets of flowers. Putin kissed Dultseva on the cheek and shoulder, and gave her and her daughter bouquets.

While living undercover in Slovenia, Dultsev posed as an IT businessman named Ludvig Gisch. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to more than a year and a half in prison, which the court said was equivalent to time spent. He was set to be deported to Russia and was banned from entering Slovenia for five years.

Dultseva posed as an art dealer and gallery owner and went by the name Maria Rosa Mayer Munos. She was also set to be deported.

Peskov said that while the couple were being held in jail they were given only restricted access to their children, and feared they could lose their parental rights.

A total of eight people, including Krasikov, were swapped back to Russia in exchange for the release of 16 people who were held in Russian detention, including former US Marine Paul Whelan, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and two other Americans.

Krasikov was convicted by a German court of killing a former Chechen militant in a Berlin park in 2019. President Vladimir Putin hugged him after he got off a plane in Moscow on Thursday evening.

Putins decision to meet them on the tarmac was a tribute to people who serve their country and who after very difficult trials, and thanks to the hard work of many people, have been able to return to the Motherland, he said.

When asked about other Russians detained abroad, Peskov said that the fate of all our Russians who are held in custody abroad, in the United States, is a matter of constant concern for all our relevant agencies, which will continue the relevant work.

(With inputs from agencies)
Republican presidential candidate and former US president Donald Trump said on Friday that he had agreed with Fox News to debate Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on September 4.

I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th. The Debate was previously scheduled against Sleepy Joe Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George Slopadopoulos, thereby creating a conflict of interest, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th. The Debate was previously scheduled against Sleepy Joe Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) August 3, 2024

FoxNews Debate

The FoxNews Debate will be held in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at a site in an area to be determined. The Moderators of the Debate will be Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, and the Rules will be similar to the Rules of my Debate with Sleepy Joe, who has been treated horribly by his Party  BUT WITH A FULL ARENA AUDIENCE, he said while referencing US President Joe Biden.

Harris had responded last month that she was ready after Fox News proposed the presidential debate between the two candidates on Sept. 17. After Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 and backed Harris, Trump said he would not debate her because she was not the official candidate.

The Trump Campaign on Friday attacked Harris after she became the Democratic Partys presidential nominee. Kamala Harris  the least popular vice president in modern US history  has just officially been installed as the presumptive Democrat nominee for president without a single vote cast in her name, the Trump campaign said.

In a process more reminiscent of communist China, Democrat elites deposed their previous nominee when their coverup of his decline was no longer tenable, then coronated Kamala in the least democratic way possible, it said. The remarks by the Trump Campaign were made on Friday, hours after the Indian American leader was elected as the Democratic Partys candidate for the November 5th general elections. Democrats are the real threat to democracy, the Trump Campaign said.

(With agency inputs)
Fears of a regional war grew in West Asia after Iran on Saturday said Israel would receive a severe punishment at the appropriate time, place and manner. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also released a statement where it claimed that Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed using a short-range projectile launched from outside of his accommodation in Tehran.

It also accused the US of playing a role in the death of Haniyeh. IRGC said that Israel was supported by the United States in the attack.

Here is the latest from the region where tensions have risen following the Palestinian armed groups political wings leaders death:
The Israeli spy agency Mossad hired Iranian security agents to plant explosives in a Tehran guesthouse where Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was staying, the UK-based newspaper The Telegraph reported on Saturday. The initial plan was to assassinate Haniyeh during his visit to Iran in May for the funeral of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

However, the UK newspaper said the operation was called off due to concerns about a large crowd and the likelihood of failure. Despite this, two agents proceeded to plant explosives in three rooms of the guesthouse, which is frequented by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

READ MORE: Ismail Haniyeh Killed Using Bomb Planted Months Ago Inside Tehran Guesthouse He Frequented: Report

Mossad hired agents

The agents were reportedly seen on CCTV entering and exiting the building quickly. After leaving Iran, they detonated the explosives remotely, killing Haniyeh. An IRGC official told the newspaper that They are not certain that Mossad hired agents from the Ansar al-Mahdi protection unit, an IRGC unit responsible for protecting high-ranking officials. Upon further investigation, they discovered additional explosive devices in two other rooms, they added.

The assassination has sparked outrage within Iran, with officials calling it a significant security breach and a humiliation for the country. Internal investigations are ongoing, and the IRGC is reportedly considering retaliatory measures against Israel. Haniyeh was buried in Qatar on Friday following his assassination in the Iranian capital Tehran, and his possible succcessor told mourners his death would only make the Palestinian militant group more determined in its struggle against Israel.

Iranian pledge to retaliate

Hamas top leaders death was one in a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel nears its 11th month and concern grows that the conflict is spreading across the Middle East. Hamas and Iran have both accused Israel of carrying out the assassination and have pledged to retaliate against their foe. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the death nor denied it.

On Friday, Haniyeh was laid to rest in a cemetery in the city of Lusail after a funeral ceremony at the Iman Mohamed Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab Mosque in Qatars capital Doha. His coffin, draped in the Palestinian flag, was carried in a procession past hundreds of people along with the casket of his bodyguard, who was killed in the same attack in Tehran on Wednesday. Haniyeh was killed by a missile that hit him directly in a state guesthouse in Tehran where he was staying, senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya said in Tehran.

The strike was one of several recent hits that have killed senior figures in Hamas or the Lebanese movement Hezbollah in a conflict that is now stretching from Gaza to the Red Sea and the Lebanon-Israel border and beyond. In the US, President Joe Biden said Haniyehs killing was not helpful to international efforts to secure a ceasefire in the war in Gaza. It doesnt help, Biden told reporters on Thursday when asked if the action ruined the chances of a truce.

(With agency inputs)
Iran has arrested more than two dozen individuals, including senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff from a military-run guesthouse, following the massive security breach in Tehran that led to the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.

The arrests follow a deadly explosion early Wednesday that killed Haniyeh, who was a prominent Hamas leader and was in Tehran for the inauguration of Irans new president, The New York Times (NYT) reported. The assassination occurred at a heavily secured guesthouse in northern Tehran, a location used frequently by Haniyeh during his visits.

The scale of the Iranian response shows the gravity of the security failure, as the assassination happened within hours of the new presidents swearing-in ceremony. According to Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, this incident could severely damage Irans regime, signaling that it can neither protect its own territory nor its allies.

How Haniyeh Was Assassinated

Both Iranian and Middle Eastern officials have suggested that the bomb used in the attack was planted months in advance, specifically targeting Haniyehs room. Both Iranian and Hamas officials, supported by several US officials, have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination. Israel has not confirmed its involvement but has previously vowed to dismantle Hamass operations.

READ MORE: How Mossad Hired Iranian Agents To Plant Explosives That Killed Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which specialises in intelligence and espionage, has taken charge of the investigation. According to the NYT, the IRGC agents are searching for those responsible and attempting to uncover the full extent of the assassination plot. The outfit is yet to release detailed information about the arrests or the investigations progress but has promised severe retaliation.

The attack, which also resulted in the death of Haniyehs Palestinian bodyguard, has led to a comprehensive overhaul of Irans security protocols. The IRGC has conducted extensive raids, quarantining guesthouse staff, confiscating electronic devices, and interrogating military and intelligence officials. In addition to the guesthouse raid, Iranian agents have been scrutinizing surveillance footage from airports and guest lists, believing that members of the assassin team may still be within Iran.

The investigation has led to heightened security measures for senior officials, including changes in security details and relocation of some officials. Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that Israels actions are an attempt to destabilise Iran. He has called for enhanced cooperation among all security and intelligence agencies to address the threat posed by such breaches. The assassination of Haniyeh adds to a series of attacks that have plagued Iran and further strained the regional security apparatus.
Iran said the short-range projectile that killed Hamas political wing chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was fired from outside his residence. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released a statement on Saturday saying that the Hamas leader was killed when the projectile struck him, according to Al Jazeera.

(The attack) was carried out by firing a short range projectile carrying about 7 kilograms of explosive materials and launched from outside the guests residency, the IRGC said in its statement.

The IRGC said that Israel will receive a harsh punishment in due time and place, accusing it of Haniyehs assassination. It also said the assassination was supported by the criminal government of the United States.

Israel did not confirm or deny if they were involved in the attack. The US said it was neither aware of, nor involved in the killing of Haniyeh.

It should be noted that the statement by the IRGC comes days after US-based newspaper the New York Times said in a report that Haniyeh was killed using explosives that were planted in his northern Tehran guesthouse where he lived whenever he visited Iran.

Haniyeh was killed early Wednesday in the Iranian capital where he was attending the swearing-in of the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iran and Hamas have vowed to retaliate.

In Iran, the voices clamouring for revenge have intensified since Haniyehs killing.

On Saturday, the ultraconservative Kayhan daily said retaliatory operations were expected to be more diverse, more dispersed and impossible to intercept.

This time, areas such as Tel Aviv and Haifa and the strategic centres and especially residences of some officials involved in the recent crimes are among the targets, the newspaper said in an opinion piece.

Officials in Iran have arrested more than two dozen individuals, including senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff from a military-run guesthouse.
An agent of Pakistans spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was attacked by unknown people in Canada, sources told CNN-News18 on Saturday. The mans name is Rahat Rao and he has a forex business in the Surrey Central area, they added.

According to the sources, a person came to Rahats office for some alleged money exchange work, set him on fire, and ran away. Rao belongs to the Canadian-Pakistani community

Earlier CNN-News18 had reported that Rahat Rao was questioned in connection with the 2023 murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

Ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations in September last year of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.

After Nijjars killing, RCMP teams visited Rahat Raos office in Surrey. He was questioned for almost two hours by the police, including about Nijjar. Sources said he was forced to delete every post from his social media pages in front of the RCMP.

CNN-News18 had earlier also reported that the hand of Pakistans spy agency ISI is suspected to be behind Nijjars killing.

Sources had said that Rahat Rao and Tariq Kiyani are ISI plants in Canada, doing the most work for the agency. They are even handling the terrorists who come from India and are on the wanted list, they said.

Sources said Nijjar may have been killed for business reasons and that Rao and Kiyani may have wanted to control the drug business. They added that the trio of Rao, Kiyani and Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun possibly laid the trap to control the drug and immigration business which is the main source of income for them.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. An Iraqi citizen who attempted to cross the state border of Azerbaijan by sea has been detained, a source in the State Border Service (SBS) told Trend.

The source reported that the Coast Guard of the SBS detected an unidentified object moving northward from Iran in the southern part of the Caspian Sea, 1.8 miles from the shore on August 1 at 04:30 (GMT +4).

"A pursuit operation was initiated by the border patrol ship assigned to protect the state border to apprehend the detected target. Coastal control units were informed, and urgent measures were taken to close the shoreline. As a result of the cooperation between the coastal control units of the Coast Guard and the border patrol vessel, Iraqi citizen Mahdi Salih Fayzi, born in 1992, was detained.

He attempted to enter the territory of Azerbaijan, violating the state border using a small boat. Operational and investigative activities are ongoing. Urgent measures to ensure reliable protection of Azerbaijan's maritime borders and to strengthen control over the regime in the Caspian Sea continue," the source explained.

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The United States will deploy additional warships and fighter jets to West Asia to help defend Israel from possible attacks, the Pentagon said, as fears escalated that the Jewish states long-running hostilities with Iran and its allies could intensify into a wider regional war.

Tensions remain high in the region over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and a key commander of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Missile defence forces were placed in a state of increased readiness to deploy, the Pentagon said, adding that its commitment to defend Israel was ironclad.

Israeli officials have urged residents to prepare food and water in fortified safe rooms. Paramedics conducted an emergency drill to practice in case of full-scale war.

US sets sail to support Israel

On Friday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group, which is currently operating in the Gulf of Oman, according to a statement from Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh.

In addition, destroyers and cruisers capable of ballistic missile defence will also be sent to West Asia and the Mediterranean Sea.

Haniyehs killing and Khameneis threat

Irans leader Ayatollah Khamenei has vowed harsh punishment against Israel for the assassination of Haniyeh.

The Hamas leader was killed in Tehran on Wednesday. Iran and its proxy in Gaza blamed the attack on Israel, which has not commented.

The assassination has sparked outrage within Iran, with officials calling it a significant security breach and a humiliation for the country.

Hezbollah expected to retaliate

Iran said it expects Lebanons Tehran-backed Hezbollah group to hit deeper inside Israel and no longer be confined to military targets after Israel killed the Hezbollah commander. Hezbollah has been exchanging near-daily fire with Israeli forces.

A strike claimed by Israel in an overcrowded residential area of South Beirut has changed the calculus, Irans mission to the United Nations said. We expect Hezbollah to choose more targets and (strike) deeper in its response, said the mission quoted by the official IRNA news agency. Secondly, that it will not limit its response to military targets.

The strike on Tuesday killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. According to Lebanons health ministry, five civilians  three women and two children  also died.

Israel said Shukr was responsible for rocket fire that killed 12 youths in the annexed Golan Heights and had directed Hezbollahs attacks on Israel since the Gaza war began.

Houthis in the mix

The leader of Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels also vowed a military response to the killing of Ismail.

There has to be a military response to these crimes, which are shameless and dangerous, and constitute a major escalation by the Israeli enemy, Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in a televised speech.

IRG statement

Irans Revolutionary Guards has said that Israel killed Ismail Haniyeh using a short-range projectile launched from outside of his accommodation in Tehran. An IRG statement read: This terrorist operation was carried out by firing a short-range projectile with a warhead of about 7 kilograms  causing a strong explosion  from outside the accommodation area.

It added that Israel was supported by the United States in the attack.

Israel had previously pledged to kill Hamas leaders in response to the groups October 7 attack. The current conflict between Israel and Hamas and the war in Gaza have nearly spanned 10 months.

Advisory for Indian nationals

Indian nationals in Israel have been asked to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols following the escalating tension in the region.

The advisory for Indian citizens in Israel comes a day after the Indian Embassy in Beirut strongly advised them against travelling to Lebanon till further notice. It also asked them to leave Lebanon.

Where it all began

Hamas sparked the war with its October 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people. Israel responded with an ongoing military operation in Gaza that has killed almost 40,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah since October last year has killed at least 542 people on the Lebanese side, most of them fighters but also including 114 civilians, according to a tally by news agency AFP.

(With agency inputs)
An Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank killed a commander in the Palestinian armed group Hamas on Saturday, Hamas media reported, while Palestinian news agency WAFA said four other men were also killed.

The identities of the others were not clear, according to the WAFA report, which cited health officials. The Israeli military said it had carried out an airstrike against a militant cell around the West Bank city of Tulkarm. Hamas media said a vehicle carrying fighters had been struck and that one of the commanders of its Tulkarm brigades was killed.

Violence in the West Bank was on the rise before the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began on Oct. 7 and has risen since, with frequent Israeli raids in the territory, which is among those that the Palestinians seek for a state. Regionwide tensions have soared this week after the assassination of Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Teheran on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Hezbollah senior military commander Fuad Shukr.

Haniyehs death was one in a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the war in Gaza between the Palestinian militants and Israel nears its 11th month and concern grows that the conflict is spreading across the Middle East. Hamas and Iran have both accused Israel of carrying out the assassination and have pledged to retaliate against their foe. Israel has neither claimed nor denied responsibility for the death. Hezbollah, like Hamas, is backed by Iran and has also vowed revenge.
Vice President Kamala Harris has become the Democratic Partys presidential nominee in the least democratic way possible, rival Trump Campaign said here.

The remarks by the Trump Campaign were made on Friday, hours after the Indian American leader was elected as the Democratic Partys candidate for the November 5th general elections. Democrats are the real threat to democracy, the Trump Campaign said.

Kamala Harris  the least popular vice president in modern US history  has just officially been installed as the presumptive Democrat nominee for president without a single vote cast in her name, it said. In a process more reminiscent of communist China, Democrat elites deposed their previous nominee when their coverup of his decline was no longer tenable, then coronated Kamala in the least democratic way possible, the Trump campaign said.

Now, theyre shielding her from the public as long as they can lest voters notice her dangerously liberal ideology and complete lack of fitness for office, it said. Meanwhile, in an email to his supporters, former president and the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump pledged to unleash hell on Harris. Trump is scheduled to address an election rally in the key battle ground state of Atlanta on Saturday.

In a mass email, Trump said, 24 HOURS UNTIL WE UNLEASH HELL. At this time tomorrow, Crooked Kamalas worst nightmares come true. When I take the rally stage in DEEP BLUE Atlanta to a packed house with THOUSANDS of MAGA Patriots, she wont be able to hide from the truth any longer. Tomorrow I step on stage and deliver Open Border Czar Kamala Harris the WORST defeat of her failed political career, he said.
US Vice-President and Democratic Party nominee Kamala Harris has roped in her brother-in-law, Tony West, 58, to be part of her campaign team. West is an attorney who previously served in the Justice Department during Barack Obamas presidency.

West is married to Maya Harris and will serve as a powerful adviser, Axios said in a report. West has also served in high-level roles at Uber and Pepsico.

A separate report by the New York Post pointed out that West worked as an attorney for the San Francisco-based law firm Morrison & Foerster.

He was also the attorney in the high-profile case of infamous John Walker Lindh, where West represented the man who became known as the American Taliban, according to the Washington Free Beacon.

Lindh had left the US to train with Osama bin Laden and fight for the Taliban in Afghanistan. US forces in Afghanistan captured him in November 2001.

West had argued during Lindhs trial that he was not a terrorist.

He is not a terrorist. He did not go to Afghanistan to kill Americans, West who was 21 at the time told the Washington Post in 2002.

John Walker Lindh faced 10 federal charges, including conspiracy to murder US citizens and contributing services to al Qaeda. In 2002, he accepted a plea deal, admitting to supplying services to the Taliban and carrying an explosive during the commission of a felony. Lindh served 17 years of a 20-year sentence.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday overrode a plea agreement reached earlier this week for the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and two other defendants, reinstating them as death-penalty cases.

Mohammed, whom the U.S. describes as the main plotter of the attack that crashed hijacked passenger planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field, and the other two defendants had been expected to formally enter their pleas under the deal as soon as next week.
The US embassy in Lebanon urged its citizens Saturday to leave Lebanon on any ticket available, amid fears of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and a broader regional conflict.

Despite flight suspensions and cancellations, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available, the embassy statement said. We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route.

The UK government on Saturday urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, amid fears of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and a broader regional conflict.

Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly, Foreign Minister David Lammy said in a statement. While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear - leave now.

Sweden was the first to shut down its embassy in Beirut fearing an escalation of hostilities. It urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on Saturday. It also relocated its embassy to Cyprus temporarily.

The foreign ministry has instructed its staff to leave Beirut and travel to Cyprus, and the foreign ministry is planning a temporary relocation of its embassy, Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told Swedish Radio.

Tensions remain high in the region following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who Iran and the Palestinian militant group allege was killed by Israel. Israel has neither denied nor taken responsibility for Haniyehs death.

Iran has also accused the US of playing a role in Haniyehs death. The US has maintained that it neither is aware of nor was involved in Ismail Haniyehs killing.

The Pentagon said it was bolstering its military presence in the Middle East to protect US personnel and defend Israel.

An aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln will replace one helmed by the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region, the Pentagon said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under United States European Command, as well as a new fighter squadron to the Middle East.

Iran has said that one of its proxies will now target Israel to seek revenge for the killing of Haniyeh. As per a report by news agency AFP, indications are that Lebanese group Hezbollah could be asked by Israel to carry out the attack.

Iran has asked the group to hit deeper inside Israel and to no longer be confined to military targets.
Indians living in Israel are concerned about a full-blown war between Iran and Israel and are living in a constant state of fear and concern.

Tensions remain high in West Asia as Iran and its proxies have warned of making Israel pay a heavy price for the death of Hamas political wing chief even though Israel did not claim responsibility or deny its role in Haniyehs death.

People in Israel are storing rations and water for days to come in case Iran attacks, Zipora Meir, a Kerala-born Indian settled in Israel told CNN-News18.

Its a very tense situation now in Israel. At any moment the war can break out. We cannot expect from which part or all parts they are going to attack. So we are getting prepared to face tough days and are collecting food and mineral water and other emergency items, Meir said.

Schools are not open due to summer vacation, but offices and hotels are open. We are told by the government to listen to sirens and go into the shelters. We pray this time Iron Dome and other air defence mechanisms work and we remain protected, she further added.

Indian workers who are not well-versed in English have received messages from Israeli authorities in their language. Many from southern borders have been brought to central Israel and are living in hotels, CNN-News18 has learned.

Meir said that people are trying to lead their lives normally but are taking necessary precautions. She is a resident of Ramla, a city 23 kms away from Tel Aviv and had arrived in the nation during the 70s.

We had the bar mitzvah of our grandson on Thursday in a synagogue in Tel Aviv. We followed all precautions as we were worried because we were in Tel Aviv, an area Iran has said it would target, she said.

Iran and its proxies have vowed vengeance and Iran has indicated that Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, which it backs, will hit deeper inside Israel and no longer be confined to military targets after Israel killed the Hezbollah military commander.

We expect Hezbollah to choose more targets and (strike) deeper in its response, said the mission quoted by the official IRNA news agency.

Secondly, that it will not limit its response to military targets.

The killing of the Qatar-based Haniyeh is among a series of tit-for-tat attacks since April that had already heightened fears of a regional conflagration.

His death came hours after Israel struck south Beirut, killing the Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr.
Kamala Harriss campaign branded Donald Trump scared Saturday after he proposed to change the presidential debate schedule ahead of a rally in Georgia where he will try to halt the vice presidents surging momentum in her bid to become Americas first woman president.

In an overnight post on his Truth Social app, Trump said he was willing to debate Harris on the conservative Fox News network on September 4, while declining to participate in a previously scheduled debate on ABC.

Its interesting how any time, any place becomes one specific time, one specific safe space.Ill be there on September 10th, like he agreed to. I hope to see him there. https://t.co/zqng89X8QD  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 3, 2024

Trump pitched the idea before going to a rally in Atlanta, where he will gather supporters in the same arena where Harris addressed an excited crowd of some 10,000 just this Tuesday.

Trump said he had agreed to the debate plan with Fox. And he said it would take place in Pennsylvania  a crucial swing state in the US presidential electoral system  in front of a live audience.

Kamala Harris said that she will debate with Trump on September 10 on ABC network and termed Trumps choice of Fox News as one specific safe space in a social media post on X on Saturday.

Its interesting how any time, any place becomes one specific time, one specific safe space. Ill be there on September 10th, like he agreed to. I hope to see him there, Harris said in a tweet.

The Harris campaign also dismissed this as games.

Donald Trump is running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and running straight to Fox News to bail him out, Harriss campaign communications director Michael Tyler said in a statement. He needs to show up to the debate he has already committed to on Sept 10.

The proposal to confront Harris on a network that has long supported him was the latest Trump effort to recapture the initiative in a campaign that had been entirely focused on a rematch against 81-year-old Joe Biden, until he dramatically dropped his reelection bid on July 21.

Since then, Harris, 59, has reenergized the Democratic base almost overnight.

She has raked in donations, reassembled the team behind Barack Obamas two historic election victories, and neutralized the solid lead that 78-year-old Trump had built against Biden in opinion polls.

On Friday, she secured the official Democratic nomination, backed by near unanimous party support.

Harris is due imminently to announce her vice presidential pick, with the popular governor of key state Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, a frontrunner. On Tuesday, she is set to launch a countrywide tour with her yet-to-be-named running mate.

Rally in battleground state

Late Saturday, Trump will be joined by his own vice presidential pick, Senator J.D. Vance, at the rally in Georgia  another battleground state that will help decide who wins the Electoral College majority on November 5.

Trump lost narrowly to Biden there in 2020 and the state was at the center of his unprecedented attempts to overturn the results of the election and refusal to accept defeat.

The size of Harriss rally on Tuesday was a warning sign to the Trump campaign, which has long touted its ability to draw thousands of passionate supporters, in contrast to Bidens usually meager crowds.

The situation is a remarkable turnaround in a campaign where Trump had been appearing to gather force while Biden  hurt by a disastrous debate performance in June and mounting voter concerns over his mental acuity  was steadily slipping.

Harriss rapid entry has left the Trump campaign scrambling  and Trump now the oldest presidential nominee in US history.

Adding to the changed dynamics, Harris is vying to become the first woman president and the first of Black and Indian biracial heritage.

Trump drew gasps at a convention of Black journalists this week when he claimed that Harris, who has identified closely with her Black roots all her life, was only pretending.

She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black, he said.
Dozens of protesters attacked police and started fires in the English city of Sunderland on Friday as violence spread to another city after Mondays killing of three children in Southport. Demonstrators threw stones at police in riot gear near a mosque in the city before overturning vehicles and setting a car alight.

The safety of the public is our utmost priority and when we became aware that a protest had been planned, we ensured there was an increased policing presence in the city, Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Helena Barron said in a statement.

During the course of the evening those officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence, which is utterly deplorable. Three police officers were taken to hospital for treatment, and eight people have so far been arrested for offences such as violent disorder and burglary, Barron added.

Second police station destroyed in Sunderland as the people revolt.You shouldve listened @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/XK6URXjM6P  Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) August 2, 2024

We are aware of ongoing disorder in #Sunderland city centre.We advise members of the public to avoid the area while officers deal with the situation. Further updates will follow. pic.twitter.com/jV2j5x0akv  Northumbria Police (@northumbriapol) August 2, 2024

Whats Happening in Sunderland

The demonstration in Sunderland was one of more than a dozen planned by anti-immigration protesters across the UK this weekend, including in the vicinity of at least two mosques in Liverpool, the closest city to where the children were killed. Several anti-racism counter-protests were also planned. British police were out in force on Friday across the country and mosques were tightening security, officials said.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of the girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in the northwestern seaside town of Southport, a crime that has shocked the nation. Violent incidents erupted in the following days in Southport, the northeastern town of Hartlepool, and London in reaction to false information on social media claiming the suspect in the stabbings was a radical Islamist migrant.

Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday made a second visit to Southport since the murders. As a nation, we stand with those who tragically have lost loved ones in the heinous attack in Southport, which ripped through the very fabric of this community and left us all in shock, he said in a statement.

British police chiefs have agreed to deploy officers in large numbers over the weekend to deter violence. We will have surge capacity in our intelligence, in our briefing, and in the resources that are out in local communities, Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, told BBC Radio. There will be additional prosecutors available to make swift decisions, so we see swift justice.

Be careful and cautious

Mosques across the country are also on a heightened state of alert, the Muslim Council of Britain said. Zara Mohammed, the councils secretary general, said representatives from hundreds of mosques agreed to strengthen security measures at a briefing on Thursday. Many at the meeting also reported concerns for the safety of their worshippers after receiving threatening and abusive phone calls.

I think theres a sense within the community that were also not going to be afraid, but we will be careful and cautious, Mohammed said. Police in Southport  where on Tuesday evening protesters attacked police, set vehicles alight and hurled bricks at a mosque  said they were aware of planned protests and had extensive plans and considerable police resources on hand to deal with any disorder.

(With agency inputs)
Donald Trump has slammed tech giant Google over reports that it was censoring news and photos of the former US president and Republican presidential candidate. This rebuke came days after Trump alleged that it was impossible to find pictures or anything about the failed assassination bid on him on July 13 on Google.

Google has been very bad. Theyve been very irresponsible and I have a feeling that Google is going to be close to shut down because I dont think Congress is going to take it. I really dont think so. Google has to be careful, Trump told Fox News in an interview. Google, however, denied those allegations.

Google Responds

Over the past few days, some people on X have posted claims that search is censoring or banning particular terms. Thats not happening, and we want to set the record straight. The posts relate to our Autocomplete feature, which predicts queries to save you time. Autocomplete, it said in a social media post.

If President Biden embarked on a nonstop, nonsense, word salad ramble like this, there would be nonstop news coverage of it.Trump is too old, demented, and weird to be President. PASS IT ON.pic.twitter.com/MiPsuJVAGh  Really American (@ReallyAmerican1) August 3, 2024

Autocomplete

Google said autocomplete wasnt providing predictions for queries about the assassination attempt against former President Trump. Thats because it has built-in protections related to political violence  and those systems were out of date. After the horrific events in Butler, Pennsylvania, those predicted queries should have appeared but didnt, it said. Once the issue was flagged, we started working on improvements, and theyre already rolling out, it said.

Secondly, people posted about how Autocomplete wasnt showing relevant predictions for President Donald. This particular issue was a bug that spanned the political spectrum, also affecting queries for several past presidents, such as former President Obama, as you can see in the attached image. Typing vice president k was also showing no predictions. Weve made an update that has improved these predictions across the board, it said.

Over the past few days, some people on X have posted claims that Search is censoring or banning particular terms. Thats not happening, and we want to set the record straight.The posts relate to our Autocomplete feature, which predicts queries to save you time. Autocomplete  Google Communications (@Google_Comms) July 30, 2024

Some people, it said, also posted that searches for Donald Trump returned news stories related to Kamala Harris. These labels are automatically generated based on related news topics, and they change over time. They span the political spectrum as well: For example, a search for Kamala Harris showed Top Stories labelled with Donald Trump, because many articles cover the two of them together. You can see this happening across a range of topics, like the Olympics, other public figures, companies, and more. Our goal is to help people get relevant results for their query, Google said.

Overall, these types of prediction and labelling systems are algorithmic, it said. While our systems work very well most of the time, you can find predictions that may be unexpected or imperfect, and bugs will occur. Many platforms, including the one were posting on now, will show strange or incomplete predictions at various times. For our part, when issues come up, we will make improvements so you can find what youre looking for, quickly and easily. We appreciate the feedback, it explained.

(With agency inputs)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has overturned a plea deal reached earlier this week for the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and two other defendants, reinstating them as death-penalty cases.

Today, Secretary Austin signed a memo reserving for himself the specific authority to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused in the 9/11 military commission cases. In addition, as the superior convening authority, the Secretary has also withdrawn from the pre-trial agreements that were signed in those cases, the US Defense Department said in a statement.

The move came days after a US military commission announced that the official appointed to oversee the war court had reached plea deals with Khalid Sheikh and two accused accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi. Families of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the al-Qaida attacks condemned the deal for cutting off any possibility of full trials and possible death penalties. On Friday, the Pentagon said the plea deals had been entered into but did not elaborate on details.

Austins Memo

Austin wrote in an order released Friday night that in light of the significance of the decision, he had decided that the authority to make a decision on accepting the plea agreements was his. He nullified Escalliers approval. Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pre-trial agreements, Austin wrote in a memo.

Mohammed, whom the US describes as the plotter of the attack that crashed hijacked passenger planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field, and the other two defendants had been expected to formally enter their pleas under the deal as soon as next week. The military commission overseeing the cases of five defendants in the Sept. 11 attacks has been stuck in pre-trial hearings and other preliminary court action since 2008.

Many Republican lawmakers, including House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, strongly criticiSed the plea deals. Mohammed is the most well known inmate at the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, which was set up in 2002 by then-U.S. President George W. Bush to house foreign militant suspects following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Mohammed is accused of masterminding the plot to fly hijacked commercial passenger aircraft into the World Trade Center in New York City and into the Pentagon. The 9/11 attacks, as theyre known, killed nearly 3,000 people and plunged the United States into what would become a two-decade-long war in Afghanistan.

(With agency inputs)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. The Azerbaijani Army is kicking it up a notch with drills using state-of-the-art weapons and equipment, Deputy Minister of Defense - Commander of the Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Hikmat Mirzayev said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during today's board meeting on the results of the first half of 2024 at the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

The meeting, held under the leadership of the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, via video teleconference, was attended by deputies of the Defense Minister, commanders of types of troops (forces), chiefs of main departments, divisions, services, and independent branches, commanders of army corps and formations, as well as chiefs of special educational institutions.

Mirzayev briefed the meeting on steps to organize troops' duty and increase units' combat capacity.

The command structure is quite well organized, he said, including combat duties and other service and combat tasks.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The United States Service has owned its failure to protect former president Donald Trump at an election rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. A young gunman shot at Trump, 78, when he was addressing an election rally in Butler. Trump escaped the assassination attempt, as a bullet flew within a millimetre of him and one of them hit his right ear.

The Secret Service takes full responsibility for the tragic events of July 13th. This was a mission failure. The sole responsibility of our agency is to make sure our protectees are never put in danger. We fell short of that in Butler. And Im working to make sure that this failure does not happen again, Acting Director of the US Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, told reporters at a news conference here.

The main role of Secret Service is to protect the President, the former presidents and their family members. Presidential nominees also get protection of the secret service. Rowe said that the Secret Service will continue to cooperate with pending oversight investigations of the July 13 failure being done now by Congress, the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of the Inspector General, and the independent review directed by President Joe Biden.

Acting Director, Ronald L. Rowe Jr., blames Secret Service failure on Hot Day and Technical Failures.There was a lot of radio traffic on the local net about [Emergency Medical Technicians]. Its so apparent to me that in this incident in the final 30 seconds There pic.twitter.com/u1aobfcjzw  The Maverick Letter (@MaverickLetter) August 2, 2024

I am not waiting for the completion of those reports, and Ive directed the Secret Service to take immediate steps to ensure our protectees are indeed safe. I am committed to pursuing accountability for the Secret Services failure in Butler, Pennsylvania. But let me be clear. If policy violations by Secret Service personnel are identified by the agencys Mission Assurance Review, those individuals will be held accountable. They will be held accountable to our fair and thorough disciplinary process, he said.

Giving the sequence of events of July 13, Rowe said at 5.30 pm, Trump arrived at the campaign rally via Secret Service motorcade, and at that time, he met with supporters in a secure backstage area within the protective site. At 5.45 pm, a local Butler County Emergency Services Unit counter sniper team member texted the Secret Service counter sniper team leader about a suspicious person and sent two photos of the individual, later identified as the assailant.

At 5.53 pm, the Secret Service counter sniper team leader texted the Secret Service counter sniper teams that local law enforcement was looking for a suspicious individual outside of the perimeter lurking around the AGR building. At this time, Secret Service personnel were operating with the knowledge that local law enforcement was working on an issue of a suspicious individual. At 6 pm, former President Trump took the stage to begin remarks.

Based on what I know right now, neither the Secret Service counter-sniper teams nor members of the former presidents security detail had any knowledge that there was a man on the roof of the AGR building with a firearm. It is my understanding that personnel were not aware the assailant had a firearm until they heard gunshots, he said.

At 6.11 pm, a member of the former President Trumps protective detail contacted their Pittsburgh field office counterpart to inquire about the radio update that there was an issue local law enforcement was looking into near the perimeter. At 6.11 pm, the assailants first volley of three shots was fired, and within three seconds, the former presidents detail rushed the stage and covered Trump, shielding him with their own bodies, Rowe said giving the timeline of the failed assassination bid on July 13.

The fourth-through-eight shots took place over the next several seconds. Fifteen and a half seconds after the assailants first shot, a Secret Service counter sniper fired a single round that neutralised the assailant, he said. Rowe told reporters that this was a failure.

We should have had better protection for the protectee. We should have had better coverage on that roof line. We should have had at least some other set of eyes from the Secret Service point of view covering that. That building was very close to that outer perimeter, and we should have had more of a presence, he said. This was a Secret Service failure. That roof line should have been covered. We should have had better eyes on that, he added.
The United States will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region, the Pentagon announced on Friday. This move is part of a US effort to boost its military presence to help defend Israel from potential attacks by Iran and its proxies.

The development comes amid US worry about escalating violence in the Middle East in response to recent attacks by Israel on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which triggered threats of retaliation. The US Defense Department said Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East regions and is taking steps to send more land-based ballistic missile defence weapons there.

NEWS: U.S. Will Send More Defensive Military Capabilities to Middle East https://t.co/eT6R1aKNIu Department of Defense (@DeptofDefense) August 2, 2024

Biden-Netanyahu Call

US President Joe Biden in a call Thursday afternoon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed new US military deployments to protect against possible attacks from ballistic missiles and drones, according to the White House. In April, US forces intercepted dozens of missiles and drones fired by Iran against Israel and helped down nearly all of them.

The assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut on Tuesday risk escalating the fighting into an all-out regional war, with Iran also threatening to respond after the attack on its territory. Israel has vowed to kill Hamas leaders over the groups October 7 attack, which sparked the war.

USS Abraham Lincoln

Austin is ordering the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which is in the Gulf of Oman but scheduled to come home later this summer. That decision suggests the Pentagon has decided to keep a carrier consistently in the region as a deterrent against Iran at least until next year.

The Pentagon did not say where the fighter jet squadron was coming from or where it would be based in the Middle East. A number of allies in the region are often willing to base US military forces but dont want it made public. The White House in a statement said Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Israels security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

All Countries In West Asia Would Benefit From De-escalation In Tensions So Were Sending In More Military  American LogicPentagon spox Sabrina Singh read out DefSec Lloyd Austins warning to Iran & other Iranian-backed terrorist groups of Washingtons unprecedented pic.twitter.com/BfjEn7Bzea  RT_India (@RT_India_news) August 3, 2024

Earlier Friday, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters that Austin will be directing multiple force movements to provide additional support to Israel and increase protection for US troops in the region. US military and defence officials have been considering a wide array of options, from additional ships and fighter aircraft squadrons to added air defense systems or unmanned assets.

The US has had a consistent warship presence there and in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, including two Navy destroyers, the USS Roosevelt and the USS Bulkeley, as well as the USS Wasp and the USS New York. The Wasp and the New York are part of the amphibious ready group and carry a Marine expeditionary unit that could be used if any evacuation of U.S. personnel is required.

(With agency inputs)
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 3. Kazakhstan has implemented several key initiatives to digitalize the energy industry in 2024, Trend reports, citing the government's report on the development of the energy sector in the first half of 2024.

In particular, a pilot project has been launched for digital monitoring of the licensing and contract conditions of subsoil users.

At the same time, the Digital Generation Map module was put into trial operation and began accepting reports on renewable energy sources.

As part of the Digital Energy Platform, various modules were also developed and implemented, including passports for energy-producing enterprises and cabinets for government agencies and consumers.

As the government noted, plans for the current year include the development of the system and further digitalization of processes, which should help increase the transparency and efficiency of energy resource management.

"Also worth noting are projects to automate government services and create electronic classifiers of goods for the oil and gas industry," the government said.

In addition to this, work is underway to automate the supply plan using elements of artificial intelligence and launch pilot projects on the labeling and traceability of motor oils.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan produced 90 million tons of oil in 2023, which is 6.9 percent higher than in 2022. Oil exports also increased and amounted to 70.5 million tons, which is 9.6 percent more than the previous year. Moreover, Kazakhstan plans to increase oil production in 2024 to 90.3 million tons.

In 2023, gas production in Kazakhstan amounted to 59.063 billion cubic meters, including large fields such as Tengiz (16.009 billion cubic meters), Karachaganak (22.385 billion cubic meters), Kashagan (11.856 billion cubic meters), and others (8.813 billion cubic meters). Kazakhstan is projected to produce 60.456 billion cubic meters of raw natural gas in 2024.

Furthermore, electricity production in Kazakhstan amounted to 112.8 billion kWh in 2023. Electricity imports during this period amounted to 3.4 billion kWh, and exports were 1.4 billion kWh. In 2023, the volume of electricity consumption was at the level of 115 billion kWh (in 2022, 112.9 billion kWh).
New Zealand rower Robbie Manson has some advice for Olympic athletes looking to bolster their income: Join OnlyFans. "I am making more from OnlyFans than I am from rowing at this stage," Manson, 34, told Reuters on Wednesday, the eve of the Olympic men's double sculls final, in which he competed alongside partner Jordan Parry. (They did not medal, notes OutSports .) Manson, who is openly gay, said the money he pulls in from OnlyFans, an adult-themed platform where users pay a subscription to view content from specific creators, is "more than double" what he would otherwise see as an athlete.

Manson admitted to sharing "artistic nudes" on the platform. But "people need to subscribe if they want to know what's exactly on there," he added. He said he was inspired to open an OnlyFans account by Australian diver Matthew Mitchum, who became the first openly gay athlete to win an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. "It's a useful way of supplementing income," Mitchum, who retired from diving in 2016 and has been operating an OnlyFans account for 18 months, writes in a Telegraph op-ed, per Us Weekly.

Mitchum also describes the "shame" directed at those who take such a path. But "after all the hours and sacrifice we've put in, we athletes have more than earned the odd side hustle," he writes, noting he has chosen not to show full-frontal nudity. "I wouldn't say it's for everyone," Manson tells Reuters. But "for other athletes, there's definitely an opportunity there." There are, in fact, numerous Olympians on OnlyFans. One of them, British diver Jack Laugher, 29, tells the Telegraph he's "top three in the world" yet receives just $36,000 in annual funding, per the New York Post. On OnlyFans, "I've got what people want," he says. "I'll happily cash in on that." (More OnlyFans stories.)
With his wife gone and his remaining days to be spent in hospice , Jimmy Carter still has one more thing he wants to hold on for: helping to defeat Donald Trump in November. "I'm only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris," the 99-year-old former president told his son Chip Carter this week, grandson Jason Carter tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Jason Carter notes that his grandfather has recently been "more alert and interested in politics and the war in Gaza," and that the elder Carter's remarks came after Chip Carter asked his dad if he was trying to reach the milestone of his 100th birthday in October.

In April, the AP noted that Trump had taken to belittling President Biden, then his rival for the presidency, during campaign stops by comparing him to the 39th president. "Biden is the worst president in the history of our country, worse than Jimmy Carter by a long shot," Trump said in one appearance. He's continued that backhanded line of attack more recently, including during a rally Wednesday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. "The happiest man is Jimmy Carter," Trump said, per WHTM. "He's an old guy right now. He's an old guy, but he's happy because his administration is considered brilliant, brilliant by comparison to this disaster that we have right now."

USA Today notes that Jimmy Carter voted in the Georgia primary in May, via mail-in ballot. "He's not going to miss an election," Jason Carter said then, per the AJC. "It's important to him. I mean, that's the person he is." Carter entered hospice care in February 2023. The AJC notes that Carter wouldn't have to wait too long after his Oct. 1 birthday to cast his voteGeorgia's early voting starts on Oct. 15. (More Jimmy Carter stories.)
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered more troops, warships, and fighter jets to the Middle East and Europe to prepare for a multifaceted attack on Israel by Iran and its proxies. The Pentagon said Friday that the deployment also is intended to protect Americans in the region, Politico reports. Along with an additional squadron of fighter planes, USS Abraham Lincoln and its destroyer escorts are being moved from the Pacific to the Middle East. Austin said steps also are being taken "to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense," per NPR .

The USS Theodore Roosevelt and several other warships were in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, per the Washington Post, after being shifted from the Persian Gulf. That move positions them to head toward Israel by sailing west, around Yemen, for the Red Sea. Iran and Hezbollah have threatened to retaliate after the killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr. President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Thursday that the US would "support Israel's defense against threats," per Politico.

Officials are concerned that Iran's response this time will be less predictable and manageable than the attack April 13 on Israel; that assault was signaled ahead of time, allowing more than 300 missiles and drones to be intercepted. US forces were involved in that defense. "The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza," the Pentagon said. (More Israel-Hamas war stories.)
Sha'Carri Richardson was the heavy favorite in the women's 100-meter final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday nightshe's recorded the fastest time in the world this year at 10.71, three Jamaican stars weren't running, and Julien Alfred was competing for a nation that had never won any Olympic medal. But Alfred delivered a stunning upset, bringing Santa Lucia its first medal and holding Richardson to silver in her comeback , USA Today reports. Alfred's time was 10.72, Richardson's was 10.87, and Melissa Jefferson of the US ran 10.92 to win a bronze medal. Richardson appeared to be disappointed after the race, per People , but then celebrated with Jefferson, her training partner.

"It means a lot to me. It means a lot to my coach. It means a lot to my country," Alfred said, per the AP. "I'm sure they're celebrating right now." She started the rainy race strong and had two steps on the field at the 40-meter mark on her way to a gold medal. Richardson's starts have been an issue at times recently, per the AP, and, running in her first Olympics, she struggled to reach full speed. She had been dominant for three years in global competition after being suspended from the US team for testing positive for THC. Richardson will have a chance to win another medal next week in the 4x100 relays. (More 2024 Paris Olympics stories.)
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Human trafficking is considered a crime that constitutes a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

According to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, human trafficking is defined as: the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.

This exploitation includes, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

According to Bahraini law, human trafficking is considered a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for terms ranging from five to ten years, in addition to a financial fine not less than BD2,000 and not exceeding BD10,000, and this fine cannot be waived by the victim.

The Directorate of Combating Human Trafficking and Protecting Public Morals within the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Evidence undertakes significant efforts in confronting such crimes through continuous co-operation and co-ordination with relevant authorities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Social Development, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), and other relevant bodies regarding receiving reports and exchanging necessary information to combat human trafficking.

Prostitution In addition, investigation and search personnel are intensively present in places where there is information about the presence of victims who have been forced into prostitution, which is a form of human trafficking.

The Directorate also works to train and develop the skills and capabilities of its employees in proactive methods for detecting victims, such as observing the victims appearance, signs of fear or depression, and scars or bruises on their bodies.

Moreover, the Directorate also maintains continuous co-operation with international organisations through active participation in meetings, conferences, and seminars.

It strives to raise public awareness of the dangers of this crime through launching campaigns using various media outlets and distributing multilingual educational brochures.

Full protection

Regarding victims of trafficking, the Directorate extends to them full protection against those who attempt to threaten their security by providing them with a safe haven.

It also gives them with health and psychological care, in addition to guaranteeing their right to access legal advice by providing them with lawyers and legal advisors.

They also have the right to receive fair compensation for the harm they have suffered as a result of their exploitation and the violation of their rights during the trafficking process. The Directorate also facilitates their procedures for returning to their home countries upon request.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Mohammed Darwish

Words, as vessels of emotion, transcend their mere definition, a truth evident in the work of guest artist, Zainab Al Sabba, twice honoured with the audience award at the Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition.

An architect by day, she devotes her evenings to the arts. Her artistic journey began with a penchant for the abstract shapes of Arabic letters. She refined her calligraphy skills through persistent practice, ultimately developing a unique style of her own.

Driven by a passion for innovation, I was drawn to freestyle calligraphy  a domain offering a broad canvas for my ideas and their integration with conceptual art, she remarked to The Daily Tribune.

This personal style has transformed into a recognisable brand, with her pieces becoming sought-after collectibles available on her website.
10 Candidates Vie for Seat in Bahrain's First Constituency, Campaigning Heats Up

10 Candidates Vie for Seat in Bahrain's First Constituency, Campaigning Heats Up

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

The race for the vacant seat in Bahrain's first constituency is heating up, with over 10 candidates officially declaring their intentions to run in the upcoming by-election. The seat became available after the previous representative, Mohammed Al Hussaini, was disqualified.

The election is scheduled for September, and the campaign period officially begins next week. Already, candidates are actively engaging with voters, hosting meet-and-greets, and utilizing social media platforms to spread their messages.

Among the declared candidates are prominent figures like Dr Essam Al Alawi, businessman Ibrahim Al Shaikh, Khalid Sulaibeekh, Saleh Al Sada, Khawla Al Busmait, Nada bin Shams, Abdullah Al Sehli, Ahmed Al Tamimi, and Shaikh Mohammed Al Qallaf.

The candidates are focusing on a range of issues, including economic development, social services, and addressing the concerns of local residents. Several candidates have already launched initiatives aimed at improving the lives of those living in the constituency.

The first constituency, located in the Al Busaiteen area of Muharraq, comprises four electoral blocks, and the upcoming by-election is expected to draw significant attention from voters.
Photo: Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 3. Kazakhstan and Russia have discussed further development of the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor, Trend reports via Kazakhstan's Transport Ministry.

The discussions took place in Moscow between Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, and Russia's Minister of Transport, Roman Starovoyt.

They also addressed the enhancement of transportation to Russian ports, highlighting active collaboration in railway transport and focusing on expanding air communications between the two countries.

Following the meeting, the ministers agreed to maintain close contact and strengthen cooperation in the most promising areas of bilateral transport development.

The International North-South Transport Corridor is a 7,200 km multimodal route connecting St. Petersburg with ports in Iran and India. It serves as an alternative to the sea route linking Europe with the Persian Gulf countries and the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal.

The corridor's western and eastern branches traverse Iran; the western branch uses road transport through Rasht, while the eastern branch relies on rail. The final destination in Iran is the port of Bandar Abbas, from which cargo can be shipped to India by sea. The western branch also passes through Azerbaijan, and the eastern branch passes through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. New prospects for cooperation between Italy and Kazakhstan include expanding collaboration in creative industries, tourism, and environmental sustainability, Marco Beretta, President of the Italo-Kazakh Trade Association (ACIK), said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

"New prospects for cooperation between Italy and Kazakhstan include expanding collaboration in creative industries, tourism, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, sectors such as healthcare, technology, and education offer significant opportunities for partnership. Italy's interest in these sectors is driven by the potential for mutual growth and the opportunity to leverage Italy's technological and industrial strengths to support Kazakhstan's development goals," he said.

According to Beretta, ACIK brings together companies from all sectors and discusses potential sectors for investment with Italian companies.

"In my opinion, all of them can bring profit to both sides. For this, we have developed a special project called Road to Qazaqstan; this is a branded special truck that will travel through the cities of Italy and introduce companies located in the regions of Italy to the wonderful opportunities and natural beauties of Kazakhstan," he noted.

Meanwhile, the volume of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Italy amounted to $8.2 billion from January through May 2024. This is 21 percent more year-on-year ($6.7 billion).

At the same time, exports to Italy dominated trade turnover, at $7.7 billion, or 22.4 percent more than in JanuaryMay 2023. Imports from Italy rose by 2.5 percent during the aforementioned period, totaling $505 million. From January through May 2023, imports totaled $492.8 million.
Green Day are on their way to rock out in New York.

The American rock band will perform in New York City at Citi Field Stadium on Aug. 5, and tickets are just $83.

Green Day is also set to perform in Philadelphia on Aug. 9 and then in Hershey, Pa. on Aug 10.

So, you better snatch all these tickets up before they sell out.

How to get cheap, last-minute Green Day tickets

The cheapest ticket at the time of publication for Green Day, before fees, is $83 on Vivid Seats. On Ticketmaster, tickets are in the low hundreds, making Vivid Seats the secondary market website with the cheapest tickets.

You can also check out other secondary sites, such as StubHub, TicketCity and SeatGeek, to find cheaper tickets than youll find on Ticketmaster. Between the four secondary sites, cheap ticket prices range between $83 and $100.

First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout.

Green Day Tour 2024: Dates, schedule & more

Green Day began their stadium tour on July 29 in Washington, D.C., and will wrap up on Sept. 28 in San Diego.

The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and The Linda Lindas are set to be the openers for the duration of their stadium tour.

To make things 10 times more exciting, Green Day is set to perform two of their classic albums, Dookie and America Idiot, in full at each concert of the tour.

Their tour is also in support of their latest album, Saviors, which they released on Jan. 19.

You can find the dates for all of Green Days tour dates here.

Upcoming 2024 rock tours

Green Day is not the only rock band heading out on tour this year.

Here are a few more tours you do not want to miss: REO Speedwagon, Bruce Springsteen, Styx and Foreigner and Sting.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
The queen of the holiday season is back.

Mariah Carey is set to perform two shows in New York and one concert in New Jersey.

She will perform at Prudential Center in Newark on Dec. 13, UBS Arena in Belmont Park, N.Y. on Dec. 15 and Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Dec. 17.

That means that tri-state area fans have three shots to catch Carey live on her Christmas Time tour.

How to get tickets to see Mariah Carey on her Christmas Time tour

Before any general sale for Mariah Careys holiday tour, there will be a Verizon presale beginning on Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. and ending wrap up on Aug. 8 at 10 p.m. You can access the presale here.

There will also be a Ticketmaster presale beginning on Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. and ending on Aug. 8 at 10 p.m.

The general sale will then begin on Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.

If you miss out on the presale and the general sale, then you can find tickets on secondary market websites, such as StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity and SeatGeek.

While tickets are not officially on sale yet, the cheapest ticket for her New Jersey concert is $106 on StubHub.

First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout.

Mariah Carey Tour 2024: Dates, schedule & more

Mariah Careys Christmas Time tour is set to begin on Nov. 6 in Highland, Calif. and will wrap up on Dec. 17 in Brooklyn, N.Y. at the Barclays Center.

This tour is set to celebrate Careys 30th anniversary of her iconic holiday album Merry Christmas.

Each concert will feature the superstars timeless holiday classics alongside her fan-favorite hits for an unforgettable festive experience.

You can find the dates for all of Mariah Careys tour dates here.

Upcoming 2024 holiday tours

Mariah Carey is not the only artist heading out on a holiday tour this year.

Here are a few more holiday events you do not want to miss: Derek Hough, The Radio City Rockettes and Mannheim Steamroller.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
A tropical depression over Cuba is growing better organized, forecasters said Saturday, and is likely to bring drenching rain and coastal flooding to much of Floridas Gulf Coast.

The storm strengthened into a tropical depression late Friday, and is expected to become a tropical storm by Saturday night, once it has maximum sustained winds of 39 mph or more. If the depression reaches tropical storm status, it would be named Debby, the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Circulation was centered just south of Cienfuegos, Cuba, on Saturday morning, but associated wind and thunderstorms were spread out over a broad region, including southern Florida, the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. One location in the middle of the Florida Keys island chain was reporting sustained winds of 30 mph on Saturday morning.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami forecasts that the depression will strengthen as it curves northward off the southwest Florida coast, where the water has been extremely warm, with temperatures approaching 92 degrees Fahrenheit this week.

MORE WEATHER: See early autumn forecasts from AccuWeather, Farmers Almanac for N.J.

Predictions show the system could come ashore as strong tropical storm late Sunday or early Monday and cross over northern Florida into the Atlantic Ocean, where its likely to remain a tropical storm threatening Georgia and the Carolinas early next week. Tropical storm warnings are posted for most of Floridas west coast and the Dry Tortugas. A hurricane watch is posted for parts of the Big Bend, recognizing that there is a chance that Debby could reach hurricane status before coming ashore.

Flat Florida is prone to flooding even on sunny days when so-called king tides surge in coastal areas. This storm is predicted to push up storm tides of 2 to 4 feet along most of Floridas Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, with a higher tide of 3 to 5 feet predicted farther north in Floridas sparsely populated Big Bend region, where the Florida peninsula bends westward into the states Panhandle region.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can also trigger river flooding and overwhelm drainage systems and the regions canals. Forecasters are warning of 5 to 10 inches of rain, which could create locally considerable flash and urban flooding. Forecasters are also already warning of moderate flooding for some rivers along Floridas West Coast.

Some of the heaviest rains could actually come next week in a region along the Atlantic Coast from Jacksonville, Florida, north through Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.

Roger Heim, right, and Terry Smith, second from right, both of Valrico, Fla., fill sand bags in preparation for a weekend storm at the Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)AP

On Saturday morning, conditions were windy and squally on Long Key, but Scott Battle, operator of Florida Boy Bar and Grill, pronounced things as fine.

Its spitting off and on and blowing a little, but not too bad, he said by phone.

People in some Florida cities on Friday filled sandbags to protect against possible flooding. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for most Florida counties, extending from the Florida Keys up through Central Florida and the Tampa Bay region and into the western Panhandle.

Christina Lothrop is the general manager at Blue Pelican Marina in Hernando Beach, a barrier island about 50 miles north of St. Petersburg. She said Saturday still seemed like a regular summer day, with the public ramp across the street jammed with people launching boats and people filling local bars and restaurants.

Today its kind of normal, which is kind of weird, Lothrop told The Associated Press by telephone.

On the other hand, Lothrop said workers at her marina have been getting ready for the storm since Tuesday. Theyre securing boats that are stored on racks, stowing away tool boxes, and tying down anything that could blow around.

Right now what were doing is mostly tying up boats, she said, saying no boats would be left in the water to guard against them coming untied and drifting away or causing damage.

Before the marina store closes Saturday, Lothrop said she will lift computers up off the floor and sandbag and tape doors. She said she mostly fears a storm surge. Last years Hurricane Idalia pushed about a foot of water into the store. Like many Florida coastal developments, Hernando Beach is built around a series of manmade canals that provide easy access to the water, but also act as a highway for storm surge.

For some Floridians, the name Debby summons up bad memories of a 2012 tropical storm of the same name that caused $250 million in losses and eight deaths, including seven in the Sunshine State. That storm dumped torrential rains all up the Florida Gulf Coast into northern Florida, including an astronomical 29 inches at a location south of Tallahassee.

Rick Falkenstein, who owns Hurricane Seafood Restaurant in St. Pete Beach, told WTSP-TV that he remembers the high tides, the flooding from that storm.

Pinnellas County crews paused a $5 million beach renourishment project necessitated in part by erosion from past storms.
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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 3. Kyrgyzstan imported 2,565 tons of oil products from Uzbekistan in the first five months of 2024, which is a 3.9 percent increase from the 2,468 tons imported in the same period of 2023, Trend reports.

Despite the increase in volume, the value of these imports fell by 20.7 percent year-on-year, from $2.149 million to $1.705 million, according to the country's Statistical Committee.

Russia held the top spot as Kyrgyzstan's main oil product provider, delivering a whopping 270,948 tons during the period in question. Kazakhstan came in second with 42,953 tons, while Uzbekistan also made its mark.

Overall, Kyrgyzstan imported 322,175 tons of oil products from January through May 2024, a substantial 84 percent increase from 174,760 tons in the same period of 2023. The total value of these imports surged nearly threefold, reaching $371.467 million, compared to $133.892 million in JanuaryMay 2023.

Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $6.488 billion during the first five months of 2024, an 18.6 percent increase from the same period in 2023. Exports amounted to $1.046 billion, up 4.8 percent year-on-year, while imports grew by 21.7 percent to $5.442 billion.
This week we wish a happy 60th birthday to Hoda Kotb, whose love affair with New Orleans began in 1992 when she arrived for an anchor position with WWL-TV.

Born August 9, 1964, in Norman, Oklahoma, the daughter of two Egyptian immigrants graduated from Virginia Tech University before launching her career in broadcast journalism.

Her career took her to TV stations in Mississippi, Illinois and Florida. In January 1992, she moved to New Orleans for a weekend anchor position at WWL. Seven months later, she became weeknight 10 p.m. co-anchor with John Snell and later Dennis Woltering, earning the respect and love of viewers.

"I don't think I've ever lived in a place or been to a place where I've been treated the way people treat me here," Kotb told The Times-Picayune in 1998 as she prepared to anchor her final WWL newscast. "There's not another place like this on the planet."

Kotb left to become a correspondent for Dateline NBC. In 2007, she joined Kathie Lee Gifford as co-host of the fourth hour of Today.

In 2018, Kotb and Savannah Guthrie became co-anchors of Today and the following year Jenna Bush Hager replaced Gifford as co-host.

Kotb and Hager have broadcast their show from New Orleans five times in recent years, including for this years French Quarter Festival to mark the fifth anniversary of their on-air partnership.
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Meta is in discussions with Awkwafina, Judi Dench and other actors and influencers for the right to incorporate their voices into a digital assistant product called MetaAI, according to three people with knowledge of the talks, as the company pushes to build more products that feature artificial intelligence.

Apart from Ms. Dench and Awkwafina, Meta is in talks with the comedian Keegan-Michael Key and other celebrities, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. They added that all of Hollywoods top talent agencies were involved in negotiations with the tech giant.

The talks remain fluid, and it is unclear which actors and influencers, if any, may sign on to the project, the people said. If the parties come to an agreement, Meta could pay millions of dollars in fees to the actors.

A Meta spokesman declined to comment. The discussions were reported earlier by Bloomberg.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has invested heavily in artificial intelligence, which the biggest tech companies are racing to develop and lead. Meta has plowed billions into weaving the technology into its social networking apps and advertising business, including by creating artificially intelligent characters that could chat through text across its messaging apps.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 3. The EU is a reliable partner for Kyrgyzstan, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov said during a meeting with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Trend reports.

Zhaparov highlighted that the EU has been lending a helping hand to the country's sustainable development since day one. He extended an olive branch to EU investors, urging them to jump on board with the ambitious hydropower and transportation projects in Kyrgyzstan.

In reply, Borrell spoke highly of Zhaparov's fruitful visit to the EU headquarters in Brussels earlier this year. Borrell pointed out that the Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation signed during this visit paves the way for new opportunities in bilateral relations, especially in the trade, economic, and investment fields.

Borrell reaffirmed that the EU is all in for strengthening ties with Kyrgyzstan. He also showed eagerness to roll up the sleeves and get cracking on collaborative projects that tickle both parties' interest.

Josep Borrell is now doing a mission to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, scheduled from August 1 to August 3.
A California man who tried to intimidate flight attendants on an American Airlines flight using plastic silverware from a service cart and a glass champagne bottle, and then tried unsuccessfully to open an exit door and the cockpit, was sentenced on Wednesday to 19 months in prison.

The man, Juan Remberto Rivas, 52, was arrested and charged with interfering with flight crew members on Feb. 13, 2022, after a flight from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Missouri.

During the flight, Mr. Rivas, who, according to court records, admitted to using methamphetamines before the flight, began to panic and told flight attendants that the plane was not moving and that his family was in danger, court records said.

His behavior led to a physical struggle that forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Kansas City, Mo.
The death of a Black man who was held down by security guards outside a Milwaukee hotel has been ruled a homicide as prosecutors review possible murder charges against four people in connection with his death.

The man, DVontaye Mitchell, 43, died on June 30 from a combination of restraint asphyxia and toxic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine as he was restrained in a prone position by multiple individuals, according to a medical examiners report, which was released on Friday.

Mr. Mitchell also had hypertensive cardiovascular disease and was obese, the report said.

The Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office had said that it was waiting for the autopsy results, which would allow prosecutors to comprehensively evaluate the actions leading up to Mr. Mitchells death from the perspective of potential criminal liability.

The office said it was investigating the death as a homicide.

The Milwaukee Police Department last month referred felony murder charges to prosecutors against four people but did not name them. The police said that an underlying charge of battery was also referred against the four. The referrals essentially amount to a recommendation.
Nearly a year after a ferocious wildfire on Maui killed 102 people and leveled the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaiis largest utility has agreed to pay the largest share of a legal settlement totaling just over $4 billion and compensating more than 10,000 homeowners, businesses and other plaintiffs.

The proposed agreement was filed late Friday in a Maui-based state court, six days before the anniversary of the disaster. Fire victims and insurers have spent months in court-ordered mediation with the state, Maui County, large private landowners and utilities within the fire zone to resolve more than 600 lawsuits brought in state and federal courts by survivors of the catastrophe.

The settlement, which remains subject to court approval, will cover less than half of the overall cost of the disaster  estimated at nearly $12 billion  which cut a path of destruction through one of the worlds most spectacularly beautiful destinations. More than 3,000 homes and other structures were damaged or destroyed, and thousands of residents were killed, injured or displaced.

Gov. Josh Green had pushed for a single global agreement among all the parties to litigation to swiftly compensate fire victims, rather than extending negotiations for years without payment. State officials had also hoped to ward off a potentially devastating financial hit to Maui County and the bankruptcy of Hawaiian Electric, which provides electricity for more than nine in 10 of the states residents on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on Friday overruled the overseer of the war court at Guantanamo Bay and revoked a plea agreement reached earlier this week with the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and two alleged accomplices.

The Pentagon announced the decision with a memorandum relieving the senior Defense Department official responsible for military commissions of her oversight of the capital case against Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his alleged accomplices for the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field.

The overseer, retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, signed a pretrial agreement on Wednesday with Mr. Mohammed, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi that exchanged guilty pleas for sentences of at most life in prison.

In taking away the authority, Mr. Austin assumed direct oversight of the case and canceled the agreement, effectively reinstating it as a death-penalty case. He left Ms. Escallier in the role of oversight of Guantanamos other cases.
Behind the jubilation over the latest release of Americans unjustly imprisoned abroad are growing concerns that a new era of hostage diplomacy has emerged, with U.S. adversaries concluding that it pays to arrest innocent Americans and trade them for convicted smugglers, hackers, spies  and even killers.

While loath to criticize any specific swap, current and former U.S. officials worry that strongmen like President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia are exploiting Americas willingness to horse-trade for its citizens. Among those returned to Moscow on Thursday in a deal involving 24 prisoners and seven nations was a Russian assassin serving a life sentence in Germany for gunning down a Kremlin enemy in a Berlin park.

I worry about the incentive this gives nations to abduct Americans, said Adam Hickey, a former deputy assistant attorney general in the national security division of the U.S. Justice Department. Speaking of the trend toward hostage trades generally, he added: I dont see how this doesnt lead to an escalation or increase in the practice by foreign governments.

But practical alternatives are hard to come by, Mr. Hickey and other experts concede.

In response to Thursdays deal, former President Donald J. Trump suggested that President Biden had set a bad precedent by paying too high a price to Mr. Putin.
Marchand held up four fingers on his right hand at the end of his race. Then he hoisted himself out of the pool and raised both arms into the air triumphantly, his ambitious quest complete.

As much as hed prepared himself for the physical and mental challenge of these Olympics, Marchand hadnt known if what he was trying to do was possible. Until he did it.
When Roy Cockrum, a one-time struggling actor and a former monk, won a $259 million Powerball jackpot in 2014, he decided to splurge on something a bit out of the ordinary: supporting nonprofit theater.

He set up a foundation that has given away $25 million to 39 American theaters so far, which is why he found himself the other night at the Old Globe in San Diego. He was there to watch the premiere of a production he supported to help the theater reach a milestone: a large-scale staging of the only Shakespeare play it had yet to produce, an adaptation of the somewhat rarely performed three Henry VI plays.

The question I put to artistic directors is, Is there a project youve always dreamed of doing that you couldnt afford? Cockrum, an apple-cheeked, snowy-haired 68-year-old, said in an interview. To help artistic directors dream bigger than they would otherwise.

At a time when nonprofit theaters across the country are struggling with rising costs, fewer subscribers, smaller audiences and dwindling corporate philanthropy, Cockrums generosity stands out.
Russian troops launched an offensive that fall that overwhelmed the Austro-Hungarian soldiers. At one point, Aladar found himself on his back, staring up at a massive Russian soldier who was about to plunge a bayonet into his chest.

The two locked eyes, and the Russian looked at Aladar as if he knew him from somewhere.

Are you a Jew? he asked. Aladar didnt answer, so the Russian asked again. In Yiddish.
The encounter happened years ago, but Beverly K. Brandt remembers it vividly.

She was leaving her office at Arizona State University, where she taught design history, to run an errand for her ailing stepfather. He had moved into a retirement community nearby after his wife, Dr. Brandts mother, died of cancer.

As his caregiver, Dr. Brandt spoke with him daily and visited twice a week. She coordinated medical appointments, prescriptions, requests for facility staff  the endless responsibilities of maintaining a man in his 90s.

Maybe she looked especially frazzled that day, she said, because a longtime colleague drew her aside with a startling question.

Beverly, why are you doing this? he said. Hes not a blood relative. Hes just a stepfather. You dont have any obligations.
Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.

On Thursday, multiple planes touched down in Ankara, Turkey, releasing 24 people in a seven-nation prisoner exchange that finally resolved a human drama and diplomatic standoff.

Among those freed were three Americans who had been held in Russia: Evan Gershkovich, 32, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who had previously worked at The New York Times; Paul Whelan, 54, an American security contractor and former U.S. Marine; and Alsu Kurmasheva, 47, a Russian American editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. In exchange, Germany freed a Russian hit man, Vadim Krasikov, the prisoner whose release was highly sought by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

Mr. Gershkovich had been detained in Russia since March 2023 after being falsely accused of espionage. Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times, has been following the story from both a professional and a personal perspective: He met Mr. Gershkovich in Russia in 2018, and the two bonded over their shared journalistic mission. (Mr. Troianovski, along with other Times reporters, left Russia in March 2022 because of increasing risks faced by journalists.)

When the exchange took place, Mr. Troianovski said he was elated. From his new base in Berlin, he sprang into action, reconstructing how the deal took place and what it meant for future international agreements.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 3. Turkmenistans trade turnover volume with Uzbekistan totaled $614.2 million from January through June 2024, Trend reports.

According to the data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, this indicator has increased by 38.1 percent year-on-year ($444.5 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

Turkmenistan ranked 6th among the countries with the largest volume of foreign trade turnover in Uzbekistan.

Turkmenistans exports to Uzbekistan reached $553.7 million from January through June 2024. This indicator has increased by 54.5 percent over the year ($358.2 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

The volume of imports to Turkmenistan from Uzbekistan amounted to $60.5 million, which shows a 42.6 percent decline compared to the same period last year ($86.3 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

The total foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan with other countries in the first six months of this year exceeded $31.8 billion, representing an 8.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, when it amounted to $29.3 billion.

Meanwhile, the total trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in 2023 amounted to $1.09 billion, marking a 17.8 percent increase compared to the total of $928.6 million in 2022.
Last summer, as New York City was in the throes of a migrant influx from the southern border, residents near the Brooklyn Navy Yard began to notice a growing number of African and Latin American migrants milling around the neighborhoods parks and sidewalks.

The reason soon became clear. A block away, the city had quietly begun sheltering migrants inside an empty 10-building office compound. Over the next few months, it would become one of the citys biggest shelter complexes  housing more than 4,000 migrants just a few blocks from a residential neighborhood.

The gargantuan scale of the shelters swiftly tested nearby residents in the liberal enclave of Clinton Hill. Their willingness to welcome migrants soon gave way to a litany of quality-of-life complaints, from littering and loitering to concerns about safety, leading to crowded town-hall meetings and pressure on Mayor Eric Adams to reverse course.

Then, this summer, some of their worst fears came to fruition.

On the night of July 21, a migrant man was shot and killed at a park near the shelter. A few minutes later, two other Venezuelan migrants were fatally shot outside the shelter after two men rode by on a moped and one of them opened fire in an incident that the police believe was tied to Venezuelan gangs.
When most people picture a minister, Vince Anderson is not who comes to mind.

He curses. He wears caftans. He has played a dirty gospel residency with his six-member band, The Love Choir, on Monday nights for the past 26 years, a majority of them at the Union Pool bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. His signature song is Get Out of My Way, a growling, percussive call-and-response anthem he wrote in 2000. (He used to get naked by the end of every show; he stopped in the mid-2000s.)

Mr. Anderson, 53, who left seminary after three months in 1994 to pursue music, is the minister of music and community arts at Bushwick Abbey, an Episcopal church in Brooklyn, and plays the piano for Sunday services at Iglesia de la Santa Cruz, a Spanish-speaking congregation in the same building.

Known as Reverend Vince, Mr. Anderson said he was ordained in 2003. He has played with all of his band members since at least about that time, and he said theyve never had a rehearsal. Once in a while I send the band a crude recording, but most of the time I just play a new song once onstage for the first time on piano, and they kind of get it, and then we go into it, he said.

He was the subject of a 2022 documentary, The Reverend, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and the Criterion Channel. He lives in a two-bedroom apartment in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens  about a 15-minute walk from his Bushwick congregations  with his wife of five years, Millicent Souris, 50, a cook and a writer, and their 3-month-old rescue kittens, Ace and Sonny.
On the night of March 13, 2021, the police received a report of a person shot inside an Indianapolis home.

Image Malik Halfacre. Credit... Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, via Associated Press

The victim was Ms. Moore, who had fled to a neighbors home after being shot. Before she was taken to a hospital, Ms. Moore told the police that there were multiple victims inside her home. She told them that Mr. Halfacre had fled and taken their 6-month-old daughter.

The police eventually found the young girl at Mr. Halfacres sisters home. They caught Mr. Halfacre the next day after an hourslong standoff at a friends home, where he was hiding.

Mr. Halfacre later told investigators that he and Ms. Moore had been arguing because he wanted some of her stimulus check, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Mr. Halfacre also admitted that he had shot everyone in his girlfriends home and then stole her purse and fled in her car with their daughter, the affidavit said. He told the police that he had dropped their daughter off at his sisters house.
Obviously, we have eyes.

That was the somewhat jaded response by Larhonda Marshall, a 42-year-old health care worker from Chicago, about all the attention being paid to Vice President Kamala Harriss racial identity.

As a Black woman herself, Ms. Marshall said that the symbolism of a Harris victory would surely be on her mind as she considers her vote for president. But it was not the most important factor at all, she said. And she wishes the Harris supporters who keep mentioning it would drop it.

Im tired of hearing it, Ms. Marshall said. Thats not an issue. I just want whats best for the country.

This week, after former President Donald J. Trump claimed falsely that Ms. Harris happened to turn Black only recently, the vice president did not attempt to clarify the obvious: that she has, in fact, been Black all her life.
After nearly eight months in limbo, former President Donald J. Trumps federal election interference case sprang back to life on Saturday as the judge overseeing it scheduled a hearing in Washington for Aug. 16 to discuss next steps.

At the hearing, the judge, Tanya S. Chutkan, will discuss with Mr. Trumps lawyers and prosecutors in the office of the special counsel, Jack Smith, how each side would like to proceed with a complicated fact-finding mission the Supreme Court ordered last month. The order was part of its landmark ruling granting Mr. Trump broad immunity against criminal prosecution for acts arising from his presidency.

A key element of that decision requires Judge Chutkan to sort through the 45-page indictment accusing Mr. Trump of plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and decide which of its many allegations can move forward to trial and which arise from official acts of his presidency and will have to be tossed out.
When one of the deputies entered the house, there was a lot of gunfire, he said, and that deputy was struck. A second deputy who was with him managed to retreat, but the first one was trapped in the home.

Additional deputies responded, according to the sheriff, forming a rescue team. They were met with a hail of gunfire, he said.

Sheriff Grinnell said the house had complaints about animals in the past but there was nothing right now to indicate a history of violent crime at that address.

The deputies were not expecting the gunfire. They were ambushed, he said.

The three deputies were taken to hospitals, and Bradley Michael Link, a master deputy sheriff, was pronounced dead just before 1 a.m., according to Lt. John Herrell, a spokesman for the sheriffs office.

Deputy Link served in the Army Reserves before he was hired as a deputy sheriff in Polk County in 2017. He joined the Lake County Sheriffs Office in October 2019.
Why It Matters

During the 1921 massacre, white mobs burned Greenwood, a prosperous neighborhood known as Black Wall Street, to the ground. As many as 300 Black people were killed, hundreds more were injured, and thousands were left homeless. City officials, historians and the courts acknowledge that the massacre has led to generations of racial inequity in Tulsa.

Calls for reparations in Tulsa are longstanding and have resulted in apologies, a scholarship program and other actions, but not direct financial redress.

The last two known survivors of the massacre, now centenarians, have pursued reparations through the courts, but the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed their case in June.

Two reports  one from a commission created by the State Legislature in 2001 and one by a group of Tulsa residents in 2023  recommended reparations, including financial compensation. The commission announced Thursday, named the Beyond Apology Commission, follows the 2023 reports calls for the city to create a group to examine and carry out a reparations program.

Mayor G.T. Bynum, a Republican, has signaled that he wants this body to make recommendations that would result in tangible action. He wrote a social media post this week that the commission is not intended to be merely a study group.

He also noted that part of the groups mission is to produce a plan for a housing equity program by the end of November. (The mayor, who created the commission by executive order, is not seeking re-election, and his term will end in December.)

Funds that could be used for that program have already been approved by voters, the mayor said.

The debate over reparations has at times divided the city. In 2021, a dispute over who should compensate the survivors and their descendants preceded the sudden cancellation of an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the massacre.
Devastating wildfires are breaking out across North America on a daily basis, with smoke and ash spreading over large swaths of the continent from Reno to Toronto and New York. Fast-moving blazes have destroyed homes and charred through thousands of acres of farms and forests. Some have become deadly.

So far this year, over 28,000 wildfires have burned more than 4.5 million acres in the United States, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. U.S. fire activity for 2024 is above the average for the last decade, agency data shows, and the resulting destruction has already amounted to more than what burned in all of 2023.

And with the expected peak of this years fire season still at least a month or more away, experts say that fires are burning with a level of intensity rarely seen at this point in the summer.

Every dimension of this fire season looks increasingly problematic from here on out, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles.
A suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a hotel in a popular beachfront area in Somalias capital, Mogadishu, before gunmen stormed the building, setting off a four-hour siege that left at least 32 people dead and more than 60 others wounded, the police said on Saturday.

The Islamist militant group Al Shabab claimed responsibility for the deadly assault, which started late Friday. Al Shabab have been waging an insurgency against the internationally backed government in Somalia for more than 17 years and have previously targeted the beach area, Lido, which is popular with businesspeople and officials as well as with other residents.

A witness, Mohamed Jibril, said that, at the time of the attack, he had been out with friends in the area, which had been thronged with hundreds of people.

We heard a loud explosion followed by gunfire, Mr. Jibril said in an interview.

I have never seen anything like that in my entire life, he added. I saw many people lying on the beach asking for help, and no one dared to help them because there was ongoing shooting.
The family ducked for cover when junta jets roared over their home in central Myanmar. U Har San and his wife crawled under a table, and their daughter, eight months pregnant, hid under a bed. Bombs rained down, he said, even though no rebel fighters were in their village.

One bomb killed the mother-to-be, Ma Zar Zar Win. She was our only daughter, and now our family line has been cut off, Mr. Har San said.

The attack last month on the village of Lat Pan Hla is a feature of Myanmars brutal war strategy. Unable to defeat the rebels on the ground, it has increased its indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets to terrorize the population.

The airstrikes have also taken a heavy toll on resistance fighters. But the resistance fighters continue to make gains on the ground. In recent weeks, rebel armies seized a prison in Shan State, freeing hundreds of political prisoners, and on the opposite side of the country, another rebel army captured a civilian airport in Rakhine State.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines have signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations, Trend reports.

According to the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the signing took place during the visit of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Ahmet Gurbanov, to the Philippines.

During the visit, political consultations were held between the foreign ministries of the two countries. There was an engaging exchange of views on all key areas of the bilateral agenda, including political-diplomatic interaction, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian partnerships, and practical content development.

The sides affirmed their commitment to enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, with a focus on developing trade, economic and humanitarian ties and improving the legal framework.

As part of the consultations, Gurbanov has met with the Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Theresa Lazaro, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo, and the Vice President for International Affairs of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jude Aguilar.
The beach is more about broken glass from generations of illicit parties than sand. The roar and squeal of a nearby railway locomotive compete with the birdsong. The wind carries a sweet chemical scent from a cooking oil processing plant to the west.

And just across the Detroit River, the skyline offered up by the United States is dominated by a sooty factory puffing out clouds of steam and intermittently shooting orange flame from a chimney as it turns coal into coke for steel mills.

But amid all this blight peeks out a most surprising sight: familiar yellow signs sporting the beaver logo of Parks Canada.

In a country with national parks set amid majestic mountains and vast expanses of wilderness, this unprepossessing stretch of land in Windsor, Ontario, is set to become part of Canadas newest national park.
After they spread pink petals on golden statues of Ganesh and Shiva, and recited prayers to blue-skinned and eight-armed gods, the Hindu faithful left their temple and headed to a party for another one of their divinities  the Catholic St. Rosalia.

To the other goddess! said Swasthika Sasiyendran, 23, after she changed from her gold-and-white sari into a T-shirt bearing Rosalias face.

Every year, in the height of Sicilys summer heat, Palermo fills with festival lights and honking scooters as people gather to celebrate Rosalia, the citys patron saint. Among the hundreds of thousands who join the procession, which culminates with a towering statue of the saint being carried through the streets, are members of the citys Sri Lankan Tamil community, some of Rosalias most ardent worshipers.

Palermo is prone to this kind of medley. It is a city that sits between continents, shaped by the overlapping of Greek, Byzantine, Arab, Norman and Spanish civilizations, which hundreds of years ago made it a cosmopolitan, open and refined metropolis.
The private jet that took off from southwest Germany on Thursday afternoon was carrying a group that may have never expected to be confined together: police officers, doctors, intelligence agents, a senior aide to Germanys chancellor  and a convicted Russian assassin.

In the back of the plane, the assassin, Vadim Krasikov, sat with his hands and feet bound and wearing protective headgear; he was not heard uttering a word on the entire flight.

At the same time, a Russian government jet was also headed for Ankara, Turkeys capital, carrying officers from the F.S.B. intelligence agency and 16 prisoners being released by Russia and Belarus. At one point, one of the F.S.B. escorts made what seemed like a bad joke to the two best-known Russian dissidents on board: Dont have too much fun out there, because Krasikov could come back for you.

This account of the tense hours surrounding the exchange  the biggest between Moscow and the West since the Cold War  is based on new details revealed by Western government officials involved in the process, and on early testimony from the Russian political prisoners released as part of the deal.
Follow our latest updates on the Middle East crisis here.

Iran has arrested more than two dozen people, including senior intelligence officers, military officials and staff workers at a military-run guesthouse in Tehran, in response to a huge and humiliating security breach that enabled the assassination of a top leader of Hamas, according to two Iranians familiar with the investigation.

The high-level arrests came after the killing in an explosion early Wednesday of Ismail Haniyeh, who had led Hamass political office in Qatar and was visiting Tehran for the inauguration of Irans new president and staying at the guesthouse in northern Tehran, Irans capital.

The fervor of the response to the killing of Mr. Haniyeh underscores what a devastating security failure this was for Irans leadership, with the assassination occurring at a heavily guarded compound in the countrys capital within hours of the swearing-in ceremony of the countrys new president.
Israel hit a town in the occupied West Bank with two airstrikes on Saturday in the latest use of a once-rare tactic in the densely populated area. Hamas said that three members of its military wing and six other fighters were killed in the strikes around the town of Tulkarm.

In one of the attacks, a drone strike killed five people in a vehicle, according to Palestinian media, including a local leader of the Qassam Brigades, the Hamas military wing. The Hamas statement said three of the dead belonged to Qassam, but did not claim the other six fighters as members.

The Israeli military said only that it had targeted terrorists in the strikes on Saturday as part of an ongoing operation in Tulkarm, without identifying specific targets. It said that those in the vehicle were on their way to carry out an attack.

The military also closed roads into Tulkarm, leaving residents with no route out. Palestinian media published videos showing Israeli bulldozers tearing up stretches of road.
Israel was bracing for retaliatory attacks from Iran and its proxies in the aftermath of a top Hamas leaders assassination as additional American combat aircraft and missile-shooting warships were being dispatched to the region.

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III ordered the movements Friday to come to Israels defense in the event of an attack, and to prepare for the possibility that Iran-backed groups might target American forces in the region as part of the expected retribution. Some American warships already in the Mediterranean will move closer to the coast of Israel, according to a senior Pentagon official.

The killing of the Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in an explosion at a military-run guesthouse in Tehran on Wednesday, was a stunning breach of security in the Iranian capital. Iran arrested more than two dozen people, including senior intelligence officers, in response. The countrys supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued an order for Iran to strike Israel directly for the killing, according to Iranian officials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said on Thursday that his country was preparing for any retaliatory attacks, saying Israel is in very high readiness for any scenario  both defensively and offensively. Israel has neither denied nor taken responsibility for the Hamas leaders assassination.
THE 56th Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival will get underway this weekend and final preparations are now being put to what promises to be another great festival.

There is a packed programme of events planned for the nine day festival, which includes many of the old favourites plus a number of new events as well.

The parade on Vintage Sunday, (August 4) is always a major highlight and attracts large crowds to the town to enjoy the parade of vintage vehicles, floats and colourful entries.

This year the parade has a new route with a slight change of direction when the parade reaches the top of Main Street at Emmet Square, turning left and proceeding across Green Street and finishing as normal at the Marian Hall. It won't be going up Emmet Street this year.

John Carroll, who has contributed so much to the community of Birr, will give the Opening Address. John served as an elected public representative from 1985 until his retirement in June this year and has been a committed community activist for many years.

Emma Nee Haslam returns as Parade MC.

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival will have Accessible Viewing Areas at the parade for people with additional needs. Space is limited. Access will be by pre-registration only. All of these areas have limited space. If you would like access to any of these areas, please register in advance. To register, email birrvintageweekparade@gmail.com, or contact the Festival Info Line on (089) 242 4379. They will do their best to find space for everyone who contacts them in advance.

The 56th edition of one of Irelands longest-running community arts festivals will include over 100 events taking place in over 40 locations across nine days featuring visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, workshops, exhibitions, together with a whole host of community events.

This years festival theme is Going with the Flow, which will celebrate the beautiful waterways of Offaly. The multi-site Visual Arts Trail is enriched with additional river-themed events, including Plein-Air Painting on the Camcor, a lecture by John Feehan, the River Witnessed by Mark Lyndon, a river float in the Vintage Sunday Parade and not forgetting the Great Ruckin Duck Race, organised by Birr Rugby Club.

Other much-loved traditional events are also back including the Food & Craft Market on Saturday August 3rd and Fireworks Night on Thursday August 8

In Birr Castle, Mobius, by ROGU Fire Arts Production, will take the audience on a hypnotic visual journey of fire, light and movement while the beautiful aerial circus show, Doris & Mabels Book Club, is perfect for children and families. The Big Beautiful Vintage Picnic is another enchanting family-friendly event.

At Birr Theatre & Arts Centre highlights include Paddy Casey, The Ennio Morricone Experience, The Classic Beatles, Paris Bubbles, The Wonderful Story of the Camcor with John Feehan and The River Witnessed by Birr native Mark Lyndon plus lots more.

As always, the Visual Arts programme is full to the brim with over twenty exhibitions including the transformation of the Masonic Hall into a playful multi-sensory installation taking inspiration from the Camcor River. The Courthouse Yard will once again be a creative hub for the Festival with visual arts workshops, music and Moonlit Movies presented by OFFline Film Festival.

Speaking at the recent festival launch Caroline Conway, Chairperson of the festival said that The festival is about celebrating our town's heritage but it's also about surprising people. Every year new events are added to the old which keeps things fresh and invigorated.

Vintage Week is an incredibly important event for the people of Birr, continued the Chair. More people come home for Vintage than they do at Christmas.

We would like to thank all our sponsors and funders who make this event possible and demonstrate their commitment to the Festival through their generous donations.

We have a fantastic team this year, but we need additional volunteers during the week for a smooth running event. If you can give a few hours, please register on our website. We have a dedicated volunteer manager this year, Rachel Alexander, to make sure all our volunteers are well looked after.

The programme is online now and booking is open: www.birrvintageweek.com .

See this week's Midlands and Tullamore Tribunes for a special supplement on Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 3. Uzbekistans foreign trade turnover volume with Germany amounted to $506.3 million from January through June 2024, Trend reports.

As per data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, this figure has decreased by 84.2 percent year-on-year ($932.9 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

Germany ranked 8th among the countries with the largest volume of foreign trade turnover in Uzbekistan.

The volume of exports to Germany from Uzbekistan amounted to $37.8 million, which shows a 7.4 percent decline compared to the same period last year ($40.6 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

Uzbekistans imports from Germany reached $468.6 million from January through June 2024. This indicator has decreased by 90.4 percent over the year ($892.3 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover volume amounted to $31.8 billion from January through June 2024. This figure has increased by 8.5 percent year-on-year ($29.3 billion in JanuaryJune 2023).

Uzbekistan's exports reached $12.9 billion from January through June 2024, while imports amounted to $18.8 billion.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 3. The current security situation in the country has prompted the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Israel to urge its residents to avoid visiting particular areas, Trend reports via the embassy statement.

"Because of the present security situation in Israel, the embassy strongly advises against traveling to specific regions of the nation. Keep up with the latest headlines and official statements from the Uzbek Embassy and the Israeli government. Use the Home Front Command's website or mobile app to sign up for alerts and notifications.

It is imperative that you always have your photo ID on you, as well as the contact details for the Uzbek Embassy. Having this on hand will make it easier to get aid in an emergency," the statement reads.

The embassy also advised its citizens to steer clear of hotspots and cut down on outings to public spots whenever they can.

Prior to this, on August 2, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry cautioned its nationals against visiting Israel and Lebanon.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Photo: Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 3. Uzbekistan and Cassa Depositi and Prestiti (SDP S.p.A, Italian bank) discussed projects in the mining industry, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology of Uzbekistan.

This topic was discussed during a meeting with representatives of the bank at the Ministry.

The parties also discussed the possibilities of establishing bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation.

Following the meeting, the parties determined further plans for interaction.

To note, the volume of Uzbekistan's trade turnover with Italy amounted to $502.5 million in 2023. Tthis figure increased by 30.3 percent compared to the same period in 2022 ($385.4 million).

The volume of trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Italy amounted to $430.3 million in 2021 and $348.4 million in 2020. This figure amounted to $408.8 million in 2019.

However, Uzbekistan's total trade turnover with Italy reached $2 billion from January 2019 through December 2023.

Total exports from Uzbekistan to Italy amounted to $218 million, while imports to Uzbekistan reached $1.8 billion from January 2019 through December 2023.
All out on Saturday 3 August: International Day of Solidarity with Gaza and Prisoners announced Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, as a national and global day in support of Gaza and Palestinian prisoners. Join your local actions in your city.

Zionist attacks on water. Action: Against Weaponizing Water in Gaza.

A new Jewish colony built in a World Heritage Site this is an area we Palestinians have been working hard to protect.

Check out. Then Act for example via.

Pained but calm voice of a Palestinian official at the UN Security Council, a council where US and the UK and France shield Israel from International law

Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh will strengthen resistance resolve.

Interfaith protest confronts Christians United for Israel summit.

Stay Human and keep Palestine alive

Mazin Qumsiyeh

A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home

Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History

Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine

facebook pages Personal Institute

French
"a lot of [mothers] have gotten jobs so they can put their kids in private schools; but those schools are so crowded -- just loaded to the gills"



-- A Woodland Hills real estate agent, 1978



Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

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When the LAUSD reluctantly tried to enforce the laws requiring the desegregation of schools, white, middle-class families fled the District. In 1970 half of the students in the school district were white. In 1978, after busing opponents had exhausted their legal appeals allowing the desegregation program to begin, white students were only 29.8% of the student body. In that year alone, 31,000 of them left the district. Some families moved to neighboring school districts while others enrolled in private schools. This mass exodus occurred even though only about five percent of students in the school system were affected by the mandatory busing program.

In the first iteration of the busing plan, parents were provided with the excuse that it was not fair to send their children on a 90-minute bus ride through LA traffic, making them pay the price for segregation. While the expressed sentiment may have been that "no one objects to people being bused here. It's us being bused there," even a shift in the program so that minority students were instead brought into the Valley, did not end the criticism. One black student recalls that "one girl couldn't have us at her house because her dad objected." In this case busing still worked: her classmate told her "'You can't come over, but I'll meet you on the corner.' And we hung out anyway."



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When charter schools were established in California, parents were given a new tool for avoiding integration. Before its conversion to a privately operated charter school, Granada Hills High was "one of the highest-achieving schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District". However, some parents criticized the practice of busing students from downtown and the East Valley into "their" school. By separating itself from the LAUSD, Granada eliminated its participation in this program. Today, the school is effectively re-segregated:

Granada is not only segregated based on race. Some students from socioeconomically disadvantaged families and those needing special education services have been pushed out of the charter school. While charter schools were presented as a vehicle for parental choice, this publicly funded private school is the one doing the choosing:



Part of the extended family celebrating Nicole's Birthday

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The advent of charter schools also provided a way for parents who had moved their children to private schools to have the government pay for the tuition. This may be a driving factor in the disparities in demographics that can exist when charter schools and district schools share a campus. As an example, when the nationwide chain of charter schools, Citizens of the World, expanded into the west San Fernando Valley, it claimed it would create a school with "a diverse community of students". However, when compared to the student body of the LAUSD's Shirley Avenue Elementary School, with which it shared a campus, the charter school had a much greater percentage of white students:

The white flight Charter School was able to take space from its public school counterpart through PROP-39. Under the rules that the LAUSD chose to use to implement this demand, Shirley had to give up space it used to provide Special Education services, even though it had a greater percentage of students who had disabilities than Citizens of the World. While nearly 88% of the students at the public school were socioeconomically disadvantaged, it still had to give up space used to enhance the education of these children.

Compounding the damage to public school students, Citizens of the World demanded more space than it was entitled to. This meant that while public school children were forced to receive services in closets, the students at the charter school benefited from having extra space. Under state law Citizens of the World was assessed a $34,625.44 penalty for the space they were not utilizing, but they have only paid $4,189.00. Along with 36 other charter schools, they had a portion of these mandatory fees forgiven by Jose' Cole-Gutie'rrez and the Charter School Division without explanation or approval of the LAUSD School Board.

The Lashon Academy is another charter school in the Valley that serves demographic groups that are vastly different from its public school counterparts. This is one of the few cases where the charter school admits it brings in white students from other neighborhoods to use the space in other students' schools. During a public hearing this month about its request to expand onto a private campus, the school's spokeswoman stated that the move would:

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Baku. Azerbaijan. August 3. The Israeli Air Force struck the center for operational control, production and storage of weapons of the radical Palestinian organization Hamas in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, Trend reports with reference to TASS.

The army press service reported this, noting that the previously attacked facility "was known as the Hamam school complex." On its territory, "Hamas weapons were produced and stored," "terrorists were trained," and "attacks were planned and carried out" on Israel and the Israeli military, the department noted.

The army press service stated that before the strikes, "steps were taken to reduce the risk of harm to civilians."

In addition, "the complex was used as a shelter by Hamas terrorists," the press service added. The military noted that before the strikes, "steps were taken to reduce the risk of harm to civilians." Among these measures, they listed "the use of precision-guided munitions," "surveillance," and "additional intelligence."
Two people died and a third was seriously injured Friday night in Northeast Portland when a driver was fleeing a traffic stop during a street racing and takeover event. Seven people were arrested, and 50 traffic stops were made, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

Law enforcement personnel from Portland, Gresham, Vancouver, Multnomah and Clackamas counties, the Port of Portland and the Oregon State Police are out in force this weekend in a regionwide mission to curb the street racing and takeover event that has been called the West Coast Invitational. Last year, it drew as many as 1,000 people, police arrested four people and a motorcyclist died in a crash.

At 11:55 p.m. Friday night, two Gresham officers saw a speeding car near Northeast 122nd Avenue and Hancock Street and initiated a traffic stop. The driver did not stop and police pursued the vehicle.

At 11:57 p.m., the vehicle rolled over after crashing into a utility pole at Northeast 122nd Avenue and Marx Street, according to a news release from Portland police. Two people died at the scene and a third was taken to a hospital.

Police said the multi-agency effort to deter street racing and takeovers was successful Friday night with limited racing and no street takeovers that police are unaware of. Officers made 50 traffic stops, arrested seven people, towed four vehicles and issued 11 citations.

At about 10:50 p.m., a speeding motorcyclist eluded police attempting to stop him and ran into a house in the 700 block of Northeast 160th Avenue. Officers obtained a warrant to enter the home and the suspect climbed onto the roof in an attempt to get away. He surrendered when he realized he couldnt escape, police said in a news release. He was arrested at 3:02 a.m. and the motorcycle was seized.

 The Oregonian/OregonLive
PARIS  For as long as Ryan Crouser has spun in a shot put ring, superlatives have described his career.

Standing 6-foot-7, with an enormous reach, he was often the biggest among his competitors. His analytical mind harnessed that frame to throw the 16-pound metal ball farther than anyone in history in 2021  then reinvented his technique to do it again last year.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A roundtable of around 36 young men and women from across Libya on youth participation in transitional justice have affirmed that it is essential to achieve accountability, in particular by documenting violations and building the capacity of the justice system
You cant always trust what you see on the internet, even when youre on a reputable website. At least, not when advertising is involved. Hackers buy ads and use them to trick unsuspecting individuals into downloading malicious software. This ploy has come up again and againand most recently, it targeted Googles own products.

As reported by Bleeping Computer, Malwarebytes discovered use of Googles sponsored search engine ads to spread shady downloads for Google Authenticator. The app generates two-factor authentication codes, a common method to bolster password security.

Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ]

The format of Googles text advertisements allow bad actors to display legitimate web addresses (like www.google.com), but direct users to fake sites with malware. Such software can be used for a number of purposes, including spying on users and stealing potentially sensitive information.

Google has since removed the phony Google Authenticator ad from its results. Similar malvertising campaigns have been previously discovered targeting AMD, Bitwarden, and KeePass users, among many other products and services.

OUr Favorite Antivirus Software Norton 360 Deluxe Read our review Price When Reviewed: 24,99 Euro im ersten Jahr Best Prices Today:

You can read more about the technical details of how this advertisement spread its malware in Bleeping Computer, but to stay clear of sponsored ads, you can try these tips:

Check for an ad label.

Scroll down the list of search results. Text ads for legitimate websites usually appear again as normal search results, and often within the top five. Use the link that shows up further down the page.

Click the three-dot icon next to a search result and check the identity of the website source.

Install an ad-blocking extension like uBlock Origin, which will hide sponsored text ads.

Use antivirus software that will block phony sites.

Incidentally, dont underestimate how helpful a good antivirus program can bethese days, it can be the last thing that stands between you and online dangers out of your control.
The Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) has donated laptops to 50 students at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), in Tarkwa, to support their studies as part of a four-year scholarship package program.



The beneficiary students are already part of the companys scholarship programme and have been selected from across its host communities across the country.



The Deputy Managing Director of BOST, Joseph Kpemka, speaking at a brief ceremony to present the laptops to the needy but brilliant students in Tarkwa, highlighted the initiative as a corporate social responsibility effort aimed at empowering students.



The laptops will facilitate access to information, online research, and academic work, Kpemka stated.



He emphasized the companys commitment to positively impacting society, particularly through supporting talented but financially challenged students from the companys impacted communities in the country. By providing these laptops, BOST aims to remove barriers to learning and help these students succeed academically, he added.



BOST plans to monitor the students' academic progress and their post-graduation activities. Mr Kemka promised that those who excel in their final exams would be considered for employment opportunities at BOST, subject to available vacancies.



The beneficiary students are pursuing various degree programmes like petrol-chemical engineering and other related fields. As part of BOSTs support, the fees of the beneficiaries for the duration of their studies have been catered to in addition to their accommodation and a monthly stipend.



The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Director of Education, Catherine Biney, expressed gratitude to BOST for its support.



She urged the students to value the assistance and to demonstrate their appreciation by excelling in their studies. Biney praised BOST for its contributions to enhancing education in Ghana.



The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UMAT, Anthony Simmons, while lauding BOST for the initiative, urged the beneficiaries to succeed to motivate the company to continue to support others in the host communities.

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.

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On August 4, the American former actress and wife of Prince Harry Meghan Markle will celebrate her 43rd birthday. The couple will not spend this day in the UK in the company of the royal family, but King Charles III and Queen Camilla will reportedly congratulate her.

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Perhaps they are even preparing a special gift for her. This opinion was expressed to the Express by the former king's butler Grant Harrold.

He assumed that the monarchs would not publish congratulations because the Dukes of Sussex had abdicated their royal duties and moved to the United States. However, Meghan Markle can count on a personal letter.

"Harry will make sure Meghan is congratulated. I think they'll get a message from the king and queen, whether it's electronically or by old-fashioned mail. I still think the king and queen will send birthday greetings, despite everything that has happened," said the former palace employee.

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According to him, they have already done so. The rulers may also send a gift from the UK to their daughter-in-law.

"They may send a gift, but given everything that has happened, there may not be one. If they were still in contact, I would assume it would be a piece of jewelry or something from the royal collection that may have been left over from the late Queen," said Grant Harrold.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
A renowned Kenyan professor and educationalist, Prof. Winston Kimani has extolled the exploits and giant strides made in Ghanas education sector by the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.



Speaking to Nairobi based Radio Citizen on the current state of affairs in Kenya, particularly on education, the Professor of Education at the University of Nairobi cited the significant progress that Ghanas education sector has seen over the few years under the current government.



Making reference to the recent state of education address made by Ghanas Education Minister, Prof. Kimani commended Ghanas government and suggested the Education Minister should be made the Minister of Education for the entire continent as he has shown the way through STEM education.



We in Kenya really have a long way to go and Ghana has shown the way through her Education Minister, one Dr. Adutwum. As an educationalist, Im enthused about what goes on in other countries and I must say I was highly impressed by the significant progress made in Ghanas education sector over the few years under the current government and its Education Minister.



their Education Minister should be made the Minister of Education for the entire continent. He is such a visionary person who has shown the way through STEM education, he added.



Kenya has recently been in the news for a wave of protests that is sweeping through the East African country over various concerns and issues.



Many experts and scholars are reacting to the situation and proffering solutions that would transform the country.



It is based on this that the renowned Kenyan professor made reference to the exploits made in Ghanas education sector by Ghanas government through Dr. Yaw Adutwum, the Education Minister.

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.

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The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Lands and Forestry, Akwasi Konadu has implored hunters and Bush meat traders to strictly adhere to the ban on the closed season for wildlife.



He said, adopting this practice will promote the conservation and sustainable utilization of wildlife and also allow it to breed and procreate.



The Deputy Minister made this statement during the launch of the 2024 Closed Season Observation themed "Wildlife: A Heritage We Must Conserve" on Thursday, 1st August 2024 in Mankessim, Central Region.



Hon. Konadu indicated that the closed season which begins from 1st August to 1st December annually prohibits hunting, capturing and destroying of wildlife animals. Moreso, the long-awaited Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115) which has been assented by the President of the Republic of Ghana HE. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will regulate the wildlife sector for enhanced socio-economic development.



He noted that one of the purposes of the closed season is to protect wildlife species and secure their habitats for ecotourism development.



"Through the promotion of ecotourism, significant revenues can be mobilized to boost economic development, as it is the case in many African countries, like Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania".



The Deputy Minister disclosed that the Ministry together with other state and non-state actors is pursuing several interventions to promote sound environmental management.



This, he said, includes strengthening law enforcement through specialized para-military training of the Rapid Response Teams, provision of logistic support to enhance field monitoring operations, expansion of Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) to other communities to foster closer community engagement, promotion of various models of reforestation and afforestation, including the flagship Green Ghana Project.



Hon. Akwasi Konadu urged all players in the sector to abide by the closed-season ban and support the Forestry Commission to achieve its vision of leaving future generations with richer and better forest and wildlife endowments than inherited.



Osagyefo Amanfo Edu VI, Omanhene, Mankessim Traditional Area, Chairman at the event described the adverse effect of disobeying the closed season rule as one which will cause generational loss. He said it will take a holistic approach to enjoy the benefits of biodiversity.



While cautioning hunters to help preserve the forest and its habitats, Omanhene also admonished Forestry Officials to strictly monitor and enforce the ban, raise awareness on the importance of the ban and work closely with the communities to ensure their involvement in effective wildlife management.



Osagyefo called on the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to enforce mining laws which restrict miners from mining in the forest reserves to ensure the sustainability of the closed-season ban.



The Chief Executive of Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey reiterated the value of protecting animals and the effects of climate change on both the environment and human lives.



He underlined that establishing a limited season will ensure sustainable use during crucial breeding seasons by regulating resource use.



Mr. Allotey also explained that enforcement of the regulatory mechanism which requires that during the four months, there should be no hunting, capturing or destroying of any wild animals except grass cutter for which a license is required will be taken seriously.



Hon. Ike Lord Ennu, the Municipal Chief Executive of Mankessim, called on all Ghanaians, particularly the people of Mankessim, to respect the closed season and support government initiatives to combat illegality in the wildlife and forest sectors.



He added, We will enhance public campaigns to highlight the importance of our forests and wildlife, emphasising their role in maintaining and improving sustainable conservation and nurturing a vibrant ecosystem."





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.

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Nigerian police have fired live bullets and tear gas to try and disperse thousands of protesters in the northern city of Kano rallying against the rising cost of living.



Many businesses across the country have closed as demonstrators in major cities chant slogans such as: We are hungry.



In Kano, which has seen the largest crowds so far, the gunshots were fired after protesters set alight tyres to make a bonfire in front of the state governors house. Four wounded people have been taken to hospital.



The protests have been organised via social media and inspired by the recent success protesters in Kenya who forced the government to scrap plans to increase taxes.



Officers have also sprayed hot water on the crowds in Kano, but they remain on the streets.



Looters have also broken into a warehouse near the governor's house and people have been seen carrying away 25-litre cartons of vegetable cooking oil and mattresses.



On Wednesday night, a court ordered that protesters in the capital, Abuja, to keep to the National stadium, which is located on the citys outskirts.



But after gathering at the stadiums gate on Thursday morning, the demonstrators - who have also been shouting the refrain End bad governance - began heading into the city centre.



This prompted police to fire tear-gas canisters to try and stop the procession, which is affecting traffic.



The security forces are deployed at strategic locations within the capital, where even banks are closed, and in surrounding towns.

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.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) will from September 9 to September 13, this year receive nominations for the elections of President and Members of Parliament (MPs).



This is pursuant to Regulations 6, 7 and 8 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127). The EC maintained the 2020 elections filing fees for presidential candidates at GH100,000 and GH10,000 for parliamentary candidates.



A statement issued in Accra yesterday and signed by the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, said interested candidates were required to download the nomination forms from the ECs website at https://ec.gov.gh/forms from today.



However, it said, all prospective candidates who wished to contest the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections as independent candidates should contact the commission for a passcode.



This will enable the aspirants to download the Presidential and Parliamentary Nomination Forms posted on the website of the commission, it said.



Presidential candidates



The statement explained that a candidate for election as President shall be nominated on the official nomination forms of the commission. The completed presidential nomination forms for each candidate for president shall be signed by the candidate and not less than two persons who were registered voters of each district assembly, it said.



The statement added that the completed forms should designate the person to serve as Vice-President. It said the nomination forms shall be in quadruplicate and shall be delivered personally by the presidential candidate or any two of the registered voters who signed the nomination forms for the candidate.



In addition to the completed nomination forms, the candidate shall submit four copies of a recent post-card (bust sized) photograph against a red background showing the full face and ears of the candidate to the Returning Officer, it added.



The Chairperson of the EC serves as the Returning Officer for the presidential election.



Submission



The statement said the completed presidential nomination forms must be delivered at the Head Office of the EC between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. as well as between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day.



It said candidates vying for the position of president would be required to make a payment of GH100,000 at the time of submitting their nomination forms. It said female presidential candidates and persons with disability were required to pay GH75,000.



It said payment shall be by banker's draft and addressed to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission



Parliamentary



Again, completed parliamentary nomination forms shall be delivered in quadruplicate by the candidate personally or on his/her behalf by either the proposer or seconder of his/her nomination to the Returning Officer of the constituency for which the candidate seeks election, it said.



Parliamentary



With regard to the parliamentary elections, the statement said the completed parliamentary nomination forms shall be witnessed by the signature or mark of two registered voters as proposer and seconder, and supported by 18 other registered voters in the constituency who signed the nomination forms for the candidate.



It said the nomination forms shall be endorsed by the candidate. In addition to the completed nomination forms, the candidate shall submit four copies of a recent post-card (bust sized) photograph against a red background, showing his/her full.



face and ears to the Returning Officer between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m, and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day.



Fees



It said candidates vying for the position of MP would be required to make a payment of GH10,000 to the Returning Officer of the constituency at the time of submitting their nomination forms.



Payment shall be by bankers draft and addressed to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission. Female candidates and persons with disability are required to pay GH7,500, it added.



The statement urged that all enquiries relating to the presidential election should be addressed to the Chairperson of the EC and those for the parliamentary election should be sent to the Returning Officers of the Constituencies where the candidates seek election.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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.

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Ranking Member of the Committee in charge of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghanas Parliament, Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, has described as preposterous the decision by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to issue an Executive Instrument to reclassify the Achimota Forest for commercial and residential developments.



To him, it is strange that a government that loudly trumpets its environmental achievements and allegedly splashed more than GH400 million on afforestation programmes, is "fixated" on destroying natural resources by turning a forest reserve into a "concrete jungle".



Declassifying almost half of the Achimota Forest was going to put all of us at risk and the president has not explained to us how the declassification was going to help us."



"Turning 361 acres of land into the concrete jungle and yet we cannot point to any forest the government has created since spending all the GH421 million on afforestation programmes and this forest that has been created way before we were born and we are fixated at destroying it, Hon Suhuyini said on Citi FM.



Speaking in an interview with Caleb Kudah, Hon Suhuyini, who is also the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, declared the Minority Caucus' intention to fiercely resist any attempt by the Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to reclassify Achimota Forest.



....everything that we can do to save the forest, we must do and my committees intention was to visit the forest on Thursday to ascertain for ourselves whether they were indeed demarcating portions to the Owoo family, because we cannot allow ourselves to be poisoned because the Achimota Forest saves and filters our air due to how choked Accra has become," he vowed.









Source: Kobina Darlington/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.

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By WILL WEISSERT, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  Democrats have unified with remarkable speed behind Vice President Kamala Harris as she has taken over the top of the partys ticket heading into the November presidential election.

It may be another story when it comes to a running mate.

As Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly have emerged as among the potential finalists, both have faced criticism from some organizations and activists who might otherwise be supportive of Democratic causes.

Harris team says she is interviewing six possible choices over the weekend before an announcement expected Monday. The next day, she and her running mate will appear together at a rally in Philadelphia, then visit six more swing states.

In addition to Shapiro and Kelly, Harris is said to be considering Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Some congressional Democrats have promoted Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut whose state has more than 370 miles of border with Mexico. They say his selection could help defuse attacks by the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, who argues that Biden administrations immigration policies are too relaxed.

Shapiro has high-profile supporters, too, including Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. She caused a stir by posting a video Friday depicting several Philadelphia-area officials and Democrats promoting Harris, but also playing up Shapiro as her running mate  appearing to suggest that the mayor had inside knowledge about Harris decision.

But a person with knowledge of the mayors thinking said the video was simply a case of Parker showing support for both Harris and the potential that Shapiro, Parkers friend, would be the vice presidential pick. The person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Both Kelly and Shapiro have also seen their detractors become more vocal as Harris closes in on a decision.

FILE - Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., speaks about the southern border outside the West Wing of the White House, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)AP

While that may not ultimately sway Harris, it is an indication that the honeymoon period for the vice president, where the distinct wings of the Democratic Party coalesced behind her, may be ending in the less than two weeks since President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid and endorsed her.

Some labor groups have criticized Kelly for opposing proposed legislation they argue would boost union organizing. Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers, said that despite backing Harris for president, his 370,000-member union is not supporting Kelly as a potential running mate.

Fain also said the union does not favor Shapiro, who has previously proved willing to join with Republicans in calls to expand voucher programs that allow public tax dollars to flow to private schools.

Fain did single out Beshear, Walz and Pritzker for praise.

Shes probably got a thousand people telling her the same thing, you know, of what they think, Fain said in an interview. And so shes got to make the decision based off of what she feels is, you know, is best for her.

The nonprofit Institute for Middle East Understanding said in a statement that Shapiro is not the right candidate for the job, and selecting him would be a step in the wrong direction.

Shapiro, who says he plans to be at Harris rally Tuesday in Philadelphia, has aggressively confronted what he views as antisemitism cropping up from pro-Palestinian demonstrations and he has professed solidarity with Israel in its drive to eliminate Hamas as it Israel battles the militants in Gaza.

Shapiro, who is Jewish, called out universities for not acting quickly to tackle antisemitism and he became a prominent critic of the University of Pennsylvanias president, Liz Magill. She resigned after testifying at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the schools conduct policy.

Shapiro has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while suggesting that any end to the Israel-Hamas war requires the removal of Hamas from power.

The governor has been criticized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations for not condemning Israel for the killing of civilians in Gaza or for not calling for Israel to stop the fighting in the territory. Shapiro has countered that he has met with Muslim Americans and understands their pain.

The progressive activist organization RootsAction.org opposes Shapiros views on Israel, school vouchers and the environment, among other issues. It says that in considering Shapiro, Harris has set off alarm bells among young people, racial justice organizers, Arab Americans, Muslims and others whose votes and campaign activism were crucial to defeating Trump four years ago.

Meanwhile, The Philadelphia Inquirer resurfaced an opinion article Shapiro wrote in 1993 as a 20-year-old college student at the University of Rochester where he said peace will never come to the Middle East and that Palestinians were too battle-minded to coexist with Israel.

Asked about it, Shapiro responded, I was 20 adding that he long has supported a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

It is my hope that we can see a day where peace will reign in the Middle East, he said.

Also opposing Shapiro are some environmental leaders and residents of the rural town of Dimock, Pennsylvania. They have drafted a letter to Harris urging her not to choose Shapiro and charging that the governor failed to keep his promises to clean up area groundwater contaminated by natural gas production via hydraulic fracturing.
By Evan Rosen, New York Daily News (TNS)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has overruled a recent plea agreement with the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and two suspected accomplices, reinstating their case as a death-penalty trial.

The Pentagon announced this decision on Friday, relieving retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier of her oversight of the capital case against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.

I have determined that, in light of the significance of the decision to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused  responsibility should rest with me as the superior convening authority, Austin wrote in the public statement.

Earlier this week, Escallier had signed a pretrial agreement with the defendants that would have exchanged guilty pleas for sentences that would have ruled out the death penalty.

Just before this reversal, it was reported that Mohammed and his accomplices had agreed to plead guilty, a move that pointed to a long-awaited resolution for an attack that killed nearly 3,000 people.

The men were expected to enter their pleas at the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as soon as next week, with defense lawyers negotiating life sentences in exchange for the guilty pleas.

The proposed plea agreement, however, was met with mixed reactions. Terry Strada, who leads a group of families of the direct victims of the attacks, expressed frustration over the plea deal, taking aim at the defendents: They were cowards when they planned the attack, she said. And theyre cowards today.

The plea agreement came more than 20 years after the attacks, where militants commandeered commercial airliners and used them to strike the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon.

The attack prompted President George W. Bushs administration to then launch the war on terror, leading to U.S. military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and years of operations against armed extremist groups throughout the Middle East.

With Austins decision, the case now returns to its original status as a death-penalty trial.
The former District of Columbia narcotics kingpin who ran a major drug operation from inside Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary is out of prison, but still under supervision.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed Friday that Rayful Edmond III had been transferred to community confinement overseen by its Nashville residential reentry management office.

For privacy, safety and security reasons the BOP will not specify the location, conditions or the reason for the move, a spokesperson said.
Guess what Kyle Rittenhouse did just hours after he said Friday that he had no take backs when it came to his announcement that he was not voting for Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election?

Thats right. He took it back.

Following an avalanche of social media hate directed at him by the MAGA crowd, Rittenhouse was back on X, formerly Twitter, with an update Friday afternoon.

Over the past 12 hours, Ive had a series of productive conversations with members of the Trumps team and I am confident he will be the strong ally gun owners need to defend our Second Amendment rights.

My comments made last night were ill-informed and unproductive, he added. Im 100% behind Donald Trump and encourage every gun owner to join me in helping send him back in the White House.

Friday was a rough day for Rittenhouse, and the take back did not appear to be the quick fix he was probably looking for here.

That was the wildest rollercoaster ride Ive ever seen, and the funny thing is it didnt evne last 12 hours, the Rawsalerts account responded. Hope you learned your lesson because you lost over 42,697 followers with that little announcement. Yikes.

There was plenty of ridicule and hate-filled posts still flowing in for him following the announcement. You can see his post here as well as some of the responses.

This comes after Rittenhouse posted a photo of himself next to Ron Paul on X earlier in the day.

There arent many people in this world I get excited to meet but meeting (Ron Paul) was an incredible pleasure, he wrote.

Over the past 12 hours, I've had a series of productive conversations with members of the Trump's team and I am confident he will be the strong ally gun owners need to defend our Second Amendment rights.



My comments made last night were ill-informed and unproductive. I'm 100%  Kyle Rittenhouse (@ThisIsKyleR) August 2, 2024

But it didnt stop there. There was also a video that Rittenhouse shared to his X account with the caption, You must stand by your principles.

And, in that video, he explained why he would not vote for Trump.

A lot of people are upset because I said Im going to be writing in Ron Paul for president of the United States, and that is true. I will be writing in Ron Paul, Rittenhouse explains. Unfortunately, Donald Trump had bad advisors making him bad on the second amendment and that is my issue. If you cannot be completely uncompromisable on the second amendment I will not vote for you, and I will write somebody else in.

That got the MAGA folks riled up on social media and several of the responses were not pretty. It appears they quickly wore down Rittenhouse, though, and put him in damage control.

Rittenhouse, of course, rose to fame in that world after he shot three people killing two, during a racial injustice protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2020. He claimed self-defense and was acquitted of all charges in relation to the shootings in 2021, making him a poster boy for gun groups, and he introduced himself in this latest video denouncing Trump as outreach director for Texas gun rights.
By Shamim Adam and Yi Wei Wong, Bloomberg News (TNS)

WASHINGTON  Republican Donald Trump said he has agreed with Fox News to debate Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 4 in Pennsylvania in front of a live audience.

This date is convenient and appropriate in that it is just prior to the Sept. 6 start of early voting in the presidential election, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Harris has been pushing Trump to follow through with a debate he scheduled with President Joe Biden hosted by ABC News on Sept. 10. Trump said that debate on ABC in part has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, according to the post.

He also said he was in litigation against the ABC network and George Stephanopoulos, and thereby creating a conflict of interest.

In Trumps first debate with Biden, the president delivered a disastrous performance that eventually led him to end his reelection bid and endorse Harris. There was no live audience in that debate.

Trump and his campaign had previously declined to commit to a debate with Harris, saying those plans could not be formalized until Democrats officially tapped their replacement for Biden.

The Democratic National Committee conducted a virtual roll-call vote on Friday and told reporters that Harris had secured enough delegates to win the nomination.

An earlier Truth Social post by Trump that said he would hold a town hall on Fox on Sept. 4 if Harris is unwilling or unable to make it on that date was no longer available.
Ukrainian drones attacked a fuel and lubricant warehouse that was used to supply the occupiers in Donbas in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation. The facility was attacked on the territory of the Atlas plant of the Russian Federal Agency for State Reserves near the village of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky.

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The facility was hit by 15 Obsidian UAVs of the Nayan project. This was reported to OBOZ.UA by informed sources.

DIU sources said that the depot provided fuel supplies to Russian military units stationed in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

According to preliminary data, fifteen drones attacked several fuel and lubricant tanks. As a result of the kamikaze drone strikes, a fire broke out on the base. As of the morning of August 3, the fire at the plant continues, as evidenced by a large number of videos and photos posted on social media. Detailed results of the operation are being investigated.

As a reminder, on the night of August 3, strong explosions occurred near the Morozovsk military airfield of the Russian occupiers. It is located in the Rostov region of the aggressor country. The explosions were followed by a massive fire, and detonations were heard.

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Later, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, carried out a successful attack on the Morozovsk military airfield in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation on the night of August 3. The enemy ammunition depots were hit, where the Russians, in particular, stored anti-missile systems. Oil depots in three regions of Russia were also hit.

As reported, the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation complained about an attack by Ukrainian drones . They allegedly hit an oil depot in the territory of the Gubkinsky urban district. As a result of the attack, one of the tanks caught fire.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!

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Over the past week, Russia has dropped over 600 guided bombs on Ukraine. The military of the terrorist state targeted civilians in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Donetsk and other regions of our country.

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And this terror can be stopped by destroying Russian aviation not only in the Ukrainian sky but also at Russian airfields using all available means. Only a joint decision with Western partners is needed for this, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced.

Traditionally, the head of state posted photos and videos of the consequences of Russian shelling in Ukraine on his Telegram channel. Damaged houses, burned cars, deep craters, hit critical infrastructure facilities, and innocent victims of Russian aggression were a daily reality for Ukrainians in the last days of July and early August.

The President is convinced that Russian terror must be put to an end. Therefore, the defeat of enemy military aircraft is one of the priority tasks for the Defense Forces.

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"Russian combat aviation must be destroyed where it is by all means that are effective. It is also quite fair to hit Russian airfields back. And we need this joint solution with our partners, a security solution. This is the only way to ensure protection for our people," Zelenskyy said.

Currently, Western partners, primarily the United States, have imposed strict restrictions on the use of Western weapons to strike military targets in Russia. In particular, because of these restrictions, Russian airfields from which planes take off to strike Ukraine are outside the target area. This allows them to continue their terror.

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"This week alone, Russia has used more than 600 guided bombs against Ukraine. We must stop this daily Russian terror with strong joint decisions," Zelenskyy urged.

As a reminder, since the Ukrainian Defense Forces cannot strike Russian airfields with Western weapons, they do so with their own means, including drones. Thus, on the night of August 3, strong explosions were heard near the military airfield Morozovsk in the Rostov region.

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According to the international intelligence community InformNapalm and OSINT investigators, the fire occurred on the territory of the parking lot of Russian fighter jets. According to preliminary data, the enemy has lost a number of aircraft.

In addition, numerous fires were recorded at the Russian airfield as a result of secondary detonation after the attack.

The Atlas plant, which belongs to the Office of the Federal Agency for State Reserves in the Southern Federal District and is located in the Astakhov rural settlement of the Kamensky district, was also hit. This plant specializes in the storage of petroleum products. In particular, it provides them to the Russian army.

Rostov Oblast Governor Golubev said that "55 Ukrainian UAVs attacked the territory of Rostov region."

The Belgorod region of the Russian Federation also complained about a drone attack . An oil depot was hit there and the local governor reported that one of the tanks was on fire.

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The General Staff confirmed the damage to the airfield and oil depots in three regions of Russia. The exact consequences of the attack, they added, are currently being clarified.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Reviewing the Brand-New Venetian Poker Room in Las Vegas

Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

One of the top poker rooms in Las Vegas is gone, but only because it moved to another, more convenient location at Venetian.

Poker pros, recreational players, casino executives, and even rapper Nelly were in attendance Thursday afternoon for the card room's grand opening. Matt Berkey, Jamie Kerstetter, Maria Konnikova, and 2017 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion Scott Blumstein stopped by to catch a glimpse of the new location.

The festivities began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a speech from Venetian's poker room boss Tommy LaRosa, who mentioned that the new poker room spot is more convenient for players and will help enhance their gaming experience.

Venetian's card room had long been situated across from the Venetian sportsbook, just around the corner from the exit door to Las Vegas Boulevard. It is now in between the Venetian and Palazzo casino floors in the Grand Canal Shoppes on the second level (go up the escalator past the Louis Vuitton store and you can't miss it).

Shuffle Up and Deal

Inside the new Venetian Poker Room.

At around 4:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, it was time to deal the ceremonial first hand. A few casino execs joined Nelly, Kerstetter, Berkey, Life Outside Poker guest Farah Galfond, Blumstein, and Joey Ingram for the first hand ever at the brand-new Venetian poker room. PokerNews captured the hand, which turned into an eight-way all in preflop. Only Kerstetter folded her hand, but as Berkey wrote on X, nit shaming is not allowed, so we won't do it.

After the ceremonial first hand was dealt, hundreds of players began filing in, taking their seats at the dozens of cash games running. Berkey, Galfond, Kerstetter, and Jeremy Ausmus co-hosted a meet-up to break in the new poker room, and they were joined by a star-studded cast of pros such as vlogger Jaman Burton and Landon Tice.

Free hors doeuvres were served to the grand opening guests.

Much of the Same, But Plenty of New

At first glance, the revamped Venetian poker room seemed quite similar to the nearby Wynn poker room, one of the best places to play poker in Las Vegas, with the nearly identical blue felt, white rail poker table color scheme. But there are also some differences, including the carpeting, and one staple of the Venetian poker room is back  the self-serve soda machine and coffee station, and that should make Allen Kessler happy.

Free drinks for everyone at the Venetian Poker Room.

Venetian announced plans for a new poker room back in February. The casino didn't offer too many details other than the room would be bigger  the biggest in Las Vegas. On the first day of action, the 49-table card room had low and mid-stakes no-limit hold'em games going ($1/$3 on up), along with some mixed and pot-limit Omaha games.

Venetian has always been one of the top tournament poker spots in the United States, with regular major events such as the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) and the casino's trademark DeepStack Series.

Speaking of which, the DeepStack Showdown Poker Series kicks off Friday and runs until Sept. 15 with $2.4 million in total guaranteed prize money to be awarded. The series includes a $500,000 guaranteed MSPT event Sept. 5-8, an $1,100 buy-in no-limit hold'em tournament.

Venetian's poker room is open 24/7 and offers free drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to all guests. Players earn $3 per hour in comps while playing cash games. One new addition to the poker room that many players will enjoy is a livestreaming room. PokerNews was informed by a staff member that the livestream should be up by the end of the year.

Another look from inside the new Venetian Poker Room.

What Do The Players Think of the New Poker Room?

One thing was clear from the start and that is the hundreds of players on Opening Day had positive first impressions of the Venetian poker room. We caught up with some familiar pros to get their takes on the change of scenery.

"The room is absolutely beautiful," Konnikova said. "My first impression was the bathroom. I think I was the first poker player to use it, and it was pretty awesome, if I may say so."

The PokerStars ambassador also said that she loves the location of the room away from the casino floor as she is "sensitive to smoke." Smoking is prohibited in the Grand Canal Shoppes and every poker room in the United States.

"I'm excited, a lot of people are here, and they're all fired up," says Joey Ingram. "And I think it's a good sign to come, poker in Las Vegas, so I think everyone's excited living in Vegas. They want something new, they want to keep things hyped up, new rooms, new events, people investing in the poker world."

Ingram said that time will tell if the unique location of Venetian's card room is appealing to the masses. But he referred to the area as "underrated" and acknowledged that the Grand Canal Shoppes is often packed.

Jon Friedberg, CEO of PokerAtlas, is also stoked about the new Las Vegas poker room. And he's impressed with what he's seen from it thus far.

"I think they did a great job on this room. It's got all the bells and whistles that a poker room can have  bathrooms in here, the drink station, self-serve drinks, beautiful room, livestream studio. I'm impressed," according to Friedberg.

Blumstein, the 2017 poker world champion had this to say about the Venetian poker room: "It's hard to argue that it gets any better than this."

The above poker pros spoke praise of the brand-new Las Vegas card room, and their comments about the facility are hard to dispute.

Watch Farah Galfond on Life Outside Poker!

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With one more day to go in the Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series, there is still plenty to play for at the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. Perhaps appropriately, four Italians have reached the final table of the $2,200 La Notte Degli Assi, with Fausto Tantillo leading the way.

The final day begins at 1 p.m. local time, where the final nine contenders will return to battle for the trophy and the top prize of $355,000.

Tantillo bagged 65 big blinds on Day 4, finishing with a total of 25,875,000 chips for a healthy advantage over start-of-day chip leader Dashinka (17,000,000).

The Italian pro boasts more than $1,000,000 in live tournament earnings, with many of those results coming right here in Northern Cyprus. That includes a win this spring in the 2024 Mediterranean Poker Party $15,000 Super High Roller for $231,800, along with six other final table finishes at Merit since the start of 2023.

However, this run to the Day 5 chip lead would not have happened without some luck along the way. Tantillo caught an ace to crack kings, but even that would not have been good if Denis Stoma didnt let go of his pocket sevens that would have sent Tantillo to the rail.

Hes joined by fellow Italians Raffaele Castro (16,100,000), WSOP bracelet winner Simone Andrian (13,875,000) and Day 2 leader Ermanno Pacini (10,425,000), who all sit in the top six on the leaderboard.

Day 4 Chip Counts

Place Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Fausto Tantillo Italy 25,875,000 65 2 Dashinka Israel 17,000,000 43 3 Raffaele Castro Italy 16,100,000 40 4 Simone Andrian Italy 13,875,000 35 5 Fouad Toujani France 11,200,000 28 6 Ermanno Pacini Italy 10,425,000 26 7 Kirill Burtin Russian Federation 7,150,000 18 8 Mohamad El-Sayed Lebanon 5,850,000 15 9 Denis Stoma Belarus 5,700,000 14

Anthony Khouzami

Day 4 began with 41 players returning to action, with ten knocked out in the first two hours of play. From there, a steady stream to the payout desk continued as the dramatic action saw Tantillo take control in the final two tables.

While Dashinka held the lead at the feature table after scoring a knockout with aces, Castro brought an end to the night by sending Anthony Khouzami to the rail in 10th place.

That saw all nine lock up at least $34,450, with a $10,550 pay jump looming with the next elimination and the largest pieces of the $2,084,720 prize pool still to be decided.

Others still in contention include Fouad Toujani (11,200,000), Kirill Burtin (7,150,000), Mohamad El-Sayed (5,850, 000) while Stoma (5,700,000) returns as the short stack with 14 big blinds.

$2,200 La Notte Degli Assi Remaining Payouts

Place Prize (USD) 1 $355,000 2 $240,000 3 $160,000 4 $115,000 5 $90,000 6 $72,000 7 $57,700 8 $45,000 9 $34,450

Merit Poker Trophy

Action will resume at 1 p.m. local time with 29:42 remaining on the clock in Level 35, and blinds of 200,000/400,000 along with a 400,000 big blind ante. You can catch the final table on the Merit Poker YouTube channel at 2 p.m. local time.

Catch all of the final day action, as the PokerNews live reporting team provides full coverage as the newest Merit Poker champion will be crowned.
A program titled Nourish & Flourish will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior & Youth Center, 841 Edgefield Ave. N.W. The program will feature dynamic speakers and an opportunity to visit with vendors who cater to the senior community. Speakers will be Aimee Hanna, executive director of Aiken Senior Life Services; Matthew Enfinger, neighbor advocate with Golden Harvest Food Bank; and Dr. Piya Deshpande, preparing a holistic meal. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 803-642-7600 option 3. Read moreToday's events for Oct. 10
It turns out our old friend Sharon Staggers wasnt the only Williamsburg County elected official with her hand stuck in the cookie jar. Turns out, in fact, that she might not even be the worst offender.

Ms. Staggers, youll recall, is the clerk of court who had the staggering audacity to give herself a $30,000 raise  using federal funds that are meant to make sure custodial parents receive the child support a court has ordered the other parent to pay. After the County Council refused her request for a bump up in salary.

We already learned since The Post and Courier uncovered that doozy in 2022 that shes not the only South Carolina clerk of court with such a brazen sense of self-entitlement  that at least five other clerks have also used child support enforcement funds to inflate their own pay.

And now we learn that while the clerks' audacity remains unmatched  since they granted themselves the raises  Ms. Staggers and several other Williamsburg County elected officials have also been the beneficiaries of overtime pay. Thats not just a bad look for elected officials, who are expected to work as much as it takes to get their jobs done. State law actually prohibits overtime pay for any salaried government employees, elected or not.

The Post and Couriers Eva Herscowitz  working with the Kingstree News Nichole Livengood in the latest installment of our papers Uncovered investigative project  reports that six elected officials received a total of $210,000 in overtime pay between 2019 and 2022.
Modern Western aviation can help Ukraine further weaken the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. In particular, F-16 fighters can be used to attack enemy ships with high-quality guided missiles.

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In addition, Ukraine needs to develop domestic missile systems. This was stated by war veteran, civic activist, and lawyer Oleh Symoroz in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA.

According to him, the Ukrainian Neptune missile was developed specifically to destroy ships. New modern UAVs can also help. At the same time, Symoroz emphasized that drones are not really that effective at sea because they are easy to spot.

He also added that airplanes are one of the best options for defeating Russian missile carriers at sea. Symoroz emphasized that the F-16 fighter jet can carry a whole variety of completely different missiles - short, medium and long-range.

"This is where it can be really interesting. If we successfully use the F-16 somewhere in the Odesa region and fire high-quality Western guided missiles that are modified specifically against ships, I think we can significantly weaken Russian missile carriers," the expert said.

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At the same time, he warned that the enemy uses long-range missile launchers with a range of more than a thousand kilometers, so the issue of destroying ships is not so simple. The occupiers are trying to keep away from Ukrainian territory. After the destruction of the Moskva missile cruiser, the invaders are now afraid to come close to Ukrainian territory.

"It has its own specifics, but I think our aviation, the development of the missile program, and new missiles will do the trick. Although we can really do something with the same Storm Shadow missile. Recently, we have been sinking Russian ships with the help of sea drones, which have also shown their effectiveness. But as for the missile carriers, the enemy is very cautious," noted Symoroz.

As a reminder, on July 31, Bloomberg reported that the first batch of long-awaited F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies had arrived in Ukraine. The number of delivered aircraft is allegedly small.

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Earlier, the Defense Ministry said it would not officially confirm this information. They explained that this is a "factor of essential survival," so there is no need to say for sure whether we have these jets. Reports of the alleged arrival of F-16s have not yet been confirmed in the United States either.

As reported, the Russian army has already deployed Buk SAM in the temporarily occupied Volnovakha district of the Donetsk region to hunt for F-16s.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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Epique Realty Raises the Bar with Airvet Pet Care for AgentsHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 3, 2024 /Epique Realty, a leading-edge, tech-based brokerage designed for modern realtors, is excited to announce a new partnership with Airvet, a 24/7 pet telehealth provider, to extend coverage to their staff and over 3,000 Epique agents. The traditional definition of "family" has evolved. Today, families come in all shapes and sizes, including those with furry, feathered, or scaly members. Epique Realty is excited to embrace a more inclusive and equitable culture that recognizes and supports the diverse makeup of modern families. With a remarkable 15% adoption rate in under a week, it's evident that this benefit is both needed and celebrated by the Epique Realty team.With Airvet, the Epique Realty team will benefit from unlimited access to pet care expertise, no matter where they are. Whether addressing urgent concerns or seeking advice on nutrition and behavior, Airvet provides the most convenient and stress-free way to access pet care. Epique staff and agents can take advantage of a comprehensive suite of services, including immediate 24/7 virtual consultations and scheduled appointments with licensed veterinarians at no cost to them.Christopher Miller, COO and Co-Founder revealed, "Epique was inspired to partner with Airvet due to the profound impact pets have on their agents' lives." Recognizing that pets are integral family members who contribute to the overall well-being and happiness of the team, Epique sought to provide a benefit that acknowledges and supports this bond. Epique CEO and Co-Founder, Josh Miller reports, "This initiative is part of Epique Realty's ongoing commitment to create a supportive and inclusive brokerage that aligns with a broader effort to enhance agent benefits." Airvet Founder and CEO Brandon Werber says about the partnership, "Epique Realty's had something like 20% adoption and 15% utilization in the first month, which really highlights the extraordinary impact of both offering and subsidizing a benefit like Airvet for their pet families. Their success so quickly into launch is a clear message that taking care of pets is taking care of people." "Our partnership with Airvet underscores Epique Realty's commitment to the well-being of our agents and their families, including their beloved pets," adds CFO and Co-Founder Janice Delcid. By providing this invaluable benefit, Epique Realty not only enhances the quality of life for its team members but also sets a new industry standard for agent care and inclusivity. Epique looks forward to seeing the continued positive impact of this partnership on our community.About AirvetFounded in 2018, Airvet was built with a focus on modernizing the pet care experience and is the #1 rated pet telemedicine app in the App Store with over 7,400 reviews and a 4.9/5 star rating. As the nation's largest and highest-rated pet telehealth company in the US and Canada, serving over 250,000+ pet families, Airvet provides 24/7 access to video visits and chats with thousands of licensed veterinarians and pet care providers, delivered as a highly valued employee benefit to companies like Adobe, Manulife, Eyemart Express, Ceridian and Rexford Industrial.About Epique RealtyEpique Realty is not just a brokerage; it's a movement. Committed to providing agents with extraordinary benefits, support, and resources, Epique Realty empowers agents to thrive in today's digital age. With a focus on inclusion, innovation, and integrity, Epique Realty is redefining what it means to be a forward-thinking brokerage, reshaping the real estate landscape one success story at a time. #BeEpiqueFor media inquiries or further information, please contact:Barbara SimpsonPR and Communications 281-773-7842 Barbara@ EpiqueRealty.com Related ImagesSOURCE: Epique Realty
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WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 2, 2024 / TDG Gold Corp. (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") for the acquisition of approximately 9,600 hectares ("ha") of mineral tenures (the "Tenures") contiguous with its Baker Complex and Greater Shasta-Newberry projects, all located within the Toodoggone District, B.C. (the "Acquisition"). The Tenures comprise 10 mineral claims that also join up TDG's Bot and Oxide Peak projects, forming a contiguous tenure block extending over ~55 kilometres ("km") ( Figure 1). All TDG's mineral tenures are actively explored, managed and maintained through close working relationships with First Nation partners.Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, TDG will acquire the Tenures from Volatus Capital Corp. (the "Vendor") for total consideration of $200,000, of which $100,000 will be paid in cash and $100,000 will be paid through the issuance of 752,445 common shares of TDG (the "Consideration Shares"). Closing of the Acquisition remains subject to standard conditions, including receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). In connection with the Acquisition, subject to TSXV approval, the Company will pay a $20,000 finder's fee (the "Finder's Fee") to L&L Consulting GmbH, an arm's length party to the Company, which will be paid through the issuance of 150,489 common shares of TDG (the "Finder's Shares"). The Consideration Shares and the Finder's Shares will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day after issuance.Figure 1 - TDG's Mineral Tenure in the Toodoggone, B.C.Steven Kramar, TDG's VP Exploration, commented: "This acquisition connects TDG's mineral tenure package into one contiguous block spanning ~55 km through the heart of the known epithermal mineralization and porphyry potential in the Toodoggone District. The new mineral tenures are also adjacent to Cascadia's PIL project (to the south) and to Skeena's Sofia-Sickle project (to the east)."Historical work on the Tenures from 1960-2003 included various small-scale geological and geochemical studies totalling approximately $340,000, and identified several mineralized target areas 1,2. Past operators focused on reconnaissance work to evaluate the epithermal precious metals potential of the area due to the presence of placer gold in multiple drainages in the vicinity. Most efforts were initiated during the early 1980s exploration rush in the Toodoggone following the discovery and development of the Baker and Lawyers past-producing mines. Little work was directed at porphyry copper +/- gold potential in this area, despite numerous showings 1 of porphyry style mineralization. Past operators in the area included SEREM, DuPont, Newmont, Hemlo Exploration, Mt. Graves Resources, Skylark Resources, Stealth and Volatus Capital Corp.Recent work includes acquisition of modern high-resolution airborne versatile time domain electro-magnetic ("VTEM"), magnetic and radiometric data 2 which, combined with TDG's existing airborne geophysical data, provides an excellent geophysical base from which to conduct appropriate geological and structural analysis. There has been no further follow-up and post-processing of the recent airborne data 2 on the newly acquired tenures. This information may provide further insight into underlying geology. No drilling has ever been completed on these tenures.Next steps will include compilation, review and integration of historical data 2 with TDG's existing geochemical, geophysical, geological and hyperspectral data from the surrounding tenures. TDG will provide additional targeting 1 information following completion of this work.Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for TDG Gold Corp., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.1 Mineral Exploration/Exploration Target Area(s): Exploration targets and/or Exploration zones and/or Exploration areas are speculative and there is no certainty that any future work or evaluation will lead to the definition of a mineral resource.2 Historical Data: This news release includes historical information that has been reviewed by TDG's qualified person (QP). TDG's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this news release; however, TDG cannot directly verify the accuracy of the historical data, including (but not limited to) the procedures used for sample collection and analysis. Therefore, any conclusions or interpretations borne from use of this data should be considered too speculative to suggest that additional exploration will result in mineral resource delineation. TDG encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.About TDG Gold Corp. TDG is a major mineral tenure holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 32,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership or under acquisition agreement. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta and Baker mines, which produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and the historical high-grade gold Mets developed prospect, all of which are road accessible, and combined have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. The projects have been advanced through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and, at Shasta, 13,250 m of modern HQ drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their potential extensions. In May 2023, TDG published an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Shasta (news release May 01, 2023 ) which remains open at depth and along strike. In January 2023, TDG defined a larger exploration target area adjacent to Shasta (Greater Shasta-Newberry'; news release Jan 25, 2023 ). In Fall 2023, TDG published the first modern drill results from the Mets mining lease (news releases Sep 07, 2023, Sep 11, 2023 and Nov 28, 2023 ). In early 2024, TDG identified new copper-gold target areas over an expanded footprint covering ~53 sq.km known as the Baker Complex' (news release Feb 28, 2024 ).ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Fletcher MorganChief Executive OfficerFor further information contact:TDG Gold Corp.Telephone: +1.604.536.2711Email: info@ tdggold.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts re
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CHISINAU, MOLDOVA / ACCESSWIRE / August 3, 2024 / Victoria Furtuna, a former anti-corruption prosecutor, has declared her candidacy for President of Moldova. With 18 years of dedicated public service, Furtuna brings a vision focused on strengthening Moldova's economy, ensuring national security, and upholding traditional values.Furtuna's platform emphasizes several key principles:Peace and Diplomacy: Furtuna prioritizes peace as a fundamental objective of her administration, advocating for proactive diplomatic efforts to safeguard Moldova from conflict.Law and Order: Furtuna pledges to prioritize the rule of law above all else. She promises a tough stance on corruption, crime, and drug abuse, ensuring a safer Moldova.Preservation of Traditions: Furtuna underscores the importance of Moldova's traditional values, viewing them as roots worthy of respect rather than outdated relics to be discarded.In the coming month, Furtuna will travel to many European countries to meet with like-minded politicians, to exchange ideas and foster international partnerships aligned with Moldova's interests.Additionally, presidential hopeful plans to engage with Moldovan diaspora communities in Italy and Romania, underscoring her commitment to strengthening ties with overseas Moldovans.Victoria Furtuna was born on February 24, 1981, in Hancesti, Republic of Moldova. In 2003, she graduated from the Free International University of Moldova, specializing in legal matters. She also obtained her master's degree in law from ULIM.In 2006, she began her career in the prosecution authorities as a prosecutor, initially working in the Prosecutor's Office of Nisporeni district, and later in the Prosecutor's Office of Chisinau, Botanica sector.In 2016, she was awarded the "Eminent of the Prosecutor's Office" badge, and in the same year, she was appointed as a prosecutor in the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Moldova.In 2021, she was selected as a candidate for the position of interim Prosecutor General of the Republic of Moldova.In 2024, after initiating a criminal case, in which several state public institutions were allegedly involved, Furtuna resigned from the prosecution authorities and founded a non-governmental association focused exclusively on defending the rights of individuals in disputes with state bodies.Throughout her career as a prosecutor, she handled several criminal cases involving high-ranking officials, mayors, ministers, deputies, senior officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as colleagues from the Prosecutor's Office.For more details regarding Victoria Furtuna's campaign and upcoming events, please visit her official website at https://victoriafurtuna.md Telegram channel: https://t.me/Victoria_FurtunaFacebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557759692101&mibextid=ZbWKwL Media Details Contact Person: Adrian Gavrilov - Press SecretaryContact No - +37360991684Mail: pentru@ victoriafurtuna.md SOURCE: Victoria Furtuna Presidential Campaign
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 2, 2024 / Ellipsis Health, a leader in AI-driven mental health solutions, is making significant strides in detecting depression and anxiety through voice analysis. At the forefront of this innovation is Yang Lu, a data scientist and engineer whose expertise has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge technology.Photo Courtesy: Yang LuHarnessing the Power of the Human VoiceAI has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing complex challenges, and mental health is no exception. Ellipsis Health's approach leverages the human voice as a biomarker, analyzing both the content and acoustic qualities of speech to identify potential signs of depression and anxiety.Lu has played a pivotal role in building the foundation for this innovative technology. Since 2018, she has spearheaded the collection of an extensive voice dataset, encompassing hundreds of thousands of recordings across multiple languages. This invaluable resource has enabled the development of robust AI models capable of accurately assessing mental states.Overcoming Data Challenges and Securing Intellectual PropertyCollecting accurate mental health data is a complex task. Individuals may not always provide truthful information about their symptoms. To address this challenge, Ellipsis Health has developed a patent-pending method to evaluate the reliability of survey responses, ensuring data integrity.Lu's contributions extend beyond data collection. She has been instrumental in securing essential patents that protect the company's intellectual property. These patents cover a range of innovations, including systems and methods for mental health assessment through voice analysis.Advancing AI Research and DevelopmentEllipsis Health is committed to continuous innovation. Lu's research has focused on optimizing speech input length for depression detection, determining the optimal data volume for AI model development, and ensuring the cross-demographic portability of their models.The company's AI models have demonstrated impressive performance in detecting depression and anxiety across diverse populations, including different genders, ages, and ethnicities. Furthermore, Ellipsis Health has developed multilingual models to address the global burden of mental health issues.Improving User Experience and Expanding AI CapabilitiesMaking mental health care accessible and user-friendly is a top priority for Ellipsis Health. Lu is actively working to enhance the user experience of their voice-based assessment tools, encouraging open conversations about mental health.The company is also exploring the integration of large language models, such as ChatGPT, to further enhance the capabilities of their AI platform. This integration has the potential to revolutionize mental health support by providing personalized and empathetic interactions.A Bright Future for AI in Mental HealthYang Lu's expertise and dedication have been instrumental in advancing Ellipsis Health's mission to improve mental health care through AI. By harnessing the power of voice analysis, the company is developing innovative solutions that can make a significant impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide.About Ellipsis HealthEllipsis Health is a technology company focused on developing AI-driven solutions for mental health. The company's mission is to improve access to mental health care through early detection and personalized treatment.About Yang LuYang Lu is a data scientist and engineer at Ellipsis Health with a Master of Science in Physics from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Mathematics in Pure Mathematics. Her expertise lies in the intersection of AI and behavioral science, where she has made significant contributions to developing voice-based mental health assessment tools. Lu's work includes data collection, model development, patent acquisition, and clinical research, making her a key figure in the advancement of AI for mental health.Media Contact: Bryce MowakCompany: Ellipsis HealthEmail: hello@ ellipsishealth.com Phone number: 4153287657Website: https://www.ellipsishealth.com/ Country: United StatesSOURCE: Ellipsis Health
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Saturday said a fire incident has been reported on Akaso 4 Wellhead operated by Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Eighteen Operating Limited.

The NUPRC Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, Laide Shonola, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the incident which has extended along the adjacent riverbank is reported to have occurred on 2 August at about 11:12 p.m.

NNPC 18 Operating Limited has confirmed that a rapid response emergency team has been deployed to secure the well, address the incident and isolate the affected area using spill containment materials to prevent further spread and contamination of the environment.

They are also planning to start the oil recovery process immediately. The company has deployed a Naval Houseboat within the incident area and established community surveillance to monitor the situation, the statement said.

It explained that the cause of the incident is not yet known.

Meanwhile, the commission said a joint investigation with relevant stakeholders is being planned to determine the cause and the area of impact.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Its important to note that the Akaso Well 4 has been out of operation for a significant period of time. As a reminder, the fire at the companys Alakiri Well 9T, which started on 23 February 2024, is still raging, it said.

The NUPRC explained that the contractor engaged to deal with the situation, Kenyon International West Africa Company, is facing some challenges in putting out the fire.

They are now planning to deploy the total oxygen extraction method instead of the heat extraction method currently being deployed. The equipment fabrication is 100 per cent complete and the contractor is awaiting mobilisation from the well owners. Contractor personnel are on-site monitoring the incident, it added.

The NUPRC further explained that a meeting with the management of NNPC 18 Operating Limited is planned to review the safety and integrity of its operations.

We will provide further updates on the incident as soon as they are available.

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This is a screenshot captured from a video generated by Vidu. [ShengShu Technology/Handout via Xinhua]

Several artificial intelligence (AI) video generation large models developed by Chinese tech companies have been made available to global users, providing Chinese equivalents of OpenAI's Sora.



The latest one, named Vidu, developed by Chinese AI company ShengShu Technology and Tsinghua University, became accessible worldwide on Tuesday, providing text-to-video and image-to-video generation functions.

This large AI model, unveiled in April at the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, now gives users access to creating a high-definition video of four seconds or eight seconds in 1080p resolution with a single click, said Tang Jiayu, co-founder and CEO of the company.

Tang said that such technology will revolutionize the content industry, including the film and television animation sectors.

"Over the next decade, the barriers to, as well as the costs of, film and television creation and production will be further reduced, with imagination and creativity better transformed into productive forces," he said.

It is not the first China-made AI video generator that has opened for global users. Last Friday, Beijing-based tech company Zhipu AI launched its large video generation model product, known as Ying.

This product enables video generation based on not only texts and images, but also video clips, said Zhang Peng, CEO of the tech company.

In June, the short video platform Kuaishou also launched a large video generation model called "KLING," which is capable of creating realistic motion scenes and accurate physics simulations in text-to-video and image-to-video generation.

Globally, there are already several technology companies working on text-to-video and image-to-video generation models. In China, mainstream AI video generation products adopt a structure that combines a deep learning model with a diffusion model, relying heavily on algorithms, computing power and data, according to Tang and Zhang.

Zhang admitted that domestic AI video generation technology is still in its infancy and imperfect, with a series of issues, such as high-quality data and algorithms, to be resolved.

"The best way to accelerate the development of AI is to parallel the research and development and the application of the technology, rather than keeping the technology locked in the laboratory and developing it in isolation," he said.

To date, China has filed and launched more than 180 AI generative content models that can provide services to the public, with registered users exceeding 564 million, Wang Jingtao, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said at the 12th Internet Security and Artificial Intelligence Conference held on Wednesday in Beijing.

Huang Chengqing, vice president of the Internet Society of China, said with its groundbreaking progress in recent years, AI is transitioning from the innovative research and development stage to a stage of innovative application -- thereby empowering the real economy.

"It is accelerating from the forefront of science and technology to real productive forces, and is expected to drive the transformation of new production methods," said Huang.
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has agreed to Fox News' offer to hold a debate with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. It is scheduled for September 4.

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Trump announced this in a post on Truth Social late on Friday, Reuters reports. He noted that the format of the debate would be similar to the one he had with former President Joe Biden.

The debate will take place in Pennsylvania, at a venue to be determined. The event will be held in front of a full audience.

Earlier, Trump gave a vague answer to a question about the debate with his opponent. He insisted that the debate should be held on Fox News, which traditionally supports Republicans, and criticized ABC "for sympathizing with Democrats" after the first round of debates with Joe Biden.

Earlier, US presidential candidate Donald Trump had rejected a proposal to debate Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming that "he was leading in the polls."

Harris insisted on a debate that Trump was supposed to hold with the incumbent Joe Biden on September 10. However, the former White House chief of staff and his campaign refused to participate, saying that the Democrats must first officially nominate their candidate to replace Biden.

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As reported, the latest opinion poll conducted by Ipsos for Reuters shows that Vice President Harris is supported by 43% of registered voters, and former President Trump - by 42%. However, despite the fact that the Democratic candidate outpolled the Republican candidate, she lost in voter support.

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The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Saturday announced that twenty-six feeders have been upgraded to its Band A feeder list.

The company, in a statement posted on its X handle on Saturday, said the tariff for these feeders has been upgraded to Band A, effective August.

The feeders are located in Asokoro, Garki, Central Area, Jabi, Maikunkele, Lokoja, Lugbe/Kuje, Adogo, Agaie, Gwagwalada and Kukwaba.

Other areas where feeders were upgraded to Band A include; Deide, Keffi, Apo/Asokoro, Akwanga, Suleja, Minna, LifeCamp, Okene, Minna and Wuse.

Dear valued customers, This is to notify the following areas that having fulfilled the service requirement of 20 hours average supply in the month of July, the tariff for these feeders have been upgraded to Band A effective 1st August 2024, it said.

Hike in electricity tariff

In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) ordered the immediate upward review of electricity tariffs.

The NERC Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, said only 15 per cent of the electricity consumers are affected by the hike.

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Accordingly, he said, power distribution companies (DisCos) will be allowed to raise electricity prices to N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour from N68.

At the time, the government explained that the decision to implement the tariff increase was to improve liquidity in the downstream power sector, as it had become difficult to sustain the subsidy in the sector.

The decision attracted criticism among Nigerians, which called for the reversal of the policy.

On 30 April, the House of Representatives asked NERC to suspend the tariff hike pending an investigation by the House.

Following the resolution by the House, DisCos, on 6 May, announced tariff reduction. Announcing the reduction at the time, the distribution companies said customers in Band A will now pay N206.80/kwh from N225/kwh.

However, earlier in July, DisCos proceeded with another hike and even upgraded more customers into the Band A category. Announcing the upward review at the time, the distribution companies said customers in Band A will now pay N209.5/kwh from N206.80/kwh.

Again in late July, the House of Representatives asked the NERC and DisCos to revert to the old electricity tariff.

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Three Nigerian writers, Samuel Kolawole, Uche Okonkwo, and Pemi Aguda, have been shortlisted for the 2024 Caine Prize for African Writing.

The Caine Prize for African Writing is an annual literary prize for the best short story by an African writer, whether in Africa or elsewhere, published in English.

The Caine Prize for African Writing awards 10,000 to the winner and 500 to each of the four shortlisted writers. The shortlisted writers are also invited to London for public readings, media interviews, and private events with agents.

Founded in the United Kingdom in 2000, the prize honours outstanding African writerscelebrating the richness and diversity of African literature and recognising exceptional achievements in African storytelling.

The award organisers announced on their website that five exceptional stories with different perspectives and narrative styles were shortlisted among 320 entries from 28 African countries.

Mr Kolawole was shortlisted for his work in Adjustment of Status, Ms Aguda for Breastmilk, and Ms Okonkwo for her writing in Animals.

Other shortlisted writers were Ghanas Tryphena Yeboah for The Dishwashing Women and South Africas Nadia Davids for Bridling.

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Judging process

South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Namibia, Morocco, Gambia, Senegal, Eritrea, Malawi, Liberia, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Mauritius, Libya, Algeria, and Cameroon were 28 countries that submitted entries.

Chika Unigwe, chairperson of the judging panel, described the judging process as challenging and rewarding.

Ms Unigwe said the 2024 shortlist captures the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary African literature, offering insights into societies, governments, cultures, and the wider world.

The 50-year-old further noted that the stories posed a fundamental question about lifes journey and a question great art often explores.

She maintained that the shortlisted works delve into the theme with empathy, thoughtfulness, humour, and beautifully crafted prose.

The Nigerian author said, We read over 200 eligible stories, uncovering many gems from both familiar and new writers. Our discussions were passionate, and when we reached our (unofficial) longlist, we wished we could have included every story. Our consolation is knowing that these works are out in the world, being read, recognised with other prizes, and receiving the attention they deserve.

The shortlist and the honourable mention (Zimbabwes Yvette Ndlovu) span four countries and include writers at various stages of their promising careers. These stories, ranging from speculative to realistic, cover diverse subjects but share a common thread: they are compelling, universal human stories. So, how do we navigate life? In these stories, we do so with regrets, survival, performance, resistance, and living. Throughout, we strive to be seen. We are incredibly proud of this outstanding shortlist and our honourable mention. Congratulations to all the writers.

The Caine Prize

Ellah Wakatama, Chair of the Caine Prize Board of Trustees, expressed her anticipation for using the 2024 Prize to amplify her publishing colleagues efforts to highlight Africas rich literary heritage and showcase the continents emerging talent.

This fresh approach also aligns with our goal of hosting more events on the continent during our 25th Anniversary celebrations. For 24 years, the Prize has helped bring African writers to the literary world stage. We are now taking the world to Africa and its writers. We welcome your encouragement, support, and commitment as we boldly move forward, she said.

The winner will be announced on 17 September via a pre-recorded address.

The organisers say this years edition will have no immediate ceremony.

However, the shortlisted writers will be integrated into the Caine Prizes 25th-anniversary celebrations, participating in a meet the writers event and appearing alongside past winners and shortlisted writers in readings and discussions held at partner institutions.

The celebrations will include tribute events for writers such as Charles Mungoshi (Zimbabwe) and Binyavanga Wainana (Kenya), who have died since they won or were shortlisted for the Prize.

Furthermore, all shortlisted stories will be published in The Caine Prize Anthology alongside stories written at the Caine Prize Workshop this year in Malawi.

Shortlisted Nigerians

Mr Kolawole, born and raised in Ibadan, Oyo State, is the author of the critically acclaimed novel The Road to the Salt Sea. His work has appeared in AGNI, New England Review, Georgia Review, The Hopkins Review, Gulf Coast, Washington Square Review, Harvard Review, Image Journal, and other literary publications.

He has received numerous residencies and fellowships, been a finalist for the Graywolf Press Africa Prize and International Book Award, and shortlisted for the UKs First Novel Prize. He also won an Editor-Writer Mentorship Program for Diverse Writers.

A graduate of the MFA in Writing and Publishing at Vermont College of Fine Arts, Mr Kolawole earned his PhD in English and Creative Writing from Georgia State University. He has taught creative writing in Africa, Sweden, and the United States and is currently an Assistant Professor of English and African Studies at Pennsylvania State University.

Furthermore, Ms Okonkwos stories have been published in A Public Space, One Story, the Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2019, and Lagos Noir, among others. She is the author of the debut story collection A Kind of Madness: Tin House (2024), Narrative Landscape (2024), and VERVE Books (2025)a former Bernard OKeefe Scholar at the Bread Loaf Writers Conference and resident at Art Omi.

She receives the George Bennett Fellowship at Phillips Exeter Academy, a Steinbeck Fellowship, and an Elizabeth George Foundation grant. Okonkwo grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and is pursuing a creative writing PhD at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

More so, Ms Aguda is an MFA graduate from the Helen Zell Writers Program at the University of Michigan and the 2020 Deborah Rogers Foundation Award winner. Her writing has been published in One Story, Granta, Ploughshares, American Short Fiction, Zoetrope, and other publications, and she has been awarded the O. Henry Prize for short fiction in 2022 and 2023.

She is the author of a collection of stories, Ghostroots (W.W. Norton, 2024; Virago Press, 2024; and Masobe Books, 2024). Pemi is from Lagos, Nigeria.

Previous Nigerian winners

Seven Nigerians have won the prestigious prize since its inception in 2000. Helon Habila, Irenosen Okojie, Lesley Nneka Arimah, Rotimi Babatunde, Tope Folarin, EC Osondu, and Segun Afolabi.

In 2001, Mr Habilas short story Love Poems won the Caine Prize.

Mr Afolabi won the 2005 prize with his compelling story Monday Morning, while Mr Osondus Waiting earned him the award in 2009. Mr Folarins Miracle won him the 2013 prize, and Babatundes Bombays Republic earned him the 2012 prize.

Ms Arimahs Skinned was awarded the 2019 Caine Prize for African Writing, and Okojies Grace Jones won the 2020 prize.

A Senegalese couple, Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo, made history in 2023 by jointly winning the prize for their short story A Soul of Small Places.

It marked the first time a husband and wife writing partnership had won the honour since the prizes establishment in 2000.

The couple received a 10,000 prize at a glittering ceremony held at One Birdcage Walk in London on 2 October 2023.

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Yoruba actor and matchmaker Adams Kehinde, aka Lege Miami, has commended the people of the Southeast (Igbos) for boycotting the ongoing nationwide protests.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Nigerias Southeast residents shunned the nationwide protest against economic hardship and insecurity, which began on Thursday and will continue until 10 August.

On Thursday, this newspaper reported that the protest failed to be held across Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi State, and Imoas the capital was on lockdown. On Thursday, the Ohanaze Ndigbo, an Igbo socio-cultural organisation, also commended the South-East region for boycotting the nationwide protest.

Lege Miami, an avid supporter of President Bola Tinubu, interpreted the protest boycotts in the region as allegiance to the countrys leadership and alleged in a viral video on Saturday that the Yorubas (South Westerners) were behind the protests.

The actor said: I want to tell the Federal Government of Nigeria something that I want them to notice. Firstly, if were talking about the Igbos, theyre doing well in Lagos State. I know some Yoruba people are unfortunate; one hundred per cent of Igbos in other states didnt protest, and their states are eighty per cent peaceful. Even in Lagos, the responsible ones didnt say anythingthey supported President Bola Tinubu. However, ten per cent of them who have mixed with the Yoruba are the ones causing trouble in the country.

But God will punish and destroy their lives. Look at me very well; I was stubborn and strong, and my Lege Miami was used to cover the destructive part of me. I can destroy; if you are truly born of your parents as a Yoruba person who is unfortunate, come and face me. Youll die. It will be on your back when Nigeria gets better.

He alleged that Yoruba people are to blame for the failures of other Yoruba individuals.

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We believe in Tinubu

In a video shared on his Instagram page Friday, Lege Miami said residents of Shomolu in Lagos, where he resides, would not join the ongoing protest.

The actor, known for his matchmaking platform, said Shomolu residents wouldnt join the protest because they believe that Mr Tinubus government would fix the bad economy Nigeria is currently facing.

He said, There is no protest in Shomolu. This is the Shomolu area, where we were born and raised. As we are like this, we cannot be against the government.

This is because we want to be patient so the government can do what it is doing. We believe in the government of Bola Tinubu; we know he will deliver. Everywhere in Shomolu is peaceful.

Before protest

Before the protest, Lege Miami and other celebrities such as Yul Edochie, Tonto Dikeh, and comedian Seyi Law preached against it and encouraged Nigerians to embrace dialogue.

Actress-cum-politician Dikeh cautioned Nigerians against the protest, citing the EndSARS protest as an example.

On her Facebook page, Dikeh, an APC member, acknowledged the daily increase in commodities but maintained that dialogue could solve the issue.

The 39-year-old urged Nigerians to form a representative group to advocate on their behalf rather than engaging in nationwide protests.

I know how disheartening it is to wake up and see that the price of almost everything in the market has increased by over one hundred per cent, even without any rise in our earnings. Many people working 9-5 jobs are now seeking alternative sources of income because a significant portion of what we earn is consumed by commuting and transportation costs due to the drastic increase in petrol prices, contributing to the high cost of living.

This suggestion is not meant to negate the effectiveness of protests or deprive youths of their civil rights. It is based on concern and experience with the last EndSARS protest, which was hijacked by ill-minded individuals to perpetrate evil at the expense of many youths lives, ultimately ruining the message and approach, she said.

Similarly, Edochie, on his Instagram page, acknowledged the hardship but argued that taking to the streets to protest wasnt the solution.

The 42-year-old stated, I acknowledge the hardship in the country, the situation of things. Its affecting everybody; I believe all will be well. Protest is not the answerpeople take advantage of protests to break into other peoples shops, steal, destroy, hurt, and kill innocent Nigerians who are already going through a lot. In the end, the aim of the protest will be defeated. Remember what happened during EndSARS; protest is not the answer.

Lets keep speaking out and doing all we can to help. President Tinubu listens and does all he can to make things right. Fellow Nigerians, lets be patient.

More so, Seyi Law said on his X page that he advocated for proper communication of government policies rather than protest because he wants the government to succeed.

For months here, I cried and spoke about proper communication of government policies. People insulted me and accused me of being paid. I spent my money and went to Abuja several times to talk with our people because I want this government to succeed. You can do well, but bad communication will not do you well. We are here now. What do we do? Where do we go from here?

However, this newspaper reported that celebrities, who were at the forefront during the October 2020 14-day #EndSars protest against police brutality, are absent at the ongoing demonstration.

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The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has lifted the suspension on Adanma Luke, the producer of the ill-fated movie The Other Side of Life, in which the deceased Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, starred.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Junior Pope and four other crew members drowned after their boat capsized at the waterside of River Niger Cable Point, Asaba, Delta State, while returning from the movie (The Other Side of Life) set on 10 April.

Following the incident and tragic deaths, the AGN indefinitely suspended Ms Luke for breaching safety protocols and prohibited its members from working with the embattled producer until further notice.

The guild also banned films involving riverine areas and boat riding to ensure the safety of actors and crew members by preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.

She was pardoned four months after being barred from participating in any film production.

AGNs National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, revealed this in a statement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

The secretary noted that this decision was revealed during the guilds National Executive Council meeting.

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The statement reads, The National President of the Guild, Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas, MON, use this opportunity to announce the lifting of the suspension placed on Adanma Luke, producer of the movie Another Side of Life, where star actor Junior Pope and four other crew members lost their lives in Anam river.

The President also lifted the ban on filming in riverine areas but cautioned members to apply all safety standard measures recommended in the AGN Bylaws.

Boat accident

The boat mishap news of the crew in April had caused a stir nationwide.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that a preliminary report, dated 25 May, by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) detailed that the accident resulted from the drivers distraction and revealed that the boat was not certified by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Before his death, the actor posted a video on his Instagram page, voicing concerns about the lack of life jackets during their river crossing.

He captioned the video, See me lamenting. The risk we take to entertain you: crossing river 9ja yesterday with no life jacket. Na wahooooo. Who does that?

The tragic event highlighted safety concerns on movie sets, leading to demands for scrutiny and improved (safety) standards within the industry.

In an official response to the tragedy, the guild promptly extended its condolences, halted movie shoots nationwide on 11 April, and established two committees: one to investigate the incident and another to improve the welfare of its members.

The AGN introduced new bylaws on 9 July aimed at better production standards and welfare.

Adanma Luke

Adanma Luke is known for producing Iga (Love in Chain) (2020), Narrow Affection (2023) and School Trouble (2014).

On 13 April, Luke said she was traumatised over the incident, revealing that she wished it was a dream. The filmmaker revealed that she was meant to be in the capsized boat and explained that her production manager had asked her to bring the memory card to the set, but when she arrived, she learned about the tragedy.

According to the producer, life jackets were available, but Junior Pope refused to wear one because it was dirty.

This confirms the NSIB preliminary report, which noted that only a few passengers on the boat wore life jackets.

READ ALSO:Enugu govt to give Mr Ibu, Jnr Pope befitting burial

Junior Pope was buried in his hometown of Ukehe, in the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, on 17 May.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the funeral mass was officiated by Rt Rev. Godfrey Onah, Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, at Saint Peters Catholic Parish, Ukehe.

This paper also reported that on 30 April, Precious Ofurum, the films sound engineer, was buried in Rivers State just as the makeup artist, Abigail Fredrick, was buried in her hometown in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

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A female protester collapsed in Abuja on Friday after police officers fired tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

The protesters dispersed after the police fired multiple rounds of tear gas at them. However, two sturdy protesters stayed back, defied the health hazard of the tear gas and called for help for the young woman who collapsed.

The woman has been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The police in Abuja, like in many other parts of Nigeria, have made it a habit to disrupt peaceful protests with tear gas without concern for the health implications of such.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the police repeatedly used tear gas to disperse protesters in Abuja, on Thursday and Friday. However, the protesters regrouped each time and have vowed to continue their daily protest as part of the 10 days of rage called by the organisers.

How it happened

At about 5:00 p.m on Friday, the peaceful demonstrators, who were moving and chanting to the rhythm of the music from a moving van, were suddenly surrounded by the police officers in front and behind, leaving the protesters in the centre of the road behind the stadium.

The well kitted policemen suddenly fired multiple rounds of tear gas at the protesting crowd and the journalists covering the protest.

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Some of the protesters and journalists fell into the roadside drainage channel, in an attempt to escape the tear gas.

Several protesters sustained injuries from the commotion, and shortly afterward, the young woman slumped on the grassy sidewalk of the stadiums fence.

This is Abuja, we will show them ( protesters) what we are made of, PREMIUM TIMES heard one of the police officers say.

The security officials eventually moved away from the scene, while some protesters were seen calling for help from passersby.

After the incident, PREMIUM TIMES observed that the protesters could not regroup to continue the protest. At about 6:00 pm , only heavily armed police officers were seen by the main entrance to the MKO Abiola Stadium.

Todays protests marked the second day of what the protest organisers christened the #10daysofrage demonstration. Their demands include the reintroduction of petrol subsidies and reduction in the salaries and allowances of public officials.

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The management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) said it has now disbursed a total of N2.5 billion to 22,120 students across 12 tertiary institutions in the country.

According to a statement signed by the agencys spokesperson, Nasir Ayitogo, six institutions have already received full payment of their institutional fees, covering over 20,000 students, while the remaining six will receive their payments soon.

He said, The total amount disbursed to these institutions stands at approximately N2,026,163,340. A further six will receive their payments in the coming week.

These disbursements will ensure that Nigerian students can proceed with their academic activities unimpeded, fostering peace of mind much needed for these students and their families.

Students stipends

In addition to the institutional fees, the management disclosed that it has also commenced payment of upkeep stipends to students, with N442 million allocated for the month of July.

Mr Ayitogo said the upkeep payments will benefit all 22,120 students across the 12 institutions, with more to come in the coming weeks and months.

He also added that the agency believes that the disbursements will significantly ease the financial burdens on students and their families, enabling them to focus on their studies and future careers.

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The Fund want to use this medium to clarify to the general public that disbursements are made based on each institutions academic calendar (beginning of session), he added.

About scheme

The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubus flagship project in the education sector.

Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Mr Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.

The Fund, according to the Act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.

It will also be funded through donations, gifts, grants, endowments, and revenue accruing to the fund from any other source, according to the Act.

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The nationwide protests have entered their third day, and protesters in many states are expected to take to the streets despite security agencies crackdown.

In several states across the country, the protesters have been peaceful. They continue to demand good governance despite security agencies provocation.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the peaceful nature of the protests in many parts of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja. Protests have, however, not been held in south-eastern states.

The protests have turned violent in some states, particularly in the North, where some demonstrators have resorted to looting businesses, government buildings, and others, forcing some state governors to declare curfews.

Curfews were declared in Kano, Borno, and Jigawa states. However, they were briefly relaxed to allow Muslims to observe Friday prayers.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), police continue to crack down on peaceful protesters, forcing them to stay at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

Whenever the protesters try to march into the city centre, the police have ruthlessly dispersed them with tear gas. Despite this, the protesters have demonstrated resilience.

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Overall, the first two days of the protest have been mixed for many. While the government has received criticism for its use of force against protesters, the looting and rioting in some states in the North have helped the government to further discredit the protests.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a lawyer to the Take It Back movement, one of the groups that organised the demonstration, on Friday called for an end to the protests. However, his call was rejected by Omoyele Sowore, a leading voice in the Take It Back Movement.

It is unclear if the demonstrators are going to listen to Mr Adegboruwa, though there is obvious fatigue in some states. In Abuja, the number of protesters reduced significantly on Friday compared to day one. It took over five hours to mobilise a sufficient crowd. Also, the looting in the North, coupled with the violence, is discouraging many.

Several clerics also used the Friday Jummat sermon to dissuade people from continuing the protests. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on the protesters.

Amid all these, President Bola Tinubu has remained silent and refused to address the nation. Several protesters told PREMIUM TIMES that they are willing to leave the streets if the president speaks to them, but the president has remained silent.

PREMIUM TIMES will be on the ground across the country to provide live updates on the protests. Stay on this page for the updates.

8:50a.m: Only a handful of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters can be seen at the protest ground outside Gani Fawehinmi park in Ojota, Lagos.

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force are on ground to maintain peace and order.

9:17 a.m: There are no protesters in sight yet at Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Protesters gather at Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Rivers State, on Saturday morning.

Protesters have gathered at the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park on Day 3 of the #EndBadGovernanceProtest pic.twitter.com/yRbwjAJfut  Channels Television (@channelstv) August 3, 2024

9:33 a.m: #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in Ojota, Lagos, building up momentum, with more demonstrators joining in.

There is also a heavy presence of police officers on the ground.

9:54a.m: A handful of protesters have arrived at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja for Day 3 of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.

10:15 a.m: Deputy Commissioner of Police, FCT, Ishyaku Shuaibu, address journalists at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

10:26 a.m: Only a handful of the protesters still demonstrate at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

11.45 a. m.: The Nigerian police attack peaceful protesters at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium,Abuja.

11:55 a.m: Police have taken over the protest venue at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

12:23 a.m: The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Adegoke Fayoade, has arrived the protest ground in Ojota to address journalists and monitor the protest.

Mr Fayoade, who commend the protesters for their peaceful conduct, assures that the police remain committed to protecting them.

12:25 p.m: Police fire a live bullet at the car of a PREMIUM TIMES covering the protest, Abdulkereem Mojeed.

11.45 a. m., The Nigeria Police Force attacks peaceful protesters at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium

1:30 p.m: The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest turns rowdy in Ojota, Lagos, as protesters flood the expressway. Soldiers have taken position on the other side of the expressway.

4:30 pm

The #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest in Ojota, Lagos, ends at 4:30 pm.

The protesters agree to hold a church service at the protest ground on Sunday, then continue demonstrations on Monday.

The protesters also announce that Mondays demonstration will not be confined to Ojota, but will extend to Alausa, Ikeja.

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Operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) and the police shot rounds of live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters and journalists covering the ongoing protests in Abuja.

The SSS officials, masked and in black uniforms, arrived in several Toyota Sienna vans, and started shooting live rounds at the peaceful demonstrators at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

This was shortly after the heavily armed police officers stationed at the main entrance of the stadium fired tear gas at the protesters. Several protesters were harassed and arrested.

At about 12:15 p.m., an official of the SSS, wearing a black mask, cocked his rifle and moved towards journalists covering the protests. Then he started firing.

The pellets of the bullets created pockmarks on the windscreen of one Sienna vehicle, while three bullets pierced the trunk of the car conveying PREMIUM TIMES journalists deployed to cover the protests.

How it happened

At about 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, a handful of protesters gathered by the main entrance of the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

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Side-by-side the crowd were vans of heavily armed police officers and the Army, while several others were positioned strategically (about a 100 meters) around the premises .

During this period, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, FCT, Ishyaku Shuaibu, came to address journalists at the stadium.

We are here to monitor the protests to ensure its peaceful, he said.

But shortly after he departed, the police started firing tear gas at the peaceful protesters, who had formed a circle by the gate of the stadium with placards bearing different slogans.

The atmosphere of the stadium suddenly turned rowdy, dispersing the protesters and journalists covering the scene.

PREMIUM TIMES correspondents deployed to cover the protests observed some police officers firing the tear gas directly at the fleeing crowd, while some were seen harassing and arresting some protesters caught in the smoky atmosphere.

At about 12:15 p.m., more vans of the police arrived at the stadium, likewise about seven Toyota Sienna vehicles (with no number plates) conveying dozens of masked and heavily armed SSS officers followed suit.

As soon as they alighted from their vehicles, the masked men moved in different directions.

Leave this place, leave this place, a masked official of the SSS kept shouting, swinging his hand in anger while pointing his rifle toward journalists covering the protests.

He immediately began to load his rifle with shinny edged bullets wrapped around his waist and he began to shoot at journalists carrying cameras at the opposite side of the stadium. Chaos erupted.

Several other security officials deployed to the scene ran after the protesters and journalists.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the police repeatedly used tear gas to disperse protesters in Abuja, on Thursday and Friday. However, the protesters regrouped each time and have vowed to continue their daily protest as part of the 10 days of rage called by the organisers.

Similarly, PREMIUM TIMES reported how female protester collapsed in Abuja after police officers fired tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

Earlier on Friday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) condemned the attack and harassment of journalists during the protests.

The commission called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the incident and take necessary steps to hold perpetrators accountable and report the action taken to NHRC within 10 days.

READ ALSO: President Tinubu to address Nigerians as hunger protest continues

The brutal dispersal of protesters and journalists from the protest ground by security forces on Saturday also came less than 24 hours after the Nigerian National Committee of International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) warned security agencies against attacking reporters covering the demonstrations.

Todays protests marked the third day of what the protest organisers christened the #10daysofrage demonstration. Their demands include the reintroduction of petrol subsidies and reduction in the salaries and allowances of public officials.

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After Day Two of the #EndBadGovernance protests that was planned to run for 10 days, social and commercial activities have resumed in many parts of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

When our correspondent visited Mokola, Iwo Road, and other protest sites at about 9.00 a.m on Saturday, residents, transporters, and shop owners were seen going about their daily economic activities.

With no protesters in sight, the security agencies, which include the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Western Nigerian Security Network corps (Amotekun) were on standby, but were having a free day.

At the Mokola roundabout, some officers who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES anonymously said the residents came out for their businesses because of the presence of security operatives and the excellent job they did on the opening day of the protest.

We are happy to see people going about their daily lives, conducting business, and going to their workplaces fearlessly. Because of them, we are on standby to prevent the loss of lives and property, one policeman said.

He added that all members of the security team will remain in strategic locations for the 10 days initially planned for the nationwide protest.

When contacted via WhatsApp, the Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, Adewale Osifeso, told PREMIUM TIMES that the peaceful protests in Ibadan were the result of good collaboration among security stakeholders.

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According to Mr Osifeso, the Oyo State Police Command, prior to the protest, positively engaged all stakeholders in the state.

Moreso, the officers and men of the Command have a constitutional obligation to protect the lives and property of all peaceful protesters professionally and with respect for the rights of citizens, he added.

Recall that on Thursday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that youths and residents marched en masse on Ibadan roads, calling for the repeal of the 1999 Constitution among other demands, which they believe would give Nigerians a better life.

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Hes a tough guy, but also, a small universe of varying sensibilities who carries around a notebook in which he writes more poems than songs. I write poems, but I dont consider myself a poet, he says, taking a sip from his beer. Its the afternoon of June 26, the day his band, Queens of the Stone Age, ended its packed Spanish tour  five cities in just a week: A Coruna, Madrid, Vitoria, Fuengirola and Barcelona  and Josh Homme (Palm Springs, 51 years old) is euphorically calm. No one could have imagined that 15 days later, on July 10, Homme would undergo emergency surgery, nor that today, he would remain under medical supervision, his status unknown beyond the fact that, for the moment, getting back on stage is not an option. The rest of the concerts on the European tour have been dropping one by one to cancellation.

That day, on June 26, he said he was happy and peaceful. He also said that the tour on which he had embarked was a victory lap because the last five years have been hellish. But we survived, he also said. Homme had revealed not too long before, during that same June, that last year he had undergone an operation to treat cancer, though what kind of cancer, he had declined to reveal. The only thing we knew about it was what he told us: that the operation had been a success and everything was going well. Perhaps it was because of this, on that afternoon in June, that he seemed so euphorically calm. He spoke a lot about Spain. He said that Spain was, by far, his favorite country in the world. I feel at home, and at the same time, very fortunate whenever I am here. There is something about the landscape, in the interior, that reminds me of my home. And then theres everything else. Its paradise, he said.

Josh Homme, U.S. rock musician and producer, pictured in Barcelona on June 26, 2024. Albert Garcia

He truly meant it. Hed like to live here. The problem is that his family is huge. I live with my parents and my three children. Actually, we all live less than five minutes from each other. Theres also my brother and his husband. I would want to see them all here, he said. And when he said here, he was referring to Llafranch, or somewhere similar on the Costa Brava, where 15 or 17 years ago he spent 10 days with the band and their families and he felt time stand still. There is something dreamy in Hommes gaze when hes not holding a guitar  on stage, there is no one more swarthily rock n roll than him and his band  and it has something to do with a new and unexpected beginning, one that has now been put into doubt, after those five hellish years. The years in which his marriage stalled out, that saw the death of Mark Lanegan (a dear friend and former member of Queens of the Stone Age) and Taylor Hawkins, the Foo Fighters drummer with whom he was also close.

Homme, wearing sunglasses, a white t-shirt, lightly gelled hair, was pleasantly perfumed and calm, above all, calm, and he preferred not to talk about his altercations: the three years of summary probation and community service to which he was sentenced after a bar fight with Blag Dahlia, a friend of Nick Oliveri, a former member of the band. He did talk about In New Times Roman, his latest album  the groups eighth, the final installment in a trilogy that started in 2013 with Like Clockwork  saying that, as with any good album, it must reflect what you felt at the moment you were composing it; ultimately, that is what albums are, a moment, a few years of your life. That yes, it is a return to the roots of powerful, unflappable, pure and today, forbidden, nearly impossible rock, but that its also all that he has managed to decode, thus far, regarding his own self. I see music as a path. Art itself is a path. All we do is walk it, he said.

Queens of the Stone Age performance at Mad Cool 2023, in Madrid. INMA FLORES

He quoted Winston Churchill, saying that, if youre going through hell, keep going, and Oscar Wilde, who he called, a crazy little grouch, when he added: be yourself; everyone else is already taken. And he even noted how the creator spends his life trying to fix something thats broken inside, but knows hes never going to fix anything. The recording was hard, as hard as the album is. You can tell we were fighting for something, but we always are, really. I always feel that way. Music is my therapist, its been my guide all these years. When I look for an answer, it always gives me one. Or it gives me something like an answer. I have had a lot of ups and downs in my life. But the music is always there. Like a kind of father, he says. Are there any ups and downs right now? No, he insisted. Right now, Im at peace, he repeated. He ordered another beer. Im of the opinion, like Nietzsche, that life without music would be a mistake.

He said he read Cormac McCarthy and William Blake, that he always knew that they would get this far and be alone. This was a reference to the rock scene. Of the very idea of rock, amidst its own extinction: I still consider everything that has happened to me surreal. I wake up every day thinking that none of this is possible. All the concerts are sold out, isnt that a miracle? Sometimes I dont understand what the world is all about today. The feeling is that we are all some kind of project of something. A work in progress. That we must improve, end the chaos. But chaos matters. We are who we are. Were not going to change. He added, You know what? I actually felt more alone before, when we were surrounded by other rock bands. Now were not. I knew we could survive them all. And that we were going to. Theres nothing wrong with wild.

Modern masculinity

As a tough guy, or a seemingly tough guy, how does he get along with the subject of modern masculinity? Does he think it has something to do with the displacement of rock from the main stage? I dont know, the only thing I know is that it is important to be a man. But not in the sense of what you think a man should be, but in the sense of what you think you should be. I think a man, above all, should be a good listener. Someone who, above all, listens. And then, someone who is able to put himself at risk for others. I believe in a kind of the masculine role, but also in someone who can exercise it, because he knows and is at peace with his feminine side. I know there are those who wont think the same way, but I also know that you can lose yourself when youre not willing to know yourself, and when you dont have a role, he said. Mind you, he never thought it would be so hard. Not being a man, but rather, the music business.

Josh Homme, U.S. rock musician and producer, founder of the Queens of the Stone Age. Albert Garcia

My dad used to say that when your job gets harder as time goes on, you chose the wrong job, or youre not doing it well. And mine is getting harder, so I probably didnt choose well. Before, the music industry was a bed of flowers. It was as simple to record an album as going out and picking a bouquet. Now, the field is empty. Theres no way to find anything that forms a bouquet. Everything is getting harder, he said. He had spent a few days in Barcelona and hadnt done anything but walk. Five-hour walks, completely anonymous  yesterday someone went out to water the plants on their balcony and they accidentally watered me, and it was wonderful! he said, tickled  that he hoped to repeat soon. My Spanish is horrible (he has learned how to say de puta madre or fucking great) but Im sure that my kids will be better, he said.

The guy grew up in Palm Springs and dropped out of high school at 16, falling in love with the albums of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd, knowing that there was no other path for himself than that which led to the stage, a guy who left behind the notion that a band is a constant, hurtful, fatal clash of egos. He said that, despite it all  despite that fateful end with Oliveri and the constant mutation of Queens of the Stone Age  were like a family, one that is united by necessity. That in fact, I have learned how to relate to my own family thanks to the band.

Ultimately, I got into this to connect with the world and Im still here, he said. He ordered one last beer because, well, Ive had two, why not a third?

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President Bola Tinubu will on Sunday, August 4, 2024 address the nation via a televised broadcast, the presidency has said.

The broadcast will air at 7:00 am on that day, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said.

Television, radio, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to plug into the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast, Mr Ngelale said.

The broadcast will be repeated on the network services of the NTA and the FRCN at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the same day.

The protest over poor governance across the country is in its third day. Deaths, violence, looting destruction of public and private properties and law enforcement brutality have trailed the demonstrations across the country.

Amnesty International said at least 13 people have so far been killed by security agents, a charge the police have denied. Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, put the fatalities at seven but blamed terrorists, local vigilante and a reckless driver for the deaths.

In the midst of the confusion in parts of the country, some people have called on the president to address the nation to respond to the grievances of the protesters.

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With the announcement by his office this evening, President Tinubu seems to have heeded the call.

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A magistrate court in Jigawa State has remanded Umar Danjani, and 73 others over alleged arson, at the head office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Mr Danjani, the Jigawa youth leader of the PDP campaign council for Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, was remanded alongside the others in the correctional facility in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area.

The police spokesperson in the state, Lawan Adam, said Mr Danjani was arrested at the APC secretariat during the EndBadGovernance protest in Dutse, the state capital.

The police said the suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, rioting, disturbance of public peace, theft and destruction of billboards.

The police commissioner in Jigawa, Abdullahi Tijjani, at a press conference on Saturday, said Mr Danjani was arrested on day one of the protest alongside the other suspects.

Some unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements who are bent on destabilising the polity decided to use and engage under-aged children and teenagers, leading to violence and destruction of public properties in the state capital, and other places.

They engaged in the destruction of government properties and disruption of economic activities in the state and the security agents were left with no option other than to use minimal force to disperse the violent protesters.

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The violent protests spread to some local government areas such as Hadejia, Birnin Kudu, Gumel, Kazaure, Babura, and some other areas.

About 312 suspects have been arrested out of which 74 of them have been charged to court, the police commissioner said.

Reaction

Reacting to the development, Amnesty International faulted the remand of Mr Danjani calling for his immediate release.

In a statement on its X handle, Amnesty International said subjecting critical voices to intimidation and arbitrary acts is unlawful.

READ ALSO: President Tinubu to address Nigerians as hunger protest continues

Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Umar Danjani  one of the protesters against hunger, who was hurriedly remanded in Birnin Kudi prison. Subjecting critical voices to intimidation and arbitrary arrests for speaking out is unlawful, Amnesty said.

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If these actions escalate, there is likely to be a regional war in the Middle East. One that will pitch Israel and its European and American partners against Iran and its allies. Such war will immediately suck in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Anwar Allah  Houthis in Yemen, the Syrian military, Hamas and possibly, Fattah in the Palestine.

Heart surgeon, Masoud Pezeshkian, was sworn-in as President of Iran on Tuesday, 30 July. His primary concern seemed to be about lifting the unilateral sanctions the United States (US) had imposed on his country. Reviving the economy is fundamental for the citizenry and the sure way of winning their hearts.

However, he would have been forced to have a change of heart within 24 hours. The first major challenge he is faced with now is how to react to Israels assassination of Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh. The latter had accepted Irans invitation to attend his swearing-in ceremony. At the occasion, Haniyeh, who had been well received, flashed the victory sign. But the very next day, Israel assassinated him in Tehran.

Unless Israel makes propitiation, President Pezeshkian would have no choice but to order a retaliation. Haniyeh had been his guest and he had the duty to protect him. Also, Israel, by the assassination, had violated Irans sovereignty. On both scores, Iran seems duty-bound to defend its honour.

A similar scenario had played out after Israel attacked the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on 1 April. It killed 16 persons, including Iranian Generals Mohammed Reza Zahedi and Mohammed Hadi Rahimi. On 13 and 14 April, Iran sent armed drones, ballistic and cruise missiles into Israel. On that occasion, it deliberately used slow missiles that got to Israel in five hours, thereby giving the latter and its allies enough time to shoot almost all of them down. This time, it remains to be seen whether Iran would adopt a similar method, or use its hypersonic missile, which can hit Israel within 17 minutes.

Also, by killing Haniyeh, Israel has deliberately wrecked the peace process in Gaza. The US, Israels chief guarantor, rather than be sympathetic, told the United Nations Security Council it was not sure about Haniyehs assassination, and that the killing would not stop the peace process.

Haniyeh lived in Qatar, a tiny, rich and quite sensible country that has been at the heart of the ongoing peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It was a clearly frustrated Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani who, in reaction to Haniyehs assassination, wrote: Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue, lead us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?

But the reality is that the assassination would hinder the peace process and make it much more difficult. This is partly because Haniyeh was neither an armed combatant nor was he given to the idea of destroying Israel. I had wondered how he was able to survive in the Hamas leadership, given the fact that he did not hide his preference for a two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine would live peacefully within secured borders. Despite his parents having been expelled from their ancestral homes by Israel, his being born and growing up in the Shati refugee camp, his imprisonment thrice by Israel and expulsion to Lebanon, he still held to the basic principles of peace for all in the Middle East. This year, three of his sons and three grandchildren were killed in Gaza in an Israeli air strike. Despite his travails and personal tragedies, he insisted that negotiations and reconciliation were the proper route to take in the Middle East. The murder of such a moderate can only give rise to more militant figures in the region.

Haniyeh lived in Qatar, a tiny, rich and quite sensible country that has been at the heart of the ongoing peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It was a clearly frustrated Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani who, in reaction to Haniyehs assassination, wrote: Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue, lead us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?

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The assassination is coming just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from a triumphant visit to the US. There, the American Congress opened its hallowed chambers to him. As American parliamentarians lousily applauded every sentence of Netanyahu, sometimes even when he was midway, I wondered if they realised that they disgraced their country and demeaned its democratic credentials by opening their parliamentary doors to controversial Netanyahu.

In an escalation, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in Syria has also been attacked, allegedly by Hamas. Earlier, on 19 July, a drone by the Houthis in Yemen struck Tel Aviv, killing a man. The next day, Israel attacked the Yemeni port of Hodeida, allegedly causing a over $20 million damage.

Now, the stage is set for a regional war in the Middle East. On the eve of the assassination, the US and the United Kingdom were rushing troops to the region. On that day, three US ships, USS Wasp, USS Oak Hill and USS New York, were streaming towards Lebanon with 2,200 soldiers on board. US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, in acknowledging that his country was sending those ships said: If Israel is attacked, yes, we will help Israel defend itself. Weve been clear about that from the very beginning. On its part, the UK already has its Royal Navy and Royal Air Force operating in the region. Perhaps, buoyed by these actions and steps, Israel, that day, attacked Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

The US, since its military defeat in Vietnam, has been careful about committing its citizens to battle. Its involvement in the Libyan War was from the air. Yes, it had troops in the Iraqi and Afghan wars, but these might have seemed to be easy wars. Despite this, it relied heavily on the use of mercenaries, especially of the Blackwater company which, due to its atrocities against civilian populations, changed its name, first to Xe, and now, Academi.

If these actions escalate, there is likely to be a regional war in the Middle East. One that will pitch Israel and its European and American partners against Iran and its allies. Such war will immediately suck in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Anwar Allah  Houthis in Yemen, the Syrian military, Hamas and possibly, Fattah in the Palestine.

However, there is the question of whether Europe, on whose soil the war in Ukraine is being fought, would want to open a second front in the Middle East. Except for mercenaries, they do not have boots on the ground in Ukraine; would they send troops to fight on the side of Israel? I doubt it.

The US, since its military defeat in Vietnam, has been careful about committing its citizens to battle. Its involvement in the Libyan War was from the air. Yes, it had troops in the Iraqi and Afghan wars, but these might have seemed to be easy wars. Despite this, it relied heavily on the use of mercenaries, especially of the Blackwater company which, due to its atrocities against civilian populations, changed its name, first to Xe, and now, Academi.

One country that thought it could start a war because it had American and NATO backing, was Georgia. But neither the US nor Europe was willing to commit their troops to fighting the Russians, so the Georgian War, which began on 7 August, 2008, lasted just nine days. I doubt if they would ever send troops to fight in the Ukrainian war, as French President Emmanuel Macron once canvassed.

Israel might just find that in the event of a regional war, NATO would not send troops to fight on its side. Israel is like an animal skin drum, beating too loudly; it may just go burst.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.

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Towards a greater Nigeria, the Tinubu administration remains resolute in strengthening the filament of trust between citizens and the leadership, while recognising the sacrosanctity of the social contract.

The subsistence and material viability of the state as a philosophical ideal is implicit in the social contract. It is the actual compact between the government and the people, which separates civilised existence from the anarchic state of nature.

The government exists for the people, as much as the governed.

Governance is not an abstraction or some esoteric vocation for a few. Governance is participation  of both the leadership and its citizens. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates the responsibilities of all parties to the existing social contract. Nation-building comes with the demands on citizenship.

Fundamentally, one of our responsibilities as citizens is to preserve the peace and stability of our nation and to defend it, if necessary. On the part of the governing (at all levels  federal, state, and local governments), there are even more demands of duty, as leadership comes with inevitable responsibilities.

The President Tinubu-led administration has been responsive and dutiful in the fulfilment of its part of that social contract. At the risk of overstating the obvious, but these facts must be stated, the government is showing attunement to the concerns of citizens. It is responding surgically and carefully to every concern. It is not reclining or taken up in wild celebrations over some feats. It is still in the mill, grinding hard to give citizens relief and set the nation on the promenade of prosperity.

To effectively address the cost of living challenge, the government has exponentially reviewed the national minimum wage to N70,000; suspended import duties on all essential food items until December; suspended import duties on pharmaceutical raw materials and equipment to bring down prices; and released over N570 billion to state governments for the facilitation of critical subsistence support to citizens.

It is also converting over 30,000 petrol-powered commercial vehicles to cheaper compressed natural gas alternative to drive down the cost of transportation, and has so far disbursed N50,000 grant each to over 600,000 Nigerians  with 400,000 more beneficiaries to receive the grant.

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The government will disburse N75 billion to 100,000 MSMEs from August, and over 500,000 Nigerians are poised to benefit from the initial payout of the Consumer Credit Scheme.

In addition, the President Tinubu administration is scaling up investments in infrastructure and in critical sectors, with significant ramifications for the human capital index, such as healthcare and education.

So far, $2.2 billion has been mobilised in external financing to catalyse the implementation of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) through financial commitments from various development partners, and the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU) domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has been established to ensure the efficient, transparent, and accountable management of grants mobilised towards the initiative.

Some of the pivotal interventions of the administration in education include removing universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and addressing recruitment challenges to provide greater autonomy to university administrators; removing the financial barrier to accessing higher education by dint of the Student Loan Scheme; and expanding the scholarship programme  with about 250,000 scholarships to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder students academic journeys.

In response to security concerns, safety centres have been established in Abuja and across various states, with all educational institutions required to register. These centres, bolstered by trained security agents, aim to promptly address threats and ensure a safer learning environment for students.

Also, the Out-of-School Children Commission, set to commence in September, will provide training to approximately 10,000 young Nigerians, while through the introduction of the DOT policy, which focuses on comprehensive data collection to better support schools, teachers, and infrastructure, four million young Nigerians have been reintegrated into the education system.

In a meeting with traditional rulers a few days ago, President Tinubu made profound extemporaneous affirmations, acknowledging the hallowed pact between the leadership and citizens.

He said the plight of citizens remained a deep concern and would receive more attention.

Yes, it is true that I asked for this job, and I approached some of you to support me. So, I have no excuse not to do the job with sincerity of purpose and honesty. I have committed myself to it diligently, and I will never look backwards. I have accepted the assets and the liabilities of my predecessor. How I will take Nigeria forward should be my concern, and that is my concern, the President said.

Towards a greater Nigeria, the Tinubu administration remains resolute in strengthening the filament of trust between citizens and the leadership, while recognising the sacrosanctity of the social contract.

Fredrick Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement.

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The Kaduna State Government has upbraided the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) for cutting off the State Government House and hospitals from electricity power supply. In a statement on Saturday, the Kaduna State Power Supply Company (KAPSCO) said its attention has been drawn to a statement credited to KAEDCO over the disconnection of Kaduna State Government House, hospitals and other government buildings from electricity power supply.

The statement signed by KAPSCOs Managing Director, Idris Idris, a fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineers, explained that the debt owed KAEDCO by the state government was inherited from the past administration stressing that the state government has committed to payment of the same since inception in 2023.

READ FULL STATEMENT

The attention of Kaduna State Power Supply Company (KAPSCO) has been drawn to a statement credited to Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO or Kaduna Electric) over disconnection of Kaduna State Government House and other State government offices due to unpaid bills. As an agency of government responsible for verifications of all public building energy consumption in the State, we feel duty bound to correct the erroneous impression created by Kaduna Electric.

We receive monthly electricity bills from Kaduna Electric, verify same and pay through the Ministry of Finance including that of Kaduna State Government House. However, the current claim of N2.9 billion by the Kaduna Electric against the Kaduna State Government (KDSG) is unfounded.

To put the record straight, the following facts are of paramount importance:

The administration of His Excellency, Sen. Uba Sani, through KAPSCO, has engaged the Distribution Company severally on the so-called inherited debt from the previous administration.

Further, the Governor has approved payments for all inherited debt due to Kaduna Electric from the year 2015  March 2023. A total of Ten billion, Two hundred and Sixty Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Three-Naira, Eighty-Seven Kobo (N10,264,679,233.87) was billed by the Disco for the period between January 2015  March 2023; while KAPSCO has verified Seven billion, five hundred and Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Eght Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty-Three Naira, Seventy Nine Kobo (N 7, 507, 958, 463.79). In view of the above, a total sum of Seven Billion, Three Hundred and Fifteen Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Four Hundred- and Seventy-Eight-Naira, Seventy-Seven Kobo (N7,315,366,478.77) was paid to Kaduna Electric by the KDSG with receipt acknowledged.

Based on Capping of Estimated Billing Regulations for unmetered electricity customers Order (NERC/224/011) and verification of centralized Electricity Bills by KAPSCO, verification was undertaken from January 2015 to date. The KDSG has saved a difference of about Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Seven Hundred- and Seventy, Eight Kobo (N2,848,672,770.08) naira due to non-compliance to NERCs Capping Order and overbilling by Kaduna Electric. The KDSGs consumption from 2015 to date has, therefore, exceeded the allowable limit; hence the metering of all affected facilities from Kaduna Electric as stipulated by Consumer Protection Regulation (2023) of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was requested by KAPSCO and not granted.

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The sum of Two Hundred and Fifty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty Three Naira, Eighty Eight kobo (N256, 920,963.88) was paid on the 9th day of May, 2024 as final settlement between KDSG and Kaduna Electric for all MDAs and Kaduna State Water Cooperation (KADSWAC) for the months of September  December 2023. It is pertinent to note that KADSWAC is a self- autonomous agency of the KDSG entitled to its rights and responsible to its obligations.

However, it is noted that the sum of Three Hundred and Seventy-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand, One Hundred and Four Naira (N372, 864.104.00) was presented by Kaduna Electric as the electricity bill for all MDAs under KDSG for the months of January to May 2024. Accordingly, out of these amount, Three Hundred and Fifty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and Fourteen Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira (N353, 714,933.00) was verified and same was duly approved by the His Excellency, Governor for payment. Additionally, the sum of Six Hundred and Ninety-Six Million, Seven Hundred and Fifteen Thousand, Seventy-One Naira Sixty-Six Kobo (N696, 715, 71.66) was also presented by Kaduna Electric as the electricity bill to KADSWAC that is a self-autonomous agency with all administrative powers.

It is equally important to note that the KDSG is a shareholder with about 2.5% of investment in Kaduna Electricity company. Based on the foregoing, and to ensure a cordial working relationship between the KDSG and Kaduna Electric, the government has invested in providing over Five Hundred (500) transformers and significant amount of electricity infrastructural development in extension of electricity network to unserved and underserved communities across the State. This is to encourage and help Kaduna Electric reduce its 59.96% Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses as at 2024/Q1 and further support in reversing its perpetual historical poor performance that had led to successive changes in Board and Management of the company.

The KDSG in its effort, to ensure the survival of Kaduna Electric in the Electricity Market, has through its budgetary provision, earmarked over N2 billion Naira for exploring options in NERCs investment in network regulation (2015) in partnership with the Disco and was communicated to the company through KAPSCO. This was done for the interest of the citizens of Kaduna State.

It is disheartening to note that the unfortunate action of Kaduna Electric in disconnecting Yusuf Dantsoho hospital from power supply is in direct contravention of the provisions of Chapter II, Section 25 Sub-Section (2) of the NERCs Customer Protection Regulation (NERC  R  001  2023) which prohibits disconnection of facilities with life support machines.

In the light of the above facts and for the collective interest of the citizens of Kaduna State, the KDSG hereby invites Kaduna Electric for a robust engagement with a view to reconcile all the pending issues to ensure the overall progress of Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

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The Nigeria Police Force on Saturday claimed it did not kill protesters or anyone else during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in parts of the country.

In a statement it posted to its X handle, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said those reported dead during the protest, now in its third day, were killed by terrorists, local vigilante and a reckless driver who ran his car into a crowd.

The police were responding to a Friday statement by Amnesty International which accused security personnel of killing at least 13 people during the protest.

However, in its own account, the Police said seven (7), not 13 persons, died and that they were not killed by law enforcement operatives.

In Borno State, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (34) were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), Mr Adejobi said.

Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Although the vehicle was vandalized after the incident, it has been recovered and is currently in police custody. Efforts are ongoing to trace the driver and bring him to justice.

There was another incident reported in Yauri, in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized to loot a shop. In the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters. The Commissioner of Police in charge of Kebbi State is currently investigating the incident. This brings the total number of deaths recorded during the protests to seven (7).

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The police have been widely condemned for its brutality during the protest. Protesters and journalists reported police personnel shooting teargas canisters and live ammunition at them during the demonstration.

But despite evidence to the contrary, the police have pushed back against the allegations, saying its personnel have been professional in the handling of the protest and protesters.

The Force said nine (9) of its officers suffered various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters.

One of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remains in critical condition, Mr Adejobi said.

He added that at 681 individuals have so far been arrested during the ongoing protest. They are accused of various criminal offences such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destructions of both public and private property.

Dangerous weapons, including two (2) AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition, were recovered from the so-called protesters, the police spokesperson said.

Additionally, stolen items such as furniture, electronics, phones, other various shop items, and vital infrastructures worth billions of naira were recovered from the arrested persons. Contrary to circulating news, organizers of the protest or protesters were not arrested. Those in police custody are under investigation for clear connections to criminal activities.

Citizens immediately rose to challenge the polices claim on fatalities, with some describing the Force as a liar.

Your are a bloody liar you should be ashamed of yourself, an X user, who identifies as Eastern Warrior, said in a comment below Mr Adejobis post.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BY THE POLICE BELOW

PRESS RELEASE

PROTEST: POLICE RELEASES RECORD OF INCIDENCES

Cautions Amnesty International on Releasing Unconfirmed Figures, Reports

The Nigeria Police Force finds it necessary to refute a recent report publicized by Amnesty International, which claims that thirteen (13) individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in Nigeria that began on 1st August 2024. Amnesty International further alleges that security personnel deliberately employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.

The Nigeria Police Force wishes to provide an accurate account of incidents from the first two (2) days of the nationwide protests. In Borno State, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (34) were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Although the vehicle was vandalized after the incident, it has been recovered and is currently in police custody. Efforts are ongoing to trace the driver and bring him to justice.

There was another incident reported in Yauri, in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized to loot a shop. In the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters. The Commissioner of Police in charge of Kebbi State is currently investigating the incident. This brings the total number of deaths recorded during the protests to seven (7).

It is important to state that there were no other recorded fatalities during the protests apart from those mentioned above.

However, incidences of armed robbery, arson, mischief, looting of public institutions and private businesses, destructions of both public and private property were recorded during the protest. Arrests were made with respect to these criminal incidences and a number of recoveries made from the suspects while the protest was going on.

The Nigeria Police personnel deployed to manage the protests have acted professionally, refraining from using lethal weapons. In instances where protesters became riotous, the police employed teargas to disperse them. Even when our officers on lawful duty were attacked and injured, the police effected arrests using only teargas, demonstrating utmost restraint.

In an effort to combat the trend of crimes and criminality, the police have arrested a total of six hundred and eighty-one (681) individuals who committed various criminal offenses such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destructions of both public and private property. Dangerous weapons, including two (2) AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition, were recovered from the so-called protesters. Additionally, stolen items such as furniture, electronics, phones, other various shop items, and vital infrastructures worth billions of naira were recovered from the arrested persons. Contrary to circulating news, organizers of the protest or protesters were not arrested. Those in police custody are under investigation for clear connections to criminal activities.

Furthermore, nine (9) police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters. One of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remains in critical condition.

The ongoing protest has obviously turned violent. We therefore advise law abiding citizens taking part in the protest across the country to immediately withdraw from it. This advice becomes necessary in view of the violence that has characterized the protest in the last 2 days. It is reasonably expected that Peaceful protesters would have withdrawn from the protest that has turned violent.

The Nigeria Police Force is committed to providing accurate information and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during these challenging times.

It is essential to recognize that the strategic deployment by the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, and the decisive clampdown on criminal elements exploiting the protests for unlawful activities, has been highly effective in quelling tension and curbing the violence and anarchy witnessed on the first day of the protests.

During this challenging period, the Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to performing its lawful duties with professionalism, maintaining law and order, and preventing anarchy throughout the country. The Nigeria Police urges all citizens and residents to disregard unfounded and psychologically manipulative reports circulating about incidents during these protests.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FOR: INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE

3rd August, 2024

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The All Progressives Congress (APC), Zamfara chapter, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sponsoring attacks on its members in the name of peaceful protests.

The State APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, made the allegations at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday.

Mr Idris further alleged that the PDP leadership in the state used the protests to attack the residence of the former governor of the state and the incumbent Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle.

He alleged that the PDP thugs also attacked the residence of a senator, Sahabi Yau, in his hometown of Kaura Namoda, where valuable items were destroyed including a Toyota Hilux van.

Mr Idris said, We have earlier forecast the possibility of hijacking of the protests by hoodlums and other miscreants in the state.

We commend the proactive action of the security agencies in the state for their quick intervention.

We urge them to do more and immediately arrest the culprits who infiltrated the peaceful protests.

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The Zamfara APC chapter is disturbed by the dimension of the nationwide protests, which are supposed to be peaceful.

We have observed that many PDP thugs were strategically deployed to attack and maim personalities as well as destroy properties of the APC.

He called on Governor Dauda Lawal to call the alleged PDP members to order for peace to reign in the state.

We wish to implore the security agencies in the state to give our members and all well-meaning citizens the desired protection of lives and property, Mr Idris said.

Responding, the State PDP acting chairman, Mukhtar Lugga, described the allegations as unfortunate.

READ ALSO: Zamfara governor receives NEAPS 2024 presidential award on project innovation

Mr Lugga, who is Governor Lawals Chief of Staff, lamented that the Zamfara APC chapter always makes baseless allegations to attack the current administration.

He said, This is very unfortunate, It is very sad for the APC leadership in the state to relate the nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance with politics.

I wonder why the APC leaders in Zamfara always politicise issues related to the development of the state and Nigeria.

Mr Lugga added that the PDP has been a peace-loving party since the inception of Mr Lawals administration.

You know, we dont want to join issues with the APC; we are on governance now; we are focusing on the development of our dear state, he explained.

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Some protesters in Jigawa returned to the streets in continuation of their protest in spite of the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government on Friday.

The Jigawa Police Commands spokesperson, Lawan Shiisu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse that no fewer than 50 suspected hoodlums were arrested on Thursday.

Mr Shiisu, who also confirmed the return of the protesters to the streets in Zai, Shuwarin and Gumel town, could not immediately give figures of those arrested on Friday for violating the curfew in the state.

The spokesperson said that the police and other security agencies were on top of the situation in the state, adding that the combined security forces had succeeded in dispersing the hoodlums from the streets.

Yes, we have made arrests in Shuwarin and Zai, but I cannot give you the number of those arrested immediately because they are still bringing them in.

As for Gumel, we are yet to receive any information regarding resistance by the hoodlums, he said.

However, NAN gathered that hundreds of youth continued to march in the streets on Friday, the second day of the nationwide protest in Dutse and Gumel Local Government Areas.

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A witness, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that a combined team of security agencies were battling with the protesters who wanted to gain access to public buildings and stores near the Zai area of Dutse.

Another resident in Zai, Adamu Abubakar, said that the youth in their hundreds were seen chanting different slogans moving forcefully toward Dutse despite being teargassed by the police anti-riot squad.

A witness also saw hundreds of protesters, mostly youths, regrouping at Shuwarin, a suburb of Dutse to continue with the demonstration.

The witnesses said that the protesters were marching toward Dutse township but were being blocked by security operatives.

They also told NAN that if not for the intervention of security agencies who barricaded the road leading to Dutse and fired teargas, the protesters could have reached the metropolis.

Garba Ibrahim, an eyewitness from Shuwarin, said that the police had succeeded in arresting some of the protesters, including teenagers.

However, in Gumel LGA, the situation was relatively calm as security barricaded the major roads and prevented the protesters from regrouping.

A reliable source in the area who did not want to be named, said that there was serious tension in the area adding that something must be done urgently to forestall casualties.

(NAN)

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The Adamawa State Government is intensifying surveillance and planning a massive vaccination campaign against Hemorrhagic Septicaemia, a disease suspected to have caused the death of more than 1,000 cows in neighbouring Taraba.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture, Suleiman Aminu, disclosed this to journalists on Saturday in Yola.

According to him, the disease is suspected to have killed over 1,000 cows in the Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba, which borders Adamawa.

With the confirmed cases of the disease in Gembu, Taraba, and its spread to other LGAs, the ministry has summoned all Divisional Veterinary Officers (DVOs) to intensify efforts and conduct thorough examinations to prevent the disease from reaching Adamawa.

Although samples are still being tested at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Laboratory in Vom, Plateau, our Taraba counterparts have confirmed that a mass vaccination will soon commence across the state, he added.

Aminu explained that the disease was bacterial, primarily affecting cattle, buffaloes, goats, and pigs.

He noted that symptoms include high fever, swelling, especially on the neck, depression, and difficulty in breathing, and can cause death in less than 24 hours.

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He mentioned that the ministry has already sent a memo to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for approval to purchase drugs for mass vaccinations.

He appealed to Adamawa residents to remain vigilant and report suspected cases to the ministry, veterinary clinics, or officials.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the affected LGAs in Taraba are bordering Toungo, Ganye, Jada, Mayo-Belwa, Demsa, Numan, and Lamurde local government areas of Adamawa.

(NAN)

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A man looks at the screen, holding up a bottle of cooking oil, asking for help from viewers to feed the women and children that can be seen behind him, gathered around a table at a refugee camp in northern Syria. The image appears in one of the hundreds of live transmissions that proliferate on TikTok, all of them hewing to a similar pattern in which Syrian influencers direct groups of displaced people to request digital gifts that can be exchanged for real money. EL PAIS has verified dozens of such videos published on the platform, which were later deleted. Their participants, according to testimonies compiled by this publication, receive some food in exchange for their appearances, while the clips monetary gains, which can reach up to $1,000, are shared between the TikToker and the digital platform itself, according to complaints from individuals who have been impacted, and as at least one influencer admits.

Prevalent poverty in northern Syria and the interruption of aid to the area have led some displaced individuals to turn to TikTok to feed their families. According to a recent report by Syria Response Coordinators, an organization that operates in the countrys northwestern region, humanitarian aid to the area is steadily decreasing, resulting in poverty levels above 91%, with 40.9% of the population suffering from hunger. Nearly 90% of the areas working-age population is unemployed.

A displaced Syrian boy in the al-Sikka camp in Harbanoush, to the north of the city of Idlib. Sony Al Ali

Ahmad al-Sarhan is 11 years old and lives with his seven-member family in the Sheikh Bahr camp, to the north of the city of Idlib. His father has cancer and cannot work. Al-Sarhan expresses his frustration with the TikTokers who ask him to pose for their live videos in exchange for a small amount of food. I have to be on my feet in front of the camera with other kids for hours so that the TikTokers can get donations. If we move during the transmission, we run the risk of them firing us, the young boy told EL PAIS. According to his accounts, they are asked to pray for those who send gifts, while the content creator receives the funds and encourages them to repeat phrases like thank you, I love you or God bless you. The boys participation in these transmissions often prevents him from attending classes. I have to follow the schedule of the broadcasts to get bread and vegetables. If I miss the transmission, I cant get enough to feed myself and my family, he explains.

The gifts the boy refers to are digital bonuses that viewers of the live TikTok broadcasts can send to the content creator, who can then trade them in for real money. These gifts range from virtual flowers worth a few cents to a gorilla that costs $450 and a lion worth $500. Each time one of these bonuses appear onscreen, the TikToker asks the children to repeat the earnest pleas and entreaties that theyve had to memorize.

Hassan al-Daher (who prefers to use a fake name to preserve his anonymity) worked as a TikToker until approximately a month ago, when he decided to quit his social media gig in order to emigrate. The 32-year-old from Idlib, which is located in the northeastern area of Syria, explains that he started an account on the platform, bought gear that allowed him to connect to the internet for $100 and began to broadcast live to show the suffering experienced by the displaced individuals who live in the makeshift refugee camps of northern Syria, close to the Turkish border. While its true that this exploits the displaced, it also provides me with a job opportunity and a way to help the internally displaced people to receive much-needed food supplies, he tells EL PAIS.

The money that al-Daher earned each day varied based on viewer participation and the people who appeared on the live transmission, usually young children, women and disabled people. On some days, his earnings did not rise above $20, but on others, he could collect up to $1,000, he says. Still, he emphasizes, TikTok is the biggest beneficiary, and takes more than 50% of what is raised in commission during each transmission. A BBC investigation carried out in October 2022 found that the platform received up to 70% of the money earned.

TikTok, which responded to the BBCs questions after the report was published, said via email that it, currently shares 50% of its net revenue from virtual goods with creators, after deducting required payments to app stores, payment processors and other adjustments. The platform said that it, does not allow content that promotes or facilitates human exploitation and underlines its commitment to TikTok not being used to take advantage of vulnerable people. According to its data, in the first quarter of 2024, 81% of content that violated its community guidelines was eliminated. This publication has confirmed that the social network has blocked some accounts that have transmitted from camps of displaced Syrian people.

When it comes to minors, TikTok says by email that, account users must be 18 years or old to transmit live. Minors also cannot send or receive gifts. But Syrian TikTokers evade this ban by operating accounts themselves, placing children in the background of their recordings.

Money at the cost of dignity

Hala al-Hassan, at 36 years old, is a displaced person living in the Batint camp in northern Syria. Her husband died in the war and more than four years ago, she fled the western countryside of Hama to Idlib with her five children  her youngest is now five years old  due to attacks by the Syrian regime in the area. She lives in extreme poverty and their tent lacks even the most basic necessities. Al-Hassan says that she is being exploited along with other women by TikTok influencers in order to land the creators both attention and a quick path to fame. We have become their tool to make money and we have to accept it out of a lack of options and job opportunities that could help us to lead a decent life, she says. The woman says that she tried to look for different ways to make a living and that TikTok is one of them. But it comes at the cost of our dignity. Every day we stand in front of the cameras to participate in live transmission to try to get a loaf of bread or some food to ease our hunger, she says, at the same time recognizing the shame the work provokes in her.

Displaced Syrian Hala al-Hassan cooks for her children in the Batint camp, north of Idlib. Sony Al Ali

A report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) finds that humanitarian response in Syria continues to be impacted by a worrisome lack of funds. The organization has only received 6% of the necessary aid for 2024. According to data from the Syria Response Coordinators team, who specializes in statistics from the region, there are now 1,904 camps for displaced people in northeastern Syria, which are home to more than two million individuals. There are 918 camps that dont receive any nutritional assistance and 437 receive it on an intermittent basis. 1,133 camps do not receive free bread.

Forty-four-year-old Alaa al-Kharoub, the head of a makeshift camp for displaced individuals in the city of Killi, north of Idlib, can confirm this shortage. Conditions in these camps are very difficult and they need urgent assistance, he says. According to him, the amount of food that is received by displaced individuals in the camp, particularly children, disabled people and seniors, is extremely low, and he says its important to remember that these camps are made up of dilapidated tents, lacking basic infrastructure and essential services like clean water, sanitation and electricity. During the Syrian war, al-Kharoub says that, international agencies and humanitarian organizations have played a vital role in distributing aid to these camps, including the provision of food, water and medicine, as well as health and education services. However, he continues, with the suspension of most of this support, there are fears of a worsening humanitarian situation and severe shortage of basic resources and services.

No one has the right to take this benefit away from them, given that, as simple or small as it may be, its always better than nothing. Alaa al-Kharoub, head of a makeshift camp in the city of Killi

In terms of the TikTokers, al-Kharoub says that he does not block them from entering the camp he directs, nor does he stop families who live there from participating in the videos, because displaced people have few means of subsistence and he sees this kind of work as a positive. No one has the right to take this benefit away from them, because, as simple or small as it may be, its always better than nothing, he says.

Exposure of minors on social media via influencers can have a negative influence on the childrens development of their identity and increase their feelings of psychological pressure due to participating in activities that do not match up with their real desires or needs. Psychologist Barra Jumaa, who is from Idlib, considers these transmissions to be a form of exploitation of the children, who are in a particularly vulnerable situation due to their lack of resources. Influencers receive sympathy and support that can earn them thousands of dollars. The poor and needy, on the other hand, only receive a small portion, says Jumaa.

The psychologist urges content creators to share everything they receive with these children, and not limit their support to subsistence-level aid. Jumaa says that constant exposure on social media affects childrens mental health and leads them to isolate themselves from the real world and distance themselves from friends and family. Children are also exposed to great psychological pressure due to negative comments and criticism on social networks, which can increase their feelings of anxiety and depression, Jumaa concludes.

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BEAUMONT, Texas, Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiso, the renowned global retail chain offering a wide range of affordable and unique products, is thrilled to announce the grand opening at Dowlen Towne Center in Beaumont, Texas on August 10th. "We are thrilled to open our store at Dowlen Towne Center," said Jack Williams, Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA. "This achievement reflects the dedication and support of our customers who have embraced Daiso's unique concept and diverse product range. We are excited to provide an exceptional shopping experience to the vibrant Beaumont community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication."

The new Daiso store at Dowlen Towne Center encompasses 8,000 square feet and promises to be a haven for shoppers seeking quality merchandise at affordable prices. With its extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more, Daiso has become synonymous with accessible and innovative offerings. John Clarke, Chief Development Officer for Daiso USA says, "Texas based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 141 units in 8 states with more states opening in 2024".

On both Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th, the first 100 customers to shop at the Dowlen Towne Center location and make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive an exclusive goodie bag. These special offerings are Daiso's way of expressing gratitude to its loyal customers and welcoming new shoppers to the Daiso community.

Daiso invites customers to join in the celebration. The Dowlen Towne Center Daiso, at 4015 Dowlen Rd, is by neighboring tenant Ross and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m to 9 p.m and Sunday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.

About Daiso:

Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan, known for its vast array of unique and affordable products across various categories such as household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. Daiso entered the US market in 2005 and continues to expand its global footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Daiso US headquarters is located in Anaheim, CA.

SOURCE Daiso USA
VAN NUYS, Calif., Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiso, the renowned global retail chain offering a wide range of affordable and unique products, is thrilled to announce the grand opening at Mid Valley Marketplace in Van Nuys, California on August 10th. "We are thrilled to open our store at Mid Valley Marketplace," said Jack Williams, Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA. "This achievement reflects the dedication and support of our customers who have embraced Daiso's unique concept and diverse product range. We are excited to provide an exceptional shopping experience to the vibrant Van Nuys community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication."

The new Daiso store at Mid Valley Marketplace encompasses 6,318 square feet and promises to be a haven for shoppers seeking quality merchandise at affordable prices. With its extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more, Daiso has become synonymous with accessible and innovative offerings. John Clarke, Chief Development Officer for Daiso USA says, "California based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 141 units in 8 states with more states opening in 2024".

On both Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th, the first 100 customers to shop at the Mid Valley Marketplace location and make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive an exclusive goodie bag. These special offerings are Daiso's way of expressing gratitude to its loyal customers and welcoming new shoppers to the Daiso community.

Daiso invites customers to join in the celebration. The Mid Valley Marketplace Daiso, at 7110 Sepulveda Blvd, is by neighboring tenant Chase and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m to 9 p.m and Sunday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.

About Daiso:

Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan, known for its vast array of unique and affordable products across various categories such as household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. Daiso entered the US market in 2005 and continues to expand its global footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Daiso US headquarters is located in Anaheim, CA.

SOURCE Daiso USA
WESTMINSTER, Calif., Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiso, the renowned global retail chain offering a wide range of affordable and unique products, is thrilled to announce the grand opening at Westminster Center in Westminster, California on August 10th. "We are thrilled to open our store at Westminster Center," said Jack Williams, Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA. "This achievement reflects the dedication and support of our customers who have embraced Daiso's unique concept and diverse product range. We are excited to provide an exceptional shopping experience to the vibrant Westminster community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication."

The new Daiso store at Westminster Center encompasses 5,200 square feet and promises to be a haven for shoppers seeking quality merchandise at affordable prices. With its extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more, Daiso has become synonymous with accessible and innovative offerings. John Clarke, Chief Development Officer for Daiso USA says, "California based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 141 units in 8 states with more states opening in 2024".

On both Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th, the first 100 customers to shop at the Westminster Center location and make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive an exclusive goodie bag. These special offerings are Daiso's way of expressing gratitude to its loyal customers and welcoming new shoppers to the Daiso community.

Daiso invites customers to join in the celebration. The Westminster Center Daiso, at 6711 Westminster Blvd, is by neighboring tenant Ross and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m to 9 p.m and Sunday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.

About Daiso:

Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan, known for its vast array of unique and affordable products across various categories such as household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. Daiso entered the US market in 2005 and continues to expand its global footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Daiso US headquarters is located in Anaheim, CA.

SOURCE Daiso USA
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Doximity, Inc. (NYSE: DOCS).

On August 8, 2023, the Company disclosed disappointing guidance for the 2Q 2024 and slashed its guidance for the full fiscal year 2024 and also announced a reduction of its workforce by approximately 10%, which was expected to cost approximately $8 million to $10 million. Then, on April 1, 2024, Jehoshaphat Research published a report alleging, among other things, that "Doximity's underlying sales . . . are declining at a negative -3-6% rate, but that this decline has been masked through accelerated revenue recognition."

Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws, which remains ongoing.

KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Doximity's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.

If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Doximity shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-833-938-0905 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit us at https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-docs/ to learn more.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients  including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors  in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

[email protected]

1-877-515-1850

1100 Poydras St., Suite 960

New Orleans, LA 70163

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
UPPER DARBY, Pa., Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Upper Darby School District ("UDSD") is providing notice of recent events that may have affected the privacy of personal information related to certain individuals. The information involved in these events may include data related to current and former employees, as well as some student data.

In February 2024, UDSD identified unusual activity on certain IT systems. UDSD promptly took steps to secure its systems and initiated an investigation into the nature and scope of the issue. Through the investigation, it was determined that certain files were potentially copied from the systems by an unauthorized person on or around February 4, 2024. Further, in June 2024, UDSD learned that certain files were potentially copied from its systems by an unauthorized person on or around June 2, 2024. In response to these issues, UDSD undertook comprehensive reviews of the relevant files to determine what information was present and to whom it relates. While these efforts are still underway, UDSD has been working on an ongoing to mail letters to those individuals whose personal information was found in the relevant files. The investigations to date have determined that the type of information that may have been impacted varies per person, but may include name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, other state identification number, medical and/or health insurance information.

UDSD takes these incidents, and the security of information in its care very seriously. UDSD has been working diligently to investigate and respond to these events, including moving quickly to initiate appropriate investigations, taking steps to assess the security of the network, and notifying potentially affected individuals on an ongoing basis as the investigations continue. UDSD is providing individuals with information and resources that they may use to better protect personal information.

UDSD encourages potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing their account statements and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Any suspicious activity should be promptly reported to the affiliated institutions. Individuals may also contact the three major credit reporting agencies for advice on how to obtain free credit reports and how to place fraud alerts and security freezes on credit files. The relevant contact information is below. More information on actions individuals may take to better protect their personal information may be found in the Steps Individuals May Take To Help Protect Personal Information section available on UDSD's website at https://www.upperdarbysd.org/cms/lib/PA02209738/Centricity/Domain/4/UDSD%20-%20Website%20Notice.pdf.

UDSD has established a dedicated assistance line to answer questions regarding these incidents. If you have questions, please call 1-866-362-1773 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding major U.S. holidays. Additionally, you can write us at 8201 Lansdowne Avenue, Upper Darby, PA 19082.

Steps Individuals May Take To Help Protect Personal Information

Monitor Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. You may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of your credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended "fraud alert" on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer's credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer's credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer's identity before extending new credit. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a "credit freeze" on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer's express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent. However, you should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application you make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, you cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report. To request a security freeze, you may need to provide the following information, depending on whether you make the request online, by phone, or by mail:

Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.); Social Security number; Date of birth; Addresses for the prior two to five years; Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill; A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver's license or ID card, etc.); Social Security Card, pay stub, or W2; If you are a victim of identity theft, include a copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft.

Should you wish to place a credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Equifax Experian TransUnion https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit- report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/ https://www.transunion.com/credit- help 1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800 Equifax Fraud Alert P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016 Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Additional Information

You may further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps you can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov ; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. You can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. You have the right to file a police report if you ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, you will likely need to provide some proof that you have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement, your state Attorney General, and the Federal Trade Commission.

SOURCE Upper Darby School District
No one has to say it, its obvious: dressed in a plaid shirt and jeans, the look of any average cowboy, J.D. Vance is at the border. The long dirt road bordered by the wall, the white pickup trucks parked behind him, the rancher and the border agent, both wearing their cowboy hats, complete the scene. On Thursday morning, the Republican vice presidential candidate was in Cochise County, south of Tucson, in the border area of the state of Arizona. It was not by chance.

Arizona  the home of the Grand Canyon  is one of a handful of swing states that are likely to decide the November presidential election, along with North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The most recent polls on these states that have been released since Joe Biden withdrew from the race indicate that Kamala Harris has virtually erased Trumps lead over Biden. A couple polls even put her ahead; all are within the margin of error. Its still anyones bet, but in an election where immigration is a major issue, the result in Arizona  the only swing state that borders Mexico  may carry even more weight. With Vances visit and his speech full of attacks on Harris, the Republican has taken the battle to ground zero.

Standing in front of the cameras next to the border wall that Trump ordered, Vance repeated his favorite lie: that Harris failed in her job as border czar. In this way, Vance echoed an accusation that Trump made as soon as Biden announced that Harris would replace him, one that has since become the GOPs main weapon against the Harris campaign. Even though Harris was never the border czar, Vance reiterated this claim and even specified the tasks that Harris was supposed to carry out, which he alleged she refused to do.

You cannot have an effective border policy unless you have somebody who is coordinating all the different agencies of the U.S. federal government, the current Ohio senator began to explain. You need the involvement of the State Department involved to send people back to their home countries. You need the Department of Justice involved to prosecute these terrible drug crimes. And, of course, you need DHS [Department of Homeland Security] involved so that the Border Patrol is empowered to do its job. Kamala Harris as border czar was asked to coordinate all these functions of government, and shes done nothing, he said. That is a scandal and that is a disgrace.

Although Vance alleges that the media lies to cover up the fact that Harris was indeed the border czar, the reality is that the vice president never held that position. At the beginning of his presidency, Biden did assign her a role in his administrations immigration policies, but her role was more diplomatic and had nothing to do with border oversight. Specifically, Biden tasked her with coordinating relations with the so-called Northern Triangle  Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, countries that then accounted for most of the migrants arriving at the U.S. southern border  to address the root causes of immigration from this region. This was explained by the president himself in March 2021, when he announced that Harris would assume this responsibility, a task similar to the one he himself had when he was Barack Obamas vice president.

Harris was to lead a strategy to improve economic and security conditions in these three countries by investing in the region, creating jobs, fighting corruption and reducing violence so that migrants would reconsider migrating to the United States. It was a long-term plan, which the Biden administration recognized from the start. It is debatable whether the strategy has been successful or not, as border crossings soared during the first three years of the Biden administration and reached record highs until they began to fall in 2024, but the proportion of migrants from the Northern Triangle declined. The truth is that Harris was never designated border czar.

But the Republicans are not letting facts get in the way of a good narrative or a memorable nickname. Since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Vance, Trump and most of the Republican Party has directly blamed Harris for facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl into the country by not fulfilling her immigration responsibilities.

On Thursday in Arizona, the issue was brought up again and again. First, the border agent who introduced Vance said that by 2022, 23% of all fentanyl seized in the country had been seized within 20 miles of where they were standing. Then, in his remarks to the media, the vice presidential candidate recalled the devastation caused by the strong opioid with a personal anecdote  his mother was a heroin addict when he was a child  and laid all the blame on Harris and what she has unleashed on this border. But while policing the border has never been Harris responsibility, no one denies that the situation is critical. Just this past Thursday, some 200 miles to the west, still in Arizona, a record four million fentanyl pills were seized: a 20-year-old Arizona citizen had tried to smuggle them into the United States.

Polls list immigration and the opioid crisis as two of the most important issues for voters across the country, especially in Arizona. It is no surprise, then, that Republicans are focusing on these areas in the state, as winning Arizona is key to winning the presidency. In the last two elections, it tipped the overall balance decisively by the slimmest of margins. Biden won the state in 2020 by a mere 0.3 points.

In this years race, Trump had been building a lead that in early July  before Biden withdrew  was as high as 8 points, according to some polls. However, since the president announced he was leaving the race to Kamala Harris, the gap has been closing rapidly. By the end of July, a Bloomberg poll put the Democrat ahead of the Republican candidate in Arizona by two points; a trend that has been replicated in all the swing states. In some, Harris is only narrowing the gap, but in Michigan, a state that seemed to have turned its back on Biden, Harris has an 11-point lead. The change can be seen in the overall polls as well.

Riding the wave of enthusiasm generated by her candidacy, Kamala Harris has not made any obvious moves to court Arizona voters specifically, although she has received the support of a handful of mayors of border cities, almost all of them in that state. Her mission has been to rally the support of certain groups that with Biden on the ballot were, according to polls, beginning to lean towards Trump, such as Latino voters and Black men. But the Democrat has an ace up her sleeve in the form of her possible vice presidential candidate. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is one of the names being floated, precisely because he can help the Democrats win the border state, a victory that is vital to winning the White House.

According to the Democratic Party, an official announcement will be made before next Tuesday. While Kelly appears to be the odds-on favorite, there is another man who also appears to be a strong candidate for vice president: Josh Shapiro, the popular Democratic governor of Pennsylvania. He could be chosen over the Arizona senator for essentially the same reason  Shapiro can help the Democrats win in the other swing state. It remains to be seen in which scenario the party feels it needs more help: in the rust belt fight or in the great battle for the border.

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Listeria Attorneys at Marler Clark Call for Food Safety Measures to Protect the Public

SEATTLE, Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The recent Listeria outbreak, implicating Boar's Head deli meat for sickening 34, and killing 2, requires proactive measures to ensure the safety of consumers. Beyond the recall of the product, the foodborne illness attorneys at Marler Clark believe that any product in the deli case that came near Boar's Head product may have been at risk for cross contamination and should be discarded. In addition, deli case, deli counters and any equipment, especially slicers should be thoroughly cleaned. "As many food safety professionals say, 'When in Doubt, Throw it Out,'" said Marler Clark attorney William Marler.

Consumers need to also be aware of the dangers of these products and toss all Boar's Head products that have been recalled. Consumers should:

"As many food safety professionals say, 'When in Doubt, Throw it Out,'" said Marler Clark attorney William Marler. Post this

Seal the meat. Place the contaminated meat in a sealed plastic bag to prevent any leakage or exposure to other foods.

Label the bag. Clearly label the bag as "Contaminated  Do Not Consume" to prevent accidental ingestion.

Secure the trash. Place the sealed bag in a secure trash container with a tight lid to prevent animals from accessing it.

Wash your hands. After handling the contaminated meat, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent spreading the bacteria.

Clean the area. Wipe down any surfaces or utensils that encountered the contaminated meat with a disinfectant to prevent cross-contamination.

Inform others. If the contaminated meat was part of a larger batch, inform others who may have consumed it to take necessary precautions.

Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and food. Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, and deli meats are not usually heated to a high enough temperature to kill any germs that may be on these meats. The risk for cross contamination is high and calls for food suppliers, retailers and consumers to toss any Boar's head products that could potentially have been exposed to Listeria.

Fast Facts on Boar's Head Deli Meat Recall and Outbreak

34 Illnesses, ranging in age from 32 to 94 years

33 Hospitalizations

2 Deaths: Illinois (1) and New Jersey (1)

13 States, including: Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (6), Minnesota (1), Missouri (2), North Carolina (1), New Jersey (2), New York (12), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (2) and Wisconsin (1).

7,200,000 pounds of Boar's Head Meats Recalled

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria even when they do seek care. Also, this outbreak may not be limited to only the states with known illnesses. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Listeria Facts

Symptoms occur within one to eight weeks after exposure

Initial signs of infection: Fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea

Serious signs of infection: Headache, stiff neck, loss of balance, confusion or convulsions

Infection during pregnancy could lead to miscarriage, infection of newborn or stillbirth

William "Bill" Marler has been a food safety lawyer and advocate since the 1993 Jack-in-the-Box E. coli Outbreak which was chronicled in the book, "Poisoned" and in the recent Netflix documentary by the same name. Bill work has been profiled in the New Yorker, "A Bug in the System;" the Seattle Times, "30 years after the deadly E. colioutbreak, A Seattle attorney still fights for food safety;" the Washington Post, "He helped make burgers safer, Now he is fighting food poisoning again;" and several others. Dozens of times a year Bill speaks to industry and government throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, China and Australia on why it is important to prevent foodborne illnesses. He is also a frequent commentator on food litigation and food safety on Marler Blog. Bill is also the publisher of Food Safety News.

If you or a family member became ill with a Listeria infection after consuming food and you're interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark attorneys for a free case evaluation at 866-768-6846 or email us at [email protected].

SOURCE Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm
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Beirut, Aug 3 : A fierce exchange of fire broke out between Hezbollah and the Israeli army along the border area between Lebanon and Israel, involving heavy machine gun fire, artillery and missile shelling, as well as airstrikes, Lebanese military sources told the media.

According to the anonymous sources, there are no reports of casualties yet, Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.

Israeli drones and warplanes launched nine raids on seven towns and villages in southern Lebanon and three raids on areas in Hermel, Al-Qasr, and the Matraba crossing on the Lebanese-Syrian border in the east of the country, said the sources.

"The Lebanese army positions monitored the launch of about 50 surface-to-surface missiles from the Lebanese side to Israel in three separate batches, and the Israeli Iron Dome missiles intercepted some of them," the sources added.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced on Friday the targeting of Israeli positions in the Western Galilee with Katyusha missiles and the positions of Al-Raheb, Al-Marj, Bayad Blida, and Al-Samaqa.

The party said it fired an air defence missile at an Israeli warplane flying in the airspace of the western region of the south, causing the plane to redirect towards the airspace of occupied Palestine.

A state of anticipation and caution prevails in Lebanon following Israel's attack on Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday, killing a Hezbollah senior military commander, Fouad Shokor, and seven civilians.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has threatened a definite and painful response to the Israeli raid at the appropriate time and place.
New York, Aug 3 : The US government has sued Chinese-owned social media giant TikTok, alleging that it endangered the safety of children by illegally collecting information from them and allowing them to share messages and videos with adults.

The US Justice Department announced on Friday that it had filed the lawsuit in a California federal court alleging violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and failure to implement earlier court orders to comply with the law.

"TikTok knowingly and repeatedly violated kids' privacy, threatening the safety of millions of children across the country," said Lina Khan, the head of the Federal Trade Commission, which joined the Justice Department in suing the short video behemoth.

The complaint against TikTok and its parent company ByteDance alleges that from 2019 onwards TikTok allowed children to create regular TikTok accounts and create, view, and share short-form videos and messages with adults.

TikTok also collected personal information from even accounts in the Kids Mode, a limited version for children under 13, the complaint said.

The personal information included children's email addresses.

When parents discovered their children's accounts and asked TikTok to delete the accounts and information, the company frequently did not honour those requests, the complaint added.

Moreover, TikTok had "deficient and ineffectual internal policies and processes for identifying and deleting TikTok accounts created by children," the Justice Department said.

The government sued TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly, in 2019 for COPPA violations, and the court ordered it to undertake specific measures to comply with the law, which they have not, according to the department.

"The Department is deeply concerned that TikTok has continued to collect and retain children's personal information despite a court order barring such conduct," Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer said.

COPPA was passed in 1999 and came into effect in 2000.

The lawsuit comes as a new, even more stringent law, the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, was approved by the Senate on Tuesday and is pending before the House of Representatives.

This would extend some of the protections in COPPA to teenagers under 17 and also add more protection for children and teens.

TikTok, which was banned in India in 2020, has faced calls in the US for a similar ban from legislators and privacy advocates.

Because it is a Chinese company under the jurisdiction of Beijing there are fears that the humongous trove of information it collects about Americans could be seized by the Chinese government and misused.

In addition, TikTok has been accused of exploiting children by addicting them to its short videos.

TikTok claimed that it had segregated US data and kept them in the US, but The Wall Street Journal reported in January that sometimes data is shared with the China-based parent company.

Responding to the filing of the lawsuit, TikTok's Spokesperson Michael Hughes said the allegations pertained to past events and practices and were inaccurate.

He asserted, "We are proud of our efforts to protect children and we will continue to update and improve the platform."

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Tel Aviv, Aug 3 : After the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, there are reports that the Israel intelligence agency, Mossad, used the services of its Iranian agents.

As per reports in Hebrew media, the members of the elite Ansar al-Mahdi unit of the Iranian army, Islamic Red Guards Corp (IRGC), were hired by Mossad to execute Haniyeh.

According to reports, the original plan of Mossad was to kill Haniyeh during his visit for the funeral of the then-Iranian President Ebrahim Rasi in May this year. However, it was called off due to certain difficulties.

Meanwhile, sources in Israel's Defense Ministeras office told IANS that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were prepared for any counter-attack from Iran and its proxies against the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The sources said that IDF has strengthened the Israel borders in both south and north of the country to prevent any probable attempts from Hamas, Hezbollah or Houthis.

Arab media outlets quoted that the murder of Haniyeh, allegedly by hired agents of the countryas elite members, has shocked the Iranian regime. According to information available, Iran's intelligence agency has already commenced a crack down on those who were used by Mossad to execute the high profile Hamas leader.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : About 12,121 Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs), now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush), under Ayushman Bharat are functional in the country, with the highest in Rajasthan, Minister of State for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, informed the Parliament.

This is from a total of 12,500 units of existing Ayush dispensaries and sub-health centres approved to be upgraded as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the States/UTs under the centrally sponsored National Ayush Mission (NAM) scheme, the Minister said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

With 2,019 functional Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Rajasthan leads in the states, followed by Uttar Pradesh (1,034), Madhya Pradesh (800), Himachal Pradesh (740) and Kerala (700).

While Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu have the least -- only one, Delhi and Ladakh have none. Other states with the least number of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs include Puducherry (4), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (6) and Lakshadweep (7), he informed.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Ayush said that it plans to roll out the NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers) entry-level certification to 1,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandir by September. Of this, 750 have been certified so far.

To launch the NABH Ayush Entry Level Certification (AELC), the Ministry said it has partnered with the Quality Council of India (QCI).

It is also organising 10,000 geriatric camps across the country from June to September that focus on the specific healthcare needs of the elderly population.

Further, the minister informed the Parliament that 541 Ayurveda, 58 Unani, 17 Siddha, and 277 Homeopathy colleges or educational institutes have been established in the academic year 2023-24 in the country -- a marked rise since 2014.

There has also been an increase in the number of seats in the undergraduate (UG) Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy courses and postgraduate (PG) courses since 2014 -- from 32,256 to 64,812 and 1,891 to 7,799 respectively.
Los Angeles, Aug 3 : Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow is celebrating her filmmaker brother Jake Paltrow's recent achievement, as his film 'June Zero' has been named one of the best films of 2024.

Gwyneth took to her Instagram stories and shared a snapshot of the list of "best movies of 2024 so far according to critics."

The list included films such as 'Deadpool & Wolverine', 'Made In England: The Films Of Pressburger', 'Twisters', 'National Anthem', 'Longlegs', 'Last Summer', and 'June Zero'.

The caption read: "Jake Paltrow's 'June Zero' named one of the best films of 2024 thus far," accompanied by a trophy and gold medal emoji.

The American-Israeli drama 'June Zero' revolves around Adolf Eichmann's trial, expressing empathy and humanism amid the horrors committed during WWII. Made in 2022, the film premiered at the 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and received a limited release in the US in June 2024.

Jake Paltrow rose to prominence by directing episodes of the TV series 'NYPD Blue', including 'Andy Appleseed', 'Brothers Under Arms', and 'Big Bang Theory'. He ventured into films with 'The Good Night' in 2006, which starred his sister Gwyneth.

Gwyneth Paltrow has worked in films such as 'Seven', 'Emma', 'A Perfect Murder', 'Shakespeare in Love', 'Iron Man', and 'Avengers: Endgame'.

In 2008, she turned businesswoman with her lifestyle brand 'Goop'.

In 2023, she had a major TV outing with a voice role in 'American Horror Stories'.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Uttarakhand Police Headquarters in Dehradun reported on Saturday that heavy rainfall on Wednesday night in Kedarnath has caused significant damage to several routes.

The district administration, police, and other security forces are continuously working to rescue stranded pilgrims and locals at various stops, and efforts are being made at all levels to ensure the safe rescue of everyone, as per the authorities.

Additionally, the Indian Air Force's Chinook and MI-17 aircraft are being used to airlift the pilgrims, while manual rescues are also underway to expedite operations.

Rudraprayag administration clarified the situation regarding casualties and missing persons: so far, two bodies have been recovered in the Lincholi area. There is no information about any missing persons.

Given that travellers are having trouble contacting their families due to disrupted connectivity, the district police have issued several helpline and emergency numbers to provide necessary information to the families of the travellers. A Wi-Fi network has also been set up at the prepaid counter in Bhimbali, for travellers to contact their families.

The administration has provided adequate food, water, and accommodation for stranded travellers at various stops.

On Friday, 599 people were airlifted and rescued by helicopter services. So far 2,024 pilgrims have been rescued between Sonprayag and Jungle Chatti, while 161 were rescued from Chomasi. Additionally, 7,234 travellers have been safely rescued by helicopter and manual methods since the rescue operations were pressed into action.

Due to continuous rainfall, rescue operations are being halted, and all travellers are being kept at safe locations, the administration reported.

Teams from NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, the Forest Department, district police, and fire and emergency services are engaged in the rescue operations.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Over 34.7 crore Ayushman cards have been created, while more than 29,000 hospitals have been empanelled till June under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, providing healthcare benefits to thousands in the country, Union Health Minister JP Nadda told the Lok Sabha.

Nadda informed that till June 30, more than 34.7 crore Ayushman cards have been created under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in 33 States/UTs except Delhi, West Bengal and Odisha.

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number with 511.16 lakh cards, followed by Madhya Pradesh (402.45 lakh) and Bihar (295.26 lakh). Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have the least with 0.14 lakh cards, followed by Lakshadweep (0.35 lakh) and Sikkim (0.77 lakh).

Till June 30, the AB-PMJAY scheme has authorised "7.37 crore hospital admissions worth Rs 1 lakh crore," the minister said.

AB-PMJAY aims to provide health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.34 crore families.

Further, Nadda informed that eligible people can avail of cashless and paperless hospitalisation "across more than 29,000 empanelled hospitals in the country". This includes 12,625 private hospitals.

All empanelled hospitals have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with their respective State Health Agencies (SHAs).

The AB-PMJAY provides cashless healthcare services related to 1,949 procedures across 27 medical specialities including general medicine, surgery, cardiology and oncology, among others.

Under the scheme, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of hospitals empanelled -- 2,634 private and 2,948 public hospitals. It is followed by Tamil Nadu (1,202 private and 996 public hospitals), Andhra Pradesh (1,027 private and 1,406 public hospitals), Gujarat (868 private and 1,747 public hospitals) and Bihar (564 private and 2,968 public hospitals).

Odisha has the least with only one private and 11 public hospitals, followed by Delhi (52 private and 11 public hospitals), and West Bengal (10 private and 27 public hospitals).
Mumbai, Aug 3 : Actress Asha Negi has expressed her deep affection for coffee, declaring that "love is in the air." Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS) Actress Asha Negi has expressed her deep affection for coffee, declaring that "love is in the air."

Asha took to Instagram and shared a series of pictures from a coffee shop.

In the images, the actress is seen posing with her cup of coffee while dressed in a sheer white top paired with blue jeans.

"Love is in the air and it smells like coffee," she captioned the post.

On Saturday morning, Asha also shared a video of herself taking a rickshaw ride, which she described as "therapy."

The actress captioned the video: "When it's not just a riksha ride but therapy in all sense!"

Last week, Asha shared a "relatable" reason for not wanting her "crush" to reciprocate her feelings.

The actress posted a reel featuring a girl talking about "finally having a crush on someone after two years."

In the clip, the content creator says, "So, I have had a crush on someone for five days now. And I was lowkey hoping that he doesn't like me back because I really like my single life, and God listened to my prayers because this guy does not give a... about me."

Asha captioned the clip: "Why so relatable."

On the work front, Asha became a household name after starring in the shows 'Pavitra Rishta' and 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain'.

Her most recent appearance was in the digital show 'Industry', which explores the life of a young struggling writer entangled in the politics and turmoil of the Bollywood industry.
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Boule Social Justice Town Hall and Luncheon at the Zeta Phi Beta 2024 Grand Boule in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 24.

Former president Donald Trump falsely claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris has only recently begun identifying as Black, and that until a few years ago she was only promoting Indian heritage. Thats nonsense.

Harris, whose mother was born in India and whose father was from Jamaica, has always identified as both Indian American and Black.

Trump appears to be trying to resurrect bogus social media claims that gained some traction back in 2020 after Harris was tapped as Joe Bidens running mate. The posts claimed that when Harris became a senator in 2017, she only identified as an Indian American, and that she only later began identifying as Black for political gain. It was nonsense then, too.

At the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists on July 31, ABC News Rachel Scott asked Trump if he thought Harris was only on the ticket because she is a Black woman.

So Ive known her a long time, indirectly, not directly, very much, Trump said. And she was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black?

I respect either one, Trump continued. But she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she became a Black person. I think someone should look into that, too.

As we said, there is ample evidence that Harris, now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has for decades identified as both Indian American and Black, reflecting her biracial parentage.

In her 2019 autobiography, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, Harris describes being brought up in a multicultural home. Harris parents divorced when she was a young girl, and while her father remained a part of our lives, it was really my mother who took charge of our upbringing, she wrote.

Our classical Indian names harked back to our heritage, and we were raised with a strong awareness of and appreciation for Indian culture, Harris wrote.

But, she added, My mother understood very well that she was raising two Black daughters. She knew that her adopted homeland would see Maya and me as Black girls, and she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident, proud black women.

A May 25, 2016, profile of Harris in the New York Times Magazine states, She [Harris mother] brought up her daughters, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, in a Black neighborhood in Berkeley, sharing a house with a friend who ran a small preschool. She had two Black babies, and she raised them to be two Black women, Harris says of her mothers choice of community.

In her autobiography, Harris recounted as a child regularly attending a pioneering Black cultural center that held performances by some of the most prominent Black thinkers and leaders of the day. Some of her greatest heroes, she said, were African American lawyers Thurgood Marshall, Charles Hamilton Houston, Constance Baker Motley  giants of the civil rights movement.

Following the example of Marshall, who went to law school at Howard University, Harris also decided to attend the historically Black university in Washington, D.C., as an undergraduate. At Howard, Harris joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which bills itself as Americas premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.

An alumni profile of Harris in Howard Magazine in the fall of 2016 noted that Harris was reared by her mother, a scientist and immigrant from India and that Harris said being on Howards campus during those formative years was central to her development as a Black person.

After graduating from Howard in 1986, Harris returned to Oakland, California, and went to law school at UC Hastings College of Law (now UC San Francisco Law).

At UC Hastings, she wrote in her autobiography, I was elected president of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) during my second year in law school. At the time, Black students were having a harder time finding employment than white students, and I wanted to change that. As BLSA president, I called the managing partners of all the major law firms and asked them to send representatives to a job fair we were hosting at a hotel.

While serving in the U.S. Senate, Harris was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

On occasions when she has spoken before a largely Indian American audience, she has sometimes emphasized that part of her heritage  as one would expect. Speaking at the Indian American Impact Summit in May, for example, Harris talked about her Indian heritage while encouraging Indian Americans to participate in the political process and to run for elected office.

You are going to find yourself, invariably, in rooms where you are the only one who looks like you, Harris said to the predominantly Indian American audience. And what I then say to you each, look around this room and hold on to this image. And remember then when you walk into those rooms  you remember you are not alone, we are all there with you.

Trump and Campaign double down on falsehood

At a Trump rally in Pennsylvania after his remarks at the NABJ convention, the campaign posted on a large video screen behind the stage the headline of a Nov. 9, 2016, AP story that Business Insider published, that read, Californias Kamala Harris becomes first Indian-American U.S. senator.

Thats entirely accurate, of course. She was.

An AP story published the same day, Nov. 9, 2016, presents a more complete description, stating, Harris will enter the chamber as the first Indian woman elected to a Senate seat and the second Black woman, following Carol Moseley Braun, who served a single term after being elected in 1992.

Similarly, when Harris was elected as San Francisco district attorney in December 2003, the Associated Press reported, Harris, a former girlfriend and political protege of Mayor Willie Brown, will be the first female district attorney in the citys history and the first Black to hold the office in California. A month later, Jet magazine ran a story under the headline, Kamala Harris is San Franciscos First Black District Attorney. Both stories were obtained from the news archives, LexisNexis.

After Trump made his comments, conservative commentator Laura Loomer posted on X a reprint of Harris birth certificate and wrongly claimed it proved Harris is a liar and that Donald Trump is correct. Kamala Harris is NOT black and never has been. Loomer noted, Nowhere on her birth certificate does it say that she is BLACK OR AFRICAN.

That last part is true. According to a copy of Harris birth certificate posted by the Mercury News in August 2020, Harris race is not recorded  because there is no box for it. The certificate notes that Harris mother, who was living in Berkeley, California, was born in India. Where certificate form asks for the color or race of mother, it is marked Caucasian.

Thats not surprising. A 1995 document from the Office of Management and Budget titled Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity notes that in decennial censuses, There have been many changes in the broad racial categories, the specific components of the categories, and whether data on ethnicity were collected. Asian Indians, for example, were counted as Hindus in censuses from 1920 to 1940, as White from 1950 to 1970, and as Asians or Pacific Islanders in 1980 and 1990. Harris birth certificate is from her birth year, 1964. She was born in Oakland.

Under the color or race of father, the certificate states, Jamaican. The form also notes that Harris father, Donald J. Harris, is a native of Jamaica. While the birth certificate makes no note of it, Donald Harris is Black.

In other words, Kamala Harris is both Indian American and Black.

Trump amplified Loomers bogus post by re-posting it on his social media platform. He also posted an old photo of Harris with Indian relatives in traditional Indian garb. Trump commented, Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian Heritage are very much appreciated.

Additionally, Trump posted a recent cooking video Harris made with Indian American actress Mindy Kaling. Trump commented, Crazy Kamala is saying shes Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity!

In the video, Kaling asks, You are Indian? to which Harris enthusiastically replies, Yes, yes.

I dont know that everybody knows that, Kaling says. Moments later, when Kaling notes that they both have family from south India, Harris replies, You look like the entire one-half of my family. And that line is exactly the point. It is a part of her heritage from her mothers side.

In a February 2019 interview with a morning radio show called The Breakfast Club, Harris addressed questions about the legitimacy of her blackness. I think they dont understand who Black people are, she said. Because if you do, if you walked on Hamptons campus, or Howards campus or Morehouse, or Spelman or Fisk, you would have a much better appreciation for the diaspora, for the diversity, for the beauty in the diversity of who we are as Black people. So Im not going to spend my time trying to educate people about who Black people are.

In remarks at a convention for the Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho, Harris addressed Trumps claims at the NABJ event, saying it was the same old show  the divisiveness and the disrespect.

This article was originally published by FactCheck.org on August 1, 2024.

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Washington D.c, Aug 3 : Two-time Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka defeated fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-4 to secure a place in the DC Open semifinals.

Despite a shaky second set, Sabalenka's powerful serve and resilience propelled her to victory. She landed eight aces and capitalized on Azarenka's mistakes, improving her head-to-head record to 5-1 with her fourth straight win over the veteran player.

Sabalenka, who claimed her second consecutive Australian Open title earlier this year, showcased her growing form and fitness after both players withdrew from Wimbledon due to shoulder injuries. Expressing her satisfaction, Sabalenka said, "Iam super happy. Iam doing really great so far. Fingers crossed, the injuryas in the past. I feel really good."

Next, Sabalenka will face Czech Marie Bouzkova, who cruised past 19-year-old American Robin Montgomery 6-3, 6-1. Reflecting on her previous encounter with Bouzkova, Sabalenka noted, "Even though the score was quite easy in our last meeting, it was a really tough battle. It wasnat that easy as it looks. Sheas a great fighter."

In the other women's semifinal, Spain's Paula Badosa will compete against American Caroline Dolehide.
London, Aug 3 : Three policemen were injured while eight protesters were arrested for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary in Sunderland, northeast England.

On Friday, three officers sustained injuries during the protests, which were "utterly deplorable", the Northumbria Police said in a statement on Saturday.

One officer has been discharged from the hospital, while the other two remain hospitalised, the police said.

A statement from the police read, "Anyone involved in the disorder we have seen can expect to be dealt with robustly a" and that action has already begun."

During the clashes, a police office building was attacked, and the adjacent property was set alight. Protesters threw beer cans and stones at police near a mosque, and at least one car was set on fire, it said.

"The shocking scenes we have witnessed in Sunderland are completely unacceptable. We want to make it clear that the disorder, violence, and damage which has occurred will not be tolerated," the statement read.

The police also urged the public to avoid the area while officers manage the situation, stressing that public safety is the "utmost priority."

While acknowledging that the right to lawful protest is a fundamental part of democracy, the police warned that using protests as a "means to commit crime" will not be tolerated.

An investigation is underway to identify the people responsible for the unrest and violence.

The disorder in Sunderland occurred as police nationwide prepared for planned far-right rallies and other demonstrations this weekend, following two nights of unrest in several areas in the wake of Monday's knife attack that claimed the lives of three young girls.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : As many as 40 senior civil servant officers from Sri Lanka, representing many key ministries of the Lankan government, attended the 4th Capacity Building Programme for the Civil Servants of Sri Lanka which concluded in New Delhi on Saturday.

Organised by the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), the programme focused on sharing India's successful governance models through highly interactive sessions and mutual exchange of knowledge which will eventually enable both countries to achieve significant milestones in enhancing governance.

The Lankan delegation included officers, including Assistant Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Directors, Senior Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Directors, and Deputy Directors. The civil servants represented key ministries of Sri Lanka such as the Commission of Local Government, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Ministry of Provincial Council and Local Government, and the Ministry of Justice, Prisons Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms, among others.

The session also featured four group presentations by participants on various impactful topics.

It included the Geogoviya Programme in Sri Lanka, which focuses on using geographical information systems to enhance agricultural productivity and the Agriculture Modernisation Project which aims at transforming Sri Lanka's agriculture through innovative practices and significant impacts.

The Aswasuma Programme, a welfare benefit initiative designed to provide comprehensive social security support to the people of Sri Lanka and a presentation on 'PPP Success in India: Enhancing Infrastructure Projects in Sri Lanka' also highlighted the success of India's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and how it can aid in improving infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the valedictory session, NCGG Director General and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) V. Srinivas shared insights from India's delegation visit to Sri Lanka, highlighting the island nation's advancements in governance.

The Lankan participants also visited various institutions and sites during the second phase of the programme, including the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Forest Research Institute, District Administration in Panchkula, Cyber Crime Centre in Chandigarh, National Institute of Solar Energy, International Solar Alliance, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, and the Taj Mahal.
Tokyo, Aug 3 : A US military helicopter on Saturday morning made an emergency landing in a rice field in the Japanese prefecture of Kanagawa, south of Tokyo, local media reported.

No injuries have been reported in the incident which took place in Ebina city, national broadcaster NHK reported citing the local fire department, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, a report was received at 10:56 a.m. local time stating that a helicopter marked with the word "Navy" had landed in a rice field in the city.

The police believed the helicopter to be a US military aircraft but its exact affiliation remains unknown.

When the police arrived, they were unable to approach the helicopter, but no damage to the aircraft or oil leakage was observed, and there were no reports of injuries or falling debris in the vicinity.

The helicopter left the scene by taking off at around 12:40 p.m. local time, heading towards the US military's Atsugi base, according to media reports citing local officials.

Further details about the cause of the incident are still under investigation.
Bengaluru, Aug 3 : Former Chief Minister and BJP Central Parliamentary Board Member, BS Yediyurappa stated on Saturday that if Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refuses to step down, the Governor would be forced to initiate action against him

The BJP is demanding the CM's resignation in connection with allegations of his involvement in the irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

Speaking to reporters at the venue of the inaugural ceremony of the Mysuru Chalo padyatra by the BJP and JD(S), Yediyurappa stated, "This is a final opportunity for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. If he takes moral responsibility and resigns he will preserve his respect and the party's honour. If not, Governor Thaawar Chand Ghelot will have to initiate action against him."

"He should not let this happen. It will be good if he voluntarily submits his resignation. I will suggest that he resigns from his post," he maintained.

Talking about the Bengaluru to Mysuru foot march Yediyurappa said that in every Assembly constituency, 8,000 to 10,000 party workers will join the padyatra.

Yediyurappa's statements assumed importance in the backdrop of the Governor issuing a show cause notice to the CM asking him why consent for prosecution against him should not be given as the charges are prima facie in nature and a complaint has already been lodged with the Karnataka Lokayukta.

The seven days' time limit given to CM Siddaramaiah to reply to the notice is over.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday announced that the state government is getting a rehabilitation package ready for those who have been affected by the recent landslides and floods in Wayanad.

Even though the official death toll in what is billed as the worst-ever natural disaster to hit Kerala is being put at 215 by CM Vijayan, according to information coming from the affected areas the toll has touched 366 with 206 people still missing.

CM Vijayan on Saturday thanked the entire rescue team working into the fifth day of the disaster.

"The rescue operation is reaching the final stage. Our aim is to rescue all the trapped people and the rescue team continues to work diligently even while their life at times is at risk.

"Till now 215 bodies have been recovered and that includes 87 women, 98 men and 30 children. As many as 67 unidentified dead bodies have to be cremated and the funeral rites will be conducted with all religion prayers," said CM Vijayan.

"So far 148 dead bodies have been handed over, while 206 are still missing and 81 injured people are in hospital. This includes 34 women, 36 men and 11 children while 206 people have been discharged and have been moved to relief camps. In Wayanad there are now 93 camps and 10,042 people stay there," said Vijayan.

"We have now started rehabilitation work and it would be set up in a safe area, where a new township will be built and we plan to complete it at the earliest. The State Education Minister will arrive to see how quickly and effectively education for children can resume in the affected areas," added CM Vijayan.

He said help is pouring in from several quarters and the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund will be taken care of by a special team from the state finance department and a new portal is now open where people can contribute.

"The QR code has been withdrawn after reports surfaced that it can be misused. A help for Wayanad cell is being formed and people can get in touch on its email id letushelpwayanad@gmail.com. Likewise a call centre also will be opened 9188940014 9188940015," said Vijayan.

He further added that they will be getting in touch with the Indian Meteorological Department for special Kerala forecasts, especially heavy rains.

"The reason for natural calamities is climate change and hence rain prediction has to be received and for that we will request the IMD," said Vijayan.

He added that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have committed 100 new homes each so has Sobha Reality which will build 50 homes while the World Malayalee Council will make 14 and Kottakal Aryavaidya Sala 10 homes.
Organ donation picked up in some parts of India, but continues to lag: Experts. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Aug 3 : While organ donation has picked up in some parts of India, it continues to lag in most others, said experts on National Organ Donation Day on Saturday.

With a mere 0.1 per cent of the population donating their organs after death in India, the country faces the lowest organ donation rate worldwide. In stark contrast, Western countries have 70-80 per cent deceased organ donation.

"Unfortunately organ donation is not much talked about in our country. As a result, the rate of organ donation in India is one of the poorest in the world. A lot of people are dying due to liver, kidney, heart, and lung diseases due to lack of organs. One deceased person can save up to eight lives, so you can understand how important organ donation is," Neeraj Saraf, Senior Director of Liver Disease and Transplantation at Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, told IANS.

According to 2022 data by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), Telangana had the highest number of deceased organ donors (194), followed by Tamil Nadu (156), Karnataka (151), Gujarat (148), and Maharashtra (105).

Telangana also topped the charts in terms of deceased donor transplants in 2022, with 655 transplants followed by Tamil Nadu (553), Karnataka (435), Gujarat (399), and Maharashtra (305).

"India has moved from nil to over 1,000 deceased organ donors annually, leading to life-saving organ transplantation for 4,000 individuals," (Col) Avnish Seth, VSM Chairman, Manipal Institute of Gastroenterology & Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, told IANS.

"The problem is that the requirement of organs is for more than 1 lakh individuals per year. Thus, even though we are moving in the right direction, there is a crisis at hand," he added.

As per the experts, the primary problem of low organ donation in our country is due to a lack of education and awareness among people.

In addition, religious practices and some logistic issues make it more difficult.

"Organ donation is not as much as it should be in our country. Organ donation has picked up in some parts of the country, the southern part, and some parts of West India like Maharashtra, are doing much better. But unfortunately, North India still lags," Saraf said.

The Government passed the Transplantation of Human Organs Act in 1994 and then the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act in 2011.

"But the implementation has been inconsistent as health is a state subject and some states have not even adopted the Acts," Seth said.

He also pointed out the lack of requisite infrastructure and expertise by many government hospitals. However, steps have been initiated to have at least one transplanting government hospital in each state.

The experts also called for increasing awareness of organ donation amongst the general population.

"Many people are unaware of the process and the benefits of donating organs. Again the Government has done well by introducing organ donation and transplantation in school curricula and creating a QR code for ease of pledging one's organs and tissues," Seth said.

The experts stressed the need for a concerted effort from the government, private hospitals, NGOs, and the public to create an efficient and ethical organ donation system in India.
Srinagar, Aug 3 : The Jammu & Kashmir government, on Saturday, dismissed six employees from service for their involvement in terror funding and narco-terrorism.

As per an official statement: "The Government of Jammu and Kashmir today dismissed six employees belonging to various departments: five from Police Department (Constables) and one from Education Department (Teacher) in terms of Article 311 of the Constitution of India, for their deep involvement in anti-national activities."

"The activities of these below-mentioned employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found them thickly involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State, evidencing their involvement in terror-related activities," the statement added.

The details of the offenders, as per the statement, are as follows:

Saif Din, Selection Grade Constable in Police Department, S/o Quasim Din, R/o Shigani Bhallesa District Doda A/P Javid Nagar, Bali Charana Naki Tawi, Jammu, is a notorious drug peddler, a habitual offender and a mastermind for generation and distribution of narco-terror funding. He is a deeply motivated and committed drug peddler as well as an overground worker (OGW) for the terrorists of a proscribed organisation like Hizbul Mujahideen. He had established drug channels which are being used by anti-national agencies/elements to smuggle weapons and narcotics and to facilitate infiltration of terrorists in J&K.

Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Head Constable in Police Department, S/o Ab Aziz Sheikh, R/o Ibkoote Tangdar, District Kupwara, along with two other employees namely Khalid Hussian Shah and Rahmat Shah (both working as Constables in J&K Police) received huge consignment of narcotics from drug smugglers across the LoC from Pakistan occupied J&K. He had contacts with the Pakistan based terrorists, who have been involved in smuggling of narcotics, weapons and money across the LoC.

Khalid Hussian Shah, Selection Grade Constable in J&K Police, S/o Mehboob Shah, R/o Chanipora Payeen Tangdar, District Kupwara, along with two other employees, namely Farooq Ahmad Sheikh and Rahmat Shah (both working as Constables in J&K Police) received huge consignment of narcotics across the LoC from Pakistan occupied J&K. Being a resident of Tangdar Karnah, Kupwara, he used his expertise of local terrain and topography to establish contacts with narcotic drug smugglers across the border in PoJK and was at the forefront of running a drug cartel in Kupwara-Karnah region.

Rahmat Shah, Constable in J&K Police, S/o Manzoor Hussain Shah, R/o Panjowa Pingla Haridal, Karnah, District Kupwara had received huge consignment of narcotics from across the LoC for peddling it to other parts of the country, including local market for profit motive and for a larger game plan of adversary agency to destabilise J&K. Being a resident of Haridal village in Karnah, Kupwara, he leveraged his knowledge of the local terrain and topography to establish connections with the narcotic smugglers across the border in PoJK.

Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Khalid Hussian Shah and Rahmat Shah had established contacts with the Pakistan-based terrorists involved in smuggling of narcotics, weapons and money across the LoC to India. They used to smuggle drugs from Pakistan and money generated through the illegal trade of these drugs was being used for fueling unrest as well as financing terror activities in Kashmir valley and other parts of the country.

They were in contact with a large number of drug peddlers and overground workers of proscribed terrorist organisation and were a part of the modus operandi for arranging funding for terrorism in Kashmir valley and elsewhere in India.

Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo, Selection grade Constable in J&K Police, S/o Saif-u-Din Chalkoo, R/o Silikote Uri, District Baramulla had developed a close relationship with the terrorist associates of the area and started working as an OGW with the proscribed terrorist organisation, Laskhar-e-Taiba.

He was in close contact with various Kashmiri-origin terrorists based in PoJK, through encrypted messaging applications and had received arms and ammunitions for further delivery to the terrorists. Being a resident of Uri, District Baramulla, he utilised his knowledge of the local terrain to establish contacts with terrorist based in PoJK. He used to assist terrorist groups, during infiltration, by providing logistics and transportation of their illegal arms and ammunitions in the interior areas of Kashmir valley.

Madam Din, a teacher in the Education Department, S/o Qayam Din, R/o Kirni Haveli, District Poonch is a highly motivated and committed drug peddler and an OGW of terrorists of Hizbul Mujhahidin. He had received consignments of narcotics from across the LoC for onward delivery to the drug peddlers even in Punjab. He was in constant touch with hardcore terrorists in Pakistan, who ex-filtrated for terrorist training and are currently active in terrorist activities from PoJK. He smuggled drugs from Pakistan and money generated through illegal trade of these drugs, it was used for fueling unrest as well as financing terrorist activities in Kashmir valley, as well as in other parts of the country, being an important source in the narco-terror system.

"Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards the anti-national elements who have been taking advantage of being in the Government service," the statement said.

It is now mandatory to seek an integrity certificate and clearance from the intelligence department at every promotional stage for government officials to ensure that the separatists and their sympathises are prevented from intruding into the civil services and police.
Patna, Aug 3 : Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, on Saturday, said that the senior IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, belonging to the Dalit community, is being unfairly targetted because of his caste.

"Being from a Dalit community, he is being unfairly targeted and used as a scapegoat. Why Hans is the only IAS officer facing action while other senior officers remain in their positions for extended periods?" Yadav said.

He said that he would raise the issue in Parliament and if Hans is found guilty, he has to face the law. "I am concerned about the perceived selective nature of the action," Yadav said.

The 1997 batch IAS officer, who served as the Principal Secretary of the Energy Department and Chairman cum Managing Director of the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited, had been removed from the position on August 1.

Sanjeev Hans is facing alleged charges of disproportionate assets, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently conducted raids at his residences in Patna, Delhi and Pune. Besides, he is also facing an alleged rape charge.

Following ED's actions, Sanjeev Hans was reassigned to the General Administration Department.

Reacting to the Sanjeev Hans case, former Deputy Chief Minister Tar Kishore Prasad claimed that ED is doing its job.
Manila, Aug 3 : A town vice mayor and his security aide were killed, and two others, including the vice mayor's 11-year-old child, were wounded after gunmen ambushed his car in Maguindanao del Sur province in the southern Philippines, police said on Saturday.

In a report, the provincial police said unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets into the vice mayor's pickup truck in South Upi town at around 5 p.m. local time on Friday, killing the official and his aide at the scene, Xinhua news agency reported.

The official's wife and child suffered slight injuries in the attack, while another child, aged 13, was unhurt, police added.

"The perpetrators fled the scene in an unknown direction after the incident," the police report said.

It added that police and troops have launched "intensive search operations" to arrest the gunmen, "employing all available resources and collaborating closely with other law enforcement agencies to accelerate the investigation."

"A thorough investigation is underway to gather information and identify the individuals responsible for this heinous crime," the report added.
Ramallah, Aug 3 : At least five Palestinians, including a Hamas commander, were killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian medical and security sources said Saturday.

Ramallah, Aug 3 (IANS) At least five Palestinians, including a Hamas commander, were killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian medical and security sources said Saturday.

"Out of the five victims, four bodies arrived charred, and their limbs torn apart, making it impossible to identify them," Amin Khader, director of Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital in Tulkarm, told Xinhua.

Only 25-year-old Haithan Bladi was identified, Khader said, adding that "now we are trying to identify the rest of the victims", Xinhua news agency reported.

A drone targeted a vehicle carrying the five Palestinians, killing them all, Palestinian security sources, who prefer to remain anonymous, told Xinhua, noting that Bladi was a commander in al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a brief statement on Saturday that an IDF aircraft struck a vehicle and "terrorist cell" operating in the area of Tulkarm.

Amid the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank also has been witnessing military tension between the Israeli army and the Palestinians. Since October 7, 2023, more than 590 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry.
Adani's Ambuja Cements to invest Rs 1,600 crore to set up cement plant in Bihar. Image Source: IANS News

Patna, Aug 3 : Ambuja Cements, part of the diversified Adani Portfolio, on Saturday announced to invest Rs 1,600 crore to set up a 6 MTPA cement grinding unit in Bihar.

Aimed at boosting infrastructure, the Warisaliganj Cement Grinding Unit is likely to contribute approximately Rs 250 crore per year to the state's fiscal revenue and creating 250 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs for the state.

"This investment by the Adani Group is a testament to Bihar's growth potential and our commitment to fostering sustainable development for the people of the state," said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The project will be implemented in three phases, with the first phase of 2.4 MTPA at an investment of Rs 1,100 crore targeted to be commissioned by December 2025.

"This investment aligns with the state government's development programmes and our growth plans. The cement industry is witnessing healthy volumes due to the government's infrastructure thrust, and Ambuja Cements is well-positioned to support sustainable infrastructure development in the country," said Pranav Adani, Managing Director (Agro, Oil & Gas) and Director, Adani Enterprises Limited.

"We look forward to collaborating with the state government, authorities, and local communities on this and future projects," Pranav Adani added.

Adequate provisioning of land for future expansion is in place which will be commissioned in due course at much lower capex, said the company.

The project will meet the growing infrastructure needs of Bihar, aligning with priorities outlined in the recent Union Budget.

The company's first venture in Bihar marks the largest investment in the state by a cement industry player.

IANS

na/uk
Yadgir, : Aug 3 (IANS) The suspicious death of a 35-year-old Sub-Inspector (SI) at his residence has stirred a major controversy in Karnataka as his family has alleged mental torture by a local Congress MLA.

The family alleged that the deceased SI Parashurama had given Rs 30 lakh for a posting at the Yadgir city police station to the MLA.

However, before he completed one year, Parashurama was transferred to the cybercrime police station.

The MLA had allegedly demanded Rs 30 lakh more from the SI to allow him to continue his posting at the Yadgir city police station.

The deceased officer's wife Shwetha has lodged a police complaint against local Congress MLA Channareddy Patil Tunnur and his son Pampanna Gouda, holding them responsible for the death of her husband.

She had submitted her complaint with the Yadgir SP Sangeetha.

Meanwhile, Dalit organisations and the family of the deceased staged a protest on National Highway 50 demanding the arrest of Patil.

They alleged that Patil had demanded Rs 30 lakh to let Parashurama continue his posting.

They also accused the police department of siding with the MLA.

Shwetha has alleged that her husband was mentally tortured for money repeatedly.

"The MLA did not give the posting as we are Dalits and we were not able to give him a bribe for the posting," she alleged.

Parashuram came under pressure as he had taken debt.

Parashuram even spoke to RDPR, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge in this regard over phone, they added.

JD(S) MLA Sharanagouda Kandakur has stated that the deceased officer had spoken to him three days before and complained about the transfer within a year.

"The wife of Parashuram is pregnant. If this happens, what should the police officers do?" he questioned.

"Are officers or his seniors responsible for PSI's death? The government should take the case seriously. I have written a letter to the Home Minister demanding a high level probe. I will give my two month's salary to the family," he stated.

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has urged that Patil be held responsible for the death of the police officer.

The BJP's Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy have attacked the state government over the development and questioned Home Minister G. Parameshwara and CM Siddaramaiah on their claims of being champions of Dalits.
Imphal, Aug 3 : Many tribal organisations on Saturday demanded that the Assam Rifles not be withdrawn from the hill areas of Manipur after reports of the government deciding on a greater role for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the areas rocked by ethnic violence, replacing two battalions of the Assam Rifles in the hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.

Highly placed official sources said that two battalions of the Assam Rifles will be moved from Manipur to Jammu and Kashmir to intensify the counter-terror operations there after a spate of terror attacks instigated by Pakistan.

The counter-insurgency trained Assam Rifles, which operates under Army officers, has been hugely deployed since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year.

The tribal organisations wrote separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and urged them not to withdraw the Assam Rifles from the hilly areas.

Copies of their letters were also given to Manipur Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka and Director General of Manipur Police Rajiv Singh and urged them to take the necessary steps in this regard.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of the Meitei community and a few other organisations have been demanding the replacement of the Assam Rifles by any other Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) while half a dozen Kuki-Hmar-Zo tribal organisations including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an apex body of tribals in Manipur, are strongly opposing the demand.

The ITLF in a statement on Saturday said: "India's oldest paramilitary force Assam Rifles has the most in-depth knowledge and experience among central security forces in Manipur. It has a deep understanding of local geopolitics and how to deal with communities on the ground. This has interfered with the communal designs of the majority Meiteis and their attempt to wipe out minority Kuki-Zo tribes using state machinery."

Both the COCOMI and Kuki-Hmar-Zo tribal organisations separately organised protest rallies during the past few days in support of their demands.

The other tribal organisations that are agitating against the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from the tribal dominated areas include the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council, Zo United, Kuki Students' Organisation.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has also vehemently opposed the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from the buffer zones between the hills inhabited by the Kuki-Zo-Hmar community people and the valley, predominantly occupied by the Meitei community.

Noting that the Assam Rifles are considered a neutral central security force, the CoTU leaders claimed that Chief Minister N Biren Singh is instrumental in withdrawing the Assam Rifles from the tribal inhabited areas.

The tribal organisations have also been demanding the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in all 18 police stations in the valley areas inhabited by the Meiteis.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity recently declared an indefinite boycott of the Assam Rifles in the state.

In a statement COCOMI claimed that the people of the state have long had suspicions about the role of the Assam Rifles during the ethnic turmoil that began in May last year.

Earlier a group of 31 MLAs of the state demanded that the Union Home Minister replace the Assam Rifles with any other CAPF "who are more inclined towards promoting the unity of the state."
Bengaluru, Aug 3 : Reacting to the suspicious death of a Sub-Inspector (SI) over alleged mental torture by a local Congress MLA who was seeking a bribe over a posting in Yadgir District, Karnataka Home Minister, G Parameshwara said on Saturday that he has ordered a probe into the case.

Speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru, he clarified that the 35-year-old SI Parashurama did not commit suicide, nor did he leave a death note.

The SI's wife has filed a complaint, stating that he was distressed over a transfer issue.

HM Parameshwara said that the allegations would be considered, and an investigation would be conducted in this regard.

"Preliminary information is being gathered, and an FIR will be filed to initiate the investigation," he said.

Regarding the accusation that local legislators were given money, he said it was not possible to confirm whether this was true or not until the investigation was completed.

He emphasised that he does not consider the community but rather focusses on the law.

"When such incidents occur, an FIR must be filed. An inspection is carried out before filing the FIR, and it will be registered regardless of whether the legislators are from the ruling party or not," HM Parameshwara said.

Meanwhile, sources confirmed that police have booked Congress MLA Channareddy Patil and his son Pampanagouda under the Atrocity act.

Police have named MLA Patil as accused number one and his son as the second accused.
Pune : , Aug. 3 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday likened Union Home Minister Amit Shah to a descendent of the 18th century Afghan Emperor Ahmad Shah Abdali, and sharpened his attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Addressing a party meeting here, Thackeray said the BJP calls him the 'fake' son of Balasaheb Thackeray, head of the 'duplicate' Shiv Sena (UBT), and chief of the 'Aurangzeb fan club'.

"So what is Amit Shah? A 'Vanshaj' (descendant) of Afghan Emperor Ahmad Shah Abdali I shall call him by this name henceforth. Don't you feel ashamed when you call me names or my father or the party he founded," Thackeray said.

The former Chief Minister was referring to Afghan conqueror Emperor Ahmad Shah Abdali (1720-1772), the founder of the Durrani Empire who invaded India eight times from 1748 to 1767.

Thackeray said Amit Shah keeps coming here like Ahmad Shah Abdali, but "we will ensure that the BJP gets buried here".

Taking potshots, Thackeray said Shaista Khan (the uncle of Emperor Aurangzeb) was wise, for after losing his three fingers in the 1666 encounter with Shivaji Maharaj (later crowned Chhatrapati in 1874), he never returned to Maharashtra.

"Shaista Khan left and never came back If some people take that wisdom, they won't come back repeatedly to receive blows from the people of Maharashtra, as was seen in the (2024) Lok Sabha elections," Thackeray said during the Shiv Sankalp Mela at the Ganesh Kala Krida hall here.

He even read excerpts from a letter written by former RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras to then PM Indira Gandhi who banned the organisation during the Emergency (1975-1977), explaining its philosophy in detail.

Thackeray claimed as per Deoras' letter, the RSS is a purely cultural organisation that never preached enmity with minority religions, nor encouraged ill-will or targetting any such community or their holy scriptures.

"Is this the reason the BJP doesn't like RSS anymore," he asked.

Taking a dig at the BJP over its Hindutva stand, Thackeray said, "We follow the all-inclusive Hindutva of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj."

"Look at all the parties the BJP has associated with -- be it Mehbooba Mufti, Nitish Kumar, or Chandrababu Naidu -- do they lead Hindutva parties," he asked.

He also cited how the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was toppled in June 2022, how the party was split, its name and symbol stolen, and how the Supreme Court will now decide the matter.

"Let the SC judgement come If it comes now, what will be the impact? We will impose our faith in the people's court and they will give us justice in the (October) Assembly elections," said Thackeray.

BJP leaders, including state President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and others slammed Thackeray's remarks saying "they arise from his frustration and disappointment over losing power".
Mumbai, Aug 3 : With the evolution of audio streaming and social media, the listening habits of music enthusiasts have greatly changed. As listeners' attention spans diminish, composers face new challenges to keep their audience engaged.

Music composer Abhijit Vaghani, who has been working in the industry for 20 years as a music producer, and has been the brain behind some chartbuster albums like 'Golmaal: Fun Unlimited', 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama', 'Jannat 2', and others, shared his views on the changing landscape of music.

The music composer and producer spoke with IANS and acknowledged the changes in listening habits among Gen Z and contemporary music audiences, but believes there's potential for a richer musical experience. For that, the listeners have a bit more patience.

Abhijit told IANS, "Longer intros, extended interludes, and more intricate melodies could thrive if given the space. Though the shorter attention span poses challenges, it also offers opportunities to create more varied and innovative music to engage listeners."

The composer recently worked on the soundtrack of the web series 'Life Hill Gayi,' starring Kusha Kapila and Divyenndu of 'Mirzapur' fame.

He deconstructed the soundtrack and explained the three tracks he composed for the series.

Abhijit told IANS: " 'Kya Khayal Hai' is a light-hearted track that sets a hopeful, introspective tone. The second song, 'Hawa Chalyo' (Uttarakhandi Shaadi Song). Given that the web series is set in an Uttarakhandi environment, this song captures the local wedding festivities."

The series revolves around a hotel run by the main characters, as requested by their grandfather. Each episode features different types of guests and their unique challenges in each episode, often with a humorous twist. 'Hawa Chalyo' is part of an episode focusing on a wedding.

Abhijit further mentioned, " 'Good Morning' is a rap song that serves as the title sequence, incorporating Uttarakhandi singing elements. The hotel's name is 'Good Morning', which inspired the song title. The background music (BGM) varies with each episode to reflect the different guests and themes, providing a fresh musical experience tailored to the specific narrative of each instalment."

He has also worked on projects like T-Series MixTape and MixTape Rewind.

With the latest Saregama IP, Abhijit sings with Sophie Choudhary in addition to producing 10 retro songs.

Talking about the process of recreating evergreen songs without damaging their original essence in IPs, Abhijit said: "The significance of an IP lies in its specific, recurring theme. For example, an audio IP focused on Rajasthani sounds would consistently incorporate those elements, creating a distinct auditory identity. MixTape was about blending two songs into one cohesive track with enhanced musical elements."

"For the Saregama IP, the goal was to revitalise ten classic songs for a modern audience, particularly Gen Z. This involved creating new compositions, adding lyrics, and carefully selecting songs to resonate with contemporary styles while respecting the original tracks. Sophie and I are singing one of the tracks named 'Do Lafzon Ki Hai', and it was delightful; her charm and singing blended perfectly with the song," he added.
Jaipur, Aug 3 : Soon after Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore assumed charge as Rajasthan BJP president on Saturday, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje shared some advice with the new state unit chief.

Raje said that Rathore will have to work taking everyone along; This is a very difficult task and many people have failed in this attempt, she added.

Raje was speaking in the BJP office on Saturday during a grand ceremony where Rathore assumed charge as the state BJP president.

Vasundhara said that politics is synonymous with ups and downs. Every person has to go through this phase. If a person starts thinking about these aspects, three things come to mind -- position, stature and arrogance. Position and arrogance are not permanent but If you do good work then stature becomes permanent. If there is arrogance of position then it reduces. For me, the biggest position is the love of the people, the trust of the people. This is such a position which no one can take away from you.

To this Rathore said, I will keep this Guru Mantra and warning in mind.

Vasundhara Raje added, "In future we will work together for the success of the organisation and not for any faction. This is not easy, neither for you, nor for the workers, it is very difficult."

Rathore replied, " I will always keep with me the Guru Mantra given to me by Vasundhara Raje. I will keep in mind the warning I have received from the stage." Appealing to the workers, he said, "the government is ours. So praise the government. If you are not happy with the work of the government, then tell us. We will listen to you."

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma mentioned the work done under the earlier state presidents.

He said, "The way the workers protested against the policies of the previous regime under the leadership of Satish Poonia and CP Joshi yielded the result that our government was formed in the state."

Rathore was elected to the Rajya Sabha 5 months ago. Rathore, who has been active in the organization for a long time, has worked with senior BJP leaders and has experience of working with both the old and new generation of the BJP. He belongs to the Ganchi caste. Rathore was appointed as the BJP state president on July 25.
New Delhi/Chandigarh, Aug 3 : Nominated Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu has praised the Union Education Ministry for placing its emphasis on the icons of Sikhism and Punjab in the school education curriculum.

Sandhu recently raised the issue of introducing school students to icons of Sikhism, stories of freedom fighters, and the cultural heritage of Punjab through textbooks in the House during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament.

Sandhu sought details from the Education Ministry on the steps taken by the Centre to introduce school students to the icons of Sikhism, popularise stories or biographies of freedom fighters from Punjab among them, and highlight the cultural heritage of Punjab among the students.

In response, Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, informed that chapters on various Sikh icons and freedom fighters from Punjab are part of the curriculum in the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks.

Chapters on Baba Guru Nanak, Sikhs, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Singh Sabha Movement, Lala Lajpat Rai, Jallianwala Bagh, and Bhagat Singh are part of the NCERT curriculum, the Minister said.

Expressing his appreciation for the emphasis placed on Sikhism and Punjab in the education curriculum as informed by the Ministry of Education in its reply, Satnam Singh on Saturday expressed hope for more stories to be included in the textbooks in the future.

"It is a matter of pleasure that the Union Ministry of Education has placed this emphasis on the icons of Sikhism and Punjab. Besides narrating the story of these heroes who dedicated their lives to society and the nation, the emphasis also highlights the affection of the Union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards Sikhism and Punjab.

"I am elated with these steps and expect a few more stories to be narrated through textbooks in time to come. Also, we should not forget that school education is a subject in the State List," said Sandhu, who founded the Chandigarh Group of Colleges at Landran in Mohali in 2001 before founding the Chandigarh University in 2012.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Actor Faisal Malik, who has gained eyeballs with his effortless portrayal of Prahlad Pandey, a strong character in the third season of "Panchayat", will be start working on the fourth installment next year.

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) Actor Faisal Malik, who has gained eyeballs with his effortless portrayal of Prahlad Pandey, a strong character in the third season of "Panchayat", will be start working on the fourth installment next year.

Asked what he learned from Prahlad Pandey, Faisal told IANS: "I learnt the simplicity around him."

Talking about the challenges from him, Faisal, who was present at the Chitrashaala Film Festival in the National Capital, said: "Every act is a challenge. Every performance is a challenge The good part is that Prahlad Pandey as a character is loved by people and I will try my best to make that happen next year also."

The actor revealed that it was the "writing" that drew him to "Panchayat 3", which tells the tale of

of an engineering graduate who joins as a Panchayat secretary in a remote fictional village of Phulera in Uttar Pradesh.

"It's the writing that inspired me. It is the best thing. The show is written by the very talented Chandan Kumar. It is such a beautiful show for people especially," he said.

The series also stars Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Sanvikaa, Chandan Roy, Durgesh Kumar, Ashok Pathak and Sunita Rajwar, whom he describes as his "family".

Talking about the cast, Faisal said: "It is like a family now. They are the most beautiful people. The director is the most talented and the most calm person."

Any memorable moments from the show?

"Everyday is an experience only because Neena Gupta maam and Raghu bhai because they both are an (film) institute in themselves. They have done so much that no matter how much we try to learn it will be less in front of them because they are the best," he said.
Lucknow, Aug 3 : Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday demanded a DNA test of Moin Khan, the SP leader accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya, even as Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati raised questions about the SP.

Moin Khan is a close associate of Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad.

Earlier in the day, the district administration demolished Moin Khan's bakery in the Purakalandar police station area of Ayodhya where the accused, along with his servant, allegedly raped the girl.

Taking to microblogging site X, Akhilesh said, "Justice can be met by getting DNA tests done of those accused, and not by merely making allegations and doing politics. Whoever is guilty should be given full punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proven false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. This is the demand for justice."

Mayawati reacted to Akhilesh, saying, "The strict action being taken by the UP government against the accused in the Ayodhya gangrape case is justified, but what should be understood by the SP saying that the DNA test of the accused should be done. The SP should also tell how many DNA tests have been done against such accused in their government."

"Amid the growing concerns about crime control and law and order in UP, especially about women's safety and harassment, the incidents in Ayodhya and Lucknow are extremely sad and worrying. It would be better if the government takes strict steps to prevent these by rising above caste, community and politics," she added.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had on Friday raised the rape issue in the Assembly. Cornering the Samajwadi Party, he had asked why no action had been taken against the SP leader till now. Yogi had said that no culprit would be spared.
Bengaluru, Aug 3 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday challenged the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the 'survival' of the Congress government in the state.

"Not 10 years, we will see whether you will remain in power in the next 10 months. Your pot of sins is overflowing," said Kumaraswamy while referring to the remarks of Shivakumar that the Congress will remain in power for the next 10 years in the state.

He said that it was Shivakumar who had provided documents against Siddaramaiah and was also orchestrating press conferences and statements against the Chief Minister.

"After doing all this, you (Shivakumar) are enacting a drama of defending Siddaramaiah," said Kumaraswamy while addressing a gathering at the Mysuru Chalo Padyatra in Bengaluru.

He said that under no circumstances the BJP and JD-S will remain divided. "There might be confusion between us but this alliance will remain intact until the Congress government isn't uprooted from the state.

He said that the padyatra (foot march) had been organised to create awareness among people to overthrow the ruling Congress.

"What property did Shivakumar possess before entering politics? He possessed one black and white television and a DVD player. He has Rs 1,500 crores of property now. Shivakumar has said that he is ready to go to jail. I am not conspiring against him to send him to jail," said Kumaraswamy.

He said that in the Yadgir district, a police inspector committed suicide as he was unable to pay a bribe of Rs 20 lakh to retain his posting in the police station.

"He belonged to the SC community. This is the justice the Congress government which claims to be a champion of Dalits," said Kumaraswamy.

He said that during the tenure of Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister between 2013 and 2017, honest police officer Kallappa Handibagh ended his life, he belonged to Siddaramaiah's community.

"I am not pursuing caste politics. I want to ask the SC-ST community that a Chief Minister who can't give justice to an officer from his community what can they expect from him," he said.

He said that in the MUDA land case, Siddaramaiah got the right to obtain as many sites as he wished.

"This is completely against the law that the government land is registered in the name of Chief Minister's brother-in-law. Change of land use was made without spot inspection. In the Tribal Welfare Board case, Siddaramaiah has agreed that it is not Rs 187 crore but it is Rs 87 crore which was misappropriated," said Kumaraswamy.
Chandigarh, Aug 3 : In a broad daylight killing, a retired Punjab Police officer on Saturday allegedly shot his son-in-law, who was an officer with the Irrigation Department, in a fit of rage at a mediation centre in the Chandigarh District Court complex.

The victim, Harpreet Singh, was rushed to the PGI where the doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The accused has been identified as Malwinder Singh Sidhu, a retired AIG of the Punjab Police. Responding promptly to the shooting, lawyers and visitors present on the scene apprehended Sidhu and locked him in a room until the police arrived.

Later, the police arrested Sidhu and seized his firearm. Senior officers, including UT SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, along with a forensic team have reached the crime scene to gather evidence.

As per the police, there was a matrimonial dispute between Harpreet and his wife Amitoj Kaur. Their divorce proceedings were going on since 2023.

The couple had another litigation going on at Mohali, officials said. The matter was referred to the mediation centre and proceedings were being carried out by the court-appointed mediators. It was their fourth meeting in the mediation proceedings.

The police said Harpreet along with his parents were present there when Malwinder Sidhu fired at him.

Four rounds were fired out of which two hit Harpreet on the stomach and thigh, the police said.

The victim was posted in the Irrigation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : US space agency NASA and Elon Musk-run SpaceX are set to launch a cargo mission with 8,200 pounds (3,719.45 kg) of supplies, scientific investigations, and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday.

The commercial supplies will be carried to the orbiting lab by Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft (NG-21) onboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The launch opportunity is available on Sunday at 11.02 a.m. (ET). It is the 21st commercial resupply mission by Northrop Grumman for NASA.

The scientific experiments aboard Cygnus spacecraft include "tests of water recovery technology, a process to produce stem cells in microgravity, studies of the effects of spaceflight on microorganism DNA, liver tissue growth, and live science demonstrations for students".

In addition, the NG-21 will also carry two tiny CubeSats, as part of NASA's ELaNa (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites) programme. It will be deployed from the ISS after the Cygnus docks on August 5.

The NG-21 has been named the S.S. Richard "Dick" Scobee, after the NASA astronaut who commanded the ill-fated STS-51-L mission of the space shuttle Challenger.

Shortly after liftoff on January 28, 1986, Challenger exploded, claiming the lives of Scobee and his six crewmates.

The Cygnus will be docked using the station's robotic arm, and installed on the Unity module's Earth-facing port on the ISS.

The spacecraft will spend almost six months connected to the orbiting laboratory before departing in January 2025.

The orbiting lab currently houses 7 persons -- five from Expedition 71 -- Oleg Kononenko, Tracy Dyson, Mike Barratt, Matthew Dominick, Jeanette Epps, Nikolai Chub, and Alexander Grebenkin; and two Starliner crew -- Indian-origin, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore.
Maimana : , Aug 3 (IANS) The extraction of three salt mines in Qaramqul district, north Afghanistan's Faryab province, formally commenced on Saturday, said Hamayon Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum.

The project, led by a local private company, involves an investment of 24 million US dollars. The company has leased the 14-square-kilometre territory for 15 years and aims to produce tonnes of salt per day, according to the official.

In addition to the extraction operations, the company will also establish a salt processing plant in the area.

The project is expected to generate employment opportunities for 500 people, providing a significant boost to the local economy, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Afghan caretaker government has previously awarded several mining contracts to Afghan and foreign companies. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to launch development and infrastructure projects aimed at addressing economic challenges and creating job opportunities.
Mogadishu, Aug 3 : Somali leaders on Saturday called on security agencies to remain vigilant following a brutal attack by al-Shabab fighters at a popular beachside hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Friday night.

The attack by a suicide bomber targeting Lido Beach View, the hotel, left at least 35 people dead and 126 others wounded, according to Police spokesperson Abdifitah Aden Hassan.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre convened an emergency security meeting in Mogadishu in the wake of the vicious attack.

The president who received a briefing on how the terrorists breached the security at Lido Beach wished speedy recovery of those who were injured and are hospitalized.

"The terrorist attack on Lido Beach shows the brutality of al-Shabab and their hostility towards Somali people. The government is committed to eradicating this group from the whole country," Mohamud said in a statement issued in Mogadishu after the emergency meeting.

He said that the success in the war against terrorism depends on the support and cooperation of the Somali people. The president called on the people to cooperate with the security agencies while uniting to eradicate al-Shahab from the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

The latest attack for which the al-Shabab extremist group claimed responsibility on their official pro-Shabab radio, claiming they killed 54 people, began at 10 p.m., local time, Friday when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the Lido Beach View.

Five other attackers stormed the area where many residents were either eating, swimming or walking.

Aden, the police spokesman, said security forces later battled the fighters and killed all the attackers at the scene and captured another one who was driving a car laden with explosives.

According to Aden, one soldier was killed and another sustained injuries during the exchange of fire.

Prime Minister Barre described the attack as a barbaric atrocity fundamentally contradictory to the cherished values of religion and culture upheld by the Somali people. He urged the unified support of the people with the victims and ongoing emergency operations in the aftermath of this tragic incident. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased while offering prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, strongly condemned the heinous attack on the popular hangout spot surrounded by striking beach hotels and restaurants, which are a favorite for many Somalis.

IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift and full recovery to those injured.

"We denounce this barbaric act of terror in the strongest terms. Such cowardly attacks will not undermine the resolve of the Somali government, its resilient people, or the region at large. Instead, it will strengthen our collective determination to rebuild Somalia and eliminate the scourge of terrorism," Workneh said in a statement.

The militants have in the past carried out attacks on several beachside restaurants along the Lido beach in Mogadishu, the recent attack last year resulted in the death of more than ten people.

Analysts say the attack on popular beach resorts by al-Shabab militants confirmed the terrorist network is determined to reassert its authority in the Somalia capital after it was weakened by African Union troops.
Mumbai, Aug 3 : The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) will celebrate August 7 as 'Mandal Victory Day', 34 years after the Mandal Commission report was put into effect by the then coalition government at the Centre in 1990.

The announcement was made on Saturday by VBA President Prakash Ambedkar during his ongoing 'Save Reservations Yatra' rally in Nanded to create awareness and saving reservations for the deprived sections of society, said Vice-President and chief spokesperson Siddharth Mokle.

"August 7 will be the 34th anniversary of the second Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC) report which was submitted to the Central government in 1980, and VBA will mark it first time as 'Mandal Vijay Divas' at an event in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar," Mokle told IANS.

The report, with far-reaching socio-political implications, was prepared by the former Bihar Chief Minister Bindheshwari Prasad Mandal (1918-1982).

Famed as the Mandal Commission Report, it languished in the cold storage for a decade, till the former Prime Minister V.P. Singh suddenly brought it out and implemented it on August 7, 1990 - leading to social and political upheavals soon afterwards.

The development assumes significance against the backdrop of the demands from various quarters since over a year to conduct a nationwide Caste Census, besides the ongoing fracas between the OBCs and Marathas in the state which will face the Assembly elections in October.

On the occasion, Ambedkar has invited leaders of all political parties including Sharad Pawar and Amol R. Kolhe (both NCP-SP), Balasaheb Thorat (Congress), plus ruling allies Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde (NCP), Pankaja Munde (BJP), and other bigwigs.

Besides, the VBA's various committees shall invite over 500 other OBC groups from all over the state and districts to attend the event on August 7 (Wednesday) and present their stand on the OBC reservation in the state.
Mumbai, Aug 3 : Actress Huma Qureshi has returned from France, where she was holidaying, and has now engaged herself in her upcoming movie 'Bayaan'.

'Bayaan' is a gripping investigative police procedural drama directed by Bikas Mishra. Huma essays the role of a cop named Roohi Kartar in the film.

Talking about working on the project, the actress said: "I had the most wonderful time celebrating my birthday in Europe with my closest friends and family. The laughter, music, and beautiful moments made it a trip to remember. But now, it's back to work, and I'm thrilled to dive straight into "Bayaan'."

She further mentioned, "The energy on set is incredible, and the script is so compelling. Playing Roohi Kartar is a challenging yet exciting journey, and I'm looking forward to bringing this character to life. The scenic backdrop of Rajasthan and working with such a talented cast and crew make this experience even more special."

The actress recently celebrated her birthday in Europe with close friends and family, including Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa. The celebration was filled with laughter and music, making it a memorable event for the actress.

She recently wrapped up 'Jolly LLB 3' which also stars Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Amrita Rao and Saurabh Shukla.

After 'Monica, O My Darling, 'Tarla' and 'Maharani,' Huma Qureshi is delving into yet another challenging role and leading from the front. This year the actress will be seen in 'Jolly LLB 3', 'Gulabi' and 'Bayaan' proving her acting prowess.
Cairo, Aug 3 : An Israeli security delegation arrived in Cairo on Saturday to resume Gaza ceasefire talks, well-informed Egyptian sources told Xinhua.

The sources said that the Israeli delegation, which includes the heads of the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) and the Israeli intelligence service Mossad, has already arrived in Cairo and begun talks with the Egyptian side.

According to the sources, the talks focus on a Gaza ceasefire, the situation in the Philadelphi Corridor between Egypt and Gaza, and the closed Rafah border crossing.

This is the first Israeli delegation to visit Egypt since the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau, on Wednesday in the Iranian capital Tehran. Hamas has accused Israel of carrying out the assassination.

Since the Gaza conflict broke out in October 2023, Egypt, along with mediators from the United States and Qatar, has been working to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported.

The latest round of ceasefire negotiation among senior officials from Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States adjourned last weekend, several hours after it began in Rome, with no apparent progress reported.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.

The Israeli attacks have killed more than 39,000 Palestinians and injured more than 90,000 others.

Israel estimates that there are about 134 Israeli detainees in Gaza, while Hamas announced that 70 of them were killed in random Israeli raids.
Bengaluru, Aug 3 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday announced the construction of 100 houses in the landslide-struck Wayanad in Kerala as part of extending further assistance by his state.

Interacting with the media in Shiradi Ghat, Siddaramaiah said he discussed the overall situation with his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan over the telephone and promised to extend the necessary aid.

He, however, noted that it will take more time to get a complete account of the missing Kannada-speaking individuals. "The details will be known after the rescue operations are fully completed," the Karnataka CM said.

Saying that 100 houses with all the necessary facilities would be constructed in Wayanad, Siddaramaiah added that the specific locations and costs for the construction will be determined later.

Meanwhile, taking to X, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul lauded the Karnataka government's announcement on house construction.

"I am deeply grateful to the people and the government of Karnataka for their generous support during these difficult times in Wayanad. Your commitment to building 100 houses for the victims of the tragic landslide is a significant step towards rehabilitation efforts. The compassion and solidarity of Indians are the strengths that Wayanad needs right now," he stated.

Earlier, the Karnataka CM posted on X: "In light of the tragic landslide in Wayanad, Karnataka stands in solidarity with Kerala. I have assured CM Pinarayi Vijayan of our support and announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for the victims. Together, we will rebuild and restore hope."
Bengaluru, Aug 3 : Karnataka BJP on Saturday said that the legal action against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would not stop if he does not answer to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's show cause notice.

"These fools don't know that if you (Sddaramaiah) don't answer, the legal action won't stop against you. Whether it is Siddaramaiah or Shivakumar or any person legal action will be carried out. Every paisa that has been looted from the people will be taken back. Your (Chief Minister Siddaramaiah) seat will also be vacated," said Karnataka BJP in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal.

"We congratulate the Governor for issuing notice to Siddaramaiah and asking why the action should not be taken against him. Siddaramaiah looks disturbed already," Das said while addressing a gathering at the inaugural ceremony of the Mysuru Chalo padyatra in Bengaluru.

He said that on July 15, a petition was filed before the Supreme Court to stall the probe against Siddaramaiah.

"You have looted money. Rs 11 crore cash was seized from your close associate by agencies. They approached the court to prevent an investigation by the CBI," he said, without taking any names.

He said that the BJP has organised the (padyatra) foot march to change Karnataka and give its people their rights back.

"You (party workers) will fight against the corruption of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. I will be in New Delhi, where senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also present. Money from Karnataka is being looted and Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are handing over the looted funds to Rahul Gandhi," he alleged.

Addressing the gathering he said that seven years ago the IT Department confiscated a diary belonging to Shivakumar which had mentioned Rs three crore payment to the Congress. "It was one of the entries. It is also known how Rs 187 crore which belongs to Dalits was spent on the Andhra Pradesh election by the Karnataka government. The poor and Dalit community land was taken over and a scam of Rs 4,000 was committed by Siddaramaiah," he said
Bhopal, Aug 3 : Four students of a private school were buried alive after the wall of a house collapsed in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa on Saturday.

The incident occurred in the Garh police station area, around 45 km from the Rewa district headquarters. The deceased have been identified as Anshika Gupta (5), Manya Gupta (7), Siddhart Gupta (5), and Anuj Prajapati (6).

The abandoned house was located hardly 20 meters away from Sunrise Public School, where the children were enrolled.

After school was over, some students were heading towards their homes. As they were crossing the old and abandoned house, its back wall collapsed.

At least, eight students aged between five to seven years and a woman teacher were buried. Local people rushed to the spot and started rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the Garh police station personnel were informed but by the time they reached there four children had died. Those injured were rushed to a government hospital in Gangeo, around 11 km from the spot.

A doctor in Gangeo primary health care centre told IANS over phone that two children and one woman (attendant) were brought there but later they were referred to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla has expressed grief over the deaths. He has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh for the family of each student who died.

Shukla has asked the district collector to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter and submit the report as soon as possible.
Srinagar, Aug 3 : A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper shot himself to death on Saturday in J&K's Kupwara district, an official said.

The officials identified the BSF trooper as S.D. Ram Kumar of the 89 Battalion posted at the NITI border post in the Tangdhar area of Kupwara district.

"He shot himself with his service rifle and died on the spot. His body was shifted to the Sub District Hospital Tangdhar for the completion of medico-legal formalities," the official said.

He said that the police have started inquest proceedings under section 174 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Officials said that an investigation has been started to find out what prompted the trooper to take the extreme step.

BSF is also reportedly starting an internal inquiry to find out the reason for the trooper shooting himself during duty.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, a Pakistani intruder was gunned down by the BSF along the international border in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. The 45-year-old unarmed intruder was neutralised near the Khora post in the Manguchek area after he sneaked into Indian territory from Pakistan's Tugliyalpur post.

On Wednesday, the security forces also busted a terror hideout in the Kalakote area of Rajouri district. The joint operation, carried out overnight by Rashtriya Rifles and the police, led to the recovery of an AK assault rifle, two IEDs, one pistol, four magazines and two grenades besides some eatables.

In the last three months, the Jammu division has seen heightened terror activities in which scores of security forces and terrorists have been killed.
Kolkata, Aug 3 : A purported video went viral on social media on Saturday showing West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri abusing a woman forest department officer who went with her team to remove illegal encroachment on forest land from near the Tajpur Sea Resort in East Midnapore district.

Giri, Minister of State for Prison (Independent Charge), has often hit the headlines for his controversial comments. Last year, he faced the ire of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after making derogatory remarks concerning the looks of President Droupadi Murmu.

In the video, the Minister could be seen threatening the forest officer using abusive language, "You are a government employee, bow down your head (in front of me) while speaking. See what happens to you within a week Mend your ways. You will see what happens when people beat you with sticks."

Giri was heard alleging that following instructions from the woman officer, the forest department staff demolished shops of local people late into the night when it was raining torrentially.

"I want to see how powerful an officer you are," the Minister was heard saying as he yelled at the officer.

The officer was heard questioning Giri as to how she could be removed for doing her duty.

To this, Giri asked, "Who asked you to be on night duty? Why were the shops demolished at night," which the officer refuted.

Commenting on the incident, Shankar Ghosh, Chief Whip of BJP in the state Assembly, said, "I have seen Akhil Giri's behaviour in the Assembly. He behaved as per the culture of his party. They (Trinamool leaders) will behave in such arrogant manner as long as they are in power."

Even Giri's party colleague and Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh called it an undesirable incident, saying if Giri had something to say, he could have spoken to the MoS of Forest Department, Birbaha Hansda.

"The mistreatment of the female officer was unfortunate. But the CPM or the BJP have no right to comment on the matter. They have shown uglier behaviour over and over again." Ghosh said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Giri told mediapersons later that unnecessary mudslinging was being done in the matter.
Beirut, Aug 3 : In a fresh "security alert" issued on Saturday, the US Embassy in Beirut asked the American citizens in Lebanon wishing to depart the country to book "any ticket available to them", even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route.

"The US Embassy notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. Please see available flight options ataBeiruta"Rafic Hariri International Airport," the alert stated.

It mentioned that the US citizens who lack funds to return to the United States may contact the embassy for financial assistance via repatriation loans.

"We recommend that US citizens who choose not to depart Lebanon prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period of time," advised the Embassy.

The diplomatic mission further detailed that US military-assisted evacuations of civilians from a foreign country are rare.

"US citizens should not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation in a crisis. In the case of an evacuation, you may not be able to leave with your extended family, cannot take pets, and will be expected to reimburse the US government for your transportation to a safe location," it added.
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 : The Ministry of Finance on Saturday mandated the public sector insurance companies, including the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to extend all possible support to the victims of the Wayanad tragedy by expeditiously settling all insurance claims.

A directive in this regard was posted by the Finance Ministry on X.

Meanwhile, the toll from the Wayanad landslide rose to 366 while 206 are still missing as rescue operations entered the fifth day.

Besides loss of life, there has been massive destruction of properties with hundreds of homes totally washed away, along with other serious damages. Also, numerous cattle and other animals have also disappeared.

The Finance Ministry has pointed out that the insurance companies have initiated efforts to reach out to their policyholders through various channels (local newspapers, social media, company websites, SMSes, etc.) to provide the contact details for assistance in the districts of Wayanad, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur, where a significant number of claims are being reported.

"The LIC has been asked to speedily disburse the claim amount in respect of the policyholders under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana. The documentation required for processing of claims has been relaxed comprehensively to ensure speedy dispersal of the claim amount.

"The General Insurance Council will coordinate with the insurance companies to ensure that claims are processed and paid expeditiously and will host a portal for all insurers to report claim status daily. The Central Government and @FinMinIndia remain committed to supporting the victims of this calamity and ensuring they receive the necessary assistance without delay and trouble," the Finance Ministry post on X read.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has already said that he has directed the various departments to ensure that steps begin to issue fresh certificates to all those who have lost their documents.
Warsaw, Aug 3 : In July alone, 83 people drowned in open waters in Poland, the Polish state TV station TVP reported on Saturday.

"Most of the victims were men, because men take more risks and do not always use life jackets," TVP reported, citing Maciej Rokus, head of the Polish Special Divers Group which offers maritime search and rescue service.

The Polish Radio also appealed to people to follow basic water safety rules, describing the grim situation as "summer plague". It said that according to police data, 126 drownings were recorded across the country from April 1 to early July, Xinhua news agency reported.

The most drowning cases occurred in the northern Warmian-Masurian and Pomeranian provinces, where people preferred to spend vacations on the Baltic beaches or lakes. However, this problem has also affected the Lubuskie province in eastern Poland recently.

Sulecin police reported on Friday that a 42-year-old man was drowned in a local lake and Lubuskie police reported that a 50-year-old man's body was found in a water reservoir in Szprotawa.
Gurugram, Aug 3 : A joint team of the cyber crime police and the Chief Minister's flying squad has apprehended two accused who allegedly converted US dollars into Indian currency and provided bank accounts to Chinese fraudsters to commit fraud in the name of investment, the police said.

The suspects were arrested from Sector-46 in Gurugram on Saturday.

They were identified as Anil Sahu, a resident of Udaipur in Rajasthan and Pradeep Singh of Jaipur in Rajasthan.

The police team registered a case under Section 318(4), 3(5) BNS in the Cyber aaCrime East Police Station.

During interrogation of the accused, it was found that both of them were in touch with Chinese cyber criminals to cheat people in India and abroad in the guise of making online investments in the name of different companies, getting the USDT transferred to them, converting the USDT into Indian rupees and giving that amount to the Chinese criminals after taking their commission.

"To commit fraud the accused took bank accounts from different people on commission and sent the bank account kit (cheque book, ATM, net banking password and mobile number etc.) to the Chinese thugs through their accomplices," ACP (cybercrime) Priyanshu Diwan said.

Five mobile phones, seven SIM cards, 16 cheque books, and 10 ATM cards used by the accused in the fraud have been recovered from their possession.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Tata Group's semiconductor plant in Assam will produce 4.83 crore semiconductor chips per day, along with generating 15,000 direct and up to 13,000 indirect jobs once operational, Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and IT and I&B, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said on Saturday.

The Union Minister also pointed out that the semiconductor unit will be a site for the development of indigenous advanced semiconductor packaging technologies, including Wire Bond, flip chip, and I-SIP (integrated system in package) technologies.

According to the Minister, these technologies are extremely critical for key applications such as automotives (especially electric vehicles), communications, network infrastructure, and others.

Nearly 85,000 industry-ready workforce at B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD-level in semiconductor chip design are being trained at 113 academic institutions across the country, and nine of these are in the Northeast.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always emphasised the Act East policy and a very important milestone is being achieved in Assam with the commencement of construction of this facility," the Minister told the media.

According to the government, the Assam plant will be set up with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore and is expected to generate 15,000 direct and 11,000-13,000 indirect jobs.

Highlighting the importance of the semiconductor industry as being a foundational one, the Minister said employment opportunities in various upstream and downstream industries will be created.
Chennai, Aug 3 : Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai claimed on Saturday that murders have become common in the state under the DMK's rule.

In a social media post, the BJP leader expressed shock over the murder of an advocate Udhyakumar in Coimbatore on August 2.

He charged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin who had promised to maintain law and order in the state has not taken any steps in this regard. The BJP leader, who is a former IPS officer, said that some ministers were speaking on normalising such murders. Annamalai in the post said," This is quite unacceptable ".

He said that the state government was using the police only to target those who criticised the government instead of maintaining law and order.

Annamalai said"It is worrisome that the lives of politicians, advocates and common people in Tamil Nadu are under threat."

Udhayakumar, a 48-year-old lawyer, was found murdered in front of a poultry farm at Myleripalayam on the outskirts of Coimbatore on Friday afternoon.

He was a resident of Viswanathapuram near Saravanampatti in Coimbatore. The police said that he was allegedly abducted by a gang and after killing him they abandoned his body.

Tamil Nadu BSP president K. Armstrong was also murdered recently in Chennai.

A few days before Selvakumar, the BJP's Sivagangai district secretary was hacked to death. An AIADMK leader in Cuddalore district, ,Padmanabhan, was murdered while he was returning home after attending a function.

AIADMK leader and party spokesman Kovai Sathyan had also targeted the DMK government and said that lawlessness was at an all time high during the DMK rule under Chief Minister, M.K.Stalin.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2024 - 21:54 | All, Japan

A U.S. Navy helicopter made an emergency landing in a rice field near Tokyo on Saturday, police and local firefighters said, adding that there had been no injuries.

The helicopter carrying 12 people landed at around 10:55 a.m. in the field in Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture, after departing the Atsugi base about 7 kilometers away. It returned to the base later in the day.

The U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi said a precautionary landing was carried out after some irregularities were detected midair. It said it will investigate the cause, while declining to explain the purpose of the flight.

The helicopter was en route to a base in Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, according to the firefighters. No fuel spill was found following the incident.
Ayodhya, Aug 3 : In the aftermath of the gang-rape incident in Bhadarsa, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has swiftly taken action. On Saturday afternoon, a bulldozer was used to demolish the illegal construction of the main accused, Moin Khan.

By the evening, CM Adityanath arranged for financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for the victim.

Local MLA Amit Singh Chauhan visited the victim's home to hand over the cheque, accompanied by District Magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh and Ayodhya SSP Raj Karan Nayyar.

The victim's mother expressed her satisfaction with the government's response, stating that the actions taken were entirely appropriate.

MLA Amit Singh Chauhan mentioned that the Chief Minister assured that any further needs of the family would be promptly addressed.

He also reiterated that the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government will continue to stand by the victimas family throughout this ordeal.

Meanwhile, in a stern action, the district administration on Saturday demolished the bakery owned by the accused Moin Khan.

The officials from the Food Safety Department conducted a raid on Khan's bakery, seizing and sending the bakeryas products for investigation.

The establishment has been sealed, as Khan is accused of committing the crime in that very location.

Earlier, CM Adityanath also raised the issue in the state Assembly.

Cornering the Samajwadi Party, he asked why no action had been taken against the SP leader till now.

Yogi Adityanath had said that no culprit would be spared.

Earlier on Friday, CM Adityanath had met the family members of the victim and assured them that strict action would be taken against the culprits.

SP leader Moin Khan and his servant allegedly raped a 12-year-old minor girl in his bakery in Purakalandar police station area of Ayodhya.

The main accused, Moin Khan, is a close associate of Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad.

Purakalandar police station in-charge Ratan Sharma and Bhadarsa outpost in-charge Akhilesh Gupta have already been suspended.
Mumbai, Aug. 3 : The Maharashtra Congress on Saturday demanded to know how dismissed police officer Sachin Vaze facing murder charges was allowed to speak to the media when he was being escorted for a medical checkup in the morning.

Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies have slammed the MahaYuti government after Vaze hurled allegations before the media against former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh while being taken for a medical check-up by the police.

"The entire matter is very serious. It must be probed how Vaze was permitted to address the media as prisoners in custody are not allowed to communicate with the media or others. The police officers in whose charge he was must be immediately suspended," demanded Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe.

Vaze sparked a political furore when he alleged that Deshmukh used to collect bribe money through his personal assistant, that he had written to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and that the Central Bureau of Investigation had all the evidence in the matter, besides hinting at the involvement of other MVA politicians.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party (SP)'s ex-Home Minister Deshmukh also slammed MahaYuti ally BJP, accusing it of "using a murder accused to defend itself" after the incident.

"The BJP is running scared That's why they have to take the support of a criminal jailed in a murder case to act as its spokesperson and defend the party," said Raut.

Referring to certain statements made by Vaze, Raut said the BJP has stooped to a new law by making such an accused person issue statements in its favour.

"Vaze is an accused (in the Antilla terror case of 2021), but he is now made to speak like a BJP spokesperson. They have to take the help of a criminal and terrorist to protect themselves," Raut added.

Deshmukh said that just last week he had revealed how Fadnavis had allegedly conspired three years back to throw ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya to jail.

Deshmukh reiterated that the BJP was (then) forcing him to sign an affidavit prepared by them to implicate the Thackerays under the threat of central investigation agencies, but he (Deshmukh) refused to succumb, and had to spend 13 months in jail in an alleged corruption case.

"I made those matters public. Vaze is a person with a criminal background... He was arrested for two murders and is currently in jail. What Vaze did today is a new tactic of Fadnavis, hence his (Vaze's) statements have no credibility  even the Bombay High Court had said the same in its verdict," Deshmukh said.

Londhe said, "It is very clear who is making (Vaze) utter all this, as the BJP has repeatedly misused central probe agencies and had also conspired with former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh to frame MVA leaders in different cases."

The Congress leader also claimed that Deshmukh and social activist Shyam Manav had exposed Fadnavis and as a face-saver to hide the truth, they (BJP) brought out the imprisoned Vaze to speak on their behalf.

"When Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, ex-Maharashtra ministers Deshmukh, Nawab Malik, and others were sent to jail, they were never allowed to interact with the media. So how, and at whose instance, was Vaze given the privilege? Who is so close to him in the MahaYuti government," asked Londhe.

The matter raged all day with sharp reactions and counter-comments coming from ruling BJP leaders like Girish Mahajan, Nitesh N. Rane, and the MVA's Sushma Andhare, among others.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday said that the governors are responsible for setting an ideal example for citizens and asked them to contribute to fulfill the national resolve of inclusive development.

"If governors set examples in important areas, it will not only become their identity but also guide the people. They are responsible for setting an ideal example for the citizens," the President said in her concluding remarks at the two-day 'Conference of Governors' in New Delhi.

She appreciated that various groups of governors came out with their valuable ideas and suggestions to improve the functioning of their office as well as for the welfare of the people and also expressed confidence that these suggestions would be implemented.

The President said that in order to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of public welfare programmes, the government has laid great emphasis on last-mile delivery and urged the governors to ensure that the benefits of all public welfare programmes reach every eligible person so that the goal of inclusive development can be achieved in the true sense.

She said that women's participation is of utmost importance for meaningful and holistic social inclusion, adding that participation of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in the process of development of the country where the Governors can contribute to fulfilling the national resolve of inclusive development.

"The ambience of the Raj Bhavans should reflect the Indian ethos. The governors should endeavour to increase the connection of common people with the Raj Bhavans. People should have a feeling of affinity with the Raj Bhavan as their own Bhavan. Many Raj Bhavans are open for public visits and others can also follow the practice. The Raj Bhavans can increase public engagement by organising social and cultural events," the President said.

She said the use of the digital medium in the functioning of the Raj Bhavans will set a good example.

"The Raj Bhavans can also organise seminars and symposiums to increase awareness among people about cyber security, data protection and technological innovation," the President said.

The second day of the conference began with the six groups of governors making presentations based on their deliberations and suggesting a future roadmap before President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Vice President said that the governors should not hesitate to seek information and maintain sustained communication with the respective state governments for effective functioning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the governors to evolve an ideal model of governance in Raj Bhavans.

"There should be a consistent attempt to train the staff for the effective functioning of the Raj Bhavans. Governors must embrace technology in their functioning and promote digitisation," PM Modi said.

He also particularly called for tapping the strength of alumni networks of educational institutions and appealed to them to develop a mass campaign to make educational campuses free of drugs.

Home Minister Amit Shah praised their efforts and pointed out that all actionable points would be taken up to make the functioning of the governors and the Raj Bhavans more effective.
Kolkata, Aug 3 : The West Bengal government on Saturday blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for the current flood-like situation in different pockets of the state.

Alapan Bandyopadhyay, the chief advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, told mediapersons that DVC took the decision to release 1,00,000 cusecs of water without prior consultation with the state government.

According to Bandyopadhyay, the Damodar Valley River Regulatory Committee has announced the release of 1,00,000 cusecs of water, which can create problems for the people of West Bengal.

"There was no prior discussion with the state government on this. The state government has requested DVC not to release water unilaterally without sending a prior alert to the state administration," Bandyopadhyay said.

Bandyopadhyay also said the Chief Minister herself is keeping a close watch on the situation and is in constant touch with the concerned state government departments.

However, a senior DVC official who did not wish to be named refuted the charge of releasing water without consulting the state government.

The river regulatory committee, which makes decisions on releasing water from the dams, has representatives from both the Union and state governments, he said.

According to the official, the committee takes the decision based on the rainfall forecasts, and the water is released after considering various aspects like the water holding capacity of the dams and the extent to which water can be reserved there.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary B.P. Gopalika on Saturday held a meeting with the district magistrates and police superintendents of all the districts, and directed them to keep a close watch on the evolving situation.

Considering forecasts of heavy rainfall in three North Bengal districts -- Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri -- the district administrations there have been asked to stay on high alert.
Patna, Aug 3 : Bihar Police arrested two drug smugglers and seized 71.14 kg charas from their possession during a vehicle checking in the Gopalganj district on Saturday.

Gopalganj SP Swarn Prabhat said that the accused were smuggling contraband from Nepal and were assigned to deliver it to New Delhi.

Acting on specific information, the police set up a trap at the Bihar-Uttar Pradesh Balthari border and conducted thorough checks on every vehicle.

The operation was led by Sunil Kumar, the SHO of Kuchaykote police station.

During the checks, the police intercepted a white car with a Delhi registration number (DL 3CBS 3753).

Upon a detailed inspection of the car, the police discovered an underground compartment in the trunk, which contained 71.14 kg of charas.

Consequently, both the individuals involved in the smuggling operation were arrested.

The accused, identified as Sudeep Kumar and Mandeep Kumar, are residents of East Champaran district in Bihar.

They confessed to picking up the contraband from Nepal and were assigned to deliver it to their handlers in New Delhi.

"We have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SDPO Sadar to uncover their links," he said.

Gopalganj SP added that this seizure is the largest by the Gopalganj Police in recent times.

"The seized contraband values approximately Rs 8 to 10 crore in the international market," the SP said.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : There's a need to promote deceased organ donation in India, said Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Health and Family Welfare on Saturday, while urging officials to ensure zero wastage of organs.

"There is a need to promote organ donation from deceased persons and brain-stem dead people to meet the huge need for organ donation in the country," the MoS said while addressing the 14th Indian Organ Donation Day ceremony organised by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).

With a mere 0.1 per cent of the population donating their organs after death in India, the country faces the lowest organ donation rate worldwide. In stark contrast, Western countries have 70-80 per cent deceased organ donation.

The MoS also called the family members of deceased organ donors "an inspiration for the entire country."

"They are doing the greatest service to mankind by saving the lives of numerous people," said the MoS adding that one organ donor can give new life to up to eight people.

Patel also stressed the need for concerted efforts of every individual and the institutions to help India realise its vision of becoming one of the leading countries in organ donation and transplantation.

She also urged officials to take all steps to ensure that no received organs are wasted before getting transplanted.

Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra stressed the need to strengthen the healthcare system to ensure that there is no organ wastage.

"When we receive any brain-dead person, the time is less and we have to harvest the organs in 12 hours and the transplant has to happen within a short window," Chandra said.

Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog at the event highlighted the huge gap between the demand for and supply of organs and noted the need for institutional reforms in the government hospitals to take up the challenge of organ transplantation.

"There are only around 750 institutions providing organ transplantation services," he said while encouraging other institutions to also come forward to provide such services.

Informing that kidney transplantation is covered under the AB PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) Dr Paul called upon insurance companies to cover organ transplantation.
Kolkata, Aug 3 : Former champions Bengaluru FC secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over I-League outfit Inter Kashi in Group B match of the Durand Cup played at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK). The goals were scored by their Spanish recruits Edgar Mendez and Alberto Noguera Ripoll, with the final strike coming from their talisman Sunil Chhetri.

After their opening four-goal win against the Indian Navy, the Blues maintained a 100% record while Inter Kashi, who drew their first game against Mohammedan Sporting, will look to win big in their final group game to harbour hopes of going through.

The Pilgrims could not get a shot at goal in the first-half as the Blues took control of possession and most of the attacking forays. Inter Kashias defence however did well to thwart most of their efforts at goal till Panickeras discretion in bringing the ball down with his chest inside the box cost them dearly. The referee pointed to the spot and Mendez broke the deadlock to make it 1-0.

After the break, Gerard Zaragoza introduced all his big guns including Jorge Peryra Diaz and Ryan Williams, besides Chhetri who had two chances to score within minutes of coming on.

They had to eventually wait till the 77th minute for the second as Ripoll, who had been having a brilliant game in midfield, finished a move he himself initiated. He found Chhetri making a run inside the box on the right who crossed for Peryra Diaz to back-heel to Ripoll who had come in following the move. The Spanish midfielder made no mistake with the right-footed finish past Dhas.

Soon the third came when Chhetri nonchalantly came rushing in to the near post off a corner and leaped to direct his header down perfectly, beating Dhas yet again. It could have been worse for Inter Kashi but Ryan Williams missed a penalty when Anand Usuda brought him down inside the box.
Chennai, Aug 3 : The Madras High Court has warned a senior IAS officer of serious consequences if he does not strictly comply with the orders issued by the court.

Justice M. Sudheer Kumar on Saturday warned the Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation, C.N. Mahesvaran, while closing a contempt of court petition filed against him in 2019.

The court said the officer need not be punished for contempt now as the 2017 court order had already been enforced even though there was a delay of seven years.

C. Murugan, an electrician with the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board, had filed a case against Mahesvaran who was then the Managing Director of the TWAD Board.

He had approached the court seeking refixing his pay and pension in 2017 and the court had ordered in favour of the petitioner.

The counsel for the petitioner, M. Radhakrishnan, has alleged in the court that its orders were not complied with, adding that his client filed a contempt of court petition in 2019 and the orders were implemented only on June 24, 2024.

Justice Sudheer Kumar said, aThis court feels that the respondent should be warned not to act in future in the manner in which he acted in the instant case and to take all necessary steps to comply with the judicial orders passed by this court in the future."

He added, aIn case any such negligence or lenience is noticed on the part of the respondent in the future, the same would be viewed seriously by this court.a

Justice Sudheer Kumar also said that the inordinate delay by the respondent clearly showed the negligence and carelessness of the respondent in complying with the orders passed by the court.
Kohima, Aug 3 : The Nagaland government on Saturday said that any acts of threat or coercion by any Naga outfit under ceasefire or others are criminal offences and will be dealt with according to the law.

Nagaland government spokesperson and Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, K.G. Kenye said that the state government has taken notice of the "death threats and capital punishment" for K. Rulho, a contractor and trader by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khango).

The NSCN (Khango) is one of the several Naga outfits now under ceasefire agreement and engaged in the process of negotiation with the government.

Kenye said that an FIR was promptly registered against the NSCN (Khango) and its functionaries under appropriate sections of law.

He said that the state government had previously made clear in response to the "shutter-down" agitation launched by the business community of Nagaland in April that any acts of threat or coercion, whether by factions in ceasefire or otherwise, are criminal offenses and would be dealt with according to the law.

"The state government reiterates the same and would ensure peace and tranquility in Nagaland which is essential for economic development and prosperity," the minister added.

Kenye added that the state government has also taken up the matter with the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board to ensure that the NSCN (Khango) faction and other groups adhere strictly to the ground rules of the ceasefire.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : The overseas participants at the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE), which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Saturday, have hailed India's agricultural potential and its overall growth story.

The event saw participation from distinguished international delegates who praised India's agricultural achievements and innovations.

Addressing the conference at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, PM Modi said that India has emerged as a food surplus country with a robust agriculture sector and is ready to share its experience to help solve the global problem of hunger and malnutrition amid the challenges posed by climate change.

The ICAE is being attended by delegates from 75 countries.

Hasmin, a delegate from Bangladesh, praised India's standing in the global agricultural scenario, saying the country has been a leading producer of many agricultural items.

"India is not just a leading producer of milk and spices but other products as well. This proves how hardworking the country's farmers are," she told IANS.

Hasmin also highlighted the importance of blending traditional agricultural practices with modern technologies to achieve optimal outcomes. She underlined that India's diverse ecosystems and agricultural education infrastructure play a crucial role in its agricultural success.

Kenyan delegate Dodo Makwal, while applauding India's agricultural growth, praised PM Modi's address and acknowledged India's significant advancements in the agricultural sector.

"India is rapidly developing in agriculture, and the research being conducted here is commendable," he said, noting India's role in supplying food to other countries through its traditional agricultural growth.

Sobren, a Japanese delegate, praised India's ability to produce and export a variety of agricultural products.

"India has a large population, and the opportunities arising from this conference are immense. We aim to enhance agriculture not only for companies, but also for farmers," she said.

Sobren also emphasised the importance of collaboration between India and other countries to leverage traditional systems and modern technologies.

Further praising India's cultural and religious traditions, noting their positive impact on the country's strength, the Japanese delegate said: "I have Indian colleagues at my university back in Japan. They are smart and might return to India to apply their knowledge. Your Prime Minister is a good man, and I am happy to see him (in person) today."

The ICAE aims to foster collaboration among agricultural departments and international organisations, promoting the exchange of ideas and innovations to improve global agricultural practices.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2024 - 17:50 | Sports, Olympics, All

After becoming the first athlete competing as a neutral to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Belarusian trampoline gymnast Ivan Litvinovich said Friday he wants to compete under his national flag at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus are competing without a national title, flag or anthem, but for AIN, the French acronym for Individual Neutral Athlete, with their two countries banned over involvement in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

"Everyone knows where I come from, which country I come from," the 23-year-old Litvinovich told a press conference after his second consecutive Olympic triumph.

"Nothing has changed (for me) in this point of view. Of course, the next Games I would like to compete under my national flag, with my national anthem. But I also like to represent my country in the best possible way."

Litvinovich competed for Belarus at the pandemic-hit Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

A total of 32 athletes are competing as AIN at the Paris Games, 17 of them Belarusians, according to the International Olympic Committee.

AIN competitors were not allowed to take part in the boat parade of athletes during the July 26 opening ceremony.

Related coverage:

Olympics: Gymnast Daiki Hashimoto fails to defend horizontal bar gold

Russian held over alleged plot to disrupt Paris Olympics: reports
Etawah, Aug 3 : Samajwadi Party (SP) General Secretary Shivpal Yadav on Saturday condemned the gang-rape of a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya district and demanded narco test of the victim, accused, and the BJP leaders 'playing politics' over the 'horrific incident'.

Shivpal also accused the BJP of giving the incident a political colour ahead of the by-elections in Ayodhya.

"BJP leaders can carry out such incidents with impunity. In such a situation, wherever by-elections are scheduled, SP leaders and workers must remain cautious. It is not right for the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to malign people from a particular community. He is not the Chief Minister of a specific community, but of the entire state. People associated with the rape incident should be prosecuted without any bias."

Reacting to a social media post shared by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Shivpal wrote on X: "I strongly condemn the Ayodhya incident. I also support the demand for a narco test by SP spokesperson Pawan Pandey. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya should also undergo a narco test so that it becomes clear who is indulging in low-level politics over this sensitive issue."

Earlier, Keshav Maurya wrote in a post on X: "Saving rapists is the birthright of the Samajwadi Party. If the rapist is a Muslim, then entire Mulayam Singh Yadav's family will come together to protect him. The Samajwadi Party will be wiped out in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh bypolls."

On Saturday, a team of district administration officials demolished a bakery and a house owned by the accused in the case, Moin Khan, a Samajwadi Party leader.

Earlier, the Food Safety Department raided the bakery of the main accused. The materials used in the bakery have been seized and sent for investigation.

Moin Khan is accused of raping the 12-year-old girl at his bakery in the Purakalandar police station area in Ayodhya.

Moin Khan is a close aide of the SP party MP from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad.
Jaipur, Aug 4 : A Cabinet meeting was held in the Chief Minister's office on Saturday under the chairmanship of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

To increase power generation and strengthen metro services, the idea of floating a joint venture (JV) with the Union government and its companies and the formation of an infrastructure investment trust was approved.

Several important decisions were taken to overcome the shortage of super speciality teachers in the Medical Education Department in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, Industry Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel called a press conference after the meeting and shared the decisions taken in the Cabinet.

Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa said that as per Metro Rail Policy, 2017, the proposal for the formation of a JV company between the Union government and the state was approved.

"This joint venture will now be used for the development, operation and implementation of the ongoing and future Metro rail projects in Rajasthan. This model of JV has been successfully adopted in almost all the states like Delhi Metro, Kochi Metro, Bangalore Metro, Uttar Pradesh Metro, Noida Metro, Madhya Pradesh Metro, Nagpur Metro etc. As per Metro Rail Policy, 2017, this JV will be able to get financial support (in the form of equity and loan) from the Union government. Also, technical and administrative support will be available for the metro projects of the state," he added.

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said that the state government is making continuous efforts to make the state self-reliant in the field of energy.

In compliance with the MoU signed between the state government and various central PSUs on 10 March 10, 2024, the proposals for the formation of joint venture companies with various PSUs of the Union government were approved in the Cabinet meeting. The share of the state government companies in these projects will be 26 per cent and that of the Central PSU companies will be 74 per cent. For the shareholding of the state government companies in these JV companies, the share capital will be arranged from the current assets, he added.

State Industry and Commerce Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that two separate JVs will be established between Coal India Limited and Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (RVUNL). One of these will be a thermal project and the other a renewable energy project.

These JVs will meet the base load and peak load demand of electricity. Also, the financial burden of the state will be reduced in power generation, he added.

He said that a joint venture will be formed between NTPC Green Energy and RVUNL for the establishment of a renewable energy project. This undertaking will set up renewable energy projects, including solar/wind/hybrid energy of 25 thousand MW. Through this, an investment of one lakh crore rupees will be made in the state.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rathore added that a joint venture company will be set up between Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and Rajasthan Vidyut Prasaran Nigam for setting up power transmission projects. This will enable the development of a transmission system to meet the increasing electricity load demand in Rajasthan. This JV will operate the transmission system on a THWV (Build, Own, Operate and Maintain) basis and will make available the entire transmission capacity created by it to Rajasthan Discom. An investment of 10,000 crore will be made in the state through this JV.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Patel said that in the vote on account for the year 2024-25 presented by the state government, it has been announced to bring Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in the Transmission Corporation following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Energy of the Union government. In compliance with this, Rajasthan Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited will form an InvIT and it will be registered with SEBI.

The proposal to authorise RVPN to monetise its operational transmission assets through InvIT was approved on Saturday, he added.

The Rajasthan Medical Service (College Education) Rules under the Medical Education Department have been amended to overcome the shortage of super speciality teachers in medical education.

Now, the state government will be able to fill the posts of Acharya, and Co-Acharya in the medical colleges through special recruitment if they are vacant. If this happens, the shortage of medical teachers in the state will be overcome and health facilities in super specialities will be promoted.

Approval has been given to change the designation of Physical Education Instructor of the Sanskrit Education Department to Physical Education Teacher on the lines of the Education Department.

At the same time, approval has been given to make the qualifications of the posts of teacher Level 1, Level 2, Teacher (General) Level 1, Level 2 in the Sanskrit Education Department in line with the Elementary Education Department.

Now, recruitments will be done on a total of 2,600 posts in the Sanskrit Education Department, including 179 Physical Education Teachers and 48 librarians in Grade 3.
Like most authors, Susan Minot is no stranger to writing about love, sex, and relationships. But for her latest novel, she wanted to take an erotic love story into somewhat uncharted territory.

Usually, an erotic story is told separate from the story of motherhood, but we are still the same people, with the same urges to nurture, urges to disappear, that dont necessarily go away when youre a mother, Minot says via Zoom from her island home in Maine. At 67, she is slim with blond hair, simple but elegant in her appearance. That mothering urge doesnt disappear when youre in an obsession, so I wanted to put those together, since I dont see that happening much in literature.

Minots ninth book, Dont Be a Stranger (Knopf, Oct.), centers on the relationship between a younger man and an older single mother. Older is such a bad word, Minot says. I wanted to write about... not a love affair but a love that isnt about practicalities, thats about sensation, thats not always logical. And to choose elements that arent usually in a love story.

The novel is Minots first in 10 yearsand it didnt go exactly as planned. If theres an operating principle to Minots writing, it might be summed up as the less said the better. She tried to stick with that mindset while writing Stranger, planning a slim little novel, but she soon realized the book was going to be different, bigger, and take a lot longer than she anticipated. And that slim little novel she envisioned gradually morphed into a 320-page book and a 10-year project.

Born in Boston, Minot grew up in a large family and wrote obsessively. I went to boarding school, an excellent petri dish for a writer, she says of her time at Concord Academy in Massachusetts. Back then, in the early 70s, we wrote notes; we communicated with songs, poems. I didnt know what was going on around me, within me. Some things were wonderful, some puzzling, and writing was a compulsion that offered some relief.

In 1975, Minot attended Brown Universitythere was no creative writing major, so she studied semioticsand in 1981 she entered the MFA program at Columbia University, where she studied with Elizabeth Hardwick. Her 1986 debut novel, Monkeys, about a large Catholic family in New England, was published in a dozen countries and won Frances Prix Femina etranger. She followed this up with Lust & Other Stories (1989) and the novel Folly (1992). Her 1998 novel Evening was a bestseller and was nominated for an L.A. Book Award.

Additionally, Minot wrote the screenplay for Bernardo Bertoluccis 1996 film Stealing Beauty and collaborated with Michael Cunningham on the 2007 adaptation of Evening. She also paints, and credits her MFA experience at Columbia for her artistic versatility. I would go upstairs and take a film class, then go downstairs to the arts studio and take a painting class, she says. The writing was in the middle. It was the most important, but I wanted something else. There was too much weight on the writing otherwise.

And while Minot still paintsand is currently putting together her biannual art show in Mainetheres no denying that shes a writer first and foremost. In Dont Be a Stranger, recently divorced 50-something Ivy Cooper is a financially struggling writer concerned about the well-being of her young son after their move from Virginia to New York City. While living in Greenwich Village, Ivy meets Ansel Fleming, a musician in his 30s who has just been released from prison after seven years on a drug conviction. Ivy wasnt looking for an obsessive love but ends up falling hard. The novel tells a heartbreaking, life-affirming story, and readers will easily relate to the intensity of Ivys feelings as she finds herself in an impossible situation with an impossible man.

Ivy is awed by the passion she feels for Ansel, instead of being completely undone, Minot says. She feels a kind of confidence she wouldnt have had when she was younger. And she is kind of on her own; its not how the man is treating her that is causing her to have these feelings, which I think is very true of passion and eroticism. Its almost as if Ansel, as essential as he is to her, is kind of a passerby.

This is a theme, Minot says, that recurs when she writes about love affairs: The focus is usually on what you share, the bonding and the binding. Yet Im amazed how you can experience intimacy on your own.

Its this sort of insight that, according to Minots agent, Anna Stein, makes the authors work so compelling. Dont Be a Stranger had me absolutely transfixed from the very first time I read pages, Stein says. Susan is so skilled at getting down to the essential feeling of a moment in timewhether emotional or purely physicalso brilliantly that it can be difficult to remember that we are only spectators, only readers.

Knopf editor Jordan Pavlin describes Minots writing as electrifying in its precision. She has a cool clinical eye that reminds me of Didionbut simmering beneath the intelligence and restraint is a smoldering sensual intensity thats visceral and immediate and just completely transfixing, Pavlin says. Theres also a quality here that I think is wonderfully akin to Miranda Julys delectable All Foursthe sense of a brilliant female narrator who has gone somewhat feral at midlife.

And while Dont Be a Stranger isnt autobiographical, Minot says she did draw from her experiences as a mother. I am not the same as Ivy now, but Ive been her age, she says. Im not writing about someone thats 85. So as far as the experience of a woman, a mother, Im taking aspects of what I know and trying to spin a tale and examine aspects that I dont always feel are focused onthat as a mother, logistical things take over. I definitely felt this when I was raising my daughter. Certain preoccupations I had were gone, eclipsed.

 That mothering urge doesnt disappear when youre in an obsession, so I wanted to put those together, since I dont see that happening much in literature. 

When she was writing Stranger, Minot says she paid careful attention to the end of the affairto when Ivy is finally able to step back from Ansel. Very often, she says, it goes like: she threw the keys in the river; then, if the story goes on, she takes up swimming. Or she meets the guy again. Theres another knock on the door. But its never as seamless as that, curing yourself of an addiction, an obsession, of a kind of mindset. It takes a lot of different things.

And after the end of the affair? In fiction as in life, Minot hopes theres joy inside all the pain. Its terrible, awful, but as Eve Babitz says, This is about a terrible love affair, and I wouldnt have missed a moment. 
With 94 days until election day (and even less until early voting begins in some states) an EveryLibrary Institute report looks at the threats to libraries in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, the controversial conservative governing plan widely acknowledged to be a roadmap for a future Trump administration. The report is worth a read, and is a stark reminder of what's at stake in this critical election.

The full report is available for download here.

Specifically, the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise calls out libraries early in the text, the report notes, suggesting that "schools and public libraries are purveyors of pornography," and using the fear "to vilify respected members of communities, spreading distrust, anxiety, and outrage." Furthermore, the report notes, Project 2025 calls for eliminating the IMLS, the main source of federal funding for libraries, and the Department of Education, which would decimate school libraries.

"The Project 2025 proposals must be taken seriously," the report concludes. "We have seen the impact of the alignments between Heritage and like-minded movements like Moms for Liberty, which has focused on censorship, the Koch Brothers network, which has focused on anti-tax movements, and the Trump administration's repeated proposals to defund IMLS. Voters who care about librariesand the people they serveneed to understand the impact that implementing Project 2025 will have on society and libraries."

The New York Times has a recap of some of the rules and legislation impacting the freedom to read in several states. "Over the past few weeks, new laws or regulations have gone into effect in Utah, Idaho, South Carolina and Tennessee that will make it more difficult for young people to access books and library materials that could be considered obscene or harmful," the article notes.

Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen has a special guest lead off her weekly censorship news roundup: author Maggie Tokuda-Hall, cofounder and national team leader for Authors Against Book Bans. "The fight against book bans has changed dramatically since Banned Books Week was started by the American Library Association in 1982," Tokuda-Hall writes. "Now, bans dont just seek to pull purportedly 'offensive' content from the shelves. Its to defund the shelves they sit on, in any institution of public learning that was funded enough to have shelves."

The Alabama Political Reporter reports on more controversy surrounding the Autauga-Prattville Public Library board (which is currently embroiled in a federal lawsuit), after it invited a "fringe pediatrician" to present to the library board. "Montgomery pediatrician David Perry explained Thursday the impact of pornography on children," the report states. "Perry is part of a fringe anti-LGBT group of pediatricians known as the American College of Pediatrics, which has just 700 members nationwide. It is easily confused for the major pediatric association in the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has more than 67,000 members." The board's attorney Laura Clark also offered an update on the ongoing litigation, which is still in its early stages. Clark also took a moment to share that 'whatever laws we deal with here, God is still on the throne,'" the APR reported.

As we reported this week at Publishers Weekly, the U.S. Copyright Office this week weighed in with the first installment in a multi-part report on AI technology, this first offering dealing with "digital replicas," or, as they are often known, deepfakes. The 72-page paper explores a number of interesting points, ultimately concluding that some form of federal legislation is likely needed.

On that score, Library Futures legal fellow Becky Chambers last month rounded up what some of the current legislative efforts.

The Conversation has a piece by three librarians offering five tips to help readers verify facts in the age of AI.

And finally this week, via BuzzFeed, an Idaho mother and TikToker named Carly Anderson is sharing her experience with Idaho's controversial new harmful to minors law, which exposes library staff to $250 judgments for making allegedly inappropriate content accessible to minors.

In the post, Anderson reveals that she and her 11-year-old daughter, who had just finished reading The Hobbit, were headed to the adult section of her library to pick up The Fellowship of the Ring when they were stopped by librarians. "Carly's clear in her video that she doesn't blame the librarians, saying, 'They were being so nice and patient... They feel so bad turning kids away from going into the library," the report notes.

She closes the video by urging people to vote in local elections. "This library bill is exactly why local politics matter. In Idaho, only 17% of registered voters elected these legislators [in 2020]. This rewarded the most extreme candidates, resulting in these extremely weird bills," she says. You can check out the TikTok video here.
Librarians and teachers will soon be able to recommend a slew of new books that cater to young readers interested in the sciences. Charlesbridge Publishing has joined forces with the Office of Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in California, under the grant-funded initiative Count Play Explore, to develop a series of fiction books about science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The first titles under the STEAMworks name are already underway, with additional book acquisitions expected later this summer. (The publisher is accepting manuscripts for consideration through September 1.) Eight board books for ages up to three and eight picture books for ages four to seven, available in English and Spanish, will be published in 2026 and 2027.

Charlesbridge entered into this agreement last fall, in response to the education departments search for a publishing partner. The two entities began collaborating on the series mission to engage young readers in STEAM topics and boost their problem-solving skills and creative thinking abilities.

As part of this initiative, Charlesbridge tapped into its network of authors and reached out to We Need Diverse Books and BIPOC writers groups for potential writers. At Charlesbridge, we have our own internal spin on the series name: Teamwork makes the STEAMworks,  says executive editor Alyssa Mito Pusey. Were working hard with authors, illustrators, and our partners at Count Play Explore to make these books equally strong in STEAM content, story, diversity, and heart.

While authors need not be illustratorsCharlesbridge acquires the manuscripts and pairs writers with artiststhey should exhibit a passion for their subject matter. In addition, a STEAM background is not a prerequisite, but a familiarity with basic math and science concepts is an asset. Were looking for authors who can bring joy, playfulness, and authentic diversity to the books, and who can bring their own curiosity and enthusiasm for STEAM to the story, Pusey adds.

Reviewing manuscripts will be a joint effort. Charlesbridge will focus on the storytelling side, while Count Play Explore will zero in on the STEAM content. Together, they will determine if the story is one that kids will lovewhich Pusey says is the most important element. So far, response to the call for submissions has been steady, and Charlesbridge has several books in the acquisition process.

STEAMworks isnt Charlesbridges first foray into math and science publishing categories. The companys Storytelling Math series, now in its fourth year, will serve as a model for the new line, with its culturally and racially diverse characters and creators. According to Pusey, STEAMworks will expand on these concepts by encompassing other areas of diversity, such as gender, ability, and socioeconomic status, and incorporating subjects besides math, including science, technology, and engineering.

Charlesbridge has also been making strides to bolster its presence in other STEAM-related areas. Recent nonfiction titles are How to Explain Coding to a Grown-up by Ruth Spiro, a tongue-in-cheek guide for techie kids in the know; Mimic Makers by Kristen Nordstrom, an exploration of 10 young naturalists-turned-inventors; and the Hands-On Science series by Lola M. Schaefer, a collection of titles that engages budding scientists through step-by-step experiments. STEAMworks will enhance Charlesbridges existing catalog and prime the publisher for future fiction rollouts in technology, engineering, and other topics.

The entire STEAMworks series and individual titles will be promoted via an educational symposium, speaking engagements, book events for series contributors, and representation at national conferences. Charlesbridge will once again rely on Penguin Random House for its sales and distribution. Our sales and marketing team will promote the Spanish/bilingual editions with the same dedication as we do our English editions, Pusey says. Were excited to connect all the elements of STEAM and offer young readers multiple entry points into these fields.

Return to the main feature.
Last Friday, the International Court of Justice in The Hague published its Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem.

Seated in the prestigious Peace Palace, (financed before WWI by the American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie), the ICJ is known as the World Court. It comprises fifteen judges from most geographic regions and legal traditions. None of the judges is free of prejudices, especially when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The current President of the Court, Nawaf Salam, is a Lebanese former diplomat who has attacked Israel in the United Nations. As Lebanons ambassador to the UN, Salam voted for numerous resolutions against Israel. The current US judge is Prof. Sarah Cleveland (Columbia).

The Court issues Advisory Opinions when requested by UN bodies, such as the General Assembly. They do not bind the UN or its member states. The Court also does not speak with one voice; each judge can express a different opinion. Advisory Opinions are therefore not decisions, they are more akin to a set of non-binding opinions expressed by a diverse group of experts.

A majority of members of the Court concluded that Israels presence in the so-called Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal, and that Israel must bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible. Additionally, Israel is obliged to evacuate all Israeli settlers from the OPT, and to allow the return to their original place of residence of all Palestinians displaced during the occupation.

According to the majority, Israel must withdraw from the territories without any guarantees regarding its own security, which is a crucial element for lasting peace. These judges blatantly disregarded UNSC Resolution 242 (1967) which acknowledged Israels right to live in peace within secure and recognized borders. Moreover, for Israel to carry out these recommendations would be outright suicide.

To reach this view, the majority had to ignore the concerns expressed by several Western-oriented states, including the USA, who argued that the Court should refuse to answer the General Assemblys questions. Instead, they adopted - without serious or independent analysis - the one-sided historical and legal narrative promoted by the Palestinians and supported by a minority of anti-Western (mainly Arab/Islamic) UN member states - a narrative that does not reflect the realities on the ground and misrepresents international law. The influence of the President of the Court in all of this is unmistakable.

Under this narrative, the sole issue to be resolved is to make sure that the Palestinians have a state. The Jewish people have no historical connection with the land; the Jews are outsiders, and in 1967 it was not the Arabs who were attacking Israel, but Israel that took Palestinian territory by force.

This is historical revisionism of the highest order. But the Court was easily able to do so because the General Assembly asked the Court to assume Israels ongoing violation of the Palestinian peoples right to self-determination.

A minority of the fifteen judges (from Slovakia, Romania, France, and Uganda) saw through this charade and slammed the majoritys lack of sound historical and legal analysis. In her Dissenting Opinion, Ugandan Vice-President Julia Sebutinde underscored the need to consider the complex history of the conflict, the security threats faced by Israel, and the competing territorial claims of the parties in the British Mandatory Palestine.

Sebutinde was furious about the Courts refusal to recognize the deep connection of the Jewish people with the land going back many centuries, as recognized in the British Mandate for Palestine.

By denying Jewish connection with the land, the majority advocate that the West Bank and East Jerusalem should become a Jewish-free (judenrein) zone (Gaza already was before October 7th). In fact, by demanding the separation of Jews from Arabs, the Court is thus promoting a kind of apartheid regime  which is ironic, because the Court accuses Israel of apartheid.

The majority also are undermining the peace process. In their view, the legal framework provided by the Oslo Accords, which govern the relations between the parties and impose an obligation to settle their remaining issues at permanent status through bilateral negotiations, should be ignored. The Palestinians self-determination rights cannot be derogated from, and the Oslo Accords, therefore, cannot authorize Israel to maintain a permanent presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory for [its] security needs.

This is problematic because it is rooted more in wishful thinking than the realities on the ground. It is likely most of the judges have never visited Israel. If they did they would realize that the Samarian Highlands (the central part of the West Bank) provide a significant elevation advantage. From these heights, there is a clear line of sight to key areas in Israel, including the densely populated coastal areas where Tel Aviv and the Ben Gurion Airport are located. If hostile forces were to gain control of these areas, they easily could launch rockets and artillery into those targets and other critical infrastructure for Israel making them extremely vulnerable to devastating attacks, even from low-range weapons like mortars.

This unrealistic Advisory Opinion will not promote peace, but further destabilize the region and escalate the ongoing armed conflict. It will embolden Israels enemies, notably Hezbollah and Iran, to attack Israel under the guise that the ruling provides them with a strong legal justification for those attacks.

Andrew Tucker is the Director General of The Hague Initiative for International Co-Operation.
Netflix announced Friday the stars who will play the leads in the adaptation of bestselling author Emily Henry's People We Meet on Vacation. Emily Bader (My Lady Jane) will play eccentric Poppy Wright and Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) will play opposite her as the very serious Alex Nilsen.

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Brett Haley will direct the adaptation of the rom-com.

The 2021 bestseller follows longtime best friends Poppy and Alex, who live in different states, but reunite every summer to vacation together. On their 10th summer trip, the unlikely pair wonder if there is more to their relationship than platonic friendship.

Henry has also written Happy Place, Book Lovers, Beach Read and her most recent Funny Story, all of which are also set to be adapted.
DISNEY/John Fleenor

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/02/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
Few finance ministers announce any taxation measure that could upset the stock market.

Ms Sitharaman decided to take that risk, observes A K Bhattacharya.

IMAGE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leaves her office to present the Union Budget in Parliament, July 23, 2024. Photograph: Altaf Hussain/Reuters

In her sixth full Budget for the Narendra Modi government, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman showed that she is fiscally prudent, bold and politically savvy.

Her fiscal prudence is evident not just from the reduced deficit target of 4.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2024-2025, but from her announcement that she would align her fiscal deficit targets from 2026-2027 to a declining trajectory of the Union government's debt.

The Interim Budget for 2024-2025 had set a fiscal deficit target of 5.1 per cent, which implied a government debt level of 57.2 per cent of GDP.

The Budget has set a fiscal deficit target of 4.9 per cent, which should bring the debt further down to 56.8 per cent of GDP.

Of course, this debt level is still much higher than the 40 per cent target set by an official committee a few years ago.

But what needs to be noted is that until July 23, in all her past post-Covid Budget speeches, there had been a focus on reducing the fiscal deficit to 4.5 per cent by 2025-2026, but no reference to the need for lowering the government's debt level.

In the Budget speech for 2024-2025, Ms Sitharaman has referred to the need for reducing the fiscal deficit at a pace that eventually brings down the government's debt level as well.

'From 2026-27 onwards, our endeavour will be to keep the fiscal deficit each year such that the Central government debt will be on a declining path as percentage of GDP,' she said.

This is a welcome and much-needed refocusing of the government's fiscal consolidation strategy.

Given the varying deficit requirements of a developing economy, the debt level is being seen as a more reliable anchor for fiscal consolidation.

Ms Sitharaman's fiscal prudence can be gauged in another way.

She has restrained herself from splurging on various schemes just because she received an extra dividend from the Reserve Bank of India this year, which is as large as 0.4 per cent of GDP.

She has rightly recognised that this could well be a one-off gain this year and next year the additional dividend may not be there.

Thus, in spite of that extra money this year, she has allowed the revenue outlay to go up by only 6 per cent (the actual increase without interest payments is even lower at 4.78 per cent, implying no real increase).

Instead, she has maintained the rise in capital expenditure at 17 per cent.

Thus, the Centre's overall expenditure is set to rise by 8.5 per cent, even as overall revenue for the Centre would go up by about 15 per cent.

In the end, Ms Sitharaman has achieved an improvement in the quality and mix of her expenditure.

Moreover, she is steadily bringing down her revenue deficit.

Against 4 per cent of GDP in 2022-2023, the revenue deficit in 2023-2024 was slashed to 2.6 per cent and is now targeted at 1.8 per cent for 2024-2025.

As the revenue deficit declines, the government will have the headroom for allocating a larger share of its total borrowing for capital expenditure.

The finance minister is also bold because she has restructured taxes on capital gains from all types of assets that effectively results in higher taxes on both short-term and long-term capital gains.

Additionally, she has raised the securities transaction tax (STT) on futures and options trading in securities.

Remember that the pre-Budget Economic Survey presented a day earlier highlighted the risks of over-financialisation of the economy with the stock market growing at a pace faster than the real economy.

The Survey had also underlined the importance of tax policies and their treatment of capital and labour incomes.

What the finance minister has done with the capital gains tax regime and the STT for futures and options appears to be a response to the Survey's concerns.

But when it comes to presenting the annual Budget, finance ministers are known to be risk-averse as far as the stock markets are concerned.

Few finance ministers announce any taxation measure that could potentially upset the stock market.

Ms Sitharaman decided to take that risk.

Unsurprisingly, the benchmark indices of domestic stock exchanges did decline sharply on July 23 but recovered later to end the day with a marginal loss.

IMAGE: Nirmala Sitharaman explains to the Lok Sabha what the Budget plans to achieve, July 29, 2024. Photograph: SansadTV/ANI Photo

The finance minister's political savvy is visible in the way she has tried to address the concerns over jobs by announcing a series of steps where the Centre would financially help the private sector to hire more people.

Instead of talking about government employment, the finance minister has linked incentives to the creation of new jobs in the private sector.

Her package of reforms to help the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access more loans and even allow some regulatory forbearance for financially stressed units is clearly aimed at addressing another of the Indian economy's concerns.

More importantly, she has used the announcement of a plethora of schemes and projects for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh (which are ruled by the Union government's coalition partners), without really allowing them to adversely impact her fiscal road map.

Many of the schemes are in collaboration with the states and the outlays are meant to be allocated not just during the year, but over the next five years.

Such restraint is visible also in some of the Centre's own flagship schemes like PM Kisan and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), where the outlay has seen no increase.

Expenditure on major subsidies is set to fall by about 8 per cent in 2024-2025, thanks to reduced procurement of wheat and paddy and fertiliser price rationalisation.

More worryingly, total defence outlay for this year has seen a decline at a time when defence preparedness should have been a priority.

On the other hand, a few of the major schemes that have seen substantial increases in outlay are those for rural and urban housing, urban transformation and health.

As for the long-term vision of the Budget, there are some reassuring messages from the finance minister.

A new economic policy framework for productivity gains in different sectors, to be finalised in collaboration with the states, a comprehensive review of the Income-Tax Act to make it simple, provide certainty to taxpayers and reduce disputes, and a fresh review of Customs tariff to be completed in the next six months are among the promises whose fulfilment would be keenly watched.

To begin with, the finance minister has already cut Customs tariffs for about 50 items belonging to a dozen sectors.

This spirit should be retained during the review to be completed in six months and presented, hopefully, in the next Budget.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
As the 240-seater prime minister attempts to moderate his image of hardline hero, he has made room for others to elbow in and that is what is happening.

And that it what will continue to happen from inside the BJP, notes Aakar Patel.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi addresses the media ahead of the Budget session of Parliament, July 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Weakened leaders of ideological parties are always vulnerable to those willing to be more extreme than them.

This is something to consider when understanding what is going on in Uttar Pradesh and it will serve as an example of what we can expect in the future in a minority government.

The BJP's allies in Delhi opposed the idea that UP's shopkeepers be compelled to advertise their names (and by extension their religion).

From the outside there seems no apparent reason for asking shopkeepers to do this except to generate controversy.

No demand for this was made and this has not been an issue in the past.

The manner in which it has been done, at first without an official order and pretending that it is voluntary further strengthens the impression that the action was taken only to stir the pot.

Consider then that the issue has become larger than the news of just a day before it happened, which was that UP's chief minister was in trouble for delivering defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.

All the news channels were full of speculation about what would happen next.

That is no longer the story, and the chief minister has managed with one action to change the narrative.

Observe that few Union ministers are defending this or promoting the idea.

This is not, of course, because they disagree with it but because it doesn't serve the government in Delhi.

Why give your allies the opportunity to show rifts and dissent?

It doesn't help with the illusion that nothing has changed after 4 June.

But everyone understands that and it why this is being done.

The action in UP cannot be openly opposed either, and this is the problem of ideological parties.

The chief minister is doing only what the BJP has been doing against minorities through its entire history because that is its ideology.

The same thing done six months ago or last year would have been a different matter but this is a new time.

We have seen glimpses of this same situation before.

The challenger who is more extreme than the weakened leader was first seen over 20 years ago.

In April 2002, only a month after the violence after Godhra had led to the death of about 1,000 people in Gujarat, the BJP national executive met in Goa.

There was talk in the media that prime minister Vajpayee was going to get chief minister Modi to step down.

A magazine reported under the headline 'How Vajpayee ended up as the Hindutva choir boy', 29 April 2002 reported what happened next: 'No sooner had party President Jana Krishnamurthy completed his "taken as read" presidential address than Modi got up and said in his sombre, chaste Hindi: "Adhyakshji, I want to speak on Gujarat ... From the party's point of view, this is a grave issue. There is a need for a free and frank discussion. To enable this I wish to place my resignation before this body. It is time we decided what direction the party and the country should take from this point onwards".

'He didn't need to say more. With one stroke, the Gujarat chief minister had seized the initiative. He galvanised his supporters who now stood up to be counted.

'Food Minister Shanta Kumar, who had spoken out against Modi and the VHP's extremes, found himself being rebuked and facing a disciplinary committee. He was forced to apologise.

'Even if the prime minister may have thought Modi's resignation prudent for the sake of both his personal image and the unity of the coalition, there was absolutely no way he could go against the ferocity of the pro-Modi sentiment. He tried shelving the issue for a day but even this was resisted.'

Vajpayee's inability to wrestle Modi down was predictable. Having been raised on ideology, the cadre was not interested in moderation.

As noted earlier, leaders in extremist parties are always vulnerable to charismatic persons further to their right, who are willing and eager to push harder and risk more and are better able to express the cadre's zealotry.

Modi was able to build a nationwide and really a global notoriety and fame because of the BJP's refusal or inability to change its leadership in Gujarat.

The apologetic Hindutva of the decade following the fall of the Babri Masjid was about to end.

The BJP cadre and the Sangh had a real hero who spoke and felt and did as they really wanted their leaders to.

That gloss has now gone because of the events of 4 June. If the prime minister wishes to see smooth functioning inside government he will have to avoid issues that needlessly agitate allies, such as this one.

Remember that the allies will always be looking out for issues on which they can press to extract what they really want.

As the 240-seater prime minister attempts to moderate his image of hardline hero, he has made room for others to elbow in and that is what is happening.

And that it what will continue to happen from inside the BJP.

Those in the party who feel threatened, or are about the lose their position, or feel that they need to assert themselves over others in some way, will consider using this formula.

Many will actually deploy it, as we are seeing. This is the problem with ideological parties.

It is going to be a different third term for him and an interesting one for observers.

Aakar Patel is a columnist and writer and you can read Aakar's earlier columns here.
U.S. Uber Technologies and Chinese automaker BYD have announced a multi-year strategic partnership to bring 100,000 new BYD electric vehicles onto the Uber platform.

The partnership is expected to offer Uber drivers access to affordable pricing and financing for BYD vehicles on the ride-hailing platform, starting with the European and Latin American markets with plans to expand further to the markets across the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, according to a joint statement on Wednesday.

According to the Chinese manufacturer, BYD vehicles are well suited to rideshare thanks to the wide range of models, superior battery performance, lower maintenance and repair costs, and excellent build quality.

The firms' joint efforts to bring down the total cost of EV ownership for Uber drivers could include discounts on charging, vehicle maintenance, or insurance, as well as financing and lease offers.

"Uber and BYD share a commitment to innovate towards a cleaner, greener world, and I am excited to work together towards that future," said Wang Chuanfu, chairman and president of BYD.

"As the largest global agreement of its kind, we're thrilled about the benefits this partnership will deliver for drivers, riders, and cities," said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. "We're excited to help demonstrate the benefits of EVs to more people around the world."

Both companies have also vowed to collaborate on future BYD autonomous-capable vehicles to be deployed on the Uber platform.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 3, 2024 - 20:28 | World, All, Japan

Japan is devising an economic support plan for Central Asia in the area of trade logistics, decarbonization and human resource development, and is planning to unveil it during an upcoming summit meeting with the region's five nations, a source familiar with the matter said Saturday.

The summit, to be held in Kazakhstan later in the month, is the first of its kind that will bring together the leaders of Japan and the five former Soviet republics -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Japan aims to deepen ties with the resource-rich countries and reduce their dependency on nearby Russia and China. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to visit Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia from Friday to Aug. 12, the source said.

Amid disruptions caused by Russia's war in Ukraine, the Japanese government believes the Asian country's digital technology can help facilitate customs procedures in transportation routes linking Central Asia and Europe via the Caspian Sea that can bypass Russia at the same time.

Japan will also pledge to help the Central Asian countries achieve carbon neutrality in a bid to tackle climate change, offer expertise to modernize thermal power stations, and consider production and export of fertilizers and gasoline using natural gases, the source said.

For the development of human resources, Japan will encourage workers to come from the Central Asian nations under a new skilled worker visa that was established in 2019 to attract more foreign laborers to the Asian nation amid an acute labor shortage.

It plans to offer language education support via the Japan International Cooperation Agency, according to the source.

Japan has continued its engagement with the five Central Asian nations at the foreign ministerial and working levels, after launching a dialogue framework with them in 2004.

The Central Asian countries have showed a cautious approach toward Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. China, for its part, has been increasing its economic presence in the region through its Belt and Road global infrastructure program.

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Former Maharashtra home minister and Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar leader Anil Deshmukh on Saturday claimed that dismissed Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze's fresh allegation of bribery against him was a 'new move' by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

IMAGE: Sachin Waze in Mumbai on December 1, 2021. Photograph: ANI Photo

Reacting to Waze's claims, Fadnavis, who heads the Home department, assured to conduct a proper inquiry.

Waze, an accused in the 'Antilia' bomb scare and Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran murder cases, is currently lodged in Taloja Central Jail in Navi Mumbai.

As per media reports, Waze has reiterated his bribery allegations against Deshmukh.

Former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh had alleged that Deshmukh, during his tenure as home minister, asked police officers to collect Rs 100 crore a month from bars and restaurants in the city. In the wake of the allegations, Deshmukh had stepped down as the home minister in 2021.

Waze had earlier told an inquiry commission that he had paid money to Deshmukh's associates on the latter's instructions.

"What Sachin Waze spoke is a new move by Devendra Fadnavis, as a few days back, I had levelled allegations against Fadnavis about how he had three years back given a proposal to me to implicate Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray," Deshmukh said.

Fadnavis may not know that the Bombay High Court spoke about Sachin Waze's criminal background. He was arrested in two murder cases and is not a person who can be trusted, he said.

Deshmukh accused Fadnavis of using a person with a criminal background to implicate him.

Deshmukh recently claimed that Fadnavis as the opposition leader had tried to pressure him to sign affidavits against the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray, and even against Ajit Pawar, the Deputy CM in the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Fadnavis denied the allegations and threatened to release several audio-visual clips of Deshmukh, who hit back, claiming possession of a pen drive containing serious allegations against the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader.

"I learnt about it (Waze's claim) from the media. Media reported that Sachin Waze had sent me a letter. I have not yet seen the letter as I have been in Nagpur for the last two days. I will find out if such a letter is received and respond. We would certainly conduct a proper inquiry into emerging (disclosures)," he told reporters.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair have been selected for an upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Friday.

IMAGE: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. Photograph: @IAF_MCC/X

Group Captain Shukla's name has been recommended as the primary astronaut and Nair will be his backup, ISRO said. This has been done on the recommendation of the NASA-identified service provider Axiom Space Inc, sources in the ISRO told PTI.

In an official release, the ISRO said its Human Space Flight Centre has entered into a space flight agreement with US' Axiom Space Inc, for its fourth mission to the ISS and a National Mission Assignment Board has "recommended two 'gaganyatris' (astronauts) -- Group Captain Shukla (prime) and Group Captain Nair (backup)".

"The assigned crewmembers will be finally approved to fly to the International Space Station by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). The recommended gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission from the first week of August 2024,"ISRO said.

During the mission, the 'gaganyatris' will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS and engage in space outreach activities, it said.

"The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO and NASA," the Indian space agency said.

India and the US are collaborating to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024, American President Joe Biden said after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington last year.

Shukla and Nair are among the four astronauts, whose names were announced by Modi earlier this year for India's maiden human spaceflight mission next year. Two other pilots were Group Captain Ajit Krishnan and Group Captain Angad Pratap.
Just a day after an agreement was signed between Hmar and Meitei representatives to restore peace in ethnic violence-hit Jiribam district of Manipur, the apex body of the Hmar community said that the pact stood 'null and void'.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Fresh violence was reported in Jiribam on Friday as shots were fired and an abandoned house in a Meitei village was torched, officials said.

The Hmar Inpui, the apex body of the community, claimed that its affiliated units signed the agreement without the knowledge of the general headquarters and dissolved its Jiribam unit in response.

'Hmar Inpui, general headquarters, is shocked to learn about the peace initiative that was taken on August 1, 2024 at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) facility in Cachar, Assam. The first such initiative was held in Silchar on July 1. The Hmar Inpui condemned the engaging actors and negated the efforts that took place without our prior, informed consent,' it said in a statement on Friday.

'However, disrespecting the resolution of Hmar Inpui, members of Hmar Inpui/Jiribam Region, Hmar National Union (HNU) and several individuals continue to bow to the whims and fancies of a divisive and communal state government,' it added.

Hmar Inpui hereby declares the initiatives of August 1, 2024 between the representatives of Meitei and Hmar of Jiribam district as null and void.

Accordingly, Hmar Inpui dissolved Hmar Inpui, Jiribam region and all its affiliated organisations (HYA, HSA, HNU, HWA) under Jiribam jurisdiction, it added.

The body also warned 'individuals who participated in the event to stop their blind and selfish efforts and not represent Hmar community in any manner and if they wish to continue the efforts, they shall do so at their own risk'.

Representatives of the Meitei and Hmar communities reached an agreement at a meeting held at a CRPF facility in adjoining Assam's Cachar on Thursday.

The meeting was moderated by Jiribam district administration, Assam Rifles and CRPF personnel.

Representatives of Thadou, Paite and Mizo communities of the district were also present in the meeting.

'The meeting resolved that both sides will make full efforts to bring normalcy and prevent incidents of arson and firing. Both sides shall give full cooperation to all the security forces operating in the Jiribam district. Both sides agreed to facilitate controlled and coordinated movement,' a joint statement issued and signed by representatives of all the participating communities said.

On fresh violence in Jiribam, an official said, "It is an isolated settlement consisting of few Meitei houses, and most of those were abandoned after violence broke out in the district. Miscreants, who are yet to be identified, took advantage of security lapses in the area to commit the arson."

The armed men also fired several rounds of shells and gunshots, targetting the village, he said.

Security forces were rushed to the area following the incident, he added.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.

Ethnically-diverse Jiribam, which was largely untouched by ethnic clashes in Imphal Valley and adjoining hills, erupted in violence after a mutilated body of a farmer was found in the fields in June this year.

Thousands had to leave their homes and relocate to relief camps due to incidents of arson by both sides.

A CRPF jawan was also killed in an ambush by militants in mid-July.

*****

Kuki-Zo MLAs write to Modi against replacing Assam Rifles with CRPF

Ten Kuki-Zo MLAs of Manipur wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention to ensure that Assam Rifles continue to guard sensitive areas of the ethnic strife-torn state and are not replaced by CRPF.

In the letter, the MLAs said that when the Centre was working to end the conflict, removing the Assam Rifles and replacing it with a new force 'with no comparable knowledge of the terrain or the people' could result in an escalation of violence.

The letter came amid reports that two battalions of Assam Rifles deployed in Kangvai and Kangpokpi would be replaced by CRPF.

The Kuki-Zo MLAs hailed the Assam Rifles as a 'neutral force' and the purported move to replace it with the CRPF as a 'sinister design'.

'We have come to learn that there is a plan to withdraw 9th Bn and 22nd Battalion of AR from their current sensitive deployment in Kangvai and Kangpokpi. This wholesome decision to replace the aforementioned AR battalions with CRPF at this critical juncture is nothing but a sinister design,' the legislators said in a memorandum.

Their call for the prime minister's intervention came after media reports claimed that a large number of Assam Rifles troops would be moved out from the state and deployed in Jammu.

'It is pertinent to cite that the unbiased service of Assam Rifles in the fringe areas has been obviously instrumental in the prevention of escalation of violence to date. The role played by AR in the maintenance of law and order is absolutely neutral,' the memorandum said.

'The Assam Rifles has the most experience among central armed police forces in Manipur with unparalleled knowledge of the local populace, both Kuki-Zo tribals and Meiteis. Their understanding of the culture and geopolitical sensitivities of the region has been crucial in fostering an environment of peace,' the letter said.

'Under the prevailing circumstances, in any eventuality of 9th Bn and 22nd Bn AR is to be shifted out, it is vehemently appealed that they may be replaced by other battalions of AR,' it added.
The United States Service has owned its failure to protect former president Donald Trump at an election rally in Pennsylvania on July 13.

IMAGE: Former US President Donald Trump is assisted by Secret Service agents after gunfire rang out during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

A young gunman shot at Trump, 78, when he was addressing an election rally in Butler. Trump escaped the assassination attempt, as a bullet flew within a millimetre of him and one of them hit his right ear.

The Secret Service takes full responsibility for the tragic events of July 13th. This was a mission failure. The sole responsibility of our agency is to make sure our protectees are never put in danger. We fell short of that in Butler. And I'm working to make sure that this failure does not happen again, Acting Director of the US Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, told reporters at a news conference here.

The main role of Secret Service is to protect the President, the former presidents and their family members. Presidential nominees also get protection of the secret service.

Rowe said that the Secret Service will continue to cooperate with pending oversight investigations of the July 13 failure being done now by Congress, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, and the independent review directed by President Joe Biden.

I am not waiting for the completion of those reports, and I've directed the Secret Service to take immediate steps to ensure our protectees are indeed safe. I am committed to pursuing accountability for the Secret Service's failure in Butler, Pennsylvania.

But let me be clear. If policy violations by Secret Service personnel are identified by the agency's Mission Assurance Review, those individuals will be held accountable. They will be held accountable to our fair and thorough disciplinary process, he said.

Giving the sequence of events of July 13, Rowe said at 5.30 pm, Trump arrived at the campaign rally via Secret Service motorcade, and at that time, he met with supporters in a secure backstage area within the protective site.

At 5.45 pm, a local Butler County Emergency Services Unit counter sniper team member texted the Secret Service counter sniper team leader about a suspicious person and sent two photos of the individual, later identified as the assailant.

At 5.53 pm, the Secret Service counter sniper team leader texted the Secret Service counter sniper teams that local law enforcement was looking for a suspicious individual outside of the perimeter lurking around the AGR building.

At this time, Secret Service personnel were operating with the knowledge that local law enforcement was working on an issue of a suspicious individual.

At 6 pm, former President Trump took the stage to begin remarks.

Based on what I know right now, neither the Secret Service counter-sniper teams nor members of the former president's security detail had any knowledge that there was a man on the roof of the AGR building with a firearm. It is my understanding that personnel were not aware the assailant had a firearm until they heard gunshots, he said.

At 6.11 pm, a member of the former President Trump's protective detail contacted their Pittsburgh field office counterpart to inquire about the radio update that there was an issue local law enforcement was looking into near the perimeter.

At 6.11 pm, the assailant's first volley of three shots was fired, and within three seconds, the former president's detail rushed the stage and covered Trump, shielding him with their own bodies, Rowe said giving the timeline of the failed assassination bid on July 13.

The fourth-through-eight shots took place over the next several seconds. Fifteen and a half seconds after the assailant's first shot, a Secret Service counter sniper fired a single round that neutralised the assailant, he said.

Rowe told reporters that this was a failure.

We should have had better protection for the protectee. We should have had better coverage on that roof line. We should have had at least some other set of eyes from the Secret Service point of view covering that. That building was very close to that outer perimeter, and we should have had more of a presence, he said.

This was a Secret Service failure. That roof line should have been covered. We should have had better eyes on that, he added.
The United States will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy ships to West Asia in order to defend Israel, the US Department of Defence said.

IMAGE: Smoke rises from Kfar Kila, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as pictured from Marjayoun, near the border with Israel, Lebanon on August 3, 2024. Photograph: Karamallah Daher/Reuters

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Friday said that the deployment will be in response to threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militias.

Washington, DC is also taking steps to increase its readiness to deploy more land-based ballistic missile defence, Pentagon said.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin 'has ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the US European Command and US Central Command regions', a statement from the US Department of Defence (DOD) read.

The Pentagon is also taking steps to increase our [US] readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defence.

The US defence chief has ordered more fighters to West Asia, the Pentagon added.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Singh said on Friday that the commitment for more defence capabilities in the region comes from conversations on Friday night between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"This morning, Secretary of the Defence Lloyd J. Austin III followed up on those conversations with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant," she said.

Austin pledged additional support to Israel during a call with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

"The secretary reiterated ironclad support for Israel's security and informed the minister of additional measures to include ongoing and future defensive force posture changes that the department will take to support the defence of Israel," Pentagon spokesperson Singh said during a briefing.

The move comes as the US anticipates potential retaliation from Iran over the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Tehran and its proxies have vowed revenge for the killing of Haiyeh and a top Hezbollah commander, Fouad Shukur, in Lebanon.

The world will see 'extraordinary scenes': Iranian state TV

An Iranian state TV anchor on Saturday said that the world will witness 'extraordinary scenes' in the coming hours, as reported by Iran International English, an Iran-based news channel.

"In coming hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments," the reporter said in the local language.

In a post on X, Iran International English stated, 'In coming hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments', an Iranian state TV anchor said in a live program focused on Tehran's retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
As rescue operations in the landslide-hit areas of this north Kerala district entered fifth day, rescuers unearthed more bodies and body parts, taking the death toll to 215, with around 206 people still reported missing.

IMAGE: The Indian Army's Engineer Task Force personnel conduct rescue and relief operations after a devastating landslide hit hilly villages triggered by heavy rainfall, in Wayanad on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Huge boulders and logs brought by landslides and deposited in the residential areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala, as well as the waterlogged terrain, are posing a significant challenge to rescue efforts.

In a bid to locate people still believed to be trapped beneath the debris in landslide-ravaged villages, deep search radars will be deployed in the affected areas, a Defence PRO said on Saturday.

The Kerala government has requested the deployment of advanced radar equipment, including one Xaver radar and four Reeco radars, which will be airlifted from Delhi in an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, along with their operators.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the search and rescue operations have entered their final stages, but 206 people are still missing.

Addressing the media here, he said there is difficulty in identifying the dead bodies and parts recovered from the Chaliyar river.

"Till now, 215 bodies have been recovered, of which 87 are women, 98 are men, and 30 are children. As many as 148 bodies have been handed over so far. There are 206 people missing. Eighty-one people are injured and are under treatment in various hospitals," he said.

Referring to the rehabilitation efforts, Vijayan said a secure region will be identified and a township will be constructed.

He said the education minister will visit the schools destroyed in the region, and the education department will take the necessary steps to ensure that the studies of the disaster-struck children will continue.

The day also saw the arrival of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in the landslides ravaged areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala, in his capacity as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, to oversee the search and rescue operations.

Donning army fatigues, the actor held a brief discussion with officers at the Army camp in Meppadi before visiting Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Punchirimattom, among other places, and interacting with the various rescue workers, including the Army and the locals, to get an understanding of the gravity of the incident.

At the landslides-hit areas, Mohanlal, who was conferred the Lt Colonel post in the territorial army in 2009, was briefed about the search and rescue operations by the army officers and thereafter, he interacted with mediapersons.

During his interaction, he said that it was one of the worst natural disasters ever seen in the country and thanked everyone involved in every aspect of the search and rescue operations.

The actor also said that the Viswasanthi Foundation, founded by him, has pledged Rs three crore for the rehabilitation works in the disaster-hit region.

Actor-cum-director and retired army officer Major Ravi, who accompanied Mohanlal, said that as managing director of the foundation, he was promising that they would rebuild the Mundakkai LP school, which stands in ruins in the wake of the landslides.

Meanwhile, the issue of making donations to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) created a ripple within the Congress over the announcement by senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala that he would donate to it one month's salary, which he draws as an MLA.

The announcement drew a sharp reaction from his party colleague and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief, K Sudhakaran, who, on Saturday, expressed displeasure by saying that there was no need to give money to the funds managed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left government.

"There was no directive (from the KPCC) to contribute to the government's fund (CMDRF)," Sudhakaran told a news channel.

He said Congress was raising funds to help the affected people, and Chennithala should have contributed to that instead.

Sudhakaran's statement comes amidst online smear campaigns discouraging people from sending funds to the CMDRF.

The police have lodged 39 first information reports (FIRs) till Friday in connection with the smear campaigns against the CM's Facebook post requesting help for the people affected by the landslides in Wayanad district.

The police had also said that, as of Friday, 279 social media accounts were found campaigning against donations to the CMDRF and that notices had been issued to remove these.

However, despite the smear campaigns, people from all walks of life -- be it an elderly tea stall owner or children -- have been reportedly donating their meagre earnings or pocket money of varying amounts to the fund.
Grim and sad scenes from landslide hit Wayanad district.

Caution: Graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.

IMAGE: Geeta, who lost her home in Chooralmala, weeps as she reads the newspaper in a school which has been converted into a temporary relief camp in Meppadi village. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Women who lost their homes look to identify missing friends in a newspaper at the relief camp. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Girls who lost their homes in landslides look at a mobile phone as they sit in a classroom. Photograph: C K Thanseer/Reuters

IMAGE: A man pats his son's head after he caught a high fever at the relief camp. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: A doctor inspects a child at the relief camp. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Volunteers carry boxes of rations to the relief camp. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: People pray for a departed family member at their grave. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Friday prayers for victims of the landslides. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Praying for a departed family member at their grave. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Volunteers carry the body of a landslide victim to a crematorium. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: People cremate victims of the landslides. Photograph: C K Thanseer/Reuters

IMAGE: Unnikrishnan T P prays during the cremation of his 19-year-old nephew, Vaishnav T P, who was the only member to be found from his brother's family. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: A volunteer watches the cremation of Vaishnav T P. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Volunteers hold the urn containing the ashes of Divya Krishnan 38, a landslide victim, after she was cremated along with her 9-year-old son Lakshit Krishnan. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: The Indian Army's Engineer Task Force personnel conduct rescue and relief operations, here and below. Photograph: ANI Photo

Photograph: ANI Photo

Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: The dog squad joins the search and rescue operations. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: A team of divers walk to Chooralmala village in Wayanad. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: People watch the search operations. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Search operations in Mundakkai village, here and below. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: A severely damaged mosque at the epicentre of the landslides at Punchirimattam, Mundakkai. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Boulders and debris cover Punchirimattam, at the epicentre of the landslide. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: A drone visual of the rescue and search operations at landslide-affected Mundakkai and Chooralmala, here and below. Photograph: ANI Photo

Photograph: ANI Photo

Photograph: ANI Photo

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com and Anant Salvi/ Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Katibu Mkuu Habiba (2nd R), principal secretary of the Zanzibar Ministry of Health, inspects the schistosomiasis laboratory with the accompany of the experts of the China-aid project on schistosomiasis control in Pemba Island, Tanzania, on July 31, 2024.(China-aid Project on Schistosomiasis Control in Zanzibar experts group/Handout via Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar authorities on Wednesday praised the Chinese aid project for control of schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, saying it has helped eliminate the disease in the Indian Ocean islands.

When visiting the China-aid Project on Schistosomiasis Control in Zanzibar, Katibu Mkuu Habiba, principal secretary of the Zanzibar Ministry of Health, and Khamis Bilali Ali, coordinator of the Ministry of Health on Pemba Island, expressed their sincere appreciation for it.

The Chinese experts managing the project presented an overview of the background and progress of the second-phase project and its working model.

Habiba thanked the Chinese government for strongly supporting Zanzibar's health work over the years and appreciated the Chinese schistosomiasis control expert group for their efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis in Zanzibar and help local people eliminate the harm caused by the disease.

Habiba hoped that the Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, the specific unit to implement the project, would increase technology transfer, provide more assistance in capacity training for Zanzibar personnel, cultivate excellent schistosomiasis control talent, and achieve the goal of eliminating schistosomiasis as soon as possible.

Also, she said the potential benefits of integrated schistosomiasis management strategies, such as snail eradication through ecological interventions and safe water supply, would help local people improve their living conditions while reducing the chance of contact with infected water.

The expert team showcased the achievements of their public health education efforts and the development of a science popularization base as part of the project. They also demonstrated the detection procedure for schistosomiasis and snail ecology experiments and provided an overview of the measures taken for snail control and safe water supply.

The China-aid project experts in Zanzibar have been conducting fieldwork for nearly a year, which has achieved notable control results and garnered praise from both the Tanzanian government and the local population. 
One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history.

In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group.

Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon.

RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war.

RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack?



Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences.

There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings.

Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good.

RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis?



Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months.



RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices?



Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other.

People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term."

So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire.

Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home?

One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective.

RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families?



Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular.

At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families.

Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen.

RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas?

Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk.

It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important.

Why? For a couple of reasons.

First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005.

RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future?



Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent.

I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term.
"Today I'm crying for the first time since...I don't even know where to begin," Alsu Kurmasheva wrote in her first letter from captivity.

It was October 2023 and just a few days after she had been taken into pretrial detention in Kazan, the regional capital of her native Tatarstan.

It was a care package that made her weep. "Everything touched me," she wrote about the things she had received: the brush and the coffee with the halva (sesame-seed-and-honey paste). "I wasn't expecting any letters or packages.... And when everything arrived unexpectedly, I couldn't [stop the tears]."

Kurmasheva, a 47-year-old mother of two and a journalist for RFE/RL, spent 288 days in Russian detention before her release on August 1, as part of one of the largest prisoner swaps involving the United States and Russia since the end of the Cold War.

During her time in prison, Kurmasheva chronicled her experiences in letters to friends and relatives, provided by the journalists family to RFE/RL's Idel.Realities. Her letters from prison show a woman attempting to come to terms with her new life behind bars. But they also show a woman who remained grateful, despite the harsh conditions, and who was still able to find beauty and joy in the smallest things.

Gentle Humor

In the early days of her detention, Kurmasheva spent her time reading, writing, and practicing yoga. With gentle humor, she described her attempts to stay active even with the restrictions of prison. "Today we were taken out for a walk to a four-by-six-meter area, she wrote. We ran 40 laps to get at least close to a 1,000-meter run. Then there was stretching and squats. The caretaker was very surprised. Apparently, this happens rarely."

After her October 2023 arrest, Kurmasheva was first charged with failing to register as a "foreign agent" under a punitive Russian law that targets journalists, civil society activists, and others.

WATCH: Alsu Kurmasheva's Husband On Her Release From A Russian Prison

As the weeks turned into months, and as the outside temperatures dropped below freezing, Kurmasheva wrote about the harsh realities of prison life: the overcrowded cells, where new inmates could arrive in the middle of the night; the constant battle against the bitter cold.

"I'm OK more or less. At least everyone has their own bed and the amount of people [in the cell] is as it should be," Kurmasheva wrote. "I am glad that I managed to sleep a little longer today, something better."

'Do It Now'



Sometimes there was a particular urgency about her letters, a sense that when you had lost so much, your only choice was to focus on the present, the here and now. "Everything you do is the most necessary and important thing right now," Kurmasheva wrote to her family. "Whether you drink coffee or make a hole in the wall with a hammer drill to attach a wardrobe, do it now."

By December 2023, Kurmasheva was facing more charges of distributing "fake" news about Russia's armed forces. Those charges stemmed from a book, Saying No To War. 40 Stories Of Russians Who Oppose The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine, which was published in November 2022 by RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service.

Separated from her family over the holidays, it was hard for Kurmasheva to always keep her spirits up. "I can't even believe that it will already be two months [in prison]," she wrote in December 2023. "Every minute remains a scar on me and on you."

In January, Kazan's coldest month, her letters show flashes of indignation. "No one will give me back the three months of my life that I spent in the wrong place," she wrote. "I am responsible for my family. For my young children, for my elderly mother." It was her mother's ailing health that had prompted Kurmasheva's decision to return to Russia in May 2023.

'I Have Changed'

After the Christmas and New Year's holidays, Kurmasheva started to notice some differences. "I have changed, you have changed, your letters have changed," she wrote to her family. "After a long break, I received dozens of letters that you wrote during the holidays. They are so open, you entrusted me with your fears, you decided not to 'forget' about everything." It was, she said, "priceless."

The winter was particularly bleak in prison. But Kurmasheva's letters -- the ones she wrote and the many more that she read -- were a lifeline, a connection to the outside world. "It's all so sweet. Somehow even unbelievable," she wrote. "They all took a month to be delivered, but they arrived." Not receiving letters, she said, was very, very hard.

Despite the harshness of prison life and the chronic pain of being separated from her family, in her letters, Kurmasheva tried to remain hopeful.

"Where do I get my strength from?" she wondered in one letter, just as everything was "steadily becoming more unbearable." Even though she might not know the answer to that question, she did know exactly what she had to do with that strength: She had to make sure she didn't waste it.

On July 19, the Supreme Court of Tatarstan found Kurmasheva guilty of disseminating "military fakes" and sentenced her to six and a half years in prison. The trial was limited to two court sessions and was held behind closed doors.

Less than two weeks later, on August 1, Kurmasheva was released and flown to a military base outside Washington, D.C., where she was greeted by her family and U.S. President Joe Biden.

In one of the last letters before her release, Kurmasheva wrote, "My greatest wish is to leave here alive and well." And she knew that this "part of [her] life" would one day be history.
When Russian security operative Vadim Krasikov returned to Moscow late on August 1 as part of a massive prisoner swap between Russia and the West, President Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer himself, was on hand to greet him with a hug.



Krasikov had been serving a life sentence in Germany for the 2019 assassination in broad daylight of former Chechen militant Zelimkhan Khangoshvili. The judge in the case described the killing as state terrorism.



Russian state authorities ordered the accused to liquidate the victim, presiding Judge Olaf Arnoldi said during Krasikovs 2021 sentencing.



While the exchange of foreigners held without evidence and Russians imprisoned on politically motivated charges stemming from their opposition to authoritarianism and Russias invasion of Ukraine was welcome news in the West, the deal is fraught with the possibility of a further ramping up of Russias covert aggression beyond its borders, analysts said.



The fact that a lot of these people come back in prisoner swaps makes it easier for [Moscow] to recruit people to work as illegals abroad, career U.S. Foreign Service officer William Courtney, now a fellow at the Rand Corporation think tank in Washington, told RFE/RL.



On February 13, 2004, Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, a former top official in the de facto independent Chechen state of the 1990s, was killed by a car bomb in the Qatari capital, Doha. Two men arrested in a Russian Embassy residence and identified as GRU military-intelligence operatives were sentenced to life in prison in June 2004, with the judge stating they had been dispatched to carry out the assassination by senior Russian leaders.



Under heavy pressure from Moscow, Qatar agreed in December 2004 to send the two men to serve their sentences in Moscow. They were given a heros welcome on their return to Russia. In 2005, Russian prison official Yury Kalinin told the BBC that the convicts were not being held in Russia and that the Qatari verdict was irrelevant.

Radiation And Ricin



Yandarbiyevs assassination was the first high-profile case of its type under Putin. In November 2006, Russian agents assassinated former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer Aleksandr Litvinenko with radioactive poison in London. In 2018, agents attempted to kill former Russian GRU officer Sergei Skripal with a nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. There have been numerous attacks on Chechen dissidents in several European countries. In 2020, Czech security officials accused Russia of sending an agent with ricin poison to kill the mayor of Prague and two other officials who had endorsed actions that angered Moscow.

In 2006, Russia adopted a law empowering Putin to deploy the security services abroad to liquidate anyone Moscow deems an extremist or terrorist. In addition, Moscow has been accused of recruiting operatives for nonviolent espionage and influence activity  such as Anna Chapman and Maria Butina -- or to help the Russian military illegally purchase essential Western technology in avoidance of sanctions.



Far from mitigating such activity outside Russia, the August 1 prisoner swap could intensify it, analysts say.



In a post on X, Kings College London lecturer Alexander Clarkson wrote that Putin has signaled that he will reward those within the Russian security services willing to double down on war against [the United States] and Europe.



In an interview with the pro-Ukrainian YouTube channel Freedom, Russian political commentator Andrei Piontkovsky offered a similar assessment.



Putin has solved one problem, Piontkovsky said. It was important for him to demonstrate to all of his murderers that I am behind you and, of course, that could expand Russias theoretical terrorist activity abroad.

'Pay Any Price'



Andrei Soldatov, a journalist and expert on Russias security agencies and co-author of the book The New Nobility: The Restoration Of Russias Security State And The Enduring Legacy Of The KGB, told the media outlet Meduza that Putin was sending a signal to this crucial demographic.



With a war going on, and even before that, Putins image among those inside the security agencies is extremely important, Soldatov said. In this case, he is showing that he stands up for his guys who are doing holy work, he is avenging their colleagues, and will pay any price to get them out of trouble.



Prague-based Russian political analyst Dmitry Dubrovsky told RFE/RLs Caucasus.Realities that such exchanges could encourage Putin to carry out other political murders abroad.



The Kremlins killers wont get their just punishments and can be exchanged after a few years for Russian civic and political activists, he added. This encourages the practice of state terrorism.

Rand analyst Courtney described Russias intelligence operations in Europe as growing, adding that Europeans are likely to be arresting Russian intelligence personnel in the future, so there could well be more swaps ahead.



Moscows readiness to use its own citizens as pawns for such trades could foretell longer sentences and harsher conditions for dissenters in Russia.

The message to Russian and foreign audiences is that the Kremlin has rescued its people, whom, in line with its narrative, it never abandons, Oleg Ignatov, a senior Russia analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG), was quoted as saying in an ICG release. But the caution to domestic dissidents and foreign journalists, who continue to risk arrest if they run afoul of the Russian government, still stands.



Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev wrote ominously on Telegram that some of those who were released from Russian custody in the August 1 swap should be concerned about the reach of Moscows security operations.



Let the traitors feverishly pick out new names and hide themselves in witness-protection programs, wrote Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Putins Security Council and is known for making threatening statements targeting the West.

RFE/RLs Todd Prince and RFE/RLs Caucasus.Realities contributed to this report.
Israel has claimed that the successor to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has likely been "eliminated," while U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called Tehran the greatest adversary of the United States.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on October 8 said that Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, was an "organization without a head."

"Nasrallah was eliminated -- his replacement was probably also eliminated," Gallant told officers at the military's northern command center without providing details.

"There's no one to make decisions, no one to act," he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later echoed those comments, saying, "We've degraded Hezbollah's capabilities."

"We took out thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself and Nasrallah's replacement, and the replacement of the replacement," Netanyahu said.

Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. Hezbollahs political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament.

Hashem Safieddine, a top Hezbollah official and a cousin of Nasrallah, was widely expected to be named to the group's top position, but his whereabouts and condition are a mystery since an Israeli strike hit a suspected Hezbollah leadership meeting on October 2.

Hezbollah has not commented on Safieddine's fate, although unidentified members have told various media that the group had lost contact with him since the attack.

Safieddine has been declared a global terrorist by the United States.

Meanwhile, Harris told CBS TV's 60 Minutes program in an interview that she considered Iran to be the greatest adversary of the United States.

"Iran has American blood on their hands," she said. "And what we saw in terms of just this attack on Israel, 200 ballistic missiles, what we need to do to ensure that Iran never achieves the ability to be a nuclear power -- that is one of my highest priorities."

Harris -- the Democratic presidential nominee who will face Republican Donald Trump in the November 5 election -- declined to speculate on whether the United States would take military action itself should proof be uncovered that Iran is building a nuclear weapon.

Tehran has denied it is building such weapons and says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes.

The comments came as the battered and bloodied leadership of Hezbollah suggested it might be ready to negotiate a cease-fire with Israel

Deputy leader Naim Qassem, in a televised speech, for the first time did not suggest that ending the war in Gaza was a precondition to reaching a truce with Israel in Lebanon.

Qassem said the group backed an effort by Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, to reach a deal to halt the fighting.

Late on October 8, the Syrian government said that seven civilians were killed in an Israeli air strike in Damascus. A war monitor said the strike targeted a building used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah.

Israel did not immediately comment and the reports could not be verified.



The Israeli military said earlier on October 8 that it had killed another senior Hezbollah commander, a day after marking the somber anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people.

Suhail Husseini, who was responsible for overseeing the logistics, budget, and management of Hezbollah, was killed in a targeted attack on October 7, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

"Husseini played a crucial role in weapon transfers between Iran and Hezbollah," the statement said, adding that he was also in charge of distributing advanced weapons to the group's members and for its "most sensitive projects" that included operations against Israel.

The IDF said Husseini was also a member of the Jihad Council, the supreme military body of Hezbollah.

There was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah.

The Israeli announcement came after Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of rockets on October 7 into Israel, where President Isaac Herzog led a national moment of silence to mark the start of last year's Hamas attack, which started at Kibbutz Reim in the south of the country.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union.

In Washington on October 7, President Joe Biden condemned Hamas on the anniversary, while also stating again the U.S. administration's commitment to reaching cease-fire agreements to end fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon.

"On this solemn anniversary, let us bear witness to the unspeakable brutality of the October 7 attacks but also to the beauty of the lives that were stolen that day," Biden said in a statement.

In Jerusalem, relatives of the some 100 hostages still in Hamas captivity, out of a total of 250, gathered outside Netanyahu's residence and stood in silence as a siren wailed in a gesture of protest against what relatives say is the failure of the government to secure their loved ones' release.

The conflict in Gaza is still raging while Israel is now fighting on a second front in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.



Following the October 7 attack, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas. Some 90 percent of the population of Gaza has been displaced and large areas have been destroyed by Israeli bombardments.



The Israeli military said on October 7 that over the past year it has bombed more than 40,000 targets in Gaza, found 4,700 tunnel shafts and destroyed 1,000 rocket launcher sites.

Israel in recent weeks has been carrying out air strikes across Lebanon, including Beirut, and has staged a ground invasion into south Lebanon in its drive to wipe out Hezbollah's capabilities and leadership.

In the attacks, Israel killed Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and dozens of other leaders of the group.

On October 6, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters that Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force -- the overseas arm of the IRGC -- had also not been heard from in recent days since traveling to Lebanon.

Tel Avivs campaign against Hezbollah prompted Iran to respond by attacking Israel with a large wave of rockets that were largely shot down by Israeli air defenses without causing substantial damage, but the attack renewed fears of a larger regional conflict.

Gallant on October 6 threatened Iran that it might eventually find itself looking like Beirut or Gaza -- which has also been battered over the past year -- if Tehran attempts to further harm Israel.

With reporting by CBS and AP
An electric SGR train stops at Dar es Salaam Station in Tanzania on Aug. 1, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday officially launched the commercial operation of the country's electric standard gauge railway (SGR) train service from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania.

Commercial trial operation of the SGR train service between the two destinations started last month.

Hassan was among hundreds of passengers on board the electric SGR commercial train as it left the port city of Dar es Salaam in the morning and arrived in the capital Dodoma after three and a half hours.

Hours later, another electric SGR commercial train ferrying Tanzania's Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi left Dar es Salaam for Dodoma, covering 722 km.

Speaking on arrival in Dodoma, Hassan said the enhanced train speed will significantly reduce travel times and facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people throughout Tanzania.

"Travel time using the electric SGR train between the two destinations takes about three and half hours, while it takes more than nine hours of travel by bus between the two destinations," said Hassan.

The head of state said the government had ordered 1,430 cargo wagons, which will enhance freight transportation from the port of Dar es Salaam to upcountry regions and neighboring landlocked countries, including Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Makame Mbarawa, the minister for Transport, said the entire SGR project in Tanzania will cover 1,560 km from Dar es Salaam to the Mwanza Region, out of the entire 2,102-km railway that will be connected to Burundi and the DRC.

Hassan said the electric SGR train will also help decongest cargo from the Dar es Salaam port, as it will have the capacity to move 17 million tonnes of cargo annually.

She said the construction of the SGR railway project will be undertaken in tandem with the upgrading of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority railway, which covers 1,860 km and connects the Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania and New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia.

She added that the construction of the SGR railway project will be executed simultaneously with improving marine, air, and surface transportation to improve the country's connectivity. 

Passengers board the electric SGR train from Tanzania's Dar es Salaam to Dodoma at Dar es Salaam Station in Tanzania on Aug. 1, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua)

Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan (3rd R) launches the commercial operation of the country's electric SGR train service from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma at Dar es Salaam Station, Tanzania, on Aug. 1, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua)
Tom Tuite

A man carried out a series of attacks by crashing a van into gates of Aras an Uachtarain, the Custom House and Government Buildings in Dublin after suffering "delusional fantasies", a court heard.

David O'Callaghan (40) of The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow, appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

He faces five counts of criminal damage to gates at the three locations, which happened within the space of about 15 minutes.

The court heard the damage at Aras an Uachtarain was valued at 4,750. As yet, there was no damage estimate for the other locations, but gardai believed it to be in the tens of thousands.

The accused could face additional serious charges.

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail set at 350 but also requiring approval of a 5,000 independent surety, who must lodge 1,500.

Once he has taken up bail, he cannot go to the city centre or Phoenix Park, contact any public representative, or post online about the case.

He will appear again on Thursday.

The unemployed man was arrested just after 2:30am and held at Pearse Street Garda Station for questioning. Gardai charged him on Friday evening with offences under the Criminal Damage Act, which can carry a maximum 10-year sentence.

Unemployed Mr O'Callaghan, who has yet to indicate a plea, was brought to court on Saturday.

Dressed in a red T-shirt, navy tracksuit bottoms and runners, he sat calmly at the side of the courtroom and remained silent for most of the contested bail hearing.

He is accused of damaging the entrance gate at Phoenix Gate Lodge, Aras an Uachtarain, Phoenix Park, D8.

He was further charged with three counts of criminal damage around the Houses of the Oireachtas: the main gates of the Department of an Taoiseach, Merrion Street Upper, the rear gates of Leinster House, Merrion Square West, and the North Road gate at Government Buildings, Merrion Street Upper.

He is also accused of damaging the main gates of the Custom House, Dublin 1.

Garda William McCarthy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and said Mr O'Callaghan "made no reply".

Citing the seriousness of the case, the garda told Judge Aylmer the accused's mental health problems had been exacerbated, and the officer feared he would commit other offences and was a danger to the public and his family.

Strict conditions

However, the judge held that the evidence outlined was not sufficient to refuse bail outright and imposed a range of strict conditions.

Garda McCarthy claimed Mr O'Callaghan drove his father's van "reversed into the main gate of Aras an Uachtarain", causing 4,750 worth of damage there.

The court heard allegations that the accused drove into the city centre to the Custom House and arrived there at 2:26am. Garda McCarthy maintained he "swerved without warning in the direction of the gates of the Custom House." He collided head-on, but the gates absorbed the impact.

It was alleged that the accused then turned and reversed. The second impact forced the gate open and damaged the locking mechanism, and evidence from the vehicle was left behind.

It was claimed that the 2017-reg van went to Government Buildings and arrived at Merrion Square at 2:30 am when it "swerved suddenly and without warning in the direction of the rear gates of Leinster House."

There were anti-ramming barriers, but severe damage was still caused. A garda was on duty at the rear of Leinster House in a hut near the gates.

The van reversed onto the road, went 20 metres, and swerved out of the way of another road user. "The van stopped outside the Attorney General's office before reversing at speed into the North Road gate at Government Buildings."

"The court heard the force caused the gate to cascade inwards, come off its hinges, and smash the windows of an unmanned wooden military post.

"Severe damage was caused to the gate, structure and fittings, and as a result, an entrance to Government Buildings was completely breached and left wide open," the garda said.

He alleged the van then took off, avoiding another road user before suddenly swerving without warning into the gates of An Taoiseach's department at Merrion Street Upper, causing them to buckle inwards and break.

There was a barrier on the inside, but severe damage was caused.

Upon impact with the last gate, the van's airbags deployed, and it was immobilised.

Garda McCarthy said the driver got out and used his phone to take a photo of the crashed van "lodged" in the gates of an Taoiseach's department.

Mr O'Callaghan was arrested at the scene, and the van was seized.

The garda said the incidents were captured on CCTV. He added that during his interviews, the accused was adamant that he did not intend to enter any government building but wanted to "carry out as much damage as he could."

Garda McCarthy said the accused had "delusional fantasies" and said he had taken his father's work van without permission at 1 am on Friday.

The court heard he told gardai he believed his family members were not real and that they had been replaced by actors, spiking him with drugs and waking him every day at 5 am with an aerosol hallucinogenic.

The court heard the accused believed members of the government, social welfare and the president were also orchestrating this and ramming the gates would "put an end to the torment he had been subjected to".

The court heard he allegedly posted the photo on social media to raise awareness of his situation.

The court heard that gardai must obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) about pressing more serious charges and whether the case will remain in the District Court or proceed on indictment to the Circuit Court with broader sentencing powers.

Gardai would be looking to have it dealt with at the higher level.

Defence barrister Karl Monahan (instructed by solicitor Eddie O'Connor) said his client would obey several conditions.

The garda agreed with the barrister that Mr O'Callaghan was not a man of means but said the conditions proposed would not satisfy him.

The officer accepted that it could take several weeks for the DPP's directions to be available and for a book of evidence to be prepared for his trial.

The accused raised his hand and asked to speak during the closing stages of his barrister's submissions, but the judge refused permission to do so.

Pleading for bail, counsel argued that denying the application could be disproportionate and result in lengthy "oppressive pretrial incarceration" for a person who still enjoyed the presumption of innocence.

Mr O'Callaghan has yet to indicate a plea.

The judge granted legal aid and directed medical and psychiatric attention for the accused in custody.

The bail terms state that once the surety has been organised, Mr O'Callaghan must provide a contact phone number, obey an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, not contact public representatives, stay out of the city centre except for court hearings, not go to parts of Phoenix Park, engage with treatment, sign on two days a week at a garda station, not post on social media about the case or drive any motor vehicle.

He will face his next hearing on August 8 at Cloverhill District Court.
BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to advance reform in the education sector to meet the people's demand for higher-quality education, according to Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng.

China has made significant strides in developing its education system since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Huai said in an interview with Xinhua.

As of 2023, the country had 498,300 educational institutions and 18.92 million full-time teachers, according to Huai.

China has promoted equitable compulsory education by implementing policies that encourage school-age children to enroll in nearby schools, Huai said, adding that the country has ensured that education subsidies are available to students from financially challenged families at every stage of their education.

Huai noted that to address the public's demand for quality education, the ministry will focus on three key areas -- improving basic education, expanding future opportunities for students, and supporting lifelong education.

The ministry will advance reform in the methods and approaches of basic education while also relieving students of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring burdens, Huai said, adding that efforts will continue to enhance the quality of classroom teaching and after-school services.

To enhance future prospects for students, Huai emphasized the need to develop a modern vocational education system. He noted that the country will focus on integrating vocational education with general education, as well as aligning it with industry needs, ensuring that vocational education can better serve the country's social and economic development.

Speaking about lifelong education, Huai said that China will step up the development of education resource platforms and relevant public services, as well as open universities and senior colleges to ensure that educational resources are available to everyone at all times.

Huai also noted other tasks of building a higher-quality education system, including implementing multiple initiatives that focus on students' well-being, better allocating education resources across regions, and promoting high-level international cooperation and exchange in education. 
August 3, 2024

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 03.08.2024, 13:55

Meeting. On Saturday, at the international meeting of ethnic Germans in Sibiu, central Romania, President Klaus Iohannis stated that that the commitment made under the Sibiu Declaration, at the 2019 Summit, remains valid especially in the special, complex and serious conditions of the current period, namely  the need for a strong and secure Europe. The head of state emphasized the contribution of the German minority to the development of modern Romania and called Romania a blessed land of Europe. About 12,000 Saxons from Europe and North America are participating in Sibiu in the second International Meeting of Saxons. The program includes over 50 cultural events: concerts, theater performances and traditional dances, film presentations, exhibitions, guided tours of the city.



Farmers. The Romanian Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, stated in a press conference on Friday, that compensations for the disasters caused by drought will be paid to farmers in October, so that they have resources for the autumn campaign. He specified that 2 million hectares of agricultural crops were affected, and the minimum amount offered by the state will be 200 euros per hectare. As regards ensuring the necessary grains in the context of this years drought, the minister assured that Romania has the necessary grains both for its own consumption and for export, considering that crops are irrigated on an area of 1.6 million hectares. The Ministry of Agriculture intends to expand the national irrigation program and will borrow 1.5 billion euros from the European Investment Bank for this purpose. Florin Barbu told Radio Romania that in five years, 2.7 million hectares should be covered, which is the maximum irrigated surface.



Citizenship. As of September 1, 2024, applications for getting or reacquiring Romanian citizenship, resolved favorably, will result in the issuance of the Romanian citizenship card. A press release by the Ministry of Internal Affairs reads that the document will be personalized by the General Passports Directorate. At the same time, the persons who, starting September 1, will be issued the Romanian citizenship card and who wish to establish their domicile abroad, will have the obligation to request, within three years, a Romanian passport with the mention of the country of residence  the MAI also specifies.



Middle East. An Israeli delegation will travel to Cairo for negotiations in the coming days to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office announced on Friday. In a telephone conversation with the American Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, the Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, voiced his commitment to reach an agreement that would allow the return of the 111 kidnapped people who remained in the Gaza Strip. The talks were suspended after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday in an attack blamed on Israel, for which Iran vowed revenge. Against this background, the Pentagon announced that it will send additional soldiers and warships to the Middle East. According to Reuters, the United States is thus trying to strengthen the defense in this area, following the threats from Iran and its allies, Hamas and Hezbollah, after the assassination of a commander of the Lebanese movement and the leader of Hamas.

Olympic Games. Today, Romania has won another gold, in the womens eight plus one at the Paris Olympics, after dominating the final of the main rowing event. On Friday, the Romanian rowers Ioana Vrinceanu and Roxana Anghel won the silver in the womens double sculls. Gianina van Groningen and Ionela Cozmiuc also won silver in the womens lightweight double sculls. Also on Friday, Romanian athlete Andreea Talos qualified for the triple jump final of the Paris Olympic Games, which takes place today. Romania also won, in the first days of the competition, four other medals, two gold, one silver and one bronze. Gold was won by swimmer David Popovici in the 200 meter freestyle and rowers Andrei Cornea and Marian Enache in the mens double sculls. Ancuta Bodnar and Simona Radis won the silver in womens double sculls and David Popovici won bronze in the 100 meter freestyle. (MI)
August 3, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 03.08.2024, 19:06

Covaci. The lifeless body of the Romanian artist Nicu Covaci will be laid at the Philharmonic in Timisoara (west, his hometown), at the beginning of next week  Mayor Dominic Fritz announced, on Saturday, in a post on the Internet. He specified that a photo exhibition dedicated to Nicu Covaci will be organized at the House of Culture in the municipality and a book of condolences will be available for longer to those who loved and admired him. The founder of the legendary rock group Phoenix died at the age of 77. Nicu Covaci was one of the most talented and influential musicians in the history of Romanian rock. After founding Phoenix and experiencing rapid success in Romania, he chose to flee to the West in 1976. He initially settled in the Netherlands, then in Germany. In 1990, after the fall of the communist dictatorship, he returned to Romania and resumed the concerts with Phoenix, but he was unable to release albums that could match the success of the 60s and 70s of the last century. A strong and charismatic leader, he has been involved in several public controversies, including with bandmates.

Diaspora. Retired Romanians from the diaspora must submit their life certificates by September 30, so they risk not receiving their pension for the period they worked in the country. The provision has been included in the new Pension Law, which introduces two annual deadlines for sending these documents. Until now, life certificates had to be sent only once a year. The deadline for pensioners settled outside the borders to submit the so-called certificate of life to the competent Romanian authorities begins on September 1, with the entry into force of the new Pension Law, and expires on September 30. These documents, through which the pensioners prove that they are alive and have the right to receive a pension, are sent to the pension houses on their own initiative, by post, fax or scanned by e-mail. Before being sent to the country, the life certificates must be signed by the pensioners in front of a legal authority in the territory of the country of residence. Those who do not send the documents have their pension suspended, and if the life certificate arrives after the expiry of the established terms, the pension payment resumes from the date of suspension of these monetary rights, according to the new Pension Law.

Meeting. On Saturday, at the international meeting of ethnic Germans in Sibiu, central Romania, President Klaus Iohannis stated that the commitment made under the Sibiu Declaration, at the 2019 Summit, remains valid especially in the  complex and serious conditions of the current period, namely  the need for a strong and secure Europe. The head of state emphasized the contribution of the German minority to the development of modern Romania and called Romania a blessed land of Europe. About 12,000 Saxons from Europe and North America are participating in Sibiu in the second International Meeting of Saxons. The program includes over 50 cultural events: concerts, theater performances and traditional dances, film presentations, exhibitions, guided tours of the city.

Farmers. The Romanian Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, stated in a press conference on Friday, that compensations for the disasters caused by drought will be paid to farmers in October, so that they have resources for the autumn campaign. He specified that 2 million hectares of agricultural crops were affected, and the minimum amount offered by the state will be 200 euros per hectare. As regards ensuring the necessary grains in the context of this years drought, the minister assured that Romania has the necessary grains both for its own consumption and for export, considering that crops are irrigated on an area of 1.6 million hectares. The Ministry of Agriculture intends to expand the national irrigation program and will borrow 1.5 billion euros from the European Investment Bank for this purpose. Florin Barbu told Radio Romania that in five years, 2.7 million hectares should be covered, which is the maximum irrigated surface.



Citizenship. As of September 1, 2024, applications for getting or reacquiring Romanian citizenship, resolved favorably, will result in the issuance of the Romanian citizenship card. A press release by the Ministry of Internal Affairs reads that the document will be personalized by the General Passports Directorate. At the same time, the persons who, starting September 1, will be issued the Romanian citizenship card and who wish to establish their domicile abroad, will have the obligation to request, within three years, a Romanian passport with the mention of the country of residence  the MAI also specifies.

Middle East. An Israeli delegation will travel to Cairo for negotiations in the coming days to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office announced on Friday. In a telephone conversation with the American Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, the Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, voiced his commitment to reach an agreement that would allow the return of the 111 kidnapped people who remained in the Gaza Strip. The talks were suspended after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday in an attack blamed on Israel, for which Iran vowed revenge. Against this background, the Pentagon announced that it will send additional soldiers and warships to the Middle East. According to Reuters, the United States is thus trying to strengthen the defense in this area, following the threats from Iran and its allies, Hamas and Hezbollah, after the assassination of a commander of the Lebanese movement and the leader of Hamas.

Olympic Games. Romania won gold in the womens eight plus one at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, after dominating the final of the main rowing event. The male crew ranked 5th, and the Romanian rower Mihai Chiruta won Final B of the mens single rowing event. Romanian athletes have won 7 medals so far: 3 gold, 3 silver and one bronze, all in the rowing and swimming events. The gold went to the swimmer David Popovici in the 200 meter freestyle and rowers Andrei Cornea and Marian Enache in the mens double sculls. Romanian rowers Ioana Vrinceanu and Roxana Anghel won silver in the womens double sculls. Gianina van Groningen and Ionela Cozmiuc also won silver medals in the womens lightweight double sculls. The silver was also won by Ancuta Bodnar and Simona Radis in the womens double sculls, and the bronze went to David Popovici in the 100 meters freestyle. Romanian athletes who won medals in Paris will receive 140,000 euros for gold, 100,000 euros for silver and 60,000 for bronze. (MI)
This is a screenshot captured from a video generated by Vidu. (ShengShu Technology/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Vidu, a large video generation model, developed by Chinese AI company ShengShu Technology and Tsinghua University, which features text-to-video and image-to-video generation, recently became available for global use.

Vidu is capable of creating 4-second clips in 30 seconds and can generate videos up to 32 seconds long in a single instance.

"Vidu can simulate the real physical world, creating detailed scenes that adhere to physical laws, such as natural lighting and shadow effects, as well as intricate facial expressions. Additionally, it can generate surrealistic content with depth and complexity," said Zhu Jun, deputy director of the Tsinghua Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

Zhu added that for different genres like sci-fi, romance and animation, Vidu can produce scenes that capture the essence of each style, and it can also create high-quality cinematic effects, such as smoke and lens flares.

The AI model can manage various shot types, including long shots, close-ups and medium shots, and can effortlessly produce effects like long takes, focus pulls and smooth scene transitions.

Users can upload portraits or customized character images and use text descriptions to direct the characters to perform any action in any scene. This feature streamlines the video production process and enhances creative freedom.

The company said Vidu's core architecture was proposed as early as 2022. 
Wang Peikuan (R) creates an artwork at a workshop of Huamao Renjia, or "Huamao Family," a souvenir store nestled in Huamao Village, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Ziyu)

GUIYANG, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- As I stepped into Huamao Renjia, or "Huamao Family," a souvenir store nestled in Huamao Village, southwest China's Guizhou Province, my eyes were immediately drawn to a captivating artwork that resembled Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece "Starry Night."

Upon closer inspection, I found the entire picture was actually made of flower petals and leaves that had been fused into a piece of paper. "This is our proprietary form of art, pressed flower pulp picture," said Zhang Mengying, an employee of the store.

Developing the art form is just one of the efforts the store has put forward to revive the village's traditional papermaking technique, which has a history of about 400 years. Zhang, 26, has been fond of the ancient craft since her college years.

"Since ancient times, local people have been using the bark of paper bush to make papers," said Zhang. She said that she was acquainted with the craft in 2016, and was now familiar with most of the procedures.

In that very year, Huamao Renjia was established by Huamao villager Zhang Shengdi. In order to start this business, she gave up her job as a baijiu maker in the famed Maotai Town, home of China's most prestigious liquor Moutai.

For her, the decision to return to Huamao and revive the centuries-old tradition of papermaking was rooted in her fond childhood memories.

"I still remember how my grandmother made paper when I was little," she said. "We used to dry the pieces of paper by plastering pressed pulp on walls, and grandma would give us needles and teach us how to peel the dried paper off."

However, when returning to Huamao in 2016, Zhang Shengdi found the ancient craft was sinking into oblivion. "When I told my family and friends about my decision to pick up traditional papermaking, nearly all of them discouraged me from doing so, saying that it would never be a lucrative business."

Nevertheless, Zhang was determined to reintroduce the craft to the village and the wider world. To achieve this goal, she gathered nine local artists and calligraphers to explore the best way to breathe new life into the craft.

In the workshop next to the store's main building, I met artist Wang Peikuan, who specialized in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. Now in his seventies, Wang was one of the artists Zhang sought help from when she started the business.

"As of 2016, the villagers only used the paper for two things: making family tree diagrams and wrapping renminbi bills," said Wang, highlighting the paper's remarkable durability.

"At first, I experimented with painting traditional Chinese landscapes on the paper, but the results were unsatisfactory," he said. Later, inspired by the art of pressed flowers, Zhang came up with the idea of creating patterns with flower petals on wet raw paper and then pouring a thin layer of pulp on it. This innovative method allowed for the pattern to be fixed on the paper.

"The picture 'Starry Night of Huamao' is my work," said Wang proudly, referring to the Van Gogh-style artwork I saw earlier.

Not only that, Zhang and the artists also made full use of the paper's toughness and created a plethora of products, including paper fans, lampshades, bookmarks and book covers.

With these efforts, the popularity of the ancient paper began to grow again. According to Zhang Mengying, visitors from all over China were eager to travel to Huamao and see how the patterned papers were made.

"Today, apart from selling bark paper products, we also provide visitors opportunities to participate in papermaking process and create their own work," said Zhang.

The centuries-old craft even attracted visitors from foreign countries. "We've just received a group of guests from Britain, Australia and Pakistan a while ago."

By developing tourism and local specialty businesses such as papermaking, the economy of Huamao village has continued to improve in recent years. In 2023, the per capita disposable income in the village was 24,958 yuan (about 3,500 U.S. dollars), more than doubling that of 2014.

Inheriting the craft, Zhang Mengying said that she intended to master it in a more comprehensive fashion. "Some procedures, such as the selection of bark, were done by our fellow villagers," she said. "I expect to participate in these procedures as well, so I can gain more knowledge about the art of papermaking." 
In a new paper published in the Astrophysical Journal, Dr. Ravi Kopparapu of NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center and colleagues assessed the potential detectability of solar panels made of silicon on an Earth-like exoplanet as a potential technosignature.

The search for extraterrestrial life has primarily focused on detecting biosignatures, which are remote observations of atmospheric or ground-based spectral features that indicate signs of life on an exoplanet, Dr. Kopparapu and co-authors said.

More recently, technosignatures referring to any observational manifestations of extraterrestrial technology that could be detected or inferred through astronomical searches has received increased attention.

While the search for extraterrestrial intelligence through radio observations has been popular for decades, recent studies have proposed alternate searches for technosignatures in the ultraviolet to mid-infrared part of the spectrum.

The astronomers assume that extraterrestrials would build solar panels out of silicon because its relatively abundant compared to other elements used in solar power, such as germanium, gallium, or arsenic.

Also, silicon is good at converting the light emitted by Sun-like stars into electricity and its cost-effective to mine and manufacture into solar cells.

The researchers also assume that a hypothetical extraterrestrial civilization would rely exclusively on solar energy.

However, if other sources of energy are used, such as nuclear fusion, it would reduce the silicon technosignature, making the civilization even harder to detect.

They further assume that the civilizations population stabilizes at some point. If this doesnt happen for whatever reason, perhaps they will be driven to expand ever-father into deep space.

For the study, the scientists used computer models and NASA satellite data to simulate an Earth-like planet with varying levels of silicon solar panel coverage.

They then modeled an advanced telescope like the proposed NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory to see if it could detect solar panels on the planet about 30 light-years away, which is relatively nearby in a galaxy that spans over 100,000 light-years.

They found that it would require several hundreds of hours of observing time with that type of telescope to detect signatures from solar panels covering about 23% of the land area on an Earth-like exoplanet.

However, the requirement for 30 billion humans at a high-living standard was only about 8.9% solar-panel coverage.

We found that even if our current population of about 8 billion stabilizes at 30 billion with a high standard of living, and we only use solar energy for power, we still use way less energy than that provided by all the sunlight illuminating our planet, Dr. Kopparapu said.

The study has implications for the Fermi paradox, postulated by physicist Enrico Fermi, which asks the question that since our Milky Way Galaxy is ancient and vast, and interstellar travel is difficult but possible, why hasnt an alien civilization spread across the Galaxy by now?

The implication is that civilizations may not feel compelled to expand all over the galaxy because they may achieve sustainable population and energy-usage levels even if they choose a very high standard of living, Dr. Kopparapu said.

They may expand within their own stellar system, or even within nearby star systems, but a galaxy-spanning civilizations may not exist.

Additionally, our own technological expertise may not yet be able to predict what more advanced civilizations could do.

_____

Ravi Kopparapu et al. 2024. Detectability of Solar Panels as a Technosignature. ApJ 967, 119; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad43d7

This article is based on a press-release provided by NASA.
About 66 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous period, a 10-km-wide asteroid crashed into Earth near the site of the town of Chicxulub in what is now Mexico. The impact eradicated roughly 75% of the animal and plant species on Earth, including whole groups like non-avian dinosaurs and ammonites. New research has identified important changes in birds genomes sparked by this end-Cretaceous mass extinction, ultimately contributing to the incredible diversity of living birds.

By studying the DNA of living birds, we can try to detect patterns of genetic sequences that changed just after one of the most important events in Earths history, said University of Michigans Dr. Jake Berv.

The signature of those events seems to have imprinted into the genomes of the survivors in a way that we can detect tens of millions of years later.

A living organisms genome comprises four nucleotide molecules, referred to by the letters A, T, G and C. The order of these nucleotides in a genome defines the blueprint of life.

The DNA code can sometimes evolve in a way that shifts the overall composition of DNA nucleotides across the whole genome.

These compositional changes are crucial in determining what kind of genetic variation is possible, contributing to an organisms evolutionary potential, or its ability to evolve.

Dr. Berv and colleagues found that the mass extinction event sparked shifts in nucleotide composition.

They also found that these shifts seem to be connected to the way birds develop as babies, their adult size and their metabolism.

For example, within approximately 3 million to 5 million years of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, surviving bird lineages tended to develop smaller body sizes.

They also changed how they developed as hatchlings, with more species becoming altricial.

This means they are still very embryonic when they hatch, need their parents to feed them, and can take weeks to fledge, Dr. Berv said.

Birds that hatch ready to fend for themselves, like chickens and turkeys, are called precocial.

We found that adult body size and patterns of pre-hatching development are two important features of bird biology we can link to the genetic changes were detecting.

One of the most significant challenges in evolutionary biology and ornithology is teasing out the relationships between major bird groups  its difficult to determine the structure of the tree of life for living birds.

Over the past 15 years, researchers have been applying increasingly large genomic data sets to try to solve the problem.

Previously, they used genomic data to study the evolution of birds genomes using statistical models that make strong assumptions.

These traditional models allow researchers to reconstruct the history of genetic changes, but they typically assume that the composition of DNA, its proportion of A, T, G and C nucleotides, does not change across evolutionary history.

The study authors developed a software tool to more closely track DNA composition over time and across different branches of the tree of life.

With this tool, they were able to relax the assumption that the composition of DNA remains constant.

This allowed the model of DNA evolution to vary across the evolutionary tree and identify places where there was likely a shift in DNA composition, said University of Michigans Professor Stephen Smith.

For this new research, these shifts were concentrated in time, within about 5 million years of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, Dr. Berv added.

This approach also allowed the team to estimate which bird traits were most closely associated with these shifts in DNA composition.

This is an important type of genetic change that we think we can link to the mass extinction event, Dr. Berv said.

As far as we know, changes in DNA composition have not been previously associated with the end-Cretaceous mass extinction in such a clear way.

We know that mass extinction events can dramatically affect biodiversity, ecology and organismal form, said University of Cambridges Professor Daniel Field.

Our study emphasizes that these extinction events can actually influence organismal biology even more profoundly  by altering important aspects of how genomes evolve.

This work furthers our understanding of the dramatic biological impacts of mass extinction events and highlights that the mass extinction that wiped out the giant dinosaurs was one of the most biologically impactful events in the entire history of our planet.

By relaxing the typical assumptions used in evolutionary biology, the researchers are building more nuanced insight into the sequence of events that occurred in the early history of birds.

We have typically not looked at the change in DNA composition and model across the tree of life as a change that something interesting has happened at a particular point of time and place, Professor Smith said.

This study illustrates that we have probably been missing something.

The study was published in the journal Science Advances.

_____

Jacob S. Berv et al. 2024. Genome and life-history evolution link bird diversification to the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Science Advances 10 (31); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adp0114

This article is a version of a press-release provided by the University of Michigan.
SYDNEY, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Some dozens of protestors, including members from the local activist group Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition, gathered at the Sydney Town Hall Square on Saturday to demand that the Australian government reject the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.

They also reject the Australian opposition's proposal for nuclear power reactors on sites.

Peter Murphy, convenor of Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition, said in his speech at the rally that the AUKUS Pact between the United States, Britain and Australia was a super-secret project to have Australia acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines, as well as to jointly develop hypersonic missiles, cyber warfare, quantum computing and Artificial Intelligence weapons.

According to a statement publicized by the protestors, they gathered to remember victims of the U.S. atomic bombs that exploded over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, and remember all victims of nuclear war preparations.

The protestors marched to the Defence Plaza Sydney after the gathering, with banners that read, "Australia says No to AUKUS, No to NATO, No to War", "Down with the AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Deal," "Scrap AUKUS Now" and "No to Nuclear Subs."

Dennis Doherty, co-ordinator of Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition, told Xinhua that the nuclear industry, the nuclear weapons and the nuclear submarines will have a negative impact on Australia.

"We want to live in friendship with all the people in our region. And that's why it's a bad move to have nuclear-powered submarines, because it's a threatening move which will increase tension in our region when we need to decrease tension," he said. 
KABUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Afghan caretaker government's Acting Minister for Energy and Water Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor said Saturday that the work is in progress to produce 500 megawatts of electricity yearly to overcome power shortage in the war-ravaged country.

"Work to produce 500 megawatts of electricity is an essential step toward development, and the Islamic Emirate has been striving over the past three years to achieve it," Mansoor said at a government accountability program to brief the nation on the administration's achievements.

Mansoor also said that Afghanistan had produced only 300 megawatts of power annually over the past 80 years.

Afghans, including residents of the capital city of Kabul, have been suffering from power shortages in the summer, with people experiencing power outage for eight to 10 hours every day.

To overcome the power shortage, the administration has been working on solar panels, gas-generating power and building water dams to generate electricity and bolster the irrigation system in the country.

Afghanistan reportedly imports some 700 megawatts of power annually at a cost of 280 million U.S. dollars annually from the neighboring Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Turkmenistan. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  As summer wraps up and leaves start to fall, human instinct compels us to gather up the great outdoors  and just celebrate life.

If you didnt already notice, Staten Island is a melting pot of great ideas, artistic flair, enormous talent and off-beat eats. And these cool things about the borough and its people come together at our great gatherings.

Did we miss an upcoming event on this list? Did you just add one to your organizations schedule? Weve certainly got you at the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com.

Send the festival who, what, where, when and why to silvestri@siadvance.com and well pencil you in for sure. And, after the event, send your feedback in a critique of the event.

Here are some fun outings with which to mark a calendar below. (And for a round up of summer through fall events and whats to come, click here.)

Maker Park Radio is at 450 Front St., Stapleton. (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Staff-Shot

Saturday, Aug. 3, in Stapleton

Music Festival by Marker Park Radio

Chill from 6 to 11 p.m. at 450 Front St. at Maker Space and Maker Park Radio for Lee Fields, Snacktime and Staten Islands own, The Jazztronauts. For tickets and more information, go to Eventbrite.com or the community streaming radio host and black smithers at MakerParkRadio.com.

Clang! Clang! Goes the trolley. Taste of the Towns by trolley by the South Shore BID (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

Sunday, Aug. 11, through the South Shore

Taste of the Towns Restaurant Crawl

Take a trolley through the South Shore for a three-hour tour with multiple stops. This is sponsored by the South Shore BID and is a premium event  southshorebid.org.

Wetzels Pretzels is a popular tourist spot at the Empire Outlets, just off the Staten Island Ferry where a Vintage Festival will happen this August. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)

Saturday, Aug. 17 in St. George

All Things Vintage Market

Hosted at the Empire Outlets on Levels One and Two at 55 Richmond Terr. from 2 to 8 p.m., the family-friendly event on National Thrift Shop Day will feature DJ music with an R&B vibe. Edibles for sale include ice cream, cold beverages and soul food from Hazels Food Truck by the Ferry.

Shop for vintage stuff  and you can bring things to sell and swap, too, so long as theyre in good condition and a 60s, 70s, 80s throwback themed. Raffle results announced starting at 3:30 p.m.  a $200 Visa gift card and, separately, a wellness/beauty basket. For more info and a raffle entry, go to sponsors site at createdforyouartistsmarket.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 21 in West Brighton (sold out)

National Senor Citizens Day at the Broadway Y

Pre-registration required  lhorner@ymcanyc.org. Sandwich lunch, salad and dessert plus country music sensation Loren Utt who will perform and have his daughter Jamie teach easy line dancing moves.

Saturday, Aug. 31 in Livingston

Peace & Unity Festival

The K Woods Foundation is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated second edition of the Peace & Unity Festival, a pride and unity festival at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Performances will be by Jim Jones, Julez Santana, Smiff N Wessun, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Connie Diamond, Abby Jasmine, Chey, Freekey Zekey and more, in addition to a special appearance by Ghostface Killah & Friends.

For more information about the event hosted by Ravyy Rayy, including the full schedule and artist lineup, go to: K-woodsfoundation.com.

Competitive eating contests are on the menu for this year's Richmond County Fair. (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Gale Cirigliano

Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, in Richmond

Richmond County Fair

A three-day annual affair at Historic Richmond Town is always the place to see and be seen. This year, features War Cannon Spirits and Crown Point Coffee House as an exhibitor. Vendors still can apply for a stand. Ticket monies go toward programming for the Staten Island Historical Society  HistoricRichmondTown.org.

A tradition of the Borough President's Office of summer concerts continues this August (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Staff-Shot

Throughout August, Staten Island Sounds of Summer

The Staten Island borough presidents office offers a host of outdoor music by local groups.

Heres the lineup for the rest of the summer:
A Georgia man visiting Hilton Head, S.C., feels like hes lucky to tell a story about a shark attack a few yards from the beach last weekend.

Tyler Hall told WJCL 22 News that he was swimming in chest-deep water at Burkes Beach when he felt the shark put its whole mouth on his foot.

But thats where the attack ended as Hall exited the water and warned beachgoers of the danger.

Theres always going to be sharks in the water, so thats just a risk that you have to take, he told WJCL. Im just glad I still got my toes and everything else.

The man needed nine stitches to treat the wound. His girlfriend watched him leave the water and said she saw blood everywhere on his foot.

Lifeguards shut down the beach for more than an hour on a two-mile stretch of the beach, from the Hilton Head Resort to the islands Westin Resort & Spa, according to yahoo! News.

The attack came about a week after there was another shark incident around Hilton Head.
Recent weight loss drugs have enabled many Americans to shed inches from their waistlines, but the benefits are not without potential side effects, prompting a new warning from doctors, according to NBC News.

Among these drugs are GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound, which have been linked to an increase in eating disorders, the report said.

They start using this drug and next thing you know, theyve developed what looks very much like anorexia nervosa, said psychologist Tom Hildebrandt of Mount Sinais Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders.

These drugs mimic glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone that controls blood sugar and reduces hunger.

At high doses, patients can lose up to 21% of their body weight.

That level of weight loss can lead the brain to believe the body is suffering from starvation, which can cause patients to limit their food intake even when it endangers their health, Hildebrandt said.

Individuals with a history of unhealthy relationships with food are particularly susceptible to developing these side effects, Hildebrandt told NBC News.

NBC News reported that these restrictive eating habits could spiral out of control, making it essential to monitor these patients closely.

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, told NBC News that patient safety is its top priority, saying that the company actively monitors, evaluates, and reports safety information for all its medications.

If someone is experiencing any side effects while taking any Lilly medication, we encourage them to speak with their healthcare provider, the company added.
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday said the recent U.S. position on Venezuela's elections was "reckless" and renewed his call for the international community to avoid interventionism.

In his daily press conference, the Mexican president said that statements like the one made by the United States on Thursday do not help resolve electoral disputes in Venezuela.

"It is reckless," Lopez Obrador said when asked by a journalist whether the statement from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken could worsen the situation in the South American country.

On Thursday, Blinken claimed that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia received the most votes in the July 28 elections.

The Mexican president reiterated his call for "no interventionism" from the international community and organizations.

Venezuela's National Electoral Council declared Nicolas Maduro as the president-elect on Monday for the 2025-2031 term, following the elections held on July 28. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A severe thunderstorm watch and a flood watch have been issued for all of New York City, including Staten Island.

The severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Saturday. Severe thunderstorms have the potential to bring strong winds, heavy rain and hail. The strong winds could cause power outages, flying debris or turn unsecured objects into projectiles, according to the citys Notify NYC alert system.

Meanwhile, the flood watch is in effect until midnight. Heavy rain of 1 to 2 inches is possible and may cause flooding on highways, streets, underpasses, and poor drainage or low-lying spots, according to Notify NYC.

It looks likes the main threat with any of the storms will be flooding downpours, Scott Homan, an AccuWeather senior meteorologist, told the Advance/SILive.com earlier Saturday.

While these storms are slated to pack the typical gusty winds that accompany thunderstorms, the primary concern is the excessive rainfall, Homan said.

Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will be possible, according to AccuWeather, and combined with the potential of multiple rounds of storms, flash flooding will be possible.

If residents are in a basement, they should be prepared to move to a higher floor during periods of heavy rain, according to Notify NYC. They also should not walk or drive a vehicle into areas where water covers the roadway as it may be too deep to allow them to cross safely.

Residents are reminded to charge their cell phones, gather supplies, and turn their refrigerators and freezers to a colder setting in the event of an outage, according to Notify NYC.

If there is an outage, residents should stay clear of downed power lines, turn off all appliances, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage, and never use generators indoors.

If you lose power and have a disability, access and functional needs, or use life-sustaining equipment and need immediate assistance, call 911.
A second Trump administration is set to reinstate the executive order Biden so quickly quashed, putting further pressure on companies. The order prohibited government contractors from offering bias training. When the Republican first introduced the directive as president, many companies paused training and reassessed their programs, according to Vasu Reddy, director of state policy for workplace justice at the National Womens Law Center. Loading As part of his 2020 crackdown, Trumps Labor Department chastised Microsoft Corp and Wells Fargo & Co  both federal contractors  for pledging to double their ranks of black executives. It also started a hotline to root out diversity training deemed discriminatory to white employees. The former president has pledged to create a team to rapidly review every action taken by federal agencies under Bidens equity agenda that will need to be reversed. We will reverse almost all of them. Maybe, in fact, all of them, he said in a video posted on his campaign website last year. More recently, the former president has decried anti-white feeling in the country. Trump has made no secret of his vendetta against diversity, equity, and inclusion, said Reddy. The point really is to scare people into just steering away from these topics entirely, and I do think you will see that  especially for businesses that really rely on federal funding, she added.

Division There are several levers a government can pull to influence corporate policy. First, it could use the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which set out anti-discrimination statutes, rules that are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That law bans discrimination against anyone, black or white, male or female, though traditionally, it has been used to protect underrepresented groups. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace is a hot topic. Credit: Getty Secondly, a new Trump administration could wield more direct power by setting anti-DEI rules that federal contractors must meet to win or maintain government business. While Trump shied away from a direct stab at corporate diversity programs in his lengthy speech accepting the Republican nomination as the partys candidate, some of the other speakers at the gathering leaned into the argument.

Democrats stand for DEI, which really means division, exclusion and indoctrination, and it is wrong, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this month. The Trump administration is going to be better prepared than in 2016 to use its levers of power to get companies to ditch DEI if they want to do business with the federal government, according to Robby Starbuck, a filmmaker turned anti-DEI activist. Retailer Tractor Supply and tractor maker John Deere retreated from diversity initiatives after Starbuck attacked their policies on social media. I think youre going to see a massive shift, away from corporate DEI, Starbuck said. Youre going to see movement from day one of a Trump administration, maybe even literally before day one. Lets make America sane again, lets get away from all this crazy stuff, find unifying things, he said. A good thing Conservative activists, many of whom are poised to wield influence in a Trump White House, want him to go further. The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 proposes amending the Civil Rights Act, and deleting terms like diversity, equity and inclusion and gender equality from every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation, and piece of legislation that exists.

Its other proposals include rescinding rules barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and ending data collection on gender and ethnicity. Trump has tried to distance himself from the playbook, though more than 100 of those leading the effort served in his administration and many of its ideas hew closely to his and the Republican Partys platforms. Loading In spite of the political and legal backlash, Americans continue to support diversity programs  and the acronym DEI. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll in April found 61 per cent of adults think DEI programs in the workplace are a good thing. Even larger shares supported specific initiatives like anti-bias training (75 per cent) and internships for underrepresented groups (70 per cent). Backlash to backlash Harris is likely to stick closely to the Biden administrations agenda on DEI, rather than go any further, to avoid being attacked as too liberal on these issues by Republicans and to present as the moderate choice, according to Alison Taylor, a professor at New York University who focuses on corporate responsibility and business ethics.

The first woman, and woman of colour, to be vice president, Harris has personally faced criticism from anti-diversity activists, with some conservative commentators and Republican lawmakers labelling her a DEI hire. For companies trying to figure out what to do next, Taylor warns of a backlash to the backlash. Younger employees especially tend to be more liberal-minded and want to work for companies that nurture underrepresented groups, putting the onus on businesses to create organisations that look like society and look like their friends, she added. Workers aged 18-29 are most likely to consider DEI in the workplace a good thing, with 68 per cent saying so, compared with less than half of workers aged 50-64, according to a Pew Research Center study last year. Even if Trump is the next president, its hazardous for companies to simply change their policies to pander to politics, Taylor said. To say we can just cancel ESG and DEI, and that phase is over, is deranged. - Bloomberg L.P.
CARACAS, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's National Electoral Council confirmed on Friday that President Nicolas Maduro has won Sunday's elections with 51.95 percent of the vote.

With 96.87 percent of the ballots counted, Maduro received 6,408,844 votes, while his main opposition rival garnered 5,326,104 votes (43.18 percent), according to Elvis Amoroso, head of the National Electoral Council.

Amoroso also announced the vote percentages for other candidates: Luis Martinez received 1.24 percent of the vote, Antonio Ecarri, 0.94 percent; Benjamin Rausseo, 0.75 percent; Jose Brito, 0.68 percent; Javier Bertucci, 0.52 percent; Claudio Fermin, 0.33 percent; Enrique Marquez, 0.24 percent; and Daniel Ceballos, 0.16 percent.

He said a total of over 12,386,000 votes were counted, representing 59.97 percent of the eligible electorate, with a little more than 50,000 votes, or 0.41 percent, declared invalid.

Amoroso blamed "massive cyberattacks" against the election technological infrastructure and the country's main telecommunications companies for the delayed transmission of results and the delayed disclosure process.

Despite the burning of electoral offices, voting centers, and what he described as "terrorist attacks," Amoroso said the National Electoral Council managed to transmit the majority of the results.

He expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces, international observers, and officials, who he said had made the July 28 presidential elections possible. 
Intravenous infusion treatments spruiked as being able to cure hangovers or bolster immunity are surging in popularity, as doctors call for a crackdown on the unregulated market.

Two dozen new infusion companies have registered with the Australian Business Register in the past five years.

Mobile clinics have also emerged, with nurses travelling to homes to administer treatments in backyards or living rooms. Some companies provide corporate wellness packages for employees to undergo infusions at retreats or in their workspaces.

Prices range from $200 for vitamin C to $700 for biohacking coenzyme drips, with providers offering to prepare a personalised cocktail of nutrients claiming to reduce stress, sharpen focus and improve energy levels.
First Nations people will renew themselves, despite the hurt of the failed Voice referendum, and continue to pursue a pathway to unity, attendees at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory have heard.

Yothu Yindi Foundation chief executive Denise Bowden told the crowd at Australias largest Indigenous cultural gathering, the result of Octobers referendum had been soul-crushing.

Yothu Yindi Foundation CEO Denise Bowden. Credit: Melanie Faith Dove

Our ancestors made us strong, intelligent, determined people and we have needed all of these qualities as we experienced the referendum result, she said.

Yothu Yindi chair Djawa Yunupingu said when he spoke at the 2023 Garma Festival that he was determined his people would have a voice in the Australian Constitution the following year.
Australias peak fertility organisations say Medicares current definition of infertility is outdated and discriminatory, urging the federal government to give equal access to reproductive services regardless of a persons relationship status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

At a meeting in Sydney last week, the Australian New Zealand Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (ANZSREI), Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) all agreed to expand their definition of infertility to better represent same-sex and solo parents.

Claire Sara and Nina McCann with their baby, Emily. Sara was eligible for Medicare-funded IVF because she had a burst appendix. Credit: Kelly Barnes

The update could have major implications for Medicare funding of fertility treatment, which is currently limited to people unable to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse, as is the Commonwealth Ombudsmans definition of infertility.

Single people and LGBTQ couples often have to pay thousands of dollars for failed IVF treatment before they can be deemed medically infertile and receive Medicare rebates.
The future of some of Sydneys top-achieving public high schools is uncertain as the NSW government pushes ahead with co-education options citywide.

The government is considering major changes to five northern beaches schools including the conversion of powerhouse Balgowlah Boys into a co-ed school, doing the same with Mackellar Girls and possibly allowing local students to attend Manly Selective until year 9.

One of the options being considered would be to make Mackellar Girls co-ed. Credit: Nick Moir

The state governments plans come as several private boys schools also plan transitions to co-education. Cranbrook in Bellevue Hill will admit girls from 2026 and Newington in Stanmore plans to become co-educational by 2033, a decision that has prompted outrage from a group of alumni.

As part of Labors commitment to expand co-ed schooling, catchments for public schools in the inner west and south-west of Sydney will be expanded for 2025 enrolment, as announced earlier this year. In the east, Randwick Boys and Girls high schools will be merged from next year, which triggered a major backlash from female students.
Monday is the start of public education week, and a visit to the Department of Educations social media channels reveals pictures of famous faces who attended NSW state schools.

Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman were classmates at North Sydney Girls High School. Russell Crowe attended Vaucluse Public School, and Simon Baker went to Ballina High.

All went on to become leading figures in the nations arts scene.

NSW Minister for Education Prue Car will receive a report from an inquiry into music and arts education later this year. Credit: Rhett Wyman

But, as Mary Ward writes in todays Sun-Herald, submissions from the arts sector to an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into arts and music education in the states schools have described a landscape in which they say their subjects are being under-resourced, and squeezed out of teaching time.
Thousands of children are leaving primary school with no formal music education as schools cut back on band programs and teachers struggle to find time to include the arts in classroom lessons.

Submissions to a parliamentary inquiry on arts and music education and training in NSW have called on the state government to mandate hours of music instruction and introduce music accreditation for primary music teachers.

These describe a crisis in schools where access to the curriculum depends on the enthusiasm of individual principals and teachers.

Kids playing in the Sydney Youth Orchestras at Santa Sabina College Strathfield, from left, Charlotte Gresham, Dylan Chappel, Xander Brennan, Patricia Mundine, Madeleine Vohland, Ava Tu and Joshua Ahn. Credit: Steven Siewert

You can have one person pushing it, but as soon as they leave, the impetus goes, said Dr Anita Collins, a music education consultant and advocate.
Ipswich residents say they are suspicious of the crackdown on waste companies and compost businesses, announced on Saturday by Queenslands Environment Minister Leanne Linard.

The crackdown means new or expanding composters will have to compost their waste indoors to stop bad smells drifting over suburbs.

Companies delivering waste to the compost businesses will have to use closed-in trucks and deliver to the new closed-in compost premises.

Some Ipswich residents have protested for more than a decade over expansion plans by waste companies near Ipswich. Credit: Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments.

But the long-running community lobby group Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments (IRATE) say they need more than words.
The grassy plains west of Epping might be the last place a person would expect to find the ruins of the Parthenon.

But anyone who ventures onto the last remaining cattle grazing paddocks along the busy Craigieburn Bypass has a chance to see the remains of a recent slice of Melbourne art history.

They would need sturdy boots, though, and a willingness to wander well off the trodden path.

An aerial view of the dismantled Temple of Boom in a paddock in Epping. Credit: Jason South

In November 2022, the National Gallery of Victoria revealed the latest winner of its coveted annual Architecture Commission: a large-scale reimagining of the ancient Greek Parthenon, built to roughly one third the size of the original, its lightweight concrete pillars serving as a canvas for several local artists.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has slammed what he says is a deliberate lie from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton that power prices have risen $1000 on Labors watch, as the Albanese government prepares for a critical battle over hip-pocket policies before the election.

Dutton has amped up his attack in recent weeks on the governments 2022 election commitment to cut annual power bills by $275.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has hit out at what he says are Peter Duttons lies about power price spikes. Credit: James Brickwood.

Since then [the May 2022 election], power prices have gone up by $1000, Dutton said in a speech last week to the Victorian Liberal Party state council. He has made this claim repeatedly in the past fortnight.

But this claim is false, compared to the annual price caps set by the regulator. Annual power prices have, in fact, increased by less than $450 since May 2022. The primary driver of higher electricity prices has been a global energy crunch, sparked by sanctions on Russian gas supply since Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.
An investor paid $582,500 for a studio unit in Rushcutters Bay, a stones throw away from parks, cafes and Sydney Harbour.

The tiny home at 10/16-18 Roslyn Gardens had a price guide of $500,000. Despite measuring just 33 square metres, it did not deter the half dozen bidders, including first-timers, investors and mature-aged owner-occupiers.

It was one of 527 homes scheduled to go under the hammer on Saturday in Sydney. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 66.1 per cent from 384 reported results, while 81 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate.

An opening bid of $500,000 started the auction and the price went up in varying bids, between $15,000 and $500, as all registered buyers had a go at nabbing the keys.
A passenger plane arrives at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A passenger plane taking off from Shenzhen in southern China landed at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport on Friday, marking the inaugural flight of Hainan Airlines' new direct route between Shenzhen and Budapest.

"With the launch of the Hainan Airlines' Shenzhen-Budapest direct flight route, the number of direct flights between Budapest and major Chinese cities has increased to seven, and the number of direct passenger flights between China and Hungary has reached 21 per week," Gong Tao, Chinese ambassador to Hungary, said at the launching ceremony.

The Budapest-Shenzhen route will operate two flights per week, on Mondays and Fridays.

Gong emphasized that the increase in direct flights between China and Hungary will further enhance people-to-people exchanges, and facilitate economic, trade, and cultural cooperation between the two countries. He said this development is another important achievement in China-Hungary relations.

Delegates pose for a photo at the launching ceremony of the Hainan Airlines' Shenzhen-Budapest direct flight route at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Ferenc Antal, the deputy state secretary for Strategic Transactions at the Hungarian Ministry for National Economy, described the route as "a new milestone in the qualitative development of the relationship between the two countries."

"The opening of the direct flight between Budapest and Shenzhen not only expands travel opportunities between the two cities, but also gives new impetus to deepening economic, commercial, and cultural relations," Antal said.

Yan Bo, vice president of operations of Hainan Airlines, said the Budapest-Shenzhen route will provide more convenient, enjoyable, and comfortable travel services for passengers from both countries and build a new aerial bridge for cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Shenzhen in China's southern Guangdong Province has long been at the forefront of economic and trade cooperation with Hungary. Shenzhen-based companies such as Huawei, ZTE, and BYD have established their presence in Hungary since years ago.
DAMASCUS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A weaponized Israeli drone struck a vehicle on the Damascus-Beirut highway in the countryside of the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, killing the individual inside, a war monitor reported.

The incident happened near the town of Zabadani, causing columns of smoke to rise from the scene, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

While no official comments were made yet, the pro-government Sham FM radio said a vehicle exploded on the Damascus-Beirut highway near the Zarzar Lake junction and was engulfed in flames.

It added that the explosion also ignited nearby grasslands, but no information has been provided regarding the cause of the incident.

On Friday evening, Israeli airstrikes also targeted the Mataba Crossing area, where Syrian government forces are nominally present. This crossing is known to be used by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah for transporting trucks and personnel between Lebanon and Syria, according to the Britain-based watchdog group.

One of the strikes targeted a convoy of trucks, while another hit a farm in the Qusayr countryside in Homs province, an area under the control of Hezbollah, the Observatory added.

Some trucks were set ablaze in the attacks, but there have been no reports of casualties so far.

The attacks highlight the volatile situation in the region as a result of the growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. 
One of Sydneys highest profile strata managers is appealing against a ruling that saw him banned for 10 years for a multitude of allegations, including failing to act with honesty, fairness and professionalism and accessing apartment buildings funds without approval.

That same manager  despite having numerous complaints against him with the state government tribunal  had also, by the same body, been given total control over schemes that were in trouble with their existing management.

The Vicinity apartment complex in Canterbury. Credit: Janie Barrett

Whitney Wang, 60, the sole director and licensee in charge of PSMG Strata, was reprimanded, cancelled and disqualified for 10 years by NSW Fair Trading and banned from being involved in his company. He has now appealed to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), however, with his licence temporarily reinstated until a decision is made on the appeal. He has not been charged with any crimes.

A spokesman for Fair Trading said, PSMG Pty Ltd faced numerous NCAT orders, leading to the termination of their appointment as strata manager for two strata schemes. The disciplinary actions were taken due to PSMGs numerous breaches of statutory duties.
Two Kremlin spies freed in a historic prisoner swap were so deep undercover that their children didnt know they were Russian until they arrived in Moscow.

Anna and Artem Dultsev and their children were greeted by President Vladimir Putin after being flown back to the Russian capital as part of the largest East-West exchange since the Cold War.

Vladimir Putin meets released Russian prisoners and their relatives arriving at Vnukovo airport, Moscow. Credit: AP

The sleeper agents had been arrested and convicted in Slovenia of pretending to be Argentinians as they secretly worked for Russian intelligence.

Upon meeting the pairs children, Putin greeted them in Spanish, the language they had grown up speaking at home, given their parents role as spies trained to impersonate foreigners.
Jerusalem: Thousands of mourners converged around the flag-draped coffin of Hamas slain political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Qatar on Friday as the fallout surged from his death in an alleged Israeli attack.

The funeral ceremony in Doha, Qatars capital, attended by members of Gazas militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups as well as Qatari and Iranian officials, was subdued.

Ismail Haniyehs coffin being carried out after the funeral prayers in Doha, Qatar. Credit: AP

But across the Muslim world  from Jordan and Morocco to Yemen and Somalia  angry crowds waving Palestinian flags rushed out of mosques after midday prayers, chanting for revenge.

Let Friday be a day of rage to denounce the assassination, said senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq. Haniyeh had lived in Qatar, along with other senior members of Hamas political leadership.
Washington: Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday overrode a plea agreement reached earlier this week for the accused mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks and two other defendants, reinstating them as death penalty cases.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is seen shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan in 2003. Credit: AP

The move comes two days after the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, announced it had reached plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, in the attacks.

Letters sent to families of the nearly 3000 people killed in the al-Qaeda attacks said the plea agreement stipulated the three would serve life sentences.

Some families of the attacks victims condemned the deal for cutting off any possibility of full trials or death penalties.
The world is teetering on the edge of war. Immigration flows are putting the very notion of a nation state under pressure. People throughout the developed world are struggling under the cost of living; some parts of some cities in America the Great feel like Third World countries. But the election is currently a battle of the sexes.

While the election was about age, the Republicans werent mad about the hand theyd been dealt. Now that its about gender, theyre faced with a very special conundrum. Women dont like them. And it seems they dont like women much either.

Then, from the time when a COVID-struck Biden announced his decision not to run for president again and endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris, it became about gender, not policy. Such are the failings of the presidential system; policy runs a poor second to personality.

From the moment Joe Bidens precipitous descent into senility became evident during the presidential debate against Donald Trump, until the time he was filmed laboriously mounting the stairs to Air Force One, the upcoming US election was about age, not policy.

It seems that US men are from Mars and many Republican supporters  X-owner Elon Musk foremost among them  are striving to return thence. Women are from the Democratic Party.

It took J.D. Vance, then running for the Senate, now for vice president, to say the quiet part out loud. In September 2021, he sent out fundraising emails referring to the radical childless leaders in this country. And just to be sure voters were in no doubt that he meant the womenfolk, he went on Tucker Carlson Tonight to specify that childless cat ladies are especially reprehensible. We are effectively run in this country, via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made, he told Carlson, And so they wanna make the rest of the country miserable, too.

With those words, Vance both perfectly articulated how many Republicans feel and artlessly explained why the American right is haemorrhaging female support. The Republicans have a woman problem because they look at the declining marriage and birth rate in the US and decide that only one-half of the population should shoulder the blame.

Trump with wife Melania, alongside J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance. Credit: AP

Its no mystery why theyre concerned. Pew Research finds that married men are the most likely to vote Republican and that the less married people are, the further they lean to the left. Having children brings people a little closer to the right. Never-married women are the most likely to vote Democrat, with a whopping 72 per cent of this demographic leaning towards the Democratic Party. And a quarter of women under 40 years old have never been married. Add that to the 44 per cent of adults between 18 and 49 who say it is not too or not at all likely that they will have children someday, and you can see why the Republican Party is especially keen to get family formation back on track.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On the afternoon of Friday, August 2nd, 2024, at approximately 16:30, the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) responded to a house fire in the Dutch Quarter. Despite the firefighters' prompt arrival and commendable efforts, the residence was destroyed, leaving a family of six without shelter or personal belongings.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined. The fire Department and the Forensic Department of KPSM will conduct an official investigation to ascertain its origins.

In response to this incident, Victim Support Services have been notified. They will provide the necessary assistance to the affected family to help them cope with the trauma and stress resulting from the fire. An assessment will determine the best means of support for the family during this difficult time.

The Dutch Quarter Community Council, along with their Community Police Officer (CPO), is also exploring all possible avenues to provide additional assistance to the family.

Fortunately, no injuries or rescues were required during this incident.

KPSM Press Release.
A worker feeds the short-finned pilot whale "Haili" at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

The short-finned pilot whale "Haili" swims at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

The short-finned pilot whale "Haili" swims at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A worker weighs the food for the short-finned pilot whale "Haili" at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

The short-finned pilot whale "Haili" eats at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

The short-finned pilot whale "Haili" swims at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Volunteers observe the short-finned pilot whale "Haili" at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A volunteer records the breathing rate of the short-finned pilot whale "Haili" at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A worker feeds the short-finned pilot whale "Haili" at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A worker feeds the short-finned pilot whale "Haili" at Sanya Haichang Animal Conservation Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 2, 2024. "Haili", a short-finned pilot whale rescued earlier after being stranded in Haitang Bay of Sanya, has recovered well and is now able to feed and dive normally.

In order to increase its activity, the rescue team has expanded its swimming area to three pools, and will make further treatment and release plans according to its physical condition. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)
US to deploy more warships, fighter jets to Mideast



Washington, Aug 2 (AFP) Aug 02, 2024



The United States will bolster its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships and fighter jets to protect US personnel and defend Israel amid soaring tensions in the region, the Pentagon said Friday.

The announcement comes after Iran and its regional allies vowed retaliation for the killings of a Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah commander in Beirut, fueling fears of a broader Middle East conflict.

"The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies," deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement.

"Since the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the Secretary of Defense has reiterated that the United States will protect our personnel and interests in the region, including our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel."

The aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln will replace one helmed by the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region, Singh said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under US European Command, as well as a new fighter squadron to the Middle East.

Israel killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut on Tuesday, a move it said was a response to deadly rocket fire last week on the annexed Golan Heights.

Hours later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital -- an attack on which Israel has not yet commented.

A source close to Hezbollah told AFP that Iranian officials met in Tehran on Wednesday with representatives of the so-called "axis of resistance," a loose alliance of Tehran-backed groups hostile to Israel, to discuss their next steps.

"Two scenarios were discussed: a simultaneous response from Iran and its allies or a staggered response from each party," said the source, who had been briefed on the meeting, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

In April, Iran carried out its first direct attack on Israeli soil, firing a barrage of drones and missiles after a strike blamed on Israel killed Revolutionary Guards at Tehran's consulate in Damascus.

American forces helped defend Israel against the attack.

"As we have demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States' global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats," Singh said.

"The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza."
Niger leader says France wants to 'destabilise' country



Niamey, Niger, Aug 3 (AFP) Aug 03, 2024



The head of Niger's military-run government on Saturday accused France of wanting to "destabilise" the country -- seven months after driving out French soldiers engaged in the fight against jihadism.

Since seizing power on July 26 last year, the new government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, has reset its international partnerships.

It asked former colonial power France late last year to withdraw its troops stationed in the Sahel nation to fight jihadist groups.

"This sick desire to destabilise Niger has spread through the repositioning of all the agents of the French DGSE (intelligence services) that we chased out of our territory," he said Saturday in a two-hour interview on Niger public television to mark the 64th anniversary of the country's independence.

"They have been repositioned in Nigeria and Benin," he said, referring to a "destabilising action" carried out by "groups of subversive agents dressed in civilian clothes" and "with elements of the Beninese armed forces themselves dressed in civilian clothes".

Niger regularly accuses neighbouring Benin of harbouring "French bases", which Beninese authorities and France have always denied.

These accusations have been at the root of diplomatic disputes for months with Benin, which took a hard line in the heavy sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States after the coup.

Despite the lifting of sanctions in February, Niamey has refused to reopen its border and has cut off a pipeline that was to export crude oil via a Beninese port.

"The day we know that there is no threat from Benin, we will take the appropriate measures" to reopen the border, Tiani said.

While Niger is at odds with Benin, it has forged closer ties with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, two countries also governed by military regimes that came to power in coups.

Gathered within the confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States, the three countries could soon benefit from Niger's oil, Tiani said.
BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- With over 20 percent of its population aged over 60 and a growing public focus on health, China has committed to a "health-first strategy" that highlights disease prevention and health management.

This strategy was outlined in a key reform resolution recently adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee.

With solid progress in healthcare, the country is transitioning from primarily treating diseases to maintaining overall health.

"This transition is a common feature of medical reform and upgrades in many countries," said Gordon G. Liu, dean of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Peking University.

He noted that in an aging society, the demands for medical services are increasingly steered toward high-quality health management, chronic disease management and long-term care.

Liu said that the medical services for health management still have room for improvement in China.

To ensure the overall health for its massive population, the country needs to boost "capacities for disease monitoring and early warning, risk assessment, epidemiological investigation, testing and inspection, emergency response, and medical treatment," according to the resolution.

In recent years, the government and medical institutions have made significant progress in these areas, particularly in combating chronic diseases and forestalling epidemics.

Action plans have been issued to prevent and control four major chronic diseases that account for over 80 percent of the country's deaths. These plans propose measures such as increasing early awareness among diabetes patients to prevent disease progression, and enhancing the screening capacity for chronic respiratory diseases.

China has been offering early screening services for many prevalent cancers, covering most of the top 10 types of cancer. Nearly 200 million women have benefited from screenings for cervical and breast cancer.

Regarding epidemics, China has established a direct reporting system covering around 84,000 medical institutions. Health authorities have pledged efforts to upgrade this system to strengthen its risk monitoring capabilities.

China is also working to expand the coverage of family doctor services and long-term care insurance schemes to provide home-based care for its people.

Promoting public health entails joint efforts from various departments and requires the "coordinated development and governance of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals," as highlighted in the resolution.

This approach is derived from the successful experience of medical reform in the city of Sanming in east China's Fujian Province, which has been promoted nationwide.

Zhan Jifu, former head of Fujian provincial healthcare security bureau who spearheaded the medical reform in Sanming, believes that this collaboration helps guide medical practices to better meet the public's demand for healthier lives.

Liu said that the reform of medical insurance systems needs to go in tandem with that of medical services. "New payment methods should be explored to encourage more doctors to practice medicine and health management in communities and households rather than staying in hospitals," he added. 
The journey on a rickety propeller plane to the eastern island of Taveuni showed us some of Fijis natural riches from the air, but I was looking forward to exploring the underwater life around this South Pacific archipelago  the reefs and marine life that made it one of the worlds top destinations for divers and marine conservationists. Our port of call at the end of that first flight was Viani Bay, tucked away on the eastern spur of Fijis second island, Vanua Levu. There are no roads in or out of the horseshoe bay; all of its roughly 100 residents trek over the surrounding hills on foot or motor in and out by boat. We chose the latter, skipping over the waves from the airstrip on nearby Taveuni island at first light, a flood of moonlight giving way to vermilion, orange, and sapphire-blue skies in quick succession.
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Elsewhere on Saturday, bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent, fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast, and windows of a hotel which has been used to house migrants were smashed in Hull.
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, visits prominent experts on summer vacation in Beidaihe, a seaside resort in north China's Hebei Province, Aug. 3, 2024. Entrusted by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Cai Qi extended sincere greetings to them and all others across the country on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIDAIHE, Hebei, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official on Saturday paid a visit to prominent experts on summer vacation in Beidaihe, a seaside resort in north China's Hebei Province.

Entrusted by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, extended sincere greetings to them and all others across the country on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

It is an important institutional arrangement to annually invite exceptional experts to Beidaihe for a summer vacation. This summer, those invited are representatives from sectors including natural sciences, engineering, philosophy, social sciences, culture and arts.

Cai encouraged the experts to study and implement the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, work to make China a leading country in education, science and technology and talent, and contribute to building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. 
President Klaus Iohannis on Saturday took part in the international meeting of over 10,000 ethnic Germans, on which occasion he said that the commitment taken through the Sibiu Declaration, during the 2019 EU Summit, stays valid especially in "the difficult times we live in, with all the complex and serious problems we are facing," while referring first of all to the "the need for a strong and secure Europe", Agerpres reports.

"Five years ago, in this place, through the Sibiu Declaration of the European Council, we made a commitment, which remains as important and special today, in the difficult times we line in, with all the complex and serious problems we are facing: through the contribution of us all, through the energy of the cultural diversity that has enriched us, through solidarity and dialogue we will develop a Europe of freedom and democracy, a strong and secure Europe, a prosperous and competitive Europe," said Klaus Iohannis.

He emphasised the contribution of the German minority to the development of modern Romania."Modern Romania, founded on the vision of the elites who have enlivened all the generations of the last two hundred years, has capitalized on the efforts and work of its great personalities, among whom an important place is occupied by those from the German minority. The prestige that our country enjoys today it is also the work of all those who, preserving the memory and traditions of their ancestors, understand their responsibility to carry forward their aspirations for freedom and prosperity," concluded President Klaus Iohannis.The head of state reminded that this year is a special one for the German minority of which he is a part, because eight centuries have passed "since the enshrining of the rights of the ancestors settled in this region, colonists in search of freedom, but at the same time defenders of European civilization and of Christian values in the face of attacks coming from the East.""The Diploma of King Andrei II or the Golden Bull, as it is also called, established a complex and functional administration regime of the Saxon community, in the aspects of political, judicial, religious, economic and military life, thus generating the development of settlements, the flourishing of crafts, trade, education and the arts. When the Saxons joined the Great Union in 1919, they brought to the Romanian nation a multi-century civic experience, a rich industrial tradition and a brilliant cultural heritage with which today, we are all proud," Iohannis pointed out.President Klaus Iohannis is participating on Saturday, in Sibiu, in the International Meeting of the Saxons, to which German dignitaries, the Minister of Culture, Raluca Turcan, ambassadors were also invited.
An Outsider has disappointed us again. Shocking, isnt it? Theyre supposed to be so much smarter than we are.

Our most recent disappointment is Keisha Scarlett, whose story has been well-chronicled by my colleague Blythe Bernhard. Scarlett was hired a year ago from Seattle to run St. Louis Public Schools. She took over an academically troubled but fiscally stable system. She said she was laser-focused on student achievement, and maybe she would have gotten around to that once she cured the system of financial stability. That task took all of the laser-focus she had.

At the moment, the newly financially troubled system is being run by Millicent Borishade, one of the first, but by no means the last, of Scarletts buddy-hires, Borishade does not have a superintendents certificate in Missouri.

She inherits a system in crisis mode. It was fired by the company it paid to provide student transportation. Its new plan calls to mind Winston Churchills desperate gambit at Dunkirk: If you have a boat that can cross the Channel, please go. The school system hopes to get most of its students to the first day of school with a makeshift array of buses, vans, cabs and private vehicles. The fewer students left behind on the beach, the better.

If Borishade can match Churchill, it might buy her some time.

Otherwise, well find another Outsider.

In a bygone era, companies and organizations promoted from within. In those days, there was stability in the workforce. People found a job and kept it. If you were in management, you might someday run the place. Probably not, but a guy could dream. Women not so much.

These days, companies or institutions that need a new Big Boss can hire a national search firm to look for the best possible candidate in the entire country. Most often, the firm will come up with several names.

Whoever interviews best gets the job.

The new boss comes in at a disadvantage. Not everybody who welcomes you aboard is truly rooting for you. Your top deputy, upon whom you are supposed to rely, might be in line for your job if you stumble. No wonder so many Outsiders fail.

Plus, there is the fact that some people interview well. I mean, interviewing is their strength.

Often, the indignities of being ruled by an Outsider are subtle. A national search firm found Robert Tracy for us. It was the first time the St. Louis Police Department went outside its ranks for a chief. A search firm found three outside candidates. One refused to come here for an interview. A second resigned from his job suddenly and without explanation. The third was Tracy.

He says he is doing a fine job, and he probably is. Actually, he doesnt say it as much as David Karas says it. Karas writes Tracys press releases and op-ed essays for social media. Karas works for the police department in Delaware that Tracy used to run. Karas also got the department a new web designer from Philadelphia.

This might seem a petty gripe, but we have public relations people and web designers right here in St. Louis.

For that matter, we have a lot of Sagittariuses. Yet, under Scarlett, the school district had to go to Houston to find Phoenix Jackson, who was hired for a six-figure job to help elevate people. She promised to float between her home in Houston and her digs in St. Louis. She said that as a Sagittarius, the duality of her situation was helping center her.

I am not suggesting that our companies and organizations become totally insular. We should have broad horizons. We should hire from around the world. But why not promote from within?

David Lipman was the managing editor at this newspaper when I arrived in 1980. He ran the newsroom. He was demanding, decisive and loud. He was moved upstairs in 1992. This newspaper had always promoted from within. Lipmans top aide was the favorite to get the job, but there were two or three other editors who were in the running.

The big bosses did a startling thing. They declared that any staff member who was interested in the managing editors job would get the courtesy of an interview.

There were more than a dozen applicants. The favorites applied, of course. Then there were the line-jumpers, editors without much seniority. I could understand their thinking. Why not seize the moment? Finally, there were the surprise candidates. Joe Pollack, for instance. He was the restaurant and theater critic. He loved to eat. He loved to go to plays. He already had the seemingly perfect job. I didnt even realize he followed the news.

Also among the surprise candidates were a couple of people who had never struck me as being that interested in the whole endeavor. They did their jobs without much comment. They were competent but not passionate. Or so I thought. I had worked with them for years but didnt really know them. Running a newspaper is an intense job.

It was exhilarating.

I think the Big Bosses were unprepared for the widespread interest. They backed off and hired a national search firm. Part of the allure of that, of course, is you can fall in love with a perfect candidate. Hiring from within is not so exciting. You know the strengths of a person, but you also know his or her weaknesses. The national search led to a journalist from North Carolina.

He never fit in here. He spent most of his time in his office. He used to go back to North Carolina on the weekends.

Looking back, we missed a moment.

Maybe the school district could learn from our mistake. Somewhere inside the district is a person who already knows the players, knows the problems. Maybe he or she does not have the right certificate but could get a provisional one. Things can be worked out.

We need to lose some of our humility. Outsiders are not necessarily smarter than we are. Or to be more humble about it, they are not less dumb.
This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2024 shows the beach area near the Lido Beach hotel in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. Somali leaders on Saturday called on security agencies to remain vigilant following a brutal attack by al-Shabab fighters at the popular beachside hotel in Mogadishu Friday night. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)

MOGADISHU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Somali leaders on Saturday called on security agencies to remain vigilant following a brutal attack by al-Shabab fighters at a popular beachside hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Friday night.

The attack by a suicide bomber targeting Lido Beach View, the hotel, left at least 35 people dead and 126 others wounded, according to Police spokesperson Abdifitah Aden Hassan.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre convened an emergency security meeting in Mogadishu in the wake of the vicious attack.

The president who received a briefing on how the terrorists breached the security at Lido Beach wished speedy recovery of those who were injured and are hospitalized.

"The terrorist attack on Lido Beach shows the brutality of al-Shabab and their hostility towards Somali people. The government is committed to eradicating this group from the whole country," Mohamud said in a statement issued in Mogadishu after the emergency meeting.

He said that the success in the war against terrorism depends on the support and cooperation of the Somali people. The president called on the people to cooperate with the security agencies while uniting to eradicate al-Shahab from the country.

The latest attack for which the al-Shabab extremist group claimed responsibility on their official pro-Shabab radio, claiming they killed 54 people, began at 10 p.m., local time, Friday when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the Lido Beach View.

Five other attackers stormed the area where many residents were either eating, swimming or walking.

Aden, the police spokesman, said security forces later battled the fighters and killed all the attackers at the scene and captured another one who was driving a car laden with explosives.

According to Aden, one soldier was killed and another sustained injuries during the exchange of fire.

Prime Minister Barre described the attack as a barbaric atrocity fundamentally contradictory to the cherished values of religion and culture upheld by the Somali people. He urged the unified support of the people with the victims and ongoing emergency operations in the aftermath of this tragic incident. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased while offering prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, strongly condemned the heinous attack on the popular hangout spot surrounded by striking beach hotels and restaurants, which are a favorite for many Somalis.

IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift and full recovery to those injured.

"We denounce this barbaric act of terror in the strongest terms. Such cowardly attacks will not undermine the resolve of the Somali government, its resilient people, or the region at large. Instead, it will strengthen our collective determination to rebuild Somalia and eliminate the scourge of terrorism," Workneh said in a statement.

The militants have in the past carried out attacks on several beachside restaurants along the Lido beach in Mogadishu, the recent attack last year resulted in the death of more than ten people.

Analysts say the attack on popular beach resorts by al-Shabab militants confirmed the terrorist network is determined to reassert its authority in the Somalia capital after it was weakened by African Union troops. 

This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2024 shows the beach area near the Lido Beach hotel in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. Somali leaders on Saturday called on security agencies to remain vigilant following a brutal attack by al-Shabab fighters at the popular beachside hotel in Mogadishu Friday night. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)
JENNINGS  A teen was charged Thursday with murder, nearly seven months after prosecutors said he shot another teen in a field in Jennings.

St. Louis County officers found Jaimarcus P. McDaniel of the 1800 block of North 44th Street in East St. Louis lying face down, dead in the snow riddled with multiple bullet wounds.

The 17-year-old victim had been driven from his residence in Illinois to a site in Jennings in the early hours of January 6, investigators said. Prosecutors believe 17-year-old Corey Brinkley of the 600 block of North 22nd Street in East St. Louis shot him.

Brinkley is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action and will be prosecuted as an adult. He is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.

Three other teenagers were also in the car driving to Jennings, investigators said. One was a girl, and the other two were boys. Brinkley and the boys walked McDaniel to an open field, where they shot him eight times, including twice in the head, prosecutors said.

St. Louis County Courts spokesperson Tracy Panus said the teenagers have not been charged at this time. Investigators have provided no motive for the crime.

A witness told police that all four juveniles were at the scene. Investigators have also linked the ballistic evidence in the field to the juvenile boys. License plate recognition cameras showed the car traveled to and from Jennings within 35 minutes.

Its crazy how everything changed in that little time, said Montez McDaniel, Jaimarcus McDaniels 16-year-old brother.

Montez said the boys allegedly involved in the incident were his brothers classmates. He said Jaimarcus was always too trusting. He said he and the family had warned him about his classmates in the past when he became too friendly with them.

Weve known them for too long for them to do him like that, he said.

Montez said hes looking forward to the ruling.

Once they get caught, theyre gonna learn. I got patience, so I can wait.
ST. LOUIS  Michael Butler, the citys recorder of deeds, is running for mayor.

He said in a statement Friday that hes heard concerns about the direction of the city from the people who live and work here, and seen a need for visionary leadership that can restore faith in government.

We need to address our most important issues head-on and place crime, growing our local economy, and basic city services on the front burner, every day, he said.

And the former state representative and erstwhile head of the Missouri Democratic Party said he has what it takes to do that.

My record of public service demonstrates my capabilities in managing difficult problems and solving them, he said.

Butlers entry into the race makes him the third candidate to declare so far this cycle.

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and Alderwoman Cara Spencer both announced in late spring, seemingly cementing a re-run of the 2021 contest, when Jones defeated Spencer by 4 percentage points.

Rosetta Okohson, Jones campaign manager, said her team welcomed Butler to the race along with anyone else thinking about running. She said she was not worried.

If I was, I wouldnt tell you, she said. But Im not.

Spencer could not be reached for comment.

Regardless, observers said Butler could shake things up.

Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, of downtown, said Butler, a Black man, might go after some of Jones support in north St. Louis.

And a campaign focused on bread-and-butter issues like crime and city services could resonate with voters on both sides of the city who feel Jones hasnt done enough about their concerns.

It could make for an interesting race, Aldridge said.

Others, like Ed Rhode, a former top aide to Mayor Francis G. Slay, noted that Butler starts without much money.

The last time he reported a balance in his campaign account was in September 2023, when it was just over $5,000. Subsequent quarterly filings with the state have reported limited activity  meaning that his campaign committee has not received or spent more than $500 during that period.

Meanwhile, Jones campaign boasted $165,807 in cash on hand as of June 30, and Spencers had $112,704.

Mr. Butlers message is one that should resonate well with city voters, Rhode said. I think his biggest challenge could be raising the necessary resources to get that message out.

The mayoral primary is set for March 4. The top two vote-getters in the primary will proceed to a run-off on April 8.
WASHINGTON  Buoyed by an increase in recruiting, the Army will expand its basic combat training in what its leaders hope reflects a turning point as it prepares to meet the challenges of future wars.

The added training will begin in October and comes as the Army tries to reverse years of dismal recruiting when it failed to meet its enlistment goals. New units in Oklahoma and Missouri will train as many as 4,000 recruits every year.

Army leaders are optimistic they will hit their target of 55,000 recruits this year and say the influx of new soldiers forced them to increase the number of training sites.

I am happy to say last years recruiting transformation efforts have us on track to make this years recruiting mission, with thousands awaiting basic training in the next year, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said. Adding the two new locations, she said, is a way to get the soldiers trained and into units quickly, with further expansion likely next spring if our recruiting numbers keep improving.

The expanded training is part of a broader effort to restructure the Army so it is better able to fight against a sophisticated adversary such as Russia or China. The U.S. military spent much of the past two decades battling insurgent groups in Iraq and Afghanistan rather than fighting a broader war with another high-tech, more capable nation.

Brig. Gen. Jenn Walkawicz, head of operations for the Armys Training and Doctrine Command, said there will be two new training companies at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and two at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Driving the growth is the successful Future Soldier Prep Course, which was created at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in August 2022 as a new way to bolster enlistments. That program gives lower-performing recruits up to 90 days of academic or fitness instruction to help them meet military standards and move on to basic training.

Created two years ago, the program has been cited as a key reason Army leaders expect that this fall they will reverse several years of recruiting shortfalls. In the budget year that ended Sept. 30, the Army brought in a bit more than 50,000 recruits, falling far short of the publicly stated stretch goal of 65,000.

The Army has 151 training companies overall that work with recruits at Fort Jackson and Fort Moore, Georgia, in addition to the 15 training companies assigned to the prep course. Army leaders have expanded the prep course, which is expected to bring in nearly 20,000 recruits this budget year and that total is expected to spike in 2025.

Due to the Army's recruiting struggles, the number of recruits going through basic training dropped in recent years. As a result, the 15 training units, which total 27 soldiers each, including 16 drill sergeants, were available for the prep course. But as the prep course grows, those units are not available to do basic training.

We dont want to mess with that because right now that formulas working and its provided a lot of value for the Army," Walkawicz said. So, the Army is creating the four new companies and has developed plans for more if needed.

She added that Fort Sill and Fort Leonard Wood have the infrastructure, the barracks and the room to accommodate the new units and could take more if needed. The costs of the program are limited because the Army already had the equipment and rooms required, but there will be maintenance, food, staffing and other costs. Army officials did not provide a total price.

The move to add units is the latest change in what has been a tumultuous time for the Army. Coming out of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, when the service grew dramatically to fill the nation's combat needs, the U.S. military began to see recruiting dip.

Unemployment has been low, corporate jobs pay well and offer good benefits, and, according to estimates, just 23% of people age 17 to 24 are physically, mentally and morally qualified to serve without receiving some type of waiver. Moral behavior issues include drug use, gang ties or a criminal record.

Those problems were only amplified as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, preventing recruiters from meting with students in person at schools, fairs and other public events.

In 2022, the Army fell 15,000 short of its enlistment goal of 60,000, and the other services had to dig deep into their pools of delayed entry candidates in order to meet their recruiting numbers. Then in 2023, the Army, Navy and Air Force all missed their recruitment targets. The Marine Corps and the tiny Space Force have consistently hit their goals.

Partly in response to the recruiting shortfalls, Army leaders slashed the size of the force by about 24,000, or almost 5%. They said many of the cuts were in already vacant jobs.
The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota transits Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on June 20, 2024, as it begins sea trials after undergoing a two-year maintenance period. (Claudia LaMantia/U.S. Navy)

The Navy will beef up its submarine squadron on Guam in the coming months by homeporting one of the services most advanced fast-attack subs there.

The Virginia-class USS Minnesota is expected to arrive in the U.S. territory sometime during the next fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, Lt. Cmdr. Rick Moore, a spokesperson for U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, said by email Friday.

We are committed to posturing our most capable platforms to preserve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, he wrote. Although I am unable to discuss specifics at this time, the Navy routinely assesses its overseas force positioning, to include forward-deployed naval force submarines homeported in Guam.

USS Minnesota, which was commissioned in 2013, is currently homeported at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. In early July, it completed a two-year maintenance overhaul at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Hawaii.

Guam is of growing importance to the Pentagons Indo-Pacific strategy as China continues to expand its Navy and its ambitions in the region.

The U.S. territory is home to Andersen Air Force Base, Naval Base Guam and Camp Blaz, a massive Marine Corps base still under construction.

The island would serve as a crucial hub in the event of a conflict with China because it is the westernmost American territory and closest to the South China Sea, a flashpoint in the region.

The nuclear-powered Virginia-class subs will eventually replace the Navys aging fleet of Cold War-era Los Angeles-class vessels.

Virginia-class subs are designed for a greater range of missions, with an emphasis on littoral operations, according to a Navy fact sheet. They support a host of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The subs are designed so that their torpedo rooms can be reconfigured to hold a large number of special operations forces and their equipment during extended deployments.

Guam was homeport to five Los Angeles-class submarines for most of 2022, a group that included USS Annapolis, USS Jefferson City, USS Asheville, USS Springfield and USS Key West.

In early 2023, however, the Key West headed back to the U.S. mainland after 35 years of service in the fleet and awaits decommissioning.
Project lead Tony Hare, bottom left, with museum specialist Jay Flanagan, who is removing paper from the IL-2. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

In 1944, a Russian IL-2 warplane was shot down by the Germans near the town of Pustoshka in the western Soviet Union. It crash-landed on a frozen lake. And when the ice melted, the plane sank to the bottom, where it sat for more than 40 years.

Last month, the body of that rugged airplane, rebuilt and freshly painted with camouflage and red stars, gleamed under the lights of a cleaning room in a Smithsonian restoration hangar outside Washington.

Thats her, Tony Hare, who is leading the project to restore the plane, said as he stood before the aircraft.

Eighty years after it was downed in World War II and 4,000 miles from where it helped drive back the German invasion of Soviet Russia, the Smithsonian said, the Ilyushin IL-2 is being readied for a historic debut at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.

When it goes on display in about two years, it will be the first World War II Russian airplane to go on exhibit since the museum opened in 1976, Smithsonian officials said. The museum has had the plane for more than 25 years but has never been able to display it.

The Air and Space Museum, on the National Mall in downtown Washington, has been undergoing an extensive renovation since 2018. Much of the museum is open, but the World War II gallery has been closed. It is expected to reopen, with the IL-2, around 2026.

Theres very few of these complete IL-2s existing left in the world, curator Alex Spencer said in an interview at the museums Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, near Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va. Its a handful. I think its a dozen or less. The plane is not flyable.

The project comes as Russia is engaged in a new war in Ukraine, which it invaded on a large scale in 2022 and continues to attack with missiles, drones and aircraft. The United States and European countries have condemned the invasion and provided weapons and other support to Ukraine.

But in World War II, Soviet Russia was allied with the United States and other powers against Nazi Germany, and the IL-2 was a big part of that struggle, Smithsonian experts said. The plane was used to attack enemy forces on the ground with machine guns, rockets and bombs.

More than 30,000 IL-2s were built during the war, Spencer said, and it is thought to be the most widely produced airplane of the conflict.

A World War II-era Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik that is being restored, at the Smithsonians Udvar-Hazy Center. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) A machine gun from the plane being restored. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) Blueprints and photos of the IL-2. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

Although the back of the plane was made of wood, the front had thick steel armor, and the Russians called it the flying tank.

And although Russian IL-2s suffered heavy losses, they were deadly foes of German ground forces.

They killed a lot of Nazis, said Jay Flanagan, a Smithsonian museum specialist who rebuilt the wooden section of the plane.

The restorers said they had no qualms about working on a Russian aircraft, given the war in Ukraine. Its all history, said Hare, the project lead. We dont deal with politics. This is an artifact.

Our biggest worry, I think, was ... were we going to be told, no, we cant work on it, Spencer said. That was not the case.

But because of the war, the restorers have been unable to contact experts in Russia for advice, he said.

A single email asking a question as to whats this piece do, or how should this look, or how should we assemble something - we cant ask those questions anymore, he said. I dont think their government wants us talking to them.

The IL-2 is a big beast of an airplane, Spencer said. The aluminum wings, which are being kept in a separate storage room, will be reattached next month, he said.

The front half of the body is steel. Every time you try to do something, it hurts you, said Hare. This plane bites you constantly. Ive got so many scars and dings. I even got one today.

The steel was to protect the pilot. The pilot was surrounded in armor, Hare said, adding, but the poor gunner in the back didnt have anything. The rear wooden section provided little protection.

They replaced a lot of gunners, Hare said.

The Smithsonian acquired the plane from the Russians through a broker in 1995 in exchange for two old American helicopters that are not flyable. We had this aircraft on our list of planes from World War II that we wanted, Spencer said.

He said the plane had been found in the lake in the 1990s near the town of Pustoshka. There was heavy fighting around Pustoshka in the winter of 1944 as the Soviet army pushed the Germans back, according to newspaper reports.

The story that we have was the pilot and the gunner walked away after the downing, Spencer said. The plane landed on a solid lake surface during the wintertime ... and then when the spring thaw took place, the plane just went down to the bottom.

When it was recovered, it was taken to St. Petersburg and restored by the Russians, he said. After the Smithsonian acquisition, the museum put the plane in storage, where it sat for 26 years.

Other things and other priorities were always taking place, Spencer said. That happens with a lot of our aircraft. With the new World War II gallery underway, the team had a chance to restore the plane.

But when they began, the team discovered that the wooden part of the plane that the Russians had restored decades before was falling apart. So it was scrapped, and Flanagan, the museum specialist, meticulously rebuilt it over many months, using Russian blueprints and 1,700 individual pieces of wood.

I built this exactly as the Russians did, he said. Exactly.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas testifies at a House Judiciary Committee hearing in July, 2023. According to reports on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, DHS put on hold a humanitarian program that admits 360,000 people each year from Haiti, Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela due to allegations of fraud. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The Biden administration said Friday that it has paused a humanitarian program that admits up to 360,000 people a year from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba into the United States to work or seek asylum so officials can investigate possible fraud.

The Department of Homeland Security said it had put the program on hold for the 30,000 new applicants who are allowed in each month.

DHS takes any abuse of its processes very seriously, spokeswoman Erin Heeter said in a statement. Out of an abundance of caution, DHS has temporarily paused the issuance of advanced travel authorizations for new beneficiaries while it undertakes a review of supporter applications. DHS will restart application processing as quickly as possible, with appropriate safeguards.

Officials declined to answer detailed questions about the investigation, which was first reported by Fox News.

The program, known as parole, is a critical part of the administrations strategy to reduce illegal crossings at the southern border, by encouraging migrants from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba to find a sponsor in the United States and undergo background checks before booking flights to U.S. airports, allowing them to bypass the border.

Since the program was created more than a year ago, illegal entries from all four countries have declined, with steep drops especially in numbers from Haiti, Nicaragua and Cuba. The program began in 2023 for the three countries and in 2022 for Venezuela.

The migrants U.S. sponsors, who file applications to bring them to the United States, must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents or have a temporary status, such as other people who have been paroled into the country.

Sponsors also must clear background checks and prove that they have enough money to receive and support the people they are sponsoring, according to DHS.

Once they arrive, migrants are generally eligible to apply for work permits and, if they are fleeing persecution at home, potentially to stay permanently.

DHS officials emphasized that the hundreds of thousands of migrants already admitted into the United States through the program have been thoroughly screened and vetted prior to their arrival.

Officials said that the department has not identified security concerns with people who have been admitted and that those who are currently in the country under the program, or soon to arrive with travel authorization, will not be affected by the pause.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will investigate the allegations and refer possible criminal cases to the Justice Department, officials said.

Republicans have criticized the program for allowing in thousands of people who otherwise lacked legal authorization to enter the country.

Shut it down permanently, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote Friday on X. This program should have never existed in the first place.The Biden administration said Friday the government has paused a humanitarian program that admits up to 360,000 people a year from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba into the United States to work or seek asylum, after an internal report indicated possible fraud.

The Department of Homeland Security said it had put the program on hold for the 30,000 new applicants who are allowed in each month, while it institutes additional security screenings for the U.S.-based residents who sponsor them.

DHS takes any abuse of its processes very seriously, spokeswoman Erin Heeter said in a statement.

Out of an abundance of caution, DHS has temporarily paused the issuance of advanced travel authorizations for new beneficiaries while it undertakes a review of supporter applications. DHS will restart application processing as quickly as possible, with appropriate safeguards, she said.

The program, known as parole, is a critical part of the administrations strategy to reduce illegal crossings at the southern border, by encouraging migrants from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba to find a sponsor in the United States to apply to bring them into the country. Migrants typically are granted permission to stay and work for up to two years.

DHS has not identified security concerns with the almost 500,000 people from the four countries who already have been admitted through the program, after clearing background checks, and they will not be affected by the pause, officials said.

The department stopped processing new applications around mid-July after an internal report flagged concerns about U.S.-based sponsors, who include citizens and permanent residents as well as immigrants in the country temporarily, according to two DHS officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

Officials said the unpublished report revealed possible problems, such as multiple applications from a single sponsor, that led authorities to temporarily stop processing applications and to institute additional screening protocols. Applications for parole are still being accepted online, but they are not being approved for now.

DHS did not say how long the program will remain paused, a decision first reported by Fox News.

We dont expect it to last long, one of the officials said.

The Biden administration started the parole programs in 2022 for Venezuela, and last year for the three other countries to provide a legal pathway for migrants to enter the United States instead of making dangerous treks to the southern border. The program admits migrants at U.S. airports, and officials credit it with leading to a sharp decline in illegal border crossings.

Federal officials called the program an immediate success in a court filing last month.

The program requires a U.S. sponsor to apply to bring someone into the country. Sponsors and migrants must clear background checks, and sponsors must agree to financially support people admitted on humanitarian parole.

Republican lawmakers and others have raised concerns about vetting and the programs high approval rate - which hovered around 98 percent in its first year, court records show.

On Friday they called for the program to end after the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, a group that favors sharp reductions in legal and illegal immigration, alleged that fraud was widespread.

Shut it down permanently, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote on X. This program should have never existed in the first place.

Rep. Mark Green, (R-Tenn.), chairman of the House Homeland Security committee, said in a statement that the DHS pause vindicates every warning we have ever issued about the parole program.

FAIR said in a statement that it had obtained a copy of the government report on the program that showed sponsors filed applications using fake Social Security Numbers, including those belonging to dead people, false phone numbers and multiple applications from the same address.

Some parole applications were filed from a mobile park home, a warehouse, and a storage unit, they said.

Federal officials said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigates allegations of fraud and refers possible criminal cases to the Justice Department. Some people could face deportation in the civil immigration courts.

Republican officials from 21 states filed a lawsuit in January 2023 to end the program, citing the costs to states to provide services for the newcomers. In March, a federal judge in Texas rejected their lawsuit, noting that the program had reduced illegal crossings.

The case is under appeal.
U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria and local community members celebrate the weekend with the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany  The Bavarian community kicked off their Friday with the 63rd German-American Volksfest inviting people of all ages to celebrate this hybrid-cultured community with fair rides, food and plenty of fun.

This three-day public festival is welcoming thousands of community members to immerse themselves in an array of family-friendly activities from dancing to bumper cars and everything in between.

The event is free to enter and is accessible with shuttle services both on and off post.

Two U.S. Army Military Police members took a quick break from their rounds to interact with festival vendors at the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A local family takes a tour of a military vehicle at the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A local family takes a tour of a military vehicle at the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A local community member DJs at one of the food and beer tents at the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) The American Forces Networks mascot took to celebrating the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) USAG Bavaria and local community members celebrated the weekend with the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A local family takes a tour of a military vehicle at the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A local family takes a tour of a military vehicle at the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A U.S. Army solider demonstrates a harness system on a static helicopter at the 63rd Annual German-American Volksfest on Camp Algiers, Grafenwoehr, Germany from August 2-4, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

The 63rd Volksfest will conclude this Sunday evening and encourages family and friends to enjoy the attractions while they last.
BEIRUT, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed grave concern over possible regional escalation as Hezbollah and the Israeli army clashed violently on Friday along the border.

According to anonymous Lebanese military sources, a fierce exchange of fire broke out between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, involving heavy machine gun fire, artillery and missile shelling, and there are no reports of casualties yet.

Israeli drones and warplanes launched nine raids on seven towns and villages in southern Lebanon and three raids on areas in Hermel, Al-Qasr, and the Matraba crossing on the Lebanese-Syrian border in the east of the country, said the sources.

"The Lebanese army positions monitored the launch of about 50 surface-to-surface missiles from the Lebanese side to Israel in three separate batches, and the Israeli Iron Dome missiles intercepted some of them," the sources added.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced on Friday the targeting of Israeli positions in the Western Galilee with Katyusha missiles and the positions of Al-Raheb, Al-Marj, Bayad Blida, and Al-Samaqa.

The party said it fired an air defense missile at an Israeli warplane flying in the airspace of the western region of the south, causing the plane to redirect towards the airspace of occupied Palestine.

Also on Friday, Mikati cautioned that the regional situation may face escalation and potentially lead to spillover risks.

He made the remarks during his visit to the Lebanese army headquarters to mark the 79th Army Day, which falls on Aug. 1 each year.

According to a statement issued by his office, Mikati pointed to the "worrying regional developments that signal an increase in the level of danger and its expansion from one region to another" during the visit.

"Our people in the south, the Bekaa, and in the southern suburb of Beirut, are still facing Israeli attacks that have left hundreds of martyrs and wounded citizens, soldiers and resistance fighters, and displaced families who lost their homes and their properties were burned," said the prime minister.

"We affirm our right to defend our land, sovereignty, and dignity by all available means, and there is no hesitation in this option, no matter how great the sacrifices are," he added.

Mikati noted that "we have informed our sister and friendly countries that we are advocates of peace and not war, and we seek permanent stability by recovering the occupied parts of our dear south."

Tensions escalated along the border region between Israel and Lebanon as an Israeli drone fired on Tuesday evening three missiles at a position near the Shura Council of Hezbollah in Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs, killing Fouad Shokor, Hezbollah's top military commander, and seven civilians.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has threatened a definite and painful response to the Israeli raid at the appropriate time and place. 
Mourners attend a funeral on July 28, 2024 in Majdal Shams, Golan Heights, held for 10 of the victims of a rocket attack that killed 12 young people on a football pitch in this Druze Arab community. Israel blamed the militant group Hezbollah, with which it has been regularly exchanging fire across the Lebanese border, although the group denied responsibility. (Amir Levy/Getty Images/TNS)

Israeli defense officials say they are coordinating with the U.S. and U.K. ahead of an expected strike by Iran, setting the stage for a repeat of a similar attack by Tehran in April that was repelled by allies.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement Friday that he spoke with his American and British counterparts, Lloyd Austin and John Healey, and provided a situational assessment in light of recent security developments.

Fear has risen of a spillover from the nearly 10-month Israel-Hamas war in Gaza as Iran threatened retaliation for the assassination in Tehran this week of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Iran-backed group.

A similar spike in tensions about four months ago saw Iran and Israel trade direct fire for the first time. Almost 300 Iranian drones and missiles were fired but most were destroyed by air defenses from Israel, the US and several allies. Israels drone strike in response was contained and appeared symbolic to avoid escalation.

This time, Irans response may be more fierce, given the embarrassment of having a foreign dignitary and top ally assassinated in the heart of its capital. Among its options are another direct assault on Israel, stepped-up attacks by its proxies in the region or hitting Israeli targets elsewhere in the world.

Austin, who earlier this week reiterated that the U.S. certainly will help defend Israel if attacked, spoke with Gallant and is weighing moves to reinforce Americas presence in the region, the Pentagon said Friday. White House spokesman John Kirby said earlier in a CNN interview that the Pentagon is ensuring it has the right resources and capabilities in the region, including both equipment and personnel.

Israel has stopped short of confirming it was behind killing Haniyeh, but it hasnt pushed back against the claim either. His death also came hours after Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, Fuad Shukr.

President Joe Biden on Thursday assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of new defensive US military deployments, the White House said in a statement. Biden later told reporters he also pressed the Israeli leader in a very direct call to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza with Hamas.

Biden is trying to use his last months in office to end the war, which has caused huge political divisions in the U.S. Hes struggled to influence Netanyahus war strategy, seeking to pressure him publicly and privately but declining to use as leverage the billions of dollars in US military aid.

Meeting with senior leaders across the region, including today in Israel, we urged all sides to show restraint and dial down the tension at this critical moment, UKs Healey said in a statement. We also need to see an immediate cease-fire, hostages released and aid getting in in sufficient quantity to alleviate the suffering in Gaza.

While the destruction and death toll among Palestinians in Gaza has drawn international criticism of Israel, Netanyahu has focused on the existential threat to his country and the region from Iran and its proxies in the so-called Axis of Resistance, which includes Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both designated terrorist organizations by the US, as well as the Houthis in Yemen.

Netanyahu referred to the coordinated April defense in a controversial speech last week to a joint meeting of the US Congress, calling it a possible template for a NATO-accord he termed the Abraham Alliance.

Gallant in his statement Friday said he emphasized the importance of establishing a coalition in Israels defense against Irans proxies.

With assistance from Jordan Fabian, Alex Wickham and Peter Martin.

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Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Palestinians gather at a makeshift market set up along a street devastated by Israeli bombardment in the town of Bani Suhayla near Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 17, 2024. (Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) (Bashar Taleb/AFP)

(Tribune News Service)  An Israeli delegation led by the countrys intelligence chief visited Egypt, seeking to make progress on long-stalled talks over a possible Gaza truce, but returned with no immediate sign of a breakthrough.

Saturdays visit was aimed at pursuing negotiations for a cease-fire in the almost 10-month-old war with Hamas, which could free some hostages held by the Iran-backed militant group, Israeli officials said, asking not to be identified citing the sensitivity of the matter.

The delegation returned to Israel later in the day, one of the officials said, without providing details.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office, which oversees Mossad, did not comment on the trip by David Barnea, the spy agencys director. Authorities in Egypt, which has acted as a key mediator in Israel-Hamas negotiations, werent available for comment.

On Friday, Netanyahus office said Israel and Hamas remained divided over what a possible cease-fire would look like.

The proposed arrangement, which is backed by the U.S., could help reduce the scale of reprisals that Hamas, its ally Hezbollah and their sponsor Iran have threatened for the killing this week of senior militants in Beirut and Tehran.

But Israels demonstration of willingness to return to cease-fire talks also is a bold move because Iran and its proxies blame it for killing a top negotiator for their side.

Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian factions political leader, was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran this week. Both Hamas and the Islamic Republic have blamed Israel for Haniyehs assassination.

Israel hasnt acknowledged responsibility for his death, though it has vowed since the outset of the war to destroy the militant groups leadership.

Opposing demands

Israel maintains its forces should remain stationed along the border that separates the Palestinian enclave from neighboring Egypt even after a possible truce deal with Hamas. The Jewish state also demands the creation of a mechanism to prevent Hamas fighters from returning to northern Gaza.

Another sticking point is the number of hostages to be released by the group, which is believed to be holding over 100 people captive. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping around 250 others.

The militant group wants any truce deal to eventually bring to an end the war in Gaza, where more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war, according to Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel has been on alert for a sharp escalation of tensions with Iran and the militant groups backed by Tehran following this weeks assassinations. Hezbollah has pledged to retaliate after Israel assassinated Fuad Shukr, a senior commander of the militant group, in Lebanon on Tuesday.

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The Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye on July 16, 2024. (U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday ordered additional warships, including destroyers and cruisers, and an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East to bolster defenses as the region braces for a potential attack from Iran in retaliation for the killing of a Hamas leader.

To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, the secretary has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group currently on deployment in the [U.S.] Central Command area of responsibility, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said in a statement announcing the additional forces.

In addition to destroyers and cruisers, the Pentagon is also taking steps to increase its readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defenses. Austin also ordered the deployment of an additional fighter squadron to the region, Singh said.

The decision to move U.S. forces comes ahead of an anticipated Iranian attack in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden on Thursday discussed U.S. efforts to support Israels defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, with Israels Prime Minister Netanyahu, the White House reported. The discussion included the possibility of new defensive U.S. military deployments.

Austin also spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday morning about possible changes to U.S. forces in the region.

Weve got to make sure weve got the right resources and capabilities in the region, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said earlier Friday during an interview with CNN.

Israel had pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the militant groups Oct. 7 surprise attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. The strike came just after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Irans new president in Tehran and hours after Israel targeted a top commander in Irans ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

Weve heard the supreme leader loud and clear that he intends to avenge this killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran and that they want to conduct another attack on Israel, Kirby said.

Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones against Israel on April 13 in retaliation for an airstrike in Syria that killed a top Iranian general. U.S. officials are reporting the anticipated Iranian attack could be similar or larger than the one on April 13, including coordination with Iranian proxy forces.

The Pentagon announced in June that the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group would deploy for a scheduled training exercise in the Indo-Pacific region before arriving in the Middle East. The Washington Post reported the Roosevelt was in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday with six U.S. destroyers  the USS Cole, the USS John S. McCain, the USS Daniel Inouye, the USS Russell, the USS Michael Murphy and the USS Laboon.

The USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group is in the Eastern Mediterranean on a regularly scheduled deployment.
Vice President Kamala Harris listens during a virtual roundtable with representatives from Guatemalan community-based organizations on April 27, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg)

Kamala Harris effort to tackle the root causes of migration is now one of her biggest liabilities as she seeks the presidency.

As vice president she had a broad, if ambitious, mandate to tackle problems contributing to a surge in migration from Central America to the US: Fight corruption; lure investment and strengthen the rule of law. Promote human rights and battle organized crime.

Three years later, theres little to show for the effort, even if it was never intended to put an immediate halt to emigration. Before President Joe Biden issued an executive order in June to limit asylum claims, resulting in a slowdown in newcomers at the border, arrivals from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador - the three countries known as the Northern Triangle that Harris focused on - had fluctuated, falling in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 before rising in the first few months of this year.

That failure, as critics see it, has dogged Harris since she became her partys presumptive nominee for president in this years election. Polling in swing states by Bloomberg News and Morning Consult has shown immigration is the No. 2 most important issue to voters, behind only the economy. Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance have already sought to hammer Harris on the issue.

To the extent that the policy was meant to stem migration flows, we still have very significant flows of immigrants from those countries, said Risa Grais-Targow, director for Latin America at Eurasia Group. Efforts at promoting transparency in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador sometimes strained ties with their leaders, ultimately pushing the administration to prioritize investment rather than the plans other objectives, she said.

When Harris was assigned the responsibility in June 2021 amid a jump in emigration from Central America, the idea was to make fundamental fixes to the countries civic framework in a bid to make life better and lessen locals desire to leave for the US. This would show moderates that the border was a priority, while avoiding upsetting progressives who were horrified at harsh crackdowns during the Trump administration.

Harris supporters point out that her mandate was limited to three countries, not a broad remit to fix a broken immigration system. They say her accomplishments were significant, arguing the measures will pay dividends for years to come. Outward migration has declined in locations where the strategy has successfully attracted companies and created jobs, and foreign direct investment has risen in the region due in part to White House efforts to encourage private investments, proponents say.

And they highlight how difficult the job was in the first place: Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are all developing countries with volatile politics, and Harris backers say critics are naive to suggest decades-old problems like endemic corruption or a lack of judicial transparency could be swiftly and easily solved.

She managed to mobilize and connect with the private sector, said Jordi Amaral, a researcher who runs Migration Brief, a newsletter that tracks the subject. At the end of the day though, the Root Causes Strategy was always a long-term deal - this was never going to slow migration in the short term.

The White House announced this year that it had cemented $5.2 billion in investment pledges for the region from companies including Meta Platforms, Nestle and Target. Thats equivalent to more than 3% of the countries combined gross domestic product.

But participating organizations had deployed only $1 billion as of September 2023, according to a State Department report to Congress.

In reality, very little has materialized. It was more of an image thing, an expression of political support, said Paulo de Leon, the director of Guatemala City-based business consultancy Central America Business Intelligence.

The White House acknowledges investment has been slower than initially hoped for. It says the Partnership for Central America has created more than 20,000 jobs, led to 160,000 bank accounts being opened and connected 2 million people to the internet in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

While the Root Causes Strategy included broad efforts to strengthen government integrity and the rule of law, its hard to identify specific achievements in that arena.

Last year, the US helped lead efforts to uphold election results in Guatemala following attempts by local prosecutors overturn them. This year, a US delegation visited Guatemala to advise its government on good governance, improving infrastructure and antitrust law. Military officials from US Southern Command visited Honduras last year to discuss security cooperation. The United States Agency for International Development has also launched food and education programs in Central America to reduce malnutrition and keep kids in school.

Those initiatives have yet to yield much in the way of concrete results, and by some measures democracy has actually retreated in the region. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has used a state of emergency to undertake mass arrests of violent criminals, suspending civil liberties like freedom of assembly in the process. Honduras followed Bukeles lead when President Xiomara Castro embarked on a similar campaign in late 2022. In Guatemala, President Bernardo Arevalo has pledged to add 12,000 recruits to the countrys police force over the next four years.

Its crucial for US government to engage in initiatives that democratize the economies in the region, not just investment, said Ana Maria Mendez Dardon, Central America director at the human rights research group Washington Office on Latin America.

Perhaps the most successful business initiative fostered under the program involved the auto-parts maker Yazaki North America, which signed Harris pledge. In 2023, the firm opened a $10 million factory in northern Guatemala making wiring harnesses used by Ford, General Motors and BMW. The factory hired 1,000 people in its initial stage.

Still, Republicans have hit at Biden, and now Harris, on the more than 8 million recorded crossings between ports of entry since Trump left office. GOP officials have advocated for a border crackdown but have blocked legislative efforts, including this years bipartisan Senate proposal, that would have directed new funding to the border.

Their messaging has been effective, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll of swing-state voters. When asked who they trusted more to handle immigration, 53% of respondents favored Trump, compared with just 37% for Harris.

Harris, the daughter of immigrants, has pushed back in the early days of her presidential campaign, pledging at a rally in Georgia this week to find bipartisan agreement on the US-Mexico border.

As president, I will bring back the border security bill that Donald Trump killed and I will sign it into law and show Donald Trump what real leadership looks like, Harris said in Atlanta.

Her campaign has signaled she would allow Bidens executive order limiting asylum claims to stand. But Harris herself has distanced herself from the policy - she wasnt at its announcement, didnt put out a statement and has declined comment this week on whether it will continue.

Trump, for his part, has pledged to lead the largest deportation effort in the nations history and redirect local police to aid in border control. He has also vowed to complete the construction of the border wall that he ran on in 2016. A common fixture of his stump speech equates undocumented migrants with criminals and asserts that they are poisoning the blood of the country.

One critical question is how much help the next US president will get from Mexico, which has stepped up its own enforcement measures to reduce the number of migrants arriving at the US border. Much of the effort has been concentrated in the south, near Mexicos border with Guatemala, where authorities bolstered highway checkpoints.

Mexico also rounded up migrants in the north and bused them south, setting back their journeys. Authorities have increased monitoring of freight trains in a bid to prevent migrants from jumping aboard.

President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum takes power in October, but so far theres little sign that her approach will be different from her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. In June, she met with White House Homeland Security Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall and discussed migration among other topics.

For all the effort the US has put forth in Central America, Border Patrol encounters with with citizens of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were at 29,077 in May, up slightly from when Biden and Harris took office. They dipped to 24,120 in June as Bidens new restrictions on asylum took effect.

The US has tried for decades to promote economic prosperity in the region, but unfortunately these efforts have not been successful in preventing irregular migration, said WOLAs Mendez Dardon. The prospect of the American dream still enchants people, especially in rural areas, who face limited economic opportunities.

These measures havent had the impact Harris expected because they arent necessarily linked with realities in the region, she said.

With assistance from Josh Wingrove, Stephanie Lai, Maya Averbuch, Sarah Halzack and Robert Jameson.
Among the names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at Judiciary Square in Washington is Moira Smith, one of the many first responders in New York City who died on Sept. 11, 2001. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post )

The plea deal unveiled this week for three men accused of plotting the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil had outraged Jim Smith. But Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins surprise move late Friday to scrap the agreement didnt comfort him much, either.

Theyre playing with our emotions, said Smith, whose wife perished at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

The retired New York police officer had been getting ready for bed when someone called with shocking news for the second time in barely 48 hours: The suspects charged with killing Moira Smith and nearly 3,000 others could no longer plead guilty in exchange for avoiding a possible death penalty.

Smith, 62, had wanted the Guantanamo Bay detainees - who have been in U.S. custody since 2003 - to face the harshest punishment imaginable.

But now its like nobody knows what they are doing, he said. Its hard to trust people when they flip-flop like that.

The trio had been expected to enter their pleas as early as next week. Austins sudden decision nixed that option. His announcement shocked families still trying to process the idea that this 23-year-old case, delayed by allegations of CIA torture and tainted evidence, could end with life sentences for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.

Authorities consider Mohammed to be the mastermind of the four airplane hijackings that changed the course of history.

Effective immediately, I hereby withdraw your authority in the above-referenced case to enter into a pretrial agreement and reserve such authority to myself, Austin wrote in a memo to the retired brigadier general whod approved the plea deal.

The case has dragged on for so long that the federal victim liaison that Smith knew best is now retired. Two days earlier, shed still called him, wanting to explain what would happen with the three men.

His immediate reaction then: How could the accused plotters not be subject to the maximum penalty?

His wife, Moira Smith, a fellow officer and the mother of their 2-year-old girl, was among the first responders who rushed to the scene in Lower Manhattan after American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower and then United Airlines Flight 175 rammed into the South Tower.

Now he wondered if the burst of families anger had swayed the Pentagon.

I think it didnt poll well, said Smith, 62. So they pulled it.

Word that the suspects could have any say in their fate had offered grieving families little relief. Some had wanted the case against the three men to go to trial, giving relatives the chance to confront the accused and unearth more information about the attacks.

Some were perplexed by prosecutors initial invitation to submit questions to Mohammed and his two accomplices - about their roles and reasons for conducting the September 11 attacks. Families had 45 days to send their queries, defense officials wrote in the notification letters that went out on Wednesday.

Brett Eagleson had been vexed by what would be lost with a plea deal. Hes sure Americans still dont know the full story of what happened on 9/11, and he hoped a trial could fill in those blanks.

Late Friday, he said he was glad to see that possibility back on the table, though the Defense Departments about-face felt like getting jerked around.

What is going on at the Pentagon right now? he asked.

Eagleson, 38, was a high school sophomore when his father died in New York. Bruce Eagleson had been working in an office on the 17th floor of the South Tower. Hed called his family after the first plane hit. Hed been trying to help others get out.

The son, now living in Connecticut, has been part of an effort to sue Saudi Arabia, accusing the nation of providing support to the attackers. He wanted to emulate his father, who was not afraid to fight back. On Wednesday, Eagleson had crammed into a Manhattan courtroom with other victims families. Their lawyers, they said, had uncovered fresh videos. New potential evidence. What else, Eagleson wondered, was still out there?

There have been missteps - every step of the way - regarding this case, he said.

Dennis McGinley, 58, had detested the plea deal. As he mowed his lawn Friday, he couldnt shake his disappointment and broke down crying. The government, he thought, shouldnt be negotiating in any way with terrorists.

Why are we, the 9/11 families, the ones getting punished all the time? he wondered. Why are we being treated so unfairly?

McGinleys brother Daniel died in the World Trade Centers South Tower. When another brother called him to tell him of Austins decision, he felt a measure of relief. He, too, wants to see a trial.

Thank God someone has common sense, he said Saturday morning from his home in Point Lookout, N.Y.

In Greenville, N.C., Bruce Serva had a similar reaction. His wife, Marian, was a congressional affairs contact officer for the Army when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.

I hope this speeds up the trial process, Serva, 71, said of the Pentagons reversal, and they are found guilty, given the death penalty and are executed promptly after that.

Jack Grandcolas has tried to focus on the positive over the years. The flip-flop, he said, just made that harder.

They ask us to digest this plea deal, he said, and then they make us throw it back up.

In the chasm of time since his wife boarded United Airlines Flight 93 - the plane that went down in rural Shanksville, Pa., after passengers tried to stop the hijackers - trauma therapy has given him strategies for coping with grief. When the pain surged back this week, the retired author tried to remember those strategies on a park bench near his home in Pebble Beach, Calif.

He summoned gratitude for what hed shared with Lauren, who had been pregnant with their first child when she died. She left him a voicemail in the final, desperate moments: I just love you more than anything, just know that.

Nothing could bring her back, but he told himself that a life sentence was, in fact, a terrible destiny. At least the case seemed to be winding at long last toward some kind of conclusion.

What the 61-year-old Grandcolas still hopes for: To have something happen in my lifetime.
by Misbah Saba Malik

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani officials and experts said on Friday that China's transformative economic journey has a global impact, and over the years, the country has not only eradicated poverty for millions but also opened up vast opportunities for international trade and investment.

Addressing an event titled "Global Opportunities in Deepening China's Reforms in the New Era," the Focal Person on the Development Projects of the Government of Pakistan, Asim Khan, said that China has made a remarkable journey of economic reforms, which have transformed the country into a global powerhouse.

He said that China's reforms have not only lifted millions of people out of poverty but also created unprecedented opportunities for global trade, investment, and cooperation.

China's growing influence in international affairs is undeniable and its contributions to global governance, climate change, and development financing have been noteworthy, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in particular, has the potential to reshape regional development and connectivity, he added.

"From Pakistan's perspective, we view China's BRI as a game-changer, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a pilot project of the BRI, has transformed Pakistan's profile from a perceived safe haven for terrorism to an attractive destination for Chinese and global investment," he noted.

He hoped that Pakistan would attract more investments by relocating Chinese industries to Pakistan as there are tremendous opportunities for both countries to deepen their economic ties.

In his address, Khalid Taimur Akram, executive director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future in Islamabad, said that China has been an engine of global growth for decades and will continue to be a key player in international development in the years to come.

China's steady economic progress and substantial potential in trade and investment are not only major positives for the current global economy, but also for the future, he added.

"China's ongoing reforms constantly shape new momentum and advantages for development, promote a new leap in productivity, and sustain the continuous high-quality growth of China's economy, bringing new opportunities to countries around the world, particularly to the iron-clad friend Pakistan," the expert said.

Speaking at the event, Liaqat Ali Khan, head of policy in the Center of Excellence for CPEC in the country's Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, said that Pakistan can benefit from the second phase of CPEC as it provides the country with an opportunity to attract the labor-intensive and light engineering industries that are relocating due to the reform process in China.

He said that the participating countries of BRI should learn to understand the reform policies of China that lead to the country's economic transformation from the coastal regions to the inland and Western areas to ensure balanced development across the country.

Launched in 2013, the CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan's Balochistan province with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation in the first phase, while in the new phase expands to fields of agriculture and livelihood, among others. 
John Waters (43) was arrested for his behaviour after gardai broke up a fight in Dublin city centre.

John Waters (43) of Portland Close was handed a suspended sentence for brawling on a city street

A father of nine who got into a drunken street brawl and spat at gardai had taken a few too many jars at a wedding, a court heard.

John Waters (43) was arrested for his behaviour after gardai broke up a fight in Dublin city centre.

Judge Deirdre Gearty said it was totally unacceptable behaviour and gave him a two-month suspended sentence.

Waters, with an address at Portland Close, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to public intoxication and engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

Dublin District Court heard gardai came across a group of men fighting at Wolfe Tone Square near the Jervis Centre at 9.30pm on July 17 last year.

Read more Mum found dead in burning flat named as Daena Walsh as man held on suspicion of murder

Waters was attempting to fight with an unknown man when gardai told him to stop.

He shouted loudly and aggressively at officers and spat at them. Members of the public were present.

The accused, who had 74 prior convictions, had been attending a wedding on the day and was among a number of men who had indulged too much and had a few too many jars, his solicitor said.

He knows he shouldnt have drunk that much or been messing around, she said.

Waters realised the gardai were trying to do their jobs and he apologised for his behaviour, the solicitor said.

She asked the judge to keep any fine as low as possible as Waters was on social welfare and not a man of means.

We might be a bit past that, Judge Gearty said, as Waters had a considerable number of previous convictions.

Its obviously totally unacceptable behaviour, the judge said of the offences. She suspended the sentence for 18 months.
Avetis Mkrtchian (54) was told by a judge he was lucky he was not being jailed for the offences.

A motorist who stole fuel 10 times in drive-off thefts from a filling station suffered from sleep apnoea and tended to forget things, a court heard.

Avetis Mkrtchian (54) was told by a judge he was lucky he was not being jailed for the offences.

Judge David McHugh said he utterly rejected the accuseds explanation and fined him 250.

Mkrtchian, with an address at Eaton Terrace, Main Street, Rathcoole, pleaded guilty to theft at Circle K, Citywest, between September 2023 and April this year.

Blanchardstown District Court heard the accused made no reply when charged at Clondalkin garda station.

He made full admissions to gardai and had two previous convictions.

Mkrtchian was from Armenia but had been living in Ireland for 25 years, his barrister Ciaran MacLoughlin said.

The accused had sleep apnoea and tends to forget things but as soon as he was advised of the situation, he paid the money back.

I know that is pushing it, Mr MacLoughlin said, but he pointed out that nobody was out of pocket.

He asked the judge to consider leaving the accused without convictions.

Judge McHugh said he was most certainly not prepared to strike the charges out. He said he utterly rejected the instructions Mkrtchian had given his lawyer.
Craig Hanney (27) had refused to co-operate with a search when he kicked the prison guard who fell doubled up in pain to the floor, a court heard.

Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, which is one of the prisons experiencing overcrowding.

A Mountjoy inmate lashed out and hit a prison officer with a powerful kick to the groin during a violent struggle when he was being moved in the jail.

Craig Hanney (27) had refused to co-operate with a search when he kicked the prison guard who fell doubled up in pain to the floor, a court heard.

Judge Miriam Walsh jailed him for eight months when he appeared in Dublin District Court.

Hanney, with an address at Cloverhill Road in west Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault at Mountjoy Prison on August 21, 2022.

Dublin District Court heard a prison officer started work at 6pm and was instructed by a superior to relocate the accused from his cell to the medical unit.

Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, which is one of the prisons experiencing overcrowding.

Hanneys behaviour when approached was very aggressive and erratic, the court heard.

He was escorted to a special observation cell where the officer tried to search him, believing that he had something hidden in his hand.

Hanney refused to comply and a very violent struggle ensued, a garda sergeant said.

The accused got the prison officers leg in a leg-lock and when this grip was released, Hanney was lying on his back on the floor while the officer was standing up, facing him.

He lashed out with a powerful kick into the prison officers groin, the sergeant said.

The victim collapsed to the floor and doubled over in pain.

He was seen by the medic on duty, suffered very bad pain and bruising and spent a week off work, the court heard.

There were medical notes but no medical report before the court.

Hanney had previous convictions for offences including robbery, for which he was serving a sentence with a release date next year.

He had also been convicted of charges including assault, possession of a weapon, obstruction and drugs offences.

On the day of the assault, the accused was being moved, the officers suspected he had something hidden in his hand and it turned out he did not, his defence solicitor said.

Hanney was being taken to the special observation unit because he had extremely poor mental health at the time and was very unwell.

He did not deliberately assault the officer but accepted that he struck out at him, the defence said.

It turned out he didnt have anything in his hand and that is why the search took place, he said.

(The assault) wasnt intentional, but he accepts he should have gone with the officer and co-operated with the search.

The accused was doing well in prison now and attending the school there, he added, asking the judge for leniency.
When prisoners are of no fixed abode after their release, it is difficult for gardai to monitor them once they are back in the community, sources say.

There are worries about the ability of gardai to keep tabs on homeless sex offenders after their release from prison.

One-third of sex offenders who will be released from prisons this month are homeless.

When prisoners are of no fixed abode after their release, it is difficult for gardai to monitor them once they are back in the community, sources say.

All of the sex offenders who will be released this month will be placed on the sex offenders register, some for life because of the gravity of their crimes.

While on the register, they are legally obliged to inform gardai of their address. They can then be monitored by the Sex Offender Management and Intelligence Unit (SOMIU), which liaises with garda divisions in the area where the convicted sex offender lives.

This system generally works very well, but the difficulty arises when the offender is of no fixed abode. It is very difficult to track them  and in some cases, impossible. It is a big problem, a source said.

They might sign on at a local garda station after their release from prison while staying in a homeless hostel in the area and the next thing they are gone from there, and it can be very hard to find them after that.

Some of these individuals have been convicted of the most heinous crimes, in some cases against children, so it is very important that gardai can keep tabs on them.

Read more Mum found dead in burning flat named as Daena Walsh as man held on suspicion of murder

This month, 14 sex offenders are due to be released from prison and five of them do not have a permanent address.

The offenders are all male and come from different parts of Ireland.

The offences they have been convicted of include rape, serious sexual assault, defilement and sexual exploitation of children, and possession and production of indecent images of children.

So far this year, just over 100 sex offenders have been released from Irish jails.

None are ever granted temporary release because of the nature of their crimes, meaning they serve full sentences, apart from the standard one-quarter remission granted to all inmates.

What you are seeing now is more and more of these individuals are coming out with no place to permanently stay  it is still a minority but a significant minority, a source said.

With the overcrowding crisis in our jail system, the Irish Prison Service is finding it increasingly difficult to manage sex offenders, many of whom are being given lengthy sentences.

Overall, prisons are 112pc above capacity, with the female prison in Limerick at 145pc and Mountjoy Prison in Dublin at 125pc.

On Wednesday alone, at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, nine sex offenders were sentenced for various crimes. They were handed jail terms which, when added together, amount to well over 100 years.

Because of the increasing amount of sex offenders being sent to jail, earlier this year the Irish Prison Service decided the Progression Unit in Mountjoy Prison would be used to house sex offenders.

The unit has space for 160 prisoners and was traditionally a place where well-behaved inmates on enhanced regimes or nearing the end of their sentences were housed.

This was the unit where a lot of prisoners aspired to be  there were a lot more freedoms there and not such a focus on security, a prison source said.

This is a unit that was all about rehabilitation, but not any more.

At least half of the prisoners in there now are sex offenders serving very lengthy sentences and most of the rest are serving life sentences.

It is expected that by the end of the year, the vast majority of those based in the unit will be sex offenders. This is a direct consequence of the overcrowding crisis in the system.

This is not what the progression unit was designed for, but there is simply nowhere else to put these offenders.

It is an issue that the Government desperately needs to address because the Prison Service is now far less capable of offering the rehabilitation services that it has traditionally prided itself on.

It is clear now that with the progression unit being no longer actually a progression unit, that prisoners in the system have no incentive to get there, which has its own knock-on effects within the system as it is getting filled up with sex offenders.

The overcrowding situation means that rehabilitation is being sidelined and security within the jails is being prioritised.

The issue has been highlighted by Independent senator Lynn Ruane, who said in May that the repurposing of Mountjoys Progression Unit was a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
The man was found hiding in a car after the incident

A man armed with a boxcutter launched an attack outside a much loved Irish pub in Boston this week.

A 26-year-old man was arrested during the frightening incident in the early hours of Monday, July 29.

The man is now facing assault and battery charges after cops said he randomly attacked a person with a boxcutter.

Tahjay Jones, of Boston, was arrested around 2:30 a.m. Monday and charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon as well as assault and battery, Boston Police announced in a statement.

Detectives rushed to 2 Center Plaza, the address for The Dubliner Irish Pub, after receiving a call that a man had been injured by a person carrying a blade.

Two people were injured with one being stabbed, according to reports. There are no indications about what caused the violence.

One of the victims declined medical treatment, while another was rushed to hospital.

Staff at the venue made the call to police after seeing the incident unfold outside on the street.

Mr Jones was arrested by cops after they found him hiding in a car near the crime scene.

It is being reported that he was seated inside a vehicle with a group of females, when police moved in.
A search of the house uncovered 1,315 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and an airsoft pistol.

Photograph of drugs and cash seized in Donegal

A man was arrested and a quantity of drugs and cash recovered following a Garda raid in Co Donegal.

Gardai raided a house in the Letterkenny area and seized 2,440 worth of cannabis.

A search of the house also uncovered 1,315 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and an airsoft pistol.

Gardai say the drugs seized will now be forensically analysed by Forensics Ireland.

A man was also arrested at the scene.

He was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station for questioning in connection with the find on July 30th.

He was subsequently released without charge and Gardai say their investigations continue.
A 29-year-old man who was known to Ms Walsh was being questioned by gardai on suspicion of her murder after he was arrested yesterday evening in the east Cork town of Midleton, just metres from her burning home.

Victim Daena Walsh, who was found with suspected stab wounds in a burning flat in Midleton, Co Cork

A young woman found dead in her Cork home with suspected stab injuries has been named as mother-of-two Daena Walsh (27).

Gardai believe she was fatally stabbed before her flat was set on fire.

A 29-year-old man who was known to Ms Walsh was being questioned by gardai on suspicion of her murder after he was arrested yesterday evening in the east Cork town of Midleton, just metres from her burning home.

He received medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries after he was found by gardai in a very agitated condition near the burning property.

The man is known to gardai and, it is understood, had been in custody in recent times before being released on bail last week.

He suffers from a long history of addiction issues and was described as having a very dysfunctional lifestyle over recent years.

Gardai are treating Ms Walshs death as a suspected murder.

The young woman, who had lived for a time in Dublin and Wicklow, previously worked in the telesales and marketing sector.

She was pronounced dead at the scene on Connolly Street-Main Street in the centre of the town.

She was found after gardai and paramedics were called to a property shortly after 4pm yesterday.

On arrival, emergency services discovered the building was on fire. Units of Cork Fire Brigade were at the scene within minutes as smoke was seen billowing from the roof of the two-storey property.

Emergency services personnel were immediately suspicious about the circumstances of the womans death, given that she had multiple visible injuries, none of which were consistent with a fire.

They are believed to include stab and slash-type wounds inflicted by a sharp implement. Marks on her hands and arms may have been defensive injuries.

A major focus of the probe will be locating the weapon or implement used to inflict the injuries

The Office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out by deputy state pathologist Dr Yvonne McCarthy today at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

A garda source indicated that the nature of their investigation will be determined by the results of the post-mortem.

However, gardai are poised to launch a murder investigation over the weekend.

Gardai in Midleton sealed off the scene to facilitate the work of firefighters and paramedics. Traffic diversions were put in place and motorists were urged to avoid the area.

Brigade personnel brought the blaze under control, but damping down operations are expected to continue for some time.

The scene will remain sealed off to allow for a full examination by garda forensic and technical experts, which is expected to take at least 24 to 36 hours.

A major focus of the probe will be locating the weapon or implement used to inflict the injuries.

Gardai are checking CCTV footage from premises in the general area to determine all movements both to and from the property.

Midleton was thronged with people heading to east Cork beaches for the bank holiday weekend and to nearby tourist attractions.

No children were present in the apartment at the time emergency services were alerted.

Officers were conducting door-to-door inquiries to determine if anyone heard or saw anything suspicious yesterday morning or early afternoon.

Gardai are also appealing to any motorist who may have driven past the property yesterday morning or afternoon and whose vehicle is equipped with dash-cam equipment to contact them.

This is a very tight-knit and close community, so it is going to have a terrible impact

Midleton-based Cork East TD Pat Buckley said the local community was reeling from the tragedy.

The entire town of Midleton is in shock, he said. Everyone is looking forward to the August bank holiday weekend, and then to hear that a young woman has lost her life is truly heart-breaking.

This is a very tight-knit and close community, so it is going to have a terrible impact.

Our hearts go out to the family of this woman, and they will be in our thoughts and prayers over the coming days.

A garda spokesperson said a family liaison officer has been appointed to assist Ms Walshs family.

They added: Shortly after 4.15pm, gardai and emergency services responded to reports of an incident at an apartment off Main Street, Midleton.

The woman was found at the scene with serious injuries and received emergency medical treatment, but was pronounced deceased a short time later.

A man has been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in the southern region. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Midleton garda station at 021-462 1550 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
Officers discovered 1.2 tonnes of cocaine on board and arrested the three British crew members

Pazooki Farhad pictured after his arrest in a photo made available by Colombian police

A POWERFUL drug lord accused of masterminding a massive narco sailboat cocaine smuggling plot ten Brits were swept up in, has been arrested in Colombia.

Norwegian Pazooki Farhad, dubbed the Professor, escaped a police operation to take down the gang which Spanish detectives went public with last month.

But he was behind bars in South America this week after being held at Bogotas El Dorado International Airport.

Local reports said he had flown to Colombia from an undisclosed location after being summoned to a meeting with Mexican cartel leaders, said to have been supplying him with cocaine, following the police bust.

Last month the National Crime Agency said ten British nationals had been arrested as part of a multi-agency investigation into drug trafficking from South America to Europe launched in 2020.

Pictures released by Colombian police show the two arrested Norwegians

A 30-year-old man, from Stornoway, who skippered a Spanish-registered yacht was arrested after it was raided 1,200 miles east of Martinique in the Caribbean by a French navy frigate on 18 December 2023.

Officers discovered 1.2 tonnes of cocaine on-board and arrested the three British crew members.

Spanish police accused Farhad last month of recruiting sailboat crews for the worlds largest sailboat organisation operating between South America and Europe" before delegating day-to-day control to an aide.

A second Norwegian named as Bernsten Bjarte was also held by police in the Colombian city of Barranquilla.

A spokesman for Colombias National Police, which released mugshots of the two men, said: Our officers have managed to locate and detain two Norwegian citizens with assistance from Spanish National Police.

One of these men is Pazooki Farhad, alias The Professor

The capture of The Professor forms part of Operation Mentor, developed by the Spanish Police, which has already led to 50 arrests in seven countries.

He was held at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, while Bernsten Bjarte was arrested in Barranquilla after illegally entering the city on a sailing boat.

He is suspected of having strategic and operational functions when it comes to large-scale drug trafficking, such as the designation of the vessels as well as the make-up of the crews.

The man dubbed The Professor is suspected of leading the largest narco sailboat organisation in the world.

Its known he comes from a wealthy Norwegian family and that hes been captured at least 40 times for different crimes.

Its estimated hes been involved in drug trafficking for more than 20 years.

In a statement last month after Spanish police went public with the Operation Mentor arrests, Britains NCA said: Ten British nationals have been arrested as part of multi-agency investigation into drug trafficking from South America to Europe.

The joint operation was launched in 2020 and has been conducted by the Spanish Policia Nacional, National Crime Agency, Norways National Criminal Investigation Service, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the European MAOC, with the support of EUROPOL.

At that time intelligence identified a British crime group based in Spain responsible for trafficking cocaine across the Atlantic.

Since then, worldwide law enforcement agencies have arrested 52 people  28 in Spain  and seized 1.5 tonnes of cocaine, eight boats and 36 vehicles, as well as firearms and ammunition.

The criminal network owned a fleet of vessels which were used to transport the drugs from South America to Europe via Spain.

One such vessel, a Spanish-registered yacht, was intercepted 1,200 miles east of Martinique by a French navy frigate on 18 December 2023.

Officers discovered 1.2 tonnes of cocaine on-board and arrested the three British crew members, including the skipper, a 30-year-old man from Stornoway, Scotland. The long-running investigation identified routes used by the organised crime group to bring vast quantities of drugs to Spain for onward distribution, including into the UK.

They sailed back and forth from Spanish coastal locations, such as Valencia, Alicante, and Malaga, to Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Barbados and Panama.

Overseeing the entire operation was the Norwegian figurehead of the international crime network, who is presumed to have been operating in drug trafficking for more than two decades.

He had the full trust of the Colombian and Mexican cartels, and coordinated the production of the drugs and its transportation through South America until it could be shipped to Spain.

The investigation found that the money generated by the drug shipments was reinvested in new operations and laundered through a network of businesswomen that operated in several countries.
Linda De Sousa Abreus pal has defended her actions to British reporters and offered an explanation

Screenshot of Linda De Sousa Abreu having sex in the cell

A married UK prison guard who was caught having sex with an inmate in their cell was subject to coercion, it has been claimed.

Linda De Sousa Abreu (30) admitted having intercourse with a criminal in his cell at HMP Wandsworth, in an encounter which was filmed and later went viral on social media.

De Sousa Abreu pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in a public office at a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court this week.

However, a close friend of De Sousa has told the Daily Mail that the prison guard was being blackmailed when the video was shot.

She claimed that a number of prisoners had gotten wind of De Sousas activities on Onlyfans and that this was used against her.

They knew her address, her husband's name and that she had an OnlyFans account, Hayley claimed.

"She was put under a lot of pressure and there was a lot of coercion involved.

Linda De Sousa Abreu leaves Uxbridge Magistrates Court (James Manning/PA)

Linda was going through a very hard time at work because of all this. And she was also having problems in her marriage.

She's absolutely devastated by what happened and is full of remorse. It's absolutely devastated her and she's trying to rebuild her life.

She added: She has found faith in God and this is providing her with a lot of comfort.

De Sousa is still married with a young child.

They're a lovely couple and working hard to save their marriage. It's not been easy for them. People are trying to make out that Linda is some kind of sex monster but that's not the case at all.

She is a very kind and caring person who has made a terrible mistake. We all get things wrong in life and people shouldn't be so quick to judge her.

The shocking Wandsworth clip showed Linda on her knees performing a sex act on the inmate whose grey shorts are pulled down.

A second prisoner, smoking a cigarette, says: This is a movie innit  gangsters online.

London cops launched an investigation into the raunchy video in June and De Sousa Abreu was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office at Heathrow Airport.

She reportedly called her former employers and told them she would not be returning to work whilst en route to the Departures Terminal.

She was initially held in custody before being granted bail earlier this month at Uxbridge magistrates court.

She has admitted wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder by engaging in a sexual act with a prisoner in a prison cell.
BEIRUT, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati cautioned on Friday that the regional situation may face escalation and potentially lead to spillover risks.

Mikati made the remarks during his visit to the Lebanese army headquarters to mark the 79th Army Day, which falls on August 1 each year.

According to a statement issued by his office, Mikati pointed to the "worrying regional developments that signal an increase in the level of danger and its expansion from one region to another" during the visit.

"Our people in the south, the Bekaa, and in the southern suburb of Beirut, are still facing Israeli attacks that have left hundreds of martyrs and wounded, citizens, soldiers and resistance fighters, and displaced families who lost their homes and their properties were burned," said the prime minister.

"We affirm our right to defend our land, sovereignty, and dignity by all available means, and there is no hesitation in this option, no matter how great the sacrifices are," he added.

Mikati noted that "we have informed our sister and friendly countries that we are advocates of peace and not war, and we seek permanent stability by recovering the occupied parts of our dear south."

Tensions escalated along the border region between Israel and Lebanon as an Israeli drone fired on Tuesday evening three missiles at a position near the Shura Council of Hezbollah in Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs, killing Fouad Shokor, Hezbollah's top military commander, and seven civilians.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has threatened a definite and painful response to the Israeli raid at the appropriate time and place. 
It is understood action relates to criticism of his victim-impact statement

Ryan Casey, the boyfriend of murdered teacher Ashling Murphy, has taken a defamation action against the BBC.

Mr Casey filed a High Court defamation case against the broadcaster on Thursday and is represented by Tullamore firm Brian P Adams & Co, according to the Irish Independent.

A BBC spokesperson said: As this is a live legal matter, we have no comment to make.

It is understood Mr Caseys legal action relates to criticisms that were made of his victim-impact statement to court last November after Jozef Puska, a then 33-year-old Slovakian father of five who lived in Mucklagh, Co Offaly, was found guilty of murdering Ms Murphy (23).

Puska, who had pleaded not guilty to the murder, was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Tony Hunt for stabbing Ms Murphy 11 times on January 12, 2022, when she was out for a run along the Grand Canal outside Tullamore.

Puska had lived in Offaly since 2015 with his wife and five children.

Before sentencing, Mr Casey made an emotional victim-impact statement to the court outlining his love for Ms Murphy and their plans to build a house, get married and have children together.

He described Ms Murphy as the girl of my dreams and my soul mate, but said Puska was the epitome of pure evil.

I feel like this country is no longer the country that Ashling and I grew up in

Mr Casey said the pain of losing Ms Murphy was indescribable.

It just doesnt make any sense to me how somebody who is just so insignificant, worthless, lowest of the low, burden to society and overall, a waste of life, can completely and permanently destroy so many peoples lives by taking the life of a person who is the complete opposite  a life with meaning, a life with dreams, a life of love and compassion, respect; a person who contributed to society in the best ways possible, he said.

Mr Casey said: It just sickens me to the core that someone can come to this country, be fully supported in terms of social housing, social welfare, and free medical care for over 10 years  over 10 years  never hold down a legitimate job and never once contribute to society in any way shape or form [and] can commit such a horrendous, evil act of incomprehensible violence on such a beautiful, loving and talented person who in fact, worked for the State, educating the next generation and represented everything that is good about Irish society.

I feel like this country is no longer the country that Ashling and I grew up in and has officially lost its innocence when a crime of this magnitude can be perpetrated in broad daylight. This country needs to wake up; this time things have got to change.

We have to, once and for all, start putting the safety of not only Irish people but everybody in this country who works hard, pays taxes, raises families and overall contributes to society, first.

We dont want to see any other family in this country go through what we have gone through and are continuing to go through.

These aspects of Mr Caseys victim-impact statement were criticised on BBC Northern Ireland programme The View last November. Host Mark Carruthers interviewed Irish Times journalist Kitty Holland who said elements of the media were right not to report Mr Caseys full comments as they were not helpful.

Ms Holland said she understood Mr Casey was heartbroken and devastated, but said there were elements that were not good in his statement. She said the far right had latched onto the comments but were ignoring all the cases of violence perpetrated on women by white, Irish men.
Anti-immigration and anti-racism groups faced off at City Hall

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were killed in the attack.

People protest in Sunderland city centre following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport,

The Unity Over Division event is taking place at City Hall. Photo: Kevin Scott.

Protesters carrying a Coolock Says No sign have joined demonstrations in Belfast where two arrests have been made following a day of sporadic disorder.

The slogan is a reference to the former Crown Paints factory site in Dublin that is being renovated to accommodate asylum seekers.

In recent weeks gardai clashed with violent protestors at the Dublin site, some of whom threw missiles at officers and damaged vehicles.

Police arrested two people after businesses were attacked and missiles thrown at PSNI officers during trouble linked to an anti-immigration march.

Earlier, rival groups staged demonstrations in the city centre as unrest following the fatal knife attack in Southport, in which three young girls were killed, spread to Northern Ireland.

At one stage police formed a large cordon around the Islamic Centre on University Street as a march headed towards the area.

South Belfast MLA Deirdre Hargey said she was disgusted at the actions of what she branded a fascist mob.

Another councillor branded the culprits far-right thugs.

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Several businesses around Botanic Avenue were targeted.

Windows were smashed and furniture broken at the Sahara shisha cafe.

Its owner Rahmi, who has been in Belfast for 35 years, said he did not "know how to explain" what happened to his children.

He told the BBC it was "terrible" that his business had been attacked for "no reason.

While he was not "blaming anybody, he said there "was no safety at all" and felt there could have been more of a police presence when "the parade was walking" through the area.

Thugs also smashed windows at the Holiday Inn and Dukes at Queen's Hotel on University Street.

Police are treating the incidents as hate crimes.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said: "We have dealt with a number of protest sites across Northern Ireland today, including a significant protest and counter protest at Belfast City Hall.

Many of these caused disruption to the road network. A number of roads, including the M5, Wellington Place and Shore Road were closed for a short period of time.

"We continue to deal with protest activity and sporadic disorder in the South Belfast area and are aware of a number of reports of criminal damage which we are currently treating as hate crimes.

"An investigation has commenced and to date we have made two arrests.

"We would like to thank the community for their patience in respect of the disruption they faced and also place on record our support for the community leaders who worked to resolve the situation."

Earlier, one man was arrested while a woman was struck and injured by a firework thrown by one anti-immigrant protester near City Hall.

Hundreds of people gathered at 11.30am for the Unity Over Division rally, in support of Muslim communities. Some in the crowd held banners saying no to racism and refugees are welcome.

Soon afterwards, anti-Islamic protesters also gathered near City Hall. The group chanted "Islam out" and unfurled Union flags.

PSNI Land Rovers formed a barrier between the two groups. Officers were seen arresting one man, who was taken away in a PSNI car.

One group chanted "refugees are welcome here", with heckling from the rival crowd, some of whom shouted send them back". The rival crowd also chanted in support of far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

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.The anti-Islamophobia rally ended shortly before 1pm.

However, some of those protesting against immigration moved on towards south Belfast.

Amid bizarre scenes, they appeared to get lost, before arriving on Ormeau Road where around 100 local residents turned them back.

Ms Hargey, a local Sinn Fein MLA who attended the anti-racism rally, said there was shock that the anti-immigrant protest had been allowed to reach south Belfast.

She told the Belfast Telegraph: Our understanding is the fascist mob that had gathered at City Hall this morning made their way up towards University Road in south Belfast.

For whatever reason they were then diverted down into Botanic and University Street.

A large crowd, in excess of 100 people, made their way through the Holyland area, which is a very mixed and settled community. We have a lot of minority and ethnic communities that live there.

They made their way out onto the Ormeau Road, which took people in this community by complete shock. A lot of them were at the anti-fascist demonstration and with no police presence on the ground there was then a stand-off that ensued between the two groups.

Thankfully the residents have been very reserved and tried to push the protesters back up University Street to bring the area to calm.

Ms Hargey said preparations were taking place for a community festival in the area on Sunday.

She said it was very concerning that the procession was able to march from the city centre to south Belfast.

She added: "We warned about this yesterday and I spoke to the PSNI and said there was refugee and asylum seeker accommodation the whole way up this route.

Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan said: The violence brought to the streets of Belfast today by racist agitators is utterly unacceptable.

These thugs act not out of love for country but out of hatred of others. Despite the actions of this small minority, Belfast is and will always be a city of love, a city of sanctuary and a city of welcome for all.

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Belfast Lord Mayor Micky Murray said: We live in a diverse and welcoming city, one which embraces those coming to build a life here. Racism isnt in our blood, its a harmful disease which needs stamped out.

Anthony Flynn, a local Green Party councillor, posted on X: Absolutely disgusting scenes from the far-right thugs throwing fireworks, stones, and other missiles towards a peaceful anti-fascist rally.

These people are not Belfast. They will exploit any situation to spread their vile hatred."

Disorder has hit parts of England this week, including in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool, after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Merseyside.

The victims were Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were killed in the attack.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Amid growing tension and reports of anti-Islamic protests, an anti-racism rally was organised at City Hall this morning.

Union leader Mick Lynch told those gathered that society refused to be divided.

We wont let these people get amongst us and cause us to hate each other - we love each other, he said, to cheers from the crowd.

We will not allow the right wing to dominate our working class communities.

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There was further violence in Sunderland on Friday, where a police station was looted and a Citizens Advice Bureau office was set alight.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use as missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that they were guilty of "an act of sacrilege".

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said four officers were injured during the violence and 10 people have been arrested.

He said: "This was not a protest, this was unforgivable violence and disorder."

People protest in Sunderland city centre following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport,

Greater Manchester Police said a dispersal notice had been authorised for the city centre to deal with planned demonstrations on Saturday.

Protesters with St George's and union flags in Nottingham's Market Square were met with counter-protesters chanting "racist scum off our streets" and "Nazis not welcome".

In Leeds, around 150 people carrying St George's flags shouting "you're not English any more" and "paedo Muslims off our street" were greatly outnumbered by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting "Nazi scum off our streets".

Chairman of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, Qari Asim, said the Muslim community is "deeply worried and anxious about the planned protests by the far right groups across the country".

He said: "This intimidation and violence is the inevitable, devastating, outcome of rising Islamophobia that has been enabled to fester on social media, in parts of the mainstream media and by some populist leaders."
Mr Crosby was one of two men who were the only occupants of the small aircraft when it crashed outside the village of Killucan on Tuesday

The funeral details have been announced for Niall Crosby who died in the helicopter crash in Co Westmeath.

Mr Crosby was one of two men who were the only occupants of the small aircraft when it crashed on the roof of a piggery outside the village of Killucan on Tuesday afternoon.

The 46-year-old married father-of-two of Glenageary in South Dublin, but originally from Straffan, Co Kildare, tragically died on July 30.

He is survived by his wife Jillian, his children Thomas and Robin, parents Frank and Therese, brothers Brian, Eamon and Kevin, and his wide circle of family and friends.

The funeral will take place at 11am in the National Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire on Tuesday, August 6, followed by burial in Kilternan Cemetery Park.

Tributes have been paid to the late Mr Crosby by many of his friends, describing him as "a gentle soul".

One person wrote: "Niall was a lovely man and absolutely devoted to his family."

"Niall was a truly outstanding and visionary young man. May his soul rest in peace," another friend added.

One of his childhood friends said: "I am reminiscing on so many great memories of us growing up together - our adventures in Lyons, the water fights, bonfires, midnight feasts and as we got older, the many nights out."

"Extremely saddened to hear of Nialls passing. Ill never forget working with Niall and his family back in '95. An absolutely lovely person and pleasure to have had his company," a former colleague shared.

Mr Crosby was a founder of AG Grid, a software company based in London. He and his wife Jillian had only returned to Dublin in recent years to raise their family.

"Niall was a highly successful IT consultant, entrepreneur and founder who had spent much of his working life in London," a statement issued earlier this week said.

Mr Crosby previously posted on social media he was learning to fly helicopters and was aiming to get his pilot's license.

The tight-knit communities of Killucan and its neighbouring village of Raharney are still reeling from the shock of the incident.

[Nialls family] would like to particularly thank the first responders and the various authorities who have been so understanding and professional," Mr Crosby's family wrote in a statement released earlier this week.

"And they would like to especially thank the local communities of Killucan and Raharney for their thoughts and prayers.

We also have a special thought for Nialls co-pilot and his family at this tragic time," they said.

The second man who died in the crash around 3.30pm on Tuesday was identified as Antonin Kabelka, aged in his 40s, from Czechia, who worked as a helicopter flight trainer in Prague.

Following the crash on Tuesday afternoon, construction crews managed to remove the wreckage from the roof of the building.

The operation saw personnel from a Dublin-based crane company enter the site and start extracting the single-engine aircraft from an agricultural building it had crash-landed into.

The remains of the helicopter were later transferred to the facility in Gormanston, Co Meath, for further examinations.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit is now leading an investigation into the cause of a helicopter crash.

A large part of those enquiries will focus on whether the helicopter may have encountered engine difficulty shortly after taking off from Weston Airport - home to Ireland's leading Pilot Training Academy.

The initial findings from an investigation into the cause of the crash will be released in a matter of weeks, the AAIU spokesperson said.
One councillor has slammed the disgusting scenes from far-right thugs

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were killed in the attack.

People protest in Sunderland city centre following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport,

A police car burns as officers are deployed on the streets of Hartlepool following a violent protest this week.

The Unity Over Division event is taking place at City Hall. Photo: Kevin Scott.

A banner at the anti-immigration protest in Belfast. Photo: Kevin Scott.

Police in riot gear have been deployed in Belfast city centre after anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters clashed.

One man was arrested amid tense scenes at City Hall, as unrest in English towns and cities following a fatal knife attack in Southport spread to Northern Ireland.

Fireworks and other missiles have been thrown.

One local councillor condemned the disgusting scenes from far-right thugs.

Hundreds of people gathered at 11.30am for the Unity Over Division rally, in support of Muslim communities. Some in the crowd held banners saying no to racism and refugees are welcome.

Soon afterwards, anti-Islamic protesters also gathered at the front of City Hall. The group chanted "Islam out" and unfurled Union flags.

Police are mounting a significant security operation in the area.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were killed in the attack.

PSNI Land Rovers formed a barrier between the anti-racism rally and anti-Islamic protesters gathered nearby.

Officers were seen arresting one man, who was taken away in a PSNI car.

One set of protesters chanted "refugees are welcome here", with heckling from the rival crowd, some of whom shouted send them back".

At least one man was seen giving Nazi salutes.

Some protesters carried a Coolock Says No sign, in reference to a site in Dublin that was being renovated to accommodate asylum seekers.

The anti-islamophobia rally ended shortly before 1pm with organisers urging those gathered to disperse "peacefully and without provocation

There has been strong condemnation of the trouble.

Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey, who attended the anti-racism rally, said: Belfast is a progressive city, we stand firm against the rise of racism

Those racists that attended, many of whom were not from Belfast, were overwhelmingly rejected by the citizens of our great city.

Belfast Lord Mayor Micky Murray said: We live in a diverse and welcoming city, one which embraces those coming to build a life here. Racism isnt in our blood, its a harmful disease which needs stamped out.

Anthony Flynn, a local Green Party councillor, also condemned the trouble.

He posted on X: Absolutely disgusting scenes from the far-right thugs throwing fireworks, stones, and other missiles towards a peaceful anti-fascist rally.

These people are not Belfast. They will exploit any situation to spread their vile hatred. Thanks to PSNI for keeping all safe.

Several roads have also been closed.

The PSNI said: Road users are advised that College Square East and Wellington Place are currently closed due to ongoing protest activity in the area.

In a further update, they added: Road users are advised that the lane to Shore Road from Fortwilliam roundabout has been closed due to ongoing protest activity in the area. Delays are to be expected in the area.

Video footage seen by this newspaper also showed protests on the Boucher Road, causing road closures.

Police said they are monitoring a series of planned protests.

It added: The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware of several planned protests across Northern Ireland today and will be in attendance to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Officers will remain in the area and continue to monitor the situation.

Disorder has hit parts of England this week, including in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool, after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Merseyside.

The victims were Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Amid growing tension and reports of anti-Islamic protests, an anti-racism rally was organised at City Hall this morning.

Union leader Mick Lynch addressed the anti-racism rally, saying society refused to be divided.

We wont let these people get amongst us and cause us to hate each other - we love each other, he said, to cheers from the crowd.

We will not allow the right wing to dominate our working class communities.

Also among the speakers was Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland director.

Speaking ahead of the rally, he said society will reject those seeking to spread division and hatred.

From Belfast, we send our support and compassion to all those affected by the awful tragedy in Southport, to the families and friends of the girls who so tragically lost their lives in the most terrible circumstances and to the children and adults who were injured and are still in hospital, he said.

Some people have sought to cynically exploit that unspeakable tragedy in order to sow division and hatred, but those who seek to divide us do not know us.

To the hate-mongers, I have a message for you today from the people of Belfast and from every community across these islands.

The more you try to divide us, the more united we grow. The more hate you try to stoke, the more love we will show to our neighbours.

We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community, with the refugee community and with every community which is reeling from attack or feeling the fear of threat and intimidation.

Belfast is a city of love. We stand as one.

Earlier this week, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher urged people in society to push back against the "poisonous nonsense" being propagated by those seeking to organise demonstrations against the Islamic faith, adding if they do happen they will be "policed effectively".

Religious leaders in Northern Ireland also issued calls for calm.

Rev Trevor Gribben, from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, said: Hatred against any section of the community is indeed poisonous, and is not only wrong, but entirely anti-Christian.

Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian warned against stoking the coals of fear and mistrust against Muslims".

"Particularly in Northern Ireland, we have journeyed so far from a history of conflict and live now in a place that is rightly moving towards mutual respect, dialogue and tolerance," he said.

People protest in Sunderland city centre following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport,

On Friday, hundreds of people gathered in Keel Square in Sunderland, many of them draped in England flags, some of whom chanted support of Tommy Robinson, while others shouted insults about Islam.

A mosque was targeted and separate footage on social media, said to have also been filmed in Sunderland, appeared to show a -man with a swastika tattoo on his back.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said four of the force's officers were injured.

He said: "I can confirm that four officers were taken to hospital for treatment last night.

"Three received injuries as a direct result of the disorder.

"In addition, one of our mounted riders sustained serious injuries in an accident and is receiving treatment in hospital."

Mr Hall described the violent protests in Sunderland as "unforgivable".

He said: "The shocking scenes we witnessed in Sunderland last night were appalling and completely unacceptable.

"During the course of the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence.

"This was not a protest - this was unforgivable violence and disorder."

The number of arrests as a result of the Sunderland violence has risen to 10, he added.

Disorder also broke out in Southport on Tuesday evening, where thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to the three victims.

But violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town with 53 police officers and three police dogs injured, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer later condemning "thugs" who had travelled to the town to cause unrest.

On Wednesday evening, more than 100 protesters were arrested on Whitehall, where bottles and cans were pelted at police, while violence also broke out in Hartlepool, Co Durham, and in Manchester.
According to veteran republican Kelly, the thirsty Orangeman with the weak bladder never returned.

Republican raker Billy Blue Boy Kelly revealed this week hes been minding an Orange sash for nearly 50 years.

Republican raker Billy Blue Boy Kelly revealed hes been minding an Orange sash for nearly 50 years.

Kelly claims that as a teenager he was standing watching a 12th of July parade on Belfasts Royal Avenue when a marcher suddenly stepped out of the ranks.

As the Orangeman stepped on to the pavement, he handed Kelly a rolled-up collarette saying: Mind this for me. Im away for a pee and a pint!

According to veteran republican Kelly, the thirsty Orangeman with the weak bladder never returned.

And as a result, legendary IRA man Blue Kelly  who once negotiated an arms deal with Libyas Colonel Gaddafi  became the proud owner of an Orange sash!

I was in the city centre watching the parade when suddenly an Orangeman came over and asked me to mind his sash.

I was more than happy to do it, because I was just standing there enjoying the spectacle.

I waited for hours. But he never came back, explained Blue this week.

And he joked: I suppose you could say Im still minding it!

Billy Blue Boy Kelly

These days, Billy Blue Boy Kelly  who was born on July 12  likes to dust down his collarette to give his friends a birthday treat.

On the 12th morning he put his collarette over his shoulders before taking a short walk around the nationalist New Lodge area of north Belfast where he lives.

But Kelly has also managed to acquire a See you Jimmy-style wig and tartan bonnet favoured by comedian Russ Abbot.

Neighbours and friends barely recognised Kelly as he made his annual pilgrimage around his home area. One New Lodge resident told us: I was in one of the local shops on the 12th morning when Blue came in dressed as an Orangeman complete with his Russ Abbot wig.

I know Blue well and to tell you the truth, I didnt recognise him. I genuinely thought he was an Orangeman who had lost his way.

He said he was looking for Sandy Row, so we gave him directions, she said.

She added: But then he confused us all by buying a copy of the Irish News!

Last week Blue Kelly (75) spoke exclusively to the Sunday World, revealing how he and two other trusted IRA men travelled to Libya to negotiate an arms deal with the Arab leader Colonel Gaddafi.

Gaddafi was good to us. He really hated the Brits, said Kelly.

But this week, Kelly  who spent 12 years behind bars for IRA offences  lifted the lid on the lighter side of his character and personality.

He said: I was born on July 12 and so my mother called me Billy. But when I was growing up, I got the name Blue because I bore a resemblance to the film actor Mark Slade who played the part of Blue Boy in the High Chaparral.

And because I looked like him, a woman living in the old Carrick Hill area dubbed me Blue and it stuck, said Kelly.

Fourteen years ago, now deceased IRA man Gerry Whitey Bradley  who had co-written a book called Insider about his exploits in the IRA during the early days of the Troubles  was found dead in his car at Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.

He had been ostracised by other IRA men who believed he had betrayed their trust by penning a Troubles diary. And in it, Bradley describes how he and Blue Kelly were caught up in a shoot-out with the Royal Marines.

Bradley told how he became isolated and was in danger of being shot by the Marines.

But suddenly, his IRA comrade Kelly broke cover to snatch him up by the jeans and bring him to cover.

As the years passed, Kelly never missed an opportunity to remind Bradley that he had risked his life to save him. But Bradley maintained that the reason Kelly grabbed him by the back pocket was to see if there was a fiver in it, which he could use to buy a pint!
The 39-year-old TV presenter has said its all coming out now

Laura Whitmore has accused the BBC of gaslighting her over her experience with Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing.

The 39-year-old TV presenter has said its all coming out now following concerns she previously, raised about Giovanni's inappropriate behaviour.

Laura, who was partnered with the Italian dancer (33) on the show in 2016, recently confirmed she'd spoken to show bosses following concerns that she initially raised with the BBC several years ago.

Laura has now said she believes that the industry has changed for women who are louder and are now pulling people up on things since she found fame.

She told The Irish Post: The stuff I'm not going to talk to you about now, because it's under review, that's all coming out now, the stuff I tried to speak about eight years ago.

When asked if she felt she wasn't listened to when she first raised her complaints, she replied: Or gaslit to make it seem normalised.

It's a shame that it has to come out in such a victim-shaming way, which it always does. And being the first person to speak up about anything is always hard.

Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice

According to MailOnline, which has published the story, Strictly Come Dancing representatives have declined to comment.

Laura recently confirmed she'd spoken to BBC bosses about Giovanni's behaviour and although she hasn't made a formal complaint, she hopes to get just an acceptance of what happened in the rehearsals room.

Laura had previously discussed with six former Strictly stars about their time on the show before bringing that information to the BBC.

I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete, she posted on Instagram. But I feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.

I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don't want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual.

I initially raised concerns back in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me but I've since learned I was wrong.

The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people's experience. It's a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.

I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won't happen to anyone else again.

Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved.

Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight. Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better.

I've tried to speak up in the correct way. I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up.

In 2018, Laura revealed how she didn't enjoy her time on Strictly with Giovanni after leaving the competition in week seven feeling broken and admitting she cried every day".

She wasn't happy about being paired with the ex of her close friend Georgia May Foote not long after the pair had split.

Writing for The Huffington Post at the time, Laura said she loved dancing, but I was thrown into the middle of a break-up that had nothing to do with me.

Once again, I was a rumoured love interest. I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.

It comes just days after Strictly was plunged into further crisis after Amanda Abbington claimed that Giovanni was trying to block the release of up to 50 hours of toxic footage.

The actress compared the dance show to the trenches as she told Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left horrified by clips that also allegedly exhibited humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature.
Its a glimpse inside one mans worldview  a man few of us knew and most will never know. Its a cache of hundreds, maybe thousands, of books and speciality magazines dating back 50 years.

Some of the magazines are still in the polybags or plastic sleeves they arrived in. Theyre all in mint condition.

They represent some of the things that featured largely in this mans life since 1972  mainly cars, hot rods and classic cars and music. And he spent thousands of dollars feeding that passion, reading up on those interests.

Its a literary treasure trove, and were very fortunate hes now sharing it with Tauranga, says Christine Currie of the Harbour City Lions, whose annual Book Fair from November 8-10 at Tauranga Racecourse will be the beneficiary of the collection.

Magazine collectors and car buffs will love them when they go on sale at our fair. And theyre in pristine condition.

Its understood the books and magazines were to help fund the mans retirement but he passed away before he got that pleasure.

Now half a centurys fascination for car and music magazines, and an eclectic taste in hardbacks, will be up for sale at the Lions Book Fair and will help the Lions fund worthy community projects in Tauranga later this year.

That will be the donors legacy.

And were extraordinarily grateful, says Christine.

The collection is sitting in more than 60 bright red New World supermarket bags and numerous plastic storage boxes waiting to be processed for the fair.

In just one box there are NZ Hot Rod Magazine editions from 1972  including a $5.60 April 2000 edition thats still unopened in its sleeve.

There are copies of NZ Classic Car from 1987 and NZ Autocar. And for the practical enthusiast, a service manual for 1936-1942 Plymouth Dodge and DeSoto passenger cars.

An International Musician and Recording World magazine from 1975 features Jeff Beck on the cover and Eric Clapton.

There is also New Zealand Musician Volume 7 No 5 from April/May 1998 with the headline story The Feelers from Cover to Cover: The boys got down to work writing and recording songs that would ultimately allow them to break out of the human jukebox they had built for themselves.

The hardcovers range from Al Gores The Future  a 400-page treatise on the state of humanity  to Jeanette Hudsons travelogue The Silk Road.

The Harbour City Lions are aiming to gather about 2000 banana boxes-full of good books for their sale.

Proceeds from the sale will go to projects like a $28,000 air patient lift, which enables caregivers to safely lift immobilised heavy patients so there wont be a need to call firefighters out to do the job.

The Lions are now collecting books for their November book fair at Tauranga Racecourse. Books can be left at Bedpost Tauriko, Harvey Norman on Cameron Rd, Woolworths Bethlehem, Wet & Forget at Bay Central Shopping Centre on Chapel St, and Bunnings on Jean Batten Place at the Mount.
A low pressure system to the north of the country is forecast to move slowly to the northeast of the North Island on Monday, says MetService.



On Tuesday, August 6, a south to southwest flow is expected to cover central and northern New Zealand, while a west to northwest flow will strengthen over the south of the South Island.

A front over the south Tasman Sea will approach the South Island on Wednesday, bringing increasing rain and strengthening northwest winds.

"There is low confidence for warning amount of rain in Fiordland and the southern half of Westland, and low confidence for severe northwest gales in Southland and Clutha, including Stewart Island," says a MetService spokesperson.



On Thursday, the front is forecast to move north over New Zealand.

"A strong northwest flow ahead of the front brings rain with some heavy falls to western areas of the country.

"At this stage there is low confidence for warning amounts of rain in Westland and Fiordland, and low confidence for severe northwest gales in Southland and Clutha, including Stewart Island.

"A cold and unsettled southerly flow spreads onto New Zealand following the front."
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples to live in peace and dignity, in his message on the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on Aug. 9.

Indigenous peoples represent around 6 percent of the world's population, but their stewardship signifies an outsized contribution to our global community, Guterres said.

Highlighting their roles as "keepers of knowledge and traditions" that help safeguard some of the most biodiverse areas of the planet, and as "guardians of the environment," the UN chief said "their survival is our survival."

While their unique way of life is a testament to the rich tapestry of humanity, indigenous peoples also face serious challenges that threaten their very existence, Guterres warned, adding that they are often the victims of threats and violence, and extractive and productive sectors like mining, agriculture and transport have accelerated deforestation and land degradation.

"Ancestral homelands and natural resources that they depend on for survival are coming under siege. And their rights to self-determination and agency -- enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples -- are yet to be fulfilled," he said.

Noting that this year's theme "Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact" reminds us of their rights to protect themselves from unwanted contact, the UN chief warned that contact "can have a devastating impact," including "exposure to infectious diseases, forced assimilation and the disruption of culture, language, and livelihoods."

He called on the international community to "stand behind the rights of indigenous peoples to chart their own futures" and "safeguard their rights to live in peace and dignity."

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 1994 to designate Aug. 9 as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples in the world living across 90 countries, making up less than 6 percent of the world's population. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world's estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures. 
Ava, N.Y.  Two teens were ejected from a horse-drawn buggy in Oneida County Friday after a pickup truck rear-ended them, state troopers said.

Police were called for the crash around 1:47 p.m. on state Route 26 in Ava, a town about 15 miles north of Rome.

Alexander W. Pfendler, 33, of Constableville, was driving a 2014 RAM 1400 south on Route 26 when he crashed into the back of the buggy, ejecting two teens riding it, troopers said.

The truck flipped and landed on its roof. The buggy was smashed to pieces.

A 16-year-old boy was seriously injured and taken to Upstate University Hospital. A 14-year-old girl was treated at Wynn Hospital in Utica and released, police said.

Pfendler was not injured.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at falba@syracuse.com.
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A hot potato: Corporate landlords can no longer gouge unsuspecting tenants in the Bay Area using automated rent-setting software. "Rental collusion" has driven rental rates sky-high in the already expensive US coastal region. So, San Francisco authorities have banned the sketchy practice that many consider illegal.

A recent ordinance set by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will stop the "automated rent-setting" practices managed by large landlord ventures. The Board unanimously approved the proposal, led by supervisor and 2024 mayoral candidate Aaron Peskin. Peskin looks to unseat current San Francisco Mayor London Breed in the November 2024 election.

The new rule prohibits the sale and use of "algorithmic devices" designed to autonomously set rent prices or manage occupancy levels for residential units in San Francisco. The Board of Supervisors is targeting software developers such as RealPage and Yardi, which were collecting rental data from landlords to suggest new pricing recommendations.

Officials in Peskin's office said these software companies were combining rent data sets unavailable to the public and using the information to develop price and occupancy strategies that could maximize profit. Peskin described the activity as an "automated price-fixing" scheme, with large landlord organizations colluding in a blatant effort to bleed tenants dry.

Peskin noted that RealPage has exacerbated the San Francisco rent crisis and empowered corporate landlords to keep units vacant intentionally. According to attorney Lee Hepner, a member of the American Economic Liberties Project, the entire business model of these companies is essentially illegal.

"What they're doing, their entire business model is illegal," Hepner told CBS News. "They are manipulating the market to fix prices and hike rents and remove really healthy competition from markets that should be responding to that competitive pressure and actually bring rents down."

Hepner contends that RealPage software provides a convenient way to manipulate the rental market, damaging competition. In a healthy household market, competitive pressure should decrease rents, not vice versa. The Board of Supervisors wants to lower rental rates while putting more housing units on the market.

RealPage faces several lawsuits accusing it of promoting landlord cartels against tenants' interests. RealPage idenies any wrongdoing. The company stated that its software contributes to a healthier and more efficient rental housing ecosystem and that media reports or lawsuits are false and misleading. Now that the city has banned price-fixing software, City Attorneys and affected tenants have a firm legal foundation for filing future lawsuits against the app developers.
Photo taken on Aug. 2, 2024 shows a Chevron gas station in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California, the United States. Oil giant Chevron on Friday announced the relocation of its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas, becoming the latest company to exit California, the largest economy and most populous state in the United States. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Oil giant Chevron on Friday announced the relocation of its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas, becoming the latest company to exit California, the largest economy and most populous state in the United States.

Chevron Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth and Vice Chairman Mark Nelson will move to Houston before the end of 2024 to co-locate with other senior leaders and enable better collaboration and engagement with executives, employees, and business partners, said the company in a news release.

Chevron, one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, currently has roughly 7,000 employees in the Houston area and approximately 2,000 employees in San Ramon. The company said it operates crude oil fields, technical facilities, and two refineries and supplies more than 1,800 retail stations in California.

"There will be minimal immediate relocation impacts to other employees currently based in San Ramon. The company expects all corporate functions to migrate to Houston over the next five years," said the company, adding that "Positions in support of the company's California operations will remain in San Ramon."

The announcement came weeks after rocket company SpaceX CEO and social media platform X owner Elon Musk said that he will move the headquarters of both companies from California to Texas.

According to the Center Square, a project of the Franklin News Foundation, the exodus of California businesses continued in recent years, with the greatest number relocating operations to Texas. The news website pointed out in a report in December that at least 237 companies have left California since 2005 due to the western state's ever-expanding regulatory and taxation climate, citing a tally kept by the California Policy Center in its California Book of Exoduses.

But California still reclaimed the top spot for housing the most Fortune 500 companies in the country, according to a report released by Fortune magazine in June.

With 57 companies headquartered within its borders, California edged out Texas and New York, which are tied for second place with 52 companies each, said the report. The Golden State's success comes despite losing five companies from the list this year. However, this loss was offset by the addition of nine newcomers, including food delivery company DoorDash, real estate investment firm Prologis, cleaning product manufacturer Clorox, and software company Workday, the report noted. 

Photo taken on Aug. 2, 2024 shows a Chevron gas station in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California, the United States. Oil giant Chevron on Friday announced the relocation of its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas, becoming the latest company to exit California, the largest economy and most populous state in the United States. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

A man fuels a vehicle at a Chevron gas station in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on Aug. 2, 2024. Oil giant Chevron on Friday announced the relocation of its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas, becoming the latest company to exit California, the largest economy and most populous state in the United States. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Aug. 2, 2024 shows a sign of a Chevron gas station in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California, the United States. Oil giant Chevron on Friday announced the relocation of its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas, becoming the latest company to exit California, the largest economy and most populous state in the United States. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Aug. 2, 2024 shows a Chevron gas station in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California, the United States. Oil giant Chevron on Friday announced the relocation of its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas, becoming the latest company to exit California, the largest economy and most populous state in the United States. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)
The big picture: It's been a whirlwind year for Nvidia, the tech juggernaut that's become virtually synonymous with AI computing hardware. From superb revenue figures to CEO Jensen Huang's headline-grabbing antics, the company has been in the spotlight for months. Now, the headlines grow sour as Nvidia has caught the eye of US antitrust regulators.

According to a report from The Information, the US Department of Justice has launched a probe into whether Nvidia engaged in anti-competitive business tactics to maintain its grip on the AI processor market after complaints from competitors. Investigators will investigate whether the company threatened to cut off or delay orders for customers buying AI chips from rivals like AMD, Intel, or smaller startups. If proven true, such strong-arming could clearly stifle competition and narrow customer choices in the burgeoning AI space.

Of course, Nvidia denies any foul play. A spokesperson told Reuters that the company "competes based on decades of investment and innovation, scrupulously adhering to all laws" while fairly allocating GPUs across all customers. Nvidia promised to cooperate fully with the DoJ's investigation.

Regulators are also investigating claims that Nvidia strong-armed cloud providers into bundled purchases, like having to buy Mellanox networking gear alongside Nvidia's A100 or H100 AI chips.

The Justice Department has reportedly contacted Nvidia's rivals, including AMD, to obtain information that corroborates the complaints. All this scrutiny is likely the culmination of progressive watchdogs and Senator Elizabeth Warren keeping the heat on the DoJ.

It's no wonder regulators are watching Nvidia's actions so closely now. By some estimates, the company commands a staggering 80-percent share of the AI processor market. It even briefly became the most valuable company in the world, outshining Apple, back in June. With that level of dominance, even minor missteps could have significant ripple effects across the entire industry.

The US probe falls on the heels of another antitrust investigation by French authorities over similar allegations. Regulators are also concerned about Nvidia's investments in certain AI cloud firms.

Politico reported on Thursday that the DoJ's probe extends to Nvidia's roughly $700 million buyout of Israeli AI startup Run:ai. The acquisition raised eyebrows, given that Run:ai's tech for optimizing AI infrastructure could further beef up Nvidia's capabilities.
RAMALLAH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least five Palestinians, including a Hamas commander, were killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian medical and security sources said Saturday.

"Out of the five victims, four bodies arrived charred, and their limbs torn apart, making it impossible to identify them," Amin Khader, director of Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital in Tulkarm, told Xinhua.

Only 25-year-old Haithan Bladi was identified, Khader said, adding that "now we are trying to identify the rest of the victims."

A drone targeted a vehicle carrying the five Palestinians, killing them all, Palestinian security sources, who prefer to remain anonymous, told Xinhua, noting that Bladi was a commander in al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a brief statement on Saturday that an IDF aircraft struck a vehicle and "terrorist cell" operating in the area of Tulkarm.

Amid the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank also has been witnessing military tension between the Israeli army and the Palestinians. Since Oct. 7, 2023, more than 590 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry. 
6.8-magnitude earthquake hits off Philippines' Mindanao: USGS



Manila, Aug 3 (AFP) Aug 03, 2024



A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines on Saturday, the United States Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of damage.

The shallow quake hit just before 6:30 am (2230 GMT) about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the village of Barcelona on the east of Mindanao island, the USGS said.

Many people would have been sleeping when the strong shaking jolted them from their beds.

It did not trigger a tsunami alert, according to the US Tsunami Warning System and the Philippine seismological agency.

The local seismological agency also said no damage was expected from the earthquake, but it warned of aftershocks in the region.

In Lingig municipality, where Barcelona is located, local disaster officer Ian Onsing said he was woken by the shaking.

"The shaking was quite strong. The things around here were moving. I guess, the shaking took around 10-15 seconds," Onsing told AFP by telephone.

"I'm not expecting any more damages, but we will go around the area again around 8:00 am just to be sure," he said.

"So far, there are no reported casualties or damages. We are now monitoring the shores for any rough movement."

In the municipality of Hinatuan, about 25 kilometres north of Barcelona, local disaster officer Jerome Ramirez saw appliances "moving for around 30 seconds" from the strong shaking.

Ramirez said there had been no reports of injuries or damage in coastal communities in the area.

"Now we are just monitoring for possible aftershocks," Ramirez told AFP by telephone.

Earthquakes regularly strike the Philippines, which sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Most are too weak to be felt by humans but strong and destructive quakes come at random with no technology available to predict when and where they will happen.

In December, a 7.6-magnitude quake struck off Mindanao, briefly triggering a tsunami warning.

That sent residents along the east coast of the island fleeing buildings, evacuating a hospital and seeking higher ground.

At least three people died.
by Pankaj Yadav

NEW DELHI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Five days have passed since multiple landslides hit India's southern state of Kerala, with the death toll touching 400 as per local media reports.

Official data put the death toll at about 358.

The landslides hit several villages in Meppadi area in the state's Wayanad district in the wee hours of Tuesday, while the people were still asleep. A popular school in the area was reduced to rubble. Efforts were ongoing to rehabilitate the surviving students in some other school in a bid to save their academic year.

"The people of Kerala stand united in lifting Wayanad back on its feet," said state's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told media on Saturday.

He also said that several offers had come from the international community to provide resources for the reconstruction and rehabilitation work. Nearly 10,042 people were staying in as many as 93 relief camps set up by the state government, Vijayan said, and added that search operations continued in the disaster-hit areas along the Chaliyar River.

Drone-based radar would be deployed soon, he said.

The state chief minister said, "Rehabilitation must be carried out effectively, with the goal of building an entire township. The rehabilitation project will be completed swiftly."

"For the Vellarmala School, we will ensure that the children's education is not disrupted and will arrange alternative facilities."

The government of the neighbouring state of Karnataka announced to build 100 houses for those rendered homeless in the landslides.

"In light of the tragic landslide in Wayanad, Karnataka stands in solidarity with Kerala. I have assured CM @pinarayivijayan of our support and announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for the victims. Together, we will rebuild and restore hope," said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Meanwhile, Kerala's Ministry of Finance appealed to the insurance companies to speedily disburse the insurance claims to the victims and their families. According to latest media reports, the insurance companies had initiated efforts in order to reach out to the insurance-policy holders.

State government sources said that the number of missing persons stood at 107. Among the 209 dead bodies pulled from under the debris, 67 were yet to be identified.

Media reports suggested that the total death toll was touching 400. If the official number of missing persons was added, the death toll would cross the 500-mark.

Considering the magnitude of the losses, monetary contributions have started pouring in. The lawmakers of Kerala's main ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) have announced to donate 50,000 Indian Rupees (around 597 U.S. dollars) each out of their monthly salaries to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.

In another related development after the landslides, India's federal government mulled declaring the mountain range "Western Ghats", which runs through the state of Kerala, as an ecologically-sensitive zone. The landslides-hit Wayanad district is located within the "Western Ghats" covered with dense forests. 
Lin Zhanxi (R), a professor from China's Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, visits a mushroom growing shed in Kigali, Rwanda, on Aug. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Li)

KIGALI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- At an exhibition stand at an agriculture show in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Emmanuel Ahimana said it is an exciting time to be involved with China's Juncao cultivation technology.

His company, which operates in Kigali's Gasabo District, uses the Chinese-invented Juncao technology to grow mushrooms with low-cost materials such as Juncao powder, cotton husks, lime powder, and water.

After learning the Juncao technology, Ahimana established a mushroom cultivation workshop in 2016, employing dozens of people. The workshop produces up to 10,000 mushroom tubes monthly. His goal is to expand the business to produce with modern machines and open several shop outlets around Kigali to sell mushrooms.

Juncao is a hybrid grass and an important multifunctional agricultural resource developed and used for mushroom farming in China. The innovation invented by Lin Zhanxi from China's Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in the 1980s has benefitted over 100 countries, including Rwanda.

Ahimana is one of more than 4,000 Rwandan farmers benefiting from Juncao technology, employing over 30,000 people in the agricultural value chain, according to the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board.

Leonidas Mushimiyimana, another Rwandan farmer, said the Juncao technology has made a big impact on his community.

He started mushroom production after receiving training from Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University and capacity-building workshops from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

This came at a time when a solution was needed to address local challenges such as poverty, child malnutrition, and youth unemployment.

To date, his company, DEYI Ltd., located in the Gasabo District, focuses on mushroom cultivation and covers the entire value chain, serving local and regional markets with exports to Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mushimiyimana also said he used the income from his Juncao mushroom production to build a school, which has improved education and economic opportunities in his community.

Since 2006, experts from Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University have been working with the Rwandan government on Juncao technology, teaching and promoting Juncao and other agricultural technologies in the country at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center located in southern Rwanda.

To date, more than 50 training courses on Juncao mushroom cultivation technology have been organized, benefiting more than 35,000 local mushroom farmers, official data show.

According to a concept note, building and strengthening the capacity of target groups in Juncao technology is essential to driving sustainable change, transforming agri-food systems, and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to ending hunger, eradicating poverty, creating jobs, empowering women and youth, and protecting the environment.

By supporting mushroom cultivation, the innovation has promoted food security and the transition to a green economy through environmentally friendly technology and more sustainable agriculture, Egide Karuranga, a Rwanda-based economist, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Karuranga said Juncao has played an important role in building resilience to climate change. "It has also helped combat land degradation by producing fodder for livestock and minimizing soil erosion."

"Juncao technology has been a success, which demonstrates the need to invest in science and technology," Karuranga said, highlighting the technology's transformative power in changing the lives of communities, including farmers, women, and youth. 

Lin Zhanxi (L), a professor from China's Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, visits a mushroom growing shed in Kigali, Rwanda, on Aug. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Li)
Another airline has gone into voluntary administration. Hundreds of jobs in limbo. And the Qantas and Virgin duopoly continues to reign supreme. In other words, its business as usual for Australias aviation industry.

Rex, which has served regional Australia for 22 years providing links with communities and their economies into capital cities, entered the intercity market after COVID-19 lockdowns. Credit: Andrew Taylor

Regional Express (Rex) is not the first airline to unsuccessfully challenge the market power of Qantas, and to a lesser extent, Virgin, and it will not likely be the last.

A succession of contenders in the Australian domestic aviation market, generally from regional backgrounds, have sought to break into the lucrative golden triangle Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane routes that produce the bulk of profits for Qantas and Virgin.

We all know how that ended for Bonza, Air Australia, OzJet, and others.
Matt Golding Credit: .

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Facing massacre truths

Your correspondent (Letters, 27/7) highlights reconciliation meetings at massacre sites. Annually we drive the inland route to Brisbane including in recent years a diversion to the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial, which is 23 kilometres north of Bingara. It is a place of solitude and reverence.

The Myall Creek Massacre, well-documented, makes for harrowing reading. The memorial honours the 28 Wirrayaraay women, children and elderly men murdered in June 1838; it also honours those brave enough to speak up, at a time when most massacres went unreported and unpunished.

Approaching the new millennium, local people from the Bingara region, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, guided by Myall Creek Elders, worked together to create this memorial. It was dedicated at a special ceremony in June 2000, bringing together in empathy some of the descendants of those massacred, and descendants of the perpetrators. Subsequent gatherings occur each year at a similar time. This site is now, a place of deep spiritual connection, a place no longer of terror but of great peace and power.

These actions offer hope for a more enlightened, respectful understanding of our shared history, painful as it may be to confront these truths.

David Quin, Mount Martha

Caught in a loop

The Suburban Rail Loop project in Victoria has been stuck for nearly two years because the state government hasnt given Infrastructure Australia the information it needs (Rail loop funding stalls as lid kept on cost details, 3/8).

This mess started with a flawed business case from August 2022, and despite countless requests for more details, the state has been slow to respond.

Infrastructure Australia is ready to move forward once it gets the right information, but the state insists it has already provided everything requested. At the same time, discussions are under way about innovative new business taxes designed to cover the $11 billion cost, promising a transformative shift in how we approach economic responsibility. The mind boggles at the reaction of the business sector.

The lack of clear communication and transparency is still causing major delays. This project needs better consultation and quicker action to get back on track.
When Robert Campbell laughed, inhaled his coffee and started coughing while driving down the highway near Bordertown in South Australia three years ago, his son thought he was messing around. It was the sort of thing hed do.

This time, though, it was serious. Within seconds, Campbell had coughed himself into unconsciousness. His car had veered to the right, across the road, down a slope, through a fence and into an open paddock. The tyre marks it left describe a long, rightward curve.

If you superimpose the picture taken at that scene onto a similar picture of the path taken by convicted triple murderer Robert Farquharsons car when it crashed into a dam and killed his three sons in 2005, a remarkable thing emerges: the curves look virtually identical.

Campbell thought nothing more of it  nobody was hurt and he fully recovered from the incident, which he suspects was caused by a condition called cough syncope.
Mossad, Israels intelligence agency, hired Iranian security agents to plant explosives in three separate rooms of a building where a Hamas leader was staying, The Telegraph in London has learned.

The original plan was to assassinate Ismail Haniyeh, the political head of the Palestinian terror group, in May when he attended the funeral of Ebrahim Raisi, Irans former president.

The operation didnt go ahead due to the large crowds inside the building and the high possibility of its failure, two Iranian officials told The Telegraph.

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Credit: nna\miriah.davis

Instead, the two agents placed explosive devices in three rooms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) guesthouse in north Tehran where Haniyeh might stay.
Palestinians walk past the rubble following an Israeli raid in Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, Aug. 3, 2024. Four Palestinians were killed on Saturday by an Israeli drone that targeted a vehicle near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians were killed on Saturday by an Israeli drone that targeted a vehicle near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

The vehicle, traveling between the town of Bal'a and the Aktaba suburb east of Tulkarm, was completely engulfed in flames following the attack, WAFA said, adding that Israeli forces then surrounded the vehicle and prevented ambulance crews from reaching it.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Saturday that in a joint IDF, Israeli Security Agency (ISA), and Israel Police "counterterrorism" operation, a "terrorist cell" was eliminated during an encounter with "terrorists" in Tulkarm.

"During the encounter, four terrorists were identified shooting at the security forces," the IDF said, noting that with the intelligence direction of the ISA, IDF soldiers directed an Israeli Air Force aircraft to strike and eliminate the "terrorists."

This incident came just after five Palestinians, including a Hamas commander, were killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm, on Saturday morning.

Amid the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank has also been witnessing rising tensions between the Israeli army and Palestinians. Since Oct. 7, 2023, more than 590 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry. 

Palestinians inspect a car following an Israeli raid in the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Aug. 3, 2024.

At least five Palestinians, including a Hamas commander, were killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian medical and security sources said Saturday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinians walk past the rubble following an Israeli raid in Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, Aug. 3, 2024.

Four Palestinians were killed on Saturday by an Israeli drone that targeted a vehicle near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, Aug. 3, 2024.

Four Palestinians were killed on Saturday by an Israeli drone that targeted a vehicle near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Israeli soldiers and military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, Aug. 3, 2024.

Four Palestinians were killed on Saturday by an Israeli drone that targeted a vehicle near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People carry the body of Palestinian Haithan Bladi, who was killed during an Israeli raid, during his funeral in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, Aug. 3, 2024.

At least five Palestinians, including a Hamas commander, were killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian medical and security sources said Saturday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinians stand amid the rubble following an Israeli raid in Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, Aug. 3, 2024.

Four Palestinians were killed on Saturday by an Israeli drone that targeted a vehicle near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinians inspect a car following an Israeli raid in the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Aug. 3, 2024.

At least five Palestinians, including a Hamas commander, were killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian medical and security sources said Saturday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Relatives of Palestinian Haithan Bladi, who was killed during an Israeli raid, mourn during his funeral in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, Aug. 3, 2024.

At least five Palestinians, including a Hamas commander, were killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Zeita, north of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian medical and security sources said Saturday. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
BEIRUT, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A fierce exchange of fire broke out between Hezbollah and the Israeli army on Friday along the border area between Lebanon and Israel, involving heavy machine gun fire, artillery and missile shelling, as well as airstrikes, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

According to the anonymous sources, there are no reports of casualties yet.

Israeli drones and warplanes launched nine raids on seven towns and villages in southern Lebanon and three raids on areas in Hermel, Al-Qasr, and the Matraba crossing on the Lebanese-Syrian border in the east of the country, said the sources.

"The Lebanese army positions monitored the launch of about 50 surface-to-surface missiles from the Lebanese side to Israel in three separate batches, and the Israeli Iron Dome missiles intercepted some of them," the sources added.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced on Friday the targeting of Israeli positions in the Western Galilee with Katyusha missiles and the positions of Al-Raheb, Al-Marj, Bayad Blida, and Al-Samaqa.

The party said it fired an air defense missile at an Israeli warplane flying in the airspace of the western region of the south, causing the plane to redirect towards the airspace of occupied Palestine.

A state of anticipation and caution prevails in Lebanon following Israel's attack on Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday, killing a Hezbollah senior military commander, Fouad Shokor, and seven civilians.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has threatened a definite and painful response to the Israeli raid at the appropriate time and place. 
14 inmates died at Delhi shelter home in July





NEW DELHI :

FOURTEEN deaths have been recorded in the month of July in Asha Kiran Shelter Home being run in Delhis Rohini area, an official report said. Asha Kiran is a Delhi Government-run facility for mentally challenged and it comes under its Social Welfare Department. The department is currently without a head following the resignation of Raaj Kumar Anand. A controversy has erupted over the deaths in the shelter home. The official report stated that a total of 25 deaths were recorded from February 2024, out of which 14 deaths occurred (Male-6, Female-8) in the shelter home in the month of July only.

The report from Asha Kiran Shelter Home to the Delhi Government mentioned loose motion and unconsciousness as being the reason behind deaths. Other reasons included- mild fever and vomiting. Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi said on Friday that out of the 14 inmates who died in July at the Asha Kiran shelter home, some had comorbidities, and added that if any negligence is found, the guilty will not be spared. Atishi said Asha Kiran has 980 inmates and 450 caretakers. It is a shelter home for the intellectually disabled. There are different kinds of intellectual disability. Those suffering from profound or serious disability have other comorbidities also. The deaths of the 14 inmates in July is a serious matter, she noted. Out of the 14 inmates who died, 13 were adults and one was minor. The autopsy report of the inmates is awaited. But some of the inmates had comorbidities.

Some of those who succumbed were hospitalised in June. What I am saying is that their deaths need to be medically examined also, she said. The minister said a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident and its preliminary report will come in 24 hours. NCW chief Rekha Sharma visited Asha Kiran, a Government home for the mentally-challenged in Rohini, Delhi, following reports of multiple deaths among its residents. The BJP leaders slammed the AAP led Delhi Government over the deaths of Asha Kiran Shelter Home inmates in Rohini, alleging irregularities and negligence at the facility. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Friday directed for a comprehensive inquiry in the state of affairs of all shelter homes of the Delhi Government, including the deaths of inmates at the Asha Kiran facility in Rohini, and sought a report within a week, the Raj Niwas said. He has asked for adequate compensation to be paid to the parents or guardians of the deceased.
Central budget to bolster vision of developed India





Staff Reporter

Raipur,

Chhattisgarhs Finance Minister O P Choudhary, has laid out an ambitious plan to double the states Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) while addressing the critical issues of climate change and promoting a green economy. Speaking at the India Rural Dialogue 2024, Choudhary highlighted the need for a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 percent to achieve this goal. Choudhary emphasised the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable agricultural practices, calling them strategic investments for the states future. Drawing from his personal experience as a farmer, he underscored the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, including climate change and market volatility. Increasing investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable agricultural practices is a strategic investment in our future, Choudhary said.

The India Rural Dialogue, organized by Transform Rural India (TRI) in partnership with the Indian Institute of Management, Raipur, brought together key speakers such as IIM-Raipur Director Ram Kakan, Chhattisgarh Chief Ministers Secretary Rahul Bhagat, and TRIs co-leader Anirban Ghosh.

Anirban Ghosh highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying, By fostering collaboration between the government, academia, and the private sector, we can accelerate progress towards a climate-smart and equitable rural India. The events opening session, focused on Advancing Good Governance and a Holistic Government Approach for a Developed Chhattisgarh, saw speakers discussing strategies to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government institutions.

Good governance is the cornerstone of sustainable development, said Professor Dr. Varsha Mandi of IIM-Raipur. By strengthening our institutions and promoting civic engagement, we can better address the challenges posed by climate change.

A session on Climate Action emphasized building local partnerships to promote technology-based solutions for water scarcity. Key speakers included Dr. Varsha Mandi, Principal Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department Niharika Barik Singh, and CEO of Hindustan Unilever

Foundation Shravan Jha. Water is the lifeline of our rural communities, Niharika Barik Singh stated. We must prioritize water conservation, efficient irrigation practices, and the adoption of drought-resistant crops. Another session, Forest Health: Future-proofing the Health of People, Wildlife, and Ecosystems against Poverty, featured Manoj Pingua, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, and Dr. Andre Noguera, CEO of Leap Design. The discussions aimed to empower Chhattisgarhs agricultural communities to overcome climate-related challenges. A healthy population is essential for a prosperous rural economy, said Dr Andre Noguera. By investing in preventive healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation, we can build resilience against climate shocks. The India Rural Dialogue 2024, running from August 1 to 8, is a series of programs aimed at inspiring rural rejuvenation across states like Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. In its fourth edition, the Dialogue gathers voices from civil society, government, and business to generate actionable solutions for rural development. The event features panel discussions, debates, fireside chats, and roundtable conferences, addressing critical issues such as climate resilience, health and nutrition, youth employment, micro-enterprise, agricultural prosperity, gender inclusivity, and local governance, with the goal of building a prosperous rural India.
Made in Varanasi badges shineon Army uniforms in UK, US





NEW DELHI :

IN A commendable testament to Indias growing potential, the indigenously produced goods are making their presence felt on foreign shores. The latest in the array of products going globalis theMade in Varanasi badges which are shining bright on the uniforms of Armed Forces pertaining to many countries including the US and African nations. Notably, Army badges of many countries including the US, UK, Oman, Uganda etc., are made in the narrow streets of Varanasi. Shadab Alam is among a group of locals whose family has been engaged in the enterprise forthree generations. For years, his family along with other residents of Varanasi have contributed immensely in giving the citya global recognition. As the indigenously produced badges and flags are showcased on uniforms of worlds most powerful armies, it has given new vigour to the Made in India campaign. Shadab in a conversation with IAN Salsospokeabout the intricacies offoreign armies badge manufacturing.

He said that the Made in Varanasi badges got a major boost after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government came to power in 2014. Asthebadge-makingenterprise got listed under GI tag after 2014, the business got a new pace and direction. A lot of orders are beingreceived, leading to more employment than before. We have added30 female and 25 male staff to ourworkforce, he said. Shadab also said that whenFrench President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Varanasi sometime ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted him a French envelope, which was made by his team. Reports suggest that about 5,000to 10,000 orders are received on anannualbasis.The business has been running for long time but this hasfound new momentum in the last few years. As Varanasi is the LS Constituency of PM Modi, this alsoreflects Governments focus and thrust on the Made in India pitch
Act as Centre-State bridge: PM to Governors





 Delhi Bureau & Agencies

NEW DELHI,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged Governors to play the role of an effective bridge between the Centre and the State and interact with people and social organisations in a manner that would co-opt those who are underprivileged. Addressing the two-day conference of Governors, inaugurated and chaired by President Droupadi Murmu, Modi said the post of the Governor was an important institution that could play a crucial role in the welfare of the people within the framework of the Constitution, particularly with reference to tribal areas.

The President, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also addressed the inaugural session. In his address, the Prime Minister urged the Governors to play the role of an effective bridge between the Centre and the State and interact with people and social organisations in a manner to co-opt those who are underprivileged, according to a release issued by the Rashtrapati Bhawan The conference, which ends on Saturday, will coverawide range of issues that play a critical role in not only shaping the centre-state relations but also promoting welfare schemes for common people, the release said. In her opening remarks, Murmu said it was crucial for the smooth functioning of democracythatvariouscentralagencieswork with better coordination across all the States. She advised Governors to think about how they, as constitutional heads of their respective states, can promote this coordination.

Murmu said the agenda for this conference included carefully chosen issues that were crucial in achieving national goals. The deliberations of the conference, the president added, would be an enriching experience for all participants and help them in their functioning. The President expressed confidence that all governors would continue to contribute to the service and welfare of the people, doing justice to the oath taken by them. With the implementation of three new laws related to criminal justice, a new era of the justice system had begun in the country, Murmu said. The change in thinking, she added, was evident from the names of the laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
BHOODAN LANDS Probe irregularities, take appropriate action: SIC Nagpur Bench to State









By Kartik Lokhande :

Expressing concern over lack of any authentic record and papers about Bhoodan lands and apathy shown by Bhoodan Yadnya Mandal (BYM), Nagpur Bench of the State Information Commission (SIC) has recommended to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary to conduct a probe into Bhoodan land parcels that have gone missing in the last few decades. Such an exercise will help the Government in compiling information about the lands received under the Bhoodan Movement, examine their use, and better management of Bhoodan lands. Also, this will help the State Government to obtain objective information about irregularities, and initiate appropriate action at the administrative level in accordance with the prevailing legal provisions, stated Rahul Pande, State Information Commissioner, Nagpur Bench, in his order.

The order was issued after hearing an appeal filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Yadavrao Kevalram Kathoke against Public Information Officer with District Collectorate (Records Section), Nagpur. In the order, the SIC Nagpur Bench also asked the Divisional Commissioners of Nagpur and Amravati divisions (covering entire Vidarbha region) to collect information about Bhoodan lands and make it available in public domain so as to get the latest status about use of these land parcels. He also suggested to initiate stern action against land sharks and pliable individuals who joined hands in unauthorised transactions of Bhoodan lands across Maharashtra, and particularly in Vidarbha. The SIC cited a study conducted by Sarva Seva Sangh which highlighted that 76,000 acres of Bhoodan land was missing in unified Andhra Pradesh. It also cited a ruling of the Gujarat High Court, which also expressed shock over the mind-boggling land scam in the land parcels received from people under Bhoodan Movement and had recommended district-level and State-level panel to probe the Bhoodan land missing from the records.

Citing both these, the SIC Nagpur Bench recommended to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary to take appropriate steps to protect lands received from people who responded to call of the great Gandhian Acharya Vinoba Bhave, who was honoured with the countrys highest civilian award Bharat Ratna. In 2016, the Gujarat High Court had suggested to the committees at district-level to prepare a database of Bhoodan lands donated during the Bhoodan Movement, from the Government records, from the records of the Bhoodan Samitis, and also from other sources, with the details of the names of original owners, dates of donation, names of Bhoodan Samitis, names of allottees/donees, and existing status of such lands. It had directed Gujarat Bhoodan Samiti and Gujarat Sarvoday Mandal to extend full co-operation and support record from Bhoodan Yadnya Mandal and it was a separate statutory entity.

The Mandal insisted that RTI Act was not applicable to it. Rejecting the stand taken by BYM that it was not receiving any aid and was not amenable to RTI Act jurisdiction, the SIC Nagpur Bench noted that it was formed under Madhya Pradesh Bhoodan Mandal Act, 1953 and this was mentioned so prominently on its official letter-head bearing the National Emblem. Besides, at Yavatmal and Nagpur, the office of the Mandal is situated in District Collectorate premises. Hence, such a stand taken by the BYM is contrary to Gandhian principles, the SIC noted while holding that as per Section 2(h) (c) of the RTI Act 2005, the Mandal is a body constituted by State law and very much amenable and duty-bound to furnish information under the RTI Act. It is the onerous responsibility of the Mandal and its office-bearers to fulfil the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave and distribute the land to landless farmers and labours and protect it from land sharks, the SIC added.
JMC launches massive cleanliness drive, deploys available machinery, resources

Staff Reporter,

Due to continuous negligence of Essel Company over the past one month, the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has launched a massive cleanliness drive, deploying all available machinery and human resources. Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav said that Essel Company has been consistently neglecting door-to-door garbage collection for last one month. As a result, the JMC administration has been conducting daily garbage collection from households using its resources. On Friday, 530 tons of garbage were collected by 280 garbage trucks and transported to the Kathonda plant.

Deputy Commissioner Sambhav Ayachi informed that to maintain regular garbage collection, 280 garbage trucks, 20 JCB machines, 10 Tata 407, 18 tractor trolleys and 13 dumpers, along with all chief sanitation inspectors, sanitation inspectors, ward supervisors and assistant ward supervisors have been deployed.

Ayachi said continuous efforts are being made in the direction and Municipal Commissioner Yadav is monitoring the situation from morning till evening to ensure the garbage collection system is not disrupted. Health Officer Sandeep Jaiswal said the Municipal Commissioner personally reviews reports every hour. He said the JMC administration will soon take legal action against Essel Company. He said the civic body will continue to manage the citys cleanliness with its resources and will bring needed improvements to the sanitation

system.
Pathetic infrastructure hits Govt schools in MP

By Ankita Garg

Though Madhya Pradesh boasts off various schemes to connect children with school education and reduce the school dropout rates but the ground level reality is that students in Government schools are studying while sitting on sackcloth due to poor infrastructure and absence of teachers in the classroom.

Amid monsoon showers, condition of Government schools are in dilapidating condition. If we talk about one of the oldest school Jehagiriya school in Moti Masajid area of Bhopal, first floor got collapsed and debris is lying on the floor. Classes are being run only in three rooms on the ground floor. Walls, terrace and window of the schools is having termite, spider and muddy floor. There are around 125 students in the school and they said that while attending the class they see plaster breaking from the walls and sometime they get scared of the incident.

On condition of anonymity, a school management

said that concern department has been informed about

the infrastructure issue of school. The school management said that apart from class, plaster came off the staff room. The school is having class 1 to 12.

While speaking about the school, District Education Officer N K Ahirwar said, Enquiry will be raised to check the condition of school and all efforts will be made to repair the building.

Apart from this, there are 355 schools in Madhya Pradesh having zero students but these schools have appointment of teachers. However school education department has said to transfer the teachers to other schools. Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) has recently started campaign to transfer the teachers of such schools to other where there is requirement.

DPI officials said that counselling is being held for teachers to transfer them to other campus. They said in counselling, teachers from school having zero students will be giving three options and after that they will be sent to other schools. Those teachers found to be absent in counselling session will be randomly sent to other school.

According to list provided by DPI, there are 42 teachers assigned in Sagar, 34 teachers in Satna, 16 teachers in Seoni, two in Shahdol, four in Sehore, 23 in Shajapur, 3 in Sheopur, 14 Shivpuri, 1 in Sidhi, 2 in Agar- Malwa, 5 in Ashok Nagar, 1 in Balaghat, 4 in Betul, 2 in Bhind, 6 in Bhopal, 6 in Chindwara, 2 in Damoh, 3 in Datia, 11 in Dewas, 3 in Guna, 16 in Gwalior, 6 in Harda, 2 in Indore,3 in Jabalpur, 2 in Katni, 6 in Khargone, 8 in Mandsaur, 16 in Morena, 4 in Narsinghpur, 3 in Neemach, 8 in Panna, 11 in Raisen, 14 in Rajgarh, 4 in Ratlam and 3 in Rewa.

Around 70,000 post of teachers in Government schools are vacant. There are around 1.22 lakh Government schools with about 1.10 crores of student. Sanctioned post of teachers in state are 301620 while teachers appointed on these vacancies are 226234. In past five years, around 26 thousand teachers have been recruited in schools across State.
SANAA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Central Command said on Saturday that its forces successfully destroyed an "Iranian-backed Houthi missile and launcher in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen" in the past 24 hours.

"It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region," it said in a post on the social media X.

"These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure," it added.

The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has yet to comment on its media outlets.

Meanwhile, Britain's Maritime Trade Operations reported on X on Saturday that it received a report of an incident 170 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen.

It said the merchant vessel observed a small explosion close to the vessel. The vessel's master confirmed there was no damage and all crew are reported safe. The vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.

Since November last year, the Houthi group has been targeting Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, using ballistic missiles and drones, to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In response, the naval coalition of the United States and Britain stationing in the waters has since targeted the Houthi military sites to deter the group, but it led to the expansion of the Houthi attacks to include U.S. and British naval and merchant ships.

Several shipping companies are changing the routes to the southern tip of Africa to avoid drone and missile attacks. 
Illegal sand excavation: Poclain

machine seized; driver escapes

Our Correspondent

SAUNSAR,

Illegal sand excavation is being done by using Poclain machines near Rohna mine Ret ghat in Kanhan river of Ramakona village through dumpers. These days, illegal sand excavation is being done fearlessly by ignoring the instructions of the Government.

On receiving the information, the Revenue and Mineral Department went to the Ret ghat and took a joint action in which they seized a Poclain machine and registered a case. On getting the hint of action, the dumper and tractor drivers filling sand ran away with their vehicles.

According to the information, on Thursday afternoon, social worker Pankaj Thackeray informed the administration about sand excavation from Poclain in the river at Rohna Ret ghat and asked the officials to take action.

On receiving the information, Tehsildar, Bhavna Malgam and Mineral Officer went to the Ret ghat and took action. Poclain has been seized from the river. It was seen that there were a large number of dumpers at the Ret ghat. Fearing action by the administration, they fled with their vehicles. The Poclain driver also fled from the spot. The Revenue and Mineral Department is investigating.
Regional PF Commr presents PPOs to retiring employees

Staff Reporter,

Jabalpur Regional Office, Employees Provident Fund Organisation makes constant efforts to issue pension to members of Employees Pension Scheme 1995 on the day of superannuation under Prayas Scheme of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation.

Following the same, Rakesh Sahrawat, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I, presented Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) to the pension members who retired on completion of 58 years of age from various institutions in July 2024 during a function organized in the office.

Sahrawat, Regional PF Commissioner-I handed over pension payment orders to the pension members who retired from KEC International, Krishi Mahavidyalaya, Rani Durgavati University and Narmada Gelatins Limited.

He further informed that 149 PPOs have been issued by the office under Prayas in the current financial year, out of which 64 PPOs were issued during July while 744 PPOs were issued under this scheme since April 2022 till date. This number is more than half of the total PPOs issued jointly in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh zone under Prayas. He also informed that in lack of cooperation from the employers, all the eligible pension members are not able to get the schemes benefit and after retirement they have to face many difficulties in settling the pension case.

Sehrawat appealed the employers to complete the KYC of all the employees working in their respective organizations to ensure smooth settling of cases related to PF and pension payment.

He also requested the members of Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 to open their account in State Bank of India or Punjab National for pension payment. One can also contact the Public Relations Officer through contact number 0761-2640680 for further details.

Ashish Kumar, Regional PF Commissioner-II appealed pensioners to submit the digital life certificate after the completion of one year period. Kanta Devi Motwani appealed all the members to complete their e-nomination process.
Bolt from the Blueis raising alarm in State

Staff Reporter ,

The State is witnessing torrential rain along with lighting strikes that is adding to the woes of people.

As per the annual lightning report 2023 based on the observations by Lightning Detection Network (LDN) of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)/ Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) and National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the country has witnessed continuous rise in lightning strikes. Madhya Pradesh has been most effected with rise in both lightning and mortality.

Further, according to the ranking of the states in the annual lightning report 2021-22 by Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council (CROPC), Madhya Pradesh emerged the top state with highest lighting strikes.

Ved Prakash, a senior scientist at Indian Meteorological Department, stated that the lightning cases in the State are higher because the geographical location of the State makes it receive moisture from southwest winds flowing from Arabian sea and southeast winds flowing from Bay of Bengal. Owing to the State receiving more moisture the frequency of thunderstorm in the State exceeds comparatively to the number of thunderstorm days in other states. Another factor is orography in northern part and south-central part of the State. When the winds carrying moisture conflict with the northern or south-central ranges, the districts falling into the periphery of these ranges will receive rainfall and lightning.

He stated that the incidents of the lightning strike are less comparatively to the deaths being reported.

The scientist highlighted that general warning may not be sufficient and we need prior identification of location and time about lightning.

General warning may not be sufficient in preventing deaths due to lightning strike. We are working on our two projects that will help in prior generation of location and time specific lightning forecast. The prior prediction with respect to location and time can alerting people and prevent in getting snuff out owing to lightning bolt

Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of the lives that were claimed by the lightning strike in the past month in the State.

According to the reports, the States commission has taken cognizance of dozens cases of death due to lightning strike as the state in witnessing torrential rain.

The incidents

One dies, three injured in lightning strike in Bhopal

The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has taken cognizance of lightning strike that struck against four people including a couple and their two children in Piplani. The lightning strike incinerated the goods along with putting the house on fire.

As per details, four were treated in AIIMS. The details stated that during the treatment the head of the family Shaitan Malviya (50) died while undergoing the treatment whereas the condition of other three was improving. Taking cognizance of the incident the MPHRC has asked Bhopal Collector to submit a report within a month regarding the action taken in extending the financial assistance to the deceased heirs and the financial compensation payable for the loss of property as per the governments scheme.

Lightning claims 2 lives in Chhatarpur

In Chhatarpur district, two people, including a minor, died due to lightning. According to information, a minor snuffed out due to lightning in Khaump village. The minor was rushed to the district hospital where he was declared dead. A 35-year-old man, a resident of Gherapurwe was also killed by lightning strike while working in the field. The man was taken to the hospital where the health officials declared him brought dead. MPHRC has asked the Collector Chhatarpur to submit a report in one month regarding the financial compensation amount payable to the heirs of both the deceased.

Lightning in Neemuch takes toll on a youths life

Yet in another incident, owing to lightning a youth died in Parpadia village of Neemuch district. MPHRC has asked the Neemuch Collector to investigate the matter and submit a report within a month regarding the financial compensation that will be extending to the family of the deceased.

Farmer dies in ShahdolAn incident of a farmer dying due to lightning strike has come to fore of MPHRC from Bansukali village of Shahdol.

MPHRC has asked the Shahdol Collector to investigate the matter and submit a report within a month.

Woman dies in TikamgarhA woman died a painful death due to lightning in village Rajpura of Tikamgarh district. As per details, the woman was grazing buffaloes on her farm and got struck by the lightning.

MPHRC has got the matter investigated from the

Collector, Tikamgarh and has asked for a report in a month regarding the financial compensation.

Woman dies in Chhindwara

A 32-year-old woman of Chhindwara district was snuffed out due to lightening while working in the field. MPHRC while taking the incident into cognisance, asked the Collector Chhindwara to submit a report in a month about actions taken into the case and information about monetary assistance for the next of the kin.

Teacher dies in Dewas

A 28-year-old teacher scummed to lightning in Dewas district. The deceased was a mathematics teacher who was struck by lightning while passing through the bypass being constructed outside Khategaon. The MPHRC has asked the Dewas Collector to investigate into the case and submit a report in a month regarding the financial compensation that is payable to the family of the deceased as per the Government rules.

11 killed in Mandla distt

In a shocking incident, lightning bolt claims lives for five people while six were left injured at various locations in

Mandla district. Mandla Collector has been asked to submit a report to MPHRC within a month regarding financial compensation amount payable to the families.

2 women die in Dindori

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law died due to lightning in village Khamaria of Dindori district. As per details the deceased were planting paddy in the field, when lightning claimed the lives of the two. Taking cognisance of the matter, MPHRC has asked the Collector, Dindori to investigate the matter and submit a report regarding the financial compensation payable to the heirs of both the decease

Lightning kills 2 in Gwalior

A woman (32) and a youth (23) died in two separate incidents due to lightning in Gwalior district. MPHRC has asked the Gwalior Collector to investigate the matter and submit a report in one month regarding the financial compensation payable to the heirs of both the deceased.

Lightning claims 1 in Bhind

A middle-aged man was seared due to lightning in village Kamai of Bhind district. The middle-aged man was taken to the hospital by his family for treatment where he died during treatment. MPHRC has asked the Bhind Collector to investigate the matter and submit a report within a month on the action taken about the financial amount payable to the heirs of the deceased.

Woman injured in Sidhi

A woman was injured when lightning suddenly struck a house in Goriyara village of Sidhi district. The injured woman was admitted to the district hospital. MPHRC has asked the Collector and CMHO, Sidhi to investigate the matter and submit a report within three weeks regarding the treatment of the injured woman.

1 dies, dozens injured in Chhatarpur

In a horrifying incident, one died and dozens of people were injured in Dhavad village in Chhatarpur district. The deceased was identified as Sohan Adivasi (29). MPHRC asked Chhatarpur Collector to investigate the matter and submit a report within a month. MPHRC also said to report about the people injured in such an incident.
Parents create ruckus at DPS over alleged sexual abuse of 5-yr-old girl





Police trying to pacify the enraged parents in the school premises.

Staff Reporter

BHILAI,

Parents created a ruckus at Delhi Public School (DPS), Risali on Friday morning alleging that a 5-year-old girl was sexually abused at the school. The parents demanded strict action against the perpetrator accusing the school management of attempting to protect the culprit. After several hours of chaos, the parents calmed down following assurances from the school management and the police. According to reports a large number of parents, predominantly women, gathered in front of Bhilai Niwas and marched to Delhi Public School (DPS), Risali, on Friday morning. Upon arrival, they found the schools main gate locked by the management and police. The parents, demanding to speak with the Principal, were eventually allowed inside after insisting on entering as a group. Inside the auditorium, parents expressed their outrage over a recent incident, accusing the Principal of concealing the truth. Despite the Principals claims, supported by police investigations and CCTV footage, that there was no evidence of wrongdoing, the parents were not convinced and their anger escalated. The Newai police station in-charge had to step in to manage the situation.

Concerns about child safety were raised, prompting the Principal to promise the installation of CCTVs in classrooms and key areas. However, the assurances did little to pacify the parents, and the Principal remained under police protection throughout the confrontation. The protest began on the alleged sexual abuse of a 5-year-old girl at DPS Maroda Primary School on July 5 which was reported by the media. After about two-and-a- half hours, Additional Superintendent of Police Sukhnandan Rathore tried to calm the crowd.

The Principals claim that a high-ranking official had pressurized him to admit two students via WhatsApp on April 4, threatening severe consequences for non-compliance and suggesting that the protest was orchestrated to tarnish the schools reputation, only fuelled further suspicion. The situation intensified with parents shouting slogans of We want justice During the meeting, Principal Vashisht reiterated the denial of any sexual abuse, backed by the police investigation. This denial only further enraged the parents, who accused the police of conspiring with the school management. The parents demanded that the matter be investigated by an officer of SDM level rank. Questions arose regarding the absence of the alleged victims parents, who had previously sought justice from the police and district education officer, and the suspension and subsequent disappearance of a school attendant. The Principals inability to provide clear answers suggested a potential cover-up by the school, alleged the parents. The chaos lasted for several hours before the parents were eventually calmed by assurances from both the school management and the police.

Misinterpretation of medical report triggered rumour: SP

Staff Reporter

BHILAI,

Aug 2

SP Shukla explained that the student had been diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) by a competent doctor. However, the prescription went viral on social media, sparking chaos due to misinterpretation and rumours bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb A misinterpretation of medical reports led to the rumours resulting in widespread chaos. After a thorough investigation, the police confirmed the incident was solely the result of rumours, stated Jitendra Shukla, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Durg, during a press conference.

This statement followed a demonstration by numerous parents demanding the safety of school children and justice for the student at DPS, Bhilai. SP Shukla explained that the student in question had been diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) by a competent doctor. However, the prescription went viral on social media, sparking chaos due to misinterpretation and rumours.

The police delved into every detail of the case, consulting experts and investigating the role of the principal, headmistress, class teacher, and attendants, while also analysing CCTV footage to establish the facts. The police warned that they will take strict action against anyone spreading false information or rumours that harm the students dignity and the institutions integrity. The court may also intervene in such cases. SP Shukla assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted again if any new substantial evidence arises.
Rs 1,200 crore DPC approves outlay for district





Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule along with others after inauguration of Niyojan Bhavan on Friday.

Staff Reporter :

District Planning Committee (DPC) has approved an outlay of Rs 1,200 crore for Nagpur district at its meeting held at Niyojan Bhavan on Friday. Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who chaired the meeting, said that he had been advocating to increase the outlay, ensuring that all the development projects complete in time. So far, the Mahayuti Government has provided balanced allocation in general plan, Scheduled Tribes plan and under Tribal Sub-plan with a view to achieve all round development on every front. However Fadnavis called for proper co-ordination in achieving the end result in all constituencies of district through minute planning and targeted release of funds. At the meeting, the Guardian Minister also finalised the expenditure of last financial year which was Rs 1036.38 crore. As per the details, the general plan outlay was fixed at Rs 800 crore while that of Scheduled Caste Sub-plan (SCSP) was kept at Rs 183 crore and for Tribal head, Rs 53 crore were utilised.

The total utilisation of funds was 99.97 per cent. For the current year, the DPC, after deliberation finalised the respective outlay wherein under General plan Rs 944 crore is allocated, for SCSP Rs 195 crore and under Tribal Sub-plan Rs 80 crore are earmarked. So the comparative increase in DPC outlay for district is nearly Rs 200 crore which is quite phenomenal. Speaking further at the meeting, Fadnavis stated that a sum of Rs 1,219 crore had been allocated for SCSP and Tribal Sub-plan. Of that, Rs 405.65 crore has already been released in Budget Distribution System. Similarly, till end of July, Rs 48,71,79,000 was already released to implementing agencies against the demand and so far Rs 23,71,30,000 has been spent. Category C Pilgrimage Status: DPC also accepted the Contd from page 1 proposal put forward by Zilla Parishad and granted Category C pilgrimage tourism centre status to Renuka Mata Mandir Deosthan, Mohgaon Zilpi, Hingna tehsil; Rameshwar Mandir, Mouza Neri; Nagnath Swami Math Deosthan, Ghorad village, Kalmeshwar Tehsil; Shree Vitthal Rukmini Seva Samiti Deosthan, Makardhokda, Umred Tehsil; and Ravi Maharaj Math, Mouza Salai Godhani. Apart from that, DPC granted nod for development plan for upgradation of tourist facilities at Parmata Ek Sevak Manavdharma Ashram facilities at Narayan Tekdi in Ramtek and at Mauda. Crop Damage: During the meeting, MLAs Ail Deshmukh, Ashish Jaiswal and Tekchand Sawarkar highlighted the issue of crop damage due to animals in Katol, Parsheoni and Ramtek tehsil.

They sought DPC to allocate a sum so that farmers can be compensated. Similarly, Krishna Khopde and Vikas Kumbhare, MLAs, sought strict action against encroachments in Naag River. The two legislators pointed out that the water flow is getting blocked due to unauthorised constructions. Pravin Datke and Parinay Fuke, MLCs, raised the issue of bad conditions of road in city that is resulting in traffic snarls. Dr Nitin Raut, MLA, sought compensation to flood affected families in city and demanded immediate completion of survey. Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis directed the administration to carry out rectification measures on the issued raised by Members at the DPC meeting.

The meeting was attended by Shyamkumar Barve, Member of Parliament; legislators Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Abhijit Wanjari, Sudhakar Adbale, Krupal Tumane, Mohan Mate, Sameer Meghe, Ashish Jaiswal and Tekchand Sawarkar along with Mukta Kokkade, President, Zilla Parishad; Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal; Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari; District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar; ZP CEO Saumya Sharma and others.

Newly-built Niyojan Bhavan inaugurated The newly constructed Niyojan Bhavan was inaugurated by Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis. The ground plus two structure has an auditorium with capacity of 294 seats while the stage can accommodate 28 chairs. The second floor also boasts of a conference hall with capacity of 28 seats. Guardian Minister, District Collector and District Planning Officer will have separate offices respectively in the building. The ground floor houses waiting room while a library is located on the second floor of the building.

Two from third gender to work in Distt Collectorate Third gender that remains neglected in the society got a golden opportunity to showcase their talent as for the first time they would be working in Government establishment. An initiative taken by District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar saw two third gender persons being given opportunity to work in District Collectorate under Mukhya Mantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana. Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis granted them certificate of training at the DPC meeting. Similarly, Dy CM Fadnavis also issued appointment letter to first recruit under CMs student apprentice scheme in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Neha Mandari was granted the training certificate as she is absorbed in General Administration Department (GAD) of NMC. She is going to work as Clerk in GAD to understand the working of NMC administration. NMC also finalised application of Apprenticeship of other youth under the scheme.
ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- An officer of Yemen's pro-government forces was killed in an explosion targeting his vehicle in the southern province of Lahj on Saturday, a security official told Xinhua.

The local security official, who asked to remain anonymous, said an explosive device detonated near Sultan Bajash Subaihi's vehicle as he traveled with his family on the main road at the entrance to the Fayoush area in Lahj.

Subaihi, a battalion commander in the Second Giants Division of the pro-government Giants Forces, sustained severe injuries from the blast and succumbed to his wounds shortly after arriving at a hospital in Aden.

Several of his family members, who were traveling with him, were also injured in the explosion.

The Giants Forces, a prominent military group opposed to the Houthi group in Yemen, said such "cowardly terrorist acts" would not deter the forces from confronting enemies and enhancing security and stability in the region.

The Giants Forces maintain a substantial presence in Yemen's southern main cities and the provinces of Lahj, Aden, Abyan, and Shabwa.

Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating conflict since late 2014 when Houthi rebels seized control of the capital Sanaa, and large swathes of the country. A UN-brokered truce in April 2022 led to a significant reduction in hostilities, but the country continues to grapple with severe economic challenges and political divisions. 
Smoke caused by an Israeli airstrike rises in Deir Siriane, Lebanon, Aug. 3, 2024. A Lebanese boy was killed and seven other civilians injured on Saturday afternoon in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese southern villages, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. The military sources, who spoke anonymously, said an Israeli drone targeted a small shop in the center of the southeast village of Deir Siriane with two air-to-ground missiles, killing a Lebanese boy and wounding six civilians, including three children. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A Lebanese boy was killed and seven other civilians injured on Saturday afternoon in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese southern villages, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The military sources, who spoke anonymously, said an Israeli drone targeted a small shop in the center of the southeast village of Deir Siriane with two air-to-ground missiles, killing a Lebanese boy and wounding six civilians, including three children.

Civil defense vehicles transported the casualties to Ragheb Harb Hospital and the government hospital in the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, the sources added.

In another incident, a Lebanese civilian was injured as a result of a raid carried out by an Israeli drone on the southwest village of Tayr Harfa and was transferred by ambulance to a hospital in the city of Tyre, according to the sources.

Israeli drones and warplanes carried out six raids on Saturday afternoon on five towns and villages in southern Lebanon, and Israeli artillery shelled eight towns and villages in the eastern and western sectors of the border area in southern Lebanon with 30 shells, said the sources.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced in a series of statements that its military wing, the Islamic Resistance, attacked several enemy army sites in the border area.

Caution prevails in Lebanon following Israel's attack on Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday, which killed Hezbollah senior military commander Fouad Shokor. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah threatened a definite and painful response to the Israeli raid at "the appropriate time and place."

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 

Smoke caused by an Israeli airstrike rises in Deir Siriane, Lebanon, Aug. 3, 2024.

A Lebanese boy was killed and seven other civilians injured on Saturday afternoon in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese southern villages, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. The military sources, who spoke anonymously, said an Israeli drone targeted a small shop in the center of the southeast village of Deir Siriane with two air-to-ground missiles, killing a Lebanese boy and wounding six civilians, including three children. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)




An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 3, 2024 shows rescuers try to restore traffic on National Highway 318 in Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

KANGDING, Sichuan, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Four people had been killed and 23 others remained missing as of 11 p.m. Saturday after a flash flood and mudslide struck the city of Kangding in southwest China's Sichuan Province, local authorities said on Sunday.

The disaster took place at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday in Kangding, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, toppling a tunnel bridge and destroying homes in Ridi village.

Sixteen individuals were hospitalized for medical treatment, with four having been discharged and 12 remaining in hospital without any life-threatening risks, according to a press conference held early Sunday by the local rescue headquarters.

The collapse of the bridge between tunnels resulted in the plummeting of four vehicles, with one individual rescued and hospitalized, while 10 others were among the missing, the headquarters said.

A total of 291 firefighters were dispatched, while 100 workers were sent to restore the roads. Another 55 people from China Anneng Construction Group also joined the rescue efforts.

The village is located in a valley at an altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level, while the mountains nearby are over 5,000 meters above sea level.

A local official told Xinhua that villagers were notified to evacuate 10 minutes before the mudslide arrived after the local river chief found the river water had become muddy amid heavy rain.

Over 900 people in Ridi village and several nearby villages have been evacuated to safety. 
YAOUNDE, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno on Friday warned of a flooding threat in the capital of N'Djamena after heavy rain battered the city for days.

"I flew over the capital this morning to see first-hand the exact state of the flooding. Indeed, our capital is experiencing the start of flooding with submerged places," Mahamat Deby said in a statement on his social media platforms Friday evening.

He made the statement after convening a crisis meeting with government officials to discuss how to deal with the threat.

"I would like to assure you that all measures have been taken or are being taken to better deal with any emergencies that may arise. I appeal to you for patience and solidarity in the face of this ordeal which, although difficult, has always spared us from human losses," he added.

Chad's ministries in charge of health, town planning, social affairs and solidarity, administration, military engineering and all prevention and rescue services are "hard" at work, he said, stressing that the government was working to achieve "lasting solutions throughout the national territory from now on." 
 Flash

China's development is an opportunity, not a challenge for Australia, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday.

Lin's remarks came after a recent report released by the Australia China Business Council on the economic impact of trade with China on Australian households. The report shows that Australia's trade intensity with China increased average Australian household disposable income by an average of 2,600 Australian dollars (about 1,694 U.S. dollars) in the financial year from 2022 to 2023, which equates to 4.6 percent of the average household disposable income. Two-way trade with China contributed to 595,600 jobs in Australia, cutting 4.2 percent of Australian households' costs of living. The bigger the share of Chinese imports in Australia's total imports, the greater the reduction in Australians' costs of living.

"The facts and statistics in the report reveal the enormous benefits brought by trade with China to the Australians and the win-win nature of China-Australia trade ties," Lin told a press briefing. "This once again demonstrates that China's development is an opportunity, not a challenge for Australia."

He said China and Australia have a lot to offer to each other's economy and are natural partners. China is further deepening reform across the board and advancing Chinese modernization, which will generate more opportunities for China-Australia cooperation.

The two countries share a promising future for cooperation, Lin said, adding that more cooperation will help turn their complementary advantages into strong drivers of development in both countries.

It will also keep global industrial and supply chains stable and fully functional, and more importantly, contribute to the sustained economic recovery of the two countries, the region and the wider world, Lin said.

"China stands ready to work with Australia to take the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries as a new beginning, implement the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and the deliverables of Premier Li Qiang's June visit to Australia, explore new cooperation areas, make the pie of mutually beneficial cooperation bigger, and deliver more benefits to the two peoples," Lin said.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Confirmation of famine in Sudan's North Darfur state is a sobering reminder of the international community's responsibility to deliver life-saving aid immediately, the acting UN relief chief said on Friday.

Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, the UN humanitarian coordinator, said immediately opening aid access is vital to delivering relief.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which Msuya heads, said the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported on Thursday the conflict in Sudan pushed communities in North Darfur State into famine, notably in the Zamzam camp near the state capital El Fasher.

"The United Nations and its partners in Sudan take note of these findings, which reflect the gravity of the humanitarian situation on the ground," said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan. "The people of Sudan have suffered relentlessly since conflict broke out more than 15 months ago."

She said the famine is an artificial crisis that can be resolved if all parties and stakeholders uphold their responsibilities and commitments to the populations in desperate need.

"The humanitarian community in Sudan has been ringing the alarm about the unfolding hunger catastrophe and the risk of famine while conflict has raged on, causing displacement, disrupting basic services, destroying livelihoods, and severely restricting humanitarian access," the coordinator said.

OCHA said more than 10 million people have been displaced from their homes.

Nkweta-Salami called for a silencing of the guns to enable safe and unimpeded humanitarian access across borders and battle lines and an urgent injection of funding for aid operations.

OCHA said more than half of Sudan's population -- 25.6 million people -- is facing acute hunger.

The office said this year's 2.7 billion U.S. dollar Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan has been less than a third funded, with only 872 million dollars received.

The IPC defines famine as an extreme deprivation of food that causes starvation, death, destitution and extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition. It is the primary mechanism the international community uses to analyze data and determine whether famine is happening or projected to occur in a country.

The IPC said analyses are based on evidence from various partners and a multistakeholder technical consensus. 
MOGADISHU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 people were killed and 61 others wounded after al-Shabab militants stormed a beachside hotel in Somalia's capital on Friday evening, police confirmed on Saturday morning.

Most of the victims were killed outside Lido Beach Hotel in Mogadishu, a popular hangout spot surrounded by striking beach hotels and restaurants and frequented by government officials and businessmen, according to the police.

Five militants were killed by security forces and a suicide bomber was killed after detonating the explosives inside the hotel, the police said in a statement.

Security forces evacuated many civilians trapped in the beachside hotel and safely defused an explosive-laden vehicle parked in the area, said the police, adding that the security forces have ended the siege.

The attack, which has been condemned by the government and former officials, came a day after UN agencies warned of a potential large-scale attack by al-Shabab in the restive city.

A video clip shared on local media showed many people lying on the beach, either dead or badly injured with some calling for help.

Witnesses told Xinhua that a suicide bomber wearing explosive vests wrapped around his waist blew himself up at the crowded hotel entrance where hundreds of guests were seated at around 10 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).

According to the witnesses, after the first blast, subsequent gunfire was also reported in the vicinity, and an unspecified number of al-Shabab gunmen stormed a beachfront building where they were holed up as security forces battled to end the siege which lasted for several hours.

"The security forces responded immediately after the first explosion and managed to kill the attackers," said a witness who declined to be named.

The al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack through their official radio. 
HARARE, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior Zimbabwean government official on Friday commended Chinese firm Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) for championing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region's efforts towards industrialization.

The integrated steel manufacturing plant set up in Zimbabwe's Midlands Province will not only upscale industrialization in Zimbabwe but in the entire southern African region, said Willard Manungo, the deputy chief secretary for Policy Analysis and Coordination and Development Planning in the Office of the Zimbabwean President and Cabinet.

He told Xinhua on the sidelines of the tour of the steel plant by local and foreign delegates to the SADC Industrialization Week that concluded in Zimbabwe's capital of Harare Friday that the massive project will revitalize and help unlock the economic and industrial potential of Zimbabwe, SADC and the entire African continent.

"At its optimum, the plant is touted to become one of the largest integrated steel works on the African continent and the output coming out of this plant will be adequate to support the entire SADC region and beyond," Manungo said. "And when we talk of industrialization at the national and SADC levels, the value addition under the steel sector is one of the cornerstones of overall industrialization of any country or any region, and we fully appreciate this investment that has been undertaken by the Dinson Group in Zimbabwe."

Manungo said Zimbabwe is poised to benefit immensely from employment creation and export generation, with spillover benefits regarding supportive infrastructure around the factory. Excess energy from the power plant that is being set up at the steel plant will be fed into the national power grid, helping alleviate power shortages in the country and region.

He also suggested Zimbabwe should draw lessons from the experiences of the Dinson Group and utilize that model to embrace more Chinese investments into other sectors of the economy such as agro-industry to boost value addition.

"We are grateful as the government in terms of the readiness of the Chinese to identify with the benefits as defined by ourselves as Zimbabwe. We are grateful that as we work with China, we are working with a partner that is ready to identify with the development thrust of Zimbabwe," Manungo said.

In June, the steel plant started the production of pig iron. According to its roadmap, DISCO is expected to produce 600,000 metric tons of carbon steel in the first phase of the project, rising to 1.2 million, then 3.2 million and ultimately 5 million metric tons per year in the final phase. 
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the use of live ammunition on #EndBadGovernance protesters by security agencies personnel.

The 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, who cited incidences that occurred in Kano and Abuja during the day-3 of the nationwide protests, described the situation as utterly intolerable and reminiscent of the dark days of military dictatorship.

While calling on the ruling government and security agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their right to protest without fear, the former VP noted that opening fire on innocent protesters could only exacerbate tensions and transform peaceful demonstrations into chaos.

According to him, I vehemently condemn the heinous act of using live ammunition on citizens peacefully protesting against bad governance, as witnessed today in Kano and Abuja. This is utterly intolerable and reminiscent of the dark days of military dictatorship.

It is crucial to remind the government and security agencies of their paramount duty to ensure a safe and secure environment where citizens can exercise their right to protest without fear.

When security forces open fire on innocent protesters, they do nothing but exacerbate tensions, transforming peaceful demonstrations into chaos. I refuse to believe that inciting violence is the intention of our authorities.

I urge the international community, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, to closely monitor the situation in Nigeria and hold its leadership and security apparatus accountable.

I reaffirm my counsel to protesters to steadfastly exercise their right to peaceful protest and reject any form of violence.

Those engaging in looting and the destruction of public and private property must be isolated and prosecuted according to the law. By indulging in such acts, they undermine the legitimate protests and play into the hands of those who oppose their right to protest.

President Tinubu must demonstrate true leadership by immediately addressing and implementing the demands of the Nigerian people.
This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2024 shows destruction inside Tambasi health center in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, Sudan. At least 23 people were killed and dozens injured in an artillery attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, a popular committee said on Saturday. Since May 10, fierce clashes have been raging between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. (North Darfur State's Health Ministry/Handout via Xinhua)

KHARTOUM, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 23 people were killed and dozens injured in an artillery attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, a popular committee said on Saturday.

"Based on the available information so far, at least 23 citizens were killed and 60 others injured due to deliberate shelling by the RSF," the coordinating body of the resistance committees in El Fasher, a non-governmental group, said in a statement on its Facebook page.

It added that with the continued targeting of health facilities in the state, the RSF on Saturday targeted the Tambasi health center in the southern part of El Fasher.

Government authorities in El Fasher cannot be reached to get a comment, while the RSF has not yet commented on the incident.

Since May 10, fierce clashes have been raging in El Fasher between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF.

Sudan has been witnessing a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023, resulting in the loss of at least 16,650 lives. An estimated 10.7 million people are now internally displaced in Sudan, with approximately 2.2 million others seeking refuge in neighboring countries, according to the UN data released on Monday. 

This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2024 shows destruction inside Tambasi health center in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, Sudan. At least 23 people were killed and dozens injured in an artillery attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, a popular committee said on Saturday. Since May 10, fierce clashes have been raging between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. (North Darfur State's Health Ministry/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on Aug. 3, 2024 shows destruction inside Tambasi health center in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, Sudan. At least 23 people were killed and dozens injured in an artillery attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, a popular committee said on Saturday. Since May 10, fierce clashes have been raging between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. (North Darfur State's Health Ministry/Handout via Xinhua)
A group of people has allegedly grabbed several plots of land belonging to the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram in Matigara, Siliguri.

On 27 July, the authorities of Sahudangi Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram sent a letter to chief minister Mamata Banerjee requesting the return of the encroached land. According to Binayananda, a monk from the ashram, out of 30 bighas of land, 10 bighas were purchased by the ashram, and the remaining land was donated.

However, most of this land has reportedly been taken over, with allegations that a significant portion has been mutated in the names of others, using fake documents.

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The ashram authorities claim they applied for land mutation with the land and land reforms department in Matigara in 2022, but the process was not completed.

On 15 June, a fresh application for mutation was submitted to the Matigara land and land reforms department.

The ashram authorities have also informed the Darjeeling district magistrate, Siliguri police commissioner, and Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb about the issue.

Regarding the alleged encroachment, mayor Gautam Deb confirmed that several parts of the 9.90 acres of land in Matigara have been encroached upon.

The Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram has raised this issue. The monks of the ashram have informed me that the mission has been running schools and hospitals on this land for a long time. The administration will take action against anyone who encroaches on the missions land illegally, said the Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb. (End)
Civil defense and NDRF members have rescued 12 trapped people from Tamla rivulet, flight services have been disrupted at Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, national highways 19 has been inundated and hundreds of people have been marooned in Asansol and Durgapur due to incessant rain in the past two days at West Burdwan district.

Most of the rivulets, Upper Keshia Dam in Rupnarayanpur, Nunia, Garui and Tamla rivulet has been flowing above the danger level, most of these tributaries of Damodar river have lost its water storage capacities due to siltation and illegal encroachments over the years.

Not only the village areas have been inundated but places like Railpar in Asansol, Burnpur, Chittaranjan, Rupnarayanpur, Durgapur are also inundated. A mud house has also collapsed near Durgapur injuring two people.

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Anindita Mukherjee, chairperson of board of administrators of Durgapur Municipal Corporation said that the civic body, police and civil defense officials are working together to rescue the marooned people due to waterlogging in Durgapur.

Wasimul Haque, deputy mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation said that civil defense and disaster management officials have been rescuing the marooned people.

We have put all the staff doing essential services, under Asansol Municipal Corporation, on high alert as the water level rises in several parts, said Wasimul Haque.

Councillors of AMC have been sent to various marooned areas in Barakar and Kulti. People have been rescued and shifted to safer areas.

The district magistrate of West Burdwan, S Ponnambalam and commissioner of Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate are monitoring the flood situation of the district and giving necessary instructions. The civil defence, police and disaster management wings have been kept on alert.

Former mayor of Asansol and BJP leader, Jitendra Tiwari has posted in his official X-handle that the people of Asansol are suffering as the Garui river has lost its water-bearing capacity. I have alerted the civic body several times before the monsoon season to desilt Garui rivulet but no action has taken place so far leading to such disaster in Asansol town, he alleged.

The water level is flowing high, below the railway bridge in Sen Raleigh Road, making it difficult for the two wheelers and three wheelers to pass. In Raniganj, Pandaveswar and Jamuria, several parts are under water, as is in Kanksha, near Durgapur. People living in the low-land area are marooned due to inundation of Singar rivulet in Andal.

Even in the national highway 19, connecting New Delhi with Kolkata, the water is flowing through the highways. The special vans of Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate have been deployed at critical areas where water is flowing at very high level.

From last night till today 8.30 am, the rainfall in West Burdwan district has been 16 millimetres and its still raining heavily. There is also an alert of high rainfall for today.

The situation might become worse downstream, once Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) starts discharging water from its Maithon, Panchet, Tilaiya dams. Around 20,625 cusecs of water has been discharged from Durgapur Barrage till today afternoon.

Due to unprecedented rainfall recorded in and around Asansol  Durgapur region since yesterday, both Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport and surrounding areas have experienced significant waterlogging.

The situation has further aggravated owing to a breach of water reservoir in the upper stream, due to flooding at the airport, on account of inclement weather conditions, flight operations have been temporarily suspended, authorities informed.

The airline operator (indiGo) has taken steps to inform the passengers regarding the cancellation of todays flight well in advance. The current situation is being monitored by the company, district authorities and local bodies and steps are being taken by all for early resumption of the airport operations, added Kailash Mondal, director of KNI Airport in Andal.
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry on Saturday said the 5th AITIGA Joint Committee and related meetings for review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) were held in ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia from July 29 to August 1, marking a significant milestone in enhancing economic cooperation between ASEAN and India.

The meeting was co-chaired by Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, India and Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry, Malaysia.

Delegates from all 10 ASEAN Countries and India participated in the meeting.

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AITIGA Joint Committee had initiated discussions for review of AITIGA in May 2023 and after finalising its Terms of Reference and Negotiating Structure, AITIGA JC and its Sub-Committees started negotiations in February 2024.

The first two rounds of negotiations were held in February 2024 in New Delhi and in May 2024 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry further said during the third round of negotiations in Jakarta, Indonesia, all 8 Sub-Committees dealing with National Treatment and Market Access, Rules of Origin, Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures, Sanitary and Phytosanitary, Legal and Institutional Issues, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Trade Remedies and Economic and Technical Cooperation met alongside 5th AITIGA JC and held substantive discussions making significant progress during this round.

All the Sub-Committees reported the outcomes of their discussions to the 5th AITIGA JC, which provided them further guidance to steer their future work.

Separate meetings were also held with ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn as well as ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Satvinder Singh to discuss the possibilities in enhancing economic cooperation between India and ASEAN through review of AITIGA.

The Indian delegation interacted with Indian businesses in Jakarta on July 31 over a dinner arranged by Embassy of India in Jakarta and listened to the experiences of industry and their expectations from AITIGA review.

ASEAN is an important trade partner of India with about 11 per cent share in Indias global trade.

The review of AITIGA, signed in 2009, will help create further opportunities for businesses on both sides to enhance the level of India-ASEAN trade.

The next meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee will be held in India from November 19-22.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva has been reaching out to every section of the society in the city, listening to people and raising their concerns. Sachdeva spent his early days in Old Delhi where he attended Commercial School in Darya Ganj. He graduated from Delhi University, and had worked as a journalist in the initial days of his career.

The politician has seen the city and its politics changing with time, and throws light on the current situation in an interview with The Statesmans Agraj Pratap Singh. He claims that in the upcoming Delhi assembly polls, people are likely to opt for BJPs double engine government.

Q: BJP had a historic win in all seven Lok Sabha seats of Delhi. What was the reason behind this victory?

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A:Without any doubt there are three main reasons behind the historic win of the BJP on all seven Lok Sabha seats of Delhi for the third consecutive time. Firstly it is the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose guidance we are are working. The people of Delhi have voted for his work and his name. Secondly, our national president Jagat Prakash Nadda, who works to give energy to every party worker, and the lakhs of party workers who worked meticulously during the 85-day long campaign. And the third reason for the win is that the people of Delhi with all their heart blessed PM Modi and his party.

Q: It has been seen that people vote for Arvind Kejriwal and his party in Delhis assembly elections and during the parliamentary polls they vote for the BJP. What is your take on that?

A: The BJP has been winning in Lok Sabha polls in the capital and AAP in assembly polls in Delhi, it is something that is a part of history now. This time the people of Delhi have made up their mind to reject the corruption of the Aam Aadmi Party. The balloon of AAPs lies has burst, be it their theatrics, deception, be it the liquor scam, Jal Board scam and several other issues like the spike in electricity bills etc. People are fed up of the AAP, as their legislators are facing corruption allegations. Earlier AAP used to blame the MCD for civic woes, but now they have been on power for a while in the civic body as well, and as one can see that within half an hour of rain, the city faces waterlogging. The drains have not been cleaned, and there is a suspected scam in desilting as well. People have now seen that for the past almost 26 years, AAP and Congress have looted Delhi. Based on peoples feedback to our party workers, this time Delhi will have a double-engine government under PM Modis leadership.

Q: Talking of your newly elected MPs, with the BJP fielding six fresh faces, what do you have to say about these selections?

A: The unique factor about our organisation is that no role or responsibility is permanently established for a person or a worker. We are all party workers and from time to time our role keeps changing. Those who were MPs in the past now have a different role, and those who were workers are now parliamentarians. This switch-over of roles and responsibilities motivates all party workers, as they feel they will get a chance to come forward. Talking of the fresh faces, they could be new in the Lok Sabha but they all have great experience. Kamaljeet Sehrawat had served as a Mayor; Yogendra Chandolia was also a Mayor, had been a standing committee chairman and has a lot of experience regarding Delhi; Harsh Malhotra who is now a minister in the central government, has worked amid public; Bansuri Swaraj is a barrister and has been working for the party for a while and Praveen Khandelwal has been a very important leader of Delhis traders and also has been our partys treasurer. Therefore we feel we have given a chance to such experienced party workers who will serve Delhi very well in times to come.

Q: Not as a politician, but as a common man, a Delhiite, what is the situation of the city, as in were things better earlier in terms of civic woes?

A: Being a son of Delhi, born and raised in Old Delhi, living in East Delhi for a while, I have seen the changing times in the city, but it pains me to look at the city in the present situation. I can say that there is a need to make it much better. Try to imagine the situation which existed some years ago when the Eastern and Western Expressways had not been made. Commercial vehicles used to drive past through the city, there would be traffic jams due to trucks, there used to be the smoke emitted by them. Now those heavy vehicles pass by these expressways without entering Delhi, and this convenience is due to Prime Minister Modi. If we look at these things, we can say a lot has been done. However is we look at citys basics and the civic woes, if we look at the civic bodies, there is a lot to be done in terms of basic facilities. Delhis drains are not clean, as the city faces waterlogging and traffic jams in just 30 minutes of rain. Desilting of drains is the work of the citys civic agency where AAP is in power, and they cannot blame BJP now. Talking of the garbage mountain, the present AAP government had promised to remove it, but it is there. Pollution is a big problem in the city, we all know that with the onset of winter, pollution will increase. When we talk of the Holy Yamuna, where I used to bathe in my younger days, today one cannot step into the river. It gives me a heartache, as crores of rupees given by the Centre have been misplaced due to corruption in the name of cleaning Yamuna. There is a need to work with honest intentions for its improvement.

Q: What is the vision of your newly elected MPs when we talk of addressing the citys issues like pollution, and how effectively will they raise the citys concerns in Parliament?

A: Raising issues of the city in Parliament is the role of our MPs and I am sure they will do their work. But the main thing is what is the solution to the issues faced by the city. Whatever has to be done in Delhi, one has to approach the state government. For example, the Centre gave thousands of crore rupees to Delhi for cleaning of Yamuna. Where did that money go? To the Delhi government. To make the city better a vision is required; all agencies have to work together in close coordination. This is why I appeal to the people of the city that having given 15 years to Congress, and 10 to AAP, this time they should give a chance to the doubleengine government of BJP. I can assure that under PMs leadership we can make Delhi better and the people of the city can be proud of that.

Q: It has been seen that leaders from other parties in Delhi have joined BJP. Is it a sign that things are changing on the citys political front, and will it benefit BJP in the upcoming elections?

A: BJP is the worlds largest political party and today the entire world respects PM Modi and his leadership. The countrys image in the world is now such that everyone is proud of India. Political leaders here also think that they have to work under PMs leadership. When they want to join us we welcome them. We welcome people who come with good intentions.

Q: Who is going to be the BJPs CM face for Delhi?

A: In our recent executive committee meeting we have decided our CM face is our symbol, the lotus flower, and we had made this decision public. All workers will contest the election under the symbol, and the BJP will win. Every party worker walking with the symbol will be our CM.

Q: How has Delhi evolved as a city during the past three decades, also what do you have to say about changing political scenarios here?

A: I have seen Delhi change with time, there is no doubt in that. In the eighties, every house in my lane was like my own. We could go to any house, sit there, pick up and eat whatever we would want. There would be one telephone in the neighborhood, and when the phone rang, they would ask whose call it is and call the person. One home had a colour TV, and the doors were kept open for neighbours to watch. Sadly that environment hardly exists now. Talking of the political scenario, I have seen times when leaders like Madan Lal Khurana, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Kedarnath Sahni, Sahib Singh Verma, Sheila Dikshit, Jag Pravesh Chandra, Jai Prakash Aggarwal and several old leaders could be seen at different places in Connaught Place, having discussions, listening to each other. Despite being political opponents they would listen to each other and had mutual respect. This also happened at the national level; if Atal Bihari Bajpai ji said something, Indira Gandhi ji would listen to him. During Sheila jis time also, she used to speak to leaders from different political parties. However, after her there has been a vacuum. The situation has deteriorated after the AAP came into the picture. As we used to say Dilli Dilwalo Ki. Those people are still there, but a little scared now, as they feel if they say something they will be labeled and judged. I feel that with politics, we must also keep up with our cultural values, the culture of Delhis Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb, which is slowly fading.

Q: What is the PMs vision for Delhi?

A: PMs vision for Delhi is very straight  that it is the countrys capital and must be a developed capital city, and for this he got the Eastern and Western peripheral expressways built, got the Dwarka Expressway and Meerut Expressway made, developed NH 24, got the Kartavya Path made, adding to the citys beauty. He got the National War memorial built and also the National Police Memorial was made with his vision. The PM museum now showcases every former PM, the statue of Subhash Chandra Bose is at India Gate. To make things even better for Delhi at grass root level, the double engine government will be very effective
In a crackdown on terror funding, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday terminated six officials, including 5 policemen, on the charges of narco-terror links, officials said.

These cops and a teacher are accused of indulging in narco-terrorism and also assisting infiltrating terrorists.

The dismissed employees are; Farooq Ahmad Sheikh ( Head Constable), Khalid Hussian Shah ( Constable), Rahmat Shah (Constable), Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo (Constable), Saif Din (Constable) and Nazam Din (Teacher).

A government spokesman said that the administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha invoked Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution to sack these employees after a thorough investigation revealed their involvement in a narco-terror network run by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror outfits operating from Pakistan.

The government has dismissed eight employees within a month on the charges of narco-terror activities.

Most of the dismissed employees were posted in areas along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir.

Activities of these employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found them thickly involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State evidencing their involvement in terror related activities.

Saif Din, Selection Grade Constable, a resident of Doda district, is accused of being a notorious drug peddler, a habitual offender and a mastermind for generation and distribution of narco terror funding. He is also accused of functioning as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) for the Hizbul Mujhahidin terror outfit.

Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Head Constable, alongwith two other employees namely Khalid Hussian Shah and Rahmat Shah (both working as Constables in J&K Police) received huge consignment of narcotics from drug smugglers across the LoC from Pakistan occupied J&K, the spokesman said.

He had contacts with the Pakistan based terrorists, who were involved in smuggling of narcotics, weapons and money across the LoC.

Khalid Hussian Shah, Selection Grade Constable, alongwith two other employees namely Farooq Ahmad Sheikh and Rahmat Shah (both working as Constables in J&K Police) received huge consignment of narcotics across the LoC from Pakistan occupied J&K.

Being a resident of Tangdar Karnah, Kupwara, he used his expertise of local terrain and topography to establish contacts with narcotic smugglers across the border in PoJK and was at the forefront of running a drug cartel in Kupwara-Karnah region, it is alleged.

Rahmat Shah, Constable, is also accused of being involved in narco- terror activities. Being a resident of Haridal village in Karnah, Kupwara, leveraged his knowledge of the local terrain and topography to establish connections with the narcotic smugglers across the border in PoJK.

Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo, Selection grade Constable, had developed a close relationship with terrorist associates of the area and started working as an OGW with the proscribed terrorist organization, Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT), the spokesman said.

Chalkoo was in close contact with various Kashmiri origin terrorists based in PoJK, through encrypted messaging applications and had received Arms and ammunition for further delivery to terrorists.

Being the resident of Uri, District Baramulla, he utilized his knowledge of the local terrain to establish contacts with terrorists based in PoJK.

He is also accused of providing logistics and transport of weapons of infiltrating terrorists.

Nazam Din, Teacher in the Education Department, a resident of Poonch, is said to be a highly motivated and committed drug peddler and an OGW of terrorists of Hizbul Mujhahidin outfit.

He had received consignments of narcotics from across the LoC for onward delivery to the drug peddlers even in Punjab. He was in constant touch with hard-core terrorists in Pakistan, who ex-filtrated for terror training and are currently active in from PoJK, the spokesman said.
KHARTOUM, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Amid growing warnings that Sudan could record the largest hunger crisis in the world, the country's two warring parties traded accusations over the responsibility for a famine recently confirmed in one of the largest camps for the displaced in Sudan's Darfur.

In a statement late Friday, the Sudanese foreign ministry, controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of causing the famine that struck the Zamzam camp near El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State.

"The militia is continuing its siege of El Fasher as part of the starvation strategy it is carrying out," the statement said.

The statement further noted that attributing food insecurity to not using a particular border crossing is "unfounded."

UN agencies are calling on the Sudanese authorities to open the Adre crossing on the border with Chad to enable aid trucks to reach Darfur, given the difficulties of moving through the Al-Tina crossing in North Darfur due to heavy rains.

However, Khartoum rejected the request, saying the border with Chad could possibly be exploited to bring military support for the RSF.

Meanwhile, the RSF accused the SAF of "using starvation as a weapon" against the residents of Darfur and other regions in the country by obstructing or preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to them.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the RSF urged the international community to intervene to save millions of people who are threatened by starvation.

On Thursday, the United Nations said famine was prevalent in some areas of war-torn Sudan and would continue through the next two months.

"The 15-month-long escalating conflict has severely impeded humanitarian access and pushed parts of North Darfur into famine, notably in the Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons", the UN reported on its website, citing the latest report of the Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

"The scale of devastation brought by the escalating violence in El Fasher town is profound and harrowing," said the report.

"The main drivers of famine in Zamzam camp are conflict and lack of humanitarian access, both of which can immediately be rectified with the necessary political will," according to the report.

The report recommended, among other things, the immediate halt by warring parties to any attacks on hospitals, aid groups, and civilian infrastructure.

In the meantime, Adam Rijal, spokesperson of the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, a voluntary body, said in a statement that the situation in Zamzam camp was similar to the situation in more than 171 camps in the Darfur region.

He said that between 20 and 25 people die every day in the Darfur camps due to malnutrition, food shortage, and lack of life-saving medicines. However, official sources could not be reached to confirm the daily death toll in the camps.

Since May 10, fierce clashes have been raging in El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State.

The World Food Program has previously warned that the ongoing war in Sudan between the SAF and the RSF "risks triggering the world's largest hunger crisis."

Sudan has been witnessing a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023, resulting in the loss of at least 16,650 lives. An estimated 10.7 million people are now internally displaced in Sudan, with approximately 2.2 million others seeking refuge in neighboring countries, according to the UN data released on Monday. 
Anti-Terrorist Squad ( ATS) of Uttar Pradesh police along with Rae Bareli police have arrested six more people involved in making fake birth and other certificates in the state.

The arrested accused are from Sonbhadra, Sant Kabir Nagar, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Pratapgarh and Moradabad districts. Three tablets, 11 mobile phones, seven laptops, credit and debit cards have been recovered from them. The arrested accused were creating fake evidence from the login ID of a BDO.

According to Rae Bareli Superintendent of Police Abhishek Aggarwal here on Saturday, the arrested accused used to make fake certificates to avail and get benefits of government schemes. Their Rohingya and Bangladeshi connections are being investigated. Now UP ATS will also interrogate all the accused.

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Earlier four people including one Zeeshan and BDO Vijay Singh were arrested for making 19,400 fake certificates in Nuruddinpur, Sirsira, Garhi Islamnagar and Gopalpur villages of Salon area of Rae Bareli district.

On Friday night, on the information of ATS, Rae Bareli police Govind Keshari of Sonbhadra, Akash Kasoudhan of Sant Kabir Nagar, Salman Ali of Gorakhpur, Sanjeev Kumar Singh of Kushinagar, Vaibhav Upadhaya of Pratapgarh and Shahnawaz of Moradabad.

SP Abhishek Aggarwal revealed that the arrested accused used to make fake certificates from the ID of jailed BDO Vijay Singh, whose ID was opened on many sites. These people had created a WhatsApp group, through which dealing in fake certificates was done. There are people associated with fraud in this group.

The accused used to make amendments even in the Aadhaar card. Due to this, it is being investigated more thoroughly, SP said.
The two-day Conference of Governors concluded at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday with President Droupadi Murmu expressing confidence that cooperative federalism and mutual coordination among central institutions will be promoted as per suggestions given by groups of Governors.

Lauding the efforts of the Governors to have comprehensive discussions in the spirit of mutual learning, she said the Governors are the link between the Centre and the States in the federal system of India.

The President said that smooth functioning of all institutions is very important for public welfare and overall development. Discussions took place at the conference with the aim of creating better coordination among the various institutions.

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In her closing remarks, she appreciated that various groups of Governors came out with their valuable ideas and suggestions to improve the functioning of their office as well as for the welfare of people, and expressed the confidence that these suggestions will be implemented.

The second day of the conference began with the six groups of Governors making presentations based on their deliberations and suggesting a future roadmap before the President.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah also addressed the concluding session.

The Vice President said that the conference had left an indelible imprint on the minds of all participants who discussed important issues in great detail. He said that the Governors should not hesitate in seeking information and maintaining sustained communication with the respective state governments for effective functioning.

The Prime Minister urged the Governors to evolve an ideal model of governance in Raj Bhavans. He said that there should be a consistent attempt to train the staff for the effective functioning of the Raj Bhavans.

Mr Modi urged the Governors to embrace technology in their functioning and promote digitisation. The Prime Minister particularly called for tapping the strength of alumni networks of educational institutions and appealed to them to develop a mass campaign to make educational campuses free of drugs.

He referred to natural farming as suggested by the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, and urged the other Governors to emulate the model of natural farming in the other Raj Bhavans and make their premises free of chemicals. The Raj Bhavans should become a source of motivation and inspiration for others, he said.

After the perusal of all the reports presented by the groups of Governors, the Home Minister praised their efforts and pointed out that all actionable points would be taken up to make the functioning of the Governors and the Raj Bhavans more effective.

The President said that the development of the country depends on the inclusive and accelerated development of the states. All states must move forward by learning from each others best practices and experiences.

She said that in order to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of public welfare programmes, the government has laid great emphasis on last-mile delivery. This has improved the lives of common citizens.

She asked the Governors to ensure that the benefits of all public welfare programmes reach every eligible person so that the goal of inclusive development can be achieved in the true sense.

She said that womens participation is of utmost importance for meaningful and holistic social inclusion. Women empowerment can be strengthened by encouraging women self-help groups.

Also, the path to women-led development can be paved by promoting women-led start-ups. She advised the Governors to interact with such active women entrepreneurs and representatives of institutions working for women empowerment from time to time and guide them.

The President said that by further promoting the participation of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in the process of development of the country, the Governors can contribute in fulfilling the national resolve of inclusive development.

She highlighted the suggestion of a sub-group of Governors for the proper utilisation of resources allocated for the welfare of tribal communities and expressed hope that all Governors would give priority to this suggestion.

The President said that the ambience of the Raj Bhavans should reflect the Indian ethos. The Governors should endeavour to increase the connection of common people with the Raj Bhavans.

People should have a feeling of affinity with the Raj Bhavan as their own Bhavan. She noted that many Raj Bhavans are open for public visits and others can also follow the practice. She said that the Raj Bhavans can increase public engagement by organising social and cultural events.

The President said that the digital initiatives are being appreciated all over the world. The use of the digital medium in the functioning of the Raj Bhavans will set a good example.
Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday hit out at Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, alleging that he failed to suspend key officials at the Asha Kiran Home Shelter despite serious corruption allegations.

The Delhi Cabinet Minister claimed that an official, who was previously arrested for bribery, was appointed as the administrator of the said place.

He has claimed that Delhi Legislative Assemblys Petition Committee attempted to conduct a probe, but was blocked by the administration, and further alleged that it has been neglecting the residents basic needs.

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Bharadwaj pointed alleging that L-G is shielding corrupt officials and demanded honest, service-minded individuals be placed as in- charge of the shelter home.

Bharadwaj said that for the last two days, the issue of the death of many people living in a home shelter named Asha Kiran in Delhi in July has come forward, and added ,Almost all the people living in this home shelter are intellectually challenged people and such people are physically weak due to being intellectually challenged and often suffer from diseases.

Being intellectually challenged, they are not able to take full care of their food and drink. So in such a situation, it is very important that whoever is appointed here to take care of them, should have a spirit of service, he said.

The Delhi minister further said that keeping in mind the seriousness of the matter, today a team of MLAs from the Petition Committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly reached Asha Kiran Home Shelter to investigate the matter, but the administration there did not allow the team, he claimed.

He further said that the team had to stage a sit-in there, while a large number of mediapersons had gathered there as well. So under the pressure of the media, the administration allowed the team to enter, he claimed.

Bharadwaj has alleged that the post of administrator and superintendent in this shelter home is very lucrative, with opportunities for corruption, he suspected.

Bharadwaj also mentioned, We have also received news through the media that the intellectually challenged people living in this Asha Kiran Shelter Home were not being given proper food nor clean drinking water for a long time and the sick people were not even being treated.

Bharadwaj also said that a mother and son died after falling into a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) drain, and added as to why has the L-G not taken any action against the concerned officials till now, despite the agency operating under him.
In a bid to strengthen the security grid in the Jammu region where Pakistani terrorists have heightened their attacks at security forces, the central government has decided to move two battalions of Assam Rifles here from the trouble torn Manipur.

About 2000 additional BSF personnel and 3000 Army troops have already been inducted in the Jammu region for counter-terrorist operations.

The decision to airlift two battalions of Assam Rifles here was taken by the Home Ministry following the spurt in terror activities in the Kathua, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri and Reasi districts of the Jammu region that were declared terrorism-free nearly 20 years ago.

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There were reports that around 50 Pakistani terrorists trained in guerilla and jungle warfare have infiltrated and were hiding in different parts of the region to further escalate terror activities on the directions of their handlers sitting across the Line of Control (LOC).

Ten soldiers and a CRPF jawan lost their lives last month in ambushes by terrorists.

Five troopers were killed in an ambush in the hinterland of the Kathua district and four more soldiers, including a Captain, laid their lives within the next few hours in the neighbouring area of the Doda district.

There were reports that serving and retired soldiers of the Pakistani Army trained in jungle warfare have also infiltrated with terrorists who had returned after fighting the US Army in Afghanistan. These war hardened terrorists were carrying arms and ammunition, including the M-4 rifles, which the US Army left behind while quitting Afghanistan.

Several M-4 rifles have been recovered from slain terrorists.

Taking advantage of a large chunk of the Indian Army having moved from the peaceful Jammu region to Ladakh after the Indo-Chinese skirmishes in 2020, Pakistani agencies have again started pushing terrorists through the LOC and international border (IB) in the Jammu areas.

Most of the infiltration was through the LOC in Rajouri and Poonch districts and the IB touching the Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.

Induction of additional troops and paramilitary forces was aimed at plugging the loopholes on the borders. Two battalions of CRPF will replace the Assam Rifles in Manipur, reports said.

The Home Ministry had a few days ago airlifted about 2000 jawans of BSF here from Odisha to strengthen security along the IB with Pakistan.

Pakistani terrorists were also infiltrating through the IB in Punjab and then moving into J&K taking the traditional jungle routes.

The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army that guards the LOC in the Jammu region and also the hinterland, recently busted several terrorist natural hideouts and recovered caches of arms, ammunition and explosives.

The J&K Police and its special operations group (SOG) have launched an operation against the over ground workers (OGWs) of terror outfits and detained many of them for providing logistics to infiltrating terrorists.

The SOG has reportedly deployed local personnel for counter-infiltration duty in tough areas as they were versed with the terrain along the LOC.
The Congress on Saturday took a jibe at the BJP-led government at the Centre over Indians renouncing their citizenship and said it was due to climate of fear and intimidation under the ruling dispensation.

Congress general secretary in-charge of Communication Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X wrote, By the governments own data, revealed in the Rajya Sabha, 2.16 lakh Indians gave up their citizenship in 2023, almost double the 123,000 who did so in 2011.

He claimed many of these Indians who renounced their citizenship are highly skilled and educated, and their leaving the country at a time of a domestic skilled labour supply shortage will extract a serious toll on our economy.

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Stating that many are also financially well-off, Ramesh said, Earlier this year, a leading global investment migration advisory firm had revealed that over 17,000 millionaires (individuals with total assets greater than $1 million) had left India in the last three years.

This exodus of high-skilled and high net worth Indians could very well have been the result of opaque tax policies and an arbitrary tax administration, quite apart from the overall climate of fear and intimidation surrounding corporate India in the past decade, he said.

The MP also claimed that increasingly business personalities are relocating to Singapore, UAE, UK and other places.

If nothing else, this is a economic travesty that will seriously shrink our tax revenue base over the next few years, he said.

The parliamentarian along with his post also shared a written statement made by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on 1st August in Rajya Sabha in repose to questions on Indian citizens who denounced their citizenship in last five years.

According to data provided by the Minister, 2,16,219 Indians denounced their citizenship in 2023, while the number stood at 2,25,620 in 2022.

Singh said the reasons for renouncing/taking citizenship were personal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) and said challenges before sustainable agri-food systems can be met through international cooperation in a holistic approach.

The triennial conference, organised by the International Association of Agricultural Economists at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex, has a theme of Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in the face of global challenges such as climate change, natural resource degradation, rising production costs and conflicts.

Mr Modi said India is promoting chemical-free natural farming in a big way to strengthen sustainable farming. This has produced good results. During the current financial budget of the government, there is a big focus on sustainable farming and climate resilient farming.

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India is developing an entire eco-system to support farmers, he said. Research and development is being done for the climate resilient crops. In the last 10 years, India has given to its farmers 1900 new climate resilient varieties.

India has some rice varieties which require 25 per cent lesser water than the traditional varieties.

Black rice has emerged as a superfood, he said. Black rice grown in Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya is being appreciated for its medicinal values. India is ready to share its experiences with the world on this crop, the Prime Minister said.

Welcoming agri-researchers, economists and scientists from 75 countries of the world, Mr Modi said he was delighted that the ICAE is taking place in India after 65 years.

Introducing to the delegates the Indian agricultural scene, he said India has 120 million farmers, more than 30 million women farmers, 30 million fishermen and 80 million animal keepers from India.

You are in the land which is home to more than 500 million livestock. I welcome you to the agricultural and animal-loving country of India, the Prime Minister said.

He said the Indian Council of Agriculture Research has more than one hundred research institutes. There are 500 colleges in the country teaching agriculture and related subjects.

India still follows the six seasons pattern in its agriculture, Mr Modi said. Each of the 15 agro-climatic zones has its own unique features. Farming changes every 100 kilometers; it is different in the plains, the Himalayas, deserts, water-scarce regions or coastal regions. These diversities help India give a ray of hope in achieving global food security, Mr Modi said.

Recalling the ICAE that took place in India 65 years ago, the Prime Minister said that was a challenging time for Indias food security and agriculture. Today, he said, India is a food surplus country, the largest producer of milk, pulses and spices, and the second largest producer of food grain, fruits, vegetables, cotton, sugar, tea and farmed fish.

He said India is today providing solutions to global food and nutrition security. Therefore, Indias experience is valuable for discussions on food system transformation and is sure to benefit the global south, he said.

Reiterating Indias commitment to global welfare as a Vishwa Bandhu, he recalled Indias vision for global welfare and the slogan of One Earth, One Family and One Future put before G20.

Agriculture is at the center of Indias economic policies, the Prime Minister underlined as he mentioned that 90 per cent of small farmers of India who own little land and make up for the biggest strength of Indias food security.

The Prime Minister said Indias millets called Shri Anna can meet the challenge of nutrition in face of water scarcity and climate change. He expressed Indias willingness to share Indias millet basket with the world and mentioned that the last year was celebrated as the International Year of Millets.

Mentioning the initiatives to link agriculture with modern technology in India, the Prime Minister talked about Soil Health Card, solar farming making farmers energy providers, Digital agriculture market e-Nam, Kisan Credit Card and PM Fasal Bima Yojana.

Throwing light on leveraging digital technology in the agriculture sector in India, the Prime Minister mentioned PM Kisan Samman Nidhi where money is transferred to the bank accounts of 10 crore farmers with a single click

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chauhan; Member of Niti Aayog Prof Ramesh Chand; Conference President Prof Matin Qaim and Secretary of DARE and DG, ICAR Dr Himanshu Pathak were present on the occasion.
Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud on Saturday called for institutionalising Lok Adalats at the Supreme Court, stating that people are fed up of long delays in judicial processes and want to come out of it agreeing for any settlement  even at a cost less than what they are legally entitled to.

CJI Chandrachud also cautioned that institutions are resistant to change, often questioning attempts to incorporate new elements in their working. However, he said that once a change is implemented it becomes an integral part of the system and called for institutionalising the Lok Adalats at Supreme Court for dispensing justice and should it not remain a one-off initiative.

I hope that we will now institutionalize this process of dispensing justice through Lok Adalatwhatever we do as a court must be institutionalized. It should not be that it is just a one-off initiative, which is then forgotten for the future,  We must ensure that it becomes part of our processes and systems.

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Speaking at the commemoration function of the Special Lok Adalat week that had commenced on July 29 and concluded on August 2, the Chief Justice Chandrachud urged the participants to remember the human face behind each case.

The five days long special Lok Adalat at the Supreme Court saw seven benches  each panels having two judges, with the exception of CJI Chandrachud having three judges on his panel, and two members of bar  one each from Supreme Court Bar association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association (SCAORA) on each panel.

The matters were heard every day from Monday to Friday in the post-lunch session. However, the only distinction was that unlike the Lok Adalat at the district courts level, the litigants were not personally present for the settlement of their cases at the special Lok Adalat at the Supreme Court.

Dwelling on different aspects, the Chief Justice Chandrachud pointed to the agonising and tiresome judicial process that tempts the litigant to accept settlements even below their legal entitlements. He cited an instance where top court judge, Justice Vikram Nath rejected a settlement offer of Rs One lakh, and instead awarded Rs six lakh in addition to what was settled in the Lok Adalat with consent of the litigant.

In an observation pointing to the frustration of the litigant with the long delays inherent in the judicial process, Chief Justice Chandrachud said: Parties are ready to accept any sort of settlement because they want to get out of the system as they get fed up with the system.

This is also a problem which we see as judges. The process is the punishment, and that is a cause for concern for all of us judges. So very often we say we will not allow this matter to be settled. Because the settlement reflects the pre-existing inequalities in society. So as judges we try and say that we will not settle it and well try and get you a better outcome, the CJI said.

The Chief Justice Chandrachud said that people, even those in power corridors are not aware of the nature of cases that Supreme Court judges deal with including trivial matters impacting the lives of the people.

To buttress his point, the CJI recalled his conversation that he had with a with a former bureaucrat who was well-placed in administrative hierarchy, the CJI said, A very senior secretary from the Govt of India and former civil servantsaid that he never knew that Supreme Court deals with such small cases because we are so used to looking at the Supreme Court dealing with the all the big ticket caseswhat is lost to so many people are the kind of small work we do in the Supreme CourtWhen the Constitution was made by stalwarts like BR Ambedkar, they did it with a missionthis was a court which was being set up in a poor society where there was an absence of access to justiceidea behind the establishment of this institution wasthis would be a court reaching out to the lives of common citizenspurpose of Lok Adalat has been to take the justice to the homes of people

Also speaking on the occasion, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that mediation is a part of Indian culture, citing Lord Krishnas attempt to mediate between the Kauravas and Pandavas in the Mahabharata.

Meghwal acknowledged the settlement of over 1,000 cases during the Special Lok Adalat, including civil, matrimonial, and land acquisition disputes. The Union Minister stressed the importance of resolving disputes amicably whenever possible.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the state government would construct a township in a safe place for the rehabilitation of the disaster victims in Wayanad.

Speaking to media persons in Thiruvananthapuram, Pinarayi Vijayan said that a new safer area would be identified for constructing a township for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the victims of the devastating landslides that hit at Chooralmala and Mundakkai areas in Wayanad.

The government plans to rehabilitate the victims in a comprehensive way. Good planning and labour are needed for completing that task in a speedy way. A large populated area completely disappeared there. Discussions have begun at the administrative level to build a safer new township at a new place., CM Vijayan said.

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He said that the government would complete this rehabilitation work in an exemplary way by using all its resources. The government would also prepare a very detailed rehabilitation plan soon, the CM added.

Pinarayi Vijayan urged the weather agencies to make the weather prediction more specific and accurate. He said that the weather prediction models should be made more contemporary, location-specific, and accurate so that disaster mitigation measures can kick in early to save lives.

Majority of these tragedies are happening due to high intense rains which the warning agencies are unable to warn in advance. Currently, the experts are relying on global databases and parameters to predict the quantity of the rainfall. But whats happening is that high intense rains occur, he said.

The CM said that donations to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) could be made online. He further informed that the QR code system for UPI transactions to the CMDRF has been withdrawn to prevent fraudulent activities.

He added that the government has also decided to give special charge to the officials at the Finance department under the Finance Secretary to handle the CMDRF fund.

Meanwhile, Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala s decision to donate his one months MLA salary to Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund(CMDRF) has opened a fresh battle ground between KPCC chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan. K Sudhakarans remark that Chennithala should not have contributed his salary to the left governments relief fund, has come under flak from VD Satheesan.

Rejecting the KPCC president K Sudhakarans statement against donating to CMDRF, Satheesan asked everyone to contribute to the CMDRF , stating that this is not the time to play politics.

There is nothing wrong in paying money to the CMDRF. Sudhakaran should not have blamed Chennithala for his decision to contribute his MLA salary to the CMDRF. Its not the time to play politics, Satheesan told media persons in Kozhikode.

After visiting the landslide-hit regions in Wayanad on Friday, Ramesh Chennithala announced his decision to donate his one months MLA salary to the CMDRF. Responding to this, K Sudhakaran said that Chennithala should not have contributed his salary to the left governments relief fund .K Sudhakaran on Saturday said Chennithala should have donated the amount to the partys own relief mechanism.

The Congress party has its own forum to procure funds. All the allied organisations of the party have kicked off fundraising. Chennithala should have donated his salary to that option. It was not right on his part to donate to the CMDRF, said Sudhakaran.
In the presence of Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, Bhati Ward councilor Sunder Tanwar, along with many of his associates and workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined the saffron party here on Saturday.

Sachdeva welcomed Tanwar and other prominent workers into the BJP by offering them the party scarf.

According to the saffron partys state unit, those who joined the BJP from the AAP include Jagveer Jangid, Organization General Secretary from Chhatarpur Assembly, former corporation candidate Ashok Ravi, former district president Vinod Tanwar, ward president Ajay Mathur, Rahul Dagar and Krishna Tanwar, along with Rajesh Tanwar, Nanak Chand, Neeraj Mahalwaal, Sandeep, Naveen Lohia, Jaipal Pradhan, Sanjay Tanwar, Harish Kumar, Vijay Pal, Aadesh Dagar, Chandra Shekhar Sharma, and Balveer Babaji and others.

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In his address on the occasion, Delhi BJP chief Sachdeva said that the BJP family has more than 180 million member, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is rapidly progressing on the path of development.

Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party, he added that, however, it is a misfortune that there is a government in Delhi that has worsened the situation in the city, he alleged, adding that ,We never imagined that a situation would arise in Delhi where someone could lose their life just by walking on the street.

Sachdeva, criticizing the AAP government further, alleged it has left no stone unturned in worsening Delhis condition, and added that during present day, a half-hour rain results in waterlogging, which has proven to be deadly.

He further alleged that under the pretext of health reform and Mohalla Clinics, the Delhi government has looted the city.

A single number was used to sign and pay for 18,000 slips. This is what the Kejriwal government calls a health revolution, the BJP leader claimed.

He added alleging that current status of the Mohalla clinics is deplorable, and further said that the despite this the ministers in the Kejriwal government claim these clinics are world-class.

Tanwar, who joined the saffron party, in his address expressed that he was happy to have the opportunity to return to the family after ten years, as he had started his political career with the BJP.

He added that he felt honored to return and appreciated the issues raised by Delhi BJP chief.

Tanwar pledged to work tirelessly to advance the BJP and faithfully fulfill his duties as a councilor, aiming to form a BJP government in Delhi with the help of new and old workers.

Delhi BJP leaders including state General Secretary Vishnu Mittal, MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar, Leader of Opposition in the Municipal Corporation Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh, media head Praveen Shankar Kapoor, and other officials were present on the occasion.
After Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured the parents of the rape victim of stern action against the accused on Friday, the Ayodhya district authorities on Saturday demolished the illegally constructed bakery of Samajwadi Party leader Moeed Khan.

Samajwadi Partys Bhadarsa city president Moeed Khan has been accused of raping a 12-year-old girl. He along with another person have been arrested and sent to jail.

The entire bakery of the SP leader was razed to the ground within just one and a half hours with the help of two bulldozers in the presence of Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Anirudh Pratap Singh and Ayodhya Development Authority Secretary Satyendra Singh along with SDM Sohawal Ashok Saini.

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Sources said along with the bakery building, its walls were also demolished. After this, the encroachment by the accused SP leader in the other part of the pond by surrounding it with a wall was also razed to the ground. The house of the accused will also be demolished, sources added.

Assistant Food Commissioner Manikchand Singh too conducted a raid on the bakery of accused Moeed Khan on Friday. During this, samples of food items being made in the bakery were taken. After this the bakery was sealed abd its licence was cancelled.

The bakery was built occupying a very large plot of government land. Part of the plot housed a bakery while a larger portion was sown with crops.

Meanwhile, the police have registered a case against the Bhadarsa Nagar Panchayat Chairman and two SP leaders for threatening the family members of victim girl with pressurizing them to enter into a compromise.

In the FIR registered at Purakalandar police station on Friday night said that Chairman Mohammad Rashid, along with SP leader Jai Singh Rana and one other person, reached the District Womens Hospital and at around 11 pm in the night and they met the family members of the rape victim admitted in the private ward. They also threatened them and pressurised for reconciliation.
PHUKET, Thailand, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and China have many consensuses and cooperation in marine conservation and disaster prevention, especially the establishment of the China-Thailand Joint Laboratory for Climate and Marine Ecosystems, which has become a model of international marine cooperation, Thai marine experts told Xinhua.

Tipamat Upanoi, director of Phuket Marine Biological Center, said during the interview that their center has achieved a series of results in cooperation with its Chinese counterparts in the marine field in recent years, one of which is the establishment of China-Thailand Joint Laboratory, providing a platform for marine cooperation between the two countries.

The China-Thailand Joint Laboratory for Climate and Marine Ecosystems was officially inaugurated in Phuket, Thailand in June 2013. As the first joint marine research facility between the two countries, the laboratory is operated by the First Institute of Oceanography, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and the Phuket Marine Biological Center of Thailand.

"Protecting marine ecology is a global task that requires joint efforts from all countries," said Chalermrat Sangmanee, a fishery biologist from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Thailand, who is also the Thai director of the China-Thailand Joint Laboratory.

Chalermrat said both Thailand and China share a common view on jointly protecting the ocean, which is the main reason for the two sides to set up a joint laboratory, aiming to build a platform for cooperation in the marine field and promote marine ecological environment protection and sustainable development of marine resources.

He added that since its establishment more than ten years ago, the laboratory has been actively promoting cooperation in marine science and technology between the two countries, involving projects such as Southeast Asian marine forecasting system, coastal vulnerability research, endangered marine species protection, and marine spatial planning.

"From academic research exchanges, technology transfer to management experience sharing, we have greatly benefited from the platform mechanism of the joint laboratory, which has promoted the improvement of Thailand's overall marine research and ocean governance," said Chalermrat.

Another achievement for the laboratory is the development of the Thailand marine environment forecasting system. Tipamat said that the laboratory has installed a maritime search and rescue forecasting system and upgraded the marine environment forecasting system. Through long-term continuous observations, it provides scientific basis for observing wave trends and monitoring changes in seawater temperature. At the same time, it also plays an important role in Thailand's marine disaster forecasting and maritime search and rescue operations.

In recent years, climate change has profoundly impacted marine ecosystems. Affected by global warming, rising sea temperatures have also led to coral bleaching in Thailand's oceans, posing a threat to coral reef ecosystems. At present, the laboratory is taking protective measures to promote the restoration of marine ecosystems, said Chalermrat.

Tipamat said China's experience in ocean governance is worth learning from. The Chinese government has attached great importance to the construction of marine ecological civilization, continuously improving laws, regulations and institutional systems, and promoting the development of marine ecological environment protection in recent years.

"China is an active promoter of international cooperation in the marine field, and the laboratory is becoming a model of international ocean cooperation. We look forward to expanding and deepening cooperation in the marine field in the future, jointly promoting global ocean governance, and working together to respond to global marine challenges," Chalermrat said. 
I healthcare landscape, marked by the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), aims to provide universal health coverage to millions. Yet, despite its noble intent and expansive reach, the scheme faces significant challenges, particularly concerning private sector engagement. With only 30 per of the nations 43,000 private hospitals empanelled under PMJAY, the programmes effectiveness remains constrained. This situation calls for innovative policy measures, particularly taxbased incentives, to bolster private sector participation and ensure the schemes success.

A critical aspect of PMJAYs current shortfall is the insufficient number of empanelled hospitals. This inadequacy is pronounced in several states, with a concerning disparity in the availability of healthcare providers per lakh beneficiaries. States like Bihar and Maharashtra lag significantly behind, underscoring a systemic issue that hinders the equitable distribution of healthcare services. The reluctance of private hospitals to join PMJAY is often attributed to financial concerns, notably pending dues from government schemes. This persistent issue not only discourages participation but also impacts the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. To address these challenges, the government must adopt a more proactive approach by introducing tax-based incentives for private hospitals willing to empanel under PMJAY.

A modest tax rebate, for instance, could serve as a powerful motivator, encouraging more private entities to participate in the scheme. This strategy is not without precedent. Countries like Egypt have successfully implemented similar measures, offering tax exemptions to private hospitals that provide free beds, thereby ensuring broader healthcare access. Such incentives can create a win-win situation, where private hospitals benefit financially while contributing to the public health infrastructure. Furthermore, the government could explore policies that allow private hospitals to use pending dues as collateral for bank loans. This approach would provide immediate financial relief and encourage hospitals to stay engaged with PMJAY, enhancing the schemes stability and reliability.

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Another potential solution is to expand the Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS), which rewards private facilities for creating and linking digital health records. By integrating similar incentives into PMJAY, the government can promote the adoption of digital health technologies, improving service delivery and patient outcomes. Expanding PMJAY to include senior citizens, as promised, further accentuates the need for robust private sector participation. This demographic is particularly vulnerable, with higher healthcare needs and a greater prevalence of pre-existing conditions. Without sufficient private hospital involvement, the scheme may struggle to provide adequate care, leading to situations where beneficiaries are left searching for facilities that accept their health cards.

This scenario underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach that combines policy innovation with practical incentives. The Union Budget 2024, while progressive in many areas, missed a crucial opportunity to enhance PMJAYs reach and efficacy through such tax-based incentives. As India prepares for future healthcare challenges, it is imperative to prioritise strategies that foster private sector collaboration. By doing so, the government can ensure that PMJAY not only meets its current goals but also evolves into a sustainable and inclusive healthcare model.
The death toll from the partial collapse of a residential building in the Russian city of Nizhny Tagil has risen to 10, said the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The Ministry said on Friday that rescuers have found 10 bodies and 15 people have been rescued from under the rubble, Xinhua news agency reported.

Five people are reportedly in critical condition at a hospital.

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Local authorities have declared August 3 as a mourning day for the victims of the tragedy.

According to the Ministry, search and rescue operations are ongoing.

The tragedy occurred on Thursday when two entrances of a five-storey gas-powered building in Nizhny Tagil, a city located in Russias Sverdlovsk Oblast, caved in due to an explosion of a gas-air mixture, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for safeguarding the rights of indigenous people to live in peace and dignity, in his message on the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on August 9.

Indigenous peoples represent around 6 per cent of the worlds population, but their stewardship signifies an outsized contribution to our global community, Guterres said on Friday.

Highlighting their roles as keepers of knowledge and traditions that help safeguard some of the most biodiverse areas of the planet, and as guardians of the environment, the UN chief said, Their survival is our survival.

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While their unique way of life is a testament to the rich tapestry of humanity, Indigenous people also face serious challenges that threaten their very existence, Guterres warned, adding that they are often the victims of threats and violence, and extractive and productive sectors like mining, agriculture and transport have accelerated deforestation and land degradation, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ancestral homelands and natural resources that they depend on for survival are coming under siege. And their rights to self-determination and agency  enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples  are yet to be fulfilled, he said.

Noting that this years theme Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact reminds us of their rights to protect themselves from unwanted contact, the UN chief warned that contact can have a devastating impact, including exposure to infectious diseases, forced assimilation and the disruption of culture, language, and livelihoods.

He called on the international community to stand behind the rights of indigenous peoples to chart their own futures and safeguard their rights to live in peace and dignity.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 1994 to designate August 9 as the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples.

According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 476 million indigenous people in the world living across 90 countries, making up less than 6 per cent of the worlds population. They speak an overwhelming majority of the worlds estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
Amid heightened tensions in the middle East following Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyehs assassination in Tehran, the United States is reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional warships and fighter jets, according to a Pentagon announcement.

The deployment of aditional jets and warships in the region is aimed at bolstering the defence of Israel in view of threats from Iran.

Reiterating its commitment to protect Israel, the Pentagon noted that missile defence forces have also been placed on heightened alert.

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The move comes after Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed Harsh punishment against Israel for Haniyehs killing.

The Islamic nation has also declared three days of national mourning after Haniyehs death.

Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of Hamas political unit, was assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday. While Israel has not direct claimed responsibility, Iran and Hamas have blamed the Jewish nation for carrying out the killing.

According to a British English dailys report, the Hamas Chief was assassinated by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.

To carry out the assassination, Mossad reportedly hired two Islamic Revolutionary Gaurd Corps (IRGC) agents, who planted explosives in the hotel room where Haniyeh stayed.

The explosives were detonated remotely from a foreign country and the agents exited Iran after planting the bombs.
ANKARA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police seized more than 1.5 tons of methamphetamine brought from Iran to Turkiye, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Saturday.

The police detained eight suspected drug smugglers and manufacturers in operations named "Narcocelik-30," which were carried out in the provinces of Istanbul and Yalova, Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X, without specifying the timeframe of the operations.

"It is one of the largest amounts of methamphetamine we have caught in recent operations," the minister said.

He shared a video of the raids and footage of the seized drugs, noting, "We are determined to cleanse our country from national and international poison traffickers. Our operations against poison traffickers all over our country will continue."

Turkiye, often used by drug dealers as a transit hub, has intensified its crackdown on drug smuggling since last year. 
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has stirred up a political storm after he demanded a DNA test of the accused in the gangrape of a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya.

In a statement on Saturday, Yadav said levelling allegations to defame the SP without investigating the incident is motivated by political malice. His response came after the BJP alleged that the main accused in the case is a member of the SP.

"Whoever is guilty should be given due punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proved to be false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. Action should be taken against them, he said.

Both the BJP and the Bahujan Samaj Party reacted sharply, saying Yadav has already given clean chit to the accused.

Police have arrested two personsMoid Khan and Raju Khanin the incident which came to light when recently the medical examination revealed that the victim was pregnant.

Moid runs a bakery in Bhadarsa Nagar while Raju is his employee.

The BJP alleged that by demanding a DNA test, the SP chief was defending a "paedophile" and showing its "boys will be boys mindset", an apparent reference to an earlier controversial statement made by SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"Because the girl belongs to the Nishad community and the brute belongs to the vote bank, evidence is being sought from her even though she is pregnant," BJP's IT cell head Amit Malviya said on X.

Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad, who met the family of the victims, said he would protest at the SP office against Yadavs statement.

The BJP has alleged that Moid, the main accused, is a member of the SP and close to Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad.

"Akhilesh Yadav gives clean chit to rapist Moid Khan, SP Neta & demands DNA test! Is this not an insult to the 12-year-old Nishad girl," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said on X.

BSP chief Mayawati, too, questioned Yadavs remarks. "The SP should also tell how many DNA tests have been done against such accused in their government," she said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met the mother of the victim on Friday and directed officials to make special arrangements to ensure the health and safety of the girl.

Meanwhile, authorities on Saturday demolished the bakery of Moid , saying it was illegally built on a pond.

"The bakery had one big room and one small room. It was illegally built over a pond, and has been demolished," Ayodhya's District Magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh told news agency PTI.
Heavy rains lashed large parts of the country on Saturday, especially in Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand where showers due to a deep depression affected normal life, while two children were killed in Madhya Pradesh after a house collapsed on them following incessant rains.

In Himachal Pradesh, flash floods and landslides due to cloudbursts and heavy rains have led to the closure of 114 roads, while the weather department warned that heavy showers would continue until August 7. The state's road transport corporation has suspended its bus services on 82 routes.

The hunt for 45 people, who went missing after a series of cloudbursts in Kullu's Nirmand, Sainj and Malana; Mandi's Padhar and Shimla's Rampur subdivision on the night of July 31 resumed on Saturday morning.

As many as 410 rescuers from teams of the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, CISF, Himachal Pradesh Police and home guards are involved in the hunt with the help of drones. The death toll in the calamity rose to nine on Saturday with the recovery of one more body from Kullu district.

Moderate to heavy showers continued to lash parts of the state, with Jogindernagar receiving the highest rainfall of 85 mm since Friday evening.

In the south, Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district remained flooded as the Cauvery River flowed above the danger mark, inundating low-lying areas. Chief Minister M K Stalin said that 11 relief camps have been set up in the district and about 1,086 people have been shifted there.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the Wayanad landslides increased to 218 while Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the search and rescue operations that began on July 30 have reached the final stages. He also said that 206 people are still missing.

More than 1,300 rescuers, heavy machinery and sophisticated equipment have been deployed to look for survivors from the ravages of the landslides. However, huge boulders and logs deposited in the residential areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala following the landslides are posing a significant challenge in the rescue efforts.

In Madhya Pradesh, a three-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy died in their sleep and five others were injured after their house collapsed following incessant rains in a village in Narsinghpur district.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of extremely heavy rainfall in Maharashtra's Palghar, Pune and Satara districts on Sunday and issued an orange alert, forecasting heavy rains, for Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Sindhudurg and Nashik.

Several areas were inundated, roads got washed away, trees uprooted, houses damaged and a bridge collapsed due to incessant rains in Jharkhand for the past two days, forcing the state government to order the closure of all schools on Saturday.

However, no death was reported from any part of the state, a disaster management official said, adding that NDRF teams were deployed in Ranchi on Friday to rescue people from low-lying areas.

In adjoining West Bengal, incessant rain lashed Kolkata and its neighbouring districts as a low-pressure area turned into a deep depression. Waterlogging was reported from several parts of the state's capital, including the airport but flight services were not affected.

"The low pressure over Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal turned into a deep depression. It is gradually shifting towards Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. This, accompanied by an active monsoon trough over the southern districts of West Bengal, resulted in the rains," an official said.

The southern districts of Howrah, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, Nadia, and North and South 24 Parganas districts will continue to experience showers over the next 12 hours, he said.

Flight operations at the Kazi Nazrul Islam airport in Paschim Bardhaman district continued to be suspended for the second consecutive day on Saturday as the airport is yet to be ready for operations.

The operations at the airport were shut down on Friday due to water logging in and around its premises.

An irrigation department official said 36,000 cusec water was discharged from Panchet dam and 70,000 cusecs from Durgapur barrage after heavy rains.

Accusing the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) of discharging water to "engineer a man-made flood", TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, in a post in Bengali, on X said, "When water level rises in Jharkhand, DVC aggravates the situation in Bengal by releasing water. But never releases water in summer when the state needs the most for irrigation and farming activities."

Voicing apprehension that the water level might rise during high tides next Monday, Ghosh said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is keeping a close tab on the situation.

Heavy rains also lashed Rajasthan with Kolai Magra in Bikaner district receiving the maximum rainfall of 195 mm. In a 24-hour period till 8.30 am, Masuda in Ajmer recorded 180 mm of rain followed by 170 mm each in Beawar's Nayanagar and Ajmer's Pisangan, 150 mm in Mangliawas.
Kerala Congress chief K. Sudhakaran and Opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan are on opposite sides again, this time over making contributions to the Chief Ministers Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) for rehabilitating Wayanad landslide victims.



While Satheeshan has been strongly backing the fundraising campaign, Sudharakan questioned donating to funds managed by the CPI(M)-led government. Sudhakaran criticised former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithalas decision to contribute a months salary to CMDRF while the party itself is running a fundraising campaign for Wayanad landslide victims.

Sudhakaran, known for his contempt against the CPI(M) expressed displeasure over Chennithala's decision. Sudhakaran said there was no need to give money to the funds managed by the CPI(M)-led Left government. "There was no directive (from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee) to contribute to the government's fund (CMDRF). The fundraising campaign is being conducted by various forums of the party itself and Chennithala could have contributed to it," he said addressing presspersons in Kerala.

Former Kerala opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala announced through social media on Saturday that he will be contributing his one months salary to CMDRF.

The Kerala Congress chiefs comments come amidst online smear campaigns discouraging people from sending funds to the CMDRF. However, Satheeshan denied Sudhakarans comments and said everyone should contribute to CMDRF. He added the Congress party will construct 100 houses to rehabilitate victims. Satheeshan said the government should ensure transparency in handling Wayanad relief funds.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Sashi Tharoor reached Wayanad on Saturday and distributed relief materials collected from his constituency.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration sacked six government officials including five policemen for alleged links with narco-terror network operating from Pakistan.



J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha terminated the service of these officials by invoking Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution. Under proviso 'c' of the Article, the president or the governor, as the case may be, is empowered to terminate an employee without recourse to the normal procedure if satisfied that the person's retention in public service is prejudicial to the security of the State.

Officials in the know of the probe said the six officials were sacked after an investigation revealed they were part of narco-terror network run by Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror groups operating from its soil, PTI reported. "Six government officials, including five policemen and a teacher, were found involved in terror financing through drug sales," an official told PTI.

Since the abrogation of Article 370, 70 government employees have been terminated from service for their alleged narco-terror links.
The premature repatriation of Border Security Force Director General Nitin Agrawal is perhaps the first instance of a sudden removal of the chief of the border guarding force manning the critical international border with Pakistan.



While no official reason was given for the sudden repatriation of the DG and his second in command, there are concerns over several Pakistani terrorists, including commando styled trained operatives, infiltrating into Jammu region raising suspicion of rise in terror incidents in coming days.

In the past, DGs of the CRPF have been changed for operational failures. In 2010, then DG Vikram Srivastava was removed after the Dantewada massacre in which 75 CRPF men lost their lives in a Maoist attack.

This time, security gaps at the international border with Pakistan put the BSF under sharp scrutiny as picking up actionable intelligence to thwart infiltration attempts is the responsibility of the border guarding force .

Unlike the Line of Control with Pakistan protected by the Indian Army, the international border manned by the BSF has a complex terrain which requires sharp focus to detect attempts of infiltration.

Sporadic infiltration is almost impossible to prevent but for it to happen on this scale is a major concern, said a senior security official.

At a recent meeting of the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) that operates under the Intelligence Bureau, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke of the need for greater synergy between various agencies. For the home ministry, border fencing as well as border guarding is paramount as it follows a zero tolerance approach to terror.

But the recent terror incidents in Jammu have called for a revamp of the security grid and improving coordination between central and state agencies for counter terror operations .

Security sources admit there are challenges when infiltration figures being reported on the International Border and actual successful attempts which went undetected do not match. Only a handful of terrorists sneaking in can create the kind of situation we are witnessing in Jammu. If the numbers are more, there can be an increase in terror incidents, said an official.

The task is already cut out for the next chief whose focus has to be on strategic planning and effective action on ground.

This would require complete attention of the DG," said a senior official, and more delegation and decentralisation of administrative and financial powers within the force.

At the same time, the focus should be on teamwork and approachability of senior officers to boost the morale of the force, the official said .

In 2014, during heavy firing and shelling on the border, then BSF DG DK Pathak visited the forward areas to interact with troops and assess the damage to assets on the border.

The security threats maybe more complex this time but the BSF only has to revisit its strategy and plug gaps being exploited by Pakistani terrorists to turn Jammu into a terror hotbed after decades of peace.
CANBERRA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister has promised to deliver the country's first comprehensive economic policy for the Indigenous population.

In a speech to the Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures - Australia's largest Indigenous cultural gathering - on Saturday, Anthony Albanese said that decarbonization is Australia's best opportunity to lift the living standards of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

He described the growing global demand for renewable energy, critical minerals and rare earths as an unprecedented opportunity to address the disadvantage faced by Indigenous Australians and said that his government is aiming to be the first in Australian history to create a comprehensive economic policy for Indigenous people.

"New clean energy projects, new defense and security projects, new processing and refining facilities can all unlock new jobs and prosperity for Indigenous communities," Albanese said at the festival in the Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory (NT).

"Together, we can seize this moment to build a better future on a simple principle. The principle that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people deserve a real say in the economic development of the land you call home. And you deserve your fair share of the benefits that flow from it."

The event was the first Garma Festival since 60 percent of Australians voted against an October 2023 referendum that would have altered the constitution to establish a body to advise the federal parliament on all matters relating to the Indigenous population.

Albanese said he understands that the pain of the referendum defeat is still raw for many Indigenous Australians but that he is still optimistic about a better future for the community.

Addressing the festival earlier on Saturday, NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy formally apologized to Indigenous Australians for the injustice and harm police in the territory have been involved in during the 154 years since the establishment of the force in 1870. 
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday strongly hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shahs Aurangzeb Fan Club jibe and termed the BJP leader a political descendant of Ahmad Shah Abdali.

Abdali is the Afghan king who defeated the Marathas in the third battle of Panipat.

Thackeray went on to accuse the BJP of indulging in political jihad by breaking political parties to form government in various states.

"If Muslims are with us after we explained to them our Hindutva, then we are (according to the BJP) the Aurangzeb Fan Club. Then what you are doing is power jihad, he said, addressing party workers at the Shiv Sankalp rally in Pune.

Amit Shah, addressing a BJP rally in the city last week, had termed the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra the Aurangzeb fan club and Thackeray as the club leader.

"Maha Vikas Aghadi is Aurangzeb fan club. This Aurangzeb fan club cannot ensure India's security. Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of this Aurangzeb Fan club. This Fan Club cannot make Maharashtra and India safe, Shah had said.

Thackeray, in his speech, took potshots at the Narendra Modi government at the Centre on a range of issues including leakage in parliament building and the NEET-UG question paper leak.

"This government (at the Centre) is a leakage government, he mocked.

Accusing the BJP of creating divisions among castes, Thackeray further said: "This is not the Hindutva taught to us by Chhatrapati Shivaji. This (the one practised by the BJP) must have been taught by Aurangzeb which we do not believe in. Our Hindutva is the one that takes forward the Maharashtra dharma of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Four days since a landslide battered Kerala's Wayanad district, over 206 people are still missing. The rescue officials have recovered over 215 bodies so far, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"Till now, 215 bodies have been recovered, of which 87 are women, 98 are men, and 30 are children. As many as 148 bodies have been handed over so far. There are 206 people missing. Eighty-one people are injured and are under treatment in various hospitals," he said.

Though several body parts were recovered over the last few days from both the accident site and the Chaliyar river there is difficulty in identifying the dead bodies and parts. Revenue Minister K Rajan told reporters that the body parts will be buried separately. "The government has identified 9 acres of land in different areas to bury the body parts. The DNA number will be displayed at each burial site," the minister added.

As per district authorities, 133 body parts were recovered from the landslide-hit spots and the Chaliyar river. The officials have collected genetic samples of the body parts to identify the deceased.

Meanwhile, the rescue operations continued on Friday too despite challenges, which included waterlogged terrain and huge boulders and logs brought by landslides and deposited in the residential areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala.

The Army is still using deep search radars in the affected areas in a bid to locate people still believed to be trapped beneath the debris. The Kerala government has also requested the deployment of advanced radar equipment, including one Xaver radar and four Reeco radars, which will be airlifted from Delhi in an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, along with their operators.

#WATCH | Kerala: Search and rescue operation in Landslide affected areas in Wayanad, continues on the 5th day. pic.twitter.com/3XEEmOSJCr  ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2024 #WATCH | Wayanad landslide | Presently, 78 Naval personnel are involved in the ongoing rescue operations. The teams have been deployed to multiple locations in Chooralmala and Mundakkai areas and are working hand in hand with the disaster relief agencies and local administration. pic.twitter.com/ZN8kxjrSua  ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2024

60 children dead?

Though the official figures peg the number of children who died in the landslide at 30, many claim it could be around 60. According to reports quoting unofficial sources, over 60 children may have perished in the disaster. Officials of Vellarmala G V Higher Secondary School say 32 students of the school alone died. Over 12 from the school are still missing.

It is also unclear as to how many tots who were enrolled in Anganwadis died. To get the figures at this stage is impossible as the Anganwadis itself has disappeared from the face of the earth in the landslide. Many children from migrant families also could have died in the disaster.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Saturday that search and rescue operations in disaster-hit Wayanad are in their final stages, but 206 people remain missing.



Addressing the media at Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayan said there is difficulty in identifying the dead bodies and parts recovered from the Chaliyar river. "Till now, 215 bodies have been recovered, of which 87 are women, 98 are men, and 30 are children. As many as 148 bodies have been handed over so far. There are 206 people missing. Eighty-one people are injured and are under treatment in various hospitals," he said. The chief minister said 67 bodies are yet to be identified, and the panchayats will do the last rites.

He added that the search operations are continuing, involving 1,419 personnel from the Fire Force, NDRF, Forest Department, Police, Indian Army, and volunteers from Tamil Nadu. K-9 squads and the Tamil Nadu Medical Team are also participating, the chief minister said, adding that advanced equipment like Human Rescue Radar and drone-based radar are also being used.

Referring to the rehabilitation efforts, Vijayan said a secure region will be identified, and a township will be constructed. He said the education minister will visit the schools destroyed in the region and will ensure that children's education is not disrupted.

Vijayan said in Chooralmala, 866 police officers are leading search operations. "Fire and Rescue Services, along with volunteers, have played a crucial role, rescuing around 1,000 people using a zip line bridge and a temporary bridge. The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society contributed significantly by constructing helipads and providing food," he said.

The chief minister claimed that the global community has responded positively to the appeal for contributions to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). He said the donations can be made online to CMDRF through various methods, with receipts available for download. However, the QR code system for UPI transactions has been withdrawn to prevent misuse, he added.

The state government has formed a 'Help for Wayanad Cell' to coordinate the various offers from the global community to provide land and to build houses as part of the rehabilitation process. Joint Land Revenue Commissioner A. Geetha IAS will coordinate the offers and head the cell.

"An email ID (helpforwayanad@kerala.gov.in) and a call centre with dedicated phone numbers (9188940013, 9188940014, 9188940015) have been created for donor communication," the chief minister said.

He also informed that multiple landslides occurred on Tuesday at Vilangad, near Vadakara in Kozhikode District. Landslides were reported in Kochuthodukunnu, Panam, Valiyapanam, Paniyeri and Muchankai areas as well, he said.

"The government is committed to improving disaster warning systems to address the emergent challenges of climate change. The establishment of the Institute for Climate Change Studies in Kottayam aims to conduct research and provide policy advice," he said. Vijayan said detailed investigations will be conducted to understand the root causes of the Wayanad disaster and develop advanced prediction tools for natural disasters.
The district officials of Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya on Saturday razed down the bakery owned by SP leader Moeed Khan, a day after an FIR was filed against him for the gang rape of a 12-year-old girl.

The district officials inspected the property, after which it deemed parts of the building were constructed illegally. District Magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh arrived at Khan's 'Avon Bakery' in Bhadarsa with a bulldozer soon after. "The bakery of Moeed Khan has been demolished," Singh told reporters. "The bakery had one big room and one small room. It was illegally built over a pond and has been demolished," Singh said.



A boundary wall built illegally around a pond was also demolished by the district administration. The authorities had also raided the bakery on Saturday and collected samples of the food products before sealing the establishment.



#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | The bakery of SP leader Moeed Khan, the main accused in the gang rape of a minor girl, in Ayodhya bulldozed by the administration after it was found to be illegal. pic.twitter.com/BwSGVvEXaP  ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2024

As per the FIR, Moeed Khan and his house help were accused of raping and blackmailing a 12-year-old girl who worked as a daily wage employee at Khans home in the Pura Kalandar area of Ayodhya. Khan and his help Raju also recorded the abuse and used the video recordings to threaten the girl.



"Over two months, Khan continued to sexually abuse her, using the video to intimidate and threaten her. Khan committed these acts with the assistance of Raju, his employee. The crime came to light when the minor became pregnant," a police officer told reporters.



Following this, the mother of the girl met Chief Minister Yogi Adithyanath, following which the action was initiated. CM Yogi also shared a picture of him meeting the family (with their faces blurred), stating that the guilty will not be spared and the government was committed to getting justice for the girl.



He also accused the Samajwadi Party of not taking action against Khan, despite being a member of Ayodhya MP's team.



Meanwhile, Faizabad (Ayodhya) MP Awadhesh Prasad said the BJP was politicising the issue. "As far as this incident is concerned, it is very painful and shameful. All the people involved in this incident should be investigated, the truth should be found out. Our party completely stands with the victim. It is unfortunate that the BJP is doing politics on this. This is not a moment for politics. Innocents should not be framed and DNA tests should be conducted. She (victim) should be helped financially as well. I have never allowed anyone who has even the slightest connection with the crime near me," Prasad added.


Mollywood superstar and National Award-winning actor Mohanlal visited the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad on Saturday. However, the actor was there in a different role, as the lieutenant colonel of the Territorial Army.



The actor reached Wayanad on Saturday and visited the base camp of the Territorial Army. He interacted with personnel and was briefed about the rescue and relief operations being conducted in the area. Mohanlal visited Pujarimuttam and Mundakai, the points where the landslide originated.

#WATCH | Actor Mohanlal who is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, reached the landslide-hit Mundakkai area in Wayanad.#Kerala pic.twitter.com/feEpYNZa5B  ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2024

The actor was conferred the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army in 2009, considering his honest portrayal of men in uniform in movies.

The actor has contributed Rs 25 lakh to the Chief Ministers Disaster Relief Fund. Earlier, appreciating the relief works being done by the Territorial Army, Mohanlal said he was feeling grateful for their efforts.

#HarKaamDeshKeNaam

Lt Col (Hon) @Mohanlal visits #WayanadLandslide areas along with his own 122 InfantryBattalion, TA Madras to boost the morale of all personnel involved in the rescue operations. #MalabarTerriers



  ,   ...@IaSouthern pic.twitter.com/ZsImX8bpzI  PRO Defence Kochi (@DefencePROkochi) August 3, 2024

I salute the courage of the selfless volunteers, policemen, Fire & Rescue, NDRF, army soldiers, government officials, and every person working tirelessly to provide relief to the victims of the Wayanad disaster. I am grateful for the efforts of my 122 Infantry Battalion, TA Madras, who have been at the forefront of the relief mission. We have faced challenges before and emerged stronger. I pray that we stand united and show the strength of our unity in this difficult time. Jai Hind!
There has been much speculation about the execution of the attack on Hamas supreme leader Ismail Haniyeh ever since he was killed at a guesthouse in Tehran on Wednesday.

A few western media reports had claimed that Haniyeh, who was in the Iran capital to attend the inauguration of newly-elected president Masoud Pezeshkian, was killed by an explosive device that had been covertly 'smuggled' into the guesthouse around two months ago.

The guesthouse was under the security blanket of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The elite Iranian armed forces wing, which has found itself in a humiliating position after the incident, denied these reports and claimed that the attack originated from outside building where Haniyeh was staying.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Guards said the Hamas chief was assassinated with a "short-range projectile with a warhead of approximately 7 kilograms".

This action was designed and implemented by the Zionist regime and supported by the criminal government of America, it added.

This is the first time the IRGC has come up with an explanation on how the attack on Haniyeh took place.

Haniyeh was attacked while staying on the fourth floor of the guesthouse in Zafaraniyeh in northern Tehran. There were speculations that a long-range missile was fired from outside Iran's borders or from an aircraft over Iranian airspace.

On Thursday, quoting Middle Eastern officials, the New York Post reported that the bomb had been hidden about two months ago in the guesthouse, where Haniyeh was known to be staying.

The NYT also said that the Israeli intelligence officials briefed the United States and other Western governments on the details of the operation after the strike.

Corroborating it, the Telegraph claimed that Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, had hired Iranian security agents to plant explosives in three separate rooms of the building where the Hamas leader was staying.

According to the report, the original plan was to assassinate Haniyeh during the funeral of former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi who was killed in a helicopter crash in May. The plan was dropped due to the high possibility of failure as there were several people in the funeral hall.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who has officially become the Democratic presidential nominee, is planning to choose from a list of six potential VP picks this weekend. Harris will announce her running mate for the November elections by Tuesday ahead of her tour in the battleground states.

Harris will be talking to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, AP quoted two people with knowledge of Harris' selection process as saying.

The contenders who are highly likely to be picked by Harris are Shapiro and Kelly since they are from swing states. The likes of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who is close with Harris from their shared time as state attorneys general, publicly withdrew from consideration over concerns about travelling out of the state.

Her deadline for picking a running mate is effectively Tuesday, when Harris will launch a tour of seven key battleground states, starting in Philadelphia.

When President Joe Biden was asked whether he had advice for Harris on her VP pick, he said, "I'll let her work that out".

Ahead of his interview with Harris, Shapiro abruptly cancelled his three weekend fundraisers in the seaside communities on the coast of Long Island, New York. One of the fundraisers was hosted by Biden's national finance committee member Michael Kempner, who openly advocated for Shapiro to be the VP pick.

Shapiro, being the governor of Pennsylvania, a swing state where Trump was shot last month, has high chances of being picked by Harris.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump's campaign said Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee in the least possible way.
As tension mounts in the Middle East with Iran and proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen threatening repercussions for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the Pentagon has announced that it was sending more combat aircraft and warships to the Middle East.

This comes as India too warned its citizens in Israel to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols. "Please exercise caution, avoid necessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters. The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals," the advisory read.



The Indian Embassy in Beirut also advised Indian nationals against travelling to Lebanon till further notice. It also advised them to leave Lebanon. Air India too cancelled all Delhi-Tel Aviv flights until August 8.



In view of the explosive situation, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced the military would send one additional squadron of Air Force F-22 fighter jets, an unspecified number of additional Navy cruisers and destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, and, if needed, more land-based ballistic-missile defence systems.



Though there was speculation that the Pentagon might not replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group in the Middle East once it completed its ongoing deployment, it decided to rotate in the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier strike group to replace it. "Some ships already in the western Mediterranean Sea will move east, closer to the coast of Israel to provide more security," a senior Pentagon official told The New York Times.



Though the Pentagon did not specify when the warplanes and ships would arrive, reports quoting officials said it would take days for the additional aircraft to arrive and somewhat longer for the naval reinforcements.



However, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the U.S. did not believe escalation was inevitable though it would be "bolstering out force protection in the region." "I think we are being very direct in our messaging that certainly we don't want to see heightened tensions and we do believe there is an off ramp here and that is that ceasefire deal," Singh said.



While Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is said to have ordered Iran to strike Israel directly, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has also hinted that a coordinated attack on Israel could be in the works.



"Because they have picked a fight with everyone, they dont know where the response will come from  the response will come separately or coordinated," he said in a speech Thursday.

Besides Haniyeh, one senior Hamas leader and a top Hezbollah commander were also killed recently. While the head of Hamas' military wing Mohammed Deif was killed in Gaza, Hezbollah Commander Fouad Shukr died in a strike in Lebanon last Tuesday.


Kolkata, Aug 3 (PTI) Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra on Saturday said the government remains committed to fairness, simplicity and equity in the tax system.

He said the government's ongoing efforts are to simplify tax laws, improve tax compliance, and support economic growth through prudent fiscal policies and the Union budget was in that direction.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said a comprehensive review would be done on direct taxes over the next six months aiming at making direct taxes simpler to reduce disputes.

"Tax growth had reached 14 per cent, outpacing GDP growth due to better compliance and collection efficiency," Malhotra said in a post-budget interactive session with stakeholders.

He commended both tax administrators and taxpayers for their efforts and asked for continued cooperation to further enhance tax compliance and administration.

Malhotra assured taxpayers that the government aims to simplify and make it easier to understand and make the process as hassle-free as possible.

He emphasized that the administration seeks to build trust with taxpayers and aims to minimise harassment and inconvenience for honest taxpayers.

"For those found dishonest, the law would be applied rigorously," he said.

While explaining the removal of indexation for long-term capital gains, Malhotra stated that it should not hurt the masses as the capital gains tax was increased marginally for the "high-income group" only.

The revenue secretary also touched on the broader economic goals reflected in the budget, focusing on growth, employment, and development across various sectors.

He underscored the importance of fiscally responsible spending to avoid burdening future generations.

Malhotra also addressed specific sectors, such as the leather, textile, diamond, and marine sectors, which have seen reductions in customs duties to enhance competitiveness.

He highlighted the government's support for industries through measures like the removal of angel tax and reduction of corporate tax rates of foreign companies to attract both domestic and international investment.
Itanagar, Aug 3 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona on Saturday held a meeting with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi to find ways to elevate the northeastern state as a premier tourist destination in the country, officials said here.

They discussed formulating robust strategies to unlock the vast tourism potential of Arunachal Pradesh through a strong collaborative effort between the state and the Centre.

During the meeting, innovative ideas and insights were exchanged to promote the northeastern state's natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and unique local traditions, the officials said.

Strategies will focus on ensuring that the growth of tourism benefits local communities while conserving the environment, making Arunachal Pradesh a model for sustainable tourism, they said.

Shekhawat, the union tourism minister, expressed his deep commitment to support the state by developing critical infrastructure, promoting cultural heritage and improving the overall tourism experience, the officials said.

The collaboration with the central government is pivotal in transforming Arunachal Pradesh into a top tourist destination. With the union ministers proactive support, we aim at developing sustainable tourism practices that benefit our local communities and preserve our natural beauty, Sona said.

He emphasised on the importance of creating a sustainable tourism model that promotes economic prosperity, job creation, and cultural exchange.

During the meeting, they highlighted several key initiatives, ranging from infrastructure development, cultural promotion, job creation, sustainable tourism practices and improved visitor experience.

Significant investments were also planned to improve roads, airports and other essential infrastructure, enhancing accessibility for tourists and facilitating smooth travel within the state, the officials said.

Initiatives will also be undertaken to improve the overall experience for tourists from accommodation and amenities to guided tours and cultural programmes, they said.

The partnership between the state and central governments is set to bring about substantial economic growth, generate employment opportunities and foster cultural exchanges, contributing significantly to the holistic development of the region, the officials said.

Sona expressed his gratitude to the union ministers visionary approach and dedication to the development of tourism in Arunachal Pradesh.

The meeting was also attended by Union Tourism Secretary V Vidyavathi, Resident Commissioner of Arunachal Bhawan Amjad Tak and other senior officials.
NEW DELHI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The deaths of 13 children at a childcare home in Delhi over the past three weeks have shocked the Indian capital city, as the opposition parties held the capital city's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) responsible for mismanagement.

The matter came to light on Friday, with the cause of the deaths not being known yet. As many as 25 others were currently suffering from tuberculosis.

The childcare home "Asha Kiran," which is intended for mentally challenged kids, was run by the Delhi government in the Rohini area. Media reports said that it was severely overcrowded. 
New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) Tata Electronics' Rs 27,000-crore chip assembly plant in Assam will create 27,000 jobs and is expected to become operational in 2025, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion of chip plant's Bhumi Pujan ceremony, Chandrasekaran said that the company has already employed 1,000 people from Assam and as the facility expands it will bring entire semiconductor ecosystem companies.

"At its capacity it will employ 27,000 people, 15,000 direct jobs and additional 12,000 indirect jobs. We want to move fast. We are trying to accelerate the building of this factory. We hope sometime in 2025 we will be able to complete this facility and quickly start operations," Chandrasekaran said.

Already we have 1,000 people who have been employed from Assam.

He said the other semiconductor ecosystem companies will start as supplier but gradually they will set up units in the country.

The ceremony was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who said it was a 'golden day' for the people of Assam as Bhumi pujan was performed.

The chief minister assured the Chairman of Tata Sons that the company will face no difficulty in setting up this industry and the people of Assam will always be grateful for this facility.

"The setting up of this facility will herald industrial development in the state leading to employment opportunities for the youth'', Sarma said after the Bhumi pujan of the facility at Jagiroad in Morigaon district of Assam.

He said that it was due to the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw that this facility became possible.

"They had assured us that if the Tatas are prepared to move one step, the Centre will move two steps to ensure the setting up of the facility in Assam," he said.

Even after decline in insurgency activities in the state, very few private companies were willing to invest in the state but "I had approached Chandrasekaran, who was then the managing director of Tata Consultancy Services, to become a co-sponsor of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT, Guwahati) and he had readily agreed," Sarma said.
CHANGSHA, China, Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Image Possibilities" Coproduction Plan (IP PLAN) 2024 was launched in Changsha on July 30th. The event brought together international directors and producers, industry representatives, academic experts, and media for the official kickoff.



Du Zhanyuan, President of China International Communications Group, expressed anticipation for the collaboration between Chinese and foreign filmmakers. He emphasized the importance of showcasing Chinese culture and development to the world through authentic and relatable storytelling.



The launch ceremony featured insights from IP PLAN mentor Vikram Channa and filmmaker Arthur Jones, who shared their experiences in international co-production and personal storytelling. Malcolm Clarke, a British documentary filmmaker and IP PLAN mentor, stressed the need for trust and creativity among filmmakers to effectively tell Chinese stories.



IP PLAN is a comprehensive production program seeking both original concepts and completed films. Selected projects will receive professional training, production support, with the opportunity to be broadcast on CCTV-9 and other international platforms.



The initiative aims to foster global collaboration, promote cultural exchange, and create compelling visual stories that highlight the richness of China's stories. IP PLAN is jointly organized by China International Communications Group, CCTV-9, and Discovery Channel. Submissions are open until August 31st.



Submissions email chinareviewstudio@163.com



Theme Video: https://youtu.be/GFrYH6PKtJo



For more information, please visit:



https://ipplan.ccicd.org.cn/project-register



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
Jaipur, Aug 3 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Saturday said the state government will constitute the Chief Minister's Animal Husbandry Development Fund with an allocation of Rs 250 crore to benefit cattle farmers.

Sharma was addressing a delegation of Dewasi community who had come from various assembly constituencies including Sirohi and Bali to express gratitude for the announcements made for their upliftment in the state's annual budget.

According to an official statement, the chief minister said that the country is agriculture-based and cattle farmers have an important contribution in the state's economy.

Keeping this in mind, many gifts have been given in the budget for the empowerment of cattle farmers. Chief Minister's Animal Husbandry Development Fund will be constituted with Rs 250 crore for animal husbandry promotion, conservation and development, he said.

According to the chief minister, the grant amount will be increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for breed development of dairy animals and find solution to the problem of male cattle.

Sharma further said that the dream of a developed Rajasthan will come true with the announcements made in the revised state budget 2024-25.

The aspirations and hopes of the eight crore people of the state will be fulfilled with this budget, he said, adding that the government is working with commitment for the all-round development of all sections including farmers, animal husbandry, youth, women.

He said that his government is fulfilling all the promises of the party's 'Sankalp Patra'.
Jaipur, Aug 3 (PTI) The Rajasthan Cabinet on Saturday approved a proposal for the setting up of four joint venture companies in the energy sector, which will work on projects related to renewable and thermal power generation and transmission.

The state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also approved the development of metro rail projects in the state.

Apart from setting up joint ventures for renewable and thermal power projects and power transmission projects, the Cabinet also cleared the formation of an infrastructure investment trust, according to an official statement.

Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa, Industry and Commerce Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel informed about the decisions, the statement said.

Bairwa said that as per the Metro Rail Policy 2017, the proposal for the formation of a joint venture company between the central government and the state was approved. This joint venture will be for the development, operation and implementation of the current and future metro rail projects in Rajasthan.

The joint venture will be able to get financial assistance (in the form of share capital and loan) in the metro project cost from the Centre. Also, technical and administrative support will be available for the metro projects.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Patel said that the government is making continuous efforts to make the state self-reliant in the field of energy.

In compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state government and various central public sector companies enterprises on March 10, 2024, the proposals for the formation of joint venture companies with central public sector units were approved in the Cabinet meeting today, Patel said.

The share of state government companies in these joint ventures will be 26 per cent and that of central government undertakings 74 per cent.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rathore said that two separate joint ventures will be set up between Coal India Limited and RVUNL. One of these will be a thermal project and the other a renewable energy project.

The minister said that a joint venture between NTPC Green Energy and RVUNL will be formed to set up a renewable energy projects, including solar/wind/ hybrid energy of 25,000 MW. Through this, an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore will be made in the state.

Patel said that in the vote on account for the year 2024-25, the state government had announced bringing an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in the transmission corporation in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Union energy ministry. In compliance with this, Rajasthan Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited will form 'InvIT' and it will be registered with SEBI.

The proposal to authorize RVPN to monetize its operational transmission assets through 'InvIT' has also been approved by the Cabinet.
Singapore, Aug 3 (PTI) Sikkims women-led entrepreneur Rinzing Choden Bhutia is scaling up her Himalayan-origin herbal and plant product business while working on a potential second round of USD 500,000 funding from international investors.

The handcrafted soaps and skincare products, made especially by women who were sexually abused or tribal housewives who never had any income earning, must go on international markets but the challenge is tough in raising funds, Bhutia told PTI at an event held here on Wednesday.

The 44-year-old mother of two from the Kabi family is confident of creating an impact for some 300 Sikkim women who have been trained by Agapi Sikkim, a 2022-incorporated startup working with ingredients like Tite Pati, turmeric and aloe vera.

It is not going to be easier but having trained 300 women and more to be trained, we must believe in ourselves and our endeavour to offer Himalayan-organic products to consumers, said Bhutia who started in 2019 on the idea turning of herbs and plants in valuable products and trained local women into economic activities.

Among new trainees, 21 HIV-positive women will be trained this month, she said.

The business is operating on a shoe-string budget which was just USD 100,000 in the first round of fundraising.

Bhutia is scaling up her herbal and plant product business while working on a potential second round of USD 500,000 funding from international investors.

Bhutia has recently visited the United States and raised Agapi product awareness among some American investors while Sikkim-based businesses have shown increasing interest in the small but lucrative Himalayan product business, she said.

Among Indian heavyweights, Reliance Swadesh has noted Agapi products at its retail outlets, says Bhutia who sees the potential of finding shelves and spaces in malls and airports pan-India.

Bhutia says she has tied up with farmers to cultivate the herbs and plants.

It is a work in progress, said Bhutia who interacted with international businesses at the event.
Islamabad, Aug 3 (PTI) The ethnic Baloch protestors continued their sit-in on Saturday in different areas of Balochistan province despite "successful" negotiations with the government a day earlier to wrap up the demonstrations against the alleged violation of the rights of the Baloch people.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) launched protests in the coastal city of Gwadar and at other places in Balochistan on July 28 against the alleged violation of the rights of the Baloch people, including their forced disappearances.

Balochistan has been in the grip of unrest propelled by the Baloch nationalists who accuse the federal government of stealing the mineral resources of the province.

However, the authorities rejected the allegation by saying that the Baloch militants were getting support from foreign elements to destabilise Pakistan.

The government announced on Friday that an agreement was reached with the leaders of the protestors and that they agreed to disperse. However, the announcement coincided with the killing of a person and injuries to others in the Nushki area of the province during a clash with the security forces.

Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Biberg Baloch blamed the security forces for firing on the solidarity committee's sit-in in Nushki, saying that there was no justification for firing on a peaceful protest.

However, according to Deputy Commissioner Nushki Amjad Soomro, the casualties were due to the clash between the protesters and the security forces. Officials said the protestors tried to advance towards the red zone in Nushki.

Biberg Baloch told the media that a sit-in against the killing was going on the Quetta-Taftan Highway in Nushki on Saturday. He also alleged that a large number of people have been arrested in Gwadar, and the protest will continue until their release.

Meanwhile, Balochistan government officials said that the provincial authorities showed flexibility and accepted the demands of the protestors with the commitment by their leaders that the sit-in would end in Gwadar by midday on Friday.

The government also released around 80 people arrested from Gwadar, which was their key demand, but the protestors failed to fulfil their commitment to disperse.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
London, Aug 3 (PTI) Police forces across the UK on Saturday are braced for around 30 planned protests over the weekend as violent disorder involving far-right groups in the wake of the fatal stabbings of three schoolgirls in north-west England spread to the north-east of the country.

Online disinformation erroneously alleging the teenage suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker led to a mosque being targeted by mobs in Sunderland this time and a building adjacent to a police station being set on fire amid clashes on Friday night.

Northumbria Police made eight arrests for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary and said that three of its officers were hospitalised with injuries.

I want to make it absolutely clear that the disorder, violence and damage which has occurred will not be tolerated, said Chief Superintendent Helena Barron of Northumbria Police.

The safety of the public is our utmost priority and when we became aware that a protest had been planned, we ensured there was an increased policing presence in the city. During the course of the evening, those officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence, which is utterly deplorable, she said.

Former home secretary Priti Patel, who is contesting the leadership race of the Opposition Conservative Party, issued a statement calling for Parliament to be recalled from its summer recess amid the ongoing disorder and riots.

"Violence and thuggery is always unacceptable. There is no qualification or exception. And politicians on all sides must be willing to stand up and say so," said Patel.

"Now is a moment for national reflection and solidarity  to pull back from the wave of violence we have seen, to call it out for what it is  without fear or favour  and for parliament to speak with one voice in condemnation. We either believe in the rule of law, or we do not. That is why Parliament must be recalled immediately," she said.

Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had announced a new National Violent Disorder Programme designed to stop criminals intent on causing violence and unrest by bringing together policing capabilities from across the UK to share intelligence on the activity of mobs for officials to make swift arrests.

He also called on large social media companies to take firm action because violent disorder clearly whipped up online is also a crime.

Its not protest. Its not legitimate. Its crime and violent disorder. An assault on the rule of law and the execution of justice, he said.

Yvette Cooper, Britain's new Labour Home Secretary, posted on X on Saturday that criminals attacking the police and stoking disorder will pay the price for their violence and thuggery and that the police have the full backing of the government to take the strongest possible action.

Meanwhile, several social media posts relating to far-right protests and counter-protests have been circulating, with police forces gearing up for further unrest.

We will have surge capacity in our intelligence, in our briefing, and in the resources that are out in local communities," Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, told the BBC.

Lewis Atkinson, the local MP for Sunderland Central, said a link could be drawn between the disorder and the English Defence League (EDL), which was founded by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Some of the protesters were draped in England flags and chants in support of Robinson could be heard during the clashes on Friday night.

It follows a brutal knife attack on a Taylor Swift-themed childrens dance workshop at a community centre in Southport on Monday, which left three young girls dead and others fighting for their lives.

The attack was followed by a wave of online misinformation about the suspected attacker's religious background, who has since been named as Welsh-born Axel Muganwa Rudakubana of Rwandan heritage and remains in custody.
London, Aug 3 (PTI) A charming English village in the heart of the New Forest region in Hampshire of southern England has been celebrating its lesser-known Indian Army connection with an insightful exhibition.

"Red Pepper and Black Pepper  The Indian Army in the New Forest (1914-1916) and Bournemouth" opened at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst village recently to tell the story of mutual warmth and friendship between the troops and the local population during the First World War.

The name of the exhibition alludes to the letters home of the Indian recruits which were often censored and hence some of the soldiers referred in code to the British as Red Peppers and themselves as Black Peppers.

It was great to see this exhibition in the heart of the beautiful New Forest and see the enthusiasm the residents have for commemorating the events from over a hundred years ago, said UK-based historian Shrabani Basu, the author of For King and Another Country: Indian Soldiers on the Western Front, 1914-1918 who delivered a talk entitled Turbans in the Trenches at the Community Centre in Lyndhurst.

The Indian soldiers who came here to train and recuperate during World War I were treated like guests and welcomed into the community. The Indian flag still flies outside the Forest Park Hotel where many Indian soldiers and doctors stayed and a road has been named Meerut Road in their memory, she shared.

Her talk spotlighted the story of Sukha, an untouchable sweeper from a village in Uttar Pradesh who is buried at Brockenhurst Church in New Forest. He served as a cleaner in the Army camps in France and in the Lady Hardinge Hospital in Brockenhurst, where he became ill with pneumonia and died in January 1915.

But as he was of low caste, it transpired that he could not be cremated at Patcham near Brighton, and because he was a Hindu, he could not be buried in the Muslim burial ground at Woking in Surrey.

So the vicar of the St. Nicholas Church at the time declared that because Sukha had died for England he should be buried at Brockenhurst.

It is the human stories that bring us all together, and make it important to remember these moments in history, added Basu.

Pre-Partition India was the largest contributor of men and materials from the British Empire to the First World War effort. Indian soldiers' bravery and achievements resulted in them winning nine Victoria Crosses on the Western Front and other notable battlefield successes.

Considerable efforts were made to meet the soldiers' cultural and religious needs among the local English communities.

The exhibition, co-curated with local historian and researcher Nick Saunders, also explores some of the tougher narratives such as 55 wounded soldiers who did not survive their injuries.

It is the signs of enduring gratitude and affection that are being celebrated with the New Forest exhibition, which runs until August 9, alongside an annual commemoration at a memorial in the nearby village of Barton-on-Sea.
Jerusalem, Aug 3 (AP) Iran's Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and accused the United States of supporting the attack which it blamed on Israel, state TV reported on Saturday.

The televised statement said a rocket with a seven-kilogram (about 15-pound) warhead was used to target the residence of Hamas' political in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, adding it caused heavy devastation, but didn't share details of the location.

Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The action was designed and carried out by the Zionist regime and supported by the US, said the Guard's statement and reiterated a call for retaliation.

The warmongering and terrorist Zionist regime will receive harsh punishment in the suitable time, place, and capacity," it added.

Israel had pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the group's October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

The assassination has sparked fears of pushing the region into a wider conflict and forcing Iran and Israel into a direct confrontation if Iran retaliates.

In April, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel which the Jewish state said it intercepted 99 per cent of. It came less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals, marking the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran does not recognise Israel and supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. (AP) PY

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to To Lam, congratulating him on election as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee.

In the congratulatory message, Xi said he was glad to learn that To Lam has been elected as general secretary of the CPV Central Committee, and would like to extend warm congratulations to To Lam on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and in his own name.

Noting that China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, Xi said that during his state visit to Vietnam last December, the two sides jointly announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, opening up a new journey and a new chapter in the relations between the two parties as well as the two countries.

Xi said he stands ready to work with To Lam to guide the substantial development in building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, jointly carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate mutual political trust, deepen strategic communication, and promote practical cooperation, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and make positive contributions to the cause of peace and progress of mankind.
PRAGUE, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia expects the European Commission (EC) to defend the interests of European Union (EU) member states in an oil transit dispute with Ukraine, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar said Friday.

Blanar made the remarks in a Facebook post in response to a letter sent by the EC to him and his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto over the oil transit dispute. He said that at the same time his country won't wait and is looking for other solutions if the commission doesn't act.

"We have received a letter from Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis regarding the halted oil supplies via Ukraine," Blanar said.

Slovakia and Hungary have been accusing Ukraine of violating an agreement between the EU and Ukraine after it recently stopped the oil transit of the Russian company Lukoil through the Druzhba pipeline to the two EU countries. Slovakia's Economy Ministry said last month that oil deliveries from Lukoil had stopped flowing to the country via Ukraine following the company's inclusion on a Ukrainian sanctions list in June.

The agreement between the EU and Ukraine stipulates that the transit of energy products to the EU must not be hindered. Slovakia and Hungary have appealed to the EC to intervene.

On Thursday, the EC stated that oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary are not in immediate danger as a result of Ukrainian sanctions against Lukoil.

Blanar said Friday that the EC is postponing a decision on Slovakia's request to use the options of the agreement. It has also sent further questions to Slovakia, which the Economy Ministry answered and sent back to Brussels.

Also on Friday, Dombrovskis said on social media platform X that he had spoken to Szijjarto to get more details on energy supplies to Hungary. 
Zeita (West Bank), Aug 3 (AP) Two Israeli airstrikes in the northern West Bank killed nine Palestinian militants on Saturday, Israel's army said, as violence flared again in the Israeli-occupied territory with tensions high over the war in Gaza.

The Israeli army said its forces first struck a vehicle in a rural area northwest of the city of Tulkarem in early morning, killing the five occupants. The army said they were on their way to carry out an attack.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the men's bodies were taken to a nearby hospital. Hamas later identified all five as militants with the group, including a local commander.

According to an Associated Press journalist and witnesses, the blast took place along a road connecting the Palestinian villages of Zeita and Qaffin.

We came to the site and found a young man martyred here on the street and half of his face was missing, said Taiser Abdullah, a Zeita resident who said he had been going to work when he heard the strike nearby.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said four of the bodies were burned and charred beyond recognition".

Later Saturday, Israel's military said it killed four other Palestinian militants in the Tulkarem area shortly after they opened fire on Israeli troops operating in the area. No further information was immediately available.

Over 590 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began in Gaza in October, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Most have been killed during Israeli raids and violent protests, but the dead also include bystanders and Palestinians killed in attacks by Jewish settlers.

The northern West Bank has seen some of the territory's worst violence over the past 10 months. Tulkarem, with its two refugee camps, has become one of the main flashpoints and is regularly raided by Israeli forces. Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, are active in the city.

The strike came days after the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday and top Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut the evening before. The escalation threatens to plunge the region into a full-fledged regional war.

Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, vowed to retaliate against Israel, which said it killed Shukur but has not confirmed or denied its role in the killing of Haniyeh. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind Haniyeh's death and accused the United States of supporting the attack.

The Pentagon said late Friday the US military will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region.

The previous day, President Joe Biden said he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize the chance for a cease-fire with Hamas, adding that Haniyeh's killing had not helped efforts to negotiate an end to the war. Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities.

At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the nearly 10 months since Hamas' brutal Oct 7 attack on Israel triggered their latest war. That's according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. Israel has accused Hamas of embedding in the civilian population and putting it at risk.

Most of Gaza's population of about 2.3 million is displaced, many people multiple times, as Israel's military returns to areas where it says Hamas militants have regrouped. Health services and sanitation have largely collapsed across the territory as hunger grows. (AP) SCY

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Washington, Aug 3 (AP) Democrats have unified with remarkable speed behind Vice President Kamala Harris as she has taken over the top of the party's ticket heading into the November presidential election.

It may be another story when it comes to a running mate.

As Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen Mark Kelly have emerged as among the potential finalists, both have faced criticism from some organizations and activists who might otherwise be supportive of Democratic causes.

Harris' team says she is interviewing six possible choices over the weekend before an announcement expected Monday. The next day, she and her running mate will appear together at a rally in Philadelphia, then visit six more swing states.

In addition to Shapiro and Kelly, Harris is said to be considering Minnesota Gov Tim Walz, Illinois Gov J B Pritzker and Gov Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Some congressional Democrats have promoted Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut whose state has more than 370 miles of border with Mexico. They say his selection could help defuse attacks by the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, who argues that Biden administration's immigration policies are too relaxed.

Shapiro has high-profile supporters, too, including Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. She caused a stir by posting a video Friday depicting several Philadelphia-area officials and Democrats promoting Harris, but also playing up Shapiro as her running mate  appearing to suggest that the mayor had inside knowledge about Harris' decision.

But a person with knowledge of the mayor's thinking said the video was simply a case of Parker showing support for both Harris and the potential that Shapiro, Parker's friend, would be the vice presidential pick. The person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Both Kelly and Shapiro have also seen their detractors become more vocal as Harris' closes in on a decision.

While that may not ultimately sway Harris, it is an indication that the honeymoon period for the vice president, where the distinct wings of the Democratic Party coalesced behind her, may be ending in the less than two weeks since President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid and endorsed her.

Some labor groups have criticized Kelly for opposing proposed legislation they argue would boost union organizing. Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers, said that despite backing Harris for president, his 370,000-member union is not supporting Kelly as a potential running mate.

Fain also said the union does not favor Shapiro, who has previously proved willing to join with Republicans in calls to expand voucher programs that allow public tax dollars to flow to private schools.

Fain did single out Beshear, Walz and Pritzker for praise.

She's probably got a thousand people telling her the same thing, you know, of what they think, Fain said in an interview. And so she's got to make the decision based off of what she feels is, you know, is best for her.

The nonprofit Institute for Middle East Understanding said in a statement that Shapiro is not the right candidate for the job, and selecting him would be a step in the wrong direction.

Shapiro, who says he plans to be at Harris' rally Tuesday in Philadelphia, has aggressively confronted what he views as antisemitism cropping up from pro-Palestinian demonstrations and he has professed solidarity with Israel in its drive to eliminate Hamas as it Israel battles the militants in Gaza.

Shapiro called out universities for not acting quickly to tackle antisemitism and he became a prominent critic of the University of Pennsylvania's president, Liz Magill. She resigned after testifying at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school's conduct policy.

Shapiro has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while suggesting that any end to the Israel-Hamas war requires the removal of Hamas from power.

The governor has been criticized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations for not condemning Israel for the killing of civilians in Gaza or for not calling for Israel to stop the fighting in the territory. Shapiro has countered that he has met with Muslim Americans and understands their pain.

The progressive activist organization RootsAction.org opposes Shapiro's views on Israel, school vouchers and the environment, among other issues. It says that in considering Shapiro, Harris has set off alarm bells among young people, racial justice organizers, Arab Americans, Muslims and others whose votes and campaign activism were crucial to defeating Trump four years ago.

Meanwhile, The Philadelphia Inquirer resurfaced an opinion article Shapiro wrote in 1993 as a 20-year-old college student at the University of Rochester where he said peace will never come to the Middle East and that Palestinians were too battle-minded to coexist with Israel.

Asked about it, Shapiro responded, I was 20 adding that he long has supported a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

It is my hope that we can see a day where peace will reign in the Middle East, he said.

Also opposing Shapiro are some environmental leaders and residents of the rural town of Dimock, Pennsylvania. They have drafted a letter to Harris urging her not to choose Shapiro and charging that the governor failed to keep his promises to clean up area groundwater contaminated by natural gas production via hydraulic fracturing. (AP) NPK

NPK
Zeita (West Bank), Aug 3 (AP) Two Israeli airstrikes in the West Bank killed nine Palestinian militants on Saturday, Israel's army said, as violence flared again in the Israeli-occupied territory with tensions high over the war in Gaza.

Cease-fire discussions on Gaza were set to continue, with an Israeli delegation led by the Mossad chief arriving in Cairo, an Egyptian official said. The US has urged Israel to seize the chance for a cease-fire after the shock killing of Hamas' political leader in Iran, which Tehran blames on Israel.

In the northern West Bank, the Israeli army said its forces first struck a vehicle in a rural area outside the city of Tulkarem early morning, killing the five occupants. The army said they were on their way to carry out an attack. Hamas identified all five as militants with the group, including a local commander.

According to an Associated Press journalist and witnesses, the blast took place along a road connecting the Palestinian villages of Zeita and Qaffin.

We came to the site and found a young man martyred here on the street and half of his face was missing, said Taiser Abdullah, a Zeita resident. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said four bodies were burned and charred beyond recognition".

Later Saturday, Israel's military said it killed four other Palestinian militants in the Tulkarem area shortly after they opened fire on Israeli troops. No further information was immediately available.

Over 590 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began in Gaza in October, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Most have been killed during Israeli raids and violent protests. The dead also include bystanders and Palestinians killed in attacks by Jewish settlers.

The northern West Bank has seen some of the territory's worst violence. Tulkarem is regularly raided by Israeli forces, and Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, are active there.

Concerns about a full-fledged regional war are high after the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday and top Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut the evening before.

Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, vowed to retaliate against Israel, which said it killed Shukur but has not confirmed or denied its role in Haniyeh's death. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind the killing and accused the United States of supporting the attack.

The Pentagon said late Friday that the US military will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region. The US Embassy in Beirut encouraged citizens who wish to leave Lebanon to book any ticket available to them", noting that several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights.

The previous day, President Joe Biden said he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize the chance for a cease-fire with Hamas, adding that Haniyeh's killing had not helped efforts to negotiate an end to the war. Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities.

Saturday midday, an Israeli delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea arrived in Cairo, an Egyptian official said. The delegation, which also includes Ronan Bar, chief of Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet, will meet with Abbas Kamel, head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service, for talks focusing on the Philadelphi corridor along the border with Egypt and the Rafah crossing point, the official said.

The Egyptian official, who has direct knowledge of the Gaza cease-fire negotiations, spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to brief reporters.

There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials. Netanyahu's office late Friday said he ordered the negotiation delegation to leave for Cairo on Saturday or Sunday.

The death toll inside Gaza is nearing 40,000. At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the nearly 10 months since Hamas' brutal Oct 7 attack on Israel triggered their latest war. That's according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. Israel has accused Hamas of embedding in the civilian population and putting it at risk.

Most of Gaza's population of about 2.3 million is displaced, many people multiple times, as Israel's military returns to areas where it says Hamas militants have regrouped. Health services and sanitation have largely collapsed across the territory as hunger grows. (AP) SCY

SCY
Washington, Aug 3 (PTI) Vice President Kamala Harris has become the Democratic Partys presidential nominee in the least democratic way possible, rival Trump Campaign said here.

The remarks by the Trump Campaign were made on Friday, hours after the Indian American leader was elected as the Democratic Partys candidate for the November 5th general elections.

Democrats are the real threat to democracy, the Trump Campaign said.

Kamala Harris  the least popular vice president in modern US history  has just officially been installed as the presumptive Democrat nominee for president without a single vote cast in her name, it said.

In a process more reminiscent of communist China, Democrat elites deposed their previous nominee when their coverup of his decline was no longer tenable, then coronated Kamala in the least democratic way possible, the Trump campaign said. Now, they're shielding her from the public as long as they can lest voters notice her dangerously liberal ideology and complete lack of fitness for office, it said. Meanwhile, in an email to his supporters, former president and the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump pledged to unleash hell on Harris.

Trump is scheduled to address an election rally in the key battle ground state of Atlanta on Saturday.

In a mass email, Trump said, 24 HOURS UNTIL WE UNLEASH HELL. At this time tomorrow, Crooked Kamalas worst nightmares come true. When I take the rally stage in DEEP BLUE Atlanta to a packed house with THOUSANDS of MAGA Patriots, she wont be able to hide from the truth any longer.

Tomorrow I step on stage and deliver Open Border Czar Kamala Harris the WORST defeat of her failed political career, he said.
Moscow, Aug 3 (AP) President Vladimir Putin strode along the red carpet between two rows of rifle-toting honor guards and warmly greeted intelligence operatives freed in the biggest prisoner swap with the West since the Cold War.

The Motherland hasn't forgotten about you for a minute, Putin said, embracing each of them after they walked down the steps of the jetliner that ferried them home.

Putin, who rarely  if ever  travels to the airport to greet foreign heads of state these days, was delivering a clear, morale-boosting message to his security services: If you get caught, Russia will bring you home.

For the Kremlin, Vadim Krasikov, the hitman imprisoned in Germany for killing a former Chechen militant in Berlin, was perhaps the most important component in the exchange that saw eight Russians swapped for 16 Westerners and Russian dissidents who had been imprisoned in recent years.

Moscow freed American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and a group of top dissidents.

Washington extolled it as a major diplomatic victory. But so did Moscow.

Putin is sending a signal that those working abroad will have maximum protection, and that if they are arrested, the state will fight for their return and roll out the red carpet for them, said Tatyana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

She noted that Russian and Western perceptions of the deal were starkly different.

In the West, it's being viewed from a humanitarian and political perspective, closely followed by media, significant for society," Stanovaya told The Associated Press. "In Russia, it's not an issue for society, it's an issue for the state.

The average Russian probably "doesn't even know the names of those who returned," she added. But for Putin, those who returned to Russia are real heroes, patriots who worked for the state and defended the national interest.

Krasikov was convicted in the Aug. 23, 2019, killing of Zelimkhan Tornike Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen who had fought Russian troops in Chechnya and later claimed asylum in Germany.

At his sentencing to life in prison in 2021, German judges said Krasikov had acted on the orders of Russian authorities, who gave him the resources to carry out the killing.

In 2019, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any Russian involvement in the killing. But on Friday, he said Krasikov is an officer of the Federal Security Service and once served in the FSB's special forces Alpha unit, along with some of Putin's bodyguards.

By including Krasikov in the deal, Putin has shown how important it is to him to secure the return of imprisoned Russian spies, said Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

He noted the Russian leader's determination to get Krasikov back was key to this exchange.

Russia released twice as many people as the West in what Gould-Davies described as a striking departure from the strict parity (or better) that Russia always insisted on in previous swaps.

When it suits him, Putin has occasionally accepted unequal exchanges.

In September 2022, Ukraine agreed to free jailed opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk, whom Putin had personally known, and dozens of other people in exchange for over 200 Ukrainians and foreigners in Russian captivity.

Gould-Davies said Putin, a KGB veteran, could have been driven by a strong personal loyalty to the undercover agents in Thursday's swap.

"Putin now places such a high value on his spies that he is prepared to agree to an unfavorable exchange, he said.

Abbas Gallyamov, a political analyst and former Putin speechwriter, described the swap as a way to ensure the loyalty of Russian operatives abroad and make them realize that he "will make every effort to pull them out of prison.

Putin showed to all his spies, killers and other people who he uses abroad that he's like their father, Gallyamov said. It's important because it ensures their loyalty.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Putin-chaired Security Council, declared on his messaging app channel that while it would be desirable to see the traitors of Russia rot behind bars ... it's more useful to get our guys out.

The anti-Western hawk added ominously that the traitors should now frantically be choosing new names and hiding under witness protection programs.

Among those released by Russia were Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer serving 25 years on a treason conviction widely seen as politically motivated; opposition activist Ilya Yashin, imprisoned for his criticism of the war in Ukraine; associates of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and Oleg Orlov, a veteran human rights campaigner.

While some have voiced hope the freed activists could reinvigorate Russia's beleaguered and fragmented opposition that has lacked a charismatic leader since Navalny's death, others point to steep challenges they will face.

Stanovaya said it would be hard for them to make their voices heard in Russia, where most people lack access to independent media and liberal views are shared by a relatively narrow segment of the public.

She predicted the Kremlin will portray them as serving Western interests, especially Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British citizen who was a vocal supporter of sanctions against Moscow.

Gallyamov also said the Kremlin doesn't view the freed activists as a major threat.

Released opposition figures won't cause any additional issues" for the Kremlin, he said, adding that the messages that Yashin and others sent from prison evoked more sympathy and interest. The Kremlin wins from this deal. (AP) AMS
Mumbai, Aug 3 (PTI) The Congress and NCP (SP) on Saturday refuted allegations of dismissed policeman Sachin Waze against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and questioned how he was allowed to speak to media while being escorted by police.

Waze is an accused in 'Antilia' bomb scare and Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran's murder case. He is currently lodged in Taloja central jail in Navi Mumbai.

As per media reports, Waze has reiterated his allegation of bribery against Deshmukh. Waze had earlier told an inquiry commission that he had paid money to Deshmukhs associates on the latters instructions. Deshmukh had stepped down as the state home minister in 2021.

NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase claimed Waze had earlier told the Chandiwal Commission that Deshmukh or his personal assistants never demanded any money nor had they instructed him to collect money from Mumbai's restaurants and bars.

The commission, under retired Justice KU Chandiwal, was set up in 2021, when the Maha Vikas Aghadi was in power under Uddhav Thackeray, to look into allegations against Deshmukh. It had submitted a 201-page report to the government in April 2022.

Tapase also said Waze was a "disgraced" person, adding that his statement is "clearly politically motivated" and was intended to serve certain political interests.

Tapase claimed then police commissioner Param Bir Singh, who also levelled allegations against Deshmukh, was reluctant to depose before the Chandiwal Commission.

"He (Singh) later submitted a letter to the commission claiming his allegation was based on an information which he had heard and he didn't have any concrete proof to substantiate the same," Tapase pointed out.

Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe asked how a jailed person was allowed to speak to the media while being escorted by police personnel, adding that officials responsible for facilitating this interaction must be immediately suspended.

"It is clear who is making him (Waze) say all this. An investigation should be conducted into how Sachin Waze was allowed to speak to the media, as prisoners in custody are not permitted to communicate with the media. The police officers in whose custody Sachin Waze was should be immediately suspended," Londhe demanded.

Waze was a "front" to hide the conspiracy to level false charges against Deshmukh, Londhe added.
Nagpur, Aug 3 (PTI) Uddhav Thackeray's remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah have established the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's credentials as a member of the "Aurangzeb fan club", Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday.

Fadnavis was reacting to Thackeray's tirade against BJP wherein he termed Shah a political descendant of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan king who defeated the Marathas in the third battle of Panipat.

"Amit Shah had spoken about the Aurangzeb fan club. Uddhav Thackeray today proved that he is indeed from the Aurangzeb fan club," Fadnavis told reporters.

Addressing a BJP convention in Pune last month, Shah had dubbed Thackeray "the head of the Aurangzeb fan club" who was sitting with people who sought pardon for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon.

Shah was referencing Thackeray severing ties with BJP after the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections and joining hands with the Congress and NCP (undivided) to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, which collapsed in June 2022.

Addressing Shiv Sena (UBT) workers in Pune on Saturday, Thackeray accused his former ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of indulging in "power jihad" by breaking political parties to form a government.

"If Muslims are with us after we explained to them our Hindutva, then we are (according to the BJP) the Aurangzeb Fan Club. Then what you are doing is power jihad," the former chief minister said.
Kohima, Aug 3 (PTI) Provisions of ceasefire agreements do not grant immunity to any Naga group to carry out any form of "taxation" or threaten the general public, Lt. General Amarjeet Singh Bedi, chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell, said on Saturday.

The Centre has signed ceasefire agreements with five Naga groups over a period of time -- NSCN (IM) in 1997, NSCN (Unification) in 2012, NSCN (Reformation) in 2015, NSCN-K (Khango) in 2019 and NSCN-K (Nikki) 2021.

Only these five of the total 24 Naga underground groups have entered into a truce with the Centre.

"Ceasefire agreements have been signed to usher in peace so that political discussions to resolve the Naga issue can move ahead in an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and peaceful conditions," Bedi, also the chairman of Ceasefire Supervisory Board, said while addressing a press conference here.

All the Naga groups that are signatories to the ceasefire agreements with the Centre have committed to adhere to the ceasefire ground rules, he said.

Certain support instruments including designated camps, ceasefire identity cards and ceasefire offices have been provided to the groups purely for administrative purposes to undertake ceasefire-related tasks as well as ensure smooth continuation of the ceasefire, he said.

"However, these facilities are in no way meant to cause inconvenience to the common public and also in no way accord immunity to any group to indulge in violations of ceasefire ground rules or unlawful activities," he said.

The efficacy of the ceasefire mechanism can be judged by the prevalence of the peaceful environment Nagas have enjoyed for so many years as well as continuation of the political negotiations to resolve the Naga political issue, he said.
Patna, Aug 3 (PTI) A key aide of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday slammed Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who has decided to embark on a state-wide tour to highlight alleged failures of the NDA government.

Senior JD(U) leader and minister Ashok Choudhary came out with a statement attacking Yadav, a day after the RJD leader had announced his plans to undertake the "yatra" from August 15.

"In his press conference, Yadav had questioned the Nitish Kumar government's commitment to restore hiked reservations for deprived castes and alleged that despite being a part of the ruling alliance at the Centre, our party failed to secure special status for Bihar. He had also claimed that crime graph was soaring in the state", said Choudhary, who went on to debunk the charges.

The rural works minister, who, incidentally, is a Dalit, trained his guns at the RJD leader over his party's "failure" to give reservations to SCs and STs in panchayats "for the 15-year period during which it ruled Bihar".

Choudhary, who was formerly with the Congress and had served in cabinet of Yadav's mother Rabri Devi from that party's quota, pointed out that "Dalits got their constitutional right (reservation in Panchayat) only after Nitish Kumar came to power in 2005".

He also said, "The RJD has, demonstrably, never been a well-wisher of Dalits and tribals. It was Nitish Kumar who set up a department for SC and ST welfare for which generous budgetary allocations are made."

Choudhary also rapped Yadav for trying to put the state government in the dock over the hike in reservations for SCs, STs and backward classes, from 50 per cent to 65 per cent, getting quashed by the Patna High Court.

While the government has challenged the order before the Supreme Court, the RJD leader, whose party was sharing power in the state till January, has been accusing Kumar of failure to get the increased quotas placed in the Constitution's ninth schedule, which could make it immune to judicial review.

Choudhary also reminded Yadav that the caste survey, which gave revised estimates of the population of deprived castes, paving the way for a hike in quotas, was "a brainchild of our leader".

About special status, the JD(U) leader taunted Yadav that the latter's father Lalu Prasad, the RJD president, had "failed to secure even a special package for Bihar though for years he enjoyed a clout with successive governments at the Centre".

He also underscored "rapid economic progress in Bihar where the total budget has exceeded Rs 2.78 lakh crore", compared with just over RS 23,000 crore in 2005, before Nitish Kumar took over.

About Yadav's allegations on law and order, Choudhary said, "The RJD leader needs to remember that when his party was in power, Bihar used to be in the news for massacres".

"While earlier charge sheets against criminals were rare, under the Nitish Kumar government, we get to see speedy trial", said the JD(U) leader, who was formerly the party's working state president.
Ranchi, Aug 3 (PTI) A police officer was allegedly shot dead in Ranchi in the early hours of Saturday, officials said.

The body of Anupam Kachchap, a sub-inspector posted with the Special Branch, was found around 2 am from the Ring Road in Kanke police station area, they said.

When taken to the state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), doctors declared him brought dead, they added.

"Two bullet wounds were found on his body. The bullets pierced from his backside," Ranchi's Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anoop Birtharay told PTI.

Kachchap was returning from a party when the incident is suspected to have happened, he said.

"The incident took place between 12 am and 1 am. A case has been registered, and a murder investigation started," he said.
WARSAW, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- In July alone, 83 people drowned in open waters in Poland, the Polish state TV station TVP reported on Saturday.

"Most of the victims were men, because men take more risks and do not always use life jackets," TVP reported, citing Maciej Rokus, head of the Polish Special Divers Group which offers maritime search and rescue service.

The Polish Radio also appealed to people to follow basic water safety rules, describing the grim situation as "summer plague". It said that according to police data, 126 drownings were recorded across the country from April 1 to early July.

The most drowning cases occurred in the northern Warmian-Masurian and Pomeranian provinces, where people preferred to spend vacations on the Baltic beaches or lakes. However, this problem has also affected the Lubuskie province in eastern Poland recently. Sulecin police reported on Friday that a 42-year-old man was drowned in a local lake and Lubuskie police reported that a 50-year-old man's body was found in a water reservoir in Szprotawa. 
New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) Indian submarine INS Shalki is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka in reflection of growing maritime security cooperation between the two countries.

The Shishumar class diesel-electric submarine arrived in Colombo on August 2, the Indian Navy said on Saturday.

India sends submarines to a handful of countries with whom it has close defence and strategic ties.

The Indian submarine's visit to Colombo comes against the backdrop of China's persistent attempts to enhance its strategic and military influence over the island nation.

The submarine was accorded a ceremonial reception by the Sri Lanka Navy on its arrival on Friday.

INS Shalki was commissioned into the Indian Navy on February 7, 1992. It is the first ever submarine to be built in India.

Earlier, Kalvari class submarines INS Karanj and INS Vagir had visited Colombo in February this year and June last year.

The Commander of the submarine was scheduled to call on the Commander of the Western Naval Area Rear Admiral WDCU Kumarasinghe, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

Personnel from High Commission of India and Sri Lankan defence forces personnel are also scheduled to visit the submarine, it said.

India has been expanding its overall defence and strategic ties with Sri Lanka amid concerns over China's attempts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean.

The docking of the Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang' at Hambantota port in August 2022 had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Sri Lanka.

Another Chinese warship docked at the Colombo port in August last year.

India has been supporting various capacity building measures of Sri Lankan defence forces including providing indigenously constructed Offshore Patrol Vessels.
Lucknow, Aug 3 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the government will celebrate the centenary festival of Kakori train action throughout the year with various activities across the state.

Adityanath reviewed the preparations for the Kakori train action centenary festival and 'Har Ghar Tiranga' programme in a high-level meeting at his official residence here on Saturday.

This year, the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign will be organised in the state from August 13 to 15.

At the meeting, the chief minister said the Kakori train action is an important historical event of India's freedom movement, according to an official statement issued here.

Discussing the outline of the programme, the chief minister said the festival will be observed from August 9. Programmes will be organised on a large scale at martyr memorial and memorial sites.

He directed officials to make arrangements to honour the families of martyrs, freedom fighters, ex-servicemen in the ceremony. The cooperation and participation of school children, teenagers, youth should be ensured in these programmes, he added.

He said booklets should be prepared to make people aware about Kakori train action, events and places related to the freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947, and heroes of independence, among others.

He also asked them to organise quizzes, painting, calligraphy, essay, debate, and speech competitions on the occasion at the district and state levels.

The winning children should also be taken on a tour of the Kakori Memorial Site, he added.

Adityanath directed that the ministers of the central and state governments and public representatives should also be connected with these programs.

The Tourism and Culture Department is the nodal department for organising this event.

The chief minister said the bands of police, PAC, home guard, paramilitary, military, NCC and schools should play national anthem and patriotic songs at the martyr sites, and memorials of the state from August 9 to 15.

Volunteers of Yuvak and Mahila Mangal Dal, Scout Guide, NCC, NSS should also be associated with the Kakori Train Action Centenary Festival and Har Ghar Tiranga programmes, he directed.

He said that in the past years, Uttar Pradesh made a record of hoisting the maximum number of flags under the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan. He asked officials to ensure that this year, too, the programme is held in the entire state from August 13 to 15.

'Kakori Train Action' was a historical incident in which Indian freedom fighters looted the treasury of the British government to buy arms for revolution against the British Raj which took place on 9 August 1925 in Kakori, Lucknow.
Wayanad, Aug 3 (PTI) A double-storied school building, which once stood along the riverbank against a picturesque landscape in Vellarmala near Meppadi, now lies in ruins.

Its playground, once filled with the laughter of children, now bears a cloak of silence.

The wreckage of the school was among the first visuals that came out of the Mundakkai region, which was hit by a catastrophic landslide on July 30.

The whole neighbourhood where the school stood was smashed by raging boulders and got buried under a massive slush.

According to the state government, 49 children from the region are missing. Some of them studied at Vellarmala GVHSS.

The school authority is yet to find out the exact number of its students missing.

Headmaster Unnikrishnan, who had been working at the school for the past 18 years, was inconsolable.

"My colleagues are not allowing me to go to school. We were not a typical school. We used to celebrate each and every commemorative day  Each day was a celebration for us. Some of them (students) are gone in the disaster," Unnikrishnan told reporters.

A video song about the school, penned by Unni Mash, as he was dearly called by everyone, has gone viral since the landslide destroyed the school.

"The children were like family. We have been to the houses of most of them. I have had food from their houses. We were like family," said an inconsolable Unni Mash. Other teachers struggled to speak as they recalled the moment when some of them were requested by the authorities to identify a few bodies.

"It's not just the students, but their families too have gone," another teacher said.

Ammukutty, a student, was pulled out from the rubble by her hand  the only part of her body visible above the debris.

"She was pulled out from the ground," the teacher said, weeping.

"Students need counselling. How are we going to tell them that their friends are no more!" another teacher said.

At latest count, a total of 210 bodies had been recovered from the ravages of the landslide. Of the total, 85 were women, 96 men, and 29 children.

Several people remain missing, and rescue operators are battling adverse conditions, including waterlogged soil, as they search through destroyed homes and buildings for survivors.
Chennai, Aug 3 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday took stock of the flood situation in Namakkal district as the Cauvery River, which is in spate, inundated the low-lying areas on the banks.

The Chief Minister visited the State Emergency Operation Centre here and personally interacted with the state and district officials and advised them to take appropriate steps to safeguard the people from inundation.

He was told that 11 relief camps have already been established in the district and about 1,086 people have been shifted to the camps.







Stalin was accompanied by Chief Secretary Shivdas Meena and other senior officials.

Following a heavy discharge of water from the Stanley reservoir in Mettur, several houses located on the banks of the Cauvery River at Bhavani, Erode and Kodumudi were flooded.

Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami visited a relief camp at Kumarapalayam in Namakkal district and interacted with the people temporarily lodged in the camps and distributed relief.

Later, he told reporters that he assured the affected people that his party would build houses for the displaced families.
Jaipur, Aug 3 (PTI) Four people were killed and six more injured after their SUV overturned in Rajasthan's Baran district, police said on Saturday.

The accident happened on Friday night on the stretch of the National Highway-27 that falls under the Bhanwargarh police station, they said.

The speeding vehicle overturned after ramming into cattle, Additional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Chaudhary said.

The deceased have been identified as Phoolchand (50), Haricharan (40), Lakhan (28) and Raju Saharia (50).
New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) A 72-year-old man retired from MTNL as a mechanic was stabbed to death by two assailants at his residence in East Delhi's New Ashok Nagar area on Saturday morning, police said.

A PCR call was received at New Ashok Nagar that someone has committed the murder of the caller's father, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Apurva Gupta.

On this information, the local police rushed to the spot at house number C-2/33 in New Ashok Nagar.

At the house, a person who was identified as Gautam Thakur was found dead on the bed in his room on the first floor. He had stab injuries in his abdomen, Gupta said.

She said the PCR call was made by Thakur's elder son Mukesh Thakur.

The crime team was called on the spot. The team inspected the spot and took photographs.

Thakur, who retired from MTNL in 2012, was living with his two sons and their families at the first floor of this house, police said.

The dead body has been shifted to mortuary in LBS Hospital and an FIR of murder has been registered, they said.

Gupta said it was found during the course of investigations that all the family members were present in the house when the incident took place.

She said Thakur's son has revealed that he saw two men going out of the house soon after the incident but it is being verified.

The CCTV cameras in the area have been scanned to identify the accused and further probe is underway, the officer said.
Thane, Aug 3 (PTI) The manager and waiter of a lodge in Nerul in Navi Mumbai were arrested for allegedly operating a sex racket, a police official said on Saturday.

The lodge was raided on Friday night on a tip off, which was confirmed through a decoy operation, Anti Human Trafficking Cell senior inspector Prithviraj Ghorpade said.

"Seven women hailing from West Bengal and Assam states as well as Bangladesh were rescued. Lodge manager Avtarsingh Mistry, waiter Kishore Yadav were arrested, while its owner Jay Ramesh Sharma WAS booked under BNS and Immoral Traffic Prevention Act," he added.
A deep-pocketed pro-Israel super PAC that helped defeat one member of the congressional group known as the Squad is now pushing to oust another  Missouri Democrat Cori Bush.

Bush, of St. Louis, has been a vocal critic of how Israel responded when attacked by Hamas in October, calling the Israeli retaliation an ethnic cleansing campaign, and she was among the few House members who opposed a resolution supporting Israel. She boycotted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus speech before Congress last week, calling him a war criminal.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committees super political action committee, United Democracy Project, has spent more than $8.4 million to unseat Bush in her Aug. 6 Democratic primary against St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, according to federal campaign finance records.

AIPACs grassroots members are proud to support strong pro-Israel progressive Democrats like Wesley Bell, an AIPAC statement to The Associated Press read. Cori Bush has been one of the most hostile critics of Israel since she came to Congress in 2021 and has actively worked to undermine mainstream Democratic support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

The race points yet again to the complications the war in Gaza has caused for Democrats in this years elections, with core constituencies at odds over how President Joe Bidens administration has responded. The disagreement has implications up and down the ballot and has already cost one incumbent his seat. United Democracy Project spent nearly $15 million against progressive U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, one of the most vocal critics of the Israeli government in the House, in a June primary election he lost to George Latimer, a pro-Israel centrist in New York.

Afterward, AIPAC said the outcome in this race once again shows that the pro-Israel position is both good policy and good politics  for both parties.

Bush, in an interview, said the donors behind AIPAC support former President Donald Trump and other Republicans.

This is only the beginning, Bush said. Because if they can unseat me, then theyre going to continue to come after more Democrats.

Despite the onslaught of money, Bush said she is confident she has the support of St. Louis voters.

They know that Ive had this same belief, this pro-peace, pro-democracy, pro-diplomacy, anti-war, pro-humanity  Ive been this person all along, Bush said.

Soon after the Hamas attack of Israel, Bush wrote on social media that Israels collective punishment against Palestinians for Hamass actions is a war crime.

I strongly condemn Hamas & their appalling violations of human rights, she wrote, but violations of human rights dont justify more human rights violations in retaliation.

Her comments prompted backlash, even among some supporters in her district. Not long after that, Bell announced he was dropping his plans to run for the Senate against incumbent Republican Josh Hawley to instead challenge Bush in the congressional primary.

Bell, like Bush, is Black and was active in Ferguson, Missouri, after Black 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed by a white police officer in 2014, a shooting that helped launch the national Black Lives Matter movement. After being elected prosecutor in 2018, Bell reopened an examination of Browns death but found no grounds to charge the officer, Darren Wilson.

Bell, in an interview, said Bushs comments about Israel were wrong and offensive.

She has accused the people who have been the target of genocide and ethnic cleansing of doing that, which was just wrong, Bell said. Israel was attacked on Oct. 7 by a terror state. They didnt attack military targets. They attacked (people) at a concert. They attacked women, seniors, children, killed babies.

Bell said the goal should be to work toward a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.

We dont want to see any innocent Palestinians, any innocent Israelis, harmed. We want to keep the door open to a two-state solution, he said.

AIPAC isnt alone in seeking Bushs ouster. DMFI PAC, which supports pro-Israeli Democrats, is funding TV ads supporting Bell and Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat running in the primary to replace Rep. Ruben Gallego.

Conversely, nearly two dozen progressive groups have come together to support Bush and other Squad members. The coalition, called Reject AIPAC, includes Jewish peace organizations and Arab American and Muslim groups that have been organizing since the Israel-Hamas war began.

One group that is part of Reject AIPAC, Justice Democrats, has spent around $1.5 million on behalf of Bush in the primary cycle. Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi called AIPACs record spending in the New York race an all-out assault on our Democracy that was being repeated in Missouri.

Are we willing to let super PACs and lobbies, no matter what interests they represent, purchase elections and congressional seats just because they have more money? Andrabi asked. Or are we going to build a Democratic Party that actually reflects the needs and interests of everyday people?

Bush also is getting moral support from several key Democratic congressional leaders. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar are among those who have endorsed Bush.

But the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has stayed out of the Missouri race, with no contributions listed for either Bush or Bell.

(AP)
When Ri Il Gyu, North Koreas No.2 diplomat in Cuba, finally decided to flee to South Korea in frustration over his highly repressive, corrupt homeland last November, he finished all necessary prep work alone. About a week later, he told his family to be ready to leave Cuba together in just six hours.

My wife first told me not to make such a dreadful joke. So I showed her our plane tickets, and she was speechless, Ri said in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday. I told my kid that there is no future or hope for North Korea.

His family followed him to a Havana airport at dawn the next day, taking a flight to a third country and then South Korea in one of the most high-profile and dramatic defections by North Koreans in recent years.

The defection by Ri  a former political counselor at the Norths Embassy in Cuba  was only made public last month. It likely has angered North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, because it could prompt his other diplomats to follow suit in a blow to his grip on the countrys elites, observers say. Ri said the North Korean Embassy in Cuba has about 20 diplomats, making it the Norths third biggest mission abroad after China and Russia.

Ri, 52, is the highest-ranking North Korean to defect to South Korea since Tae Yongho, a former minister of the North Korean Embassy in London, arrived in South Korea in 2016.

Ris defection has come as animosities between the rival Koreas are at one of the highest points in years, with North Korea flying more than 3,000 trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea and continuing its provocative weapons tests in recent months. South Korea has responded by restarting frontline loudspeaker broadcasts of anti-Pyongyang messages and K-pop songs, a challenge to Kims efforts to limit access to foreign news for his 26 million people.

The Kim Jong Un regime will likely be in a very bad mood if they see me speaking publicly in media interviews like this, Ri said. They might think its in their interest to eliminate a person like me. But Im not going to worry about that so much, because the South Korean government has made a priority of keeping me safe.

About nine months after his arrival in South Korea, Ri is under a South Korean government protection program. North Korea allegedly has a long history of assassinating or making attempts to kill high-level defectors, the estranged relatives of the Kim family living abroad and top South Korean officials.

Kim might personally remember Ri, because Ri said he briefly met Kim many times with other officials in 2018 over preparations to receive top Cuban officials on two occasions. Sometimes Kim asked him questions.

In each meeting, Ri recalled that Kim smoked continuously and was short of breath like an asthmatic patient so he could hear the rasp of Kims breathing. South Koreas spy agency told lawmakers Monday that North Korean officials are looking for new medicines abroad to treat Kims suspected obesity-related health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

At the first meeting, I clearly shuddered though it wasnt like I couldnt answer. But during the second and third meetings, I didnt shudder.

Ri said he had long thought about fleeing North Korea, which he called a world of darkness and a republic of corruption. He said his monthly pay was about $500 so he smuggled Cuban cigars to China via diplomatic pouches to make a living. He said North Korean diplomats in other countries have been involved in the smuggling of liquors, ivories, rhino horns, whiskeys and automobiles.

But he said what decisively triggered his defection was the North Korean Foreign Ministrys rejection in early November of his hope to visit Mexico to treat a ruptured disc in his neck. He suspected his boss in Pyongyang was behind that decision because Ri earlier had refused his request for bribe.

That made me so mad, Ri said. Without that incident, I probably would have kept thinking about defecting, but without ever leaving.

Ris defection came before Cuba established diplomatic ties with South Korea in February this year. As there was no embassy of South Korea in Cuba at that time, he said he couldnt get as much support from South Korean diplomats as other North Korean defectors managed to get elsewhere.

South Korean officials were eventually involved in Ris defection. But the government in Seoul and Ri declined to provide details about that because that could cause potential diplomatic troubles for countries involved, and could help North Korea thwart future escape attempts by other North Koreans.

At the Havana airport, Ri said he and his family waited for plane for an hour that felt like hell. He fretted that fellow North Korean embassy officials might find out he was leaving and chase him. He looked at his wrist-watch about 100 times before he and his family finally boarded the plane safely, he said.

If caught, he said he and his family would have faced a future worse than death in a prison camp where people have to eat insects to survive.

Ri is not sure yet what he will do in South Korea, but is encouraged by other North Koreans who have successfully resettled in the South. Tae, the former North Korean minister, was elected to the South Korean parliament before receiving a vice minister-level job last month. Ri said he read Taes memoir about ten times.

About 34,000 North Koreans have resettled in South Korea since the late 1990s to escape poverty and political oppression at home  most of them women from the Norths poorer northern provinces. Last year, about 10 North Koreans considered to be elites arrived in South Korea, the highest such number in recent years, according to South Koreas government.

I cant guarantee that my departure will lead to more defections by North Korean diplomats, Ri said. But I think my defection will surely encourage others to defect.

(AP)
Israels Foreign Minister, Yisrael Katz, has summoned the Turkish ambassador for a reprimand after the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv flew its flag at half-mast in mourning for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Katz said, Israel will not accept expressions of participation in mourning for a murderer like Ismail Haniyehwho committed the acts of rape and murder on October 7. He added, If the representatives of the embassy want to mourn, let them go to Turkey and mourn together with their master Erdogan, who embraces the terrorist organization Hamas and supports its acts of murder and atrocities.

The move comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a national day of mourning for Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran earlier this week.

Erdogan ordered all flags in Turkey and at its diplomatic missions to be flown at half-mast, and wrote on social media, May God have mercy on my brother Ismail Haniyeh, fallen in martyrdom.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
With tension in the Middle East at an unprecedented high, Israel is preparing for a coordinated attack by Iran and Hezbollah in the coming days, Channel 12 News reported on Motzei Shabbos.

Israeli security officials believe that Israel may be attacked on several fronts and are bracing for the possibility of an all-out war.

According to the report, Iran is planning to attack strategic areas of Israel in Tel Aviv and Haifa as well as the homes of senior Israeli officials.

Iran has also warned that Hezbollah will deliberately target civilians in retaliation for the elimination of Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr.

The report added that Shiite terror groups in Iraq are also threatening to attack Israel as well as US targets.

Kan News reported that Israeli security officials also fear that Iran may try to attack senior Israeli officials or officials abroad along with its attack on Israeli territory.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has won enough delegate votes to secure the Democratic presidential nomination, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison announced on Friday, noting that the results are not yet official.

The virtual voting process closes for delegates on Monday, and the DNC is expected to make official announcement of the results Monday evening. The Democratic National Convention, which is scheduled for Aug. 19-22, will formally nominate the party's presidential candidate.

The virtual voting process for approximately 4,700 delegates started on Thursday morning. One and a half days into the voting, Harris's campaign reported that she has obtained more than the 2,350 votes required to secure the nomination.

Harris, 59, would be the first Black woman and the first Indian American in U.S. history to receive a major party's presidential nomination.

Earlier, U.S. media reports said that Harris is expected to reveal her running mate by Monday, and will hold their first rally together in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Top vice presidential picks include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

On July 21, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, under mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party due to concerns about his fitness for office. Biden immediately offered his full support for nominating Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate.

Harris quickly consolidated support within the Democratic Party, and announced the next day that she had secured enough support from Democratic delegates to become the party's nominee.

The latest data shows that Harris is narrowing gap with former President Donald Trump in the presidential race. According to polling data compiled by the U.S. election information website Real Clear Politics, as of July 31, Trump led Harris by an average of 1.2 percentage points in national polls, compared with an advantage of 1.7 percentage points before Biden dropped out.

In key swing states Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Trump led Harris by an average of 0.2 percentage points and 2.7 percentage points separately, while in Michigan, Harris flipped the situation and took the lead by an average of 2.0 percentage points. 
TOKYO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. military helicopter on Saturday morning made an emergency landing in a rice field in the Japanese prefecture of Kanagawa, just south of Tokyo, local media reported.

No injuries have been reported over the incident which took place in Ebina city, national broadcaster NHK reported citing the local fire department.

Further details about the cause of the incident have not yet been released. 
Only for our most dedicated denizens of the discourse, we share a few more tidbits for the late night & early morning by way of pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Home Team Works Win Streak

Salvy's big hits, six-run inning leads to 9-2 Royals win The Royals win the All-Star matchup on national TV.

More Deets On KC Cuisine

KCMO small businesses can apply for up to $15K through city's Outdoor Dining Enhancement Program Small businesses hoping to expand their services outdoors can now apply for the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Program in Kansas City, Missouri.

Local Conversation

1A's Jenn White coming to Kansas City for TED Talk on American democracy Jenn White, the host of the show 1A, is coming to Kansas City this Friday to present at TEDxKC on American democracy and how it "re-wrote my family story."

Kansas City Refuge Shared

Crisis home set to immediately offer shelter to girls who are victims of sex trafficking A 90-day crisis home is set to open its doors to immediately to take in girls who have been victims of sex trafficking.

Transit Scheming Cont'd

Want to walk or bike to KC's riverfront? By early 2026, it will be a whole lot easier The new pedestrian bridge will be built alongside the Grand Boulevard viaduct between the River Market and the Berkley Riverfront Park area.

Selling Middle-Aged Sweetness



Kourtney Kardashian, 45, is a busty beauty as she sells lollipops Kourtney Kardashian has a new product that she is talking up this week on social media. The pops came make you look younger thanks to this popular ingredient.

Debating White House Deal

House launches probe into Biden admin plea deal that allows 9/11 mastermind to avoid death penalty The House Oversight Committee informed President Biden in a Friday letter that it was launching a probe of his administration's role in a plea deal for the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and two other terrorists.

MAGA Money Questioned

Report reveals secret US inquiry into alleged 2016 Egyptian $10m gift to Trump A Washington Post report details that an Egypt-linked group withdrew funds days before Trump's inauguration

Supreme Juxtaposition

McConnell compares Biden Supreme Court reforms to Jan. 6 Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in an interview with Punchbowl News compared President Biden's proposed Supreme Court reforms to the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol. "That's...

Vlad Attacks Tonight

Ukraine war briefing: Waves of Russian bombings and infantry assaults drive major gains in east Russian military intensifies pressure on key Ukrainian transport hub of Pokrovsk; Kyiv receives bodies of 250 slain soldiers in exchange with Moscow. What we know on day 892

War Machines Move Into Place

US deploys jets and warships as Iran threatens Israel Pentagon announces Middle East reinforcements as Iran threatens to "punish" Israel for assassination of Hamas leader.

Captain Kirk Unfazed

Tori Spelling Has NSFW Conversation with William Shatner About Sex, Orgasms and OnlyFans On the latest episode of her 'misSPELLING' podcast, Tori Spelling opened up about her sex life, orgasms and OnlyFans during a conversation with her guest, William Shatner

Kansas City Escapes Clipping

Kansas City house cat recovering after run-in with a lawn mower The next time you start up your lawnmower, make sure you check underneath the deck - a Kansas City house cat nearly died earlier this week after seeking shelter underneath a mower in the trip...

Forecast For Now . . .

Kansas City weather: Dry weekend, hot start to next week Tonight, expect mostly clear skies with temperatures dropping into the upper 60s.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Tonight we share a glimpse at the cowtown corporate discourse that contradicts a great deal of conservative criticism and recent legislation.

The basics as a heated conversation over cultural heritage dominates the campaign for Prez . . .

THIS WEEK KANSAS CITY CORPORATE LEADERS PROCLAIM COMMITMENT TO DEI DESPITE CRITICISM!!!



Here's the rallying cry that garnered applause from the biggest companies in the metro . . .



The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce awarded H&R Block its 2024 Champion of Diversity award Friday at the annual POWER of Diversity Breakfast. The event drew more than 900 people to the Marriott Downtown Hotel, bringing together the regions diverse business community to celebrate leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion.



The Champion of Diversity honoree is meant to be a business that is making exceptional efforts to foster DEI in the community they serve, according to the Chamber.



Michael Gonzales  who also co-founded the Kansas City Diversity and Inclusion Consortium  said he has had many clients and consortium members ask him what to do now that they have threaded DEI into the tapestry of their organization  only to have it questioned and minimized in the current political and social climate.



I think what you need to do  and what I tell my consortium members and my clients  is that we cant wait for the anti-DEI wave to hit us, Gonzales explained. We have to be proactive and either internally or externally go and reinforce the inherent value of DEI to your organization. It can help the bottom line and how it can help you understand and relate to the emerging market.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
(PORTLAND TRIBUNE)  Each month, Jake Procino, workforce analyst and economist from the Oregon Employment Department, releases the most recent economic indicators for the Portland region.

The region may not be what you think it is. Economists use the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill counties in Oregon, and Clark and Skamania counties in Washington. Thats the area well refer to below as the Portland MSA.

PGE prompts customer concern with nearly 11% rate hike proposal

Here are some takeaways from Procinos analysis of Julys numbers.

1. Were losing jobs. Not a lot, but still

Oregons total nonfarm payroll employment grew 0.6%, adding 11,200 jobs over the last 12 months ending in June. Thats good.

But Multnomah Countys nonfarm payroll employment contracted, down 0.4%, losing an estimated 1,900 jobs over the same time period.

And the Portland MSA saw employment levels shrink by 0.8% year-over-year ending in May.

Read more at PortlandTribune.com

The Portland Tribune and its parent company Pamplin Media Group are KOIN 6 News media partners

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Right now we share more than a few stories worth considering including but not limited to court drama, mass shooting postscript and police action.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Second man pleads guilty to gun charges in deadly Chiefs' Super Bowl parade shooting A guilty plea from a Kansas City man who prosecutors say illegally bought one of the guns found during the Chiefs Super Bowl rally shooting

How would Jackson County's next prosecutor handle the death penalty, drug possession? Candidates Stephanie Burton, John Gromowsky and Melesa Johnson said they would make some changes to how the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office handles certain cases.

'It's a sleepy little town': Residents on edge after drive-by shooting leaves teen dead A teenage boy was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting that has rattled a quiet community.

Missouri teen found guilty of murder during illegal firearms sale gone wrong A Missouri teenager who shot and killed a 16-year-old in Kansas during an illegal firearms sale gone wrong has been found guilty of murder.

Man sentenced to over 75 years in prison on Kansas rape convictions According to the DA, George Joseph Burgess Jr. was sentenced to 618 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for one count of rape and 25 years for a second rape conviction. The two sentences...

KC woman charged with widespread theft Asia Marshall is charged in Jackson County Circuit Court with multiple counts of "stealing, $750 or more" in all three cases.

Kansas City woman pleads guilty to role in $900,000 PPP loan fraud scheme A Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty in connection to charges related to a scheme that defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of more than $900,000.

Grandview man convicted in murder of 16-year-old boy in 2022 in Mission, Kansas A Johnson County jury found a Grandview man guilty Friday in the 2022 murder of a 16-year-old boy at a Mission, Kansas, apartment complex.

Brother charged in NKC High School shooting to face February trial One of the brothers charged in connection to a shooting outside a Kansas City high school will now face a trial in February.

Family sues Kansas police agency over man's death, challenges state's strict bodycam laws Officers fired 34 shots at Taylor Lowery, the lawsuit filed Friday in the District of Kansas said. The 33-year-old man died in the October 2022 encounter.

Michael Brown's loved ones hold memorial in Ferguson to honor his legacy and call for justice Family members and friends gathered around the spot where Michael Brown Jr. was killed nearly 10 years ago to memorialize his death and honor his legacy.

'Angels protect him': Fallen Fairway officer's mother gives first interview since his death Officer Jonah Oswald was killed in the line of duty nearly one year ago in an incident at a Quik Trip store

Officers and Employees Recognized In Promotion Ceremony Family, friends, and colleagues honored officers and employees of the KCPD on July 31 at a promotions ceremony held at the Regional Police Academy.

Developing . . .
In this fair use advert snip we appreciate hottie Samantha during her glory days holding a fast food heart attack device that still has more nutritional value than the content that local "news" outlets are cranking out ahead of the primary vote.

Accordingly . . .

We'll dump most into this compilation because NONE OF IT is worth taking too seriously.

Even worse . . . We had to omit more than a few items because they were even more worthless.

UPDATE . . .

Now that we're finished collecting, tagging & snarking these news items . . . This post has a pleasant aftertaste that's actually worth sharing.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Actually, This Report Is The Most Useful Of The Bunch . . .

ELECTION GUIDE: What you need to know for the Missouri, Kansas primary elections Thousands of Missourians and Kansans will head to the polls on Aug. 6, to decide federal, state, and county races in the primary elections.

Show-Me Hipsters Against Lawman

AG Bailey uses Trump shooting to demand dismissal of former president's felony conviction Since the attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump, there has been a major lack of accountability in his felony convictions.

Snail Mail Doubt

Kansas Secretary of State advises against mailing ballots The Secretary of State, Scott Schwab, advises voters to use drop boxes or vote early in person instead of mailing back their ballots.

Doubly Unlikely

Republicans have two choices on the ballot in attempt to unseat Congresswoman Sharice Davids Dr. Prasanth Reddy and Karen Crnkovich are battling against each other in the Republican primary to represent the Kansas City, Kansas, area in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Depressing Campaign Choice

Two-year anniversary of historic Kansas abortion rights vote highlights lingering political gap * Kansas Reflector OVERLAND PARK - Advocacy organizations with diametrically opposing views on abortion rights Friday marked the two-year anniversary of Kansas voters' rejection of an anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution by offering distinct perspectives on the aftermath of that landslide decision. The Republican-led Kansas Legislature had worked with anti-abortion lobbyists to craft the proposed amendment and [...]

Show-Me Differing Haircuts

In Missouri governor race, Trump backed all 3 GOP frontrunners. What sets them apart? Mike Kehoe, Jay Ashcroft and Bill Eigel all got Trump's approval for Missouri governor. The three candidates share similar policies, but vary in style.

Arguing Golden Ghetto Law & Order

Johnson County sheriff faces challenge in Republican primary Johnson County, Kansas, Sheriff Calvin Hayden is going up against his former undersheriff Doug Bedford in this month's primary election.

Missouri Senator Still Going Strong Against Feds

Secret Service 'covering their backside' is the same as a cover-up in the Trump attempted assassination, Hawley says Having Secret Service leaders "covering their backside" is tantamount to a cover-up in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, argues Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley. "It's be...

Tax Weary Voters Against More Cash For Schools

KCK schools remain in disrepair after bond question failed. Will voters accept new vision? Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Board members are weighing two cheaper options after residents rejected the last bond proposal over property tax concerns.

Commish Contest Questioned

In booming western Johnson County, commission race heats up over spending, property taxes The incumbent Johnson County commissioner faces two opponents who are critical of the county's budget and decision to create a homeless shelter.

Progressively Worse . . .

Missouri primary ballot: Meet the candidates for 7th Senate District On your Missouri primary ballot: Patty Lewis and Pat Contreras vie to represent Kansas City and Grandview on the Aug. 6 primary election.

Show-Me Secret Cash

Anonymous donors pump $2M into ad campaign backing Jay Ashcroft for Missouri governor * Missouri Independent A national political group is pouring millions into Missouri to boost Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in the Republican primary for governor.

Here's Where To Narc On Old Lady That Handed You Ballot With No Smile

Kansas ACLU offers voter assistance hotline for primary and general elections * Kansas Reflector The ACLU of Kansas offers a statewide voter assistance hotline for the 2024 primary and general elections, staffed by attorneys and poll monitors. Available in multiple languages, the hotline helps voters with issues such as polling location confusion.

Another Gawking Guide

Primary elections are Tuesday. Here are 7 big races to watch in the Kansas City area In Tuesday's primary elections, voters make selections for Missouri governor and attorney general, Jackson County prosecutor, Johnson County sheriff, and decide the future of Kansas City police funding.

Developing . . .
There's increasing uncertainty these days. The economy is starting to show some signs of slowing, and the possibility of an escalating conflict in the Middle East is creating anxiety. On top of that is the upcoming presidential election.

All this uncertainty has investors rattled, with the market recently having its worst day since early last year.

These factors might have you fearing that another bear market could be around the corner. One potential way to help shelter your portfolio against a future market storm is to insulate it with high-quality, high-yielding dividend stocks. WEC Energy (NYSE: WEC), Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), and Northwest Natural Holding (NYSE: NWN) stand out to these Motley Fool contributors as great safe havens.

A boring utility with impressive dividend growth

Reuben Gregg Brewer (WEC Energy): One of the most attractive things about WEC Energy is that it flies under the radar. As a fairly traditional regulated electric and natural gas utility serving around 4.7 million customers in parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota, its business is very straightforward.

And because of the importance of energy to modern life (and the monopoly WEC has been granted in the regions it serves), its customers are going to keep using power no matter what the market is doing.

Sure, interest rates are high, and that's going to be a headwind for WEC Energy, which like most utilities makes heavy use of debt to fund its business. And it is dealing with an adverse regulatory ruling in Illinois with regard to natural gas. But these problems have depressed the share price and increased the attractiveness of the stock for income investors, given that it now yields a historically high 4% or so.

WEC Chart

That dividend, meanwhile, is backed by 21 consecutive annual increases. The average yearly increase over the past decade was roughly 7%, which is pretty attractive for a utility. Meanwhile, management expects earnings growth to fall between 6.5% and 7% a year for the foreseeable future.

If history is any guide, the dividend will follow earnings higher. And given the regulated nature of the business, the good news should continue to flow even through a bear market. But jump quickly or you might miss the opportunity here.

A model of stability and durability

Matt DiLallo (Enbridge): Enbridge has one of the lowest-risk business models in the energy sector. The Canadian pipeline and utility operator gets 98% of its earnings from stable cost-of-service or contracted assets, like oil and gas pipelines, natural gas utilities, and renewable energy facilities. These assets produce such predictable cash flow that Enbridge has achieved its financial guidance for 18 straight years.

Story continues

The company took a notable step to further enhance the stability of its cash flow over the past year by acquiring three natural gas utilities. When it sealed the deal in late 2023, CEO Greg Ebel said, "These acquisitions further diversify our business, enhance the stable cash flow profile of our assets, and strengthen our long-term dividend growth profile."

The transaction will increase its earnings from stable natural gas utilities from 12% to 22% of its total. The company partly funded that deal by selling Aux Sable, which operates extraction and fractionation facilities for natural gas liquids.

Enbridge also has a strong investment-grade balance sheet and a conservative dividend payout ratio. It has billions of dollars in annual investment capacity after paying its dividend (which yields an attractive 7%).

That gives it the flexibility to fund its roughly $18 billion backlog of secured capital projects. It also has the capacity to make opportunistic acquisitions and approve more expansion projects.

The company's secured growth drivers and initiatives to reduce costs and optimize its assets should grow its cash flow per share by around 3% annually through 2026 and 5% per year after that. Its visible earnings growth and strong balance sheet suggest it should have no trouble increasing its dividend, which it has done for 29 straight years.

That high-yielding and steadily rising payout supplies a very strong base return, providing investors with some shelter amid a future financial storm.

68 consecutive years of dividend increases, and counting

Neha Chamaria (Northwest Natural Holding): If you haven't heard about Northwest Natural, the company's dividend track record will stun you. Utilities often pay regular and stable dividends, and Northwest Natural is no different.

What sets it apart, though, is that Northwest Natural has increased its dividend every year for the last 68 consecutive years. That's one of the longest streaks among Dividend Kings.

Northwest Natural provides natural gas and water services through its subsidiaries, including NW Natural, NW Natural Water, and NW Natural Renewables.

NW Natural provides natural gas to nearly two million people in Oregon and southwest Washington State, while NW Natural Water serves around 180,000 people. As is typical with regulated utilities, Northwest Natural can earn and generate stable earnings and cash flows, which is why it not only can afford to pay a regular dividend but also grow it with time.

It's a great dividend stock for several reasons. The utility expects to invest $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion in its natural gas business over the next five years, which could boost its rate base by 5% to 7%.

Management believes this investment, combined with its spending on water infrastructure, could boost its earnings per share by a compound annual growth rate of 4% to 6% between 2022 and 2027. Since the company prioritizes dividend growth, earnings growth should mean bigger dividends for shareholders year after year.

Its 68-year streak, of course, is the biggest testimony to how reliable Northwest Natural's dividends are. With its high yield of 4.8%, this is the kind of stock that will let you sleep even during bear markets.

Should you invest $1,000 in Enbridge right now?

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Matt DiLallo has positions in Enbridge. Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Enbridge and WEC Energy Group. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Enbridge. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Afraid of a Bear Market? 3 High-Yield Stocks That Could Be Your Safe Haven in a Storm. was originally published by The Motley Fool
Are some Americans too old to bother with a Roth IRA?

The Roth entered the retirement savings world in 1998, a moment when most boomers and many Gen Xers were launched in their careers and set in their financial ways.

By design, the Roth favors the saver who contributes early and withdraws late. You pay the taxes up front when you put money in a Roth account. If you follow the rules, all the interest you subsequently earn on the investment is tax-free.

Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that few older Americans have Roth accounts. The share of Vanguard clients with Roth IRAs in 2023 dwindles by age, from 21% at ages 25-34 to 9% at age 65 and older.

The Roth got invented in the middle of their working career, said Christopher Lyman, a certified financial planner in Newtown, Pennsylvania, speaking of boomers. They had everything set on autopilot, and life happens.

Roth IRA participation is lower among older Americans.

Retirees and older workers are less likely to have Roth IRAs

Experts cite several good reasons why Roth IRA participation is lower among older Americans.

First, many older workers entered the workforce at a time when the Roth did not exist.

Second, many late-career Americans are earning the most money they will ever earn. Your peak earning years are not generally the best time to start a Roth account because of the tax bite.

Third, the Roth is a powerful tool for young savers, and young savers know that. Roth contributions at the start of your career can reap tax-free interest for decades.

Thats why its so great for the young kids, said Laura Mattia, a certified financial planner in Sarasota, Florida.

Early in your career, you are probably earning less and paying taxes at a lower rate, Mattia said. At that age, and in that tax bracket, you will take a smaller tax hit by contributing to a Roth IRA and paying the taxes upfront.

Many advisers consider the Roth a good deal for anyone earning a typical full-time American salary, which is about $59,000 a year.

Are you in the 22%-or-less bracket? Lyman said, referring to the tax rate for individuals earning five-figure incomes in 2024. Then, we would recommend doing Roth.

Peter Thiel, a founder of PayPal, famously (or infamously) leveraged a Roth IRA to grow a four-figure retirement fund into $5 billion, without paying taxes on the earnings.

What's the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth?

In a sense, traditional and Roth IRAs operate in reverse. You contribute pretax dollars to a traditional IRA or 401(k). In effect, you are postponing the taxes until retirement, a time when you are likely to be living on a fixed income and paying a lower tax rate than in your working years.

With a Roth, you pay the taxes upfront. After that, the interest is generally tax-free.

Heres a vivid example of how a Roth account can pay off: Peter Thiel, a founder of PayPal, famously (or infamously) leveraged a Roth IRA to grow a four-figure retirement fund into $5 billion, without paying taxes on the earnings.

Story continues

Thiel started that account in his early 30s. But Roth IRAs are not only for the young, experts say.

There are definitely reasons to do it in your 60s, and even later, Mattia said.

Heres one: Your peak earning years will not last forever. As you approach retirement, you will probably dial down your income, and your tax rate. Eventually, you will reach a point where Roth contributions have comparatively mild tax consequences.

Lets say you retire. Now, its possible that you find yourself again in a lower tax bracket, much like at the start of your career, said Sabino Vargas, a senior financial adviser at Vanguard.

The late U.S. Sen. William Roth Jr. (left), pictured in 1997, is the namesake of the Roth IRA.

The Roth conversion: Confusing but compelling

As Americans ease into retirement, many consider a Roth conversion.

In a Roth conversion, youre taking money out of a conventional IRA, youre paying taxes on it, and youre converting it into a Roth, Mattia said. There, the money can continue to amass interest, tax-free.

A Roth conversion can diversify the retirement savings of an older investor who hasnt gotten around to opening a Roth account.

The math is complicated. Yet, working with a financial planner, older investors can use a Roth conversion to pare down taxable income in retirement, potentially lowering their future tax rate.

Retirees generally must start making annual withdrawals from tax-favored retirement accounts at age 73, so the government can begin collecting its taxes.

For a wealthy investor with a large retirement fund, those required distributions can generate a lot of taxes in retirement. Moving money into a Roth account beforehand can ease the tax burden because it reduces the taxable portion of your savings.

I just ran one plan for a 62-year-old woman, said Michelle Crumm, a certified financial planner in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is going to start converting $70,000 per year in a Roth for the next 10 years. If she lives to age 90, she will save over $800,000 in taxes.

The Roth conversion is such an important tool, Vargas said, that Vanguard counts it among three key retirement decisions in its Tax-Efficient Retirement Strategy.

(The other decisions concern when to begin collecting Social Security, and how to coordinate withdrawing money from different types of retirement accounts.)

Convert to a Roth IRA or not? It's an important retirement question facing Gen X.

A Roth IRA inheritance is great for your heirs

If you plan to pass on some of your Roth retirement savings to your heirs, experts say, the heirs will reap the tax benefits.

If your children inherit money from a traditional IRA, they generally pay taxes when they withdraw the funds. If they inherit Roth IRA dollars and follow the rules, the taxes are already paid.

They dont have to worry about figuring out taxes, Mattia said, because there are no taxes.

In the final analysis, financial advisers say, a Roth IRA is a good way to diversify your retirement account, giving you a mix of taxable and tax-free savings.

Overall, the flexibility and tax advantages of a Roth IRA make it a valuable component of a well-rounded retirement strategy, said Spenser Liszt, a certified financial planner in Dallas. Even for those who start investing later in life.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are you too old to open a Roth IRA? We unpack
Drones of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraines Defense Ministry hit a fuel depot at the Atlas Plant in Rostov regions Kamensk-Shakhtinsky.

This was reported to Ukrinform by a source in Ukraines intelligence community.

The targeted depot provides fuel to Russias military units based in the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the source said.

It is noted that 15 attack UAVs of the Obsidian and Nayan types were involved in the operation.

According to Russian media and social media, several fuel tanks have been affected as massive fire engulfed the facility.

As of the morning of August 3, the fire at the plant has not been extinguished, which is confirmed by a large number of videos and photos posted on social media.

The detailed results of the Ukrainian operation are currently being verified.

Earlier, the General Staff wrote that the Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked the Morozovsk airfield in Russias Rostov region in the early hours of Saturday, August 3, hitting ammunition depots located at the base. It is believed that glide bombs had been stored at the targeted depots.
The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, appealed to law enforcement, as well as to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding another case of the execution of a Ukrainian prisoner of war by the Russians in the war zone.

Lubinets made the statement via Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

A photo appeared on social media, presumably showing the body of a Ukrainian POW whose head and limbs were cut off by the Russians.

The ombudsman emphasized the "inhuman behavior" on the part of the invaders, which an outrageous violation of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

He reminded that, in accordance with the norms of international humanitarian law, no prisoner of war can be subjected to physical mutilation, violence, or murder.

"Given the terrifying images, I urgently appealed to the ICRC and UN, so that they document another violation of human rights by a terrorist state; to the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies so that they verify the identity of the murdered POW and the fact of the crime," Lubinets informed.

The ombudsman recalled it is the aggressor state that is responsible for the treatment of prisoners of war as they are in their captivity. "That is, the responsibility for killing and maiming lies not only with Russian soldiers, but with the Russian Federation itself," the ombudsman explained.

He also emphasized the hybrid nature of the war unleashed by Russia. By circulating such photos and videos on social media and pursuing such actions, the enemy seeks to intimidate the Ukrainian military and civilians.

"Its as if to say see what were capable of. But looking at such footage, one thing is clear: it is impossible to forget and forgive! Crimes must be prosecuted," Lubinets emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, as of early June, the prosecutor's office was investigating 27 criminal proceedings into the murders of 61 Ukrainian prisoners of war. Four Russian invaders have been charged.
Ambassador of Ukraine Anatoliy Kutsevol met with a group of Ukrainian children who had arrived at a summer camp in Latvia.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia reported this on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.

"The camp was attended by the children of employees of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, to whom the embassy is grateful for their service and defense of Ukraine's independence," the post reads.

The Ambassador told the children about Latvia and the assistance provided by Latvian friends to Ukraine. The children received gifts, including backpacks, portable electronic devices, and other essential travel items.

The camp was organized by the Diaconia Centre of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia with the financial support of the Ziedot.lv Charitable Foundation and the Norwegian Embassy in Latvia.

Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia / Facebook
By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) - Warren Buffett appears to have soured on stocks, letting cash at Berkshire Hathaway soar to nearly $277 billion and selling about half its stake in Apple, even as the conglomerate posted a record quarterly operating profit.

Berkshire's results released on Saturday suggest the 93-year-old Buffett, one of the world's most revered investors, is growing wary about the broader U.S. economy, or stock market valuations that have gotten too high.

The results followed a stock market selloff that pushed the Nasdaq into correction territory, and a weak jobs report that sparked worries about U.S. economic activity and whether the Federal Reserve waited too long to cut interest rates.

"If you look at the entire Berkshire picture and the macroeconomic data, a safe conclusion is that Berkshire is getting defensive," said Cathy Seifert, an analyst at CFRA Research who rates Berkshire a "buy."

Berkshire's cash stake grew to $276.9 billion as of June 30 from a then-record $189 billion three months earlier, largely because Berkshire sold a net $75.5 billion of stocks.

It sold about 390 million Apple shares in the second quarter, on top of 115 million sold from January to March, as the iPhone maker's stock price rose 23%. Berkshire still owned about 400 million shares worth $84.2 billion as of June 30.

The second quarter was the seventh straight quarter that Berkshire sold more stocks than it bought.

Berkshire also repurchased just $345 million of its own stock, down from $2.57 billion in the first quarter, and none in the first three weeks of July.

"Buffett doesn't seem to think there are attractive opportunities in publicly traded stocks, including his own," said Jim Shanahan, an Edward Jones analyst with a "hold" rating on Berkshire. "It makes me worry what he thinks about markets and the economy."

GEICO BOOSTS RESULTS

Second-quarter profit from Berkshire's dozens of businesses rose 15% to $11.6 billion, or about $8,073 per Class A share, from $10.04 billion a year earlier.

Nearly half of that profit came from Berkshire's insurance businesses including Geico car insurance, where underwriting profit more than tripled as premiums rose and claims fell.

But revenue rose just 1% to $93.65 billion, with little change in major businesses such as the BNSF railroad and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and a 12% drop at the Pilot truck stop chain.

Consumers also showed signs of cutting back, causing revenue to decline at Berkshire's more than 80 auto dealerships because they spent less per vehicle on new cars, trucks and SUVs.

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Berkshire's returns from short-term Treasuries should decline once rate cuts begin.

Shanahan said that and revenue headwinds "may make it tough for Berkshire to deliver earnings growth in 2025."

The Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate also owns many industrial and manufacturing companies, a big real estate brokerage, Dairy Queen and Fruit of the Loom.

Quarterly net income fell 15% to $30.34 billion from $35.91 billion a year earlier, as rising stock prices in both periods boosted the value of Berkshire's stock investments.

Buffett has long urged shareholders to ignore Berkshire's quarterly investment gains and losses, which often lead to outsized net profits or net losses.

BUFFETT WANTS TO SPEND, BUT DOESN'T

Berkshire pledges to keep a minimum $30 billion of cash, but often lets it build up when it can't find whole businesses or individual stocks to buy at fair prices.

Since mid-July, Berkshire has also sold more than $3.8 billion of shares in Bank of America, its second-largest stock holding.

"We'd love to spend it, but we won't spend it unless we think we're doing something that has very little risk and can make us a lot of money," Buffett said at Berkshire's May 4 annual meeting, referring to Berkshire's cash.

Buffett said he expected Apple to remain Berkshire's largest stock investment, but selling made sense because the 21% federal tax rate on the gains would likely grow.

The sales came only two years after Buffett labeled Apple one of Berkshire's "four giants," along with its insurance businesses, BNSF and Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

Berkshire and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday.

Profit at BNSF fell 3% as the railroad set aside more money for lawsuits, offsetting lower operating costs and greater shipping of consumer and agricultural products.

Lawsuits against the PacifiCorp utility unit also weighed on Berkshire Hathaway Energy, where profit fell 17%.

Many homeowners and businesses blame PacifiCorp for causing Oregon wildfires in 2020. The utility set aside $2.7 billion for wildfire losses as of June 30, up from $2.4 billion three months earlier, and said losses could grow significantly.

Berkshire's Class A shares closed Friday at $641,435. They are up 18% this year, while the Standard & Poor's 500 is up 12%.

Buffett has led Berkshire since 1965. Vice Chairman Greg Abel, 62, is expected to succeed him as chief executive.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Ira Iosebashvili, Jason Neely and Diane Craft)
By Allison Lampert

(Reuters) -Boeing's incoming boss, Kelly Ortberg, faces a herculean task when he starts next week - restoring the might of a U.S. corporate powerhouse rocked by multiple crises.

The former Rockwell Collins boss is returning from retirement to head the 108-year-old U.S. planemaker, which is bleeding cash and beset by companywide problems expected to take years to fix. His extensive to-do list includes mending relationships with airlines and employees, boosting output, repairing company finances and securing a labor deal to avoid a possible worker strike later this year.

Current and former airline executives told Reuters they are optimistic about Ortberg's aerospace and engineering expertise and his status as an outsider untethered to Boeing's past. But the 64-year-old has a hefty task.

This is not a five-year fix-it," said Bill George, former Medtronic CEO and executive fellow at Harvard Business School. "Is he prepared to spend the 10 years it's going to take to restore Boeing?"

Boeing did not make Ortberg available for an interview. The company has previously said it is taking comprehensive steps to strengthen quality and build confidence, including reducing the amount of so-called traveled or pending work.

"There is much work to be done, and I'm looking forward to getting started," Ortberg said on Wednesday in a statement.

The company's most pressing issue is its falloff in jet production and deliveries following a Jan. 5 mid-air panel blowout on a near-new 737 MAX. Boeing is currently producing about 25 MAX jets a month, with a target of 38 per month by year-end.

This has left customers scrambling for planes as travel demand has boomed, costing them revenue and leaving them overstaffed. Southwest Airlines, which operates an all-Boeing fleet, had been hiring on the assumption it would receive 85 jets this year, but it now expects only 20 planes.

Former United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz said Ortberg will need to be realistic with executives. Reaching out to key customers and Boeing employees and letting them know that they have a leader that they can trust and work with will be key, Munoz told Reuters.

Boeing is still facing industry supply-chain snags and the threat of labor disruptions this September from the more-than 30,000 Seattle-area factory workers currently in contract talks.

Spokespeople for both Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers say the two sides have made progress on non-economic issues, with talks on critical economic issues to start in coming weeks.

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BURNING CASH

The company also needs to boost output to slow a cash burn expected to continue at least through the third quarter. Rating agency S&P said it could downgrade the company's credit rating to junk status if Boeing does not make progress toward more normalized production levels. That would raise its borrowing costs. Boeing has been paying for parts and components that are currently not being used to build planes.

"There's a lot of operating leverage in this business, and with production rates currently below optimal capacity, it's just going to burn cash," said Tony Bancroft, portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, which holds Boeing shares.

The road to fixing Boeing's finances goes through its factories. Ortberg's plan to be based in Seattle where Boeing does most of its commercial jet manufacturing, even though the company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., has won early praise from the machinists' union and others.

Ortberg will also need to meet with families of the 346 people who perished in two 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.

The U.S. Department of Justice and Boeing agreed that the planemaker would plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay up to $487 million after breaching a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. A U.S. judge must decide whether to accept the deal, which would require board members to meet with family members.

Once it gets the company on solid footing, Boeing leadership will need to focus on launching a new commercial jet to add to its aging product line, analysts said. The MAX is the latest variant of the 737 jet which first entered service in 1968.

"Given Mr. Ortberg's age  he is 64  his priorities may be to stabilize Boeing's operations, finances, and fix the culture," said Robert Spingarn, analyst at Melius Research, who added that while he is an advocate for a new plane, "we must admit that Boeing has more immediate needs."

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal. Additional reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) Price control magistrates conducted inspections at 2,615 locations, leading to the arrest of 14 individuals for overpricing fruits, vegetables and other essential items.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider told media on Saturday that 13 cases have been registered for violations of government-set prices. Furthermore, fines totaling Rs 400,000 have been imposed for 113 instances of non-compliance.

The DC emphasized that price control magistrates are actively ensuring adherence to official rates. Supervision of the auction process in fruit and vegetable markets is also underway to prevent any malpractices. Administrative officers are ensuring the sale of fruits, vegetables, and bread at government-approved prices.

All stalls and shops are being instructed to prominently display the rate list, and strict action is being taken against those failing to comply.

Following the directives of the Chief Minister of Punjab, no leniency will be shown towards overpricing. Citizens are encouraged to register their complaints regarding overpricing at the Chief Minister Punjabs helpline: 080002345, she urged. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) carried out an anti-encroachment operations in all nine administrative zones of the provincial capital and shifted four truckloads to the MCL junk yard. Four shops were sealed and a FIR was registered during the operation.
(@FahadShabbir)

MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) Organised Crime Unit (OCU) of CIA and Anti Vehicle Lifting Staff (AVLS) of Multan police arrested 69 criminals belonging to eighteen (18) gangs and recovered Rs 22 million worth of valuables during their anti-crime operations.

SSP Operations Arsalan Zahid and SSP Investigations Rana Muhammad told a news conference here Saturday that two important wings of police also ensured recovery of valuables including a tractor, nine (9) cars, three rickshaws, 28 motorcycles, 36 solar plates, eight mobile phones, and over Rs 3.3 million in cash. These valuables were returned to their actual owners today.

The operations also yielded recovery weapons including two Repeaters, a 44 bore Kalashanakov, and fourteen (14) 30 bore pistols.

The OCU smashed 10 gangs by arresting 41 criminals and recovered valuables worth Rs 12.3 million while AVLS teams arrested 28 accused smashing eight (8) gangs and recovered valuables worth Rs 9.8 million.

Their commendable effort helped police resolve 135 cases, senior police officers said.

The two wings operated on special instructions from CPO Sadiq Ali under supervision of SSPs Arsalan Zahid and Rana Muhammad Ashraf. CPO commended SSPs besides OCU DSP Rao Tariq Pervaiz, DSP AVLS Syed Azhar Raza Gilani, Incharge OCU Mirza Husnain, Incharge AVLS Nasarullah Sumbal and other team members for success in anti-crime operations.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur here on Saturday visited Rashakai Special Economic Zone, Mardan where he held a meeting with a delegation of Chinese experts visiting Pakistan these days.

Matters of mutual interest specially, investment opportunities in the province and prospects to further enhance mutual collaboration in various fields including industries, agriculture and energy an power came under discussion.

Besides Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Industries and Technical education, Abdul Karim Tordher, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Additional Chief Secretary Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah, the high ups of Industries department and Federal board of Investment were also present on the ocassion.

The chief minister cordially welcomed the Chinese delegates to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expressed the hope that their visit to Pakistan would be beneficial for both the countries with regard to enhancement of Chinese investment in Pakistan.

Talking to the delegates, Ali Amin Gandapur remarked that there was huge potential of foreign investment in Hydel Power, Industries, Agriculture and many other sectors of the province adding that the incumbent provincial government was investing in these potential sectors and it would also welcome foreign investment in these sectors.

Ali Amin Gandapur stated that creating maximum employment opportunities and increasing revenue of the province by effectively utilisinng the available resources and by boosting the potential sectors was one of the priority areas of his government and steps were being taken to this end under a well conceived strategy, adding that the provincial government would not only encourage the Chinese investment in potential sectors of the province but would also facilitate the investor under its Ease of Doing business policy.

The chief minister said that the provincial government was effectively tapping the hydel power potential of the province to provide its own generated power to the local industries on cheaper rates with the aim to boost the industrial sector and added that his government had established a Grid and Transmission Company of its own to provide cheap electricity to the local industries.

He said that his government would appreciate and welcome foreign investment in grid and transmission sector. Ali Amin Gandapur highlighted the importance of exchanging such expert delegation between the two countries in future as well so that maximum opportunities of mutual collaboration and involvement could be explored to the benefits of both the countries.

He assured the delegation that the provincial government would take good care of the security needs of foreign investors working in the province and fool proof security of the foreign investors would be ensured.

The chief minister also visited various newly established industrial units in the Special Economic Zone where he was briefed by the high ups of Industries Department about the industrial units.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with Secretary of Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer to discuss the launching of an 'Air Ambulance' project and 'Motorway Rescue 1122 Services.'

Dr. Rizwan Naseer gave a briefing about the air ambulance project and also apprised her about the air ambulance pilot run. Various matters with regard to shifting the patients from Bahawalnagar and Mianwali to far-flung areas through the air ambulance service were discussed.

Dr. Rizwan Naseer gave a briefing about the landing arrangements of air ambulance in various cities. Matters relating to new airplanes about the air ambulance service also came under discussion in the meeting.

It was agreed to use the CM helicopter so as to immediately shift a patient in case of an emergency situation arising in the Central Punjab. The Secretary Emergency Services expressed his gratitude to the CM on granting permission to use the official helicopter in case of any untoward situation.

The chief minister expressed her satisfaction on launching the air ambulance project. She directed to undertake all possible steps for launching rescue services on the motorways at the earliest.

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said," Punjab holds a unique distinction of becoming the first province for launching the air ambulance service.

In case of a heart attack, head injury and spinal injury, the shifting of a patient to a big hospital within the golden hour is highly imperative. The shifting of a patient to a big hospital within the golden hour is a gigantic task."

The CM said the life of every patient is highly precious and patients dwelling in the far-flung areas can be shifted to a big hospital for their treatment through the air ambulance service. The air ambulance service is being launched for the facilitation of the people of Punjab as precious lives can be saved in an emergency situation. Rescue 1122 ambulance service will be available at the motorways interchange. In case of an accident, the swift availability and reaching of a rescue ambulance service at the motorways will become possible.

She added Punjab will be the first province for launching the ambulance service at the motorways. The Punjab province not only has become a role model in Pakistan but in South Asia as well with regard to timely provision of rescue services.

Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman was also present on the occasion.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) on Saturday collected water samples from Rawal Dam to ascertain causes of mass fish die-off sparked serious environmental concerns among the civic circles.

"The recent fish die-off in Rawal Dam has raised alarm bells as the reservoirs water levels continue to drop drastically. This situation has prompted swift action from the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), highlighting significant environmental concerns," the EPA news release said.

Under the direction of Director General Pak-EPA, Farzana Altaf Shah an inspection was conducted in the supervision of Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Director (Lab/NEQS), and Ashiq Nawaz, Director (EIA/Mont) of EPA.

The team visited Rawal Dam to assess the current conditions and collect water samples from five critical points, including three inlet points: Kashmir Chowk Point, Diplomatic Enclave near Lake View Point, and AQ Khan Road Korang Point, as well as the center of the dam and the outlet spillway point.

At each location, the team conducted an on-site physiochemical analysis, measuring key indicators such as dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, turbidity, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and water temperature.

These parameters are crucial for understanding the immediate environmental factors impacting aquatic life.

To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, samples have been sent to the CLEAN laboratory Pak-EPA for detailed chemical and microbial analysis. The results will provide insights into the potential causes of the fish die-off and help formulate necessary interventions.

An EPA official told APP that allegedly the main reason of contamination is untreated municipal effluent from surrounding areas of Bani Gala and Bahrakahu, whereas in addition, it is the responsibility of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to install waste water treatment plants for the effluent of sewage water.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has launched a special campaign on 'Milk Testing' across Punjab to control the wicked practice of milk adulteration mafia.

In this connection, PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid assigned the task to the operational team to make the campaign successful. He said that sampling of milk shops, dairy units, milk suppliers, and milk vehicles will be conducted in all districts of Punjab without any discrimination.

He said that the Additional Director General (Operations), all Directors (Operations), and Additional Directors (Operations) will join milk checking teams early in the morning once a week. Additionally, Deputy Directors (Operations) will join milk checking teams early in the morning twice a week, he added.

Furthermore, he said that each district will cover one selected Tehsil per week and utilize all resources to inspect milk shops and vehicles in that specific Tehsil.

Muhammad Asim Javaid said that the PFA Lahore operations teams will collect 300 milk samples, other divisional headquarters will collect 150 milk samples, and all other districts will collect 100 samples from different shops to perform on-spot testing through the Lactoscan machine and where suspicious results observed, send specific samples to PFA lab for further analysis.

The director general emphasized that complete traceability will be ensured from where the milk shop and the supplier get the milk. He said that all districts will prepare monthly report and send to higher-ups while, strict legal action will be taken against habitual criminals in the light of report.

Moreover, vigilance teams will closely monitor dairy farms and milk collection centers to ensure the supply of fresh and adulteration-free milk across Punjab. All necessary steps are being taken to prevent the consumption of adulterated milk because milk is our staple food, and adulteration will not be tolerated under any circumstances, PFA DG said.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) Prime Ministers (PM) Coordinator for Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam on Saturday vowed to table the draft legislation on prevention and protection of HIV AIDS in the National Assembly to get the law enacted for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the UN AIDS jointly organised a consultative dialogue for drafting HIV legislation in ICT here which has been participated by a diverse number of participants hailing from civil society, officials from the Ministry of Health, National Services Regulations and Coordination, National Highways and Motorway Police, health experts, academia and media.

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, the PMs Coordinator for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Romina Khurshid Alam extended her gratitude to UNAIDS and SDPI for the endeavour and shared her arduous experiences while enacting HIV legislation for the transgender community which is considered as taboo in the society.

She while volunteering to table the legislation at the lower house of the Parliament demanded the forum to develop synergies and collaborations with the provincial governments to come up with a holistic piece of legislation that could be made a model at the national level to be replicated by the provinces.

Romina Khurshid mentioned that it is necessary to adopt a proactive and out-of-the-box approach to devising solutions to cope with the HIV AIDS disease spread. She also demanded strict proposals for manufacturers of surgical and inoculation equipment including needles, syringes, gloves and others that could cause disease spread for poorly handling the infected materials.

She added that it was crucial to address HIV AIDS disease spread as it could be used as a weapon of biological warfare and a threat to the nation's security if left unattended.

In his special remarks, Executive Director, SDPI, Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said the Institute is welcoming and beneficial in catalyzing the efforts for sustainable development. He hoped that the lead role of the PMs aide on Climate Change in taking forward the legislation at the forum of the National Assembly would help drive the process further.

National Coordinator, UN AIDS, Dr Syed Kaleem Imam delivered a detailed presentation on the draft legislation prepared by the UN AIDS team under his leadership.

He said the objective is to draw legislation for ICT which is aligned with global best practices and SDG3.3 (End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases).

The legislation, he said will help in the prevention, treatment and protection of the disease and the infected masses.

37.7 million people are living with HIV globally, whereas in Pakistan from 2010-19, there has been an 84% increase in HIV cases he added.

He said the UN AIDS through the legislative endeavour intends to eliminate stigma and discrimination towards the disease and infected and ensure access to treatment and dignity and respect of HIV infected.

The draft titled ICT HIV and AIDS Act 2024, he said comprised 38 sections prepared through a consultative process with a meticulous focus on the local, national and international laws enacted on the subject.

The legislation, he said once enacted would come into force at once and would also entail the formation of a Commission headed by a chairperson nominated by the prime minister to ensure implementation of the legislation.

National Coordinator, Strengthening Common Management Unit (CMU) for TB, HIV/AIDS and Malaria, Dr Razia Kaniz Fatima said the HIV Aids has been always a priority for the government which is no more a taboo as many milestones have been achieved in addressing disease spread and prevention.

She added that Pakistan is in the phase of transition in the realm of HIV AIDS disease management programme which has always been under the stewardship of the government. Dr Fatima suggested that the HIV testing should be integrated with other disease tests to gauge the disease prevalence ratio in the population and local level resources are required at the local level as the HIV infected are the most neglected and need support at the grassroots level.

UN AIDS Country Director, Yuki Takimoto, on the occasion, said the draft legislation marked a crucial step towards the growing HIV epidemic in Pakistan. UN AIDS in support of the government and other relevant quarters is improving responses to reduce discrimination hindering HIV response, she added.

Former DG Health ICT, Dr Hassan Arooj proposed the forum to consider making the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) a part of the implementation body of the legislation, whereas the individuals discriminating against the HIV infected should also be addressed in the legislation as it is not only a medical but rather a social and cultural issue in Pakistan.

Executive Director COMSATS, Ambassador Nafees Zakaria said the diplomatic missions should be guided through this legislation to ensure check on illegal immigrants carrying HIV positive entry from abroad into the country.

Former Justice Lahore High Court and Member Supreme Court Bar Council, Hassan Raza Pasha suggested the forum to clarify the qualification for the chairperson of the Commission to ensure that relevant experts will head the critical law implementing body.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) The Punjab government has decided to call a meeting of the Punjab Assembly on August 11, to express solidarity with minorities.

Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan will preside over the meeting, Assembly Secretariat sources told APP Saturday.

It has been decided to convene the meeting of the Punjab Assembly on August 11, for which a summary has been prepared. A resolution related to Minority Day will be presented in the meeting.

The summary of the meeting of the Punjab Assembly will be sent to the Governor of Punjab. Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan will preside over the meeting
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) The Punjab government has decided to honor Matric exam topper students of all education boards of the province with special awards and big cash prizes.

Official sources told APP that on arrival in Lahore, the students will be presented with a guard of honor and brought to the venue of the ceremony with full protocol.

Furthermore, a dinner will also be served at Shahi Qila in honor of the students. In this connection preparations have been started to motivate the matric toppers at the official level.

A high-level meeting was held here under the chairmanship of Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, in which officers from DC Office, Home Department, IG Office, Protocol and other departments participated.

On this occasion, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said that special awards and big cash prizes will be given to the topper students of all education boards.

Rana Sikandar Hayat said that in order to encourage the students and their teachers, the teacher nominated by each student will also be honored with a special award.

Topper students, teachers and parents from all over Punjab will stay in Lahore for 2 days and the ceremony will be organized on August 7 at a local hotel. The sources further said that a prestigious ceremony is being organized at the government level after 7 years. It is pertinent to mention here that the ceremony is being held on the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
MTD showcases robust market leadership in precision instruments with a diverse product range and global presence.

Strategic investments in R&D and technology maintain MTD's competitive edge in the precision instrument industry.

Global economic uncertainties and competitive pressures present ongoing challenges for MTD.

MTD's financial strategy emphasizes operational efficiency and shareholder value through share repurchase programs.

On August 2, 2024, Mettler-Toledo International Inc (NYSE:MTD) filed its 10-Q report, revealing the company's financial performance and strategic positioning. As a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services, MTD's financial tables indicate a company that is both robust and strategically poised for continued growth. The company's diverse product range, which includes laboratory and retail scales, pipettes, pH meters, and more, caters to a wide array of industries, from life sciences to food retail. With a strong market share, particularly in lab balances, MTD's financials reflect its leadership status. The company's geographical diversification, with significant sales across the Americas, Europe, and China, underscores its global reach and resilience in the face of regional market fluctuations.

Decoding Mettler-Toledo International Inc (MTD): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Market Leadership and Brand Reputation: Mettler-Toledo International Inc (NYSE:MTD) stands as a market leader in the precision instrument industry, controlling over 50% of the market for lab balances. The company's brand is synonymous with quality and reliability, which has fostered a loyal customer base. MTD's strong brand equity is a result of consistent investment in research and development, leading to innovative products that set industry standards. This strength is evident in the company's financial performance, with a solid revenue stream from its laboratory products, which account for 56% of sales.

Financial Health and Shareholder Value: MTD's financial health is robust, with a strong balance sheet characterized by a healthy cash flow. The company's strategic share repurchase program, which has seen the repurchase of 32.0 million shares at an average price of $292.31 since its inception, underscores its commitment to enhancing shareholder value. This financial strategy is supported by the company's operational efficiency and effective capital allocation, which have contributed to a consistent increase in earnings per share over time.

Weaknesses

Dependence on Specific Markets: While MTD has a diversified product portfolio, its heavy reliance on the life sciences industry, which generates around 55% of its sales, could be a potential weakness. Any downturn in this sector could disproportionately affect the company's overall performance. Additionally, MTD's significant exposure to the Chinese market, accounting for 19% of sales, presents a concentration risk, especially in light of geopolitical tensions and potential trade disruptions.

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Operational Risks: MTD's operational risks include the management of its extensive global supply chain and the need to continuously innovate in a highly competitive market. The company's success hinges on its ability to maintain operational efficiency and manage costs effectively. Any failure to do so could impact its profitability and weaken its competitive position.

Opportunities

Expansion in Emerging Markets: MTD has the opportunity to further expand its footprint in emerging markets, where demand for precision instruments is growing. By leveraging its strong brand and technological expertise, MTD can capture a larger market share in regions with high growth potential, such as Southeast Asia and Latin America. This expansion strategy could lead to increased revenue streams and a more balanced geographical distribution of sales.

Technological Advancements: The ongoing digital transformation across industries presents MTD with opportunities to develop new products and services that integrate advanced technologies such as IoT and AI. By staying at the forefront of technological innovation, MTD can offer cutting-edge solutions that meet evolving customer needs, thereby securing its market leadership and driving future growth.

Threats

Competitive Pressures: The precision instrument market is highly competitive, with several players vying for market share. MTD must continuously invest in R&D to maintain its competitive edge, which could strain financial resources. Additionally, price competition from lower-cost manufacturers, particularly in Asia, could pressure MTD's margins and profitability.

Global Economic Uncertainties: MTD's global operations expose it to various economic uncertainties, including currency fluctuations, trade disputes, and regulatory changes. The ongoing developments in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, as mentioned in the filing, add to these uncertainties. Such factors could disrupt MTD's supply chain, affect demand for its products, and ultimately impact its financial performance.

In conclusion, Mettler-Toledo International Inc (NYSE:MTD) exhibits a strong competitive position, underpinned by its market leadership, financial health, and strategic focus on innovation. However, the company must navigate operational risks, competitive pressures, and global economic uncertainties. MTD's ability to capitalize on emerging market opportunities and technological advancements while mitigating threats will be crucial for its sustained success. As MTD continues to execute its growth strategies, investors should monitor how the company leverages its strengths and addresses its weaknesses in the dynamic market landscape.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


(@FahadShabbir)

Dhaka, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Aug, 2024) Bangladeshi student leaders on Saturday said they would carry on a planned nationwide civil disobedience campaign until Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned following last month's deadly police crackdown on protesters.

Rallies against civil service job quotas sparked days of mayhem in July that killed more than 200 people in some of the worst unrest of Hasina's 15-year tenure.

Troop deployments briefly restored order but crowds returned to the streets in huge numbers this week ahead of an all-out non-cooperation movement aimed at paralysing the government planned to begin on Sunday.

Students Against Discrimination, the group responsible for organising the initial protests, rebuffed an offer of talks with Hasina earlier in the day before announcing their campaign would continue until the premier and her government step down.

"She must resign and she must face trial," Nahid islam, the group's leader, told a crowd of thousands at a monument to national heroes in the capital Dhaka to roars of approval.

Students Against Discrimination have asked their compatriots to cease paying taxes and utility bills from Sunday to pile pressure on the government.

They have also asked government workers and labourers in the country's economically vital garment factories to strike.

"She must go because we don't need this authoritarian government," Nijhum Yasmin, 20, told AFP from one of many protests staged around Dhaka on Saturday.

"Did we liberate the country to see our brothers and sisters shot dead by this regime?"

The looming non-cooperation campaign deliberately evokes a historical civil disobedience campaign during Bangladesh's 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.

That earlier movement was spearheaded by Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's independence leader, and is remembered by Bangladeshis as a part of a proud battle against tyranny.

"Now the tables have turned," Illinois State University politics professor Ali Riaz told AFP.

"The regime's foundation has been shaken, the aura of invincibility has disappeared," he added. "The question is whether Hasina is ready to look for an exit or fight to the last."

- 32 children killed -

Hasina, 76, has ruled Bangladesh since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote without genuine opposition.

Her government is accused by rights groups of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent, including the extrajudicial killing of opposition activists.

Demonstrations began in early July over the reintroduction of a quota scheme -- since scaled back by Bangladesh's top court -- that reserved more than half of all government jobs for certain groups.

With around 18 million young Bangladeshis out of work, according to government figures, the move upset graduates facing an acute employment crisis.

The protests had remained largely peaceful until attacks on demonstrators by police and pro-government student groups.

Hasina's government eventually imposed a nationwide curfew, deployed troops and shut down the nation's mobile internet network for 11 days to restore order.

But the clampdown provoked a torrent of criticism from abroad and failed to quell widespread rancour at home.

Crowds returned to the streets in huge numbers after Friday prayers in the Muslim-majority nation, heeding a call by student leaders to press the government for more concessions.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell this week called for an international probe into the "excessive and lethal force against protesters".

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters last weekend that security forces had operated with restraint but were "forced to open fire" to defend government buildings.

At least 32 children were among those killed last month, the United Nations said Friday.

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(@Abdulla99267510)

Media report that intelligence, military officials as well as employees from Haniyehs guesthouse have also been taken into custody for the investigation purposes

TEHRAN: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-August 3rd, 2024) Iran arrested several intelligence and military officials as part of the probe into the assassination of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday.

The media reports said that the Iranian authorities took intelligence and military personnel, along with employees from Haniyeh's guesthouse into custody and started investigation.

According to the US media reports, Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran caused major concerns about the country's security, and led the authorities to hold investigation through a special intelligence team from the Revolutionary Guards.

Haniyeh was killed on July 31 while attending the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.

His assassination is seen as a substantial blow to the Palestinian liberation movement, and Iran has stated it is committed to avenging his death.

As of now, Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyeh's assassination.

Haniyeh was killed in a missile strike, with claims that Israel had tracked his whereabouts using spyware on WhatsApp.

Further investigations revealed that a bomb was secretly placed in Haniyeh's room prior to the incident, and it is alleged that Israel coordinated the bombing with the help of Iranian agents, with Iran reportedly in possession of images of these agents.

However, no official confirmation surfaced from the Iranian side as how the unfortunate incident took place at such an important place.
Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera this week condemned a strike that killed two of its journalists reporting in Gaza.

Correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul and cameraman Rami al-Rifi were killed on Wednesday while reporting in Gaza on the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political head of Hamas, in Iran earlier that day.

The journalists were in their car when it was hit in the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. One of their colleagues, Anas al-Sharif, was reporting from a hospital in Gaza for Al Jazeera when the journalists' bodies were brought in, Reuters reported.

In a statement shared with VOA, Al Jazeera described the attack as a "cold-blooded assassination" by Israeli forces and called for immediate legal action.

"This latest attack on Al Jazeera journalists is part of a systematic targeting campaign against the network's journalists and their families since October 2023," said the statement.

Israel, in a joint Israel Defense Forces and Israel Securities Authorities statement posted to X, said a joint operation "struck and eliminated" a Hamas operative who took part in the October 7 Hamas terror attack.

The statement said al-Ghoul was involved in the Hamas military wing and "actively involved in recording and publicizing attacks against IDF troops."

Jazeera's statement to VOA highlighted al-Ghoul's coverage of Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital and northern neighborhoods.

Despite hardships, including the loss of family members and health struggles, al-Ghoul remained committed to his work, documenting the realities of life in Gaza, the statement said.

Mohamed Moawad, managing editor of Al Jazeera, expressed his condolences for his colleague on X.

Moawad said, "Ismail was a determined journalist who refused to succumb to hunger, illness, and the loss of his brother. He relentlessly covered the events and delivered the reality of Gaza to the world through Al Jazeera."

The network urged immediate legal action against the perpetrators and called on international legal institutions to hold Israel accountable for what it described as systematic targeting of journalists.

United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed condolences to Al Jazeera, saying, "It is clear that journalists need to be protected."

"These and other similar incidents must be fully and transparently investigated, and there must be accountability," Dujarric said.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has recorded an "unprecedented" number of journalists and media workers killed in the conflict. As of August 1, 2024, CPJ had documented 113 journalists and media workers killed.

"Since the war in Gaza started, journalists have been paying the highest price  their lives  for their reporting. Without protection, equipment, international presence, communications, or food and water, they are still doing their crucial jobs to tell the world the truth," said CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna in New York in a statement.

The deaths are part of a wider civilian toll since Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in the October 7 attack on Israel.

Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 116 hostages, including 42 the military says are dead. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 38,200 Palestinians, as of July, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby expressed condolences to the families of the journalists and acknowledged the dangerous conditions media face in conflict.

"We obviously continue to recognize and honor the service that journalists do around the world, particularly in places like Gaza where it is very dangerous. It's a combat zone."

"We want to make sure that press freedoms are observed and that reporters are allowed to do their job," Kirby added.

Al Jazeera remains one of the few media outlets working in Gaza. But it has suffered losses. The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented the deaths of at least seven journalists and media workers affiliated with the broadcaster since October 7.

The network's Gaza bureau chief, Wael al-Dahdouh, left the region in January following Israeli strikes that killed his wife, multiple children and a colleague. He himself was wounded, and his son, also a journalist, was killed.

On May 5, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government had "unanimously" decided to shut down the news channel.

In the statement, Al Jazeera vowed to continue its coverage.

Some information in this report came from Reuters.
With Democratic nominee Kamala Harris set to face off with Republican Donald Trump for the U.S. presidency, Harris' positions on military support to Israel and Ukraine; a rising China; and the migrant crisis at the southern border are under increased scrutiny. As VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports, expect a continuation of Biden administration policies with a few shifts in emphasis.
Cambodia will go ahead with a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for its ambitious and controversial Funan Techo Canal despite concerns from neighboring Vietnam, unclear financing, and uncertainty from local communities.

The symbolic event at the Mekong River entrance of the canal near the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, will be held the morning of August 5, the birthday of former longtime prime minister Hun Sen, whose honorific, "Techo," is reflected in the canals name. Monday has also been declared a one-day holiday to highlight the historic significance of the project for Cambodians. The name "Funan" refers to an ancient kingdom with sophisticated hydrology that emerged in the Mekong Delta from the first through sixth centuries and believed to be a predecessor to the medieval Khmer empire.

The $1.7 billion canal aims to connect the Mekong River near Phnom Penh directly to the Gulf of Thailand on Cambodias southwestern coast in Kep province and partially bypass the countrys traditional shipping route through Vietnams Mekong Delta.

Cambodias government approved the 180-kilometer-long project in May. The canal, part of the Chinese government's Belt and Road Initiative, would also wind through the inland provinces of Takeo and Kandal. The proposed design is 100 meters wide upstream and 80 meters wide downstream, with a consistent depth of 5.4 meters.

The government has touted the canals economic, logistical and agricultural benefits. But neighboring Vietnam has raised concerns about potential transboundary impacts on its Mekong Delta, and potential military use of the waterway by China, initially expected to be the main financier of the project. As the size of the Chinese financing remained unclear, however, the Cambodian government resorted to securing additional local funding and recently said Cambodian companies now hold a 51% stake in the project.

Observers have urged the Cambodian government to share more information with the public as it presses ahead with canal construction.

Brian Eyler, director of Southeast Asia and the Energy, Water and Sustainability programs at the Stimson Center, told VOA Khmer on Thursday that the ceremony Monday "falls at the wrong time of the year to break ground on the Funan Techo Canal."

Cambodia is experiencing seasonal monsoon rainfall, and the construction sites "will be prone to flooding given that the entire canal route passes through an active floodplain," he said.

"Realistically, this ceremony will be one with much pomp and little substance. If the canal's construction is to proceed in earnest, major work will begin likely in early 2025 after the wet season floods subside," he said.

"However, financing from China for the project is said to be held up in approval process, and it could be years before the canal's construction efforts really commence. The lending associated with the project might also never be approved, so the fate of the Funan Techo Canal is still uncertain."

The Mekong River Commission  an intergovernmental body comprising Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam  said it has not received any documents from Cambodia as requested by Vietnam. Vietnam is hopeful that Cambodia will share more information related to the proposed canal and the research on any transboundary effects.

Calls for transparency have also come from the United States, which emphasized that more information would benefit everyone, including Cambodians.

In the lead-up to the groundbreaking, some Cambodian villagers living near or along the canals path have expressed increasing concerns over the lack of information and potential impacts of the project on their families, including worries about relocation and inadequate compensation.

Despite these uncertainties, Cambodian officials are pushing ahead, at least with the rainy season opening of the construction, touting the historic nature of the project.
Robust revenue growth in regulated segments, highlighting financial stability.

Strategic focus on regulated utility markets to ensure consistent cash flow.

Investments in smart metering technology to enhance operational efficiency.

Challenges include managing regulatory changes and environmental compliance.

On August 2, 2024, PPL Corp (NYSE:PPL), a holding company of regulated utilities, filed its 10-Q report, revealing a financial snapshot of its operations across Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Rhode Island. The report indicates a steady increase in operating revenues across its regulated segments, with Kentucky Regulated showing a notable rise from $778 million to $819 million for the three months year-over-year, and from $1,738 million to $1,803 million for the six months. Pennsylvania Regulated and Rhode Island Regulated segments also demonstrated resilience, contributing to a total operating revenue of $1,881 million for the three months, up from $1,823 million the previous year. Net income for the company increased from $112 million to $190 million for the three months, and from $397 million to $497 million for the six months, reflecting a robust financial performance and a strong foundation for future growth.

Decoding PPL Corp (PPL): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Financial Stability and Revenue Growth: PPL Corp's financial stability is underscored by its consistent revenue growth, particularly in its regulated segments. The Kentucky Regulated segment's revenue increase from $1,738 million to $1,803 million over six months is a testament to the company's ability to grow its core business. This financial strength provides PPL Corp with the flexibility to invest in infrastructure and technology, ensuring long-term sustainability and the ability to meet customer demand.

Strategic Focus on Regulated Markets: PPL Corp's strategic focus on regulated utility markets is a significant strength. Regulated markets offer more predictable revenue streams, which are less susceptible to market volatility. This focus allows PPL Corp to maintain a steady cash flow, which is crucial for funding operations, capital expenditures, and dividend payments, thereby attracting investors seeking stable returns.

Weaknesses

Regulatory Compliance Costs: PPL Corp operates in a heavily regulated industry, where compliance with ever-changing regulations can lead to increased operational costs. The company's need to continuously adapt to new regulatory requirements can strain resources and potentially divert funds from other strategic initiatives. This is a weakness that requires ongoing attention to ensure that compliance costs do not adversely impact profitability.

Environmental Liabilities: As a utility company, PPL Corp faces environmental liabilities and the need to invest in cleaner energy sources. The transition to more sustainable energy production methods may require significant capital investment, which could impact the company's financial position and operational costs in the short term.

Opportunities

Smart Metering Technology: PPL Corp's investment in smart metering technology presents a significant opportunity to enhance operational efficiency and customer service. Smart meters enable real-time data collection, which can lead to better demand management and more efficient energy distribution. This technology also opens up new avenues for customer engagement and personalized energy solutions.

Expansion of Renewable Energy Portfolio: There is a growing demand for renewable energy, and PPL Corp has the opportunity to expand its renewable energy portfolio. By investing in solar, wind, and other clean energy projects, PPL Corp can meet customer expectations for sustainable energy solutions and potentially benefit from government incentives for renewable energy development.

Threats

Regulatory and Political Uncertainty: Regulatory and political changes pose a threat to PPL Corp's operations. Changes in energy policies, rate structures, or environmental regulations can have a significant impact on the company's profitability and strategic direction. PPL Corp must navigate this uncertainty while maintaining compliance and adapting its business model accordingly.

Market Competition and Technological Advancements: The energy market is becoming increasingly competitive as new players enter with advanced technologies. PPL Corp faces the threat of losing market share to competitors that can offer more innovative or cost-effective energy solutions. Staying ahead of technological advancements and market trends is crucial for PPL Corp to maintain its competitive edge.

In conclusion, PPL Corp (NYSE:PPL) exhibits a strong financial foundation with strategic growth in regulated utility segments, ensuring stable cash flows and investor confidence. However, the company must manage regulatory compliance costs and environmental liabilities, which could impact its financial health. Opportunities in smart metering technology and renewable energy expansion present avenues for growth, while regulatory uncertainty and market competition pose significant threats. PPL Corp's ability to leverage its strengths and opportunities while effectively addressing its weaknesses and threats will be critical in navigating the dynamic energy landscape.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Concern is rising among Chinas more than 1 billion internet users over a government proposal portrayed as a step to protect their personal information and fight against fraud. Many fear the plan would do the opposite.

China's Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration issued the draft "Measures for the Administration of National Network Identity Authentication Public Services" on July 26.

According to the proposal, Chinese netizens would be able to apply for virtual IDs on a voluntary basis to "minimize the excessive collection and retention of citizens' personal information by online platforms" and "protect personal information."

While many netizens appear to agree in their posts that companies have too much access to their personal information, others fear the cyber ID proposal, if implemented, will simply allow the government to more easily track them and control what they can say online.

Beijing lawyer Wang Cailiang said on Weibo: "My opinion is short: I am not in favor of this. Please leave a little room for citizens' privacy."

Shortly after the proposal was published, Tsinghua University law professor Lao Dongyan posted on her Weibo account, "The cyber IDs are like installing monitors to watch everyone's online behavior."

Her post has since disappeared, along with many other negative comments that can only be found on foreign social media platforms like X and Free Weibo, an anonymous and unblocked search engine established in 2012 to capture and save posts censored by Chinas Sina Weibo or deleted by users.

A Weibo user under the name "Liu Jiming" said, "The authorities solemnly announced [the proposal] and solicited public opinions while blocking people from expressing their opinions. This clumsy show of democracy is really shocking."

Beijing employs a vast network of censors to block and remove politically sensitive content, known by critics as the Great Firewall.

Since 2017, China has required internet service and content providers to verify users real names through national IDs, allowing authorities to more easily trace and track online activities and posts to the source.

Chinese internet experts say netizens can make that harder by using others accounts, providers, IDs and names on various platforms. But critics fear a single cyber ID would close those gaps in the Great Firewall.

Zola, a network engineer and well-known citizen journalist originally from Chinas Hunan province, who naturalized in Taiwan, told VOA "The control of the cyber IDs is a superpower because you don't only know a netizen's actual name, but also the connection between the netizen and the cybersecurity ID."

Mr. Li, a Shanghai-based dissident who did not want to disclose his full name because of the issue's sensitivity, told VOA that the level of surveillance by China's internet police has long been beyond imagination. He said the new proposal is a way for authorities to tell netizens that the surveillance will be more overt "just to intimidate and warn you to behave."

Some netizens fear China could soon change the cyber ID system from a voluntary program to a requirement for online access.

A Weibo user under the name "Fang Zhifu" warned that in the future, if "the cyber ID is revoked, it will be like being sentenced to death in the cyber world."

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Public Security and Cyberspace Administration say they are soliciting public opinion on the cyber ID plan until August 25.
Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of Chinas state-run tabloid Global Times, has gone silent on social media for a week after his analysis of Chinas economic policies triggered a backlash from Chinese state media and other prominent commentators.

Hu, a prominent nationalistic commentator known for his outspoken style on social media, has not shared anything on any of his social media accounts, including the microblogging site Weibo, Chinese messaging app WeChat and X, formerly known as Twitter, since July 27.

His silence comes after his July 22 WeChat opinion article pointing out that the Communist Party had left out a key phrase, state sector is the mainstay of the Chinese economy, from the resolution on reforming the Chinese economy adopted by Chinas top leadership during the Third Plenum, a closed-door conclave that laid out key economic policies for the next five years.

He claimed that the move, which deviates from the Communist Partys usual practice of reiterating the slogan in official documents, shows that China is hoping to achieve true equality between the private and state-owned economy.

Hus comments in the article, which has since been removed from WeChat, triggered widespread criticism on Chinese social media outlets, as some conservative commentators accused him of misinterpreting the resolution, which vowed to consolidate and develop the state-owned economy.

In addition to online criticism, Chinas state-run Peoples Daily also published an opinion article on July 30, reiterating that Chinas fundamental position on the state and private sectors has not changed and will not change in the future.

The party will be able to inject a surging impetus into the promotion of Chinese-style modernization by adhering to and perfecting the basic socialist economic system, promoting stronger and better state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises, and creating a favorable environment and providing more opportunities for the development of the nonstate sector of the economy, the article said.

Bloomberg News reported that Hu has been banned from posting on social media, citing an anonymous source, but in a brief response to Hong Kongs Sing Tao Daily, Hu refused to elaborate on his unusual silence.

Personally, I dont want to say anything. Just read whats on the internet. Please understand, he told Sing Tao Daily.

Some analysts say the incident reflects the Chinese governments attempt to tighten control over discussions and narratives about Chinas economy, which remains sluggish despite the governments plan to roll out reform following the plenum.

As the Chinese economy gets into a more precarious situation, the leadership in China becomes increasingly aware that it is a source of instability, so they decide to double down on control over economic and business information, Dexter Roberts, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, told VOA by phone.

Other experts say Hus silence, which departs from his usual outspoken style on social media, also shows that he has crossed the line by publicly contradicting party policy.

His comments have crossed the red line set up by the Communist Party, and the severity of the punishment, which is an outright ban from posting on social media, sends a warning to the rest of China that authorities have zero tolerance for opinions that deviate from the official line, said Hung Chin-fu, an expert of Chinese politics at National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan.

In his view, while the resolution mentioned the goal of expanding Chinas private sector, development of the private sector still needs to be guided by the party, which means that the state sector will still play a dominant role in that process.

Chinas top leadership will allow some discussions on the development of its private sector, but they dont want those voices to overshadow the official narrative, Hung told VOA by phone.

Some analysts say Hus silence on social media may be a result that is in line with existing laws in China. The new Chinese Communist Party Disciplinary Regulations explicitly forbids people like Hu from jumping the gun like he did, Wen-ti Sung, a political scientist at Australian National University, told VOA in a written response.

While Hu is unlikely to face a total ban on social media, Roberts said, he may become more careful when commenting on topics related to the Chinese governments policies or sensitive domestic issues in the future.

There is less and less tolerance for outspoken people like Hu in China these days, so I dont think something like this [can] happen to him without there being longer-term repercussions, he told VOA.

Sung said Hus case also shows the growing risks Chinese people, including those working for the Communist Party, face when commenting on sensitive issues.

Hus episode probably speaks to how hard it is to know where the red line is for anyone engaging in public political discourse in China today  even for a real insider like Hu, who worked in the partys propaganda system for 28 years, he said.
Middle East tensions soared Saturday as Iran and its allies readied their response to the assassination of Hamas' political leader, blamed on Israel, spurring fears of a regional war.

Israel ally the United States said it would move warships and fighter jets to the region, while Western governments have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon  where the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement is based  and airlines cancelled flights.

The killing earlier this week of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, hours after the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah's military chief in Beirut, has triggered vows of vengeance from Iran and the so-called "axis of resistance."

Iran-backed groups from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria have already been drawn into the nearly 10-month war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

On Satruay, Israel again traded fire with Hezbollah, carried out a deadly raid in the occupied West Bank, and struck a school compound in Gaza City in an attack that the Hamas-ruled territory's civil defense agency said killed at least 15 people.

Numerous schools turned displacement shelters have been hit across Gaza in recent weeks, with Israel saying the facilities had been used by militants. Hamas denied using civilian infrastructure for military activities.

Haniyeh was buried Friday in Qatar, where he had been based. Israel, accused by Hamas, Iran and others of the attack, has not directly commented on it.

Iran said Saturday it expects Hezbollah to hit deeper inside Israel and to no longer be confined to military targets.

With such talk growing, the Pentagon said it was bolstering its military presence in the Middle East to protect U.S. personnel and defend Israel.

An aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln will replace one led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the Pentagon said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under United States European Command, as well as a new fighter squadron to the Middle East.

Rapid escalation

The killing of Haniyeh, who went to Tehran for the swearing-in of President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, is among a series of attacks since April that had already heightened fears of a regional conflagration.

His death came hours after Israel struck south Beirut, killing Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr.

Britain urged its citizens in Lebanon on Saturday to leave immediately, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying: "Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly."

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon told Americans to leave on "any ticket available to them, even if that flight... does not follow their first-choice route."

Sweden said it was shutting its embassy in Beirut and urged its nationals to leave the country "while they still can."

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called Friday for an international coalition to support "Israel's defense against Iran and its proxies," his office said.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for its October 7 attack which triggered the war in Gaza and resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.

Militants also seized 251 hostages, 116 of whom are still held captive in Gaza, including 42 the military says are dead.

Despite the imminent threat of reprisals from Iran and its proxies, relatives of the hostages held by Hamas gathered in Tel Aviv's so-called Hostage Square on Saturday night to pressure the government to secure the captives' release. Other protesters planned to stage rallies near the residences of Israeli leaders.

Israel's campaign against Hamas has killed more than 39,480 people in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, which does not give details of civilian and militant deaths.

Disease spreading in Gaza

Haniyeh was Hamas' lead negotiator in efforts to end the war in Gaza. His killing raised questions about the continued viability of the month-old efforts by Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators to broker a truce and exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Hamas officials, some analysts, and protesters in Israel, have accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war to safeguard his ruling hard-right coalition.

Violence has also surged in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Palestinian official sources said Saturday two Israeli airstrikes killed nine people in the north of the territory.

The military said it had "eliminated terrorist cells."

The war in Gaza has caused widespread destruction and displaced almost the entire population of the territory where, the United Nations said Friday, public health conditions "continue to deteriorate."

It said nearly 40,000 cases of Hepatitis A, spread by contaminated food and water, have been reported since the war began.

Hezbollah has been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces since October, saying it is acting in support of Hamas.

The military said at least one rocket hit northern Israel on Saturday, and Israeli forces struck targets in south Lebanon.

Hezbollah announced the death of one of its fighters, also claiming several attacks on Israeli army positions.

Late Friday, a source close to Hezbollah said Israel carried out strikes on a convoy of trucks entering Lebanon from Syria.

Several airlines have suspended flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv, Israel.

Flights to Beirut by Air France and low-cost carrier Transavia France will remain halted until at least Tuesday, their parent company said Saturday.
Since her arrest at a protest at the University of Massachusetts, Annie McGrew has been pivoting between two sets of hearings: one for the misdemeanor charges she faces in court, and another for violations of the college's conduct code.

It has kept the graduate student from working toward finishing her dissertation in economics.

"It's been a really rough few months for me since my arrest," McGrew said.

Some 3,200 people were arrested this spring during a wave of pro-Palestinian tent encampments protesting the war in Gaza. While some colleges ended demonstrations by striking deals with the students, or simply waited them out, others called in police when protesters refused to leave.

Many students have already seen those charges dismissed. But the cases have yet to be resolved for hundreds of people at campuses that saw the highest number of arrests, according to an analysis of data gathered by The Associated Press and partner newsrooms.

Along with the legal limbo, those students face uncertainty in their academic careers. Some remain steadfast, saying they would have made the same decisions to protest even if they had known the consequences. Others have struggled with the aftermath of the arrests, harboring doubts about whether to stay enrolled in college at all.

'I don't really plan on being quiet'

In St. Louis, Missouri, Valencia Alvarez is waiting to hear what will come of the potential charges she and 99 others could face for a protest April 27 that lasted less than half a day at Washington University.

Twenty-three of those arrested were students. In June, the university gave them two options: They could face a hearing with the Office of Student Conduct, or they could "accept responsibility" and forgo further investigation. Alvarez took the first option.

"I don't really plan on being quiet about this, and I think that's the goal of the second option," Alvarez said.

Colleges expect more protests

The demonstrations swept public and private universities, on campuses large and small, urban and rural. As students return this fall, colleges are bracing for more protests against both Israel's military and Hamas and strategizing over tactics such as when to call in law enforcement  decisions that have had lasting reverberations.

Some college leaders said calling police was the only option to end protests that stood in the way of commencement ceremonies, disrupted campus life, and included instances of antisemitic signs and language.

Student groups and some faculty members have blasted college leaders for inviting police inside their gates. In their view, the police often used unnecessary levels of force to trample peaceful demonstrations.

Most of the cases against the demonstrators  who range from students and faculty to people without any ties to the colleges  involve misdemeanors or lower-level charges.

Prosecutors in several cities are still evaluating whether to pursue charges. But in many cases, officials have indicated they do not intend to pursue low-level violations, according to AP's review of data on campuses with at least 100 arrests.

In upstate New York, the Ulster County district attorney asked judges to dismiss 129 cases stemming from arrests at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

"I have concluded that it is best to dismiss these charges now and relieve all concerned and the courts of any further burdens, expenses, and expenditures of scarce public and judicial resources," District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji wrote in June.

New Paltz students said they were sitting with their arms interlocked when officers hauled them away on May 2.

"It was handled very brutally," said Maddison Tirado, a student whose trespassing charge has been dismissed.

Tensions have run high on college campuses since the war began October 7 when Hamas assaulted southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took about 250 hostages. Israel's offensive has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.

Academic impact

For some students, the impact on their academic careers has affected them more than legal jeopardy.

At Washington University, conduct hearings for arrested students began recently but have yet to result in disciplinary decisions. In the meantime, Alvarez does not have the master's degree in public health she would have earned by now if not for her arrest.

Alvarez said she doesn't have regrets. But that's not to say the protest didn't come at a cost.

"I want that degree," Alvarez said. "I worked four jobs throughout my two years at Wash U to be able to afford tuition without pulling out any loans."

At Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, 118 people were arrested when police were asked to enforce a city ordinance against camping on public property. All will be eligible to have their charges dropped in exchange for community service, prosecutors said.

Owen Buxton, an Emerson student, said he suffered a concussion when police shoved him into a bronze statue. The experience made it hard for him to concentrate or participate in classes.

"It stifled all my creativity  I didn't make anything for months, which is not typical of me," said Buxton, a filmmaker.

A spokesperson for the Boston Police Department said anybody with concerns can file complaints with the internal affairs office. The department previously said there had been no injuries during the Emerson arrests.
France has thrown its support behind Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara, shifting a decades-old position and adding itself to a growing list of countries to align with Morocco as a United Nations-mediated peace process remains stalled.

In a letter to King Mohammed VI, France's President Emmanuel Macron called the plan that Morocco proposed in 2007 to offer the region limited autonomy under its sovereignty the "only basis" to solve the conflict. The shift deals a blow to the pro-independence Polisario Front, which has for decades claimed to be the legitimate representative of the indigenous Sahrawi people.

"The present and future of Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty," Macron wrote in a letter made public on Tuesday. "France intends to act consistently with this position at both national and international level."

Macron's move is unlikely to change the key tenets of the territorial dispute but could deepen France ties with Morocco, which has long blamed it for drawing the colonial borders it sees as the root of the conflict. France signaled earlier this year that it was open to investing in Moroccan projects in the disputed territory.

The move could strain diplomatic relations in North Africa, further alienating both France and Morocco from Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front's claims and allows it to operate as a self-declared government in exile from refugee camps within its borders.

It follows similar shifts from the United States, Israel, Spain and a growing list of African nations that have established consulates in the territory.

In a statement, Moroccan King Mohammed VI's Royal Cabinet called France's shift "a significant development." A high-ranking Moroccan official who spoke on the condition of anonymity noted France's role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and called it "a game-changer" amid an international shift toward Morocco's position.

The move was preemptively rebuked by both Algeria and the Polisario Front in the days leading up to the publication of letter, which Algeria said it was made aware of by France in the days prior.

The Polisario's Mohamed Sidati accused France of acting at odds with international law and backing Moroccan expansionism as its influence wanes throughout Africa.

"Whatever hardships Morocco tries to impose on us with the support of France, the Sahrawi people will continue to stubbornly defend their rights until they obtain the definitive departure of the Moroccan aggressor from their territory and general recognition of the legitimacy of their struggle for self-determination and independence," Sidati, the Foreign Minister of the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, said in a statement on Monday.

Algeria called Morocco and France "colonial powers, new and old" and announced it would withdraw its ambassador from Paris.

"The French decision is clearly the result of a dubious political calculation, a morally questionable judgement and legal interpretations that are neither supported nor justified," Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement last week.

Western Sahara is roughly the size of Colorado, encompassing a stretch of desert rich in phosphates and sitting along an Atlantic coastline rich in fish. Morocco annexed the former Spanish colony in 1975, sparking a regional conflict and putting it at odds with the pro-independence Polisario Front over the region that the United Nations considers a "non-self-governing territory."

Morocco quickly moved to occupy the majority of the land, fighting off guerilla warfare from the Polisario until the U.N. brokered a 1991 cease-fire and established a peacekeeping mission to monitor the truce and help prepare a referendum on the territory's future. Disagreements over who is eligible to vote prevented the referendum from taking place.

Morocco has long sought political recognition of its claim from its other nations, while the Polisario has prioritized fighting legal battles to assert the people of the region's right to self-determination.

Sporadic violence has ensued since the Polisario renewed armed conflict in 2020, ending a 29-year truce. Morocco has since embarked on expansive economic development efforts, constructing ports, highways and hotels.
Two Israeli airstrikes in the West Bank killed nine Palestinian militants on Saturday, Israel's army said, as violence flared again in the Israeli-occupied territory with tensions high over the war in Gaza and a potential regional escalation.

Cease-fire discussions on Gaza continued, with an Israel delegation led by the Mossad chief briefly visiting Cairo, an Egyptian official said. The U.S. has urged Israel to seize the chance for a cease-fire after the shock killing of Hamas' political leader in Iran, which Tehran blames on Israel.

That killing and Israel's assassination of a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon have the region holding its breath for retaliation against Israel on either front, or both, after Iran and its proxies vowed to act. Hamas said its command had begun discussions on choosing a new leader.

In the northern West Bank, the Israeli army said its forces first struck a vehicle in a rural area outside the city of Tulkarem early Saturday, killing the five occupants. The army said they were on their way to carry out an attack. Hamas identified all five as militants with the group, including a local commander.

According to an Associated Press journalist and witnesses, the blast took place along a road connecting the Palestinian villages of Zeita and Qaffin.

"We came to the site and found a young man martyred here on the street and half of his face was missing.," said Taiser Abdullah, a Zeita resident. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said four bodies were "burned and charred beyond recognition."

Later Saturday, Israel's military said it killed four other Palestinian militants in the Tulkarem area shortly after they opened fire on Israeli troops. No further information was immediately available.

More than 590 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began in Gaza in October, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Most have been killed during Israeli raids and violent protests. Tulkarem is regularly raided by Israeli forces, and Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, are active there.

A strike in central Gaza early Sunday hit a tent area in the courtyard of Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital, killing four people, including a woman, and injuring others, health officials said.

An Associated Press journalist filmed men rushing to the scene to help the injured and retrieve bodies, while trying to extinguish the fire. The hospital in Deir al Balah is the main medical facility operating in central Gaza, and thousands of people have taken shelter there after fleeing their homes in the war-ravaged territory.

Concerns about a full-fledged regional war are high after the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday and top Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut the evening before.

Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, vowed to retaliate against Israel, which said it killed Shukur but has not confirmed or denied its role in Haniyeh's death. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said a short-range projectile was behind the killing and accused the United States of supporting the attack.

The Pentagon said late Friday the U.S. military will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region. The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon encouraged citizens who wish to leave to "book any ticket available," noting that several airlines have suspended or canceled flights. The British government called on its citizens in Lebanon to "leave now." Jordan did the same.

President Joe Biden on Thursday said he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize the chance for a cease-fire with Hamas, adding that Haniyeh's killing had "not helped" efforts to negotiate an end to the war. Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities.

Saturday midday, an Israeli delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea arrived in Cairo, an Egyptian official said. The delegation, which also included Ronan Bar, chief of Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet, was to meet with Abbas Kamel, head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service, for talks on the Philadelphi corridor along the border with Egypt and the Rafah crossing point, the official said.

The delegation left Cairo hours later and there was nothing new, said the Egyptian official, who has direct knowledge of the Gaza cease-fire negotiations and spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to brief reporters.

There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials. Netanyahu's office late Friday said he ordered the negotiation delegation to leave for Cairo on Saturday or Sunday.

Egypt's foreign minister had calls with counterparts in Iran and Lebanon about the "dangerous" escalation in the region.

As protesters in various countries marked 300 days of the war in Gaza and expressed support for Palestinians, the death toll inside the territory is nearing 40,000. At least 39,550 have been killed in the nearly 10 months since Hamas' brutal October 7 attack on Israel. That's according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. Israel has accused Hamas of embedding in the civilian population and putting it at risk.

In the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City on Saturday, witnesses told the AP an Israeli strike targeting a school killed an unspecified number of people. Israel's military said it struck a Hamas command center.

Most of Gaza's population of about 2.3 million is displaced, many people multiple times, as Israel's military returns to areas where it says Hamas militants have regrouped. Health services and sanitation have largely collapsed across the territory as hunger grows.

Families of hostages taken on October 7 and others again held protests Saturday night in Israel seeking a deal to end the war. "Most of the military targets were achieved, there is no reason to continue this war," said one protester, Naama Weinberg.
Thousands of people took to the streets of the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, again on Friday, clashing with police and calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as they demanded justice for more than 200 people killed in demonstrations last month.

Reports from the capital said police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators and lobbed stun grenades in some areas of the city, while crowds attacked police with stones. The Reuters news agency reported at least 20 people were injured in the clashes.

The Daily Star, an English-language newspaper based in the capital, reported that a police officer was killed after being attacked by protesters in Dhaka's Khulna neighborhood, while a man was killed and 50 others were injured in the Habiganj district.

The newspaper said that more protests were planned across the country Saturday and Sunday.

The unrest is the worst of Hasina's 15-year tenure. She was reelected to a fourth consecutive term in January.

Protests focus on job quota system

Violence erupted on July 15 when students, frustrated by a lack of job prospects, led protests against the nation's government job quota system. That system reserved more than half of all government jobs for certain groups, particularly ruling party loyalists.

The protests turned deadly when, organizers said, protesters were attacked by police and pro-government groups. As the violence spiraled, Hasina's government imposed a nationwide curfew and shut down the nation's mobile internet network.

Deadly clashes between the protesters and security officers during the crackdown left more than 200 people dead. In a statement Friday, the South Asia regional director of the U.N. Children's Fund, Sanjay Wijesekera, said 32 of those killed during the protests were children.

Wijesekera said in the statement that he was also aware of children being detained by authorities in connection with the protests. According to international human rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Bangladesh is a signatory, he said, children should not be arrested or detained and called for an end to the practice.

The violent crackdown on the protesters has drawn international condemnation from the United Nations as a whole and the United States.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
A source close to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said late Friday that Israel carried out strikes on a convoy of trucks entering Lebanon from Syria.

"Three Israeli strikes targeted a convoy of tanker trucks on the Syrian-Lebanese border in the Hawsh el-Sayyed Ali area, injuring one Syrian driver," the source told AFP.

It was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes in the border area, the source added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor also reported Israeli strikes inside Syria near the border with Lebanon, without mentioning any casualties.

Iran-backed Hezbollah has a strong presence on both sides of the eastern stretch of the Lebanese-Syria border, where it supports the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The group has been exchanging near-daily fire with Israel since its Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, sparking war in Gaza.

The group had muted its attacks following the killing of its military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut on Tuesday and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday.

The Lebanese group claimed responsibility for five attacks on military positions in northern Israel on Friday.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah addressed the funeral of Shukr on Friday, warning that Israel and "those who are behind it must await our inevitable response" to the twin killings.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah since October has killed at least 542 people on the Lebanese side, most of them fighters but also including 114 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

At least 22 soldiers and 25 civilians have been killed on the Israeli side, including in the annexed Golan Heights, according to army figures.
Ukraine said Friday it received the bodies of 250 slain soldiers in one of the largest exchanges with Moscow since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Kyiv said it handed over the remains of 38 Russian soldiers in the deal, which was mediated by the International Red Cross.

Some of those returned to Ukraine were soldiers who had fought in the southern port city of Mariupol, the scene of an intense standoff from February to May of 2022, according to Agence France-Presse reports.

Russia captures 5 Ukrainian settlements

On the battlefront Friday, Russian forces continued their assault on several fronts in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, including the city of Pokrovsk, a strategic logistics hub.

Ruslan Muzychuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine's National Guard, said in televised remarks that Russian forces are using warplanes and artillery fire to support infantry assaults around the city.

"It's a significant threat ... because the Pokrovsk and Toretsk fronts are taking a large share of the daily aviation strikes carried out on the positions of Ukrainian defenders."

Pasi Paroinen, an analyst with the Black Bird Group, told Reuters news agency that Russian forces gained about 57 square kilometers in the past week after making only modest gains in June.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Russian forces have captured five Ukrainian settlements in the past week.

More Ukrainians expected to emigrate

In other developments, Ukraine's central bank said Russian attacks on energy centers and a struggling economy will likely lead to higher emigration levels this year.

"The worsening of the energy situation and slow normalization of the economic conditions will lead to a larger outflow of migrants abroad in 2024 and 2025 than previously expected," the National Bank of Ukraine said in a report released Thursday.

It predicted a net outflow of 400,000 people this year and attributed the higher levels to "significant destruction of the Ukrainian energy system, which is accompanied by long power outages and increased risks for the [winter] heating season."

Estimates of Ukraine's population for 2023 range from 28 million to 34 million, down from a population of 41 million before the start of the war in 2022.

Some information for this story came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Ukraine's military said Saturday it sank a submarine in Russian-controlled Sevastopol, attacked a southern Russian airfield and hit oil depots and fuel and lubricant storage facilities in Belgorod, Kursk and Rostov regions.

"A Russian submarine went to the bottom of the Black Sea," the defense ministry said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, naming the vessel as the B-237 Rostov-on-Don attack submarine.

The military's general staff said the attack on the Sevastopol port also significantly damaged four launchers of the S-400 anti-aircraft Triumf defense system.

There was no immediate comment by Russia on the Sevastopol attack.

In other overnight attacks, the military said it hit an ammunition depot at the Morozovsk airfield where Russian forces stored guided aerial bombs among other equipment, as well as several oil depots and fuel storage facilities.

"Russian combat aviation must be destroyed wherever it is, by all effective means. It is also quite fair to strike at Russian airfields. And we need this joint solution with our partners  a security solution," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

The Ukrainian president has repeatedly called on his Western allies for permission to use their weapons for long-range attacks on Russia, in addition to striking military targets close to the border.

He said Saturday that Russian forces had used over 600 guided aerial bombs to attack Ukraine in the past week.

The attack on oil depots and fuel and lubricant storage facilities in Belgorod, Kursk and Rostov regions set fire to at least two oil tanks, according to the Ukrainian military report.

In Russia, local officials reported that tanks at a fuel storage depot in the Kamensky district of Rostov region caught fire because of a drone attack.

The regional governor of Belgorod said Ukraine-launched drones caused a fire at an oil storage depot there, adding that the fire was extinguished and that no one was injured.

Ukraine has dramatically stepped up its use of long-range drones this year to attack Russian oil facilities, attempting to damage sites fueling Russian forces and the country's economy in Moscow's 29-month-old invasion.
Robust revenue growth with a significant increase in net premiums.

Enhanced net investment income, reflecting a growing asset base and favorable interest rates.

Challenges in investment-related losses due to portfolio repositioning.

Opportunities in expanding global reinsurance markets and financial solutions.

Reinsurance Group of America Inc (NYSE:RGA), a leading global provider of life reinsurance and financial solutions, reported its quarterly financials on August 2, 2024. The company showcased robust revenue growth, with total revenues reaching $2,708 million, a substantial increase from the previous year's $2,210 million. This growth was driven by a significant rise in net premiums, which jumped from $1,767 million to $2,132 million. Net investment income also saw an uptick, from $458 million to $522 million, reflecting a growing asset base and favorable interest rates. However, the company faced challenges in investment-related losses, which improved but still resulted in a net loss of $9 million. These financial highlights set the stage for a comprehensive SWOT analysis, providing investors with insights into RGA's strategic positioning and future prospects.

Decoding Reinsurance Group of America Inc (RGA): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Robust Financial Performance: RGA's financial strength is evident in its impressive revenue growth, with a notable increase in net premiums and net investment income. The company's ability to generate higher premiums is indicative of its strong market position and successful business growth strategies. The increase in net investment income suggests effective asset management and a favorable investment climate, contributing to the company's overall financial health.

Diversified Global Presence: RGA operates across multiple continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, which diversifies its risk and provides multiple streams of revenue. This global footprint allows RGA to tap into various markets, adapt to regional dynamics, and leverage opportunities in emerging economies. The company's international presence is a strategic advantage that mitigates the impact of localized economic downturns and regulatory changes.

Weaknesses

Investment-Related Vulnerabilities: Despite an overall strong financial performance, RGA experienced investment-related losses. These losses, primarily due to portfolio repositioning, highlight the company's exposure to market volatility and the risks associated with managing a large investment portfolio. This vulnerability could impact RGA's profitability and requires ongoing attention to ensure that investment strategies are aligned with market conditions and risk tolerance levels.

Competitive Pressures: The reinsurance industry is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. RGA must continually innovate and enhance its product offerings to stay ahead. The company's ability to maintain its competitive edge is crucial for its long-term success, and any failure to do so could result in lost business and reduced profitability.

Opportunities

Expansion in Emerging Markets: RGA's global presence positions it well to capitalize on growth opportunities in emerging markets. These regions often exhibit higher growth rates in insurance penetration, presenting a lucrative opportunity for RGA to expand its client base and increase its market share. By leveraging its expertise and developing tailored solutions for these markets, RGA can drive future revenue growth.

Innovation in Financial Solutions: The company's Financial Solutions segment offers a range of services, including longevity reinsurance and asset-intensive products. As clients seek to manage capital and investment risks more effectively, RGA's innovative solutions can meet these needs, providing a significant growth avenue. Continued investment in product development and technology can further enhance RGA's offerings and attract new business.

Threats

Regulatory Changes: The insurance and reinsurance industries are subject to stringent regulations that can change rapidly. Regulatory shifts can affect RGA's operations, requiring adjustments to compliance frameworks and potentially increasing costs. Staying abreast of regulatory developments and maintaining flexibility in operations are critical to mitigating this threat.

Economic Uncertainty: Economic fluctuations can impact the demand for insurance products and the performance of investment portfolios. RGA's global operations expose it to various economic environments, which can pose challenges in maintaining profitability during downturns. A strategic approach to risk management and a strong capital position are essential to navigate economic uncertainties.

In conclusion, Reinsurance Group of America Inc (NYSE:RGA) demonstrates a strong financial foundation, with significant growth in revenues and a diversified global presence. However, the company faces challenges related to investment-related losses and competitive pressures. Opportunities for expansion in emerging markets and innovation in financial solutions present avenues for growth, while regulatory changes and economic uncertainty pose potential threats. RGA's strategic focus on leveraging its strengths, addressing weaknesses, capitalizing on opportunities, and mitigating threats will be crucial in shaping its future trajectory in the dynamic reinsurance landscape.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


The United States is preparing to move troops and military capabilities to help defend Israel from a retaliatory strike by Iran.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged the support during a call Friday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, though U.S. defense officials said a decision on which units and capabilities would be shifted had not yet been made.

"The secretary reiterated ironclad support for Israel's security and informed the minister of additional measures to include ongoing and future defensive force posture changes that the department will take to support the defense of Israel," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said during a briefing with reporters.

The Pentagon's support for Israel since the October 7 Hamas terror attack "should leave Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups with no doubt about U.S. resolve," she said.

Tensions in the region have escalated significantly in the past week, following an Israeli strike in Lebanon that killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander, and the subsequent assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to celebrate the inauguration of Iran's new president.

Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for Haniyeh's death, but Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, put the onus on Israel and called for retribution.

"The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for a severe punishment," Khamenei posted on the X social media platform.

"It is our duty to take revenge," he added in a separate post.

Iranian officials on Thursday said they planned to meet with representatives from Iran's key proxies  including Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis and militias in Iraq and Syria  to plan their next steps.

"How Iran and the resistance front will respond is currently being reviewed," said General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, speaking on Iranian state TV.

"This will certainly happen, and the Zionist regime [Israel] will undoubtedly regret it," he added.

But U.S. officials, seeking to prevent the tensions from exploding into a regional war, have repeatedly signaled that Washington would not leave Israel undefended.

During a call Thursday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden "discussed efforts to support Israel's defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments," according to the U.S. readout.

'We will stand with Israel'

U.S. defense officials Friday likewise emphasized Israel would not stand alone in the face of Iranian aggression.

"We will stand with Israel in their self-defense," said the Pentagon's Singh. "The [defense] secretary will be directing multiple, forthcoming force posture moves to bolster force protection for U.S. forces regionwide to provide elevated support to the defense of Israel."

"These are defensive capabilities," Singh added. "All of our capabilities that we have there in the region are defensive and to send a message of deterrence."

US mustered before

The Pentagon says it already has a U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Ready Group with some 4,000 troops in the region, along with the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

This would not be the first time the U.S. has enhanced its defensive capabilities to help shield Israel from an Iranian attack.

This past April, the U.S. moved naval destroyers and other military assets into the region while coordinating with Britain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other allies in the Middle East to thwart a massive drone and missile barrage by Iran.

At the time, one U.S. official called the effort an "incredible military achievement."

Whether the U.S. will be able to rely on a similar coalition to deter a second Iranian attack on Israel, however, is not clear.

Whether Iran and its proxies would attempt another aerial attack on Israel  after an estimated 99% of the missiles and drones that they launched in April failed to hit a target  is also unclear.

"Iran is currently in the process of making a difficult decision on how to respond to the targeting killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran," said Robert Murrett, a retired U.S. vice admiral and deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University in the U.S. state of New York.

"Iran will likely carefully calibrate its response to the Israelis," Murrett told VOA via email. "They [the Iranians] are fully aware of the regional implications of any direct or indirect attack on Israel with or without surrogates."

Escalation 'not inevitable,' says Washington

In the meantime, the Pentagon insisted Friday that a further escalation between Iran and Israel "is not inevitable."

"We do believe there is an off-ramp here, and that is that [Gaza] cease-fire deal," between Israel and Hamas," Singh said.

Some information from Reuters was used in this report.
Venezuelan authorities on Friday ratified Nicolas Maduro's election victory as a growing number of nations recognized his opposition rival as the true winner.

Since Sunday's disputed presidential vote, the oil-rich nation has seen protests, and both Maduro and the opposition called for their supporters to demonstrate this weekend.

Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Uruguay on Friday recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the president-elect of Venezuela, joining the United States and Peru in rejecting the official results.

Venezuela's election authority, meanwhile, ratified Maduro's win with 52% of the vote and said Gonzalez Urrutia had garnered 43% of ballots.

Maduro, 61, has reacted fiercely to criticism of his victory and threatened opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her presidential candidate Gonzalez Urrutia, saying they "should be behind bars."

Gonzalez Urrutia did not attend a hearing at the Supreme Court after Maduro requested the tribunal investigate and certify the election result.

However, other opposition candidates summoned to the hearing called for a detailed vote count to be made public.

Voting records "are fundamental for transparency, they are fundamental for peace," said Enrique Marquez, who also ran against Maduro, as part of a smaller opposition group.

Machado, who had been barred from running herself, wrote in The Wall Street Journal that she was in hiding and "fearing for my life," along with other opposition leaders.

She called on supporters to gather on Saturday in cities across the country to "assert the truth" about the opposition's victory.

"We have the evidence and the world already recognizes it," Machado wrote on social media platform X.

Maduro, for his part, has called for daily mobilization, with "the mother of all marches to celebrate the victory of peace" to be held Saturday.

He accused the opposition of plotting "an attack" and ordered police to protect Caracas "and these areas that are under threat."

In a news conference from the presidential palace, Maduro denounced "a coup led by the United States, the international far right and unbridled capitalism."

The NGO Foro Penal reported 11 dead in protests Monday and Tuesday as Venezuelans took to the streets in anger, saying their votes had been stolen. Machado said at least 20 people had been killed.

The crackdown on protests has sparked fear among opposition supporters.

"We have dead, wounded, detainees, missing people. ... People know it. They are afraid. They know they are going to find themselves facing armed people ... ferocious wolves," said Katiusca Camargo, an activist in the Petare slum in eastern Caracas.

The opposition this week launched a website with copies of 84% of ballots cast, showing an easy win for Gonzalez Urrutia. The government claims these are forged.

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken said Thursday there was "overwhelming evidence" that Gonzalez Urrutia had won the election.

On Friday, Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino said that Gonzalez Urrutia was the "legitimate winner and president-elect." Peru has also recognized the 74-year-old retired diplomat as the rightful winner.

Uruguay said it was "clear" Gonzalez Urrutia had obtained the majority of votes. Ecuador called him the "legitimate winner" and Costa Rica said his victory was "indisputable."

In a joint statement, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico urged an "impartial verification" of the result, also calling for Caracas to publish voting data broken down by polling stations.

Maduro's previous reelection, in 2018, was rejected by dozens of Latin American as well as the United States and EU members.

Years of damaging US sanctions have failed to dislodge the president, who enjoys loyalty from the military leadership, electoral bodies, courts and other state institutions, as well as the backing of Russia, China and Cuba.
Thousands of people continue to march the streets in Nigeria calling for a reversal of government reforms. Last year, authorities scrapped fuel subsidies and devalued the countrys currency in a bid to fix the economy. The measures sent the cost of living, especially food prices, soaring. On Friday, police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who say they're not backing down.

The nationwide protests called Ten Days of Rage were held in many Nigerian cities on Thursday and Friday despite clashes with security.

"We deserve our benefits, we have mineral resources, we have natural resources, nature blessed the people," said Wisdom Chimuanya, an Abuja protester. "We need a government that will serve the people and not lord over the people. Mr. President should meet the people's demands, enough is enough."

President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the fuel subsidy during his inauguration in May. Soon afterward he removed the rate cap on the national currency, the naira.

Authorities also increased electricity tariffs by more than 200%.

Protesters say these policies have made everyday living unaffordable.

Tensions escalated around Abuja on Friday as protesters pushed back against the government order not to march in the streets. Many protesters were injured and say police were firing live rounds.

The police said it only used tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Benneth Igweh, police commissioner of the Federal Capital Territory, which includes Abuja, said a court order was issued to prevent disruptions of normal activities around the city.

Local media reported 13 people have been killed across the country.

Authorities in northeast Borno and northwest Kano state imposed curfews Friday to control the violence.

"Until the government answers us, we're not going to leave the streets," said Chikaobi Emmanuel, a protester in Abuja. "The government is trying to disperse the protesters, but we're not relenting. We're peaceful protesters, why would the government order their security operatives to start shooting tear gas?"

Last month, Nigerian lawmakers pledged to donate half of their salaries to citizens for six months, and authorities relaxed taxes on certain food imports, including wheat, to lower prices.

On Monday, Nigeria signed a new minimum wage into law. But protesters say these measures are not enough and vow to occupy the streets until fuel prices return to normal.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin voices have frequently threatened the West with its nuclear arsenal.

On the first day of the war, Putin said "whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to consequences you have never seen in history."

Over nearly 2-1/2 years of fighting, the West has given Ukraine billions of dollars of advanced weapons, some of which have struck Russian soil. And while there have been more Kremlin threats  and even the deployment of battlefield nuclear weapons in Belarus, just over the border from Ukraine  so far it has remained only a blunt message.

What could finally trigger a nuclear response?

Asked that in June by international news agencies, Putin pointed to Russia's so-called nuclear doctrine.

"Look what is written there," he said at the St. Petersburg session. "If somebody's actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible to use all means at our disposal."

Now Russian hawks are urging him to change the doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons, and Putin says the document could be modified to take into account the evolving global situation.

What is Russia's nuclear doctrine?

Formally known as the "Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence," it was signed by Putin in 2020 and outlines when Russia could dip into its atomic arsenal, the world's largest.

It describes nuclear weapons as "a means of deterrence," noting that their use is an "extreme and compelled measure." It declares that Russia "takes all necessary efforts to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent aggravation of interstate relations that could trigger military conflicts, including nuclear ones."

The document states that "nuclear deterrence is aimed to provide comprehension by a potential adversary of the inevitability of retaliation in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation and/or its allies."

What does it say will trigger using nuclear weapons?

Russia could use them, the doctrine says, "in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it and/or its allies, as well as in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy."

It says nuclear weapons could be used under the following specific situations:

 If reliable information is received about the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the territory of Russia or its allies.

 If nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction are used against Russia or its allies.

 If an enemy attack with conventional weapons threatens Russia's existence.

 If there are attacks on critically important Russian government or military facilities that could undermine the country's retaliatory nuclear strike capability.

Has any attack so far come close to crossing this threshold?

As Russia attacked parts of northeastern Ukraine near the city of Kharkiv, Washington has allowed Kyiv to use longer-range U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes in Russian territory in the border region. But these attacks have been limited in scope and would not seem to pose an existential threat that would fall under the nuclear doctrine.

However, the hawks in Moscow have pointed to a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian air bases that host long-range nuclear-capable bombers earlier in the conflict, as well as recent raids on early-warning radars.

They say these circumstances would seem to warrant the use of nuclear weapons as laid out in the doctrine.

Russian officials haven't commented on the attacks on the more sensitive targets. The early-warning radars are designed to spot the launch of U.S. missiles to allow Russia to launch its own nuclear-tipped missiles before they are destroyed.

James Acton, co-director of the nuclear policy program at the Carnegie Endowment, said in a recent commentary that Ukrainian attacks on the early-warning radars could prompt the Kremlin to think Washington had encouraged such strikes to try to weaken Russia's nuclear deterrent.

"If Moscow believes that Washington could conduct a successful preemptive attack on its nuclear forces, its trigger finger could get very itchy, raising the risk that Russia might launch a large-scale nuclear attack based on a false or misinterpreted warning," Acton said.

What changes in the doctrine are under discussion?

The Kremlin's nuclear threats have been dialed down recently amid Moscow's battlefield successes in Ukraine. However, there also have been calls in Russia for changing the nuclear doctrine, and Putin said it could be modified, depending on global events.

Hawks have called repeatedly for sharpening it, arguing the current document is too weak and vague. They say the doctrine hasn't deterred the West from increasing aid to Ukraine and gives the impression that Moscow won't ever resort to nuclear weapons.

Foreign affairs expert Dmitri Trenin, of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, a state-funded Moscow think tank, suggests revising it to declare that Russia could strike first with nuclear weapons when "the core national interests are at stake," like in Ukraine.

"The acute task in the third year of military confrontation is to prevent NATO's deeper engagement in it," Trenin wrote recently. "If we don't do it, the inertia of persistent escalation by the West will lead to a direct clash between Russian and NATO militaries, which is fraught with a global nuclear war."

At the international forum in St. Petersburg, Sergei Karaganov, a foreign policy expert who advises the Kremlin, also urged Putin to amend the doctrine to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.

"I hope it will be changed soon to give you the formal right to respond to any strikes on our territory with a nuclear strike," he told the Russian leader. "I hope that such a provision will be added to our doctrine to help cool our adversaries."

Karaganov likened the West to Sodom and Gomorrah, the biblical cities destroyed by God with a rain of fire for their wickedness. "Let's remember that rain and try to make humankind come to its senses," he said.

Putin responded cautiously, saying that he currently sees no threats that would warrant nuclear weapons use, but he also held the door open to revising the policy.

"This doctrine is a living instrument, we are carefully watching what's going on in the world around us, and we don't exclude making changes in the doctrine," he said.

The need to modify the document, he said, was driven by concerns about the West pondering the possible deployment of low-yield nuclear weapons. Putin didn't give specifics, but his comments could refer to U.S. discussions on deploying low-power submarine-launched nuclear missiles.

Proponents say such weapons are needed to counter Russian threats, while critics argue they could lower the threshold for the U.S. using nuclear weapons and increase the risk of war.

"Nuclear devices of extremely low power are being developed, and we are aware of the ideas circulating in expert circles in the West that such strike assets could be used, and there is nothing particularly horrible about it," Putin said. "We are obliged to take notice of that, and we are taking notice."
A convicted murderer, two sleeper agents and two people convicted of cyber fraud were among the eight Russians who were welcomed back to Moscow on Thursday as part of the deal that secured the release from Russian prisons of three Americans and more than a dozen other people.

Here's a look at the eight Russians:

Vadim Konoshchenok

Of the three Russians released by the United States in the swap, Konoshchenok was accused of perhaps the most serious crimes.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, Konoshchenok played a key role in a scheme to acquire and supply Russia with "sensitive, American-made electronics and ammunition in furtherance of Russias war efforts and weapons development, violating U.S. export controls, economic sanctions and other criminal statutes.

U.S. prosecutors also suspected him of having ties to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), noting that in emails Konoshchenok identified himself as an FSB "colonel" and included a photograph of himself wearing his FSB uniform.

Konoshchenok was detained in Estonia in October 2022 while attempting to cross the Estonian-Russian border with contraband. He was extradited to the United States in July 2023.

On Thursday, the day of the exchange, Konoshchenok's lawyer, Sabrina Shroff, filed a motion with the court to compel the provision of information about her client's whereabouts.

In comments to VOA, lawyers representing the interests of Russians who, according to media reports, could be released, said that, for the most part, they had not received official information about the possible inclusion of their clients on the exchange list.

Vladislav Klyushin

Klyushin is a businessman with alleged ties to the Kremlin.

In Russia, Klyushin owned an IT company that had been contracted to create a media monitoring system for the Russian government.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, Klyushin participated in a criminal scheme: hacking into the computer systems of private companies and stealing their confidential data for subsequent use in insider financial transactions.

Klyushin was detained in Switzerland and extradited to the United States in December 2021.

In September 2023, Klyushin was sentenced to nine years in prison.

VOA was unable to contact Klyushin's lawyer.

Roman Seleznev

Of all the Russians released by the U.S., Seleznev was sentenced to the longest prison term  27 years. Seleznev was also ordered to pay $170 million in damages.

He is the son of Valery Seleznev, a Russian State Duma deputy from the far-right Liberal Democratic Party.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, Seleznev participated in a criminal scheme in which participants stole and sold the numbers of more than 2 million credit cards.

In 2014, Seleznev was detained in the Maldives and later extradited to the United States.

In August 2016, a federal jury in the U.S. state of Washington found Seleznev guilty on 38 counts. The following year, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Seleznev's lawyer, Igor Litvak, told VOA that he had made significant efforts to have Seleznev included in the exchange. But until the last moment, he had no information about whether his efforts had yielded results.

"I always thought Roman was the perfect trade candidate," Litvak said.

He noted that Seleznev has serious health problems because of injuries sustained during a terrorist attack in Morocco in 2011.

Roman was arrested in the Maldives, they simply grabbed him, put him on a plane and took him to America, the lawyer said.

On the eve of the exchange, Russian media reported that the names of five Russians had disappeared from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons database: Klyushin, Konoshchenok, Seleznev, Alexander Vinnik and Maxim Marchenko.

However, Vinnik and Marchenko were not included on the exchange list.

Marchenko pleaded guilty to smuggling dual-use microelectronics and was sentenced to three years in prison in July 2024.

Vinnik was one of the operators of the Russian cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, which was one of the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchanges until U.S. law enforcement authorities shut it down in 2017. As reported by the U.S. Justice Department, in May 2024, Vinnik pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

On the day of the prisoner swap, Vinniks lawyer, Arkady Bukh, told VOA that he had no indication his client was set to be included. Moreover, Vinnik had always been held in a county jail in northern Californias Alameda County, so his name would not have appeared in the U.S. federal prison database.

Pavel Rubtsov

A Spanish Russian citizen also known as Pablo Gonzalez, Pavel Rubtsov worked for Spanish media before his arrest in Poland shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Poland's Internal Security Agency identified Rubtsov as a Russian intelligence agent, although some rights groups criticized Warsaw for holding him for more than two years without charge, and Reporters Without Borders called for his release, The Associated Press reported.

Rubtsov was hired via a third-party freelance site and did some camera work for VOA in 2020 and 2021. At the time of his arrest, VOA released a statement saying that it had removed his content out of an abundance of caution and informed the VOA/USAGM security office of the arrest.

Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva

A Russian couple arrested on espionage charges in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2022, Artem Dultsev and Anna Dultseva had reportedly posed as Argentine citizens and used Slovenia as a base starting in 2017 to travel to neighboring countries and convey Moscow's orders to other Russian sleeper agents.

After pleading guilty at a court in Ljubljana on Wednesday and receiving a 19-month prison sentence, they were released on time served.

Mikhail Mikushin

Mikushin, a former scientist and suspected Russian spy, was arrested on espionage charges in Norway in 2022. According to Norway's domestic security agency, he had entered the country using a false identity, claiming to be a Brazilian citizen.

Vadim Krasikov

In 2021, Krasikov was convicted of the 2019 shooting death of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a Georgian citizen of Chechen ethnicity who allegedly fought with separatists against Russian forces during the Second Chechen War. A German court ruled that Krasikov carried out the murder on the orders of Russias security services, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

As The Associated Press noted, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at a possible swap for Krasikov earlier this year.

Matthew Kupfer is with VOA Russian. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press.
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Ten years ago this month, the Islamic State terrorist group inflicted genocide and mass displacement on the Yazidi ethno-religious minority in northern Iraq. Thousands returned home this year at the urging of the Iraqi government. But many are now living in sweltering tents.
By Columbus Mavhunga

Harare, Zimbabwe  Human rights defenders  including a United Nations special rapporteur  are condemning the arrests and alleged torture of Zimbabweans who called for the release of opposition activists arrested in late June.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government says it's not going to take chances that protests could disrupt a Southern African Development Community summit later this month.

Four human rights activists  Vusumuzi Moyo, Namatai Kwekweza, Samuel Gwenzi and Robson Chere  arrived at the so-called Rotten Row Magistrates court in Harare Friday with members of the police.

The four walked into court hours after Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights released photos showing bruises, welts and blood on their bodies.

Douglas Coltart is with the organization, which is representing the four.

The horrific human rights abuses that we have seen over the past few days are not just crimes under Zimbabwean law which they are, but they also crimes under international law," said Coltart. "And I think it is very important for Zimbabwean authorities who are involved with giving orders for these atrocities to be perpetrated or those who are carrying them out to understand that while they may think that they will always be impunity, they will come a time where there will be accountability for these abuses.

On Friday, the four were charged with disorderly conduct for protesting the detention of 79 opposition supporters who have been in custody since June on charges of holding an illegal gathering.

Speaking to VOA Friday, Mary Lawlor, a U.N. special rapporteur on human rights defenders, said she was disappointed by the arrests and apparent torture of the four activists by Zimbabwean authorities.

From what I understand, they were taken off a flight, held incommunicado for a number of hours before being charged with disorderly conduct as a result of their participation in a peaceful protest calling for the release of opposition political figures," said Lawlor. "I unreservedly call for the immediate release of all four detained activists and an investigation into the allegations of maltreatment to which they were subjected to while in custody.

Late Thursday, Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, flanked by Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and several high-ranking police officers, said the government is aware of attempts to disrupt the smooth flow of the SADC summit that Zimbabwe is hosting in about two weeks.

He said the government would not allow illegal gatherings ahead of the summit.

It is clear that the organizers seek to provoke a heavy-handed response from government which they assume would attract global attention and put Zimbabwe on the spotlight. We have been through such episodes before and are prepared for same," said Kazembe.

"The attempts of rendering the country ungovernable will be met with befitting responses," he said. "Let those seeking to create an atmosphere of despondency among peace-loving citizens, let them be warned that such antics will not be tolerated. Fellow Zimbabweans, we assure you all to deal with those bent on lawlessness."

On Friday, the four arrested activists submitted an application for bail and applied for discharge, saying they had been tortured after they were taken off their flight earlier this week.
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Three Americans unjustly detained in Russia stepped foot on U.S. soil again late Thursday. Waiting for them, President Joe Biden and their loved ones. VOAs Jessica Jerreat reports.
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The United Nations' climate crisis coordinator and a top World Food Program official are in southern Africa, assessing a drought-driven humanitarian crisis blamed on the El Nino weather phenomenon and climate change. Columbus Mavhunga joined them in some of Zimbabwe's most affected places.
Teleflex Inc (NYSE:TFX) shows modest revenue growth amidst market challenges.

Recent acquisitions and restructuring plans aim to streamline operations and enhance market presence.

Strategic initiatives in place to leverage strengths and mitigate industry threats.

Teleflex Inc (NYSE:TFX), a leading manufacturer of medical devices, has presented its latest financial figures in the 10-Q filing dated August 2, 2024. This SWOT analysis delves into the company's financial health and strategic positioning, based on the recent SEC filing. Teleflex Inc reported a slight increase in net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2024, amounting to $749.7 million, compared to $743.3 million for the same period in the previous year. The six-month comparison also reflects growth, with revenues rising from $1.45 billion to $1.49 billion. However, the company's net income has seen a decline, dropping from $111.3 million in the three months of the previous year to $80.0 million in the current year, and from $188.1 million to $95.3 million for the six-month period. These figures set the stage for a deeper analysis of Teleflex Inc's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Decoding Teleflex Inc (TFX): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Robust Product Portfolio and Market Presence: Teleflex Inc's diverse range of medical devices, particularly in the vascular access and surgical segments, has established a strong market presence. The company's products are integral to critical care and surgical applications, which ensures steady demand. The acquisition of Palette Life Sciences AB has further expanded Teleflex's product offerings, enhancing its competitive edge in the urology space.

Financial Resilience and Strategic Acquisitions: Despite market volatility, Teleflex Inc has maintained financial resilience, as evidenced by its revenue growth. The company's strategic acquisitions, such as Palette, not only diversify its portfolio but also open up new revenue streams. These moves demonstrate Teleflex's commitment to growth and its ability to leverage financial strength to make calculated investments.

Global Reach with a Focus on Innovation: With a significant portion of revenue generated from international markets, Teleflex Inc benefits from a global footprint that mitigates the risk of regional economic downturns. The company's focus on innovation, as seen in its investment in research and development, positions it to stay ahead in the development of new medical technologies.

Weaknesses

Net Income Decline and Market Sensitivity: The recent decline in net income highlights Teleflex Inc's sensitivity to market fluctuations and operational challenges. The company must address the underlying causes, such as increased competition or cost pressures, to reverse this trend and safeguard profitability.

Operational Disruptions from Restructuring: The ongoing restructuring initiatives, including the 2024 Footprint realignment plan, while aimed at long-term efficiency, may cause short-term disruptions. These changes could potentially impact product delivery and customer satisfaction if not managed effectively.

Legal and Regulatory Challenges: Teleflex Inc faces legal and regulatory challenges, such as the Italian payback measure, which has led to a significant reserve increase and revenue reduction. Navigating these complexities requires resources and can divert focus from core business activities.

Opportunities

Expanding Market Demand: The growing global demand for medical devices, driven by an aging population and increased healthcare spending, presents significant opportunities for Teleflex Inc. The company can capitalize on this trend by expanding its market share in existing segments and exploring new markets.

Technological Advancements: Teleflex Inc's investment in research and development positions it to benefit from technological advancements in medical devices. Innovations that improve patient outcomes and procedural efficiencies can drive adoption and increase market penetration.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: Forming strategic partnerships and collaborations with other healthcare entities can enhance Teleflex Inc's product offerings and market reach. These alliances can also facilitate entry into new therapeutic areas and accelerate innovation.

Threats

Intense Competition and Price Sensitivity: The medical device industry is highly competitive, with constant pressure on pricing. Teleflex Inc must continuously innovate and offer cost-effective solutions to maintain its market position and profitability.

Regulatory Risks and Compliance Costs: Changes in healthcare regulations and increased scrutiny can lead to higher compliance costs and operational risks for Teleflex Inc. The company must stay vigilant and adapt to regulatory changes to avoid penalties and disruptions.

Economic and Political Uncertainties: Global economic and political uncertainties, including trade tensions and currency fluctuations, can impact Teleflex Inc's international operations. The company needs to implement robust risk management strategies to mitigate these external risks.

In conclusion, Teleflex Inc (NYSE:TFX) exhibits a strong market presence with a robust product portfolio and a strategic focus on innovation and global expansion. However, the company faces challenges in maintaining net income levels and managing operational disruptions from restructuring. Opportunities for growth are abundant in the expanding medical device market, but Teleflex must navigate threats from intense competition, regulatory risks, and global uncertainties. The company's forward-looking strategies, including acquisitions and technological advancements, are crucial for leveraging strengths and opportunities while addressing weaknesses and threats.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


US President Joe Biden has burnished his legacy by securing a huge prisoner swap deal with Russia -- and shone some reflected glory on Kamala Harris's election hopes.

In a powerful piece of political theater, Biden and Harris hugged reporter Evan Gershkovich and two other American prisoners as they arrived back on US soil at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.

For Biden, the multinational swap was a historic foreign policy win to savor, after his traumatic withdrawal from the 2024 White House race rendered him a lame-duck president.

But it was also a chance to boost Harris, as he tries to ensure that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee defeats his nemesis Donald Trump in November.

"Joe Biden said he was going to do everything he could to help Kamala Harris get elected. Putting her in that photo op at Air Base Andrews was a part of that," Frank Sesno, a professor at George Washington University and former White House correspondent, told AFP.

"It was one of the more tangible things he could do, to show her at his side, part of the decision making, part of the winning team."

- 'Stuck with me' -

The emotional welcoming ceremony was certainly a triumphant moment for Biden, as he eyes a place in the history books beyond his remaining six months in the Oval Office.

The 81-year-old president insisted that he wasn't rushing to seal a legacy.

Asked on the tarmac late Thursday how important it was to him to get the exchange done knowing he would not seek a second term, he replied that it had "nothing to do" with that.

"I'd still get it done even if I was seeking a second term. You're stuck with me as president for a while, kid," said Biden.

Notably, Harris let her boss have his time in the limelight. She deferred to him and praised his leadership and wisdom in her remarks at the air base.

But her very presence rammed home the message the White House had pushed all day -- the vice president was part of this victory.

Like Biden, she has been a staunch backer of Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Asked what role Harris had played in the swap, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Thursday that she was "very much a core member of the team that helped make this happen."

This included meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a "timely moment" earlier this year when Biden was trying to persuade him to free a Russian assassin who was key to the deal.

- 'Piece of the sunshine' -

Then there was the call that Harris placed on Thursday to the wife of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny -- who was originally meant to be part of the deal before his death in a Russian prison in February.

In a clear signal of her future stance if elected as president, Harris vowed in the call that she would "continue to stand with those fighting for freedom in Russia and around the world."

But the upshot is not just that Biden wants to secure his legacy and help Harris while doing so -- instead, the two goals appear to be one and the same.

"Part of his legacy now is to get her elected," said Sesno.

"If Donald Trump is elected and then undoes a lot of things Biden did, that tarnishes and overshadows his legacy," he said.

"What Joe Biden is going to do from here to Election Day is trying to be sure that anything that his administration can claim credit for, Kamala Harris gets a piece of the sunshine."

Trump strongly criticized the prisoner swap, saying it was a "win" for Russian President Vladimir Putin and could spur other adversaries to detain US nationals.

But the former president's previous boasts that only he could secure Gershkovich's release had played into Biden's hands now that the Democrat had done so himself.

"He got gazumped by Biden-Harris," said Sesno. "In some ways they have Donald Trump to thank for the credit that they get for bringing him back."

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Venezuela braced for fresh protests Saturday, after President Nicolas Maduro's disputed election victory was ratified -- and a growing number of nations recognized his opposition rival as the true winner.

Both Maduro and the opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado and her presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, have called on their supporters to demonstrate this weekend, in the wake of Sunday's controversial vote.

The South American country's CNE election authority, which is loyal to Maduro, on Friday proclaimed him the winner with 52 percent of the vote and said Gonzalez Urrutia had garnered 43 percent of ballots.

But Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Uruguay recognized opposition Gonzalez Urrutia as the true president-elect, joining the United States and Peru in rejecting the official results.

For his part, the 61-year-old Maduro -- who has reacted fiercely to criticism of his victory -- described allegations of vote fraud as a "trap" orchestrated by Washington to justify "a coup."

He also has threatened Machado and Gonzalez Urrutia, saying they "should be behind bars."

Maduro has led the oil-rich, cash-poor country since 2013, presiding over a GDP drop of 80 percent that pushed more than seven million of once-wealthy Venezuela's 30 million citizens to emigrate.

Experts blame economic mismanagement and US sanctions for the collapse.

Gonzalez Urrutia did not show up to a hearing at the Supreme Court after Maduro requested the tribunal investigate and certify the election result.

However, other opposition candidates summoned to the hearing called for a detailed vote count to be made public after Sunday's vote, which was held amid widespread fear the vote would be rigged.

Voting records "are fundamental for transparency, they are fundamental for peace," said Enrique Marquez, who also ran against Maduro as part of a smaller opposition group.

The opposition this week launched a website with copies of 84 percent of ballots cast, showing an easy win for Gonzalez Urrutia. The government claims these are forged.

- 'Fearing for my life' -

Machado, who was barred from running herself, wrote in The Wall Street Journal that she was in hiding and "fearing for my life," along with other opposition leaders.

She called on supporters to rally Saturday in cities across the country to "assert the truth" about the opposition's victory.

"We have the evidence and the world already recognizes it," Machado wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Maduro has called for daily mobilization, with "the mother of all marches to celebrate the victory of peace" on Saturday.

He accused the opposition of plotting attacks against security forces during their rallies.

The NGO Foro Penal reported 11 dead in protests Monday and Tuesday as angry Venezuelans took to the streets, saying their votes had been stolen. Machado said at least 20 people had been killed.

Authorities said more than 1,000 people were arrested in post-election protests.

That crackdown has sparked fear among opposition supporters.

"We have dead, wounded, detainees, missing people... People know it. They are afraid. They know they are going to find themselves facing armed people," said Katiusca Camargo, an activist in the Petare slum in eastern Caracas.

- 'Overwhelming evidence' -

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday there was "overwhelming evidence" that Gonzalez Urrutia had won the election.

Blinken spoke with Machado and Gonzalez Urrutia on Friday, expressing "his concern for their safety and well-being" and congratulating Gonzalez Urrutia "for receiving the most votes," the State Department said.

In a joint statement, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico urged an "impartial verification" of the result, also calling for Caracas to publish voting data broken down by polling stations.

Maduro's previous reelection, in 2018, was rejected by dozens of Latin American countries as well as the United States and European Union member states.

He enjoys loyalty from the military leadership, electoral bodies, courts and other state institutions, as well as the backing of Russia, China and Cuba.

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Photo: Emma McIntyre/WireImage

There are surely plenty of actors who are hungry for a part in the next Hunger Games prequel film. Rumor has it that Mike Faist is one of the  challengers up for a main role. But wheres the proof? On Friday, X user @21metgala tweeted that Faist was set to star in Sunrise on the Reaping, which will tell the story of how a young Haymitch became a victor. Much of the internet immediately began trying to wrap their heads around the idea of 32-year-old Faist playing a 16-year-old, since thats how old Haymitch wouldve been when he competed in the Fiftieth Hunger Games. @21metgalas viral tweet cites Production Weekly as its source. But in Production Weeklys listing, a brief synopsis simply states that the film picks up on the morning of the reaping of the Second Quarter Quell. Mike Faist mentioned for the male lead, a parenthetical note adds. That slightly vague description opens us up to a few more possibilities:

Haymitch is not the protagonist, or there is more than one male lead. Either way, Faist will play a character who is closer to his actual age.

The film mentioned Faist for the role in the same way that stans like to mention Beyonces yet-to-be-released Renaissance visuals or Rihannas allegedly real next album  with hope, but no real power.

The source is wrong. Faist isnt involved in the film, and the poor thing is very confused right now.

Faist is in talks, but hasnt made up his mind. Hes sneakily gauging everyones reactions right now to see whether this is a good career move.

Faist is 100% ready to play a young Haymitch, and is gonna how-do-you-do-fellow-kids his way through the movie.

Now, author Suzanne Collins Sunrise on the Reaping book isnt due until 2025, so well have to wait a while to learn more about the plot (and then even longer until the film is expected to drop on November 20, 2026). Back when the book and movie were first announced, Collins said in a statement that Sunrise on the Reaping was inspired by philosopher David Humes idea of implicit submission and the easiness with which the many are governed by the few. She added, The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question Real or not real? seems more pressing to me every day. So does the internet want this young Haymitch casting rumor to be real or not real? Below, find a mixed bag of memes.

yall want mike faist (a 32 year old) to play haymitch (a 16 year old) in the new hunger games pic.twitter.com/MyFjDMDj4i  matt | #1 haunted stan (@swiftsdaya) August 1, 2024

mike faist is rumored to be playing young haymitch pic.twitter.com/RFaDdLz7N3  sky (@poguclandia) August 2, 2024

mike faist as young haymitch pic.twitter.com/5GUpbSpCM3  paige (@laurieslaurence) August 1, 2024

this is god tier casting bc mike faist looks just the right amount of future traumatized alcoholic and hopeless despair look in his eyes to play haymitch abernathy https://t.co/zdiHSpsmVq  a (dil)emma  pitch pinned!  (@emmailene_) August 2, 2024

I sincerely apologize for calling the people fancasting 30 yos as Haymitvh idiots a couple weeks ago. If I knew a 30 yo I liked was in the running, I wouldve been kinder #treatpeoplewithkindness https://t.co/Go2zQhMX7g   (@marenyearly) August 2, 2024

hes in his 30s and haymitch was 16 well mike faist looks 0 https://t.co/Uh2IDUCOAY  yalitza apariciosus (@dunevillenuve) August 2, 2024

mike faist being mentioned to play haymitch in the new hunger games pic.twitter.com/hhXZdszsCt  lexa (@ayoedbiri) August 1, 2024

mike faist to star in sunrise on the reaping with not a single source to back it up pic.twitter.com/4vEPHEXYHE  haz :) (@hiraoutlined) August 2, 2024

mike faist is too old to play- pic.twitter.com/DXMh75VJW3    (@pussinyslboots) August 2, 2024
It seems like everyone around you is telling you to invest in real estate. A barrage of influencer content constantly hits the media platforms telling you to put your savings into real estate investments to build passive income. Passive income is income earned from an investment without doing any extra work. All you have to do is sit back and let the money roll in -- or so the story goes.

But is buying real estate truly passive income? In most cases, I'd argue it isn't. From construction upkeep to managing rental tenants to dealing with regulatory paperwork, owning real estate is rarely as passive as the investing influencers claim it to be. True passive income comes from dividend investing. Owning dividend-paying stocks allows you to get an income stream while doing zero work. What an incredible invention.

The best dividend stocks are ones that grow their dividend payments each year. That brings us to Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM), a top dividend growth stock with a high starting yield. You can buy $25,000 of this dividend growth stock today and earn $1,000 in growing passive income each year.

Let's find out why this nicotine company is such a strong dividend growth stock for investors in 2024.

Growing tobacco earnings

Philip Morris International owns the international Marlboro brand, making it one of the leading tobacco/cigarette makers outside the United States and China. While cigarette use is declining worldwide, Philip Morris is in a much better position than other companies given its exposure to regions with fast-growing populations and (generally) emerging economies.

You can see this in its volume results. In the first half of 2024, Philip Morris' cigarette volumes were actually flat year over year at 300 billion units. Add in pricing power, and cigarette net revenue grew 4.3% in the first half of the year. This is despite continued headwinds from the U.S. dollar appreciating versus foreign currencies. The dollar index soared at the beginning of 2022, reducing earnings for Philip Morris in U.S. dollar terms. Now, this headwind has stabilized, which is good news for Philip Morris.

As the company steadily raises prices, the legacy cigarette business should contribute to growing profits for Philip Morris in the coming years. It makes up the majority of its $13.4 billion in annual operating earnings right now.

Switching millions to different nicotine categories

Cigarettes are not all of Philip Morris' business -- far from it. The company has invested tens of billions of dollars into alternative nicotine products, such as heat-not-burn units and tobacco-free nicotine pouches. The smoke-free segment is growing like gangbusters with revenue up 21.3% in the first half of 2024. Zyn -- the company's tobacco-free nicotine pouch brand -- is growing volumes in the United States by over 50% year over year. It is growing so quickly that the product has actually hit some supply shortages.

Story continues

These categories have not generated much in profits until recently. As management invests to grow the brands around the world, it has come at the cost of Philip Morris' profit margins in the short term. Luckily, these margin woes seem to finally be reversing. After falling for several years, Philip Morris' operating margin grew to 36.7% over the last 12 months. As these new nicotine products continue to scale, investors should expect profit margin expansion to continue as well.

Buy for growing dividends and true passive income

Philip Morris's dividend is currently yielding 4.5%. On a $25,000 investment, that can generate over $1,000 in passive income each year. Of course, you should not make Philip Morris International the only stock you own, so a $25,000 investment is not for everyone -- it's an illustration of the passive income one can generate from high-dividend-yielding stocks. This stock should be a part of a diversified portfolio.

The best part about Philip Morris is that the company is poised to grow its dividend per share at a healthy rate over the next decade. At a trailing dividend per share of $5.20, Philip Morris' dividend payout is significantly lower than its free cash flow per share of $6.50. And this free cash flow number is still depressed as it rolls out new products around the world. Over the next three to five years, I expect free cash flow per share to inflect closer to $10, especially if management begins to repurchase stock.

That gives Philip Morris International the capacity to sustainably double its dividend per share over the next five to 10 years. At a starting yield of 4.5%, this looks like the ultimate growth stock for investors to buy and hold for the long term.

Should you invest $1,000 in Philip Morris International right now?

Before you buy stock in Philip Morris International, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Philip Morris International wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $657,306!*

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Brett Schafer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Philip Morris International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Forget Real Estate: Invest $25,000 in This Ultimate Dividend Growth Stock and Get $1,000 in Passive Income was originally published by The Motley Fool
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Everyone knows air travel isnt what it used to be. Decades ago it was a glamorous affair. Now its more of a miserable experience, with delays, discomfort, extra charges and, in Australia, an ever-shrinking choice of carriers for customers, following the failure this year of two regional airlines, Bonza and Rex. While few passengers and experts in the aviation industry took Bonza seriously, Rexs implosion shook the nation. Rex, short for Regional Express, has operated for 22 years, providing a critical service to communities scattered across regional Australia. It has flown to more than 50 destinations and often to towns not serviced by the major airlines, Qantas and Virgin. The news that Rex was going broke and had gone into administration this past week with plans to lay off 610 staff  more than a quarter of its workforce  was a major headache for the Albanese government. Almost immediately, stakeholders  from unions and staff to customers  began demanding the federal government step in and save Rex, even though Rex was a private company and its failure was most likely the result of hubris and mismanagement. The news also fanned debate, again, about whether a nation as geographically vast as Australia, with its small population, can support more than two airlines. Its an argument that goes around and around, and which currently offers little consolation to regional leaders and their communities, who just want to know if Rex will be rescued. Its critical that Rex continues, says Dallas Tout, the mayor of Wagga Wagga, a large inland city in southern NSW that sits halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. Everyone of this entire region is of the same mind that we need to get Rex through this, and make sure that the regional network is saved. His argument gathers more support if you consider that, in the two decades to 2019, the number of regional routes provided by airlines has fallen substantially, from 458 to 291. In the same period the number of remote routes fell almost 40 per cent to 163.

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When Rex started more than two decades ago its arrival was received with enthusiasm  Rex is here for the long haul, Up, up and away with Rex were the headlines. Its inaugural flight was from Wagga Wagga to Sydney. Wagga Wagga is also where Rex has its engineering base and one of its two pilot-training academies; the other is in Ballarat. Those centres also train pilots for other airlines. Now the headlines about Rex are gloomier: Rexs future is up in the air. But they wont stay that way if Tout and other mayors, who are seeking meetings with state and federal ministers, have anything to do with it. We need Rex all around the country in regional areas. I can assure you that all local governments will be communicating that, Tout says. Rex has been an important carrier in Australias aviation market, providing links with regional communities and their economies into capital cities, whether for business or leisure. It was particularly important for fly-in, fly-out workers employed at mines and on large infrastructure projects. In southern NSW, where Wagga Wagga is situated, theres an estimated $10 billion to $15 billion being spent on infrastructure projects, spanning energy, telecommunications and defence, over the next decade. Additionally, airlines flying to regional centres help to deliver essential services, such as healthcare. Tout estimates that about 5000 air seats annually between Sydney and Wagga Wagga were occupied by medical specialists, such as cardiologists, travelling to that region to attend to patients. Wagga Wagga is fortunately also served by Qantas, but not all regional towns and cities have the choice of two airlines. Its why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cant let Rex collapse. His government would face a backlash in regional centres that he cant afford, especially with less than a year to an election and with the government struggling in the polls. Those pressures may explain why the prime minister has been so highly critical of Rexs management for trying to be more than just a regional airline. The airlines downfall was hastened after management made the costly decision to expand into the cut-throat capital-city routes between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, distracting it from its core market of regional Australia. Rexs aircraft livery carries the slogan Our heart is in the country.

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The expansion into those inter-capital-city routes by Rex occurred after the pandemic. As a smaller player, Rex tried, but didnt have the volume of flights, passengers or slots, especially at Sydney Airport, to make those inter-capital-city routes viable, especially when it was being matched and undercut on fares and routes by its bigger and better-resourced rivals, Qantas and Virgin. Rex is not the first airline to try and break the dominant duopoly that exists in Australias aviation industry. In the past few decades a graveyard has filled with airline groups that have tried and failed, from Compass to Tiger Airways and Bonza, to name a few. Its easy to understand why they try. The Sydney-to-Melbourne route alone accounts for 15 per cent of all domestic passenger travel and is considered one of the top-10 busiest domestic routes in the world. Rod Sims, the former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), believes the nation can support three airlines. He was critical of the prime minister suggesting Rex should have stuck to its own runway of regional services and not tried to compete against Virgin and Qantas on the inter-capital-city routes. The idea that you want to cement the airline structure into a regional player and two national players just dooms us all to higher airfares, he said. Weve got to be more dynamic than that. We shouldnt criticise a player for wanting to have a go because clearly they brought lower airfares to Australian consumers. Its a good thing that they tried. If they had the slot allocations at Sydney in better shape, maybe Rex would have done a lot better. A slot is an agreement between an airport operator and an airline that allows the airline to operate take-offs and landings at a specific time and date. Smaller airlines have struggled to compete against Qantas and Virgin, which dominate slots at Sydney Airport particularly during peak times and more broadly in the market.

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Sims said the reform of the slot system at Sydney Airport was paramount to ensuring the survival of a third player in Australias aviation market. The federal government still has to implement the recommendations of former Productivity Commission chairman Peter Harris to open more peak-time slots at Sydney Airport to smaller players. The imminent release of the governments aviation policy paper may help accelerate that change but that may still be too late for Rex. Sims said the government needed to act, and there was little the ACCC could do to help ensure a third player in Australias aviation space would survive. He said when Rex expanded onto the inter-capital-city routes it claimed Qantas had retaliated by entering some of its regional routes. The idea that you want to cement the airline structure into a regional player and two national players just dooms us all to higher airfares. Rod Sims, former ACCC chair It was: You [Rex] have come on our routes and we will give you a really big bloody nose and we, Qantas, wont make any money but will really cut your returns down, big time. So that was the retaliation Qantas is alleged to have done, said Sims. He said when he was ACCC chair he reviewed Rexs complaint under Australias competition law. The evidentiary burden youve got to have to get a case like that as being a substantial lessening of competition is just enormous. Not everyone agrees that Australia can sustain more than two big airlines. The answer is no, said Ian Douglas, who used to work for Qantas and now works as a senior lecturer at UNSWs School of Aviation. I dont think with 27 million people we are ever really going to find a sustainable third carrier space on the market. Every time we get a third carrier it ends up just being a bloodbath, and the smallest one falls out. Air New Zealand has had the rights to fly domestically in Australia for years and years. They have the right aircraft, they fly those aircraft across the Tasman, they never try to operate domestically in Australia.

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He said the European and American markets, which are more than 10 times the size of Australias population, can only support a handful of carriers. In the US, with its population of 330 million, there are only four major carriers, which together account for about 80 per cent of that market. And yet the federal government wants Rex services to continue into the regional areas, despite its woes. Federal Transport Minister Catherine King, whose department has been liaising with Rexs administrators, EY, has said the government doesnt want to see Rex fold. Albanese, a former transport and regional development minister, said the government would keep a close eye on the proposals put forth to rescue Rex. We are concerned about Rex, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen For now, Rex has ceased all of its flights between capital cities, and customers who had tickets on those routes have been able to book equivalent services on Virgin and Qantas free of charge. Rex has secured short-term funding to continue flying regionally until a buyer of the airline is found. The downfall of Rex wasnt only caused by its expansion into those inter-capital-city routes. There have been other contributing factors  a global shortage of pilots meant it was unable to fly a number of its ageing planes  and there were also boardroom ructions. And by not yet reforming the slots system at Sydney Airport the Albanese government and previous federal governments have helped entrench a duopoly in the market. But the governments anger towards Rexs management is also understandable, given the financial support it has received. Rex had funding in the form of a $150 million convertible note  essentially a loan  from an Asia-based private equity group, which helped it undertake its expansion into those inter-capital-city routes, pitting it against Qantas and Virgin. In addition to that loan, Rex received $150 million in financial support from the federal government in the two years to June 30, 2022, as it recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, which roiled airlines globally. The Western Australian and Queensland governments have also given it financial support.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Sometimes in a movie, a moment turns from mere punchline to cultural touchstone. In the comedy action romp Jackpot! such a moment comes when the films heroine Katie Kim (Awkwafina) arrives to inspect the tiny apartment she is moving into. It doesnt look like the AirBnB pictures, she says, dryly. As I sit down with Awkwafina to discuss the film, we start with that moment because it leaps out so loudly from the screen, perfectly capturing the transactional failure and social decay of the internet era, where things rarely resemble the promise made by the websites that entice us into the deal. Awkwafina plays the films heroine Katie Kim. Credit: Disney via Getty Images Its weird, if you watch the movie back, I guess you could look at every line like that, Awkwafina says. I really love when you cant tell if a line is written out of some kind of poetic justice or just like a kind of gag, a set piece. And I think that [the films writer] Rob Yescombe probably meant it as a little bit of both. For the films director, Paul Feig, the moment taps into the unfulfilled promise the future gave us when we were kids, one of smooth lines, bubble-shaped houses and gleaming cleanliness. I remember as a kid, watching The Jestsons, you think the future is going to look like that, Feig says. John Cena and Awkwafina in Jackpot! Credit: Prime Video Why one line pops for the audience above others is pop cultures great mystery. I can tell you what I think is going to be hilarious, but when you get it in front of an audience, you are constantly surprised, Feig says.

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Jackpot! is a delightfully ridiculous comedy set in the near future when Californias Grand Lottery awards huge multi-billion-dollar prizes that comes with a catch: if anyone catches and kills the winner before sundown, they can claim the prize. The net effect is a lottery win that becomes a virtual death sentence, and a jackpot-above-everything culture that turns grannies on buses and hairstylists into homicidal murderers, chasing down would-be billionaires to take them out and claim their prize. Katie Kim (Awkwafina) discovers she has won the lottery in Jackpot! Credit: Prime Video The film stars Awkwafina as its heroine, an unassuming actor named Katie Kim who has come to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams. John Cena plays Noel, a freelance security contractor who offers to protect Katie after she wins a multi-billion dollar prize, and Simu Liu stars as Louis Lewis, Noels rival in the security business. Both are in it, at least initially, for a slice of the prize. In a sense, the films story is a metaphor for LA itself: aspiring actor comes to town, discovers most of what she encounters is a little less substantial than it seems, has to claw her way to the top  literally, in one scene  and is surrounded by a group of people, all of whom want to take their percentage cut of what shes worth. John Cena and Awkwafina in Jackpot! Credit: Prime Video Thats such a good read of it, and I think thats exactly whats going on, it is a metaphor for Hollywood, and how hard and arbitrary it is, and how people will just sell you down the town, pretty much, Awkwafina says.

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What really kind of drew me to the movie was this idea of a near future, dystopic, but very believable LA, where its impossible for anyone to really get anything done, unless its through this kind of really intense one-man, man-eat-man kind of thing. Awkwafinas own journey was a little more genteel: born Nora Lum in Stony Brook, New York, she emerged initially as a musician (with an album, Yellow Ranger, and an MTV comedy series Girl Code) and then as a film actor, with smaller roles in Oceans 8 (2018), Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019). John Cena and Awkwafina in Jackpot! Credit: Prime Video Her path to fame was sealed with her Golden Globe- and Gotham Award-winning performance in The Farewell, directed by one of Americas most talented emerging directors, Lulu Wang. Since then, she has starred in her own series, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, and joined the Marvel universe for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The title of her debut album as a young aspiring artist, Yellow Ranger, gives a powerful insight into the importance of visible diversity in popular culture. During Awkwafinas childhood, at a time when there were few high-profile Asian stars, Vietnamese-American actor Thuy Trangs performance as Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, mattered a great deal. Awkwafina attends the 2024 Met Gala. Credit: Getty Images Growing up, it does affect you, and it affects you in ways that youre not necessarily protesting it outside at eight years old, but it affects you in these weird ways, Awkwafina says.

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And I think now, as a person ... Im not going to be super into myself and talk about how big I am or whatever, but I do know that its really important that people can see me, even when Im not perfect, right? I think that its important for people to see me in different kinds of stuff because it normalises it, it doesnt make it seem as like it would never happen. I think when people see me as a kind of a normal, frumpy, slouchy Asian girl, it makes it seem possible. The young Nora lost her mother when she was just a kid, and was raised by her father and paternal grandparents, in particular her grandmother, Powah Lum, who became an influential figure in her life. Awkwafina playing the granddaughter to her dying grandmother (Zhao Shuzhen) in The Farewell. Credit: Casi Moss My mother passed when I was very young, and so I think that what I derive from female relationships is very, very different from, say, someone that mightve grown up with a mother, Awkwafina says. I felt like, growing up, I had a lot of different mums, like my aunts, people that were younger than my grandma. In a way, Im still growing up, and I meet different women who really just impact me and show me versions of myself that I could be, that my mother obviously is not here to show me, she adds. Awkwafina cites collaborations with performers including Sandra Oh and Margaret Cho as enormously impactful. To be able to see them intimately, who they are as people, those relationships affect me every day as a woman, she says.

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Leaving home for college, she majored in journalism and womens studies at the State University of New York at Albany, but ruled out a career in journalism very quickly. I did not have the nerve for it, the balls for it, the tenacity for it, she says. I had a few internships when I was in college for local papers, and the newsroom was so intimidating of a place. Making calls in front of everybody, it just freaked me out. And yet acting in front of an audience does not faze her? Isnt that bizarre? she says. Awkwafina wins the Golden Globe for her work on The Farewell. Credit: AP Her other major coursework, womens studies, left a deeper mark, particularly in the context of an America in 2024 in which womens reproductive rights are under siege, and the country seems caught amid a deep political schism between left and right. I loved womens studies the most is because it taught me so much beyond just gender and sex issues, it taught me about racism, race issues, class issues. It taught me about how things were institutionalised, these events that happened that were significant. First-wave feminism, second-wave feminism, all of these different ideas, in a way, it makes you kind of disillusioned, the fact that weve been arguing about the same things that seemed so obvious for years, and years, and years, with no end.

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Key Insights

Inari Amertron Berhad's estimated fair value is RM2.78 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of RM3.58 suggests Inari Amertron Berhad is potentially 29% overvalued

Our fair value estimate is 26% lower than Inari Amertron Berhad's analyst price target of RM3.74

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Inari Amertron Berhad (KLSE:INARI) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Inari Amertron Berhad

The Method

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM374.2m RM441.8m RM611.5m RM724.8m RM826.5m RM916.5m RM996.1m RM1.07b RM1.13b RM1.19b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Est @ 18.53% Est @ 14.04% Est @ 10.89% Est @ 8.69% Est @ 7.15% Est @ 6.07% Est @ 5.31% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM338 RM360 RM449 RM480 RM494 RM494 RM485 RM469 RM448 RM426

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM4.4b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM1.2b (1 + 3.6%)  (11% 3.6%) = RM17b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM17b ( 1 + 11%)10= RM6.1b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM10b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM3.6, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Inari Amertron Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.306. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Inari Amertron Berhad

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Semiconductor market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price exceeding the intrinsic value? For Inari Amertron Berhad, we've compiled three additional items you should assess:

Risks: For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Inari Amertron Berhad that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does INARI's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

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.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used last years Garma festival to reboot the campaign for a Voice to parliament. He pushed back against calls to delay the vote, arguing it represented a once-in-a-generation chance to reconcile the nation.

A year on, he will stand on the same red dirt with a far less ambitious reconciliation agenda. Indigenous leaders, many still scarred by the vigour of the referendum bout, worry Labor has lost its appetite for bold action to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will promise at the Garma festival that his optimism for a better future still burns. Credit: AAP

In a speech lacking new policy proposals or lofty ambitions, Albanese will promise to keep working with state governments on their reconciliation plans and reaffirm Labors commitment to a Makarrata commission designed to oversee a truth-telling process  one of the three elements of the politically contentious Uluru Statement from the Heart from which the Voice concept emerged.

Albanese, who invested huge amounts of political capital and emotion into the referendum, will promise his optimism for a better future still burns and that his trust in the resilience and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remains.
To become a bird, pull an oversize T-shirt over your arms and torso. Hide your legs, let your hands stick out like claws and your empty sleeves flap like wings.

Now, use your claws to grip some kind of railing. Take a selfie and upload it to social media with a chirpy caption.

A young Chinese person pretends to be a bird on a TikTok video. Credit: TikTok/babelfish.asia

Some young people in China are pretending to be birds as a way of dealing with the pressures of working, studying or looking for jobs after graduation, among other familiar challenges. Sometimes, they just want a break from being human at a moment when their futures feel uncertain in the face of slowing economic growth.

Birds can fly free and aimlessly in the sky, said Wang Weihan, 20, a finance student in Shanghai who pretended to be a bird in his dorm room. He said the social media trend expressed the innate desire within every person for freedom.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinix, a trendy tech brand crafted for young consumers, conducted the largest CogLabs workshop to date with more than 200 students at the University of Nairobi. Themed "Get in Now", Infinix partnered with UNESCO and Google to inspire today's youth with AI and robotics education through the CogLabs initiative. This project aims to equip the next generation of thinkers and makers in Africa with accessible, hands-on experiences in robotics, machine learning, and AI education.

The people in the picture from left to right are: Joan Nadal, Master Trainer of UNESCO at STEM Education; Michael Zeng, Brand Manager of Infinix Kenya; Amber Zhao, Infinix's Product Manager of AI; John Kimani, Head of Developer Relations, Sub-Saharan Africa, Google; and two representatives of the University of Nairobi.

"It is a true honor for Infinix to collaborate with UNESCO and Google in globally promoting the CogLabs project," said Michael Zeng, Brand Manager of Infinix Kenya. "This project is designed to build capacity in crucial domains such as robotics, machine learning, and AI, with a focus on education equality, to transform knowledge into resilient ownership and foster sustainable development."

CogLabs Project Makes AI and Robotic Education Easy

The CogLabs project is an innovative educational initiative that aims to make AI and robotics accessible and engaging for today's youth. Through a step-by-step process, participants can design and build their own robots using 3D printed parts and a second-hand phone, train the robots to recognize images, sounds, and poses, and program them to respond and perform simple tasks. CogLabs emphasizes sustainable design and provides code files, FAQs, and support to guide users.

CogLabs Workshop

"The CogLabs project is a shining example of how we can inspire and empower the next generation to embrace the transformative power of AI and robotics. By partnering with innovative companies like Infinix and Google, we are providing young learners with the tools and resources to design, build, and program their own robotic creations. This hands-on approach not only sparks their curiosity, but also equips them with the practical skills needed to thrive in the digital age," said Joan Nadal, Master Trainer of UNESCO at STEM Education.

Celebrate the Largest CogLabs Workshop Yet and the Preview of the New CogLabs Mobile App

The CogLabs workshop, held at the prestigious University of Nairobi, was a resounding success, drawing the attention of esteemed guests and showcasing the institution's commitment to fostering technological advancements. This landmark event, the largest CogLabs workshop to date, witnessed the active participation of over 200 eager students, who were empowered to acquire new skills, put their knowledge into practice, and create impactful solutions for the future.

During the workshop, students engaged in captivating hands-on activities, such as building their own robots by assembling 3D parts and repurposing used Infinix smartphones. This innovative approach breathed new life into the devices, enabling the students to train the robots to recognize surrounding objects, such as arrows, and respond accordingly by moving left, right, or forward. Through this process, the participants gained valuable insights into the realms of coding, machine learning, and AI recognition processes.

"We are thrilled to preview the mobile application of the CogLabs initiative," shared John Kimani, Head of Developer Relations, Sub-Saharan Africa, Google. "Google's emphasis on promoting digital literacy and making learning accessible to all aligns perfectly with the CogLabs mission. This mobile application will empower everyone to explore the world of machine learning and programming, without the need for a laptop, ensuring equal opportunities for all to create their own robotic wonders, wherever they may be."

Infinix Get In Now: Inspiring Africa's Youth with AI Education

The CogLabs project stands as a testament to Infinix's unwavering commitment to empowering today's youth with cutting-edge technology and smart devices. Recognizing Africa as the region where the brand originated in 2013, Infinix has strategically focused on promoting this groundbreaking initiative across the continent.

Through in-depth market research and collaborations with leading industry suppliers and research institutions, Infinix has meticulously optimized its products to address the specific demands and needs of local users in Africa. This attention to detail and understanding of the African landscape sets the stage for the transformative impact of the CogLabs project.

Infinix has made significant advancements in AI education and adoption in Africa. In 2020, the company released voice interaction technology supporting Hausa, and now provides support for major African languages. To further expand its language capabilities, Infinix has established specialized R&D centers focused on minor and regional languages across seven African countries, employing over 120 linguists. As Amber Zhao, Infinix's Product Manager of AI, stated, "These centers are dedicated to developing localized AI language models that truly understand and serve the diverse linguistic needs of users across the continent."

Starting from Kenya, Infinix plans to organize a series of CogLabs workshops across various African countries, providing primary, secondary, and tertiary students with opportunities to engage in hands-on learning experiences. These workshops will seamlessly integrate 3D printing, robot making, and basic programming knowledge, empowering the youth to explore the realms of advanced technologies.

"We firmly believe that every young mind possesses unlimited potential, and we believe that advanced technologies, such as AI, will open the doors to a brighter future for all," added Michael Zeng, underscoring Infinix's unwavering commitment to the project.

As the event theme boldly proclaims, "Get in Now: Inspiring Today's Youth with AI Education", the CogLabs initiative aspires to ignite the creativity, imagination, and problem-solving abilities of young people across Africa. Infinix has also pledged to continuously support the development of the CogLabs mobile application and provide Infinix smartphones for student experiences in each workshop, ensuring a seamless and accessible learning journey.

Robots

For more information about Infinix and its innovative products and initiatives, visit www.infinixmobility.com.

About Infinix

Innix Mobility is a rapidly emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of smart devices worldwide under the Innix brand, which was founded in 2013. Targeting today's youth with rst in class technology, Innix creates trendy, powerful and attainably priced smart devices that bring the latest technology on the market to users around the world at a time when they need it at a price that they want it. For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.

"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed"  UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

More information: www.unesco.org

About Google

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

Infinix Logo (PRNewsfoto/Infinix)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infinix-teams-up-with-unesco-and-google-to-inspire-todays-youth-with-ai-and-robotics-education-through-the-largest-coglabs-workshop-ever-302213799.html

SOURCE Infinix Mobility
An Achill-based councillor has called for road signage to be put in place to let people know how to get to the popular West Mayo destination.

Cllr Paul McNamara told last week's meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that he was "baffled" there was "no sign whatsoever" for Achill along the new N5 Turlough to Castlebar route.

"I cant understand how one hasnt been put up. Achill is the largest island off Ireland and 80 to 90% of all traffic from the east coast is coming this way now. They are not coming into Castlebar but are heading on to Newport and Mulranny and there is no sign whatsoever for Achill. Is there a reason for it?

Senior executive engineer with Mayo Co Council's National Roads Office, Marian McHugh, said the signage was subject to regulations around road destinations and that the same approach applied right around the county. Once motorists came further along a route, such as the N59, they would see signs in Newport for Achill, but Achill is not the sole destination on that route, she explained.

Cllr McNamara said he was not happy with the reasoning.

I think its absolutely ridiculous we spend 250m on a road and does it mean we now have to come up ourselves and put signs on it for Achill? It is very difficult to explain to people that there cant be a sign in Westport to Achill.

The engineer responded: We are stuck with what is the TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) strategy. From Dublin, the N5 is signed to Westport and not Castlebar. We have the same problem coming out of Ballina, it is not signposted.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy mooted that a sign for Achill might just pop up in Westport and on hearing no response to his question as to whether it would be taken down if this happened, quipped: A sign is on its way.

Cllr Gerry Coyle said he was sick of listening to the powers-that-be saying it was all about road safety.

If you drive up to Ballycroy now you can barely see the yield signs with the long grass and hedges needing attention there.

Cllr John OMalley said there was also no sign on the Newport Road in Westport for the Fahy area and people coming to visit had nothing but a straight road to follow.
What places can you visit in Mayo that will give you a real sense of its history? The county is full of interesting sites from the ancient to the modern but many of them are impressive while being hard to make sense of. If the idea of exploring our past through a few day trips appeals, its worth considering which sites can tell you the most about particular periods of our history, and where in time you might start. Over the course of three articles, Ill make a few suggestions as to places you can visit this summer which shine a real light on central aspects of our history. Lets hope the sun also shines while you visit them.

Now we all know that the county is full of impressive remains from the distant past, whether that is the extremely well-known Ceide Fields or the almost endless collection of neolithic structures and remains. You can literally trip over them as you are out and about. There are less well-known and hidden gems to be found everywhere, such as the historically recent forts like the one at Kilcashel in Kilmovee. I visited it during the Covid period and it is a really remarkable place, up on a height and dominating the area around it. You cannot help thinking that the person who put it there must have had the same eye as Monsignor James Horan had when he stood on Barnacogue and imagined an airport.

You could spend a lot of time on those sites, but I find that the challenge with them is there is a lot of speculation about why they were built. Existing as they did in a time before written records, archaeology can tell us a fair amount about the lives of those who built such sites, but understanding their motivations is harder.

So, for these pieces we will stay within the range of the last 1,000 years or so.

Where to begin? A good place to start is Killala, a really interesting location with a Round Tower, a cathedral and a lovely setting. A religious centre since at least the time of Patrick, its Round Tower was probably built in the 12th century. When you visit, you cant help but be impressed by it, but there is much to puzzle out here too. Looking at the tower, you inevitably wonder why people would have spent so much time and resources on building it. When you consider how long it would have taken, and all the limitations on these people in terms of their technology, why would they have bothered? And it isnt just Killala - there are five Round Towers in Mayo, as is well known, some larger than others but all maintaining essentially the same design. Where there is the same design there must be a pattern of behaviour.

That takes us back many centuries, before the Normans arrived in 1169, to consider the power structures and who was in charge. The local Gaelic chieftains would have ultimately commissioned the Church to build these structures. How did they concentrate the means to do that? What was the Church trying to say by building them? We were all taught at school that they were built to protect monks against Vikings, but the era of Viking raids was coming to an end when they were being built.

And whatever about Killala, you would have been a fair sailor to get a Viking Longship up the Moy to Meelick, or an even better one to find a way to sail to Turlough, or Balla, or Aghagower. And anyway, with only a little fresh water, you wouldnt survive any kind of siege sitting up there for long. It seems unlikely then that they were defensive structure or refuges.

Could they have been a place to store things? When you stand in Killala, and look up, it seems a long way to go with a narrow enough warehouse at the top. But maybe that means that the stuff up there was valuable, and you didnt need to be a Viking to mount a thieving raid. At the same time, most of the Round Towers would have been protected by some local chieftain, and the form of justice for thieves was, shall we say, more robust than it is now. On that basis, round towers being some kind of secure locker seems less likely.

So, a reasonable guess is that they were some form of bell tower or some way of marking territory, or signalling authority, or all of those things at once. When you look at them in that context, you can see with clearer eyes. Our part of Ireland at that time was a long way from the centre of civilisation, but it was by no means cut off. The Christianisation of Ireland following the days of Patrick placed Ireland at the centre of what was going on, not the periphery. Ireland and our part of it became quite literate, and the monks would have had a pretty good idea of what was going on in other parts of Europe. They would have had a more than fair idea of what Rome was like, and even more so, what it had been like in the days of the Roman Empire.

Appreciating that, you can look at the Round Towers and imagine them like the Obelisks of Egypt, themselves copied by the Romans. You can imagine the early tradition of the Church, where men sat in silent contemplation on the top of tower-like structures, and by their piety became figures of devotion and their locations places of pilgrimage. This was all known about in the Mayo of the era of the Round Tower. And if you go an old Italian city today, you will see what they call a campanile, a large tower-like structure in the middle of their cities, often built in the Middle Ages when those Italian cities were fabulously wealthy. And then you realise that in the cold, dark and wet west of Ireland, people were building things much the same  maybe a little less elaborate  around the same time, and for probably the same reasons. Go into the Front Square of Trinity College, and you will see a campanile, built many hundred of years after people in our part of the world were building them in Killala, and Balla, and Meelick. So we are not so peripheral after all  something to reflect on as part of your Killala visit.

Our next stop will take us forward a bit, to the era after the Normans had arrived in Ireland but before the modern English were yet in charge. The Normans had landed in 1169 and they fairly quickly extended their power across the country. Not surprisingly, they went for the best land first and there they settled in the biggest numbers. Kilkenny, Wexford, Kildare, Cork  that was where the most powerful families went. But some came west too, and that story will bring us to next weeks starting point: Burrishoole Priory.
Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed.

Tonight

Mainly clear and chilly; some upper 30s possible in the Poconos

Tomorrow

Mostly sunny and remaining dry but certainly rather cool.
On July 31, 2024, Laurie Dornan, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Greenbrier Companies Inc (NYSE:GBX), sold 5,935 shares of the company. Following this transaction, the insider now owns 23,225.6126 shares of Greenbrier Companies Inc. Details of the sale can be found in the SEC Filing.

Greenbrier Companies Inc, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to the freight rail transportation markets. The company's offerings include railroad freight car equipment, wheels, parts, leasing, and management services, as well as railcar repair, refurbishment, and maintenance.

Over the past year, Laurie Dornan has engaged in the sale of 5,935 shares and has not purchased any shares of the company. In the same period, Greenbrier Companies Inc has experienced a total of 11 insider sells and only 1 insider buy, indicating a predominance of selling activity among insiders.

On the date of the recent transaction, shares of Greenbrier Companies Inc were priced at $50.92. This valuation brings the market cap of the company to approximately $1.429 billion. The price-earnings ratio stands at 12.05, which is below both the industry median of 14.41 and the company's historical median.

According to the GF Value, an intrinsic value estimate used by GuruFocus, Greenbrier Companies Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.14, suggesting that the stock is Fairly Valued. The GF Value is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.

This insider sale might interest investors tracking insider behaviors as an indicator of company performance and valuation perspectives.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


On August 2, 2024, Joli Gross, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer of United Rentals Inc (NYSE:URI), sold 360 shares of the company. The transaction was executed at a price of $690 per share, as detailed in the SEC Filing. Following this sale, the insider now owns 4,090 shares of United Rentals Inc.

United Rentals Inc is a leader in the equipment rental industry, providing a wide range of equipment rental services across various sectors. The company's offerings include construction and industrial equipment rentals, which cater to a diverse clientele seeking reliable and efficient solutions for their operational needs.

Over the past year, Joli Gross has sold a total of 800 shares and has not made any purchases of the company's stock. This recent transaction is part of a broader trend observed within the company, where there have been 9 insider sells and no insider buys over the past year.

The shares of United Rentals Inc were trading at $690 on the day of the sale, giving the company a market cap of approximately $44.41 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the company stands at 17.74, which is slightly lower than the industry median of 18.195 but higher than the company's historical median.

According to the GF Value, the intrinsic value of United Rentals Inc is estimated at $546.03 per share, making the stock modestly overvalued with a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.26.

Insider Sale at United Rentals Inc (URI): SVP, Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer Joli Gross Sells Shares

The GF Value is calculated based on historical trading multiples like the price-earnings ratio, price-sales ratio, price-book ratio, and price-to-free cash flow, adjusted by a GuruFocus factor which considers past returns and growth, and supplemented by future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.

Insider Sale at United Rentals Inc (URI): SVP, Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer Joli Gross Sells Shares

This insider sale might interest investors tracking insider behaviors as an indicator of the company's future performance and valuation perspectives. The transaction details and the company's valuation metrics provide a snapshot of United Rentals Inc's current financial position and market perception.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


By Nupur Anand

NEW YORK (Reuters) -JPMorgan Chase said on Friday it is considering whether to sue a U.S. consumer watchdog over the agency's inquiries into the Zelle payment app.

The bank said in a filing it is responding to queries from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) over Zelle, which has grown to become the leading U.S. peer-to-peer payment network since launching 2017. Zelle is owned by seven major banks, including JPMorgan and Bank of America.

The proliferation of fraud and scams on Zelle has drawn attention from U.S. lawmakers including Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and regulators concerned about consumer protection.

JPMorgan said it has been given options by the CFPB to either pursue a settlement or face an enforcement action.

"The firm is evaluating next steps, including litigation," it said in the filing.

"The CFPB is fully aware we already go above and beyond what the law requires, reimbursing for all unauthorized transactions and even for certain types of scams," a bank spokesperson said in a separate statement.

The CFPB "should expect to be challenged to ensure their actions stay within the bounds of the law," the spokesperson added.

The CFPB declined to comment.

The percentage of combined consumers who were reimbursed for transactions that were disputed as fraud fell to 38% in 2023 across JPMorgan, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, according to a U.S. Senate committee report. That was down from 62% in 2019.

Federal rules require banks to reimburse customers for unauthorized payments, for instance if their accounts were hacked. But in some cases, banks have resisted paying back customers who were tricked into making the payments themselves.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has previously told lawmakers that it was unreasonable to require banks to refund transfers from scams in which customers were tricked into approving payments.

Banks have argued that covering the cost of scams will encourage more fraud and potentially cost billions of dollars.

More than 100 million people have access to Zelle via their U.S. bank accounts.

(Reporting by Nupur Anand in New York; editing by Lananh Nguyen and Will Dunham)
China begins land-atmosphere interaction experiment in Mount Qomolangma region

Xinhua) 09:23, August 03, 2024

This photo taken on May 23, 2024 shows a view of the Mount Qomolangma at sunset in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China has officially begun an observation experiment on land-atmosphere interactions in the Mount Qomolangma region of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, according to the Aerospace Information Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday.

"The interaction between the land surface and the atmosphere is a crucial component of ecological and climate systems," said Jia Li, a researcher at the institute.

"In the Mount Qomolangma region, land-atmosphere interactions not only affect the climate of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and its surrounding areas, but also have the potential to influence the global climate through complex climate feedback mechanisms and atmospheric circulation," Jia said.

The research team will conduct the observational experiment using unmanned aerial platforms at a site on the northern side of Mount Qomolangma, situated at an average altitude of approximately 4,200 meters, according to the institute.

The researchers will collect spatial distribution data on moisture flux, latent heat flux, sensible heat flux, carbon flux and radiation flux between the land surface and the atmosphere.

They will also integrate ground-station and remote-sensing satellite data to conduct multi-temporal and multi-spatial comprehensive observations.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
There are some investors who want their stocks to soar in value. Others simply want the companies in their portfolios to write them a check on a recurring basis. There are very few businesses that have the track record that Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) does in the latter regard.

In February, the world's leading beverage company announced a 5.4% dividend hike, the 62nd straight year that the payout has been increased. That's a truly phenomenal track record. But is Coke a no-brainer buy right now?

Coca-Cola's competitive advantages

Investors must first realize that this is a very high-quality business, for a few reasons. For starters, Coca-Cola owns one of the world's strongest brands, and has for many decades. Its customers are loyal, thanks in large part to effective marketing and products that consistently satisfy them. The brand strength singlehandedly separates it from other beverage companies.

Lately, the market has been enamored with high-flying tech stocks, particularly those with sizable exposure to artificial intelligence. Viewed in this light, Coca-Cola is extremely boring. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The company is at a very mature stage. The fact that the industry exhibits muted growth prospects means Coke has minimal threat of disruption because it won't need a lot of capital or innovation. You can bet that the business will still be around and dominating its market 50 years from now. That durability helps shareholders sleep well at night.

And it puts up consistent financial performance, even though growth is hard to come by. Sales of $45.8 billion in 2023 were actually slightly below the total 10 years earlier in 2013. That can certainly be cause for concern for investors.

However, the business is very profitable, with $9.7 billion in free cash flow in 2023. This helps fund the long-running dividend, which has almost zero risk of going away anytime soon.

Warren Buffett long ago figured out that this is a great business. As of March 31, his Berkshire Hathaway owned 9.3% of Coca-Cola's outstanding shares, giving the conglomerate $776 million in annual passive income based on the yearly dividend of $1.94 per share.

Not quenching investors' thirst

Coca-Cola has key traits of a quality business, but that doesn't mean you should invest in the stock without hesitation. In fact, I don't believe shares are a no-brainer buy.

The stock just hit a fresh all-time high on July 26 and now trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 27.2, a 15% premium to the S&P 500. With that valuation, you would think that Coca-Cola had crushed the market, but that isn't true -- the stock produced a total return of 128% in the past decade, underperforming the S&P 500 by a significant margin.

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Adjusted earnings per share have climbed at an annual average of 2.6% in the past 10 years. And consensus analyst estimates call for them to rise at a yearly rate of 6.6% between 2023 and 2026. Therefore, I see very little chance that Coca-Cola will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term, even with its dividend yield of 2.9%.

If investors want to beat the market, then it's clear that Coca-Cola is best kept out of their portfolios. The only reason the business could be a worthy investment candidate is if its P/E dropped considerably -- say, below 15 -- but I'm not sure if that will ever happen.

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This Top Dividend Stock Has Raised Its Payout for 62 Straight Years: Is It a No-Brainer Buy? was originally published by The Motley Fool
The loss of manufacturing jobs in recent decades has brought about economic hardships for many Americans. AI job displacement won't play out quite the same way. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

AI technologies have the potential to replace some US jobs in the future.

An economist says people displaced by AI will be better off than past manufacturing workers.

AI job displacement will be more gradual and dispersed, giving people a better shot at finding work.

One of the big questions facing US economists is what the coming AI revolution will mean for workers.

In the years ahead, there are concerns that companies' huge AI investments  and their ongoing adoption of these technologies  could eliminate jobs. A Goldman Sachs report published last year estimated that 300 million full-time jobs across the globe could be disrupted  not necessarily replaced  by AI in the coming years. It's already costing some workers their jobs.

Similar to US manufacturing workers who lost their jobs in recent decades to advancements like automation, those displaced by AI could find themselves without the skills needed for the modern workforce.

But there might be some reason to avoid a doom and gloom outlook. According to Steven Davis, senior fellow and director of research at the Hoover Institute  a public policy think tank based at Stanford University  the average person who loses their job due to AI will be better positioned to find a new role than the average US manufacturing worker who lost their job in recent history.

"For any given scale of job loss caused by AI, there's going to be less economic hardship than we can anticipate from our previous experience with industrial job loss," Davis told Business Insider.

In 2000, roughly 17 million Americans worked in manufacturing, but by 2010, the number had fallen to about 11 million  it's roughly 13 million as of June. Much of the decline was in the Midwest. Between 1990 and 2019, employment in the Midwest's manufacturing industry fell by over 1 million, or about 21%.

Various factors, including automation and globalization, have driven the decline, and many workers who lost their jobs struggled to find work in the aftermath. However, Davis said workers who are displaced by AI should have a better chance of avoiding the same fate. It comes down to when  and where  AI job losses are likely to materialize.

To be sure, there is significant disagreement among experts about what the AI future will mean for US workers. But some say looking at previous disruptions to the labor market could provide some insight into what lies ahead.

AI job displacement will be less concentrated than the loss of manufacturing jobs

Some level of job loss is inevitable in the US economy  whether it be due to a recession, automation, or some other factor. In June, over 1.4 million Americans were laid off or discharged, among the lowest monthly figures over the past two decades. But when a person loses their job and can't find a new one, a temporary setback can end up having a lasting impact on their finances.

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Therefore, when one weighs the impacts of the coming AI boom, Davis said it's wise to consider not only how many jobs it could displace  which happens to be extremely difficult to forecast  and focus on a more manageable question: How hard of a time will any displaced workers have finding new roles?

Davis said there are several reasons workers who are displaced by AI should have an easier time finding work than many manufacturing workers of the past.

First, when manufacturing jobs have been lost, it's often happened in bunches. A factory closed or a recession led to widespread cuts  Davis said economic downturns have historically hit the manufacturing industry "especially hard."

Not only have many manufacturing workers experienced job losses around the same time, but they've also tended to be clustered geographically around large manufacturing facilities, Davis said. This created situations where a large number of laid-off manufacturing workers with similar skills were looking for jobs at the same time in the same area  and there often just wasn't enough work to go around.

"If you enter the market or you need to find a new job in a recession, it's typically harder, not just because there's less hiring going on but because there are lots of other people looking for jobs at the same time," Davis said.

However, job losses in most industries, including those expected to be impacted by AI, are less likely to happen at the same time and in the same area, Davis said. So even if AI displaces some jobs, he expects workers to be in a better position to find a new role.

Additionally, to the extent workers displaced by AI are concentrated geographically, Davis said they're more likely to be in densely populated areas like cities. Impacted workers in cities would be more likely to have job opportunities than workers where manufacturing jobs were concentrated, which often were in the Midwest.

Secondly, the rise of remote work has also led many companies' workforces to be more geographically dispersed than they used to be. So even if a company replaced many of its workers with AI, these people would be less likely to compete with each other as they looked for new jobs.

"For the people who lose their jobs, at least many of them are not in a local labor market that's being hit by a wave of job losses from a single company or a single industry," Davis said. He added that remote working arrangements could also expand job opportunities for impacted workers  they wouldn't only have to apply for jobs in their local areas.

In June, about 24% of full-time US workers age 16 and older worked from home at least some of the time, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics  11% were remote for all their working hours.

Widespread AI job displacement won't happen for at least a decade

While Davis is uncertain about the timing and scale of AI job displacement, he said he doesn't expect AI to drive major job losses over the next decade.

"I think AI is a potentially revolutionary technology, but it's one thing to develop the technology itself," Davis said. "To actually commercialize it at scale takes a long time typically, and we'll run into political resistance and policy resistance that will also slow down the process."

Experts have raised concerns about AI's potential to produce misinformation, violate copyright law, and even lead to human extinction. Congress has yet to pass comprehensive regulation related to AI, but President Joe Biden signed an executive order last year that included safety standards for AI researchers to follow.

Davis said that historically, it's taken decades for new technologies to be adopted across the entire economy. He pointed to electrification, the microprocessor, and the steam engine as past examples.

While there's been speculation that underlying AI technologies could improve faster than previous technologies, Davis said he thinks adopting them at scale will remain a challenge.

He isn't alone in his skepticism. Jim Covello, Goldman Sachs' head of global equity research, expressed a similar sentiment during a "Goldman Sachs Exchanges" podcast released on July 16.

"We're a couple of years into this, and there's not a single thing that this is being used for that's cost-effective at this point," he said of AI technology. "I think there's an unbelievable misunderstanding of what the technology can do today. The problems that it can solve aren't big problems."

What's more, Davis said there's also plenty of potential for AI to create jobs, adding that the early evidence suggests this tech isn't displacing jobs  but simply changing them.

"It's different than introducing a bunch of robots into a manufacturing plant and saying we don't need the workers anymore," he said. "That may eventually happen with AI, but that's not the main way it's been playing out so far."

However, in the decades ahead, Davis said it's possible that AI could lead to wider job displacement. He mentioned customer service agents as one profession that could be particularly vulnerable.

"The big question is does it happen gradually over time, in which case it would be relatively easy to accommodate," he said.

Have you lost your job due to AI? Have you used AI tools to save time at work? Share your experience with this reporter at jzinkula@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
It was smooth sailing for ocean transportation specialist Zim Integrated Shipping Services (NYSE: ZIM) stock over the past five trading days. An analyst's substantial price target increase helped boost investor sentiment on the company, even if that pundit remained generally bearish on its prospects. At the close of the trading week, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, Zim's stock price had risen by almost 12%.

A hefty price target hike... but no recommendation change

The raise came from Bank of America Securities' Muneeba Kayani. On Tuesday, the London-based analyst pushed her Zim price target into double-digit territory at $12.20, well up from her former level of $9.20. Despite that, she maintained her underperform (sell, in other words) recommendation on the shipping company.

The persistent unrest in the Middle East has affected the operations and performance of ocean shippers. Kayani pointed out that this hasn't necessarily been detrimental to Zim, however.

In her view, the disruption in the troubled region has resulted in higher rates for freight shipping, which is directly affecting the company's fundamentals.

Calmer seas ahead for Zim?

Because of this, the prognosticator has lifted her estimates for Zim's second quarter and second half of 2024. As for the full year, Kayani went as far as to raise her forecast for the company's non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) by 44% to $2.2 billion. Although this is broadly in line with the general analyst consensus, it well exceeds management's guidance of $1.15 billion to $1.55 billion.

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Why Zim Integrated Shipping Stock Cruised Nearly 12% Higher This Week was originally published by The Motley Fool
Young musicians treat Wrexham care home residents to concert fit for a king

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Aug 3rd, 2024

A talented young harpist swapped Buckingham Palace for a concert fit for a king at a care organisation.

Bethan Conway was joined by flautist Charlotte Thomas for a series of performances at Pendine Park in Wrexham.

The pair are long-standing members of NEW Sinfonia, the flagship orchestra of North Wales which has struck up a new partnership with Pendine.

The concert was arranged as a token of thanks for the backing which NEW Sinfonia has received from the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports a host of cultural and community activities in North Wales.

Among events PACT has sponsored is the inaugural Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition at this years North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral.

Theyre also supporting the world premiere of a new opera to mark the 90th anniversary of the Gresford Disaster which claimed the lives of 266 men and boys.

The music for the opera was composed Jonathan Guy, from Wrexham, who co-founded NEW Sinfonia with his brother, conductor Robert Guy, with the words being written by poet Grahame Davies, from Coedpoeth.

Pendine has a particularly poignant reason for sponsoring the premiere of the new work, Gresford: Up from Underground, on Thursday, September 12.

The opera was co-commissioned by the festivals Artistic Director, the royal composer, Paul Mealor, from Connahs Quay, and NEW Sinfonia, with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

They cared for the tragedys last survivor, Albert Rowlands, who passed away in 2020. He was a 15 year old lamp boy at the colliery at the time and his father, John, was among those who perished on that tragic day.

The new opera will also be performed at St Giless Church, in Wrexham, between September 19 to 22 as part of the Remembering Gresford Festival.

Among the pieces Bethan and Charlotte performed at Pendine was Gresford. also known as the Miners Hymn which the residents sang along to.

It was written by Tyneside miner Robert Saint in 1936, two years after the September 1934 Gresford disaster.

As well as the performance at Bryn Bella, Bethan and Charlotte also delivered music sessions at Highfield home in Summerhill, and at Pendine Parks two sister homes Hillbury and Gwen Alyn in Hillbury Road, Wrexham

Bryn Bella resident Carole Ball said the two instrumentalists were wonderful and she was not surprised Bethan had played for Royalty.

She said: They play so harmoniously together it is a real pleasure to listen to them. When they played the Welsh Lullaby it sent me into my own little day dream. I hope they come back again very soon and perform some more.

Bethan can boast a Royal seal of approval for her beautiful playing style. A highlight of her career to date was performing for King Charles when he was then Prince Charles during his annual presidents visit to the Royal College of Music (RCM) in 2020.

Charlotte also has an impressive record, having played in the BBC Proms orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, watched by millions of TV viewers around the globe. She has also worked with Welsh National Opera.

Bethan said: It has been a great project for us. Its always a pleasure engaging with the residents at Pendine, they have some fascinating stories to tell and are always keen to hear about our latest music projects.

NEW Sinfonia conductor Robert said: We really value our friendship with Pendine Park. Mario and Gill have done so much to champion musicians and the creative arts generally in North Wales over recent years through PACT.

We felt it was time we did something in return to show how much we appreciate their support. The best way to do that was by doing what we love  making music.

I knew Bethan and Charlotte would be the perfect pairing to share our music with Pendine residents. They are amazing and have such a natural personable way of interacting with their audiences.

I would also like to thank the Arts Council of Wales whose invaluable support has made the Remembering Gresford project happen, including the performances at the North Wales International Music Festival, Pendine and Gresford.

Fellow resident Sandra Swift said: We all thoroughly enjoyed meeting Bethan and Charlotte and hearing such lovely music. On behalf of all the residents I want to thank them for coming to visit us, its been a real pleasure.

Tickets and further details about the festival programme are available online at http://www.nwimf.com. Tickets are also available from Cathedral Frames, St Asaph  01745 582929 (Weds  Fri, 10  4) and Theatr Clwyd by phone  01352 344101 (Mon  Sat, 10  6).
The US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine has devastated the population of Ukraine, while providing ample opportunities for profit for giant US arms manufacturers and the billionaires who invest in them. One of those playing a leading role in the coining of mass death into corporate profit is Chicago billionaire Penny Pritzker, who was US secretary of commerce in the Obama administration and was named last year by President Joe Biden as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraines Economic Recovery.

Pritzker and her brother J. B. Pritzker, governor of Illinois and on the short-list being vetted as a possible Democratic running mate for Kamala Harris, are both billionaire heirs in the Hyatt Hotels dynasty founded by their uncles Jay and Robert Pritzker and their father Donald Pritzker. The combined net worth of the family is estimated at more than $30 billion.

While the Pritzker billions came initially from Hyatt Hotels, a chain with one of the worst records of labor abuses in an industry known for its brutal working conditions, the family holdings have diversified greatly into Royal Caribbean Cruises, engineered equipment manufacturing in the Marmon Group conglomerate (sold in 2013 to Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway holding company), as well as banking, real estate and technology investments.

The Pritzker familys origins as Jewish immigrants from Ukraine, who fled Tsarist repression and antisemitism in 1881, has not stopped the current generation of Pritzkers from making common cause with the modern-day Ukrainian neo-Nazis, who provide the main base of support for the right-wing regime of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Neither the Pritzkers, nor Zelensky himself, who is also Jewish, have opposed the cult of Stepan Bandera, the Ukrainian nationalist, antisemite and Nazi collaborator who recruited and led Ukrainian military forces that fought alongside the Wehrmacht in World War II and participated in some of the worst atrocities of the Holocaust. Bandera has been celebrated as a national hero by the current regime in Kiev and is the patron saint of neo-Nazi groups like the notorious Azov Battalion.

Penny Pritzker, Obama and Ukraine

Earlier this year, Penny Pritzker spoke at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in support of the bipartisan war funding bill totaling more than $90 billion. The funding expanded the war in Ukraine into Russia directly, escalated conflict in the Middle East, including the genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza, and advanced plans for military conflict with China.



Pritzker was appointed last September by President Joe Biden to act as the US Special Representative for Ukraines Economic Recovery. In this role, Pritzker oversees the reconstruction of a country that has seen more than 500,000 killed and an estimated 14 million displaced through emigration. The war has caused more than $150 billion in losses to infrastructure, and the World Bank is calling for a rebuilding fund of $486 billion.

Pritzker has played a leading role over the last 10 years in selling the war in Ukraine and, in so doing, selling off the countrys assets. She has drummed up support within the US and European ruling classes for astronomical levels of investment into expanding the war, as well as winning the peaceputting the countrys industry up for sale and deregulating the economy to make it as friendly as possible to exploitation by megacorporations.

Penny Pritzker rose from the business world to political prominence as a fundraiser for then Senator Barack Obama, raising a reported $750 million for his 2008 presidential election campaign. After winning reelection in 2012, Obama then named her secretary of commerce for his second term (2013-2017), and de facto liaison between his administration and the corporate oligarchs who are the real masters of the United States.

Pritzker speaking before the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, February 14, 2024 [Photo: CCG]

Pritzker was in Obamas cabinet during the 2013-2014 US operation (given the grandiose title the Maidan Revolution) in which CIA-backed neo-Nazis spearheaded the ouster of Ukraines elected pro-Russian president and his replacement by Petro Poroshenko, himself a prominent Ukrainian oligarch.

She later boasted to Foreign Policy magazine that she had said to Poroshenko, Lets not waste a good crisis, paraphrasing Chicago mayor and former Obama White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. At that time, she made clear this meant for Ukraine changes in government that served the needs of banks and big business, with an emphasis on producing for export.

At the Chicago Council on Global Affairs event in February, Pritzker was introduced by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of Americas Marta Farion, who said, She has the power to change lives.

Pritzker declared, All of us here want to see Ukraine become a sovereign, prosperous state, anchored in the EU and global markets. We know Ukraines security  its Euro-Atlantic path, is essential to our security, to the worlds stability, and to the future of democracy. The future of not only our world order but our way of life runs right through Ukraine and its success in beating Putin.

She continued, Eighty-four percent of American companies in Ukraine are up and running McDonalds added 10 percent more stores and served over 100 million Ukrainians in 2023 Palantir is using AI to accelerate de-mining Bank of America is looking to build technical capacity, capital markets and debt management. The list goes on and on.



Infrastructure development for market access and increased exports, as well as risk management and war risk insurance tools. Steel plants in Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Kryvyi Rih have almost doubled production in the past four months. Black Sea ports are bringing 8.7 million metric tons of Ukrainian wheat to global markets in January alone, in striking distance of pre-war export levels.



Giant US companies investing in Ukraine, she claimed, are doing this because they are principled organizations that know its the right thing to do. That stability of Europe is at stake. That our democratic order depends on Ukraine winning the war.

War is good for business, and for imperialism

Pritzker has emphasized the value of the investment made by US imperialism in Ukraine, not just in terms of profits, but military capability. Were getting more than were giving is the pitch. She said on a recent podcast, Military dollars that we give basically come right back into 117 production lines in 31 states in the US. Howitzers in Minnesota, Bradleys in Alabama, Himars in New Jersey The Ukrainian people are defending their sovereignty, but theyre also defending global security and democracy. In June, the US Army awarded Lockheed Martin $1.9 billion to build 228 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) to be completed by May 2028.



But most provocative was Pritzkers claim that the destruction and loss in Ukrainian lives are the cost of modernizing the USs defense industrial base, sacrifices made in pursuit of a free market economy. War was good for American capitalism, and for capitalism in Ukraine as well:



Some of the best-loved supporters of Ukraine are American defense companies. It is defense systems made here in America: Patriot systems in Arkansas, artillery shells made in Pennsylvania, Abrams tanks made in Ohio protecting the lives of Ukraines sons and daughters on the battlefield. We help Ukraine defend itself, and they help us modernize our defense industrial base here at home, she said.



Referring to economic and political reforms Ukraine committed to last year, Pritzker said, Kiev must keep this momentum going. Ukraines victory, its legacy and history will be determined not by how it wins the war, but how it wins the peace. Ukraines people crave a clean, economic, Western-oriented economy. Its soldiers are fighting and dying for it.

At Davos earlier this year, Pritzker organized meetings between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and top executives from major transnational banks and corporations including JPMorgan Chases Jamie Dimon, BlackRocks Philip Hildebrand, Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio, David Rubinstein, the co-founder of private equity firm Carlyle Group, ArcelorMittals Lakshmi Mittal, Michael Dell of Dell Computer Corporation, Blackstone Groups Stephen Schwartzman and the Australian mining and ranching magnate Andrew Forrest.

Pritzker told this audience of billionaires, Everyone sees the opportunity and I actually have been encouraged by the private sectors interest in trying to sort this out. It requires some law changes in Ukraine. It requires some government partnership with the private sector and then it requires the private sector to function.

The Pritzker dynasty and neocolonial plunder

The organization of the plunder of Ukraine, presented as rebuilding and winning the peace in the wake of destruction of the war provoked by the US and NATO, has an openly neocolonial character.

The benefits of these lavish war contracts accrue not just to corporate America in general, but to the Pritzker family itself. According to a 2023 report in Lloyds, The Pritzker Organization (TPO), led by Pennys first cousin Thomas Pritzker, made a growth equity investment into Palantir, the technology company led by fascist Peter Thiel.

In March, Palantir won a $178.4 million contract with the US Army for a mobile battlefield intelligence system, housed inside a large truck. The technology promises to unite the efforts of Northrop Grumman, Anduril Industries, L3Harris Technologies, Pacific Defense, SNC, Strategic Technology Consulting and World Wide Technology, along with the battlefield AI operations of Palantir.

The Pritzker family has reaped the spoils of the neocolonial war on terror in other countries. In the course of the imperialist 2008 Basra offensive, US-backed British forces suppressed the Mahdi Army, a nationalist militia, and opened up control of the oil and gas fields in the southern region of Iraq to transnational conglomerates.



Among those was Thomas Pritzkers family merchant bank, The Pritzker Organization. In 2011, Thomas Pritzker established North America Western Asia Holdings (NAWAH), based in the US, to develop opportunities in the war-ravaged region. Among other things, NAWAH focused on cargo handling at the Iraqi port of Maqal in the city of Basra, at the head of the Persian Gulf. The company controlled shipments of all oil and gas components in the area, later expanding its berths and shipments to include food and consumer goods.

In establishing NAWAH, Thomas Pritzker worked directly with the US Department of Defense. The deputy undersecretary of defense and director of the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations in Iraq, Paul Brinkley, would go on to serve as NAWAHs chief executive officer, with Pritzker as chairman.

Brinkley told Bloomberg News that NAWAH would invest in Iraqi companies while advising clients looking to do business in the country and throughout North Africa and Central Asia. Bloomberg also reported at the time that it was Brinkley who persuaded Pritzker to make multiple trips to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Speaking on the period just prior to his exit from the US Department of Defense, Brinkley explained his role attracting investors to countries near-totally destroyed by the USs criminal war:

[Recruitment] was the easiest part of my job. I have yet to find that I cant take an American businessman, ideally in his mid-forties, going through a raging midlife crisis, take this guy to a war zone, show him around with our troops, and then put him in front of a general. All the general needs to say is, I need you to help. The hit rate, my success rate, on that model is extremely high.

CSIS and US strategy towards Russia

After founding NAWAH, Thomas Pritzker was appointed to executive leadership at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in 2015, a think tank of military strategy and imperial plunder. As the WSWS has previously reported, CSIS is a conduit for the military-intelligence apparatus into higher education and business.

On its board sit executives of military contractors including Brendan Bechtel, Phoebe Novakovic (General Dynamics), W. James McNerney (Boeing), investment banker Ray Dalio, Darren Woods (ExxonMobil), Thomas Nides (Blackstone) and Kenneth Langone (Home Depot, Invemed), among other leading capitalists and figures within the US Defense Department and Central Intelligence Agency, including Leon Panetta.

Leading members of and individuals influential within the Illinois Democratic Party sit on the board of CSIS as well, including William Daley (investment banker, former secretary of commerce under Bill Clinton and long-time Democratic Party operative) and son of Mayor Richard J. Daley, Mellody Hobson (Ariel Investments and chairwoman of Starbucks) and Lester Crown (of the multi-billionaire Crown family).

In a 2016 report The Kremlin Playbook, Heather Conley of CSIS argued that a major problem faced by the imperialist governments was that the expansion of NATO in the period after the dissolution of the USSR did not draw the former Eastern bloc countries sufficiently closer to the US and European imperialist powers, and economically isolate Russia.

Conley wrote, Russian funding and support has seemingly contributed to the rise of political forces that seek to undermine the Euro-Atlantic orientation of these [European] countries and foster greater support for Russian policies. Although it is difficult to prove a causal relationship between activities that occur in the shadows, this is the pattern that we observe and encourage our readers to draw their own conclusions.



Far from analyzing this process as an example of the decline of American and western capitalism, the CSIS author proceeded with the end in mind of the direct assertion by the US of economic and political influence in the former eastern bloc, with diminished emphasis on formal NATO membership and open conflict with Russia.

The report identifies several European countries problematic economic relationship with Russia, including Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic and Romania. The second part of the Kremlin Playbook report asserts a direct conflict between EU-Russian partnerships and US national security interests: Russian malign economic influence and illicit finance operate in a financial gray zone that is a clear and present danger to U.S. national security as well as transatlantic security [emphasis added].

Chicago Democrats partner with Banderites

There is a sickening historical irony in the Pritzker familys role in the neocolonial war for US control of Ukraine. As noted in an October 2015 US Commerce Department report on Penny Pritzkers visit to Ukraine as Commerce Secretary, she stopped at the market square in Kiev where her great-grandfather led a grain wholesaling business.

UCCA-Illinois Facebook advertisement for an October 2022 memorial service for Stepan Bandera. The event invitation reads: We call on the Ukrainian community to take part in the memorial service in memory of the death of Stepan Bandera.

The town outside of Kiev, Bila Tsirkva, where the Pritzker family is reported to have lived in the 19th century, before emigrating to the US to escape the violence and terror of anti-Jewish pogroms, was in 1941 the site of horrific massacres by the Nazi Einsatzgruppen supported by the OUN, the political organization of Stepan Bandera.

Even before the Nazi invasion of the USSR began, on June 22, 1941, Bandera met with Nazi leaders to discuss terms of collaboration between the German army and the militants under his leadership. The Nazis in that year carried out some of the worst crimes of the 20th century in that region, including the murder of more than 33,000 Jews at Babi Yar. This was followed by an infamous massacre of Jewish children and infants at Bila Tsirkva. These extermination campaigns were carried out with the support of both factions of the OUN, OUN-B and the OUN-M.

As documented in Saul Friedlanders The Years of Extermination, the Bila Tsirkva massacre is one of the few on record in which German soldiers balked. Wehrmacht chaplains wrote to Berlin for relief from the mass killing orders, as they faced opposition from some soldiers reluctant to carry out orders to exterminate the remaining young children. The response from Berlin to the chaplains appeal was to order the massacre be carried out immediately and the appeal resulted in just a few days delay. The murders were carried out by Ukrainian auxiliaries drawn from the UPA and OUN. [ 1 ]



The Banderite fascists who were the shock troops of German imperialism of the 20th century now serve the American imperialists in the 21st, both in military operations and domestic repression in Ukraine, and as political propagandists within the United States itself.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs event last February, where Penny Pritzker delivered her appeal to business leaders to support war funding and to invest in the country, was sponsored by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America-Illinois Division (UCCA), an organization led by followers of Bandera.

The UCCA in Illinois has also hosted Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin at its offices on West Chicago Avenue in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood.

UCCA-Illinois Vice President Pavel Bandriwsky meets with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin in 2022. [Photo: UCCA]

During her presentation in Chicago, Penny Pritzker asserted that the Banderites leading the UCCA represent broad public sentiments, noting, Just a few miles from here at the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Bloomingdale. The towns citizens have created the first monument outside Europe dedicated to the Heavenly Hundred, veterans of the 2014 coup. The monument was erected in 2015 and marked with a celebration each year on October 8. Indeed, this church is also the site of UCCA celebrations of the UPA and OUN in World War II.

UCCA-Illinois and Ukrainian Consulate celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army with the OUN and UPA insignia at St. Andrews in Bloomingdale, Illinois. [Photo: UCCA]

OUN leader Osip Dyakiv wrote on the fundamental unity of the UPA and OUN: [I]n the fire of direct struggle, in the midst of partisan weekdays and holidays, in the midst of the joy of joint victories and the sadness of failures, in the midst of the sacrifices that both the UPA and the OUN have to make in equal measure, there is an ideological-political unity that can never be broken by anyone, as quoted in the Almanac of the Society of the Veterans of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, Book 3, 2000-2015 (2018).

The UCCA serves the interests of imperialism, advancing their violently anti-Russian and ethnonationalist politics, with some expectation of becoming direct beneficiaries of the spoils of the war. This is what the emphasis on repatriation and return of emigres alludes to, and certainly does not signify any guarantees of the social rights of the working class in that country.

More than 30,000 Ukrainian refugees have been settled, if only temporarily, in the Chicagoland area through the US State Departments Uniting Ukraine parole program, providing work permits, sponsor families, and some basic benefits, receiving very different treatment than the tens of thousands of mostly Venezuelan migrant families have received who arrived in the state. In Chicago as in Kiev, the far right are relied upon to intimidate and silence the enormous opposition of workers and youth to the war, who overwhelmingly wish to see peace.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, center, speaks as Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, left, and U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker listen at a news conference in Chicago, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. [AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh]

This continuing alliance, the devils bargain between wealthy Chicago Jewish Democrats and the descendants of Ukrainian neo-Nazis, was on display again in April. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal appeared in Chicago as part of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The prime minister was joined by Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker and his sister Penny Pritzker.

In keeping with the ethno-nationalism of the Kiev regime, Shmyhal at several points in his Chicago appearances emphasized the need for repatriation of not only Ukrainian emigres but the diaspora of Ukrainian-American immigrants who have lived in the US for generations.



We have to win this war. Thats only half of the battle. We are facing enormous challengesdemographic, primarily. It seems to me that no country in modern history since World War II, and maybe even in World War II, has suffered such losses. This challenge does not have a simple answer. We all have to work on this together. This is the next battle after we win this war. We will fight for our demographics, Shmyhal said.

In underscoring the importance of the Ukrainian refugees and the diaspora to the rebuilding of the nation, Shmyhal admits to the colossal destruction wrought by the US-NATO- instigated war. But there is another aspect of references to a fight for demographics in light of the violent, ethnonationalist politics of leading layers in the Ukrainian government and militant fascist organizations like Azov battalion and Right Sector, who have been integrated into the state institutions.

Conclusion

In sharp contrast to official claims that the US-NATO war in Ukraine aims to defend democracy, Ukraine exists under martial law, with elections suspended and left-wing and socialist parties prohibited. Last April, Bogdan Syrotiuk, the 25-year-old Ukrainian leader in the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists, was arrested and imprisoned under the false allegation that he supports the Putin government. Syrotiuk is being threatened with a sentence of 15 years to life. And since June the state security service, in consultation with the Biden administration, has made the World Socialist Web Site illegal in Ukraine.

The Democratic Party leadership in Illinois plays a central role in this area of the imperialist redivision of the globe through war and plunder. The extent of its collaboration with fascist parties and figures both abroad and at home are direct indications of the enormity of its crimes now and those being prepared in the future. In the US and Canada as in Ukraine, the Banderites and other far-right forces are partnered with the state in supporting capitalist exploitation and war, as widening sections of the population come into struggle against them.



While the genocide of the Palestinians of Gaza is being conducted in full view of the world, and the nationalist mythology of Zionism stands exposed as the ideological and political basis of that crime, the war in Ukraine by contrast remains partly veiled by official propaganda and lies.

But not for long. The open degeneration and rot of the US political establishmenta Democratic Party openly supporting the Israeli genocide with funding and weapons, defending it from public criticism and protest via police crackdowns and a fraudulent campaign to brand opposition to ethnic cleansing as antisemitic, a Republican Party that is fascist in all but namehas contributed to the exposure of any claims by the US government to be acting in the service of democracy or freedom as utterly fraudulent.

The real nature of imperialism was already described by Lenin in 1915. In politically defining the First World War, Lenin wrote in the draft resolution of the left wing at the Zimmerwald conference a powerfully contemporary description of the war being waged in Ukraine today:

With both groups of belligerents, this war is a war of slaveholders, and is designed to preserve and extend slavery; it is a war for the repartitioning of colonies, for the right to oppress other nations, for privileges and monopolies for Great-Power capital, and for the perpetuation of wage slavery by splitting up the workers of the different countries and crushing them through reaction. [ 2 ]

In developing the Marxist analysis of the imperialist epoch, Lenin demonstrated that imperialism is not simply a policy of the capitalist class, but represented a new and final stage in the development of capitalism characterized by moral and political decay, economic parasitism and reaction all along the line, in which monopolies displace free competition and finance capital dominates over industrial capital, and in which the world is completely divided up among the imperialist powers and must be redivided by war.

This is the perspective that has been criminalized by the Zelensky regime in close consultation with the Biden administration, in arresting leading young Trotskyist Bogdan Syrotiuk and banning the World Socialist Web Site in Ukraine.
American imperialism will be bolstering its force protection in the Middle East in the coming days with the deployment of additional warplanes and ships to the region. The move, coming in the aftermath of Israels targeted assassinations of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, will ratchet up tensions with Iran and continue the spiral towards a region-wide war.

An F/A-18 Super Hornet launches off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt on July 5, 2024. The Roosevelt is replacing the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Navy's campaign against the Houthis who have been targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor over the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip [AP Photo/Seaman Aaron Haro Gonzalez]

The deployment was discussed in a call between US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant Friday morning, according to the New York Times. A Pentagon statement confirmed that Austin ordered the deployment of a fighter squadron to bases in the Middle East, which are within striking distance of Iran. Washington is moving more ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the US European and Central Command areas. The Pentagon statement continued, The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense.

White House spokeswoman Sabrina Singh indicated that the deployment could be large when she acknowledged that additional soldiers may be required in the Middle East to operate the aircraft. We will be bolstering our force protection in the region, she told reporters.

Washington is already maintaining a strong naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. The Washington Post, citing an anonymous source in the defence establishment, reported Thursday that 12 US warships have been assembled close by following Israels twin assassinations in Beirut and Tehran earlier in the week. The build-up is led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, which was accompanied in the Persian Gulf Wednesday by six destroyers. Three amphibious ships making up the Wasp Task Force, which also includes 4,000 marines, were present in the eastern Mediterranean. The task force was supported by two destroyers.

A flurry of calls between representatives of the Israeli government and the imperialist powers Thursday and Friday underscored that the major military build-up is a coordinated action. US President Joseph Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday, vowing that the US would support Israel in a war with Iran. The White House readout declared that Biden, who was joined on the call by Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, reaffirmed his commitment to Israels security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. The President discussed efforts to support Israels defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments.

Just hours later, the call took place between Austin and Gallant Friday morning, before Gallant consulted with his British counterpart, Labours John Healy. I emphasized the importance of creating a coalition to defend Israel against Iran and its proxiesespecially these days, Gallant wrote after the call. This was an echo of Netanyahus appeal during his address to the US Congress for the creation of an Abraham alliance in the region consisting of the US, Israel and Arab Gulf states to confront Iran. Netanyahu explicitly referred to NATO as his model for this alliance to emphasize its aggressive character.

In another indication that the prospect of war in the Middle East rests on a knifes edge, Frances Foreign Ministry urged its nationals to leave Iran as soon as possible. Turkish Airlines cancelled all planned flights to Iran Friday evening, saying they would resume Saturday.

The attempt by the White House and pliant corporate media to characterise the new US military deployments as defensive, while portraying Biden as committed to deescalation is absurd. Bidens reported urging of Netanyahu to finalise a ceasefire agreement for Gaza has nothing to do with a commitment to peace or improving the miserable lot of Gazas starving population but reflects concern within US ruling circles about waging a war on two or more fronts.

The most aggressive and predatory force in the entire Middle East is American imperialism, which has fully endorsed Israels genocide in Gaza as a means to set the stage for a region-wide war targeting Iran. While it remains unclear whether Washington was directly involved in the targeted assassination of Haniyeh, there is no doubt that a massive military expansion of the conflict was a major topic of discussion during Netanyahus visit to Washington, and that he received reassurances from Biden and Harris that the US would back Israel all the way.

The Israeli Prime Minister received rapturous rounds of applause from his bipartisan congressional audience for his denunciations of Iran and appeal for the US and Israel to lead a regional war. After Harris met Netanyahu behind closed doors, she began her briefing to the media by stating, So, I just had a frank and constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. I told him that I will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself, including from Iran and Iran-backed militias, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

The targeted killing of Haniyeh, a long-time Hamas leader who was elected at the top of the partys list when Hamas won a landslide victory in the 2006 election in the Palestinian territories, has provoked outrage across the Middle East. Tens of thousands of people participated in protests against Haniyehs assassination in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Yemen Friday. Haniyeh was an official guest of the bourgeois-clerical Iranian regime at the ceremony for newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran when he was killed by a missile strike on the house where he was residing.

None of the imperialist powers condemned the Zionist regimes criminal action, instead issuing demands that Iran not retaliate and pledges to support Israel. This response was clearly intended to send a message to Pezeshkian and the faction of the Iranian regime that supports reaching some sort of accommodation with the imperialist powers: only complete capitulation to American imperialism will be tolerated, and the alternative is war.

Israels regime of war criminals has felt emboldened by this show of support to continue its slaughter of the Palestinians. On Wednesday, Israel conducted a targeted strike in Gaza City on the vehicle of Al Jazeera journalist Ismail al-Ghoul and his cameraman, Rami al-Rifi, killing both. Al-Ghouls reports, primarily from northern Gaza, were popular among Arab audiences. He was wearing a press vest when he was killed. Conservative estimates put the number of journalists killed by Israel since its genocidal onslaught began at 113.

The silence on such acts of lawlessness from the political representatives of the North American and European imperialist powers and their media accomplices goes hand in hand with their reckless escalation towards a third world war. As Washington, London and Berlin back Israels final solution of the Palestinian question, endorse its targeted assassination of political opponents, and prepare for war with Iran, they are waging a direct war with Russia in Ukraine in all but name that has claimed the lives of at least 500,000 Ukrainians and tens of thousands of Russians. The imperialists have made clear that nothing, including the threat of the conflict spiralling into a nuclear exchange, which would endanger human life on the planet, will stop them from pursuing their economic and geopolitical interests through war.

As American imperialism intensifies its preparations to wage war alongside Israel against Iran, everything depends on the independent political mobilisation of the international working class. The only way to stop a catastrophic bloodbath throughout the Middle East is through the building of a global anti-war movement led by the working class. To stop imperialist war, this movement must conduct a fight against its root cause in the capitalist profit system by adopting a socialist and internationalist programme.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Manila on July 30, for talks, known as the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, with their counterparts, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Secretary for National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. It was the first such meeting held in the Philippines.

From left: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro hold a joint news conference in Manila, July 30, 2024. [AP Photo/Basilio Sepe]

Significantly, the talks were held at Camp Aguinaldo, the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Behind the stock phrases brought out by Washington for such events in its former colonyironclad commitment, robust alliance, and historic tieswere active preparations for war with China.

At a joint press conference, Blinken announced that the US would be providing $US500 million in additional military funding for the Philippines to boost security collaboration. He termed the money a once-in-a-generation investment for the Philippine Armed Forces and Coast Guard.

The funding will be supplied by the US as Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and will be spent according to a plan, the Philippines-Security Sector Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR), that was completed during the 2+2 meetings. Details of the roadmap have not been made public. The meeting also committed to concluding an intelligence sharing agreement, a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), by the end of 2024.

Austin visited Subic Bay, once a vital US naval base, the military chief of Washington touring its former possessions. Subic remains a critical port, with direct access to the South China Sea and the capacity to dock aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines.

According to a report published in Naval News, the Philippines is moving to create a new base at Subic, at the old US Naval Air Station Cubi Point, for the deployment of reconnaissance and attack aircraft in the South China Sea. Subic is already used for military purposes, including the delivery of US military equipment during joint exercises. The ongoing construction includes the creation of a dedicated drone and maritime patrol base at Subic.

All of these facilities will doubtless be directly used by the US military. Under the terms of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the United States has the ability to rotationally deploy, i.e., base, troops and equipment at an unlimited number of locations throughout the country.

In the July 30 joint press conference, Blinken announced that the US was doubling its investments in EDCA facilities. This expanded investment in the basing of US forces in the Philippines was separate from the $US500 million in aid pledged to the Philippine military.

The US now operates nine EDCA facilities, including three in the far northern Philippines, just over 200 miles across the Bashi channel from Taiwan.

Under the terms of EDCA, the US Marine Corps began operating MQ-9A Reaper Drones out of Basa Air Base in Pampanga in Central Luzon. During sharp tensions and direct confrontations between Philippine and Chinese Coast guard vessels in the South China Sea over the past several months, the US military flew Reaper drones to provide vital logistical support, according to a Marine Corps press release that was subsequently taken down from the US Department of Defense website.

The US is currently renovating the Basa Air Base for its own use to house 20 aircraft and operate a command and control center.

The 2+2 summit comes amidst sharp tensions between the Philippines and China, stoked behind the scenes by Washington.

In 1999, the Philippines deliberately grounded the BRP Sierra Madre, a former US vessel, on the Second Thomas Shoal, transforming it into a rusty facility atop a collection of partially submerged rocks on which they could base a handful of Filipino soldiers in the South China Sea on the cheap.

A Philippine resupply mission to the Sierra Madre in June led to a dangerous confrontation between Philippine and Chinese Coast Guard vessels, that Manila described an intentional, high-speed ramming. A Filipino sailor was reported to have lost a finger in the collision.

On July 21, the Philippines and China announced that they had reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for future resupply missions to the Sierra Madre on the Second Thomas Shoal. The deal was termed a temporary arrangement arrived at out of the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson explained that Chinas position is that the Philippines needs to remove the Sierra Madre from the Second Thomas Shoal, but added, If the Philippines needs to provide supplies to the ships occupants before the Philippines tows away the beached warship, the Chinese side is willing to allow the Philippine side to carry out the transportation and replenishment on humanitarian grounds. If the Philippines transports a large amount of building materials to the ship and tries to build fixed facilities and permanent outposts, China will never accept it and will resolutely block it in accordance with laws and regulations, so as to safeguard Chinas sovereignty.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told the press that the US would do what is necessary, to ensure the Philippines continued its resupply missions to the Sierra Madre. Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano insisted that the resupplies would remain a pure Philippine operation There is no need at this time for any direct involvement of US forces.

The protestations by Ano are false. The confrontational resupply missions were conducted with vital logistical support provided by US flown Reaper drones.

On July 27, a Philippine civilian vessel, escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard, successfully resupplied the Sierra Madre without confrontation, the first such mission since the provisional agreement was concluded. China announced that it supervised the process from a reasonable distance.

While the text of the provisional arrangement has not been released, it seems that there is no timeline for the removal of the Sierra Madre from the Second Thomas Shoal. Moreover, any attempt the Philippines to engage in construction or expansion of its facilities there would quickly destabilize the new status quo.

In the press conference with Blinken and Austin, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo told the press that the medium range missiles deployed by Washington to the Philippines were meant for our own defensive capabilities.

Previously Manila had claimed that the US missiles had been deployed to the Philippines temporarily for military exercises in April and would be removed from the country shortly after their conclusion. Manalos statement, and his claim that the missiles would not lead to an arms race with China, strongly suggest that the medium-range missile deployment is intended to be permanent.

In a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Blinken referred to the 2+2 Ministerial meeting as evidence of a steady drumbreat between the two countries. It is an unintentionally apt metaphor. Washington is beating the drums of war.

During Blinken and Austins visit, French fighter jets for the first time landed on Philippine soil and conducted joint operations from Clark Airbase with the Philippine air force to demonstrate Frances commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. This is the patented rhetoric of the United States for preparations for war with China. As Blinken and Austin departed, US combat ships and Philippine naval vessels conducted joint exercises in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

Washingtons war plans extend far beyond the South China Sea. As it encircles China on all fronts, it has its eyes above all on Taiwan. The basing facilities in the Philippines are vital aspect of these wider preparations for war.

Under the guidance of Washington, the Philippines has concluded a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan for the basing of Japanese forces in the country. Defense Secretary Teodoro announced last week that the Philippines is pursuing similar RAAs with France, New Zealand, and Canada. The networks and alliances of a global war not only against China but Russia and Iran, are being drawn ever tighter.
An official report released by the Labor government yesterday is a transparent whitewash of Israels murder of Australian World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six of her colleagues on April 1.

Lalzawmi Zomi Frankcom [Photo: Zomi Frankcom]

The report was the culmination of a months-long damage control operation by Labor. Devised in collaboration with the Israeli state and likely the Biden administration, it was aimed at diffusing anger over the brutal killing of the WCK staff, without in anyway jeopardizing Australias ongoing political, diplomatic and military support for the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

When Israels killing of the WCK staff was revealed, Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her deep concern, Labors stock response to every Israeli atrocity. Wong dialed up the performative rhetoric, even claiming to be angry.

But, the sole concrete action of the government was to announce an entirely non-binding investigationa very limited fact-finding mission.

In reality it was a cover-up from the outset. Within hours, it was known that the clearly marked WCK convoy had been deliberately targeted by a series of missiles fired from a drone. Their movements had been known and approved by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) beforehand. In other words, this was a clear-cut war crime.

Labors appointment of a military man, former Chief of the Defence Force Mark Binskin to lead the investigation was a clear signal of its character. His report is largely composed of IDF talking points, punctuated by his own approving commentary.

The status of Gaza and other Palestinian territories as illegally occupied by Israel is not mentioned. Nor is the fact that the Zionist regime had committed large-scale atrocities prior to the murder of the WCK workers, including the slaughter of tens of thousands of women and children and the killing of almost 200 other humanitarian aid personnel.

Instead, the onslaught, which even the International Court of Justice has deemed to plausibly constitute genocide, is described by Binskin as an armed conflict.

Roughly three pages of the ten-page report are simply a favourable account of Israels response to the killing of the WCK workers. Binskin approvingly noted that the IDF, which a UN official recently described as one of the most criminal armies in the world, had conducted an internal investigation.

Binskin, without a hint of criticism, reports that this in-house inquiry was over in less than 72 hours. Unsurprisingly, it found that the WCK massacre was an unfortunate mistake. The report cites minor disciplinary measures taken against some of the IDF personnel involved, describing this charade as the IDF having taken full accountability.

Binskins own assessment of the WCK attack comprises just four paragraphs. There seemed to have been a break down in situational awareness. Officers had not read their briefings, for instance.

Like the IDF, Binskin essentially sought to pin blame on the victims. The WCK convoy was targeted, he claimed, because it was accompanied by contracted security, including armed individuals. This meant the Israeli army had a reasonable suspicion that Hamas fighters were involved, he suggested.

The WCK, however, was allowed by the IDF to operate in Gaza because it is an imperialist-aligned organisation, whose Washington based founder made public comments defending the Israeli onslaught. The assertion that it would have links to Hamas or Palestinian militants is thus simply Zionist propaganda.

There is no reason to believe that the security had the slightest link to Hamas, and Binskin admits there is no evidence of that. Moreover, four months on, the Israelis have produced no evidence for the claim.

Yet, Binskin writes: I cannot rule out that WCK inadvertently contracted security for the aid convoy with an entity that had links to Hamas.

Binskin becomes ensnared in contradictions. He claims the WCK convoy was targeted because of the presence of the armed security, but then acknowledges that the IDF did not pursue those armed security personnel who survived the air strikes.

Elsewhere, Binskin writes that the three vehicles were struck in relatively quick succession. In the same sentence, he notes that there were two-minute intervals between each strikeindicating a planned attack.

As was obvious four months ago, the attack on the WCK convoy was a deliberate massacre, part of what UN officials have described as Israels attempt to starve the Palestinian population of Gaza.

The report, approved by the Labor government, not only whitewashes this past crime. It is a clear greenlight for Israel to continue carrying out such atrocities.

This naked cover-up exposes Labors fraudulent attempts to present itself as an innocent bystander to the conflict. It has provided political and material support to Israel throughout, while waging a vicious campaign against any opposition to the Israeli genocide, fraudulently branding it as antisemitic.

The timing of Binskins report is significant. It basically gave a clean bill of health to the IDF the very week that the Israeli regime, backed by Washington, is setting the entire region ablaze, including with the killing of a top Hezbollah military figure in Lebanon, and the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Those actions are clear war crimes, aimed at provoking a regional conflagration, including with Iran.

Labor has not issued a word of criticism of these actions, signalling its tacit support.

The real position of the Australian ruling elite and its political establishment was summed up in the snap visit of opposition Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton to Israel this week. Dutton went full bore in hailing the IDF and pledging support until its victory, i.e., the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. He received a personal audience with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the architect of the genocide, against whom the International Criminal Court has an active arrest warrant.

Peter Dutton meeting Israeli President Isaac Herzog / Penny Wong meeting Herzog in January [Photo: @PeterDuttonMP / @IsraelPresident]

Duttons aggressive backing for Israel has likewise not been criticized by Labor, or any wing of the media establishment. Significantly, a number of his engagements were a repeat of those undertaken by Labor Foreign Minister Wong when she visited Israel in January.

On social media, many people have shared side by side images of Wong and Duttons respective meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and its foreign minister and energy and infrastructure minister, Israel Katz.

In October, Herzog had declared that Israel was not just in a war with Hamas militants but with an entire nation. The Zionist regime would continue its bombardment until we break their backbone.

Peter Dutton meeting Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz / Penny Wong meeting Katz in January [Photo: @PeterDutton_MP / @SenatorWong]

Katz oversaw a complete shutdown of utilities to Gaza in that month, and declared Without fuel, even the local electricity will shut down within days and the pumping wells will stop within a week This is what we will do to a nation of murderers and butchers of children.

The images of Wong and Dutton with these criminals underscore Australias complicity in the genocide. Dutton is blunt and open in his backing of the Israeli horrors, going so far as to have opposed even a phony investigation into the killing of Frankcom.

Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prefer the camouflage of weasel words. But they are collaborating with a regime that is perpetrating some of the worst war crimes of the past eighty years. With the Binskin report, that has been extended to whitewashing and legitimising the cold-blooded murder of an Australian citizen.
The Bikeriders is a new film from US writer-director Jeff Nichols (Loving, Midnight Special, Mud, Take Shelter). It is a fictionalized adaptation of a 1968 photo-book of the same title by veteran photographer and filmmaker Danny Lyon.

Between 1963 and 1967, Lyon (who also worked as a photographer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee [SNCC] during the height of the civil rights movement) traveled with the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club, taking photographs and conducting interviews with the bikeriders (the term biker was apparently not widely used among Midwestern motorcycle clubs at the time). The resulting collection was, in Lyons words, an attempt to record and glorify the life of the American bikerider. Nichols film takes its inspiration from Lyons work, but ultimately relates a fictionalized version of events.

Jodie Comer and Austin Butler in The Bikeriders

While out at a rowdy bar in 1965, Kathy (Jodie Comer) meets Benny (Austin Butler), a young, violent member of the Vandals Motorcycle Club. Kathy is initially repelled by the rough, foul-mouthed gang of bikeriders, but she becomes fascinated by Bennys mysterious, dangerous allure. They go for a ride, which enrages Kathys boyfriend. Within five weeks, Kathy and Benny are married.

In interviews with Lyon (played in the film by Mike Faist), Kathy recounts the history of the club and its founder and leader, Johnny (Tom Hardy). Johnny is inspired to start the club when he sees Marlon Brandos performance in The Wild One (1953), especially this iconic exchange:

Mildred: Hey, Johnny, what are you rebelling against?

Johnny (Brandos character): What have you got?

The club grows, and growth brings problems. Another member challenges Johnny for leadership of the club, but Johnny keeps his position after beating him in a brutal fistfight. Benny is attacked in a bar for wearing his colors (club affiliation patches) and nearly loses his foot. In retaliation, Johnny orders the bar burned to the ground, as local authorities look on in fear.

An influx of young, unstable Vietnam War veterans join the club, creating conflict with the old guard. At a party, one older member is beaten savagely when he reveals his desire to become a motorcycle police officer, while Kathy is nearly a victim of violent sexual assault. She demands that Benny leave the club. Meanwhile, Johnny asks Benny to assume leadership of the club, lamenting that the young members are increasingly resistant to his authority. Benny, insisting on his own personal freedom, leaves town, forsaking them both.

A violent young thug, known only as The Kid (Toby Wallace) challenges Johnnys leadership. On the way to the confrontation, Johnny visits Kathy. They reflect that neither of them got to keep Benny for themselves in the end. You can give everything you got to a thing, Johnny says. You can give it all you got. And its still just going to do what its going to do. The ending brings tragedy, but with a note of hope.

The Bikeriders is an unsatisfying film. A number of performances stand out (Comer in particular) at certain moments. The film is visually appealing. Great care has clearly gone into recreating the look and feel of the time period.

Tom Hardy and Austin Butler in The Bikeriders

And yet, too much here is amorphous, tired, cliched. The characters, and the film itself, drift languidly from one episode to the next. Little that happens, even outbursts of violence, do not seem to make much of an impact on the characters, or the viewer.

The Liverpool-born Comer puts in an effort. Her performance has received some criticism, particularly her use of a strong regional Midwestern American accent. The accent is, at times, distracting. But she attempts to infuse Kathy with a vibrant and contradictory inner life. Her performance is the films most amusing and engaging. The Benny-Butler character, on the other hand, remains so thoroughly closed-off and emotionally remote for most of the film that it becomes difficult to see why either Kathy or Johnny take such an interest in him.

The treatment (or lack thereof) of the time period is notable. The mid-1960s to mid-1970s were a period of enormous global social upheaval. Lyon himself documented a number of civil rights demonstrations, sit-ins, marches, and anti-Vietnam War protests in his time as a SNCC photographer. The upheavals of the time, the violence and uncertainty, above all, the spirit of rebellion against authority, doubtless would have had an impact even on those who would have had trouble making sense of events, or who attempted to hold themselves apart from politics. That non-conformist spirit, however limited, was a significant contributor to the success of Dennis Hoppers 1969 motorcycle film Easy Rider.

Almost none of this history and turmoil emerges, directly or indirectly, in the film (apart from one right-wing Vandal who rails against pinkos and proclaims his desire to fight in Vietnam). For the most part, the characters seem to exist in a bubble outside of society, having found their freedom in the motorcycle gang and its violent escapades.

In romanticizing motorcycle culture like this, which both Nichols and Lyon have said was their aim, perhaps the filmmakers imagine that the open road offers an escape from the difficulties of social and political life, which are even more acute today than in 1968. A road out of history, as it were. In any case, the socially noncommittal approach weakens and dulls the film.

Nichols is a capable filmmaker. His Loving, about the efforts to strike down racist laws against interracial marriage, was a moving and intelligent work. One is glad to see he hasnt yet become part of the comic book blockbuster machinery, like many of his contemporaries. Still, his body of work would benefit from a deeper engagement with the social world, an attention to historical specificity that goes beyond costume and set designs.
The Socialist Equality Party (Australia) is in the final stages of its campaign to regain official party registration and put a socialist, anti-war party on the ballot at the next Australian federal election. This initiative has won a powerful response, with hundreds of workers and young people signing up and supporting the campaign.

The SEP is required to conduct this fight after anti-democratic legislation was passed in 2021, tripling the membership requirement for party registration to 1,500. This was an attempt by Labor and the Liberal-National Coalition to block workers from accessing a genuine alternative to the increasingly despised two-party system.

In this video, SEP National Secretary Cheryl Crisp explains the urgent need for those watching to sign up as electoral members of the SEP under conditions of the broadening descent of capitalism into world war. This threatens the very existence of mankind as these conflicts deepen between nuclear-armed countries.

The only progressive response is through the unification of the working class internationally against capitalism, the source of war, and for a socialist perspective.
A Canadian warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday in a military provocation against the Chinese government that was carried out in close coordination with the Biden administration in the United States.

The HMCS Montreal in 2011 [Photo by US Mission Canada / CC BY 2.0

China denounced the transit, with Li Xi, a spokesman for the Peoples Liberation Army, declaring Canadas action harassed and disrupted the situation and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The HMCS Montreal, a frigate with 240 personnel on board, passed through the 180-kilometer-wide strait which separates the island of Taiwan from mainland China in what Defence Minister Bill Blair said was an expression of Canadas commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

As outlined in our Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada is increasing the presence of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region, Blair said in a statement. Canadas trade union and New Democratic Party (NDP)-supported, Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government announced $2.3 billion in new spending in 2022 to develop Canadas military presence across the Indo-Pacific.

The Taiwan Strait provocation follows shortly on the heels of a visit to Beijing by Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, the first by Canadas top diplomat to China in seven years. Diplomatic relations between Canada and China spiraled downward after Canada, acting at Washingtons behest, arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese tech company Huawei, in December 2018 while she changed planes in Vancouver. The Trudeau government pressed for Mengs extradition to the US on trumped up, politically motivated charges of helping circumvent the brutal economic sanctions Washington has imposed on Iran, only to allow her to return to China almost three years later after the US and Canada climbed down and made a diplomatic trade-off with China.

The tensions between Ottawa and Beijing over the Meng affair were deliberately fanned by the Canadian political establishment and corporate media with the aim of whipping up animosity toward China and integrating Canada still more deeply in the US military-strategic offensive against China.

Over the last year-and-a-half, the Canadian elites anti-China campaign has been massively intensified, with the security-intelligence agencies making lurid, unsubstantiated claims that Beijing interfered in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections and that it constitutes the greatest threat to Canadian democracy. These claims were quickly embraced by the government and all the opposition parties and served as the justification for the unanimous passage in June of legislation creating a new category of foreign interference crimes and granting the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) sweeping new powers.

As the world faces increasingly complex and intersecting global issues, Canada is committed to engaging pragmatically with a wide range of countries to advance our national interests and uphold our values, Joly said in a statement on her July 19 meeting with Chinas Foreign Affairs Minister, Wang Yi. As described in Canadas Indo-Pacific Strategy, we must maintain open lines of communication and use diplomacy to challenge where we ought to, while seeking co-operation in areas that matter most to Canadians.

Jolys pragmatic pursuit of business deals with Beijing on behalf of Canadian capital has been denounced by the most bellicose sections of the corporate media as an act of appeasement born of strategic muddle-headedness and cowardice.

In reality, the Trudeau government is fully committed to the US war drive against China, just as it is a major participant in the US-NATO war on Russia and has fully backed Israels genocidal assault on Gaza.

Following her visit to Beijing, Joly went to both Seoul and Tokyo to pursue further expansion of Canadas security and defence ties with Washingtons treaty allies in north-east Asia. In an interview with the Nikkei, Japans principal financial newspaper, Joly said Canada wants to be as close to Japan as it is to key NATO partners like the UK, France and Germany. Japan, she added, is a core part of Canadas anti-China Indo-Pacific strategy.

American warships and navy spy planes routinely transit and fly over the Taiwan Strait, and with increasing regularity are doing so in the company of Canadian warships. Under the Canadian Armed Forces Operation Horizon, Canadian imperialism is establishing its own independent foothold and increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific. Canada is a Pacific nationand Indo-Pacific security is crucial to our national interests, Blair declared in a statement on X/Twitter as the Montreal was making its transit.

Canadas Department of National Defence describes Operation Horizon as a forward-presence mission to the region to promote peace, stability, and the rules-based international order.

The Montreals mission to the region is to be followed by visits by two other frigates, the HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Ottawa, which like the Montreal are armed with an array of torpedoes, missiles and guns. The Vancouver was deployed first to participate in RIMPAC 2024, a biannual maritime warfare exercise hosted by the US in the Pacific around Hawaii, which ran from June 27 to August 1.

Since deploying from Halifax, Nova Scotia in April, the Montreal has made a port of call in South Korea and conducted bilateral operations with the US Navys USS Ralph Johnson in the East China Sea, which borders Taiwan, China, South Korea and Japan. This included a stretch in June and July, where it joined the US and other imperialist powers in policing sanctions against North Korea. Under Operation Neon, Canadas military rotates warships and CP-140 Aurora surveillance planes to the region to enforce the trade blockade against North Korea. Canada was a belligerent in the 1950-53 Korean War, which has never legally ended (as only an armistice was ever signed.)

The Indo-Pacific, a vast region encompassing the countries which abut the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean, has been turned into a powder keg by the United States and its imperialist allies as they pursue their predatory geostrategic interests against China. The stage has been set for World War III over the course of three American administrations from Obamas pivot to Asia to Trumps trade war measures and Bidens expanded campaign to thwart Chinas economic rise and its establishment of the AUKUS military pact with Australia and UK.

AUKUS, which Canada is now actively seeking to join, is aimed at transforming Australia into a frontline state in any war with China and developing and perfecting new weapon systems to fight such a war, including nuclear-powered submarines.

Canada is not only expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific to counter China. Strategic or great-power conflict with China and Russia in the Arctic is also driving a massive $40 billion Canadian government investment in the modernization of NORAD, the joint US-Canada aerospace and maritime defence command.

Last month the HMCS Regina clandestinely trailed a Chinese arctic icebreaker research ship as it passed through the Bering Strait between Russia and the US state of Alaska. According to the Globe and Mail, Department of National Defence spokesperson Frederica Dupuis declared that the operation was part of an Arctic awareness and sovereignty mission. Dupuis warned that other nations are exploring Arctic waters and the sea floor, probing our infrastructure and collecting intelligence.

The last week of July also saw a joint patrol of Chinese and Russian bombers enter Alaskas Air Defense Identification Zone, a massive expanse that extends hundreds of miles into the Bering Sea, which triggered operations by NORAD. While they did not enter Canadian or American airspace, the bombers were intercepted by American F-16s and F-35s and Canadian CF-18 fighter jets. The US and Russia are separated by just 53 miles of ocean at their closest point in the Arctic.

We are seeing more Russian activity in our air approaches, and a growing number of Chinese dual-purpose research vessels and surveillance platforms collecting data about the Canadian North that is, by Chinese law, made available to Chinas military, Dupuis declared.

The expansion of Canadas military footprint in the Indo-Pacific is a key component of the defence policy update published by the Trudeau government in April. As the WSWS reported, the document declares Canada needs to prepare to wage war on every continent, ocean, in cyberspace and outer space, declaring that, as an Atlantic and Pacific nation that shares a continent with the United States, Canada lies at the geographic middle of the strategic competition... centred in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions that will define the worlds future.

Canada has poured billions of dollars into providing military aid and training to fuel the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, boosting fascist forces as the proxy spearhead of the imperialist offensive against Moscow. To prepare for direct conflict with Russia and China, Trudeau has pledged that Canada will boost military spending to 2 percent of GDP or some $60 billion annually by 2032. This will require dramatic attacks on workers living standards and a massive assault on social programs and public services.
Last month, the German army published a document asserting that it bases itself on the tradition of the Wehrmacht, the army of the Nazi regime that massacred and starved tens of millions of civilians during World War II.

Almost unnoticed by the public, on July 12 the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) issued Supplementary information on the guidelines for understanding and maintaining traditions in the Bundeswehr. The document was signed by Lieutenant General Kai Rohrschneider, head of the Department for Operational Readiness and Support of the Armed Forces in the Defence Ministry. It explicitly names top officers of the Nazi Wehrmacht as tradition-forming and identity-creating for the Bundeswehr, todays German army.

A Leopard 2 tank is pictured during a demonstration event held for the media by the German Bundeswehr in Munster, Germany, near Hannover, Wednesday, September 28, 2011. [AP Photo/Michael Sohn]

This not only exposes the character of the political forces the major NATO powers are setting into motion as they wage war on Russia in Ukraine. It also exposes the arguments of German officials now charged with complicity in genocide over their support for the Israeli war on Gaza. Their bald denials that the German government could have any genocidal intent have no credibility when the government simultaneously rehabilitates the Wehrmacht, the army that played a central role in the Holocaust.

Indeed, the Supplementary Notes is unabashed in its glorification of the political criminals in the officer corps of the Nazi regime.

Despite the unspeakable crimes top Nazi officers committed during the Second World War, it hails them as role models and heroes, as the German ruling class once again prepares to wage war against Russia. Its purpose in so doing, the text states, is to name examples that create tradition, strengthen identification and, as a result, increase the operational value of units and formations of the respective organisational area.

It continues:

The turning point triggered by Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law, has increased the importance of the war readiness of the armed forces, which is largely derived from a high operational value and high combat effectiveness, also for the cultivation of traditions.

This turns reality on its head. In reality, it was the NATO powers who deliberately provoked Putins reactionary invasion of Ukraine in order to massively rearm Germany and realise long-held war plans. German imperialism, which had already attempted to annex Ukraine and defeat Russia militarily during the First and Second World Wars, is playing a leading role in the war offensive against Russia.

The Supplementary Notes makes explicit that the German military believes the promotion of Nazi officers is essential to waging war on Russia today. That is, the promotion of the crimes of German imperialism in the 20th century flows from the crimes it is committing in the 21st. Indeed, the notes declare that the cultivation of traditions should, among other things, strengthen operational readiness and the will to fight when the mission requires.

In one remarkable passage, the document explicitly argues that the need for military effectiveness requires valuing military skill over character and ability to function in society. It states that greater attention must also be paid to military excellence (ability and skill) over other examples of tradition-building such as classic soldierly virtues (character) or achievements for the integration of the armed forces into society.

What flows from this? If the promotion in the army of Nazi officers who committed genocide and war crimes, including the mass murder of civilians, encourages similarly criminal and antisocial behavior, according to this argument, this is to be accepted as a necessary part of building a ruthless, victorious army.

This essential calculation underlies the promotion of the far-right traditions of the German military. While the first new traditions decree passed in 2018 still focused mainly on the experiences of the Bundeswehrs international war missions since German reunification in 1991, the new Supplementary Notes focuses on the Wehrmacht.

In the Bundeswehrs cultivation of traditions with reference to the new era [in foreign policy], the founding generation of the Bundeswehr has an important role to play in military excellence that is characterised by tradition, the document states. The approximately 40,000 former soldiers taken over from the Wehrmacht had largely proven themselves in combat and thus had war experience that was indispensable in the development of the Bundeswehr.

What did this experience consist of? The Wehrmacht was not simply a war army but a central component of the Nazi terror. It waged a war of extermination against the Soviet Union, which resulted in the deaths of at least 27 million Soviet citizens, and its generals and tens of thousands of officers and soldiers, like the SS and Gestapo, were actively involved in the Holocaust. In total, around 19 million people were killed by the Wehrmacht not in direct combat at the front, but through mass executions or the extermination of entire villages and towns.

In fact, the Bundeswehr was never a blank slate. It was built up by leading Nazi military officers and, significantly, was still called the New Wehrmacht when it was officially founded on November 12, 1955. The 44 generals and admirals appointed by 1957 all came from Hitlers old Wehrmacht, mainly from the Army General Staff. In 1959, there were 12,360 Wehrmacht officers among 14,900 professional soldiers in the officer corps, 300 of whom came from the leadership corps of the SS.

When the Bundeswehr now openly refers to this Nazi legacy as tradition-building, this is a serious warning. As in the 1930s, when the ruling class brought Hitler to power in order to make Germany war ready, it is now reacting to the deep crisis of capitalism by turning to militarism, fascism and war. And in doing so, it is once again taking up its genocidal traditions.

Here are some of the Nazi military leaders cited as exemplary in the Supplementary Notes:

General Dr. Karl Schnell (1916-2008): Schnell initially took part in the Western Campaign before being dispatched to the Army Group Centre on the Eastern Front in the summer of 1942 as part of his general staff training. He was then promoted to major (General Staff) with the 3rd Panzergrenadier Division in Italy, which was involved in numerous war crimes. Historians assume that members of the 3rd Armoured Infantry Division killed around 200 civilians in Italy between September 1943 and August 1944. Schnell rose through the ranks in the Bundeswehr to become the second highest in the military brass as deputy inspector general and commander-in-chief of AFCENT in NATO. Between 1977 and 1980, he was state secretary in the Ministry of Defence.

Lieutenant General Hans Rottiger (1896-1960): Rottiger, who had already been a lieutenant in the Prussian Army in the First World War, was appointed chief of the General Staff of the 4th Panzer Army in January 1942 during the campaign of annihilation against the Soviet Union in the Second World War and was promoted to major general shortly afterwards. From July 1943, he served as chief of the General Staff of Army Group A in Russia. After the war, he played a central role in rearmament and was the first to assume the office of Inspector of the Army on September 21, 1957.

Hans Rottiger (centre) during the war of annihilation against the Soviet Union in conversation with General of Infantry Richard Ruoff (left) and a wounded soldier of the intelligence troops [Photo by Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-214-0342-36A / Geller / / CC BY-SA 3.0

Colonel Erich Hartmann (1922-1993): The Supplementary Notes celebrate this Wehrmacht officer as the most successful fighter pilot in military aviation (352 aerial victories). He was one of only 27 military personnel to receive the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross for his high number of kills. Nazi propaganda regularly celebrated him as a war hero in newsreels. At the end of the 1950s, he formed Luftgeschwader 71 Richthofen, the first jet fighter squadron of the newly created Luftwaffe (German Air Force).

Erich Hartmann [Photo: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

Lieutenant General Gerhard Barkhorn (1919-1983) and Lieutenant General Gunther Rall (1918-2009): With Barkorn and Rall, the Bundeswehr is also celebrating the second and third most successful Wehrmacht fighter pilots after Hartmann. Hitler awarded them both the Knights Cross of the Sword for the number of air victories they achieved. After the war, they made stellar careers in the Bundeswehr and NATO. Rall was even inspector of the German Air Force from 1971 to 1974 and was the German representative on the NATO Military Committee in 1974-75.

Gunther Rall (second from left) after his 200th kill, Ukraine, August 1943i [Photo by Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-2004-0010 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Rear Admiral Erich Topp (1914-2005): According to the Supplementary Notes, Topp was one of the most successful submarine commanders in the Second World War, and, it should be added, an avowed Nazi with close connections in the highest Nazi circles. Topp joined the NSDAP (Nazi Party) in May 1933 and the SS in 1934. He had a close relationship with Hitlers personal secretary and head of the Nazi party chancellery, Martin Bormann. Nevertheless, after the war he rose to become deputy inspector of the Navy and was head of the Plans & Policy Department at NATO Headquarters Northern Europe in Norway.

Erich Topp on the submarine U-552 [Photo by Bundesarchiv, Bild 101II-MW-3705-35 / Kramer / / CC BY-SA 3.0

The open homage to these leading Nazi military officers was in preparation for a long time and confirms all the warnings of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP).

In a resolution in September 2014, the SGP declared that the propaganda of the post-war decadesthat Germany had learnt from the monstrous crimes of the Nazis and found its way to a peaceful foreign policy... turns out to be a myth. German imperialism is once again showing itself as it historically emerged, with all its aggression both internally and externally.

A few months earlier, the then-German government had announced the return of German militarism at the Munich Security Conference. At the same time, far-right Humboldt University Professor Jorg Baberowski had described Hitler in Der Spiegel as not vicious, and claimed: He didnt want people to talk about the extermination of the Jews at his table.

In the same interview, Baberowski praised the now-deceased Nazi apologist Ernst Nolte, who justified the Nazi extermination policy as a comprehensible response to the Soviet Union in the 1980s historians dispute.

The SGP warned that this deliberate trivialisation of Hitler and fascism, and the relativisation of the crimes of the Third Reich, would prepare the ground for new wars and new crimes. This is now a reality.

Ten years later, the German ruling class openly celebrates Nazi war criminals as it preparesin alliance with the other leading imperialist powersfor direct war against Russia, a nuclear-armed power, and supports the genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. This relapse into world war and barbarism must be stopped by building a socialist, anti-war movement of the international working class.
The Western Sydney University Rank-and-File Committee is campaigning to stop the destruction of jobs and the pro-business restructuring at WSU College. To join the committee, contact us at: rfc.wsu@gmail.com

It is not too late to halt the destructive restructuring and job cuts at the Western Sydney University College, the universitys wholly-owned preparatory college.

Western Sydney University

That is the message from the discussion at a public meeting on July 31 convened by the recently formed Western Sydney University Rank-and-File Committee (WSU-RFC).

That was despite the WSU management already marketing the cut-down college to students and their families. The management is not telling them about the elimination of more than 10 percent of the learning and teaching positions at The College and its divisive spill and fill regime, which forces staff members to compete against each other for the remaining posts.

Participants said everything depends on intensifying and broadening the rank-and-file committees campaign against the cuts. They called on WSU and WSU College staff, students and members of the wider working-class community to join the committee.

The meeting made clear that WSU College is a test case for corporate restructuring and the elimination of thousands of jobs across the tertiary education sector as a result of the Albanese Labor governments continued under-funding of universities, now intensified by its reactionary cuts to international student enrolments.

Opening and chairing the meeting, Macquarie University Rank-and-File Committee member Chris Gordon said it had been organised to discuss what was happening at The College and to place it in a broader educational and political context.

WSU-RFC co-convenor and WSU College educator Gabriela Zabala, whose job is directly threatened by the gutting of the college, as are those of all her colleagues, gave the first report to the meeting.

Members and supporters of this committee have already carried out important campaigns over the past several weeks at four WSU campuses to bring the WSU College cuts to the attention of staff and students, Zabala explained.

Apart from our work, however, no one at WSU, staff and students alike, even knows about the attack on the College, which plays a vital role in preparing students for study at WSU.

That is because the main union in the tertiary sector, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has isolated us. It has done nothing to alert WSU staff and students. No posters, no leaflets, nothing

That makes it clear: if the job cuts and restructuring are to be defeated, and they must be, the rank-and-file committee has to be developed to lead the fight.

Zabala reported that the NTEU had repeatedly tried to block the campaign. At the last NTEU Zoom meeting I was able to attend, I was removed by the NTEU officials and was only readmitted after about 40 minutes once my colleagues called for a procedural motion to let me back in.

Such hostility does not emerge from a position of strength, but rather from a fear of being exposed. Workers in other industries face similar issues with their trade unions. In countries such as the US, UK, Germany and Sri Lanka, as well as in Australia, we have established rank-and-file committees in industries, including in education, health, auto, rail and postal, Amazon, logistics and buses, to name a few.

Zabala said the NTEU was trying to isolate individuals and encourage them to take redundancies. The union was also refusing to defend non-NTEU members, of which there are many at The College.

The restructuring would not only affect staff, but also students, whose quality of education was likely to be diminished by what was termed block mode courses, she said.

Block mode is an immersive style of learning where students have 3 x 3 hour classes per week for 4 weeks. They are assessed each week in their supposed active learning by what is described as authentic assessments

This is an exhaustive schedule that has been demonstrated in the academic literature to have an onerous impact on the teaching staff. Very little time is possible for feedback, which will inevitably be rather generic and other feedback will be generalised, given in class.

The claims that critical and independent thinking or deep learning are possible under these conditions are not adequately supported by the literature. This points to the necessity to make education free at all levels, to provide students with the necessary financial support to study, and to develop curriculum and learning design without consideration for the financial bottom line.

In his report to the meeting, the other WSU-RFC co-convenor, longtime WSU educator Mike Head, said: Not only are we facing a sharp attack on the jobs, conditions and teaching and learning of staff and students at The College.

This is connected to the wider agenda of cuts to education, health care, housing and other social services, and that is bound up with preparations for war.

Capitalist governments, including the Labor government in Australia, are pouring billions of dollars into AUKUS and other plans for war and they are already fully complicit in a monumental historic crimethe US-armed Israeli genocide in Palestine

Students and working-class households are already paying the price for this war drive in many ways, including through the soaring cost of living, fuelled by the impact of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and cuts to education and other social programs.

Head said the heaviest course cuts at the WSU College were planned for English, arts, literature and humanities. This will deprive more students of access to critical, broad-based courses, rather than just the narrow vocational ones demanded by employers and the government

This is part of the Labors pro-business Universities Accord. It demands the systemic restructuring of universities to satisfy the vocational and research requirements of big business, as well as AUKUS and other military programs.

Head said: Workers globally confront the same kinds of attacks. The rank-and-file committees are connected to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, which provides global leadership and coordination to their struggles.

Head said it was no accident that socialists, supporters of the Socialist Equality Party like himself and Zabala, had initiated the rank-and-file committee.

It means fighting for what is necessary to meet the needs and interests of the working class, in Australia and internationally, the vast majority of the worlds population, not the profits of the corporate oligarchies and super-wealthy, and not their war drive.

Head said rank-and-file committee membership did not require political agreement with socialism, however. The committees worked democratically, based on the demands agreed upon by the committee members. He said the initial demands of the WSU-RFC included:

the scrapping of WSUs restructuring

the retention of all jobs, with no loss of pay or conditions

no imposition of block teaching

secure employment for all casualised and contract staff who want it

free first-class education for all students, instead of channelling billions of dollars into AUKUS and other preparations for US-led wars

We appeal to all of you to join and build our committee and participate in our campaign. It is not too late to defeat the shredding of WSU College. But to achieve that, we need your involvement.

Key questions were raised in the question and discussion period. They included whether the cuts could still be reversed, given that the WSU management had already announced them, whether the committee should appeal to the new vice-chancellor, George Williams, to change the decision and whether the attack was the result of Western neo-liberalism.

In response, Zabala emphasised that strugglethat is, the committees campaignwould decide whether the cuts would be defeated, which they had to be. Head explained that the restructuring flowed from the government-corporate agenda of war and austerity, not individual university executives. Other participants pointed to the global character of the attacks on working-class social conditions, as seen in Kenya and Sri Lanka, where the austerity dictates of the International Monetary Fund had triggered mass protests.

During the discussion, Zach, a former WSU College student who is now the president of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) club at WSU, explained how important the courses at the college had been in preparing him for university study. He appealed to students to join the rank-and-file committee.

The WSU-RFC will meet this week to plan the next stage in the campaign. We appeal to all those who agree with us to join the committee. Contact us at: rfc.wsu@gmail.com
Bodycam footage of a migrant womans death in an encounter with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on March 21, 2024, was released on July 17 after being suppressed for five months.

A Border Patrol vehicle sits near border walls separating Tijuana, Mexico, from the United States, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in San Diego. [AP Photo/Gregory Bull]

The footage, viewable here, shows the woman stranded for an excruciating 24 minutes atop the 30-foot-tall wall which runs along the California-Mexico border, calling out for help, and her subsequent death after plummeting from the top of the wall. The victim was identified afterwards as 24-year old Petronila Elizabeth Poma Perez, a Guatemalan national.

In the same month, 10 people, including children, were seriously injured while attempting to cross the San Diego border wall in what was described as a mass casualty event. The taller 30-foot segment of the wall was installed under the Trump administration in 2019, leading to an immediate and lasting increase in the number of falling deaths along the border, with local hospitals seeing a five-fold increase in falling injuries along the wall.

Many are left with spinal injuries and permanent disfiguring injuries. More women than men were admitted to local hospital UCSD Health with injuries sustained scaling the border wall in 2023. According to a doctor at the hospital, Dr. Alexander Tenorio, these injuries were not seen before the 30-foot wall was installed.

The US-Mexico border is the deadliest land crossing in the world, according to the International Organization for Migration, which documented 686 deaths or disappearances in 2022. Many more deaths are certain to have gone uncounted, with those seeking to get into the US dying in extreme desert heat in inaccessible areas or drowning in waterways like the Rio Grande, which makes the border between Texas and Mexico, and the All-American Canal which runs parallel to the California-Mexico border.

Despite it being over two weeks since the release of the video of Perezs death, most of the corporate news only reported on the release in the past few days.

According to a press release from the CBP on the incident, migrants were spotted at 10:27 p.m. with agents reporting via service radio that multiple individuals were approaching the secondary International Border Fence approximately 2.7 miles west of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and were carrying a ladder. At this location, the secondary International Border Fence is approximately 30 feet tall and is constructed of vertical metal bollards. The north side of the secondary fence has an electrical conduit running across the top of the fence, which facilitates the use of an electric gate nearby.

In the radio transmission, one CBP agent could be heard referring to migrants not as persons, but as bodies: I got one body running through the truck lot. First body just went behind dirt mounds ... Bodies are east of the dirt mounds, heading north.

The first agent arrived at 10:30 p.m. The San Diego Fire Department was called at 10:31 p.m. in order to render aid to Perez, who was on the north side of the 30-foot tall secondary fence.

An agent in between the primary and secondary fences warned Perez, who was by this time on top of the fence, not to cross over to the north side. She attempted to scale down the north side of the wall but was unable to continue after being confronted by the CBP agent who insisted she stay there, do not get down.

In the bodycam footage, the agent identified as Agent 2, could be heard speaking to a migrant from Nicaragua. He questioned her about where the others in her group had gone while Perez was still stuck on top of the wall.

According to the CBP press release: At approximately 10:34 p.m., an unknown individual approached the north side of the fence from a nearby commercial lot and notified the agent that his coworker had a ladder available. The agent advised the individual that they could not utilize any ladders until fire department personnel arrived.

The agent made no attempt to ascertain if the ladders the worker had in mind were sufficient for the job, if there was anyone else who could help the woman, or anything of the sort. The suggestion by the worker was dismissed out of hand.

That is, they were prevented from rendering aid to the woman which could have saved her life. The prerogative of the agent was, unsurprisingly, to apprehend her first and worry about issues like loss of life later.

There was also a ladder, a tactical style ladder consisting of a singular pole with staggered steps on either side clearly visible near the agent that was presumably used by Perez to climb to the top. Perez was told to stay there and do not go down. From the bodycam footage, the question arises whether Perez would be alive if she were allowed to descend or if the agent permitted workers to help her.

Fourteen minutes in, a fire engine and another CBP agent in his truck arrived but on the wrong side of the wall, as a result of the CBP officers directions, causing a considerable delay as the long fire engine was unable to navigate the narrow opening on the wall at that section, being forced to take the longer way around. This proved fatal.

Perez pleaded for help for another 14 minutes, after which she said she was going to fall and subsequently fell to her death at 10:54 p.m. hitting an elevated concrete base on the north side of the secondary wall, suffering severe head injuries. Just a minute before, an agent on the north side of the fence drove off to meet with other agents to coordinate the transportation of other migrants after showing up just three minutes prior. The fire truck did not arrive until 11:04 p.m.

At 11:05 p.m. the fire department conducted a medical assessment noting she had no pulse and attempted to resuscitate her with CPR. Perez was pronounced dead at 11:17 p.m. over the phone by a physician from a local hospital. Later, police showed up and at 1:20 a.m. her body was taken into custody by the San Diego County Medical Examiners office.

The same month that Perez fell to her death, it was reported in the corporate news that a new anti-climbing device was installed on the border wall in San Diego, no doubt under the Biden administrations direction. News Nation ran a segment on the wall and justified it with its false and xenophobic sub-headline surge in immigrants crossings overwhelms US. An immigrant advocate on the program pointed out that the new feature would lead to more deaths.

From bodycam footage, it did not appear that an anti-climbing device was at the specific section where Perez was, but the general consequence of such actions is to increase the number of deaths along the wall.

Whether they suffered on the razor-blade death buoys installed in the Rio Grande placed by the fascistic Texas governor Greg Abbott, on the anti-climbing walls on the California section of the border wall, in the Pacific Ocean, the Sonora Desert or the Baboquivari Mountains in Arizona, these deaths are the result of a deliberate policy. They are social murders perpetrated by both parties of the US financial oligarchy, the Democrats and Republicans.

The Democrats have played a key role in the militarization of the border, even finishing sections of the border wall started under Trump and limiting the number of asylum seekers in flagrant violation of international law in order to reach a deal with the fascist Republican Party on funding for the US-NATO imperialist war with Russia.

While Perezs immediate reason for leaving Guatemala is not known, the reasons for refugees leaving Central and South American countries are well known. Guatemala has a poverty rate estimated at 55.1 percent in 2023 by the World Bank. Connected to this, it also has one of the highest income inequality rates in South and Central America and one of the highest rates of violent deaths among women, with one woman or girl dying violently every day.

Guatemala was the subject of a CIA coup in 1954. Exploitation by the imperialist bourgeoisie, in collaboration with the Guatemalan national bourgeoisie, has kept the vast majority of the countrys population impoverished, as is the case with the rest of South and Central America.
On Tuesday, July 30, the acting director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, and the deputy director of the FBI, Paul Abbate, testified for more than three hours before the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13 at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

This was the fourth time federal law enforcement officials testified before congressional panels since 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at least eight bullets from an AR-15-style rifle at the rally platform, grazing Trump in the ear and killing one attendee and wounding two others. Crooks, who was able to fire unimpeded from a factory rooftop offering a clear sightline some 140 yards from the platform, was shot and killed by a Secret Service countersniper.

The hearing, the first before a Democratic-led panel, came just eight days after then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle refused to give any details on the security failures of the Secret Service and local law enforcement in the Trump shooting at a hearing before the House Oversight Committee, leading to bipartisan demands that she resign, to which she complied the following day, July 23.

When FBI Director Christopher Wray testified at a previously scheduled, normally routine hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, July 24, he adopted a more forthcoming posture. However, he provided no explanation for the failure to prevent the shooting, could not explain Crooks motives for the attack, and maintained the narrative adopted by federal officials from day onethat the shooting was the work of a lone gunman and there was no evidence of accomplices or co-conspirators.

This has understandably fueled suspicions, entirely justified, of a wider conspiracy and cover-up, quite possibly involving elements within the Secret Service, the FBI and other intelligence and police agencies. It is all the more inevitable given the history of presidential assassinations and assassination attempts in the US, and the revelations of complicity within sections of the state apparatus that followed official attempts to uphold a lone wolf narrative and deny a wider plot.

At Tuesdays Senate hearing, the witnesses, and particularly Acting Secret Service Director Rowe, were explicit in declaring their mission to be dispelling talk of a conspiracy and upholding the lone wolf assassin theory.

In his opening statement, Rowe began by admitting a failure on multiple levels. While noting multiple ongoing investigations, he declared, However, I will not wait for the results of those findings to assess where we failed that day

U.S. Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe, left, and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate, seated right, testify before a Joint Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing examining the security failures leading to the assassination attempt on Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Washington. [AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.]

Without actually explaining the failure, he gave a partial timeline of Crooks movements on the rally dayincluding flying a drone some three hours before the rally and taking a distance sighting with a rangefinderand said:

I regret that information was not passed to Congress and the public sooner and with greater frequency. I fear that this lack of information has given rise to multiple false and dangerous conspiracy theories about what took place that day. I want to debunk these conspiracies today

Rowe went to say, clearly in response to speculation within the public, No order to delay or stand down was given. He added, At this stage of the FBIs comprehensive investigation, there are no indications that the assailant acted in concert with co-conspirators or that his attack involved foreign influence.

According to the partial timeline Rowe gave the committee, the Secret Service and state and local law enforcement were closely surveilling a suspicious person near the AGR building at least 15 minutes before Trump took the stage and 26 minutes before the shooting began. According to the timeline, Crooks had already been photographed and been seen flying a drone and using a rangefinder. Why, then, was Trump not delayed from going onstage? Rowe neither raised nor answered this question.

Nor did he address two other obvious and unanswered questions: (1) Why did the Secret Service exclude the AGR building from its security perimeter surrounding the rally platform, and (2) why was no law enforcement officer stationed on the roof of the building before or during the rally?

In his opening statement, FBI Deputy Director Abbate made clear that providing details about an ongoing investigation is not typical FBI practice. He quickly added, Thus far, although absolutely nothing has been ruled out, the investigation has not identified a motive nor any co-conspirators or others with advance knowledge.

Abbate fleshed out the timeline of the shooting in further detail, including the significant fact that after the attack, the authorities recovered three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), for which Crooks had a detonator on his person at the time of his death. Two were recovered in his vehicle. One, perhaps significantly, was found in his familys residence.

He also reported on two, apparently conflicting, series of social media posts that had been found and tentatively attributed to the shooter. He told the committees:

Something just recently uncovered is a social media account, which is believed to be associated with the shooter in the 2019 to 2020 timeframe. There were over 700 comments posted from this account. Some of these comments, if ultimately attributable to the shooter, appear to reflect anti-Semitic and anti-immigration themes, espouse political violence, and are extreme in nature.

However, Abbate also cited a separate account on the right-wing social media platform Gab with an opposite point of view. Time magazine wrote on Tuesday:

Gab CEO Andrew Tobra previously took to X to discuss the account, saying that the person behind it ultimately made only nine posts, but that those posts expressed support for President Bidens COVID lockdowns, border policies and executive orders. Abbate said officials have also been unable to verify that it belongs to Crooks.

The questioning from Democrats on the committees was generally friendly, as well as from most Republicans, with the exception of confrontational exchanges between Rowe and Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas. The prevailing sentiment was expressed by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who urged Rowe to dispel the conspiracy theories.

One striking characteristic of the congressional hearings thus far, as well as the media coverage of the assassination attempt, is the virtual silence on Thomas Crooks parents, particularly his father, Matthew Crooks. The latter is a gun enthusiast and registered member of the far-right Libertarian Party. One might think this would at least warrant a closer look at the fathers connections.

Instead, the press repeatedly cites official sources as saying merely that the family is cooperating with authorities and there is no indication that they had prior knowledge about the shooting.

In Deputy FBI Director Abbates testimony on Tuesday, however, there was a significant discrepancy with the testimony given the previous week before the House Judiciary Committee by FBI Director Wray. The latter reported that Matthew Crooks had sold the weapon used in the shooting to his son last October. However, Abbate told the Senate that the father had given the weapon to his son before Thomas Crooks left for the Trump rally site on July 13, ostensibly thinking his son was headed to target practice at the Sportsman Club.

Then there is the fact that one IED was found at the Crooks residence.

Little attention has been paid to a report in USA Today that, according to a website breach reviewed by the publication, Mathew Crooks, the father, made a purchase in 2020 from Botach, a website that describes itself as one of the leading retailers of tactical supplies used in law enforcement, the military and home defense.
Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan Welcome First Baby  a Girl Who Shares a Name with Another Royal!

The baby is the first grandchild of Queen Rania and King Abdullah

Abaca Press/Alamy The future Princess Rajwa and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan on their engagement day, August 17, 2022.

Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan are parents!

The Royal Hashemite Court announced on Aug. 3 that the royal couple welcomed their first child together the same day.

The new addition makes Crown Prince Hussein's parents, Queen Rania and King Abdullah of Jordan, first-time grandparents. The King and Queen of Jordan are also parents to Princess Iman, Princess Salma and Prince Hashem.

Hussein and Rajwa welcomed a baby girl that they named Iman, meaning their daughter shares a name with her aunt!

"Their Royal Highnesses are immensely overjoyed and thankful on welcoming their firstborn, and call on well-wishers to consider donating to Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans in lieu of sending gifts or flowers," the announcement said.

Because the child is female, she will not be included in the line of succession to the throne, to which her father is currently heir. According to the countrys constitution, the throne is hereditary to King Abdullah Ibn Al-Hussein's dynasty and passes through males.

Jordanian Royal Court/Getty Images Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and Princess Rajwa at the wedding of his sister Princess Iman to Jameel Thermiotis in March 2023.

Related: All About Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa's Relationship (and Baby on the Way!)

In the spring, the Royal Hashemite Court announced that Princess Rajwa was pregnant.

"The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer," the court said in a statement on April 10.

"The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on this occasion and wishes Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa good health and joy as they welcome their baby."

Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa tied the knot in a grand royal wedding on June 1, 2023. Royals from around the world traveled to Amman for the major celebration, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as many other royal representatives.

The wedding was held nearly a year after Queen Rania and King Abdullahs eldest son announced his engagement to Rajwa Alseif, who received a princess title when they tied the knot.

Jordan Pix/Getty Images Princess Rajwa and Crown Prince Hussein at Zahran Palace on their June 1, 2023 wedding day in Amman, Jordan.

Related: Royal Wedding of the Year! See Photos from Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan's Nuptials

According to Vogue Arabia, Crown Prince Hussein met his future wife in an old-fashioned way: through a friend.

"I met Rajwa through an old friend from school," Hussein said at a forum hosted by the Crown Prince Foundation in late April 2023, along with a loving word. "I consider myself lucky because it is not every day you meet someone like Rajwa," he added.

Its unclear which school the Crown Prince was referring to, though they both attended college in the United States. Princess Rajwa was born in Saudi Arabia and earned a degree in architecture from Syracuse University in New York, as well as a professional designation degree in visual communications from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa at the AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between Tajikistan and Jordan at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan in February 2024.

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Meanwhile, Crown Prince Hussein is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

The Jordanian royal family expands with the birth of Princess Rajwa and Crown Prince Husseins new baby, and Queen Rania previously teased her excitement about becoming a grandmother.

"I always used to always say my favorite title is mama, but I think thats going to quickly change to the Arabic word for grandma," she said during an appearance on Good Morning America in September 2022. The topic came up in a conversation about how her two eldest children  Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Iman  were getting married in 2023.

Abaca Press/Alamy (From left) Prince Hasheem, Princess Iman, Jameel Thermiotis, Queen Rania, Princess Rajwa, Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Salma in a photo Queen Rania posted on her birthday in August 2022.

"My goal is to be, like, fun grandma, Queen Rania explained. "We have a saying in Arabic, 'No person is dearer to us more than our children than our grandchildren.' So Im really excited to have babies in my life soon."

"I wont apply pressure, but I will," the Queen joked.



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There are some things that you've just got to see to believe, and this turkey attacking a car on a Boston street is one of them! Alicia Mastroianni was shocked when she walked outside to get into her car and head to work and found her car covered in scratches. She noticed a note on the windshield and found that a neighbor could explain what had happened to the car; a turkey had attacked her car for 15 minutes!

The neighbor - who tried to scare the bird off - recorded the incident as it happened. The turkey sees itself in the car's reflection and continuously attacks the 'other' bird. What a random thing to happen!

The turkey did so much damage! Alicia wasn't happy about the situation but took it with a grain of salt. She said in her caption, "Moves to Boston. Gets car attacked by a turkey. Was not on my list of things to be prepared for in the city..." I don't think most people could prepare for something like this! Not all turkeys hate cars though; check out this video of a turkey enjoying a ride in the car just like a dog!

Of course, the video went viral and has nearly 8 million views and over 15 thousand comments. @Sarah Johnston got almost 240 thousand likes when she said, "I wouldve never believed this without the video!!! Shout out to that person!" @Karen Wilson's comment made me laugh, "turKEYED' the car!"- my 12-year-old." and @Rochelle Y added, "Not sure what insurance coverage there is for car 'turkey attacks' LMAOOO!!!" And I couldn't agree more with @Cayla who said, "If Farmers Insurance doesnt pick this up for their next commercial" this would fit one of their commercials perfectly!

Related: Turkey Who Adores Car Rides Just Like a Dog Is Too Cute to Resist

More About the Turkey Attacking Incident

While this incident happened on July 15th, it's only taken the internet by storm over the last few days. People Magazine reported on something funny that was included in the neighbor's note but not visible in the video. The neighbor said, "Sorry you were the target of this turkey rage."

People also said, "The Massachusetts Environmental Police told the news outlet that the turkey may have acted aggressively because it saw its own reflection in the car's metallic exterior and thought it was a rival animal. The agency said people can protect their own cars by covering them or making noise to scare away any offending turkeys." The neighbor said they didn't have any luck when they tried to scare the turkey away. I guess it was too focused on attacking that other bird!

Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. Because the neighbor captured the whole incident, Mastroianni was able to send proof to her insurance company because nobody would've ever believed her story without it! People reported that the damage will be covered under her policy. If nothing else, she now has a great story to tell at parties!

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Halle Berry Accused of Using Her Wealth to Force Ex-Husband Olivier Martinez Into Submission

Halle Berrys ex-husband Olivier Martinezs legal team are demanding the actress emergency motion in court be shut down, In Touch can exclusively reveal.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, his lawyers asked that Halles motion to force Olivier to resume coparenting therapy sessions be denied.

Halle filed docs this week claiming Olivier had failed to follow their coparenting agreement. The exes share a 10-year-old son Maceo.

The actress claimed Olivier decided he wanted to take the summer off and didnt want to attend sessions until September.

Halle Berry Accused of Using Her Wealth to Force Ex-Husband Olivier Martinez into Submission

She said he told her he was traveling around France in July and had plans with his brother. Halle demanded Olivier be forced to stick with the therapy schedule they worked out initially.

The deal said they would finish six joint sessions by June 14.

In addition, Halle said the therapy sessions are conducted via zoom, so he can attend wherever he is.

Her lawyer said, It should never be necessary to seek judicial intervention solely to compel a party to comply with their own agreements. A persons word  particularly those that become contractual obligations and then orders of the Court  should carry weight and have meaning. Unfortunately, that has not been the standard upheld by Respondent, Olivier Martinez, in this case. To the contrary, he has chosen to repeatedly violate agreements and court orders with careless disregard. To him, the terms of the parties stipulated court orders are simply suggestions to follow when it benefits him and which he ignores when it does not fit his alienation agenda.

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The lawyer added, "Oliviers conduct harms the parties son, Maceo, causes further damage to the parties already strained relationship and forces Petitioner, Halle Berry, to incur unnecessary attorneys fees to constantly seek relief from the Court.

Halle said in a declaration, I have tried to resolve these issues directly with Olivier without involving our lawyers  Olivier refused my efforts. My lawyer, Marina Beck, tried to resolve these issues directly with Oliviers now third lawyer for weeks but her efforts were ignored and later refused.

She said she needed the courts immediate intervention. Oliviers lawyer asked that the requests be denied due to lack of imminent harm.

The legal team said, We do not consent to the orders requested as we are unable to reach our client and ask that the ex parte be set as fully noticed Motion.

Halle Berry Accused of Using Her Wealth to Force Ex-Husband Olivier Martinez into Submission

They argued, [Halles] request does not comport with the purposes for which emergency orders may be granted, and [Halles] request does not present any emergency or exigent circumstances.

His lawyers added, [Halle] knowingly noticed her ex parte request when she knew Olivier] would be traveling and would be unable to communicate with his counsel to respond to [Halles] ex parte request, thus further impeding [Oliviers] right to be heard.

Halle] is constantly attempting to harass and strong-arm [Olivier] by forcing him into 'submission' using her wealth, and the legal professionals at her disposal, his team said. At the same time, she has refused to agree to provide a fee contribution toward [Oliviers] legal fees incurred, which does the absolute opposite of leveling the proverbial field.

The legal team continued, This ex parte application is just another example of this relentless tactic given that, when [Oliviers] counsel asked that this be trailed for 48 hours (from July 29 to July 31) as her client is unreachable, [Halle] failed to grant [Olivier] this common and expected courtesy.

A judge has yet to rule.
The 2010 slaying of the 48-year-old Madison woman who was found bludgeoned and stabbed to death on the lawn of her home remains cloaked in mystery

HBO Barbara Beach Hamburg (center) with Jeffrey and their children

The upscale coastal town of Madison, Conn., is known for its pristine beaches and a quaint downtown area dotted with cafes and a cozy bookstore.

But on March 3, 2010, the usually quiet enclave was turned upside down when one of its residents, Barbara Beach Hamburg, 48, was found dead in the yard of the tidy, three-bedroom ranch she was renting for herself and her children, the New Haven Register reports.

In 2002, she and her husband, Jeffrey Hamburg, a once-thriving but now beleaguered businessman, had divorced, Fox 61 reports. The couple was still fighting over funds.

She was found dead on the very day they were both supposed to show up in family court for a hearing over thousands of dollars she said he owed her in back alimony and child support payments.

An autopsy revealed her death was caused by sharp force injury and blunt force trauma.

No arrests have ever been made.

Jeffrey was questioned after her death but he had an apparent alibi since he was in court the morning she was killed.

In 2020, the victim's son, Madison Hamburg, released a four-part documentary he had spent years making: Murder on Middle Beach aired on HBO and explored the mystery surrounding his mothers senseless death.

In the documentary, Madison tries to get his father to speak about his mothers murder, even recording him without his knowledge, but his father declines to broach the subject, GQ reports.

The documentary also shows how Madison learned that his mother had been involved in a pyramid scheme involving gifting tables and explores whether anyone she met in the MSM world had anything to do with her murder, Oxygen reports. (He doesn't come up with much)

He also delves into the complicated relationship between his mother and her older sister, Conway Beach, who, with along with Madisons sister, found Barbaras body on the lawn, covered in couch cushions, according to Bustle.

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The victim's older sister tells Madison in the documentary that she was a person of interest in the case and that she had once tried to hire a hitman to kill her sister and Jeffrey  but was unsuccessful, Oxygen reports. She said she told authorities about this also.

Madison spent years trying to access police records on the case, even taking the case to the state Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court was tasked with looking into a part of the states Freedom of Information Act enabling police departments to refuse to release information to be used in a prospective law enforcement action if prejudicial to such action, CT Insider reports.

In a unanimous decision in February, the Supreme Court ruled that police must show that that an arrest or prosecution is at least reasonably possible, CT Insider reports.

Madison is still waiting for the documents.



The murder is still unsolved.



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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit Colombia later this year, marking their second foreign tour in 2024.

The couple has reportedly accepted an invitation to visit the South American country despite recent security warnings about the region's instability from both the UK and US governments.

Earlier in the year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Nigeria, a move that reportedly angered senior royals.

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Are Set To Engage With Leaders, Youth And Women Of Colombia

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Harry and Meghan will embark on another foreign tour later this year, this time to Colombia, nearly 4,000 miles away from their current home in California, U.S.

The Sussexes planned visit was confirmed by the Vice President of the South American country, Francia Marquez, in a statement via her office. During the trip, they will visit the capital city of Bogota and also make stops at the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.

In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress, read the statement from Ms Marquez's office, per the Daily Mail.

The statement added, In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.

Part of the activities the couple will also engage in are related to cyberbullying, online exploitation and the mental health impacts of these threats, which their foundation, The Archewell Foundation, is committed to.

The Couples Impending Visit Has Raised Eyebrows Due To Security Concerns

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Although the Sussexes' exact arrival date in Colombia is unclear, their visit will occur before the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in November.

While they are expected to receive full security during their stay, their decision to visit the country has raised eyebrows due to travel advisories from both the US and UK governments.

The US, where the couple currently resides, has placed Colombia at a Level 3 security risk, warning that terrorist groups and criminal organizations continue operating and carrying out attacks in the country.

They also noted that demonstrations can occur regularly and can become violent, resulting in fatalities and injuries.

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghans impending visit was slammed by critics who are surprised that they have chosen to visit one, if not the most, dangerous countries in the world.

In a recent ITV interview, Harry highlighted his fears about bringing his wife to the UK, claiming that the country is a "dangerous" place for her and that she could be the victim of a "knife or acid" attack.

The duke's comments about the UK have also made many question the couple's decision to travel to Colombia.

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Visited Nigeria Earlier In The Year

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Earlier in the year, the couple visited Nigeria in West Africa for three days after an invitation by the countrys Chief of Defence Staff.

During the tour, the couple raised awareness about Harrys Invictus Games, a competitive sporting tournament that caters to wounded, sick, or injured veterans and serving military personnel.

To this end, Harry visited six wards at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, where he met young soldiers recovering from horrific injuries. Many had been victims of Boko Haram ambushes, sustaining gunshot wounds and limb loss from explosions.

The couple also got involved in other activities, including mental health awareness and womens empowerment, and enjoyed several cultural experiences.

At the time, the visit drew mixed reactions from social media users, with some criticizing the couple while others praised them for honoring the invitation.

Senior Royals Were Enraged About The Sussexes Visit To Nigeria

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How the Palace would react to Harry and Meghans visit to Colombia remains to be seen. However, if past precedents are to be followed, it most likely wont be pleasant.

A royal expert, Tom Quinn, previously told The Mirror that the couples visit to Nigeria deeply angered senior royals. According to the Mirror, King Charles was said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him.

According to Quinn, the senior royal was angry because the couple approached their private visit to the country in a manner resembling an official royal visit.

The Palace also didn't like that Meghan and Harrys speeches and their whole attitude gave the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals.

Quinn continued, For Charles and William, its as if Meghan and Harry are saying, We dont need your permission to be working royals  we will do it on our own terms whenever and wherever we like.

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Were Not Invited To Balmoral Castle For Royal Retreat

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The Sussexes were snubbed again by the royal family as they did not receive an invite to Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

A source made the revelation to People magazine, noting that Charles will follow in his mother, Queen Elizabeth's tradition of going there every summer but that Harry and Meghan have been excluded from his guest list.

The pair were invited by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, shortly before she died, but declined. Harry is quite familiar with the tradition as he grew up going there but it's believed that Meghan has never experienced what the holidays looked like.

The Scottish Castle hosts the royal family every year when they recline from the public eye to spend time together, with outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and horseback riding, which are said to be some activities they indulge in.
Queen Mary of Denmarks Fashion Evolution: Floor-length Gowns, Suited Looks and More Through the Years

Queen Mary of Denmark joined the royal family when she married King Frederik X in 2004. At the time of her marriage, Queen Mary officially became a princess in Denmarks royal family. But as of January 2024, she is the reigning queen consort. Over the course of the last 20 years, Queen Marys fashion has undergone an entire evolution.

Ahead, see some of the highlights from Queen Mary of Denmarks style sensibility through the years.

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2005

Denmarks Australian-born Crown Princess Mary arrives at the Chocolate Lovers Ball at Wrest Point Casino in Marys hometown on March 11, 2005 in Hobart, Australia.

Less than one year after her wedding with King Frederik X, Queen Mary attended the Chocolate Lovers Ball in her hometown of Hobart, Australia. She wore a sleek, sleeveless gown with a bevy of jewels and her hair tied back in a tight chignon.

2008

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark arrive at the European Film Awards at Forum on Dec. 6, 2008 in Copenhagen.

In December 2008, Queen Mary and King Frederik attended the European Film Awards in Copenhagen, where Queen Mary glittered on the red carpet. The royal wore a flowing, floor-length gown with a sleeveless bodice covered in shimmering details. The skirt of the gown featured a soft fabric with a very small train.

2014

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik arrive at the Bambi Awards 2014 on Nov. 13, 2014 in Berlin.

Roughly six years later, Queen Mary demonstrated her proclivity for dazzling formal attire once again at the 2014 Bambi Awards. She wore floor-length gown with allover sparkles, and an asymmetric neckline and defined waist.

2016

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attend the second day of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 15, 2016 in Ascot, England.

While attending Royal Ascot in the United Kingdom in June 2016, Queen Mary opted for a pop of color. She wore a red dress with a defined waist and short, puff sleeves and pleating on the bodice. Queen Mary also added a neutral color to her ensemble with her fascinator, which featured a large floral applique.

2020

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at the opening of the designer museum Holmegaard Vaerk in Naestved some 75 kilometers south of Copenhagen on June 8, 2020.

During a daytime royal engagement in Copenhagen, Queen Mary demonstrated her proclivity for florals in a high-waist fit-and-flare skirt with a romantic floral pattern in shades of red and blue. The royal also wore a long-sleeve white sweater and powder blue pointed-toe pumps.

2024

IOC President Thomas Bach, his wife Claudia Bach, and King of Demark Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark attend the IOC & Elysee Dinner at the Louvre ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 25, 2024 in Paris.

Queen Mary and King Frederik X were among several royals who attended the 2024 Olympics in Paris. For the IOC & Elysee Dinner at the Louvre on July 25, Queen Mary opted for a sleeveless, wide-leg jumpsuit by Max Mara.

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Launch Gallery: Queen Mary of Denmark's Style Through the Years: Formal Gowns, Monochrome Looks & More [PHOTOS]

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French drag performer Nicky Doll has taken legal action against British actor and politician Laurence Fox after he lashed out at drag queens involved in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony and called them deviant little pedos on social media.

The July 26 ceremony, which featured a group of drag artists portraying Greek gods and has been perceived by some as a parody of Leonardo va Vincis religious painting The Last Supper, sparked debate worldwide. Fox, posted on X about the performance, saying: No point in getting wound up when the child f**kers want to wind you up. Just laugh at the deviant little pedos. Eternity is a b***h.

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Nicky Doll, whose real name is Karl Sanchez, announced the lawsuit through a statement from lawyer Anne Sophie-Laguens. The statement detailed that performers faced online harassment and threats following the July 26 ceremony.

Stop Homophobia lawyers have received numerous reports of incitement to hatred, insults, online harassment, threats and defamation, the statement read. It added that Sanchez, who gained international recognition as a contestant on RuPauls Drag Race, has experienced an unprecedented wave of animosity and malice since the performance.

These messages go far beyond artistic criticism and for some convey odious and defamatory amalgams, equating drag performance to pedophilia, the statement added. These comparisons are serious and unacceptable. It is in this sense that justice has been seized, and that any publication or message equating Nicky Dolls performance with the encouragement of pedophilia practices will be reported.

In a separate statement to Today.com, Sanchez addressed Fox directly: Im about to sue you again for defamation  the same exact topic that you were sued on and lost. The drag performer added: This is my kind of activism. Im going to make him pay for the things that everybody else is saying, because I want to show that it is time now to stop labeling queer people in an evil way.

Since you didnt learn the first time around when you called my friend @crystalwillseeu a pedo, Im going to show you that you dont get to write things like that about queer people for the fun and the misinformation of it and go away with it. See you in court, again, @LozzaFox! https://t.co/i3i9BnGWXY  Nicky Doll (Karlize) (@thenickydoll) July 28, 2024

This is not Foxs first encounter with legal action involving a drag performer. He recently lost a High Court libel case filed by Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal. Fox was ordered to pay 90,000 ($115,200) per person in damages. The case stemmed from Foxs online comments directed at Blake and Crystal after he faced criticism for his remarks about Sainsburys plans for safe spaces for Black employees.

French DJ and activist Barbara Butch has also filed a police report after receiving death threats for her participation in an Olympics opening ceremony performance, along with Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the event.

Fox is a leader of the Reclaim Party. His last credit as an actor was playing Hunter Biden in Breitbart TVs My Son Hunter (2022).

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There are many reasons why Peruvian cuisine has become world famous. Mostly, though, it comes down to flavor. A varied geography of towering mountains, deep jungles, dry deserts, and a Pacific coast births innumerable ingredients. Throughout its pre- and post-Columbian history, the plants and animals harvested for food across Peru have shaped the tastes the country is known for. Yet, cuisine is about more than what we can nosh; people need something to wash it all down with. Regardless of if you're filling a mug, cup, or glass, the bounty of Peru provides.

You likely know about the country's most famous beverage, pisco, but there's a lot more to sip on. Chef Victoriano Lopez agrees. As the executive chef of La Mar San Francisco and a native of Ancash, Peru, Lopez holds a lifelong mission to share his nation's cuisine. That includes beverages. "Peru is a country renowned for its rich culinary heritage and diverse cultural traditions," he tells Tasting Table, "The beverages found within its borders are no exception."

I recently spent three months in Peru, and the amount of drinks at any given bar, restaurant, or bodega never failed to stun this thirsty patron into submission. To dive into the bevvy culture of Peru, I asked chef Lopez for some insight and firsthand experience. As Lopez notes, "Whether sipped in a bustling market, shared with friends and family, or savored in a quiet moment of reflection, these beverages offer a window into the heart and soul of Peru."

Read more: The 40 Absolute Best Cocktails That Feature Only 2 Ingredients

Pisco And Pisco Sours

Pisco sour with lime - Bhofack2/Getty Images

Without a doubt, pisco is the most popular  or at least well-known  Peruvian drink. Its presence in bars is so widespread that chances are you've already tried it even if you haven't visited Latin America. Pisco is a type of brandy. As chef Victoriano Lopez attests, it's the key ingredient in the lime-kissed pisco sour, a cocktail made by combining the spirit with citrus juice, sweetener, and egg white.

While the origin of that mix is disputed (neighboring Chile also lays claim to creating pisco), Lopez is eager to remind the parched among us that pisco isn't just a delicious tipple but one steeped in Peru's history: "Pisco, in particular, holds a revered position," he says, "with its origins tracing back to the colonial era and the Spanish brandy-making techniques introduced during that time."

True enough, pisco is widely acknowledged as having originated in Peru following the Spanish invasion of 1532. Both grapevines and distilling techniques were brought after colonization, as were imports of brandy from the European continent. Eventually, creating a homegrown product took precedence. Today, pisco is a regionally protected product that comes in several forms, including the two most common: puro, pisco made with one type of grape, and acholado, a blend of specific grape varieties. By itself, pisco has a yellowish-amber hue and fragrant aroma that is indicative of the some 10-plus flavor profiles the spirit can possess. It's floral, botanical, and so well-regarded that there's even a national pisco sour day.

Chilcano

Chilcano with lime - AndriiR/Shutterstock

Pisco and pisco sours might seem an undeniable, incomparable combination. The cocktail is all at once tart, electric, and biting, the perfect beverage for hot weather. Yet, not everyone enjoys the taste of high acidity or the round texture of milky egg whites on a smothering warm day. Nor is drinking pisco straight the right option for all. Fortunately, there are other ways to try this drink in Peru. "[Pisco] also shines in the effervescent chilcano," notes chef Victoriano Lopez, " where it mingles with ginger ale for a refreshing, slightly herbal taste."

The chilcano is a rousing Peruvian cocktail that's definitely worth the effort to seek out, though you won't have to look very far at all. It's super popular at bars across the country; some mixologists attest that it's actually more popular than its shaken egg white cousin. A basic chilcano recipe consists of pisco with ginger ale, lime juice, and bitters. The result is exactly as Lopez describes it: the burn of ginger, complemented by the high vibes of citrus, each accentuating the vinicultural traits of Peruvian pisco.

The nature of the chilcano makes it an ideal drink to sip in a number of circumstances. Perhaps the best is alongside some of Peru's famous fish dishes, like a fish soup which has the same name. Order a bowl of chilcano with a glass of chilcano, and you've got yourself a citrus-packed pair of liquids to sup on, a true highlight of what Peru has to offer.

Inca Kola

Bottles of Inca Kola - Frankvandenbergh/Getty Images

Peru obviously has a standout cocktail and spirit culture, but some of the most fun and interesting drinks I tried while traveling through the country had nothing to do with alcohol. Inca Kola is one such beverage. Chef Victoriano Lopez says that "the vibrant Inca Kola, with its unique citrus-vanilla flavor, is deeply woven into the fabric of Peruvian identity." It definitely is.

The presence of this native soda is ubiquitous: You can buy it in every grocery store or convenience market, it's slung by vendors patrolling the beach looking for dry-mouthed sunbathers, and it's sold at snack carts that are stationed on nearly every major street corner in Lima. (It's even possible  but not recommended  to buy a bottle right off said street from your taxi window as enterprising hawkers walk through traffic.) Nearly every laborer you pass has an Inca Kola or two nestled into a plastic sack, and the soda is regularly offered by restaurants in glass containers large enough to split among an entire family.

Unlike Coca-Cola, you won't see Inca Kola used as a mixer. It has a very distinct flavor, as Lopez touched on. The intended result of citrus and vanilla is contested by many who unscrew the cap. Inca Kola has been described as bubblegum-like; I find it akin to the taste of cream soda. The golden color is meant to draw your eye, and you shouldn't leave Peru without giving it a taste.

Manjar Blanco And Cafe Pasado

Cup of coffee - katuSka/Shutterstock

Although Peruvian coffee isn't as widely exported as that of neighboring Colombia or Brazil, the nation's farmers grow some of the best beans I've had the pleasure of tasting throughout my time eating and drinking in 20-plus countries. Luckily for caffeine connoisseurs, that status is changing; fair-trade, organic Peruvian coffee is becoming more widely seen in third- and fourth-wave shops. Peruvian coffees are grown at both high and low altitudes, with beans of the latter having a profile that is round, rich, and robust rather than highly acidic or heady. That suits them perfectly to two unique java traditions of Peru: coffee with manjar blanco, and cafe pasado.

"The manjar blanco latte offers a delightful fusion of Peruvian and global influences," says chef Victoriano Lopez, "blending the creamy sweetness of the country's iconic manjar blanco with the familiar comfort of a latte." Manjar blanco is a caramelized sugar spread similar to dulce de leche, but it's thicker, more golden, and less sugary. Some coffee houses will offer it as a sweetener to your daily cup, imparting a deep flavor that burnishes the attributes of low-altitude beans.

On the flip side is the cafe pasado technique. This is a brewing method rather than a drink. A mash-up of drip and pour-over coffee, pasado uses a double-chambered device wherein the grinds and hot water are mixed to make a thick extract, which is then thinned with hot water.

Quinua Carretillera

Glass of quinoa porridge - Natalie Rocfort Shigetomi/Shutterstock

For chef Victoriano Lopez, the beauty of sipping any drink in Peru is that it has the potential to reveal so much about the country's abundance. "The beverages of Peru reflect the region's diverse agricultural bounty," he says. Specifically, he points to a hot breakfast beverage as an example of this. "Such as the quinua carretillera," he continues. "[It's] a nourishing drink made from the prized superfood quinoa, known as the breakfast of the people."

Quinoa is a grain that's native to the border of Peru and Bolivia, where it has been consumed by indigenous people for centuries  long before colonists arrived and capitalism began exploiting farmers in an effort to churn it out to markets across the world. Globalization has had significant impacts on the sustainability of quinoa. Still, the locality of it to Peru makes it something you should consider trying on a visit to the country.

Served from street carts at breakfast, the warm (at times, piping hot) drink is made from cooked, sweetened quinoa mixed with fruit, water, sometimes milk, and often spices. In its complete essence, quinua carretillera is more than just a drink; it's a substance that can keep you full and nourished from the early morning till late afternoon. Every vendor makes theirs a bit different. One corner may serve a cup with chunks of apple or pear, while another serves straight-up hot and brothy grains. This Peruvian drink tastes earthy, slightly grassy, and like a slurp of history.

Emoliente

Glass of emoliente and herbs - bonchan/Shutterstock

Emoliente is a sort of barley tea that, like quinua carretillera, can be purchased hot from street carts across the cityscapes and towns of Peru. Asked what emoliente means to Peruvian cuisine, chef Victoriano Lopez relays that, "emoliente and emoliente piteado [are] soothing herbal infusions that have long been prized for their medicinal properties."

To make emoliente, barley is toasted for color and to activate nutrients. Then, the barley water is fortified with herbs and plants deemed to be of culinary and medicinal value, such as lemongrass, flax, and chamomile stems. The mixture stews in a giant well at the center of a steel pushcart, where an emolientero then mixes each cup with more botanicals and shrubs before selling it to patrons who line up around the block in the mornings. These emolienteros often belong to associations that have enshrined the process and protect this important point of national culture, though the recipes for emoliente can differ from cart to cart. Emoliente has a slightly sweet flavor that can also be woody and complex, and a texture that's slightly thick.

Although it's typically consumed in the early morning, once upon a time, emoliente carts used to stay open until the wee hours, when emolienteros would sell emoliente piteado, an alcoholic version that included pisco or rum. This practice is now rare, due to local laws outlawing on-street alcohol sales. Still, there are bars, like Lima's La Emolienteria, where the heritage beverage is sold spiked with spirits.

Matacuy

Bottle of Matacuy - matacuy/Instagram

"Matacuy is a digestive made of botanicals which is natural, complex, and balanced," chef Victoriano Lopez explains. Despite its varied taste, it does not have the name recognition of other beverages that are customary to Peru. Rather than being a generic drink that can be found easily across Peru, Matacuy is specific.

The spirit is produced by distillers in the Sacred Valley of Peru, where guinea pig, or cuy, is regularly consumed. Along with cuy raised for meat, the region has a distinctive microclimate that nurtures unique herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices that grow only here. These plants are used in the pre- and post-fermentation of Matacuy. The base spirit is distilled from sugarcane, but at any given time, it can be augmented with 12 to 50 different botanicals, providing a layered, nuanced, new taste with each sip. The flavor belies its power. Matacuy, which means "kill the guinea pig," is 43% alcohol. That bite brings power. Per chef Lopez, the satisfying burn is "great after an evening of ceviche and lomo saltado."

Chicha Morada

Glass of chicha morada - visitperuofficial/Instagram

It's become a fun fact for the food-focused among us to know: Peru has over 4,000 varieties of potatoes. What's lesser known is that the country also has more than 50 types of corn, one of them being the dark purple variety used for an iconic drink of Peruvian cuisine. "Let's not forget the deep purple chicha morada," says chef Victoriano Lopez, "a vibrant corn-based beverage that serves as a refreshing link to the country's pre-Columbian past."

Chicha is a fermented corn beverage that has been produced in the Andes for thousands of years. Evidence of the drink being ritually consumed in Peru predates the Incas. Traditionally, masticated corn was spit into a ceramic container, where saliva turned it to sugar before it was fermented and boiled down and consumed for ceremony and celebration. Today's chicha is made with maceration instead. Dried purple corn is combined with cinnamon, clove, and sugar. Once it's boiled down, chicha morada is given some fruit and lime juice and served cold. It's a sweet beverage reminiscent of mulled wine, but with less tannins and stone fruit, heavier on the fieldish, sweet-milky minerality of a native corn variety. Chicha morada can be found in most restaurants across Peru. As chef Lopez reminds us, a refreshing glass should never be overlooked.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
A colon cancer breakthrough, a major deli meat recall and the link between dementia and wildfire smoke: Catch up on the week's health news

Hey, everyone. Rebecca here filling in for Kaitlin Reilly this week. Its Saturday (yahoo!) and our health team had a busy week covering everything from the Olympics to Ozempic. Here are some of the highlights:

And heres what else the health world was buzzing about this week:

A new blood test can screen for colon cancer

The Food and Drug Administration approved a blood test on Monday called Shield, which can screen for colon cancer. NBC News reports that the test had been available to doctors at $895, but the FDA approval means Medicare and private insurance companies are more likely to cover the high out-of-pocket cost.

The test works by detecting the DNA that cancerous tumors release in the bloodstream. Research showed it was 83% effective, but worked best at finding later-stage colorectal cancers.

What it means: Doctors caution that the test isnt intended to replace colonoscopies. A colonoscopy would still be required to confirm whether the Shield test was accurate, where any tumors are and how far theyve progressed. But its a promising development given that colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the U.S. for both men and women, and on the rise in young people.

Boars Head pulls more meat from shelves amid listeria outbreak

On Tuesday, Boars Head recalled another 7 million pounds of deli meats  including liverwurst, ham, beef salami, bologna and other products made at the meat companys Jarratt, Va., plant between May 10 and July 29. This new recall is in addition to a Boars Head recall made the previous week as the deli giant contends with an ongoing listeria outbreak. So far two people have died and nearly three dozen people in 13 states have become ill, the Associated Press reports.

What it means: As Yahoo Lifes Kaitlin Reilly previously reported, about 48 million people get sick from foodborne diseases every year, and listeria is a bacteria that can grow even under refrigeration temperatures  making it especially tricky to eliminate. Symptoms of listeriosis (the disease people can develop after eating food contaminated with listeria) include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Wildfire smoke linked to higher dementia risk

Wildfire smoke exposure increases the odds of developing dementia more than other forms of air pollution, according to a study presented on Monday at the Alzheimers Association International Conference.

The study looked at the full electronic health records of 1.2 million Californians ages 60 and older, and determined that those who lived in areas with more exposure to wildfire-derived PM2.5 (a microscopic air pollutant) were more likely to go on to be diagnosed with dementia than people exposed to PM2.5 from other sources, the Los Angeles Times reports.

What it means: I was expecting for us to see an association between wildfire smoke exposure and dementia, said study author Dr. Holly Elser. But the fact we see so much stronger of an association for wildfire as compared to non-wildfire smoke exposure was kind of surprising.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the fact that wildfire particles are so much smaller, are produced at higher temperatures and contain a greater concentration of toxic chemicals than other air pollutants are possible explanations.
Cheapest flights from Phoenix that cost less than driving this month

Summer is winding down, and the cost to fly to some destinations is retreating from summer highs.

In August 2024, people flying in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will find cheap base fares for several destinations.

That includes six cities with round-trip fares of $60 or less, according to travel website Hopper.

The airfares we found are subject to change. The lowest base fares were found with ultra-low-cost carriers like Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines; be aware that these types of airlines charge low base fares with additional fees for seat assignments, carry-on and checked bags and other amenities.

Cheapest flights from Phoenix in August 2024

San Jose, California

San Jose, the largest city in Silicon Valley, is at least an 11-hour drive from Phoenix. August's lowest round-trip airfares cost significantly less than the nearly $180 that FuelEconomy.gov estimates would cost in gas for round-trip car travel.

Hopper estimated airfares between Phoenix and San Jose as low as $50. The low price for the route coincides with Frontier Airlines reintroducing flights between the two cities on Aug. 13, three years after the route was suspended.

The Arizona Republic found base round-trip fares as low as $38 for flights with Frontier for an Aug. 13-20 itinerary. Fares ranged from $48-$58 for most itineraries during the month.

Las Vegas

The flight from Phoenix to Las Vegas is much shorter than the drive, and base fares for some round-trip flights in August might even beat the cost of a tank of gas.

Hopper forecasted round-trip fares as low as $56 for Phoenix-Las Vegas itineraries in August.

We found fares ranging from $46 to $59 on most days in August, mostly in the middle of the month, aboard Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

Denver

Colorado's capital city, about 70 miles from the Rocky Mountains, is quite the drive from Phoenix. Denver is about 865 miles away, and it takes at least 13 hours to drive there. A nonstop flight takes just two hours.

Hopper forecasted flights as low as $58 between Phoenix and Denver in August.

We found fares ranging from $58 to $63 with Frontier on most days in August, mostly during the later part of the month. Itineraries with the lowest fares include Aug. 13-17 and Aug. 20-24.

San Diego

A popular weekend getaway spot for Arizonans, the Southern California city known for its beaches and its zoo takes as little as 75 minutes to get there by plane. Flying there is appealing for those who'd prefer not to make the 5-hour drive or the eight-hour seasonal bus route.

We found $48 round-trip base fares from Phoenix to San Diego with Frontier, the lowest advertised price for Tuesday-Saturday trips. That's $10 lower than the $58 fares Hopper forecast for San Diego in August.

Los Angeles

Like Vegas, Los Angeles is a favorite vacation destination for Arizonans. It's about a 90-minute flight vs. a six-hour drive (longer with traffic).

Hopper forecasted flights as low as $58 between Phoenix and Los Angeles in August.

Flights ranging from $48-$58 are offered with Frontier in August on a handful of dates. Only a few trips, including an Aug. 14-17 itinerary, are available for the lowest round-trip base fare.

Salt Lake City

It's about a 10-hour drive from Phoenix to Salt Lake City, compared to a 1-hour and 45-minute flight. August airfares are lower than the nearly $160 that FuelEconomy.gov estimates gas would cost for the drive.

Hopper estimated airfares from Phoenix to Salt Lake City would cost $59 round trip for itineraries in August. We found fares ranging from $48 to $59 with Frontier Airlines or trips on most dates from Aug. 17-31.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist whos covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republics consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cheap flights in August 2024: $60 or less RT from Phoenix
This summer we take a look back at the playgrounds of yesteryear in our series THE SOUTH SHORE AS IT WAS.

CARVER  Cranberry grower and rail enthusiast Ellis D. Atwood put his passion to use when he snapped up parts of a 2-foot narrow-gauge railroad in Maine from being sold for scrap.

Who knew that when he built the nearly 5-mile railroad around his land in South Carver to streamline the transport of his cranberry harvest to the screening rooms, he would also rescue this piece of history from fading into obscurity and establish a facet of South Shore tourism with a staying power of nearly 80 years?

Generations have flocked to Edaville to take rides on the steam locomotives around Atwoods cranberry bogs. It was something that started in the 1940s and, despite changing hands and a handful of closures, remains a central part of the park's draw today.

Atwood inherited the family cranberry business after his fathers death in 1917. Atwood had expanded the business so that the cranberry bogs and reservoirs that were used to flood the bogs during harvest made up about one-third of the 1,800 acres of land he owned, according to an article in The Providence Journal. The golden spike marking the completion of the railroad was driven into the ground in 1945.

He was called as eccentric as a fox for spending more than $500,000 on the railroad, which ultimately saved him roughly $400 a day during the two-month harvest, the newspaper reported in 1947. He named it after his initials, "E.D.A."

After a few seasons of hauling cranberries, Atwood started offering free train rides on Sunday afternoons, said Brian Fanslau, one of Edavilles operators.

This scan of a book by Linwood Moody shows Ellis D. and Elthea Atwood in front of the coach "Elthea."

He couldnt keep the people away, Fanslau said. Atwoods rail inventory would rise to more than 30 passenger cars and four steam locomotives.

Edaville was popular among many, from train lovers to children and everyone in between. The site hosted clambakes put on by political groups and visits from summer camps, church groups, Kiwanis clubs and more. Christmas lights and the annual cranberry festival were big draws as well.

Theres really nothing like it around, Fanslau said.

But tragedy struck in November 1950. A boiler explosion critically injured Atwood. His wife, Elthea, went looking for him when he didnt return home for dinner and found him unconscious, having been struck by the boiler doors. He died days later and 1,500 people attended his funeral. He was 61.

Elthea Atwood and a relative kept the business running, Fanslau said. Five years after Atwoods death, she decided to hold on to the cranberry business but sell the railroad to F. Nelson Blount. He was the owner of Blount Seafood Corp., which in part provided seafood to soup manufacturers including Campbell Soup. Blount was also a rail enthusiast, writing several books on the subject, and founded Steamtown, USA in Vermont.

In 1967, Blount died in a private plane crash during an emergency landing in Marlboro, New Hampshire. Edavilles vice president, Fred Richardson, took over the helm before selling it to George Bartholomew, president of Bay Colony Railroad and Cape Cod Scenic Railroad Dinner Train, who kept the park running until 1991.

This scan of a book by Linwood Moody shows two photographs of steam engines in the early days of Edaville. The top photo was taken in June 1949.

Since then, the park has run into issues that threatened to derail it altogether.

Bartholomew put the park up for sale, seeking a full-time owner for it. He owed back taxes and rent on the property but said at the time it wasnt a factor in the decision to put Edaville on the market. He auctioned off railroad memorabilia to raise money to keep the park open. It had one more winter season before it closed and a nonprofit in Maine bought most of the trains in 1993.

A few years later, a local investment group signed a 16-year lease with the Edaville landlord, managed by Atwoods relatives, to revive the park. Train rides were back in Carver by July 1996, but it was short-lived. Five months later, operations halted over a rent dispute.

A new group of partners including developer Jon Delli Priscoli worked to reopen the park in September 1999, adding new exhibits and rides over the years. The operators filed for bankruptcy in 2004 and auctioned off the parks assets as a result.

Two longtime employees said they would reopen the park that year, but did not renew their lease in 2010. Delli Priscoli put the park on the market for $10 million but decided to take over operations again the following year, pouring money into updating the park, including a $25 million Thomas the Tank Engine theme park on 11 acres of the property (this is now called Alpine Village).

For the 75th anniversary, Fanslau had a hand in returning an original Edaville locomotive to the park.

Without Edaville, none of that would have existed, Fanslau said of rescuing this aspect of history. Without that vision, we wouldnt be anywhere here.

Past coverage: Carver's Edaville Family Theme Park is off the market

In January 2023, Delli Priscoli proposed a 336-apartment housing project but nothing has been filed with the state, according to the town of Carver. Fanslau said regardless, the proposed development would not affect the park.

Today, Edaville has the only steam train in Massachusetts. Also, the "New England Classic Family Theme Park" has more than two dozen rides as well as a museum and a model train. Fanslau said the park aims to bring back the cranberry festival in October. The Christmas Festival of Lights is scheduled to start Nov. 8.

Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at hmorse@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: South Shore history lives on at Edaville entertaining the whole family
Dressed as Doctor Strange, Edwin Lee looks over comic books during the Aug. 1 grand opening for Sanctuary Comics & Games in The Village.

A mural on the wall of the new store featured a stained glass motif of Captain America, Superman  and the Cross and Flame emblem of the United Methodist Church.

Several ministers mingled with members of the community while Dr. Strange perused the shelves.

The colorful images and the Marvel superhero's appearance alongside local clergy hinted at the super-size mission of Sanctuary Comics & Books, 9420 N May: it's a new outreach ministry of Village United Methodist Church.

Sanctuary founder Nash Carey, 49, opened the store and ministry  his second in partnership with the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference, which provided the funds to get the new store up and running, and Village United Methodist, 2501 W Britton Road. The Rev. Elaine Robinson, the church's pastor, said Carey has been hired as the church's minister of community engagement.

Carey said the store in The Village will be much like the first Sanctuary Comics & Games store that he and his wife, Esther, opened in 2023 in Edmond. Similar to what the couple have continued to offer at the Edmond store, Carey said he hopes to build community around the intersection of faith and the realms of comic books and fantasy games at the new establishment.

More: This Edmond comic book store is offering sanctuary for fans and ministry for the faithful

And like the Edmond store, he said he wants the new Sanctuary to be, well, a sanctuary of sorts, particularly for people who are neurodivergent like himself. Along those lines, the new store also will host a Sunday fellowship where people will be able to play games like Dungeons & Dragons, followed by a Bible study led by Carey. He said a recent event at the Edmond store focused on the different concepts of strength.

"In this space, we are all champions, we are all the alpha nerd and we are all children of God," Carey said as he shared a prayer of blessing during the grand opening.

People shop during the Aug. 1 grand opening for Sanctuary Comics & Games in The Village.

"This is a safe place designed to open up people's minds, a place where they can come together to build a community, to support and lift up each other and even to slay dragons together."

'Our new sanctuary'

Carey's close-knit Sanctuary-Edmond community, United Methodist Church leaders and Village United Methodist members helped celebrate the new store's grand opening. Carey said Edwin Lee, dressed as Dr. Strange, added just the right touch as an Avenger in their midst. Robinson welcomed the crowd to the new ministry, while the Rev. Derrek Belase, director of connectional ministries for the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference, performed the ribbon cutting.

Robinson said she has known Carey since he was one of her students at St. Paul School of Theology, a United Methodist Seminary at Oklahoma City University, where she is a professor. She said she understood his vision for Sanctuary as an expression of ministry and wanted to see it expand to include her church and the community surrounding it. She said the ministry also may be a potential revenue source for Village United Methodist, where church members liked the idea of joining forces with Carey for the unique outreach.

Esther Carey, left, and Noah Gerber look at paintings of stained glass on the wall during the Aug. 1 grand opening for Sanctuary Comics & Games in The Village.

"Part of it is, Methodists have a vision of reaching people outside the walls of the church," Robinson said. "This is a place to build community and relationships with people who aren't regularly in the church."

Robinson said she and her church members have begun describing the store as "our new sanctuary."

"We've got a sanctuary in the (church) building. We've got a sanctuary here," she said.

Belase said in many ways, the new Sanctuary is part of the Oklahoma United Methodist Church's Dream a Church initiative that was unveiled in 2023 after United Methodists experienced a season of disaffiliation.

"I think a couple of our dreams are about revitalizing local churches," he said. "This is a huge part of that, when a local church can reach out and start a business to reach new people."

He said he liked Carey's idea of creating a place for people to have conversations about faith.

"We were happy to be a part of that and we were able to provide some financial support to get it off the ground."

Nash Carey, founder of Sanctuary Comics & Games, says a prayer during the Aug. 1 grand opening for Sanctuary Comics & Games in The Village.

Introduction to comics

Village United Methodist Church members like Judy Ellis and Pat Dollarhide said they liked the idea of offering Christian ministry within the new comics store.

Ellis said she and Dollarhide were among about 60 church members who helped prepare the store for opening. She said she knew about fashion because she once owned a dress shop nearby, but now she knows about comics, as well.

Dollarhide said she loved working alongside other church members to get the store ready.

"It's been amazing  I know more about comic books than I ever thought," she said. "It's a different world."

Carey said he was excited to get the second fusion of faith and comics open for business and ministry.

"It feels wonderful like it is the end of a very long race, and a little exhausting," he said. "But, for the most part, I feel energized with this deep burning energy, just ready to serve the Lord."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC comic book store Sanctuary is new Methodist outreach ministry
Here's how to find free supplies, haircuts for the start of school in Terrebonne, Lafourche

With the first day of the new semester fast approaching, heres where to find school supplies and haircuts.

Terrebonnes first day of school is Monday, Aug. 5, while Lafourches is Wednesday, Aug. 7. Many nonprofits and organizations are rallying to get the little tykes ready for their first day.

Shooting Stars organizer Ernest Harvey said that when he was a child, Christmas drives and school supply drives helped his family, and he wants to give back.

I guess I feel like its just our time to do what some people did for us, he said. Its just a good feeling to see people smile or help people out.

Heres where school supply drives are being held across Terrebonne and Lafourche:

Saturday, Aug. 3

There will be free school supplies, food, drinks and music from 11 a.m. until supplies run out at the Tru Hustlers Clubhouse, 1241 Canal Blvd., in Thibodaux, Harvey said.

There will be a school supply giveaway from 11 a.m. to noon at the Coco Marina, 106 Pier 56 Ct., in Cocodrie.

Sunday, August 4

Free haircuts will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and free school supplies from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Mechanicville Gym, 2814 Senator St, in Houma.

Going back to school is heavy, you know. it costs a lot, organizer Jalisa Mulligan said. So I just want to make the weight a little bit lighter for a lot of parents.

More: In Louisiana, students and teachers begin school year with cell phone ban, anti-LGBTQ laws

More: Cut Off couple faces multiple charges after investigation finds they sexually abused their children

Tuesday, Aug. 6

The LMA will give free haircuts from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the LMA Event Center, 1148 Tiger Dr., in Thibodaux.

Saturday, Aug. 10

Free school supplies, food and music from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Mechanicville Gym, 2814 Senator St, in Houma.

Thursday, August 15

The Terrebonne NAACP will partner with the rapper Master P to give out school supplies to students of Oaklawn Middle School at noon Thursday, Aug. 15, at the school.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: How to get ready for the first day of school in Terrebonne, Lafourche
Inland Bays Oyster Week, culminating in Delaware Seafood Festival, set to kick off in Sussex

Seafood lovers, take note.

The first-ever Inland Bays Oyster Week at the Delaware beaches, featuring a slate of events that culminate in the Delaware Seafood Festival in Millsboro on Saturday, kicks off Monday.

Inland Bays Oyster Week is the result of "a decade of efforts to bring locally grown oysters to raw bars and dinner tables," a news release from Southern Delaware Tourism said. Southern Delaware Tourism is organizing and sponsoring the week alongside the Delaware Sea Grant at the University of Delaware.

Here's a rundown of oyster-themed events Aug. 5-10.

Unshucked oysters on ice are at Lewes Oyster House Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

Sip n Slurp: Meet the Grower

Big Oyster Brewery, 6152 S. Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, 3-6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 5.

Enjoy a taste of a Southern Delaware Delicacy, featuring Nancy James Oysters from Rehoboth Bay, and learn more about aquaculture operations from owner/grower Jordan Nally. Attendees must be age 21 or older. Tickets are not required.

Inland Bays Oyster Experience Eco-Tour

Boat departs from the public dock at 511 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6.

This Cape Water Tours and Taxi boat tour will feature a visit to one of the open-water shellfish lease areas in Rehoboth Bay, where participants will have a chance to learn about the growing process. The 1.5-hour event is open to all ages. Tickets are $14 per person and can be purchased at capewatertaxi.com.

Oysters on the grill at the oyster nursery operated by Mark Casey in Millsboro.

Wine n Brine: Meet the Grower

Lewes Oyster House, 108 2nd St., Lewes, 3-5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Enjoy Arrowhead Point Oysters from Rehoboth Bay and learn more about aquaculture operations from the owner/operators. Attendees must be age 21 or older. Tickets are not required.

The Science of Aquaculture

University of Delaware Cannon Lab, Room 203, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Join Ed Hale, University of Delaware assistant professor and Delaware Sea Grant aquaculture and fisheries specialist, for a look at the "how's" and "whys" behind Inland Bays oysters. This is an all-ages event and tickets are not required.

Oyster Hatchery Tour

University of Delaware Cannon Lab, Room 203, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Take a tour of Delaware Sea Grant's oyster hatchery in the Delaware Bay and learn what it takes to spawn and grow oysters. This is an all-ages event. Reservations are required.

Arts on the Half-Shell

Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, Delaware Seashore State Park, 39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, 6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8.

"An unforgettable evening of culinary and visual arts inspired by the oyster" featuring celebrated local chefs including Hari Cameron, culinary director for The Chefs Table at Touch of Italy; Lewes Oyster House chef Sean Corea; chef Ted Deptula, La Vida Hospitality Culinary director; and Taco Reho chef Billy Lucas. Together, they will create an array of small plates featuring fresh Inland Bays oysters. The evening will also feature a signature gin-based cocktail, and Baltimore-based artist Sherry Insley will present portions of two exhibits.

Tickets are $150 per person. All proceeds from the event will support the James Farm Ecological Preserve education campus project.

More: The artificial Redbird Reef, popular Delaware fishing spot, gets 2 more boats

Delaware Seafood Festival

American Legion Post 28, 31767 Legion Road, Millsboro, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10.

This all-ages festival will feature live music, vendors, food trucks, beer, a cornhole tournament, a kid's zone, a shrimp-eating contest, an oyster-shucking contest, and of course, lots of seafood. A portion of the proceeds will support American Legion Post 28. Tickets are $5, with free admission for children younger than 12. Tickets can be purchased at the event or at delawareseafoodfestival.com.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Inland Bays Oyster Week, Delaware Seafood Festival set to kick off in Sussex
Trips to Outback Steakhouse and a Bloomin' Onion are the stuff of fond childhood memories, epic nights out with the family, or fun times with a group of friends. (And yes, you definitely can reheat a Bloomin' Onion in your air fryer at home, so there's a great reason to get one to go.) This Australian-themed restaurant has been around for so long that it's made itself an integral part of America's restaurant landscape. (Daily Meal ranked it ninth in our ranking of America's best casual steakhouses.) But is it really Australian? Absolutely not.

Outback Steakhouse is still fairly new, in the grand scheme of things. The first location opened in 1988, and it was more than 9,000 miles from Australia. Since that first restaurant in Tampa, Florida, Outback has opened hundreds more -- including several in Australia. (Eight, as of this writing.) But initially, the restaurant had no real connection to Australia apart from the fact that the founders thought that the Australian mindset captured the vibe they wanted for their friends-and-family-friendly restaurant, and they ran with it.

In an article for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, American Outback founder Chris Sullivan wrote, "From the beginning, we were very clear that while Australia was our theme, American was our biggest customer. So, when developing the Outback concept, our founders decided not to go to Australia!" What? But, why?

Read more: The Ultimate Ranking Of American Fast Food Restaurants

Outback's Founders Were Worried About Being Too Authentic

Outback Steakhouse sign and logo - Deutschlandreform/Shutterstock

Here's a super-fun fact. Ask anyone who's been to one of America's growing number of Brazilian-style steakhouses if they're worth the hefty price tag, and they'll probably say yes. But go to Brazil, and you might be shocked to learn that Outback Steakhouse has been voted the most popular restaurant in Rio de Janeiro for years, and a whopping 83% of Outback's international revenue comes from Brazil. Pretty cool, right?

So, what about their connection to Australia? In his article for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Sullivan explained that at the end of the 1980s, most of the steakhouses in America were western-themed. "We saw a 'Down Under' concept as different, but consistent with people's expectations for a casual steakhouse. 'Outback' had a casual, come-as-you-want feel, and 'Outback Steakhouse' was both easily spoken and easily remembered."

But it turns out that idea came with a massive caveat, and simply put, they knew that they didn't want to get too authentically Australian. Americans were getting their ideas about Australia from the recently-released "Crocodile Dundee" and the America's Cup, so they wanted to capitalize on those images. "Americans were fascinated with their notions of 'the land Down Under.' We were concerned that too much authenticity might cause a disconnect between these perceptions and the real thing." The result was a restaurant that might more accurately be described as what America thinks Australia is... but not, in fact, truly Australian.

Outback's Menu Definitely Isn't Australian

Outback Australia steak on tray - Outback Steakhouse Australia/Facebook

The one item that sets Outback Steakhouse apart from other steakhouses is the Bloomin' Onion, so it might make sense that this trademark dish, at least, is Australian. It isn't.

The Palm Beach Post covered a talk given by Outback's Tim Gannon in 2015, and interestingly, that was at about the same time he was getting ready to open a Peruvian-themed restaurant. He created Outback's Bloomin' Onion after being inspired by New Orleans chef, restaurateur, and innovator Paul Prudhomme, who is synonymous with Cajun cooking. It was Prudhomme's use of spices that inspired Gannon, who said, "There is something America needs. It is bold flavors and spices." So, he combined that with the idea of cutting vegetables to look like flowers, made the Bloomin' Onion, and it became Outback's signature dish.

Take a look at some of their other dishes, and it'll become clear that they don't really have anything at all to do with Australia. The phrase "shrimp on the barbie" -- as seen in their Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie -- was made up in 1983, first appearing in an Australian Tourism Commission commercial targeting U.S. travelers. Kookaburra wings? Kookaburras definitely aren't chickens, but the wings are. Aussie Cheese Fries? Cheese fries are American. Toowoomba Salmon? Toowoomba isn't even on the coast. And what about Alice Springs Chicken? Who knows! A chicken may have lived there once, but that's about it as far as authentic Australian influences go.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  The River Savannah, not the River Seine, but with the Olympics, many are thinking of Paris.

From the Olympic coverage, it just looks like a beautiful city. It will be on the bucket list for sure, said Lee Briggs.

Paris has what is called the Love Lock Bridge over the Seine, where couples write their names on a lock and throw away the key. Very Parisian.

But look around at Savannah Rapids, what do you see?

They are relationship locks. Young couple come here, and they put locks all along these bridges. Kind of to say, Oh, Im going to be in a relationship forever, said Jason Gaines.

Oui, there are love locks at Savannah Rapids, kind of like, you know, Paris.

And in Paris, theres the Louvre Museum, and its entrance is the iconic pyramid designed by Architect I.M Pei, who worked in Augusta.

My goodness. I didnt know that, said Wendi Berndt.

Pei did the old chamber building in the middle of Broad, and that iconic penthouse way up on top of the Lamar Building, it kind of looks like the Louvre.

ALSO ON WJBF: South Carolina School of Welding talks about what it means to help students succeed

So, we got Paris architecture, and Paris-like locks on a bridge, so is it the River Seine or the River Savannah?

Id probably say the River Savannah. Its a lot more local, a lot more personal to me going up in Georgia, said Jason.

Augusta is a lot more romantic than Paris.

Yes sir, he said.

I dont think so. If he said, Hey, Wendi, do you want to go to Paris? Im in route, said Wendi.

Id rather be in France, said a lady downtown.

But we got I.M Pei!

I could save the money and just stay around here, said Lee.

We are Paris on the River Savannah.

Thats right we are, he said.

Viva Le Difference, and we always got Augusta.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
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This SC city is one of the 10 best for beer in the US, according to Tasting Table. Heres why

Tasting Table has issued its list of top beer cities and one in the top 10 is Greenville.

Coming in at No. 5, Greenville was described as having a fantastic beer scene that isnt any less delicious for standing just outside the spotlight.

Tasting Table says nearly two dozen contenders each pack a punch, giving Greenville a rightful place on our radar.

Charleston was ranked No. 17.

The list comes amid something of a shake out for craft beer establishments in Greenville with the closing of three in the past few months. Wandering Bard Meadery announced earlier this year it would close in November, a day before its 7th anniversary after its lease expired.

HabiTap at 5 years old has closed in protest of South Carolinas liquor liability law, which requires owners to have a $1 million insurance policy, and Tetrad Brewing Company on Stone Avenue closed and is looking for a new location.

Tasting Table singled out The Southern Growl Beer Company as a clear local favorite. The craft beer taproom is actually located in Greer at 155 N Buncombe Road. It was started in 2014 by Matt and Anna Bowes in 2014.

It started small and over the years added a craft kitchen and moved to a new building to brew beer in house.

They have 70 taps and the menu includes food designed to pair with beer. They make their bread using spent grain flour from the brewery.

Tasting Table also praised Fireforge Crafted Beer, located in downtown Greenville on Washington Street.

Brian Cendrowski and Nicole Zokan started the brewery in a former tire warehouse in 2018. Cendrowski was a long time coming to actually liking beer, but he credits the opening of The Flying Saucer in 2003 with making him a beer drinker. Hes even part of their UFO Club and after sampling 200 different beers, was inducted into the Wall of Honor, plate #40.

He started homebrewing, and then interned with Coast Brewing Co. in Charleston and Thomas Creek Brewery in Greenville. After a series of corporate jobs, he decided to open the brewery.

The third taproom mentioned by Tasting Table was Liability Brewing Company, a Certified B Corp brewery, which means theyre engaged in sustainable social and environmental practices.

Located on Stone Avenue just outside downtown Greenville, Liability was founded by neighbors Dustin Harward and Terry Horner after some untold rounds of craft beer and the back porch.

A friendship forged in hops, malt, and more barrel aged brews than we care to count, Harward says on the brewery website.

Theres a more than 99% chance that if you see Dustin and Terry deep in conversation, that the conversation is about beer. Or movies. Sometimes comics. Or Star Wars. But probably, most likely, eventually, about beer, he said.

Tasting Table ranked cities based on the number of breweries per capita, bars per capita, beer-tasting tours offered, and the average cost of a beer.

No. 1 was Asheville, North Carolina, which has more breweries per capita than any city in the country, Tasting Table said.

The other cities in the top 10 were Pensacola, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Portland, Maine; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Ohio; New Orleans, Louisiana and Portland, Oregon.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego Food + Wine Festival has landed San Diego on the map once again as USA Today readers across the country have voted it the top wine festival in the United States.

The results are in for USA Todays 10Best Readers Choice Award for the Best Wine Festival in 2024 and the San Diego Food + Wine Festival came in as the best wine festival in the country for the second year in a row.

San Diego Zoo comes in 8th place in USA Todays Best Zoos in the U.S. contest

The 20th San Diego Food + Wine Festival is taking place from Nov. 2 to 10, 2024, at locations across San Diego, and features over 800 wines and spirits from some of the worlds most renowned wine regions, including Paso Robles, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Lodi, Temecula, San Diego, Valle de Guadalupe, Spain, Argentina, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal, according to the festivals website.

Tickets and weekend packages are available for the Grand Decant, Grand Tasting, and Grand Fiesta experiences.

This San Diego spot named best indie ice cream shop in country by USA Today

The event is not only popular because of the amount of wine choices, it also brings in celebrity chefs, legendary winemakers, guest mixologists, James Beard Award-winning authors, Master Sommeliers, brew masters, artisans and tastemakers, according to the festivals website.

After a USA Today 10Best panel of experts nominated their favorite wine festivals, readers then voted for their top picks.

These San Diego area beaches among top in CA, according to USA Today

California is the top producer of wine the U.S., and is the worlds fourth largest wine producer, according to the California Association of Winegrape Growers, and wine is grown in 49 of 58 counties across the state. So it comes as no surprise that California dominated USA Todays list, with five wine festivals in the Golden State making the list.

USA Todays 10Best Wine Festivals in the United States in 2024, voted on by readers:

San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival  San Diego, California Black Vines  Oakland, California Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival  Rhinebeck, New York World of Pinot Noir  Santa Barbara, California South Beach Wine & Food Festival  Miami Beach, Florida Taste of Sonoma  Santa Rosa, California Naples Winter Wine Festival  Naples, Florida California Wine Festival  Dana Point  Dana Point, California Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta  Santa Fe, New Mexico Key West Food & Wine Festival  Key West, Florida

The San Diego Food + Wine Festival took to social media to thank the public for their support after the vote, Thank you for your incredible supportthis achievement wouldnt have been possible without you. Together, weve made our city and our festival truly special. Cheers to many more years of celebrating the best in food and wine.

Big Bay Boom among nominees for best Fourth of July fireworks in US

This latest announcement is the fifth time since 2019 that the food and wine festival has received recognition from the USA TODAY 10Best panel.

The results of the USA Today Readers Choice Award for the 10 best wine festivals in the U.S. were released on July 31. Readers were able to vote once per day.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
North Carolinas election board approved recognizing the We the People Party as it seeks to get independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the ballot in the state. The board voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve the We the People Party, which was created as a vehicle to get Kennedy ballot access in a few []
I wrote two years ago about how Hulus bizarre portrayal of my faith painted a picture of men that was the inverse of my own experience. Multiple historians and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pointed out the glaring historical inaccuracies on which the narrative hinges in Under the Banner of Heaven, with Brenda Laffertys sister lamenting the disservice it did to her sisters memory.

McKay Coppins, writing for The Atlantic, noted how nearly every facet of the show was unrecognizable to him as a lifelong member of the church. To say that I have never met a Mormon in my life who talks like this would be to miss the point.

And what was the point? Rather than creating something to accurately describe the faith, the columnist suggested the portrayals were there to serve a stereotype, to exoticize a people and flatten their faith tradition.

This week, Hannah Neeleman of the Instagram account Ballerina Farm responded to a recent article about her family in The Times as an attack on (her) family and (her) marriage that couldnt be further from the truth. The Neelemans agreed to be interviewed by The Times and felt it had gone well, until they saw the printed article, which left them shocked.

Whatever your feelings about Neeleman and her popularity, she gave a journalist an insider view into everything that mattered to her, and she came out looking like a victim to a fundamentalist religion, a despotic husband, and eccentric children. Even if Neeleman herself had not corrected the record, the unidimensional family depicted in the The Times was about as realistic as the characters in certain TV miniseries.

The most striking feature of The Times profile is its lack of curiosity; in it, we learn very little about the people on whom its based. We never learn even basic things about the Neelemans, such as why they started Ballerina Farm, what their goals are for the future, or what life is like for them on a ranch in the rural American West. Theres an implied assumption that the average reader of The Times has all the context they need for sizing up the Neelemans without that context.

Instead, we learn how many epidurals Hannah Neeleman has had, that she has a maid, and that her pageant gowns are stored in the garage  a heavy-handed metaphor for Neelemans loss of ambitions and identity.

Ive only had four kids, but I confess that a lot of my stuff is stored in the garage too, literally and metaphorically. I found myself cringing inwardly every time Megan Agnew pointed out that a child had interrupted their conversation. I generally cannot get through a single phone call without multiple interjections from my boys, let alone a daylong interview. Its simply the nature of life with small people who depend on you for everything.

While all of this cute chaos isnt nearly as vexing to me, as their mother, as it is to everyone else, I know how it looks: this poor, bedraggled woman.

In fairness, I suppose sometimes I am a mess, but one of the wonderful things about life in Utah is that I can be honest about the struggles of motherhood without the condescension of being viewed as an unwitting sacrifice on the altar of patriarchy.

The joys of family life are a given for many here in the state, and so I dont have to worry when our conversation is halted by my kid throwing Hot Wheels at the television. Theres a tacit understanding that the messiness is all part of something much bigger and more beautiful  a meaning and joy born of ongoing commitment and sacrifice that isnt going to show up in a single snapshot from the outside.

Without that context, theres a lot about my life that isnt going to make sense  all of which context was glaringly absent in Neelemans interview. Without vocabulary in which sacrifice is something more than oppression or drudgery, you cant accurately describe someone like Hannah Neeleman.

Indeed, The Times article on the queen of the trad wives hardly seems to be about Hannah Neeleman, who explicitly states in the interview that she doesnt identify as a trad wife. The article concerns itself instead with a debate about womens roles. And its that preoccupation, rather than Neeleman herself, which takes center stage.

Theres an irony in the article so often noting interruptions from Daniel Neeleman and the children, but then obscuring what Hannah Neeleman herself cares about to such a degree that Neeleman  who never engages with media coverage of herself  felt she had to address it.

If Neeleman felt she was being talked over and her identity was being taken from her, it seems it wasnt by her husband or children.

For the uninitiated, trad wife describes women who openly embrace hyper-defined gender roles and, sometimes, female submissiveness. Its often, but not always, framed in religious terms. For obvious reasons, its extremely controversial, with trad wife accounts inviting voyeurism and critique at least as often as sincere interest. Much trad wife content is intentionally provocative, bizarrely circumscribing womens roles for unclear reasons and sexualizing domesticity, so its no wonder Neeleman avoids the moniker.

Its more than reasonable to question the value and authenticity of much trad wife content, and even to warn about the dangers it poses. Mary Harrington wrote recently about the experience of Lauren Southern, a former tradlife influencer. Southerns blind commitment to the romanticized  and largely imaginary  social order of days past culminated in marriage to an abusive, controlling man whom she eventually divorced with much difficulty. Its a cautionary tale about oversimplifying roles and responsibilities, especially in pursuit of an ahistorical aesthetic.

But others have noted the ways in which the trad movement speaks to an earnest dissatisfaction with the breakdown of institutions, particularly the family. Alena Kate Pettitt describes realizing she wanted to be a homemaker after her parents separated. She noticed a stark difference between the warm domestic life of her grandparents home and drudgery of her mothers working single parenthood.

Id see that and think, No, I want family, says Pettitt in The New Yorker. I want to be in my home. For women who are tired of competing with men or who were reared by divorced or absent parents, the rigidity of trad life might look like the ambience and interdependence theyve craved. For both men and women, more clearly differentiated gender roles and old-timey domestic pursuits offer a kind of refuge from postmodern meaninglessness and the corporate rat race.

Understandably, role playing as a 50s housewife is a poor response to the side effects of feminist liberationism. The answer to the cultural disparagement of men, marriage or family life is not prairie dresses or homemade breakfast cereal. The theatrics of much trad content threatens to reduce family life to a farcical protest of our wider culture, rather than a source of strength and meaning to draw upon for engaging and improving the world around us. Even the onlineness of trad content risks turning loved ones into props or depriving them of unscripted attention.

But cynicism is certainly not the answer, either. Building on the momentum of The Times piece, others have made their own case against Ballerina Farm. Neeleman has a cleaner, the farm hires outside help, her in-laws are rich. Apparently, this makes her a fraud. By these accounts, all the beauty of the homemade meals, the scrappy flower arrangements, the rustic warmth of the home, the disheveled but happy kids, and the impromptu dances with her husband  are just a schtick.

One writer even tried life as a stay-at-home mother for a single week, and decided Neeleman must by lying about not having a nanny. Its hard to find this level of condescension directed toward any other group of women.

Its as though were being told, Its OK, folks, you can go back to your lives  that kind of abundance and beauty isnt real and its not worth striving for (especially if you need help to get it).

Instead of looking at what they chose to do with all life has given them, the Neelemans are condemned just for having it in the first place.

The Neelemans are showing the world something beautiful and worthwhile, even if its a bit idealized and romanticized: a fulfilling family life built on hardwork and togetherness. Lets not punish them for it.
If you're not happy with your energy provider, this company can help you switch

Want to save money on your energy bills while helping Mother Earth?

Get ready to explore the world of deregulated energy  a game changer that's shaking up the way we power our homes and businesses.

What is deregulated energy?

Imagine a world in which you're not stuck with a single energy provider but instead have the freedom to choose.

That's deregulated energy, according to experts at MarketWatch. It breaks up the old-school monopolies and lets you pick your electricity or natural gas supplier, just like you'd choose your favorite ice cream flavor.

Why is deregulated energy important?

Deregulated energy markets create competition, which can lead to lower prices and more innovative energy plans. It's not just about saving money  it's about having the option to support cleaner energy sources and drive innovation in the industry.

As of an update from July, 32 states and Washington, D.C., have embraced some form of energy deregulation, MarketWatch says. That means millions of Americans now have the power to choose their energy provider and slash their utility costs.

How deregulated energy helps the environment

Choosing your home's electricity source is one of the best ways to save money on energy while helping the environment. In states with a deregulated energy market, you have the power to pick plans that align with your values and your budget.

Want to support renewable energy without breaking the bank? You got it. Prefer a fixed-rate plan to avoid price surprises? No problem. So long as good choices are available in your area, it's like being handed a menu of energy options tailored just for you.

And here's a pro tip: If you live in a deregulated state, SaveOnEnergy's free tool can help you compare energy plans. It's like having a personal energy shopper who helps you find the best deals on clean energy.

Perks of deregulated energy

But wait, there's more. Deregulated energy markets frequently come with some sweet perks:

 Flexible contract lengths: From month-to-month plans to multiyear contracts, you can often choose what works best for you.

 Unique benefits: Some providers offer solar buyback programs or smart home technology bundles.

 Innovation boost: Competition encourages providers to develop new, eco-friendly energy solutions.

Remember, while deregulated energy offers some exciting possibilities, it's important to read the fine print and understand your options. A little research goes a long way.

By embracing deregulated energy, you're not just potentially saving money  you're joining a movement that's reshaping the energy landscape. So, take a moment to explore your options. Your wallet and Mother Earth will thank you for it.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
1,400 Ukrainian doctors waiting for their professional qualifications to be recognised in Germany

More than 1,600 Ukrainian doctors who fled to Germany in the wake of Russias full-scale aggression have applied for permission to practise medicine in Germany, and 1,400 of them are still awaiting a response.

Source: Welt am Sonntag, as reported by DW and European Pravda

Details: Only 187 applications have been approved so far. Gerald Gass, Chairman of the Board of the German Hospital Association, noted that the situation is critical.

The data is based on responses from 14 states, as the other two  Bremen and Hesse  provided incomplete data.

Ukrainians are not the only ones facing a long wait time to have their applications approved. It normally takes 15 months to three years from the time of application for doctors from non-EU countries to obtain a licence.

Gass said that "extensive bureaucracy is paralysing the process of recognising doctors qualifications" and stressed that what is needed is a "real de-bureaucratisation effort".

Susanne Johna, Head of the Marburger Bund Medical Association, also said "bureaucratic barriers and understaffed federal state authorities" were to blame.

Janosch Dahmen, the Green Partys healthcare expert, said: "The German healthcare system is suffering from a catastrophic shortage of labour, and Ukrainian doctors could be a valuable support for us."

However, he sees a problem in how the process is organised at the level of the federal states: the large number of pending applications indicates that the existing procedures for recognising qualifications are ineffective and overly complex and bureaucratic.

Meanwhile, medical education in Germanys European neighbours  such as Ukraine  is fully compliant with EU standards, Dahmen noted.

Background:

According to official figures, over 800,000 of the more than one million Ukrainians in Germany are of working age, and about a quarter of them are employed.

Last month Alexander Dobrindt, the leader of the Bavarian opposition CSU party in the Bundestag, called for unemployed Ukrainian refugees to be deported from Germany, a move criticised by the federal coalition.

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STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV)The Statesboro Police Department (SPD) has made an arrested a following a shooting in Statesboro on Friday.

Nigel Green, 23, of Dublin, Ga. was arrested on the scene of shooting on the 110 block of Brampton Avenue after SPD responded to the shooting. Green was charged with aggravated assault.

The man had one non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the torso and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

W. 54th Street shooting leaves one injured

SPD asks that anyone with information on this case should contact Senior Detective Dustin Cross at 912-764-9911 or submit an anonymous tip to www.cityprotect.com/forms/statesboroga.gov/anonymous.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
1 person killed and 12 injured in Kharkiv Oblast over past 24 hours

Russians wounded 12 civilians and killed one woman in Kharkiv Oblast on Friday, 2 August.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Details: Russia attacked the oblast four times on Saturday, and fortunately, there were no casualties.

At 20:20, the Russians attacked the village of Vyshnivka in the Kupiansk district. Men, 41 and 44, were injured as they came across a landmine.

A man, 49, was injured on Friday in the village of Kamianka, Izium district, as a result of an explosive device blowing up.

A Russian rocket hit the ground near the entrance in the town of Kupiansk. A five-storey residential building was damaged, a woman, 66, and a man, 52, were injured, and a woman, 55, was killed.

Also, a tractor was on fire and a bus was damaged in Kharkiv district, and seven civilian men were injured.

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1 in serious condition after Denver officer shooting

DENVER (KDVR)  One person was in serious condition after a shooting involving a Denver police officer early Saturday morning.

The incident happened in the area of 19th Street and Market Street.

According to the Denver Police Department, around 2 a.m., officers were in the area managing a crowd when one was flagged by a person reporting a man near a vehicle with a gun.

Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather

The officer approached the man and asked to see his hands.

According to police, the man produced a firearm and the officer fired one shot, striking the man.

The man was taken to a local hospital in serious condition.

According to police, there may have been another shooting involving the person. One person transported themselves to a local hospital in that case.

No officers were injured in the incident.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Owensboro-Daviess County Habitat for Humanity announced it has received a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation.

Officials with Habitat for Humanity said the grant will be used to purchase a sign for Ms. Virginias Education and Training Center. This facility is used to educate first-time homeowners on homeownership.

Habitat for Humanity said it will hold a ribbon cutting for the center later in August.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
2 children drown within a week in Phoenix home pools. Neither house had a pool fence

Two children under the age of five drowned in backyard pools in the Phoenix area last week. Neither pool had the exterior fencing required by the city of Phoenix.

Phoenix Fire spokesperson Capt. Todd Keller confirmed a 3-year-old child died after drowning in a backyard pool in Phoenix on Tuesday morning.

Officials said it was unknown how long the child was underwater at the residence near Cactus Road and 64th Street.

Homeowners in Phoenix are required to have a fence or wall around the pool that is at least 5 feet tall and self-latching, with some pools requiring an interior barrier as well. The city's pool policy states there are no exceptions for the exterior fencing requirement.

Mom mourns 'hero' jail guard: she says saved drowning woman at Patagonia Lake

On Thursday night, a 4-year-old boy died in a hospital after drowning in a Scottsdale backyard pool near 73rd and Cypress streets, which police confirmed did not have a fence around it. The drowning took place at a short-term rental home.

All single-family homes built in Scottsdale after July 20, 1995, are required to have a barrier around the pool that separates it from the rest of the property and that is at least 4 feet tall. This policy is not retroactive.

In 2024, 16 children under the age of 5 died from drowning in Maricopa County, according to reports from Children's Safety Zone.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 children die in backyard pools without safety fencing
CHICAGO  Two people were shot in downtown Chicago late Friday afternoon.

Chicago police said the shooting happened just before 4:45 p.m. in the 100 block of E. Chicago Avenue on the citys Near North Side.

Palos Heights PD seeks to identify bones found hanging in a tree in 2022

The suspect reportedly approached the two victims, pulled out a handgun, and shot at them as dozens of people were walking by. The victims, identified as a 16-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man, were both hit in the arm and taken to Northwestern Hospital in good condition, according to investigators.

Police said a person of interest has been taken in for questioning and that a gun was also found at the crime scene.

WGN arrived at the scene and spoke with people who said they heard at least five gunshots fired near the intersection of Chicago and Wabash Avenue.

Other witnesses said they were walking home when they heard what they thought was a car backfiring, but they soon realized they were wearing gunshots. Thats when people started running in all directions.

It was like a moment its just a car backfiring, whats happening? And we saw people run towards us, said Mairead Levitt who lives nearby.

Were coming back from the red line and as soon as we walk right up the stairs, we heard five gunshots, added Isabel Wheat who was walking nearby. We saw people run towards us, and so we started to run away.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

The intersection of Chicago and Wabash Avenue were closed for a few hours while police continued their investigation.

No other information was released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Two Southern California men were convicted for a multi-day robbery spree targeting BevMo! liquor stores.

Anthony Flores, a.k.a. BabyGfar, 28, and Ivin Kitu Sanford, 32, both from Los Angeles, committed a string of robberies over a 10-day span that ended in a police pursuit crash, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

In May 2023, the men robbed two BevMo! stores and escaped with high-end liquor that was stored behind security glass. They also threatened employees with violence during the robberies, officials said.

The suspects would then sell the stolen liquor to buyers on Instagram.

At a Long Beach BevMo! store, Flores stole around $2,604 worth of liquor and at a Lakewood store, he escaped with around $800 worth of liquor.

Flores and Sanford also conspired to rob two additional BevMo! shops in Pasadena and West Covina, court documents said.

Bottles of spirits including Svedka Vodka, from Constellation Brands Inc., are displayed for sale at a BevMo! store in Upland, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. (Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Vehicles drive past a BevMo! wine and liquor store California. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Corona Extra beer and Modelo Especial beer, distributed by Constellation Brands Inc., are displayed for sale on a shelf as a customer shops at a BevMo! store in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. (Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

A BevMo! wine and liquor store in Long Beach, California. (Getty Images)

On June 5, 2023, they attempted to rob a BevMo! in Canyon Country. Flores and Sanford physically subdued a store victim-employee and attempted to steal high-end bottles of liquor, officials said.

They fled the scene in a stolen Dodge Charger with a stolen license plate. When officers tried pulling them over, they refused to yield, leading authorities on a pursuit.

They continued speeding away as the chase continued through Los Angeles County before they crashed into a tree.

The suspects hopped out of the car and began fleeing on foot, running across six lanes of traffic on the 14 Freeway during rush hour.

Southern California smash-and-grab robbers sentenced for stealing over $1.7 million worth of items

Officers later found the two men hiding among bushes in a remote area.

They were taken into custody at the scene. In July 2024, after a three-day trial, they were convicted by a jury of Hobbs Act robbery. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24.

A third suspect involved in the crime spree, Jabco Hardgraves, 27, also known as Jacob Hardgraves, Baby Monster, and Lil Turtle, is still pending and not currently set for trial.

Callous disregard for the law undermines our communitys sense of safety, said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. These defendants violent robberies and attempts to evade officers put lives at risk. Our Operation Safe Cities initiative aims to ensure that violent crimes are met with serious consequences, and todays convictions demonstrate our steadfast commitment to that goal.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, West Covina Police Department and Long Beach Police Department.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A task force set up by Kenyas president William Ruto has recommended a hybrid regulation framework that would hand the government greater oversight to curtail the spread of cults and financial predatory practices prevalent in some churches in Kenya. A proposed Religious Affairs Commission will provide oversight over religious organisations and work in tandem with umbrella religious associations to strengthen self-regulation.

While presenting the report to the president on July 30, 2024, the tasforce found that there was a lack of distinct legal framework tailored to the unique needs of religious organizations, unclear laws on crimes that could be considered religious and a general lack of oversight on TV and radio programmes that propagate exploitative ideologies.

The presidential task force was set up in May 2023 following the shocking discovery of mass graves containing 400 bodies suspected to be faithfuls of Good News International Church in a forest in Kenyas South coast.

The founder of the religious cult, Paul Mackenzie, and the leadership, manipulated hundreds of people to starve to death as means to escape an apocalypse and to quicken meeting Jesus. A majority of the bodies exhumed were of women and children who MacKenzie insisted were to precede the men in their passage to the afterlife. Autopsy results showed that many of the victims died of starvation while others were strangled or suffocated.

The task force, chaired by Rev. Mutava Musyimi, recommended the drafting and enactment of laws specific for religious organisations to provide clarity on appropriate legal personality, registration requirements, and clarity on crimes/offences committed under the guise/pretext of religion.

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A drawn-out investigation process saw Mackenzie and 94 others finally charged with terrorism, murder and torture, 7 months after their arrest, an indication that state prosecutors struggled to place the crimes that came to light in April 2023.

In a media interview soon after presenting the report to the president, Rev. Musyimi said the proposed Religious Commission would include members of religious associations such as the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and the Evangelical Association of Kenya (EAK) to help tighten the oversight role of the bodies while also having the machinery and intelligence of the government to protect citizens from rogue pastors and churches.

We are proposing a 9-member commission, five of whom will come from the religious sector but also have government representatives such as enforcement and intelligence officers. When you bring the two together, you are now in a space where you make it possible to make the people feel safer because the religious organisations have been vetted by a body that has capacity and competence, explained Rev. Musyimi.

The taskforce also recommended an amendment of the Kenya Information and Communication Act (KICA) to strengthen regulation of religious content of media content and development of basic education curriculum to address religious extremism.

The recommendations are geared towards the safeguarding of the exercise of the fundamental freedoms of religion and association while balancing the enjoyment of these freedoms with the preservation of public interest and safety welfare as protected by the Constitution, read part of the report.

Dr. David Tarus, executive director of the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA), an association that offers academic accreditation of theological program, wrote in an opinion piece posted on Christian Daily International that the Shakahola incident ignited debate about constitutional freedom of worship and regulation of churches. He pointed to some individuals and groups that have radical beliefs, and have unrestricted and unregulated access to radio and TV programmes to propagate their ideology.

The rise of freelance preachers, without any hierarchy or order, who deliver passionate sermons and perform miracles for profit, has contributed to the chaos in the faith sector. The horrors of Shakahola are a result of rogue pastors who exploit desperate believers searching for meaning in their difficult lives. There is a pressing need for a thorough re-evaluation of faith within the context of radicalization, extremism, and prosperity theology, said Tarus.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - NOVEMBER 08: Pinellas County residents go to cast their voting ballots at the Coliseum polling precinct on November 8, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Florida. After months of candidates campaigning, Americans are voting in the midterm elections to decide close races across the nation. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

Voter intimidation, an exodus of election workers fed up with harassment and continued misinformation and disinformation campaigns threaten the integrity of the November elections, officials with the government watchdog group Common Cause said Tuesday.

This year will be the first presidential election since the big lie, Common Cause President Virginia Kase Solomon said on a video call with reporters.

She was referring to the effort by then-President Donald Trump and his allies to undermine Trumps reelection loss in 2020 by promoting a series of unfounded conspiracy theories and encouraging supporters to obstruct Congress certification of the results on Jan. 6, 2021.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization and Solomon and other speakers did not mention Trump, who is again the Republican nominee for president, by name.

But Solomon said the countrys election integrity was damaged by the 2020 experience, with many veteran election workers opting to leave the profession rather than deal with the threats and harassment from believers in election conspiracies.

Were still living with the legacy of those lies, she said. Theyve undermined the faith of many Americans in our elections and fed anger and heated rhetoric  Those lies have also led to threats and harassment to election officials who have seen massive turnover in their ranks.

On top of those challenges, election workers and voters also must deal this cycle with improving generative artificial intelligence tools that make disinformation easier than ever, Common Cause experts said.

And state laws, such as a measure that went into effect in Florida after the 2022 elections to cancel automatic delivery of vote-by-mail ballots, promise further confusion and disenfranchisement, they said.

To combat those threats to election integrity, the group is gearing up for campaign-season education drives.

Threats of violence

Instances of actual political violence remain rare, Suzanne Almeida, a Common Cause director of state operations who also leads the groups work on political violence, said.

But threats, militant language, doxing and other harassment continue, Almeida said.

That has affected election workers, with a recent study from the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice finding that 38% of election workers had experienced threats and more than half of local election officials feared for their safety.

While surveys, including a recent University of California-Davis study, show that voters of both parties reject political violence, candidates who have large platforms have used them to drive turnout, Almeida said.

We are seeing the normalization of hate, violent rhetoric, violent threats and harassment as a viable political strategy, she said.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday.

AI and misinformation

Intentional efforts to disinform voters and accidental spreading of misinformation remain a growing problem, Common Causes media and democracy program director Ishan Mehta said.

The expansion and improvement of generative artificial intelligence makes it easier to create and spread fraudulent campaign content.

The ubiquity of these tools means that you dont have to be a computer expert anymore to have misinformation that would convince a lot, over half the population, Mehta said.

Social media platforms that surged misinformation enforcement after Jan. 6 have now backed off enforcing misinformation, he said.

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, tweeted a doctored video of likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris over the weekend. Musk, who has endorsed Trump, bought the platform in 2022. He boasts 192 million followers.

Florida law

Amy Keith, the executive director of Common Cause Florida, said recent changes to state election law will create confusion and deprive some voters of ballots.

More than 1.9 million Floridians who received a mail-in ballot in 2022 will not receive one this cycle, she said. The state enacted a law after that election that required voters to send new requests for mail-in ballots with additional identification.

Even if some of those 1.9 million people might not wish to vote by mail this year, we know that thousands and thousands of Florida voters are likely expecting a mail ballot to arrive in their mailbox, she said. And it isnt going to.

Ahead of the states Aug. 20 primary, Common Cause and allied groups are really working to spread the message to voters that they need to request a mail-in ballot if they wish to vote that way, and that they can vote in person even if they have requested a mail ballot, Keith said.

Deploying poll monitors

While predicting widespread violence on Election Day would not happen, Common Cause Pennsylvania Executive Director Philip Hensley-Robin anticipated some instances of political violence or intimidation.

The group would send hundreds of poll monitors across the commonwealth to record such instances, with monitors who will also be trained in deescalation, he said.

Hensley-Robin began his remarks by acknowledging the tragic events of the assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, but said the isolated incident would not deter voters from turning out.

He also anticipated that some would mount spurious lawsuits to disenfranchise voters and undermine public confidence in the election, but predicted those would be quickly dismissed.

Trumps campaign lost scores of lawsuits challenging 2020 election results.

Voter outreach

Solomon said Common Cause would be reminding voters to be on the lookout for misinformation and disinformation, especially from AI, and that its likely Election Day will end without a clear winner in the presidential race, a situation that has encouraged conspiracy theories about election fraud.

Thats not a sign that anything is wrong, she said.

The group will also be in touch with election workers to understand their needs and to offer assistance, she said.

She added that democracy had to be proactive.

In the 2020 election, I think there was a false narrative that came out of that, and that was that democracy held and did what it was supposed to do, she said. And one of the things that I like to remind people of is that democracy did not hold. We made it hold.
There were plenty of hugs to go around the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where three Americans formerly detained in Russia shared emotional reunions with their families.

Late Thursday marked the first time they embraced their loved ones  in many months in two cases and several years in another  since the three were released from Russian detention as part of a historic prisoner exchange.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were welcomed back warmly at the military facility by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their relatives.

Gershkovich, 32, who was arrested in March 2023 while on a reporting assignment, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage last month by a Russian court, CNN previously reported.

Whelan, 54, who spent nearly six years imprisoned in Russia following his December 2018 arrest in Moscow while in Russia for a friends wedding, received a 16-year prison sentence in 2020 on espionage charges. The US State Department designated both Whelan and Gershkovich as wrongfully detained.

Kurmasheva was handed a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence last month during a closed-door hearing in Russia the same day Gershkovich was sentenced.

Kurmasheva, a Prague-based journalist for the US-backed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was detained during a trip to visit her mother in Russia in October 2023 after allegedly failing to register as a foreign agent. She was formally accused of spreading false information last December, CNN previously reported.

The three were among 24 detainees released following a complex, multicountry effort to coordinate a prisoner swap between Russia and other Western nations that spanned years and marked the largest such exchange since the Cold War.

WNBA athlete Brittney Griner, who was released in December 2022 from Russian detainment in a prisoner swap involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, said Thursday she was head-over-heels happy for the families of the freed prisoners, The Associated Press reported.

Gershkovich, Whelan and Kurmasheva were later flown from Maryland to the joint base in San Antonio, Texas, where US hostage envoy Roger Carstens told the freed Americans: The next phase of your journey begins now.

The next phase after the media attention winds down, according to former detainees held abroad and one of the organizations working to help current detainees get freed, can be fraught with challenges as people adjust to freedom and a new normal after being held abroad.

Matthew Heath, a former US marine from Knoxville, Tennessee, who was detained in Venezuela from 2020 to 2022, told CNN while hes one of the success stories on his ongoing road to recovery post-release, there are some returnees who are struggling to this day with mental illness, with job loss.

Heath, who currently works as a private security consultant and says hes now doing great nearly two years after returning home, added: It totally disrupts your life  its incredibly difficult.

Heres what the returnees may face on the road ahead.

Brittney Griner, left, and Trevor Reed, were released from detention in Russia in 2022 and returned to the United States in separate prisoner exchanges. - Getty Images

After the dust settles

Whelan, Gershkovich and Kurmasheva headed to Brooke Army Medical Center for medical evaluations and additional care for as long as necessary, a US official told CNN.

This is typical protocol for wrongfully detained Americans who return home; Griner also went to the center following her release in 2022.

Upon first returning home, people designated as wrongful detention detainees or hostages by the US government have a choice to participate in a government-run post-isolation program involving mental and physical health checks, said Liz Cathcart, executive director of Hostage US.

The non-profit supports detainees and hostages while theyre still held in captivity and after their release back to the US, Cathcart told CNN. The group has provided long-term support to 167 people in hostage and wrongful detention situations, including Heath.

If they do that, it can last for a couple days to a couple weeks, Cathcart said.

The tough period for those released can begin after the post-isolation program ends, she said.

What happens after they are back in their hometown after this program, or if they elect not to, it tends to be quite a quiet time, which can be really challenging, Cathcart said.

She added: The news settles, the dust settles, you now have to actually look in the mirror and start to figure out what your life looks like moving forward.

Readjusting to family life

Jorge Toledo, one of six senior Citgo Corporation oil and gas executives who were detained in Venezuela in 2017, previously told CNN reintegrating after his October 2022 release as part of a prisoner swap was difficult, particularly when it came to reestablishing relationships with relatives.

I spent almost five years in captivity, so its a long time, Toledo told CNNs Pamela Brown in December 2022. He shared he had to rebuild relationships with his spouse, children and grandchildren, who were just babies when he was detained abroad.

Matthew Heath was released from being detained in Venezuela in a prisoner swap in October of 2022. - Matthew Heath

Returnees might return to a different family dynamic than what they were used to, according to Cathcart.

Having been held for any amount of time, your family back home will have taken on different roles to work for your release, and so starting to learn everything that your family did for you when you were gone can be really overwhelming, Cathcart said.

Mental health effects can linger, experts say

Not everyone whos experienced traumatic experiences such as being detained unjustly abroad for long periods of time may develop post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, experts say, but emotional impacts related to what theyve been through can be typical.

Its going to look a little different from individual to individual, but there are some things that we know to watch for, Arianna Galligher, director of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centers Stress, Trauma and Resilience Program, told CNN.

Struggling with sleep, experiencing flashbacks or nightmares and becoming easily startled are common symptoms in the immediate aftermath of such experiences, according to Galligher.

They might find themselves having a hard time concentrating, they might be a little more irritable than usual (or) have a hard time getting organized, she said.

In a New York Times Magazine article in May, Griner said began experiencing PTSD symptoms at the end of her first season back with the Phoenix Mercury.

People say its OK to not be OK. But what the hell does that mean? Just cry when I want to cry? Or be angry when I want to be angry? Or does that mean talking about it? Like, I had to figure that out, Griner told the magazine.

Coming to terms with a new normal back home can pose mental health challenges for returnees, Cathcart said.

Its a new life that youre reentering, its a new stage that you have to mentally come to terms with and understand that life will look different  not necessarily worse, but different  than it did before, she said.

Cathcart added, The qualities that weve seen captives build in hostage situations have been incredibly useful on the reintegration side, and (with) being resilient through the reintegration period.

Almost like youre coming back from the dead

The financial burden of being detained abroad for a lengthy period can be significant, as Heath and his family discovered. The former Marines family had to sell his home while he was away and his accounts were closed, he shared.

Its almost like youre coming back from the dead, Heath said. Your drivers license expires, financially, you lose hundreds of thousands of dollars and then you come back and you have to start everything over.

Hostage US helped support him through the mountains of paperwork awaiting him after his return, according to Heath, who said he faced a plethora of small legal problems including unpaid bills such as child support for his son, who lives part-time with him.

Heath said he owed back-due payments of about $40,000. I accumulated this huge debt and it still causes me legal problems to this day, he said.

Cathcart noted the hostage release included journalists, some of whose work involved reporting in the country they were detained in.

Their work might look really different moving forward, and that can be not only a huge emotional burden, but also a really practical burden.

CNNs Simone McCarthy, Anna Chernova, Nathan Hodge, Jennifer Hansler, Rosa Flores, Colin McCullough and Nouran Salahieh contributed to this report.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Three people were arrested Friday morning after deputies with the Clay County Sheriffs Office recovered large amounts of illegal explosives and drugs inside a Northland home.

According to deputies, shortly after 7 a.m. Friday, the Clay County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force issued a search warrant at a property near North Hickory Street and NW 64th Terrace in Kansas City, Mo.

Independence Towers residents hold vigil for boy who died in fall

After searching the home, deputies found:

107 pounds of explosive powder

Two pipe bombs

15 grenades

20 grams of fentanyl paste

15 grams of meth

Psychedelic mushrooms

Seven guns, including an Uzi

A large amount of ammunition

It was also reported that an elementary school-aged child was inside the home at the time. However, deputies said the child is now staying with relatives.

The three individuals who were arrested are 46-year-old Cory D. Young, 32-year-old Erika Lahr and 52-year-old Tammie L. Bindel Cole.

Young and Lahr are both being charged with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and child endangerment. Young is being held on a $350,000 cash-only bond, and Lahr is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.

Cole is being charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm. She is being held on a $150,000 cash-only bond.

It doesnt make sense: Kansas marijuana advocates rally on State Line

According to the Clay County Sheriffs Office, Young, Lahr and Cole could face more federal charges related to the explosives and weapons as the case continues to be investigated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A third person charged in connection with the fatal group attack on Preston Lord was released from custody days after a judge cut his million-dollar bond in half.

Treston Billey, 19, posted bail and was under electronic monitoring, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office confirmed Saturday.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge reduced Billey's bond to $500,000 Tuesday. Judge Bruce Cohen said if Billey posted bail, he would be on house arrest.

Billey is one of seven people charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection with the Oct. 28 beating of Lord, 16, at a Halloween party in Queen Creek. He and two others face aggravated robbery charges in connection with a necklace that authorities say was taken from Lord's friend as the attack unfolded.

He has been in custody since March 7 when he turned himself in. He has pleaded not guilty.

A December investigation by The Arizona Republic detailed how Lord's death was tied to the "Gilbert Goons," a gang of teenagers who recorded their blitz-style attacks and shared many of them online.

When Billey's attorney Eric Crocker argued for the bond reduction Tuesday, he said his client was not a flight risk, had no felony criminal history and that the case against Billey was based on "pure, pure hearsay."

However, witnesses at the party and other defendants in the case told police they saw Billey take part in the attack on Lord. They said Billey jumped on Lord's head and yelled, "F--- you p---y!" He ended the beating with a final kick to Lord, they said.

Lord's mother spoke to some of those witness statements when she pleaded with the court to not lower Billey's bond, saying he was an "absolute threat to society" and deserved to remain in custody given his callous disregard for life. She said he reveled in the beating of her son at the party.

"This person repeatedly kicked and stomped my beautiful son in the head as he lay there, defenseless and dying," said Autumn Curiel. "This person was clearly up for a fight. The defendant then continued to repulsively celebrate over my son's lifeless body."

Crocker said the parties were in court to discuss the "statute that governs release conditions" and make a decision, not be swayed by emotions.

Prosecutors disagreed with Crocker about the level of evidence against his client. They argued Billey was involved in the attack on Lord and served as the "catalyst" of the event by getting into an argument with one of Lord's friends over a video at the party.

Before Tuesday's hearing, prosecutors shared with the defense and judge videos they said spoke to Billey's reckless behavior in the community, including ones of him displaying guns and flipping off a police car. They were not played in court.

Crocker said the videos represented "stupidity" on his client's behalf but said he has since matured. He said he believed Billey was holding a toy gun and had a right to free speech when he flipped off the police car.

Cohen ultimately lowered Billey's bond and prohibited him from contacting others charged in the case and people charged in "Gilbert Goons" cases. He was also barred from posting on social media.

"Any deviation from what is required from you will land you right back where you are," Cohen told Billey.

Two others in the case, Talyn Vigil, 18, and Taylor Sherman, 19, are out on bail. Vigil posted bail of $1 million. Sherman also had his bond reduced. He posted bail of $250,000.

Elena Santa Cruz is a criminal justice reporter for The Republic. Reach her at elena.santacruz@gannett.com. Follow her on X @ecsantacruz3.

Robert Anglen is an investigative reporter for The Republic. Reach him at robert.anglen@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X @robertanglen.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Preston Lord: Treston Billey released from jail after posting bail
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Gov. Green announced a historic settlement Friday for those who filed claims in the Maui fires.

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The seven defendantsstate of Hawaii, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communicationswill pay $4.037 billion in compensation.

The settlement agreement is subject to final documentation and court approval and is conditional on the resolution of already paid insurance claims. The legislature must approve the states contribution to the settlement as well.

This Global Settlement of over $4 billion will help our people heal. My priority as Governor was to expedite the agreement and to avoid protracted and painful lawsuits so as many resources as possible would go to those affected by the wildfires as quickly as possible. Settling a matter like this within a year is unprecedented, and it will be good that our people dont have to wait to rebuild their lives as long as others have in many places that have suffered similar tragedies, Gov. Green said in a news release.

We want to thank Governor Green for his hard work in making this happen for the people of Maui, said Aaron Creps, attorney for victims. It really is unprecedented for a disaster of this scope to be resolved so quickly.

Attorney Jesse Creed, of Panish, Shea, Ravipudi, LLP, who is a co-liaison counsel in the case said the settlement will give fair justice to those affected and will allow them to rebuild their lives.

But the fight goes on against the greedy insurance companies. They did not agree to this global settlement and are trying to take money back from the victims who paid their premiums and send it off-island to pad their profits. The insurance companies shouldnt take a penny as long as the victims are not fully compensated, Creed told KHON2.

Approximately 450 lawsuits were filed by individuals, businesses and insurance companies in state and federal courts.

The settlement was reached after more than four months of mediation.

Its a great thing for all of our clients, said Tony Takitani, attorney for victims. I think its a great thing for the people on the west side and for the people who arent here any more and who had to leave. I think the sooner we can do a settlement the better and faster chance we have of healing.

Hawaiian Electric says it will contribute nearly $2 billion. In a statement, President and CEO Scott Seu said not only is this good for our community, but the settlement represents the best outcome for HEI.

No amount of money is ever going to bring back the lives that were lost or restore the town that was destroyed, said Creps. But we do believe that it is the best deal.

Kamehameha Schools said it is deeply committed to supporting the healing of families and aiding the restoration of the community.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said this settlement is critical to the survivors to move forward and heal.

The agreement is just the first step. Attorneys say one massive hurdle  the insurance companies wanting the $2 billion they say theyre owed from policies they paid out.

At this time we think its so much more important and we feel this in our bones that its so much more important to make the victims more whole as much as possible, said Takitani.

The settlement is subject to court approval. And state legislature must also approve the money being paid by the state. Once thats done, payments could start by the middle of next year.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said four people were injured and three people died in four separate shootings in D.C. on Saturday.

Police said that at about 1 a.m., they were dispatched to the unit block of M Street in Northeast for reports of a shooting.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found four people who had been shot. Two men died at the scene.

A man and a woman were transported to the hospital where they are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

About 30 minutes later at 1:30 a.m., MPD was dispatched to the 700 block of H Street in Northeast for the report of sounds of gunshots.

Police was later notified that a woman, who had been shot, was transported to a hospital in a car and was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Man shot, killed in Prince Georges County

Just 10 minutes later at about 1:40 a.m., officers responded to the 2800 block of Hartford Street in Southeast for a shooting.

When police arrived at the scene, they found evidence of a shooting but no victim.

MPD was later notified that a man, who had been shot, was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a hospital.

At about 6:40 a.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of Butler St. in Southeast for the report of sounds of gunshots.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man in the parking lot of an apartment complex who had been shot. He died there.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
'4nation Till I Die': Erie gang member sentenced after social media posts used against him

Jermaine A. Phillips Jr. did not hide his membership in 4-Nation, the Erie street gang accused of trafficking in fentanyl, methamphetamine and other illegal drugs for a decade.

Phillips, 28, touted his connection to 4-Nation on social media.

Videos show him flashing hand signs for the gang, according to evidence presented in court.

Phillips is also seen on the videos wearing 4-Nation clothing, including T-shirts with the words "4 Nation" and his gang nickname of Trap.

And on social media posts, Phillips pledged his loyalty to 4-Nation.

"4nation Till I Die...Cnt Take dat Frm Me," reads one post entered into evidence. "Think um bouta get #4Nation Tatted On Me," reads another.

Phillips appeared in federal court in Erie on Friday and confirmed what he held himself out to be on social media.

He pleaded guilty to participating in an illegal enterprise  4-Nation  and conspiring to traffic in fentanyl as part of the gang.

The 4-Nation gang case is being prosecuted in U.S. District Court in Erie.

Immediately after Phillips entered his plea, U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter sentenced him to seven years in federal prison and four years of supervised release  the sentence that the U.S. Attorney's Office and the defense recommended.

He faced a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison. The federal sentencing guidelines in his case called for a sentence in the range of a minimum of seven years to a maximum of eight years and nine months, according to court records.

Guilty pleas for nearly half of 4-Nation defendants

Phillips is the latest in a stream of defendants who have pleaded guilty or arranged to plead guilty in the 4-Nation case since a federal grand jury returned a massive indictment against the accused members and their accused associates in May 2023.

The indictment charged 58 defendants  22 accused of engaging in drug dealing and other illegal activity as members of 4-Nation and 36 accused of being affiliated with the gang and dealing drugs or committing other crimes, such as firearms offenses. The indictment lists Phillips as ranking ninth in the 4-Nation hierarchy.

Phillips is the 27th defendant named in the indictment who has pleaded guilty or arranged to plead guilty, according to court records. He is the eighth defendant to be sentenced in the case, and the second-highest ranking defendant to be sentenced overall.

The highest-ranking defendant sentenced to date is Marius L. Russell, 32, known as Gifted, listed eighth in the indictment. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in November to a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison.

The defendant accused of heading 4-Nation is Davante Q. Jones, 31, known as Smoov. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held in prison as he awaits prosecution.

Defendant is 'guilty of these things'

Like other defendants in the case, Phillips had a prior record, which influenced the recommended sentence of seven years, according to court records.

Phillips is "guilty of these things," Phillips' court-appointed lawyer, Erik Jones, of Akron, Ohio, told Baxter at the sentencing.

Phillips did not address Baxter, but Jones said his client wants to get a commercial driver's license for a job when he gets out of prison.

"I think this is the moment where it crystalizes for my client," Jones said. "He understands his actions are sending him to prison, and he doesn't want to go to prison again."

The prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Sellers, referred in court to his sentencing memorandum for Phillips.

"The Defendant has been a repeat and persistent drug dealer in Erie County for a full decade up to this point," according to the memo, which cites Phillips' prior record.

RICO charges mark a first in Erie federal court

Phillips pleaded guilty to violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, by participating in gang activity, and he pleaded guilty to conspiring to deal in 3,390 fentanyl pills as part of the gang, according to court records.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has estimated that, in general, fentanyl carries a street value as $20 per pill. That estimate puts the street value of the number of pills associated with Phillips at $67,800.

The 4-Nation case is the largest criminal case to be prosecuted in federal court in Erie. It is also the first time that the U.S. Attorney's Office has used the RICO statute  designed to bring down the mob and other criminal organizations  in an Erie case.

The government's evidence in the 4-Nation case also included wiretapped cellphone conversations of Phillips and other defendants arranging to purchase fentanyl, meth and other illegal drugs.

As the prosecution of Phillips showed, investigators probed social media to gather evidence to bolster what they were hearing on the wiretapped phone conversations.

In Phillips' case, Sellers said in the sentencing memo, he "made repeated posts on social media expressing his allegiance to 4Nation."

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com or 814-870-1813. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Social media posts help send Erie gang member to federal prison
Eight Ukrainian children returned home from Russian-occupied parts of Kherson Oblast, regional governor Oleksandr Prokrudin said on Aug. 3.

The children were met in their native land and all the horrors for them are behind them, Prokrudin said in a Telegram post.

Since the beginning of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine, Moscow has abducted Ukrainian children from occupied territories and forcibly transfer them within the occupied territories or to Russia itself. According to the Ukrainian governments database, Russia has illegally abducted at least 19,500 children since February 2022, and less than 400 have returned home thus far.

Taking hostage people who take no active part in hostilities breaches the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a war crime.

In a statement released on Aug. 3, Prokrudin said the eight children who returned home include five girls and three boys, aged between six and 17. The governor thanked the Ukrainian humanitarian NGO Save Ukraine for making the return of the children possible.

So far in 2024, 162 children from occupied parts of Kherson Oblast have returned to their homes in Ukrainian-controlled territories in 2024 alone, according to Prokrudin.

Kyiv and Western allies have condemned Russias systematic abduction of Ukrainian children, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants in March 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for allegedly overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
'We will act': Brussels asks Hungary to explain the easing of visa rules for Russians

'We will act': Brussels asks Hungary to explain the easing of visa rules for Russians

The European Commission has asked Hungary to explain its recent decision to ease visa requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens, which Brussels worries "could lead to a de facto circumvention" of the bloc's restrictions and undermine safety standards across the passport-free Schengen Area.

"Russia is a security threat. We need more, not less vigilance. Giving potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy EU access would undermine the security of us all," said Ylva Johansson, the Europen Commissioner for Home Affairs.

"If their easy access scheme is a risk, we will act."

In a letter addressed to Hungary's Ministry of Interior, dated 1 August, Johansson questions the fresh changes to the country's National Card scheme, which simplifies visa procedures and security background checks for "guest workers" in specific sectors.

The permit lasts for two years and can be renewed for an additional three, paving the way for qualifying for permanent residency.

Euronews spoke with an expert who says 500 Russian intelligence agents or spies have been kicked out of the EU since the war in Ukraine began in 2022.

"Russia has far less 'traditional' spies in Europe now than it had before the large-scale war. So Russia is forced to rely more and more on other forms of espionage. So these tasks would be not carried out by spies disguised as diplomats, but rather in other forms of "covering", as guest workers, for example," said Andras Racz.

In early July, coinciding with the start of Hungary's presidency of the EU Council and Viktor Orban's contentious trip to Moscow, the country extended the National Card to citizens from Russia and Belarus. It was previously opened to applicants from Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Serbia.

Budapest says many of these workers will be employed in the construction of a nuclear plant using Russian technology, which Orban has insisted be spared from sanctions.

The update initially went unnoticed until Manfred Weber, the chair of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), sent a letter in late July to European Council President Charles Michel, demanding a discussion at the leaders' level.

The "questionable" new rules "create grave loopholes for espionage activities" and could enable "large numbers of Russians to enter Hungary with minimal supervision, posing a serious risk to national security," Weber said in his letter, first reported by the FT.

Orban's spokesperson described Weber's words as "absurd and hypocritical" and said Hungary's migration system was the "strictest" in the bloc.

'Appropriate consequences'

The Commission, which is tasked with ensuring national legislation complies with EU norms, jumped on Thursday evening into the growing controversy.

"We must remain vigilant as Russia employs every unconventional tool to destabilise the European Union and its values," Johansson says in her missive.

At the core of the Commission's concerns is the functioning of the Schengen Area, a vast region that encompasses 450 million citizens across 29 European countries and where border checks have been abolished to allow seamless transit of people.

While each member state is entitled to design and implement its own visa requirements, they are all bound by a common set of minimum rules to guarantee uniformity. Once a third-country national is allowed to enter one Schengen country, they can move freely across the entire area, which means authorities need to trust each other's decisions.

Any scheme to attract foreign workers "need to be carefully balanced not to put at risk the integrity of our common area without internal border controls and to duly consider potential security implications," Johansson wrote.

"It is of paramount importance to take into account the security and migratory considerations of all other Schengen States."

Despite the far-reaching raft of sanctions imposed since the start of the Ukraine war, Russian and Belarusian citizens are still allowed to enter EU territory. However, the closure of airspace to Russian-operated flights and stringent restrictions on land travel make it difficult for those nationals to make it into the bloc.

In the summer of 2022, the EU suspended its visa facilitation agreement with Russia and agreed to intensify scrutiny over the future applications submitted by Russian tourists.

Hungary's National Card could jeopardise this collective framework, Johansson warns, as it could weaken the obligation to "assess whether individuals crossing the external border pose a threat to public policy, internal security, public health or international relations," as well as the enforcement of sanctions.

Budapest has until 19 August to reply to a series of questions annexed to the Commissioner's letter, enquiring about the reasons for including the two nationalities in the fast-tracked visa scheme. The questions also relate to eligibility criteria, security checks and implementation of EU guidelines, a spokesperson told Euronews.

Once Brussels receives the answer, Johansson says, it will "draw the appropriate consequences."

This article has been updated.
Some activists step up criticism of Shapiro and Kelly as Harris closes in on naming a running mate

WASHINGTON (AP)  Democrats have unified with remarkable speed behind Vice President Kamala Harris as she has taken over the top of the party's ticket heading into the November presidential election.

It may be another story when it comes to a running mate.

As Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly have emerged as among the possible finalists, both have faced criticism from some organizations and activists who might otherwise be supportive of Democratic causes, potentially undermining the party's newfound unity barely two weeks after Harris entered the race.

The vice president's team says she is interviewing six possible choices over the weekend before an announcement expected Monday. The next day, she and her running mate will appear together at a rally in Philadelphia, then visit six more swing states.

In addition to Shapiro and Kelly, Harris is said to be considering Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Walz changed his weekend travel plans, but his office didnt answer a question Saturday about whether it was for an interview with Harris. The governors schedule has changed, and he is no longer traveling to New Hampshire this weekend, Walz spokesman Teddy Tschann said.

Some congressional Democrats have promoted Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut whose state has more than 370 miles of border with Mexico. They say his selection could help defuse attacks by the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, who argues that Biden administration's immigration policies are too relaxed.

Shapiro has high-profile supporters, too, including Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. She caused a stir by posting a video Friday depicting several Philadelphia-area officials and Democrats promoting Harris, but also playing up Shapiro as her running mate  appearing to suggest that the mayor had inside knowledge about Harris decision.

But a person with knowledge of the mayors thinking said the video was simply a case of Parker showing support for both Harris and the potential that Shapiro, Parkers friend, would be the vice presidential pick. The person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Both Kelly and Shapiro have also seen their detractors become more vocal as Harris' closes in on a decision.

While that may not ultimately sway Harris, it is an indication that the honeymoon period for the vice president, where the distinct wings of the Democratic Party coalesced behind her, may be ending in the less than two weeks since President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid and endorsed her.

Some labor groups have criticized Kelly, saying he opposes proposed legislation they argue would boost union organizing. The senator's office counters that while he did not co-sponsor the proposed legislation, he has said he would vote for it on the floor.

Still, Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers, said that despite backing Harris for president, his 370,000-member union is not supporting Kelly as a potential running mate. Fain also said the union does not favor Shapiro, who has previously proved willing to join with Republicans in calls to expand voucher programs that allow public tax dollars to flow to private schools.

Fain did single out Beshear, Walz and Pritzker for praise.

Shes probably got a thousand people telling her the same thing, you know, of what they think, Fain said in an interview. And so shes got to make the decision based off of what she feels is, you know, is best for her.

The nonprofit Institute for Middle East Understanding has been publicly vocal, saying in a statement that Shapiro is not the right candidate for the job, and selecting him would be a step in the wrong direction.

Shapiro, who says he plans to be at Harris' rally Tuesday in Philadelphia, has aggressively confronted what he views as antisemitism cropping up from pro-Palestinian demonstrations and he has professed solidarity with Israel in its drive to eliminate Hamas as it Israel battles the militants in Gaza.

Shapiro called out universities for not acting quickly to tackle antisemitism and he became a prominent critic of the University of Pennsylvanias president, Liz Magill. She resigned after testifying at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the schools conduct policy.

Shapiro has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while suggesting that any end to the Israel-Hamas war requires the removal of Hamas from power.

The governor has been criticized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations for not condemning Israel for the killing of civilians in Gaza or for not calling for Israel to stop the fighting in the territory. Shapiro has countered that he has met with Muslim Americans and understands their pain.

The progressive activist organization RootsAction.org opposes Shapiros views on Israel, school vouchers and the environment, among other issues. It says that in considering Shapiro, Harris has set off alarm bells among young people, racial justice organizers, Arab Americans, Muslims and others whose votes and campaign activism were crucial to defeating Trump four years ago.

Meanwhile, The Philadelphia Inquirer resurfaced an opinion article Shapiro wrote in 1993 as a 20-year-old college student at the University of Rochester where he said peace will never come to the Middle East and that Palestinians were too battle-minded to coexist with Israel.

Asked about it, Shapiro responded, I was 20 adding that he long has supported a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

It is my hope that we can see a day where peace will reign in the Middle East, he said.

Also opposing Shapiro are some environmental leaders and residents of the rural town of Dimock, Pennsylvania. They have drafted a letter to Harris urging her not to choose Shapiro and charging that the governor failed to keep his promises to clean up area groundwater contaminated by natural gas production via hydraulic fracturing.

___

Associated Press writers Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.
Some activists step up criticism of Shapiro and Kelly as Harris closes in on naming a running mate

Democrats have unified with remarkable speed behind Vice President Kamala Harris as she has taken over the top of the partys ticket heading into the November presidential election.

It may be another story when it comes to a running mate.

As Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly have emerged as among the potential finalists, both have faced criticism from some organizations and activists who might otherwise be supportive of Democratic causes.

Harris team says she is interviewing six possible choices over the weekend before an announcement expected Monday. The next day, she and her running mate will appear together at a rally in Philadelphia, then visit six more swing states.

In addition to Shapiro and Kelly, Harris is said to be considering Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Some congressional Democrats have promoted Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut whose state has more than 370 miles of border with Mexico. They say his selection could help defuse attacks by the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, who argues that Biden administrations immigration policies are too relaxed.

Shapiro has high-profile supporters, too, including Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. She caused a stir by posting a video Friday depicting several Philadelphia-area officials and Democrats promoting Harris, but also playing up Shapiro as her running mate  appearing to suggest that the mayor had inside knowledge about Harris decision.

But a person with knowledge of the mayors thinking said the video was simply a case of Parker showing support for both Harris and the potential that Shapiro, Parkers friend, would be the vice presidential pick. The person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Both Kelly and Shapiro have also seen their detractors become more vocal as Harris closes in on a decision.

While that may not ultimately sway Harris, it is an indication that the honeymoon period for the vice president, where the distinct wings of the Democratic Party coalesced behind her, may be ending in the less than two weeks since President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid and endorsed her.

Some labor groups have criticized Kelly for opposing proposed legislation they argue would boost union organizing. Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers, said that despite backing Harris for president, his 370,000-member union is not supporting Kelly as a potential running mate.

Fain also said the union does not favor Shapiro, who has previously proved willing to join with Republicans in calls to expand voucher programs that allow public tax dollars to flow to private schools.

Fain did single out Beshear, Walz and Pritzker for praise.

Shes probably got a thousand people telling her the same thing, you know, of what they think, Fain said in an interview. And so shes got to make the decision based off of what she feels is, you know, is best for her.

The nonprofit Institute for Middle East Understanding said in a statement that Shapiro is not the right candidate for the job, and selecting him would be a step in the wrong direction.

Shapiro, who says he plans to be at Harris rally Tuesday in Philadelphia, has aggressively confronted what he views as antisemitism cropping up from pro-Palestinian demonstrations and he has professed solidarity with Israel in its drive to eliminate Hamas as it Israel battles the militants in Gaza.

Shapiro called out universities for not acting quickly to tackle antisemitism and he became a prominent critic of the University of Pennsylvanias president, Liz Magill. She resigned after testifying at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the schools conduct policy.

Shapiro has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while suggesting that any end to the Israel-Hamas war requires the removal of Hamas from power.

The governor has been criticized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations for not condemning Israel for the killing of civilians in Gaza or for not calling for Israel to stop the fighting in the territory. Shapiro has countered that he has met with Muslim Americans and understands their pain.

The progressive activist organization RootsAction.org opposes Shapiros views on Israel, school vouchers and the environment, among other issues. It says that in considering Shapiro, Harris has set off alarm bells among young people, racial justice organizers, Arab Americans, Muslims and others whose votes and campaign activism were crucial to defeating Trump four years ago.

Meanwhile, The Philadelphia Inquirer resurfaced an opinion article Shapiro wrote in 1993 as a 20-year-old college student at the University of Rochester where he said peace will never come to the Middle East and that Palestinians were too battle-minded to coexist with Israel.

Asked about it, Shapiro responded, I was 20 adding that he long has supported a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

It is my hope that we can see a day where peace will reign in the Middle East, he said.

Also opposing Shapiro are some environmental leaders and residents of the rural town of Dimock, Pennsylvania. They have drafted a letter to Harris urging her not to choose Shapiro and charging that the governor failed to keep his promises to clean up area groundwater contaminated by natural gas production via hydraulic fracturing.

___

Associated Press writer Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.

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This article was originally published in Arkansas Advocate.

Arkansas needs a more robust sexual health education landscape in order to reduce the states high rates of teenage pregnancy and births, a coalition of advocates for childrens health and wellbeing asserted in a report published Wednesday.

The report from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families includes several policy recommendations to move Arkansas into an age-appropriate and evidence-based continuum of sexual health education.

AACF formed the coalition in 2022 after releasing data that showed 28 of every 1,000 Arkansas teenagers had given birth, almost twice the national average of 15 per 1,000 teenagers. Only 22% of teenage pregnancies were planned, according to AACF.

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Through our research for that report, we found that teenagers arent any more sexually active here than they are in other states, last weeks report states. The key difference is access to contraceptives, especially the most effective kind, and lack of information because sexual health education isnt required in Arkansas.

State law says that schools teaching sex education shall include instruction in sexual abstinence, and no funds shall be utilized for abortion referral.

Within the confines of the law, schools can take an abstinence-plus approach, meaning a curriculum that builds off a foundation of abstinence education but can also include more medically accurate and evidence-based approaches, AACFs report states.

A 2017 survey by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette found nearly 85% of Arkansas 262 public school districts taught some form of abstinence, including having students sign virginity pledges, while 34 districts said they didnt teach sex education at all.

AACF hopes to gather more recent data on schools sex education curricula in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Olivia Gardner, AACFs education policy director.

I know anecdotally from this work that lots of Arkansans would like to see changes within the system, Gardner said. They would like to see things happening at school, and they dont feel comfortable having those conversations at home.

The coalitions recommendations include, but are not limited to:

Creating new requirements for school-based sex education to include more medically accurate information, including opportunities to teach abstinence plus curricula;Including parents and medical providers as important sources of sexual health information and abuse prevention;Supporting the expansion of sexual violence prevention programs;Supporting existing out-of-school programs that provide sexual health educationIncluding menstruation in sex education and making feminine hygiene products more accessible;Creating a nonprofit focused on improving sexual health education.

The report proposes an eight-year timeline for enacting the recommendations, with the first few years meant to be baby steps, Gardner said.

Members of the coalition behind the report agree that a multi-pronged, collaborative approach is necessary to put the recommendations into action.

Sexual health in general literally affects everybody throughout their entire life, said Katie Clark, a member of the coalition and the founder of the Arkansas Period Poverty Project. Its literally why were all here, and in order to address it, we need to talk about all these different issues and make legislators see that [better sex education] is something that will positively affect Arkansans for years to come.

Ignoring it is worse

Teenage parents are less likely to complete high school and college, which limits their economic opportunities in a state with an already high poverty rate, Gardner said.

Babies born to teenage girls are more likely to be premature or underweight, which can create lifelong health problems. According to AACF, 9.5% of all babies in Arkansas were born with low birth weights in 2021.

Additionally, Arkansas has the nations highest maternal mortality rate and the third highest infant mortality rate, according to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. Elected officials from both parties, including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, have expressed support for bolstering the states maternal and infant health care infrastructure.

While advocates agree that medically accurate sex education will help address these issues, there has been little support for sex education policies in the state Legislature in recent years. Senate Minority Leader Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, introduced a 2021 bill to require age- and developmentally appropriate and medically accurate and complete sex education in K-12 public schools, but the bill did not advance.

Lawmakers from both parties were receptive to the portion of the bill regarding education about safe and healthy dating practices, Leding said in an interview.

It was really when we got into more explicit education regarding safe sexual practices that we met resistance, he said.

Most people can agree that reducing and preventing unsafe behaviors is important, but advocates are often met with unease when discussing how to broach such topics with teenagers, said Natalie Tibbs, executive director of the Children & Family Advocacy Center in Northwest Arkansas.

Ignoring it is worse, so its about finding that balance of providing age-appropriate education that is empowering and therefore creating prevention, not curiosity, Tibbs said. The reality is, our kids are curious anyway, theyre talking to each other, and do we really want our children learning about it from their peers who dont have it right, or do we want them learning from teachers?

Tibbs is a member of AACFs sexual health education coalition and works in child abuse prevention and victim advocacy. She said teachers should receive annual training that helps them identify and report signs of child maltreatment; state law requires educators to complete this training every four years.

AACF-Sexual-Health-Coalition-Recommendations-Report

Both Ledings 2021 bill and AACFs report emphasize teaching young people about healthy relationships and consent. Tibbs agreed that this is important to prevent both child abuse and teenage pregnancy.

We dont see a significantly high pregnancy rate as it relates to child abuse, but it is there, so anytime we talk about sex education, we want to make sure theres a piece of education that relates to abuse, Tibbs said. We dont want to assume that all pregnancies are consensual.

Legislative approaches

Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R-Knoxville, said he plans to introduce next year legislation similar to another failed 2021 bill, which would exempt feminine hygiene products from state sales tax.

Arkansas remains one of 21 states that continue to tax period products, despite exempting other health-related products. According to the state Bureau of Legislative Research, the tax costs menstruating Arkansans over $1 million per year.

Schools are not required to provide period products to students, which can lead them to miss school while menstruating or develop health problems from using other methods such as articles of clothing to stanch the bleeding, Clark said.

This highlights why menstruation should be part of sexual health education, she said, and many Arkansans have told her they did not learn about menstruation in school.

If they dont have the proper education, the words, the ways to describe it, they cant educate their daughters well, Clark said. When people hear sex education, they think intercourse and thats it, but children and teens need to know whats normal and not normal so they can ask questions.

A proposed ballot measure to eliminate the tax on feminine hygiene products and diapers did not garner enough support to make this years November ballot. The ballot question committee, of which Clark is chair, submitted language to the attorney generals office Monday, seeking approval to start gathering voters signatures to put the measure on the 2026 ballot.

Leding said he and other Democrats hope to reintroduce legislation about sex education in a future legislative session.

I dont think anybody, regardless of party, can look at the situation in Arkansas and not believe that we need to do much more, he said.

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com. Follow Arkansas Advocate on Facebook and X.
Ukrainian drones have destroyed air defence and aircraft in addition to a warehouse containing guided aerial bombs, the General Staff has reported.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in the Security Service of Ukraine

Details: The Morozovsk airfield in Russias Rostov Oblast housed air defence, aircraft, and warehouses containing electronic warfare devices, the source said.

The special operation was carried out jointly with Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the defence forces.

Quote: "The Ukrainian drones did a great job hitting the aviation ammunition depot. The detonation was on such a scale that the locals did not have enough swear words to describe their impressions of the scale of the explosions and the blossoming 'cotton'. [Russian propaganda, initially refusing to use the word vzryv (explosion), used khlopok (a bang) instead. However, khlopok also means cotton, and this has since become a meme - ed.]

The local Russian authorities are trying to cover up the attack on the military facility and saying that only some storage facilities are on fire."

More details: The source stated that in addition to the airbase, the drones also hit an oil depot in the city of Gubkinsky in Belgorod Oblast.

Background:

The defence forces struck the Morozovsk airfield in Russias Rostov Oblast and a number of oil depots, the General Staff reported.

In the operation, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine used UAVs to hit a fuel and lubricant storage point at the Atlas plant belonging to the Russian Federal Agency for State Reserves in Rostov Oblast.

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PARIS (Reuters) - Air France said on Saturday it and its affiliate Transavia were further extending their suspensions of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least Aug 6, amid rising regional tensions.

Airlines are avoiding Iranian and Lebanese airspace and cancelling flights to Israel and Lebanon, as concerns grow over a possible regional conflict after the killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah this week.

Air France suspended flights between Paris and Beirut last Monday, two days after a strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 children and teenagers, which Israel and the United States blamed on Hezbollah.

That suspension was extended on Wednesday until at least Saturday, Aug 3.

"Given the security situation (...) the airline extends its suspension of its flights between Paris and Beirut until Aug 6 included," Air France said in a statement, adding it was monitoring the situation in Lebanon in real time.

"The resuming of service will be subject of a new assessment of the situation on the ground, " said the company, part of Air-France-KLM.

(Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Akron City Council this week declined to place a proposed charter amendment on the November ballot asking voters to change the way the city hires the heads of its safety forces.

End of story for a component of reforms prioritized by Mayor Shammas Malik? Maybe not.

There are several ways to amend the city charter  essentially Akron's constitution. But the clock is running out for city officials to accomplish this in 2024. City Council is on its August recess, and issues to be considered on the November ballot must be submitted to the Summit County Board of Elections before Sept. 3.

A citizen-led ballot initiative could bypass City Hall and still accomplish this goal by the deadline. But since the city recently installed new chiefs at both the police and fire departments, the push for this charter change may have lost some urgency.

Instead, city officials could try again in upcoming election cycles or even push the proposal further down the road to a broader inspection of the charter that occurs every 10 years.

Here are some of the ways the amendment process could play out.

Voters could go the Issue 10 route with a citizen-led ballot initiative

Much like with Issue 10, the 2022 referendum that created the Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board, residents could gather signatures in support of a ballot outlining charter changes similar to the proposal drafted by Malik's office. He is seeking to clearly state the mayor's authority in considering candidates for chief and deputy chief in the police and fire departments.

The administration said current charter language complicates consideration of outside candidates and blocks some internal candidates because of a requirement to promote internal candidates based on a seniority formula. While previous mayors have appointed external candidates without challenge, Malik said he could lose his job if he does not abide by the charter.

While City Council decided not to put Malik's recommended changes in front of voters this fall, Akron residents could push for the measure  which was crafted by a committee of elected representatives and citizens  to be added to the ballot.

With just a month left to organize such an effort, though, that would be a highly ambitious undertaking. The Ohio Constitution requires a petition signed by as many resident registered voters as 10% of the amount of ballots cast in a city's most recent general municipal election. That means at least 4,861 valid signatures would be needed.

Without the community urgency that swelled after Akron police shot and killed Jayland Walker in June 2022  the driving force behind Issue 10  such a petition drive could struggle to gather support. As of Friday, no groups had reached out to the Beacon Journal to spread word of any such petition.

City Council could reconsider mayor's proposal or craft its own

Don't look for this to happen in time for the fall election deadline. The monthlong recess and the Labor Day holiday that immediately follows means City Council isn't scheduled to reconvene until Sept. 9.

But the proposal could be revised to address concerns of council members who voted against placing it on the ballot, and then reintroduced for consideration.

Any individual council member or the mayor can propose charter amendment legislation. It's up to council to approve sending the proposed amendment to the voters.

Despite its initial failure, Malik said in an emailed statement that he respect's council's role in the process and is "grateful for the many conversations we've had over the past several weeks."

He vowed to continue working to improve how city safety forces hire employees.

"I strongly believe in the merit of this proposed amendment as well as the voters right to decide on this change," Malik said.

Charter review process also offers opportunity for change

Can it wait until 2030?

Every 10 years, the Akron charter undergoes a full review by a special committee. The last time this happened was in 2020, which resulted in seven amendments being added to the ballot that year.

That's the usual process as prescribed by the charter, but there's nothing prohibiting more frequent reviews.

Council President and Ward 3 Councilwoman Margo Sommerville signaled support for such a committee at Monday's council meeting.

"If we're serious, let's take some time, let's expand our committee  less of us elected officials and more community  so that come next November 2025, we can really present something to the community that's going to bring about real change, not something that's going to give false hope, not something that's going to be oversold and we can't deliver on," Sommerville said.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How Akron charter could still see adoption of failed Malik proposal
(KRON)  Three Alameda Police Department officers made their first court appearances Friday in Oakland to face involuntary manslaughter charges.

APD officer James Fisher, officer Cameron Leahy, and officer Eric McKinley are charged with the death of Mario Gonzalez. Gonzalez died on April 19, 2021 while officers were detaining him for shoplifting. If convicted, the three officers could face up to four years in state prison, according to the Alameda County District Attorneys Office.

None of the officers entered pleas. A judge granted their attorneys request to delay the arraignment until October 11.

The City of Alameda previously settled a civil lawsuit by paying Gonzalezs family more than $11 million, the DAs office said. Family members said officers escalated what should have been a minor encounter with an unarmed man.

Frame grab from the Alameda Police Departments body-worn camera footage on April 19, 2021 of Mario Gonzalez in a park. (Image courtesy City of Alameda)

Gonzalez, 26, was suspected of being drunk in public and stealing alcohol from a nearby store. A neighbor called 911 to report that a strange man was talking to himself and scaring the neighbors wife.

Officers found Gonzalez in a small park next to 802 Oak Street. They pinned him to the ground face-down and restrained him. Gonzalezs heart stopped beating. A coroner concluded that Gonzalez had a toxic level of methamphetamine in his system.

The Gonzalez case was previously closed by District Attorney Pamela Prices predecessor, Nancy OMalley. OMalleys administration cleared all of the police officers of wrongdoing. The officers were concerned for their safety because Gonzalez repeatedly placed his hands in his pockets, a report released by OMalleys office in 2022 states.

When Price took office in 2023, one of her first actions was reopening the case.

Gonzalez is survived by his 6-year-old son, also named Mario.

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Alec Baldwin at First Judicial District Courthouse on July 11, 2024 in Santa Fe, NM. - Credit: Ramsay de Give-Pool/Getty Images

The judge in Alec Baldwins Rust shooting case censured the New Mexico prosecutors in a written order issued on Wednesday for willful and deliberate misconduct over evidence involved in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

In the filing, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer found that the prosecution had intentionally and deliberately withheld evidence from the defense, per The Hollywood Reporter. The judge also said the lead special prosecutor on the case, Kari Morrissey, gave inconsistent testimony associated to the evidence she suppressed.

More from Rolling Stone

Evidence regarding the source of the live round that killed Ms. Hutchins, and additional information concerning how that live round arrived on the Rust set, likely affects the jurys calculus of proximate cause and negligence by a third person or persons, the judge said in Wednesdays order.

Last month, in a shocking decision, Sommer dismissed the single felony count filed against the Baldwin after his attorneys raised questions over how evidence had been handled by New Mexico law enforcement and prosecutors. It had been revealed that a batch of live ammunition was turned over by retired officer Troy Teske, and that while they were collected and booked by the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office, they had not been given to the defense or through a supplemental evidence report.

In delivering her ruling in July, Sommer said that the evidence could have helped Baldwins defense undermine prosecutors theory of the case and support the actors claim that the fatal shooting was unforeseeable. There is no way for the court to right this wrong, she said before granting the motion to dismiss with prejudice.

The bombshell turn of events had ended the three-year prosecution of Baldwin after Hutchins was killed during the on-set accident on Oct. 21, 2021. The incident occurred when the prop gun the actor was using went off while he was rehearsing a scene with Hutchins and Rust director, Joel Souza, who was also injured. Baldwin, whos pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge, has long maintained he did not pull the trigger.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  As county leaders are looking to crack down on private equity firms buying up properties, a new report released on Thursday is shedding light on one corporate landlord that may have contributed to higher housing costs in San Diego.

The analysis, which was released by tenant advocacy groups Private Equity Stakeholder Project and the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, zooms in on Blackstone Inc., an investment firm who acquired nearly 6,000 local rental units across San Diego County in 2021.

Using real estate data, it found the corporation hiked rent prices of the units it owns in San Diego by an average of 38%, or $600, since its acquisition of the buildings  nearly double the 20% median rent increase for apartments in the county during the same period.

For some Blackstone-owned buildings, including several located in historically low-income areas like San Ysidro and National City, these rent increases neared upwards of 80% over a three-year period, according to the report.

These buildings, which previously had an average rent of about $1,500 per month three years ago, now have median rent prices of over $2,500.

Given that there already is such a crisis of affordable housing and that there were such a large number of affordable units, its really almost a crime that they are now no longer affordable, Jordan Ash, housing director at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project and lead author on the study, told FOX 5/KUSI on Friday.

Homes are selling for over asking in these 50 metro areas

As Ash explained, these units were what is often referred to as naturally occurring affordable housing, or a type of housing  often of a lower quality  that reflects a reasonable price for low or middle-income renters.

This differs from other types of affordable housing that are tied to government subsidies or require tenants to apply for the unit through an affordable housing program.

Theyre kind of disappearing, theres not very many of them, Ash said of these below-market priced units, noting that this is in part due to corporations acquiring them often with the goal of renovating to attract higher-income renters to turn a greater profit.

In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, Blackstone pointed to renovations and repairs done at the nearly 70 buildings it owns in San Diego under its ownership as an example of the improvements to living conditions for thousands of San Diego residents who live in our communities.

However, the speed at which rents have been increased to foot the bill of these upgrades, as the report illustrates, have exacerbated the financial burden placed on tenants whose income has not been raised at the same rate.

Customers of house-flipping scheme tied to HGTV stars to receive $12M in refund checks

Were concerned that the rent increases are aimed at basically forcing people out so that Blackstone can increase the rent even more, Ash said.

Blackstone in San Diego

Blackstone first came into the San Diego housing market in 2021, when it bought up 66 buildings with 5,800 units from the nonprofit Conrad Prebys Foundation. As the San Diego Union-Tribune reported at the time, the acquisition cost roughly $1 billion.

It was part of a wider effort by the company to expand its rental portfolio nationwide during the pandemic. According to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project report, the firm purchased over 250,000 units during that time.

There was a lot of concern and fear that when Blackstone bought it that they would increase rents, Ash said. They assured the community that was not the case, but in fact what Blackstone did was to raise the rents.

Cost of housing in Tijuana up 30 percent from last year

As a result of the price changes, working families and other low-income tenants reported struggling to make ends meet with the new costs, taking on additional jobs or working extra hours. Some were pushed out entirely, Ash said, both willingly or through eviction.

According to Blackstone, the company did have an eviction moratorium in place throughout the pandemic, in part due to federal, state and local regulations preventing companies from initiating the proceedings to keep people in their homes during an uncertain time.

However, in August 2022, the Private Equity Stakeholder Project said the company began evicting tenants again, apparently in an effort to create vacancies so they could remodel the unit.

The incentives for remodels

Remodels and renovations have long been used as a means to transform a property to attract higher-income renters.

Renovation is a unique project, because it transforms lower-quality housing units into higher-quality housing units, said Michael Reher, assistant professor of finance at the UCSD Rady School of Management. By definition, this reduces the supply of lower quality units.

Reher likened the practice to an almost flattening of the relationship between quality and rent, although he noted that investment like Blackstones in multi-family housing is nothing all that new  despite an uptick in taking on high-risk, high-reward real estate investments.

Private equity and investment firms have been seeking out these types of below-market housing for years, with the goal of adding value to it and in turn create more revenue, Reher explained.

While some current tenants may enjoy updates to their unit, it can have the effect of pushing them out of the unit all together, with some even ending up on the street. As Ash said, these updates are often something that will be enjoyed by the next tenant moving in.

This borders on the topic of gentrification, which is a complicated issue, Reher said. What I think is less controversial to say is that these type of investments occur in areas where there is the potential for income growth from an investment perspective.

What solutions are there

San Diego County officials have initiated an exploration of measures it can implement to crackdown on corporations buying up properties. However, there are already a few tools in their toolbox that Reher says can be utilize to at least off-set the impact of value-add strategies.

For one, easing restrictions to add new housing units has a significant downstream impact, as it eases supply pressures.

According to Reher, one study conducted in an East Coast city showed that adding just a single new unit of housing in an area, regardless of its general income level, created new naturally affordable units by freeing up space in existing units.

He also noted that improving transportation infrastructure should also go hand-in-hand with these efforts.

For tenant advocates like the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, the proliferation of value-add development has renewed arguments for additional statewide rent control protections.

As they argue, these caps remove the incentive for large landlords to create vacancies so they can significantly raise rent above what the state allows when a tenant is actively living in a unit.

Blackstone is a perfect example of what happens when there isnt rent control and the existing restrictions have actually prevented them from increasing rents even more and making the housing less affordable, Ash said.

Blackstones full response

The full statement from Blackstone can be found below:

The reality is that average rents at these San Diego communities are 20% below the San Diego market average. Resident review scores have increased ~40% under our ownership and resident retention rates are significantly higher than the national average. We have invested approximately $100 million to improve living conditions for thousands of San Diego residents who live in our communities; we have already completed over 44,000 repairs, including those that were previously unaddressed.

We hold ourselves and our operators to the highest standard of care. During the pandemic, Blackstone recognized that many were experiencing extreme hardship. We believe we are the only major landlord in the US that did not evict a single tenant for non-payment during those 2+ years.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
UPDATE @ 8:04 P.M.

OHP says the child has been found safe and the suspect is in custody. The Amber Alert is canceled.

ORIGINAL STORY

BRYAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) has issued an Amber Alert for a missing 4-year-old boy last seen in Bryan County.

According to OHP, Chase Risner, 4, was last seen with his non-custodial father, Chance Risner, 38, on August 2, 2024.

Amber Alert issued for Chase Risner

They are said to be in a tan 2003 Honda Odyssey with Oklahoma Tag MOE771.

Authorities say Chase was abducted by force from his custodial grandmother and was possibly injured by chance in the process.

Any person with information on the Amber Alert is asked to call 9-1-1.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD)  American flags now adorn the road leading to the Marine Corps League in Pekin, in honor of Stan Newell, a Vietnam War veteran who was a Prisoner of War (POW) for nearly six years.

More than 200 flags now sit on both sides of the road from the Marine Corps League on Garman Road to Route 29 to honor Stan, who died this past January.

Hastings taught volunteers how to properly put flags in the ground Friday afternoon, and then supervised as they worked their way from the Marine Corps League down to Route 29.

Mark Werner is Stans brother-in-law and described him as a down-to-earth guy who carried mental wounds from his time in Vietnam. However, Werner said you could always find Stan with a smile on his face.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held Saturday at the Marine Corps League from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Werner said its well deserved.

Were happy to share our familys legacy in the military with others who are interested in coming. This is going to be a big deal for all generations because fortunately, this will not be repeated in our area because Stan was the only POW in Vietnam from Central Illinois, Werner said.

Hero down, flags up: 500 flags to honor fallen veteran and fire chief in Tremont

It will feature two fellow Vietnam POWs, as well as remarks from those who were close to Stan. Its a public event.

The event was made possible by The Flagmans Mission Continues, a nonprofit organization that helps honor the legacy of active-duty veterans and, in rare cases, POWs like Stan.

Jeff Hastings is the president and CEO of the organization, which is based in OFallon, Illinois.

Hes a veteran himself, having served in the Air Force. He believes its important to honor those such as Stan.

To be a POW for more than six years and then come back and stay in the military for another 20 years shows how special of a person he was, he said.

The organization goes within a 400-mile radius of OFallon and conducts similar events from as south as Little Rock to as far north as Milwaukee.

Hastings said that if people are interested in donating, the donations go towards vehicle and flag maintenance. A link to their website can be found here.

Those interested in helping pick up the flags can go to the Marine Corps League at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
American Red Cross steps in to aid family affected by Moncks Corner house fire

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD)  The American Red Cross responded to support a family in Moncks Corner following a devastating house fire on Rubensville Lane last night.

Disaster-trained volunteers from the American Red Cross are currently assisting four individuals affected by the fire.

Their immediate efforts include providing crucial financial assistance for essentials such as food, clothing, and temporary shelter.

Additionally, the Red Cross is facilitating access to vital community resources that the family may require during this challenging time.

As South Carolina experiences the peak of summer, ensuring safety from the relentless heat becomes increasingly critical. Authorities advise residents to take proactive measures to safeguard themselves against the sweltering temperatures.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
The U.S. State Department is urging all Americans in Lebanon to book any ticket available to them and get out of the country as tensions boil over in the region.

We updated the Travel Advisory for Lebanon to Level 4: Do Not Travel for the entire country, the consulate said in a Wednesday statement. Level 4 is the highest travel advisory issued by the agency.

If you are in Lebanon, be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate, the statement added. The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens who are already in Southern Lebanon, near the borders with Syria, and/or in refugee settlements to depart.

Furthermore, the State Department warned that there is no guarantee the U.S. government will evacuate private U.S. citizens and their family members in a crisis situation.

A demonstrator holds up a poster of assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh outside the United Nations offices in Sanaa, Yemen. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

The last time the U.S. evacuated citizens from Lebanon was in 2006 during the Lebanese Civil War.

Iranian-Israeli relations went into a tail-spin earlier this week when Israel assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, in Tehran. Iran claims that Israel killed Haniyeh with a short-range projectile, but Israel claims it smuggled a bomb in Haniyehs residence.

The day before, Israel conducted an air strike in Lebanon that killed Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah commander.

Mourners carry the coffin of Fuad Shukr in Beiruts southern suburbs Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters

The assassinations set off a week of retaliatory threats from Iran and its regional allies.

Iranian proxy forces have already begun repositioning in Syria with the aim of targeting the International Coalition bases in Al-Hasakah Governorate, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

ISW also warned that Iran is likely considering its ability to maintain nuclear deterrence against Israel.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on July 19 that Iran could produce fissile material within one or two weeks.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech Friday that they consider it our duty to take vengeance for Haniyehs death, according to The Washington Post.

U.S. officials fear that Iran may launch a combined drone and missile attack on Israel, akin to to their April attack, according to Axios.

If Israel is attacked, we certainly will help, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters Wednesday.

The U.S. has deployed additional carrier groups and fighter jets with anti-ballistic missile capabilities, according to officials who spoke with Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed in a statement Friday, Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.

Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday that, Our priority continues to be to promote diplomatic solutions for a more peaceful, secure, and integrated region. And that, of course, includes continuing to engage and work very hard to close the remaining gaps as it relates to a ceasefire in Gaza.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Supporters take part in the demonstration of the lateral thinking movement "Unity and justice and freedom". Carsten Koall/dpa

Several thousand demonstrators with the Lateral Thinking movement in Germany, which staged rallies during the coronavirus pandemic against emergency restrictions and vaccine rules, marched through Berlin on Saturday.

Some participants waved banners demanding a "reappraisal" of the government measures imposed in hopes of controlling the spread of the virus, as well as "consequences for those responsible."

Demonstrators marched through the centre of the German capital and planned to rally near the Tiergarten park on Saturday afternoon.

A police spokeswoman said the start of the demonstration went peacefully, with the crowd numbering several thousand. A total of 500 police officers were deployed to monitor the demonstration, as well as several planned counter-demonstrations.

The Lateral Thinking, or Querdenken, movement formed across Germany during the coronavirus pandemic, with supporters repeatedly demonstrating against the measures to contain the virus.

In August 2020, an estimated 20,000 people joined a demonstration against the coronavirus measures in Berlin, although organizers claimed that the actual crowd was much larger.

Supporters take part in the demonstration of the lateral thinking movement "Unity and justice and freedom". Carsten Koall/dpa
KIPS BAY, Manhattan (PIX11)  Anticipation is high for an NYPD sergeant to be released from the hospital the day after he was shot by a man who had just been collared on a burglary charge by the sergeant and another supervising cop.

Both men were shot in the incident by a man who police say was out on probation for another crime, and whos waiting to go before a judge. Its all happening hours after one of the two arresting cops was discharged from the hospital, to head home to recover.

That officer, a 34-year-old sergeant with 11 years on the force, received a heros reception when he was released from medical care at Bellevue Hospital on Thursday evening. With dozens of fellow officers saluting, and then applauding boisterously, the neighborhood coordination sergeant was moved out of the front door of Bellevue in a wheelchair, with his pregnant wife and his mother on either side of him.

The as-yet unnamed sergeant had suffered a graze wound in the shooting that left the other sergeant under medical watch on Thursday evening into Friday night.

More Local News

The other sergeant, whose name has also not been released officially, is a 43-year-old public safety sergeant in the 5th precinct, whos been on the force for 16 years. He was shot in the groin, police say, in a scene that witnesses called intense.

It was crazy. It was crazy! exclaimed a man who only gave the name, Kano. It was like a movie.

He was at the arrest scene on Eldridge Street at Delancey Street on Thursday afternoon. Just after 4 p.m., witnesses saw a man who police identified as Joshua Dorsett, 22, pull a gun from his pocket while the sergeants tried to cuff him. Then, he fired.

One police was screaming, Im shot!' said Francisco Huayta, an eyewitness. They took him right away.

Police said that Dorsett had used the same gun with which he shot at the cops to hold up people at a gathering four blocks away from where he was taken into custody. At around 4 p.m. on Thursday, cops say, Dorsett made off with cash from the gathering, and fled.

People at the gathering, which was a mahjong parlor, called police immediately. Dozens of officers were on the chase, and when the two sergeants collared him, according to their supervisors, they threw him onto a taxicab hood and tried to cuff him. Thats when he fired, and one bullet struck both men, according to the police commissioner.

Theyre lucky to be alive, said Edward Caban, the NYPD commissioner, at a news conference on Thursday at Bellevue.

Its the same place from which the second sergeant is expected to be released at some time on Friday.

Meanwhile, Dorsett, the suspect, is expected to be led out of the Fifth Precinct station house on Friday, to be arraigned before a judge.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Exteriors of the apartments at Buenas on 32nd in Phoenix, which had been without AC for a month.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit against a Phoenix apartment complex for failing to repair a faulty air conditioning system as previously ordered, according to the state prosecutor's office.

Buenas Communities LLC is being sued by Mayes for allegedly neglecting the residents of Buenas on 32nd, an apartment complex located at 32nd Avenue and Indian School Road. The lawsuit comes after a previous order from the attorney general to repair the air conditioning system proved inadequate, according to a news release from Mayes' office.

On July 26, Mayes said the apartment complex received a portable chiller, but that the temporary fix along with room air conditioner units did not solve the problem for all residents.

The lawsuit alleges that the "corporate landlords" or Buenas on 32nd participated in routine neglect of its residents that the attorney general described as "deplorable."

The lawsuit also alleges that the complex frequently had broken windows, faulty plumbing and bed bug infestations, all while the building itself was in poor condition.

"All Arizona residents who enter into rental agreements deserve living conditions that meet minimal standards of habitability," wrote Mayes in the news release.

Blazing heat in AZ: Southwest Phoenix neighborhood suffering without AC since Wednesday

'Deplorable conditions ... put residents lives at serious risk'

Mayes sought a court order that would demand Buenas Communities address the numerous dilapidations that violated Arizona state law, according to the news release. Mayes also sought restitution for residents of the complex, and civil penalties for its owners.

"The ongoing neglect and deplorable conditions at Buenas Communities' properties have put residents lives at serious risk, especially during the record-breaking heat this summer," added Mayes.

Mayes said the poor conditions of the complex violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

The lawsuit also alleges that residents at the complex who voiced their complaints faced threats of eviction and retaliation from the complex staff, according to the news release.

The lawsuit claims that after two residents at the apartment complex shared their experience of living without working air conditioning with local media, they were threatened with eviction. The complex staff allegedly sent an email stating that the residents' lease had been canceled without providing a reason. However, the complex agreed to reinstate the lease after being contacted by the attorney general's office.

The lawsuit includes promotional images of Buenas on 32nd, contrasted with photos provided by the attorney general that depict the reality of the apartment complex. The images reveal a decrepit and worn-down property that misled residents into believing it was a livable apartment.

The office of Buenas on 32nd and a spokesperson for the apartment complex did not immediately respond to The Republic's request for more information.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sues Phoenix apartment complex
Arizona requires proof of citizenship to register to vote: how it could sway the election

A legal fight is raging in Arizona over requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, with potentially high stakes for this year's presidential race in the swing state.

Republican lawmakers hope to convince the courts  and ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court  that every voter must demonstrate citizenship when they register to vote. Currently, in Arizona and elsewhere, people can register without showing papers and attest that they are legal citizens, under penalty of perjury.

But skepticism about these attestations have grown, fueled by conspiracy theories that undocumented immigrants are stuffing the nation's ballot boxes.

"Requiring proof of citizenship to vote isnt a partisan issue; its just common sense," said Jake Hoffman, a Republican state lawmaker who introduced the 2022 law at the heart of the current legal battle. Since Hoffman's bill passed, several other Republican-controlled state legislatures have taken up legislation that would make documents proving citizenship a requirement to register to vote and would institute checks on existing voter rolls.

State Sen. Jake Hoffman on the Senate floor at the state Capitol in Phoenix, on June 12, 2024, as lawmakers debate the state budget.

Civil rights activists disagree, noting that many citizens  particularly low-income voters and voters of color  may not be able to easily obtain the requisite paperwork, such as a birth certificate or passport, to prove their citizenship.

"Noncitizen voting is vanishingly rare," said Sara Carter, an attorney with the Brennan Center for Justice. Its against the law, and its incredibly easy to get caught.

One thing both sides do agree on: The stakes are high.

In an election year in which a newly reshaped presidential race could hinge on several thousand votes, who gets to vote is crucial  especially in a battleground state like Arizona, where the last presidential race resulted in a razor-thin 10,457 vote win for Joe Biden.

How the law came to pass

A 1993 federal law called the National Voter Registration Act allowed people to register to vote even if they don't have papers showing they are citizens.

Instead, these voters must attest, under penalty of perjury, that they are citizens. Voters who are found to have lied on their registration form are subject to fines, and, if they are in the county illegally, deportation.

In 2004, responding to concerns about illegal immigration, Arizona became the first state to require proof of citizenship for all voters. The ballot measure won with 56% voter approval. But it triggered a federal lawsuit initially brought by the Intertribal Council of Arizona that dragged on for nine years.

The ensuing protracted legal fight ended with an agreement between Arizona and federal officials that limited those without citizenship documents to voting only in federal races. This "two-track" system became the target of the 2022 legislation, with the end goal of getting Arizona's case before the U.S. Supreme Court, eliminating the dual system and requiring all voters to show proof of citizenship.

Supporters are hopeful they can get an emergency request considered by the high court before Arizona voter registration closes on Oct. 7.

As of late July, 24,500 registered Arizona voters are allowed to only pull ballots in federal races.

More states seek citizenship proof

"This is just a commonsense safeguard for our election," said Scot Mussi, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, a nonprofit that advocates for conservative causes. The club supports the ongoing legal fight waged by GOP legislative leaders. "We have a very easy streamlined process to register to vote."

The idea is catching on in Republican states. Louisiana this year passed a law that requires all new voter registration applicants to provide proof of citizenship; a bill on New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu's desk would amend that state's same-day voter registration rules to require citizenship proof.

In July, the Republican-majority House of Representatives approved the SAVE Act, which would make proof of citizenship a requirement to register to vote nationally. It is not expected to get any traction in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slender majority.

The SAVE Act is backed by former President Donald Trump, who has been falsely claiming for years that noncitizens are widely voting in U.S. elections. The increase in states passing laws to require proof of citizenship follows Trump's false claims that he lost the 2020 election through voter fraud.

North Dakota does not have voter registration. But under a 2023 law, residents who show up at the polls and present an ID that indicates they are a noncitizen must have their ballot set aside and given a chance to provide updated documents that establish their citizenship.

More: Speaker Mike Johnson said noncitizen voting is a 'threat.' The facts say otherwise

Scant evidence of illegal voting

Critics call the fixation on noncitizen voters a damaging distraction.

Carter, with the Brennan Center, points to studies, such as one the center did in the wake of the 2016 election, that found scant evidence of this happening.

That study surveyed 42 voting jurisdictions covering 23.5 million voters. The key finding: about 30 reports of suspected noncitizen voting, or 0.0001% of votes cast.

The documents that typically prove citizenship are not always at hand when a person decides to register to vote, Carter said.

Maybe your birth certificate is in a safe deposit box at the bank," she said. Or, in her case, in a drawer at her parents house in another state.

Another study, completed this year, concluded that more than 21 million Americans of voting age didn't have ready access to documents proving they are citizens. That equated to 9% of the voting population.

"Convenience is so important to voter participation," Carter said, adding the extra efforts to search for those documents may deter people from registering.

All of this discussion of noncitizen voting is part of the election denier playbook," she said.

There is hardly any evidence that noncitizens have voted in Arizona, but Republicans point to a porous border to argue more controls are needed,

Poll workers stock voting booths May 16, 2016, at the Covenant of Grace Christian Fellowship church in Phoenix.

Tighter rules could block legal voters

For many Arizonans, the citizenship question is resolved when they get a state driver's license. The state application requires proof of citizenship and applicants can opt to use that proof to register under the "motor voter" provisions of the National Voter Registration Act.

Alternatively, people who are not citizens but are lawfully present in Arizona, can get a driver's license if they present an alien identification card, or other approved ID. That does not qualify them to vote.

But there are populations of native-born citizens for whom proof of citizenship is not easy to come by. Native Americans are among the minority groups disproportionately affected, said Arizona state Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, a Tucson Democrat and a member of the Pascua Yaqui tribe.

Sometimes Indigenous people cant do that, especially older folks who were born at home," Gonzales said of producing proof of citizenship. "Their records werent recorded.

Gonzales has a tribal ID, which counts as citizenship verification, but not everyone carries that around in their purse or wallet, she said.

Arizona attorney Danny Arellano has been fighting Arizona's attempt to require citizenship proof from all voters and to end the "federal only" voter exception.

"It very realistically can keep people off the voter rolls," he said, noting not all U.S. citizens can access their birth certificate or a passport. Some of these documents might have been destroyed; others might not even exist.

Recently naturalized citizens are most likely to be affected by the push for documents since their paperwork might not be processed in time to meet the registration deadline, he said. Students enrolled in Arizona colleges and universities are another concern; many don't bring their birth certificates when they arrive from out of state.

"I get what they're trying to do," Arellano said of Republican state lawmakers. "But there's no feasible way to do this without harming legitimate voters."

Court ruling blocks some Arizona voters, then doesn't

In a July 1 motion to the 9th Circuit of Appeals, Arizona's Republican legislative leaders, joined by the Republican National Committee, argued the GOP would suffer a competitive disadvantage if the state continued to register voters who attest they are citizens but don't provide documents proving their status.

They argued the percentage of Republican voters registered as federal-only is disproportionately smaller than the percentage of GOP voters statewide, giving an advantage to Democrats.

In mid-July, they got a narrow win.

The 9th Circuit stayed an injunction that had blocked the requirement to show citizenship papers in some instances. That meant that going forward, anyone who registers to vote with a state-supplied form must produce citizenship papers or their application will be rejected. The matter was subject to appeal.

Within the first 10 days of the court's stay, Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, had rejected about 200 state registration forms due to lack of documents proving citizenship.

Senate President Warren Petersen on the Senate floor at the state Capitol in Phoenix on June 15, 2024.

State Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican, hailed the court ruling, even though the court denied his request to block federal-only voters from voting by mail and to extend the document requirement to people who use the federal voter registration form.

"This is a victory for election integrity in Arizona," he wrote on social media. "Only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in our elections."

That victory was short lived. Two weeks after that ruling from a "motions panel" of the court, the 9th Circuit reversed course, lifted the stay and directed Arizona to revert to its two-track system, where people unable to produce citizenship documents can register to vote and cast ballots in federal elections.

Petersen promised an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. And he lambasted the court he had just praised, arguing its Aug. 1 order is "another example of why the radical 9th Circuit is the most overturned circuit in the country."

Within the first 10 days of the court's stay, Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, had rejected about 200 state registration forms due to lack of documents proving citizenship.

Timing is important. There's usually an uptick in voter registration ahead of a presidential election said Ceridwen Cherry. She's the legal director of VoteRiders, a nonprofit that helps people register to vote and navigate the often complex web of state requirements.

She worries the on-again, off-again requirements from the recent court rulings could deter people who want to register to vote.

"The current two-tiered registration system in Arizona is already extremely confusing, but the whiplash created by these back-to-back court rulings is likely to exacerbate that," Cherry said. "If the Supreme Court were to change the registration requirements in Arizona yet again prior to the election, voter confusion is certain to increase even further."

She said her organization will double down on registration efforts in the coming weeks.

"Our goal is to make sure that every Arizona voter has the documentation they need to be able to register and cast a ballot as a full ballot voter in all local, state and federal races in Arizona," Cherry said.

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on Threads as well as on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @maryjpitzl.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ proof-of-citizenship voting rule could change swing state outcome
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin files brief supporting return of Confederate monument to Little Rock park

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin files brief supporting return of Confederate monument to Little Rock park

In the video above from 2020, KARK 4 News reports on when the Confederate monument was removed from McArthur Park.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has filed a brief supporting a lawsuit seeking to return a Civil War monument to a Little Rock park.

Griffins July 15 filing sided with Little Rock resident Jay Clarks suit, who wants the monument commemorating a Confederate Civil War company that served in Little Rock returned to McArthur Park after the city removed it in 2020. The lawsuit states that the city violated the state Monument Protection Act of 2021 by removing the monument.

City of Little Rock removes confederate monument from MacArthur Park

Griffin agrees with Clarks suit, stating that the city acted unconstitutionally in removing the statue. Claiming that it was within the citys rights to do so is not legally sound, the brief states.

The monument, an 8-foot bronze statue of a Confederate soldier topping a 16-foot granite column commemorating Company A, Capitol Guards, was dedicated in 1911 during a meeting of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. It was vandalized by what appeared to be varnish in June 2020 during the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.

Talks of a confederate flag in Hot Spring County creates controversy among the community

Clays lawsuit maintains that the city violated the 2021 law despite having become law after the city removed the statue because the act applies to all historical monuments in Arkansas.

The suit states Mayor Frank Scott Jr. ordered the monuments removal without city council approval, which was a further violation.

Dozens of counter-protesters turn out at State Capitol after threats to tear down confederate statues

The lawsuit was filed on Jan. 1, 2023. Clays attorney filed an amended complaint in July, adding the seven commissioners of the Arkansas History Commission and the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, Shea Lewis, as defendants.

Little Rocks attorney filed a motion on Thursday asking for the amended complaint to be struck or they be given a continuance to contend with the eight additional defendants.

See how many Confederate memorials still exist in Arkansas

Court records do not list a trial date.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Arkansas COVID cases on the rise as August gets started

Arkansas COVID cases on the rise as August gets started

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  COVID-19 is rearing its head again for many Arkansans as cases are on the rise.

According to the Arkansas Department of Health, more than 200 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in July. They said the number of cases has increased from May until now.

Is a COVID summer surge coming to Arkansas? Heres what CDC data shows

Dr. Robert Hopkins with UAMS said people with COVID are steadily coming through their doors.

Weve seen a lot of increase of folks in the emergency department, the clinics, the outpatient areas, Hopkins said. We have seen an increase in hospitalizations.

At Kavanaugh Pharmacy, owner Anne Pace said she has seen an increase in testing and people wanting Paxlovid, an antiviral used to help your body fight COVID.

Hopkins said high demand for Paxlovid means the pharmacys stock is often gone by the end of the day.

Little Rock pharmacy struggles to keep up with high demand of COVID-19 medication Paxlovid

Both Hopkins and Pace say that Paxlovid is more often used for higher-risk groups of people, depending on age, underlying conditions and more. Pace said over-the-counter medications are also used to fight symptoms like fever, runny nose, coughing and congestion.

Paxlovid may be necessary for some people but its certainly not necessary for the vast majority of the population to treat it, Pace said.

Hopkins said that no matter what, its always important to stop the spread.

If youre sick, even if you think its just a cold or allergies, dont go around other people, Hopkins said.

What is Paxlovid, the pill Biden is taking after testing positive for COVID?

Hopkins and Pace say that a vaccine should be coming out soon. However, if youre in a higher-risk area, like a large indoor event, he recommends wearing a mask.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Arkansas man found guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  An Arkansas man was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl on Thursday, according to the United States Attorneys Office Western District of Arkansas.

Claude Dukes Jr., 42 (Courtesy: Washington County Detention Center)

The release said Claude Dukes, Jr., age 42, of Newport, was identified as the source of supply for fentanyl after the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl from May to June 2023.

Dukes and co-conspirator Justin Ellis, 36, of Fayetteville, were accused of distributing fentanyl pressed or made to look like M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills.

Texas couple suing Fayetteville in federal court over unconstitutional short-term rental rules

Dukes was found responsible for more than 400 grams of fentanyl distributed, the release said. He is set to be sentenced at a later date.

WDAR said conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl is punishable by at least 10 years of prison time and a maximum of life.

Ellis pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl in February and is awaiting sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and Benton County Drug Unit, Benton County Sheriffs Office, Rogers Police Department, Bentonville Police Department, Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Arkansas Department of Corrections Division of Community Corrections, Newport Police Department and the FBI assisted.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Supporters of the Arkansas Abortion Amendment cheer in the Capitol lobby on Friday, July 5, 2024 as movers deliver petitions to put the amendment on the November ballot. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Supporters of a proposed Arkansas constitutional amendment to create a limited right to abortion claim Secretary of State John Thurstons rejection of the measure in July was viewpoint discrimination, according to a brief filed Friday with the state Supreme Court.

The Arkansans for Limited Government ballot question committee also repeated their assertion that it submitted all the legally required paperwork with the signatures from registered voters with the goal of putting the amendment on the November ballot.

On July 26, the high court ordered AFLG and Thurston to file briefs Friday and to file responses to each others briefs Aug. 9.

AFLG Executive Director Lauren Cowles asked the Supreme Court on July 16 to order Thurston to count the signatures, stating that the committee did in fact submit the required accompanying documents to Thurstons office multiple times, including on the submission deadline of July 5.

The group submitted more than 102,000 signatures; proposed constitutional amendments need 90,704 signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Thurston said July 10 that his office would not count the signatures because AFLG did not submit required documents related to paid canvassers, rendering 14,143 signatures invalid and bringing the presumptive total number of facially valid signatures below the required minimum.

AFLG argued in its brief on Friday that the Secretary of States office in 2016 counted signatures for two proposed ballot measures after the ballot question committees failed to submit the necessary paperwork, which amounts to viewpoint discrimination because the office treated similarly situated parties differently.

8-2-24 petitioners' brief

Thurston, a Republican, has been secretary of state since 2019. His predecessor, Mark Martin, is also a Republican and oversaw the certification of ballot measures in 2016.

Martin certified both proposed constitutional amendments  one to legalize cannabis for recreational use and one to limit non-economic damages in lawsuits against health care providers  for the 2016 ballot, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

AFLG argued that Thurstons motivation for rejecting the proposed abortion amendment is ideological. Arkansas Right to Life, an anti-abortion group publicly opposed to the amendment, endorsed Thurstons 2022 reelection campaign, and Thurston donated $315.75 to the organization on Jan. 4, according to campaign finance documents included in the brief.

Thurston was among the Republican elected officials who participated in the March for Life, the groups annual anti-abortion rally, on State Capitol grounds later in January.

The Secretarys viewpoint is clear. He wants to keep the Amendment off the ballot, the petitioners wrote in the 118-page brief. Doing so furthers his anti-abortion personal beliefs and political interests.  This viewpoint discrimination infringes petitioners First Amendment rights and harms the integrity of the ballot initiative process.

The Supreme Court fulfilled Cowles request July 23 and ordered Thurston to count the signatures collected by volunteer canvassers. The ensuing count yielded 87,675 facially valid signatures as well as 912 where Thurstons staff could not tell if the canvasser was volunteer or paid.

Thurstons Friday brief reiterated the argument that the rejection of the paid canvassers signatures was necessary.

And without them, AFLGs petition  as the Secretary has determined  falls short of the facial number required to qualify for a cure period, Attorney General Tim Griffin, representing Thurston, wrote in the brief. So either way, AFLGs petition falls short and this Court should deny relief.

Griffin filed a motion July 19 to dismiss the case; the court has not yet responded.

8-2-24 respondents' brief

Petitioners requests

AFLG asked the court to order Thurston:

To proceed with verifying that the signatures came from registered voters in the legally required minimum of 50 counties.

To not throw out signatures or petitions that allegedly violate the law pertaining to accompanying documents.

To include the signatures collected by paid canvassers in the verification and certification process.

To give canvassers the legally-allowed 30-day cure period if the valid signatures equal at least 75% of the overall required number of signatures and 75% of the required number from at least 50 counties.

To conditionally certify the amendment for the November ballot as soon as the full verification and certification process  including any 30-day cure period is over, even if the Aug. 22 certification deadline passes first.

State law requires an affidavit identifying paid canvassers by name and proof that the ballot question committee explained to canvassers the states laws for soliciting signatures and provided them with the Secretary of States initiatives and referenda handbook before they started canvassing.

AFLG submitted a Sponsor Affidavit to Thurstons office June 27, testifying to the signature collection education portion of the law. The affidavit was included in the July 16 court documents, which state it was the seventeenth time the document was submitted.

The group said it routinely submitted lists of paid canvassers to Thurston, including on July 4 and 5, and did not include another sponsor affidavit at that time because Thurstons staff said it was not necessary and all the correct paperwork had been filed.

The Secretarys viewpoint is clear. He wants to keep the Amendment off the ballot. Doing so furthers his anti-abortion personal beliefs and political interests.

 Arkansans for Limited Government's brief with the Arkansas Supreme Court

On July 5, the committee submitted a 691-page file with signed affidavits from all of AFLGs paid canvassers, which totaled more than 250, making the same testimony as in the sponsor affidavit. Thurston has argued that AFLG should have submitted the sponsor affidavit itself on July 5.

AFLG seeks a pass, arguing that it should be excused from complying with Arkansas law because  while it undisputedly failed to submit a sponsor statement with its petition  its canvassers submitted statements attesting that the sponsor had provided that information to some of their fellow canvassers, Griffin wrote in Thurstons brief.

However, AFLG said in its brief, the law, on its face, does not require a [signature collection education] statement to be submitted at the time of filing. This is in contrast to other sections of the statute that explicitly require certain documents to be filed at or before the time of filing the petition.

Thurston also argued that Allison Clark, who signed the sponsor affidavit, was the wrong person to do so because she worked for the company that hired paid canvassers for AFLG. The ballot question committee disagreed.

To follow the Secretarys logic would mean that no sponsor, as an individual or individual working on behalf of a sponsor entity, could also be a paid canvasser, AFLG wrote.

The committee added that it is undisputed that the Secretary has in his office all of the information required by law.

Thurstons brief argued that any documents submitted after July 5, such as Cowles July 11 assertion that AFLG followed the law, should not be considered in compliance.

AFLG disagreed, stating that Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution allows for correction or amendment of an initiative petition deemed insufficient by the secretary of state. The group also said the use of the word corrections in the title of the state law in question makes clear that this section deals with correctable actions.

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The proposal and opposition

AFLG said in a statement Friday that it was grateful for the opportunity to present additional information to support its argument that Thurstons rejection of the amendment was unlawful.

We remain frustrated by the Secretarys transparent search for a rationale that squares with his decision to disqualify and are deeply concerned about the potential First Amendment violation that arises from his differential treatment of AFLG and close connection to and recent work with a group constituted to oppose our efforts, the group stated. Arkansans deserve a government that works for them  our fight continues on their behalf to make sure it does.

If the Arkansas Abortion Amendment makes it to the ballot and is approved by voters, it would not allow government entities to prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict abortion services within 18 weeks of fertilization.

The proposal would also permit abortion services in cases of rape, incest, a fatal fetal anomaly or to protect the pregnant females life or physical health, and it would nullify any of the states existing provisions of the Constitution, statutes and common law that conflict with it.

Abortion has been illegal in Arkansas, except to save the pregnant persons life, since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Supporters of the Arkansas Abortion Amendment faced a series of hurdles in their signature collection efforts. Arkansas Right to Life and another anti-abortion group, the Family Council, led a Decline to Sign effort encouraging voters not to sign petitions for the amendment, and protesters targeted canvassing sites throughout the state.

According to a Democrat-Gazette article included in AFLGs brief, Arkansas Right to Life announced Jan. 21 at the March for Life that it would start the Decline to Sign campaign even though Griffin had not yet certified the proposed amendments ballot title.

Griffin issued his approval two days later; he rejected two previous iterations of the ballot language in November and earlier in January.

In June, the Family Council posted on its website a list of 79 people paid by AFLG to collect signatures. AFLG called the post attempted intimidation; the Family Council has since removed the list from the post but has kept it publicly available on its political action committee website. Acquiring and publishing the list is legal under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

On Independence Day, the day before the deadline to submit signatures to Thurston, an email claiming to be from AFLG caused confusion by stating no more signatures for the Arkansas Abortion Amendment were needed. AFLG quickly alerted supporters that the misleading email was not from them and encouraged people to continue signing petitions.

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Armed and dangerous NC man wanted for home invasion, more

MCDOWELL COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  Local and state officials are searching for a man who allegedly broke into a McDowell County home Thursday night.

According to the sheriffs office, Ryan Ricky Houston, 41, is wanted for multiple felony warrants in the county.

Ryan Ricky Houston (Photo/McDowell County Sheriffs Office)

Officials said that Houston broke into the home shortly before midnight, assaulted the homeowner and stole a car and firearm. Deputies eventually located the car on I-40 near exit 90.

Houston is believed to have then broken into Skyline Marine, stealing a blue 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The four-door pickup truck is a 44 LTZ.

Deputies said the back windshield has the phrases Skyline Marine, Honda and Bass Cat on it.

This is not Houstons first run-in with the law. The 41-year-old is currently out on bond for attempted first degree murder and assault on law enforcement in Buncombe County.

Law enforcement said that Houston is believed to be armed and dangerous, and that anyone who sees Houston or the vehicle do not approach and call (828) 652-2235 or 911 immediately.

Photo of truck stolen from Skyline Marine in McDowell County, N.C. (From: McDowell Co. Sheriffs Office)

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Armed Forces pays out 150m in compensation after health and safety training failures

Mortars from the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, are dropped on to enemy positions from the trenches during the combined arms live-fire exercise phase of Nato's Exercise Swift Response in Estonia - Cpl Aaron J Stone/Army

Defence chiefs have been forced to pay out 150m in compensation to troops and former members of the Armed Forces who claim their hearing was damaged by military service.

Close to 10,000 serving and former members of the Armed Forces have been compensated for hearing loss since 2012, figures obtained by The Telegraph show.

The compensation figure for 2022-23 was the highest for 10 years, with the Ministry of Defence paying out 31.7m to 1,706 personnel who proved they had developed hearing problems from military service.

This is up from 9.2m in compensation for 846 personnel in 2021-22, according to a freedom of information request.

The amount paid out in compensation would be enough to buy 37 Challenger 2 tanks  which cost around 4m each  or almost two F-35 jets, which cost around 80m each.

Earlier this year it emerged that the MoD had also been forced to pay out more than 160m for troops who have developed non-freezing cold injuries.

It has sparked accusations that the military is failing to properly train staff on health and safety measures, only to pay out for it in the long run.

Col Phil Ingram, a former Army intelligence officer, said: The MoD is its own worst enemy when it comes to looking after its people.

It fails to ensure the correct equipment is provided in the first place, which then sets the conditions for the creation of a compensation culture and this is only going to get worse.

The vast majority of these cases are probably avoidable. The MoD must ensure that soldiers are properly trained, issued with the correct equipment and must be made aware of pitfalls of inadequate ear protection.

A soldier from the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, provides range overwatch as French paratroopers fire a AT4 (Anti-tank 4) weapon on the Salisbury Plain training area for Exercise Wessex Storm - Cpl Robert Weideman/Army

MoD sources said a surge in payments last year was down to an increased awareness that troops with hearing issues could claim compensation following advertising by lawyers.

Troops blamed the MoD for noise-induced hearing loss either because they did not receive the correct training or because no ear protection was provided.

The vast majority of the payouts are for common law claims, which means the MoD was effectively sued by military personnel.

The MoD routinely opposes many claims made by veterans experiencing hearing loss, arguing other sources of noise are to blame or that individuals should have worn issued protection.

But it announced last month that thousands more ex-servicemen and women will receive compensation for hearing loss suffered during training or combat.

Barney Barnett, a 44-year-old ex-Commando who joined the Royal Marines aged 16, suffers from tinnitus and finds it hard to understand people when there is background noise.

He said: It affects me every day, I tend not to moan about it, I just get on with it.

The Iraq and Afghan war veteran was medically discharged from the military in 2014 and has been fighting for compensation ever since. He said the cash would help him buy more advanced hearing aids and would allow his life to move forward.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: We take the health and well-being of our personnel seriously and always look at how we can reduce noise levels in their working environment. This includes providing training and protective equipment.

Service personnel take regular hearing tests to detect any early signs of hearing loss and action is taken if necessary to reduce their exposure levels.

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MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC4)  A suspect has been arrested after an urgent search to find the person responsible for a hit-and-run crash that killed Lindsey VanOrman, 20, of Salt Lake City, on Saturday.

Jonathan Barrus Lyman, 39, was arrested in Salt Lake County on Thursday for failure to remain at accident involving injury (third-degree felony), failure to comply accident duties (class-C misdemeanor), negligently failure to avoid pedestrian (infraction), yield to pedestrians right of way (infraction), obstruction of justice  violation not otherwise enumerated (class-A misdemeanor), and possession of a dangerous weapon by restricted person (third-degree felony).

At around 6:30 a.m. on July 27, police responded to the scene of an auto-pedestrian accident at 2300 East 3051 South. At the scene, officers found evidence of [VanOrmans] final rest, tissue/fabric transfer indicating a body slide, displacement of rocks in the park strip indicating an initial impact, keys, glasses, and a deceased cat, an affidavit of probable cause states.

PREVIOUSLY: Victim dies after Millcreek hit-and-run, more footage released as police urgently seek suspect

A Toyota Rav4 was also at the scene, reportedly unoccupied in the center lane with its flashers on.

Police obtained video surveillance in the effort to find the suspect responsible, which identified a silver or gray four-door truck with a dark-colored shell as the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was further identified as 2016-2020 Nissan Titan with damage along the passenger side and a broken front right headlight. Police were able to determine a possible license plate of G688JN.

On July 30, police located the vehicle at a Murray residence and observed the driver enter a nearby apartment. The arresting officer wrote that upon further inspection of the vehicle, the damage was consistent with an auto-pedestrian crash.

Police had the vehicle towed and booked into evidence. Officers said the hood of the vehicle had been wiped off, appearing to have been an effort to clear or destroy evidence.

Through interviews with individuals in contact with Lyman, police learned that Lyman had possession of the vehicle from July 14 through July 29. Police said those individuals had made multiple attempts to get in touch with Lyman to retrieve the vehicle, but were unable to get it back.

I had observed several text and messenger exchanges requesting the vehicle be returned from [Lyman] over several days, the officer wrote in the affidavit. An additional witness contacted the Unified Police Department on 08/01/2024 to advise us he had witnessed a silver Nissan Titan with a black shell parked near his house on several occasions  [The witness] said he had observed a male enter the vehicle and drive away on Friday evening and described him as shorter in stature with a long bushy beard and wearing a hat.

The witness reportedly told police the vehicle had no significant damage to the front end when it left the residence Friday night, but had significant damage to front passenger side when it returned Saturday morning.

The witness later identified Lyman and police took Lyman into custody Thursday afternoon.

In police interviews, Lyman initially stated he had no knowledge of a Nissan Titan other than it being a vehicle loaned to another friend.

When I confronted Jonathan Lyman with the statement of witnesses who said the vehicle had in fact been at the house, he changed his story to he had watched the vehicle pull up to the residence, the officer wrote in the affidavit. After he was confronted again with witness statements which stated he had not been at the residence, I advised him we had several witnesses who all stated he had possession of the vehicle on the Friday night 07/26/2024 into Saturday morning 07/27/2024 and a witness who saw him as the last person to enter the vehicle on Friday night before seeing the vehicle at his place of employment and sometimes residence with damage to the front end consistent with an automobile pedestrian strike.

UDOT: Major closures, delays expected in Salt Lake area for utility and bridge work

Police also told Lyman they had his cell phone and would find out his location data, at which point Lyman requested a lawyer. Lyman continued to talk, however, claiming he had dash camera footage from the vehicle.

Lyman told police he uses methamphetamine a couple times per day, nearly every day. The affidavit states. [Lyman] said he has used methamphetamine regularly for the past 15 years and is addicted to it.

Police also seized several items from a storage shed rented by Lyman, including a Ruger, model 10/22, .22 caliber rifle. Lyman is considered a Category II restricted person due to his drug use.

Lyman was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on the charges previously stated.

The VanOrman family has released the following statement regarding the arrest: We are grateful for everyones help with the GoFundMe and keep[ing] an eye for the truck! We are happy to see someone is being charged but there is still a long road ahead.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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A Southern California family is devastated after an arsonist set their home on fire, killing their beloved cat and destroying everything they own.

On July 31, at around noontime, the Majano family was away from their Pasadena home.

Mitzi Majano and her two children  a 13-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter  were enjoying a summer day at a local water park.

Her husband, Nassan Majano, was serving drinks from a coffee truck he operates, parked just down the street from their home.

Thats when a neighbor suddenly ran up to Nassan telling him his house was on fire.

The frightened family rushed back to their home to a heartbreaking discovery  the house had been consumed by fire.

An arsonist set a Pasadena home on fire on July 31, 2024. (Majano Family)

Everything the Majano family owned was lost to the fire on July 31, 2024. (KTLA)

The Majano family, with the help of friends, family and neighbors, are salvaging whatever they can from their torched home. (GoFundMe)

The Majano Family is seen in a personal photo.

The familys beloved cat, Oreo, died in the fire on July 31, 2024. (Majano Family)

Everything the Majano family owned was lost to the fire on July 31, 2024. (KTLA)

The Majano family, with the help of friends, family and neighbors, are salvaging whatever they can from their torched home. (KTLA)

Everything the Majano family owned was lost to the fire on July 31, 2024. (KTLA)

The Majano Familys coffee truck. (KTLA)

The Majano Family is seen in a personal photo.

An arsonist set a Pasadena home on fire on July 31, 2024. (Majano Family)

Although the family was uninjured, their beloved cat, Oreo, was trapped in the blaze and did not survive. Oreo was adopted during the pandemic to provide comfort to the family.

We actually tried to save her, Nassan said. We knocked down the door and tried to break into the house but it was impossible to get inside. The flames were way too high. The heat was intense.

We have maybe 5% of what we own, Mitzi said tearfully. Id rather have zero [belongings] and have my cat back. He helped my kids during the pandemic so much. So after this, its even harder.

The man suspected of torching the home was later arrested and identified as a homeless man. Police said the arson appeared to be random.

Doctor arrested after hidden camera discovered in bathroom of Southern California chiropractic clinic

He actually claimed, immediately, that he did it, Nassan said of the suspect.

For now, the family is sifting through the rubble to salvage whatever they can as neighbors and loved ones help the family rebuild their lives.

The parents said their children are having an especially hard time coping with the shocking events. They said they are leaning on their faith to help them endure this difficult period.

Everything in the kitchen was burned, but my son had left his backpack with his Bible on the table and it didnt catch on fire at all, Mitzi said.

Officials from the American Red Cross and a local food bank are helping the Majano family who remain displaced for now.

A GoFundMe page to help the family recover can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
August 3rd will mark five years since that terrible day in 2019 when a gunman who had adopted a white supremacist ideology drove 640 miles from north Texas, parked at the Cielo Vista mall, took out his AR-15 rifle and entered Walmart, shooting people of color as he went.

When the shooting ended, 22 people lay dead and 23 were wounded. One died after 8 months in intensive care. One baby was orphaned as both of his young parents were killed. Many carry wounds, physical and emotional, that will be with them for the rest of their lives.

This event has become very personal to me. I have had the privilege of walking with a number of the affected families, as have a number of our priests. I know that hardly a moment passes without an awareness of that trauma and the empty place that their loved ones once filled. They are strong in faith. They trust that God will care for the ones they lost. But the grief is still with them.

From left, Chausiana Taylor, 16, and David Hernandez, 17, pay their respects to the victims of the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting during a visit to the Grand Candela memorial at the Cielo Vista-area Walmart in El Paso. The pair said it was their first time going back to the Walmart and decided to take a moment to remember the victims. The couple visited the site on July 31, 2021.

More: 5 years later: Events to honor the 23 lives lost in El Paso Walmart mass shooting

After the matanza, I was moved to write a pastoral letter reflecting on the roots of what happened on Aug. 3. The letter was entitled, Night Will Be No More, words taken from Revelation 22:5  Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever.

We trust in the truth of that hope-filled declaration! In the pastoral letter I reflected upon the elephant often left standing in the room in the aftermath of these events. That is, the reality of racial discrimination in our country, especially as it has impacted Latinos. It is in fact, a long sad history, that raised its head again on that awful day.

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso is shown concelebrating a Mass along the Rio Grande on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, as he joined bishops from Las Cruces and Juarez in honoring migrants who died trying to cross in the U.S.

In my letter I observed, in what some might consider a provocative sentence, that hate visited our community and Latino blood was spilled in sacrifice to the false god of white supremacy. We learned from the shooters manifesto that it was this ideology that moved him to attack innocent people in our border community.

More: El Paso Walmart shooting anniversary: A timeline of tragedy

Laws and language that penalize immigrants, especially those from Latin America, have become an acceptable way to declare whole groups of people persona non grata, people whom we can categorize and label as criminals, invaders or illegals. We use these labels to devalue their human dignity and to justify actions that ignore the suffering we cause to people already vulnerable and in great need.

Without a doubt, and in accord with church teaching, there should be an orderly process to manage migration at the border, including strong safety checks. But dehumanizing groups of people, especially on account of the color of their skin, is unjust in itself, and when the constant drumbeat of fear-mongering words plays upon an already unbalanced mind, events like the El Paso mass shooting take place.

El Pasoans pray during the Hope Border Institute Prayer Vigil August, 4, 2019 in El Paso, Texas a day after a mass shooting at a Walmart store killed 22 people and wounded 24 more.

As we mark this sad milestone along the path of our communitys grief and healing, my heart goes out once again to all of our brothers and sisters directly affected by this loss. I remain hopeful that God in His goodness will continue to bring good from our pain.

As I conclude, I would like to share the closing words of my pastoral letter. I believe they are just as timely today.

I know God will never allow the hate that visited our community on August 3rd to have the last word. We must recommit ourselves to the hospitality and compassion that characterized our community long before we were attacked, with all the risk and vulnerability which that entails. We must continue to show the rest of the country that love is capable of mending every wound. What can they do but threaten us with Resurrection?

El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz blesses the Healing Garden in honor of the Walmart shooting victims Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Ascarate Park.

If there is anyone who feels so alone, so isolated and so tortured that you feel your only way out is to succumb to the darkness of racism and violence and pick up a gun, I say to you today: there is a place for you in our community and our church. Lay aside your weapons of hate. Put away your fear. Here there is a teacher, a sister, a deacon, a priest, a counselor ... a bishop, waiting to welcome you home and greet you with love. Tu vales.

I also make a direct appeal to my brothers and sisters in Texas and those in positions of authority to spare Patrick Crusius from execution. Justice is certainly required. But the cycle of hate, blood and vengeance on the border must meet its end. While the scales of justice may seem to tilt in favor of the necessity of lethal retribution, God offers us yet another chance to choose life. Choose in a manner worthy of your humanity.

In the absence of immigration reform, I also renew my appeal to the president of the United States, to the members of Congress and to the jurists of our highest courts. I beg you to listen to the voice of conscience and halt the deportation of all those who are not a danger to our communities, to stop the separation of families, and to end once and for all the turning back of refugees and death at the border.

Bishop Mark J. Seitz, Diocese of El Paso

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 8/3/19: Looking back with sadness, looking forward with hope in El Paso
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a fighter jet squadron, Navy ships and air defenses to the Middle East amid heightened regional tensions due to Israeli attacks in Iran and Lebanon.

The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Irans partners and proxies, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement Friday. To that end, Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.

In addition to the fighter jets, the Pentagon will send more ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East regions, take steps to send more land-based ballistic missile defenses and maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The order comes after President Biden promised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday that he would increase American military presence in the region to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its allies amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

The United States is currently bracing for Tehran to follow through on their pledge to respond to the assassination of Hamas peace negotiator Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday in Tehran. Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyehs death, but hours after the attack became public, Netanyahu gave defiant remarks, saying Israel is achieving its goals.

Israel did claim responsibility for a Tuesday strike in Beirut that killed a top Hezbollah commander.

The intense rhetoric has the West concerned that the region will ignite into an all-out war, with the White House stressing Wednesday that the Israeli strikes are not helpful while the administration seeks a cease-fire deal to a relentless Israeli air and ground campaign in the Gaza Strip.

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said the recent events complicate the pending deal that aims to end the war that has largely killed civilians, the majority women and children, and sent the territory into famine.

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Back-to-school drive seeks to collect supplies for foster kids as school year quickly approaches

(FOX40.COM)  With the first day of school quickly approaching for many throughout the Sacramento area, the Bradshaw Animal Shelter will host a back-to-school drive to benefit foster kids in Sacramento County, allowing them to get the necessary materials for academic success.

A drop-off will be set up at 3839 Bradshaw Road until August 7. Those who donate school supplies at the drop-off will receive one free adoption voucher per family to redeem at the Bradshaw Animal Shelter at a future date.

Sacramento school board approves plan to start school year earlier

Among the supplies requested by the shelter are backpacks, composition notebooks, binders, planners, scissors, crayons, rulers, and headphones for Chromebooks.

Our goal is to collect 100 backpacks K-12, the shelter said.

Here is a full list of requested supplies.

Kindergarten-12 grade backpacks

Wide-ruled composition book

3-ring binders

Planner or agenda

6 tab dividers

Pocket folders

Notebooks

Loose leaf notebook paper

Pencil pouch

Sharpener

Highlighters

Pencils/mechanical pencils

Pens

Water bottles

Hand sanitizer

Kleenex

Glue sticks

Large erasers

Scissors

Crayons

Colored pencils

Wide-ruled binder paper

Ruler

Headphones for Chromebooks

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Chesapeake Energy is helping students start the school year off right by donating hundreds of backpacks to Captain Shreve High School.

Tyler Goodwin, a spokesperson for Chesapeake Energy, said they donated a thousand clear backpacks, with a little less than half of them going to incoming freshmen and students in need.

The company wanted to help offset back-to-school costs for students after the school mandated clear backpacks for safety reasons.

More: Back to School News, Events

This is actually where I went to high school about 15-plus years ago. Its important to be active members in our community and we think donating these backpacks today will lead to a safer and more successful school year.

Captain Shreves administration decided to require clear backpacks based on feedback from students, parents, and internal school safety task forces.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Officials at the Alexander Mountain fire say that, because of the large number of fires across the West, roughly 90% of their requests for additional outside resources have been denied. But nonetheless they say crews battling the blaze feel they have the resources they need to be successful.

Late Friday, the fire was just under 9,400 acres and is 5% contained.

Weather remained a concern. Sun and heat were the primary worry during the day. But as afternoon turned to evening, dark clouds rolled in and brought with them thunder and possible storms  a fresh concern for crews.

By 5:30 p.m., air assets appear to be grounded as lightning struck in areas they would presumably be called in to douse.

Still, firefighters believe they are enjoying overall successes.

That doesnt mean we are without challenges, it is still very hot and the fire is still amongst the homes, Carl Schwope, the incident commander, said. The threat of the fire crossing Highway 34 is still very realistic.

Just under 400 personnel were working the fire as of the 4 p.m. update, including five specialized hotshot teams. Hotshot teams are elite wildland firefighters who are called into the most challenging parts of a fire. Each team is made up of roughly 20 firefighters.

A crew from Durango was called in to assist crews on the Quarry fire due to the sheer canyon faces of the affected area.

Community members in Loveland and used chalk to write out a large Thank You to firefighters flying overhead. The residents declined to be named, but said they hoped other people would catch on with the trend so the pilots (and all the fire fighters) would know how much they were appreciated, in an emailed response to The Denver Gazettes questions.

Speaking to the spread of the fire and operational efforts of firefighters currently, Operations Section Chief Jayson Coil said the fire has not spread more than a mile into the Cameron Peak burn scar. On Thursday, Coil said if it were to travel more than one mile into that scar, crews would have to re-evaluate. That did not happen, however and other lines are holding.

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As the fire moves around the community our crews have been protecting a home and then moving on to protect the next home, Coil said.

Now theyre working to connect the dots. Theres a lot of effort put into tying pieces of burned areas together to prevent the fire from moving further west.

If a fire hits an already burned area, theres no more fuel for it to consume and it is mostly stopped.

Due to ongoing dry conditions and the danger of fire regionwide, the U.S. Forest Service announced Stage Two fire restrictions in the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests, as well as the Pawnee National Grassland area.

Essentially means theres no open flame of any kind allowed on Forest Service lands unless youre using a device that has an on off switch, Jason Sieg, the acting forest supervisor of the area.

It also means that theres no outdoor smoking on national forest lands along the front range counties and the national forest lands in Grand County.

Earlier Friday, the Larimer County Sheriffs Office announced some mandatory evacuation orders have been modified, and some voluntary evacuation notices have been lifted.

Additionally, the Larimer County Sheriffs Office lifted voluntary evacuation orders for people living in the Hidden Valley area east of the Devils Backbone, and residents off of Ridge Parkway.

Residents living off of Glade Road from Highway 34 to west County Road 38E, those near Rearview RV Park and those living north along Buckhorn Road to Woods Road, have also seen mandatory wildfire evacuation orders lifted. A voluntary evacuation notice remains in effect, according to a noon update from LCSO.

At 1 p.m., the Larimer County Sheriffs Office announced mandatory evacuations near Blue Mountain have been lifted. However, for residences on Moss Rock Drive and Moss Rock Court, mandatory evacuation orders still stand.
As storm preparations continue across northeast Florida, neighbors in Baker County are monitoring the potential for flooding.

Saturday, the sheriffs office and emergency management handed out sandbags in Macclenny.

As of 5:30 p.m., they had already handed out 1,500 sandbags and had at least another 3,000 left.

15 inmates from the Baker County Detention Center are helping distribute the sandbags.

Neighbors told Action News Jax Shanila Kabir theyre thankful the county provides this opportunity.

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Resident Lola Chandler says shes had flooding in her house before and these bags make a big difference by stopping water from getting into her garage.

Each car is limited to six bags but that could change depending on storm severity. If necessary, the sheriffs office said theyll deliver nags to homes.

You can get sandbags until 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at City Yard.

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Colorado residents will have a new issue to vote on this November: whether to continue to allow the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats.

All hunting of these feline predators would end under a petition filed in Colorado this week by animal rights group Cats Arent Trophies. The group has already collected 188,000 signatures  60,000 more than necessary to get the proposal on the states November ballot. State officials approved the petition Wednesday, ensuring that Initiative 91 will come to a vote.

That has created a widening rift among Colorado residents. On one side, animal rights activists call hunting of lions and bobcats a cruel, unjustifiable practice. They said Colorados state-managed hunting program results in the needless killing of mountain lions and bobcats for their heads and beautiful fur coats.

Opponents, on the other hand, claim that Cats Arent Trophies has invented a problem that didnt exist. They say a hunting ban on the states wild cats wouldnt just impact longtime hunters  its also a threat to effective wildlife management. They also note that it is already illegal  indeed a felony offense  to kill mountain lions or bobcats for only their fur and head. Their meat legally must be collected.

As for Colorados wildlife officials, theyre stuck in the middle. Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) says its hunting plan has proven effective in managing animal populations. But if voters pass the measure this November, they have no choice.

We take no position for or against it, said CPW spokesperson Bridget ORourke. We will implement anything passed by the voters and the legislature.

Science or Emotion?

Its not the first time that Colorado voters have decided to change the states wildlife management policy. An initiative to reintroduce gray wolves passed in 2020, and the first animals were let loose last year. State officials worried the new predators would further impact the states elk population, and some reports suggest its already happening.

Making decisions about how to manage wildlife  from gray wolves to mountain lions  should be based on science, not emotion, said Bryan Jones, Colorado Chapter Coordinator for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

Its an emotional issue and the folks that are leading it are playing to those emotions, he said. It totally goes against science-based management and has quite a bit of misinformation.

There are several examples of this in the messaging of Cats Arent Trophies, Jones said. For example, Initiative 91 would ban the hunting of lynxes, as well as lions and bobcats. But its already illegal to hunt lynxes anywhere in the U.S., where they are federally protected.

Mountain lion and bobcat populations remain healthy, according to state officials, and have steadily increased since the 1990s  even as Colorado continued a limited annual hunting program.

Cats Arent Trophies contends otherwise. The group points to supporters who are wildlife biologists, veterinarians, or even hunters, arguing that any hunting of the cats is damaging to the environment.

Indiscriminate killing of predators who are not causing any problems is unwarranted and destabilizes the peaceful coexistence between humans, domestic animals and predators, the group says on the website.

Activists: Trophy Hunting Not a Good Look

In Colorado, its illegal to kill a mountain lion without using the meat.

There are hundreds of recipes and hundreds of hunters that make amazing meals out of these animals, Jones said.

Again, Cats Arent Trophies says otherwise.

Anyone who says they recreationally hunt mountain lions or bobcats to fill their freezer and feed a family is being disingenuous. It is not normal behavior to eat a cat, the groups campaign manager, Sam Miller, told GearJunkie. When someone says theyre eating cats, they are attempting to justify a behavior the public finds unacceptable. It is merely an excuse to kill mountain lions and bobcats for trophies.

The term trophy hunting looms large in the groups argument. They sent GearJunkie many examples of hunters using the term for mountain lions killed in the state.

Colorado does allow mountain lion hunters to use dogs. Electronic predator calls are allowed when dealing with conflict lions near residential area, according to a 2020 state management plan.

However, even Cats Arent Trophies acknowledges that some animals will still need to be killed. The language of Initiative 91 allows for the lethal removal of lions when they pose a danger to humans.

So, Colorado will still have to manage the animals  but without the funding that comes from selling hunting licenses. Colorado wildlife officials said that money supports conservation efforts throughout the state.

mountain lion and cubs

A Fine Line Between Hunting and Conservation

If Colorado voters approve Initiative 91 this fall, its hard to predict what will happen to the states wildlife.

California, for example, banned the hunting of mountain lions in 1990. But it left an exception for cats that attack livestock. That has led to more mountain lions killed each year than before the ban was enacted, according to a 2017 investigation by The Sacramento Bee. Animal rights groups are now pressuring the governor to take further action to protect the states big cats.

Utah officials went the other direction. Last year, the legislature approved the year-round hunting of mountain lions. In 2022, the states Division of Wildlife Resources offered nearly 4,000 cougar hunting permits  twice the animals estimated population.

In Colorado, officials limit mountain lion harvests to 17% of the species populations in a given region. The cap for mountain lion harvests is changed every year, with the 2023-24 hunting season cap at 674 animals. In 2023, hunters harvested 486 lions.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife requires hunters to report each lion they kill within 48 hours. After that, the hunter has 5 days to present each lion at a CPW office for an inspection. Theres also an official seal that allows the hunter to keep the hide.

But no amount of regulation makes hunting mountain lions acceptable, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation, which supports Initiative 91.

Some people claim that without hunting mountain lions, they will overpopulate, decimate deer herds, and lose their fear of people, wrote Paige Munson, the organizations science and policy coordinator. Every piece of evidence we have indicates that mountain lion populations are limited by habitat and food availability requiring no levels of hunting. Remember, cougars didnt evolve to be hunted. 

The post Ballot Measure to Ban Lion Hunting Divides Colorado appeared first on GearJunkie.
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement take part in a rally at Central Shaheed Minar to demand justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide anti-quota protests. Habibur Rahman/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets again on Saturday in Bangladesh to demand resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government.

We have reached a one-point demand for the resignation of the government of Sheikh Hasina to ensure human safety and establish social justice, Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced before a crowd of several thousand protesters in Dhaka.

We will enforce all-out non-cooperation actions across Bangladesh from Sunday, he said.

The announcement came hours after Prime Minister Hasina called upon the agitating students to sit down with her to put on an end to violence.

I want to listen to the students as most of their demands have been met. I want no conflict, Hasina told a meeting with leaders from different professional groups at her heavily guarded official Gababhaban residence in Dhaka.

She said her government has launched a judicial inquiry into the violence to find out the culprits involved in the killings and acts of sabotage.

Anyone found guilty will be brought to book, she added.

Last month's protests seemed to have calmed down somewhat, but flared up again on Friday to demand justice for the victims of the killings.

On Saturday, footage showed the protesters carrying placards inscribed with anti-government slogans blocking intersections in the capital Dhaka and putting barricades on highways in the other districts outside the capital.

They demanded Hasina step down, taking responsibility for the mass killing and other atrocities by the police on peaceful demonstrations."

The protesters in their thousands gathered centrally near the Dhaka University campus.

Similar agitations were reported from other parts of the country.

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement take part in a rally at Central Shaheed Minar to demand justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide anti-quota protests. Habibur Rahman/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement take part in a rally at Central Shaheed Minar to demand justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide anti-quota protests. Habibur Rahman/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement take part in a rally at Central Shaheed Minar to demand justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide anti-quota protests. Habibur Rahman/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets again on Saturday in Bangladesh to demand resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government.

We have reached a one-point demand for the resignation of the government of Sheikh Hasina to ensure human safety and establish social justice, Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced before a crowd of several thousand protesters in Dhaka.

We will enforce all-out non-cooperation actions across Bangladesh from Sunday, he said.

The announcement came hours after Prime Minister Hasina called upon the agitating students to sit down with her to put on an end to violence.

I want to listen to the students as most of their demands have been met. I want no conflict, Hasina told a meeting with leaders from different professional groups at her heavily guarded official Gababhaban residence in Dhaka.

She said her government has launched a judicial inquiry into the violence to find out the culprits involved in the killings and acts of sabotage.

Anyone found guilty will be brought to book, she added.

Hasina has been running Bangladesh with an iron fist as prime minister since 2009 as political opponents call her an authoritarian trying to cling to power through rigged elections and repressive measures, despite the impoverished South Asian nation witnessing major infrastructure development.

The protests against Hasinas government began early last month after a High Court bench reinstated the controversial government job quota system, which was abolished in 2018.

The protests turned violent nationwide in mid-July, and some 200 people were killed in clashes between the police and protesters, prompting the government to deploy army troops and impose curfew before the quota system reforms were made public on July 23.

Last month's protests seemed to have calmed down somewhat but flared up again on Friday to demand justice for the victims of the killings.

On Saturday, footage showed the protesters carrying placards inscribed with anti-government slogans blocking intersections in the capital Dhaka and putting barricades on highways in the other districts outside the capital.

They demanded Hasina step down, taking responsibility for the mass killing and other atrocities by the police on peaceful demonstrations."

The protesters in their thousands gathered centrally near the Dhaka University campus.

Similar agitations were reported from other parts of the country.

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement take part in a rally at Central Shaheed Minar to demand justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide anti-quota protests. Habibur Rahman/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement take part in a rally at Central Shaheed Minar to demand justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide anti-quota protests. Habibur Rahman/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The American Red Cross Greater Rochester chapter geared up Friday in preparation of an emergency readiness exposition it plans to hold this weekend.

The Red Cross is partnering with Foodlink to present the event, which is free to attend. It provides an opportunity, for those interested, to learn more about what to do in times of emergency and how you can help your community.

Im sure folks have noticed from the news  everything that is going on with the tornadoes and the wildfires, said Bernadette Bowie, a Senior Recruitment Specialist. So, what we were looking at doing is  wanting to increase our volunteer-base to make sure that we have enough people that are ready. Not only for the national things like the tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires  but also our regional [area].

Bowie emphasized that 90% of the organization is made up of volunteers.

We cant do what we do if it wasnt for the care and dedication of the volunteers that come through, she said. 24/7 365 we have people on-call that go out. In the Greater Rochester area, theres mostly house fires and flooding. That keeps us busy, we average almost one house fire a day.

Participants will be able to get information on how to safely escape home fires, free hands-only CPR instruction and talk with current disaster volunteers. Folks will also have the chance to take home some free Red Cross gear.

The event will be held Saturday (August 3) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Foodlink site on Mt. Read Boulevard in Rochester.

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President Joe Biden acknowledged to reporters Friday morning that he and Vice President Kamala Harris have spoken about her upcoming decision on a vice presidential running mate.

But he wouldnt say much else: Ill let her work that out, Biden said, when pressed on what top qualities the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee should consider.

Still, inside the White House, the presidents close advisers have a good sense of how Biden feels about several of the men currently believed to be Harris top contenders heading into a critical weekend of final interviews with a decision to come by Tuesday.

One well-known Biden favorite? Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Biden is a big fan of Shapiros, a senior adviser to the president told CNN. And given that the president himself frequently traveled to Pennsylvania as a candidate and has made no bones about the fact that he sees the state as one of the most important battleground states heading into November  just as it was in 2020  for some of the presidents advisers, its hard to imagine him personally rooting for anyone but Shapiro.

That is, perhaps, anyone other than Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The most obvious reason? Hes just a blast, this adviser said.

In January, Walz was among a group of Democratic elected officials that joined Biden at an infrastructure event in Superior, Wisconsin. The presidents formal remarks were at Earth Rider Brewery  afterwards, the group made their way over to the Cedar Lounge taproom to greet voters, where beers were freely flowing. Walz, the adviser recalled, was having a great time  and it all felt infectious.

Biden was in the best mood ever, this adviser chuckled, and they said that, at the time, advisers to the president joked with one another that perhaps the team should find ways to have Walz around Biden more because he always put him in such a great mood.

As for Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, also seen as a serious contender for Harris running mate, this adviser acknowledged that Biden is not as personally close to the senator as he might be with some of the others on the list but noted that the president is very fond of both the senator and his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords.

On Friday, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison announced that Harris had earned enough delegate votes to secure the partys presidential nomination. Harris is in the final stages of choosing her running mate and is expected to meet with the top finalists  including Walz, Shapiro, Kelly, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker  over the weekend.

Harris and her vice presidential pick will spend next week campaigning across the battleground states, starting with a Tuesday night rally in Philadelphia.

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Rebecca Nusbaum came home from work one day in June to find a sticky note on her front door.

Someone was interested in talking to her about a local wind turbine project.

Huh, she thought.

Nusbaum already can see all 145 wind turbines of the Golden West Wind Energy Center from the back deck of her home in Calhan.

When she called the number, she said the man who answered said he works on behalf of NextEra Energy Resources, a subsidiary of Next Era Energy Inc.

Nine years ago, the publicly traded, Florida-based company erected a fleet of wind turbines in the area, and today, all highway drivers see miles of the otherworldly machines on the skyline of El Paso Countys Eastern Plains.

NextEra wants to expand with a third phase of construction, the man told Nusbaum, and hes looking for additional property owners who might want wind turbines installed on their land.

I said 'no,' I was not interested, for lots of reasons, Nusbaum said.

While there are more questions than answers at this point, some residents are upset that more of the behemoth alternative-energy units could loom on the horizon.

In a case of deja vu from the original installation, there's a new "No Wind Turbines" campaign circulating.

Theyre wanting to do more harm and destroy more land," said Cindy, a former Calhan resident who asked to be identified only by her first name. "That place was gorgeous before they put them in.

Cindy said she continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and ringing in the ears from living near the Calhan turbines for more than five years.

We were close enough that it was affecting us, she said. From our house, we could see 120 turbines, and we could see lights flashing all the time, and at night it would sound like a train roaring in the distance.

Homeowners fought long and hard to try to stop the wind project from being approved a decade ago.

Retired electrical engineer Sandra Wolfe and her husband joined a lawsuit against the project, which she said was dropped by lawyers representing the group because expenses kept mounting.

We spent everything we had, and it was not enough at the time, Wolfe said.

The couple also was part of a small trial study of litigants that Wolfe said showed every participant had symptoms of vasovagal syncope  a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure often related to a stressful trigger  which they attributed to the turbines.

Some residents have complained for years that the wind turbines brought on migraines, insomnia, heart irregularities, nausea, vomiting and inner ear conditions. And they point to electromagnetic interference, low-frequency waves called infrasonic sound and vibration from the turbines as harming their bodies.

I know some people are OK with them, Wolfe said. But some people arent. They make them sick.

Wolfe said a cardiologist told her she had been exposed to infrasound after she and others got sick when workers were trying to align the turbines before the blades were set in motion.

Health impacts debated

Patrick Moriarty of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden said his laboratory has not conducted studies on health issues related to wind turbines, but there have been many research projects over the years that he has analyzed.

Most have concluded there is little evidence that wind turbines have direct health impacts and that annoyance is strongly correlated with attitudes towards wind energy and planning process fairness, he said.

Some doctors, however, recognize wind turbine syndrome, a compilation of common symptoms reported by people who live in close proximity to turbines. The condition was identified in a 2009 book written by Dr. Nina Pierpont, who coined the term.

Nusbaum said she recognizes that her migraines worsen in the fall when severe light flicker happens, which is when the low sun on the horizon shines through the rotating turbine blades and casts a moving shadow.

I cant say theres a sickness involved that is confirmed from the turbines, but I also would not deny if someone told me they are sick from them, she said.

Though some people believe their health has been compromised, some residents say they arent bothered by the giant structures. Others see additional income potential.

Theyre not that much of a nuisance to us, said Calhan resident Jezreel Bohlander.

She does not have wind turbines on her property, where her family has lived for more than three years, but they are close by.

Bohlander said outside of the noise, which she said can be loud, the turbines have become part of the landscape.

Since her property is in the middle of the corridor, Bohlander said she wouldnt mind earning some money from having them installed on her land. Might as well, she said.

Other issues critics attribute to wind turbines is that they devalue property, adversely affect animals and lead to raptor fatalities.

Cindy said she and her husband had livestock and other animals die unexpectedly, which amounted to a loss of nearly $29,000 and led to foreclosure.

Wolfe said her propertys well was tainted with industrial chemicals that she believes originated from wind turbines. After 20 years of living in Calhan, she now spends much of her time on the Western Slope but continues to suffer ill effects from environmental contamination, she said.

Shrouded by nondisclosure?

Social media posts indicate that contracts between energy companies and private landowners include nondisclosure agreements that prevent people who have wind turbines on their property from speaking publicly about them.

In private conversations, Nusbaum said, I have never met anybody yet who has them on their property who has anything positive to say about them.

Nusbaum said she doesnt judge anyone who contracts with an energy company because everybodys got to make their own decision on how their land pays for itself.

But an apparent lack of transparency concerns rural residents, some of whom said they have seen signs appear recently in adjacent Elbert County announcing upcoming community meetings about installing new "meteorological towers on three private parcels to measure atmospheric conditions," a process that precedes wind projects.

We have no clear information on what their plan is; nobody can get any information. Everyones closed-mouth about it, said Nusbaum, who has lived in the area for a decade.

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The solicitor Nusbaum talked to did not respond to requests from The Gazette for an interview about the apparent expansion near Calhan.

An appeal for an interview to the NextEra marketing and communications department also proved unsuccessful.

Sarah Borchardt, a NextEra marketing official, asked that The Gazette send questions beforehand but did not directly answer them.

Instead, she emailed a statement that called the Golden West Wind Energy Center a good example of a successful renewable energy project.

Since the facility went online in 2015, its 145 turbines have been producing 249.4 megawatts of energy, Borchardt said, which powers an estimated 74,700 households.

The turbines in Calhan are not part Colorado Springs Utilities energy portfolio, said spokesperson Alex Trefry.

Rather, our wind energy is generated in Logan County at the Springs Canyon Wind Energy Center, he said.

Why the energy produced locally doesnt stay local involves complexities of the energy markets, Trefry said.

To simplify, this specific wind farm has not offered us the ability to offtake any of their energy, he said.

Wind farms normally are built after the developer and a utility company strike an agreement.

Working with energy developers for wind generation is something we are always monitoring and considering to meet our clean-energy goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030, Trefry said.

The wind energy produced in Calhan does go to other Colorado residents, however. Xcel Energy has a purchase agreement to buy wind energy from Golden West for Xcel's 1.6 million customers in Colorado, according to spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo.

'Tend to be controversial'

Craig Dossey, El Paso Countys planning director at the time the Calhan wind farm was proposed, served as the senior reviewer for the permitting process, which also required rezoning for a wind-energy overlay and rerouting transmission lines. Hes now president of Vertex Consulting Services, a land-development consulting firm in Colorado Springs that works on general development including utility projects.

Getting the wind farm proposal over the finish line was time-consuming and complex, he said, as the project drew objection and support.

I got the phone calls, I sat through over 40 hours worth of hearings, and in the end, they got approved, Dossey said.

County commissioners were split on the plan, but residents said when NextEra threatened a lawsuit, the proposal was green-lighted.

Generally, those types of projects  whether its a power plant or wastewater treatment plant or a wind farm or solar  they tend to be controversial, Dossey said.

Those making money from it tend to see it favorably  a lot of folks were in favor of the wind farm because they were signing leases  and those that are only getting the negative impacts as part of it tend to be opposed.

Nusbaum said she was told by the man who left a note on her door that NextEra wants to stretch Golden West Wind Energy Center in a triangular pattern north of Harrisville Road, which is just east of downtown Calhan.

Next Era declined comment.

Wolfe questions the potential effectiveness of an expansion.

We were promised that more turbines in our region would be prevented because the overlay was already holding too many turbines for proper functionality of the units, and a new overlay would have to be established, she said.

If reasonable business is conducted, there will be no more industrial wind turbine units in that overlay or around it, Wolfe said.

The Calhan development is about 13.5 miles away from Colorados largest wind project, the Rush Creek Wind Farm. Owned by Xcel Energy, the facility was commissioned in 2018 and extends 95,000 acres over Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties.

Xcel is not pursuing any expansion of the Rush Creek facility, Aguayo said.

Rush Creeks 300 turbines that were made by Vestas, a Colorado wind turbine manufacturer, generate 600 megawatts, which serve about 325,000 homes in the state, Aguayo said.

Whether more wind turbines for NextEras Golden West project get off the ground will come down to transmission-line capacity, said Dossey.

Thats the limiting factor nationwide, he said. You can put turbines in some pretty remote areas of the country, you just dont have existing transmission. Companies tend to go where the wind resources are favorable and primarily where the transmission is possible.

For the Rush Creek Wind Farm, Xcel and its partner on the project, Invenergy, built two new substations to handle transmission.

Dossey surmises NextEra could tie into the Falcon substation if Golden West adds more turbines, which is where the current wind energy produced in Calhan is sent.

The market is favorable for progression, he added.

With the increase in population, whether its solar or wind or natural-gas-fired power plants, those energy needs are going to continue, Dossey said. I dont think we should be surprised by new projects  the demand is there.

NextEra announced in June it would sell $2 billion of equity units to fund investments in its energy and power projects and reduce debt. According to its March financial report, the company had nearly $80 billion of debt.

Paula Reinbold, founder of the Community Action Coalition of Colorado, a group of rural residents opposed to Xcel Energy's ultra high-voltage transmission lines running through their properties, wants to see more cause-and-effect research and other considerations for people affected by the presence of wind turbines.

"Neighbors are adversely affected at least as much as those leasing to turbine companies, but they're not compensated," she said. "Their property may become unsellable, yet they may have to move elsewhere for health reasons due to the turbines. This situation is terribly unjust."

Her group is calling for farther setbacks from neighboring properties, a means of compensating disrupted neighbors, sufficient scientific and medical studies to determine adverse effects on humans and animals, and studies of whether local weather patterns change because of turbines.

"All of a sudden, it became 'de rigueur' to 'go green,'" she said.

"If all aspects  mining of materials to build wind equipment, manufacturing of towers and blades, water usage to make the concrete to set the tower foundations, transport materials, maintenance  were considered, how 'green' is an industrial wind turbine, really? I don't know that anyone knows that."
President Bidens historic deal to free high-profile Americans from Russian prisons has ignited a debate over the high cost and strategic wisdom of such exchanges, with Republicans and even some Democrats warning it will only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and like-minded adversaries.

For decades, presidential administrations and Congress have grappled with how to deter and respond to hostage-taking and politically motivated arrests of Americans. Its a problem that is grounded in extortion efforts, but each case is unique to the circumstances.

Its very easy for someone whos not currently in power to say, Oh, thats a horrible deal. Why did you do that? But I think if you go back to the record, hostage takers dont return hostages for nothing, said Jason Rezian, the Washington Post columnist who was imprisoned in Iran for 544 days before being released in a multilayer deal, including a prisoner swap, during the Obama administration.

They dont take hostages for the fun of it. They do it because they see it as an opportunity.

Former President Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, boasted he would have made a better deal than Biden with Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure the release of those wrongfully imprisoned.

Bidens multilayered deal  which freed 16 people in exchange for eight Russian nationals held in jails in the U.S. and Europe  appeared to hinge on Germanys decision to release a convicted Russian assassin. Vadim Krasikov was serving a life sentence for the murder of a Georgian-Chechen dissident in 2019.

We would have gotten him back, we wouldnt have had to pay anything, we wouldnt have had to let some of the great killers of the world go, Trump said in an interview with Fox, referring to Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter freed as part of the deal, and others.

Biden, asked by a reporter at the White House to respond to Trumps assertions, asked: Why didnt he do it when he was president?

Paul Whelan, freed in Bidens prisoner exchange, was arrested in 2018 during Trumps term in office. Trump said he rejected a deal to release convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to secure Whelans release. American Trevor Reed was also arrested by Russia during the Trump administration; he was freed under Biden in exchange for a Russian pilot convicted of drug smuggling. Bout was later traded to release WNBA star Brittney Griner from Russian custody in December 2022.

Despite assertions he traded nothing to secure the release of U.S. citizens jailed or held hostage overseas, Trumps record of freeing Americans held abroad is filled with deals marked by prisoner exchanges, release of terrorists and diplomatic overtures.

Trump has said he secured the release of 59 Americans during his first term in office.

Those deals included the 2019 release of three senior Taliban leaders from jail in Afghanistan for the release of an American and Australian. In 2020, the Trump administration secured the release of two Americans held by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, in exchange for the repatriation of about 250 Yemenis to the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa.

Trump also engaged in one-for-one exchanges to free Americans  in 2019 trading an Iranian scientist convicted of violating sanctions for Xiyue Wang, an American academic.

Wang, following his release from an Iranian prison, criticized Democrats for having a weak foreign policy and said its a fair argument that Trump could have gotten a better deal.

I was arrested in Iran when Obama was in office, Princetons fancy connections with the Obama establishment made no difference for me, he posted on the social media site X on Thursday.

Trumps deal with Iran that released me gave Iran barely a little more than nothing. The U.S. can only make that kind of deal with a strong foreign policy posturing, which the Biden administration doesnt have.

Trump allies ran with that attack line in the wake of the return of the four Americans from Russia.

Essentially, weve traded journalists for murderers and thieves, and its like trading a rifle for a spoon, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) said on Fox News.

But Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took a more muted tone, describing Bidens deal as a steep price and calling to redouble efforts to bring back two Americans who remain imprisoned in Russia.

This includes American Marc Fogel, who was working as a teacher in Russia and was arrested in 2021 for carrying marijuana he said was for medical use. He was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Lawmakers have pushed for the State Department to label Fogel wrongfully detained  a distinction that was applied to three of the Americans released.

Dual U.S.-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina, who traveled to Russia to visit family, was detained in February and accused of treason, with Russias security services accusing her of collecting funds for the Ukrainian army. Her family said she donated $51.80 to a charity providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

Efforts to free those two must be redoubled, along with ways to deter future hostage diplomacy, Risch said in his statement.

That tone echoed a joint statement by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who called for more efforts to deter rogue governments jailing Americans.

Trading hardened Russian criminals for innocent Americans does little to discourage [Russian President Vladimir] Putins reprehensible behavior, they said.

Rezian, who is part of the bipartisan Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said, overall, the tone of criticisms about deals to get Americans home have softened over the years.

I think theres an acceptance and an acknowledgement that when Americans whove been illegally held hostage abroad come home, and are reunited with their families, its really unseemly to question whether that was the right thing to do or not, he said.

Eight and a half years ago, when I came home, that was not the case.

Congress has sought to address hostage-taking by state actors. In 2020, Congress passed the Robert Levinson Act Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act to provide the State Department more resources to advocate on behalf of Americans taken abroad and impose sanctions on hostage-takers.

In 2022, Biden signed an executive order to facilitate more cooperation and communication between the State Department and National Security Council to work on recovering Americans detained abroad. The order also focused on increasing warnings for Americans on dangerous places around the world where there is a high-risk of politically-motivated arrests, kidnappings and hostage-taking.

But theres little in these efforts that put in place actual deterrence to discourage hostage-taking in the first place.

Until theres a higher cost and a realistic cost to doing this, governments are going to keep doing that. And thats really at the core of what the commission is looking at, Rezian said of the Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention.

The commission co-chairs are Trumps former national security adviser and former lead for hostage negotiations, Robert OBrien, and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

What is a thoughtful, robust policy that responds to the hostage crisis at the moment? Because there certainly is one. What does that look like? What should it look like? Thats what were trying to come up with, Rezian said.

When asked on Thursday what more can be done to keep countries from detaining Americans, Biden put the onus on U.S. citizens.

By advising people not to go certain places, telling them whats at risk and whats at stake, he said.

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Black and Gold report: more than 12,000 fans attend Steelers Friday Night Lights practice

Black and Gold Nation reporters Ashley Kaiser and Cameron Knupp break down the Steelers 2024 Friday Night Lights training camp practice.

The BGT crew has boots on the ground here at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

Weve got full coverage for you on the #Steelers Friday Night Lights Practice. @JET24Sports @cameron__knupp pic.twitter.com/Ue7PS46BwF  Ashley Kaiser (@AshleyKaiserTV) August 3, 2024

More than 12,000 Steelers fans made their way to Latrobe Memorial Stadium to take in practice with many receiving autographs and photos with their favorite players.

Pittsburgh will host Houston on August 9th at 7 pm in the teams 2024 preseason opener.

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Got a pint?

New Jersey Blood Services needs it, and to sweeten the deal is offering to trade a blood donation for a free beverage voucher from a participating pub during its third annual Pint for a Pint campaign through Sept. 10.

The drive is intended to encourage donations at local blood drives at a time of year when supplies are short due to vacations and back-to-school distractions.

Seven pubs in the North Jersey area have agreed to participate in the drive.

Donors must be at least 21 years old for the pint deal, but 16 to donate blood. The "pint" beverage type is at the venue's discretion. Vouchers must be redeemed on or before Oct. 31, and cannot be redeemed the same day as a donation is made.

NY Blood Center Pint for Pint logo

The Rail Yard Tavern in Fair Lawn is pleased and happy to support and give back to the community  Pint for a Pint  a wonderful cause for all, said its owner Bob Piccoli.

North Jersey participants include:

Bergen County: The Rail Yard Tavern, Fair Lawn; Allendale Bar & Grill, Mahwah Bar & Grill.

Passaic County: Grasshopper Too, Wayne;

Essex County: Cowan's Public, Nutley; Parkside Social, Verona;

Morris County: Horseshoe Tavern, Morristown; Auld Shebeen, Whippany; Red Robin, Rockaway.

For more participants visit www.nybc.org/pint/.

The service issued an urgent call for Type O negative and Type O positive blood donations, the lowest that supplies have been since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This shortage is impacting local hospitals and is part of a national trend, with Type O shortages reported across the country.

New Jersey Blood Services is grateful for the generosity of our local breweries and pubs for supporting us each year by raising awareness and donating beverages, said Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president at New Jersey Blood Services. The Pint for a Pint campaign is a favorite of many of our blood donors and we hope this fun incentive will inspire folks to make an appointment to give the gift of life this summer."

New Jersey Blood Services is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises, one of the largest community-based, nonprofit blood collection and distribution organizations in the United States.

More: First cases of West Nile virus this year are among the earliest ever in NJ

Donor eligibility requirements can be found on its website at nybc.org/donate-blood/donor-eligibility or by calling 800-688-0900. Blood donors can give every 56 days and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration has recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions.

To make an appointment visit nybc.org/pint, or call 800-933-2566.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Pint for a pint: Give a pint of blood, get a voucher for a free drink
Boil-water advisory still in effect for North Kansas City after water main repairs

Utility crews have completed repairs to a water main break in North Kansas City, but a boil-water advisory remains in effect through Monday, officials said.

North Kansas City is working with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to test and monitor the citys water quality, according to a news release Saturday.

Over the next two days, the city will test its water to ensure that it meets the requirements for public drinking water and is safe to drink. This process takes a minimum of 48 hours and may take longer if issues arise during the testing process, the city said in a release.

The main water system rupture, which happened in Macken Park on Thursday evening, caused other minor breaks around the city, officials said. The breaks left homes experiencing low water pressure on Thursday and Friday, The Star previously reported.

North Kansas City officials did not say what caused the initial water main break. No other information was immediately available Saturday.

The boil-water advisory will be canceled after the city meets all Missouri Department of Natural Resources requirements.

A Boil Water Advisory is issued as a precautionary measure, Kim Nakahodo, a spokeswoman for North Kansas City, said in a release.

An advisory does not mean that the drinking water is contaminated, but rather that it could be contaminated, so precautions should be taken until drinking water quality testing can be completed to confirm that no bacterial contamination is present, she said.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recommends that residents continue to boil their water for at least 48 hours even after the citys water system is repaired.

While the boil advisory is in effect, North Kansas City Water Utilities customers are asked to boil all tap water for at least 3 minutes before using it for cooking, cleaning or drinking.

The Clay County public health department is working with food vendors around North Kansas City to maintain safe food preparation standards in kitchens with potentially tainted tap water. Some North Kansas City businesses were forced to close as repairs were made.

The Stars Ilana Arougheti contributed to this story.
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn says he will propose the city declare a public health emergency in an effort to keep the doors open at Carney Hospital beyond the end of this month.

The hospital is set to close on August 31 under a plan by bankrupt Steward Health Care to shutter two of its area medical centers. Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Hospital in Ayer both failed to attract a suitable buyer. As a result, Steward says it will lay off 753 employees at the Dorchester campus and another 490 in Ayer.

Steward Health Care to layoff over 1,200 workers at Carney and Nashoba Valley hospitals

Over 30,000 emergency visits a year come to Carney Hospital, Flynn told Boston 25 News. They will have to be absorbed somewhere else if Carney closes, most likely BU Medical Center.

Flynn says too many of the citys emergency rooms are already overworked and understaffed, and they would not be able to support the added strain.

More patients in the emergency room mean longer waits. Its going to impact public health across the city, Flynn said, adding that lower-income communities and communities of color would be disproportionately affected by the closure.

At next Wednesdays council meeting, Flynn said he will propose the city declare a public health emergency. In doing so, he hopes to keep Carney Hospital open through a potential city, state, and federal partnership. But he admits it will be a challenge.

Its a long shot, Flynn said. But its worth the fight.

He has support from the union representing nurses in the state.

[A]ny discussion of layoffs at this time is premature, Massachusetts Nurses Association spokesperson David Schildmeier shared in a statement to Boston 25 News. Let us be clear, our focus, and the focus of community members, caregivers, and a growing number of policymakers is the exhaust every avenue open to us to stop this closure.

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Bravo for Biden for recognizing Venezuelas opposition win. Now, he should do more | Opinion

Mexico, Brazil and Colombia will pay a heavy price for their wavering stands on Venezuelas July 28 electoral fraud: in the absence of a regionally-brokered solution to Venezuelas political crisis, millions more of hopeless Venezuelans will flee to countries across the Americas.

This is not just speculation. More than 7.7 million Venezuelans have already left the country since dictator Nicolas Maduro took office in 2013, according to United Nations data. A July poll by the Venezuelan firm Consultores ORC showed that 18% of adult Venezuelans, or more than 4 million people, said they would consider leaving if Maduro stayed in power.

An April poll by Venezuelas Meganalisis had put the figure of those considering migrating at a staggering 44.6% of Venezuelas 25 million adults. That amounts to more than 11 million people.

Shamefully, the democratically-elected leftist governments of Mexico, Brazil and Colombia failed to support an Organization of American States July 31 proposed resolution that would have asked the Maduro regime to show a detailed voting count.

That caused the proposed OAS resolution to fail, because it did not reach the 17 country votes it needed to pass. Later, the three countries put out a separate, weaker joint statement calling on Maduro to show evidence of this victory claim.

The Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council had claimed on election night against all evidence that Maduro had won with 51% of the vote, but refused to show the voting tallies, as Venezuelas law requires. Maduro later made the bizarre claim that he couldnt show the voting records because the elections computer system had suffered an opposition-directed cyber attack launched  Im not making this up  from Northern Macedonia.

But the opposition made public receipts of more than 80% of voting machines showing that its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won by 67% of the vote, to Maduros 30%. In addition, exit polls by the respected U.S. polling firm Edison Research and others showed that the opposition had won by a landslide.

Barring any outside pressure that gives the Venezuelan people some hope for the future, a new Venezuelan migration wave will start soon.

The first to leave will be the young, because they wont see any future for themselves. Also, many exiles will try to get their parents and grandparents out of Venezuela because of fears that they wont get access to essential medicine if there is a new cycle of mass protests, government repressio, and worsening economic crisis.

Maduro may not have an easy time staying in power, however.

Jhon Magdaleno, a professor of political science at Venezuelas UCAB University, told me that he has counted at least 11 cases in recent decades in which autocrats were forced to resign after rigging elections. Among them was Serbias Slobodan Milosevic in 2000 and Bolivias Evo Morales in 2019.

Often, there are mass demonstrations, followed by a rupture within the ruling elite, Magdaleno told me. Im not ruling this out in Venezuelas case.

President Joe Biden, to his credit, called Brazils president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a Maduro friend, and convinced him to ask the Venezuelan dictator to release the detailed voting data. And Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday put out a statement saying that there is overwhelming evidence that Gonzalez Urrutia had won the election.

But Biden should do more. He should raise the profile of Venezuelas political crisis by speaking out personally about it, rather than leaving that job to underlings. In addition to escalating sanctions on Venezuelas dictatorship, Biden should get on the phone and ask Latin American leaders to recognize Gonzalez Urrutia.

Unlike what happened in Venezuelas 2018 elections, where the opposition didnt participate and therefore didnt have voting records to prove a victory, this time there are Gonzalez Urrutias voting tallies to prove his win.

Biden should tell Mexicos president, for instance, that its in his own interest to press Maduro to provide a vote count, or otherwise seek a negotiated transition to democracy. Citing recent U.S. border control measures that have drastically reduced border crossings, Biden should warn him, The United States will not take the new wave of Venezuelan migrants: they will be stuck in Mexico.

Biden can do it. He created a strong international diplomatic coalition to apply sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and he could do something similar to punish Maduro for his grotesque electoral fraud. If that doesnt happen, there will be a new mass migration of Venezuelans, and a worsening humanitarian and economic crisis across the Americas.

Dont miss the Oppenheimer Presenta TV show on Sundays at 9 pm E.T. on CNN en Espanol. Blog: andresoppenheimer.com
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL)  The new Virginia Intermediate School is about ready to welcome its first class of students. This latest addition to Bristol Virginia Public Schools (BVPS) will house the school systems second through fifth graders.

Virginia Intermediate School l is the result of a consolidation process. The school system closed three elementary schools: Highland View Elementary School, Washington-Lee Elementary School and Stonewall Jackson Elementary School.

Over the past decade, as weve looked at the cost of keeping our aging schools renovated and up to standard, the decision was made several years ago to align our resources and work towards having a brand new school that would consolidate all of our students into one elementary campus, said BVPS superintendent, David Scott.

Virginia Intermediate School is located in Sunset Park, next to Van Pelt Elementary School.

This elementary school is also undergoing changes. It has been renamed Virginia Primary School and houses the school systems pre-kindergarten through first graders.

A brick from each closed school is in the corner of the new Virginia Intermediate School (Photo: WJHL).

The intermediate school will have pieces of the three former elementary schools in its framework, educating some former students and having brick pieces from the schools.

A brick from each school was placed at the corner of the new building.

As we have come into this new building, one of the things that we wanted to make sure that we took stock of was the history that were bringing with us, said Scott. Even though we are beginning a new chapter, were very proud and very fond of the history that weve had in those other schools.

The intermediate school is the first new school in BVPS in the last 50 years.

Scott is excited for students to experience the new building and have new learning opportunities, such as a rotation in the STEM lab. The intermediate school is handicap accessible, including the playground between grade wings. Plus, the building includes safety features such as a two-entrance process and special locks on the doors.

Sullivan County Schools launches virtual academy

Scott hopes the school can be seen as an opportunity to provide the best education to all students in the city.

We have brought together so many resources, said Scott. We have such great new technology in place in our school. And I think theres something special about walking into a new school and feeling that the community believes that your education is important.

Teachers continue to put the final touches on their classrooms before students arrive for their first day on August 14. Scott said the school system is communicating with parents about the best traffic route to take to the school on the first day.

The city council decides on the future of the closed elementary schools. Council member Neal Osborne told News Channel 11 that the properties were discussed in a meeting Tuesday, but no decisions have been made yet.

Virginia Intermediate School will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 8 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

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British airlines forced to fly planes to US for repairs because of Brexit rules

One of One Air's Boeing 747's, which now have to be maintained and repaired in the US, coming in to land at Heathrow - Malcolm Park/Alamy Stock Photo

British airlines are being forced to fly planes to the United States for slower and more expensive repairs instead of Europe because of Brexit rules.

The UK and EU, despite having largely identical safety rules, have two separate licensing systems for maintenance facilities. Following a two-year post-Brexit grace period which ended in 2023, any UK-registered aircraft cannot be legally repaired at EU-licensed facilities.

Now British companies have been flying their planes thousands of miles across the Atlantic to the US, which has a mutual recognition agreement for aviation engineering with the UK.

Cargo airline One Air, which operates out of the East Midlands importing electronic goods, has two Boeing 747s, which need one basic check every three months and a detailed check every two years.

One Air said a straightforward maintenance check in Germany would take a week and cost about 164,000. In the US, it takes a fortnight and costs 203,000.

Detailed maintenance takes 27 days turnaround at a cost of 1.25 million at a German facility. In the US, it takes 41 days at a cost of 1.7 million.

Extra cost burden is passed on

Chris Hope, One Airs chief operating officer, said: It creates a bigger running cost that effectively gets passed through to the consumer as an extra cost burden that we see as potentially unnecessary.

He added that costs were driven up because components for the planes also had to be UK-approved, and were sourced from the US as a result.

EU facilities can apply for separate UK licences, but are unlikely to do so given the additional cost and red tape.

The UK Government wants a deal with Brussels on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications as part of its push for closer ties with Europe, but EU officials have poured cold water on those hopes.

They said they had already rejected demands for a similar agreement from the Tory government during the 2020 Brexit trade negotiations because it at the time, it was not considered in the EUs interest.

A mutual recognition agreement would mean EU engineers could service British aircraft, and vice versa, as they did when all were under one licensing system before the UK left the EU and its European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

An EU official warned Britain would have to become a rule taker if it wanted to rejoin EASA as an associate member.

This is a deliberate choice of the UK, and does not trigger the need for the EU to engage in a discussion of recognition of UK certificates, one official told The Telegraph.

In interests of all to remove this burden

A spokesman for the Airlines UK trade body said it had felt the effects of a Brexit trade deal which Sir Keir Starmer has described as botched.

It would be in the interests of all parties across the UK and EU to remove this burden and reintroduce mutual recognition of pilot and engineer licences, he said.

Naomi Smith, the chief executive of Best for Britain, which campaigns for closer EU-UK ties, said: This is just one example from one industry of how divergence from our largest market and closest neighbours is increasing costs for businesses and inevitably consumers.

Boeing has predicted that globally there will need to be 716,000 new maintenance technicians, and 674,000 new pilots, to meet demand over the next two decades. This shortage will be exacerbated without a reciprocal licensing deal between the UK and EU, industry sources said.

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By Belinda Jiao and Amanda Ferguson

LIVERPOOL, England/BELFAST (Reuters) - Violent disorder swept across several British cities on Saturday, injuring police and damaging property in the most widespread rioting in the country for 13 years, following the murder of three young girls in northwest England.

Riots involving hundreds of anti-immigration protesters have erupted in towns and cities after false information spread rapidly on social media that the suspect in Monday's knife attack at a children's dance class in Southport was a radical Muslim migrant.

Police have said the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, 17, was born in Britain but protests by anti-immigration and anti-Muslim demonstrators have continued, descending into violence, arson and looting.

Violent disorder erupted in Liverpool, Bristol, Hull and Belfast - four cities located in different corners of the UK - with scuffles breaking out and bricks and bottles thrown as anti-immigration protesters faced groups opposed to racism.

Many police officers suffered injuries as they tried to keep several hundred rival protesters - largely young men who were chanting slogans - from clashing.

In Liverpool, two officers were in hospital with suspected facial fractures while another was pushed from his motorbike and assaulted in the disorder involving some 750 protesters and a similar number of rival protesters, Merseyside Police, the force overseeing the northwestern city, said.

At least two shops in Liverpool were vandalised and looted, police added.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the southwestern city of Bristol although anti-racist protesters outnumbered anti-immigration groups, with TV footage showing them facing off with police in riot gear.

In Belfast, some businesses reported damage to property while at least one was set on fire, according to police.

"I have no reason why they attacked us," said Rahmi Akyol, standing outside the shattered glass doors of his cafe in Belfast, which he said was attacked by dozens of people with bottles and chairs.

"I've lived here 35 years. My kids, my wife is from here. I don't know what to say, it's terrible," he said.

Across Britain, police have arrested dozens of individuals for offences ranging from violent disorder to burglary and criminal damage.

Extra police have been deployed across cities while mosques across the country have been advised to strengthen security following an attack on a mosque in Southport on Tuesday.

'UNFORGIVABLE VIOLENCE'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, facing his first big test since his election a month ago, has condemned the "far-right" for the wave of violence and backed police to take strong action. He discussed the disorder with senior ministers on Saturday, his office said.

The last time riots erupted in Britain was in 2011 when a much larger outbreak of violence took hold, with thousands of people taking to the streets for five nights after police shot dead a Black man in London.

On Friday night, hundreds of anti-immigration demonstrators in Sunderland threw stones at police in riot gear near a mosque, before overturning vehicles, setting a car alight and starting a fire near a police station.

"This was not a protest. This was unforgivable violence and disorder," Mark Hall, chief police superintendent of the Sunderland area, told reporters on Saturday.

Some further protests were planned for Sunday.

(Reporting by Belinda Jiao and Manon Cruz in Liverpool and Amanda Ferguson in Belfast; Additional reporting by Hollie Adams in Sunderland; Writing by Sachin Ravikumar Editing by Kate Holton, Giles Elgood and Matthew Lewis)
Friends and family of a Denver woman who police say was brutally beaten to death by her husband packed a Denver courtroom Friday.

Nicholas Myklebust, 44, a well-respected Regis University English Literature associate professor, was formally charged Thursday with one count of first-degree murder in the death of, and one count of tampering with evidence.

During his second advisement hearing Friday, he sat hunched over with his head down. Handcuffed and dressed in a gray jail jumpsuit with a new growth of beard, he did not appear to look in the direction of his deceased wife's family and friends who took up most of the left side of the courtroom. His attorney, Becca Butler-Dines, often patted his shoulder.

Most of the motions filed so far were discussed privately between 2nd Judicial District Judge Karen Brody, Deputy District Attorney Anthony Santos and Butler-Dines. The private discussion included a defense motion to obtain "emails, text messages and written notes within all law enforcement" Santos said before they went into session.

Three of Myklebust's colleagues watched the proceedings grimly. Kevin Burke, vice president for University Mission, explained that they came to the proceeding to provide "a compassionate presence for everyone involved."

As the hearing ended, Myklebust turned and acknowledged the men with a blank stare.

There are still many unanswered questions in the tragic case including how their baby died, and whether there was any connection to the death of the couple's first child who died in 2021, according to an arrest affidavit. That infant, a three-month-old, died from cranial injuries. Myklebust told police that they were still depressed from that child's death which, he said, was an accident from when he fell down some stairs.

There is not much known about Kim, whom neighbors said was rarely seen outside except for occasional walks with her husband.

Brazil Redd, who also has a baby, lived across the hall from Kim, but in three years, she only saw her one time.

"It's very strange," she said.

"She didn't take up a lot of space," said Olivia Zarella, who had a furniture recovery shop across the parking lot of the couple's apartment.

Neighbors who lived in apartments that adjoined the Myklebust/Kim household never heard or saw their baby. Leroy Hernandez didn't hear a scream or a cry the night Kim was killed even though his bedroom is on the other side of the wall from their bedroom.

"In four years being next door, I never heard a thing," he said.

What allegedly happened

According to court records, Myklebust called Denver police just before 7 a.m. Monday to report that he discovered Kim on the floor of their bedroom on top of their infant daughter, whom he said was in a carrier and not breathing. He told police that there was blood coming from her head, according to the arrest affidavit.

When they arrived, police and paramedics found the adult victim near a bassinet along a wall in the bedroom with multiple blunt force injuries to her head and face, the arrest record stated. The baby was discovered deceased on the bed with no visible injuries.

The affidavit showed that paramedics noted Kim's injuries were not consistent with a fall and that Myklebust had scratch marks on his neck and chest. Investigators also noticed that Myklebust's knuckles were swollen and that "the hands appeared to be used to strike something."

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Myklebust told police that his skin was often red due to psoriasis.

Police immediately took photos of the suspects hands and asked him to tell the truth, according to the arrest affidavit.

Video obtained by The Denver Gazette taken by a neighbor showed officers wrapping Myklebusts hands with bags and white tape while he was being treated on a stretcher outside of the apartment complex at 3247 N. Syracuse.

At around 7:30 a.m., his wife and baby were officially declared dead.

By 7:55 a.m., Myklebust was on his way to Denver Police Department headquarters for an interview, where he waived his Miranda rights, according to the affidavit.

Myklebust told police that only he, Kim and their daughter were home at the time of the incident. He said that he and Kim had a happy marriage and dealt well with their problems but that the baby had been fussy lately.

According to his Regis class list, Myklebust was a literary scholar who specialized in 11th and 15th century poets. He has been associated with Regis University for 10 years, and was the recipient of several dissertation awards and scholarships.

Regis University spokesperson Sheryl Tirol confirmed that Myklebust is no longer affiliated with the school.

Ongoing investigation

Thursday afternoon, a Denver police detective and two crime scene investigators spent a couple of hours in the Myklebust's Aster Town Center apartment and were seen loading bags, folders and boxes of evidence into their vehicles.

The door of the apartment was padlocked, a white piece of crime scene tape discarded on the stairwell carpet. In front of the couple's living room window on a post, roses wilted in the hot sun in a mini-shrine to Kim.

There are candles, small stuffed animals and cards addressed to Kim.

Referencing the ongoing investigation, homicide Detective Steven Seidel, in blue plastic gloves used during evidence collection, said he approaches every scene the same way.

During Myklebust's first appearance earlier this week, Judge Brody ordered the defendant held on a $5 million cash bond after Santos asked for twice that amount.

Santos asked for the high bond due to the horrific nature of Kim's wounds including a skull fracture, "bruising along her arms, head, torso, collarbone, hips and abrasions to both shoulders and multiple facial injuries."

The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner Friday released the identification and cause of deaths of Kim, 44, and the babies. The coroner ruled Kim's cause of death as blunt force trauma injuries, and the manner homicide. Baby Lesley Kim's cause and manner of death are pending. She was less than three months old. The couple's first baby, Bear Myklebust, also underwent an autopsy. His cause and manner of death are also pending. The 10-day-old baby died Oct. 4, 2021.

Myklebust's next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15 in Denver District Court.

Denver Gazette reporter Anya Moore contributed to this story.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Coney Island Prep, a charter school in Brooklyn, has joined the Summer Boost program for the first time this year, aiming to address learning gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The five-week literacy intensive program, set to conclude on Aug. 6, focuses on phonics instruction, reading, and writing skills for students in grades 1-4.

One of the students in the program is second grader Isabella. I want to be a doctor, she shared, expressing her excitement about the Summer Boost program and how it has helped her improve her literacy skills, a vital step toward achieving her dream of working in the medical field. Ive been learning how to break down words, sound out a lot of words, and I have written so much fine doing that. Sometimes I get my whiteboards and we draw, we write the word on the whiteboards and we sound them out each sound.

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Isabella said the program has also fostered a sense of community among the other students. Last year, I made some friends and now we just like, we all like our partners.

Karen Johnson, the chief executive officer of Coney Island Prep, shared insights on the programs impact. Ive been able to come in and see them in their classrooms, just really devour books cover to cover. They have been so excited to engage in the learning opportunities that are happening.

The Summer Boost program, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and implemented in partnership with Springboard Collaborative, aims to combat summer learning loss, a widespread issue affecting students across the city. Johnson emphasized the programs importance in addressing pandemic-related learning challenges. Coming off of the pandemic, I know its been about three years, but that impact of learning loss is still felt across all of our classrooms across New York City.

A unique aspect of the program is its Family Fridays, where parents join their children in learning activities. It is just wonderful to be able to see our parents and our students practicing that literacy because then that also ensures that it happens here in school, but also happens on the way to school at home, at the park, Johnson said.

By participating in Summer Boost, Coney Island Prep aims to fulfill its mission of preparing students for future success, bringing those like Isabella one step closer to achieving their dreams.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The sheriffs offices in Broward and Palm Beach counties wont participate in roundups of undocumented immigrants envisioned by former President Donald Trump, who has promised the largest deportation in the history of our country if hes again elected president.

Sheriffs Gregory Tony of Broward and Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County said their departments, which are the largest local law enforcement agencies in their counties, wouldnt deploy deputies to take part.

And the candidates  Democrats and Republicans  who are hoping to replace them in this years elections said they, too, would not go along with such a program.

Deploying deputies for immigration roundups is both unworkable from a practical standpoint given staffing and other responsibilities, the sheriffs and candidates said, and would erode public trust in their agencies among some communities. A lack of trust could make people less likely to seek help in emergencies.

Sheriffs stands

Tony said the Broward Sheriffs Office would absolutely not participate.

He said there has been a big scare thats been occurring after the state required counties operating detention facilities to enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Tony, a former Coral Springs police officer and sheriff since 2019, said that shook up the community thinking that BSO is going to be going out to the community and knocking on doors and bringing in immigrants. We dont do that here, and Im not going to allow it out of our deputies.

Bradshaw, a former West Palm Beach police chief who has been sheriff since 2005, said immigration enforcement is mainly the federal governments responsibility, not local law enforcement.

He said his agency declined to be cross trained with the Border Patrol.

Were not going to do immigration sweeps, Bradshaw said. You cant gain the trust of the people in the community if theyre worried about being deported.

None of the sheriffs or candidates would hesitate to turn over undocumented immigrants who commit crimes to federal authorities.

Theyre adamant about not getting actively involved in rounding people up. Federal law allows state or local law enforcement officers to participate in immigration enforcement with the consent of the head of the department.

Trumps position

Trump has repeatedly promised massive deportations. The Republican platform passed at last months national convention echoed his priorities, including what it said would be the largest deportation effort in American history.

One element, Trump has said, is utilizing local police.

Were going to be using local police because local police know them by name, by first name, second name, and third name. I mean they know them very well, he said earlier this year in an interview with Time magazine.

And he told Fox News that local police are going to turn them over, and were going to have to move them back to their country.

In the Time interview, Trump acknowledged some law enforcement agencies wouldnt want to be involved. Well, theres a possibility that some wont want to participate, and they wont partake in the riches, you know. We have to do this. This is not a sustainable problem for our country.

Trump didnt directly answer whether he imagined funding incentives for local agencies to get on board. It could very well be, he said.

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Behind fences

Bradshaw has been outspoken about the situation on the southern U.S. border, where he said some of the people crossing into the country commit serious crimes.

But he said that needs to be dealt with at the border, to prevent people from entering.

Bradshaw was especially critical of an aspect of the Trump immigration plans that would involve rounding up undocumented immigrants and placing them in camps pending deportation.

He said that has echoes of U.S. government roundups of Japanese-Americans during World War II. This reminds me of putting people behind fences  during the war with the Japanese, Bradshaw said.

Citizens and non-citizens of Japanese ancestry often first were sent to racetracks or fairgrounds before they were relocated to internment camps, where they spent years. A 1998 federal law provided compensation to people who were interned and still alive.

Public concern

On the campaign trail, Trump often talks about border security and sometimes cites horrific crimes committed by undocumented immigrants against American citizens. He has used those incidents as a political line of attack against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

Researchers have found there isnt a correlation between immigration and more crime but the public is concerned.

A national poll from the Pew Research Center in January found that 57% of Americans said the large number of migrants seeking to come to the U.S. leads to more crime; 39% said it didnt make much difference in crime.

Part of the reason is that horrific crimes are sometimes committed by people who arent in the country legally, said Lauro Diaz, a former captain and deputy chief in the Bartow Police Department and former Highlands County Sheriffs Office captain. Diaz is seeking the Republican nomination for sheriff in Palm Beach County.

So thats going to get a lot of limelight, he said.

Michael Gauger, a former chief deputy in Palm Beach County who is seeking the Republican nomination to run for sheriff, said he was asked by someone in the audience at an event why, if he becomes sheriff, he couldnt just arrange to just take them and put em on a plane and send them back where they came?

He said its impractical for many reasons and like other candidates said the federal government needs to fix the immigration system. We do not enforce the federal laws regarding immigration, Gauger said. But mass deportation is going to be extremely difficult for local police.

The numbers are daunting.

The Department of Homeland Security estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants were living in the U.S. in 2022, including almost 600,000 in Florida. Trump gives higher numbers, from 15 million to 18 million nationwide.

The Migration Policy Institutes most recent estimates are that Florida has an unauthorized population of 772,000, including 117,000 in Broward County, 82,000 in Palm Beach County and a combined total of 198,000 in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Challengers agree

The candidates for sheriff have essentially the same positions as the current sheriffs.

The incumbents and candidates shared their views on the subject during recent individual and joint interviews as they seek support in advance of the Aug. 20 primaries.

Bradshaw and Tony face challengers in their respective Democratic primaries.

Two Republicans are competing in their partys primary to face the Democratic primary winner in Palm Beach County. The Democrat who wins the primary in Broward faces nominal opposition from an independent candidate in November and is virtually certain to win.

We will not be going around Broward County if Im sheriff picking up people for not having paperwork, for being in the country. If they commit a crime, we will arrest them and turn them over. But other than that, no, said Democratic candidate Al Pollock, a retired Broward Sheriffs Office colonel. I will not be assigning people to any federal task force thats dealing with immigration where theyre going around knocking on doors, you know, tracking people down.

Democratic candidate Steve Geller, who rose to the rank of captain in the Plantation Police Department and later worked as a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said immigration enforcement is a federal issue.

However, he said, if theres a safety issue that requires Sheriffs Office support were always there for our fellow law enforcement officers, but that would be a federal initiative and I believe that it would be carried out that way.

David Howard, another Broward Democratic candidate who is a former Pembroke Park police chief and West Palm Beach police shift commander, said involvement of deputies if he were elected sheriff would depend on how any law implementing such a program is written.

Im not going to violate the law, but I agree that (were) not going to go out and seek. But if somebody gets arrested and it turns out that their status is such that we have to turn them over, then turn them over, Howard said. Im not going to go round up anybody, thats not my job. My job is crime in, the suppression of crime for, our county.

Republican candidates for sheriff in Palm Beach County agreed.

Diaz was an emphatic no.

To tell you that I can take 50, 100, 200 men and women in uniform to go out around the county and round up illegals, I would just simply be lying to you. We simply do not have those resources, Diaz said. Were not built for that.

But, he said, if an illegal commits a crime, we arrest them  and hold them and then turn them over to ICE for deportation.

Republican Gauger said it would take a total revamping of the system for the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office to get involved in immigration enforcement.

Alex Freeman, a former Riviera Police Department major and Midway police chief who is challenging Bradshaw in the primary, said he wouldnt allow PBSO to participate in roundups.

Absolutely not. Like Mr. Bradshaw said, it is up to the federal government to do their job and so I wouldnt partake in that, Freeman said.

Crime

The sheriffs and candidates for the jobs said that even though undocumented immigrants commit crimes, there isnt evidence that they are responsible for a crime wave or commit crimes at disproportionately high rates as sometimes gets implied in the political back-and-forth on the issue.

We havent seen anything to indicate that here in Broward County, Tony said. I can tell you, I have not seen one intelligence report that has come through my Strategic Intelligence Division or through Homeland Security that suggested we had some influx of criminal patterns by immigrants coming from anywhere.

Geller said there is no truth to the idea that undocumented immigrants are responsible for a disproportionate share of crime.

Pollock, too, said hes seen no spikes that validate the suggestion that undocumented immigrants are driving crime rates. Most of the crime, the violent crime, that were having now is being committed by people that are already here.

Some are more concerned about the potential for more crime caused by undocumented immigrants, however. I agree with my contemporaries to a point, Howard said.

Diaz said people who are in the country illegally arent responsible for an outsized share of crime. I wouldnt say that they make crime worse, he said, but it does have an impact.

Tighter border

Gauger said he is concerned that the U.S. is not vetting correctly the immigrants that are coming in, the undocumented folks. Theyre not being vetted for criminal histories. Theyre not being vetted for their terrorism backgrounds or their associations with terrorist organizations, he said.

Echoing the former president, Gauger said some people entering the U.S. illegally intend to do harm in this country. Were looking at military age Chinese. Were looking at military age Middle Easterners that come from countries that want us to be exterminated, he said.

Bradshaw, chair of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for southeast Florida, said better border security is essential, and would prevent some crime.

Youve got some very, very bad people that are mixing in with the other people that are coming in, and they do the same thing in the community that they go to (live here) that they did where they came from, he said. Its not that theres a gigantic crime wave from all of the people who came across the border, but theres some very bad people that came across there.

In March, Bradshaw delivered an impassioned demand for tougher border enforcement after three undocumented immigrants were arrested on charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in Lake Worth Beach.

Im just here to deliver a message and the message is, dont think for a minute that what happens at the Mexican border doesnt affect us here, he said at a news conference. Here you have three illegals that should have never been in this country that have committed a very serious crime, kidnapping and sexual battery of a lady. They shouldnt be here. 

For them to be in this country to be able to commit these types of crimes is unconscionable. The federal government has put the American people in jeopardy, Bradshaw said. These idiots in Washington, D.C., need to close this border.

Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon.
The bystander effect is real  but research shows that when more people witness violence, its more likely someone will step up and intervene

The most powerful evidence for the prosecution at the trial of Derek Chauvin was a video showing the then-Minneapolis police officer pinning a pleading George Floyd to the ground by kneeling on his neck until he grew silent and then died.

On the witness stand, the teenager who captured the incident on her smartphone, 17-year-old Darnella Frazier, expressed regret for not doing more on the day of the crime.

As a professor whose major field of research is the application of psychology and game theory to ethics, I believe that Fraziers regret about not physically intervening illuminates two major points: First, a witness to a troubling situation who is in a group may feel a lesser sense of personal responsibility than a single individual. Second, someone in a group of people who can see one another may nonetheless feel responsible to act.

The bystander effect

The sense of diminished personal responsibility for people in a group has become known as the bystander effect  a phenomenon first described in the wake of a celebrated, infamous case.

In a 1964 front-page story headlined 37 Who Saw Murder Didnt Call the Police; Apathy at Stabbing of Queens Woman Shocks Inspector, The New York Times related the gruesome story of the middle-of-the-night sexual assault and murder of Kitty Genovese, a 28-year-old bartender, near her apartment building.

In recent years, academics and The New York Times itself have concluded that the report had significant errors  the number of witnesses was fewer than 37 and multiple people phoned the police.

Reflecting on the notorious case long before these errors were known, social psychologists Bibb Latane and John Darley wondered if it would be possible to study failure of bystanders to act in lab experiments.

In a 1970 book, Darley and Latane summarized that the chances of any one individual acting in a pro-social or helpful way is lower when responsibility is diffused among a number of people. Subsequent studies also confirmed that individuals are more likely to act when they feel they have the sole responsibility to do so.

The bystander effect has been reformulated by game theorists as the volunteers dilemma. In the volunteers dilemma, a person, or a group of people, will avoid discomfort if any one of them takes a pro-social action with a small cost, such as performing first aid or fixing a clogged drain.

Any one individual acting alone has good reason to take action  but if there is a crowd of, say, 20 people, the chance that they will do nothing and let someone else volunteer goes up.

In the case of George Floyd, the bystander effect was complicated by the power dynamics at play. Chauvin was an armed white police officer, and Frazier and the other bystanders were unarmed civilians who were mostly Black, like George Floyd himself. Given that, it is reasonable to ask whether Frazier, if she had been the sole civilian witness, would have gone beyond recording a video to physically intervene  such as trying to pull Chauvin off Floyd.

And it is also reasonable to ask whether she or any bystander should physically intervene in a situation where doing so might be extremely risky.

What makes people act

After Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter, people gathered on the street where he killed George Floyd. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

What needs to be explained in Fraziers behavior  and that of a number of other witnesses who also recorded videos or called out to Chauvin to stop  is not why they didnt take drastic, risky physical action, but why they did take the steps to record videos and yell for Chauvin to stop.

To explain their pro-social action, an advancing line of research on the behavior of witnesses to troubling scenes is helpful. That research suggests that having more witnesses increases rather than decreases the chance of intervention and that pro-social intervention by at least some in a group is the norm.

A 2008 analysis by social psychologist Daniel Stalder of previous studies found that although the bystander effect is real, larger group size increased the probability that at least one person in the group would make a pro-social intervention.

More recently, a 2019 article by psychologist Richard Philpot and four co-authors found that there is a greater chance that someone will act when there are larger numbers of witnesses to public conflicts. They also found that intervention is the norm: 90.7% of public conflicts featured one or more witnesses making a pro-social intervention, with an average of 3.8 witnesses intervening in each conflict.

Compared with earlier research, their study is particularly persuasive, as it relied not on lab studies, but on examining surveillance camera footage of actual public conflicts between civilians (not between police and civilians) taking place in crowded urban street settings. The research was conducted in three countries  South Africa, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

As Philpot and his co-authors put it, in a line that presages what Frazier and several others near her did: We found that in nine-out-of-10 conflicts, at least one person  but typically several  did something to help.

In trying to understand bystander ethics, the troubling phenomenon of diffusion of responsibility remains relevant. But it is also important to understand the more positive finding that pro-social intervention like Fraziers by one or more people in groups who witness public conflicts is common.

This article was originally published in 2021.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Wayne Eastman, Rutgers University

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Wayne Eastman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
GULFPORT, Miss. (WJTV)  A Compton, California, man pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 113 grams of fentanyl.

According to court documents, Jayma Nettles, 46, was identified as being a member of a drug-trafficking organization in California that was sending packages of narcotics to Mississippi dating back to 2019.

Court stops two men, business from selling tax plans in Mississippi

Prosecutors said the overall investigation yielded 5,766 grams of pure methamphetamine, 236 grams of fentanyl, 84.2 grams of cocaine, and 7.8 kilograms of marijuana that were shipped to the Gulf Coast. According to investigators, Nettles was responsible for sending 113 grams of fentanyl to the Coast in October 2022.

Nettles pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2024, and faces up to 40 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

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Canadarm2 was not designed to catch spacecraft at the ISS. Now it's about to grab its 50th

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Canadarm2 releasing the Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft from the International Space Station. | Credit: NASA

A Canadian robot arm on the International Space Station is days from a big milestone.

MDA Space's Canadarm2 will celebrate its 50th cosmic catch no earlier than Aug. 5, when a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo ship berths with the International Space Station (ISS) with thousands of pounds of experiments, supplies and food for the Expedition 71 astronauts, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced today (Aug. 2).

Cygnus will launch to the ISS no earlier than 11:29 a.m. EDT (0329 GMT) on Aug. 3, and you can watch the mission here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA+, formerly NASA Television. If Cygnus launches on time, will be captured by Canadarm2 and will dock with the ISS on Aug. 5 at approximately 3:55 a.m. EDT (0755 GMT). Coverage will start at 2:30 a.m. EDT (0630 GMT) on NASA+.

Canadarm2, managed by MDA Space under CSA funding, was first launched to space April 19, 2001 on space shuttle mission STS-100. Mission astronaut Chris Hadfield performed the first-ever CSA spacewalks to install the arm, a milestone celebrated by playing the Canadian national anthem in space and jokingly referring to fellow spacewalker Scott Parazynski (of NASA) as "an honorary Canadian."

The arm's first spacecraft catch was on Sept. 17, 2009 when it captured Japan's HTV-1 ("HTV", a now-retired cargo spacecraft series, stood for H-II Transfer Vehicle). In the 15 years since, spacecraft berthing with Canadarm2 ranged from SpaceX's Cargo Dragon to Northrop Grumman's Cygnus.

Canadarm2 forms part of a series of Canadian robotic arms based on generations of telescoping tube technology seen in space examples ranging from extendable antennas to the Apollo program's lunar legs, according to "Canadarm and Collaboration" (Elizabeth Howell, ECW Press, 2020.)

an astronaut beside a space station module and above a solar panel during a spacewalk. above him is a robotic arm with the word

Canadarm was first flown in space Nov. 12, 1981 during shuttle mission STS-2 with Spar Aerospace and Canada's National Research Council (the government council that managed astronauts before the CSA was formed in 1989). Canadarm was used for spacewalking, several Hubble Space Telescope missions and some impromptu maneuvers such as knocking an ice plug off a frozen shuttle drain line, according to NASA.

Canadarm's success in space allowed the NRC, and then CSA, to pay for astronaut seats on the shuttle as the robot arm provided a net benefit to NASA activities in orbit. (The first Canadian astronaut, then with NRC, was Marc Garneau aboard STS-41G in October 1983.) That astronaut arrangement has continued to the present day, and will continue with the future Artemis program missions to the moon.

Related: Artemis 2's Canadian astronaut got their moon mission seat with 'potato salad'

an astronaut on a robotic arm head-first over a solar panel, during a spacewalk

MDA Space (then MDA) brought the space robotics division of Spar Aerospace in 1999, according to the National Post. MDA Space's Canadarm2 has been operational since 2001, starring in a tricky and near-emergency spacewalk by Parazynski in 2007 that saw him mend a torn solar panel with adapted tools.

Canadarm2 more generally helped build the ISS alongside Canadarm, and continues to feature in ISS maintenance spacewalks. A CSA-funded robotic helper by MDA Space, Dextre, launched in 2008 for more delicate ISS maintenance tasks.

In recent years, the Canadarm2 team has gained so much trust with NASA that many tasks are now authorized to be carried out in ground control facilities at CSA headquarters near Montreal, Quebec. And CSA was invited to join Artemis in 2019 by supplying a new robotic arm, Canadarm3. MDA Space received a series of Canadarm3 contracts and is finalizing its design for an expected 2029 launch to support NASA's Gateway space station at the moon.

NASA was stalwart in saying the CSA was known for its reliable side dish of robotics, Podwalski told Space.com in 2023. Robotics is a strategic spend on the part of a space agency that has a tiny, $300 million ($413 million CAD) annual budget relative to NASA's $25.4 billion in 2025. Aside from space, robotics can also be repurposed for medical and mining needs in remote areas of Canada, making it another reason to invest in the technology.

jeremy hansen in an orange spacesuit smiling, in a nasa facility

Canadarm3 funded CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen's round-the-moon seat aboard the Artemis 2 mission, making him the first Canadian to leave low Earth orbit. His 2025 mission with three NASA astronauts will be the first of an anticipated series of CSA Artemis missions to Gateway and perhaps to the moon's surface itself.

Ken Podwalski, CSA executive director of the Gateway program, has been commanding Canadian space robotics for most of his career. He was involved in the negotiations for Hansen's seat, which took four years to obtain as both NASA and CSA policy priorities had to align on the matter, and funding to be obtained.

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In an interview, Podwalski likened the CSA robotics to incredible "potato salad" created to complement other main dishes in a feast.

"Everybody expects Canada to bring the potato salad," Podwalksi told Space.com 2023, shortly before Hansen's seat was announced that April 3. And he said it was possible to build up other moon programs from that: "The potato salad gets you in the door, no problem [...] and it doesn't stop you from bringing anything else. You're now a part of the party. Now's a good time to bring up other things."

To be sure, CSA has other means of funding beyond its annual budget: it partners with other Canadian government agencies and with industry to stretch its dollars further, for example. It has also received repeated billion-dollar-scale infusions of one-time government funding for Artemis in recent years.

CSA's other moon contracts include funding a mini-rover for science and utility rover for Artemis astronaut cargo, as well as a series of moon-related technologies particularly focused on moon science, astronaut health and appropriate deep-space food.
GPs have been told they can abandon modern methods of referring cancer patients to hospital - Izusek/E+

Cancer patients will suffer lethal delays as a result of industrial action by GPs, leading medics have warned.

Practices have embarked on protest measures against their contracts, as part of efforts to bring the NHS to a standstill.

They include a cap on the number of appointments, meaning practices could turn away record numbers of patients.

GPs have also been told they can abandon modern methods of referring patients to hospital.

Instead, they have been told they can revert to writing referral letters, which are not compatible with the systems widely used across the NHS.

Guidance from the British Medical Association (BMA) for family doctors, seen by The Telegraph, admits this could cause delays  or mean hospitals refuse to take the referrals at all.

An NHS source also confirmed health officials were concerned that the measure could result in later diagnosis of diseases, including cancer.

Experts said such delays could prove deadly, with disease spreading as hospital clerks try to keep up with paperwork.

Professor Karol Sikora said most cases that turn out to be cancer are not classed as suspected cancer when first referred - Dominic James

Professor Karol Sikora, a leading consultant oncologist and the former director of the World Health Organisations Cancer Programme, said he was staggered that the BMA had agreed to the measures, warning they could cost lives.

On Thursday, the BMA announced that 98.3 per cent of GPs taking part in their ballot backed industrial action, which would take immediate effect. Family doctors are being asked to take part in up to 10 forms of protest.

The union has told doctors they can pick and choose from measures designed to wreak chaos across the health service.

The best known is the plan to cap daily appointments by about one third, on average.

NHS leaders have said this move will be catastrophic for the whole of the health service, heaping pressures on A&E.

But cancer experts said there were even more dangers hidden in the small print of the other measures.

One tells GPs that they should still use the standard NHS referral systems if cancer is suspected, with such cases classed as urgent. For everything else, they are told they can revert to writing a professional referral letter  leaving it to hospital clerks to input a mass of data into their systems.

Prof Sikora said such a change would be disastrous, causing needless delays. He pointed out that most cases which turn out to be cancer are not classed as suspected cancer when first referred.

Absolute disaster

He added: Im shocked and staggered. They are really trying to screw the system.

This is about creating a massive workload for clerks, creating an extra needless obstacle. The consequence can only be delay  and delay is lethal for cancer.

We wont know for years the damage that this does. It is an absolute disaster.

Dr Rubina Ahmed, director of Research, Policy and Services at Blood Cancer UK, said GPs played a critical role in referral, and were increasingly understaffed and overworked.

But she said: No person with blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, should get lost in the system and experience delays to a diagnosis which could cost them their life.

She also expressed concern about one of the other measures planned by GPs under the protests  the withdrawal of data sharing for research purposes. She said: Sharing of data for research purposes is crucial to increasing our understanding of blood cancers and response to treatment.

Any potential reduction in data sharing would therefore limit our long-term ambition to improve blood cancer outcomes through data-led research.

At Blood Cancer UK, were calling on all sides to come together and reach an agreement that allows full restoration of GP services.

GPs have embarked on industrial action because they say the current system is underfunded. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said GPs had been balloted when the GP contract was due to rise by 1.9 per cent, saying the pay element of the uplift for 2024/25 would now be rising by 6 per cent.

It came after Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, appealed to family doctors not to punish patients for pressures that he said they should blame on the last Government.

Dr David Wrigley, BMA England deputy chairman, said: GPs arent contractually obliged to use lengthy referral templates, but were often encouraged to do so when a simple referral letter would do the job.

These templates frequently request information that is not relevant to the patients condition or reason for referral.

Our aim is not to negatively impact patients; in fact, its quite the opposite. Using our referral letters lets GPs focus on what really matters and saves time allowing us to spend more time on patient care.

He added: BMA guidance advises using an electronic referral system for two-week wait appointments to prioritise urgent cases, so we do not expect to see changes in the way cancer treatment referrals are processed. However, we cant overlook the fact that our patients are already waiting far too long for care.

If things stay the same, our patients are likely to see their conditions worsen and end up needing even more NHS care later on. Were determined to make quick progress with the Government. We hope this wont last longer than necessary.

An NHS England spokesman said: Practices will remain open during this collective action, and it is vital people continue to come forward if they are unwell or have symptoms they are worried about.



We are monitoring the impact of collective action, but it is likely that it will add pressures across the entire healthcare system, so we are working on other potential mitigations which might be needed, such as stepping up other community services and boosting triage in hospitals.

Patients should continue to use 111 for urgent medical help if their GP practice is unavailable, and if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency call 999.

A DHSC spokesman said: Since the BMA balloted, the Government has accepted the independent pay review body recommendation of a 6 per cent uplift in GP pay and has committed to hiring an extra 1,000 GPs into the NHS.

Alongside this, the Government will improve cancer survival rates by hitting all NHS cancer waiting and faster diagnosis targets within five years and doubling the number of MRI and CT scanners to speed up diagnosis and treatment  so that no cancer patient waits longer than they should.

Collective action will now only punish patients. NHS England has preparations in place to ensure patient safety is protected and patients should still come forward for care as usual.

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CHICAGO  Police are looking for the suspects responsible for stealing from a sportswear store in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood after using a chain hooked up to an SUV to break the security shutters.

Once they were able to get under the gate, the suspects allegedly smashed windows to get into the store, and continued to rotate in and out, stealing clothing, shoes, and a cash register; a crime that lasted for close to 16 minutes before officers arrived.

According to the Chicago Police Department, detectives are investigating at least two overnight break-ins at retail stores on the South Side, including this one, and another at a Foot Locker in the 3300 block of South Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. Late Friday night, police said they were investigating the two business burglaries as being possibly connected.

Officers said during each incident, the individuals responsible used a stolen car to gain entry into the business.

J Bees in the 200 block of East 47th was the first of the two hit by thieves.

West Loop residents on edge after brazen burglary leave many without packages

Surveillance video from the store shows suspects in two SUVs pull up around 4:48 a.m. After repositioning the SUV multiple times, the suspects pulled away the shutters using a chain, leaving the security gate significantly damaged.

For the next 13 minutes, the suspects went in and out of the store, loading stolen items into two vehicles. During that time, a handful of vehicles, including a CTA bus, as well as pedestrians were on video passing through the area, though it isnt clear if the response for a burglary in progress was prompted by a call from any passerby.

At around 5:04 a.m., officers can be seen arriving on the scene and tailing one of the two SUVs southbound on South Prairie Avenue, while the other took off westbound on East 47th. A female, who arrived shortly after the rest of the group, is shown running away and out of the camera view at the same time.

It is not clear how long officers followed the suspect SUV.

Store management said the crime cost them thousands in damage and left behind a mess they were met with early Friday morning. They are grateful everyone is okay, but said there was some blood left behind, so it is not clear whether any of the suspects were injured.

Family, friends remember off-duty Cook County Sheriffs deputy killed off-duty in armed robbery attempt; person of interest in custody

Inside was terrible; glass everywhere, mannequins were knocked down. Of course, the apparel taken off the mannequin, you know, just no care in the world. No care in the world, Robert Jemison said.

Jemison, a floor manager for J Bees, said they really care about the community and giving back to their customers.

Thats the most hurtful part, knowing in the back of your mind, what if this is one of our customers that is doing these things? Very unfortunate, very sad about it, Jemison said. Its unfair to know that it could be potentially someone we know.

The stores owner said they have not experienced anything like this before at their Grand Boulevard location. His employees praised the work he does for their team and the community and said they are disappointed this hit close to home for all of them.

They dont have to resolve to those type of actions because at the end of the day when they come in here, we take care of them, said Jemison.

Thats bad for the community that people are just doing stuff like this, Daniel Harris added. You ask anybody for something and theyre going to give it to you.

Store employees said the community, particularly businesses and their owners in the area, are tight-knit and look out for each other. They said a crime like this is more than just a monetary loss for a business.

Sheriffs office clinicians training River North businesses on mental health, substance use

This is how we make our money. This is how we eat. This is how we feed our families, so its deeper than what it looks like, Jemison said. I just want to pray for everybody, you know, and thats it.

The team said they wont let this deter them from continuing to do what they love and they hope those responsible will reconsider their actions.

Were happy every time we open J Bees up. We are happy. Were happy with our customers and everything, said Harris.

Police have not announced any arrests in this crime, or the crash-and-grab that occurred at Foot Locker around 6:50 a.m. Friday.

According to CPD, a group of suspects crashed an SUV into the business before stealing merchandise and taking off in an unknown direction.

A description of suspects in either incident has not been released, though surveillance video at J Bees appeared to show at least four males and one female involved.

Area One detectives are investigating both incidents and anyone with information is encouraged to give them a call at 312-747-8380.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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A deputy was killed and two other deputies were injured Friday in a shooting at a Lake County home. Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News and scroll below to see how Central Florida officials react.

Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said early Saturday that one deputy was killed and two other deputies were injured Friday evening in a shooting at a home near Eustis.

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings

We offer our deepest condolences to the Lake County Sheriffs Office for the tragic death of Deputy Bradley Michael Link and the wounding of two other deputies. Our prayers are with their families and colleagues. Statement: https://t.co/ihvHdvGLaY  Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings (@OCFLMayor) August 3, 2024

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Our hearts go out to the family, friends and Lake County Sheriffs Office after the tragic death of a deputy last night. We pray for them and for a speedy recovery for those injured. FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass pic.twitter.com/0rSsyJ61ui  FDLE (@fdlepio) August 3, 2024

Ocala Police

Our hearts break for our brothers and sisters at the Lake County Sheriff's Office who tragically lost one of their deputies last night. We mourn with them and continue to pray that the two other deputies who were shot will make a full and swift recovery. pic.twitter.com/CAyYw1D1mP  Ocala Police (@ocalapd) August 3, 2024

Senator Rick Scott

Ann and I are heartbroken to hear about the loss of a Lake County Sheriff's deputy and injury of two others. I just spoke with the Sheriff and told him my family along with every Floridian is keeping the Lake County Sherriff's Office, the victims and their families in our https://t.co/5gH0Q2zuL8  Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) August 3, 2024

Winter Park Police Department

Orlando Police Department

Osceola County Sheriffs Office

Flagler County Sheriffs Office

Early this morning, three Deputy Sheriffs with the Lake County Sheriff's Office were ambushed while investigating a call. One deputy was trapped inside after being shot with the gunmen and the other two were shot trying to rescue their fallen brother. Sadly, the one deputy has pic.twitter.com/oCBFy8yKSr  Flagler County Sheriffs Office (@FlaglerSheriff) August 3, 2024

UCF Police Department

We are sending love and strength to our friends at the Lake County Sheriff's Office, who lost a deputy in the line of duty last night, and hoping for a full recovery of the two other deputies who were injured. pic.twitter.com/31Uu3lbrHZ  UCF Police Department (@UCFPolice) August 3, 2024

Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association

Kissimmee Police Department

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a Lake County deputy and pray for the recovery of two injured deputies. Please keep their families and the Lake County Sheriff's Office in your thoughts. From the Kissimmee Police Dept, we offer our sincere condolences and support. pic.twitter.com/DuaV4ZXpcW  Kissimmee Police (@kissimmeepolice) August 3, 2024

Sanford Police Department

Sanford PD stand with @LakeCountySO in heartfelt solidarity this morning. Our deepest condolences to the family of the deputy who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to the families of the two deputies who were also shot. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/h77NMr0YCk  SanfordPolice (@SanfordPolice) August 3, 2024

Titusville Fire Department

We mourn with our brothers and sisters in blue with the Lake County Sheriff's Office after the tragic loss of one of their officers last night. Our condolences to the family of the fallen officer, the coworkers, and the other officers that were also injured during the incident. pic.twitter.com/blX421zTKT  Titusville Fire Dept (@TitusvilleFire) August 3, 2024

Lake Mary Police Department

LMPD extends our deepest condolences & unwavering support to the Lake County Sheriffs Office during this difficult time. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a Lake County deputy & pray for the full recovery of the two injured deputies. pic.twitter.com/qd3kpEbvAT  Lake Mary Police Department (@LakeMaryPD) August 3, 2024

Volusia Sheriffs Office

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An El Paso County judge ruled that the accused University of Colorado Colorado Springs shooter is competent to proceed to trial despite the conflicting competency reports presented to the court.

Nicholas Jordan, 25, appeared to court on Friday afternoon in custody for the second half of his competency hearing, which began earlier this month.

Jordan is accused of shooting and killing Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, and Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker, in the early morning hours of Feb. 16 in the dorms on the UCCS campus.

In April, Judge David Shakes announced that the first competency evaluation, performed by the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, found Jordan incompetent to proceed. The prosecution then requested a second evaluation by an expert unaffiliated with CMHIP. The second evaluation found Jordan competent, leading to a competency hearing.

Earlier this month Dr. Patricia Westmoreland, a forensic psychiatrist hired by the prosecution, testified that she found Jordan competent to proceed, and that Jordan had disclosed to her that he was faking his symptoms in his first evaluation conducted with employees of the state.

Westmoreland testified at the previous hearing that Jordan told her other inmates encouraged him to lie so he could be transferred to a state hospital, where he could receive better food, and that he regretted going down this path.

On Friday, forensic evaluator Sarah Velsor testified behind the reasoning why she concluded that Jordan was incompetent to proceed to trial, and why she believed he was not faking his mental illness.

Velsor testified that she found that Jordan suffers from either bipolar or schizophrenic disorders that rendered him incompetent to stand trial. Additionally, Velsor said while being cross-examined that she was "very confident" that Jordan was not significantly exaggerating or lying about his symptoms during the evaluation.

Velsor pointed to not just her findings in the interview itself, but also pointed to previous mental health issues in Jordan's past and in other family members, as well as his score on the M-FAST test taken during the evaluation process.

The M-FAST test, according to Velsor, is designed to test whether an individual is exaggerating or lying about their symptoms to an evaluator. Velsor testified that Jordan scored a one on the exam, near the bottom of the possible test results.

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As the testimony rolled on Jordan, who appeared to court in an orange El Paso County jail jumpsuit, sat slumped back in his chair, either looking down at the floor or straight ahead at the wall.

Discussing the conflicting reports made up a majority of the time of the hearing, with Jordan's defense stating during argument that Westmoreland's evaluation was less thorough than Velsor's and that Westmoreland was a "hired gun" for the prosecution, whereas Velsor was a completely objective evaluator.

The prosecution argued in cross-examination and argument that it was likely that both evaluations were correct, and that Jordan is currently competent to proceed but was not at the time of Velsor's evaluation, which took place more than a month prior to Westmoreland's.

Prosecutor Andrew Vaughan during argument pointed out the significant differences in Jordan's behavior and cognitive ability from his first evaluation to his second. Specifically, Vaughan pointed to Jordan's much improved hygiene and appearance, as well as his ability to factually describe details of how criminal court works, and the details of his own case in a way he was not in his first evaluation.

Nick Rogers, Jordan's defense attorney, argued in response that Velsor testified mental illness symptoms can "wax and wane" meaning it is possible for Jordan's mental health to have improved, but, it is also possible for his mental health to degrade and the symptoms worsen as well.

"The time to do this (give Jordan restorative treatment) is now," Rogers argued. "We don't want this to become an issue later."

As the hearing neared a close, and Shakes prepared to give his ruling, Jordan appeared to be struggling to stay awake at the defense table.

After more than three hours of testimony and argument, Judge Shakes ruled that Jordan is competent to proceed to trial. Shakes highlighted Jordan's seemingly improved mental health condition at his second evaluation as well as his admission to Westmoreland that he exaggerated and lied about his symptoms to Velsor.

"The defense has failed to meet its burden," Shakes said while issuing his ruling. "The defendant does not have a mental disability that prevents him from having a traditionally and factual understanding of the charges and procedure."

Jordan, who remains in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $5 million cash-only bond, will make his next appearance in court on Sept. 3 for his preliminary hearing.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ala (WIAT)  A Centre man is dead following a single-vehicle crash in Cherokee County on Friday night, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reports.

Scott F. Wade, 51, was killed when the 1999 Honda TRX 400FS All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) he was operating left the roadway and struck an embarkment. Wade, who was not using a helmet at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash occurred around 9:09 p.m. on Cherokee County 28, about nine miles east of Piedmont. Troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  On Friday abortion rights activists rallied in Charlotte as part of a stump for Kamala Harris.

In attendance were actress and activist Danai Gurira from The Walking Dead, as well as US Senator Elizabeth Warren.

South Carolina shoppers can now buy back-to-school supplies without paying sales tax

A Gallup poll this year found that abortion could be one of the driving issues for voters in the 2024 presidential election.

Senator Warren said its about protecting womens rights.

Democrats and activists also rallied against the proposed Project 2025, a conservative-driven policy that looks to reshape Washington, DC

Former President Trump has denounced Project 2025, but experts say it was created by many former staffers from the Trump administration.

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CHICAGO  Jordan Parra said he didnt walk across seven countries to be kicked out of his tent in a park in Chicago.

The 27-year-old from Caracas, Venezuela, had been staying on Chicago Housing Authority land adjacent to the Near West District (12th) police station with his partner for months. They opted to sleep outside after feeling unsafe in three different city-run shelters, he said. Then in late June, he said, police officers came into the park with a bulldozer and cleared everyone out.

What weve found here is worse than in Venezuela, because we came here with hope for a better life and had to deal with the disappointment of not even getting close, he said.

Parra showed the Tribune a video he took on his phone of a hostile interaction with Chicago police officers as he and a half-dozen others were forcibly removed from the site.

They didnt let us take out our bags. There were suitcases inside, there were personal things, and the police didnt let us take them, Parra said.

The encampment clearing was the latest of the citys overall encampment initiative at eight tent cities across Chicago, according to Chicago Department of Family and Support Services spokesman Brian Berg.

The empty CHA lot by the police station had become a crowded encampment for migrants, like Parra, who opted not to stay in shelters for safety concerns and other reasons.

The city has received close to 46,000 migrants on buses in about two years, sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in an attempt to challenge liberal cities welcoming messages.

Most come fleeing violence or poverty in Venezuela, which has seen unrest for days following the announced victory of an authoritarian leader in the presidential election earlier this week. Several countries have called the results of that election into question, including the United States, which on Thursday recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner over President Nicolas Maduro.

The encampment clearings havent affected asylum-seekers  as most have temporary housing in 17 shelters run by the city and state. But the removal of tents CHA land on the Near West Side did affect migrants, who said they were not told by police officers why they were being moved.

When a major homeless encampment by the Dan Ryan Expressway was cleared on July 17, Maura McCauley, managing deputy commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, told the Tribune it was fast-tracked in time for the Democratic National Convention in late August. She said there were worries that security officials with the convention could suddenly ask that the tent city be evacuated.

Johnson later denied his administrations earlier statements attributing the action to the DNC, scheduled for Aug. 19-22. The removal of the site by the Near West District station had nothing to do with the convention, Berg said.

Immigration has been a contentious issue for Democrats leading up to the convention, where the party is set to coalesce around Vice President Kamala Harris, after President Joe Biden stepped down as the nominee in late July. Some city officials estimate that thousands of migrants could be bused up to the city for the convention to wreak havoc, as a visual counterpoint to liberal policies that led to unprecedented border crossings over the fall and winter.

The estimate comes as border crossings have decreased significantly following an executive order issued by Biden in early June. But immigration experts say the border closure doesnt affect the root causes of migration, and that more people will continue to make their way to the United States in the next few years at record numbers.

City officials denied any other efforts to clear the city of migrants ahead of the DNC.

Migrants staying at two shelters near the United Center  the site of the prime-time speeches and events of the convention  told the Tribune they had been given exit dates to leave before the first day of the convention, though city officials said they had no plans to close shelters before the DNC.

And migrants staying at a shelter in the Loop downtown said a few weeks ago that officials put up a fence in the square of Pritzker Park, where dozens of shelter residents typically gathered daily to sell cigarettes or stand in a pack. The city said it was not involved in putting up that fence.

About 16 unhoused people identified by the city were cleared from the vacant land by the police station on the West Side, according to CHA spokesperson Matthew Aguilar. Seven people moved voluntarily to shelters, and most of the rest moved their belongings to a smaller CHA lot a few blocks west. A chain-link fence was put up around the first lot.

Aguilar said city officials had been conducting weekly outreach at the site since April 1, and that 27 people had already been relocated. Outreach teams provided more than seven days notice before the closure, he said, and followed encampment cleaning protocol.

The relocation allowed individuals to better access supportive services and future housing opportunities, he said.

Ahead of a plan to combine the city and states migrant shelter system with the legacy homeless system, advocates for unhoused populations are already discussing how the two groups may overlap in the coming years.

Many migrants dont have a job and cant afford rent, making them more at risk for homelessness, said Oscar Martinez, director of impact for Street Samaritans, a nonprofit that helps unhoused people in Chicago.

Martinez, a native Spanish speaker, said there arent enough bilingual resources among homeless outreach groups to respond to people begging on the street. That will have to change in the next few years as more migrants come to Chicago, he said.

Were shifting from crisis response to this is our city now. We are going to be expecting migrants consistently, he said.

On a recent morning, Parra and his partner got out of their tent at small park where they are staying nearby and poured some water into a bowl for their cat, Tussi, who they keep tied up to a scratching post so he wont kill birds, they said.

Parra said he has been in the U.S. for almost a year and fled his home country to escape political violence. He has had to move four times since arriving in Chicago  three times at shelters and again from one CHA lot to another.

Luis Linares, a 24-year-old from the Yaracuy state in Venezuela, also sleeps in the cluster of tents on CHA property. He said that whenever he gets work, he wires money home to his family in Venezuela, who need it more than he does.

He said he doesnt feel safe in the shelter, so prefers to sleep in a tent. He cant afford rent for an apartment.

The men at the encampment said they use the McDonalds bathroom nearby to shower. At night, they sit on folding chairs in a circle. They say theyre tired.

We want to leave here, Linares said. Were trying to make enough money to save up.
CHICAGO  Authorities in Chicago are asking for help in the search for an endangered missing adult who officers say has not been contacted since Tuesday.

Chicago police have issued an Endangered Missing Person alert for 39-year-old Lequisha Johnson, who is missing from the Canaryville neighborhood in New City on the South Side.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Johnson, who has black hair and brown eyes, stands 4-foot-11 and weighs around 110 pounds.

A photo provided by CPD shows Johnson with braids, however, it is unclear if she had them at the time of her disappearance.

Chicago police have issued an Endangered Missing Person alert for 39-year-old Lequisha Johnson, who is missing from the Canaryville neighborhood in New City on the South Side.

Officers said the missing woman was last spotted wearing a blue plaid shirt, beige pants and white gym shoes.

According to police, Johnson is known to frequent a gas station in the 3100 block of South Halsted Street in Bridgeport and a gas station in the 4200 block of South Union Avenue in New City.

Authorities provided details about the missing womans disappearance in a news release sent out on Wednesday afternoon.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the missing woman is asked to contact the CPD Area One Detective Special Victims Office at 312-747-8380 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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My man, you do not want to mess with women's choices about kids and cats. Jianan Liu/HuffPost

WASHINGTON  Well, JD Vance has really stepped in it. Three months before the U.S. general election, he has pissed off a massive and unlikely voting bloc: the so-called childless cat ladies.

They are Democrats and Republicans. Some are in their 20s, some their 70s, and some in between. They are stepparents, adoptive parents and people who have struggled with infertility. They are people who dont have children by choice, and are perfectly content with pets.

They are women, but there are men, too, who are furious on their behalf.

Maybe remind this fucknut that George Washington was an adoptive dad with no biological children, said one Maryland father, who requested not using his name, because manners.

Vance, an Ohio senator and Donald Trumps vice presidential pick, has been under fire for weeks over comments he made in 2021. In a resurfaced interview, he mocked Vice President Kamala Harris for being one of the childless cat ladies who are miserable with their lives and dont have a direct stake in Americas future because they havent made babies.

His response to criticisms over this has been to double down, saying he has nothing against cats, and then to triple down, urging people to pray for those people who did not birth children. My God, he just keeps making it so much worse.

Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, is a parent, though. She is the stepmother to two children via her marriage to second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Lack of accuracy notwithstanding, the public backlash to Vances claims has been swift. Celebrities and electedleaders in both major parties have excoriated him for suggesting that a womans worth is tied directly to having children, and for brushing aside so many womens struggles with infertility, not to mention people who just lead a life without children, happily.

There are countless other childless cat ladies all over the country, who dont have a big platform but who are just as appalled and hurt by Vances remarks. HuffPost received emails from more than three dozen of them  and they had some blunt messages for Vance.

Women dont exist to fulfill your baby-making fantasies, said Margie Wirth, 57, who has no children and lives in New York. We dont owe you or the world a baby. Furthermore, we dont owe you an explanation. The idea that a womans worth is tied to her ability or decision to have children is patently offensive, insulting, and downright absurd.

Vances comments have upset people for lots of reasons, but his claim that women without children dont have a real stake in Americas future has really seemed to get under peoples skin.

The entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, the Ohio Republican said in his 2021 tirade. And how does it make any sense that weve turned our country over to people that dont have a direct stake in it?

Im a very recently retired Social Worker after 48 yrs, said Paula Recchia, 71, of Hawaii. Ive worked in foster care and adoption, with delinquent youth, in child care centers, and preschool to high school. I also worked with Military families to meet the challenges in their chosen vocation, including multiple deployments during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I have demonstrated my commitment to the welfare of children and families, she said. I would challenge JD to do the hardest work as his chosen profession.

I cant believe that Mr. Vance would try to alienate the cat lady vote! added Annie Butkus, 25, who lives in Massachusetts and works in public relations. Were a pretty powerful demographic. Though I dont have children, I feel strongly about preserving our democracy, mitigating the effects of climate change, and so on, so that future generations can prosper.

In 2021, JD Vance mocked Vice President Kamala Harris for being one of the "childless cat ladies" who are "miserable" with their lives and "dont have a direct stake" in Americas future because they havent made babies. Me-ow. Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images

Its hard to gauge just how big, just how diverse, this cross section of America is that Vance took a huge swipe at. American adults without children are estimated to account for more than 20% of the population, according to 2022 research published in Scientific Reports.

Last month, a Pew Research Center survey found that 57% of adults under the age of 50 who say theyre not likely to have children say a major reason is that they just dont want kids. And in 2022, nearly 22 million women in the U.S. ages 20 to 39 had not given birth, according to research conducted by the University of New Hampshires Carsey School of Public Policy.

Meanwhile, census data from 2021 identified more than 2.4 million stepchildren, more than 1.4 million adopted children and more than 1.2 million foster kids or other unrelated children being raised in American households. And 8.5% of married women in the U.S. between the ages of 15 and 49 were infertile between 2015 and 2019, which is about 2.4 million women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Even some fellow Ohio Republicans have felt insulted by Vance.

Im a childless cat lady in Dayton, Ohio, said 66-year-old Nancy Bocskor, who previously worked for Republican Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker from Georgia, in Washington, D.C.

Vances comments ripped the bandage off of a lifetime of people questioning me: Why arent you married? I finally thought, at age 66, I was healed from the snide comments (No husband? No kids? You must be gay!) or the implied pity (Wow, you must be defective, ugly and unlovable!), she said. Every inappropriate comment flooded back.

Bocskor said shes led a full life that has included a decades-long career in Republican politics, teaching young people how to run for office and enter public service. Because of her line of work, she said she also sees through the message that Vance is trying to send.

I used to create messaging for Republican elected officials and candidates. Politics is emotion, and emotion moves voters, not issues. Fear and anger are at the top of the list, she said of GOP politicking, before then addressing her remarks to Vance. This bitter, childless cat narrative that youve created (and have doubled down on rather than apologizing) is a ruse. Its shiny and bright and catches the attention of the media and voters.

I am Mayberry, Queen of Fur and Darkness. Where's your couch, JD Vance? Beth Eves

Its not entirely surprising to see Vance going after women without children, given his extreme views on abortion and family structures. He has advocated for abortion to be illegal nationally. He has also advocated for people staying in violent marriages for the sake of their kids. When asked in 2021 if he supported exceptions to abortion restrictions in cases of rape and incest, Vance said people just need to reframe the way they think about forcing women to stay pregnant.

Its not whether a woman should be forced to bring a child to term, Vance said at the time. Its whether a child should be allowed to live.

People were open, even vulnerable, in their messages to HuffPost about why Vances latest attacks on women cut so close to the bone for them.

I felt discounted and maligned, wrote Valeri DeCastris, a onetime Democratic candidate for state office in Illinois who has no children and lives with her husband of 25 years. I happily dont have pets or children and have been politically and community active for 50 plus years and indeed have a direct stake in my countrys future and have made and will make a difference in it.

She added, I am more than a womb.

Im an adoptive dad, and Im furious about JD Vances comment said Joe Rillotta, 47, who lives in Maryland. He has no business passing judgment on my family or any others. Its clear to me that Vance was egged on and said something stupid, and I sort of wish hed just be a grown man about it and apologize unequivocally.

Some peoples stories were painful, describing struggles with infertility or with mental illness.

Heather, who requested to use only her first name, is 43 and lives in Texas. She is not married and has one child: her 14-year-old three-legged Chihuahua.

I have a stake in the future of the country for very personal reasons, Heather wrote. She said she was 19, had just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was in and out of psychiatric hospitals when she did something stupid and got pregnant. She had an abortion, knowing she wasnt capable of taking care of a baby, let alone herself.

I still carry the pain of the decision with me, but I know it was the right thing, Heather wrote. She pointed to Vances support for banningabortion. The idea that a woman today, who experiences mental health issues and isnt capable of handling a pregnancy and raising a child, cannot make a decision in the best interest of herself and the child makes me sick. The impact to the mental health of the mother would be irreversible. The child would suffer.

Im proud of my dog lady status, Heather added, and will continue to speak up and out to anyone who will listen.

Others wrote in just to share adorable photos of their cats, and to say how not having children has allowed them to make smarter choices about their futures.

Im a Proud Childless Cat Lady for Kamala!! said Carole Zacek, 62, of Nebraska. My Baby Cat RULES my life!!! I wouldnt have it any other way!!

Look at me. I'm adorable. Also, my name is Rocket and my mom lovvvves me. Carole Zacek

I was a childless cat lady for twenty years of my adulthood, not having a child till I was 38, said Allison, 41, of Minnesota. Like many Americans, I put off having kids (and may not have ever made the jump without a life-upending pandemic) because of how hard it is in this country (especially as a woman) to have both children and a career.

Brooke Alexander-Goss, 33, said she and her husband are content with their decision to not have children, at least for now. They have three cats, Mack, Mikki and Etta.

Were both successful in our careers, and being childfree has allowed us to enjoy many things in life that would be much more difficult if we had kids instead of cats, said Alexander-Goss, who lives in Florida. She scoffed at the idea that she has no stake in the countrys future.

When we make the decision about whats best for us in terms of starting a family, or not, our future is at stake. When we fight for our friends, neighbors, and community members who need help, protection, and rights, our future is at stake, she said. All of these things are about us as a country.

Im 73, and have no children of my own, wrote Mary of Tennessee, who requested only using her first name. She said shes happily lived with 11 cats across her lifetime, and the only reason she doesnt have one now is because my dog doesnt like them.

Hes 18 1/2 now, she said of her dog. And when he goes, cats will come back into my life.

In addition to raising cats, Mary said shes been deeply involved in raising her younger brothers children after his wife walked out on him and he passed away from cancer.

Ive done dinners and laundry and school pick ups and conferences and snacks for the play practices and [student loan applications], said Mary. I have never for a moment considered that I dont have a stake in the future because I have no children of my own, and I am not in the least miserable.

I dont think JD Vance actually knows any childless cat ladies, she added, but Im pretty sure he doesnt care about making our lives better.

He basically said, 'You dont count as much as somebody else.'

Stepparents, of course, were another target of Vances attack. Brenda Ockun, the founder and publisher of StepMom Magazine, told HuffPost shes been overwhelmed with messages from stepparents sharing why his comments were so offensive to them

I think this feeling of hurt, its very simple, said Ockun, who is a stepmother to two children. He basically said, You dont count as much as somebody else. Your opinions, your thoughts, your intellect  none of it matters if you havent had children. There are so many people in the world who havent had children who have made enormous contributions.

Vances comment that women without children are miserable felt especially personal to Ockun, who struggled with deciding whether to have kids of her own. She recalled being a young stepmom and people constantly asking her why she didnt have biological children, or just telling her she should.

The underlying feeling was judgment. Theres something wrong with me because I dont want to have my own children, she said. But for women who consciously decide not to have children  I would dare say they think longer and harder about it than people who feel pressure to have children due to ignorant and self-confident comments like the ones weve heard.

Some people are channeling their anger with Vance into efforts to help Harris defeat him and Trump in November. There are Cats for Kamala shirts for sale. Someone has set up a Childless Chicks for Harris political action committee. Sister District, a grassroots progressive group, held a national phone bank for childless cat ladies (and friends) living rent-free in J.D. Vances mind to call voters in battleground states.

Childless cat ladies for HARRIS 2024, reads one hilarious image of a cat, flying in a cape thats actually a U.S. flag, circulating on social media.

CATS AGAINST TRUMP, reads another image of a feline American patriot.

Kamala Harris seems to have locked in the cat vote. Twitter

On Tuesday, thousands of self-described cat ladies participated in a Cat Ladies for Kamala Harris Zoom call. The meeting for this group, which renamed itself from Pet Lovers for Kamala, was co-hosted by Christine Pelosi, a political consultant and daughter of Democratic powerhouse and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

When JD Vance couched his opinion on our freedom, we decided that the cat ladies are striking back, Christine Pelosi reportedly said on the call. He didnt realize what an opportunity he was giving us, and what he would unleash.

Laura Belgray, who is 54 and has no children, living in New York, told HuffPost that she thinks Vance has done a real service for Harris campaign by uniting so many people  i.e., voters  in their disgust with his comments.

Your position, which you stand by, makes you and your running mate more beatable, Belgray said, addressing Vance. And, you did a great favor to all of us childfree women (whether by choice or not) by stirring up this conversation thats been missing from the public for so long.

Weve come together, she added, and feel so much less alone.
Members of Chinas Jiaolong Commandos, a maritime special operations units, are seen using multiple types of bird-like drones in newly emerged videos. The scenes may look ripped straight from a Hollywood action thriller or a new Call of Duty installment, but the idea of drones that mimic birds is not new in China or elsewhere around the world. Coupled with advances in miniaturized sensors and other new developments, biomimetic uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) could have real operational benefits, including being able to surveil enemy forces or execute kamikaze attacks, and do so with less of a chance of being detected.

The video clips showing the Jiaolong Commandos employing the bird drones first began to circulate widely on social media in the past day or so. One clip shows a member of the unit in the water in what looks to be a municipal park launching a bird drone that is somewhere between the size of a pigeon and a sparrow. In another clip, one of the commandos is seen employing a larger type closer in size to something like a raven or a hawk.

PLAN Recon Guy Releases a Bigger Biomimetic Drone | Jiaolong Commandos  Marine Corps pic.twitter.com/0mS7iohaiO  David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 2, 2024

These and other clips that appeared online also show Jiaolong Commandos employing a more traditional-looking hand-launched quadcopter kamikaze drone and riding on powered skateboards and boogie boards.

PLAN Marine Corps Flying Grenade pic.twitter.com/zo0MVOAjSL  David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 2, 2024

PLAN MC Jiaolong Commandos | Whos the Gunner King Trailer  August 1st Special Present pic.twitter.com/AhbKHAj4TK  David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 1, 2024

The Jiaolong Commandos, the name of which translates to Sea Dragon in English, are part of the Peoples Liberation Army Marine Corps (PLANMC), itself a component of the PLA Navy (PLAN). The unit, which is a very rough equivalent to the U.S. Navy SEALs, helped hundreds of Chinese and other foreign nationals evacuate from Yemens port city of Aden in 2015 and recaptured a commercial ship that had been taken over by pirates in the Gulf of Aden two years later. The exploits of the Sea Dragons in Aden were subsequently dramatized in a feature film called Operation Red Sea.

As a maritime special operations unit, the real-world Jiaolong Commandos are understood to be tasked with conducting operations at sea, such as boarding ships, as well as combat diving missions. As evidenced by the deployment to Aden, the Sea Dragons are also trained to perform various missions on land, which could include direct action raids and long-range reconnaissance.

Drones that look like birds could be valuable in many of these operational contexts as a way to surveil hostile forces or just gain better situational awareness discretely. Knowing the capabilities of existing nano drones like the pocket-sized Black Hornet from U.S.-headquartered FLIR Systems, both of the bird-like designs are big enough to potentially carry one or more day and/or night-capable full-motion video cameras and links to send those feeds back to a hand-held controller, providing localized surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The Chinese bird drones could carry other payloads, including micro-warheads. A kamikaze configuration with even just a very small sized explosive charge could still offer useful effects against individuals, especially behind cover.

The biomimetic drones have the added benefit of looking broadly like birds, which could make them particularly difficult to spot and classify as a threat. The smaller of the two biomimetic drones seen in the newly emerged clips of the Jiaolong Commandos looks like it could be particularly hard to discern from a real bird with just a casual glance.

A screen capture from one of the recently emerged video clips showing the smaller bird drone in flight. capture via X

Small and highly maneuverable drones that look like drones already present significant challenges when it comes to detection and discrimination, let alone trying to bring them down. The war in Ukraine, where first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones and other lower-end weaponized types have become an absolute scourge on both sides of the battlefield, has helped ram home how real these threats are now and how they are likely to grow in the future.

One FPV drone, one russian IFV, one epic destruction.



: Azov Brigade pic.twitter.com/ZRGqLFxwJF  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 12, 2024

A Ukrainian drone from the 79th Air Assault Brigade drops a 40mm HEDP grenade on a Russian UR-77 Meteorit, causing a catastrophic payload explosion. pic.twitter.com/SsaQCKXsNL  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 14, 2023

As already noted, the idea of using bird-like drones (as well as actual birds carrying cameras) to discretely carry out surveillance and conduct other missions is not new. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agencys (CIA) Cold War-era Project Aquiline is a prime of how far back these projects go. You can read more about the Aquiline, which dates back to activities at Area 51 in the late 1960s, in this past War Zone feature.

One of the Project Aquiline drones. CIA

The U.S. military and Intelligence Community is known to have at least explored biomimetic drones since then and examples recovered in Iraq and Pakistan at the height of the Global War on Terror (GWOT) era strongly point to the operational use, at least on a limited level of such capabilities.

The new video of the Jiaolong Commandos is hardly the first time bird-like UASs have been observed in development in China, potentially for military use. In 2022, a team from the countrys Northwestern Polytechnical University notably set a Guinness World Record for the longest flight duration of an unmanned ornithopter using a single battery charge using a bird-like drone design that remained aloft for 2 hours, 34 minutes, and 38 seconds. An ornithopter is defined as an aircraft that flies by flapping wings. That same team has since claimed to have broken that record again with a three-hour, five-minute, and 30-second-long flight.

There continues to be broader interest in other kinds of biomimetic uncrewed capabilities for use on land and at sea, above and below the waves, in the United States, China, and elsewhere, as well. For instance, at the annual Modern Day Marine conference this past May, a U.S. Marine Corps officer highlighted that his service was looking into a terrestrial snake drone as a potential battlefield tool.

Ten years ago, if you told me there was a robotic snake that wed be looking into for warfighting functions I wouldve not believed you, Lt. Col. Keenan Chirhart, the senior UAS capabilities integration officer at the services Combat Development and Integration Command (CD&I), during his briefing at Modern Day Marine.

All this being said, how actively Chinas Jiaolong Commandos may now be fielding either type of bird drone, or any of the other capabilities seen in the recently emerged videos, is unknown. Still, despite looking like something that belongs in a blockbuster action movie or videogame, biomimetic drones continue to have real potential military applications.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Chinese warships off Alaska, Cambodia highlight role of near and far waters in sea power dominance

The marines of China navy participate in the annual military training on Jan. 3, 2018, in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province of China. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Getty Images)

The marines of China navy participate in the annual military training on Jan. 3, 2018, in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province of China. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Getty Images)

Chinese warships were recently spotted sailing close to the Aleutian Islands, just off the Alaskan coast. Meanwhile, naval boats have begun to dock at a Beijing-built military port in Cambodia.

While these two events took place on different sides of the globe, theyre both part of an important geopolitical development  one that may lead to global war.

Inside the U.S. Coast Guards Aleutian encounter with Chinas military  and what it means

That may seem a little alarmist. But as I explain in my book Near and Far Waters: The Geopolitics of Seapower, the dynamics playing out today as China seeks to surpass the U.S. as the worlds major sea power are reflected in the past  and have led to some of the worlds most consequential conflicts.

To understand the geopolitics of sea power, you need to understand two terms: near waters and far waters. Near waters are areas close to a countrys shoreline that are seen as important for its defense. Far waters are areas across the ocean that a country wants to be present in for economic and strategic interests.

But heres the thing: The far waters of one country are the near waters of another, and that leads to tension. For example, the western Pacific is Chinas near waters and the U.S.s far waters  and both countries are engaged in a battle for strategic advantage there. Complicating matters, two or more countries may be competing for influence in the same near waters. In the western Pacific, China competes for dominance over smaller island fleets from, among other countries, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Changing tides

Competition over near and far waters changes over time. U.S. near waters are a strategic and fluid area, rather than a legal definition that covers the Eastern and Western seaboards  the latter extended by Hawaii far into the Pacific. It also covers parts of the Caribbean and the Aleutian Islands.

The U.S. gained control of its near waters throughout the 1800s and the first half of the 20th century. It culminated in a destroyers-for-bases deal during the early stages of World War II, which saw British military bases in the Caribbean and Newfoundland being transferred to Washingtons control. In return, the British were gifted old warships that were barely functional.

It was only later that the U.S. projected its influence into far waters across the Atlantic and the Pacific, especially through its success in the Second World War.

China, meanwhile, lost control of its near waters in the late 1800s as European colonial powers and the U.S. competed for access to Chinas markets. It marked a humiliation for China, hampering economic growth and contributing to the collapse of traditional dynasties and the emergence of competing nationalist and communist politics  and eventually leading to civil war.

More than shipbuilding

China is a global economic power, and that requires controlling its near waters and building a presence in far waters.

Beijing sees this as a necessary and acceptable part of becoming a power equal to the U.S. But to the U.S.  the dominant naval power since World War II  the process represents a challenge to its presence in far waters.

China already has the largest navy in the world as measured by the number of ships. Over the past 15 years, China has built 131 ships that are capable of operating in far waters, while 144 are designed for near-water operations.

As of 2021, China was operating or fitting out two aircraft carriers, 36 destroyers, 30 frigates and nine large amphibious carriers  the type of vessels needed to truly challenge U.S. naval dominance.

These numbers are still dwarfed by the corresponding number of U.S. naval ships. But they are bigger than any other nations fleet, and without a doubt, China is developing a navy intended to project power into far waters.

But gaining sea dominance isnt just about shipbuilding. The Chinese plan includes island building projects to establish a presence in the near waters of Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam. Elsewhere, it seeks to use its economic might to entice countries away from Washingtons naval assistance.

Take Ream, a Cambodian military base in the Gulf of Thailand and former site of joint U.S.-Cambodian naval exercises. The base was in line for a refurbishment under a deal with the U.S.  an example of how Washington tries to maintain its presence in its Asian far waters.

But in a surprise move in 2020, Cambodia withdrew from the agreement.

Since then, funding from Beijing has provided for an upgraded base. There has been a continual Chinese presence at the Ream base in 2024, including the Chinese-funded construction of a pier and a large dry dock.

This naval presence serves Chinas goal of defending its near waters. But it also adds to Beijings ability to project power into the far waters of the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.

A presence at Ream also gives China a prime position along a critical point of the sea lines of communication, the maritime routes through which much of global trade takes place. The nearby Malacca Strait is a key global choke point, through which US$3.5 trillion of trade passes annually  including a third of global trade, 40% of Japans and two-thirds of Chinas.

Access to the Ream base in Cambodia puts China in the position to police those trade routes. China sees that policing role as positive and peaceful. The U.S. and other countries fear that China could use it to disrupt global trade  although it isnt clear why China would do that when its economy relies on imports and exports.

Battle for influence

Ream isnt an isolated example; China has been trying to gain power and influence across the Pacific for years.

Over the past decade, Beijing has developed strong economic and diplomatic relations with Pacific island nations, including a deal with the Solomon Islands that sparked Western concerns of China gaining a military naval presence there.

Of course, the U.S. is still a large and, for China, imposing presence through its bases in Japan and South Korea and its support of Taiwan. Washington has also started upping its efforts to outflank China among Pacific islands, inking a 2023 deal that would give U.S. ships unimpeded access to bases there.

But the geopolitics of sea power is a process, rather than determined by current events. As such, the ebb and flow should be viewed through the trajectory of naval presence over a number of years.

Which is why the presence of Chinese warships sailing close to Alaska is an important development.

It raises the prospect of Chinas ability to project power into its far waters  and near waters of the U.S.

Albatrosses or hawks?

To be clear, China did not breach any international law by sailing close to the Aleutians. And U.S. officials seemingly played down the incident.

Still, it shows China has the ability and intent to take its naval rivalry with the U.S. into uncharted diplomatic waters, so to speak, and closer to the American coastline.

It represents a new stage in the sea power competition between the U.S. and China  and one we should all be concerned about.

In the past, the rise and fall of sea powers has played out through conflict in near and far waters and has led to major conflagrations. The Dutch fought the British and French in the far waters off the Indian coast in the 17th and 18th centuries, and a key ingredient of World War II was the challenge to British naval supremacy in its far waters in Asia and its near waters in northern Europe.

That isnt to say that war in inevitable. Its possible to address China-U.S. tensions in a way that accommodates Chinas global ambitions without threatening or weakening other countries.

But that is a mutual duty, incumbent on policymakers in both Washington and Beijing. Relations between the two countries have, of late, been dominated by hawkish voices in both countries. But belligerence by either country when it comes to defending near or far waters would be a dangerous option.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This rendering shows the senior living center Park Street United Methodist Church wants to build on church property adjacent to the sanctuary and family life center at the intersection of Park and Catawba streets in Belmont.

Building a senior living center in Belmont has been a goal of the Park Street United Methodist Church congregation for six years, but city zoning challenges continue to block progress on the project.

The church's plans conflict with city leaders' efforts to restrict new apartment development to the Wilkinson Boulevard corridor, and their opposition to buildings of more than three stories. Zoning changes are required to allow the project known as Arbor Mill at Park Street to go forward.

The church property on which the senior living center would be built is about half a mile from Wilkinson Boulevard, and the developer the church is working with on the project needs a four-story building to achieve the 100 units required to make the center financially feasible.

Park Street UMC Pastor David Hiatt briefed members of the Belmont Rotary Club on the plan and the obstacles encountered during a recent meeting.

He said gaining approval to build the senior living center is critical for the church's financial future, because leasing the land to the developer of the center would generate a large percentage of the church's annual income.

"The old model of passing the collection plate to pay for everything a church needs is coming to a close," Rev. Hiatt told Rotarians.

The pastor said that after years of delay and a huge financial investment, it's now urgent for the church to resolve the issues and move forward on the project. Noting there are other four-story buildings, including apartments, within a short distance from the church, he encouraged club members and other Belmont residents to contact city officials in support of the Arbor Mill at Park Street senior living center.

Rev. David Hiatt

"To take the next step, a very big check must be written, so we need to engage people in the community and ask for their support," he said.

For more than 100 years, Park Street United Methodist Church has occupied one of East Belmont's most prominent corners at the intersection of Park and Catawba streets. In 2018, church members began to consider how land owned by the church could be used to benefit the community and the church, Hiatt said.

"Growing discipleship through relationships is the church motto," he said. "And that means relationships with God, with people and with the community."

In group discussions about the best use of land surrounding the sanctuary and family life center, serving senior citizens quickly became a focus. The church already has several programs serving seniors, including a "Young At Heart" ministry, a fitness program for older people and a weekly free-lunch program in which many senior citizens participate.

The congregation turned to Wesley Community Development, an affiliate of the United Methodist Church of Western, North Carolina, which helps churches determine how to utilize their property to serve both the church and the community. After months of discussion and study, building a senior living center became the goal, and the church began working with Ridge Care Senior Living of Kernersville. Ridge Care owns several independent living and assisted living centers in North Carolina.

The plan is for the church to retain ownership of the property and enter into a long-term lease to Ridge Care.

"We don't want to lose control of the property," Hiatt said.

In his comments to Rotarians, Hiatt said when Belmont senior citizens become unable to live on their own, they have no option but to leave their hometown. The independent living center the church hopes to build would provide seniors studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments, three meals a day, weekly housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments, planned activities, social and wellness programming and more.

There would be no costly buy-in requirements and no long-term leases. The expected monthly rate would be around $3,750, Hiatt said.

"While the facility would be for people 55 and older, the average age at Ridge Care Senior Living Centers is 84," he said. "Few of the residents at other Ridge Care senior living centers have cars, so parking and increased traffic are not issues."

The proposed building is L-shaped and would front on Catawba Street, with an 8-foot sidewalk and a planting strip along the street to provide a visual buffer, according to printed material and a website on the Arbor Mill at Park Street project. Hiatt also said the fourth story of the building would be set back from the third to avoid a cold, monolithic feel.

For more photos and more information on Arbor Mill at Park Street, visit ridgecare.com/belmont.

About Rotary:

Rotary is an international service organization with 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries. "Service Above Self" is the Rotary motto. Rotarians work together to promote peace, fight disease, support education, grow local economies and protect the environment.

Belmont Rotary Club, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025, meets for lunch and a program on local topics each Wednesday, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Belmont. Guests interested in learning more about local businesses and issues and how Rotary serves the community are welcome. For more information, visit belmontrotaryclub.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Proposed senior living center in Belmont faces obstacles
The now 550-acre Quarry fire was human caused, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office investigator Kevin Bost said Friday.

Investigators are suspicious that the fire started at 9 p.m. on the south side of Deer Creek Canyon, a dark mountain road with no cameras and no streetlights, just west of Grizzly Drive.

"Why would a fire start there at 9 o'clock at night?" asked Jefferson County Sheriff spokesman Mark Techmeyer. "It's got us scratching our heads."

"We preliminarily believe that this fire is human-caused in some manner," Bost said during a press conference Friday morning.

Techmeyer told The Denver Gazette that investigators are unclear whether the fire was caused intentionally, or by accident.

Locals seemingly agree that the start of the fire seems suspicious.

It sure seems weird, said David Broadway, a 26-year resident near the Valley Barrington neighborhood, in which Deer Creek Canyon Road is officially closed off. It started in the middle of the night. There wasnt a thunderstorm or anything. Youve got to wonder what it was.

Regardless, firefighters are still focused on battling the wildfire  which grew 100 acres on Thursday.

Two hot shot crews are working with 185 firefighters on the ground with assistance from three helicopters on Jefferson County's Quarry fire. As of Friday morning, there was 0% containment with dry thunderstorms expected for the afternoon.

The growth of the now-550-acre blaze was toward open space, though, not spreading toward structures across Deer Creek Canyon Road, one of the most critical areas.

"It's been a concern from the get-go of this of that fire jumping to the north, which would be our worst nightmare," Techmeyer said during the press conference about Deer Creek Canyon Road. "We feel very confident where we are with the line along Deer Creek Canyon Road. We do not anticipate that being a problem."

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Karlyn Tilley, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, expects positive progress Friday. Concerns regarding potential afternoon storms bringing wind and lightning do exist, though.

Firefighters have built up handlines on the southern and eastern perimeter of the fire, despite tough terrain in the eastern section.

Two hotshot crews are planning to fly the eastern side Friday to find potential ways to attack the fire in that area.

There are around 20 local agencies helping work on the fire, according to Techmeyer. The Denver Fire Department, for example, helped the fight for the third day in a row.

Still, timeframes are unclear.

"As far as what we're saying to the evacuees about getting in, we wish we could tell them, 'Today is Friday, we're going to get you in this weekend.' But folks, it's not going to happen," Techmeyer said.

"Can we give them a timeframe for next week? We're hopeful, but we'd be guessing," he concluded.

And with the blaze spreading and limited timeline, residents are growing a bit nervous.

I didnt sleep well last night when the wind started picking up, Scott Lemberger, a 15-year resident near the Valley Barrington neighborhood, said. Its hard to get a gauge on where the fire is. It feels like theyve got a good line on it, but the wind has to make you nervous Ive got a horse trailer in front of my house ready to load up my horse and everything packed up.

I thought it was pretty amazing to see so many helicopters and as quickly as they got on it, Broadway said of the response. They hit it pretty hard.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Topekans met with the city for the second time to say what they hope to see in the next police chief.

The City of Topeka held its second of three input sessions for the community to say what they would like to see in the next police chief. The City Manager offered three available times throughout this week and into the weekend, as well as an online survey to try and reach as many people as the city can. These sessions and survey let people voice their opinions on what they would like to see in the police chief to help better the community.

Many community members showed up to speak on what they would like to see with the common themes surrounding clarity, transparency, and inclusiveness interaction.

Im just here out of concern for the community. We all have to work together. Its not just on the city manager, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, Justice Advocate and Attorney, said. Its not just on the Chief of Police. Its on me, and its on you to come together and you know talk about what we need and then stop talking and put some action into place.

Shawnee County Parks & Recreation gives back as summer winds down

The last in-person session will be tomorrow morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Hi-Crest CRC Care Center in Southeast Topeka.

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The information gathered from the survey and the sessions will be used to update the job description of the Topeka Police Chief position.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The City of Robert Lee is urging residents to conserve water following a mechanical failure at the Bronte transfer pump station.

As of Aug. 2, one of the two pumps responsible for transferring water to Robert Lee is out of service for repairs. According to a social media post shared by the City of Robert Lee, the pumps, which usually provide a backup, are crucial for transporting water to the city for treatment, storage, and redistribution.

These pumps transfer water to Robert Lee where it is re-treated, stored and redistributed. These pumps normally alternate between one another to extend their working life and to have a backup in case one fails. The City of Robert Lee said.

City Superintendent Tanner Brickey announced in the post that the repair is expected to be completed by next week. Residents in the meantime are asked to minimize water usage.

For further updates, stay tuned to announcements from KLST and the City of Robert Lee.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  According to Silver State Education Foundation officials, 1994 was the last year every vacant teacher position was filled in Clark County.

Since then, they say those positions have been difficult to fill. The issue has caused some students at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas to speak out about what they need, not just teachers in the classroom but educators who care.

Having more licensed teachers in classrooms, said Dulce Maldonado, a Canyon Springs High School student, describing what is needed in the school district. Other students noted the difference between licensed and unlicensed teachers.

Were just getting computers shoved in our face, and teachers are not teaching us, said Kimarlie Garnett, another Canyon Springs High School student, who alongside Layla Minero, said there was a palpable difference between licensed teaching quality and that of unlicensed.

Maldonado, Garnett, and Minero are on a pathway to teaching, Silver State Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to recruit the next generation of teachers from Nevada high schools, according to its website.

Dr. Jeffrey Geihs, chief executive officer of Silver State Education Foundation, said Canyon Springs High School is the perfect place to search for homegrown talent.

Here you have a high school of about three thousand kids, Geihs said. You got a lot of kids that would be first-generation college.

While the end of the educator shortage in Nevada wont happen overnight, Geihs said, providing a space for potential educators to get instruction, opportunities, and mentoring is a meaningful step.

(From L-R) Layla Minero, Kimarlie Garnett, and Dulce Maldonado discuss Silver State Education Foundations effort to find homegrown talent to become educators in Nevada. (KLAS)

Canyon Springs High School officials said there are 147 licensed employees on staff, with 10 permanent substitute teachers. Clark County School District officials said there are more than 1,000 vacancies in valley classrooms. Lou Markouzis, Canyon Springs principal, said the city of North Las Vegas faces an equity issue.

We have a lot of families that are struggling in this part of town economically, Markousis said, adding that he wants the next generation to have a chance to succeed.

Gary Schoolfield, a 27-year military and combat veteran, hopes to lead that generation to success, adding that the students will spend their time preparing for college and preparing for employment as educators.

We want parents to understand that their junior student is going to be in this program for two years, Schoolfield said, adding that the pipeline exists to help the students become the teachers theyve always wanted to be.

While the program is open for 9th to 12th-grade students at Canyon Springs High School, officials say the next step is to expand to other Clark County schools. CCSD officials say the district has approximately 17,482 teachers, 481 vacancy substitutes, and 125 substitutes on special assignment.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
NORMAN  Cleveland County commissioners are rejecting Sheriff Chris Amason's request to hire an attorney to represent his office amid an audit by the state.

The sheriff had requested Plaxico Law Firm to represent him and his office regarding an investigative state audit looking into his spending of funds for the 2024 fiscal year.

According to a professional services agreement letter dated July 24, hourly rates for the Plaxico firm range from $200 to $350, with $65 an hour for paralegals. Oklahoma City-based attorney Cheryl Plaxico, ex-wife of former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, would have gotten involved directly.

"Our fees for this representation will be based upon the time devoted by our attorneys and legal assistants assigned to the engagement," Plaxico wrote. "I will be the primary attorney handling this matter. My billing rate for this matter is $350.00 per hour. We may use other attorneys in the firm on an as-needed basis and they will be billed at their normal hourly rates."

But when brought in front of county commissioners Monday, Amason's request died on the floor from lack of a motion. County Commissioners Rod Cleveland, Rusty Grissom and Jacob McHughes all were skeptical about why Amason needed to hire private counsel for the audit conducted by the state.

Related: Part of a special audit into the Cleveland County sheriff's office is out. What to know

Cleveland County sheriff had previously hired legal counsel over budget disagreements

The sheriff previously had hired legal counsel from Mike Fields, of Glenn Coffee & Associates, another Oklahoma City-based law firm, after disagreements grew between the sheriff's office and the Cleveland County Budget Board, which had budgeted Amason's office $18.3 million for the 2024 fiscal year.

Alleging he had not been receiving adequate allocations, Amason requested an audit from state Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd. But the county commissioners and treasurer contended that the sheriff had been overspending, leading the officials to approve a "bailout fund" diverting $3.2 million to the sheriff's budget so that Amason could meet payroll and other outstanding bills in June.

The first part of a special audit report from Byrd's office, also released in June, showed that by the end of February, Amason's office had collected $16.8 million. The rest of the audit report, which will investigate income and spending from Amason's office for the entire 2024 fiscal year, is expected to be released later this year.

"The Sheriffs Office has had legal representation since the beginning of the budget and audit process, and we will maintain this support until all matters are fully resolved," Amason said in a statement Friday. "The District Attorneys office recused itself from the budget negotiations, prompting us to hire Mr. Fields. When his contract ended, I anticipated the need for outside counsel for the audit extension."

'This is unprecedented': Frustrations mount as Cleveland Co. grapples with sheriff budget

Rod Cleveland attends a June 17 meeting at the Cleveland County Office Building in Norman.

In March, current Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond sent a letter to Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn, authorizing Amason to employ private counsel for representation "in the dispute between the Cleveland County Sheriff, the Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners, and other county elected officers who are members of the Cleveland County Budget Board."

But Commissioner Cleveland clarified that the sheriff had permission from the district attorney and the attorney general to hire Fields because of the potential conflict of the district's attorney's office representing various elected Cleveland County officials simultaneously during the fiscal year budget dispute. He pointed out that the attorney general's authorization did not extend to private counsel against the state auditor.

McHughes, recently reelected as commissioner for Cleveland County District 2, agreed. In a statement shared with The Oklahoman, he said he couldn't support using county funds to oppose what he described as a "neutral" state agency.

"The auditor serves as a neutral entity, dedicated to ensuring accountability and fiscal integrity within our state and local government," McHughes said. "The AGs decision to allow outside counsel was based on the conflict between elected officials, not a state agency like the state auditor."

Jacob McHughes attends a June 17 meeting at the Cleveland County Office Building in Norman.

More: Cleveland County sheriff's investigators recover 26 dogs in alleged animal cruelty case

Although the request to hire outside legal counsel failed to gain support, Amason later told The Oklahoman that he would have representation going forward after all.

"The District Attorney informed me this week that his office will now represent the Sheriffs Office, and I have complete confidence in their capability to do so," Amason said in a statement.

When asked by The Oklahoman if Mashburn would be representing Amason in regard to the audit, a spokeswoman for the Cleveland County district attorney's office said, "We represent all elected County officials and give advice as needed."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Cleveland County Sheriff's request for outside counsel rejected
Clovis therapist, charged with sex abuse against children, wants out of jail

Clovis therapist, charged with sex abuse against children, wants out of jail

CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE)  An occupational therapist is facing charges related to sexual abuse of children. Prosecutors said he abused his power, but the accused man claims these charges are false. A motion from Jared Cordums defense team called the whole case into question.

Jared Cordum, 28, of Clovis, was taken into custody by special agents on July 9. He is facing multiple sexual abuse charges against children.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez said that Cordum used procedures and practices on minor children, which we think actually constituted sexual assault.

Controversial Santa Fe statue can be seen at the New Mexico History Museum

On Friday, Cordums lawyer filed a motion to ask the Supreme Court to overturn a Judges decision to keep Cordum behind bars until his trial.

The document suggests the states proof was not enough to keep Cordum in custody. They also called it unlawful, saying it failed to prove that Cordum posed any threat, challenging the states definition of violence.

The document said, There is not a single allegation of Mr. Cordum forcing his way into homes or using any force in any of his encounters. The document went on to say, Mr. Cordum is not a danger to anyone.

What I can tell you is that he was using instrumentation and engaged in procedures which are not remotely qualified or called for under the circumstances, said Torrez.

A district court judge granted the states motion to keep Cordum behind bars until trial. The state pushed this through by presenting that he is charged with multiple felonies, the crimes were of a violent nature, and affected the safety/wellbeing of children.

BCSO warns of scam that appears like an official call from the department

The defense protested in the motion emphasizing, the visits were authorized by the childs parents, with the parents and childrens consent, and that Cordum was recommended to them by their pediatrician.

Fortunately, weve got this offender off the street. We are, as I said before, concerned that there may be more victims in the community, said Torrez.

The state Supreme Court has not put a date to when they will hear this motion. Also, the state is looking to temporarily suspend Jared Cordums license.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  One person was killed and three others are seriously injured following a shooting overnight in an east Charlotte neighborhood, authorities announced.

The deadly shooting happened shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, in the 3500 block of Shamrock Drive. CMPD said as officers arrived at the scene they found four people who had been shot multiple times.

Man charged after infant kidnapped in uptown Charlotte: CMPD

Two people were found in the road with life-threatening injuries and were rushed to an area hospital for treatment. Two more people were located with life-threatening injuries at a nearby home. Of those two people, one person was pronounced dead at the scene by Medic.

As of Saturday morning, CMPD has not released any identities.

Photos: Scene of homicide, 3500 block of Shamrock Drive, Queen City News



Photos: Scene of homicide, 3500 block of Shamrock Drive, Queen City News

Photos: Scene of homicide, 3500 block of Shamrock Drive, Queen City News

Photos: Scene of homicide, 3500 block of Shamrock Drive, Queen City News

The scene of the shooting remains active Saturday morning. Homicide Unit detectives have responded, as well as Crime Scene Search crews to process the area and collect evidence.

The investigation into this case remains active and ongoing.

Anyone who may have additional information on this homicide is asked to call 704-432-TIPS where residents can directly speak with a detective. The public can also leave information anonymously by calling Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Coast Guard rescues 4 after vessel sinks off of Tybee

SOUTH CAROLINA (WSAV)  The Coast Guard rescued four people on Friday after their vessel sank some 20 miles off of Tybee Island.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston received a notification about a vessel taking on water. Four people were aboard, including a pregnant woman.

A helicopter crew responded with a liferaft and a rescue swimmer, who remained with the rescued people aboard the liferaft until the Coast Guard Station Tybee Island boat crew arrived, a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah helicopter crew assisted.

Upon the boat crews arrival, all four people were transported to Station Tybee Island.

There were no injuries reported.

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Donald Trump is nothing if not consistent, and his Dumpster fire of an interview with reporters at the National Assn. of Black Journalists convention in Chicago this week showed the Republican presidential nominee in full, foul mode.

He lied. He insulted. He whined. He was racist and misogynistic. He evaded questions and elided answers, and showed all the grace and gratitude of a kindergartner who pees in a sandbox and expects others to clean up the mess.

Above all, the Republican presidential candidate kept stabbing at the same illegal immigration scapegoat thats the centerpiece of his 2024 presidential campaign. This time, though, he tried to further his contention that Donald J. Trump is the greatest president for Black people since Abraham Lincoln.

He unveiled the strategy during his June 28 debate with President Biden, when Trump stated that immigrants were a big kill on the Black people and were taking Black jobs. In Georgia, which he narrowly lost in 2020, his campaign has aired radio and television commercials insisting Biden cares more about illegal immigrants than the Black community.

Read more: Trump offended his Black audience. Mistake or part of the plan?

At the NABJ convention, Trump blamed open borders for endangering the job security of Black workers  never mind that unemployment rates for them have reached historic lows under both the Trump and Biden administrations, a time when illegal immigration has grown to numbers not seen in a generation. When a moderator asked what was his message to all the Black reporters gathered before him and people watching online, Trump responded it was to stop people from invading our country  who happen to be taking Black jobs. When asked what he would do on Day 1 of a new term, he blurted out, Close the border.

Trumps gambit is yet another legacy of Proposition 187, the 1994 California ballot initiative that sought to make life miserable for undocumented immigrants. Then and now, GOP politicians figure that the best way to court Black voters  a longtime bedrock of the Democratic Party  is to argue that immigrants in the country illegally are a burden that hits their community harder than others by taking away social services and bleeding jobs away.

Here's the thing: There is a historical basis for these concerns, even if Trump has pushed the Illegal Immigrant Bogeyman dial to 11.

When South L.A. began to turn from the heart of the city's Black community to a Latino-majority enclave during the 1980s and 1990s, the subsequent tensions were real. In the wake of the L.A. riots, groups protested outside work sites and blasted contractors for giving jobs to Latinos instead of Black workers because the former group would work for cheaper than the latter. The assumption by Latino political leaders during the fight against Prop. 187 that Black people would join them without question offended leaders and community activists.

Incidents like that led to 47% of Black voters favoring Prop. 187, a margin that helped the resolution pass comfortably.

Some of the most prominent Black voices in the anti-immigrant movement over the past 25 years  homeless activist Ted Hayes, the late radio show host Terry Anderson, the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, former gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder  came from that era. One of the loudest anti-immigrant voices in Southern California today is Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, a Compton native who has scolded immigrants from the dais for not speaking English and has waged an aggressive campaign against street vendors. Throw in deep-rooted anti-Black sentiments among Latinos that got a prominent showcase during the 2022 L.A. City Hall racist tape leak scandal, and no wonder Trump thinks banking on getting Black voters angry enough against a supposed south-of-the-border invasion is a winner.

The reality is that Black people aren't as receptive to an anti-immigrant message as Trump and the GOP would like to think.

L.A. councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, right, during a City Council meeting in 2023 (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

A 2006 Pew Research Center study showed that 47% of Black people thought immigrants in the U.S. without legal documents should be allowed to stay, compared with 33% of whites. But by 2013, a similar Pew report showed 82% of Black people felt there should be a path toward legalization for those immigrants, compared with 67% of whites. The figure dropped in a Pew survey released this year to 73%, but it's still far higher than the 53% of whites who feel the same, and just two percentage points behind Latinos, who have increasingly turned to the right against illegal immigration since the Prop. 187 days.

This general acceptance doesnt surprise L.A. Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson. He campaigned against Prop. 187 in 1994, going door-to-door in his native South L.A. to argue that the initiative was a wedge issue being used by Republicans to divide Black and Latino neighbors against each other and make them forget their shared working-class status.

One line I would tell people is, Do you hear them [Prop. 187 supporters] talk about people from Canada? From Germany? Harris-Dawson said. Black and Latino people I talked to understood it clearly.

Read more: Proposition 187 : Is Black-Latino Friction a Voting-Booth Issue? : Yes: The initiative is horrible legislation, but it's still a focal point for legitimate African American resentments.

Harris-Dawson didn't have to make the same argument recently in Atlanta, where the subject of illegal immigration came up in conversation.

"They said, 'We support immigration reform, because we don't want working-class people who can't play defense,'" he said. In other words, it was better for the Black community for immigrants to have full rights instead of keeping them without papers and thus easier to use to undercut Black workers. "The sophistication of that! They get that workers don't take jobs; employers give jobs."

He can see Trump peeling off Black voters from the Democrats by continuing to hammer on the illegal immigration issue  but "he'll also lose them" because of Trump's long history of racist dog whistles. Besides, the councilmember argued, "people have seen it play out. ... You see new neighbors come in and think, Oh, theres a good family. And they are. And then 10 years later, the parents still dont have papers and the kids cant go to college.

Black folks can sympathize, Harris-Dawson concluded, with "people who deal with systems that are ostensibly there to help you, but in fact do the opposite.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Huw Edwards in work at the BBC, where he was seen as the golden boy of the corporation - Independent/Alamy Stock Photo

Complaints about high-profile BBC stars are often ignored, staff have claimed as the controversy in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal spreads.

The outrage surrounding the disgraced presenter has revealed widespread discontent over internal HR processes at the publicly funded broadcaster.

Insiders have claimed that concerns about talent or more senior BBC figures are routinely frustrated, giving the impression that some staff are worth more than others.

Sources describe a ponderous complaints system and say staff have no confidence that issues raised will be resolved, prompting some not to bother.

The Telegraph understands these concerns over the HR system were raised with Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, by a group of employees before her meeting last Thursday with Tim Davie, the director-general.

More widespread discontent has emerged after several whistleblowers who made complaints about Edwards complained that nothing was done with the evidence they submitted to an internal inquiry.

One senior member of staff said that raising concerns within the BBC was both useless and incredibly stressful.

They added: There is nothing even vaguely supportive about it. Its cold and heartless and if the behaviour you are complaining about wasnt witnessed, you are on a hiding to nothing.

Another source said: Young, junior staff complaining about older, senior, on-screen, so-called talent, are ignored.

A long history of not taking staff seriously

The Telegraph was told by another insider that small fry employees didnt matter compared to the high-profile big fry.

They added: The BBC has a long history of not taking ordinary staff seriously when they put their hands up and say something inappropriate or just plain wrong has happened.

A key component of the HR process lambasted by staff is the Support at Work team, which handles complaints of bullying and harassment. This is overseen by Sarah Gregory, an HR director who earns between 195,000 and 199,999 per year.

Support at Work is intended as the next port of call after an initial complaint to a line manager, staff have said, adding that this first step is notorious for not yielding results.

Edwards admission of possession of 41 indecent images of children, and the BBCs handling of his employment, have raised questions about the safeguarding of staff.

An internal inquiry was launched in July 2023 following reports that Edwards paid 35,000 to a man, who was 17 when the alleged relationship began, in exchange for sexually explicit images.

However, whistleblowers who came forward to raise concerns about the stars behaviour have claimed that nothing was done with their evidence, with one feeling that their concerns had been swept under the carpet.

One told the BBC they had raised concerns about Edwards being pushy in trying to arrange a meeting and inviting them to share a hotel suite while covering Prince Philips funeral.

Ms Nandy met Mr Davie on Thursday to discuss the scandal, including how the corporation could go about recouping the 200,000 paid to Edwards after his arrest in November 2023.

It is also understood that Ms Nandy was passed a list of staff concerns by a group of experienced employees, who pointed out the alleged issues with the BBCs handling of HR complaints.

In his first interview with the BBC following Edwards guilty plea to child pornography charges last week, Mr Davie said that the corporation was not sitting on any evidence that would relate to the police inquiry into the disgraced presenter.

It has also emerged the former chairman of the BBC publicly thanked Edwards for his huge contribution despite knowing he had been arrested in November. Dame Elan Closs Stephens also referred to him as poor Huw on Welsh-language radio programme Beti ai Phobol last month.

In a statement to BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, Dame Elan confirmed she was aware of the arrest in her capacity as interim chair of the BBC, but was not aware of the terrible details which have come to light this week.

A BBC spokesman said: While we will not comment in detail on specific individual cases to maintain privacy and fairness to all involved, we have confidence in our processes.

In the case of Huw Edwards, we considered carefully all issues raised with us as part of a fact-finding disciplinary investigation and that informed a confidential disciplinary process. During this period he chose to resign and did so with immediate effect  without notice or financial settlement.

We fully appreciate the complexities and confidentiality of this work can be frustrating for those who have come forward and shared their experiences, but we are extremely grateful to everyone who did so and will always listen with great care to anyone who wants to raise concerns with us.

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Conservation groups celebrate major victory as US Forest Service halts massively destructive logging project: 'It never should have been approved'

Conservation groups scored a victory in the courtroom in July after the U.S. Forest Service announced its decision to withdraw a logging permit that would have impacted at least 147,000 acres within the Ashley National Forest in Utah. The decision will protect the habitats of hundreds of species, ranging from songbirds to large predators, as detailed by World Animal News.

The move followed a lawsuit from conservation groups seeking to end the attempt.

The Aspen Project was approved in October 2023, and it would have used logging and controlled burns to remove aspens and conifer trees from designated roadless areas inside the forest, per the Center for Biological Diversity.

However, the suit argued that by not disclosing where the logging would take place within the designated forest areas, and by not placing limits on the size of the trees that would be taken down, the Forest Service had violated the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The rule prohibits the logging of trees within roadless areas, except under special circumstances, and requires that any and all trees removed be under a certain diameter.

"While it's a great relief the Aspen Project has been shelved for now, it never should have been approved in the first place," said Ted Zukoski, a senior lawyer for the Center for Biological Diversity. "Our biologically rich natural places need to be catalogued, not logged."

The move will help to preserve the famously beautiful scenery at the Ashley National Forest for visitors, backpackers, and hikers. Aspens serve as natural fuel breaks for wildfires, helping slow their spread and protecting both people and wildlife as the western U.S. continues to deal with massive wildfire issues.

It also protects habitats of rare species, such as lynx and wolverines, as well as threatened species like the Northern Goshawk. While the Goshawk is not currently endangered, it is seen as vulnerable in the western United States, according to the Colorado Nature Heritage Program.

"We appreciate that the Forest Service came to their senses and withdrew their plan to log and burn inventoried roadless areas on the Ashley," said Sara Johnson, Ph.D., director of Native Ecosystems Council.

"As someone who has spent many days backpacking in wild aspen forests on the Ashley National Forest, I am thrilled that these precious places will not be destroyed by the Forest Service," said Jason Christensen, director of Yellowstone to Uintas Connection.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters former employer at Millwood Public Schools is now speaking out after his announcement to direct schools to count the cost of illegal immigration.

I dont want families out there fearful of doing just what they know to do, try to get whats best for their kid. I dont want that to stop, said Supt. of Millwood Schools Cecilia Robinson-Woods.

LOCAL NEWS: Calls for Walters to be held accountable grow after insulting comments, possible Open Meeting Act violation

We will step in and we will understand the cost to taxpayers, said Supt. Walters Wednesday.

Walters pointed to a new report that indicated there was a high cost of illegal immigration in public schools. He then claimed that districts have already talked about the impact, both on large and small districts.

Its unknown if this counting the cost will involve physically counting the illegal students and/or families participating in Oklahoma schools. When asked, Dan Isett, Communications Director for the Oklahoma State Department of Education didnt answer any questions.

I really do believe theyre being put in an untenable position here and theyre the bedrock for these students and their families and protect them in so many ways, said Legal Advisor for the American Immigration Council (AIC) Michelle Lapointe.

The AIC has spoken out several times in years past when states have tried to count the number of undocumented students at their schools. Several times, she said, it failed to become legal.

And in fact, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, when it was considering the Alabama law, noted that it wasnt an outright bar on enrollment, it was asking parents and students about their immigration status, said Lapointe.

She said that in 2011 Alabama tried something similar and while it was struck down, it still affected the students.

It all falls back on a mid-1980s Supreme Court case called Plyler v. Doe. where Lapointe said that the court ruled, the state cannot deny K-through-12 public education to undocumented children or they cant keep children out on the basis of their immigration status, that its unconstitutional to do that.

When the Alabama law briefly went into effect before the court struck it down, there was a tripling of the absentee rate of Latino students in the Alabama schools during that brief period because families were in fear and they kept their children literally home from school because they were afraid of the ramifications of this law, said Lapointe.

OKLAHOMA NEWS: Past party politics: OK Democratic leader makes case for commissioners impeachment

The attempt, she said, will only bring the state legal headaches and could end up hurting the schools and the families who attend them.

Why are we doing this, I need to know, said Supt. Robinson-Woods. I dont know what it costs, but I do know what the cost of ignorance is. I do know what the cost of people who dont know how to contribute to society is. I do know what the cost of a hungry child is. I do know those costs and those costs are far greater.

Walters worked at Millwood Public Schools starting in 2020.

KFOR reached out to every school district throughout Oklahoma County. The districts told KFOR that they would not follow the directive. Many said they would never count their undocumented students or families.

A school district may not ask about a childs citizenship or immigration status to establish residency within the district. This goes back to Plyler v. Doe, a court case from 1982 where the Supreme Court ruled that citizenship as a requirement for school enrollment would be a violation of the Equal Protection Clause under the 14th Amendment. Since citizenship is a non-factor when it comes to enrollment, Deer Creek School District does not document or track that information, as it would violate the law. Deer Creek Public Schools

Norman Public Schools does not currently collect citizenship documentation, nor do we plan to begin requesting documentation of U.S. citizenship. Norman Public Schools

Im not sure what the guidance will be but at the end if the day we want to be prepared to educate whoever walks thru the door no matter their background or status. Coyle Public Schools

It has not been our practice to ask students about their immigration status. Doing so would violate federal law. Our goal is for Mid-Del to have inclusive and welcoming schools all across our district. Mid-Del Public Schools

OKCPS schools are a safe and welcoming place for all students. OKCPS does not, nor do we have plans to, collect the immigration status of our students or their families. All children deserve access to a quality education, and we look forward to welcoming our more than 33,000 students back to school on Tuesday, August 13. Oklahoma City Public Schools

Hello, Dylan. Moore Public Schools does not currently, nor do we plan to begin requesting documentation of U.S. citizenship. Moore Public Schools

EPS has not received any information or guidance from the State Department on that topic. Edmond Public Schools

Moore Public Schools does not currently, nor do we plan to begin requesting documentation of U.S. citizenship. Moore Public Schools

The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office said there is nothing in state law that prevents Walters suggested count, Attorney General Drummond has been very vocal about the high cost of illegal immigration borne by Oklahoma taxpayers and throughout the nation. The Biden Administrations failure to secure the border has a tremendously negative impact on Oklahoma, including our schools.

However when the AGs Office was asked, what about federally? It is illegal if he does it then, right? KFOR did not hear back.

Supt. Walters lashed out at previous superintendents who did not agree with him. Are you scared about that at all? What he might say/do?

As a leader. I feel like its my obligation if I feel like its going to directly impact families, said Supt. Robinson-Woods.

What would you like to say to the families who do have a concern about sending their kids to school this upcoming year who might be concerned?

I would say if you are a family who is currently undocumented, that your childs school will still welcome you in the same manner that they welcomed you before that we are open for service. You are welcome here. You belong here. And just like in the past, I dont believe that anything that the state superintendent has said should imply that theyre not welcome here, said Supt. Robinson-Woods.

OSDE did not respond to KFOR Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A corrections officer who helped carry out the nations first nitrogen gas execution said in a court document that the inmate had normal blood oxygen levels for longer than he expected before the numbers suddenly plummeted.

Another court document indicated that the nitrogen gas was flowing for at least 10 minutes during the execution. The documents filed last month in ongoing litigation provided additional details of the execution of Kenneth Smith, who was the first person put to death using nitrogen gas.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshalls office maintains the high oxygen readings indicate that Smith held his breath as the nitrogen gas flowed, causing the execution to take longer than expected. But attorneys for another inmate said the state has no proof to back up that claim and is trying to explain away an execution that went horribly awry.

As the state of Alabama plans additional nitrogen gas executions, questions and disagreements continue over what happened at the first one. A federal judge on Tuesday will hear arguments in a request to block the state from executing Alan Miller by nitrogen gas in September in what would be the nations second nitrogen execution.

Media witnesses to Smiths execution, including The Associated Press, said that Smith shook on the gurney for several minutes before taking a series of gasping breaths. Alabama had assured a federal judge before the execution that the new execution method would quickly cause unconsciousness and death.

A pulse oximeter showed that Smith had oxygen levels of 97% to 98% for a period of time that was longer than I had expected, the corrections captain said in a sworn statement. The corrections captain said he did not observe Smith make any violent or convulsive movements, but he did tense up and raise his body off the gurney. After he released a deep breath, the oxygen levels began dropping, the corrections captain said.

The best explanation of the testimony is that Smith held his breath and lost consciousness when he breathed nitrogen gas  not that the mask did not fit or that the nitrogen was impure, the Alabama attorney generals office wrote in a court filing.

Attorneys for Miller responded that the state has no evidence to back up that claim and said it would be impossible for someone to hold their breath for as long as the execution took. Instead, they suggested other problems with the mask accounted for the delay.

It should therefore not be surprising that Mr. Smith did not lose consciousness after a few breaths  as the State repeatedly promised this Court. Instead, Mr. Smiths entire body  including his head  convulsed and jerked violently, heaving against the straps with enough force to move the gurney, attorneys for Miller wrote.

Dr. Philip E. Bickler, an expert hired by Millers defense, wrote in a court document that most people can hold their breath only a minute or less.

The court filing, which was later placed under seal, indicated that the nitrogen gas was flowing for at least 10 minutes. Bickler wrote that he that he understands that Alabamas execution log states that 10 minutes passed in between the initiation of the flow of nitrogen gas to Mr. Smith and when the corrections officer performed a consciousness check on Smith.

Unless stopped by the court, Alabama plans to execute Miller with nitrogen gas on Sept. 26. Miller, a delivery truck driver, was convicted of killing three men  Terry Jarvis, Lee Holdbrooks and Scott Yancy  during back-to-back workplace shootings in 1999.

Alabama had previously attempted to execute Miller by lethal injection. But the state called off the execution after being unable to connect an IV line to the 351-pound inmate. The state and Miller agreed that any other execution attempt would be done with nitrogen gas.

Miller said in a deposition, however, that he did not trust the state to properly fit the gas mask. And these guys cant even open a cell door sometimes. Theyre keystone cops is basically what they are, he said.

The attorney generals office is also seeking an nitrogen gas execution date for Carey Dale Grayson, who was convicted in the 1994 killing of Vickie Deblieux in Jefferson County.

An attorney for Grayson said the descriptions of Smiths execution show there needs to be more scrutiny of the new execution method.

Even after the first execution, we have more questions than answers. We need to slow down, not speed up, John Palombi, an attorney with the Federal Defenders Program, said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Crime of the Week: Over $10K in appliances stolen in home burglary in Central El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Crime Stoppers of El Paso and the El Paso Police Department are asking for your help in identifying those involved in a home burglary where over $10,000 in appliances were stolen in Central El Paso.

This is this weeks featured Crime of the Week, as publicized by Crime Stoppers.

Crime Stoppers said a home in the 1600 block of N. Campbell was burglarized between March 24 and April 14.

The suspects involved stole $10,500 in appliances from the residence, according to Crime Stoppers. The appliances included a Frigidaire double oven and Fujitsu brand air conditioning units.

Crime Stoppers said investigators found security video that captured a vehicle believed to be involved in the burglary. The vehicle is a mid-2000s Ford SUV, possibly an Expedition. The truck is gold and was pulling a flatbed trailer.

Anyone with any information on this burglary should call Crime Stoppers of El Paso immediately at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.cselpaso.org.

You will remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you may qualify for a cash reward.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
(Bloomberg) -- At first glance, it may look like the entire US cryptocurrency community will be lining up to vote for Donald Trump in Novembers presidential election.

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Yet the loudest voices in the room dont always represent unanimity. Even when Trump spoke at the largest Bitcoin conference in the US last weekend, where many sported red MAGA and Make Bitcoin Great Again hats, there was a whiff of dissent among those who worried that cryptos anti-government ethos was perishing before their eyes.

You cant be a real Bitcoiner and cast a vote for Trump, said Kyle Olney, a California-based Bitcoiner at the event. His values and political philosophies are the diametric opposite of what the values and political philosophies of the Bitcoin community actually are.

Much of the push to rally behind Trump, who deemed crypto valuations were based on thin air a mere five years ago, is a result of deep-pocketed industry donors pouring millions into the 2024 election. Yet for some long-time Bitcoin enthusiasts, Trumps sudden embrace of the digital asset is seen not just as blowing smoke to pander to donors, its simply irrelevant.

It Doesnt Care

The idea of Bitcoin and the way it is designed is meant to be independent from policy, said Filip Primec, who leads the legal department at crypto-mining marketplace NiceHash. It doesnt care who is president.

Bitcoins famous 2008 white paper pledged the creation of a decentralized currency that was free of the influence of both government and big business. Its a philosophy that runs contrary to Trumps proposal to create a strategic US stockpile of Bitcoin, and Wyoming Republican Senator Cynthia Lummiss plan for the government to fill it by buying 1 million Bitcoin over five years.

Fervent Bitcoin advocates are torn between a desire for less regulation, which seems to be promising, and the potential mainstreaming of cryptocurrency, said Eswar Prasad, a senior professor of trade policy at Cornell University.

The Nashville venue where Trump spoke last weekend filled up and percolated with enthusiasm long before he took the stage. All the hallmarks of a Trump rally were on display: The Daily Wire distributed signs that said SCAMALA, a play on the words scam and Trumps likely opponent Kamala Harris, and some attendees wore T-shirts reading Legends Never Die that featured a triumphant photo of Trump following last months assassination attempt on him.

However, many of those eagerly awaiting the former president were already long-time supporters; some didnt even care about digital assets.

I just wanted to see Trump live, because Ive never seen him before, said Lee Crowder, who drove to Nashville from Livingston, Tennessee. I dont know much about crypto, but Ive been a Trump supporter for the last eight years.

Despite appearances, the cross-section between politics and Bitcoin has become a complicated one. Support for Trump is largely driven by the Biden administrations crackdown on the industry and backlash toward prominent skeptics including Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who has warned of cryptos risks to consumers. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, who has lodged a slew of lawsuits against many of cryptos biggest players over the last few years, is viewed as the industrys main antagonist.

The loudest cheers during Trumps speech came after his promise to fire Gensler, whose term isnt up until 2026.

What probably warms the hearts of Bitcoin proponents is the general view that Republicans will back off aggressive regulation of all parts of the financial sector, including cryptocurrencies, Prasad said.

Yet electing Trump may not be the only route to a softer regulatory touch. While Vice President Harris has yet to take a position on crypto policy, some heavyweights in the industry hope she will change the tack that the Biden administration charted.

We are also increasingly optimistic that the next administration, whether Republican or Democratic, will be constructive on crypto, Brian Armstrong, chief executive officer of Coinbase Global Inc., said on the companys earning call on Thursday.

Billionaire crypto investor Michael Novogratz expressed a similar sentiment on the Thursday earnings call for his company, Galaxy Digital Holdings, saying he is fairly certain that Harris will soon make comments that shes from San Francisco, the land of innovation, and that she wants to be a pro-innovation, pro-crypto president.

For many, the simple fact that crypto has even become a campaign-trail talking point is enough. Trumps courting of wealthy industry donors just complicates the mix.

After 15 years of being looked down on and derided by government officials, its quite natural that a lot of people in the Bitcoin community, particularly the newcomers, are going to seek acceptance from anyone who is willing to give it to them, Olney said. But anybody who cares about Bitcoins mission frankly doesnt care about Trumps endorsement other than it being a nod of legitimacy.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  As the community prepares to remember the 23 lives lost after the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart, voters also have an important decision to weigh on who will act as lead prosecutor in the state vs. accused shooter, Patrick Crusius.

Republican incumbent Bill Hicks, who has been in office since 2022, is the third district attorney to take the reins in the span of five years. His seat is being challenged by democratic opponent James Montoya.

Both candidates share the goal of having Crusius tried in front of a jury by 2025, but who will lead that effort will be determined by the November 5th election.

KTSM spoke with both candidates ahead of the five-year mark, where the two opponents shared more about the status of the case and their prosecution strategies.

A question shared by many community members is why has it taken so long to prosecute Crusius?

Crusius was already convicted and sentenced to serve 90 life sentences by a federal judge in July 2023.

Capital cases take a long time. Murder cases take longer than other cases. Cases where the state is seeking the death penalty take even longer, said Montoya.

Montoya said he has several opinions on what has set the district attorneys office behind  his primary blame on former DA Yvonne Rosales.

Yvonne Rosales grossly mismanaged the case. When she took office in 2021, she fired every single person who was working on the Wal-Mart case in 2019, in 2020. It wasnt just lawyers. It was secretarial staff. It was victim services staff. There was no continuity whatsoever, said Montoya.

In addition to the chaos left behind by Rosales, Montoya said a state prosecution running parallel to a federal prosecution, on top of working through the pandemic were just other factors contributing to the delay.

Hicks, who has been DA for two years, says he believes the delay is jurisdictional.

While hes in the custody of the federal government, the state case cannot legally proceed. We cant have any hearings in the state case where hes supposed to be present, which would be any hearing where theres going to be a contested matter, said Hicks.

We cant have a motion to suppress. We cant have a motion on the experts. We cant start jury selection. We cannot do anything while hes in federal custody because the judge in the state case has no power to compel the county jail to turn him over into state custody and bring him into state court, Hicks added.

Hicks said his office has been communicating with Crusiuss defense team and declaring that the state is ready to go to trial, all that awaits is for a judge to begin the proceedings.

A scheduling conference has been set for Sept. 12 by district judge Sam Medrano where a trial date could potentially be set for Crusius who faces charges of capital murder and aggravated assault.

Both Hicks and Montoya agree that having a trial by jury will take time.

Montoya said:

The jury selection in this case is likely to take months. I mean, six months, nine months. Normally in murder cases or in ordinary criminal cases, if youve ever been called to jury duty, they bring you down and they question you in a giant room with all of your potential fellow jurors. In smaller cases, it might be 60 jurors. In murder cases, it might be 100, 150 jurors where youre interviewed all at once. In a death penalty case, jurors are interviewed individually.

I think in this case, were probably going to have to send out questionnaires to over 2000 potential jurors to finally weed down to see who is qualified to sit on the case.

Hicks reiterated this assessment, he said:

Its going to be very difficult to get a jury on this case. Were probably going to go through a lot a lot of jurors, trying to find enough jurors who are willing to listen to the evidence, set aside everything theyve heard on the Wal-Mart case, set that aside and theyre going to hear from the witness stand and make their decision on the guilt or not guilt of the shooter. If they can do that and be fair and impartial, then they can be a potential juror in the case to get that select number of jurors. Thats going to take a long time.

Montoya speaking to the family of victims and survivors shared this message:

Im sorry that we are still here. Im sorry that were not really any closer to getting this resolved. Moving forward, were going to keep the train on the tracks. You know, like I said, the people who are working on the case now, theyre going to continue to work on it. The only thing that I would ask them for is, is patience. I know that theyve already been very patient for all these years. But its important that we get this right on the front end. The more work and attention to detail thats placed on the front end of a case, theres less appellate issues later on down the line.

Hicks said the words he has shared with the families involved in the shooting will remain between them but shared this statement:

El Paso is a big, small town. I love that about our community. But one thing about that is also very true is that our entire community was impacted by what happened on August 3rd and because of that, I really believe that our community needs to know what happened in on August 3rd The only way the community is going to have the opportunity to really begin to heal and really begin to understand is if we go through a trial. Ive worked very hard to put us in a position to be able to go to trial. Im very honored by the faith that theres been placed in me by the community and by the families. I can only hope that I have the ability to see this case through.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
John Louis Douglas was like a dad to Niki Rittenhouse.

Living on the streets of Redding, the 55-year-old Douglas looked out for Rittenhouse and other homeless people, she said.

"He was just out here minding his own business. He didn't want to be out here like this, but he looked after us. I mean, he was never a problem to anybody. He looked after us. He would give anybody the shirt off his back," Rittenhouse said.

But on Monday, Douglas' head was bashed in with a baseball bat as he slept on a discarded couch behind a business on Lake Boulevard, Redding police said.

A Redding man was found beaten to death behind a business on Lake Boulevard on Monday, July 29, 2024, according to Redding police. That area is shown here on August 2, 2024.

The attack killed Douglas and a 15-year-old has been arrested in connection to the attack, police said.

A security guard patrolling the area found Douglas lying on the couch at about 5:45 a.m. on July 29, police said. The man was apparently dead when medics arrived and police said he had suffered "severe trauma to his head and face."

It was a death that Douglas did not deserve, Rittenhouse said.

"He was he was a dad to me," she said. "It's not like we like living this way. You know? And it's not like we haven't gone through our own battles." She noted that Douglas needed to use a wheelchair after being hit by a car recently.

The killing marks the second homicide this year allegedly involving a juvenile, said Redding Police Capt. Brian Cole. He said detectives are still trying to determine the motive behind the killing.

"That's concerning that you see juveniles,15-16 years-old, out committing homicides, obviously. Any sort of homicide is terrible, then when you have the offender that is so young," Cole said.

A man sleeps on the ground near an area where a man was found beaten to death off Lake Boulevard in Redding on July 29, 2024. Photo taken on August 2, 2024.

Other juvenile homicide offenders

A 15-year-old male from Burney was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of Tallonn Sanders, 31, of Redding, on March 23, according to the Redding Police Department.

The names of juvenile crime suspects are confidential in most criminal cases in California. The Record Searchlight's policy also is not to name juvenile crime suspects.

Other non-juvenile teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection to shooting deaths in recent years.

Paul David Nelson, 22, was shot and killed in the 3500 block of Ricardo Avenue in Redding on March 16, police said. Ethan Andrew Couch, 18, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting, police said.

In 2021, two homeless people were killed in Redding. One homeless man was shot and killed by a 19-year-old suspect in October 2021 while the man was in his tent in Mercy Canyon in southwest Redding, police said at the time. And a 17-year-old allegedly stabbed a homeless man to death on South Market Street in September 2021, according to police reports at that time.

The 15-year-old recently arrested in connection to Douglas' death has been charged with first-degree murder, said Briona Sisneros, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office.

She said that under California law, the teenager cannot be charged as an adult. No one under the age of 16 can be charged as an adult, according to California law, the DA's office said.

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: 'A dad to me:' Police seek motive for beating death of homeless man
Damages sought for hundreds who ate foreign seafood sold as Gulf fresh at Mary Mahoneys

Reality Check is a Sun Herald series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email mynews@sunherald.com.

Hundreds of diners at nationally lauded Mary Mahoneys Old French House restaurant in Biloxi should be compensated for being served frozen fish from a foreign country instead of the fresh Gulf snapper advertised on menus, a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court says.

Attorneys are seeking class-action status for a lawsuit filed on behalf of Todd McCain, an Alabama resident who claims to have dined three times at Mahoneys between 2013 and 2018 on what he thought was red snapper or snapper.

Had he known that, in fact, these species of fish were not red snapper and snapper, but instead inexpensive foreign fish, he would not have purchased the fish, the lawsuit says.

Mahoneys has admitted in a federal criminal case that it conspired to mislabel fish and agreed to forfeit up to $1,350,000, the amount calculated as its gain, federal records show. Federal charging documents say Mahoneys sold 29 tons of cheaper foreign fish as Gulf fresh red snapper, snapper or redfish.

McCain filed the civil lawsuit against Mahoneys, co-owner Anthony Cvitanovich and unnamed co-conspirators.

The three law firms representing McCain  two in Ridgeland, Mississippi, and one in Mobile, Alabama  want financial damages awarded for all persons residing in the United States who purchased foreign fish at Mary Mahoneys between January 1, 2012, and November 30, 2019.

The attorneys say the diners identities could be determined through Mahoneys books and records and they would be notified of the lawsuit by court-approved means, which could include mail, email or public notices.

One of the dining rooms at Mary Mahoneys in Biloxi on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. Many celebrities have dined in the various dining rooms throughout the years.

Mahoneys admitted committing crime

Mahoneys admitted to mislabeling seafood from at least 2012 until federal agents raided the restaurant in November 2019. Through a corporate representative, the restaurant pleaded guilty to one felony charge of conspiring to defraud customers by mislabeling seafood and furthering the conspiracy through wire fraud.

Co-owner Cvitanovich pleaded guilty to one count of mislabeling seafood.

Three alleged co-conspirators in the criminal case remain unidentified but are described in the federal charging documents as a Biloxi seafood wholesaler and retailer; its business manager, a CPA; and its sales manager.

An attorney for Mahoneys, Michael Cavanaugh of Biloxi, said he has not yet seen the civil lawsuit, filed Friday, and could not comment on its contents.

The civil lawsuit accuses Mahoneys of racketeering, violating the Mississippi Consumer Protection Act, fraud, civil conspiracy and unjust enrichment. The lawsuit asks for recovery of the purchase price of all mislabeled fish sold, or, alternatively, the total amount overpaid, which would be determined at trial.

In addition, the lawsuit asks for punitive damages against the restaurant, which would be triple the actual damages to deter bad behavoir, attorneys fees and litigation costs, including money paid to expert witnesses.

Sentencing in the criminal case against Mahoneys and Cvitanovich is set for Sept. 12 before Judge Sul Ozerden. The civil case has been assigned to Judge Taylor McNeel.

Mary Mahoneys Old French House in Biloxi, Miss.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  Texoma is back in 100-plus-degree weather and with these extreme temperatures and drought, we want to remind you of the dangers of wildfires.

Firefighters warn that the combination of extreme heat and dry conditions has created a perfect storm for wildfires, posing significant threats to both nature and local property.

Cloud cover brings slight cool down this weekend

According to Wichita Falls Fire Marshall Craig Berend, higher temperatures combined with lower humidity can cause grassfires to ignite and strong winds push the fires in North Texas.

Weve had a fair amount of rain this spring and that has only increased the vegetation, which adds to the fuel. With higher temperatures, firefighters get tired quicker and all of that helps deplete our resources. Berend said.

Berend stressed the importance of community collaboration in wildfire prevention and response efforts.

Its important for them to be diligent to keep their properties maintained to the best of their ability. Also, let us know if they have an event planned or if they know theyre going to be burning if were not in a burn ban, Berend said.

Berend advised calling 911 before trying to put a fire out, as it will at least have fire officials en route.

Another thing to be mindful of is making 911 calls regarding smoke. You only want to call if you see smoke, not just over a smell.

As temperatures continue to soar and drought persists, the battle against wildfires remains a concern, but with communities and firefighters working together, there is hope of mitigating their impact.

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TechCrunch

Amazon on Wednesday introduced the latest in a series of AI features and products aimed at consumers: AI shopping guides. The guides, arriving Thursday, will span over 100 product types on Amazon.com and will help to consolidate the key information consumers tend to research before making a purchase as well as provide a list of the most trusted brands in that category. In addition, the guides will help consumers narrow down their options by browsing through a refined set of products based on their needs  a feature that could help online shoppers who are overwhelmed by the abundance of products available on Amazon's virtual shelves.
The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games has given many Christians around the world much to talk aboutmostly negative. A pity. There was much to enjoy and celebrate that was good and beautiful not to say anything about the performance by Celine Dion that concluded the ceremony. Given what she has been through these last 5 years or so I couldnt help but tear up. It truly was a star performance.

As most are now aware, there was one scene that caused outrage: an apparent mockery of Leonardo da Vincis painting of the Last Supper by drag queens. Just to be clear, I was certainly taken aback, I instantly thought to myself, is this really necessary? and why pick on an iconic Christian symbol, why not an Islamic or Hindu symbol? and so on. My Christian sensibilities were offended initially.

Then I read that the scene was not referencing da Vincis The Last Supper but instead was a nod to Greek mythology and the Greek god Dionysius, the god of celebration connected to the gods of Olympus from which the Olympic games were named. The ceremonys artistic director, Thomas Jolly, emphasized in a conversation on a French news channel, You will never find in me a desire to mock and denigrate anyone (BFMTV). I am no scholar of the Classics but, at face value, that sounds plausible.

Then, over the days since, as I thought more about this I realized, Oh my goodness even in the Bible God is mocked. Our Lord Jesus was mockedby Herod and his soldiers (Luke 23:11), by the Roman soldiers (Mark 15:20; Luke 23:36), by a thief on a cross (Luke 23:39), and by the Jewish leaders who passed by the cross (Matt 27:41).

So then, what does Galatians 6:7 really mean when Pauls words are translated,

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Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (NKJV)

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. (AMP)

Dont be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of othersignoring God!harvests a crop of weeds. All hell have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting Gods Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. (MSG)

As listed in the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, mocking in the New Testament occurs often. It manifests as public laughter at a failure, as in the parable of the unfinished tower (Luke 14:29). Jesus foretold his own mockery by the Romans (Matt 20:19) and it came to pass (Matt 27:29). Jesus also was mocked in the Jewish trial (Luke 22:63), repeated with the men of Herod Antipas (Luke 23:11), and by the soldiers at the cross (Luke 23:36). When the apostolic band spoke in tongues at Pentecost, unbelievers mocked, saying the disciples were drunk (Acts 2:13; which the NIV translates as made fun of). The members of the Areopagus likewise mocked by gesture and word the message of the resurrection that Paul brought (Acts 17:32). Dedicated Christians will constantly meet scoffers (Jude 18), especially when they speak of the second coming (2 Peter 3:3). Sinners, thinking they can get away with their sins, turn up their noses at God and Gods laws, but they cannot outwit God (Gal 6:7).

As preachers and Bible teachers know well, context is critically important in understanding Holy Scripture correctly. In the Galatians verse, Paul is writing to Christians. Please note this. He is NOT writing to non-Christians. And, whats more, the Christians at Galatia are doing well by and large. The Galatian Church worshiped the Lord, prayed in the Spirit, and served one another in Christlike love. In effect, Paul is saying to Galatian Christians, and by extension to us who are Christians today, Hey you guys, be careful. Dont be deceived (lead astray, deluded, conned, tricked), God is not mocked!

According to Vines Expository Dictionary, the Greek word used for "mock" in Galatians 6:7 is mukterizo. It means to turn up the nose at, sneer at, and treat with contempt. Paul seems to have a completely different idea in mind compared to what has been blazing across social media channels these past days. Paul is talking about how we as Christians should live. In the ancient world, turning ones nose up towards another was considered a sign of contempt and disdain. The action was a physical gesture declaring ones utter distaste.

Mocking God then is to live contemptuously before Godto turn our noses up before the one who created us and redeemed us. As Dr. Kyle Norman says in his excellent article Ultimately, mocking God is duplicitous and deceitful. It is asserting one thing while embodying another. Thus, mocking God is closer to hypocrisy than blasphemy (Christianity.com). If this is the correct interpretation, then sadly this verse has been badly quoted and in doing so we have once again misrepresented our message in the public square.



When we could have used Thomas Jollys image as an opportunity for declaring the good news of Jesus, we instead communicated something quite different. And that is most unfortunate to say the least.





Alan Vink began his working life as a high school teacher, followed by 25 years as a Baptist pastor. then fifteen years working in the consultancy and leadership development space including speaking and writing. He has served on governing boards of various Christian organisations and continues to do so. Alan is married to Jeanette, lives in Raglan New Zealand and has 11 grandchildren that keep him both tired and poor.




Elizabeth Ha created the privacy-minded menstrual tracking app Monthly last year, after failing to find an option that felt safe enough to her following the Dobbs decision. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Ha)

After the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in 2022 and abortion was banned in the state of Tennessee, Dr. Danielle Kelvas quit using an app that tracked her menstrual cycle.

It frightened me  I actually got frightened because it tracked me for like, a week, Kelvas said of the Oura Ring feature Cycle Insights. And I thought, wheres this information going?

Immediately following the Dobbs V. Jackson Supreme Court decision which struck down the constitutional right to abortion, data privacy experts cautioned to take a closer look at menstrual cycle tracking apps. Information logged into these apps, or tracked via wearable devices like a Fitbit or an Oura Ring, have the potential to be used in prosecuting those who seek abortions in states which criminalize it.

Kelvas, a former emergency room physician, is a big fan of her Oura Ring. She researched the device  which gives insight to users about their biometric data like heart rate and sleep quality  thoroughly before buying it.

When the company rolled out its menstrual tracking feature, called Cycle Insights, she was excited to try it. But when she started reading more into the terms of agreement, she couldnt find clear cut information about how the data was stored, how secure it was, or if it was encrypted.

States Newsroom reached out to Oura for clarification on its privacy policy for Cycle Insights, but the request for comment was not returned.

Kelvas, 34, lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where abortion is banned, with only the exception of preventing death for the expectant person. The law, a trigger ban that went into effect in August 2022, also makes obtaining or performing an abortion a criminal offense.

So I deleted it, Kelvas said of the app.

Opal Pandya is in the same boat. The 25-year old Philadelphian deleted the app Flo, after reading case studies about data releases to external third parties. She also took note when she started suddenly getting targeted ads on Instagram for products that would help soothe period symptoms shed just logged in Flo.

I realized my data was flowing across multiple platforms, she said.

She didnt feel comfortable with that, and didnt have the time to figure out who had access to that data. The final straw was learning that third-party data could be available to states in prosecuting abortions banned under their laws.

Pandya also opted out of her Apple Watchs cycle tracking after trying it for a while, and has stopped wearing it to bed, as it tracks ovulation cycles via temperature at night while sleeping.

Healthcare privacy has always been something Pandyas been wary of, she said, and while theres benefits of tracking menstrual information, the Dobbs decision showed her there could be serious consequences of that data being vulnerable.

I have always been sensitive about my health information and understand theres a strong distrust of the medical system as a whole, Pandya said. And overturning Roe v. Wade did nothing but solidify and spread that distrust, especially among minority women.

Kelvas, who now owns a medical writing service and is a consultant for software company IT Medical, is acutely aware of those delicacies of navigating menstrual tracking.

As a physician, she said she cant emphasize enough how important it is that people have access to cycle tracking. Its one of the few tools people have to be in more control of family planning and their reproductive health, as some states attack access to birth control.

But her experience in healthcare IT has highlighted how easy it is for sensitive data to go unprotected. Many people think all healthcare information is protected under the federal privacy law, known as HIPAA. But menstrual cycle tracking apps, along with other healthcare technologies, like texting platforms that patients can use with doctors, are not.

In highly restrictive states, Kelvas said its challenging to navigate your reproductive rights  It doesnt really matter what we do, were always in trouble, she said.

For a lot of women, suddenly becoming pregnant means that they are illegal, Kelvas said. And what do you do after that? You know, for a lot of people, the reality is that they just dont own their uterus anymore.

What data is up for grabs?

There havent been any cases where a menstrual tracking apps data has been subpoenaed yet, but thats probably due to the slow speed of which cases proceed through the court system, said Jake Laperruque, deputy director of the Center for Democracy and Technologys Security and Surveillance Project. There have been few cases of electronic data of any form being subpoenaed yet, but via their terms and conditions, many companies leave themselves vulnerable to having to hand data over to prosecutors or courts.

Laperruque warned that the data that could be used to prosecute abortion cases could be more far-reaching than just whats logged in a period tracking app.

There are a lot of really innocuous seeming data in healthcare  location information, communications, metadata patterns and even information you dont know youre generating,

Laperruque said.

If social media apps have access to your location, for example, prosecutors could timestamp your visit at an abortion providers office through the location data of any number of apps.

Data collected by apps, wearables, could potentially now be used by law enforcement or even private individuals, seeking to sue or target people for exercising reproductive choice and seeking out information or care around abortion, he said.

Digital footprints have been used in prosecuting reproductive cases even before the Dobbs decision.

In 2018, a woman in Mississippi was charged with second-degree murder after she gave birth to a stillborn baby at home. Part of the prosecutions case noted that she had researched how to terminate a pregnancy in the past.

Last year, a teenager in Nebraska was convicted for terminating a pregnancy after prosecutors subpoenaed Facebook messages between her and her mother.

How to assess data privacy

For now, most of the responsibility to protect a users data falls on the user themselves, said Andrew Crawford, a healthcare privacy-focused senior counsel with the Center for Democracy and Technology.

It really is incumbent on users to do their homework, Crawford said. And unfortunately, sometimes that means reading really dense privacy policies and looking for keywords.

The terms and conditions of an app or a wearable device need to spell out what data its collecting, what it does with that data and who else may have access. An app may automatically seek access to things like your contacts, your geolocation, or photos, but you may not have to give it those full permissions. Period tracking apps often share information with data brokers, advertisers or third parties that are hard to track.

Users should also pay attention to how an app treats the data it gets. A keyword to look for is encryption, or data thats changed into a secret code that can only be unlocked with a unique digital key.

Data thats stored locally on your device also tends to be safer than data thats stored in a cloud, Crawford said. It would be a lot harder for law enforcement to access encrypted data stored only on your device rather than if they can subpoena a company for it.

Theres always risk as long as data is logged somewhere, Laperruque said.

But police are only going to be able to search your phone if they hand you a warrant and seize the phone, he said.

Most wearable devices that collect biometric data have some encryption aspect. Apples privacy policy says that when your device is locked, all your health and fitness data thats on the device and synced to iCloud is encrypted.

This means that when you use the Cycle Tracking feature and have enabled two-factor authentication, your health data synced to iCloud is encrypted end-to-end and Apple does not have the key to decrypt the data and therefore cannot read it, the company said.

Fitbit and Oura Ring say they use encryption measures, too. All three companies say that they have to comply with subpoena requests by law enforcement agencies.

The cost of your data

App developer Elizabeth Ha, 27, of Los Angeles, built cycle tracking app Monthly in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. All of the health data inputted into the app is stored privately on your device, and doesnt enter a database. You can delete your app (and subsequently, your data) at any time, and Monthly does not make your data available to anyone but the user.

Ha had been a long-time user of one period tracker app, but the Dobbs decision and the attention that data privacy was getting at the time, forced her to take a harder look at where she was logging her information.

Once your data gets sent to these data warehouses, its like a little bit of a black box, she said.

She feels pretty secure about her reproductive rights in California, but you never know whats going to happen or who else might need a more secure option, she said of Monthly, which released on the app store late last year.

The field of mobile apps is so new, developing in the last decade or so, she said, and it evolves so quickly. The reason so many period trackers are free is that theyre built by larger companies that can collect and sell your data, Ha said.

For them to be a business, a lot of the business is selling the data, she said.

Many Americans are waiting for a comprehensive, federal data privacy overhaul. The American Privacy Rights Act was proposed in congress in May, which would require covered entities to be transparent about how they use consumer data and give consumers the right to access, correct, delete, and export their data, as well as opt out of targeted advertising and data transfers.

It would also mandate that a covered entity could not collect or transfer to a third party biometric data without the individuals affirmative express consent.

For now, those who wish to keep data related to their reproductive health safe, should be vigilant about the terms and conditions of the devices and the platforms they use.

It just kind of speaks to the importance of both the surveillance and consumer data side of upgrading the laws, Laperruque said. We have to be more protective.
Police respond to a mass shooting at Walmart and the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019. File Photo by Justin Hamel/UPI

Aug. 3 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain, seeking a western route to India, with a convoy of three small ships -- the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria -- and fewer than 100 crew. They reached land at Guanahani, an island in the Caribbean, on Oct. 12.

In 1914, Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. The following day, Britain declared war on Germany and World War I was underway.

In 1923, by the dim light of a flickering oil lamp in a little farmhouse at Plymouth, Vt., his birthplace, Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office as president of the United States following the unexpected death President Warren G. Harding.

In 1943, Gen. George Patton slapped Private Charles Kuhl, who was in a military hospital in Sicily. Kuhl was the first of two privates hospitalized for shock that Patton slapped and berated that month, accusing them of cowardice. The general was later forced to apologize.

On August 3, 1923, Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office as president of the United States following the unexpected death President Warren G. Harding. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI

In 1958, the U.S. nuclear submarine Nautilus crossed under the North Pole.

File Photo courtesy the U.S. Navy/UPI

Planes wait at gates as the main control tower rises above the terminals in the center of O'Hare International Airport on November 5, 2014, in Chicago. On August 3, 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike. The strikers were fired within one week. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI

In 1975, a chartered Boeing 707 jetliner carrying Moroccan immigrant workers home from France to their families for the summer holidays crashed into a mountainside in Agadir, Morocco, killing all 188 persons aboard.

In 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike. The strikers were fired within one week.

On August 3, 1914, Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. The following day, Britain declared war on Germany and World War I was underway. File Photo courtesy the German army

In 2004, the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was opened to the public for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

In 2005, in the first emergency repair conducted in space, astronauts fixed a potentially dangerous problem by removing two strips of protruding cloth from the underside of the space shuttle Discovery.

A U.S. Coast Guard boat patrols the waters near the Statue of Liberty on September 2, 2004. On August 3, 2004, the statue was open to visitors for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on New York City. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

In 2007, the U.S. Congress passed a bill allowing the National Security Agency to monitor email and telephone communications between the United States and foreign countries without a court warrant if terrorism was believed to be involved.

File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

Angelina Jolie (C) and children Knox (L) and Vivienne arrive at Tokyo International Airport in Tokyo, Japan on June 21, 2014. On August 3, 2008, People magazine published the first photos of the newborn twins after paying up to $14 million, the most ever paid for baby pictures. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI

In 2008, People magazine published the first photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins, Vivienne and Knox, after paying up to $14 million, the most ever paid for baby pictures.

In 2010, a Manchester, Conn., beer and wine distributorship driver who was allegedly caught stealing beer, went on a shooting rampage after a disciplinary hearing at the company, killing eight people and himself.

Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi traverses along the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station between tasks of the mission's third spacewalk on August 5, 2005. Two days earlier, in the first emergency repair conducted in space, astronauts fixed a potentially dangerous problem by removing two strips of protruding cloth from the underside of the space shuttle Discovery. File Photo courtesy NASA

In 2014, an earthquake in southern China's Yunnan province killed nearly 400 people, injured 1,800 and destroyed thousands of homes.

In 2019, a gunman targeting immigrants opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, killing 23 people and injuring another 22.

In 2023, former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to four charges alleging he perpetrated a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, culminating in a deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol.

File Photo by Justin Lane/UPI
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is grieving following the death of her father, who passed on Aug. 2.

Joe Bowser was 88 years old.

FORECAST: Strong to severe storms likely through early evening

In her statement, Mayor Bowser credited her father for always being by her side and showing her what it means to be a public servant and give back to the community saying:

For 52 years, my dad has been at my side  guiding me, cheering for me, loving me. He was the first person to take me to a community meeting. The first person to teach me that if something needs to be fixed, then step up and fix it  and finish any job you start. My first example of a public servant. The first person  along with my mom - to show me unconditional love.

Joe Bowser was tough, he was bold, and he was uncompromising when it came to doing whats right. And I wouldnt be where I am today without him. Simply put, he was the best father and mentor a daughter could ask for. He held the Bible for me as I was sworn into office; and I had the honor of delivering the oath as he was sworn in as an officer of the North Michigan Park Civic Association. That was what it meant to walk in Joe Bowsers footsteps  always knowing he was there, always pushing me to keep up.

God blessed me and Miranda with you, Dad. Im heartbroken. I know that you will continue to guide me, and I will work every day to make you and mom proud. There will never be another Joe Bowser, you will be missed.

The specific cause of death has not been shared.

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DC police looking for suspects who stole from plumbing companys truck

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police is looking for two people who stole stuff from a plumbing companys vehicle in Northwest.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said on July 17, the victim said she parked her employers truck around noon in the 2100 block of 12 St. Then, her employer called her and said someone had broken into the truck.

Man taken into custody in DC after leading Alexandria police on a chase

Two suspects were caught on surveillance cameras breaking into the truck and stealing things before getting away.

(Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department)

Anyone who can identify the suspects or has any information about the theft is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered to anyone who has information that leads to an arrest and indictment of those involved.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Law enforcement was justified in using deadly force against a gunman in North Carolina who fatally shot four officers and wounded four others in April, a prosecutor concludes in a report released Thursday.

There is no question that the officers who killed Terry Clark Hughes Jr. did so to defend themselves and others, Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather says in the report. Before he was killed, Hughes, 39, opened fire on officers serving arrest warrants at his home in the city of Charlotte, the deadliest attack on law enforcement in the U.S. since 2016.

If law enforcement officers had not responded to an imminently deadly threat with lethal force, as difficult as it is to imagine, the outcome could have been even more catastrophic, Merriweather says.

The district attorneys office interviewed law enforcement officers who were at the shooting, including 12 Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers who fired their guns, to determine if the use of deadly force against Hughes was warranted. Authorities also compiled body camera footage and physical evidence, such as how many rounds were discharged during the shooting: 29 by Hughes and 340 by officers.

Merriweathers report described a scene of chaos and confusion during the lengthy standoff that left the four officers dead: Sam Poloche and William Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Officer Joshua Eyer and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks.

As state fugitive task force officers arrived at Hughes residence to serve arrest warrants on the afternoon of April 29, he retreated inside his home and began firing on them with an assault rifle from a window upstairs, the report says.

Weeks was hit while taking cover with Poloche behind a tree in the backyard, according to the investigation. Elliott and another officer were shot near the homes fence, authorities said. Eyer and Poloche were shot behind the tree while Eyer was attempting to help Weeks, the report says.

Three other Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were shot at different locations outside the house, according to the report.

Hughes jumped down from the homes upstairs window into the front yard, where officers told him to drop his weapon, according to the investigation. The officers opened fire, hitting Hughes 12 times and killing him, according to a state autopsy report. Hughes had two more 30-round rifle magazines in his pocket and an unused pistol on his hip, the district attorneys office said.

During the course of the shooting, the investigation found that 23 officers had shot at Hughes. None of the four officers who were killed had fired their weapons before they were shot, according to the report.

About 50 minutes after Hughes death, his girlfriend called 911 to report that she and her 17-year-old daughter were hiding in a closet in the home. After interviewing them, investigators determined there was no evidence that they had been involved in the shooting of the officers.

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Death toll from apartment block collapse in Russia's Ural Mountains reaches 10 as search ends

In this photo released by the Telegram channel of the head of Nizhny Tagil Vladislav Pinyaev on Thursday, August 1, 2024, Russian Emergency Ministry workers are seen near a multi-storey building partially collapsed presumably due to gas explosion in Nizhny Tagil, 1400km (870mi) east from Moscow, Sverdlovsk region, Russia. Three people have reportedly been rescued from under the rubble, information about the victims is being clarified.

MOSCOW (AP)  A total of 10 people died after an apartment block in Russia's Ural Mountains partially collapsed following a gas explosion earlier this week, Russia's Emergency Ministry said on Saturday, announcing the completion of a search and rescue operation after two days.

Five of those killed were children, the ministry said. Another 15 people, including seven children, have been rescued, according to officials.

Photos published by Russian news agencies this week showed a large part of the five-story prefab building in the industrial city of Nizhny Tagil leveled.

According to Russias Emergencies Ministry, the explosion of a natural gas tank was the likely cause. Residents of neighboring blocks told Russian news outlets that they heard a loud blast immediately before the collapse on Thursday.

The rescue operation involved heavy equipment and over 550 emergency workers, the ministry said.

Russian law enforcement launched a criminal probe into the incident, suspecting a health and safety failure.

Authorities in Nizhny Tagil declared a day of mourning on Saturday.
Debris of Shahed drones still being found in Romania after Russian attack on Ukraine

The specialists of the Ministry of National Defence of Romania have found the debris of a drone in another Romanian settlement not far from the border with Ukraine on 31 July.

Source: Ministrys statement cited by European Pravda

Details: The debris was found in Tulcea County near the settlement of Ceatalchioi.

"Standard operational procedures for such situations have been introduced," the Romanian Defence Ministry reported without going into details.

The ministry stressed that drone fragments were discovered outside the borders of populated areas, and no damage to people or infrastructure was documented.

Quote: "We also confirm our decisive signal regarding our condemnation of the attacks carried out by the Russian Federation against Ukrainian civilian facilities and infrastructure, which are unjustified and seriously contradict the norms of international law."

Background:

On the night of 24 July, two F-16 fighter jets took off in Romania in connection with a Russian kamikaze drone attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube, which are separated from Romanian territory only by the riverbed.

Later, the Ministry of National Defence of Romania confirmed that the debris, which was identified as the parts of the Geran 1/2 drone of Russian origin, was found in one of the three locations, defined as possible impact areas.

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SYRACUSE N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Central New Yorks SPCA hosted an adoption event to help make more room in their shelter on East Molloy Road.

They hope their event will spark the communitys idea of taking home one of these four-legged friends.

From this event, there have been at least three pets scheduled for adoption, and various applications filled out to help their shelter and create space for new animals in Madison, Oneida, and Onondaga County.

Latest local news

One of the adoptees, Frank Burns, took home his new one-year-old Pitbull from the event after meeting Todd for the first time last week.

I like the breed. Theyre misunderstood. They just need a little helping hand, said Burns.

With many pets to choose from, each visitor who walks through these doors has a special bond with each one of these animals.

Finding pets like Todd have a forever home.

I looked at another one first and then I looked at him and it was just love, said Burns.

But not every day does someone like Burns walk in to scoop up these fury friends causing many shelters like the CNYSPCA to face overcrowding.

The non-profit has contracts with multiple towns and counties to ensure that therell be enough space for pets in case of an emergency like a cruelty case or if dog patrol finds one abandoned.

So events like today, help this organization make sure that pets can get adopted so there is enough space for the new.

To adopt your own furry friend, you can go to CNYSPCA.org.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
How deep is Delaware Bay? What to know about First State's bodies of water

Gen. George Washington crossed it on Christmas to attack Hessian forces during the Battle of Trenton in 1776.

It's a vital nautical thoroughfare for ships traveling from Philadelphia and Wilmington to the Atlantic Ocean. And, it has seen a few battleships grace its waters.

The Delaware River and Delaware Bay are a special part of the First State. Here are some things to know about the Delaware River and Delaware Bay.

How deep is the Delaware River?

The deepest part of the Delaware River is 113 feet deep. The depth varies depending on location. It can run from as shallow as 4 to 6 feet and then drop off steeply the further you get from the shoreline.

According to the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River, the 103-mile stretch from Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey, to the Delaware Bay was deepened from 40 to 45 feet to make shipping cargo easier.

How many states does the Delaware River go through?

The river flows through five states  Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

Delaware most welcoming towns: Wondering where to move to in Delaware? Here are the 3 most welcoming towns, survey says

How long is the Delaware River?

The Delaware River runs for 330 miles. Its eastern branch starts near Roxbury, New York, and the western branch begins near Mount Jefferson, New York.

How fast does the Delaware River flow?

The Delaware River moves at approximately 2 mph, according to the National Park Service.

Wildlife around the Delaware River

The Delaware River basin is home to 400 types of birds and 90 species of fish, Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River. The river is home to the endangered American eels and river otters.

How deep is the Delaware Bay?

The Delaware Bay has an average depth of 26 feet and a maximum depth of 148 feet.

How big is the Delaware Bay?

The bay, which connects the freshwater of the Delaware River with the saltwater of the Atlantic Ocean, is 784 square miles, according to WorldAtlas.com. It extends from just south of Alloway Creek in New Jersey down to the 11-mile gap between Cape Henlopen and Cape May, New Jersey.

In addition, several rivers feed the Delaware Bay including the Delaware River, Appoquinimink River, Christina River, Mispillion River, Broadkill River, St. Jones River and Leipsic River on the Delaware side and the Maurice River, Cohansey River and Salem River on the New Jersey side.

How many states does the Delaware Bay touch?

The Delaware Bay touches Delaware and New Jersey.

Wildlife around the Delaware Bay

The Delaware Bay hosts the world's largest population of horseshoe crabs. More than 130 species of finfish, as well as oysters, clams and crabs, are also found in Delaware Bay. The marshy lowlands also provide a habitat for birds like the bald eagle, northern harrier, ospreys and other migrating birds.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How deep is the Delaware Bay River? What to know in First State
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has overruled a recent plea agreement with the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and two alleged accomplices, reinstating their case as a death-penalty trial.

The Pentagon announced this decision on Friday, relieving retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier of her oversight of the capital case against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.

I have determined that, in light of the significance of the decision to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused  responsibility should rest with me as the superior convening authority, Austin wrote in the public statement.

Earlier this week, Escallier had signed a pretrial agreement with the defendants that would have exchanged guilty pleas for sentences that would have ruled out the death penalty.

Just before this reversal, it was reported that Mohammed and his accomplices had agreed to plead guilty, a move that pointed to a long-awaited resolution for an attack that killed nearly 3,000 people.

The men were expected to enter their pleas at the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as soon as next week, with defense lawyers negotiating life sentences in exchange for the guilty pleas.

The proposed plea agreement, however, was met with mixed reactions. Terry Strada, who leads a group of families of the direct victims of the attacks, expressed frustration over the plea deal, taking aim at the defendents: They were cowards when they planned the attack, she said. And theyre cowards today.

The plea agreement came more than 20 years after the attacks, where militants commandeered commercial airliners and used them to strike the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon.

The attack prompted President George W. Bushs administration to then launch the war on terror, leading to U.S. military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and years of operations against armed extremist groups throughout the Middle East.

With Austins decision, the case now returns to its original status as a death-penalty trial.
Delaware elections 2024: How to get an absentee ballot, who qualifies for one

Delaware residents will have two opportunities to vote in the coming months.

For voters who will not be in the state or cannot make it to the polls, the state offers the ability to vote by absentee ballot.

Here's the information from the Delaware Department of Elections to help you vote absentee.

When is the Delaware primary election?

The primary is Tuesday, Sept. 10

When is the general election?

The general election is Nov. 5

What is absentee voting?

Absentee voting is a way for people who can't make it to the polls on an election day for reasons spelled out by the Delaware Code to vote. A person can vote absentee by mail or at the Department of Elections office.

2024 PRIMARY ELECTION: A guide to contested primary races for Wilmington mayor, city council

Who can vote absentee in Delaware?

A registered voter in Delaware can vote absentee if they fall into one of these categories

If you are a person serving the United States or Delaware or a U.S. citizen residing outside the territorial limits of the United States or their spouse or dependant.

If you are in the U.S. military or Merchant Marine or serving with the armed forces in the American Red Cross or United States Organizations (USO).

If you are providing constant care to a parent, spouse, or child who is disabled, injured or ill.

If you are an eligible person who is incarcerated.

If you are a student.

If you are a person who is absent from the district on vacation.

If you are authorized to vote absentee because of the Federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

If you are otherwise authorized by federal law to vote by absentee ballot.

How to apply for an absentee ballot

You can get an absentee ballot by doing the following:

Complete and submit an absentee ballot application on the State's Voter Portal.

Download and print an absentee ballot application. Complete and submit your application to the Department.

Call your county elections office for an absentee ballot application to be sent to you to complete and return to the Department.

What are the deadlines for absentee voting

Sept. 6: Deadline for Department of Elections County offices to mail ballots for the Sept. 10 state primary election.

Sept. 9: Deadline for the Department of Elections County offices to issue absentee ballots for the Sept. 10 state primary election.

Sept. 10 at 8 p.m.: Deadline for absentee ballots to be returned to the Department of Elections County offices for the Sept. 10 state primary election.

Nov. 1: Deadline for the Department of Elections Offices to mail absentee ballots for the Nov. 5 general election.

Nov. 4: Deadline for the Department of Elections Offices to issue absentee ballots for the Nov. 5 general election.

Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.: Deadline for voters to return voted absentee ballots for the general election to the Department of Elections Office of the county in which the voter resides.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware elections 2024: How to get an absentee ballot to vote
Democracy is in peril in America. We must not let 248 years of history go down in flames

The shooting and assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, had upended the already tumultuous 2024 presidential race for the White House.

A week later, President Joe Biden announced that he was ending his bid for re-election amid intense pressure from various Democratic leaders, sounding the alarm that his path to beat former President Donald Trump in November was fading.

The president's historic withdrawal threw the 2024 race, already roiled by an attempt on Donald Trump's life, put the presidential campaign into uncertain territory. Now, Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by President Biden, is heading the Democratic partys place at the top of the ticket for the 2024 November election campaign.

Many Americans have taken democracy as an afterthought

I doubt if this change within the Democratic party will bring us together as a nation as party divisions and a lack of unity will continue to intensify.

Election official Melanie Dukelow, left, assists residents casting their votes into a scanner machine at the Ruby Major Elementary School polling location on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Hermitage, Tenn.

As we recently celebrated our nations declaration of independence in 1776 from Britains king 248 years ago, many feel that Americas democracy could be at risk, along with the many liberties we cherish and take for granted.

There is a feeling of apprehension that warns about several failed democracies, notably Germany in the 1930s. Some would say the United States now faces a very real threat of becoming an autocracy, or a dictatorship.

More: Tennessee pastors react to Trump shooting: 'We're a nation in trouble, have you noticed?'

Many in our country over the years have taken democracy as an afterthought. It has been assumed that someone else will ensure that democracy will be maintained by following the rule of law along with genuine and open discourse that keeps our society healthy and able to simply survive.

There are many Americans who feel there was nothing wrong or inappropriate in attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to overturn the results of the 2020 election by force. This is belief, is a fundamental threat to the long-term health of our basic democratic foundation.

I am optimistic U.S. will reach our 250th Independence Day anniversary

The NATO conference that was held in the United States during the week of July 7, convened at the most opportune time. As the threats to democracy intensify, NATO has turned its attention toward the impacts of internal threats to democracy in Europe and what can be done to foster greater democratic resilience.

It doesnt seem controversial to say it feels as though today we are at a pivotal point in history. More than any time since the Cold War, democracy appears to be under attack, although those who oppose democracy today are far less recognizable than they were in the 20th century. Their tactics are more varied and more difficult to ascertain. It appears that some of the damage to our democratic institutions has taken on an internal status.

The Declaration of Independence was signed in July 1776, with the preamble: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Cast your vote to honor the struggles of those who paved the way for your rights today

Although we have not been a perfect union and nor have, we always lived up to the ideals expressed in that preamble, hope springs eternal. I have always been a perpetual optimist and it is my sincere hope that in two years from now when we celebrate the 250-year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our democracy will be stronger and not on the verge of collapse. Time will tell.

Spencer Wiggins is a retired corporate executive and the president and founder of the consulting firm, People Services Solutions, LLC, as well as having served as the former chair of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, 2006-2011.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Americans must protect democracy against threats that erode the nation
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  During the first eight days of the upcoming school year, the Daviess County Sheriffs Office will have additional units out to conduct traffic enforcement.

The agency states starting on August 7, deputies will be assigned at various times to each school zone in the county to ensure that motorists are obeying the laws and driving safely. More specifically, monitoring for traffic violations such as speeding, no seatbelts, running red lights or stop signs and other unsafe driving practices that take place during active school zone times.

Officials state the purpose is to protect the kids. According to data from the Transportation Research Board and Safe Kids Worldwide, from 2012-2022, 25,000 children were injured, and 100 children were killed while traveling to or from school in the United States.

We began this project last year and I was very pleased with the results. I think its important to

be out there and set the expectations early on so that hopefully we can avoid any major safety

issues associated with students returning to school. Its not necessarily about people intentionally doing wrong. Many of the people we stop just need to be reminded that with summer break over the yellow lights are flashing again and that they need to slow down and be alert, Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman said.

This is the second year that DCSO will be conducting the campaign.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
The Illinois sheriffs deputy who gunned down Sonya Massey in her home last month is now listed as suspended on a statewide registry of officers who have been fired, forced to resign or had their law enforcement licenses revoked due to misconduct.

The suspension of former Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Graysons law enforcement certificate came only after he was fired and charged with murder.

On July 6, Grayson responded to a report of a prowler at Masseys home. Bodycam footage from another deputy showed Massey saying she rebuked Grayson, and the former deputy threatening the 36-year-old woman. The encounter ended with Grayson shooting Massey in the head and failing to render aid.

After being discharged from the Army for serious misconduct and a history of driving under the influence, Grayson was employed since 2020 by six Illinois law enforcement agencies  at three of them, as a part-time officer, employment records show.

Grayson is part of what law enforcement officials and experts call Americas legion of wandering officers who drift from police department to police department  sometimes even after having been fired, forced to resign or convicted of a crime.

The shooting again underscores the critical need for police agencies to thoroughly vet potential hires, the International Association of Chiefs of Police said in a statement Tuesday. The pattern and nature of frequent job changes by a police officer should raise flags about their suitability for the policing profession.

The professional association of prominent police leaders called Masseys death a devastating and avoidable tragedy.

The absence of an exhaustive, national database for tracking and weeding out rogue cops  along with a lack of coordination among the more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the country  has allowed officers like Grayson to get hired without their checkered histories sounding an alarm, according to policing officials and experts.

Theres no question that  officers getting rehired after theyve been let go under whatever circumstances is a huge problem and appears to be responsible for a grossly disproportionate number of tragic incidents, said Christy Lopez, a former deputy chief in the special litigation section of the civil rights division at the Justice Department during the Obama administration.

In addition, Lopez said, part-time law enforcement positions  like those Grayson held  tend not to attract the best candidates or get the most training.

Its never a good sign when a police department is hiring officers on a part-time basis, said Lopez, a Georgetown University law professor.

A police misconduct registry funded by US Justice Department, and known as the National Decertification Index (NDI), already lists nearly 55,000 officers who had their law enforcement certificate or license revoked because of misconduct. But its coverage is spotty, according to policing officials and experts: Not every US police agency submits data to the registry or checks it before making hiring decisions. The names in the database are not public. And Grayson had never been decertified.

That certification index on its own is not enough, Lopez said. It wouldnt have caught Sean Grayson. Its not going to catch a lot of your problem officers.

Military discharge should have been red flag

Grayson, 30, was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of first-degree murder and one count each of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty and was denied pretrial release, according to court records.

Graysons attorney Daniel Fultz declined comment on Saturday.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell fired Grayson after the shooting, saying in a statement: Sonya Massey lost her life due to an unjustifiable and reckless decision by former Deputy Sean Grayson.

Grayson had other options available that he should have used. His actions were inexcusable and do not reflect the values or training of our office.

Campbell, in a separate statement, said no law enforcement agencies reported problems with Grayson before he was hired in Sangamon County, though previous employers had commented he needed more training. Grayson received 16 weeks of academy training after being hired, according to Campbell.

This is not unusual for deputies with Graysons experience, and is standard procedure for Sangamon County deputies, Campbells statement said. Graysons personnel file included references from people I know well, said the sheriff, adding those insights are invaluable in making informed hiring decisions.

Grayson was discharged from the US Army in 2016 due to misconduct (serious offense), according to a Department of Defense document included in Graysons personnel file during his time at the Kincaid Police Department in Illinois. The personnel file was obtained by CNN affiliate KSHB.

Sean Grayson, a deputy with the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office, faces multiple charges in the shooting death of Sonya Massey. - Sangamon County Jail/WISC

A red flag would be his military discharge, said Brian Grisham, deputy director of the nonprofit International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training and chair of the National Decertification Index. Thats a potential disqualifier in most states.

The DOD document said Grayson was separated from the Army under a general discharge after he served as a private first class at Fort Riley in Kansas. The alleged misconduct was not disclosed.

Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee, in response to a CNN request for more detail, wrote: Sean P. Grayson was a 91B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic) in the Regular Army from May 2014 to February 2016. He had no deployments and left the Army in the rank of private first class.

Grayson was charged with two DUI misdemeanor offenses in Illinois Macoupin County  one in 2015 and the other in 2016, court records show. The website of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, which sets professional standards for law enforcement and correctional officers, does not list driving under the influence as a decertifiable misdemeanor.

The first incident occurred in August 2015. Graysons vehicle was impounded after he was charged with driving under the influence. He pleaded guilty and paid more than $1,320 in fines, according to court records.

In July 2016, Grayson was charged with another DUI. Again, he pleaded guilty and paid more than $2,400 in fines, court records show.

Grayson acknowledged the DUI charges when he applied to be an officer at Auburn Police Department in Illinois in 2021. He worked there from July 2021 to May 2022. CNNs review of Graysons records there did not reveal any major problems or disciplinary issues.

In May 2022, Grayson started working at the Logan County Sheriffs Office in Illinois, records show. He wrote the sheriff a brief letter detailing his terrible decision to drink and drive.

Graysons letter also said he lost his driving privileges for one year after pleading guilty to his second DUI, in 2016.

A background check was performed prior to Graysons hiring in Sangamon County, Campbell said. Prior DUI convictions are not disqualifying criteria for a deputy, Campbell said.

We cant have you in our uniform

Grayson worked at six Illinois law enforcement agencies over a four-year period.

He started working part time with Pawnee police in August 2020, followed by the Kincaid and Virden police departments. Then he started working full time with Auburn police, the Logan County Sheriffs Office, and finally the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office in May 2023.

His employment records from the Auburn Police Department indicated why Grayson said he left previous positions: In some cases, he wanted to work full time but could only get part-time hours. In another, he said he didnt want to move.

Grayson was on the Kincaid police force for only three months before he was let go because he refused to live within a 10-mile radius, KSHB reported.

The decertification index originally was created to keep problem officers from moving from state to state but the reality is they move from agency to agency, Grisham said.

I do think there have been rogue officers that have gone all over the place and inadequate background checks let them continue on with potential bad acts in other jurisdictions.

Grayson did not appear to have disciplinary issues as an Auburn officer but records from the Logan County Sheriffs Office recommended he take high stress decision making classes. The records said Grayson failed to slow down after his boss called off a vehicle pursuit. Grayson was driving about 110 mph before striking a deer, according to the records.

A Logan County chief deputy wrote that Grayson failed to show due caution while driving through stop intersections. Graysons supervisor terminated the pursuit and the deputy turned off his emergency lights, the report stated. But Grayson continued at a high rate of speed (110/55 mph zone) prior to striking the deer.

Audio recordings that appear to coincide with Logan Countys internal review of the incident captured the chief deputy admonishing Grayson for describing it inaccurately in his report despite previous orders to check for accuracy.

If we cant trust what you say and what you see, we cant have you in our uniform, the chief deputy told Grayson.

Im getting goosebumps. This is extremely concerning, the chief deputy said later. Everybody likes you. I gotta be able to trust you. Was this a purposefully done lie?

No, Grayson responded.

Deputy Grayson acknowledged he lacks experience, the report said. A series of recommendations included additional traffic stop training, report writing training, high stress decision making classes, and needs to read, understand and discuss issued Logan County Sheriffs Office Policy.

It was not immediately clear if Grayson followed through with the recommendations. In April 2023, he resigned from the Logan County Sheriffs Office. The next month, he joined the sheriffs office in Sangamon County, where his encounter with Massey more than a year later resulted in murder charges.

A psychological examination before his was hired by Sangamon County said Grayson was a suitable fit for the position but also noted a low score on a cognitive assessment. He knows he can move too fast at times. He needs to slow down to make good decisions, read the report of the March 2023 examination.

On Friday, a spokesperson for the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office said the agency did not receive a complete disciplinary report from Logan County about Grayson, including his reprimand for an inaccurate report of the traffic incident.

Campbell did not respond to CNNs request for comment, but he told CNN affiliate WICS that we need to take a look at more thorough background checks of job candidates.

We did not receive all the information from some of his previous employers that came out afterward, the sheriff said.

The Logan County Sheriffs Office has not responded to a request for comment.

The union representing Illinois law enforcement officers said it will not challenge Graysons termination. After an evaluation of the deputys grievance, the union has determined that it will not be proceeding any further, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council said in a statement, which expressed sympathy for the family and loved ones of Sonya Massey.

If you look at it, an individual can push the envelope over and over and never get to the point of being disciplined on their license, but theyve left a cloud everywhere theyve been, Grisham said.

There are agencies cutting corners

Masseys death has led to renewed calls for passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the failed legislation targeting racial bias and use of force  including the creation of a more robust nationwide police misconduct registry.

George Floyd, the acts namesake, was another Black person killed by police. The 46-year-old died in police custody on May 25, 2020, after Derek Chauvin, a White police officer, was filmed kneeling on Floyds neck and back for nearly nine minutes as Floyd pleaded for help and said he couldnt breathe.

Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in a state trial in 2021 and sentenced to more than 22 years in prison. He later pleaded guilty in federal court of depriving Floyd of his civil rights.

Chauvin had 18 prior complaints filed against him with the Minneapolis Police Departments Internal Affairs before his fatal encounter with Floyd, according to the police department. Another officer on the scene also had a history of complaints.

Floyds killing sparked a wave of protests around the world, along with a spate of legislative measures intended to address police brutality and racial bias. But the Floyd bill has languished for years amid partisan differences that are especially heightened today. At the same time, many police agencies have struggled in recent years to hire and retain quality officers given the low pay, dangerous work and a perceived lack of respect from the public.

There are agencies cutting corners and they always have, Grisham said. But with the recruitment and retention issues we have today, where agencies nationwide, on average, used to receive hundreds of applications for vacancies and they get dozens now  theyre having to dig deeper into the hiring availability. So there could be a slight uptick in misconduct.

Lopez, who led the team that investigated the Ferguson Police Department in Missouri after the 2014 killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown, said having potentially thousands and thousands of bad apple officers on the streets can wreak havoc in communities.

We saw in this case, for example, there were two officers on the scene. Only one of them shot Sonya Massey, she said. You will see that in many of these incidents. Everythings fine. Most officers are handling it fine, but it just takes one officer to send it spiraling off into the wrong direction.

Lopez recalled that, while investigating police in Ferguson, local officials spoke about the muni-shuffle where officers often sauntered back and forth between jobs in the 91 municipalities and 50 or so police departments in St. Louis County.

An officer at Ferguson complained to me about accidentally hiring a really terrible officer from another agency because he wasnt aware about the officers misconduct history, she said.

Agencies sometimes  especially when theyre under pressure to hire, hire, hire  will hire officers from other agencies and they dont have to go through all the same training that a brand new officer would have to go through. So its sometimes seen as a cost efficient way to hire new officers when, in fact, it is a really dangerous way to hire new officers.

Smaller cash-strapped agencies often end up hiring an experienced officer who may have a checkered past instead of paying to train and hire a new officer, according to Lopez and other experts.

Police brass are now on notice

In 2015, a report by President Barack Obamas task force on 21st century policing called on the Justice Department to partner with the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training to expand its decertification database to help remove the worst cops from the streets. National and standardized reporting, the report said, would ensure that officers who have lost their certification for misconduct are not easily hired in other jurisdictions.

Theres no requirement that anybody, any local jurisdiction that has a Sean Grayson situation  send information to that central clearing house, Laurie Robinson, a professor at George Mason University and co-chair of Obamas task force, told CNN. Its something that has been going on as long as Ive been around policing, which is 25 years.

Decertification and other employment records are kept by the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) boards in each state, but not all boards report the information to the national registry. Only California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey and Texas require that records be reported to the national index, Grisham said.

We are not a government agency. We cant mandate usage of it, he said, noting the registry is still averaging over 200 new actions added monthly and more than 1,000 new user requests per month.

Weve got documented cases where officers are pretending like theyve never been in law enforcement before and applying for jobs and this system has caught them, Grisham said.

In 2020, a Yale Law Journal study titled The Wandering Officer said the scope of the problem in American policing is unclear. That remains true today, according to policing experts.

Not all those who wander are lost, but in policing, many are, the researchers concluded.

These officers, we have shown, are subsequently fired and subjected to moral character complaints at elevated rates relative to both officers hired as rookies and veterans with clean professional histories. And we likely underestimate the prevalence of the phenomenon nationwide.

The researchers found wandering officers tend to migrate to agencies with fewer resources in communities with slightly higher proportions of residents of color.

Police administrators are now on notice. Even when well intentioned  as a second chance for a hard-working cop  hiring a wandering officer is risky business, the study said. Beyond their own misbehavior, wandering officers may undermine efforts to improve police culture, as they carry their baggage to new locales.

CNNs Holly Yan, Bill Kirkos, Amanda Musa, Andy Rose, Chris Boyette, Brad Parks and Dakin Andone contributed to this report.

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There is much speculation as to who Kamala Harris will pick as her running mate for the 2024 Presidential election, but one elected official in Pennsylvania caused confusion on Friday when she posted a video seemingly announcing Harris pick for vice president.

In a social media post on Friday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that she and many other leaders from the Philly area are proud to support Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign.

The post  a video featuring local union leaders and elected officials praising Harris  also implied that current Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro had joined the Democratic ticket.

Some Social Security recipients getting extra payment in August: Heres why

Proud to be back with so many leaders from across our region supporting @KamalaHarris for President and @JoshShapiroPA for VP! the posts caption read.

As of Saturday morning, Harris had not selected a running mate; Shapiro is believed to be in the running for VP along with multiple other Democrat leaders including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona).

Simone Biles dominates vault, wins 3rd gold medal in Paris

A representative from Mayor Cherelle Parkers camp speaking on condition of anonymity told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the post was not an announcement of anything, and was rather a gesture of support for a longtime friend who [she knows] is one of the people being considered.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, who was featured in the video, told the Inquirer that she was surprised to see the post on Friday but thought it was fun and agreed with the message promoting Shapiro as Vice President.

Mayor Cherelle Parkers full advertisement endorsing Kamala Harris and Gov. Josh Shapiro can be viewed in the video player below:

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Did Richard Allen confess to killing two Delphi teens? Here's what we learned

Carroll County Court was abuzz in the first week of August as Special Judge Frances Gull heard testimony ahead of Richard Allen's murder trial.

Testimony revealed that Allen  who is accused in the 2017 killings of two eighth grade girls in Delphi, Indiana made at least 61 incriminating statements in the first few months after his arrest in 2022, while he was being held in a state prison for safekeeping.

In the second part of our look at what happened in the recent hearings, we look into what came out about his comments and behavior. In part one, we recapped the testimony around whether evidence related to Odinism and ritualistic killings would be allowed in the trial.

Previously: Will Odinism be part of Delphi murder trial testimony? What we learned

What did Richard Allen say after his arrest?

Statements included things he said during phone conversations with his wife and mother, and to other inmates who were assigned as companion inmates while Allen was on suicide watch. He also made statements to prison guards and to the warden and chaplain at the prison, where he was kept in a segregation unit and under constant video surveillance.

Brian Harshman, a detective with the Indiana State Police who monitored calls Allen made from the prison, testified he noticed changes in Allen's behavior in March 2023, when he began saying he'd found God. Allen began confessing to his family several days later, Harshman said, and kept confessing to them and others in the months that followed.

Allen, Harshman said, talked about why he killed the girls and why he delayed in confessing, although the detective did not elaborate on what those motivations were. Harshman also said Allen expressed fears that his family will no longer love him after the trial, during which they will see graphic photos of the girls' bodies.

Harshman, though, acknowledged during questioning from the defense that Allen also proclaimed his innocence during other conversations.

How did Allens family respond to the alleged confessions?

Allen's wife and mother became "extremely upset" during those calls, Harshman testified. "As the confessions went on," he said, Allen's mother would tell him that "they're messing with you."

Allen's wife implored him to stop talking, Harshman said.

What did the prosecution and defense say about Allens statements?

Officers transport murder suspect Richard Allen during a hearing regarding sealed documents, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi, Ind.

Defense attorneys want the judge to bar any mention of the statements at Allens trial, but the prosecution says they should be allowed because there had been no attempts to force those confessions out of Allen.

Bradley Rozzi, one of Allens attorneys, said allowing those statements violates his due process rights. He also cited the conditions under which Allen was placed, saying it amounted to coercion by the state. The actions of the state," Rozzi said, drove Allen to make those statements.

Stacy Diener, one of the prosecutors, said they were not made during custodial interrogations. Allen "was fully aware that his statements were unsolicited," Diener said.

What was Allens mental status at the time?

Richard Allen's attorneys took this photo April 4, 2023, of the man accused of the Delphi killings of teenagers Libby German and Abby Williams. He appears to have lost a significant amount of weight in his five months in prison segregation. He appears to have spittle on his shirt under his chin. Allen exhibits what his attorneys describe as "schizophrenic and delusional."

Prosecutors believed Allen was faking psychotic behavior when he confessed to the crimes.

Dr. Monica Wala, the lead psychologist at Westville who had therapy sessions with Allen, testified his mental health began to deteriorate in April 2023, around the time he began confessing. Allen started expressing suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness. He was seen banging his head on the wall to the point that his face was severely bruised, Wala testified. He began eating his own feces. His thoughts were disjointed. During some sessions, Wala said Allen was trembling and his eyes were twitching.

She also said Allen met the criteria of having a serious mental illness, a designation that would've placed a 30-day limit to his solitary confinement. Wala, however, also expressed doubts about Allen's honesty.

Diener, the prosecutor, referred to Wala's notes in which she seemed to question whether Allen was purposefully behaving bizarrely. Wala acknowledged there were times she was not certain whether Allen was legitimately going through a mental health crisis or feigning psychotic behavior.

Harshman, the Indiana State Police detective, testified prison guards assigned to keep an eye on Allen when he was on suicide watch did not believe his symptoms were real.

"Yes, they believe he was faking," Harshman said.

 Read the full story: Prosecutor says Delphi murder suspect made 61 incriminating statements while incarcerated

When is Richard Allens trial?

The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 14 and could run for a month.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Delphi murder updates: Here's what we know about Richard Allen's statements
Aerosmith is no longer coming to Cincinnati after the legendary rock group canceled its Peace Out farewell tour.

The band announced in a social media post on Friday that its members made the "difficult, but necessary" decision to retire from touring due to 76-year-old frontman Steven Tyler's vocal cord injury, which postponed the tour in fall 2023.

"As you know, Stevens voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. Weve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side," the band's statement read. "Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible."

The statement continued: "A final thank you to you - the best fans on planet Earth. Play our music loud, now and always. Dream On. Youve made our dreams come true."

It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith. Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark caught flame and has been burning for over five decades. Some of you have been with us since the beginning and all of you are the reason we made rock n roll history.



It has been pic.twitter.com/og43Q8Lwbt  Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) August 2, 2024

The band was scheduled to perform Oct. 17 at the Heritage Bank Center. That show had already been pushed back from its original date in January.

Aerosmith said the tour was supposed to be its final one, paying homage to the band's five decades of groundbreaking hits.

Fans who bought their tickets on Ticketmaster will receive an automatic refund. Those who purchased tickets through third-party providers like SeatGeek and StubHub will have to contact their point of purchase for details.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Aerosmith axes last Cincinnati show after farewell tour cancellation
The Democratic National Committee on Saturday launched a campaign in Atlanta against former President Donald Trump just hours before the GOP candidate is set to arrive in the city.

On the mobile billboard of the arena Trump is scheduled to speak at, the DNC played a video of Trumps previous controversial comments, some of which have been labeled as racist.

The Hill received an exclusive look at the ad, which is just over one minute. The ad includes some of Trumps most noteworthy comments, such as when he called African countries sthole countries and said violent protests with white supremacists in Charlottesville, Va., had very fine people, on both sides.

In one of the clips, MSNBCs Joy Reid can be heard reporting on Trumps comments calling for the death penalty for the Exonerated Five before the ad cuts to Trump himself saying, I want society to hate em.

The clip is followed by a quote from Trump in his former president of Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City John ODonnells 1991 book: Ive got Black guys counting my money! I hate it. The only kind of people I want counting my money are short guys that wear yarmulkes every day. I think that the guy is lazy. And its probably not his fault, because laziness is a trait in blacks.

But its not only Trumps words that are blasted on the mobile billboard.

Another clip shows Sen. Lindsey Grahams (R-S.C.) harsh criticism of Trump before the 2016 election in which Graham called Trump a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.

The new ad comes after the former president faced widespread criticism for remarks he made about Vice President Harriss identity in Chicago this week at the National Association of Black Journalistss annual convention.

A clip from the convention of ABC Newss Rachel Scott confronting Trump over some of his previous comments before asking the former president why Black voters should cast their ballots for him is the last video in the ad.

It ends with the words They shouldnt across a black screen.

At the NABJ this week, Donald Trump once again demonstrated a truth that Black voters across the nation have known for years  he doesnt care about the wellbeing of our communities or truly listening to the issues that matter most to us. He once again peddled racist rhetoric and spewed nonsensical lies about his presidency, Marcus W. Robinson, senior spokesperson for the DNC, told The Hill in a statement.

If Trumps embarrassing words this week werent insulting enough, lets remember that Donald Trump was a disaster as president for Black communities, and another Trump presidency would threaten to erase the historic gains the Biden-Harris administration made for Black communities, including a historically low unemployment rate, narrowing the racial wealth gap, and booming growth in Black wealth, he added. Black Americans deserve better than another four years of Trump.

Harris, who rallied in Atlanta on Tuesday with hip hop superstars Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo, became the official Democratic nominee on Friday after securing enough votes in a virtual roll call. She is expected to announce her vice presidential pick in the coming days.

Both Harris and Trump are desperately courting Black voters, though some experts say the former presidents comments at NABJ this week have set him back with the demographic.

The City of Atlanta is home to 465,230 Black Americans, or nearly 52 percent of that citys population, according to 2020 data from the Atlanta Regional Commission. In 2020, Georgia went blue and helped secure Democrats control of the Senate and the White House.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.(Photos: Seth Wenig-Pool/Getty Images; Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Hours after the Democratic National Committee announced an ad campaign saying GOP nominee Donald Trump was afraid to debate Vice President Kamala Harris, the former president said in a social media post that he wants to debate Sept. 4 in Pennsylvania on Fox News, with a live audience.

The FoxNews Debate will be held in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at a site in an area to be determined. The Moderators of the Debate will be Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, Trump wrote in a post to his Truth Social network.

But the Harris campaign said Saturday that Trump had already agreed to a debate on Sept. 10.

Donald Trump is running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and running straight to Fox News to bail him out, Michael Tyler, Harris campaign communications director said in a statement emailed to the Capital-Star. He needs to stop playing games and show up to the debate he already committed to on Sept 10. The Vice President will be there one way or the other to take the opportunity to speak to a prime time national audience. Were happy to discuss further debates after the one both campaigns have already agreed to. Mr. Anytime, anywhere, anyplace should have no problem with that unless hes too scared to show up on the 10th.

Trump and President Joe Biden, who ended his reelection campaign last month, in May had agreed to two debates: one on June 27 on CNN, and another on Sept. 10, that was to be broadcast on ABC News. Trump had pushed for debates for months, saying he would debate Biden anytime, anywhere, anyplace. Biden had a shaky performance during the June 27 debate, eventually leading to him bowing out of the campaign and endorsing Harris.

But during a July 23 call with reporters when Trump said he would be willing to do more than one debate with Harris, he said he was not sure he wanted to take part in the Sept. 10 debate because he agreed to a debate with Joe Biden, and not Harris.

Trump claimed that the Sept. 10 debate has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and gave another reason in the post to his Truth Social platform late Friday: He said he is in litigation against ABC and anchor George Stephanopoulos, thereby creating a conflict of interest. That lawsuit, filed in March claims that Stephanopoulos defamed Trump by saying during a March 10 segment of his This Week show that Trump had been found liable for raping the writer E. Jean Carroll. A jury in May found Trump liable for sexual abuse of Carroll stemming from a 1996 incident, which Trump has denied.

Trump called the Sept. 4 date convenient and appropriate in that it is just prior to the September 6th start of Early Voting in the 2024 Presidential Election, in another social post Friday.

Fox News had proposed to both campaigns last week that the network host a presidential debate on Sept. 17 in Pennsylvania, with Baier and MacCallum as moderators, but with the specific location to be determined.

The DNC on Friday launched a new ad campaign to be displayed on major newspaper websites in battleground states where Trump is campaigning, starting with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, that say the former president is afraid to debate Harris.

The DNC plans to replicate the ads running in Atlanta on the websites of other major newspapers in swing states on days Trump will be stumping in those states.

Harris, who clinched the Democratic nomination for president Friday following a roll call vote with delegates, will campaign with her still-unnamed running mate in swing states next week, with the first stop in Philadelphia, in a rally at Temple Universitys Liacouras Center. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is on the short list of candidates to be Harris vice president.

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What does the black-and-white Puerto Rican flag mean?

At the start of the parade Aug. 3, 2024, at the Puerto Rican Festival in Rochester, a black-and-white version of the flag caught attention. It is a flag of protest, said Ellia Collazo of Greece, who was holding the flag.

At the festival Saturday, more than the traditional flag of Puerto Rico was on display. There were flags from El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, the United States and more.

But what does the black-and-white Puerto Rican flag mean?

The most-seen Puerto Rican flag is red, white and blue; however, the black-and-white flag was at the vendor stands at the festival on Parcel 5. One vendor told us it is a universal flag of protest.

The Resistance flag of Puerto Rico

What we learned: This flag is known as the Resistance flag. It was made a few days after the Obama administration passed the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), which granted Puerto Rico a form of bankruptcy that put its finances into federal oversight and let it restructure debt.

Puerto Rico is currently a U.S. territory. The black-and-white flag was a response to the financial oversight board that was created after Hurricane Maria; it protests the U.S. mainland's financial control over Puerto Rico.

Now, the flag symbolizes resistance and grief.

Ellia Collazo lined up for the parade on Parcel 5 today. She was carrying a huge B&W flag. "We have been a colony (for so long) and this flag means that we are resisting the colonial status," Collazo said.

The flag gained traction after the Hurricane Maria weather and political disaster of destruction and missing support for victims.

Fight for independence

Collazo, who lives in Greece, is a representative of the Independence Party in the diaspora.

"We present in the United Nation every year. We present the problem of being a colony and we have in, to speak, persons from different groups in Puerto Rico that believe in independence."

She waved her flag with pride and joined the procession.

 USA TODAY contributed information for this article.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: What does the black-and-white Puerto Rican flag mean?
Donald Trump just made it official, in case you had doubts: The GOP is the party of racism, whether reverse-spun, dog-whistled or broadcast without guise.

On Wednesday, in comments the White House called repulsive, Trump said of presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, all of a sudden, she made a turn, and she became a Black person. He made the comments in a room of Black journalists.

Trumps comments were of a kind with those Republicans made last week, repeatedly referring to Kamala Harris as a DEI hire  diversity, equity and inclusion  implying that she hadnt earned her way to her position on merit. Try that on the millions of voters who elected her to four state and federal offices without a defeat.

The list of racist GOP hits on the vice president keeps growing. Monday, Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law whom he planted as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, said that the vice president is like a trash bag disguised as a womens high-priced designer handbag.

Politico reported earlier this week that Rep. Mike Garcia, R-CA, had harsh words to describe Harris: Shes not very intelligent, shes not very well-spoken. Calling Garcias words harsh misses the racial venom in Garcias words. He might as well have said she comes for the inner city.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., warned his members last week that the racial dog whistle wont hunt. It apparently wont heel either.

The tipoff to the racism in Garcias statement is in how far removed it is from reality. Anybody who has watched Kamala Harris recently, or seen her cross-examine a witness as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, knows her skill with language. Check out this 2019 video clip of her reducing Bill Barr, the Attorney General of the United States under then-President Donald Trump, to a puddle as he grappled with the meaning of the word suggest!

And lets not forget her poise and authority in the 2020 vice-presidential debate when she reigned in Mike Pence: Im speaking, Mr. Vice President. If you let me finish, we can have a conversation.

For any who dont know, a dog whistle is political shorthand for a phrase that may sound innocuous to some people, but is in reality, a covert appeal to some noxious set of views  such as in racial bias. Because of historic inequality whose legacy persists, unconscious racism can slip out even in well-intentioned people. An example is paying an intended compliment which, in actuality, implies a slur on their ethnic group or race.

One example is when someone expresses surprise that a Black American is articulate. Further along the same continuum is when ones commanding speech actually provokes ire, confusion, and fragility in the listener who cannot reconcile reality with entrenched stereotype beliefs.

Whether Garcias trolling results from implicit or explicit bias or racialized cognitive dissonance, the net effect is that hes gone full MAGA. He accused her, in effect, of whats known in other circles as being inarticulate while Black.

As Yannick Marshall, an assistant professor of Africana Studies at Illinois Knox College put it:

If Man is seen as a speaking animal, then the further Black people are placed outside of good speech, the further they are dehumanized. . . If Man is a political animal . . . then the black who is . . . incapable of good speech, is always external to politics and thus the law.

Usually, dog whistles contain a patina of plausible deniability for hiding racial animus. In the infamous 1988 Willie Horton ad run against George H.W. Bushs Democratic opponent Mike Dukakis, Bushs backers defended it as not about race but rather about law and order, notwithstanding all the enhanced Black visuals of Horton, its featured criminal.

Trumps, his daughter-in-laws and Garcias comments have no such cover.

Its notable that being inarticulate does not seem to disqualify white politicians, as we know from the misunderestimated George W. Bush. He was famous for misspeaking. Yet he was culturally and politically regarded as a guy youd just love to have a beer with.

Kamala Harris did not get elected a district attorney, an attorney general, a senator, and a vice president by being inarticulate. Saying otherwise is all part of an orchestrated MAGA playing the race card to its base and anyone else who might be vulnerable to it.

The Republicans may not know that very cool white dudes, like actors Jeff Bridges and Mark Ruffalo, are all in for a black woman for president. In fact, just Monday night, his White dudes for Harris Zoom raised $4 million from 200,000 participants. Like those actors, Garcia resides in Southern California, representing a Biden district  one that the president carried while Garcia beat his Democratic opponent. Unlike those actors, however, Garcia is living in the past. This November, his districts voters can send his House membership right back there with him.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A man who allegedly planned to shoot up a casino and use a person as a human shield has been sentenced to prison on a kidnapping charge.

On Friday, Allen Jones, 35, of Ute was given 16 years in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to kidnapping on March 19, 2024.

Authorities identify victim found dead after plane crash

The charge is related to an incident that took place on July 7, 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Jones called into work that day and said he needed a ride. When a co-worker came to pick him up, Jones reportedly lured him into the garage, held him at gunpoint with a loaded shotgun, and said they were going for a ride.

Jones then made the victim drive him in Jones car to a local casino, the DOJ says. He allegedly said he was going to shoot up the casino and use the victim as a human shield.

On the way near Mapleton, Jones reportedly had the victim stop at a gas station, ordering the victim to buy him food and beer. The victim went into the store and held up the items so that Jones could see, then ran out through the back.

As the victim escaped, he ran across two fields and a river until he reached an airfield and got help.

Police then found that Jones had left the gas station, leaving his car behind. He was later found and arrested.

Sioux City Explorers bus catches fire heading to away game

Jones had previously been federally convicted of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon. He also had a history of using marijuana, cocaine, and meth, the DOJ says.

On top of the prison sentence, Jones will need to serve five years of supervised release afterwards. The federal system does not allow for parole.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
A Dollar Tree storefront in Washington. (Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

Dollar Tree must test its childrens products more thoroughly after a state investigation found bracelets and pencil pouches in the companys Washington stores with illegal levels of lead and cadmium, the attorney generals office announced Thursday.

In order to avoid a lawsuit, Greenbrier International, which does business as Dollar Tree, entered a nationwide, legally binding agreement in King County Superior Court with the state of Washington requiring the major discount retail chain to ensure its laboratories outside the United States follow testing methods verified by independent experts.

The company will also pay $190,000 to Washington to pay legal fees and for future enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act and environmental protection efforts. The Consumer Protection Act is meant to protect Washington residents from unfair or deceptive business practices.

Testing by the Washington Department of Ecology found childrens bracelets and pencil pouches sold at Dollar Tree stores in 2018, 2019 and 2021 at times contained more than four times the federal limit of lead and four times the state limit for cadmium.

Dollar Tree cooperated with the investigation and removed the products from its stores, the attorney generals office said.

The company provided documentation from laboratories outside of the United States showing that toxic metals fell within permissible levels  but an independent review of the tests showed they contained errors or missing information, according to state officials.

Lead can cause neurological problems in children and cadmium is a cancer-causing metal which can lead to kidney disease and fragile bones. There is no safe level of lead in a childs blood. Both metals can cause death in extreme cases or through heavy exposure.

The agreement requires Greenbrier to implement specific reforms for the next five years, including using X-ray fluorescence technology to screen samples of imported childrens products, rotating testing of childrens products through different third-party laboratories annually and requiring laboratories to provide written procedures for lead and cadmium testing.

Greenbrier must also require a third-party expert and laboratory in the United States to audit its overseas testing using federal environmental and consumer protection standards.

In a statement to the Standard, Dollar Tree said it is committed to selling quality products.

We have an advanced product testing program and will further enhance the product testing processes for our vendors and their products with the third-party testing laboratories, a company spokesperson said.
Slates guide to the most important figures in politics this week.

Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, which has used weird as its only adjective to describe all politicians for years now, and should be getting paid royalties.





The brand-new presidential race continues to shape into form, as Americans further belittled the Republican vice presidential nominee while preparing to do the same to the to-be-announced Democratic one. The former 2024 presumptive Democratic nominee, meanwhile, enjoyed another week of seething and freeing political prisoners. The Trump campaign has squished Project 2025 into oblivion and cut all ties withoh WOW, newly unearthed video from 2023 shows J.D. Vance building a corn maze that reads PROJECT 2025 when viewed aerially!





But first, and God help us, were only beginning to learn how the Trump mind processes such information as a woman is of both Black and South Asian descent.

Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Joe Lamberti/AFP via Getty Images.

1. Donald Trump

Scrambling.

When Donald Trump was running against Joe Biden, he did a reasonable job, by his standards, of getting out of his own way. He kept the campaign drama to a minimum. He made meaningful strides in getting his party to shut up about banning abortion nationally. He endorsed normal Senate candidates over lab-born mutants in swing-state primaries, and stopped feuding with old enemies in the name of party unity. When Democrats were in a multiweek tailspin following the June presidential debate, he receded to the background. Things have been much differentthough more familiarsince Biden withdrew from the race. Though Trumps campaign and allied outside groups are running the ads youd expect, hitting on Harris record and some of the further-left positions shes taken in her career, the candidate himself is freelancing. At a panel this week at the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump bloviated about how Harris happened to turn Black and asked, is she Indian or is she Black? (Harris has identified as Black since well, well before she entered the public consciousness.) Why did Trump, who was in a surly mood throughout the panel, do this? The simplest answer is that this is who he is, and this is the filth his brain outputs when presented with such information as there are multiracial people. If theres any strategy to this, though, its just to belittle and otherize his fierce new competition. Dont equate this with any sort of evil genius move. Trump hit some of his best favorability ratings of his political career following the assassination attempt and the Republican National Convention. All hes doing with this feral pawing for a message is frittering that away.

2. Kamala Harris

Farewell, five-year-old policy positions.

Another explanation for why Trump argle-bargled his way through a theory about Harris racial identity is that it was a hard launch of the Trump campaigns new message on Harris: that she is, in the words of J.D. Vance, a chameleon" wholl change her beliefs to suit whichever audience and circumstances are before her. (It was also a major source of consternation on the right this week to see Harris code-switching. Its been a crash course on race! All of this will be on the final exam.) From a policy point of view, at least, Harris has been providing material. Shes spent the past week or so jettisoning various positions she took in an effort to win over the left during her 2020 presidential campaign. That includes her previous support for a single-payer health care system and banning fracking. Were skeptical the Trump campaign will actually stick with flip-flopping, because its about as limp a message as screaming hypocrisy on the other side. (Changing ones belief to suit circumstances is also a difficult message to deliver for a ticket whose VP previously said Trump could be Americas Hitler.) Voters dont think of politicians as saints, and are usually glad whenwhatever the processpoliticians land on the mainstream position. The stronger argument for the Trump campaign to use would be to just say that her old position is what she really believes in her heart of San Franciscoliberal hearts. Though its worth saying that no one actually believed Kamala Harris would fight for a single-payer health care system when she took that position, anyway.

3. J.D. Vance

Congratulations, youre getting what you signed up for.

The Republican vice presidential nominees poor introduction to the American people continued into another week, as further clips emerged from his previous career of appearing before every microphone to sling bad takes about women. What does Trump think about all of this? On the surface, he defended Vance multiple times this week, saying that Vance just loves family but wasnt judging those who choose not to have one. Underneath it, though, Trump seems to enjoy toying with Vance in a way not unlike how he toys with Harris. For starters, it wouldnt take much to convince the Surge that part of the reason Trump said what he did about Harris was for the sick pleasure of watching Vance, a father of three biracial children, have to defend it. (And so Vance did.) A more potent snub, though, came during the NABJ panel when Trump was asked whether Vance would be ready to take over as president on Day 1 if need be. Trump didnt directly answer the question, and instead went on a spiel about how the vice presidential selection historically has virtually no impact on the outcome of the race. He reinforced that while Vance is outstanding in every way, youre voting for the president. Youre voting for me. Not the most enthusiastic plug.

4. Josh Shapiro

The conclusion of Veepstakes Summer Special.

The blessedly short Democratic veepstakes will soon be over, perhaps by the time you read this. Harris next week will begin a tour of swing states with her running mate, whom she will debut in Philadelphia on Monday. While you shouldnt necessarily look at the Philadelphia location as a certain tell about her pick, one of the clear front-runners at the moment is Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. As the Surge wrote separately this week under the pen name Jim Newell, the choice of running mate will be the first good look at Harris political instincts that weve gotten in a long time. Shapiro is not without his detractors within the party, be they opponents of Israels military conduct, teachers unions, or environmentalists. He is, however, the popular governor of the most important swing state in the country. Does she think its more necessary to keep the Democratic coalition fired up heading into the convention and beyond, or to signal to swing voters that shes ready to smash some shale rock to smithereens and huff up its delectable hydrocarbons? Or does she have more sophisticated considerations befitting a national political campaign that the Surge is unaware of? Impossible.

5. Tim Walz

Home state (the House of Representatives) advantage.

Its the Minnesota governor whos captured the hearts and minds of progressives in the vice presidential race, given his record of progressive accomplishments in the state and his expert communication skills. Walz simply had to call Republicans weird once on Morning Joe last week and Democrats have had more than their fair share of content ever since. But theres another important segment of the party thats backing Walz: Democrats in the House of Representatives with whom he served, also known, in human parlance, as his friends. These former colleagues from the House, where Walz served from 2007 to 2019, appreciated his plain-speaking demeanor and his military service and his ability to consistently win re-election in a rural, red-trending district that was about evenly divided in 2012 and swung heavily to Donald Trump in 2016, as NBC News reported. The Hill also reported that ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who holds a bit of sway in Democratic politics, is always especially fond of former House colleagues, according to a source familiar with her thinking, when asked about Pelosis preference. They simply love Walz. Unless polling shows that he shaves a point or so off of their own races, in which case theyll wave him off.

6. Joe Biden

A grudge to treasure forever.

The president had a good week. He completed a massive prisoner swap to bring journalist Evan Gershkovich and U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, among others, home from Russia, and greeted them on the tarmac upon their return. He got the ball rolling on a proposal to reform the Supreme Court. Southern border encounters are dropping to a low for his administration. Whats most heartening to hear about Biden this week, though, is how much hes enjoying the greatest gift that can be given to his Irish soul: A fresh grudge to seethe over for years to come. The Associated Press reported this week that in private, Biden is still smarting over those who orchestrated the abrupt end of his 50-year political career. Dont feel bad for himsmarting, seething, and fantasizing about the total revenge hell never take is about as close as it gets to a perfect Saturday afternoon for this guy. He gave the public a peek at the joyous fury consuming him this week when a reporter asked him about his legacy for LGBTQ Americans. Biden noted that he was the first guy that came out for gay marriage and added: Remember that little problem with the Obama administration? Yes. YES. Feel the anger flow through you 

7. Paul Dans

Project twenty-twenty what now?

The Trump campaigns efforts to distance itself from Project 2025, a Heritage Foundationled policy and personnel blueprint for the incoming Trump administration, escalated this week. Under Democrats attacks about the projects plans for abortion, government staffing, and everything else under the sun, the Trump campaign pressured Heritage into shutting down its operations and forcing project director Paul Dans into stepping down. Trump campaign co-managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita were withering in their statement on its abrupt halt. "President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way, Wiles and LaCivita wrote. Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaignit will not end well for you. But just as Republicans arent going to allow Harris disavowing her old positions to stop them from mentioning them, so too wont Democrats stop talking about Project 2025. Here, again, J.D. Vance is a problem.
Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is questioned by journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago

Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is questioned by journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The event was moderated by, from left, Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News; Kadia Goba, politics reporter at Semafor; and Harris Faulkner, anchor of The Faulkner Focus and co-host of Outnumbered on Fox News. (William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

Former President Donald Trump told multiple lies minutes into his appearance onstage at the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago this week.

He said ABC News Rachel Scott launched into horrible and nasty questions without greeting him. Scott had just shaken his hand as he walked on stage and thanked him for his time.

He would claim to not know what DEI stood for despite his party targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts nationally, including here in Kansas. He falsely claimed that liberals favored executing babies in the ninth month and even after birth.

Trump speaks with the precision of a rusty butcher knife. Hes constantly and obviously lying, understanding that so-called real-time fact checking could not keep pace with his gushing, fire hydrant stream of untruths. How could anyone support him?

Its now the lefts turn to deal with a political opponent they cant believe anyone supports, kind of like how conservatives must have felt dealing with former President Bill Clinton. The parallels boggle the mind.

Lets start with the lies.

Clinton famously claimed to not have inhaled when first trying marijuana. When pressed about his affair with a White House intern, he said in a dodge, it depends on what your definition of is is. He said he didnt have sexual relations with that woman.

Both seem to have mastered not just the blood sport of politics, but they also have a penchant for frustrating and confounding their political opponents with how little crime or controversy sticks to their Teflon brands.

Clinton and Trump each have sycophantic supporters.

African Americans literally referred to Clinton as the first Black president and cheered him loudly during a late-night talk show appearance when he donned Wayfarers and played saxophone.

Trump supporters, many of whom are evangelical Christians, have created an almost Messianic aura around Trump, who famously said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in New York and his supporters wouldnt care.

Their opponents hate them and their respective political bases worship them for it.

Clinton and Trump both seem to have little regard for women and the word no. Both made jaunts to Jeffery Epsteins island of child sex trafficking, and both have faced numerous and credible accusations from women about their behavior.

Both dodged the draft and Vietnam.

Character remained an important trait until Clinton.

Today, Trump benefits from that shift in political mores.

Both enriched themselves in office. Clinton sold nights in the Lincoln bedroom and reached out to China for donations. Trump steered people wanting an audience with him to his gold-ticket hotel nearby, where the U.S. Secret Service also had to pay for their rooms.

Clinton and Trump floated policies that hurt their rock-ribbed bases of support.

Prison building exploded under Clinton and helped create the current mass incarceration crisis that has made America the worlds most punitive nation, with 2 million people locked up. Thats roughly 25% of the worlds prison population.

Trump delayed court proceedings on the Obama administrations expansion of overtime. He tried to cut his own taxes while wresting health insurance away from tens of millions of Americans. He proposed budget cuts that would devastate rural America.

Everyone feels sorry for both of their wives.

There are differences for sure.

First and foremost, Clinton didnt help organize a riot at the Capitol. Trump did.

Clinton was a Rhodes and Fulbright Scholar. Trump attended college. Clinton, for all his lustful meandering, seemed to care for the poor and working classes. Trump says he loves the uneducated, but probably only because that makes them easier to manipulate.

Clinton was a statesman. A long-winded statesman, but a statesman. Trump likes dictators.

Were living in historic times. Never has a Black woman stood so close to the American presidency, and never has a wide swath of us stood so close to civil war in modern times. The country teeters at a demographic tipping point.

About half the nation saw Trumps NABJ visit for what it was: a not-so-veiled attempt to sow racial distrust of Vice President Kamala Harris among Black voters, an effort to pit the Black working class and poor against immigrants, and to show his base he aint afraid of negroes.

Trump would disrespect those uppity Negroes right to their face at one of their most revered organizations. Kind of like Clinton did to Jesse Jackson, when Clinton bashed hip-hop artist and activist Sistah Souljah at a Jackson-sponsored event.

I cant for the life of me understand how anyone could respect Trump. But I do remember liking Clinton, so yes, I guess I resemble todays Trumper.

Whats beyond belief, it increasingly seems, is a different point of view.

Mark McCormick is the former executive director of The Kansas African American Museum, a member of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission and former deputy executive director at the ACLU of Kansas. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Donald Trump Agrees to Fox News Debate in September as Kamala Harris Sticks to ABC Debate Plan Even If He Doesnt Attend

Its interesting how anytime, any place becomes one specific time, one specific safe place,  Harris said about Trump

Getty(2) Donald Trump; Kamala Harris

Former President Donald Trump is pushing for  and says he has already agreed to  a new presidential debate hosted by Fox News after citing former opponent Joe Biden's absence as one of the reasons for him not proceeding with a previously scheduled ABC News debate.

As the new Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris has since announced her intention to stick to the Sept. 10 debate on ABC News  previously announced in May between Trump and Biden before he dropped out  even if Trump doesn't show up.

In the late hours of Friday, Aug. 2, the Republican candidate, 78, announced on his Truth Social platform that he "agreed" with Fox News to debate Harris, 59, on Sept. 4. In the post, he claimed his ABC News debate was "terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant." Fox News had previously invited Trump and Harris to debate on Sept. 17.

Getty(2) Donald Trump; Kamala Harris

Related: Kamala Harris Responds to Donald Trump Saying She 'Turned Black': 'The American People Deserve Better'

Trump cited a "a conflict of interest" while announcing his decision to not participate in the ABC News debate, writing that he's "in litigation against ABC Network" and George Stephanopoulos.

As previously reported, Trump filed a lawsuit against the political commentator, claiming that Stephanopoulos defamed him during an interview when he used the word "rape" when mentioning Trump being found liable for sexually abusing and defaming former Elle advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in a civil trial last year.

While Trump is now citing the litigation as a reason for his debate move to Fox News, he initially filed his suit against ABC News and Stephanopoulos in March  weeks before he and Biden agreed to the debate.

Trump wrote on his social media platform that the he's since shifted his focus on the Fox News debate, which he said would be held in Pennsylvania at a "site in an area to be determined," with Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum as moderators.

"...And the Rules will be similar to the Rules of my Debate with Sleepy Joe, who has been treated horribly by his Party," Trump claimed. "BUT WITH A FULL ARENA AUDIENCE!"

On Saturday, Aug, 3, Harris responded to a screenshot of Trump's post with a message on X (formerly Twitter): Its interesting how anytime, any place becomes one specific time, one specific safe place.' Ill be there on September 10th, like he agreed to. I hope to see him there," Harris wrote, referring to the previously agreed upon ABC News debate.

Brandon Bell/Getty Donald Trump in March 2023

Related: Donald Trump Says Kamala Harris, Whose Husband Is Jewish, 'Doesn't Like Jewish People'

In her response, Harris appeared to quote a message Trump shared with his supporters at a rally in Wisconsin in April, when he called on Biden to debate him "any time, any place" and "any way you want."

Trump then claimed on Truth Social after Harris' post that she "doesnt even want to debate me" during his proposed debate time after he backed out of the ABC News debate. He also claimed that she was "afraid to do it."

Meanwhile, Harris Campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler told ABC News in a statement that Trump is "running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and running straight to Fox News to bail him out."

"He needs to stop playing games and show up to the debate he already committed to on Sept 10," Tyler told the outlet. "The Vice President will be there one way or the other to take the opportunity to speak to a prime time national audience. Were happy to discuss further debates after the one both campaigns have already agreed to. Mr. Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace should have no problem with that unless hes too scared to show up on the 10th.

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In a Fox News interview earlier this week, per PBS, Trump claimed he could "make a case" for not participating in a debate against the vice president, and said he'd "probably end up debating" Harris.

In May, both Biden and Trump agreed upon two debates  the one that already took place on CNN in June and the upcoming ABC News debate in September.

The agreement came after the Biden campaign announced, per NPR, that the current president would not participate in terms laid out by the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has facilitated presidential debates since 1988. The Republican National Committee also shared in April 2022 that it was quitting the Commission on Presidential Debates, per the outlet.



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Drag queen Srimala showing off her final look before performing at an LGBTQ bar. (Photo by Matt Hunt/Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

A new political action committee is stomping the runway, bringing together some of the biggest names in drag to push back against anti-LGBTQ legislation and politicians. Through a flurry of social media posts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and X, the PAC has begun a campaign to raise funds ahead of the November election.

Aptly named Drag PAC, the committee was officially formed in March 2024 Federal Election Commission filings show. As a hybrid PAC, the committee can make limited donations to politicians from one account but raise and spend unlimited money to make independent expenditures from another.

In a YouTube video announcing the launch of the committee, RuPauls Drag Race alumni Peppermint, Monet Exchange, Alaska, BenDeLaCreme and Willam explain that they connected to form the first and only PAC led by drag queens.

I think everyone is a little disheartened with a lot of our elected leadership, said RuPauls Drag Race season 5 and All Stars Season 7 winner Jinkx Monsoon in the video. And frankly our community is being assaulted and its escalating to violence.

RuPauls Drag Race season 9 alum Peppermint told OpenSecrets that she was initially approached by rapper and podcaster Dan Stermer, professionally known as Big Dipper, to start the PAC.

Because Big Dipper was familiar with Peppermints involvement in social issues and activism including the Black Queer Town Hall, the performer said she wasnt surprised that she was approached to join.

Peppermint said that it is important to raise money to support candidates whose ideals and motives align with the PACs mission. She added that candidates who dont support LGBTQ issues or who actively work against the interests of queer individuals are sometimes supported by large donors.

Candidates that we would want to support us, people that we would go out and vote for, are being defeated at the polls by candidates that have so much backing, millions of dollars, Peppermint said. What we want to do is support candidates, sort of pick that same model and support candidates who are willing to speak up on behalf of the LGBTQ community.

July 2024 FEC filings show that the PAC has raised more than $140,000 so far, with long-time Democratic donor Dylan Bulkeley-Krane contributing $60,000 since March. Bulkeley-Krane is one of the committees organizers and is also the co-founder of Disability Action of America.

Bulkeley-Krane told OpenSecrets that he donated the initial start-up funds to the PAC so that the committee could get off the ground. Since then weve received hundreds and hundreds of small dollar donations and a few big donations as well, Bulkeley-Krane said. Much of our staff, including the Queens, volunteer our time for the PAC, so all of the money we raise go towards our GOTV efforts, filming content, hosting events and building our tech tools.

Rainbow waves

While committees that have historically supported LGBTQ issues are not new  the LGBTQ Victory Fund has raised more than $1.8 million during the 2024 cycle and contributed just over $129,000 to Democratic candidates  Drag PAC appears to be the only federal political committee openly led by drag performers.

Podcaster and RuPauls Drag Race season 4 alum Willam said that part of what makes Drag PAC unique is the commitment to boosting candidates and politicians who are actively supporting queer issues.

We havent endorsed anybody but our focus is on voter outreach and we will be highlighting down ballot candidates who are fighting for our communities in the future, Willam said, adding that they personally support candidates who are visibly working to support the community, citing examples including Honey Mahogany of San Francisco and Maebe A. Girl of Los Angeles.

Mahogany, another Drag Race alum, ran for supervisor of District 6 in San Francisco but was defeated by Matt Dorsey. The social worker and activist previously served as a member of the San Francisco DCCC and was later elected chair.

Girl was the first ever drag queen elected to public office after winning a seat on the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council. She would go on to run unsuccessfully against Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) for Californias 28th congressional seat in 2019 and again in 2021. After Schiff announced his retirement to run for Californias Senate seat, Girl said she would run to replace him in 2024 but lost the primary.

To get candidates like Mahogany and Girl elected, there needs to be a high level of engagement from younger generations, Peppermint said, adding that educating people about who the candidates are and what they represent is part of the plan.

Its important for people to understand what types of people are getting ready to run for office, Peppermint said. Its important to understand what the support of those people looks like and understand how those people move through the world of politics and through the ranks. How people, how we as individuals, can support those people.

Peppermint said educating younger voters, particularly Gen Z, is a focal point of Drag PAC and noted that younger people tend to be more progressive but dont always show up to vote.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts College, 41 million members of Gen Z will be eligible to participate in the 2024 presidential election, eight million of whom will be new voters. It is these voters who Drag PAC is trying to engage through voter registration and social media presence. But to do that, the PAC needs monetary support.

I want to be able to affect change and make sure the right people get elected, Willam said. So Ill go wherever theres a party that theres campaigns and I need to schmooze some people and get them to get their checkbooks and Venmos out because drag queens are good at what? Getting money.

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Drones hit warehouses, fuel tanks in Rostov Oblast, official says

An overnight drone strike caused damage to targets in Russia's Rostov and Oryol oblasts on Aug. 3, according to the governors of the respective regions and local Telegram news channels.

Residents in Rostov Oblast reported hearing explosions in Rostov-on-Don, Bataysk, and Morozovsk. Locals also reported a fire at the Morozovsk military airfield. Fuel tanks reportedly caught fire in the region's Kamensky district.

"As a result of a massive UAV attack, a number of storage facilities in the Kamensky and Morozovsky districts were damaged," Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev said.

"Emergency services are extinguishing the fires. Information about the victims is being clarified."

In Oryol Oblast, Russian forces reportedly intercepted the drone attack via electronic warfare. Governor Andrey Klychkov said that two drones struck a residential building in the region's Bolkhovsky district.

Ukrainian forces targeted the Morozovsk airfield with at least 70 drones in a mass attack on June 13. A previous strike on the airbase in April destroyed six military aircraft. The airfield is located some 180 kilometers (111 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Read also: Starstreak missiles in the hands of Ukraines soldiers  heres why theyre so deadly

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
HENRY COUNTY, Ala (WDHN)  After just one day on the job, one Henry County task force is already making waves.

On Thursday, Henry Countys Sheriffs Pro-active Drug Enforcement Unitor the Spade unitofficially took effect after months of training.

Spade is an 8-man unit of narcotics officersSergeants, deputies on patrol, and even a school resource officer. This unit began training in early March with one common goal: being proactive in drug approaches.

The goal of the unit, too, was to take some of those dangerous drugs that are here in our county and get them off our streets, said Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship.

According to Sheriff Blankenship, in the early morning hours of Friday, the Spade team, Eufaulas Swat Team, and Barbour Countys K-9 unit executed a search warrant in Henry County.

As of now, details are limited, but Blankenship did reveal that three known drug dealers were arrested.

While this is a huge stepping stone for the spade unit, Blankenship hopes this team can help get rid of the dangerous drugs around Henry County.

Were seeing an uptick of fentanyl cases. Were seeing a lot of drugs that are laced with fentanylincluding marijuana, the sheriff said.

Blankenship did note that the drug issues stretch far past Henrywith the entire country going through the same thing.

With that being saidthe Henry County sheriff did say that along with dealing with local drugsthe spade unit hopes to prevent drugs from out-of-state from being moved into Henry Countyvia a very popular highway.

431 is a major drug corridor coming from Atlanta, down to the panhandle. We had one last week from Tennessee headed to Florida, that we stopped with trafficking drugs, Sheriff Blankenship said.

As of nowthis case is still under investigation, and the Henry County Sheriffs Office is expected to release additional information soon.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Eads man accused of stealing $468K in electronics, selling them on eBay

EADS, Tenn.  An Eads man is accused of stealing close to half a million dollars worth of Ethernet switches from a tractor trailer and selling them on eBay.

Aubrey Brown is charged with theft of property. He is currently out on bond and is scheduled to be in court Aug. 9.

According to Memphis Police, an 18-wheeler was parked near a warehouse off Lamar Avenue on July 12. The driver told police he was unable to make a delivery and went to sleep, but when he woke, his trailer had been burglarized.

The Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force found 54 Arista Ethernet switches stolen, at a value of more than $468,000.

Antique car missing for 2 years after woman brings it to shop for repairs

Investigators found that Brown had posted the Arista Ethernet switches on eBay and had already sold 28 of them to various buyers. Police say the switches all had serial numbers matching the stolen items.

Ethernet switches manage the flow of data between devices, cloud services and the Internet. They are critical and they arent cheap  about $8,700 each, according to a police report.

Thursday, the Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force executed two search warrants on Browns home in Eads. No one answered the door there when WREG checked Friday.

Neighbors who know Brown said they were shocked to hear about the charges against him.

Brown reportedly denied stealng the switches, but admitted selling them on eBay.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
(KRON)  Bike East Bay, an East Bay bicycle coalition, is sending a letter to Antioch City Council members claiming the recent death of a cyclist whose life was taken by a DUI crash was preventable.

Just after midnight on July 27, Linda Woolridge, 29, was struck and killed by a drunk driver while she was riding her bicycle on Lone Tree Way near Sagebrush Drive.

Linda was loved by all of her family, & was such a bright, bubbly soul. She is a daughter, a mother of two kids, and a sister to 3 siblings, Wooldridges GoFundMe page said.

Man found dead near City College of San Francisco: police

Bike East Bay said Woolridge was the eleventh person killed on this corridor since it was increased from four to six lanes in 2018. They also said this could have been preventable, as this was not the first time they expressed their concerns.

Bike East Bay staff and other community members spoke up loudly and clear to staff and city council with warning of increased dangers resulting from the new configuration, their letter to city council read in part, claiming the warnings were ignored after bikes may use full lane signs were deemed adequate.

We are devastated by all of these preventable tragedies, Bike East Bay said on X, sharing other tragedies besides Wooldridges, such as the death of Elijah Holland and an 11-year-old Antioch resident who was crossing the street on foot when he was hit and killed by a driver in 2020.

Bike East Bay is sending a letter to Antioch City Council requesting them to initiate the following:

Request that staff coordinate with Bike East Bay and the Antioch Parks & Recreation Commission to develop a rapid response, near-term safety project for Lone tree Way and mitigate the ongoing dangers of that corridor.

Initiating an Antioch bike/walk planning effort  the citys first and separate from the Contra Costa Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan  by forming a commission to provide community oversight.





The city council meeting is scheduled for August 13.

KRON4 has reached out to Antioch City Council for comment and has not heard back from them since the publication of this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
After harrowing ordeals wrongly detained in Russian prisons, 16 people were freed in exchange for eight Russian prisoners held in the United States, Slovenia, Poland, Norway and Germany.

The multinational deal includes the release of Americans Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter convicted last month of spurious espionage charges after a year already imprisoned; Paul Whelan, a Marine veteran jailed in 2018 after traveling to a friends wedding; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, arrested in 2023; and U.S. resident Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist and opposition politician.

We must also commend the U.S. government for working to secure the release not only of American citizens and an American resident, but nationals of other countries also improperly held, including three who were Russian themselves and had formed part of opposition leader Alexei Navalnys team.

Navalny himself should have been among them, but unfortunately he died early this year at an Arctic prison while serving his own sentence on trumped-up charges. Or rather, itd be more accurate to say he was killed by the Kremlin, either through some sort of direct means or indirect but equally deadly intentional medical neglect.

Let all that be a reminder that even though prisoners were swapped in both directions, what Russia was punishing were not crimes but acts of civil society, including the performance of journalism, political organization and free expression, particularly in opposition to Vladimir Putins horrific war in Ukraine.

Those released from Western prisons at Putins insistence included an assassin convicted of murdering a Chechen separatist in Germany, an intelligence officer suspected of funneling U.S. military technology to Russia and a hacker convicted of breaking into more than 500 businesses. This follows the release of the Merchant of Death, arms trafficker Viktor Bout, in a December 2022 prisoner exchange for WNBA player Brittney Griner.

We should all be glad that Russia has released these political prisoners, but we must acknowledge that these swaps do carry the consequence of showing the Putin and his cronies that they can get back Russian nationals serving prison sentences in the U.S. and elsewhere if they nab random Americans or Europeans on falsified or heavily inflated charges.

In an earlier era, Putin would have perhaps thought twice about deploying this strategy too brazenly to maintain at least some maneuverability on the world stage. But now that hes entirely torched any remaining credibility  not to mention his military and economy  with his unwarranted invasion and the war crimes committed therein, hes got little left to lose from these tactics.

The solution here cant be to just accept that and let him succeed at shutting down dissent or the ability of foreigners to operate in Russian territory, though it probably means that Americans and Europeans in particular should take greater care about the prospect of traveling to the despots land. He must be isolated on the world stage, hit with economic, legal and political consequences.

The U.S. and allies should continue to support the aspects of Russian civil society that havent been swamped by Putins machine. He remains popular in Russia in part due to relentless propaganda and the lack of any alternative visions or political projects. But he cant keep this up forever.

___
Roy Cedillo, 4, looks at some of the candles, flowers and flags that were placed on the scene to honor the victims of a mass shooting in El Paso on August 5, 2019. [Credit: Lola Gomez/American-Statesman)

On the morning of August 3, 2019, my community was changed forever. A shooter armed with hate and a gun drove almost seven hundred miles from Allen to El Paso and shot and killed 23 people  friends, neighbors, sons and daughters. He targeted the Latinx community.

Five years later, Texas is still battling high rates of gun violence. In an average year, over 4,000 people die by guns in Texas  and people of color, in particular Black Texans, are at even higher risk of dying by gun homicide in our state. Nationally, nearly 5,000 Latinx people die from gun violence in the United States each yearan average of 14 deaths every day.

But very little progress, if any, has taken place in Texas. Despite several tragedies, including the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, the 2019 El Paso and Odessa shootings, 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting and the 2017 Sutherland Springs shootingstate lawmakers continue to cave to the gun lobby by failing to take any action to prevent gun violence.

During the last legislative session, Texas leaders had the chance to find common ground on policies likelegislation to raise the age to purchase semi-automatic riflesincluding the AR-15 and other assault weapons to 21 years old, which could have prevented shootings like the one in at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. They could have voted to fund Community Violence Intervention Programs, which are proven to save lives and reduce daily gun violence. Instead, Texas lawmakers dangerously armed more teachers and put our kids at greater risk.

Governor Abbotts response to gun violence in our state has been nothing short of a complete failure. Instead of taking meaningful action on gun safety, he convenes meaningless, do-nothing committees, looking to blame everything except the guns flooding our streets that are making their way into our schools and communities. Make no mistake, Abbott has fueled this crisis even further by vilifying immigrants and spreading dangerous rhetoric that will have even more deadly consequences.

Just this January, Abbott was widely criticized after suggesting our state had used every tool to control the border short of ordering officers to shoot migrants crossing over illegally. This kind of dangerous rhetoric is what brought that gunman from Allen into our community in the first place  yet the risk of further violence has not stopped Governor Abbott from vilifying our community.

Unfortunately, Texas isnt alone. We have seen this rhetoric in Arizona, where this year lawmakers there followed Abbotts recipe and mixed anti-immigrant vitriol with guns by passing a bill that would have emboldened racist, vigilante violence against immigrants crossing private property. Thankfully, Arizonas governor vetoed it.

Nationally, its been worse. Every day, Latinx communities turn on their televisions to hear the latest smears and racist attacks by President Trump who touts his record of doing nothing about gun violence, even telling gun violence survivors to get over it while simultaneously campaigning on the harmful idea of mass deportation and blaming immigrants for the failures of his presidency, adding fuel to the fire.

I remember that vicious attack in El Paso every day I enter a supermarket, when I drop off my kids at school, and even at the movie theater because all those places have been tainted with gun violence. But fear will not win.

Alongside my fellow Moms Demand Action volunteers, Ill continue calling things as I see and live them and I hope that one day our state leaders spread hope and not hate. And those places once full of fear, are now filled with safety and joy.

Luevanos is a leader with Moms Demand Action in Texas, advocating for gun safety and secure storage of firearms. She lives in El Paso.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Five years after El Paso, little action on guns and Latinos still targets
El Paso Police: 1 injured after shooting in far East El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was injured after a shooting Friday evening, Aug. 2 in far East El Paso, according to the El Paso Police Department (EPPD).

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at 9:44 p.m. on Aug. 2, at the 12600 block of Montana Ave., according to EPPD.

EPPD said one person was taken to a local hospital but did not specify the severity of the injuries sustained.

This is a developing story and we will update once we learn more.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Volunteers with the Border Network of Human Rights carry crosses with the names of the victims of the Aug. 3 shooting during a memorial on the fifth anniversary of the massacre.

10:39 a.m.-10:45 a.m.  Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019

In those six minutes, El Paso was gripped by terror and tragedy after a white supremacist gunman traveled 10 hours to wage a racist attack against Mexican people living in the Borderland.

The binational attack ended with 23 people from El Paso and Ciudad Juarez senselessly slaughtered.

On the fifth anniversary of one of the nation's deadliest mass shootings, El Paso and the rest of the country are still coming to grips with the consequences of that attack, which left holes in families and caused trauma that might not ever be resolved.

Doves are released during a memorial held on the fifth anniversary of the Aug. 3 Walmart mass shooting. The memorial was organized by the Border Network of Human Rights in El Paso, Texas on Aug. 3, 2024.

El Pasoans remembered those lost during local events memorializing the slain and tackling the root causes of the mass shooting  racism and white supremacy.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris sent letters to the El Paso community as it mourned. Biden called the attack "a despicable act of hate."

"To the survivors and the loved ones of the victims: I know how hard these days can be. Even after years have passed, milestones like this can bring you back to how you felt in the moment you lived your worst nightmare, Biden wrote.

Officer Chagoya looks out to the parking lot of Walmart on the fifth anniversary of the Aug. 3 Walmart shooting. The officer did not state his first name.

Harris promised to "recommit ourselves to achieving a future where every person can live free from gun violence, fear and hate.

Doug and I join you in remembering those who lost their lives in this senseless act fueled by white supremacy, and we are thinking of those who were injured, Harris wrote.

Closer to home, the El Paso and Juarez communities  united in one voice  seemed to be calling out for hope, perseverance and unity. Prince of Peace Christian Fellowship Pastor Michael Grady called Saturday a beautiful day for remembrance.

Volunteers with the Border Network of Human Rights carry crosses with the names of the victims of the Aug. 3 shooting during a memorial on the fifth anniversary of the massacre.

"Here we are again, speaking truth to power, exposing the darkness and offering the light, challenging the highest levels of leadership in the land to fight against systemic racism, xenophobia and white supremacy  all of those characteristics brought us to this day." he said.

More: Aug. 3, 2019: 'Lay aside your weapons of hate,' sadness and look forward with hope

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Walmart mass shooting: 'A despicable act of hate'
CAMERON  The operator of a uranium mine south of the Grand Canyon said Friday it would pause shipments of ore across the Navajo Nation after tribal leaders deployed police to stop the trucks.

Energy Fuels Inc. said it would try to address concerns raised by Navajo President Buu Nygren and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, who spoke to company officials late Thursday. She announced the pause in shipments in a statement on Friday.

The news came as about 100 people gathered to protest the shipments, which began Tuesday when trucks carrying ore from the mine crossed the Navajo Nation on two U.S. highways to a mill near Blanding, Utah.

Friday's protest was organized by Navajo Nation First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, who told the crowd, "Today we're standing up and saying, 'Respect our tribal sovereignty, respect our laws.'"

Beneath a yellow tent with a banner reading, "No illegal transport of uranium! Hold Energy Fuels Inc. accountable," Navajo leaders gave speeches amid tears and cheers before beginning a 40-minute walk.

Speakers included Mae Franklin, Navajo Nation Human Rights Commissioner Cora Max-Phillips, Arizona state Rep. Mae Peshlakai, Council Delegate Casey Johnson and Blackwater-Nygren. They shared stories about the devastating legacy of uranium mining in their community, recounting how families have been affected by cancer and the loss of elders and babies.

Nygren, the Navajo president, spoke about the more than 500 abandoned mines on Navajo land that remain on contaminated land, and about the generational trauma caused by uranium mining.

"No one is going to disrespect our lands, our laws, and the things that we all represent as a nation," he said.

After Nygren's speech, medicine man Lorenzo Max led the march, singing prayers and sharing ancestral stories.

'We are all forgotten': Residents await long-delayed cleanup of uranium waste near Cameron

Start of transportation led to mobilization

After what Nygren called an inappropriate and disappointing action of "sneaking" uranium across the Navajo Nation, he issued an executive order on Wednesday that will remain in effect for the next six months, calling on Energy Fuels to provide advance notice of future shipments.

Nygren spoke with Hobbs on Thursday night, who expressed her support.

"I committed to being a partner to the Navajo Nation as they navigate the dispute and shared actions the State is taking to ensure a resolution," Hobbs said in a news release.

Hobbs also announced on social media, "I have directed DEMA to work with the Navajo Nation to develop an emergency response plan."

Last night, I spoke with President Buu Nygren. I shared that my administration has secured a temporary pause on uranium ore shipments through a voluntary agreement with EFRI to give both sides a chance to engage in good faith negotiations. I also expressed my commitment to being  Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) August 2, 2024

Energy Fuels issued its own news release confirming the voluntary pause in uranium shipments. The company expressed a desire to work with the local community to address concerns, still asserting that its uranium transportation is legal and compliant with all regulations.

"Unlike gasoline, diesel, propane, and other hazardous materials transported daily, uranium ore poses fewer risks to human health or the environment," the release said. "Ore is simply rock with traces of natural uranium. In the unlikely event of an incident on the highway, the contents will not explode, ignite, or leak toxic chemicals. It is solid rock and has low levels of radioactivity."

Mark Chalmers, Energy Fuels' president and chief executive, said, "We are willing to voluntarily pause transport to work together to provide additional information and education to the Navajo President and learn what more can be done to alleviate any remaining reasonable concerns."

Hobbs expressed hope that good faith negotiations would lead to a satisfactory resolution.

Mining legacy: EPA officials pledge to clean up old uranium mines at the first Navajo Superfund site

Earlier in the week, Nygren said many people don't understand the dark legacy of uranium mining on the Navajo Nation. Miners died of exposure to radioactive materials and abandoned mines polluted the land and the water.

"The First Lady is like a lot of families on the Navajo Nation and has been affected...she lost her grandfather to uranium because he was a uranium miner," Nygren told The Republic Thursday. "Her grandparents are from the Sweetwater area and there are a lot of abandoned mines in that area."

Leaders also cited the lack of transparency by Energy Fuels in beginning shipments, and the absence of an emergency response plan. Coconino County Supervisors and Navajo stakeholders have repeatedly requested an emergency response plan from Energy Fuels, but the company has not yet submitted one.

Trilce Estrada Olvera writes about environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send comments and story tips to trilce.estradaolvera@arizonarepublic.com.

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mining company pauses uranium shipments amid Navajo Nation protests
Bikers in Westmoreland County braved the rain to honor heroes killed in action.

Three Pennsylvania rangers were among 19 people killed during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in 1993.

On Saturday, bikers from around the area held the Fallen Heroes Ride in their memory.

Organizers of the ride say they hope they wanted the event to be unifying.

With all the negativity in the world, its just something nice that we can bring together as a veterans family and support our veterans that were killed in combat, that are still overseas, that are still fighting for our freedoms, said Vicki Collier with American Legions Riders PA.

The ride began at the Z&M Harley Davidson on Route 30.

A special memorial ceremony was held for the three local men at noon and the event ran until 4 p.m.

Riders paid $30 to bring their motorcycles.

The event has been held in the area for six years.

Proceeds were donated to Operation Vet NOW, an organization dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans and their families.

Click here to learn more about Operation Vet NOW.

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Even before the prisoners landed in their ultimate destinations, the governments behind the deal to exchange them were trying to shape the broader narrative about who did what and what it all meant.

The White House described the massive, multinational prisoner swap as a win for President Joe Bidens diplomatic legacy  and a subtle dig at a certain presidential candidate who has trashed Americas allies. The German leadership explained that it went along with the agreement to protect human lives and show solidarity with the U.S.  knowing, correctly, it would face backlash for releasing an assassin as part of the exchange. Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin made it seem as if Russia would never abandon its loyalists abroad, even as he sends so many of his people to die in Ukraine.

One result of the messaging is that the United States is casting itself as the savviest actor. Internally, the White House's control of the story has meant that the National Security Council and its top staffer, Jake Sullivan, came across as the most critical players short of Biden himself.

This narrative isnt going over well in other corners of the U.S. government  there are some bruised feelings, especially at the State Department, where some saw NSC as hogging too much credit for the historic swap.

And in Europe, the victory lap by the Biden administration has quickly turned into concern among some politicians and human rights activists that by handing Putin killers and spies, the U.S., Germany and other nations involved will incentivize Putin to detain more people on bogus claims in the future.

Former President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans quickly tried to undercut any boost Vice President Kamala Harris might get from the swap in the race for the Oval Office. There also were non-government figures whose roles in the exchange came to light.

For the families of Russian dissidents, journalists and others now free, such story-telling machinations were far less important than the fact that their loved ones are finally home. And, to a degree, its normal for a massive undertaking with so many people involved to result in an array of perspectives, all of which can be true.

But which narrative dominates over time can make a difference in who wins elections, whether governments keep using hostage-taking as a pressure tactic and whether such exchanges can happen again.

Any kind of exchange of prisoners like this, it gets at the heart of the state's responsibilities and the state's authorities, said Jeff Rathke, a former State Department spokesperson who now leads the American-German Institute. If it's not presented in a way that is persuasive, then, of course, that could raise doubts about a government's ability to carry out its core functions.

The massive prisoner exchange involved 24 detainees overall and was the result of many months of negotiations that evolved as smaller exchanges happened or there were new possibilities for people to swap. Those freed included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva and Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza. To give them and 12 other people up, Russia received eight people in return, including the infamous Vadim Krasikov, whom Germany had convicted of killing a former Chechen rebel in a Berlin park.

At one point, U.S. and German officials decided to ask Putin to release Russias most famous dissident, Alexei Navalny, as part of the price for getting Krasikov back from Germany. But Navalny died in custody before that ask was made official.

In many ways, the NSC has taken the lead in trying to shape the story, briefing many reporters in advance of the prisoner releases on an embargoed basis in hopes of minimizing confusion  but also being mindful that an errant leak could crumble the whole operation.

The multi-fold story Biden and his team are telling is that this prisoner exchange is a victory for U.S. values, including support for human rights and international alliances. They dont deny that tough calls were made, but they say it was worth it to free innocent people.

We stand for freedom, for liberty, for justice  not only for our own people but for others as well, Biden said. And thats why all Americans can take pride in what weve achieved today.

In a background call with reporters that barely mentioned the State Department, the CIA or other players who were involved in discussions, a senior administration official repeatedly stressed how so much came down to a lot of leadership by Jake and the team, and at one point described a proposal that reflected over a year of Jake's work and the team's work. And Jake really led those efforts with the U.S. and with our counterparts to start to flesh out the actual details.

In fairness, team can be defined to include more than Sullivans crew at the NSC, though that wasnt the general implication.

Sullivan himself has been more cautious in his language, making sure to credit other agencies and departments  not to mention praising Biden and other world leaders for making challenging calls. But hes also given interviews, taken the podium at the White House and made other moves that have elevated his profile.



A U.S. official and a senior administration official familiar with the situation confirmed to POLITICO that theres frustration inside the State Department  which has an entire unit devoted to freeing Americans wrongfully detained overseas  that it and Secretary of State Antony Blinken didnt get the credit they deserve. But other people familiar with the atmosphere at State say Blinken and Roger Carstens, the envoy who heads the hostage unit, dont care about the limelight so long as people are freed.

Many of the more than a dozen people POLITICO spoke to were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive issues.

That said, its clear  both from people POLITICO talked to and through the reporting of others, especially The Wall Street Journals herculean work  that this particular success has many parents, not all of whom necessarily were talking to each other.

Theres an ongoing debate, for instance, about who devised the idea of offering to return to Russia more of its citizens held in various countries on espionage and other charges in exchange for releasing the Americans and others in Russian custody. Once it became clear that Putin had to have Krasikov back, that idea that Navalny had to be freed in return percolated more widely.

Various reports have credited the idea of putting more prisoners in play to Christo Grozev and Maria Pevchikh, Navalny allies who made an Oscar-winning documentary about the dissident.

They floated versions of this to Hillary Clinton, who took it to the White House, as well as Jamie Rubin, a senior State Department official, and Carstens. Carstens and Rubin shared the idea with Blinken, who discussed it with the president, according to the U.S. official and another person familiar with the situation. Rubin, citing Dwight Eisenhower, called it enlarging the problem.

But NSC officials had already come up with similar ideas of including other Russian prisoners and Navalny, according to a second senior Biden administration official.

Sullivan, when asked about the origins of the plan to include Navalny, has said its hard to assign the idea to any individual or building. This was an organic process involving a lot of people across our government, he told reporters.

The State Department and the White House declined to comment for this story. However, a third senior administration official pointed out that Sullivan had specifically praised the State Department for its role in getting the deal done

Given how these complicated processes unfold, the often-limited universe of options, and the fact that a lot happens informally, its likely multiple people had the same idea around the same time.

In any case, theres already griping about the grumbling over who gets the glory.

This stupid fighting for credit is unseemly and serves no one well when weve just had a major success, the first senior administration official said.

One person facing criticism is German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Human rights organizations and some opposition politicians say they worry that agreeing to release Krasikov will only lead to a more impudent Russia.

This could set a precedent, said Roderich Kiesewetter, a senior defense politician from the opposition party Christian Democratic Union. I even fear that the risk of sabotage or terrorism by Russia will increase.

Scholz leads a coalition government, and even his foreign minister was wary of releasing Krasikov. But the chancellor has said freeing people whose life and limb were in danger  Germans among them  mattered more than the prison sentence against the assassin.

It was therefore important to us that we have an obligation to protect German nationals as well as solidarity with the USA," he said.

Germanys role could infuriate Trump, who has long mocked the European country for, among other things, what he said was its low defense spending. He had declared that he would get Gershkovich freed upon being elected back to the White House.

Scholz wanted a deal done before a potential second Trump presidency, according to a senior German official.

As word came of the prisoner releases Thursday, Trump tried to seize control of the narrative, too. He used social media to make insinuations, such as questioning whether the U.S. paid any cash to get people out of Russia (U.S. officials insist no money was given).

The Biden team barely brushed off such statements by Trump and his running mate JD Vance. But they did, in subtle ways, appear to try to undermine the Republican candidates.

Sullivan, for example, said Vice President Kamala Harris, Trumps main opponent in the 2024 race now that Biden has dropped out, was a core player in bringing the deal about. And Biden stressed that having allies is important  a contrast with Trump, who has often bashed Americas closest friends, including Germany.

In many ways, the German leader was the key to the whole deal. Putin wanted Krasikov back, and Scholz  after appeals from Biden  agreed to let him go.

But maybe the most crucial decision-maker is the guy sitting in the Kremlin who got his favored killer back and deported dissidents whose voice and influence may fade now that they are in exile.

Vladimir Putin is a dictator, so he can fairly easily control the official narrative in Russia.

But its still not easy given how his people are losing family members to the war he started in Ukraine, not to mention that the fallout from that war has ravaged the Russian economy.

To maintain his iron grip on wartime Russia, Putin needs to keep the security and law enforcement apparatus on his side. The swap communicates to those groups that he has their backs and theyre one team.

Russias largely propagandistic media is casting the return of the prisoners the Kremlin sought  and whom Putin personally greeted at the airport  as a win.

The leadership of our country never forgot about their fate for a minute, and Russian special services and diplomats tirelessly carried out their work, invisible to the all-knowing public, one columnist wrote in Russias RIA Novosti outlet.

As Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin said: This should be resolved quietly, calmly, at a professional level. There are contacts, let them work. And this was done, and brilliantly.

Toosi and Banco reported from Washington. Klockner reported from Berlin. Nette Nostlinger in Berlin and Eva Hartog in Brussels contributed to this report.
Ex-Villanova student sued for allegedly posting scores of racy and naked photos of professor

An ex-Villanova student already convicted of sharing naked photos of women online allegedly victimized another woman  a university professor who fears shell never be able to scrub all the shots off the Web.



Tyler John Jones, a 32-year-old dad, secretly swiped racy and nude photos off the phone of the prof, a friend of his ex-flame, according to a multimillion-dollar New Jersey federal lawsuit filed Friday.

Jones, a carpenter living in Philadelphia, spent two years posting the snaps online  apparently just for the thrill, according to the plaintiffs lawyer and the suit.



I feel like a part of my identity has been taken from me, the plaintiff, only identified as J.G. of Gloucester County, NJ, in court papers, told The Post on Friday.

Tyler Jones previously pleaded guilty in 2013 to posting naked images online of three women, including a 17-year-old, without their permission. Tsai Islam

I want him to face criminal charges, and I want other women to know how vile he is so that this never happens to anyone else, the woman said.

J.G., 28, first met Jones in April 2022 through friend Tsai Islam, who was dating Jones at the time, the filing says.

The plaintiff then found out in December 2023 that Jones had been sharing photos online of her in her underwear or partially or completely naked, the court papers allege.

He started message groups under the name University Professor Exposed and shared J.G.s photos with them on apps such as Discord and Telegram, the filing alleges.

I think he really enjoyed the thrill of sharing her content while knowing how much it was hurting her and how close he was getting to getting caught, J.G.s lawyer, Daniel Szalkiewicz, told The Post.

Jones ex-partner, Tsai Islam (left), who is not a party to the suit, introduced the plaintiff to Jones, unaware of what he was allegedly about to do. Tsai Islam

J.G. discovered the situation when a friend told her someone on an anonymous Instagram account had sent photos of J.G. and wrote, her face is cute, her body is better hard to not want more? GoodAnother? Another? the lawsuit claims.

The plaintiff filed a report with the police and hired a lawyer within two days, the suit says.

Law-enforcement agencies in New Jersey and in Pennsylvania did not return Post requests for comment to confirm the existence of criminal probes in the two states.

Jones had told Islam about his criminal past but convinced them he was a changed man. Tsai Islam

J.G. eventually discovered that Jones had asked to borrow her phone and had both taken a photo with his own phone of the images on her device and Airdropped the images between devices, the suit says.

Even after Jones was confronted by J.G. and Islam about the sick deed, he continued to post the photos of J.G., often daily, the suit claims.

Islam, 29, who goes by the pronouns they/them, told The Post through tears that they were unaware of the alleged crime at the time.

Islam said on March 7, 2024 when cops seized Jones devices, he finally admitted to what hed done to Islams friend. Tsai Islam

J.G.  who runs a photography business and teaches at an unidentified university  says in her suit that when she then searched the Internet, she was devastated to see dozens  if not hundreds  of images of herself online.

Jones dissemination of plaintiffs intimate content was so prolific that plaintiff will never be able to scrub the internet of her naked body, the papers charge.

J.G. is suing for at least $150,000 in damages for each intimate image that Jones allegedly shared of her online.

Islam  who dated Jones for two years until they found out about what hed done to their friend  said Jones had previously told them about his prior conviction.

But Islam said Jones assured them that as a new father, hed changed and matured and wouldnt do it again.

Islam dated Jones for two years. Tsai Islam

The former couple broke up when Islam learned what Jones allegedly did to their friend. Tsai Islam

Jones had pleaded guilty in 2013 to secretly taking photos of three women  including a minor 17-year-old.

He hid an iPhone in the bathroom of his home in Switzerland, Pa., at the time to capture the women changing, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

He then went back to his dorm room and posted the images to porn sites, CBS News said.

Islam cried when speaking to The Post about what their friend allegedly suffered because of Jones. Tsai Islam

Jones was then a sophomore at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

J.G.s life has been devastated by defendants intrusion and callous disregard for her privacy, her new filing claims.

She now has difficulty sleeping, anxious that photos of her are being posted anew online, and shes been forced to start taking prescription medication to ease the anxiety and paranoia that resulted from the online attacks, the suit says.

Szalkiewicz said he doesnt think his client will ever feel a sense of justice  until he faces what hes done.

Jones did not return Post requests for comment Friday.
Experts advocate to collect and eat invasive berry species wreaking havoc on native plants: 'Pick as many as you can'

The words "invasive species" typically conjure up negative images in the mind, but it doesn't always have to be bad news.

Of course, getting rid of non-native plants is important, as they can grow quickly and spread widely, crowding out other plants that are suited to the local soil and weather conditions. The loss of native plants can have serious repercussions for the ecosystem, as they typically support pollinators and other small creatures.

However, some plants that are invasive in many areas of the U.S.  such as cheeseweed mallow, nasturtiums, and black mustard  can have benefits, as some are edible and can be used to cook with. So why not get rid of them by eating them?

That's the advice of Harpers Ferry National Park in West Virginia, which is calling on visitors to take advantage of thriving wineberries for a mid-hike snack.

"If you're hangry while you're hiking don't whine eat a wineberry!" read a post on the park's Facebook page. "As you explore the trails in Harpers Ferry NHP this summer, you may notice plants with shiny red berries. They look and taste similar to raspberries, but these fruits are called wineberries!"

The post went on to detail that wineberries are native to Asia and were brought to America in the late 1800s. Their seeds are transported by birds and other animals, allowing them to spread and grow far and wide.

"When the tip of a wineberry branch reaches the ground, it can grow new roots and allow the plant to spread even more," the post continued. "They form dense thickets of vegetation that can choke out native plants."

While picking to your heart's content would seem like a sensible tactic to limit the spread  and satisfy your sweet tooth  Harpers Ferry National Park asks that visitors stick to the "one-quart rule." That's the amount of fruits and vegetables found in the park that can be picked per person, per day, with the guidance in place to protect the park's natural resources.

However, if found in Maryland, senior restoration specialist for the state's Department of Natural Resources Sarah Hilderbrand said folks should "pick as many as you can."

Commenters on Harpers Ferry National Park's Facebook were apparently well-versed in the appeal of these invasive berries.

"My husband has picked and made jam with them!" one user said.

"Loved eating these as a kid growing up in WV," another added. "Still will snack on them when I get a chance to hike. Yummm"

Whether it's animals like green crabs or lionfish, or plants like kudzu or greenbriar, invasives are officially on the menu  and making the most of such deliciousness can save the local ecosystem and keep dollars in your wallet. Just make sure you do some research before serving them up for friends and family.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Explosions heard in city of Odesa and Vinnytsia Oblast

Explosions have been heard in the city of Odesa and Vinnytsia oblast during an air raid on the night of 2-3 August.

Source: Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov; Ukraine's Air Forces; Dumska, a local news outlet in Odesa

Details: Trukhanov reported explosions in Odesa during the Shahed drone attack on the city.

Following this, the Air Forces reported a high-speed target heading towards Odesa from the Black Sea.

According to local journalists, an air defence system is responding in Odesa Oblast.

Updated: Suspilne wrote that four explosions were heard in Vinnytsia Oblast at around 03:00. There is an air raid in the oblast due to the threat of drones.

Explosions were heard for the second time in Vinnytsia oblast at around 05:00.

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Claim:

U.S. President Joe Biden boarded an empty plane after three freed Americans arrived back in the U.S. and exited the aircraft.

Rating:

Rating: False

A rumor involving U.S. President Joe Biden walking onto an airplane circulated online  primarily on X  following a landmark prisoner exchange with Russia in early August 2024.

The three Americans freed in the exchange were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Russian-American editor Alsu Kurmasheva. All three arrived by plane in the U.S., landing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland just before midnight Aug. 1. Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, family members, members of the press and others greeted them on the ground after each of them got off the plane.

Several minutes after Gershkovich, Whelan and Kurmasheva emerged from the plane  and after Biden and Harris fielded questions from reporters  Biden walked up the steps of the aircraft. Around two minutes later, he exited the aircraft and continued speaking with the freed prisoners and their loved ones.

Hours later, on Aug. 2, the X user @amuse posted (archived) a video with the headline "Confusion Reigns as Biden Boards Empty Plane." The text of the post read, "Joe Biden climbed back up the stairs of an airplane he wasn't supposed to be on, as Kamala Harris and the Secret Service watched in disbelief. He clearly has no idea where he is or what he's doing." The user later pinned the post to the top of their page. It had receieved more than 2 million views and 35,000 likes, according to the social media platform.

The first two words of the @amuse account's bio reads, "Conservative Headlines." The bio also shows support for former U.S. President Donald Trump's reelection, reading, "Trump/Vance 2024."

Other users on X made similar claims about Biden boarding the plane, including some writing  joking or not  that a confused Biden must have thought he was boarding Air Force One.

However, the truth was Biden boarded the plane to speak to the people who helped bring the three freed prisoners home. We contacted the @amuse account by direct message, asking for evidence Harris and the Secret Service experienced "disbelief," as they claimed. We also inquired if they were aware of the evidence showing the falsity of their post and asked whether they planned on notifying their followers of their mistake with a correction. We will update this story if they respond.

Evidence Showing Biden Did Not Board 'Empty Plane'

Mediaite.com published that The Independent's White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg  who served as White House pool reporter at Joint Base Andrews  confirmed Biden boarded the plane to greet the people still onboard after the freed prisoners had deplaned. Snopes also confirmed these statements in an email with Feinberg:

"If you look at the handout photo of the group that flew back to JBA from Ankara  the one taken on board the plane  it showed ten passengers," Feinberg told Mediaite. "But only three people got off the plane once it landed: Paul, Evan and Alsu." "I was under the wing with the press pool and it was obvious to me that POTUS was boarding to speak to the people who had helped to bring these three Americans home  the pilots and seven other passengers plus whoever took the photo  because they had remained on board while the three former prisoners enjoyed their first moments back on US soil with their loved ones," Feinberg added.

The official @POTUS account on X had earlier posted the photo referenced by Feinberg:

After enduring unimaginable suffering and uncertainty, the Americans detained in Russia are safe, free, and have begun their journeys back into the arms of their families. pic.twitter.com/1rYNBTt9tJ  President Biden (@POTUS) August 1, 2024

As another piece of evidence showing the false nature of the Biden "empty plane" rumor, Getty Images hosts a picture (archived) captured by photographer Brendan Smialowski that shows Biden walking up the plane's stairs at Joint Base Andrews. The caption clearly states Biden stepped onto the plane "to talk to the pilot who flew the former prisoners."

US President Joe Biden steps onto the plane to talk to the pilot who flew the former prisoners held by Russia to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Aug. 1, 2024.

U.S. President Joe Biden steps onto the plane to talk to the pilot who flew the former prisoners held by Russia to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Aug. 1, 2024. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Video Evidence Showing Plane Was Not Empty

The YouTube channel for journalist Roland S. Martin provided the most clear-cut evidence of all to debunk the Biden "empty plane" rumor. Martin's channel broadcast a live feed offered by The Associated Press via its AP Video Hub.

In Martin's video, Biden walks up the plane's steps beginning at the 44-minute mark. At 44:20, Biden appears to shake the hand of a person inside the plane. Then, he turns left to walk into the cockpit. At 45:50, Biden reappears and exits the plane. A person wearing a suit already inside the plane then walks behind Biden from right to left, toward the cockpit. Later in the video, at the 57:10 mark, a crew member wearing a white shirt  likely a pilot  emerges from the plane to communicate with ground crew members wearing reflective orange vests.

Mediaite.com also reported the following statement from Andrew Bates, the White House's senior deputy press secretary and deputy assistant to the president, who said of Biden entering the plane: "President Biden wanted to personally thank the flight crew who brought these brave individuals home to their families." (Bates confirmed to Snopes by email that this quote originated from him.)

In sum, Biden did not board an "empty plane." Video evidence and information from eyewitnesses show Biden walked onto the plane to visit at least one pilot and possibly other people who were still onboard.

Sources:

"Andrew Feinberg." The Independent, https://www.independent.co.uk/author/andrew-feinberg.

"Biden and Harris Welcome Home Prisoners Released from Russia." YouTube, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eFnYMJ-Dqg.

"Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan Reunite with Their Families in U.S. after Massive Prisoner Swap." NBC News, 2 Aug. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/prisoner-swap-russia-us-live-updates-rcna164665.

Hall, Colby. "Conservatives Insist Biden Confusingly Boarded 'Wrong' Airplane  Here's What Actually Happened." Mediaite, 2 Aug. 2024, https://www.mediaite.com/online/conservatives-insist-biden-confusingly-boarded-wrong-airplane-heres-what-actually-happened/.

Nechepurenko, Ivan, et al. "Who Was Freed in the Prisoner Swap Between Russia and the West?" The New York Times, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/world/europe/russia-prisoner-swap-detainees.html.

@POTUS. "After Enduring Unimaginable Suffering and Uncertainty, the Americans Detained in Russia Are Safe, Free, and Have Begun Their Journeys Back into the Arms of Their Families." X, 1 Aug. 2024, https://x.com/POTUS/status/1819068590680682579.

"Pres. Biden, VP Harris Greet Americans Freed from Russia Prisons in Massive 24-Person Prisoner Swap." YouTube, Roland S. Martin, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2-D8A8bZco.

Tucker, Eric, et al. "3 Newly Freed Americans Are Back on US Soil after a Landmark Prisoner Exchange with Russia." The Associated Press, 2 Aug. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-whelan-d803e266cb4e60135ec5d668d684529f.

"US President Joe Biden Steps onto the Plane to Talk to the Pilot Who Flew the Former Prisoners Held By..." Getty Images, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/president-joe-biden-steps-onto-the-plane-to-talk-to-the-news-photo/2164266875.
A Black family in Jesup, Georgia, believes there are even more people at fault after police initially ruled an 8-year-olds death an accidental drowning.

NBC News reported that it took the Wayne County Sheriffs Department 55 days to treat Noah Bushs death as a homicide after he was found in a flooded construction borrow pit on May 16, a day after his family reported him missing.

Noahs mother Demetrice Michelle said she last saw her son after he went to play outside with two new friends, aged 10 and 11. The boys were captured on Ring camera footage headed in the direction of the pit. However, in other footage the boys were seen walking back from the area with one of their mothers, but without Noah.

On July 10, the 10-year-old and an unidentified 11-year-old were arrested and charged with concealing the death of another. Meanwhile, the 11-year-old was reportedly charged with involuntary manslaughter. The mother of one of the boys, Natalie Hardison, was charged with giving false statements to police.

Michelle said police initially told her that Noah took off his clothing and crossed over into the borrow pit willingly, but she said that couldnt be correct because water wasnt his thing.

Michelles attorney, Francys Johnson, is now pressing for a greater investigation into Noahs death because the family believes more people are at fault for covering up his death, NBC reported.

The sheriff had the statements of these boys from within 48 hours of Noahs drowning. So to let this mother be led to believe that this was an accidental drowning for that long and to not inform the community is just really hard, Johnson said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  The family of a man who was shot and killed by Topeka Police has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the officers involved.

On Oct. 13, 2022, Taylor Lowery, 33, was killed following a domestic disturbance at his familys southeast Topeka home. According to findings released by the Shawnee County Attorneys Office on Jan. 25, 2023, Topeka police responded to a call from Lowerys sister that he was armed with a knife and attempting to force his way into the her bedroom.

After barricading himself inside the home, DA investigators said Lowery drove to a gas station where he tried to carjack a woman at knifepoint. There, police shot and killed Lowery after they said he charged at them with a knife.

Following investigations by both the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Shawnee County District Attorneys Office, District Attorney Michael Kagay announced his office would not file criminal charges against the officers involved.

One dead in multi-vehicle crash north of Topeka: KHP

According to a federal lawsuit filed Thursday, the events that transpired that day do not line up with the findings in the DAs report.

DA investigators reported the officers who initially responded to the disturbance at the home saw Lowery through a window, knocked on the door and announced themselves as police. The officers said they could hear someone inside yelling for them to kick down the door. They said a child then opened the door and the officers entered the residence.

The lawsuit alleges the two officers who responded to the initial disturbance call spoke to a child who answered the door when they arrived on scene. The child then allegedly shut the door. The officers then reportedly kick in the door and forced entry into the house without a search warrant.

Once inside, the lawsuit states officers made contact with Lowerys sister who told them Lowery had a knife and was acting abnormally. It alleges Lowery did not threaten to harm the officers or demonstrate any violent or aggressive action toward them.

The DAs report states the officers commanded Lowery to drop the knife and cooperate, but Lowery did not comply and ran out the back door. A still image from one officers body camera shows Lowery standing outside the home holding what appears to be a large butcher knife in one hand and another object identified in the report as a socket wrench in the other hand.

More homeless moving into Topeka, count shows

The report states Lowery reportedly reentered the residence and the officers followed. Still images from the same officers body camera show Lowery standing inside, still holding the knife. The officers reported Lowery came toward them with the knife before he left out the back door.

Lowery then got into a vehicle and drove to a gas station in the 4500 block of Southwest Topeka Boulevard. The responding officers followed, radioing to dispatch they believed Lowery was armed with a knife and they were in need of assistance. Multiple other officers heard the call and headed that way. They spotted Lowerys vehicle and followed him to the gas station.

Lowery arrived at the gas station and got out of the vehicle. According to the DAs report, officers on the scene saw Lowery attempt to violently pull a woman from her vehicle. They called in an attempted carjacking to dispatch.

The victim of the attempted carjacking told police she, another person and her granddaughter were sitting in their car when a man banged on the window, opened the door and yelled at her to get out. Then he grabbed her and tried to pull her from the vehicle. She said he held a big knife to her stomach and side. When he saw the the police officers, she said he raised the knife and began shaking it. She told investigators she would have been stabbed if the officers had not saved her. Her passenger and multiple witnesses gave police a similar account of what happened.

Deputies find man and woman dead in shooting incident south of Topeka

The officers told investigators they yelled commands at Lowery, but he screamed, raised the knife above his head and charged toward a sergeant. The sergeant and a police detective said they fired their weapons at Lowery and he went down. The report states Lowery got up and began moving toward the sergeant again, this time with the socket wrench in his hand.

Officers told investigators they believed the object was the knife, and in fear for safety of other officers and civilians, they fired at Lowery. Lowery went down again and died at the scene.

The lawsuit disputes these statements, alleging Lowery did not have anything in his hands when he exited the vehicle and makes no mention of the attempted carjacking. When the officers arrived, the plaintiff claims Lowery ran toward the gas station and another vehicle while officers surrounded the parking lot.

The lawsuit claims officers disarmed Lowery of the knife after he arrived at the gas station. Then, the officers reportedly grabbed Lowery, causing him to drop the wrench and fall backward. When Lowery bent over to pick up the wrench, the lawsuit claims another officer who had just arrived on scene began shooting at him.

The lawsuit claims the officer who initially shot Lowery was in training and opened fire less than 15 seconds after arriving on scene while other officers on either side of Lowery were giving him commands. The family said no members of the public were near Lowery, and he did not take any aggressive action toward officers before they shot him. The lawsuit alleges the officers who shot Lowery knew he was not holding a knife.

Lowerys family said they have submitted requests to the City of Topeka and KBI through the Kansas Open Records Act for copies of documents of evidence related to the shooting as well as police body camera video of the incident. They only received a two-page redacted standard offense report.

Giant killer wasps appear in Kansas, what to know

The family alleges the officers lacked probable cause to kill Lowery because he did not pose a significant threat of death or serious injury to the officers or the public. They accuse police of using more force than was reasonably necessary and of violating Lowerys 14th Amendment rights. The family is seeking a jury trial on the matter.

City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett released the following written statement in response to the lawsuit:

The city takes claims of this nature very seriously. The shooting in question was investigated by the KBI and their findings were reviewed by the District Attorney. The city will vigorously defend the suit and has full faith that the justice system will resolve this matter. Due to pending litigation, and in order to not further prejudice the process, the city has no additional comment. Dan Garrett, City of Topeka Director of Communications & Media

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4)  A 19-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash in St. George on Friday, according to St. George Police.

At around 5:10 p.m. on Aug. 2, police received a report of a collision between a motorcycle and a vehicle. The motorcyclist was reportedly heading southbound on 2450 East at a high rate of speed when he struck a vehicle making a left turn onto 2450 East.

Arrest made in Millcreek hit-and-run crash that killed 20-year-old woman

Courtesy of St. George Police

Courtesy of St. George Police

The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was injured, though their condition has not been released at this time.

Due to a fatal crash, 2450 E. is closed from 80 N. to 40 S. Access to 2450 E. is closed at 40 N., St. George Police stated on social media. This crash is under investigation. Our sincere condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy  Please avoid the area.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  Investigators are in the early stages of an investigation into a fatal shooting in Anderson County.

According to the Anderson County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called early Saturday morning to North Prince Street in Anderson for a shooting.

At the scene they found Brittany Shanticiera Sullivan, 34, of Greenville, with a gunshot wound. Sullivan ultimately succumbed to her injuries.

According to the Anderson County Coroners Office, investigators believe Sullivan was visiting a friend at the home where the shooting took place and they were woken up by gunshots being fired at the home, one of which penetrated the home and hit Sullivan.

Her death has been ruled a homicide and an autopsy has been scheduled for Monday.

The shooting remains under investigation.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Fate of suspended University of Georgia students in air 3 months after Gaza protests

The April protest on the University of Georgias campus against Israels war in Gaza lasted less than two hours.

The suspension of six students, among 16 people arrested on the last day of spring semester classes, has dragged on more than three months.

And on Tuesday, a disciplinary code of conduct hearing to determine the students educational fate stretched more than 13 hours.

With fall classes beginning in two weeks, there still had been no resolution as of Wednesday afternoon.

UGA has maintained a hard stance from the beginning. The students have dug in their heels.

I am, on paper, a stellar UGA student, consistently applauded for my integrity and leadership capabilities, Ezra Lewis, a suspended landscape architecture major and honors college member, said during the hearing. After all Ive given to this university, the university has chosen to label me as a current and present threat to campus.

Campus police quickly arrested protesters on April 29 after setting up an encampment not far from the office of university president Jere Morehead. UGA suspended the students hours later, while some were still in jail. After authorities released the students from custody, the university instructed faculty and staff to call 911 if they saw the students on campus.

Similar demonstrations were spreading on college campuses around the country. Georgias flagship public university moved to shut them down more quickly than elsewhere.

Send a message: We are not going to allow Georgia to become the next Columbia University, Gov. Brian Kemp told reporters after the arrests and suspensions.

Subsequent demonstrations on UGAs campus fizzled and a protest later that week was held off campus. Graduation went off without a hitch at Sanford Stadium, unlike at some other colleges, including Emory University, a private Atlanta university that moved its commencement off campus following protests.

UGA administrators wrote in a public letter in early May that protesters chose to be arrested by ignoring campus rules governing demonstrations. But a petition signed by at least 180 faculty and staff called the suspensions unwarranted and antithetical to our educational mission.

On Tuesday, Dr. K. Chad Clay, associate professor in UGAs Department of International Affairs, testified at the hearing at Memorial Hall on campus that he felt the suspensions should be removed at this time, and (the students) should be allowed to complete their education.

Some suspended UGA students agreed to an informal resolution by acknowledging the violations and accepting responsibility, according to two people familiar with the matter.

But the other six students have remained resolute.

They opted to bring the case to a panel made up of two UGA students and one faculty member.

Already, one of the students was unable to complete coursework and graduate in May. Another managed to finish classes for her degree but was unable to attend commencement. Others said they will no longer graduate when previously planned and lost scholarships. Lewis said she lost housing and her job on campus as a resident assistant.

Now they face expulsion among the list of potential sanctions listed in the UGA Code of Conduct if the panel finds them in violation of campus policies.

Still, each of the six spent time during Tuesdays hearing reiterating their views on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, criticizing Israel.

The panelists representing UGA stated they werent there to make judgments on political and social views.

They argued that the encampment endangered police officers and students, and disrupted campus operations. They said students had ample warning to disperse.

This demonstration was in in clear violation of the universitys freedom of expression policies, said Mehar Nemani, a political science major and student advocate on the UGA panel.

The suspended students presented their own testimony and witnesses. They were helped by lawyers working pro bono.

Theres no evidence that our actions disrupted any academic activities or put any other person in danger, said Lauren Heinze, a senior who said she was unable to graduate in May due to the suspension. In fact, the university put us in danger by sending dozens of armed police officers to break up a peaceful demonstration.

Tuesdays hearing began at 9 a.m. and ended at 10:06 p.m. There were recesses for lunch and dinner and frequent breaks when students conferred with their lawyers or the panel discussed procedural decisions.

It wasnt the longest code of conduct hearing in UGAs history, a spokesperson said.

Whatever the outcome for (this) proceeding, said suspended graduate student and teaching assistant Austin Kral, I would not change a thing.
Yoni Emmanuel Cruz-Rodriguez via Facebook Facebook

A 17-year-old New Jersey boy has been arrested on suspicion of killing a father in front of his kids while trying to steal his car, authorities announced Tuesday.

Twenty-seven-year-old Yoni Emmanuel Cruz-Rodriguez was standing behind his white Dodge Durango on the night of July 12 when the suspect entered the car and attempted to drive away, the county prosecutors office said in a press release. When Cruz-Rodriguez attempted to climb in through the back of his car, the teen shot him several times, authorities said.

The Durango crashed into two parked cars a short distance away before the teen got out and fled the scene, according to the release. First responders arrived at 10:20 p.m. and found the car overturned, with Cruz-Rodriguez and two children inside. Cruz-Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, but the children were unhurt, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors named the victim as Yony in their press release; however, his social media and a GoFundMe launched by his brother spelled his name Yoni. A native of Honduras, Cruz-Rodriguez leaves behind a 3-year-old boy and a two-month-old girl. His family is raising money to return his body to Honduras.

The teen, whose name is being withheld because he is a juvenile, was arrested on Monday without incident by a team that included U.S. Marshals. He was charged with one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of first-degree carjacking, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, as well as weapons offenses, prosecutors said.

He is being held in juvenile detention pending a court hearing.

Related...
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about certain ice cream cones, chocolate bars and gummies that are making people sick.

Prophet Premium Blends is recalling its Diamond Shruumz products due to potentially hazardous chemical levels found in certain mushrooms.

According to FDA, 78 individuals in 28 states have fallen ill, with two deaths potentially associated with these products.

Symptoms experienced include seizures, loss of consciousness, nausea, and vomiting.

These products were sold at smoke and vape shops in Hawaii.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  The Texas Department of Criminal Justice was in court Friday for the final day of this weeks hearings spurred by plaintiffs allegations that hot conditions inside Texas prisons are dangerous and unconstitutional.

The case is led by plaintiff Bernie Tiede, the Tyler mortician convicted of murder in 1996 and the subject of Ricard Linklaters movie Bernie. He alleges he has medical conditions that place him at higher risk of heat-related illness and death. The case asks the court to mandate air conditioning in all facilities.

Texas inmates in uncooled prisons plead for relief in another hot summer

Im really hoping that these federal courts will act in empathy and compassion, and even act responsibly, prudently, towards taxpayers dollars that are literally going to fund people being tortured and dying in Texas prisons, Dr. Amite Dominick with Texas Prison Community Advocates said.

TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier acknowledged that at least three inmate deaths in 2023 were related to the heat, even though the department has not reported a heat death since 2012. Advocates and family members worry deaths go underreported.

They dont understand the need, Texas Prison Community Advocates Brittany Robertson said. For (TDCJ), its about money and time. However, we dont have the time. Were losing people every day.

Collier conceded he would like to have universal cooling in their facilities, but said he would need funding from the legislature. Last year, the state awarded TDCJ $85 million for maintenance and renovations, and the department has put that towards building more air conditioning. Even after all planned AC projects are completed, however, about two-thirds of Texas 130,000 inmates will live in uncooled cells.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman is expected to issue a ruling in the case later this month.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
On Thursday, shortly after the Oak Hills elementary school gym teacher accused of posting images on a "pedophile" website was ordered to be jailed while the case proceeds, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker told reporters that investigators are still looking for more victims.

Parker said investigators remain concerned about some of Mark Altherr's posts on a website that describes itself as a "child pornography community" that serves "the pedophile community around the globe."

Parker didn't give specifics, but court documents say Altherr, a 44-year-old Delhi Township resident, had been active on the site from at least 2021 until the day before his arrest on July 26. His profile on the site listed him as a "Senior Member," the documents say, and he had made at least 262 posts.

When Altherr was arrested at a Columbus hotel, according to court documents, a naked girl believed to be 5 or 6 years old was in his room.

Altherr was the fitness education teacher at Delshire Elementary in Delhi Township since 2019 and worked there through this school year. After he was charged, the Oak Hills school district placed him on administrative leave and said the school board intends to begin termination proceedings.

But Altherr previously lived and taught in Colorado. Court documents say he taught in Weld County, Colorado. At this point, there are no allegations that any children there were victimized. A spokeswoman for the school district did not immediately comment Friday.

Altherr and his now-ex-wife got married in 2017 in Arvada, Colorado, a city near Denver. They had one daughter together the next year. They moved to the Cincinnati area in 2019 after Altherr, a graduate of Oak Hills schools, was hired at Delshire Elementary.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker talks to the media on Thursday outside the federal courthouse Downtown.

According to court records, Altherr filed for divorce in 2022, and it was granted that year. A separation agreement says simply that "unfortunate differences have arisen between the parties."

Altherr's ex-wife could not be reached for comment.

Altherr's posts

The website where investigators say Altherr posted images of child sexual abuse launched sometime around 2019, according to the FBI. Officials have not disclosed the website's name. Court documents say users communicate with each other and "regularly use the website to advertise and distribute child pornography."

Among Altherr's alleged posts was one sexually explicit image that possibly depicted the 5- or 6-year-old girl who was found with Altherr in the Columbus hotel room. Court documents say Altherr had driven the girl there that evening in his Hyundai SUV.

In other posts, according to court documents, Altherr described sexually abusing girls between the ages of 4 and 10.

According to the documents:

One was a girl Altherr said he "was looking after."

He described another as a "neighbor."

He said another "had a crush on me."

Sometime in December or January of this year, the documents say, Altherr posted seven images of two naked girls to a thread entitled, "3 to 5 year old cuties only."

It's not clear when investigators became aware of Altherr's posts, but documents suggest that it may have been the same day he was arrested.

FBI tracked Altherr to Columbus hotel

Based on his posts on the website, as well as other information that is redacted in court documents, investigators decided to find Altherr on July 26. That afternoon, investigators conducted surveillance for several hours outside his Delhi Township home before determining he wasn't there.

Investigators were able to track his cellphone to Columbus, where an FBI agent eventually found Altherr's SUV. Around 8 p.m., according to court documents, Altherr drove the girl to the Columbus hotel. Soon after, investigators determined that Altherr likely had posted at least one explicit image of that same girl to the website.

Agents obtained the room number from hotel staff, knocked on the door and announced their presence. According to the documents, Altherr opened the door, saw the agents and then tried to shut it. The agents prevented him from doing that and arrested him.

The FBI later seized two USB drives at his Delhi Township home that, according to court documents, contained videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of children.

On Thursday, a federal magistrate judge, after a sidebar discussion with Altherr's attorney and a federal prosecutor, ordered Altherr to be held in isolation at the Butler County Jail. He faces charges possessing and distributing child sexually abusive material.

Anyone who may have information relevant to the case is urged to go to www.fbi.gov/MarkAltherrVictims and submit information via the online form.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Feds seek victims of teacher accused of posting on 'pedophile' site
How female politicians first names can work for and against them, according to science

Throughout the course of US presidential races, politicians have carefully chosen what names they go by. Bernie and Pete embraced their first names while Biden, Trump and Warren favored their last names. Some, like Nikki Haley, have used both.

As Kamala Harris sets her eyes on the presidency, she is using a combination. The vice president is running under the Harris for President slogan  a departure from the Kamala Harris for the People motto of her 2020 campaign  but is using her first name for social media accounts, including Kamala HQ on X, formerly Twitter.

Theres a solid science behind each choice, experts say. Candidates, in particular women, can use the psychological connotation of a first name to their advantage, to help them seem more likeable and accessible. But this psychology can also serve as a disadvantage, playing off implicit biases to portray a candidate as less qualified or confident.

A balancing act

The science comes together in a balancing act for women, according to Dr. Stav Atir, assistant professor in the Management and Human Resources Department at the University of Wisconsin School of Business, who has studied how gender affects the way we talk about professionals.

Atir was lead author of a study that found people were more than twice as likely to describe a male professional by surname in high-status fields, including politics. In the medical field, other research indicates that female physicians are more than twice as likely to be called by their first names instead of doctor, compared with their male counterparts.

This difference, the study found, can have real-life effects: People perceived those referred to by their surnames as superior and 14% more deserving of a career award, such as raising funding or being selected for a position.

First names can help candidates be perceived as more likeable, experts say, but they can also reflect internal biases. - Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

For Harris, Atir says, using Kamala could be potentially costly. A first-name reference may lead women to be perceived as less deserving and competent. On the other hand, using a first name can make the vice president seem more likeable and approachable, according to Atir, who noted that likeability and competence are both critical qualities in voters minds.

To be sure, such undertones may also affect men; critics such as Harris and Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen often refer to him by his first name.

The likeability tool

As a political scientist, I know candidates use language to their advantage. If someone wants to sound more down-to-earth, likeable and familiar, they might just go by their first name, said Dr. Joseph Uscinski, professor of political science at the University of Miami. This is what campaigns do. They try to market the best way possible with the best words possible.

For women, research has suggested that this likeability is often more critical for their evaluations than in evaluations of men. In turn, using a first name could become a more potent tool for female candidates, as likeability significantly influences how they are perceived, Atir said. The use of a last name could even be counterproductive.

Women in male-dominated professions, like politics, are often assumed to be less competent because of gender stereotypes, and their response is often to emulate what works for men, which can include maybe pushing the last name, she said. That often ends up being counterproductive. Women often face backlash or are seen as less likeable when they adopt these traditionally masculine behaviors.

Behind likeability, gender biases persist

The tool of first names and likeability for women can be a double-edged sword.

Dr. Gail Saltz, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, warned that a candidate going by their first name in campaign materials could backfire, especially if that candidate is a woman.

Implicit bias underlies how people choose to address female professionals, she said, describing it as an unconscious bias against women candidates such as Harris.

Implicit biases are unconscious feelings, attitudes, prejudices and stereotypes due to past experiences and influences, and the culture you grew up in, Saltz said. By using a first name, you are implying that you feel [Harris] has less expertise, confidence, stature or ability to lead, that she is less qualified for this job than her male counterpart.

Dropping the title of a female candidate can also reflect internal bias, according to Atir. Naming conventions reveal our gender stereotypes, she added.

How people name someone can reflect what they think of that person, Uscinski said.

When we refer to someone who has a title without the title, that could be somewhat demeaning, as if they dont deserve that title or position.

The Clinton case

Uscinski was lead author of a 2010 study about coverage of Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries, which demonstrated that journalists at the time referred to Clinton more informally  either without her title or by her first name  than her male competitors. It also suggested that male broadcasters exhibited gender bias in how they referenced presidential candidates.

Naming practices were just one aspect of what the study authors called the hostile media environment Clinton faced. The media scrutinized her menstrual cycle, pantsuits and laugh, and her husbands infidelity, none of which were issues for her male competitors.

This media coverage can profoundly affect election outcomes, the researchers wrote. Specifically, other research from the time showed that such gender biases in coverage disadvantage female candidates.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton -- here in 2016 -- faced a "hostile media environment" in 2008, one study found. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

In 2016, Clinton became the first female presidential nominee of a major US political party. As Harris looks set to join this exclusive club, it might be tempting to compare their journeys. However, things have changed since 2008 when Clinton first sought the Democratic Partys nomination, Uscinski says, highlighting the complex nature of political analysis and the current election.

When Clinton was running, norms were still evolving for how to deal with a woman who could potentially be a major party nominee and potentially president. Things have evolved, he said.

Nonetheless, the underlying gender biases seem to remain, according to Atir.

The fact that were seeing the same pattern now suggests that the specific gender bias doesnt seem to have shifted, she said.

Harris on mispronunciation

Harris has not been outspoken on the choice between using her first or last name, but she has commented widely on the mispronunciation of her first name.

During her US Senate run in 2016, a campaign ad focused how to pronounce Kamala, and she has characterized its purposeful mispronunciation as childish.

People ask me how to pronounce it. There are many ways, Harris also said in a 2017 interview. If you were asking my grandmother, shed say come-lah. I usually help people pronounce it by saying, Well, just think of a comma and add a -la at the end.

In 2020, former Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue referred to the then vice-presidential candidate as Ka-MAL-a or Kamala, Kamala, Ka-mala, -mala, -mala, I dont know, whatever, to laughter from the crowd at a Trump campaign rally.

A spokesperson for Perdues campaign later told CNN the former senator didnt mean anything by it.

A similar pattern has arisen in 2024. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has repeatedly mispronounced the vice presidents first name, admitting in a speech in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday that he couldnt care less if he says it correctly.

At a campaign event in Wisconsin on Saturday, second gentleman Doug Emhoff said, Mr. Trump, I know you have so much trouble pronouncing her name. Heres the good news: After the election, you can just call her Madam President.

Vice President Kamala Harris -- here debating Mike Pence in 2020 -- has spoken frequently about the pronunciation of her name. - Morry Gash/Pool/Getty Images/File

Purposeful mispronunciation of Kamala can be a tool used by political opponents to other her, said Jamal Simmons, Harris former communications director.

Such remarks have been characterized as incredibly racist by Sabrina Singh, Harris press secretary during her 2020 campaign.

Its probably done to demean her, Uscinski added. Some people may pronounce the name wrong by accident, but other people will do it purposely when they know better.

According to Atir, Kamala is tied to the vice presidents identity, not only as a woman but as a person of color.

Her first name can be used to weaponize her non-Whiteness by her detractors, but it can also be used to celebrate her identity by her supporters and potentially even her own campaign, she said.

Science does not predict results

It is not clear what the optimal strategy is for Harris, experts say.

The use of a name in any situation  but specifically in a political campaign  is nuanced, according to Atir and Uscinski.

"Bernie for President" was the elected phrasing for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign. - Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP/File

People may want to draw the conclusion that surname references are always better, and thats not necessarily the case, Atir said. There isnt a clear hierarchy of which type of reference is superior to the other here. That really depends on the context and the goals youre trying to achieve.

However, Saltz disagreed.

Because of confirmation bias, a clearly identified phenomenon, its not good for the candidate, Kamala Harris, to have it continue to go on Kamala,  she said. For people who have been hearing [Kamala] for a while, when they start saying Harris or Kamala Harris, they might not register it.

Political strategists have navigated the complexities of name recognition and voter perception in US presidential campaigns. In the current race, Harris holds a unique position as a female candidate, with the science having the potential to both benefit and challenge her.

At the end of the day, its about respect, Harris told People magazine in 2020.

Its about respect for all that comes with a name.  Respect the names that people are given, and use those names with respect.

CNN Editorial Research and CNNs Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report.

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Firefighters force their way into Charlotte home, help save mans life: CMPD

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  CMPD is crediting the actions of their officers and members of the Charlotte Fire Department for working together to help save a mans life this week.

Authorities said on Sunday, July 28, officers responded to a home for a welfare check after the mans friends said they had not seen or spoken with him in more than a week.

CMPD officers responded to the apartment and knocked on the door for several minutes with no answer. Officers were able to locate the mans vehicle in the parking garage.

A nearby neighbor told officers he last saw the man on July 26. It was soon determined that the man had a history of mental health struggles, CMPD said. Responding officers believed the man was inside the apartment and in need of medical attention.

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Charlotte firefighters forced their way into the home on urgent necessity. The man was found inside the apartment in grave need of medical attention, CMPD said.

He was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries but thankfully survived and is now receiving treatment, CMPD said on Saturday.

Great job by Officers Waller, Phillips, and Roth-Payton and our colleagues at Charlotte Fire with Engine #4. Without their actions, the victim may not have survived, CMPD said.

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Five arrested on 23 charges in Illinois State Police human trafficking crackdown

Five people were charged in Monroe County in a two-day human trafficking enforcement operation, according to Illinois State Police.

The crackdown took place in the Columbia area on July 31 and Aug. 1.

The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts, the police announcement states. It was conducted by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau.

The release announcement states that the following people were arrested and charged:

 Deepak Chiluveru, 24 of St. Louis  Indecent solicitation a child (Class 3 felony),traveling to meet a child (Class 3 felony), grooming (Class 4 felony), and solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 felony).

 Tuan M. Huynh, 34 of St. Louis  Indecent solicitation a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming, solicitation to meet a child , and armed violence (Class X felony).

 Leslie M. Johnson, 56 of St. Louis  Indecent solicitation a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming, and solicitation to meet a child.

 Kawa M. Shaker, 26, of St. Louis  Indecent solicitation a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming, and solicitation to meet a child.

 Roberto Rodriquez-Cordero, 36 of St. Louis  Indecent solicitation a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming, solicitation to meet a child, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and armed violence.

This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois, the announcement states. ISP special agents, Troop 8 Troopers, SWAT officers, and Intelligence Support Unit, partnered with the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, Centralia Police Department, and Metropolitan Enforcement Group Southern Illinois for the operation. The Monroe County States Attorneys Office also provided support for the operation.

The Illinois State Police announcement defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will.

To learn more about the signs of human trafficking, which are subtle, visit recognizing the signs of human trafficking at the National Human Trafficking Hotline site.

If you suspect human trafficking, call the hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  The National Weather Service in State College issued a Flash Flood Warning for Central Cumberland County and Southwestern Perry County in South Central Pennsylvania.

The Cumberland County warning expired at 3 p.m., and the Perry County warning was canceled at 2:58 p.m.

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Hurricane and tropical storm watches have been issued for parts of Florida as a storm system bringing rain, coastal flooding and high winds moves toward the Sunshine States western coast.

Forecasters have predicted that the tropical depression, currently above Cuba, will build intensity by late Saturday, turning into a tropical storm named Debby. It would also mark the fourth named storm of the current hurricane season.

Tropical Depression Four is expected to intensify into Tropical Storm Debby and could be near hurricane strength before landfall in Floridas Big Bend region Sunday night or early Monday, Weather.com said.

Areas in southern Florida, the Florida Keys and the Bahamas have already reported experiencing gusty winds and thunderstorms, according to The Associated Press.

The National Weather Service warned in its notice that the storm will bring hazardous rainfall, strong winds and a life threatening storm surge to parts of Florida, particularly the Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay area.

Forecasters also predict the storm will remain a tropical storm threatening Georgia and the Carolinas into next week. The Dry Tortugas and Floridas west coast are currently under a tropical storm watch, parts of the Big Bend area and Indian Pass in the panhandle are under a hurricane watch, the AP reported.

For some residents, the name Debby could bring up bad memories of a 2012 storm with the same name. That storm caused over $250 million in damage and eight deaths, including seven in Florida alone, per the news wire.

Earlier this week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said his administration was monitoring the storm system.

Florida is monitoring Invest 97L in the Atlantic, which is expected to strengthen and potentially make landfall as early as this weekend, he wrote on social media platform X. It will be slow-moving and bring lots of rain that could cause significant flooding.

I encourage all residents to prepare for the storm and follow all guidance issued by @FLSERT and local emergency management officials, he added.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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One deputy was killed and two others were injured during an ambush shooting in Lake County, Fla. Friday evening. Photo courtesy of Lake County Sheriff's Office

Aug. 3 (UPI) -- One deputy was killed and two others were injured during an ambush shooting in central Florida.

Two suspects were found dead inside the home in Eustis, north of Orlando in central Florida, while a third suspect was taken to the hospital.

All three deputies were rushed to a nearby hospital with one eventually dying from injuries sustained during the attack. A second remained in critical condition while the other's injuries were less severe, Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell told reporters at a Saturday morning news conference.

Grinnell called it a "very violent scene" and said deputies that responded after the initial call faced at one point a "hail of gunfire" after arriving at the home.

Deputies were originally responding to an unrelated call when they were alerted to a disturbance at a nearby home.

They "saw what appeared to be the back door kicked in, and they could hear a disturbance inside of that home," Grinnell told reporters.

Deputies approached the home not expecting gunfire.

"They were ambushed," Grinnell said during the news conference.

The first deputy was shot after entering the home while the two others were reportedly injured while attempting to rescue their colleague.

Authorities have not speculated on a motive for the attack.
The Florida Highway Patrol celebrated the graduation of its 153rd basic recruit class.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

On Friday, 44 recruits graduated to become FHP Troopers after 29 weeks of training  the equivalent to 770 hours, according to a news release.

Their comprehensive training began on January 15, 2024, including high liability classes, defensive tactics, firearms, vehicle operations, and first aid, ensuring that new troopers are well-prepared for the challenges they will face in their duties.

Read: 9 Investigates: Family questions how Orange County inmate died in custody

Today, forty-four recruits join the ranks of the Florida Highway Patrol; during the last 29 weeks, each has demonstrated that they are not only qualified but dedicated to putting in the work and upholding the patrol standards, said Executive Director Dave Kerner. Every graduate standing here today will face challenges while they keep Florida safe. However, they will face each obstacle with the full support of their Governor, their new law enforcement family, and their leadership. To all recruits, thank you for your service; stay safe out there!

Of the 44 recruits who graduated in todays ceremony, six come from proud law enforcement families, eight have family members in the FHP, four moved to Florida from other states (New York, Maryland, and Alabama), and 13 have military experience (Army, U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard), the release stated.

Read: Firefighter becomes sixth shark bite victim in Volusia County

The Florida Highway Patrol proudly welcomes the 153rd graduating class of recruits as the newest members of the Highway Patrol family, said FHP Colonel Gary Howze II. These dedicated individuals have undergone rigorous training and demonstrated the highest professionalism and commitment. We are confident that they will serve with honor and integrity, upholding the FHPs tradition of excellence in serving and protecting the people of Florida.

The new Troopers will be placed with a certified Field Training Officer (FTO) upon reporting to their duty stations.

The new recruits will work with their FTO for 10 to 14 weeks before being released to solo duty.

Read: 9 Familys 18th annual Back-to-School Backpack-a-thon is off to a good start

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
(FLORISSANT, Colo.)  A recent lightning strike has severely impacted the community of Florissant, leaving neighbors struggling with a water outage. The strike caused significant damage to the local water and sewer treatment plant, leading to a disruption in water services.

Florissant Water and Sewer Treatment Plant

The systems operator at the Florissant Water and Sewer Treatment Plant, Tim Harper, reported that the lightning strike essentially short-circuited the plants computer systems.

The lightning strike is really what started the whole thing, Harper explained. The system is like a computer. You turn it off so many times by just unplugging it, it starts corrupting the data.

The lightning strike damaged the plants well pump and affected several other components, leaving crews to replenish the water supply.









Our Crystal Peak Water Tank holds about 12 feet and at eight feet, people start losing a lot of pressure, which were at eight feet right now, Harper said on Friday, Aug. 2.

The Florissant Board of Directors confirmed that the storm disabled their ability to provide outsourced water to the community. They provided FOX21 News with the following statement:

[The lightning strike] was confirmed by the local water/well pump specialist. This incident caused the plant to be down and we could not provide any out sourcing water to the community, but were able to provide water for the residences that are on the water treatment system. Without the pumps working in the well, we were unable to get water to fill the holding tank, but with help from the community of caring and Colorado Springs Utilities for delivering countless gallons of emergency water to us to keep the residents and community going. Thank you the residents and community for your patience and support. We had also been given bottled water which was donated by Arrowhead and has been delivered to the fire department and the local residents to help. This is still being delivered because a lot of people did not pick up and they delivered more, so we are delivering it. Florissant Water Board

As a result, many community members faced a water outage lasting up to four days.

The tanks were empty for four days, so we didnt have water during that period, Harper said.

Community members have voiced frustration over the ongoing water issues. Marion Clare, a Florissant resident, expressed that the problems extend beyond the recent strike.

Our residents cannot drink this water, no matter how many filters you put on it, Clare said.

Her husband, Harold Clare, serves on the Board of Directors and said their fourth-generation family living in Florissant continues to make sacrifices so the customers of the Florissant Water and Sanitation District can have access to water.

They dont have enough water, even now to supply us with the water we need to run our company, Clare explained. Being a concrete business, we consume the majority of the water in town so were having to haul water in ourselves separately so that the people of the district can have water.

To mitigate the crisis, the Town of Florissant sought assistance from Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), which delivered more than 50,000 gallons of water to replenish the Crystal Peak Water Tank. They provided FOX21 News with the following statement.

We responded to Florissants call for water through COWARN (Colorados Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network). CoWARN is the states official channel for requesting mutual aid assistance for water and wastewater needs. We are happy to provide assistance to neighboring communities when possible. Costs associated with providing mutual aid are recovered, which ensures we can continue to be of service to others, as needed. Amy Trinidad, Colorado Springs Utilities Public Relations Supervisor

Additionally, BlueTriton Brands has donated hundreds of cases of bottled water to the community and provided FOX21 News with the following statement.

BlueTriton Brands is committed to being a good neighbor in our communities. We are glad to be able to provide families in the Town of Florissant with healthy hydration through our bottled spring water donation. Jeremy Allenbaugh, BlueTriton Brands Spring Specialist

BlueTriton Brands has donated hundreds of cases of bottled water to the community.

Harper emphasized the ongoing efforts to restore full water services.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
A food influencer in Chicago breaks down why the Windy City should be on every restaurant lover's bucket list

A food influencer in Chicago breaks down why the Windy City should be on every restaurant lover's bucket list

Erica Noblecilla is a food influencer who's lived in Chicago for four years.

Chicago is a "melting pot" of different cuisines and has delicious cheap eats as well as Michelin-starred spots, she said.

Here's why Noblecilla thinks every foodie should visit the Windy City.

Erica Noblecilla spends her days scouring Chicago for the best food spots.

She posted her first TikTok reviews in spring 2021. After some of her videos went viral, she quit her job in real-estate marketing and started making content full-time, visiting both well-known restaurants and hidden gems throughout the Windy City and its suburbs.

"Chicagoans take their food very seriously," she told Business Insider. Chicago was ranked third in Food & Wine's 2024 ranking of the best cities for food and drink in the US.

Here's why Noblecilla thinks the city is such a great destination for foodies.

"Chicagoans take their food very seriously," says Erica Noblecilla. Courtesy of Erica Noblecilla

International cuisines

Chicago is a "melting pot" of different cultures and cuisines, Noblecilla said. The city is home to a Chinatown, Little India, Little Italy, Ukrainian Village, and Greektown. There are also Polish, Mexican, Arabic, and Filipino influences, she said.

Noblecilla moved from South Florida to Chicago in July 2020. "I've never really lived in a city before that's had all of these kinds of influences," she said. "I was a little kid in a candy store moving here. It's such a food city."

Chicago staples

New York has bagels, Philadelphia has cheesesteaks, and Cincinnati has Skyline Chili. Chicago has its fair share of staples, too  there's deep-dish pizza, tavern-style pizza, Polish hot dogs, and Italian beef, for starters.

For Italian beef, you can go to Al's or Mr Beef, Noblecilla said. The latter inspired The Original Beef of Chicagoland in the FX series The Bear.

Chicago's Mr Beef inspired the restaurant in "The Bear." Kathleen Hinkel for The Washington Post via Getty Images

For deep-dish pizza, head to Lou Malnati's. The pizza has a "delicious" and crispy butter crust and "incredibly fresh" toppings, Noblecilla said.

And if you fancy a drink to wash it down with, Malort, a liquor developed by a Swedish immigrant in Chicago in the late 1800s, is the local specialty. It's tradition then when people move to Chicago, "one of the first things you have to do is have a shot of Malort," Noblecilla said.

There's also a "big dive bar culture" in Chicago, as well as a popular speakeasy called the Drifter, she said. "It's actually a place I take lots of out-of-towners." And during the holidays, the city is full of Christmas bars, she said.

Family-owned restaurants

As well as big chains, Chicago is full of mom-and-pop restaurants, Noblecilla said.

And some are pretty old.

"There's a good handful of restaurants that have been open since the 1940s," Noblecilla said. They have "more history than some of the museums here," she said.

Fine dining

The city has 21 Michelin-starred restaurants. Two  Alinea and Smyth  have three stars, while Filipino restaurant Kasama was ranked the fifth-best restaurant in the US in Food & Wine's 2024 ranking.

"There's a really great range in the kind of food that you see at the Michelin restaurants," Noblecilla said. "It's not just one sort of cuisine."

Alfresco dining

"Alfresco dining is such a huge thing here in Chicago," Noblecilla said. Because it's such a cold city, "when it gets warm, you want to be outside," she said.

Chicago has a range of bars and restaurants with patio seating, including along the river. Grace Dean/Business Insider

"Patio dining is pretty top tier here, because it's a beautiful city," she continued. "It's kept very nicely. It's kept very clean. You compare it to New York where there's trash bags piling up on the patio, on the sidewalks."

There's also a lot of rooftop dining, including some restaurants that add snow globes, or heated igloos, in the winter, Noblecilla said.

Cheap eats

You don't have to spend a lot of money to eat well in Chicago. "A big part of the scene is more fast-casual dining," Noblecilla said, adding that those restaurants make up the vast majority her TikTok reviews.

Tacos are a "big Chicago staple," she said. Carniceria Maribel, for example, started as a liquor store and La Chaparrita as a grocery store, "and then they kind of transformed into taquerias because of the popularity of their tacos."

Tacos are a "big Chicago staple." Courtesy of Ania Majsterek

Her favourite spot

Noblecilla's current favorite place to eat in Chicago is Brasero, an upscale Latin restaurant in the city's West Town, which she says has "Brazilian undertones."

"It just blew me away," she said. "So much flavor."

Noblecilla said that her table tried most of the dishes on the menu. Dishes she particularly enjoyed included the oysters, shrimp, lobster, ribs in a guava barbecue glaze, pao de queijo, and desserts. "The seafood stood out to me the most," she said.

At Brasero, the pao de queijo costs $16, ribs $24, and half lobster $68.

Noblecilla also recommends the $14 limonada suica, Brazilian lemonade made by blending a whole lime with water, then adding condensed milk. For an extra $4, you can spike it with Pitu Cachaca, a Brazilian spirit, which Noblecilla said is "really unique. You can't really find that anywhere in the city."

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OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL)  The Lee County Sheriffs Office arrested a former Sanford Middle School custodian on charges of distributing obscene materials to students, Friday afternoon.

Joseph L. Walker Jr., 32, was arrested at his home in the 7000 block of Hurst Street in Opelika. Walker was taken to the Lee County Jail, but has since made bond and is awaiting court.

Authorities say, the arrest stems back to November of 2023, when Lee County Sheriffs Office School Resource Officers received two reports involving a custodian at Sanford Middle School making sexual comments and showing inappropriate sexual photos to students.

Investigators were able to identify Walker as a suspect and confirm the allegations. School officials immediately placed Walker on administrative leave and he resigned a short time later before the school board could meet to discuss the allegations further.

The case was presented to a Lee County Grand Jury in July. The Jury indicted Walker on two counts of School Employee Distributing Obscene Material to a Student, which is a Class A misdemeanor.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Ray Holmberg (Photo provided by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly)

A former North Dakota legislative leader who is scheduled to plead guilty Thursday to a child sexual abuse charge has violated conditions of his release, court records say.

Ray Holmberg accessed the internet for reasons not approved under his pretrial monitoring and frequented the adult novelty store Romantix, according to a report submitted Friday by a U.S. Pretrial Services officer.

Holmberg, 80, has signed a plea agreement indicating he will plead guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.

In the agreement, Holmberg acknowledges he repeatedly traveled between June 24, 2011, and Nov. 1, 2016, from Grand Forks to Prague, Czech Republic, for the purposes of engaging in commercial sex with adolescents under age 18, the document states.

Holmberg, a Republican from Grand Forks, served in the North Dakota Legislature more than 45 years and held the powerful position of chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee. He resigned in 2022.

Holmberg was indicted on child sex tourism and receipt of child pornography charges on Oct. 26, 2023. He was released from custody Oct. 30, 2023, but required to follow conditions set by the court, which include travel restrictions, location monitoring, internet restrictions and no contact with victims or witnesses. The conditions were updated in May to prohibit Holmberg from using unapproved electronic devices, records show.

He has received verbal reprimands each time he visited Romantix and was reminded about his conditions of release, court records show.

On May 8, Holmberg tested positive for alcohol, which is prohibited under the conditions.

On May 20, Holmberg was instructed to remove an unapproved iPad from his home. On June 4, Pretrial Services observed content on a smart TV that Holmberg did not have permission to access. Since that time, Holmberg has continued to access the internet for unapproved reasons, the report shows.

Court records do not indicate whether prosecutors may argue for Holmberg to be detained after he pleads guilty on Thursday. The U.S. Pretrial Services officer recommends that Holmberg is not a candidate for self-surrender.

Holmberg faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.

Under the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to seek a sentence on the low end of federal sentencing guidelines. Defense attorney Mark Friese has said the guidelines provide a range of between three and four years in prison, which may increase or decrease depending on factors determined by the court.

Prosecutors also agree in the plea agreement to dismiss the child pornography charge.

The plea hearing is 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Fargo.

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Former President Donald Trump and vice presidential nominee Senator J.D. Vance are in Atlanta on Saturday holding a campaign rally.

The event began at the Georgia State University Convocation Center in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon.

You can watch the whole rally LIVE on WSBTV.com and in the WSB-TV app. Well have LIVE Team 2 Coverage on Channel 2 Action News at 6 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The former president has not yet spoken, but several Republican lawmakers and Trump supporters have taken the stage, including former Senator David Perdue and U.S. Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins.

The road to the White House goes directly through the state of Georgia, Rep. Greene said to the crowd.

RELATED STORIES:

Kamala Harris is like the Stacey Abrams of California, Rep. Collins said. Georgia didnt want Stacey and we dont want Kamala.

The GSU Convocation Center in downtown Atlanta is the same location where presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris held a star-studded campaign rally earlier this week.

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Heather Lauer is the CEO of People United for Privacy, a nonprofit that defends the First Amendment rights of all Americans, regardless of their beliefs, to come together in support of their shared values.
PARIS (Reuters) - French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared their concern over rising frictions in the Middle East in a phone call on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"They agreed to continue calling on all parties to exercise the greatest restraint in order to prevent any regional upheaval that would have devastating consequences for countries in the region and for peace prospects, starting with a lasting ceasefire in Gaza," it said.

Tensions have soared following the assassination of Palestinian group Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a top military commander from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Editors Note: News 5 Now streams live at 5:30 p.m. Watch the video above.

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Welcome to WKRG.coms new streaming show, News 5 Now, where we discuss the days 5 big stories and interact with you, our viewers.

Margaritaville Resort coming to Orange Beach

Top 5 Stories

Its time to count down the Big Stories were following for you.

Wawa is offering teachers and school staff free beverages. (Wawa)

5. Free Drinks for Teachers

Heres a back-to-school bonus for teachers and school workers in our area: free drinks!

Starting Monday, they can get a free cold soda fountain drink or a hot cup of coffee at any WaWa convenience store in Alabama and Florida.

Itll be easy to do.

They can just fill up their cup and tell the worker at the cash register that they work for the school system.

Any size fountain drink or coffee is free to those educators until Aug. 18.

Thats a nice little treat to say thanks for all they do!

Photo courtesy Sag Harbor Village Police Department

4. Timberlake Suspended

Now lets talk about a different kind of drink that has a pop star facing the music.

Justin Timberlake made a virtual court appearance today on a drunken driving charge. Timberlake pleaded not guilty, but the Long Island judge suspended his right to drive in New York anyway.

You will remember Sag Harbor police say Timberlake ran a stop sign, veered out of his lane, and smelled of alcohol when he stepped out of his BMW back on June 18.

So, they arrested him.

(News 5 photo)

3. Margaritaville Resort in Development

A Margaritaville Resort is coming to Orange Beach. The Wharf says it will build the new development.

Margaritaville Resorts Waterfront District will include several places to party, dine, shop, and do other fun things.

You can also live there, with single-family cottages, waterfront condos, and hotel-style units planned.

Construction begins next summer. The first phase of the resort will open in 20-27.

(File photo)

2. Much of Florida Under a State of Emergency

54 Florida counties, including all of Northwest Florida, are under a state of emergency.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued that order after a big tropical weather system was forecasted to threaten the western and northern parts of Florida.

Big rain is likely on the way.

Its less likely that our Florida counties will see a direct impact from this tropical system.

Nonetheless, emergency officials in Escambia County, Florida, are opening locations for people to fill sandbags, just in case.

Free sand is available in Santa Rosa County and Okaloosa County, Florida.

Just bring your shovel and sandbags.

Heres a complete list of locations.

1. Baby Turtles Survive  and Thrive

Happy Birthday, little ones!

Dozens of baby turtles hatched this morning in Orange Beach. This is really good news because that very nest was vandalized twice last month.

Disturbing a sea turtle nest is a federal offense punishable with up to a year in jail and a $100,000 fine.

In this case, there was relief and a happy ending, as 78 baby turtles made it into the Gulf of Mexico this morning.

Volunteers watched over them.

They say it took a little while for the turtles to get to the water because the lights on the beach disoriented them.

Watch News 5 Now, live each weekday at 5:30 p.m., right here on WKRG.com  and catch the replay in the video above.

Question of the Day

The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed banning airlines from charging fees to guarantee that parents will sit next to their children.

We wondered, Should the U.S. ban airlines from charging fees to ensure kids sit next to their parents?

Here are the responses.

Poll of the Day

Alabama legalized medical marijuana in 2021, but the long licensing process and litigation have delayed patients from receiving their medicine.

We wanted to know, Do you want medical marijuana licenses to be issued in Alabama?

Here are the responses.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Free school supplies to be given to children in Sanger

SANGER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Free school supplies will be given away to children in Sanger during an event hosted by the City of Sanger Parks and Recreation Division, officials announced.

The event, Back-to-School Supply Giveaway, will be held on Aug. 9 at the Sanger Community Center at 730 Recreation Ave., in Sanger. The distribution will be from 10 a.m. to noon, and the pool will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Officials say the event is free and open to the community. Those who would like to donate school supplies can do so until Aug. 2 at any of their collection sites. These sites are:

City Hall.

The Sanger Community Pool.

The Sanger Senior Center.

Items accepted for donation have to be all-new, and they are the following:

Backpacks.

Pens/pencils.

Crayons.

Color pencils.

Highlighters.

Notebooks.

Officials say monetary relations will be accepted as well. Checks may be written out to City of Sanger with attn or notes made for Recreation or Back To School Supply Giveaway.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Freed Americans family to miss Taylor Swift concert for the very best reason

Miriam Butorin was supposed to attend Taylor Swifts concert on Friday for her 13th birthday. She is missing it, but for the very best reason.

Miriams mother, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, was released Thursday from Russian detention in a historic prisoner swap.

The release of the 47-year-old journalist for the US-backed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was part of a complex prisoner swap between Russia, the US and other Western nations involving 24 detainees in total, including fellow freed Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. Kurmasheva had been detained in October 2023 and found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian army  charges her family and employer deny.

Kurmashevas family joined President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, where he shared the news that she was on her way back to the United States. There, the president led the crowd in singing happy birthday to Miriam.

Alsu Kurmasheva, second from the right, is greeted by family members from l-r., Pavel Butorin, Bibi Butorin, and Miriam Butorin on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. - Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Minutes before midnight, in an incredibly emotional scene, she was reunited with her mother on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Kurmasheva was the final freed American to emerge from the aircraft that touched down late Thursday. She hugged Biden and the president pressed his forehead to hers. Kurmasheva also greeted Vice President Kamala Harris before running to her daughters and husband.

When CNN spoke with Kurmashevas family in mid-July, her husband, Pavel Butorin, had mentioned the concert tickets.

We were so confident that she would get back to us that I bought Taylor Swift ticketsin June or Julyfor August 2024, Butorin said at the time. Little did we know that she would be arrested and taken away from us.

Just a matter of weeks ago, there was little sign of Kurmasheva being released from Russian detention  and of the family being able to attend the concert in Warsaw together.

Even though they are missing Fridays concert, Butorin expressed confidence the family would still get to go to a Swift concert in the future.

Thursday, he said, was an incredible day.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
DES MOINES, Iowa  It was a packed crowd wearing red, white, and blue Friday morning at Big Grove Brewery as friends and family cheered for Karissa Schweizer to qualify for the 5000m finals in Paris.

While Karissas parents and siblings were able to travel to Paris to watch Karissa compete, back in Iowa her grandparents were leading the cheering squad at home. They were also able to chat with her before the race over the phone to help with the jitters.

Normally we talk about strategy and all of that, but shes gotten to the point where she needs no help. So, we just talked and I tried to keep her calm, and I told her I was very confident in what she was going to do, said Frank Schweizer, Karissas grandpa.

Karissa Schweizer qualifies for 5000m final in Paris Olympics

Schweizer needed to finish in the top eight to qualify in Mondays final race. But just making it to Paris for a second Olympics was a major accomplishment, as she has battled injuries over the past years.

It was a nail bitter at the very end, Schweizer holding fifth for a while, but ending her run finishing eighth, earning her a spot in the finals.

Were so proud, shes so strong, shes experienced, shes healthy now. So, we knew great things could happen at an Olympic stadium, and to be altogether to cheer her on is just a wonderful moment for family and friends, said DeAnn Cook, family friend and watch party organizer.

Finals for the 5000m race will happen Monday, August 5, at 2 p.m. Central Time. Schweizer will also compete Friday, August 9 in the 10,000m race.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A mother of three is being mourned after she died in what police are describing as a murder-suicide that happened in Vancouver last month.

New details are also emerging about that horrific incident, including that the woman was with her four-year-old at the time.

Carissa Larkin lost her life after her estranged partner, Kyle Palmer, allegedly showed up to her house on the morning of July 25, shot and killed her in the driveway of her home and then turned the gun on himself.

Level 3 evacs declared in The Dalles after fire

I got a phone call from the 11-year-old daughter, screaming, uncontrollably, I couldnt understand what was being said, said Larkins best friend, Baylee Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said Larkin was with her four-year-old in front of her car and Palmer was to the side of it leading up to the murder-suicide. The child was grazed by a bullet.

I got pulled aside by the Chaplin and the officer and they said Carissa is deceased and we have an unknown male suspect, Gonzalez said. And I said, Its not unknown, his truck is right here and he has a no-contact order.'

Coraline cats invade Portland streets

Gonzalez said Larkin filed a restraining order against Palmer.

Carissa Larkin was killed in what Vancouver police called a murder-suicide. August 2, 2024 (courtesy Baylee Gonzalez)

Carissa Larkin was killed in what Vancouver police called a murder-suicide. August 2, 2024 (courtesy Baylee Gonzalez)

Carissa Larkin was killed in what Vancouver police called a murder-suicide. August 2, 2024 (courtesy Baylee Gonzalez)

Carissa Larkin was killed in what Vancouver police called a murder-suicide. August 2, 2024 (courtesy Baylee Gonzalez)

Carissa Larkin was killed in what Vancouver police called a murder-suicide. August 2, 2024 (KOIN)

Another friend of Larkin, Amie Emery, said she was trying to protect her family after an alleged sexual assault.

She was going through a million things in her life and overcame every one of them, Emery said.

Aerosmith cancels farewell tour

National Womens Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation (NWCAVE) Founder and CEO Michelle Bart told KOIN 6 News that as an advocate for domestic violence victims, cases like this are all too common.

How many times do we keep hearing this, from all of the cases that we know? Bart said. He did what he did, carried it out, with a four-year-old in her arms. They will stop at nothing. If I cant have you, no one will.'

Authorities are still working out where Larkins kids will go after all of this. For now, those who loved her are cherishing her memory.

Metro Chamber: Trumps Portland comments laughable

She was just your person and she was my person, Gonzalez said.

We had a link that Ill never share with another human, Emery added.

The four-year-old is expected to recover physically as he just got stitches in his hand removed Friday. However, all three kids are currently in therapy.

Check out NWCAVEs website to stay informed about domestic violence issues. More information about domestic violence support programs can be found on the Washington State Domestic Violence Information and Referral website. You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) at 1-800-799-7233.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Frontier Airlines pilot arrested and escorted off aircraft by police in Houston

Frontier Airlines pilot arrested and escorted off aircraft by police in Houston

Police arrested a Frontier Airlines pilot on board an aircraft in Houston on Thursday.

Video circulating on social media appears to show police escorting Seymour Walker off the plane.

Frontier said the incident occurred before customers boarded the aircraft.

Police arrested a Frontier Airlines pilot on board an aircraft in Houston on Thursday, the airline confirmed in a statement to Business Insider.

Officers identified him to local media as 45-year-old Seymour Walker.

In the statement, a Frontier spokesperson said: "Frontier Airlines can confirm that on Aug. 1, 2024, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH) a crew member was taken into custody by local law enforcement."

"The activity occurred prior to the start of boarding for Flight 3195 scheduled from IAH to Dallas Forth Worth (DFW)," it continued.

"A replacement crew member was not immediately available and therefore the flight was canceled. Impacted customers were offered the option of a full refund, credit, or re-accommodation on the next available Frontier flight later that evening."

The airline added that affected passengers were given a $100 flight voucher and overnight accommodations "as needed."

Video footage emerged on Saturday morning appearing to show police escorting Walker from the plane to a police vehicle.

Alleged arrest of Frontier Airlines pilot in #Houston pic.twitter.com/jruvDSAw1S  Houston Air Watch  (@houstonairw) August 3, 2024

The Houston Police Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reported that the arrest took place without incident, and that Walker was released from jail on bond.

He was apprehended for an outstanding warrant linked to an allegation of assault and family violence, it said, filed by the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As El Pasoans gather for the fifth anniversary of the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart, the state of Texas' death penalty case against the gunman continues to languish in legal maneuvering and a judge's gag order.

The case has been delayed in state court for several reasons, mainly because state prosecutors and defense attorneys are continuing a years-long battle over how to handle the massive amount of evidence in the case.

The gunman, Patrick Crusius of Allen, Texas, faces one count of capital murder of multiple persons and 22 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks is seeking the death penalty. A trial date has not been set in state court.

The mass shooting resulted in 23 people fatally shot and dozens more injured. A white supremacist, who is already convicted and sentenced in federal court, targeted Mexicans in El Paso as shoppers were out for what was a peaceful Saturday shopping trip.

The Grand Candela Memorial at the Walmart in El Paso commemorates the victims and survivors of the Aug. 3, 2019 shooting.

More: 5 years later: Events to honor the 23 lives lost in El Paso Walmart mass shooting

A gag order issued in July 2022 is again being enforced by 409th District Court Judge Sam Medrano, who presides over the gunman's case. The gag order prevents state prosecutors, defense lawyers, witnesses, family members of the victims, or anyone else associated with the case from discussing it.

Hearing set for September; unknown if trial date will be set

A scheduling conference is set for 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12. The hearing is expected to focus on the handling of evidence and discussing any pretrial issues.

It is unknown if Medrano will set a trial date during September's hearing. The gag order prevents prosecutors and defense attorneys from discussing what arguments or issues they will present during the hearing.

Judge Sam Medrano in the 409th district court swears in accused Walmart mass shooter Patrick Crusius during his arraignment Thursday, October, 10, 2019 in the 409th state District Court with Judge Sam Medrano presiding. Crusius, a 21-year-old male from Allen, Texas, stands accused of killing 22 and injuring 25 in the Aug. 3 mass shooting at an East El Paso Walmart in the seventh deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history and third deadliest in Texas.

September's hearing will come five years and one month after the mass shooting devastated El Paso and Juarez, which make up the Borderland's binational community.

A 2024 trial date is unlikely, legal observers said. The Walmart case is one of the largest cases ever seen in El Paso, with millions of pieces of evidence that prosecutors and defense lawyers must sort through to prepare to use for trial.

Hicks has repeatedly claimed his office is ready to try the case as soon as Medrano sets a court date. Defense attorneys have argued they have not been given the evidence with enough time for them to prepare for trial.

Further complicating matters is the Nov. 5 General Election. Hicks, a Republican appointed to the position by Gov. Greg Abbott, is facing Democrat James Montoya in one of the biggest races in El Paso County. Montoya was part of the then-DA team that aggressively sought justice against the shooter in 2019.

State prosecutors, defense attorneys continue to battle over evidence

The last time state prosecutors and defense lawyers met in court was during a Feb. 22 status conference. The hearing ended with no calendar date for the case to go to trial.

El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks talks to the media after a court hearing regarding the Walmart shooter trial in state court on Jan. 18, 2028 at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in El Paso, Texas.

During the February status conference, defense attorneys argued they would need several more months to review the evidence and prepare for trial. They argued the long timeframe is needed because the evidence turned over by the state is unorganized, has thousands of duplicate documents, and new evidence improperly hidden in a folder titled duplicates.

State prosecutors countered that the district attorney's office turned over most of the evidence months, if not years ago, to the defense team. Any remaining pieces of evidence are being turned over to defense attorneys as the district attorney's office gets it, she added.

Judge: 'Everyone wants a resolution to this case'

Along with arguments over evidence, the state's case has been stalled because of several issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which shutdown the court system for months, the retirement of longtime District Attorney Jaime Esparza, the resignation of District Attorney Yvonne Rosales amid allegations of misconduct, and the federal case being handled first, Medrano said at the February hearing.

More: District judge addresses community as Walmart mass shooting case remains dogged by delays

The long delay in trying the state's case against the gunman led to Medrano addressing the El Paso community about the case moving slowly in state court.

I rarely address the community in court, but I believe it is important in this case," Medrano said. "It is going to be five years in August (since the shooting), but the court sees this as something the court has had for less than half a year. I am hoping this community understands that everyone wants a resolution to this case, but not at the expense of justice."

Who is who in the Walmart state death penalty case?

Hicks, a Republican, is the third district attorney to prosecute the state of Texas' case against the gunman.

Esparza, a Democrat who is now the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, retired in 2020. Democrat Yvonne Rosales was elected district attorney in 2020 but resigned from office in November 2022 amid allegations of misconduct, including mishandling the Walmart case.

Hicks was appointed by Abbott to replace Rosales. Hicks' prosecution team includes Rebecca Tarango, Michael Williams and John Davis.

Patrick Crusius' attorneys Mark Stevens, left, and Joe Spencer speak before the accused El Paso Walmart mass shooter is arraigned Thursday, October, 10, 2019 in the 409th state District Court with Judge Sam Medrano presiding. Crusius, a 21-year-old male from Allen, Texas, stands accused of killing 22 and injuring 25 in the Aug. 3 mass shooting at an East El Paso Walmart in the seventh deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history and third deadliest in Texas.

In the most recent death penalty case in El Paso, Hicks and his team successfully got a jury to sentence a man convicted of fatal shooting an El Paso County Sheriff's Office deputy to the death penalty last year.

The gunman's defense team is led by prominent El Paso attorney Joe Spencer. The defense team includes experienced criminal defense attorneys Mark Stevens, Felix Valenzuela and Rebecca Hudsmith.

Spencer, who handled the gunman's case in federal court, has tried dozens of high-profile criminal cases in El Paso, including successfully getting acquittals or lenient sentences for several clients who were either facing the death penalty or life in prison.

Judge Medrano is one of the most experienced and well-respected judges in El Paso. He has presided over thousands of high-profile criminal cases since he was first elected in 2001. Medrano's current term ends at the end of December. However, he will retain his seat as he runs unopposed in the 2024 general election.

Seeking justice five years after Walmart mass shooting

On Aug. 3, 2019, the gunman drove nearly 700 miles from Allen, Texas, to El Paso to attack Mexicans, who he claimed were invading the U.S., according to court documents and testimony in the gunman's federal trial.

The mass shooter parked at the El Paso Walmart at 7101 Gateway Blvd. West. He got out of his vehicle and began shooting people in the parking lot, federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna said during the gunman's February plea hearing. He continued into Walmart, where he fatally shot nine people in a bank inside the store. He then continued, shooting another nine in the aisles of the Walmart.

Caption: Patrick Crusius pleaded guilty Wednesday to 90 counts stemming from the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart. He was accompanied at the podium by his legal team, from left, Joe Spencer, Mark Stevens, Rebecca Hudsmith and Felix Valenzuela.

The gunman used a GP WASR-10 semiautomatic rifle  a Romanian-made firearm that is a variant of the AK-47 assault rifle  and 7.62 x 39 mm hollow point ammunition, a federal indictment states. The gun and 1,000 rounds of ammunition were purchased June 19, 2019, on the internet by the gunman, the indictment states.

Minutes after the shooting, the gunman, then 21, emerged with his hands up from a vehicle that was stopped at a nearby intersection and told a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, who was responding to the mass shooting, "I'm the shooter."

More: Tearful testimonies continue as victims of El Paso Walmart shooting confront gunman

The gunman targeted Hispanics in an effort to dissuade Mexicans and other Hispanics from coming to the United States, federal prosecutors said. Minutes before the shooting, he posted a racist manifesto online outlining his motives for committing one of the most deadly shootings in U.S. history.

The gunman confessed to law enforcement that "they (Mexicans and other Hispanics) were to blame" and "he was trying to defend his country," federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna said in the federal sentencing hearing for the gunman.

Walmart gun sentenced to life in prison in federal court

The gunman has already been sentenced to life in prison in federal court after the U.S. Attorney's Office elected not to seek the death penalty.

The gunman pleaded guilty Feb. 9, 2023, to 23 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, 23 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence, 22 counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill, and 22 counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

More: Families of El Paso shooting victims demand justice: 'I will never forgive you'

He was sentenced July 7 to 90 consecutive life sentences in federal court for the mass shooting. He was ordered to serve his federal prison sentence at ADX Florence supermax federal prison near Florence, Colorado. However, the gunman was transferred July 11 to state custody as the case in state court remains pending.

The gunman was ordered Sept. 25 to pay more than $5 million in federal restitution for the financial losses suffered by the victims and their families because of his actions.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Walmart mass shooter's death penalty case languishes 5 years later
Officials at the Alexander Mountain fire say that, because of the large number of fires across the West, roughly 90% of their requests for additional outside resources have been denied. But nonetheless they say crews battling the blaze feel they have the resources they need to be successful.
An Amazon Prime delivery truck (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

For decades, states have relied on gas taxes to provide much of the money to maintain roads and bridges. But as cars become more fuel efficient, and some Americans switch to electric vehicles, state leaders say the gas tax wont pay the bills for much longer.

At the same time, many cities have seen their streets crowded with delivery trucks from Amazon and other companies, as consumers increasingly opt to have products delivered to their homes. In a few states, lawmakers think fees on those deliveries could be part of their road-funding solution.

If youre going to be creating wear and tear on our roads, you should help pay to maintain them, said Colorado state Rep. Cathy Kipp, a Democrat who chairs the Energy and Environment Committee.

In July 2022, Colorado became the first state with a retail delivery fee, a charge on all vehicle deliveries to consumers within the state. The fee, which currently stands at 29 cents per delivery, provides funding for highways, bridges, tunnels, electric vehicle charging stations and projects to reduce air pollution and to electrify vehicle fleets and transit systems. It has brought in more than $160 million.

If youre going to be creating wear and tear on our roads, you should help pay to maintain them.

 Colorado Democratic state Rep. Cathy Kipp

Colorado leaders have had to simplify the law to help businesses comply with it, but they say its largely been a success story. Minnesota enacted its own retail delivery fee in 2023, and lawmakers in New York and Illinois have proposed similar measures. Meanwhile, legislators and transportation officials in several other states have commissioned studies to consider the concept.

Some retailers and Republican lawmakers have argued that the fee hurts consumers, and many businesses in Colorado initially had trouble complying with the law.

The 27-cent delivery fee is not trivial, its effects are not imperceptible, and it greatly affects our citizens  especially those who are already struggling to pay the bills and provide for their families, Republican state Rep. Rose Pugliese, the House minority leader, wrote in a Colorado Springs Gazette guest column several months after the law was enacted.

But backers of the fee say they see growing interest across the country, especially as delivery trucks become ubiquitous in many neighborhoods.

Future-proofing transportation funding

State law in Colorado limits the ways in which lawmakers can expand taxes. With gas tax revenues dwindling, legislators didnt have an obvious solution to pay for roads. They eventually settled on the retail delivery fee, which is not characterized as a tax.

Initially, the program was a struggle for many businesses, due to a requirement that they detail the fee separately on each receipt.

For our medium and small businesses, it was a real complicated thing and very burdensome for them to have to reprogram their software with a whole extra line item, Kipp said.

Last year, Kipp joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to amend the program. They rescinded the requirement that businesses itemize the fee on each receipt and allowed companies to cover the fee themselves rather than breaking it out on each order. They also exempted retailers with less than $500,000 in sales.

Since the fix was adopted, Kipp said she has stopped hearing complaints about the program. Chris Howes, president of the Colorado Retail Council, said he too has not heard any recent gripes.

Weve got it straightened out by now, he said. People have accepted it and moved on.

Amazon did not grant a Stateline interview request, and the National Retail Federation deferred questions to state chapters. Chamber of Progress, a tech industry advocacy group, did not arrange an interview by publication time.

Last year, lawmakers in Minnesota enacted their own retail delivery fee, a 50-cent charge on purchases of more than $100. Lawmakers heard from local governments that they were struggling to maintain their roads and badly needed state aid to make up the gap.

This is trying to future-proof our transportation funding, said Democratic state Rep. Erin Koegel, who sponsored the bill. We keep getting performance grades from civil engineers saying were at a C- or D for our infrastructure. We needed to think about ways to get more revenue in the system.

Koegel said the measure was a compromise. Her initial draft, which did not have a $100 threshold for purchases, was intended to be a deterrent, much like cigarette taxes. She said delivery trucks are increasing congestion in many cities and damaging streets that werent built to support large vehicles. However, lawmakers ultimately decided to limit the fee to more expensive purchases in order to protect lower-income consumers.

Minnesotas fee is projected to generate $59 million in its first fiscal year. The funding will be distributed to cities, counties and towns to help with their road-funding needs.

Traffic throughout the day

Cities and counties in Washington state also have asked for help, and some local leaders have asked state lawmakers to consider a retail delivery fee  or to authorize cities to collect one. State lawmakers commissioned an analysis, published last month, looking at the potential for such a program. The report found that a fee could generate $45 million to $112 million in revenue in 2026, depending on which businesses and orders were covered.

Were now seeing that theres traffic on our system throughout the day, and the growth of these delivery services is a part of that, said Democratic state Sen. Marko Liias, who chairs the Transportation Committee. Weve had a history in transportation of user-based fees. This feels like a mechanism that could help in that regard.

Liias emphasized that some version of the fee is likely to be a big topic of discussion in the next legislative session. He said hes already heard strong arguments on both sides of the issue.

In some areas, the rise in retail deliveries has put the greatest burden on the infrastructure surrounding shipping facilities. Illinois CenterPoint Intermodal Center, the nations largest inland port, connects interstate trucking, railway lines and Mississippi River barges.

There really needs to be a shift in the tax structure, since many of these facilities are not generating the local sales tax youd get at a brick and mortar, said Democratic state Sen. Rachel Ventura, whose district includes the CenterPoint facility. We have a lot of traffic going in and out, and the environmental burden and road repairs and the tax burden fall locally.

Ventura has drafted a bill that would allow communities to assess fees on intermodal facilities  locations that transfer products from one type of transportation to another. Local governments that opted in would be able to spend the funds on roads within five miles of the facilities. The fee, which would be based on the weight of each shipment, is projected to generate $33 million to $68 million per year.

The bill has not passed out of committee, and Ventura said lawmakers are still discussing the path forward amid opposition from the trucking industry.

In New York, a Democratic bill to impose a 25-cent fee on deliveries within New York City has been introduced but remains in committee. Meanwhile, state agencies in Nevada and Ohio have commissioned studies examining the feasibility of retail delivery fees. Those reports have not yet led to legislative action.

This article was originally produced by Stateline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN)  The Georgetown Animal Shelter is nearly at capacity once again. Its a problem the city hopes to fix by merging with the Williamson County Animal Shelter.

Like everywhere, were growing like crazy, and the shelter that served us in the early 2000s no longer serves us today, Jack Daly, Assistant Public Works Director for Georgetown, said. Daly also oversees the shelter.

That growing city  and growing pet population  is what city leaders in Georgetown have cited as the reason for the merger, with discussions starting back in 2020.

Weve really come up with a good plan to both expand the kennel capacity for Georgetown, as well as help expand the shelter for Williamson County, Daly added.

What happens next?

It seems like a simple enough idea, but because the countys animal shelter involves other cities, it gets a bit more complex.

Cedar Park gets first-of-kind state certification to bring more tech jobs to area

Its like a letter agreement between all the member governments, so the county, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Hutto, Leander and Georgetown saying hey, heres what we think a merger will look like,' Daly explained.

Attorneys are also involved because city money is going to a county owned-and-operated facility. A lease agreement is whats next. That will then head to the states attorney general.

Theres so much uncertainty when you involve lots of different governments, including the state government, theres just a lot of uncertainty on timing, Daly said.

All while thats going on in the background, animals are still getting the care they need, even as those costs continue to rise.

City of Taylor looks at future of downtown

[Georgetown] has a contract veterinarian that does surgeries every Wednesday. For more complicated things, we send that out to local veterinarians to help us with, Daly said.

A long process as the city looks to find its forever home, too.

The city hopes to wrap up the merger by Oct. 1.

Summer remains a busy season for cats at the shelter. Visit its website to see what animals are available for adoption.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
State School Superintendent Richard Woods released a statement this week that said parts of the College Boards Advanced Placement African American Studies course he did not recommend for statewide approval did violate the law.

Woods said the course violated House Bill 1084, which restricts teaching of divisive concepts and became state law in 2022.

As with most states with laws like Georgia on this issue that have raised concerns, the most glaring violation is on the topic of intersectionality, Woods said. There are additional areas of concern, but this topic raises the highest level of concern. If the Advanced Placement course had presented a comparative narrative with opposing views on this and other topics, an argument could be made that the course did not violate Georgia law.

The College Boards course description defines intersectionality as a framework for understanding the distinct experiences of Black women through the interactions of their social, economic and political identities with systems of inequality and privilege.

The AP course may make districts susceptible to challenges at the local level, Woods said. However, he said hes also asked for legal clarification if there is an exemption for AP and other college-level coursework.

The divisive concepts law states that it may not prohibit the full and rigorous implementation of required elements of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment coursework. It also states teaching in these courses must happen in a professionally and academically appropriate manner and without espousing personal political beliefs.

The law drew sharp opposition from Democrats as it progressed through the Legislature. Woods decision about AP African American Studies has also drawn strong reaction from elected Democrats and activist groups, with some saying an advanced course about Black history and culture has been singled out.

Ive read the course content too, former Georgia Teacher of the Year Tracey Nance said in an email after Woods latest statement. I didnt see anything that says Georgia (or the United States) is inherently racist or that kids should feel guilt or victimhood. Like any primary sources or perspectives we read, they are all points of view.

Woods statement included an apology for causing confusion in the aftermath of his decision, which went public last week and sparked a rally at the state Capitol, and questions from the governor and Gwinnett County, the states largest school district, which canceled the course for the upcoming school year.

Gwinnett Superintendent Calvin Watts said in a statement late Tuesday that the district wants full approval of the course statewide and his team remains in contact with Woods team and the Georgia Board of Education in hopes that its decision will be reversed.

Woods has said districts can essentially teach AP African American Studies even if theres not a state-approved course. Districts could offer the existing African American Studies course and load it with other AP content so students can prepare for the exam and potentially receive college credit. That would also allow the course to receive state funding - the Atlanta and DeKalb school districts have previously said they will offer the course using local funds.

But Gwinnett, the only district to say Woods choice is their reason for not having the class, said that solution is unsatisfactory. Because of how courses are coded, district leaders said students enrolled in a non-AP course cannot get the AP boost on their transcripts when being considered for HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships.

We dont want our students taking an Advanced Placement course they cant receive all the rewards for, Deputy Superintendent Nikki Mouton has said.

The Georgia Student Finance Commission confirmed Gwinnetts understanding of course codes and credits. Spokeswoman Hayley Corbitt said the commission relies on the list of state-funded courses to identify courses for inclusion in the HOPE Scholarship grade-point average calculation and to identify AP, IB and Dual Enrollment for purposes of adding mandated additional course weight.

Because Woods didnt recommend it, the AP course is not on the state-funded course list so the class would likely have to be listed as the less rigorous state version on student transcripts.

The state Department of Education previously said districts control how college-level courses are credited, but the department has not yet addressed the information from the finance commission. A DeKalb County School District spokesman said Wednesday, We anticipate further guidance from the Georgia Department of Education, and reaffirmed plans to offer the AP course.

Gwinnett and some critics have also said the states solution to offer the non-AP elective is problematic.

Withholding state approval for this AP course sends the message that the contributions and experiences of African Americans are not worthy of academic study at the same level as other approved AP courses, Watts said in Tuesdays statement.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writer Maureen Downey contributed to this article.
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  Gerald Wood took the stand Friday as a prosecutorial witness in the election fraud trial of Tina Peters. He is listed as the man part of the trusted build in May 2021, but he said he wasnt there and had an alibi. He was at church, then his daughters graduation party and then he was working the days following.

During his testimony. Wood was asked about several events he attended, his alleged membership of a group called the Tech Team on the encrypted messaging app, Signal, and if he had permitted Peters to use his access card and credentials.

He testified today that he did not permit Peters to use the key card at any time let alone for access during the trusted build. Wood also did not know the term trusted build. He has never been employed by Mesa County nor was he ever an administrative assistant.

Then he was asked about his alleged membership in the Tech Team group chat with Peters and Sherronna Bishop, former campaign manager for U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert.

Wood was shown several screenshots or digital captures of conversations in the chat, but he did not recall having those conversations or being a group member in the first place.

Peters attorney, John Case, said Wood went by the name of Trebuchet and asked him if the phone number associated with the account was his; it was.

Wood was then questioned about attending a cyber symposium in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, hosted by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell in May 2021.

He had learned while traveling there that he had been mentioned by the Colorado Secretary of State by name during a nationally televised press conference over an investigation involving his alleged involvement.

He was then asked if he knew an individual named Conan Hayes  a former pro surfer, accused of sharing election data  and if he met him at the cyber symposium. Wood testified that he did not know him and said he looked like actor Aaron Paul. He also said Hayes was not part of the cyber experts there.

Wood testified he left the event on a private plane owned by Lindell.

After Wood was cross-examined, he was excused from his subpoena by the prosecution. The defense had not served him a subpoena and Case tried to serve him. He was shrugged off as it is Colorado law that an attorney in a case cannot serve a subpoena to someone, but an employee of that attorney can.

This trial is ongoing. Another witness was in the middle of testimony when the court was adjourned for the day. The witness testimony will resume on Monday at 9 a.m. Check out the live stream of the trial at westernslopenow.com

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German minister says mandate would be needed to help protect Israel

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said involving the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr, in protecting Israel from a potential large-scale Iranian attack was not up for discussion.

Any military support through the provision of materials in any form would be decided upon "when the time comes," Pistorius said on the sidelines of a visit to Camp Bonifas at the border with North Korea. He is not involved in current discussions taking place in Berlin, he said.

Pistorius' comments came in response to a question about whether Germany, like the United States or other partners, might join an operation to protect Israel.

Any involvement of German soldiers, "which is completely inconceivable to [Pistorius] at the moment," would also require a mandate from the Bundestag, or parliament, he said. "Therefore, the question does not arise at all at the moment," he added.

Germany is among Israel's staunchest allies, and political leaders in Berlin have repeatedly stated that Israel has a right to self defence. Members of the German government have repeatedly affirmed in the past that the security of Israel is a German "matter of state."

The question comes amid growing fears of a conflagration in the Middle East, after a series of killings related to the war in Gaza which leaders have vowed to avenge.

Tensions in the region have risen following the killing of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Iran and Hamas hold Israel responsible for Haniyeh's death, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied a role.
German minister says mandate would be needed to help protect Israel

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said involving the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr, in protecting Israel from a potential large-scale Iranian attack was not up for discussion.

Any military support through the provision of materials in any form would be decided upon "when the time comes," Pistorius said on the sidelines of a visit to Camp Bonifas at the border with North Korea. He is not involved in current discussions taking place in Berlin, he said.

Pistorius' comments came in response to a question about whether Germany, like the United States or other partners, might join an operation to protect Israel.

Any involvement of German soldiers, "which is completely inconceivable to [Pistorius] at the moment," would also require a mandate from the Bundestag, or parliament, he said. "Therefore, the question does not arise at all at the moment," he added.

Germany is among Israel's staunchest allies, and political leaders in Berlin have repeatedly stated that Israel has a right to self defence. Members of the German government have repeatedly affirmed in the past that the security of Israel is a German "matter of state."

The question comes amid growing fears of a conflagration in the Middle East, after a series of killings related to the war in Gaza which leaders have vowed to avenge.

Tensions in the region have risen following the killing of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Iran and Hamas hold Israel responsible for Haniyeh's death, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied a role.

Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, have vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel after Haniyeh's killing. Israel will not "hold back" should Iran launch an attack in retaliation, a top Israeli security official warned on Friday.

As fears grow, the US said it plans to move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East to bolster its military presence in the region. The US Department of Defense is taking steps to "mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Irans partners and proxies," an official said.

After nearly 10 months of fighting between the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, there are fears the Middle East now stands on the precipice of a regional war.

Such a wider war loomed after April 14, when Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. Nearly all were intercepted with the help of the US and other allies.

That barrage came after Iran blamed Israel for the killing of two Iranian generals in a strike on the Iranian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Israel's response to the April 14 attack was limited in scale, with a military base in central Iran hit.
Germanys love of cowboys and Indians is dragged into election culture war

Festivals celebrating the stories of Karl May, the Wild West author, attract record-breaking crowds in Germany - Norbert Millauer

Germanys love affair with a series of Wild West-themed novels has been dragged into an election culture war after a CDU candidate used them as inspiration for campaign posters.

As east Germany heads towards state elections in Saxony, where the hard-Right AfD are predicted to come in first place, one election poster has triggered a bitter row over offensive stereotyping.

The posters, belonging to conservative CDU politician Christian Hartmann, depict a burly Saxon wearing a feathered Native American headdress.

Mr Hartmann is a fan of the works of bestselling novelist Karl May, best known for his Winnetou Western novels.

Christian Hartmann, a CDU election candidate, is a fan of the bestselling 'Winnetou' Western novels - Florian Gaertner/Photothek

Karl May belongs to Saxony and Winnetou on German television, states the poster inspired by the series, which the Native American Association of Germany has described as problematic.

The Winnetou novels have sold some 200 million copies. He was the first pop star in the world, he was unbelievably popular wherever he went, said Michael Kuntz, the editor of Karl May Magazine.

Set in the Wild West, the stories of Winnetou and Old Shatterhand were some of the first to depict the Native Americans as civilised and in touch with nature, inspiring a long-running tradition of dressing up as Native Americans both at carnivals and in more reverent Indian clubs, attracting 40,000 people a year.

Fans of the Winnetou novels, which have sold 200 million copies, at a carnival in Germany - Norbert Millauer

But they are not without controversy: two years ago, the Ravensburger publishing house refused to republish the childrens books, describing them as colonialist with racist prejudices and cultural appropriation.

Mr Hartmann has defended his posters and described the debate as lacking the necessary common sense. He also said that we in Saxony risked a lot for debates and freedom of expression in 1989, referring to protests against the east German communist regime.

Mr Hartmann has defended his campaign posters and described the debate as 'lacking the necessary common sense'

Saxonys pride in the novels appears to have continued, with the Karl May Museum based in Mays former villa in Radebeul, outside Dresden, receiving almost 8 million (6.5 million) for a new building in June.

Three of the most popular German films of all time are straight adaptations of Winnetous adventures and the most successful, the Shoe of Manitou, is a rather clunky parody.

While running for election, Olaf Scholz, Germanys chancellor, justified his conscientious objection to conscription with the lessons of Winnetou to a TV host wearing a costume headdress, and admits to having read all of Mays important books.

Britons and Americans presented as villains

With a wide-ranging fanbase that included both Albert Einstein and Adolf Hitler, it is hard to underestimate the influence of the work in Germany.

But Jurgen Zimmerer, a colonial historian, said that it was not a coincidence that Hitler was a fan, with hero Old Shatterhand a German superman who can shoot and hunt better than the natives, and Britons and Americans presented as villains.

Because of the association with Hitler, in the communist east May wasnt forbidden but his books werent printed for years, until the GDR adopted him as a decent Ossi (East German), said Mr Kuntz.

Some 400,000 fans are expected at the best-known Winnetou shows at Bad Segeberg, near Hamburg - Norbert Millauer

Showing that perhaps Germans do not care about the accusations of racism, a record-breaking 400,000 attendees are expected this year at the best-known Winnetou shows at Bad Segeberg, near Hamburg.

Its a small minority that criticises but theyre loud. They accuse him of racism even though his books were about intercultural understanding said Mr Kuntz.

[I] can understand the criticism when its coming from Native Americans, but in the end its ideological German academics who become a spokesperson for this topic rather than Indians themselves.

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After joining the US-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea, Germany is prepared in principle to provide personnel to monitor the ceasefire on the Korean peninsula, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said during a visit to the buffer zone to North Korea.

Berlin is weighing how best to support South Korea, he said on Friday. "We will now sound this out until the end of the year and then move on to the next phase," he said at the Camp Bonifas military base.

Camp Bonifas is home to the UNC, which monitors the Korean Armistice Agreement of 1953 between North and South Korea. It is close to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea.

"We were photographed by the North Korean side. We photographed the North Korean side," Pistorius said, adding that soldiers from the other side were just some 50 metres away.

"For someone who still knows the German-German border, there are many associations and at the same time it is very different, because there is this buffer zone, which we don't know from German-German history," he said, referring to the division of Germany after the end of World War II and the inner German border between East and West.

He said the endeavours to ensure transparency and prevent an escalation in the situation were "both oppressive and impressive at the same time."

Germany became the 18th country to join the UNC on Friday, a step that comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang significantly expanded its missile tests over the past two years, while sharpening its rhetoric against the US and South Korea.

Kim Jong Un, the ruler of North Korea, has repeatedly called for increased war preparations.
Gov. Greg Gianforte claps before signing five abortion laws on May 3, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan)

First it was former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Then, it was U.S. Senate Candidate Tim Sheehy, Montanas Republican challenger to incumbent Jon Tester.

Now, it appears that Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has jumped on the disinformation bandwagon of babies being aborted up to the moment of birth in the Treasure State.

In the battle that has been fought since the United States Supreme Court changed direction in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health decision, which sent the subject of abortion back to the individual states, reproductive rights has taken center stage as a topic across the U.S.

The national discussion has also centered on a repeatedly debunked claim that Democrats support abortion up until the moment of birth and even after birth, which would be infanticide, or murder of child, something outlawed in all 50 states.

They will take the life of a child in the eighth month, the ninth month and even after birth, Trump said.

The former GOP president has made claims like that on at least several occasions, but the talking point has been picked up and repeated in Montana.

Sheehy said something similar recently at a June 8 Senate debate, according to KFF Health News: Elective abortions up to and including the moment of birth. Healthy, 9-month-year-old baby killed at the moment of birth. Thats what Jon Tester and the Democrats have voted for.

KFF Health News Matt Volz fact-checked Sheehy on that statement and found it false, according to a joint investigation with PolitiFact.

But Montanas governor, also up for re-election this year and facing Democratic challenger Ryan Busse, has taken to talk radio to repeat the disinformation.

On July 17 during radio program Talk Back Missoula, Gianforte described a constitutional ballot measure that would enshrine reproductive rights and abortion until the point of fetal viability as a measure that would allow abortion through the moment of birth.

A pro-abortion ballot initiative that would basically put in the Montana Constitution the right to abortion up through and including the moment of birth. Its a bad idea, Gianforte said.

Martha Fuller, the chief executive of Planned Parenthood Montana, and one of the groups involved in the constitutional measure through the group, Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, called the statement absolutely disinformation.

His statement is absolutely false and its shameful that theyre lying to Montana, Fuller said.

Constitutional Initiative 128, which will be on the ballot before Montana voters, reads:

A constitutional initiative that would amend the Montana Constitution to expressly provide a right to make and carry out decisions about ones own pregnancy, including the right to abortion. It would prohibit the government from denying or burdening the right to abortion before fetal viability. It would also prohibit the government from denying or burdening access to an abortion when a treating healthcare professional determines it is medically indicated to protect the pregnant patients life or health. The initiative would prevent the government from penalizing patients, healthcare providers, or anyone who assists someone in exercising their right to make and carry out voluntary decisions about their pregnancy.

In an interview the next day on the radio program Montana Talks, Gianforte doubled down on his statement, calling CI-128 a deceptively written abortion initiative, and claimed that Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan had illegally ordered the Secretary of State to count signatures because the judge (doesnt) care what the law is.

The Montana Supreme Court refused an emergency appeal request to take over the case or overturn Menahans order that inactive voters were still qualified to sign a petition to place the issue on Novembers ballot.

Gianfortes office did not respond or give answers to questions about this story from the Daily Montanan.

Fuller says that while abortion is legal in Montana, through a 25-year-old precedent, Armstrong vs. State of Montana, CI-128 would simply codify into the constitution what is already in practice through the ruling. She said with the repeated legislation passed during the previous two sessions, and the increasing politicization of the state Supreme Court, she said its important for Montanans to place CI-128 in the Montana Constitution in order to stop politicians from changing abortion or reproductive rights at the state level.

However, Fuller also said that the wording of the initiative was specifically written to emphasize that abortion would be guaranteed only until fetal viability, unless there is a medically necessary reason.

We dont need to make up things to get interest on voting on this or the ballot, Fuller said.

More than 80% of abortions in Montana are medication abortions, or abortions that terminate a pregnancy by a combination of drugs. Those abortions happen before the 11th week of pregnancy. From 12 to 16 weeks, the number of abortions, which are surgical, get smaller and smaller.

She said Montana medical providers who perform abortion dont handle any person beyond the 22nd week, or into the third trimester. And those cases almost always involve a life-threatening emergency for the mother, or a fatal medical condition for the fetus.

These are medical situations that should not be politicized, Fuller said. They are difficult and unthinkable situations where someones life is at risk. Thank goodness they are rare, but in those cases, abortion needs to be an option. These are people who have bought baby clothes, prepared a nursery and wanted a pregnancy. Using their pain and stories to support a false narrative is shameful.

Fuller said she and her organization have heard the same comments and get questions about late-term abortions. But, she said the doctors and medical care providers who work in reproductive health have an ethical and legal obligation to save life, making killing an infant not just unethical but illegal.

Theyre governed by ethical and professional obligations as doctors, Fuller said, and theyre humans. What were talking about is a crime. And thats another issue.
As the weekend begins, three of the four Front Range wildland fires that have raged amid day after day of hot and dry weather remain largely uncontained and the firefighters scrambling to keep up face a lack of resources from national or regional departments that would normally help.
A judge formally closed Rudy Giulianis defunct bankruptcy on Friday after he and his creditors resolved a standoff on how to pay out administrative expenses.



The official order unfreezes two Georgia election workers attempts to collect their $148 million defamation judgment from the former New York City mayor by lifting bankruptcy protections that for months enabled him to remain in control of his assets.



Three weeks ago, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane decided to dismiss the bankruptcy for cause over Giulianis lack of financial transparency that underpinned months of rising tensions. But ever since, the expenses dispute held back Lane from issuing his formal order.



Lane lost his patience with the standoff, which concerned how Giuliani would supply roughly $400,000 to a court-approved firm his creditors hired to investigate his finances. At a heated hearing and in writing, the judge had threatened to force Giuliani, the ex-personal lawyer of former President Trump, to testify under oath to answer questions about his available assets.



In a terse letter filed with the court Wednesday morning, Giuliani and his creditors suddenly announced an agreement. Lane signed off on Friday, formally dismissing the case and immediately lifting Giulianis bankruptcy protections.



It enables the two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, to begin seizing Giulianis assets as they attempt to collect their $148 million judgment, though they are likely to recover far less than that. Giuliani disclosed $10.6 million in assets to the bankruptcy court.



They won it at a December jury trial over Giulianis baseless claims the duo committed mass election fraud in 2020. Giuliani froze the judgment  and other pending lawsuits against him  by quickly filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.



Under the terms of the agreement, Giuliani must put $100,000 in escrow, which his lawyers certified was already sent Tuesday. The remainder will be paid from selling either his New York apartment or his Florida condo, which make up the bulk of his assets.



Global Data Risk, the firm whose expenses Giuliani must pay, can force a sale in six months if he doesnt take action.



The agreement came after Giulianis creditors complained to his bankruptcy judge that he wasnt providing sufficient information about his assets, preventing an agreement on how to pay the expenses.



Lane repeatedly urged the parties to meet again to resolve the issue, but just last week, he acknowledged that there was no resolution on the horizon.



Giulianis creditors committee comprised Moss, one of the election workers; Dominion Voting Systems, an electronic voting machine company that also sued Giuliani following the 2020 election; and Noelle Dunphy, Giulianis former employee who sued him alleging sexual assault, harassment and nonpayment of wages.



Though dismissing the bankruptcy also unfreezes their cases against the former mayor and federal prosecutor, the lawsuits have not yet gone to trial, possibly leaving them with nothing to collect after the election workers efforts.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday activated the state's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Tallahassee, as well as the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard ahead of the Gulf weather system predicted for Florida that could become Tropical Storm Debby.

The governor on Thursday declared a state of emergency for 54 of the state's 67 counties, allowing state officials "to make critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential areas that the storm may impact," said a news release from the governor's office.

And Friday, he amended his executive order to extend the state of emergency to another seven counties, bringing the total to 61.

The full list is now Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.

The state's Division of Emergency Management "is hosting daily calls with all 67 counties to identify needs and to ensure the state is prepared to respond quickly and efficiently. Additionally, FDEM is coordinating with state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector partners for any potential resource requests," according to the release.

As part of those preparations, the state EOC was at Level 1, or "full scale activation," meaning it operates 24 hours a day with "all primary and support agencies under the state," the division's website explains.

Also, the "Florida National Guard has approximately 3,000 service members readying for response efforts," and the Florida State Guard has "70 members to support response and recovery operations," as well as equipment that includes amphibious rescue vehicles and "search and rescue crews prepared to deploy from Camp Blanding."

Other highlights from the press release:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has "readied high-water vehicles and all other storm response resources statewide."

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's "Emergency Preparedness Unit is activated and deployed" to the EOC and its mobile command bus is ready for use.

The Florida Department of Corrections has "evacuation plans in place, should the need arise, to relocate inmates ... is evaluating major institutions that may be at risk of flash flooding."

The Florida Department of Transportation is "clearing (highway) shoulders in preparation for potential emergency use" and is "analyzing flooding vulnerabilities for major roadways and bridges."

The Florida Department of Health is "staging 90 ambulances throughout the state to support emergency evacuations as needed."

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services "is coordinating with Floridas ports and fuel industry partners to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available across Florida."

For more information

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis activates Florida National Guard for possible tropical storm
SOUTH CAROLINA, (WSPA)  Governor Henry McMaster signed Executive Order 2024-15 on Saturday, following Floridas request for emergency assistance in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby.

The South Carolina National Guard is on state duty, in support of Florida.

They will activate approximately 70 service members, deploy 30 high-water vehicles and provide additional resources as needed.

The Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for so long as the activities for mutual aid are in progress, the state of emergency or disaster will remain in effect in the State of Florida, or the loaned resources remain in the State of Florida.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Grandview Police Department announced on Saturday morning that 25-year-old Dominic Smith, a non-verbal autistic man, has been found safe.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

Police said Smith ran away from the area of 120th Terrace and Armitage Drive around 6 p.m. Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Before Mariupol, before Gaza, before Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Dresden and the Blitz, there was Guernica. The little Basque town in northern Spain was once the byword for state cruelty following the 1937 bombing of Guernica during Spain's civil waran unprecedented air attack on a populated city that shocked the global conscience and inspired Pablo Picasso's most famous work, Guernica.

An atrocity is a weird thing for a place to be famous for, but neither tourists nor locals seem very fazed. Guernica, the painting, is such an abstract depiction of civilian suffering that visitors have no problem posing in front of it. Guernica, the town, is a center of Basque culture. For Basques (who know it as Gernika), the violence that moved Picasso nearly a century ago is merely one chapter in a long history of resilience in their quest for freedom.

Predating the Roman Empire and even the Celtic civilization before it, people along the Bay of Biscay have spoken Basque, a language with no known living relatives. Empires have risen and fallen, but Basque Country has preserved its unique culture and laws. From medieval times onward, Spanish monarchs would swear to uphold Basque traditions under a sacred tree in Guernica.

"It is a republic; and one of the privileges [Basques] have most insisted on, is not to have a king," wrote American Founder John Adams in 1786. "Another was, that every new lord, at his accession, should come into the country in person, with one of his legs bare, and take an oath to preserve the privileges of the lordship."

More than a century of Spanish revolutions and crackdowns gradually eroded Basque autonomy. Then, in July 1936, the pro-fascist Gen. Francisco Franco launched a mutiny against the Third Spanish Republic. In a bid for Basque support, the besieged Republicans quickly restored self-government to the region. By April 1937, Guernica was the last pro-Republican community standing between Franco's forces and the major city of Bilbao. With German and Italian air support, Franco moved to take the town.

"Guernica, the most ancient town of the Basques and the centre of their cultural tradition, was completely destroyed yesterday afternoon by insurgent air raiders," reported British war correspondent George Steer a day after the first wave of bombers struck. "In the form of its execution and the scale of the destruction it wrought, no less than in the selection of its objective, the raid on Guernica is unparalleled in military history."

"Guernica was not a military objective," Steer continued. "The object of the bombardment was seemingly the demoralization of the civil population and the destruction of the cradle of the Basque race."



(Photo: Matthew Petti)

Steer's report shocked Picasso, who had been commissioned by the Spanish Republic to make a display for the World's Fair in Paris. He abandoned his previous plans and painted Guernica within a few weeks. The artist's dramatic response to this tragedywhich was controversial at the time seeing as the World's Fair was meant to be a feel-good cultural exhibitionwas showcased next to photos of dead children and propaganda films about Franco's cruelty.

What was once "unparalleled" too soon became routine. Following the raid on Guernica, the Imperial Japanese military launched a massive invasion of Shanghai. (A photo of a Chinese boy in the rubble, titled "Bloody Sunday," became another symbol of the brutality of air wars.) World War II saw air warfare escalate dramatically, culminating in hundreds of thousands killed in carpet bombing, firebombing, and atomic bombing.

(Photo: Matthew Petti)

Today, Guernica is a sleepy, peaceful town. Franco's death in 1975 marked Spain's return to a constitutional monarchy, restoring significant political autonomy to the Basque people. The Guernica town hall flies both a Spanish flag and a Basque flag while most other buildings don't bother with the Spanish one. A nearby gift shop sells Basque nationalist souvenirskeychains with Basque crosses, fridge magnets with pastoral sceneswhile Basque-language punk rock emanates from the speakers.

A replica of Guernica sits near the holy tree where the (now elected) leader of Basque Country once again takes the oath of office, and tourists flock to take photos next to the mural. What was once a jarring disruption to cultural tradition is now cultural tradition itself.

The post Guernica's Recovery From Ruin appeared first on Reason.com.
A solar farm under construction on old farmland near Tetsworth, Oxfordshire - Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland are being lost to green schemes, new analysis has found.

More than half a million acres will be taken out of production temporarily to be used for projects which attract new subsidies for farming that improves the environment, according to analysis of Government data.

It amounts to around 2 per cent of all agricultural land in Britain, and could mean a 3 per cent drop in crop production, according to consultancy Strutt & Parker, which carried out the analysis.

The Sustainable Farming Initiative includes subsidies that reward farmers for boosting wildlife, which includes taking some land out of production, mostly on the edges of fields.

The government now caps the land eligible to a quarter of each farm, after it found some farmers were taking as much as 80 per cent of their land out of production.

Only around 40 per cent of farmers are currently part of the SFI subsidy scheme, and full takeup could increase land taken out of production to around 5 per cent, said Jason Beedell, the head of rural research at Strutt & Parker.

But he emphasised that the schemes meant that farmers could revert back to arable cropping grassland very, very quickly, if necessary.

A necessary trade-off

The farming industry may express concern over such a decrease in production, especially considering this years challenging weather, which has resulted in the lowest cereal and oilseed rape area in Great Britain in two decades, said Jonathan Armitage, head of farming for Strutt & Parker.

However, Mr Armitage suggested that the figure may be a necessary trade-off for nature recovery, given declines in wildlife habitats and soil health.

Since 1970, nearly 1 in 6 species is threatened with extinction, partly as a result of farming practices, and partly because of the impact of climate change, according to Government-backed research.

A spokesman for the environment department said they did not recognise Strutt & Parkers figures on drop in crop production and did not expect changes to farming subsidies to impact food security.

We will restore stability and confidence amongst farmers and optimise our schemes and grants in an orderly way, ensuring they produce the right outcomes for all farmers, while delivering food security and nature recovery in a just and equitable way, the spokesman said.

Rural concern over Net Zero

David Exwood, the deputy president of the National Farmers Union, said: Its vital that the Sustainable Farm Incentive works to support food production alongside protecting and enhancing our environment, and sets out to achieve a greater balance between the two.

The new figures on farming come amid a debate over changes to land use in the countryside for eco schemes, including new solar farms to meet Net Zero goals.

The Countryside Alliance is calling for new Government planning guidelines to ensure new homes include solar panels on the roof, and guidance limiting solar farms on productive agricultural land, amid concern over how much rural land is being used for Net Zero.

We need to have that balance of feeding the nation and providing energy for the nation, said Sarah Lee, head of policy at the Countryside Alliance. So we need to look at this sensibly. There will be some appropriate areas to put solar panels on farms, but we just dont want to see it on productive farmland.

The Government points out that even under its most ambitious targets for solar, panels would take up less than 1 per cent of the UKs agricultural land.

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Its hate on wheels.

Residents in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, are aghast over a souped-up Ford F-150 that rolled into the Jewish neighborhood and hipster haven a few months ago, delivering a menacing antisemitic message dripping in blood.

The black pickup truck is draped in a sadistic pro-Palestine wrap job that includes images of splattered blood and bloodstained handprints  a symbol of the infamous Ramallah lynching of 2000, where two Israeli reservists were savagely killed by a murderous mob.

The trucks owner, identified as Jose Littef, tries to convince cops the vehicles license plate is legal. The vehicle, dubbed Hamas Truck by some Williamsburg residents, is draped with a pro-Palestine wrap job that many find antisemitic. Aristide Economopoulos

It also boasts faux bullet holes, and a giant portrait of late Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat on the front hood. Two Palestinian flags fly atop the truck.

Never in my life did I think I would feel scared to be Jewish in Brooklyn  especially Williamsburg, said a woman whos lived in the neighborhood 15 years and declined to give her name out of fear.

And while I recognize that the person who owns that truck must be in a lot of pain to decorate it that way, I cant help but feel targeted by it being parked at the epicenter of our neighborhood  across from our Chabad. It feels very intentional, she added.

I think its an intimidation tactic, said Williamsburg resident Michael Safir, who calls the vehicle Hamas Truck.

Theres so many things on it that are offensive to Jews, and what really bugs me is that I feel its a response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas War in Gaza.

Safir, who is Jewish and lives in the neighborhood with his wife and three kids, said he and many other local residents are insanely offended by the God-awful truck and want it gone from the neighborhood.

The vehicles paint job might be allowable under the Constitution, but its breaking all sorts of other laws in plain sight.

Bloody handprints spread across the vehicles window are a symbol of the Ramallah lynching in 2000, where two Israeli reservists were savagely killed by a murderous Palestinian mob. Aristide Economopoulos

The truck shows no required registration and inspection stickers on the front windshield  only a Free Palestine sticker.

It also lacks license plates  except what appears to be an illegal vanity ghost plate that reads, OH GAZA. Fake ghost plates are typically used to avoid traffic tickets and tolls.

And if you want to see whos behind the wheel, forget it. All the windows  including the windshield  sport dark tint. Excessive tinting is illegal.

The truck typically parks near the corner of North 4th Street and Bedford Avenue, and is owned by Jose Littef, 21, according to his half-brother Anas Arman. Both Arman, 34, and Littef operate

The Original Caribbean King food truck on the same corner.

Less than a block away on Bedford Avenue is the Chabad of North Brooklyn, which provides preschool and other services for Jewish children. Its less than a mile from South Williamsburg, which is home to one of the largest Hasidic communities in New York City.

On Wednesday, a Post reporter spotted the pickup truck parked illegally at the intersection, halfway up a curb  and mere inches from scraping a mailbox.

When asked about the community complaints, Littef declined comment and jumped in the front seat to hide behind the tinted windows and avoid being photographed.

For about five minutes, he sat in the vehicle blasting Arabic music from speakers installed outside the pickup.

After spotting two NYPD cops, he illegally drove onto a crosswalk on the other side of the intersection, got out and claimed a reporter and a photographer were harassing him.

The souped-up Ford F-150 pickup truck rolled into the Jewish neighborhood and hipster haven a few months ago. Aristide Economopoulos

I dont have to show them anything! fumed Littef, insisting he wanted to file a complaint.

The cops, however, told him the reporter and photographer werent breaking any laws. They then briefly examined the vehicles rear end and questioned whether the license plate and window tint were legal, but ultimately walked away without taking action.

The hate-filled motorist got back in the vehicle and drove away.

Arman, however, insisted Littef is too young to understand why bloody red handprints and other features on the pickup truck are offensive to Jews.

During the Ramallah lynching in 2000, two Israeli military reservists made a wrong turn into the Palestinian-controlled city and were murdered and mutilated.

One of the killers, Aziz Salha, was filmed waving his bloodstained hands in celebration.

The vehicle routinely parks illegally near Bedford Avenue and North 4th Street, where its owner runs a food truck business with his half-brother. On Wednesday, The Post spotted it halfway up a curb and nearly scraping a mailbox. Aristide Economopoulos

He doesnt know about the hand  nothing! I swear! said Arman.

Littef was born in the United States, said the older half-brother, adding both of them are of Palestinian descent and love Palestine.

Theyve operated the Caribbean food truck for six years in Williamsburg without incident, and want to be good neighbors, insisted Arman.

I told him to take the hands off, he said. This is a business.

However, on Thursday, the pick-up truck returned to the intersection with no change.

Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn), a staunch opponent of anti-Israel hate, said the truck is the latest example of terrorist-minded thugs living among us and committed to making life unbearable for Americans, while attempting to strike fear in the heart of the Jewish community.

They want us to cower in our homes; they want to scare us into submission; and ultimately, they want to destroy us.
BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Bennettsville city councilmembers Wanda Weaver and Allen Taylor initially voted to approve a contract with a woman named Laura Johnson and her JCS Consulting, LLC, a firm located 100 miles away in Fairfield County, S.C.

In February, the entire council voted unanimously to approve a contract paying her $100 an hour to help restructure the citys finances under William Simon, the newest city administrator who took office in June 2023.

Bennettsville City Administrator William Simon refuted claims he misled his council about how he found a financial consultant the city paid $150 an hour for consulting services from February through July. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr)

Queen City News took an interest in the JCS Consulting contract while covering a Bennettsville city council meeting on May 21. Queen City News reported a few days earlier on a lawsuit against Simon filed by Bennettsville Police Chief Kevin Miller. The lawsuit was over the police chiefs unpaid suspension following an outside firms departmental assessment. The May agenda included an item with the description, Statement from City Council regarding lawsuit.

It had to be the chiefs litigation, we thought. It turns out, it was.

The agenda also included an item Contract for Laura Johnson Consulting with no other details. Instead of leaving after the councils statement on the chiefs lawsuit, QCNs Jody Barr waited to hear the details about the consultant and what city hall planned for her to do there.

SC police chief sues city, boss after suspension over hit job police assessment

Mrs. Johnson has been assisting us as a consultant to get through our budget process this year. The company has also assisted us with some organization of our financial files and as most of you know and if you dont know, our director of finance recently resigned. And so, what were doing is, were asking Mrs. Johnson to consider staying on with us and serving in a slightly different capacity. Still in a consultants capacity but will serve as interim CFO until we hire someone, Simon told the council.

The city could not produce any records showing that the contract was competitively bid or that the city had taken steps to research whether taxpayers were getting the best deal. Simon also confirmed during the council meeting that he had no idea whether Johnsons $150-an-hour proposal was reasonable.

Since the consulting contract is considered Professional Services, Simon told QCN city policies dont require him to publish solicitations or to bid on that type of spending competitively.

I just want to be sure we all agree on this rate that she has in here, Mayor Leith Fowler told Simon during the May meeting, The city does not have a common rate, there is a market rate, obviously. I dont know exactly what that market rate is, but this is her rate that shes proposing, Simon told the mayor.

READ: Laura Johnson/JCS Consultings February and May 2024 contracts:

JCS-Consulting_Records2Download

One month earlier, QCN covered a Bennettsville city council meeting where Simon told the council about unaccounted-for funds. After questioning Simon after the meeting, he confirmed the money city hall couldnt account for were federal COVID tax dollars. Hearing the citys finance director had resigned, led me to attempt to contact her twice to find out why.

The former finance director never responded to my texts or phone calls.

Simon has since claimed the COVID dollars have all been accounted for but has not provided any independent audits to certify that. The reporting led former Bennettsville mayor Carolyn Prince  who was mayor when Simon was hired last year  to show up at the last two city council meetings, asking the city to conduct a forensic audit to settle the questions surrounding the COVID spending, We want this to be a true external audit, not internal. We want the auditing firm to come to the city and look at every document, every financial document, every financial document in order to restore the publics confidence in whats going on to eliminate the rumors that abound, Prince told council during public comment on May 21.

Queen City News Investigates

Continued Coverage

You have nothing to hide, provide that service for us and I think if people have more confidence, theyll work with you with everything youre trying to do for the city, Prince.

Prince showed up for the July council meeting, again demanding to see the 20232024 city budget, which is still not posted on the citys website despite being approved by the council in July 2023. Simons biography page on the citys website shows a link to download the 20232024 budget, but the site shows Work in Progress instead of the budget documents.

Bennettsville City Administrator William Simons biography page on the citys website shows a link to download the 20232024 budget, but the site shows Work in Progress instead of the budget documents, audit reports, check registry, COVID funds performance reports, and the citys organizational charts. (Source: City of Bennettsville)

Is everything perfect today? No. Do we need to do more work? Yes. Is money missing? No, Simon told the council during the May meeting, seemingly answering the former mayors demand for an external, independent review of city finances.

In order to get in front of that and I think someone mentioned earlier about maybe doing an internal audit, Ill just say what were already doing and then Ill let council decide what they want to do moving forward. The consultant that we hired did a great job. This person found mistakes from several years back in a matter of two months. That was great. Again, thats not to say anything negative about anyone in the past; again thats being upfront and transparent, Simon told his seven bosses seated inside council chambers.

Within four months of approving the first $100-an-hour contract for Johnson, Simon brought a second contract to council in May, seeking a $150-an-hour increase for Johnson, explaining that since the city is without a finance director, Johnson would now move into the interim CFO role and still provide financial consulting for city hall. Simon never said publicly what the new pay rate would be, telling the council, Mrs. Johnsons contract is in your packets. She is not here for questions tonight, but Ill turn it over to all of you and I will convey any information that you have for her through me, directly. Ill convey that to her.

The council voted 5-2 to approve the new Laura Johnson contract, including the 50% pay increase. That night, while standing in council chambers, QCN drafted an S.C. Freedom of Information Act request for all contracts, employee agreements, all expenditures and invoices, and records showing how the city found Johnson and her JCS Consulting company. The city eventually provided expenditures and invoices Johnson submitted for work performed for the city for February, March, April, and May.

JCS Consulting was paid $37,380.10 for four months of work.

I asked Simon and City Attorney Mason King for the June and July spending totals, but neither has provided those totals as of this report. Here are the JCS Consulting invoices we have in hand at this time, as provided by the city in response to a SCFOIA request:

JCS-Consulting_RecordsDownload

Internet searches returned no information on JCS Consulting, including a search of the S.C. Secretary of States business entities at the time.

State business filing records show JCS Consulting was not a registered business entity until May 29, 2024, more than three months after Simon executed the first contract with Johnson in February. This is why the state had no records of JCS Consulting, LLC until a week after the May council meeting. I called the Secretary of States general counsels office to confirm the information contained in the Articles of Incorporation records related to JCS Consulting, LLC.

The SOS office confirmed the details contained in the document conform with the agencys internal recordkeeping.

JCS-CONSULTING-05292024-ARTICLE-OF-INCORPORATION-Entity-Profile-Business-Entities-Online-S.C.-Secretary-of-StateDownload

Only councilmembers Wanda Weaver and Allen Taylor voted against the 50% pay raise contract on May 21. Weaver said shed learned of some of Johnsons background work in Fairfield County before the May 21 meeting and both councilmembers said they felt they could not justify to taxpayers paying a contract worker a salary of $150 an hour.

They also became suspicious after they checked into how Simon said he found Laura Johnson, later finding online news reporting concerning her 12-month tenure as the interim county administrator in Fairfield County, a government located 100 miles away from Bennettsville.

Following the May 21 council meeting, QCN asked our sources within the city how Simon found Johnson to offer her the job in the first place. QCNs sources led us to Weaver, who confirmed in a phone call that Simon told the council the Municipal Association of South Carolina recommended Johnson for financial services. Weaver said she voted to approve the first contract, believing the MASC had backgrounded and vetted Johnsons credentials and ability to help the city.

Laura Johnson, a licensed CPA, was the interim Fairfield County administrator from January 2023 through January 2024 when the county council decided not to renew her contract or to hire her as the permanent administrator in January. (Source: Fairfield County Government)

QCNs Jody Barr also emailed the MASC to confirm that detail. The organizations spokesman, Scott Slatton, later returned the call telling Barr not only had the MASC not vetted Laura Johnson, but no one in their organization knew who she was. Furthermore, Slatton said no one in their organization remembers ever referring the city to any financial consultant.

QCN contacted Councilman Allen Taylor, who also said he heard Simon tell the council the MASC is the association that recommended Johnson to the city in February. Taylor said three other council members also confirmed hearing the same.

Do you believe you were lied to, Barr asked Taylor in an interview for this investigation, I feel I was misled, the two-term councilman replied.

On July 25, QCNs Barr contacted every member of the Bennettsville city council, including Mayor Leith Fowler, to ask whether they heard Simon tell the council the MASC recommended Johnson to the city. Councilman Tyron Abraham is the only member to return my call, but Abraham said he couldnt remember which association Simon mentioned during the February closed-door meeting. Abraham said hed review the meeting minutes and call me back.

Abraham never returned the call.

One other member of the council answered my call; however, that council member would not agree to an on-the-record conversation. That member confirmed the information Weaver and Taylor gave me regarding the referral was correct.

After weeks of trying to schedule an interview with Simon and having to meet him in the city hall parking lot to question him, we had to confront him in front of the council at an unscheduled meeting on July 30 at city hall. Simon refuted claims he told the council the MASC referred Johnson to him, but Simon also refused to tell us the name of the person who did, saying I was exposed to other professionals who provided me her contact information.

QCNs Barr pressed Simon for the name of the person or people so we could further verify the information given to us by our city sources, but he refused to give that detail, No, no, no, Im not going to tell you that, Simon told me while sitting at the council table on July 30.

Bennettsville City Councilman Bill Jennings (center) grumbled, Who cares? following our questioning of the council and City Administrator William Simon over how the city found and hired a financial consultant who earned $150 an hour before the city ended the contract early. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr)

Who cares, Councilman Bill Jennings grumbled from his seat following our exchange with Simon. Jennings also would not speak with us at all about any of this, claiming since the councils conversation with Simon happened in an executive session, he wasnt talking to us about it.

Councilman Abraham gave the same reasoning.

Laura Johnson also would not take Barrs call when he dialed a cell phone number provided for her, which rang to a line her husband, Otis Johnson, answered. Mr. Johnson, who at times used profane language describing elected officials his wife once worked for, said hed relay my request to interview her. Mr. Johnson later called back, telling me his wife was refusing to speak with me in any way about our report.

Mr. Johnson told me in the call that neither he nor his wife were friends of William Simon and that hed never met Simon in person.

Those phone calls, the records we received from the city, city council and the administrators refusal to confirm basic information about these contracts, led to our Handpicked investigation.

WATCH HANDPICKED IN THE VIDEO LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE

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FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI)  Borden Light Marina is gearing up to host the 18th annual poker run.

The event, happening on Saturday, August 3, 2024, draws dozens of cigarette racing boats to the Fall River waterfront, all to raise money for local charities like the Make-a-Wish foundation.

Boats gather at the Tipsy Seagull before heading out to make various stops in Mount Hope Bay and beyond.

In the attached clip, Ashley Erling learns more about this summertime event.

Each weekend, Ashley brings you around Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts for a look at whats happening as part of our all-new, expanded 12 News This Morning.

Join us on Saturdays for four full hours of local news, weather and more!

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Vice President Harris is seeking to keep up the momentum from the last two weeks by looking for a running mate who will further boost her bid.

Harris came into August with a $377 million war chest, major endorsements from unions and top Democrats, a bump in the polls, and plans to visit every swing state next week with her choice for vice president.

The vice president secured enough votes to be the Democratic nominee for president on Friday and is set to formally accept the nomination early next week, ahead of the Democrats August convention.

Allies argue the timing of a new name on a ticket and a robust travel schedule will keep her campaign energized.

Keeping momentum is the cheese in the enchilada  its the whole ball game. The energy feels organic, and keeping everyone busy is the key, said Ivan Zapien, a former Democratic National Committee (DNC) official.

Am I worried? Zapien added. I have no time to worry. I have calls and doors to knock on.

Democrats echo the same sentiment  that the condensed campaign timeline means its full steam ahead until November.

She will announce her running mate in the next few days, and theyll travel together on a swing state tour, starting in Philadelphia. Thats followed by Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia and Nevada, which are all critical swing states this cycle.

Kamala Harris is showing America why everyone who met her when she first ran for Senate believed she had raw and immense political talent. Once she picks her VP, the contrast between the youthful and vibrant talent on the Democratic ticket with the imbalanced GOP slate will be apparent for all to see, said Al Mottur, a Democratic strategist and bundler at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.

Mottur added that hes thinks the energy and fundraising can be sustained.

I am confident her momentum and enthusiasm is here to stay politically and also in terms of the race to raise money to prosecute her case against Donald Trump, he said.

After the swing state tour, Harris will get a boost from fellow Democrats at their convention later in August. President Biden is expected to give opening remarks to kick it off Aug. 19 in Chicago.

Political watchers will also be closely monitoring how a beefed-up campaign staff of alums of former President Obamas successful campaigns can impact Harris. Senior campaign staffers to Obama, including 2008 and 2012 strategist David Plouffe and 2012 deputy campaign manager in Stephanie Cutter, joined Team Harris on Friday.

While she has momentum, Harris is lagging behind former President Trump in national polls but polling ahead of Bidens numbers against him.

She halved Trumps 2024 lead in the Cook Political Reports national polling average, which showed Trump leading Harris by 1.3 points  47.5 percent support to 46.2 percent. In the previous polling average, on July 21, Trump was leading Biden by 2.7 points  47.4 percent support to 44.7 percent.

The vice president erased Trumps lead in seven key battleground states, with a Bloomberg News/ Morning Consult poll this week showing her with 48 percent support and Trump with 47 percent in those states.

Harriss campaign also announced it raised $310 million in July, which includes money that Biden raised before he dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris, as well as the $200 million that Harris raised in the week after she announced her bid.

The campaign has stressed that the money is coming in from first-time donors and young voters  key blocs for Harris to reach this November. Two-thirds of the fundraising in July came from first-time donors, 94 percent of donations were under $200, and July included more than 10 times the number of Generation Z donors compared to June.

Trumps campaign raised nearly $139 million in July, it announced Thursday.

Trump has also struggled this week with the fallout from his interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, during which he said that Harris turned Black. And, on Friday, Trump questioned why he should do a debate amid speculation about a September debate happening after the election shake-up.

In response, Harriss campaign called Trump scared to debate and has said that she will be at the Sept. 10 debate, hosted by ABC News, that Trump and Biden had agreed to, regardless of whether the former president shows up.

Harris allies are confident that a September debate against Trump would help keep the momentum going well past Labor Day, citing her background as a prosecutor to argue that shes a strong debater.

Donald Trump needs to man up. Hes got no problem spreading lies and hateful garbage at his rallies or in interviews with right-wing commentators, said former Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), co-chair of Harris for President. But hes apparently too scared to do it standing across the stage from the Vice President of the United States.

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Vice President Harriss campaign hit Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who former President Trump picked to be his running mate last month, with a fiery Happy Birthday message online.

At 78 and 40, Donald Trump and his sidekick, the most unpopular VP pick in American history, are running on an agenda to drag our country backwards, reverse the progress weve made, and ensure Americans have fewer freedoms in the next generation than they had in the last, the campaign posted Friday evening on social media platform X.

Harriss team also said voters were rejecting Project 2025  pinning the conservative agenda on Vance and the GOP nominee, who has denied being associated with the project. The message also accused the duo of trying to rip away our freedoms, and increase costs on the middle class and fan the flames of hatred and division.

While we wish JD a happy 40th, the American people will make certain that he celebrates his 41st anywhere but the White House, the campaign wrote on X.

Trump officially selected Vance to join his ticket at the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee. The freshman senators had a rocky start thus far, with some Republicans even questioning the former presidents decision.

Vance has also come under fire for his previous comments about childless cat ladies and stance that Americans who have children should have more of a say in democracy since they have more of a stake in its future.

The Harris campaign said Vance is already a disaster as the vice-presidential pick, arguing that Trump may have buyers remorse now that the senator isnt performing well.

The Ohio Republican has hit back at Harris, too, saying she is a million times worse than President Biden. He also said he was frustrated that Biden dropped out of the race last month because he was looking forward to debating the vice president.

Still, the Harris campaign and other top Democrats are cashing in on Vances unpopularity, calling Trump and the senator weird.

Vances spokesperson, William Martin, criticized Harriss team for the birthday message.

Kamalas team of bullied, woke losers can send out embarrassingly cringe statement all they want, but it doesnt change the fact that Kamala Harris struggles to string together coherent sentences and is too incompetent to answer simple questions from the press about her dangerously liberal agenda, Martin said in a statement to The Hill.

Martin said the American people can see through Harriss phony act and will soundly reject her radicalism this November, no matter how hard her team tries to hide her from media scrutiny and keep her in tightly choreographed situations.

Updated at 9:26 a.m.

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Closing in on a choice of running mate, Harris will meet with finalists Sunday

As Kamala Harris closes in on her selection of a running mate this weekend, a renewed focus is being placed on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, people familiar with the search told CNN, even as the vice president continues to weigh whether Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly would help deliver a victory in their battleground states.

Harris is conducting face-to-face interviews with the final contenders, two sources said, with Walz poised to meet with her on Sunday. She will also interview Shapiro and Kelly on Sunday, according to a source familiar.

In the final days of the accelerated vice presidential search, after teams of lawyers finished their exhaustive vetting work and preliminary interviews with contenders, Harris was most concerned with what one senior Democrat close to the process described as three Cs: competence, chemistry and core values.

Harris was weighing the decision with her husband, Doug Emhoff, and a small circle of confidants. Former Attorney General Eric Holder, along with Harris brother-in-law Tony West, were central advisers throughout the process. West served as a top lieutenant to Holder at the Department of Justice in the Obama administration.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly were also said to still be under consideration, people familiar with the process said, with Harris intent on not making her final decision known this weekend or too far in advance of her Tuesday night rally with her running mate in Philadelphia.

Harris was expected to meet with her vetting team Saturday for a series of in-depth presentations on each of the finalists, according to a source familiar with the process. Each briefing was expected to last about 60 to 90 minutes.

According to multiple sources, the presentations Saturday were expected to reduce the number of candidates whom Harris would invite for final interviews Sunday.

Harris top consideration is electability, sources familiar with her thinking told CNN.

She will be looking at what does a person bring to a ticket? Will it help in battleground states? And will it balance out the ticket? one source said.

And she will ask questions. She will press and press  which is her (modus operandi).

CNNs Aaron Pellish contributed to this report.

This story and headline have been updated.

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The seismic shift in the presidential race has rattled former President Trumps once-disciplined campaign and put the GOP nominee on the defensive for the first time in months.

Trump coasted through the Republican primary, managed to turn even negative headlines about his legal troubles into campaign and fundraising fodder and had consistently led President Biden in the polls as Biden struggled to break through or excite even his own base.

But that has changed in the short time since Biden ended his candidacy and Vice President Harris was elevated to the top of the ticket.

Harris has electrified the Democratic base and significantly closed the gap in the polls, while Trump has sparked backlash by targeting Harris over her race, her intelligence and her laugh.

Hes like a poker player on tilt after losing a hand. He cant stop making mistakes because hes angry and panicked. He spent weeks gloating as if hed already won this election and now hes facing a massive enthusiasm gap with Democrats so fired up, said Mike Nellis, a Democratic strategist and founder of Authentic Campaigns.

Its easy to be disciplined when your opponents campaign is on fire, Nellis said. Its harder when your opponent has all the momentum. Ive seen it happen a thousand times.

Trumps 2024 campaign had largely avoided the kind of infighting and self-created controversies that often plagued his 2016 bid, his four years in office and his 2020 bid. His campaign leadership, namely Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, earned praise from Republicans as the former president swept through the primaries and was favored to defeat Biden in November.

But Trump, in the past week, has stirred drama with his own remarks, which Democrats have argued is a sign of concern over a tightening race.

Trump over the weekend told a gathering of conservative Christians that they wouldnt have to vote again in four years, as he encouraged them to cast their ballot in November. When given an opportunity Monday to make clear what he meant, he did little to address the backlash from those who said he was suggesting there would be no more elections.

On Wednesday, Trump traveled to Chicago for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention, where he created a firestorm as he clashed with ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott and falsely questioned Harriss biracial heritage.

I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black, Trump said.

The former president has also made a point of attacking Harriss intelligence in recent public appearances. He has claimed she struggled to pass the bar exam, and in a Fox Business Network interview that aired Friday said multiple times that Harris is not a smart person.

In a statement, Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said race and gender have nothing to do with why Kamala Harris is the most unpopular Vice President in history.

President Trump is shining a light on Kamala and her campaign trying to rewrite history, from flip-flopping on fracking to lying about her role as Bidens failed Border Czar, Leavitt said. If they are so brazen to lie to the American people on things that are so easily disproven, what else are they lying about.

The campaign itself has focused squarely on attacking Harris over immigration and the southern border, launching an attack ad this week that described the vice president as failed, weak, dangerously liberal.

And Republicans have maintained that the issues are on their side. Polling has shown voters trust Trump on immigration and the economy, two topics that routinely rate at or near the top of surveys of voter concerns.

The question is whether Trump can remain focused on the issues without devolving into personal attacks that remind independent and moderate voters why they may not want to support him.

Theres no question that he can do it, former Trump White House press secretary Sean Spicer said. If you look at the last couple cycles, he has gone after the candidates both in the primary and the general his way and its largely worked.

Thats the one thing at the end of the day people need to remember, Spicer said. Hes done it his way and been successful.

At a Wednesday rally in Pennsylvania, Trump went through Harriss reversals on a number of issues, including on whether she would ban fracking, her support for a single-payer health care system and for reassessing police funding.

But he also underscored his own difficulties remaining focused on policy, at one point joking that his speechwriters made me bored to tears and asked the audience if they would mind him going off-script.

I tend to go off about 75 percent of the time, Trump quipped.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Harvard University appointed Alan Garber to serve as the 31st president through the 2026-27 academic year Friday, seven months after controversies led the previous leader to step down.

Garber became interim president of the university earlier this year, after former President Claudine Gay resigned following scandals related to antisemitism on campus and alleged plagiarism.

Alan has done an outstanding job leading Harvard through extraordinary challenges since taking on his interim presidential duties seven months ago, Penny Pritzker, senior fellow of the Harvard Corp., wrote in a statement Friday. We have asked him to hold the title of President, not just Interim President, both to recognize his distinguished service to the University and to underscore our belief that this is a time not merely for steady stewardship but for active, engaged leadership.

Alan has led with a deep concern for all members of the Harvard community, a strong devotion to enduring university ideals, and a paramount commitment to academic excellence, Pritzker added.

Gay, who made history as the universitys first Black president, also set the record as having the shortest tenure in the role in Harvards history. Her presidency fell apart over the course of the fall semester when the school came into the national spotlight due to campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Some students chanted antisemitic slogans, and students of color on campus also faced vitriol and bigotry.

The House Education Committee subpoenaed Gay to appear before the committee, alongside other university presidents, in December, where she stirred more controversy for not giving a clear answer on whether students calling for the genocide of Jewish people violated the universitys code of conduct.

The same hearing also led to the resignation of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill in December.

While Gay weathered that storm, conservative media published allegations that she had plagiarized parts of her college thesis and scholarship work. While she denied the allegations, she eventually resigned on Jan. 2.

Garber was then named the interim president of Harvard minutes after Gay resigned, and at the time, Pritzker told the Harvard community that a presidential search would start in due course.

In her statement Friday, Pritzker said extending Garbers tenure would give the team an opportunity to sustain and build momentum around key priorities and initiatives.

It will also provide an ample interval for those of us on the Corporation to reflect, in consultation with others, on how best to approach the future presidential search, including how to ensure robust input from across Harvard and beyond, she added.

Students, faculty and alumni have all criticized Harvard for an opaque presidential search process that does not include different perspectives within the community, per the Crimson.

Prior to taking up the presidency, Garber was Harvards longest-serving provost, which is the second-most senior position at the university.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Surbhi Misra and Mrinalika Roy

(Reuters) -Hawaiian's largest utility said on Friday it had agreed to pay roughly half of a more than $4 billion legal settlement that will compensate victims of last year's deadly Maui wildfires.

Blazes tore through Maui on Aug. 8 2023, killing over 100 people, destroying the historic coastal town of Lahaina and causing damage estimated at $5 billion.

The lawsuits brought on behalf of thousands of home and business owners claimed that Hawaiian Electric failed to shut off power lines despite warnings that high winds might blow them down and spark wildfires.

The settlement calls for the the utility and its parent Hawaiian Electric Industries to pay $1.99 billion which includes $75 million already contributed to the One Ohana Initiative - a fund that provides financial support to those who lost loved ones and suffered serious injuries.

The utility and other defendants did not admit to any legal liability as part of the settlement terms which were agreed upon after four months of mediation.

Hawaiian Electric has previously argued that its power lines were responsible for the earlier of two fires in Lahaina, but the lines were shut off after that and the town was gutted by a different fire which started later in the afternoon and could not be contained by the county's fire department.

"Achieving this resolution will allow all parties to move forward without the added challenges and divisiveness of the litigation process," the utility's chief executive, Shelee Kimura, said in the statement.

The settlement would also "bring greater certainty for the company, enabling it to begin to reestablish...financial stability," the statement said.

The proposed payments are expected to begin from mid-2025 after judicial review and approval, it added.

(Reporting by Surbhi Misra and Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Edwina Gibbs)
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Hawaiian Humane Society is marking the one-year anniversary of its Ewa Beach campus on Saturday with a special event Keiki, Canine & Kitty Fest.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the celebration will feature games, prizes, crafts, and story time for children, along with food for attendees.

Poke Fest East to celebrate Hawaiis iconic dish at Kahala Mall

Admission is free, but those interested in supporting the Hawaiian Humane Society can make donations to their Pet Food Bank. View their wish list here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Healey announced $52 million in climate resiliency funds - is your town on the list?

Climate change is usually associated with warmer winters, hotter summers and drought conditions. But the opposite extreme can be just as bad.

As the residents of Leominster and surrounding communities learned last fall, sometimes climate change is very, very wet.

In light extreme flooding the town faced last year, Governor Maura Healey chose Leominster as the site of her Thursday, Aug. 1 announcement of $52.4 million in grants dedicated to improving climate resilience across Massachusetts.

We have seen the devastation caused by extreme weather and heard the calls for help. Today, we are continuing our promise to help communities in addressing last year's challenges and taking proactive steps to reduce future climate risks, said Governor Healey in a press release. These grants are more than just financial support  they are a strong statement of our commitment to resilience.

The funding is part of the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program and is the largest grant since the program began in 2017.

The MVP Program provides local communities with state resources to identify potential climate-related issues and create solutions to mitigate impacts, such as inland flooding, more frequent and severe storms, rising sea levels, drought, and extreme temperatures.

What will the majority of the grant money go to?

LEOMINSTER - Railroad workers examine an undermined railroad bed in North Leominster, Mass. the morning after flash floods hit the area Tuesday September 12, 2023. The tracks carry the MBTA commuter rail that connects north central Massachusetts to Boston.

The greatest portion of the grant - $5 million - will also go to flood mitigation via the Island End River Flood Resilience Project in Everette and Chelsea.

The project involves construction of a coastal storm surge barrier (flood barrier), storm surge control facility, riverfront nature-based solutions, and related amenities at the Island End River to protect the surrounding area from flooding.

The remaining top four grants are Athol (greening the Lord Pond Plaza), Bridgewater (Hanson Farm Conservation Restriction purchase), Haverhill (Little River Dam Removal and River Restoration), and Barnstable (Sandy Neck Beach Facility Coastal Resiliency Project). Athol, Bridgewater and Haverhill are all $3,000,000 and Barnstable is close behind at $2,833,849.

MBTA awarded money to cool down public transportation

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization & Metropolitan Area Planning Council also received over $1 million for countering heat in public transportation.

The effect of extreme heat on transportation infrastructure has been well documented, especially in cities like Boston where residents rely on public transportation.

What towns are getting MVP funding?

A total of 71 projects have been awarded grants, including 62 for municipalities, seven for regional planning agencies, and two for tribes.

The full list of grant recipients:

Grantee Project Title Total Award Amherst (Public Works Department) Phase 2: Fort River Watershed Improvements for Flood & Water Quality Resilience $1,179,700 Ashburnham Whitney Pond Dam Removal and River Restoration $377,652 Ashfield Ashfield Rural Climate Resilience and Living Culture Project $166,001 Athol Greening the Lord Pond Plaza $3,000,000 Barnstable Sandy Neck Beach Facility Coastal Resiliency Project $2,833,849 Billerica Flowing Toward Resilience: Climate Change and Hydraulic Capacity of Culverts $129,500 Bolton Future Resilient Field at Derby $488,824 Boston (& Revere) Resilient Bennington Street & Fredericks Park Project (Phase II) $456,500 Boston Community-Based Flood Resilience and Green Infrastructure Planning $449,710 Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization & Metropolitan Area Planning Council (& Chelsea, Everett, Framingham, Revere) NO-HEAT: Neutralizing Onerous Heat Effects on Active Transportation $1,001,100 Bridgewater Hanson Farm Conservation Restriction Purchase $3,000,000 Cambridge (& Mystic River Communities) Developing Successful, Cost-Effective, Urban Forest Strategies for Areas of High- and Low-Tree Mortality Across the Mystic Watershed $276,800 Dartmouth Nature-Based Solutions Retrofit of Critical Infrastructure within Coastal Flood-Prone Areas Town of Dartmouth - Phase 2 $113,100 Deerfield Bloody Brook Resilience Hydrologic/Hydraulic Modeling $170,300 Dudley Stormwater Retrofit Program at the Dudley Municipal Complex $281,000 Everett (& Chelsea) Island End River Flood Resilience Project $5,000,000 Everett (& Chelsea, Malden, Arlington) Wicked Cool Mystic - Super Fresco Mistico $687,000 Fitchburg Nature-base Solutions for a Resilient Coolidge Park $323,160 Franklin Regional Council of Governments (& Regional Communities) Resilient Together: Building Partnerships in the Greater Connecticut River Watershed $646,025 Georgetown Georgetown Park & Ride Library Street Resiliency Improvements $68,265 Greenfield Building Community and Resilience through Plantings at Millers Meadow $37,830 Hampden Town of Hampden Main Street Bridge Replacement and Green Solutions Project $275,450 Harwich Red River Valley Preserve Watershed Resiliency Project $1,800,000 Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band Nukkone Mayash (the Old Ways) $823,446 Haverhill Little River Dam Removal and River Restoration $3,000,000 Holyoke Green Infrastructure Construction in the Day Brook Watershed $1,229,730 Kingston Purchasing the Correira Bogs in Kingston, MA $1,620,000 Lanesborough (& Mount Washington, Blandford, Goshen, Middlefield, Shutesbury) Western Massachusetts Unpaved Road Project $432,096 Lawrence Green Lawrence Blue Merrimack: Stormwater Resilience Master Plan $1,601,840 Leominster Burrage & Mascoma Neighborhood Area Flood Mitigation Project $487,483 Lowell Saint Louis Sponge Park Phase 2 $979,120 Martha's Vineyard Commission (& Regional Communities) Martha's Vineyard Public Food Forest Plan $97,764 Mashpee Increasing Resilience to Harmful Algal Blooms in Santuit Pond: Construction of Town Landing Resilience Improvements $1,669,956 Medford Resilient Urban Forest Master Plan $220,900 Medford Strengthening Medford Connects: An Interconnected Resiliency Network for Future Resilience Hubs $746,580 Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) (& Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Revere, Winthrop) Lower Mystic Cool Communications to Build Regional Heat Resiliency $490,813 Middleborough School Street Parking Lot Project $171,230 Monson Chicopee Brook Flood Resilience Improvements $487,500 Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (& Leominster) Looking Upstream, Learning Downstream: A Geo-Spatial Chronicle and Lessons Learned from the Leominster Flood Emergency of 9/11/2023 $458,400 Natick (& Charles River Communities) Charles River Watershed Flood Mitigation Plan Implementation $330,492 Natick Natick High School Constructed Wetland and Subwatershed Evaluation $266,400 Newton Flood Storage and Bank Restoration Along Cheesecake Brook $1,240,995 North Adams (& Clarksburg) North Adams Flood Resiliency $1,061,203 North Andover Cochichewick Brook Riverine Floodplain Management Study and Plan $133,150 Northampton Northampton Critical Infrastructure Flood Resiliency Project $337,615 Norwood Norwood Nature Based Solutions to Reduce Flooding and Heat $144,300 Old Colony Planning Council (& Brockton, Plymouth, Abington, Easton, Duxbury) Building a Climate Resilient Food System in Plymouth County $245,500 Orange Fisher Hill School Solar/Bess and Outdoor Classroom $390,290 Oxford Petroleum to Pollinator: Design to Restore a Former Gas Station Back to Nature $206,100 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (& Regional Communities) Toward Greater Resilience in our Drinking Water Supply: A Regional Plan for the Pioneer Valley (1st Phase) $420,223 Pittsfield Unkamet Brook Restoration $275,000 Plymouth Plymouth Downtown Resiliency Project: Green and Heat Island Reduction Infrastructure $360,265 Provincetown Resilient Central Vacuum Station $1,000,000 Reading (& Upper Mystic River Communities) Resilient Facilities Project: Finding Solutions for Flood-Prone Sites that Serve Priority Populations $522,500 Salem Resilient Together: The Point $466,380 Shutesbury Library Solar with Ford Lightning Battery Backup $222,105 Somerville (& Everett, Medford, Cambridge, Winthrop, Chelsea, Revere) Centering Social Equity in Regional Systems: Lower Mystic Resilient Community Centers Network $ 310,100 South Hadley Pearl Street/Elmer Brook Culvert Replacement $1,283,063 Stoneham (& Upper Mystic River Communities) Stoneham High School Wetlands Restoration Project $2,346,126 Stoughton Stoughton Town-Wide Culvert Assessment $312,982 Sudbury Locally Grown Sudbury $92,500 Townsend Climate Resilient Drainage Masterplan - Townsend, MA $154,500 Tyngsborough Bridge Meadow Brook Culvert Replacement $326,500 Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) 27 Aquinnah Circle Land Improvements $717,500 Washington Depot Brook Flood Resilience Project $311,994 Watertown Equity-Based Community Greening Program: Phase 2 $976,270 Wenham (& Hamilton, Ipswich) Miles River Watershed Action Plan $60,048 Westport East Beach Voluntary Buy-Out Pilot Program $60,000 Whately The Future Looks Like Whately: Planting Resilience through Nature-Based Solutions $82,542 Wilmington (& North Reading) Building the Climate Resilience of the Martins Brook Floodway $321,560 Yarmouth Route 28 Corridor Resiliency $167,301 Total (71) $52,424,128

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: MA to spend more than $50M on climate resiliency. See funded projects
Signs in the bowels of the Nebraska State Capitol advocate for legalization of marijuana. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  The Nebraska Legislatures Judiciary Committee rolled out the green carpet Friday for two bills with similar visions for legalizing and taxing marijuana to offset property taxes.

State lawmakers heard a handful of testifiers supporting Legislative Bill 52 by State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha and Legislative Bill 71 by State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha.

McKinney, speaking during a combined public hearing for the bills, said the governor asked lawmakers for ideas to address property taxes. McKinney said legal sales of cannabis should be among them.

He reiterated his belief, backed by years of criminal justice and economic research, that criminalizing cannabis has had a greater negative impact on poorer people and communities of color.

The war on drugs has inflicted harm on marginalized communities, McKinney told the committee. It has had lifelong consequences far beyond the sentences served.

Wayne, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, said lawmakers should embrace the need for more revenue from creative spaces, noting Nebraska likes sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco.

Every argument you heard here opposed is the same argument you can make about alcohol, the same argument you can make about tobacco, he said. Regulation is the model.

What the bills would do

The two bills 1 would legalize cannabis for anyone age 21 and older. Both would create a regulatory framework for growing, producing and selling the drug.

Both set procedures for letting people previously convicted of cannabis-related crimes have their records expunged and set fees for growing or selling the substance and reserve licenses for populations disproportionately impacted by cannabis convictions.

Waynes bill would tax growers and retailers 25% for selling cannabis products to distributors or end-users. McKinneys legislation would set the tax at 16%.

The fiscal notes on both bills suggest at least $95 million in net receipts from marijuana sales that could be applied toward property tax relief.

Law enforcement opposition

Nebraskas police and prosecutorial establishment opposed both bills. Several testified, sent representatives or wrote letters.

Nebraska State Patrol Col. John Bolduc and Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson testified. Both argued that communities would see negative impacts from legalization.

Bolduc said enforcement costs from other crimes related to marijuana use and abuse would climb. Hanson said states that have legalized marijuana have seen increased homelessness.

Bolduc said cannabis is among the most frequent substances found in the bloodstreams of people involved in fatal crashes in Nebraska. He said it impairs drivers more than most know.

Hanson pointed to Missouri, which he said has seen an increase in violent crime and traffic fatalities since voters legalized marijuana recreationally and for medicinal purposes.

Revenue, crime and negative consequences, Hanson said.

Pillen sends the house

Gov. Jim Pillen also made clear that he opposes legalization or taxation of marijuana, sending representatives of the state agencies he controls to testify against the bills.

Dr. Roger Donovick, Pillens chief medical officer for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said, There is no such thing as a harmless controlled substance.

Prosecutors opposed the measure as well, including Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who sent a representative to testify.

One testifier called out the opponents concerns as reefer madness.

Seven people sent letters in opposition to LB 52, and two sent supportive notes, the committee announced. Six sent letters opposed to LB 71, and one sent a letter of support.

Maggie Ballard of Heartland Family Service said she is worried about the potential harm to children of increased marijuana use.

A way forward

Jason Witmer, a policy fellow at ACLU Nebraska, said the harm to families is already being done. He said the criminalization of cannabis has drained Nebraskas resources without making us safer.

Half the arrests in the state deal with cannabis, he said. He pointed to University of Nebraska at Omaha research that shows an annual cost of that enforcement at about $10 million a year.

Jennifer Denning said she would support any legalization effort that also includes medicinal marijuana. Her 7-year-old has a disability that she believes cannabis could make less painful.

He needs access to marijuana to manage his symptoms and improve his quality of life, she said.

McKinney said he was frustrated enough by the tone of some opponents that he was going to propose a bill next session to prohibit alcohol sales, in order to prove a point.

He said many official opponents of marijuana legalization would not support banning alcohol.

Were back here for a special session on property tax relief that people are going to have to take a vote on, he said. We were told that everything was going to be placed on the table.

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Here's what will be decided during Tuesday's election

Editor's note: The spelling of William Courliss' name has been corrected.

BRANCH COUNTY  Voters who did not vote early or absentee can cast their ballots at the polls from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

There are a few key millages and races on the county's ballots. Except for the 35th District house race and a few in the townships, the winner takes the seat with no Democrat in opposition,

Elections Tuesday August 6

The county is Trump Country, but locals are wondering if that will translate into votes for the America First Republicans, who put up or endorsed candidates in the sheriff's race, three county commission seats, and state representative.

Branch America First Republicans held a rally Friday night at the Parham Road Barn occasion center.

District 35 Michigan House of Representative

Adam Stockford, 43, who is married with four children and served as Hillsdale mayor for 10 years, is running on a record of city accomplishments.

A Hillsdale College graduate, Stockford won support from the America First group. He told them that with bad laws and bad policy coming from Lansing, "I'm more interested in being an impediment, an obstructionist to more reckless spending and bad policy."

Tom Matthew, a six-year Branch County Commissioner, gave up his seat to run. He ran on a record of law and order, working to add six new road patrol deputies to the sheriff's department.

Jennifer Wortz, 44, is the mother of four, now a grandmother, and is the fifth generation of a Hillsdale Waldron Gary Leininger family. She is the manager of the Branch County Conservation District.

The Michigan State University graduate in agriculture and education runs a chicken production farm in Branch County.

As head of Moms for Liberty, which opposed COVID-19 restrictions, Wortz promised, "I will work to defend the rights of the youngest to the oldest and to hold true to our constitutional rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

In the conservative district, all three candidates received endorsement from Michigan Right to Life.

Branch County Sheriff

Michael Thyng, 66, of Bronson, after a seven-year military career, served as a Michigan State Police trooper for 20 years, retired, and became a Branch County sheriff deputy in January 2021.

Thyng won the America First endorsement with his Second Amendment support and promised to enforce the Constitution.

Mike Thyng

Robin Swartz, 66, a 29-year Branch County Sheriff's Department veteran with 15 years as a road patrol sergeant, Swartz retired and went to the Michigan Department of Corrections for two years and is now a Coldwater Police school resource officer.

Swartz wants more training for deputies with new hires. Swartz said, "I believe that my knowledge from being out there is what we need to take the sheriff's office to a standard that the community deserves."

Robin Swartz

Fred Blankenship, 54, is the jail administrator who points out his administrative and budget experience in handling the large department.

Blankenship, a 28-year veteran of the sheriff's department and a 1994 criminal justice graduate from Grand Valley State University, is not a certified police officer. According to MCOLES, Blankenship could carry out all the duties of an elected Michigan sheriff.

Fred Blankenship

County Commission

District 1 incumbent Randall Hazelbaker faces America First challenger Jessica Green. The Coldwater mother of four cites national issues in her campaign but criticizes Hazelbaker for also serving on the Coldwater City Council.

District 2 incumbent Jon Houtz faces America First challenger chiropractor John Towers, 43, who moved from Washington State two and a half years ago to this area. "My purpose for running is to help be a voice and get people involved," Towers said.

District 5 incumbent Alan McClelland faces America First challenger David Mansfield, 62.

After 32 years in the military, he retired as a lieutenant colonel and moved to Archer Lake.

Mansfield, a fiscal conservative, said he would support small businesses and farming over big businesses and special interests.

Richard Swanson, 63, of Bronson, a military retiree who attended commission meetings over the last two years supporting the "Constitutional County" resolution is in running in District 4. "We had a lot of laws come out of Lansing, that I didn't appreciate. They violate this little thing called the Constitution."

Swanson faces "Rick" Hollister, 67, a retired argi-businessman who grew up north of Bronson.

Ovid Township

The winner of the race for township supervisor between retired engineer Max William Benjamin and retired farmer Ben Losinski will be sworn in this month.

Supervision Jeff O'Dell resigned to move to the Manistee National Forest. The board decided to swear in the winner rather than name a temporary replacement.

O'Dell endorsed Benjamin, who worked with O'Dell as an assistant last year and attended township meetings for six years.

The county appointed Benjamin to the Board of Public Works, which oversees the Coldwater Lake sewer system.

Losinski moved to Shady Oaks from his Coldwater Township farm. He said he felt there was now time for public service.

Losinski expressed concern about the lack of zoning control over absentee owners of Air BnB rentals on the lakes

Max William Benjamin

Ben Losinski

Algansee Township

Three candidates qualified for treasurer. Onalee Connin will face Sharon Atkinson in the August Republican primary. The winner then faces Democrat Kelli Kaufman in November,

Bethel Township

Current treasurer James Webb faces two candidates on the Republican ballot. Tracie Disbro and Tonia Vorce qualified.

Sherwood Township

Fred Haack did not seek re-election as trustee. Incumbent Jeff Brott will face Donisha Leonard and William Courliss. The top two will be elected.

Union Township

Incumbents Bryan Washburn and Bobbi Snyder will face Justin Jefferson on the August ballot. The top two in votes will be seated on the township board.

Subscribe Follow the 2024 elections. Subscribe to the Dakily Reporter.

Millages

Commission on Aging

COA seeks to renew its operating millage of 0.4857 mills for five years through 2029, which will raise an estimated $868,017 next year.

Branch Area Transportation Authority

BATA wants a five-year 0.35 mill renewal to fund the BATA transit system, which is primarily used by elderly and disabled people. The millage will generate approximately $607,630 for the 2025 tax year.

Quincy Community Schools

Quincy Schools wants to renew its operating millage. The school system asks voters to approve 18.2277 mills in Quincy Community Schools for five years. If the millage is approved, the 2025 levy is approximately $1,577,827

Batavia Township

Batavia Township requests a five-year renewal of 0.5 mills for fire protection and equipment for its membership in the Bronson Fire Association. Estimated 2025 taxes are $29,100 in the first year.

Union Township

Union Township seeks a 4-year renewal of its 1 mill to maintain and operate the cemetery and fire protection. That would raise an estimated $140,000 in the first year.

 Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Branch County August primary
Here's how Mark Kelly's upbringing and military and NASA careers prepared him for politics

Mark Kellys first campaign for office was decided by a coin toss. His twin brother, Scott, also wanted to be student congress president at their suburban New Jersey high school.

It was Scott who ended up vice president that time.

Fast forward four decades and it could be Mark Kellys turn to serve as vice president of the United States.

Arizonas junior senator, a Garden State native who was pushed into politics after personal tragedy, is being vetted as a possible second-in-command as Democrat Kamala Harris makes a bid for the White House.

Kellys resume led Arizonans to send him from Tucson to Washington, D.C., in elections in 2020 and 2022: Navy combat and test pilot, astronaut, gun control advocate, husband of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.

Americans followed along in newspapers and television spots as Mark and Scott became the first sibling astronauts, let alone identical twins, for NASAs shuttle program in the mid-1990s. The nation watched after a 2011 shooting left Giffords gravely wounded, and six others dead, and as Mark Kelly helped her recover.

But Mark Kellys path from a New Jersey township to Navy captain  from rambunctious kid to a decorated aviator  is less well known. Its a course that friends and former classmates said tested Kellys leadership ability in the most competitive environments.

I've literally had my life in his hands hundreds of times, and I trust him absolutely, said Paul Fujimura, who flew with Kelly in Operation Desert Storm.

'Favorite sons' of West Orange

The Kelly twins watched men land on the moon when they were five years old at their family home in West Orange, New Jersey, a township of about 39,000 wedged into a patchwork of suburbs commuting distance from Manhattan.

Mark Kelly has often said his parents taught him about the importance of public service.

His father, Richard, was an Army paratrooper and police officer in West Orange who rose in rank to captain. His mother, Patricia, worked as a secretary but put herself through rigorous training in the familys backyard to become the townships first female police officer.

The boys dont fear being astronauts, because they were born into a family of risk-takers, Kelly has recalled his mother saying. Its in our blood.

Kelly was not available for an interview for this story. His own account of growing up is taken from numerous public speeches and two books he co-authored with Giffords: Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, published in 2011, and Enough, from 2014.

The accounts show an injury-prone and adventurous boy that some may have considered borderline juvenile delinquents, he wrote.

Scott and I were rowdy kids, he wrote in "Enough." We fought with each other and our neighbors. We had our run-ins with the local cops, who let us off but made sure our parents knew what we were up to.

He was hit by a car in kindergarten after he didnt follow his mothers direction to cross a street at the corner. He broke his knuckles in a fight in 9th grade.

I guess I had a habit of coming out swinging in part because I was the son of a hard-charging, hard-drinking, hardworking New Jersey detective, he wrote. In Scott Kellys 2017 book, Endurance, he describes their father as an alcoholic who once left the family without food and money for a weekend. Scott Kelly recalled violence and arguments at home.

Mark Kelly wrote that his parents also taught him and demonstrated for him the importance of a strong work ethic. His father told the boys they could join the welders' union, he had a contact there.

Mark Kelly became "nearly a straight-A student" from then on, he wrote.

Politics werent a prominent part of their childhood. Kelly wasnt all that interested in local or national politics and didnt know his parents partisan affiliations. His own have shifted over the years.

Now a Democratic senator, he voted in a Republican primary while an astronaut in Texas and records show he spent many years not affiliated with either major party.

Kelly graduated from West Oranges Mountain High School in 1982. Yearbook and family photographs show the Kelly twins as skinny boys under mops of brown hair. They were captains of the swim team, and on the track team.

Decades later, and donning the iconic blue flight jackets synonymous with astronauts, the Kelly brothers returned to West Orange to see their elementary school renamed for them.

Pictures of Earth that Scott Kelly took on his shuttle flights line the walls of what is now Kelly Elementary School. Local leaders read dictionary definitions of hero and pioneer during an invite-only ceremony that drew former New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey.

The pair was deemed favorite sons of West Orange  and Mark Kelly not so subtly told the children in attendance to do their homework.

'Hes a pretty down-to-earth, normal person'

From West Orange, the teenage Mark Kelly went to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. A career at sea was part of his family history: His paternal grandfather served in the Navy during World War II, and his maternal grandfather served as a merchant mariner.

After three years at the intensely hierarchical academy, school leaders chose Kelly to serve as regimental executive officer during his senior year. He was the student second-in-command of the whole academy, and Mark Baden was the No. 1.

Baden recalled that in other years students balked at being second in charge. They wanted to be commander.

Being the No. 2 guy, there's no glory in that, Baden said in an interview. You're there to implement policy. You don't make policy. So it's just more work and no glory. And I mean Mark has always been very selfless that way, and I saw that there at school.

Kellys role was to lead indoctrination of first-year plebes. Think of a routine like basic training as depicted in the movies: Marching, running, calisthenics, shining shoes, shaving heads. If a student faltered to the pressure, Kellys job was to correct them, Baden said.

Indoctrination that year included a uniquely Kelly twist.

Scott Kelly, who was across the East River at the State University of New York Maritime College, visited. He put on one of Mark Kellys uniforms and headed to a square on campus.

The seemingly two Mark Kellys flanked an underclassman doing drills, asking him who was in charge. When the student answered Mark Kelly, he was ordered to about-face  and turned 180 degrees to find another Mark Kelly who asked the same question, as Baden recalled.

All the freshmen were seeing double, said Jack Griffin, who also graduated in Kellys class. Griffin said it showed Mark Kelly didnt take himself too seriously.

Hes a pretty down-to-earth, normal person, he said. Griffin, the son of a Boston firefighter and telephone company clerk, saw Kelly as a peer who also came from a working-class family.

Kelly graduated with a dual degree in marine engineering and nautical science, one of about 30 students known as dualies who earned both degrees offered at the academy.

Destiny is not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice, was the quote he chose for his senior yearbook.

Oct 24, 2022; Phoenix, AZ, U.S.; Sen. Mark Kelly talks to the Arizona Republic editorial board about his run for US Senate. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic

'Mark knows his duty and he will not hesitate'

Kelly went on to the U.S. Navy and became an aviator the following year. By his account, he "wasn't a particularly good pilot" to start, but it taught a lesson hes talked about often in years since.

How well you perform when you start trying something difficult is not a good indicator of how good you can become, he wrote in "Gabby." "Looking back, Im a prime example of someone who was able to overcome a lack of aptitude with persistence, practice, and a drive to never give up.

Two years later he married his first wife, and they had two daughters who are now adults. They divorced in 2004. Court records show the case dragged out for years, though, because of custody issues.

As a Navy pilot, Kelly trained on an A-6 Intruder, a low-altitude attack aircraft used for decades in combat. Baden flew the same planes, which were not the rockstar Tomcats of Top Gun fame, but the workhorses.

Kelly deployed twice on the USS Midway aircraft carrier and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, according to his NASA biography.

For most of those, Fujimura was by his side as bombardier-navigator. In an interview, Fujimura remembered an attack on an Iraqi patrol from just 200 feet in the air. Kelly and Fujimura came up with the mission plan and ordered another aircraft to come along.

This was our duty, Fujimura recalled, calling it a courageous decision to order others into a dangerous situation. Mark knows his duty and he will not hesitate. He prepares. Studies.

That experience, that cauldron or pressure, that helped crystallize all of our characters, but his character especially, to be a great leader.

Kelly earned a masters degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in California and he finished test pilot school. And two years later, he got the call: NASA inviting him to join a coveted astronaut class.

Kelly flew to space four times, twice as a shuttle pilot before NASA elevated him to commander of his final two missions.

To his longtime friend and merchant marine classmate, Baden, it was another example of Kelly in a competitive environment.

NASA thought enough of him then that they upgraded him to commander and he did two missions there, Baden said. Again, he doesn't just do an adequate job, he excels.

The competition, it's greater and greater as you move up the chain. And hes still coming out on top.

Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mark Kelly's life, military and NASA careers prepared him for politics
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Senator John Hickenlooper was in Southern Colorado Friday afternoon, Aug. 2, to celebrate $800,000 of federal money coming to Care and Share Food Bank.

The money will be used to help Care and Share renovate its distribution center in Pueblo. Senator Hickenlooper toured one of the non-profits warehouses and met with Care and Share leaders to discuss how Congress can continue to support food security in Southern Colorado.

Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Dez Rowe

Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Dez Rowe

Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Dez Rowe

Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Dez Rowe

Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Dez Rowe

Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Dez Rowe

The $800,000 Congressionally Directed Spending Award is part of the more than $111 million Hickenlooper helped secure for 114 projects across the state.

As beautiful as you see it here, their office in Pueblo is going to get a top-to-bottom renovation and expansion, said Hickenlooper.

President and CEO of Care and Share, Nate Springer, stressed why the Pueblo facility is so important for local communities, and how this award couldnt come at a better time.

Our distribution center in Pueblo is so important for Pueblo, Pueblo County, and the surrounding counties, said Springer. We put about six million pounds of food just into Pueblo County this year. So that facility, of the three that we havethe one here in Colorado Springs, the one in Pueblo, and the one in Alamosais the oldest.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Due to wind gusts reaching seventy miles an hour during Mondays storm, the cables and pulleys on the flagpole at the Woodbury County Courthouse have been damaged.

With the pole reaching eighty feet high, county officials are looking for contractors with the right expertise who are able to repair and paint the pole, but it can be a problem as there are no local vendors in the area. While in the past they have hired outside vendors, county officials are looking to make sure this is done economically and as safely as possible.

Elk Creek Road Project enters second phase

The problem with fixing the cable and/or painting the flag pole is, firstly, its an expensive process and vendor sourcing is probably the hardest, Kenny Schmitz, Woodbury County building services director, said. There are not a lot of tall buildings in the Midwest. This is more common, like, on the east and west coast.

As of Friday, there is no set date for the start and completion of the project. County officials plan to get the flagpole fixed as soon as possible.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A person was arrested after being accused of attempted murder in connection to a shooting in Hillsboro this week, authorities said.

Aloha resident David Nicholas Artmeladze, 33, was arrested on Thursday night in connection to the shooting, according to the Hillsboro Police Department.

Level 3 Go Now evacuations issued in The Dalles along Bargeway Road

On Tuesday night, at about 9:40 p.m., police said they responded to reports of a shooting near the intersection of Northeast John Olsen Avenue and Northeast Von Newmann Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man with gunshot wounds. Police gave the victim aid until paramedics arrived. He was later transported to a hospital and is recovering from his injuries, police said.

At roughly 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team arrested Artmeladze in the parking lot at 11095 NE Evergreen Pkwy, officials said.

Preschool sudden closure rocks teachers, families

Distractionary devices, which create temporary incapacitation of the offender due to light and sound emitted, were used during this arrest, Hillsboro police said. Some members of the community [] likely noticed sound of explosions when this occurred.

At about 10 p.m. that same night, a search warrant was served at Artmeladzes house in Alhoa near Southwest 175th Avenue and Southwest Marty Lane.

Artmeladze was booked into the Washington County Jail and charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

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Honolulu PD: Safety tips for pedestrians, drivers for new school season

HONOLULU (KHON2)  As school season begins, police are urging everyone to help prevent accidents.

With 20 pedestrian deaths as of July this year, both pedestrian and drivers must stay vigilant.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

Here are some safety tips from Honolulu Police Department:

Walking Tips

Walk with a group and always look both ways before crossing the street.

Use crosswalks and adhere to traffic signals.

Avoid interaction with strangers and unknown vehicles.

Driving Tips

Allow extra time for potential traffic delays.

Watch for pedestrians, especially near schools.

Refrain from using mobile devices while driving.

Traffic fatalities up 17% statewide; pedestrian deaths increase

Bicycle Tips

Always wear a helmet, use reflectors and lights.

Follow road rules.

E-Bike Tips for Parents

Research different e-bike types to find the right one for your child.

Ensure your child is trained to operate the e-bike properly.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Horry County Schools has made safety changes. Three things to know for the new school year

After dealing with multiple security issues during the previous school year, Horry County Schools has changed some rules and added new security measures.

In February, a student brought a gun into Myrtle Beach Middle School in a clear backpack. He showed it to multiple students in the bathroom before teachers noticed the student acting off. He was brought to the School Resource Officers (SRO) office and on the walk there, bullets fell out of his pockets.

This event spurred a group of parents to demand better security measures, specifically requesting the school district install weapons detection systems.

Later in the spring, Carolina Forest High School also dealt with multiple bomb threats in April. This disrupted class as police cleared the building, looking for an explosive.

As a response, the Horry County School District changed some security practices and implemented new rules. Heres what to know about safety for the 2024-25 school year.

All Horry County Schools will have weapons detection systems

The school district purchased and is in the process of installing OpenGate systems at all schools, said Horry County Schools spokesperson Lisa Bourcier. Elementary schools will have one, and middle and high schools will have two.

Previously, all middle and high schools had metal detectors that students walked through to enter. Students often couldnt wear their backpacks through the metal detectors, as they would set them off. With OpenGate systems, students only need to take out items like laptops or large binders.

Walking through OpenGate will be apart of the morning procedure at every school. Horry County Schools also bought new metal detectors for some schools, along with the OpenGate systems.

There will be two security officers at each school

While each school already has an SRO or an SSO, who are armed police officers, Horry County Schools also hired an additional unarmed security person, Bourcier said.

(Security guards) sole job function will be people entering the building and providing instruction, Bourcier said. (The SSOs and SROs) rove the schools and walk the perimeter.

The unarmed security guard will stay stationed near the front entrance of the school, Bourcier said. The school officers will watch over the whole school.

Clear backpacks are required

All students will need to bring clear plastic backpacks to school for the 2024-25 year. The backpack cannot be mesh, a translucent colored plastic or contain too many stripes or patterns, according to Horry County Schools.

There is no size requirements and students can keep items in small bags such as a lunch box or small purse. These small bags will be subject to search.

If parents are unable to afford to buy a clear backpack, Horry County Schools can provide resources to help, Bourcier said.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The Youngstown Housing Task Force wants a company that owns over 300 houses in the city to sign a community agreement with them, committing to making repairs and meeting other benchmarks set by members of the task force, but a representative of the company said the task force set an unreasonable timeline for a response.

The company, Youngstown Houses, LLC, has come under the radar of the task force following complaints from tenants about subpar living conditions, a lack of response to their requests for repairs and spikes in rental prices. Many of those rental properties have code violations.

The company purchased 290 single-family homes and 17 multi-family duplexes from Gary Crim, Inc., in April 2023 in a $5.6 million deal, county auditors records show.

The task force met Wednesday night and spoke on the phone with a representative of the company. A copy of the community agreement was emailed to the company and reviewed with the representative during that call. When the representative would not make a commitment, task force members gave the company 24 hours to respond.

Jad Pernot, who identified himself as the project manager for the company, spoke to WKBN after that meeting and said he could not sign such an agreement on the spot and felt that they were not given enough time to review it. He also questioned various deadlines for repairs that were mentioned in the agreement.

They didnt want to listen. They just wanted to ask this question and close the phone, and they shouted and closed the phone that you have 24 hours or we will proceed legally, so I told them, OK. Do as you wish, he said.

I feel like they are pushing us into a corner, and they dont want to listen to what we have to say. They just want to say what they want to say, and they want an agreement, and they want a signature They didnt keep a space for discussion, he added later.

Jack Daugherty, neighborhood stabilization director for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) and member of the task force, said the task force is willing to make adjustments to the agreement with Youngstown Houses, LLC, if those at the company are committed to working with them.

Certainly, if they come to the table, the task force would be willing to discuss those timelines with them, he said.

Daugherty said he felt that the requirements in the agreement were reasonable for any landlord. Among the items listed in the agreement: Youngstown Houses was asked to provide a name and working phone number for the owner of the company and manager of Allstate Property Management; work with the city to complete any outstanding rental inspections by November 12; and bring active code enforcement cases into compliance by March 17, 2025. The agreement also asked that the company respond to all tenants outstanding maintenance requests by Sept. 9, 2024.

Daugherty added that the task force tried numerous times to contact Youngstown Houses, LLC before Wednesday night.

Last month, the task force organized a community rally in front of the management company of Youngstown Houses, LLC  Allstate Property Management, located in the Turnberry Apartments on Midlothian Boulevard. They had hoped to meet with a representative of the company then, but the office was closed.

Daugherty said theyve also sent letters to the companys property management company and places they believe are connected to the owner before that rally, but those letters went unanswered.

Pernot said they are committed to making repairs but said many of their tenants have not been cooperative.

We are also concerned about our tenants, and what we are doing is not only for our tenants its for our houses and our units, and we want to preserve them. But for the people who dont want to preserve the houses, who dont want to sign their leases, they dont want to make payments and they want repairs, how can you speak with such tenants? he said.

He added that repairs can take time when tenants are living in the homes as they have to work around their furniture and schedules.

A statement from the company last month also stated that the tenants who were speaking out were just upset about their rent prices increasing.

Tenant Danielle Booth, who rents a home on E. Lucius Avenue, acknowledged that tenants are upset about those increases, but also because repairs arent being made either.

She was among several tenants who contacted WKBN with their own complaints about Youngstown Houses LLC, after WKBN published its story.

When WKBN went to Booths house earlier in July, there was only one working door. Another door was nailed shut with a board, and Booth said the windows were sealed shut and wouldnt open. She also pointed to a bathroom sink that did not work.

She said her roof was leaking, leading to water damaging her items. She said the company hired a contractor to fix the roof, but it took a few months. Meanwhile, she said there is damage in the house from that leak.

Booth, who has lived in her home for four years, said the company has not fixed these issues, instead, raising her rent. She said she would be OK with the company raising the rent if repairs were also made, but she does not feel that the house is worth what she is paying in rent now.

I think its ridiculous, especially considering the area in which I live in, the conditions that the house is in. You cant expect somebody to pay $850 to $1,000 in rent for a house thats only worth $500. Thats why Gary Crim [the former owner] was reasonable  you got what you expected with what you paid for it. Now, Im paying almost three times that amount, and Im not getting what Im paying for, she said.

Booth said she wanted to speak out after seeing the issues that other tenants are also facing. She is worried about what will happen to others who are being evicted or forced to leave after years in their homes.

Speaking for everybody else, were all in different types of conditions, but we all live here for a reason, you know, because this is what we can afford, and now youre trying to like triple our rent to like, push us out? Because thats exactly what youre doing.

She said she hopes that those at Youngstown Houses, LLC will consider the tenants in the future.

I just hope that the people that own this really, really think about what theyre doing to our people, what theyre doing to the South Side of Youngstown, because running these people out of here, I dont know what type of demographic youre trying to get to replace the people that have lived here, but you had solid people that lived here, raised families here, that grew up here, and now youre pushing them elsewhere, so I hope what youre trying to do is for the better cause and not just for money, she said.

While those at Youngstown Houses, LLC say they are committed to following the City of Youngstowns timeline and requirements, those at the Youngstown Housing Task Force are looking into other avenues for action, saying the company is not addressing its issues quickly enough.

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(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) is giving shelters from the north a lending paw by taking in pet evacuees as the wildfires continue.

Due to the fires in northern Colorado, many shelters in the northern part of the state are experiencing an influx of animals. Their kennels are filling up with evacuees, and to continue to help pets and families during this time, the shelters are relying on transfers.

HSPPRs biggest fundraiser held at new location

On Friday, Aug. 2, HSPPR received transfers from two shelters, including six dogs, 13 cats, and four turkeys. They will all be available at the shelter, ready for a second chance at a home. HSPPR said all animals were in the shelters before the fires and are not owned by any individuals.













Our community is incredibly supportive, said HSPPR in a Facebook post. We know we can always rely on you to be a hero and advocate for shelter pets. With that being said, we can only say YES to help when we have the kennel space to do so.

HSPPR seeks publics help, looking for donations

Anyone looking for a new buddy can check out the hundreds of animals currently in the care of HSPPR. Those whod like to help but are not ready to adopt can check out fostering a pet.

To see more adoptable pets or to learn more information about fostering, visit hsppr.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Hundreds of thousands of revellers turn out for Hamburg's Pride march

Hundreds of thousands of people draped in rainbow flags and dancing through the streets marched for LGBTQ rights in the northern German city of Hamburg on Saturday.

Around 250,000 took part in the Pride demonstration or watched from the the sidelines, police and organizers said.

Hamburg's mayor Peter Tschentscher, a member of the centre-left Social Democrats, and the Ukrainian consul general in Hamburg, Iryna Tybinka, were among the marchers at the front of the pack.

More than 130 groups had registered to take part - a new record for Hamburg - together with 59 parade floats.

"The demonstration is a super strong signal for cohesion in society," said a spokesman for the Hamburg Pride association, adding that the lesbian, gay, transgender and wider queer community (LGBTQ) was united against the rise of the far-right.

Activists at the event appealed to politicians to include the protection of queer people in Germany's Basic Law, which serves as the country's constitution. Previous Pride marches this year in Berlin and Cologne also drew attention to the issue.

Currently, people cannot be discriminated against or given preferential treatment because of their sex, ethnicity, race, language, home country and origin, faith, religious or political views.

Proponents of the law argue that sexual orientation should be added to this list. The queer community has long been calling for the article to be amended.

Participants take part in the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade. Markus Scholz/dpa

Participants take part in the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade. Markus Scholz/dpa
One person is dead and another injured after a tree fell on an Airbnb in Wyoming County in upstate New York.

According to the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office, on Friday, at approximately 10:10 AM, the Wyoming County 911 Center received several calls about a tree that had fallen on a house on Thompson Avenue in the town of Castile. Reports also mentioned live wires down in the area and two people trapped in the debris, police said.

A husband and wife were departing their stay at the Airbnb when the tree collapsed, striking the front of the residence, several nearby cars, and power lines, causing extensive damage, police said.

Victims of NY Airbnb tree collapse identified

David Denham, 77, of West Winfield, New York, was struck in the head by falling debris from the residential structure. He was taken to the Wyoming County Community Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Linda Denham, 77, also of West Winfield, was struck by falling debris and taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. Her condition was not immediately released.

Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victims of this tragedy," Airbnb communications said in statement released on Saturday. "Our team is reaching out to those impacted to offer our support."

The house is scheduled to be demolished due to the extensive damage, authorities said.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: David and Linda Denham identified in fatal NY Airbnb tree collapse
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A local program that supports Spanish-speaking individuals recovering from addiction, has been awarded $50,000 from the state.

New York State Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55), whos the chair of the State Senate Mental Health Committe, joined the Ibero-American Action League Friday afternoon in Rochester to announce the funding. It goes toward Iberos SMART Recovery Program.

Think about it, you are training people in our communities who have gone through some of the toughest times, and you are going to be sending them through rigorous training to then go out and actually support your own neighbors, said Brouk.

This is the only program in Rochester that provides mutual peer support in the Spanish language for those recovering from addiction. It also offers other mental health support.

The Ibero-American Action League is a dual language, multi-service group that advocates for Latin Americans in the Greater Rochester community.

Being able to have a curriculum and a model that is in Spanish really empowers our community to be able to continue in our customs of being able to support ourselves, said Angelica Perez-Delgado, the President & CEO of Ibero. So, this funding will continue to allow us to pilot that and continue to build partnerships.

The program promotes independence and matches people in recovery with a peer who can work with them one-on-one and help them meet their most basic needs.

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Palestinians in the West Bank examine the remains of a vehicle struck by Israel Defense Forces that the IDF said was carrying five Hamas militants to a location where they planned to carry out an attack. Photo by Alaa Badarneh/EPA-EFE

Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Israel Defense Forces targeted a Hamas command center in northern Gaza and Hamas militants in the West Bank, which killed 26 and injured dozens more in separate airstrikes Saturday.

The Israeli Air Force "struck terrorists operating within a Hamas command and control center," which "was known as the Hamama school in the northern Gaza Strip," the IDF said in a statement Saturday.

An official for the Hamas-run Gaza Civil Defense said the IDF struck two schools in two airstrikes, which caused 17 deaths and injured dozens more.

The dead and injured include children and were taken to the nearby Baptist Hospital, GCD spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said Saturday.

He said the Al-Huda and Al-Hamama schools were struck in the dual airstrikes and are used to shelter Gazans who are displaced by the war between Hamas and Israel.

Basal described the airstrikes as a "double tap" in which an initial strike occurred followed by a warning of a second airstrike that rained three missiles down on the compound.

He said the first attack was unexpected but the IDF warned of a follow-up attack before the three additional missiles struck the compound.

The IDF also killed nine Hamas militants in two airstrikes in the West Bank.

IDF officials said they struck a vehicle carrying five Hamas militants, including a local commander, who were traveling to another location to carry out an attack early Saturday morning.

All five militants were killed in the attack that occurred on a road that connects the villages of Zeita and Qaffin.

A Hamas official confirmed all five in the vehicle were Hamas militants.

The IDF said it killed four more militants near Tulkarem after they fired on Israeli troops.
Illinois man who sent obscene material to undercover Wisconsin cop posing as minor pleads guilty

(WFRV)  U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced on Thursday a 10-year prison sentence for an Illinois man who pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor.

According to the court documents, 61-year-old Terrence E. Fabino from Grayslake, a suburb in northern Illinois, participated in online chats with a person he believed to be a minor in northeast Wisconsin.

Wisconsin man who smuggled, sold 200+ machinegun switches in 1-year span enters guilty plea

Fabino requested sexually graphic images and sent one of himself from a commuter train bathroom to the person, who turned out to be an undercover police officer.

During the sentencing, Senior U.S. District Court Judge William Griesbach described the extreme nature of the crime, and the critical need to protect the community from these actions.

Illinois financial advisor handed two-year prison sentence after defrauding Wisconsin resident

Following his prison time, Fabino will have to spend three years on supervised release and must register as a sexual offender under state and federal law.

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Commuters and other travelers along America's busiest stretch of passenger railway have faced a nightmare summer of heat-related delays and cancellations that are complicating the transit legacy of a president nicknamed "Amtrak Joe."

Record heat has exposed long-standing physical problems along the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Virginia that highlight the need for planned improvements that would get a big boost from the bipartisan infrastructure law while leaving officials without immediate answers for outraged constituents.

Its incredibly frustrating, said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), a potential 2025 gubernatorial candidate and lead negotiator for the landmark infrastructure law. People are going to lose faith in the transportation system. It just ups the urgency of investing and addressing these issues.

This summer's struggles are threatening to derail Amtrak's post-Covid rebound, which has seen Northeast Corridor ridership exceed pre-pandemic levels and spurred expansion plans aimed at doubling overall ridership by 2040. But they've also raised questions about the rail system operator's ability to balance growth ambitions with the need to upgrade and maintain existing service at a time when climate goals depend on getting people out of polluting cars.

A 2022 Amtrak report projects significantly hotter and wetter conditions that could lead to $220 million in losses in the next decade, turning one of the most environmentally-friendly means of travel into a major climate resilience question.

The Northeast Corridor was given special emphasis after President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure law because of its high ridership and the dense population of its service area. But like many of the projects being funded by that package, it could be years before efforts to upgrade trains, tunnels and bridges lead to improvements that reduce the kind of breakdowns that have drawn public fury.

These types of service disruptions can have a chilling effect on your customer base and their confidence, Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said in an interview.

Trains often travel at reduced speeds in hot weather given the risk of steel track expansion and other issues. But a combination of power failures, century-old overhead wires succumbing to hot conditions, equipment malfunctions and even a brush fire have made this summer particularly rough.

Amtraks Northeast Corridor trains had an on time rate of 69 percent in June, a 10-percentage point drop from the preceding 12-month average and well below its own 80 percent on-time minimum standard.

NJ Transit had 657 cancellations in June, the fourth-worst month since data became available in 2017  with 63 percent of those cancellations due to issues with Amtrak, which owns the majority of tracks in the Northeast Corridor, though the numbers improve without Amtrak-related causes.

Thats prompted finger-pointing between Amtrak and NJ Transit  and anger from elected officials. The two companies have been accelerating inspections and maintenance in response to the disruptions.

New Jersey's entire U.S. House delegation formally asked Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to investigate the issues. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) unsuccessfully pushed for NJ Transit to pause a planned 15 percent fare hike.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, told POLITICO in an interview that he has started holding weekly calls with Amtrak officials and criticized their use of infrastructure funds.

And Gov. Phil Murphy, who vowed hed fix NJ Transit if it kills me, said at a news conference that this must be fixed and that people dont care why it happened.

Amtrak needs to be held accountable, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) said in an interview. This hurts peoples time with family, and it hurts property values for too many of my constituents. The response so far has been absolutely unacceptable.

Problems continued in July, when New Jersey commuter trains lost air conditioning for days and passengers faced more cancellations as temperatures regularly soared above 90 degrees.

This reminds me of the summer of hell in 2017 when the transit system in New York City reached a tipping point of unreliability and overcrowding, said Kate Slevin, executive vice president of the nonprofit Regional Plan Association. This feels like the Northeast Corridors version of that summer with unpredictability, unreliability, the age of the infrastructure and the system really showing itself in a very visible way to riders.

The White House is aware of the issues, said Amtrak Board of Directors Chair Anthony Coscia.

Theyve not only noticed, but they have been very much in touch on almost a daily basis with both our CEO and myself about making sure that something is done about this, Coscia said in June.

Buttigieg is closely tracking and engaged on the issues plaguing the Northeast Corridor this summer, a DOT spokesperson said in a statement. DOT personnel are participating in inspections of Amtrak infrastructure and NJ Transit equipment, including those that occurred earlier this week.

Still, even with billions of dollars in new investment, upgrades cannot happen overnight on an incredibly active rail corridor, and long-term funding and bipartisan support from the federal government remain necessary to move improvements forward, the spokesperson said.



The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which serves New York and Connecticut and is the nations largest public transit network, has also seen weather-related challenges this summer, though not to the same degree as Amtrak and NJ Transit. Jamie Torres-Springer, MTAs president of construction and development, warned earlier this summer that rail tracks, power systems and switches are vulnerable to high temperatures and that trains would travel at reduced speeds.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which serves the nations capital, is also feeling the effects of its hottest summer on record, highlighted by a heat kink in the tracks near Reagan National Airport that caused delays for the system in July.

The Northeast Corridor setbacks have come at a time when things had been looking up for Amtrak as it worked to capitalize on Bidens push to grow the rail system with more routes stopping in new cities for economic and climate benefits.

In addition to its laundry list of planned construction projects due to get a boost from more than $32 billion in anticipated federal infrastructure funds, Amtrak will benefit from recently-secured funding for a signature Gateway tunnel project to build a second rail connection under the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City.

But theres some concern about the pace at which federal dollars are being spent and how Amtrak is balancing that vision with the need to ensure its existing service can continue operating at a high caliber. The Northeast Corridor alone has a repair backlog of over $100 billion.

Even with the federal boost, transit systems are facing funding strains. The MTA will no longer see a projected $15 billion after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul indefinitely paused a congestion pricing plan in June, and House Republicans are looking to cut Amtrak funding by 12 percent.

Still, officials across the region are hopeful that if the rail network can overcome the recent speed bumps, planned improvement projects can unlock smoother service in the future.

Train service is permanently attractive, said Adie Tomer, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution focused on infrastructure policy. The only thing holding back Amtrak will always be the quality of its service."
Indian police launch murder investigation after a US woman was found screaming and chained to a tree in the middle of a forest

A US woman was found chained to a tree in Maharashtra, India.

Lalita Kayi, 50, said her husband had chained her to the tree and left her without food or water.

Kayi is thought to have moved to India a decade ago to study yoga and meditation.

The case of a US woman who was discovered chained to a tree in a rural part of the western Indian state of Maharashtra is puzzling investigators.

Lalita Kayi, 50, was found last week in the state's Sindhudurg district after her screams were heard by a local, according to local media reports.

A cow herder who found Kayi told BBC Marathi that he had heard screams "coming from the forest on the side of the mountain" as he took his cattle to graze.

"When I went there, I saw that one of her legs was tied to a tree. She was screaming like an animal. I called other villagers and the local police," he said.

Police said the 50-year-old was found with a copy of her passport, an Indian ID card, a cellphone, a tablet, and 31,000 rupees (about $370), per the BBC.

The Indian Express reported that she also had a medical prescription with her.

She appeared emaciated and was reportedly taken to hospital and then on to a psychiatric facility to recover. Doctors said Kayi seemed to be experiencing a mental health condition.

Unnamed sources told India Today that after her rescue, Kayi provided police with a written statement in which she alleged that her husband had chained her to the tree and left her without food or water.

"Injection for extreme psychosis which caused a severely locked jaw and inability to drink any water. Need intravenous food. 40 days without food and water. Husband tied me to a tree in the forest and said I would die there," she wrote on a pad.

Police said it was unlikely she would have survived there for so long, however.

Sindhudurg police have since registered a case of attempted murder against Kayi's husband.

Details about Kayi's life are scant, and it remains unclear exactly how she ended up in the forest.

Police believe Kayi moved to India from the US around a decade ago to study yoga and meditation. She had previously lived in the state of Tamil Nadu in the south of the country, where authorities are now searching for her husband.

The Indian Express said that Kayi had recently fallen out with her husband and had been staying in Goa, a small neighboring state on India's southwestern coast.

Authorities are reportedly still searching for the husband.

A spokesperson for the US embassy in Delhi told the BBC that it would not respond to questions "due to the US Privacy Act."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Yurok Tribe are one of the oldest existing communities in California. With a homeland stretching along northern coastal communities from Crescent City to Trinidad, there are estimated to be more than 6,000 Yurok alive in 2024. Yet despite living along the Klamath River for at least 10,000 years, the Yurok have in recent history had very little say over California's natural resources.

Then last year, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) announced that it would begin dismantling the Klamath Hydroelectric Project, which has blocked fish passage and changed the Klamath's river flows for over 100 years. Now additional steps are being taken to restore control of the region's natural resources to the local indigenous community.

In March, the Yurok Tribe signed an agreement with the National Park Service and California State Parks that constitutes a memorandum of understanding: An environmentalist nonprofit known as the Save the Redwoods League, which currently controls the 125-acre national park known as 'O Rea, will eventually transfer control back to the Yurok Tribe.

"Soon, the tribe will own the land," Yurok Tribal Heritage Preservation Officer Rosie Clayburn told Salon. "The tribe has already converted most the former mill site into a beautiful meadow filled with native grasses. In a few years, there will be no signs that the mill ever existed. The property is located roughly in the middle of Yurok ancestral territory."

The current owners of the land are also enthusiastic about this change.

"It is incredibly exciting news and we are proud to be a partner," Patrick Taylor, the Redwoods national and state parks interpretation and education program manager, told Salon. "However, an important technical point is that the agreement did not change the management of the national park. Rather, this is a commitment for partners to work together in continuing to restore a specific piece of land that will be transferred from Save the Redwoods League to the Yurok Tribe in about two years. We do additionally regularly partner on park operations and projects with the Yurok."

Yurok Fisheries Department Director Barry McCovey, a Yurok citizen who has studied the Klamath River for more than 20 years, told Salon that the lower four Klamath dams had "created the perfect conditions" for the toxic blue-green algae to proliferate.

"During the late summer and early fall, it can be unsafe to make contact with the Klamath due to the serious health risks associated with the algae," McCovey said. "The dams altered riverine habitat in a way that created the perfect breeding grounds for fish diseases. These pathogens can kill up to 90% of the juvenile salmon as they make their way to the sea. In time, dam removal will significantly reduce the amount of this disease in the river. The dams also considerably alter the rivers natural flow regime and disrupt the interconnected biological processes that sustain a healthy aquatic ecosystem. The removal of the dams will greatly resolve these issues, too."

In addition to helping the region ecologically, the transfer of control is also expected to assist economically.

"Many Yurok people had to work in the mill that operated on this parcel," Clayburn said. "At the time, there were hardly any jobs in this area. More than 90 percent of the Tribes land base was stolen, making it impossible to establish a tribal economy based on traditional values. Yurok people did not want work in the mill because of what it meant for the forest, but there were no other options. It was either work in the mill or starve."

Jessica Carter, the director of parks and public engagement at Save the Redwoods League, who works as tribal court director for the Yurok, told Salon that the partners working together to transfer control back to their tribe "have a clear and compelling shared vision for the O Rew Redwoods Gateway, and our work over the next two years is intended to ensure sustainable conservation."

Carter added, "The partners will create the detailed framework for this new model of long-term co-management of tribal-owned land with federal and state agencies by finalizing the agreements and mechanisms for permanent conservation, public access, co-management and funding."

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The park's managers will also be mindful of climate change. As humans continue burning fossil fuels that pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, they overheat the planet and cause a myriad of environmental problems. 'O Rew Redwoods Gateway is no exception.

"Climate change is the only potential obstacle regarding the preservation of this land for future generations," Clayburn said. "However, the restoration project anticipates a warmer, drier future and aims to proactively prevent future impacts from climate change."

To make the park more resilient to climate change, those involved in large-scale restoration have built off-channel ponds and large wood structures on the creek which "slow flows and enable water to fill underground aquifers faster in the winter. The cold water is naturally released back into the creek during the dry months," Clayburn said.

The Yurok have also been restoring native plants, handsowing 50,000 native trees, grasses and shrubs on the property.

"The Tribe will be planting even more native flora in the coming year," Clayburn explained. "At maturity, these plants will shade the creek and keep water temperatures down, not to mention sequester carbon from the atmosphere."

McCovey elaborated on the extent to which the Yurok community is directly invested in the success of these projects.

"With nearly 100 employees, the Yurok Fisheries Department alone employs more biologists than any other agency in California, aside from the state department of fish and wildlife," McCovey said. "The department conducts research, oversees salmon harvests, informs water policy decisions, monitors fish health and plans and implements river restoration projects. In 2021, the Tribe launched the Yurok Tribe Construction Corporation." The federal government works in collaboration with the KRRC to implement and analyze various large-scale projections in the region. "On the Klamath, a central component of Yurok culture, this work enables the tribe to play a major role in healing the river for future generations."

In addition to demonstrating that conservation can be maintained through equitable approaches between scientists and local communities, the new plan can also stimulate additional public interest in Yurok culture.

"After the transfer, the Yurok Tribe aims to construct a visitor center highlighting the distinct history and living culture of the Tribe and the extraordinary natural, cultural and recreational resources of the parks," Clayburn said. "The Yurok Tribe also plans to build a traditional village on-site, including plank houses and a sweat house."

Perhaps the most inspiring part of the story is that it has brought groups which historically have been at war  Indigenous communities being victimized by government agencies  together in a positive relationship.

"The healing of this land has brought together the Yurok Tribe, Save the Redwoods League, California Trout, numerous local restoration experts, and critical agency funding partners such as the California State Coastal Conservancy, California Wildlife Conservation Board, and NOAA Restoration Center so that we can address and mitigate some of the imminent climate threats," Carter said.
This is a KFF Health News story.

From his perch in the Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Roger Severino made a controversial name for himself, working to shield health workers who declined to perform medical procedures including abortion on religious grounds.

After President Donald Trump left office, Severino helped the conservative Heritage Foundation develop a plan to expand that conservative stamp to the broader department, recasting HHS with a focus on traditional marriage and family.

The vision is outlined in the Project 2025 "Mandate for Leadership," a blueprint by the foundation and allied groups intended to guide the next presidential administration. It has emerged as a political flash point, as Democrats portray the 900-page document as promoting an authoritarian power grab by extreme conservatives.

Severino, the lead architect of the project's section on HHS, has won praise from conservatives and criticism from LGBTQ+ and other liberal advocacy groups who say he poses a threat to reproductive rights and gender-affirming care.

MORE: What is Project 2025? A look at the conservative presidential wish list

His proposals smack of some of the most heated culture war conflicts shaping the election, from gay rights to gender identity to contraception. They would likely find support under a conservative administration.

Under Severino's vision for HHS, federal approval of one commonly used abortion drug, mifepristone, could be revisited and potentially withdrawn. Health agencies would promote "fertility awareness" as an "unsurpassed" method of contraception. Medicaid, the public health insurance program that covers more than 75 million low-income and disabled people, could be converted into block grants that Democrats say would result in far lower funding and enrollment.

HHS itself would be known as the Department of Life, underscoring a new focus on opposing abortion.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 conference, July 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (Alex Brandon/AP)

Severino declined to comment extensively on Project 2025, but he pushed back in an interview on assertions that it would ban access to medication abortion.

"When the Biden-Harris administration says [the document] would ban all chemical abortion nationally, it's a lie, plain and simple," he said.

Trump, again the GOP's presidential nominee, has taken increasingly aggressive steps to distance himself from Project 2025 as it has become central to his opponents' attacks. Heritage on July 30 said that Paul Dans, who directed the initiative, would step down from his role. The same day, Trump's campaign managers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, denounced the document.

"Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way," Wiles and LaCivita said in a statement.

But the campaign's message is undermined by the document's authorship; its contributors include a number of high-ranking officials from Trump's first administration, including former White House adviser Peter Navarro; Christopher Miller, whose positions included acting secretary of defense; and Trump's secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson.

Project 2025's passages on abortion, in particular, depart significantly from what Trump has said about the issue on the campaign trail. He has said he wants abortion policy made in states, not at the federal level, and that he wouldn't support a national ban or taking mifepristone off the market. He refashioned the official GOP platform to make scant mention of abortion, recognizing the political peril the issue posed for his campaign.

Support for abortion access is growing. Sixty-one percent of adults want their state to allow legal abortion for any reason, according to a poll conducted in June by the Associated Press and the University of Chicago's NORC, which conducts social research.

The Heritage Foundation's policy proposals, published roughly every four years since the 1980s, have had considerable sway on GOP presidents. Former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Trump each adopted about 60% or more of the recommendations produced in earlier Heritage guides, the group says.

MORE: Director of Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 is stepping down

Severino was a trial attorney for seven years in the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division under former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He joined Heritage in 2015 and garnered acclaim from conservatives in part because of articles he published while he was there.

In one, for example, he said a proposal by Obama to include gender identity in Affordable Care Act provisions prohibiting discrimination would penalize medical professionals and health care organizations that, as a matter of faith, believe "maleness and femaleness are biological realities" to be "affirmed" rather than "treated as diseases."

He was tapped to run the HHS Office for Civil Rights in 2017.

There, he created a new Division of Conscience and Religious Freedom because, he said, protections for people with deeply held religious beliefs had been underenforced.

The proposals for HHS laid out in Project 2025 have alarmed LGBTQ+ advocacy groups as well as some researchers.

"It could promote stigma and discrimination," said Lindsey Dawson, director of LGBTQ Health Policy at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party's new presumptive presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, have repeatedly urged voters to read the document themselves.

In one of her first speeches after taking over the top spot on the Democratic ticket, Harris said Project 2025 would "treat health care as only a privilege for the wealthy instead of what we all know it should be, which is a right for every American."

MORE: Black leaders launch counter to Project 2025 in battleground states

Conservatives say Democrats are lying about what Project 2025's proposals would do and are incorrectly attributing the ideas to Trump for political gain.

Spokespeople for the Trump and Harris campaigns didn't respond to requests for comment.

The blueprint's foreword espouses what it calls an anti-"woke" mentality, proposing to delete from every federal regulation words such as diversity, equity, inclusion, "and any other term used to deprive Americans of their First Amendment rights."

HHS would revisit a rule that prohibits discrimination in health programs and extends those protections to people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The document says that definition "created special privileges for new classes of people, defined in ways that are highly ideological and unscientific," and should be reversed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would cease collecting data on gender identity because, the Project 2025 report says, it "legitimizes the unscientific notion that men can become women (and vice versa)," and health agencies would study the "negative effects of cross-sex interventions" such as puberty blockers.

"Families comprised of a married mother, father, and their children are the foundation of a well-ordered nation and healthy society," according to the document.

The road map would roll back years of hard-fought gains for people who are LGBTQ+, their advocates say.

"This is a fantasy reality, like watching 'Leave it to Beaver,'" said David Stacy, vice president of government affairs at the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group.

PHOTO: HHS Office of Civil Rights Director Roger Severino speaks at a news conference announcing a new division on Conscience and Religious Freedom at the Department of Health and Human Services January 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

The concepts may appeal to many in Trump's conservative base, however. Nine in 10 U.S. adults say a husband and wife raising children together is completely acceptable, according to a 2023 poll by the Pew Research Center. Fewer than half say the same about a married gay or lesbian couple raising children together.

Nine in 10 Trump supporters and about four in 10 Biden supporters say sex at birth determines if someone is a man or a woman, according to an April Pew poll.

Project 2025 risks GOP voter support over its anti-abortion stance, according to some political analysts. Its foreword also calls for removing from grants, regulations, and legislation words such as abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights, and any other term "used to deprive Americans of their First Amendment rights."

The proposal urges that the CDC fund research into abortion risks and complications and that HHS cut federal funding for states that don't provide data such as the number of abortions performed within their borders.

Project 2025 calls for revisiting approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. It could potentially lose FDA authorization and be subject to new dispensing requirements  such as barring distribution by mail, based on an 1873 law known as the Comstock Act - before that step.

The proposal's authors say misoprostol, a medication approved to treat ulcers but also used for abortion, would not be affected.

"If the FDA were to reconsider mifepristone because of legal or safety concerns, at most, it would put doctors back in the process without limiting their ability to prescribe other chemical abortion drugs off-label," Severino said.

Inside Project 2025: Former Trump official outlines hard right turn against abortion originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Detroit's chief investigator is leaving the city.

Inspector General Ellen Ha, who served as Detroit's watchdog for fraud, corruption and abuse among city employees and contractors seeking to do business with the city, is reaching the end of her six-year term this month. Ha will move on to a role as chief assistant corporation counsel for Wayne County in the municipal division.

Detroit Inspector General Ellen Ha, pictured, was appointed by the City Council on July 31, 2018. Ha, the citys second inspector general, began her non-renewable, six-year term August 20.

Ha issued her final quarterly report last month, sharing a long list of accomplishments during her tenure, including debarments, suspensions, hearings, expanding the office and more. In a four-page letter of Ha's final words, the inspector general recalled the beginning of her term, when she had a "rough start" initiating an investigation into a "high-ranking city official."

Ha did not specify the investigation. However, early in her term, she investigated and concluded that Mayor Mike Duggan gave preferential treatment to the prenatal health program, Make Your Date, and that his chief of staff ordered emails regarding the program to be deleted. Make Your Date is a program run by his wife, Dr. Sonia Hassan, to whom he was not married at the time.

Dr. Sonia Hassan, in red, sits with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan during the 2015 fundraising gala for Hassan's Make Your Date program at MGM Grand Detroit.

Ha said many questioned her ability to conduct an unbiased investigation, including a "city leader" who asked whether she would outsource it to a third party.

"I was disappointed to learn later that some people also misunderstood my intentions and believed that I was initiating the investigation to find fame in the public limelight. There was no win for me. In truth, personally, I had everything to lose and nothing to gain. But, for the city, this was a crucial moment. If done correctly, the city can win back the publics trust and continue to preserve its integrity. So, I made my choice," Ha said.

Ha was part of a public dispute with ex-Corporation Counsel Lawrence Garcia amid the Make Your Date investigation, when she accused city attorneys of impeding investigations. Duggan defended Garcia, saying he provided appropriate legal representation to city workers.

"Perhaps the most unfortunate part of my term was when the dispute with my former bosses at the Law Department became public. Ive often replayed the incidents in my head and each time, I came to the same conclusion  the collision in public was unavoidable under the circumstances. The dispute was genuine and seemed irreconcilable. In the end, this bridge, which I had so carefully built over the years, was also burnt in an instant amidst our heated debates," Ha said.

'Oftentimes, truth did not make the city look good'

Detroit's Office of Inspector General was created in 2012 to prevent corruption following corrupt conduct during ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's administration.

She said she continued to face additional challenges in handling "controversial" investigations of contractors who committed crimes against the city.

"I would be remiss if I did not admit that, at times, I began questioning the prospect of my own personal future and my own comfort level outside the office," Ha said. "I learned that, as the inspector general, what is in the best interest of the public was not about how the city looked or protecting the city from potential liability. The public interest for the inspector general is to tell the truth and preserve the integrity of the city."

Ha continued: "However, oftentimes, truth did not make the city look good. And, at times, demonstrating our ability to be honest meant that our investigations and audits could ultimately expose city to legal and financial liability. This was personally difficult for me, as prior to holding the position of inspector general, most of my life was spent defending the city from liability. This, also, was difficult for my former colleagues at the Law Department to understand and accept."

She went on to share a few proud moments during her term, including her office's investigations and audits sparking changes in city policies, and criminal charges against those who were defrauding the city.

Successes and praise

"We also worked with the prosecutors to seek restitution payments. One resulted in over $4.7 million in restitution and the city has already received $1.25 million. Another resulted in a letter of apology to a city agency. Weve also secured a stop payment order from the court, after learning the payments were wrongfully made to a person who was not entitled to any payment from the city," Ha said.

More: Detroit police: Illegal block party mass shooting was gang related, $10K reward offered

More: Arthur Jemison to leave Boston for executive role at Detroit Housing Commission

The inspector general handled numerous contractor debarment cases and investigations, including: banning Kilpatrick's friend Bobby Ferguson; various environmental companies; temporarily suspending a demolition company for questionable business conduct and, months later, concluding that the company was eligible to continue work; suspending a contractor for fraudulently billing the city for dirt, then later banning the company and owner, among several more cases.

Ha wrapped up her letter with praises to her staff for holding each other, including herself, accountable, and thanking everyone.

"My job was never to make anything look good, but to show things as they were and if necessary, provide the impetus to change for the better. It was never about showcasing the positive or giving accolades to those who have given so much to the city. My job was to reveal the facts, even when the facts painted a negative image of our beloved city," Ha said.

Detroit City Council on Tuesday voted to appoint her deputy, Kamau Marable, as the city's inspector general. Council has yet to submit an appointment letter to the city clerk in order to complete the inspector general's oath of office, according to the clerk's office.

Ha called Marable a "true public servant" in her departure letter.

"As a representative of the city, in his capacity as the Inspector General, he will fight the fight and run the distance to bring Detroits gold medal. Like the Olympians, he has been training for this moment and is now ready for the challenge. I am confident that he will give his best in making all Detroiters proud of the city that he so loves," Ha said.

Read the full letter here.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Inspector General Ellen Ha departs city, heads to Wayne County
Who invented Flamin Hot Cheetos is now up for debate in a new lawsuit against Frito-Lay

A former PepsiCo executive is suing Frito-Lay, claiming the company launched a smear campaign against him after they claimed he didn't invent Cheetos popular Flamin' Hot flavor.

Richard Montanez  who worked as a janitor before becoming vice president of multicultural marketing and sales  accused his former employer of making false statements" and asserted that he would not let Frito-Lay take away his legacy.

I created Flamin Hot Cheetos not only as a product but as a movement and as a loyal executive for PepsiCo, Montanez said in a news release, per Delish. PepsiCo believed in me as a leader because they knew people would follow me, and they did because they knew my soul is my community. We built this into a $2 billion industry, and I cannot let them take away my legacy or destroy my reputation. I will not let them silence me.

According to his lawsuit, Montanez created the beloved flavor after a machine in the plant he worked in broke down and left behind a batch of unflavored Cheetos. Montanez took those chips home and seasoned them with chili powder in an attempt to mimic the flavor of Mexican elote  a popular street food consisting of grilled corn covered in mayo sauce, chili powder, cheese and lime.

Montanez later pitched his creation to then-CEO Roger Enrico, the lawsuit added. Enrico, who was willing to meet with Montanez, loved the presentation so much that he instructed Frito-Lay to start making and selling the hot Cheetos. In 2000, Montanez was promoted to a business development manager in Southern California and eventually, became PepsiCos vice president of multicultural marketing and sales.

In 2019, Montanez retired from PepsiCo to become a motivational speaker full-time. In 2021, he published a memoir titled Flamin' Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Man's Rise from Janitor to Top Executive. Montanezs life story was also made into a Hulu feature film, Flamin Hot, in 2023.

However, in 2021, Frito-Lay allegedly went against Montanez, telling the Los Angeles Times that their records didnt show Montanez was involved in any capacity in the Flamin' Hot test market.

That doesn't mean we don't celebrate Richard but the facts do not support the urban legend. the company said.

Want more great food writing and recipes? Subscribe to Salon Food's newsletter, The Bite.

The LA Times report further claimed that the Flamin Hot flavor was created in 1989 by a team of snack food professionals based in Plano, Texas. A junior employee named Lynne Greenfeld was assigned to develop the brand  she came up with the Flamin Hot name and is credited with the snacks success, per Frito-Lay. Same with Fred Lindsay, a retired Frito-Lay salesman from the South Side of Chicago who told the LA Times, Im the one that was responsible for getting us into Flamin Hot products.

In his recent complaint, Montanez argued that he has been the victim of fraud, racial discrimination, defamation, and violations of California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL).

Despite the naysayers, Montanezs origin story is believed to be true by Jesse Garcia, who plays Montanez in the Flamin Hot film.

I am letting the family give that kind of information, but I believe him, Garcia told Salon.
Iran has claimed that the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week was carried out by a short-range projectile and a severe explosion outside a guest house where he was staying.

This contradicts information told to CNN on Thursday, after a source familiar with the matter said that Haniyeh was killed by an explosive device that had been covertly hidden inside the guest house.

The death of the Hamas leader further heightened tensions at an already volatile time, raising fears that Israels conflict with Hamas and its allies could develop into a multi-front, fully-fledged war in the Middle East.

The Iranian government and Hamas say that Israel carried out the assassination. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

On Saturday, Iran warned that blood vengeance for the killing was certain.

An image published by the New York Times shows the building where Haniyeh is believed to have been assassinated. A corner of the building is now covered with a green cloth. Apparent debris also litters the ground floor roof of the building, directly underneath the green cloth. - From Telegram/The New York Times

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed in a statement that the short-range projectile that reportedly killed Haniyeh had a warhead of about seven kilograms, based on investigations and research conducted.

CNNs source, who had been briefed on the operation, said that a bomb was concealed about two months ago in the guest house where Haniyeh was known to stay in Tehran, and detonated remotely once he was inside his room there.

US officials were briefed on the operation by Israeli officials only after the assassination, the source said.

This action was planned and executed by the Zionist regime with the support of the criminal American government, the IRGC alleged. Iran calls Israel the Zionist regime.

Israel will decisively receive the response to this crime, which is a severe punishment that will come at an appropriate time, place, and manner, the IRGC said.

The chief spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said Thursday that Israel is on high alert for both defensive and offensive military action.

IDF forces are deployed in the air, at sea and on the ground, and are prepared for all scenarios, especially for offensive plans within the immediate timeframe, Hagari said.

CNN has sought comment from the Iranian government.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Chairman of the political bureau of the Islamist Palestinian Hamas movement Ismail Haniyeh flashes the victory sign during the funeral of Islamic Jihad militants who were killed in an explosion. Wissam Nassar/dpa

The assassination of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was carried out using a short-range projectile fired from outside his guest house in the Iranian capital of Tehran, according to a new report from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The version of events put forward by the IRGC on Saturday indicated that a projectile with a warhead weighing around 7 kilograms caused the explosion that killed Haniyeh.

Saturday's is the group's third report on the attack. The statements in it cannot be independently verified.

Iran had previously rejected all speculation about the method used in the attack. US media had reported that Haniyeh was killed by an explosive device that was placed in the guest house two months before he travelled to Tehran.

In their report, the Revolutionary Guards also hold Israel responsible for the "act of terror," claiming that the country was supported by the United States.

Israel has not yet commented on the attack.

Reports about the arrest of Iranian security forces for alleged co-operation with the Israeli secret service and involvement in the attack have also not yet been officially confirmed.
DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday that Palestinian militant group Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh was slain in Tehran by a short-range projectile with a warhead of about 7 kg, and vowed severe revenge.

Wednesday's assassination has aroused fears of direct conflict between Tehran and its arch-enemy Israel in a region shaken by Israel's war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon.

Revenge for the killing of the Hamas leader will be "severe and at an appropriate time, place, and manner", the Guards' statement added, blaming the "terrorist Zionist regime" of Israel for his death.

Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out the strike that killed Haniyeh hours after he attended the inauguration of Iran's new president.

The New York Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that the explosion which killed Haniyeh was a bomb that was covertly smuggled into the guesthouse where he was staying in Tehran two months ago.

Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility.

The statement by the elite Guards force also accused the "criminal U.S. government" of supporting the attack which Iranian media said was in a northern suburb of Tehran.

Haniyeh was buried on Friday in Qatar, where he was based.

(Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Giles Elgood)
Iran warns that Hezbollah will likely hit non-military targets in Israeli territory in response to Israel's strike on Beirut

Iran has warned that Hezbollah may hit "broader and deeper targets" in Israeli territory.

Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN said Hezbollah may not "restrict itself solely to military targets."

It comes in response to an Israeli strike on Beirut on Tuesday that killed a senior Hezbollah officer.

Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN has said that Hezbollah will likely respond to Israel's assassination of one of its top military commanders by hitting "broader and deeper targets" in Israeli territory.

"Until now, Hezbollah and the regime have, in an unwritten understanding, practically adhered to certain limits in their military operations, meaning that confining their actions to border areas and shallow zones, targeting primarily military objectives," the mission said in a statement on Friday night, per Iranian state news.

But it seems the Israeli attack Tuesday on Beirut, which killed the senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, may have changed this, the mission added.

"We anticipate that, in its response, Hezbollah will choose both broader and deeper targets, and will not restrict itself solely to military targets and means," the mission said in its statement.

The mission told CBS News that such targets would be within Israeli territory.

Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on July 30. Reuters TV via REUTERS.

Fears have been mounting over an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel said it had launched the strike on Beirut in response to an attack that killed 12 youths in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Israel said Hezbollah was behind the attack.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said at the funeral of Fuad Shukr that the war with Israel had "entered a new phase" and that Israel had "crossed red lines," Al Jazeera reported.

The militant group was looking at a "real, studied" response to the attack, he added.

Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, said on Thursday that "while we prefer to resolve hostilities without a wider war, we remain fully prepared for any scenario."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also warned that "Israel will exact a heavy price for any aggression against us from any arena."

Hezbollah has been launching strikes against Israel in support of the Palestinian militant group Hamas since the latter's October 7 attacks, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel.

Israel has struck back hard against Hezbollah, targeting its commanders and infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Paintings of Palestinian flag and al-Aqsa mosque are seen on the Lebanese side of an Israeli erected wall along the Lebanese-Israeli border in the southern village of Adaisseh, where the Israeli settlement of Mutelh is seen on the right. Marwan Naamani/dpa

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened Israel with a broad counterstrike from allied militias in the region.

"The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime [Israel] and its supporters must reckon with the holy wrath of the resistance groups," said General Hossein Salami, according to the website of the IRGC, the powerful paramilitary organization in Iran charged with protecting the government at home and abroad.

Iran's non-state allies include the Houthis in Yemen and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon as well as militias loyal to Iran in Iraq and Syria.

In a letter to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the commander spoke of harsh and bloody revenge. Salami wrote that Israel would have to pay a high price for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

Tensions in the region are soaring since Israel killed Shukr in an airstrike on Beirut.

Haniyeh was also killed in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Iran and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas hold Israel responsible for Haniyeh's death, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied a role.

Since then, Iran and its allies including Hezbollah have vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel after Haniyeh's killing.

Iran: Hamas leader killed by projectile shot from outside

The assassination of Haniyeh was carried out using a short-range projectile fired from outside his guest house in Tehran, according to a new report from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The version of events put forward by the IRGC on Saturday suggested that a projectile with a warhead weighing around 7 kilograms caused the explosion that killed Haniyeh.

Iran had previously rejected all speculation about the method used in the attack. US media had reported that Qatar-based Haniyeh was killed by an explosive device that was placed in the guest house two months before he travelled to Tehran.

Iran's army chief Mohammad Bagheri on Thursday swore "blood vengence" against Israel, saying it was only a matter of deciding on the right time for retaliation.

"The only certainty is that the Zionists [Israel] will bitterly regret this act," said the general.

US moves forces into the region

As fears grow, the US said on Friday it plans to move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East to bolster its military presence in the region.

The US Department of Defense is taking steps to "mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said.

After nearly 10 months of fighting between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, there are fears the Middle East now stands on the precipice of a regional war.

The Israeli erected border wall and an Israeli military post are seen from a deserted road of the Lebanese southern border village of al Bustan. p
The Israeli erected border wall and an Israeli military post are seen from a deserted road of the Lebanese southern border village of al Bustan. p

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened Israel with a broad counterstrike from allied militias in the region.

"The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime [Israel] and its supporters must reckon with the holy wrath of the resistance groups," said General Hossein Salami, according to the website of the IRGC, the powerful paramilitary organization in Iran charged with protecting the government at home and abroad.

Iran's non-state allies include the Houthis in Yemen and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon as well as militias loyal to Iran in Iraq and Syria.

In a letter to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the commander spoke of harsh and bloody revenge. Salami wrote that Israel would have to pay a high price for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

Tensions in the region are soaring since Israel killed Shukr in an airstrike on Beirut.

Haniyeh was also killed in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Iran and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas hold Israel responsible for Haniyeh's death, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied a role.

Since then, Iran and its allies including Hezbollah have vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel after Haniyeh's killing.

Iran's army chief Mohammad Bagheri also swore "blood revenge" against Israel. He said that the armed forces are now only considering the timing and execution of a retaliatory strike. "The only certainty is that the Zionists [Israel] will bitterly regret this act," said the general.

Meanwhile, Israel will not "hold back" should Iran launch an attack in retaliation, a top Israeli security official warned on Friday.

As fears grow, the US said it plans to move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East to bolster its military presence in the region. The US Department of Defense is taking steps to "mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies," an official said.

After nearly 10 months of fighting between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, there are fears the Middle East now stands on the precipice of a regional war.

Paintings of Palestinian flag and al-Aqsa mosque are seen on the Lebanese side of an Israeli erected wall along the Lebanese-Israeli border in the southern village of Adaisseh, where the Israeli settlement of Mutelh is seen on the right. Marwan Naamani/dpa
Paintings of Palestinian flag and al-Aqsa mosque are seen on the Lebanese side of an Israeli erected wall along the Lebanese-Israeli border in the southern village of Adaisseh, where the Israeli settlement of Mutelh is seen on the right. Marwan Naamani/dpa

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened Israel with a broad counterstrike from allied militias in the region.

"The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime [Israel] and its supporters must reckon with the holy wrath of the resistance groups," said General Hossein Salami, according to the website of the IRGC, the powerful paramilitary organization in Iran charged with protecting the government at home and abroad.

Iran's non-state allies include the Houthis in Yemen and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon as well as militias loyal to Iran in Iraq and Syria.

In a letter to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the commander spoke of harsh and bloody revenge. Salami wrote that Israel would have to pay a high price for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

Tensions in the region are soaring since Israel killed Shukr in an airstrike on Beirut.

Haniyeh was also killed in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Iran and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas hold Israel responsible for Haniyeh's death, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied a role.

Since then, Iran and its allies including Hezbollah have vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel after Haniyeh's killing.

Iran's army chief Mohammad Bagheri also swore "blood revenge" against Israel. He said that the armed forces are now only considering the timing and execution of a retaliatory strike. "The only certainty is that the Zionists [Israel] will bitterly regret this act," said the general.

Meanwhile, Israel will not "hold back" should Iran launch an attack in retaliation, a top Israeli security official warned on Friday.

The Israeli erected border wall and an Israeli military post are seen from a deserted road of the Lebanese southern border village of al Bustan. p
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta

CAIRO/RAMALLAH (Reuters) -An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City killed at least 15 Palestinians on Saturday, hours after two strikes in the occupied West Bank killed nine militants including a local Hamas commander, Hamas said.

The Israeli military said the first of two West Bank airstrikes hit a vehicle in a town near the city of Tulkarm, targeting a militant cell it said was on its way to carry out an attack.

A Hamas statement said one of those killed was a commander of its Tulkarm brigades, while its ally Islamic Jihad claimed the other four men who died in the strike as its fighters.

Hours later, a second airstrike in the area targeted another group of militants who had fired on troops, Israel's military said, during what it described as a counterterrorism operation in Tulkarm.

Palestinian news agency WAFA said four people had died in that strike, and Hamas said all nine of those killed in the two Israeli attacks in the West Bank were fighters.

Violence in the West Bank was on the rise before the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and has risen since, with frequent Israeli raids in the territory, which is among those that the Palestinians seek for a state.

There has also been an increase in anti-Israeli street attacks by Palestinians.

The latest strikes in the Palestinian territories came amid Israel's growing tensions with Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group that have fanned fears of a widened conflict in the Middle East.

The U.S. and international partners including France, Britain, Italy and Egypt, continued diplomatic contacts on Saturday seeking to prevent further regional escalation.

Hamas said it had begun a "broad consultation process" to choose a new leader three days after the assassination in Tehran of Ismail Haniyeh, who was the face of the group's international diplomacy. Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel and vowed to retaliate. Israel has not claimed or denied responsibility.

GAZA STRIKES

In the Gaza Strip, at least 15 people were killed in the Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, the Hamas run-government media office said.

The Israeli military said the school was being used as a command centre for Hamas, to hide militants and manufacture weapons. Hamas has denied Israeli accusations that it operates from civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals.

Earlier on Saturday, Israeli strikes in the enclave killed six people in a house in the southern area of Rafah and two others in Gaza City, Gaza health officials said.

The Israeli military said its forces had struck militants and destroyed Hamas infrastructure in Rafah and elsewhere in the enclave.

At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, according to Gaza health officials. The offensive was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted, according to Israeli tallies.

A high-level Israeli delegation made a brief visit to Cairo on Saturday in an attempt to resume Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Egyptian airport authority sources said. The Israeli officials returned to Israel hours later, Israeli media said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of trying to add changes to the "outline" of a potential agreement, referring to a proposal U.S. President Joe Biden laid out in May. Hamas has blamed Netanyahu, saying he does not want to stop the war.

Chances of a breakthrough appear low as regional tension has soared following the assassination of Haniyeh, Hamas's top leader, on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander from Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Iran.

Haniyeh's death was one in a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the Gaza war nears its 11th month, and it fuelled concern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war.

Israel has not said whether or not it was behind Haniyeh's assassination. But Netanyahu said earlier this week that Israel had delivered crushing blows to Iran's proxies of late, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke separately to French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday on the need to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza and to prevent the conflict from spreading, the State Department said.

Egypt's foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, stressed in a phone call with Iran's acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, that recent developments in the region were "unprecedented, very dangerous" and threatening to stability, Egypt's government said.

In addition, the Italian Foreign Ministry said: "Italy makes an appeal to Iran, calling on it for restraint and to contribute to a phase of de-escalation throughout the Mediterranean region and the Middle East." It added that the message had been delivered to the Iranian ambassador in Rome.

(Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell and Emily Rose in Jerusalem, Francesa Landini in Milan, Enas Alashray in Cairo; Writing by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by William Mallard, Helen Popper, Matthew Lewis and Daniel Wallis)
Smoke from Israeli shelling rises above the southern Lebanese village of Khiam, as tensions between pro-Iranian Hezbollah terrorists and Israeli forces escalate. STR/dpa

One person was killed on Saturday in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, state media and the Israeli army reported.

The Lebanese news agency NNA reported, citing the Ministry of Health, that two people were also injured in the attack on a car near the town of Bazourieh in southern Lebanon.

But the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the army "eliminated the terrorist Ali Nazih Abed Ali, a significant terrorist on the Hezbollah Southern Front, in the area of Bazouriyeh in southern Lebanon," earlier on Saturday.

"Abed Ali was involved in the terror activity of the Southern Front, planning and carrying out various terror activities. Abed Ali's elimination represents a significant blow to the capabilities of the Southern Front and to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the area," the IDF said.

Hezbollah also confirmed his death, but gave no details of his rank or function.

The Israeli attack was in retaliation for an attack by the pro-Iranian Shiite militia earlier on Saturday on northern Israel.

The situation in the Middle East has recently become significantly worse.

After the targeted killings of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has vowed revenge.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, there has been daily shelling between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, leading to fatalities on both sides.
A man stands in front of destroyed buildings after Israeli forces raided the Nur Shams Refugee Camp. Ayman Nobani/dpa

Five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli drone strike in Tulkarem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to local hospital reports from Saturday.

The victims included a local commander of the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, al-Qassam Brigades. The other four bodies could not initially be identified.

Reports indicated that they were also militants from within the ranks of al-Qassam Brigades and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is allied with Hamas.

The Israeli army stated that it had fired on a vehicle, aiming to hit a "terror cell" active in the area around Tulkarem. The city, which lies on the border of the northern West Bank with Israel, is considered a stronghold of militant Palestinians.

Four more Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike a short time later, which came after the Israeli military reportedly returned to Tulkarem and came under fire. The Palestinian news agency Wafa confirmed the deaths in the clash.

The situation in the West Bank has significantly worsened since the beginning of the war in Gaza unleashed by the unprecedented attacks by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7.

The Health Ministry in the West Bank says 578 Palestinians have been killed since then in Israeli military operations, confrontations or their own attacks.

Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has also increased during this period.

Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and has since occupied them. While Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, it still controls the borders by land, air and sea. The Palestinians claim these territories for their own state.

Cairo talks over Gaza Strip war

Amid ongoing Israeli fighting in the Gaza Strip, meanwhile, an Israeli delegation has reportedly arrived in Cairo for indirect negotiations with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The delegation included David Barnea who heads Israel's foreign intelligence agency Mossad, and Ronen Bar, chief of the domestic security service Shin Bet, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported on walla.co.il news site.

The talks come amid rising fears of a wider military conflict across the region, after deadly attacks that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.

Those strikes, which have been attributed to Israel, have brought the region to the brink of war. Israel acknowledged killing Shukr in an airstrike on Beirut, but has neither confirmed nor denied a role in Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran.

Since then, Iran and its allies including Hezbollah have vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel after Haniyeh's killing.

Haniyeh was one of the main Hamas negotiators, meaning further complications in the talks that have already been stalled for months.

Israel has been waging an intense military campaign against the densely populated Gaza Strip for months, launched in response to unprecedented Hamas-led attacks against Israel on October 7 that left more than 1,200 dead.

Israeli leaders have vowed to press forward with the fighting until Hamas is destroyed.

But the country has come under growing international pressure and condemnation from rights groups over the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Iran says Haniyeh killed by projectile

A new report put forward by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday contended that Haniyeh was killed by a short-range projectile fired from outside the Tehran guest house where he was staying.

The projectile with a warhead weighing around 7 kilograms caused the explosion that killed Haniyeh, the group said. The statements in the report cannot be independently verified.

Iran had previously rejected all speculation about the method used in the attack. US media had reported that Haniyeh was killed by an explosive device that was placed in the guest house two months before he travelled to Tehran.

In their report, the Revolutionary Guards also hold Israel responsible for the "act of terror," claiming that the country was supported by the United States.

Israel has not yet commented on the attack.
Jailed Belarus Nobel winner should have been freed in prisoner swap, say supporters

By Andrius Sytas

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Supporters of jailed Belarusian Nobel Peace laureate Ales Bialiatski say the human rights activist should have been included in the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War on Thursday.

Allies of Bialiatski and other jailed Belarusians are disappointed they were not included in the swap, which saw eight Russians, including a convicted murderer, exchanged for 16 prisoners in Russian and Belarusian jails, many of them dissidents.

Some of the Russian dissidents freed in the swap, including Ilya Yashin, an opposition activist, expressed anger or reservations on Friday at having been deported from their country against their will.

Bialiatski, 61, who is serving a 10-year sentence for financing anti-government protests after a trial in 2023 condemned by the U.S. and the European Union as a "sham", was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 - a year after his arrest.

"When we heard that the deal is imminent, we hoped that someone from Belarus political prisoners will surely be a part of it. First of all, of course, the jailed Nobel Peace Prize winner," said Alena Masliukova, a member of Viasna - the human rights organisation founded by Bialiatski.

"This was a total disappointment, and we still haven't overcome it," said Masliukova, who now lives in exile in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital.

Among those released in this week's swap was German citizen Rico Krieger who had been sentenced to death on terrorism charges in Belarus, a close ally of Russia where - according to Viasna - 1,390 people are in jail for political reasons - many linked to mass protests four years ago.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, faced large protests after a disputed 2020 presidential election - the biggest challenge to his rule.

He has long dismissed accusations of human rights abuse.

Viasna says activists are still dragged before courts for their role in the protests, and Masliukova said political prisoners faced harsh conditions in jail.

"They are kept in cold cells, without contact with relatives. They leave jail with damaged health," she said.

Bialiatski returned voluntarily from exile to Belarus in 2021 despite knowing he likely faced arrest, which supporters said meant he might not be willing to leave the country again, a process which legally requires the prisoner to ask for a pardon.

"I know his character and I am sure there is no way he would ask for pardon from Lukashenko," said Siarhei Sys, a long-time friend. "I don't know what happens in five years ... It all depends on the state of his health."

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas; Editing by Helen Popper)
Jailer agrees to plead guilty in case of inmate who froze to death at jail

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A former corrections officer at an Alabama jail has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal charge in the death of a mentally ill man who died of hypothermia after being held naked in a concrete cell for two weeks.

Federal court records show that Joshua Conner Jones entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors regarding the treatment of two inmates at the Walker County jail. Jones agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to deprive an inmate of their rights related to the 2023 death of Tony Mitchell. He also pleaded guilty to a separate rights-deprivation count related to the assault of another inmate.

New details emerge in murder investigation of foster baby in Blount County

The plea agreement indicated there were five co-conspirators in the mistreatment that led to Mitchells death, an indication that the investigation is ongoing and more people could be charged in the death.

A defense lawyer for Jones, W Scott Brower, said he could not comment on the agreement. Court documents did not name the inmate who died, but Bower confirmed the charge was related to Mitchells 2023 death. A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorneys office did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

Mitchell, 33, died on Jan. 26, 2023, after being brought from the jail to a hospital emergency room with a body temperature of 72 degrees (22 degrees Celsius), according to a lawsuit filed by his mother.

The plea agreement said that Mitchell was almost always naked, wet, cold, and covered in feces while lying on the cement floor without a mat or blanket. By the second week of incarceration, he was largely listless and mostly unresponsive to questions from officers, but that the conspirators did not take action to alleviate his suffering.

Medical Association of Alabama boasts new program to boost physician recruitment

Prosecutors wrote in the plea agreement that Jones admitted that collectively we did it. We killed him.

Jon C. Goldfarb, an attorney representing the family in the civil litigation, said the family is shocked to see in writing what they knew happened to Tony Mitchell.

Mitchell, who had a history of drug addiction, was arrested Jan. 12 after a cousin asked authorities to do a welfare check on him because he was rambling about portals to heaven and hell in his home and appeared to be suffering a mental breakdown. The Walker County sheriffs office posted a photo on its Facebook page, adding that Mitchell, who had his face painted black, brandished a handgun, and fired at least one shot at deputies before running into the woods.

Prosecutors wrote in the plea agreement that when Mitchells deteriorating condition would be mentioned, the co-conspirators would reply that  he gets what he gets since he shot at cops or words to that effect.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Jimmy Carter turns 100 on Oct. 1but the former president is less concerned about the milestone birthday and more focused on making it long enough to vote in the 2024 presidential election.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an article after speaking with Carter's grandson, Jason, about the former POTUS' 100th birthday.

"Im only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris, Carter reportedly told his son, Chip, a few days ago, according to Jason.

Furthermore, Carter has been "more alert and interested in politics and the war in Gaza in recent days, his grandson told the publication.

The 39th president was diagnosed with cancer in 2015; it has since spread to his brain. In February 2023, Carter entered hospice care in his home in Plains, Ga.and although doctors indicated he might only have days to live, he has endured for 18 months at this point.

In June, Jason offered a health update on his grandfather during an interview with Southern Living. Carter was reportedly experiencing the world as best he can as he continues through this process following the death of his wife, Rosalynn Carter, on Nov. 19, 2023, after 77 years of marriage.

View the original article to see embedded media.

The former president issued a statement following Rosalynn's death, calling her his "equal partner in everything I ever accomplished."

He continued: "She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me."

Next: 54 of the Most Memorable Jimmy Carter Quotes
Jimmy Carter says he hopes to cast vote for Harris

Former President Jimmy Carter says he hopes to cast his ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.

As Carter nears his 100th birthday, beating former President Trump is one of the only things on his mind.

Im only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris, Carter told his son Chip, his grandson Jason Carter told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Carters 100th birthday is on Oct. 1. He first entered hospice care in Feb. 2023 and has outlived his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died last November.

Jason Carter said his grandfather has been more alert and interested in politics and the war in Gaza in recent days. He previously updated the public in June that Carter was no longer awake every day.

The former presidents grandson said Chip asked Carter if he was trying to make it to his 100th birthday. For the former president, its less about making it to the century mark, and more about being able to cast his ballot for Harris, the outlet reported.

Early voting in Georgia begins on Oct. 15, so Carter wont have to wait too long after his birthday to cast his historic vote for Harris.

Harris officially became the Democratic Partys nominee on Friday, earning enough votes in a virtual roll call. After President Biden suspended his campaign, Democrats have coalesced around Harris, breaking donation records and supporting her historic bid for the presidency.

The Hill has reached out to the Carter Center for comment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jimmy Carter Told Son Why He Wants to Live Past 100: 'I'm Only Trying to Make It to Vote for Kamala Harris'

Carter, whose 100th birthday is on Oct. 1, has been "more alert and interested in politics" in recent days, his family told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty; Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Former President Jimmy Carter said that he will cast his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris if he lives until Election Day

Jimmy Carter is less than two months out from his 100th birthday on Oct. 1, but loved ones say his sights are set on reaching a different milestone: voting Kamala Harris for president.

Jimmy has been in hospice care for a year and a half, and though his condition has not dramatically changed since February 2023, his grandson Jason Carter told Southern Living in June that the family's 99-year-old patriarch was "no longer awake every day."

Two months later, however, Jason is sharing a more optimistic health update about the 39th U.S. president.

Related: Jimmy Carter, 99, Is No Longer Awake Every Day, Grandson Says: 'He's Experiencing the World as Best He Can'

While promoting an upcoming tribute concert for his grandfather's birthday, Jason told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Jimmy has been "more alert and interested in politics and the war in Gaza" in recent days.

Jason previously said that his grandfather has good days and bad days, and that it is often hard to predict what state he will be in when family stops in for visits.

ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty; Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Former President Jimmy Carter said that he will cast his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris if he lives until Election Day

When Jimmy's son Chip Carter asked him this week whether he wants to live to see his 100th birthday, the former president responded, "I'm only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris," according to Jason.



Related: Kamala Harris Makes History as She Wins Democratic Presidential Nomination in Virtual Roll Call Vote

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images James "Chip" Carter kisses his father, Jimmy Carter, on the head at Rosalynn Carter's tribute service on Nov. 28, 2023

Though the 2024 presidential election is still three months away, the former president wouldn't have to wait until Nov. 5 to cast his ballot. Early voting in Georgia begins on Oct. 15, and absentee ballots are sent out up to 29 days before the election.

Georgia does not have any laws barring a ballot from being counted if someone dies between the early voting period and Election Day.

Related: Kamala Harris Responds to Donald Trump Saying She 'Turned Black': 'The American People Deserve Better'

Jimmy, a Democrat who served in the White House from 1977 to 1981, has earned bipartisan praise for his post-presidency humanitarian work. For a while, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient stayed quieter than other former presidents about politics, but he grew more vocal under the presidency of Donald Trump.

"I think its well-known that the incumbent [President Trump] is very careless with the truth," Jimmy told CBS News in a 2018 interview, adding: "I think I went through my campaign and my presidency without ever lying to the people or making a deliberately false statement, and I think that would be a very worthwhile thing to reinsert into politics these days."

I think hes a disaster  In human rights and in treating people equal, the former president said in a separate Washington Post interview around the same time, before his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, jumped in. The worst is that he is not telling the truth, and that just hurts everything, she said.

Related: Jimmy Carter Says Another 4 Years of a Donald Trump Presidency Would Be a 'Disaster'

When Trump was voted out of office in the 2020 election, Jimmy expressed optimism for the Biden-Harris administration.

"Rosalynn joins me in congratulating our friends President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris," he said in a statement. "We are proud of their well-run campaign and look forward to seeing the positive change they bring to our nation."

Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Ga., on July 30, 2024

Georgia will play a significant role in the 2024 presidential election between Harris and Trump, as a swing state with 16 Electoral College votes. In 2020, Biden and Harris won Georgia by just 11,779 votes, or 0.23%.

Jimmy is deeply embedded in the state's politics as its former governor. He built his political career around seeking equality for all Americans at a time when segregationist and sexist attitudes dominated his rural Georgia community.

In his 1971 gubernatorial inauguration speech, he said that "the time for racial discrimination is over" and asserted that Black people should never "have to bear the additional burden" of being deprived equal opportunity. He has also routinely stood up for gender equality, supporting the Equal Rights Amendment and walking away from the Southern Baptist Church in 2000 when they declared that women cannot serve as pastors.

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As president, Jimmy nominated the first Black woman to the U.S. Cabinet, and he has since lived to see the first Black woman elected to Senate, the first Black female Supreme Court justice and the first Black female vice president.

His unforeseen longevity in hospice care allowed him to see the first Black woman nominated for president by a major party on Friday, Aug. 2.

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John Chapman sentenced to life in prison for murdering Bethel Park woman Jaime Feden in 2019

John Chapman was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for kidnapping Jaime Feden, driving her to Nevada and killing her in the desert.

>> Timeline of Bethel Park womans disappearance, mans alleged confession of her murder

Chapman was found guilty of Fedens murder in April 2024 after an eight-day trial.

Channel 11s Amy Hudak was the only Pittsburgh television reporter to attend Chapmans trial. We were in court as a motive, smoking gun and the defense were revealed.

Chapman and Feden knew each other for about 10 years and their relationship was very on-again, off-again.

>> Ex-wife of man suspected of murdering Bethel Park woman in 2019 speaks out

Photos on Chapmans cell phone showed Feden zip-tied to a signpost in the Nevada desert with duct tape covering her mouth and nose, where she was left to die.

Officers found her body days later.

The defense argued that Feden consented to be tied up and duct taped when she was intimate with Chapman and thats what the two were doing in the desert when she died.

The defendant violated the victims trust by luring her away from her family and friends in Pennsylvania and out into the Nevada desert where he viciously killed her, said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. This sentence should send a clear message to others that kidnapping and killing another person will result in a substantial prison sentence. Thank you to our federal and local law enforcement partners for their hard work in bringing justice for the victims family.

Chapman still faces trial at the state level. Hes charged with murder of a vulnerable person in Nevada.

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Josh Shapiro U-Turns Over Old Story He Was Israeli Army Volunteer

Josh Shapiro abandoned a 31-year-old claim that he volunteered for the Israeli military shortly after it resurfaced Friday.

The Pennsylvania governor, who is the favorite to be named Kamala Harris running mate as early as this weekend, wrote a newspaper column as a student in 1993 in which he made the claim about helping the Israel Defense Forces.

In the article, entitled Peace Not Possible, a 20-year-old Shapiro wrote about the Palestine Liberation Organizations agreement with Israel at the Oslo accords: Despite my skepticism as a Jew and a past volunteer in the Israeli army, I strongly hope and pray that this peace plan will be successful.

At the end of the article, his short bio states that he spent five months studying in Israel and volunteered in the Israeli army.

The op-ed was dug up by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Fridayand Shapiro quickly disavowed the claim.

The comment drew interest from the Jewish National Syndicate on Friday, which pressed Manuel Bonder, a Shapiro spokesperson, for clarification on the extent and nature of his (Shapiros) service in Israel.

While he was in high school, Josh Shapiro was required to do a service project, which he and several classmates completed through a program that took them to a kibbutz in Israel where he worked on a farm and at a fishery, Bonder told the outlet, and later confirmed with The Daily Beast.

The program also included volunteering on service projects on an Israeli army base. At no time was he engaged in any military activities, Bonder added.

The comments come after Shapiro canceled his gubernatorial campaign fundraisers this weekend, with Vice President Kamala Harris expected to announce her VP pick in Philadelphia next Tuesday. A group of Pennsylvania lawmakers came out in support of Shapiro as VP on Friday.

Bonder added that Shapiro has also disavowed his other comments in the student op-ed, including one sentence where he says Palestinians are too battle-minded to be able to establish a peaceful homeland of their own.

Governor Shapiro has built close, meaningful, informative relationships with many Muslim-American, Arab-American, Palestinian Christian and Jewish community leaders all across Pennsylvania, Bonder told JNS.

Shapiro added in a press conference on Friday that he was 20, adding I have said for years, years before Oct. 7, that I favor a two-state solutionIsraelis and Palestinians living peacefully side-by-side, being able to determine their own futures and their own destiny.

Bonder had no further comment for The Daily Beast.

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This Judge Claims He Accidentally Killed His Wife. Prosecutors Say It Was Murder: What Did Their Son See?

Jeffrey Ferguson made a gun-hand gesture at his wife, Sheryl, while they sat at a restaurant. Within hours, she was dead

Sheryl Ferguson Facebook Jeffrey and Sheryl Ferguson

As families go, the Fergusons of Anaheim Hills, Calif., seemed closer than most.

Jeffrey Ferguson, an Orange County superior court judge, and his wife, Sheryl, a homemaker, doted on their adult son Phillip, a university student in Dallas, where his parents bought him a home and planned to retire so that they could spend more time with him in the future.

Family friend Early Hawkins ran into the trio at a bar association social event last summer. I gave Sheryl a hug, Hawkins recalls, and he teased Phillip about the photos of gourmet meals he had cooked that Sheryl proudly posted on Facebook. They seemed like a happy family, says Hawkins. They seemed fine  very fine.

But all was not well. On Aug. 3, 2023, Anaheim police arriving at the Ferguson residence after Phillip, 23, called 911 found Sheryl, 65, lying face up and bleeding from a gunshot wound to the torso; she was pronounced dead at the home. A Glock .40 caliber handgun and an overturned leather chair with a bullet hole and traces of blood were beside her.

According to authorities, Phillip told police that he and his parents were at a nearby Mexican restaurant  where Jeffreys attorney acknowledges he enjoyed some drinks  and they got into a heated argument over finances, and Jeffrey, 73, pointed his finger at his wife in a manner imitating a gun.

Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP Police investigating the shooting at the Ferguson home

After returning home and watching Breaking Bad on the living room TV, the couple rekindled their argument, prosecutors claim. According to court testimony, Sheryl said to her husband, Why dont you point a real gun at me? and Jeffrey pulled a gun out of an ankle holster he was wearing and fatally shot his wife. Soon after, the judge allegedly told his son to call 911 and sent a text message to his court clerk and a bailiff: I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I wont be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. Im so sorry.

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Jeffrey was charged with one felony count of murder and one felony enhancement of personal use of a firearm and one felony enhancement of discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death on Aug. 11. He pleaded not guilty and, through his lawyer, maintains the shooting was unintentional. Its not a murder, says defense attorney Ed Welbourn. Its a terrible accident that resulted in the death of the love of his life.

For more on the death of Sheryl Ferguson, subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday.

Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images nvestigators load boxes of ammunition they removed from the home of Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson

With a common background in criminal justice, Jeffrey, a prosecutor who specialized in narcotics cases before he was elected to a judgeship in 2014, and Sheryl, who once worked with the Santa Barbara and Orange County probation departments, shared many interests. Both were active in local Republican politics and kept a large collection of legally owned firearms. He and his wife both smiled a lot, says friend Linda Whitaker, who saw them at Flag Day events and Lincoln Club dinners. They made you feel like you were in their home.

There were no smiles, however, on the night the family dined at an El Cholo restaurant last summer and began to bicker about money. Sheryl stormed out of the eatery after her husband made the gun gesture, according to prosecutors, and back at home Jeffrey  who had carried a gun since receiving death threats as a prosecutor more than a decade ago  allegedly pulled a weapon from its holster. But his lawyer says Jeffrey never intended to discharge the weapon  a tragedy, he says.

Phillip Ferguson with dad Jeffrey; Phillip Ferguson with mom Sheryl

Police say Phillip told them he saw his dad pointing a handgun at his mom  and then a flash. But Jeffreys defense says Phillip recalled only seeing the flash, nothing before. He then pinned his father to get the firearm before performing CPR on his mom, later telling authorities he thought Jeffrey fired by accident.

As Jeffrey, who is free on a $1 million bond, awaits trial, those who know the Fergusons are mourning Sheryl and praying for strength for her grieving son Phillip. My only hope is for healing, says Jacqueline Goodman. There never was a mother who loved a child more than Sheryl loved Phillip, and I hope that gift sustains him.

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SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  The judge in the Alec Baldwin case has submitted her final written order on her decision to dismiss his charge offering a deeper explanation of her ruling. Baldwin was on trial for involuntary manslaughter last month for his role in the 2021 shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico film set.

The Fallout From Alec Baldwins Botched Criminal Trial

But as Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer detailed in an order filed this week, Baldwins defense team claimed prosecutors withheld evidence. They said they were denied access to bullets that were turned into investigators after the trial of armorer Hannah Gutierrez.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued the bullets were not the same as the one that killed Hutchins, were logged separately, and had no evidentiary value to either the Gutierrez or Baldwin case.

Judge Marlowe Sommer disagreed and said the defense should have had access to those bullets and called discovery violations egregious.The judge also said Morrissey elicited false testimony from a crime scene technician.

The judge also pointed out instances of late disclosures from prosecutors leading up to the trial. In her order, Judge Marlowe Sommer said dismissal with prejudice was an extraordinary but appropriate sanction. She added, The states discovery violations injected a needless, incurable delay into the jury trial.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Cut-outs of Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump are placed at a stall of a street vendor in Atlanta

(Reuters) -U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan scheduled a pretrial meeting on Aug. 16 in the U.S. criminal case accusing Donald Trump of illegally trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat, a court document showed on Saturday.

Chutkan's order comes a day after she regained jurisdiction in the case which had been on pause for nearly eight months to allow for Trump to get his presidential immunity claim adjudicated.

She is expected to decide in the coming weeks which aspects of the indictment obtained by Special Counsel Jack Smith must be tossed out after the Supreme Court ruled that former presidents are entitled to broad immunity for official actions taken while in office.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts accusing him of a multi-part conspiracy to subvert his 2020 election loss.

In a court document on Saturday, Chutkan said Trump will not be required to appear in court for the status conference on Aug. 16. All parties were asked to propose a schedule for pretrial proceedings by Aug. 9.

Trump's lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

Chutkan also denied two of Trump's motions to dismiss the charges against him, one on the basis of statutory grounds and one on the basis of vindictive and selective prosecution.

Trump may file a renewed motion after all issues of immunity have been resolved, she said.

The Supreme Court's decision to take up the immunity claim case, which it heard on its last day of arguments in April and ruled on July 1, made it all but impossible for the criminal case to go to trial before the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election.

Chutkan has previously promised to give Trump about 90 days to prepare for trial once the case returns to her courtroom, with a trial expected to last six to eight weeks.

Trump, the first former U.S. president to be criminally prosecuted, is the Republican nominee for president. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday secured the delegate votes needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; additional reporting by Makini Brice in Washington; Editing by Diane Craft and Matthew Lewis)
WASHINGTON (AP)  The federal judge presiding over the election subversion case against former President Donald Trump rejected Saturday a defense effort to dismiss the indictment on claims that he was prosecuted for vindictive and political purposes.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan is the first substantive order since the case was returned to her Friday following a landmark Supreme Court opinion last month that conferred broad immunity for former presidents and narrowed special counsel Jack Smith's case against Trump.

In their motion to dismiss the indictment, defense lawyers argued that Trump was mistreated because he was prosecuted even though others who have challenged election results have avoided criminal charges. Trump, the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential race, also suggested that President Joe Biden and the Justice Department launched a prosecution to prevent him from winning reelection.

But Chutkan rejected both arguments, saying Trump was not charged simply for challenging election results but instead for knowingly making false statements in furtherance of criminal conspiracies and for obstruction of election certification proceedings. She also said that his lawyers had misread news media articles that they had cited in arguing that the prosecution was political in nature.

After reviewing Defendants evidence and arguments, the court cannot conclude that he has carried his burden to establish either actual vindictiveness or the presumption of it, and so finds no basis for dismissing this case on those grounds, Chutkan wrote in her order.

Also Saturday, she scheduled an Aug. 16 status conference to discuss next steps in the case.

The four-count indictment, brought in August 2023, accuses Trump of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Biden through a variety of schemes, including by badgering his vice president, Mike Pence, to block the formal certification of electoral votes.

Trump's lawyers argued that he was immune from prosecution as a former president, and the case has been on hold since December as his appeal worked its way through the courts.

The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 opinion, held that presidents enjoy absolute immunity for core constitutional duties and are presumptively immune from prosecution for all other official acts. The justices sent the case back to Chutkan to determine which acts alleged in the indictment can remain part of the prosecution and which must be discarded.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The body of a BASE jumper who died Thursday morning at the Grand Canyon was recovered Friday morning, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

The male, who was not identified in information released Friday by NPS, was found 500 feet below the canyon rim, along with a deployed parachute. He had attempted the jump from Yavapai Point on the South Rim.

BASE jumping, a high-risk activity involving parachuting from fixed objects, is prohibited in all areas of Grand Canyon National Park, according to an NPS news release.

The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center was notified of the incident on Thursday at about 7:30 a.m.

A helicopter brought the body out of the canyon on Friday and it was turned over to the Coconino County Medical Examiners Office. The victims name is being withheld pending positive identification.

An investigation into the incident is underway.

On Wednesday, a 20-year-old North Carolina man was killed in a 400-foot fall at the canyon.

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GRAND CANYON, Arizona (ABC4)  A BASE jumper was killed at Grand Canyon on Thursday, according to the National Park Service.

At around 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 1, authorities received a report of a visitor who had attempted a BASE jump from Yavapai Point on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Park rangers responded to the area and found the body of a deceased male. The victim was found around 500 feet below the rim, along with a deployed parachute.

Smith Entertainment Group completes purchase of Sandy mall, whats next?

Courtesy of National Park Service

Recovery teams were able to reach the individual Friday morning, and his body was taken to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiners Office.

The National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiners Office are conducting an investigation into the incident at this time. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification of the body.

BASE jumping  a high-risk activity involving parachuting from fixed objects  is reportedly illegal in all areas of Grand Canyon National Park.

No further information is available at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Jurors were unable to reach a verdict in the murder trial of a man who claimed self-defense after killing a woman he had been having an affair with at a Pflugerville apartment complex in May 2020.

The jury was declared deadlocked late Friday afternoon after beginning deliberations Thursday morning in the trial of Kendric James Knatte, who shot and killed Frankia Mathurin, 32, on May 26, 2020. Police arrested Knatte in Dallas the day after the killing.

Knatte, 34, maintained that he had acted in self-defense, as Mathurin had a gun and had been sending threatening text messages in the hours leading up to the killing.

While Knatte was not found guilty of murder, the jury did find him guilty of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony that carries with it a chance of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Opening arguments began on Tuesday in the Travis County Auxiliary Court, with Judge Brenda Kennedy presiding over the case.

When officers arrested Knatte in Dallas, he had hidden the firearm used to kill Mathurin and the magazine in various places around the apartment. Police also discovered that he had taken the gun Mathurin brought with her and hidden that one as well.

Knatte's defense attorney, Geoffrey Puryear of the Cofer and Connelly law offices, told jurors in his closing arguments that the case wasn't a "whodunit," as the facts pointed to Knatte "intentionally" killing Mathurin. Puryear said the jury had to decide if Knatte was justified in killing her  which he said the evidence "overwhelmingly" proved.

Knatte and Mathurin had previously been involved in an affair. Mathurin showed up at Knatte's apartment while his wife was home after she sent a string of threatening text messages throughout the day, including one that said "prison or death here we come."

That was the last text sent before Mathurin died. Puryear added that Knatte had interpreted it to mean she would kill him or he'd have to kill her. Knatte knew she had a gun, as she had sent him a picture days earlier of her sleeping next to his firearm. It's unclear how or why she had his gun.

Charging documents filed at the time of Knatte's arrest said that he and Mathurin had been arguing via text messages throughout the day.

Puryear said Mathurin was a convicted felon and had methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in her system when she died, and that a meth pipe was found in her vehicle.

Prosecuting attorney Erika Hansen said in her closing arguments that Knatte did not have to unlock and open the door and then shoot her after he found out she was at his apartment. She said that by going outside, he was "engaging" Mathurin, which would not be self-defense. Knatte's attorneys disagreed, with Puryear stating that Knatte had reason to protect himself and his wife.

Mathurin was killed in the breezeway outside of Knatte's apartment after being struck by four bullets. Knatte told investigators he stopped shooting after he saw the gun fall from her hand.

Hansen argued that Knatte was scared about his wife finding out and that rather than engaging with Mathurin, he should have called 911 and told his wife what was happening.

Hansen also pointed to responses by Knatte to Mathurin such as, "Come on, bring it," during their argument to indicate that the killing wasn't self-defense.

With a hung jury, the Travis County district attorney's office could decide to retry Knatte's case. It was unclear as of Friday afternoon whether that will happen.

Knatte will be sentenced on Monday for the tampering with evidence charge in the Travis County Auxiliary Court.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Jury deadlocked in murder trial of 2020 Pflugerville killing
WASHINGTON  Vice President Kamala Harris is set to interview her running-mate finalists over the weekend as she nears a decision amid a rapid two-week process to finalize the Democratic ticket to take on Republican nominee Donald Trump.

A source familiar with the process confirmed that Harris will interview finalists among a group of six contenders who have been in the mix: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Each have been vetted by the campaign.

Harris, who officially became the Democratic presidential nominee by virtual roll-call on Friday, is scheduled to remain in Washington over the weekend.

It was not clear how many of the final candidates Harris intends to interview. The Washington Post first reported on Harris' weekend interviews.

Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris boards Air Force Two as she departs for Houston, Texas, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on July 31, 2024.

A decision on Harris' vice presidential nominee will come no later than Tuesday, when Harris goes to Philadelphia to hold a campaign rally with her pick to kick off a multi-state battleground blitz.

Launching the tour in Philadelphia raised immediate speculation about the selection being the 51-year-old Shapiro, a second-year governor from Pennsylvania and former state attorney general. Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes are critical to Harris' path to victory.

The Harris campaign cautioned against drawing any connection. But more buzz about Shapiro ignited Friday when Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, a Democrat and Harris supporter, released a hype video that played up a Harris-Shapiro ticket.

"Kamala Harris for president and Josh Shapiro for vice president," Parker says in the video, which was paid for by the mayor's campaign committee.

A Harris aide would not comment on the video.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris on July 29, 2024 in Ambler, Pennsylvania.

Since announcing her bid for president, Harris has been riding a wave of momentum  energizing Democrats, improving upon Biden's poor polling and bringing a mountain of campaign cash.

The Harris campaign announced Friday it raised $310 million in July, including $200 million in the first week of Harris' candidacy after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid July 21. The Harris' campaign's July haul was twice the $139 million raised by Trump the same month. The Harris campaign reported having $377 million in the bank still to spend, topping the Trump campaign's $327 million cash on hand.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harris to interview final VP contenders this weekend as decision nears
Kamala Harris was less than 20ft from pipe bomb during Jan 6 attack, new Homeland Security report reveals

Vice President Kamala Harris was less than 20 feet from a viable pipe bomb on January 6, according to a new report from Homeland Securitys internal watchdog.

The Office of the Inspector General released its report on Friday detailing the Secret Services preparation for, and response to, the events of January 6, 2021. Five people died and hundreds were injured in the Capitol assault, where rioters aimed to prevent the certification of the election for President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Among the shocking revelations was that Harris, then vice president-elect, was within close range to a viable pipe bomb that Secret Security had missed in a security sweep.

The pipe bomb had been placed near the [Democratic National Committee] building the night before, the report states, but Secret Service personnel did not identify it during their security sweep on the morning of January 6.

Harris, traveling in an armored vehicle with her motorcade, entered the building via a ramp within 20 feet of the pipe bomb, the report said. The DNC building is half a mile south of the Capitol building.

Graphic showing the pipe bombs proximity to where Kamala Harris entered the DNC building on January 6, 2021 (Department of Homeland Security)

Harris was in the DNC building for approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes before the pipe bomb was discovered and she was evacuated, according to the report.

The pipe bomb was found in the bushes near a bench outside the building, 20ft from the driveway to the garage entrance where Harris entered the building. The explosive was found in an area that was not included in advance security sweeps.

Two Capitol Police officers discovered the explosive device at the DNC building, not Secret Service, which did not employ all of its explosive detection tactics and measures for the security sweep, and instead deployed its canine teams at the building that day, the report said.

The Capitol Police had already discovered another pipe bomb at the Republican National Committee building a few blocks away earlier that day.

The Secret Service miss occurred in part because it did not have adequate policies and procedures for requesting these capabilities for elect protectees. The agency now has a policy to include this group.

Kamala Harris pictured boarding Air Force 2 on July 27. A new report from the Inspector General has revealed that she was within 20 feet of a pipe bomb during the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol (AP)

Ahead of Jan 6, the Secret Service prepared two threat assessment, neither of which conveyed a high potential for violence, the inspector general wrote. The agency did not anticipate or plan for the level of violence that ultimately occurred, the report added.

Law enforcement is still looking for the person who planted the pipe bomb. The FBI is offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to the suspects arrest and conviction.

Although these bombs did not detonate, it is important to remember the suspect walked along residential and commercial areas in Capitol Hill just blocks from the US Capitol with viable pipe bombs that could have seriously injured or killed innocent bystanders. Moreover, the suspect may still pose a danger to the public or themselves, the agency said.

The report also revealed an array of tactical gear and weapons was confiscated by Secret Service, including gas masks, a taser, a ballistic vest, a concealed knife belt, and a motorcycle suit. A Secret Service officer told the inspector generals office that it was the first time in his 12-year career that he had confiscated a motorcycle suit. In total, agents seized 605 prohibited items.

The report about the Secret Services actions on Jan 6 was released as the agency is being pressed about its handling of the assassination attempt of Donald Trump at his July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Photo indicates how close the pipe bomb was to where Kamala Harris entered the DNC building on January 6 (Dept of Homeland Security)

Congressional panels have grilled the Secret Services top officials over how a 20-year-old gunman was able to open fire from a rooftop at the outdoor venue. Trump was shot in the ear while one spectator died and two others were critically injured.

Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after her testimony before the House Oversight Comittee last month, admitting that the shooting was the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.

Ronald Rowe has since taken over as acting director of the Secret Service. During his testimony this week, Rowe called the incident a failure on multiple levels.

Rowe testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday that he had visited the rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, something his predecessor had not done.

I laid in a prone position to evaluate his line of sight. What I saw made me ashamed. As a career law enforcement officer, and a 25-year veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured, Rowe said in his opening statement.
The News

US Vice President Kamala Harris officially became the Democratic Partys presidential nominee Friday. The Democratic National Committee said Harris has secured enough votes from delegates to secure the nomination. She is the first Black woman and person of South Asian heritage to be at the top of a major partys ticket.

Her speedy nomination, barely two weeks after US President Joe Biden quit the race, reflects the growing momentum around her campaign: She raised a record-breaking $310 million funds in July, more than double of what her Republican rival Donald Trump raised.

Its not going to be easy. But were going to get this done, she said in a call with supporters Friday. As your future president, I know we are up to this fight.

Harris is expected to announce her vice presidential pick early next week.
Does Vice President Kamala Harris support religious freedom for all?

The answer depends on how you define religious freedom  and which Americans youre most worried about.

To some, she seems unwilling to address the concerns of theologically conservative believers and quick to abandon religious freedom when it interferes with her other values, such as abortion access or LGBTQ rights.

To others, Harris appears well-positioned to try to strike a balance between religious freedom and other civil rights.

These views are shaped not only by Harris campaign speeches and political record, but also by an ongoing battle between conservatives and liberals over religions place in American life.

While Harris wont be able to resolve that battle by Election Day, religion experts from different faith groups and political parties are hopeful that, by speaking about her unique religious background, Harris will help voters see the value of religious freedom in a new way.

I dont think weve ever before had a candidate who has navigated various religious spaces and celebrated those various spaces in such an intimate way as the vice president, said the Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president of Interfaith Alliance.

Kamala Harris and religion

As the Rev. Raushenbush noted, Harris has a deep familiarity with a variety of faiths.

Harris mother, Shyamala Gopalan, grew up in India and taught her about Hinduism. Her father, Donald Harris, connected her to Christianity, and she identifies as a Baptist today.

Harris husband, Douglas Emhoff, is Jewish, and has led efforts to combat antisemitism during his time as second gentleman.

Harris boss, President Joe Biden, is Catholic, and speaks regularly about his faith.

Vice President Kamala Harris, right, and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff wave from Air Force Two at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Del., on Monday, July 22, 2024, after visiting her campaign headquarters. | Erin Schaff

All of these connections help Harris put a spotlight on and celebrate religious diversity at a time when some Americans are growing increasingly hostile to non-Christian religions, said Nathan Finn, senior fellow on religious liberty with the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

There are socially conservative believers who can be wrong-headed about religious liberty, he said. Maybe they think its OK to have a state church or maybe there are particular religious beliefs that they think are so wrong people shouldnt have the freedom to believe it.

Its a unique moment in American history, and Harris is a unique candidate, Finn added.

She represents a religious pluralism that ought to be amenable to religious freedom, he said.

Harris past comments on religion

But supporting religious freedom is about more than supporting Americans right to believe whatever they want to believe.

It also involves supporting their efforts to live according to those beliefs in the public square, and its on this measure that Harris falls short for some religious voters, Finn said.

I think it would be fair to say that many religious conservatives find Kamala Harris beliefs about religious freedom troubling, he said.

Finn clarified that this discomfort doesnt just stem from her support for abortion access or from what she believes about gender and sexuality, which can fuel faith-related legal conflicts.

She believes what youd expert her to believe as a political progressive about those issues. There are no surprises there, he said.

But there are surprises, at least according to Finn and some of the religious conservatives in his personal and professional circles, in Harris past comments and policy moves related to religious individuals and organizations.

She has been an unusually vocal proponent of the sort of legislation that causes those who are committed to religious freedom for all to be nervous and to think that she might not be as committed to that constitutional principle as Im sure she would say she is, Finn said.

For example, as a senator, Harris sponsored the Do No Harm Act, a bill that would limit the application of federal religious freedom protections. She argued that the bill was necessary in order to prevent people from using those protections as a license to discriminate.

That First Amendment guarantee (of religious freedom) should never be used to undermine other Americans civil rights or subject them to discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, Harris said in a 2019 statement about the Do No Harm Act, per NBC News.

Sen. Kamala Harris waits for the program to start at the funeral service for the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Thursday, July 30, 2020. | Alyssa Pointer

Finn is among those who reject Harris characterization of the bill and instead believe its a threat to religious liberty. The Do No Harm Act would make it harder for many institutions to maintain their religious identity, wrote Michael Gerson in a column for The Washington Post in 2020 after Biden chose Harris as his running mate.

Gersons overall argument in that column was that Harris would exacerbate religious voters concerns about the Biden campaign instead of easing them. He noted that she had been accused in the past of applying a religious test to judicial nominees and of equating conservative faith groups with hate groups.

Finn echoed Gersons concerns in his interview with the Deseret News, arguing that Harris support for religious freedom weakens when it comes up against other socially progressive causes that she cares about.

At times, its seems to me that her convictions about socially progressive issues inform the way she thinks about religious liberty rather than her seeing religious liberty as a constitutional right that ought to be defended regardless of what somebody believes, he said.

Competing ideas about religious freedom

Although Finns views on Harris likely resonate with many voters, theyre not held by all people of faith.

Some religious people support Harris past work on religious freedom, including her sponsorship of the Do No Harm Act, the Rev. Raushenbush said.

They believe shes embraced a faith-based call to care for others, not a mission to drive religion from the public square.

Many of us working in religious freedom space feel strongly about its value but dont want religious freedom to be used to harm others, the Rev. Raushenbush said.

He added that the Do No Harm Act is a perfect example of how she has taken a stand on religious freedom in an appropriate, measured way.

Harris wont be able to bridge the gap between competing views of religious freedom over the new few months, and its still unclear if shell try.

What is clear is that Harris candidacy brings ongoing conflict over the true meaning of religious freedom into sharp relief.

Thats the question that needs to be answered in regards to any candidate  what are they talking about when theyre talking about religious freedom? the Rev. Raushenbush said.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The next time you start up your lawnmower, make sure you check underneath the deck  a Kansas City house cat nearly died earlier this week after seeking shelter underneath a mower in the triple-digit heat index.

Her owner had no idea she was under there, said Madison Brown with the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City.

She started it up and [the cat] got a huge cut down her side and had to get 15 stitches.

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Veterinarians with the Pet Resource Center patched her up and sent her home that night since they are an outpatient-only clinic. The animal is said to be doing well and will be back in the next few weeks for a post-op check-up.

This isnt the first pet versus lawnmower incident for the animal hospital. On Thursday, a woman rushed her young pit bull in after her neighbors had a lawn mowing service come out.

While they were working, the dog went after one of the mowers. Her leg caught one of the blades which mangled it badly. The dogs owner quickly wrapped the leg in a cast and brought her in for care. When veterinarians took the cast off, they knew the leg needed to be amputated immediately.

Madison Brown, who works as a marketing specialist with the Pet Resource Center, said they see cases like this all the time with this heat.

Animals get hot just like us, but they cant sweat like we do. So, they try to find somewhere cool and shady. That might be underneath a porch, car, or lawnmower.

Thursday night boil water advisory remains in effect in the Northland

Last month, she helped rescue two litters of kittens that were seeking shelter underneath yet another lawn mower. It took some coaxing, but Brown and others finally got them out. Theyve since been adopted through KC Pet Project.

So, what can you do to make sure this doesnt happen to your pet?

Always give your hood a couple pounds, said Brown.

Check underneath, just try to be vigilant before you turn the key on.

Not just in the summer months, but during the winter too. Brown explained that animals, particularly cats, will crawl inside the hood of a car to keep warm in the colder months. If you dont tap on the hood before leaving, things can turn bad fast, which one local man found out this past winter.

His owner was halfway to work when he heard the cat meowing. He pulled over, opened up the hood, and saw his cat with severe burns.

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All of the animals mentioned in this article are alive and well. Brown said they maybe see three to four lawnmower incidents a year, and when serious cases do come into the animal hospital, they never turn anyone away regardless of finances.

The Pet Resource Center of Kansas City relies on donations, which are used to cover the costs of some medical procedures and offer vaccinations at a discounted rate. If they cant cover the total cost of a procedure, workers will set you up on a payment plan that works with your financial situation.

When you donate to us, your donation is going directly to a pet who truly needs it. We ask you to please open your heart and donate to us.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Kansas City police are searching for a missing teen who they said may be endangered.

Nicholas Leonardo, 14, who is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 115 pounds, was last seen around 11 a.m. Friday in the area of 40th and Myrtle. According to Kansas City police, he was wearing khaki pants and no shirt.

KCPD suspects Leonardo to be injured and in need of immediate medical attention.

They are urging anyone who has any information to contact the KCPD Juvenile Unit at 816-234-5150, or call 911.
Republican strategist Karl Rove brought out his famous whiteboard on Friday to demonstrate how Vice President Harris could get the momentum to leave her in the lead of the presidential race at the end of the Democratic convention.

Five polls have been held since the 26 of July. He leads in only two. She leads in three, Rove said on Fox News. So I fully expect that the momentum she has is going to, is going to carry her through, unless its a disastrous vice presidential choice. This momentum is going to leave her in the lead at the end of the Democratic convention.

Rove also pointed out the decrease in former President Trumps support in the national Real Clear Politics polling average over the last month. Before the June debate between Trump and President Biden, Trump had a 3-point lead. On Friday, that lead had decreased to close to 0.8 points against Harris.

Earlier in the week, Rove also pointed out that Trumps polls come on the heels of the Republican convention.

If you take those, those nine polls, it is Trump by 0.88. Thats basically nine-tenths of 1 percent. And thats after he gets the bump coming out of the convention that really showed a unity for the Republican ticket in the Republican Party, he said on Fox earlier in the week.

And so this is going to be a barn burner, and its very much up for grabs, and the next two or three weeks are going to be critical for both camps, he added.

The Hill and Decision Desk HQ polling average shows Trump has a 1.1 percentage point lead against Harris. This decreases from a 2.7 point lead on July 21, the day Biden stood down as Democratic nominee.

Harris has steadily chipped away at Trumps momentum since Biden dropped out of the race and Harris emerged as the Democrats likely new nominee.

Early polls have shown good news for the Harris campaign and Democrats. Some national polls show a close race between Harris and Trump. Harris leads by 2 points in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, while Trump has a 1-point lead over the vice president in a separate poll by The New York Times/Siena College.

According to CNBC, Harris has also raised $310 million in the last month, compared to Trumps $138.7 million.

On Monday, Rove told Fox News that he believes Trump is in a subordinate position compared to Harris since she became the nominee.

He is clearly in a subordinate role here. He feels uncomfortable with it, I suspect, and he likes being the guy whos setting the tempo of the campaign. And thats not happening, he said.

Rove called on Trump to find the right campaign messaging against Harris.

He has difficulties too. And hes got [to] frame Harris. Hes got to find the right message to go after her because  weve got 101 days as of today, then hes got to get back in control of the dialogue, he said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Its been roughly one year since the Kansas Bureau of Investigation launched its K-9 task force to combat fentanyl in Kansas.

There are five dogs in the task force. Four drug-detecting dogs and one electronic device-detecting dog. KBI Director Tony Mattivi spoke to KSN and said the dogs have been a big help.

The dogs are a very effective tool for us, Mattivi said. Theyre allowing us to intercept more of these drugs and arrest more drug traffickers, theres no doubt about that.

Still, Mattivi said, even though the task force is going well, theres still a lot of work to do to fight fentanyl in Kansas.

In spite of all our enforcement efforts, fentanyl continues to be an absolute epidemic here in the state, Mattivi said. We are seeing young people die in Kansas every single day because of fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl overdose deaths are now the leading cause of death for Americans under 40 years old.

Last year, Mattivi said the number of fentanyl submissions to the KBI lab was up 900% between 2020 and 2022, and unfortunately, theyre not seeing that increase taper off.

Unfortunately, were not seeing that trajectory level off, Mattivi said. We arent even starting to see it taper off. Were still seeing an exponential increase in the number of fentanyl submissions to our lab.

WFD firefighter who died in the line of duty Thursday identified as Ty Voth

Mattivi said the agents have devoted 2,037 hours to training since September 2023. Four of those five dogs have been trained to detect methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl (pills and powder) and marijuana.

Those dogs have been deployed on detection assignments 234 times and have had 103 seizures that led to 11 arrests from those deployments.

Additionally, the dogs have helped seize almost $30,000 in currency, over 15 pounds of fentanyl, 23,000 fentanyl pills, more than 60 grams of heroin, more than 67 pounds of meth, more than 76 pounds of marijuana, 74 and a half pounds of THC edibles, over five pounds of cocaine, more than seven pounds of mushrooms, over 15,000 THC vape cartridges, and 11 firearms.

Mattivi said that in addition to the detection deployments, they also have patrol deployments. The dogs have been on 34 of those, and they have led to nine arrests.

On top of drugs, one of the dogs is specifically trained to detect electronic devices that could contain child sexual abuse material. That dog, named Count, has been in service since November.

Count has been deployed 16 times and primarily looks for CSAM hidden on electronic devices like cell phones, thumb drives, iPads or computers. He has helped locate between 20 and 25 devices, in some cases finding devices that agents werent able to find.

The dogs are deployed throughout Kansas, and Mattivi said they are a great resource for our state.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Is KC church deacon the same man accused of sex abuse in St. Louis? Officials wont say

Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com.

Parishioners of a Kansas City Catholic church are concerned that one of their deacons may be accused of sexually abusing a teenager, and are calling on the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph to publicly address the allegations.

But the diocese hasnt yet confirmed whether its the same man.

A lawsuit filed in St. Louis County July 24 names Ralph Wehner as a member of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and accuses him of sexually abusing a teen for three years in the 1980s. A deacon at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Kansas City is also named Ralph Wehner, with a biography on the staff page saying he originally hails from St. Louis.

Brother Ralph Wehner sexually abused (victim) between approximately 1982 to 1984, when (the victim) was 13 to 15 years old. The abuse occurred on at least three occasions, the suit reads.

As of Friday morning, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph had not confirmed if the Wehner named in the case is the same man employed in Kansas City. Our Lady of Good Counsels website says Wehner came to the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in 2009.

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph takes seriously any accusation of sexual abuse made against clergy, employees or volunteers serving our diocese, the diocesan office of communications said in an email to The Star. We are reviewing the details of the lawsuit against the Archdiocese of St. Louis to determine any connection to individuals serving in our diocese.

In a phone call with a Star reporter Saturday, the Ralph Wehner who lives in Kansas City declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The Missouri chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) sent a letter to Bishop James Johnston Jr. Thursday detailing concerns from the organization and Kansas City Catholics.

David Clohessy, director of Missouri SNAP, set up in front of the diocese headquarters Thursday afternoon to spread awareness and push for transparency from the church.

We all deserve to know if the cleric accused of assaulting a boy in St. Louis is the same cleric who now works at a parish in Kansas City, Clohessy said.

If the man is the same one who is accused, Clohessy said he asks the church to suspend him and use its resources to inform the public about the accusations. If he is not the man accused, Clohessy said, the church should reassure and comfort concerned parishioners.

On Thursday, Clohessy brought sidewalk chalk and wrote the names of some Missouri priests who have been publicly accused of sexual abuse in front of the diocese headquarters. SNAP supporter Tom White sat nearby with a sign that read Help us expose predators.

Most of our discussion is about survivors of child abuse, but at the same time there are many adults who have been abused, White said.

Letter calls for transparency, protection

The letter SNAP sent to Johnston also mentions a second suit against other defendants who were formerly in the jurisdiction of Johnstons diocese. They were part of a breakaway Catholic group, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph previously told The Star that they have no oversight over the Society of St. Pius X.

The suit alleges former SSPX priest Fr. Pierre Duverger began counseling a couple, then began seeing the wife alone, and having a long-term inappropriate relationship with her. Other priests at SSPX allegedly knew about the misconduct but did not intervene, and with the approval or direction of SSPX, engaged in concealment in violation of Missouri laws, the suit alleges.

Duverger now resides in Florida, according to court documents. A second defendant in the SSPX case, Fr. Arnaud Rostand, is serving a sentence in a French prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing seven children.

Clohessy and White are urging Johnston to speak out against SSPX and the alleged misconduct by the former members of the clergy. SNAP also asked the bishop to quickly warn (church members) about SSPX in general.

In February 2019, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation announced it was looking into reports of sexual abuse by clergy in the states four Roman Catholic dioceses. The investigation later expanded to include SSPX.

Melissa Underwood, a spokeswoman for the KBI said in an email to the Star Thursday that the lengthy investigation remains ongoing. No other information about the investigation was available.

In May 2020, several people told The Star they contacted KBI to report sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior by SSPX clergy and subsequent coverup by leaders. Others said KBI investigators contacted them.

Victims stay silent for a lot of reasons but one reason is because we dont feel like our speaking out will make a difference, Clohessy said. But if a bishop openly invites people to give information that might prove or disprove this allegation, and says please come forward, it would make a huge difference.

The Stars Judy Thomas contributed.
CANEY, Kans.  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil order in Montgomery County.

The boil water advisory went into effect for the City of Caney on July 26th after a water line break caused a loss of pressure.

Laboratory testing showed no signs of bacterial contamination as a result of the break  and pressure has been restored to the system.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
In our Uniquely Kentucky stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you the quirky and cool, historic and infamous, beloved and unforgettable, and everything-in-between stories of what makes our commonwealth remarkable. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com.

Its been 75 years since a Kentuckian was the vice presidential nominee. Can Gov. Andy Beshear break the dry spell?

We should know sometime this weekend who Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will choose as her running mate. The Herald-Leader reported Beshear is one of six finalists going through final vetting sessions, including potential conversations with Harris, Friday and Saturday.

Its very likely well have a VP nominee by midday Sunday.

The last Kentuckian to fill the #2 spot on a presidential ticket was Alben Barkley, a Democrat from Graves County. He won the vice presidential nomination in 1948 alongside Democratic Harry Truman from Missouri.

Barkley was born in a log cabin and had an impoverished upbringing as the son of tobacco farmers.

He had limited primary education and worked as a janitor until returning to school at Marvin College in Clinton, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1897.

Barkley continued his education at the Emory University School of Law and passed the Kentucky Bar in 1901.

His political career kicked off in 1905 when he campaigned in McCracken County for the county prosecuting attorney post.

His career hit hyperdrive from there as he served four years as a McCracken County judge and was elected to Kentuckys 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In Congress, he passionately supported Woodrow Wilsons presidency.

He supported Wilsons New Freedom agenda that included tariff reform, abolishing child labor, and federal aid for improving rural roadways, and was a leader in efforts to establish Prohibition, the U.S. Senate website said.

Barkley unsuccessfully ran as the governor of Kentucky in 1923, but a few years later, he scored a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1926.

During his time in the Senate, Barkley worked on the committees on Banking and Currency, Finance, and Foreign Relations. This aided in securing a national reputation and his first attempt at a vice presidential nomination in 1928.

Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidential election in 1932 and swiftly formed ties with Barkley.

There was a lively debate for Senate leadership in 1937 after the majority leader died abruptly of a heart attack. Roosevelt added to the fire when he sent a letter to Barkley, which was addressed to My Dear Alben and referred to him as the acting majority leader.

Barkley ultimately served at the Senate majority leader and by 1944, Barkley had become the presidents man in the Senate.

After a political disagreement between Barkley and Roosevelt over tax increases to pay the cost of American involvement in World War II, they broke ties.

When the tax increase bill emerged from the Senate, it didnt fulfill the monetary increase the president requested, so it was vetoed.

In a dramatic turn of events, Barkley resigned as leader. My resignation will be tendered and my services terminated, he proclaimed, and then added, If the Congress . . . has any self-respect left, it will override the [presidents] veto, the U.S. Senate website said.

His resignation didnt stick as the Senate Democrats unanimously reelected him the next day.

Likely due to this gap in leadership, Barkley lost the vice presidential nomination again in 1944, but secured the position for the start of Trumans term in 1948.

He ran for the vice presidency again in 1952, but backed out of the race after criticism he was too old for the position. At 75, he returned to Kentucky where he was elected back to the Senate, aiding in the Democratic control of the Senate.

Barkleys career came to an end when he dropped dead after giving a speech at Lee University.

He hadnt intended to give a farewell address, but for an old-fashioned stump speaker like Barkley, there could have been no more fitting end to a long and illustrious political career, the Senate website said.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A Kern County nonprofit enterprise announced a relief fund in response to the devastating Borel Fire in the Kern River Valley.

On Aug. 2, the Kern Community Foundation set up a relief fund that is accepting donations from individuals, corporations and private foundations. The main goal of this relief fund is to directly help those who have been affected by the Borel Fire. All donations will go towards rebuilding in the area and infrastructure, according to organizers.

Kevin Harvick Foundation hosting junior golf tournament in Bakersfield

Organizers say they will work closely with nonprofit and government stakeholders to secure proper distribution of the funds.

To learn more about the Borel Fire Relief Fund, reach out to the Kern Community Foundation at 661-325-5346 or info@kernfoundation.org.

Donations can be made at kernfoundation.org/borel.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
A Kern County supervisor, under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting one of his children, has resigned.

The Thursday night announcement by Supervisor Zack Scrivner came while the California attorney general's office is reviewing a criminal case against Scrivner, who has avoided public appearances since the allegations were raised in April.

In a letter to Kern County Supervisor Chairman David Couch, Scrivner made no mention of the allegations or the looming criminal investigation. Instead, Scrivner said he was resigning due to "significant health and medical reasons."

His resignation was effective Friday.

"Serving the people of Kern County since 2011 has been the honor of my lifetime," read the letter, obtained by The Times.

Scrivner started his political career as a member of the Bakersfield City Council. He was elected to the county's board of supervisors in 2011, where he served as chairman in 2012, 2017 and 2022.

Read more: Riverside County sheriff's deputy arrested in reported sexual assault of department volunteer

But on April 25, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said deputies had been called to Scrivner's home that week after receiving a call that the county supervisor was armed and having, "some type of psychotic episode."

The call, Youngblood said, came from Kern County Dist. Atty. Cynthia Zimmer, who is also Scrivner's aunt.

When deputies arrived, Scrivner was found to have been stabbed twice by one of his children, allegedly protecting one of their siblings, Youngblood said during the news conference.

In their investigation, deputies heard allegations that Scrivner had sexually assaulted one of his underage children. All of Scrivner's four underage children were at the home at the time, but Youngblood declined to release the ages of the children, or which were involved in the incident.

Scrivner's wife, who had filed for divorce in March, was not at the home.

Read more: Fresno County man sentenced to 29 years for sexually assaulting children, dog

Scrivner's attorney, H.A. Sala, told KGET 17 at the time that the allegations were false and that Scrivner was undergoing a mental health crisis at the time. He said the stabbing occurred when one of his children tried to disarm him.

Sala did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

On Friday, the Kern County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a criminal case was submitted to the California attorney general's office.

A spokesperson for the attorney general's office said the case is still under review.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In this photo from early June, crews work to clear the last of the debris from the shipping channel under the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. Work has now shifted to replacement of the bridge, with the first contract proposals out and bids due this fall. File photo courtesy Maryland State Police Aviation Command.

In the months after the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, state and federal officials maintained a website that posted regular updates of the response to the catastrophe.

Now, state officials are directing the public to a new site: Key Bridge Rebuild.

Its a great website for everybody. We talk and we have information there for communities. We have information for industry. If you want us to come out and talk to your group, pop-up, flea market, you name it, well come, said Melissa Williams, director of planning and program development at the Maryland Transportation Authority, which administers toll facilities.

That shift reflects the larger movement away from the removal and reclamation operations that consumed the weeks and months after the collapse, and toward the fast-tracked rebuilding of the bridge. State and federal officials said that is proceeding at a steady pace.

The process took a big step forward last week when the Federal Highway Administration agreed to grant a categorical exclusion to environmental and other regulatory reviews, since the new bridge will follow the same footprint as the old one, with no new areas likely to be disturbed by construction.

We saw a major development recently, where the Biden administration essentially greenlighted going forward without a complete environmental review. Thats because the bridge will be essentially rebuilt along its current alignment, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). He and the MDTA say the exclusion has cut significant time from the projects timeline.

Still, Williams emphasized that there were no shortcuts taken in the process of evaluating the environmental impact of rebuilding the bridge.

Nothing was skipped. Everything was done. All of the environmental resources were fully analyzed, she said of the 143-page categorical exclusion.

But based on the fact that were not going outside of MDTA right of way, were building in the same spot, were building the same number of lanes, just bringing things up to state standards, the impacts were very minor, Williams said.

That was echoed by MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner, who said the exclusion just makes sense.

When you evaluate different alternatives, different locations, different types, its a long involved process. This was simply evaluating a replacement bridge, he said.

A replacement bridge, but with some differences. According to the MDTAs document, the new bridge will still be a toll facility that will follow the same path and still carry two lanes of traffic in each direction, although the shoulders will be wider.

But the bridge itself will be much higher  230 feet above the river at its highest point, compared to 185 feet before  and the piers supporting the center span will be 1,400 feet apart instead of 1,200, both to allow for the possibility of even larger cargo ships in the future. The bridge itself will be 2.4 miles long, compared to 1.7 miles before, to allow for the slope to the higher center point, and the bridges towers will go from 358 feet high before to as much as 550 feet above the water in the new version.

Final design has not been chosen, but in order for the bridge to accommodate the higher, longer center span, the state expects the new bridge will likely be a cable-stayed design as opposed the truss style of the old span.

The original bridge opened on March 23, 1977, and was destroyed in spectacular fashion almost exactly 47 years later, around 1:30 a.m. on March 26, 2024, when the container ship Dali lost power as it was leaving the Port of Baltimore and slammed into one of the bridges central piers. The center span collapsed in a matter of seconds, pinning the Dali and killing six of the eight construction workers who were on the bridge doing road work at the time.

The collapse severed an main truck route around Baltimore and stopped all ship traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore. State, federal and private crews scrambled for weeks to free the Dali, remove the debris and clear the river, finally fully reopening the shipping channel in and out of the port on June 11.

The next milestone on the project will be in August, when the bids are due on the first of three procurement requests the state is pursuing on the project.

Gartner said the first procurement will be a design-build contract, for a company to design and build the replacement bridge.

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The second procurement is for the general engineering consultant contract to oversee the design-build team, and the third is the construction management inspection contract, to oversee the cost estimation and construction inspection of the bridge.

Gartner said it is difficult to give exact timelines, but that the design-build contract would be awarded in the fall, with proposals due Aug. 19. He also mentioned that the general engineering consultant contract and the construction management inspection contract would be awarded next year between fall and winter.

Progressive design-builds gives us the flexibility to work with that team. An early package, for instance, might be this fall: a demo of the existing piers, Gartner said. So that would probably be the earliest work that people would see.

The next step could be the fight for federal funding. Van Hollen and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) have introduced a bill that calls on the federal government to fully fund the bridges replacement. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-7th) had introduced a companion bill in the House, but neither bill has moved out of committee yet.

Van Hollen said that could change in September, when Congress will have to pass the federal budget or approve a continuing resolution to keep the government functioning at current levels. Key Bridge funding could be rolled into a continuing resolution, he said.

Congress also has to pass whats called a continuing resolution, to keep the federal government up and running all parts of the federal government, Van Hollen said.

So its possible that those two initiatives would be combined, right, the measure for the continuing resolution to keep the government open and attached to that, the emergency disaster supplemental, he added.

Gartner and Williams emphasized the importance of communicating with the community and encouraged residents to reach out to the MDTA if they have any questions. The website can be found here, and MDTA can be reached at the contact us section on the site.

Were happy to talk to anyone, Williams said. Its really important with a project of this magnitude that we stay in touch with the community. And this is a great way to get connected with us.

 This story was updated on Monday, Aug. 5, to correct Melissa Williams affiliation in the third paragraph. She works with the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) and the Foreign Ministry evacuated 30 Ukrainians from Lebanon on Aug. 3 amid heightened security risks in the Middle East, HUR reported.

Tensions rose after Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31. Iran accused Israel of carrying out the strike.

A few days earlier, an attack from Lebanon on a village on the Golan Heights reportedly killed 12 children. Israel and the U.S. said the attack had been organized by Hezbollah, a terrorist group based in Lebanon.

After that, Israel struck Beirut, claiming to have killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Now Israel is on high alert for a possible retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah as the U.S. is sending more warships and fighter jets to the Middle East to bolster defenses, CNN reported.

On Aug. 2, the Foreign Ministry recommended that Ukrainians refrain from traveling to Israel and leave Lebanon.

Ukrainians evacuated from Lebanon on Aug.3, 2024. (Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR)/Telegram)

On the way to Ukraine, the evacuated Ukrainians, 21 women and nine children, have already arrived in Rzeszow, Poland, where they were met by Ukrainian consuls and HUR representatives, according to Ukraine's military intelligence.

The evacuation, ordered by President Volodymyr Zelensky, is ongoing.

"Ukraine became one of the first countries in the world to successfully evacuate its citizens from Lebanon. As in previous cases of crises and armed conflicts abroad, Ukraine demonstrates leadership in caring for its people," the statement by Ukraine's military intelligence read.

Ukrainians who want to leave Lebanon should contact Ukraine's embassy in Lebanon or the Foreign Ministry hotline, HUR said.

Those who decide to stay in the country are advised to refrain from traveling to the areas bordering the Syrian border and the Israeli border south of the Litani River, as well as to several Lebanese refugee camps.

Kyiv voiced support for Israel after it came under a deadly attack by the Hamas terrorist group in October 2023.

As Tel Aviv's subsequent ground invasion of Gaza attracted harsh criticism from much of the international community, Zelensky said in June that Ukraine recognizes both Israel and Palestine, calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza.

Read also: Israel, Ukraine to suspend visa-free regime







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Critics of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo flypasts claim they cause environmental damage - Andrew West/EdinburghElitemedia.co.uk

For years they have added a spectacular final flourish to one of Britains most popular celebrations of military tradition.

But now Edinburghs Labour council is considering calling for an end to the Royal Military Tattoo RAF flypasts.

The aerial displays have come under attack over claims they cause environmental damage and inflict emotional harm on residents.

Scottish Greens have won cross-party support to scrap the flypasts over Edinburgh Castle, with Cammy Day, the Labour council leader, writing to military chiefs to express concerns over hitting net zero targets.

Campaigners are now calling for this years flypast to be the last.

Dan Heap, a Green councillor, said: A lot of residents I have spoken to want the Tattoo to reduce or end the number of flypasts.

They are totally unnecessary and cause completely avoidable pollution and disturbance for residents while impacting a lot of vulnerable people across our city, such as those who have experienced conflict.

I urge Edinburgh city council and the Tattoo to listen to resident concerns and make this the last year that we have to put up with these flyovers in our capital.

A Tory councillor said Edinburgh 'was a military city' - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The number of flypasts has been reduced from seven last year to five this year, with the first set to take place on Wednesday. The jets are heard across the city given the Tattoos prominent city centre venue.

Opponents of the flypasts have also claimed that they can cause distress to military veterans who may be suffering from mental turmoil as a result of serving in conflict zones.

A motion proposed by Mr Heap was passed by Edinburgh councils culture committee in May, expressing regret at the environmental damage and emotional harm caused by the displays.

However, veterans charities have refused to support demands for a ban on the displays, which usually take place at 9:30pm.

Phil Hoggart, a Scottish Tory councillor who was one of only two to vote against the move to condemn the flypasts, lambasted cowardly Labour and the LibDems representatives for backing attacks on the tradition.

These Marxists masquerading as environmentalists are hell-bent on obliterating the heritage of the UK, especially when it comes to the military, he said.

They are attempting to push their extreme views on Scotlands capital under the cloak of environmentalism.

Edinburgh is a military city. If people choose to live in a military city it is perfectly reasonable to expect residents to respect the consequences of that.

He added: I dont expect anything from the SNP, but it is cowardly of Labour and the LibDems not to support us on maintaining the flypasts, which have been a popular feature of the festival for years.

Instead, they have fallen in behind these extremists.

The Tattoo shows raise significant sums for military charities - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

This years run of Tattoo shows, which take place against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and raise significant sums for military charities, began on Saturday.

This years performances celebrate nautical themes, with the Royal Navy this years lead service.

While Edinburgh council has limited powers to ban the flypasts, it said discussions will continue over how organisers could contribute to a target of making the city net zero by the end of this decade.

Val Walker, the councils culture and communities convener, said: The council leader wrote to both the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Royal Air Force (RAF) last year on this issue and we welcome the reduction in flypasts in this years programme.

The council, along with all our partners, strive to improve festivals and events year on year and discussions will continue with all event organisers as to how they can contribute to meeting our citys ambitious net zero by 2030 target.

Im sure we can find a solution which is mutually beneficial and continues to showcase the Tattoo as the stunning and exhilarating spectacle it is, which lights up the city every year.

Jason Barrett, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo chief executive, said: We always take the environmental and social impacts of the Tattoo seriously and work very closely with our stakeholders across the city as well as our colleagues at the MOD to ensure our event is safe and enjoyable.

The flypasts are a showcase of our military heritage and precision which the Tattoo is famed for.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is proud to be part of the festival infrastructure in Edinburgh that contributes millions of pounds annually to the Scottish economy and we remain vigilant in our planning and execution of all elements of our event.

The first public military tattoo took place in 1949 and was awarded the royal title by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 to mark its sixth decade.

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Labour is plotting a fresh crackdown on landlords with plans for stricter rules on evictions and requirements for costly eco-refurbishment.

Ministers are considering bringing in French-style hardship tests that would have to be carried out before landlords could evict tenants, effectively banning evictions in cases where renters were found to be worse off, The Telegraph understands.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook is understood to support the idea, already in use in France to reduce homelessness.

The Government also wants to bring back energy efficiency requirements which would require landlords to make green upgrades to their homes with potentially uncapped costs, according to sources involved in the talks.

It has raised fears of a fresh war on landlords who have come under increasing pressure from red tape and tax rule changes over the past decade, including the loss of tax breaks on mortgage interest and the introduction of stamp duty surcharges under former Conservative chancellor George Osborne.

It comes as the Government pushes forward with a proposed ban on no-fault evictions  a former Conservative manifesto pledge included in a Renters Reform Bill which failed to reach Royal Assent before the general election following a backlash from landlord Tory MPs.

A new Renters Rights Bill was announced in the Kings Speech promising to give greater rights and protections to people renting their homes.

It is understood the housing minister wants to amend the bill, currently going through Parliament, to include the so-called hardship tests.

In opposition, the then-shadow housing minister put forward a similar amendment to the Conservatives former bill designed to make it harder for landlords to evict a tenant in certain circumstances.

The amendment was never included, but would have meant a judge could choose to reject a possession order if they thought it would cause greater hardship to the tenant.

Mr Pennycooks previous amendment cited three examples where the hardship test should succeed: a tenant with terminal cancer, a tenant who would lose their job if evicted, and a tenant who would become homeless if evicted.

It could mirror the French system where, since 2008, tenants facing eviction with no rehousing options are permitted to appeal their landlords decision under the Right to Housing Act.

While the previous amendment failed, Labour now holds a 174-seat majority.

The Government is also reintroducing energy efficiency targets for property investors which will apply to landlords from 2030.

The requirements, previously scrapped by Rishi Sunak, require all let properties to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C. The energy efficiency of properties is rated on a banded system from A to G, with G being the worst.

Residential properties, both new and old, are thought to be responsible for around 17pc of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.

But bringing properties to standard is likely to require costly upgrades such as heat pump installations, double glazing and insulation.

Such is the cost for some, the former government had proposed placing a 10,000 cap on upgrade costs.

However, ministers are now considering bringing back the target with a higher cap or no cap at all, sources said.

Thats the mechanism they [Labour] are going to need if they want to get the numbers up, one source said.

Estimates suggest the cost of upgrading a property from the worst rating a G to a C would cost around 27,000.

Experts say spending just 10,000 would bring 90pc of D rated properties to C, but just 60pc of E rated properties up to standard.

Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP for Harrow East, said the plans would push up rents and be unfair for landlords.

The senior Tory, who is chair of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers, said that the energy efficiency target was not practical.

He said: Large numbers of rental properties are just physically incapable of being upgraded to that, so what do you do? Do you say well, okay, that cant be rented out anymore?

What that does is potentially reduce substantially the number of properties available.

He warned that raising the cap on the cost of renovating properties would filter down to tenants. Up goes the rent, he said.

On the hardship test, Mr Blackman said: Governments of all persuasions have relied on the private rented sector to supply what the social rented sector should supply.

So were going to get more restrictions on the private rented sector again which is going to be unfair on the private sector landlords who are providing a service.

A spokesman for the Government said: The private rented sector is in desperate need of reform, and our Renters Rights Bill will make renting fairer for all.

The energy shocks of recent years have also shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes so we can secure our energy independence and reduce fuel poverty.

Responsible landlords who provide quality homes to their tenants have nothing to fear from the sensible overhaul of private rented sector regulation we intend to implement.

Greg Smith, the Tory MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, said: If Labour want to rip the backside out of the private renting market then this is the way to go about it.



There is only a private rental market because individuals choose to make those investments and take those risks on taking on one or two extra properties.

He added: Its yet another attack from this new Labour government on the people that actually make things happen in this country.

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So much for a Blairite Labour government. No sooner had Sir Keir Starmer seized the helm than he was frantically spinning the ships wheel, pulling the vessel hard-a-port. On immigration, on employment law, on free speech, on education, on taxation, even on what we might call the rougher end of the culture wars, he has adopted positions that, a month ago, would have been unbelievable.

Some of Starmers policies were at least flagged up in advance. We knew that Labour would make the United Kingdom the only country in Europe that, rather than recognising education as a public good, penalised it through taxation.

We knew that it would push more non-doms into changing not their residence but their tax domicile. Plenty of plutocrats still spend a chunk of their year in London, but their taxes now go to foreign governments, leaving the rest of us to cover their shortfall.

We knew that there would be a retrospective levy on oil and gas companies, deterring investment not just in the energy sector but across the board, because countries that engage in targeted expropriation pay a premium when seeking future business.

We knew, too, that the Rwanda scheme would be scrapped, making it almost impossible to return illegal immigrants, since neither their countries of origin nor those through which they have passed will take them back.

What we didnt know was that Labour would immediately ban the licensing of North Sea oil and gas drilling  a policy that, quite apart from the negative economic impact, will mean importing hydrocarbons from places with lower eco-standards.

We didnt know that Labour would become the instrument of the most hardline and spiteful wing of the teaching unions. Indeed, other than the extension of VAT, schools barely featured in the election campaign.

Who foresaw that, immediately on taking office, Labour would announce that it was rewriting the national curriculum, undoing the previous governments emphasis on core subjects? Or that it would force this curriculum on free schools or academies? Or that it would unpick the policy of isolating or excluding disruptive pupils?

Most of us naively believed that there was a cross-party consensus behind reforms that, although largely implemented by the Tories, had been initiated by Tony Blair. After all, those reforms had worked, sending British school-leavers shooting up the international league tables. But, unlike Blair, Starmer has sided with the producers (the teaching unions) over the consumers (the children).

The same impulse lies behind his shocking  and again, unflagged  cancellation of the Higher Education (Free Speech) Act, which was supposed to have entered into force last Thursday. That law, the only free-speech measure passed by the Tories, was drawn up in response to real problems, from the harassment of academics to the physical intimidation of visiting speakers. Yet it, too, has been undone by the Education Blob, happy to pursue its anti-conservative culture wars.

Which brings us to the PMs response to the unrest that followed the horror in Southport. The street violence would be disgraceful at any time, let alone in the aftermath of such an unspeakable tragedy. I hoped Sir Keir would pose as an uncomplicated upholder of the Kings peace, and demand zero tolerance for disorder of any kind.

Instead, he seemed to suggest that the problem was not just the violence, but the fact that protesters were far Right, and that internet platforms might face a crackdown for allowing hateful opinions to be disseminated. He did not mention the machete violence in Southend, or the violence against police in Manchester, or the disorder that has accompanied anti-Israel protests.

Some might conclude that Starmer is more upset by the motivation of rioters and vandals than by their behaviour. After all, during the summer of 2020, when anti-lockdown protests were suppressed while Black Liver Matter protests were tolerated, he took the knee.

If he wonders why the woman who slashed the portrait of Arthur Balfour at Trinity College, Cambridge, has not been prosecuted, or finds it odd that Just Stop Oil protesters were able to spray orange paint over Heathrow while dozens of police looked on, he does not say so. Yet the tranquillity of any society depends on confidence that the police apply laws equally and predictably.

Perhaps some culture-war posturing was to be expected. But Labour was clear, before and during the election, that any increases in spending would come from growth. Both Starmer and Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, were adamant that taxes were already high enough. Indeed, they said they wanted to lower them for working people.

Yet, far from making any attempt to stimulate growth, Labour has immediately defaulted to firehosing money at the public sector and at other statist projects: 8.3 billion on Great British Energy, 11.6 billion on overseas climate aid, a 22 per cent pay rise for junior doctors.

A case might possibly be made for each of these things. But not even their strongest advocates would claim that they will, of themselves, boost growth.

Labour has been finding the money by cutting projects that really do represent investment  investment that is, in the correct sense of the word, meaning something that will generate revenue down the line, rather than in the Labour sense of simply being a euphemism for public spending.

The success of any economy depends on the velocity of exchange. When Labour cancels road and rail projects, it makes growth harder. Similarly, when it cancels the 1.3 billion that was going into tech and AI projects, it is switching money from the revenue-generating bit of the economy  its own manifesto promised to grasp the opportunities of new technologies with an AI sector plan  to the revenue-consuming bit, above all the public sector unions.

But reallocating resources wont be enough to pay for everything Labour wants, not when our national debt (as the TaxPayers Alliances debt clock helpfully reminds us) is more than 2.5 trillion, and growing at 16 million per hour. Despite all the promises she made during the election campaign, Reeves now admits that additional taxes are coming. And it is already becoming clear that they will be taxes of the most growth-inhibiting kind, namely taxes on savings and investment.

Perhaps it was inevitable. Dogs bark, cats meow and Labour raises taxes. But the speed is, none the less, shocking.

Anyone listening to Labour during the election campaign would have reasonably expected a repeat of the early Blair years  that is, keeping a tight rein on public spending, continuing to pay off debt, and getting additional revenue through growth rather than tax hikes.

After all, Labour would pursue pro-growth policies that the Tories could not get away with, such as NHS reform and, above all, housebuilding.Yet, even here, Starmer seems unable to overcome his partys statist biases. His first act was to hire more planning officers. His second, incredibly, was to lower the housebuilding targets for London. In other words, possibly from some twisted egalitarian superstition, Labour wants to build more houses in the places that people dont want to live, but fewer in the places they are keenest to migrate to.

The population might be deterred from going south, but the economy is about to go south quickly. Labours commitment to growth has turned out to be a kind of cargo cult. Its frontbenchers keep repeating words such as responsibility and investment, as though muttering those syllables obviates the need to take (as opposed to talking about) tough decisions.

This can only end one way, and it is the way every other Labour government has ended: in economic ruin for Britain.

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The toes of a baby peek out of a blanket at a hospital in McAllen, Texas. Native American babies have high rates of sudden unexpected infant deaths, and tribal members and health experts say a patchwork system of collecting information hinders strategies for preventing more deaths. (Photo by Eric Gay/The Associated Press)

The toes of a baby peek out of a blanket at a hospital in McAllen, Texas. Native American babies have high rates of sudden unexpected infant deaths, and tribal members and health experts say a patchwork system of collecting information hinders strategies for preventing more deaths. (Photo by Eric Gay/The Associated Press)

When Jessica Whitehawk helped start a womens health support center over a decade ago, her team worked out of a tiny room in the back of a nonprofit office on the Yakama Nation Reservation in Washington state.

Pregnant women traveled to that room from the farthest reaches of the 1.3 million-acre reservation because they had nowhere else to go for health care or prenatal advice, Whitehawk said.

Many tribal communities have a similar lack of resources, which contributes to American Indian and Alaska Native infants being twice as likely as non-Hispanic white babies to die before their first birthday.

A recent study suggests another reason for the high infant mortality rate among Native babies: the way that law enforcement authorities investigate possible cases of sudden unexpected infant deaths, known as SUIDs, in tribal communities. Researchers found that compared with other racial groups, American Indian and Alaska Native SUIDs were most likely to result in police investigations, which were often incomplete, as opposed to the more thorough investigations conducted by medical examiners or coroners forensic staff.

As a result, experts say, less is known about those cases, and so less can be done to help prevent future infant deaths in tribal communities that might have scant access to prenatal care or whose cultural practices call for sensitivity.

Medical examiners are pathologist physicians who are trained to explore all causes of death, while law enforcement agencies are trained to explore criminal circumstances. Rural Native communities often dont have medical examiners, and they frequently have strained relationships with police.

Pathologist Dr. Nicole Jackson, the former associate medical examiner for King County, Washington, said that during her training in New Mexico, she saw many tribal infant deaths. Police, often tribal law enforcement agencies, were frequently the ones leading those investigations, she said.

The medical, legal death investigation system in America is just so understaffed and underfunded, said Jackson, now an assistant professor at the University of Washington and director of Autopsy and After Death Services at the UW Medical Center.

If it was better staffed and better funded, we would not have to rely on law enforcement in certain regions conducting these delicate investigations, she said.

The authors of the recent SUIDs study looked at more than 3,800 cases between 2015 and 2018. They categorized investigations as incomplete if there was no autopsy or no investigation of the scene, or if details were missing on where and how the body was found.

That lack of data can hamper prevention efforts.

In many of the incomplete cases, for example, investigators didnt ask the caregivers to use baby dolls to show the position in which they found the deceased infant  even though that exercise is recommended by experts including the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of Medical Examiners.

These doll reenactments help investigators determine whether unsafe conditions or sleep practices might have led to suffocation.

Our public health data system collects the lowest quality information on the groups that have the worst health outcomes, when those are the groups we should be collecting the most information about.

 Naomi Harada Thyden, University of Minnesota public health research scientist

Sometimes, for example, babies could be sleeping in poor housing situations. Abigail Echo-Hawk, executive vice president at the Seattle Indian Health Board and director of the Urban Indian Health Institute, recalled one babys death on a high-poverty reservation with a shortage of housing. The babys family members all slept on the floor in a single room.

She added that because the reenactments can be so traumatizing, its critical for investigators to be culturally sensitive. Additionally, untrained investigators may misinterpret a familys culture: For example, some tribes refrain from speaking the name of the baby for a year after the death.

Our public health data system collects the lowest quality information on the groups that have the worst health outcomes, when those are the groups we should be collecting the most information about, said Naomi Harada Thyden, a public health research scientist at the University of Minnesota and the lead author of the study, which was published this spring in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice.

Whitehawk, who is a member of the Winnebago and Santee Tribes of Nebraska, said those disparities led her and co-founders to launch the Ttawaxt Birth Justice Center 12 years ago. The center now operates a clinic that offers reproductive health care, lactation education and support groups that center tribal traditions. The team plans to eventually launch a birthing facility.

Whitehawk tied the high infant mortality rates to structural racism and a lack of investment in tribal communities.

Two hundred years of systemic racism and systemic violence against women and children  dont we think that might have an impact on why [our] infants are dying all across the nation?

Strained relationships

Janelle Palacios is an attending nurse-midwife and an associate professor at Montana State University who studies parenthood in tribal communities. As a mother herself, she saw firsthand how incomplete data collection can skew public health statistics.

Palacios is Salish and Kootenai, but when her last two children were born in California, she had to insist that Native American be added to their birth certificates, as their race had only been recorded as Hispanic.

Palacios said medical examiners should lead SUIDs investigations, because the relationships between tribal communities and local law enforcement agencies often are strained. As a result, many Native families are reluctant to share information with police, she said.

Tribal communities have a long memory, Palacios said, referring to the history of the U.S. government removing Native children from homes and placing them in boarding schools, often with deadly outcomes, along with Native childrens current disproportionate representation in foster care.

We have this tension over land and resources, tension over people, tension over the children, Palacios said.

Dr. Reade Quinton, a Minnesota medical examiner and vice president of the National Association of Medical Examiners, likewise said that many of these communities are distrustful of law enforcement, and understandably so.

Quinton said Native parents might wonder, when investigators ask routine questions about a cause of death, Are you really trying to answer that question, or are you trying to blame me for something?

Cultural competence

In Wyomings Fremont County, coroner Erin Ivie has handled death investigations at the neighboring Wind River Reservation for two decades. Ivie said her staff members, who are not Indigenous, have taken training courses for cultural sensitivity. Her office also returns to a family months later and asks how they felt about the interactions to make sure the questioning is done in an appropriate manner.

She added that her office works in tandem with law enforcement agencies on investigations.

We treat every case as a homicide until we can rule it otherwise, Ivie said. Were not leaving any question or stone unturned, and consulting with both our forensic pathologist and the childs primary care provider.

That approach, of treating each case as a homicide from the start, can affect how the investigation is conducted, said Jackson, the University of Washington assistant professor.

We never want to miss a homicide, she said. But a more holistic approach, with social workers and trained medical examiner staff, can better connect with families during that very delicate time, because as we know, most of these arent homicides.

Jackson said her job of studying unexpected deaths is ultimately to serve the living.

A life is lost, but hopefully, collectively, we can study and learn some things, feed public health systems to improve lives, she said.

At Ttawaxt, breaking down barriers to help parents and babies is a core mission. In interviews with new mothers and families, Whitehawks team found that families were less likely to lose their babies if there are elders living in the household. Infant health, she said, is a marker of the health of a community.

The advocacy, the education, the quality care, the caring around mothers and children, it changes the narrative of the whole entire community, Whitehawk said. We center building community around birth  the birth of a child or bringing new life into the world.

Stateline originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence.

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Large gathering leaves one shot and suspect on the loose

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A suspect who shot a man Friday night at a large gathering remains on the loose, said the East Hartford Police Department.

East Hartford police officers were dispatched to 9 Bidwell Ave. at 11:30 p.m. for a large gathering that resulted in gunshots.

Officials say approximately 200 people were at the residence when the shooting occurred. At the scene, officers located a young adult male who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.

The young man was taken to a local hospital, where his injuries were listed as non-life-threatening.

A search began, but despite the use of K-9 tracking, authorities were unable to locate any suspects.

Ample rounds of gun casings were collected in the area as evidence for the investigation. The shooting remains under investigation.

News 8 will keep you updated when a suspect has been apprehended.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Several thousand supporters take part in the final rally of the lateral thinking movement's demonstration "Unity and Justice and Freedom - the procession". Carsten Koall/dpa

Several thousand demonstrators with the Lateral Thinking movement in Germany, which staged rallies during the coronavirus pandemic against emergency restrictions and vaccine rules, marched through Berlin on Saturday.

Some participants waved banners demanding a "reappraisal" of the government measures imposed in hopes of controlling the spread of the virus, as well as "consequences for those responsible."

Others waived flags emblazoned with the dove symbol of peace and denounced the current German government's push to rebuild the country's armed forces.

Many decried German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition government and some carried placards for the fringe political party The Basis, which is seen as tied to the Lateral Thinking movement.

Demonstrators marched through the centre of the German capital on Saturday afternoon.

A police spokeswoman said the demonstration went peacefully, although police officers noted several violations of an order not to display any posters related to the political magazine Compact, which was recently banned as a right-wing extremist outlet by German authorities.

A preliminary police estimate put the crowd at the demonstration at around 9,000 people.

A total of 500 police officers were deployed to monitor the demonstration, as well as several planned counter-demonstrations.

The Lateral Thinking, or Querdenken, movement formed across Germany during the coronavirus pandemic, with supporters repeatedly demonstrating against the measures to contain the virus.

In August 2020, an estimated 20,000 people joined a demonstration against the coronavirus measures in Berlin, although organizers claimed that the actual crowd was much larger.

Several thousand supporters take part in the final rally of the lateral thinking movement's demonstration "Unity and Justice and Freedom - the procession". Carsten Koall/dpa

Several thousand supporters take part in the final rally of the lateral thinking movement's demonstration "Unity and Justice and Freedom - the procession". Carsten Koall/dpa

Supporters take part in the demonstration of the lateral thinking movement "Unity and justice and freedom". Carsten Koall/dpa

Supporters take part in the demonstration of the lateral thinking movement "Unity and justice and freedom". Carsten Koall/dpa
The video shown above is from a shooting involving an officer in the Bay Terraces neighborhood in July 2022.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego County District Attorney on Friday determined all law enforcement officers involved in six separate shootings in the past four years have been cleared of criminal liability.

The first shooting occurred in June 2020 after a domestic violence call turned into a standoff in Lakeside. A deputy fired two rifle rounds at the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Dustin Banzhof, as he drove a vehicle toward law enforcement, the DA said. Prior to the shooting, the suspect fired multiple rounds in the air and toward deputies while at the residence, according to the DA. Several hours later, the suspect was struck with a less-lethal projectile in the leg. The suspect was then taken into custody and brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The District Attorneys review found that the officer reasonably believed that Banzhof posed an imminent threat when he fired shots toward the officers and drove his pickup truck toward the officers while armed with the rifle. Therefore, the officer bears no state criminal liability for his actions, the DA said.

The second shooting occurred in July 2022 in the Bay Terraces neighborhood. Officers responded to an assault report where they found the suspect, identified as 43-year-old Maurice Littlejohn, with a stick in his hand. Police ordered the suspect to drop the stick, which he did do, but then grabbed a black folding knife in his waistband area and waved it toward officers, the release said. An officer fired his Taser at the suspect who fell to the ground, removed the Taser barbs from his body and started running from the officers. At one point, the suspect pointed an object with his right hand and yelled, Boom, boom, according to the DA. One of the officers thought the suspect was pointing the gun at him and fired his weapon twice at the suspect, missing both times. After two more Taser shots and a fight with officers, the suspect was taken into custody.

The District Attorneys review found that when the officer fired two rounds from his handgun toward Littlejohn, he reasonably believed that Littlejohn posed an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury and that the use of such force was necessary to defend against the threat and the officer, therefore, bears no criminal liability for his actions, the DA said.

Man wins $100,000 on slot machine at this San Diego-area casino

The third shooting occurred in August 2022 in the Fairmount Park neighborhood. Authorities found two elderly adults injured and bleeding after being beaten with a wood stick. The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Scholar Wang, was armed with a hedge trimmer and knife and barricaded himself in the bathroom of the home, according to the DA. After multiple attempts to get the suspect out of the bathroom, police released a police dog that bit the suspect who started to hit the police dog with a metal rod. The suspect then raised the metal rod in a striking motion at the officer when the officer fired three shots at the suspect, per the DA. The suspect died from his wounds.

The District Attorneys review found that a reasonable officer in the same situation would believe that Wang had the present ability, opportunity, and apparent intent to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury to themself and others. Therefore, given the totality of the circumstances, the officer bears no state criminal liability for his actions, the DA said.

The fourth shooting occurred in January 2023 near the El Cajon area. Authorities found a female victim with multiple stab wounds inside a business. Officers located the suspect, identified as 77-year-old Frank Brower, at his home who reached into the back driver side door of his vehicle, ignoring multiple demands from law enforcement, according to the DA. Thats when one officer fired four bean bag rounds but the shots did not affect the suspect. The suspect then went back into his vehicle to grab a shotgun from his vehicle and turned toward officers, the release said. Two of the officers fired at the suspect who died from his wounds.

The District Attorneys review found that when they discharged their firearms at Brower, the officers reasonably believed, based on the totality of circumstances, that such force was necessary to defend against the imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury posed by Brower. As a result, they bear no state criminal liability for their actions, the DA said.

The fifth shooting also occurred in January 2023. Authorities conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that left an area known for illegal drug use. When the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Christopher De Arman, refused the officers request to inspect the vehicle and drove away from them, a pursuit ensued. At one point, the suspect stopped his vehicle and officers drew their weapons for the suspect to show his hands. The suspect got out of the vehicle with a weapon and pointed it in the direction of the officers, according to the DA. Thats when two officers fired their handgun, striking the suspect. The suspect was arrested and taken to a hospital where he later died.

The District Attorneys review found that a reasonable officer in the same situation would believe that De Arman had the present ability, opportunity, and apparent intent to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury when he exited his vehicle and began firing a firearm. As a result, the officers bear no state liability for their actions, the DA said.

The sixth shooting occurred in the Bostonia neighborhood in March 2023. Authorities approached a car that was in a location associated with criminal activity. In the vehicle was a stolen vehicle suspect identified as Brenten Kinzenbaw, who refused commands from law enforcement to not move, according to the DA. The suspect then drove the vehicle toward authorities when one of the deputies fired his firearm at Kinzenbaw, the release said. Kinzenbaw was struck, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, a reasonable officer in Ochoa-Ramirezs situation would also believe that Kinzenbaw had the present ability, opportunity, and apparent intent to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury. Therefore, Ramirez-Ochoa bears no state criminal liability, the DA said.

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Cancer Support Community Iowa and NW Illinois at Gildas Club will host an educational workshop on Monday, August 12, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The event will take place at Gildas Club Moline, 600 John Deere Road, Suite 101, in Moline.

Featured speaker, Jennifer Gau, has worked on the commercial side of the pharmaceutical industry for over 25 years and will give information about the ever-changing landscape of drug affordability, focusing on patient assistance programs, co-pay cards, and foundations, and touching on some information about insurance, according to the press release.

While the landscape has changed, there is still benefit to be had from industry and foundations. Sometimes this benefit can come from simple internet searches, and sometimes it takes a bit more work and time investment. Participants should leave with a better understanding of where help can be found, and how to manage these resources.

The event is free to attend, and can be attended in person or on Zoom. Registration is required.

To register, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
US sends warships and jets to Middle East and tells citizens to leave Lebanon on any ticket

The United States has sent warships and fighter jets to the Middle East and advised Americans to leave Lebanon on any ticket available amid fears of fresh conflict.

As fears grew that a war between the Iran-Hezbollah axis and Israel could soon break out following the assassination of Hamas political leader in Tehran, Britain and the United States urged citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, told Britons in the region: Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear  leave now.

Meanwhile, the US government urged its citizens in the region to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route.

A US aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln has been transferred to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Pentagon officials said.

Hundreds of people gather at a mosque in Qatar to mourn Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh - FADEL ITANI/NURPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK

It emerged on Saturday that Iran has arrested two dozen people including intelligence officers as it hunts down the intelligence leak which led to Israel killing Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The arrests were made at the military-run guesthouse in Tehran where Hanieyh was assassinated, sources told the New York Times.

Staff workers and army officials were also arrested during the raid, which is likely an attempt to compensate for the humiliating security failure.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack on Haniyeh but has a long history of being able to assassinate its enemies overseas. Some reports suggest the explosives that killed him weighed just 7kg.

The attack was particularly embarrassing for Tehran as it took place at a heavily guarded compound, just hours after Haniyeh attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

Experts say the assassination is potentially fatal for the stability of the Iranian regime as it shows it cannot protect allies on home soil.

The perception that Iran can neither protect its homeland nor its key allies could be fatal for the Iranian regime, because it basically signals to its foes that if they cant topple the Islamic Republic, they can decapitate it, Ali Vaez, the Iran director for the International Crisis Group, told the New York Times.

Iran has vowed revenge for the assassination but it remains unclear how it will proceed. A major attack runs the risk of triggering a full-scale war between Iran and Israel which would be catastrophic for the Middle East.

Scene of an Israeli strike on village of Shama in southern Lebanon - STR/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

One of the biggest concerns this time around, diplomats say, compared with April, when Iran launched an unprecedented strike in response to an Israeli provocation, is the angry silence from Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, the Wall Street Journal reported.

One Iranian diplomat, briefed by his government, said appeals from countries to avoid escalating the conflict are falling on deaf ears.

There is no point. Israel crossed all the red lines, the diplomat said. Our response will be swift and heavy.

The regime may launch a barrage of missiles on Israel from Iranian territory, as it did in April.

This would require a coordinated aerial response from Israels Western allies and Arab states, to intercept missiles as they fly toward Israel.

Iran may also respond in kind by trying to assassinate a senior commander or other top figure on the Israeli side, either in Israel itself or abroad. Another possibility would be an attack on an Israeli embassy.

Smoke rises from Kfar Kila in Lebanon, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces - KARAMALLAH DAHER/REUTERS

Iran has also said Hezbollah, its proxy force in Lebanon, will strike broader and deeper civilian and military targets in Israel in response to the earlier killing of Fuad Shukr, a Hezbollah commander, in Beirut.

The attack on Shukr had been launched by Israel in retaliation for a missile strike on a football pitch in the occupied Golan Heights which killed 12 children and youths from the Druze community.

An Iranian regime official told CBS: The [Israeli] regimes attack on Dahieh in Beirut and the targeting of a residential building marked a deviation from these boundaries. We anticipate that, in its response, Hezbollah will choose both broader and deeper targets, and will not restrict itself solely to military targets and means.

Iranian TV presenters on Friday night hinted that a major attack on Israel was imminent, predicting extraordinary scenes and important events.

In the coming hours the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important events, a presenter of the programme Foreign Policy 1403 said.

We are just waiting for the decision of our military strategists to see what course of action they recommend, he added.

Separately, a Hamas military commander has reportedly been killed in an IDF strike along with four others in the West Bank town of Tulkarem. IDF troops entered Tulkarem on the ground and there was an exchange of fire with militants there on Saturday morning.

Also on Saturday, the IDF said it had struck a Hamas command and control centre based in a former school in the Gaza Strip. Hamas said 10 Palestinians were killed in the attack.

05:59 PM BST

Blog now closed

Thats it for todays live blog -thanks for following. Here is a rundown of the days main stories:

The US is sending warships and fighter jets to the Middle East in anticipation of retaliatory attacks against Israel for the killing of a top Hamas leader.

Iran has arrested more than two dozen people after the embarrassing assassination of a top Hamas leader on its soil

Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps has published a photo of what it claims is the spot where a short-range projectile was fired when it killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on the the fourth floor of a military-run guesthouse.

An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City killed at least 15 Palestinians on Saturday, hours after two strikes in the occupied West Bank killed nine militants including a local Hamas commander, Hamas said.

Iran said on Saturday it expects Lebanons Hezbollah group to hit deeper inside Israel and no longer be confined to military targets after Israel killed the Hezbollah military commander.

05:36 PM BST

Pictured: Photo Iran claims is where projectile was fired that killed Ismail Haniyeh

Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps has published a photo of what it claims is the spot where a short-range projectile was fired when it killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on the the fourth floor of a military-run guesthouse.

The claims, which have not been independently verified, contrast with the Telegraphs findings which put the cause of the blast that killed Haniyeh as bombs placed in the guesthouse by Mossad agents.

The spot where Iran claims a projectile was fired that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh

05:17 PM BST

UK agency reports incident in sea off Yemen

Britains marine security agency UKMTO says it has received a report of an incident 170 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni city of Aden, where Houthi militants have been targeting commercial ships in solidarity with Palestinians.

04:59 PM BST

Hundreds march for Palestinians held in Israeli jails

Hundreds of Palestinians marched to protest the treatment of prisoners held in Israeli jails on Saturday, following reports of abuse and even torture.

Relatives held up pictures of prisoners and waved Palestinian flags during separate demonstrations in Ramallah and Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

Even if the whole world submits, we will not recognise Israel, chanted the protesters in Ramallah.

Thousands of Palestinians have been detained in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October, the United Nations human rights office said this week.

They have mostly been held in secret and in some cases subjected to treatment that may amount to torture, the OHCHR said in a report.

For 10 months, we havent known anything about our sons, Latifa Abu Hamid, a mother of four prisoners, all sentenced to life, told AFP.

Palestinians gather in support of Gaza and prisoners in Israeli jails - Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty Images

04:14 PM BST

Iranian state TV presenters warn of imminent attack on Israel

Iranian broadcasters are warning of an imminent attack by Iran on Israel as the threat of a new regional conflict grows.

Over the past 24 hours, several news channels close to the Iranian regime have painted a bleak picture of how Iran might retaliate for the killing of a top Hamas leader in Tehran on Wednesday.

Ismail Haniyehs assassination, widely thought to have been carried out by Israel, has raised the temperature of an already volatile situation.

In the coming hours the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important events, said a presenter of the show Foreign Policy 1403.

We are just waiting for the decision of our military strategists to see what course of action they recommend, he added.

Nour News, a media outlet close to Irans Supreme National Security Council, said: A punitive operation against the Israeli regime will be carried out at a determined time and manner.

Kayhan, Tehrans most hardline newspaper, said on Saturday: Iran has advanced significantly over the past five months, and the retribution against the Zionists will be more multifaceted, co-ordinated, and severe this time.

A US official told the Wall Street Journal that Joe Bidens administration remains cautious on how Iran will respond, but, citing the source, the newspaper said any response is likely a few days to a week away.

On Friday night, the US said it would deploy additional fighter jets and navy warships to the Middle East to defend Israel against any retaliatory attack.

03:33 PM BST

David Lammy repeats warning for British nationals to leave Lebanon

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, has repeated calls for British nationals to leave Lebanon, warning that the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

Mr Lammy said on Saturday that a widening of the conflict in the Middle East could have catastrophic consequences.

He said: Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear  leave now.

A widening of this conflict is in nobodys interest  the consequences could be catastrophic. Thats we continue to call for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution.

The Foreign Office said it was bolstering support for British nationals still in the Middle East and planning for a a range of possible conflict scenarios.

Consular experts will assist with strategic planning and responding to enquiries from British nationals to make sure they get the help and advice they need, and Border Force has deployed officers who stand ready to aid consular operations, it said.

It added: With the potential for exit routes out of Lebanon  including roads  being affected, limited, or closed, due to events escalating with little warning, teams will continue to urge British nationals to leave while commercial options remain available.

Military personnel are also in the process of deploying to the region to provide embassies with operational support to help British nationals.

This is alongside landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Duncan already being in the eastern Mediterranean to support allies with humanitarian requirements, with the Royal Air Force also putting transport helicopters on standby.

David Lammy warned the war in the Middle East may escalate - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Getty

02:42 PM BST

Israel confirms carried out two airstrikes in West Bank

Israel has confirmed it carried out two airstrikes in the northern West Bank, killing nine Palestinian militants, on Saturday.

The Israeli army said its forces first struck a vehicle in a rural area northwest of the city of Tulkarem in early morning, killing the five occupants. The army said they were on their way to carry out an attack.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the mens bodies were taken to a nearby hospital. Hamas later identified all five as militants with the group, including a local commander.

According to an Associated Press journalist and witnesses, the blast took place along a road connecting the Palestinian villages of Zeita and Qaffin.

Palestinians inspect a vehicle damaged in an Israeli airstrike, in Zeita, near Tulkarm on Saturday - REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta

02:06 PM BST

Gaza health ministry says 31 Palestinians killed on Saturday

Israeli airstrikes killed six people in a house in the southern area of Rafah, in Gaza, on Saturday and two others in Gaza City, further north, local health officials said.

At least 31 Palestinians were killed across the enclave on Saturday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians.

The Israeli military said its forces had struck militants and destroyed Hamas infrastructure in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza.

At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The offensive was triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted, according to Israeli tallies.

01:47 PM BST

Haniyeh killed by projectile with a 7kg warhead, says IRGC

Irans Revolutionary Guards have said that Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, was killed in Tehran by a short-range projectile with a warhead of about 7kg [15lbs], as affiliated media dismissed reports that Mossad, the Israeli security agency, had planted bombs in his accommodation.

The statement by the elite Guards force also accused the criminal US government of supporting the attack which Iranian media said was in a northern suburb of Tehran.

The Telegraph reported on Friday that Mossad agents had sneaked the bombs into three separate rooms of a military-run guesthouse where Haniyeh was staying. The New York Times reported that the bomb had been hidden in the guesthouse two months earlier.

These lies are being propagated while the results of the experts investigation indicate that Haniyeh was struck by a projectile, in which involvement of the Zionist regime cannot be ruled out, read a report by Fars news agency.

01:29 PM BST

US deploys warships as Israel braces for Irans retaliation

The US is sending warships and fighter jets to the Middle East in anticipation of retaliatory attacks against Israel for the killing of a top Hamas leader.

The suspected Israeli assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday has heightened fears that the Middle East is teetering on the brink of a new conflict as Tehran considers its response.

The US aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln will replace one helmed by the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement.

The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Irans partners and proxies, Ms Singh said.

Experts and diplomats have been parsing Irans words to see what action it might take after Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, was killed in a military-run guesthouse in Tehran.

An Iranian state TV presenter said on Friday: In the coming hours the world will witness mind-boggling scenes and very important events. We are just waiting for the decision of our military strategists to see what course of action they recommend.

12:46 PM BST

Iran Revolutionary Guards say short-range projectile killed Hamas chief

Irans Revolutionary Guards have said that Israel killed Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh using a short-range projectile launched from outside of his accommodation in Tehran.

This terrorist operation was carried out by firing a short-range projectile with a warhead of about 7kg [15lbs]  causing a strong explosion  from outside the accommodation area, the Guards said in a statement, adding that Israel was supported by the United States in the attack.

12:14 PM BST

Watch: Scenes following strike on a Hamas commander

An Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank killed five Palestinians, according to Israels army and Palestinian media.

The Israeli army said its forces struck a vehicle carrying five militants in a rural area northwest of the city of Tulkarem in the West Bank early on Saturday morning, as the occupants were on their way to carry out an attack.

11:52 AM BST

Air France and Transavia halt Beirut flights until Tuesday

Flights to Beirut by Air France and low-cost carrier Transavia France will remain suspended until at least Tuesday due to security concerns in the region, parent company Air France-KLM said.

The two French airlines first stopped servicing the route on Monday, a day after Israel vowed to retaliate following rocket fire from Lebanon that killed 12 people in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

Any resumption of operation will be subject to a renewed evaluation on the ground, a spokesman said on Saturday, adding that passengers with reservations could rebook at no extra cost.

Flights to Tel Aviv will continue as normal, he added.

The rocket attack on the Golan Heights sparked fears that fighting between Hezbollah and Israel would escalate.

11:35 AM BST

Pictured: Protests in Indonesia over killing of Hamas leader

Indonesian protesters held portraits of Ismail Haniyeh, the late Palestinian Hamas leader, after his assassination in Tehran.

People held signs reading Congratulations on your Martyrdom at the pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of the US embassy in Jakarta on Saturday.

Indonesia is the worlds biggest Muslim-majority country and has called for an immediate ceasefire to the war in Gaza.

Indonesian protesters hold portraits of the late Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reading "Congratulations on your Martyrdom" during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of the US embassy in Jakarta on August 3, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)

Indonesian protesters shout slogans during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of the US embassy in Jakarta on August 3, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)

11:06 AM BST

Iran arrests more than two dozen people after Hamas leader assassination

Iran has arrested more than two dozen people after the embarrassing assassination of a top Hamas leader on its soil.

Ismail Haniyeh was a guest in the country, staying at a military-run guesthouse in northern Tehran, when he was killed in an explosion.

Telegraph sources in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp said agents from Israeli security agency Mossad were behind the attack, having sneaked into the building and planted three explosive devices.

Iran has since launched a major operation to find those responsible for the security breach, rounding up senior intelligence officers, military officials and workers at the guesthouse, the New York Times reported.

Citing two Iranians familiar with the investigation, the newspaper said an intelligence unit within the Revolutionary Guards Corps was leading the manhunt, which is hoping to find anyone who helped with the killing.

10:47 AM BST

Israeli airstrike kills five in West Bank, including Hamas commander, Palestinian media say

An Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank killed a commander in the Palestinian armed group Hamas on Saturday, local media reported.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA said four other men were also killed. The identities of the others were not clear in the WAFA report, which cited health officials.

The Israeli military said it had carried out an airstrike against a militant cell around the West Bank city of Tulkarm. Hamas media said a vehicle carrying fighters had been struck and that one of the commanders of its Tulkarm brigades was killed.

10:27 AM BST

Iran says expects Hezbollah to hit deeper inside Israel

Iran said on Saturday it expects Lebanons Hezbollah group to hit deeper inside Israel and no longer be confined to military targets after Israel killed the Hezbollah military commander.

Hezbollah has been exchanging near-daily fire with Israeli forces, saying it is targeting military positions over the border, since its Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, sparking war in Gaza.

But a strike claimed by Israel in an overcrowded residential area of South Beirut changed the calculus, Irans mission to the United Nations said.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Millions of people visit Michigan each year, many to enjoy the shores of the Great Lakes. Some may want to take a bit of the beach home with them.

A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy said while its OK to save sand or rocks from a public beach, there are limits.

You can take a bit of sand home with you in a jar as a memento of your Michigan beach experience  as long as you dont plan to sell it or collect more than 25 pounds in a year, Shannon Briggs, a toxicologist in the Water Resources Division of EGLE, wrote in an email to News 8.

Underwater preserves protect thousands of miles of Great Lakes, shipwrecks

On state-managed lands like dunes or state park beaches, Michigan allows anyone to collect up to 25 pounds per year of any rock, mineral or invertebrate fossil (like crinoids, trilobites or Petoskey stones), according to Michigans State Land Rules for parks and recreation areas. That rule applies as long as youre keeping them for your own personal use and not trying to sell them.

If you take more than the legal amount of sand or rocks from a public beach, it could get you kicked out of the park. You may also face a fine of up to $500, according to the State Land Rules.

The 25-pound limit does not include any gold ore, if you find any. While it may not be common, gold can be found in Michigan because it was left when glaciers moved across the state in the last ice age, Lindsay Hiltunen, an archivist at Michigan Technological University told News 8 in May.

Small amounts of gold can be in most all of the waterways in Michigan, which is actually kind of a surprise to people, Hiltunen said.

If you do happen to find gold, youre allowed to keep up to 15.55 grams of gold per year from state-owned properties, according to a Michigan land use order.

The sand or rocks you take also cant cause a safety issue, damage property or destroy, damage or remove vegetation, Briggs said.

What happens if E. coli is found in the water at your favorite beach?

Michigan is home to the longest freshwater coastline in the world, with 3,288 miles of Great Lake shoreline. Much of those shores, especially in West Michigan, are considered High Risk Erosion Areas, meaning they recede about a foot or more per year over a minimum period of 15 years. In those areas, moving sand to build structures or use for commercial use is regulated by EGLE and requires a permit.

Several states, like Hawaii and California, have banned any removal of sand from public beaches, even by tourists.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Nick Brown is the most qualified candidate for Attorney General

Please vote in the Aug. 6 primary for Nick Brown for Attorney General of Washington state.

As a retired attorney who has worked for 40 years under five attorneys general in two states, I am aware of how critical this office is to all Washingtonians. The Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the state and is instrumental in protecting our rights, working with law enforcement to ensure public safety, and managing a staff of more than 1,800 employees, including almost 800 attorneys.

Nicks considerable breadth of experience as an Army lawyer (he is endorsed by VoteVets!), general counsel to the Governor, and U.S. Attorney for Western Washington has prepared him to meet this challenge and sets him apart from the other candidates.

Moreover, Nick was raised in Washington state and understands the issues unique to our state. Check Nicks website for more information.

Sarah Coats, Olympia

Nick Brown will do the job

I was an attorney in state government for over 37 years. Because of my experience, I am closely watching the campaign for Washington state Attorney General. There is no question in my mind that Nick Brown is by far the best candidate.

In addition to his experience as an attorney in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps (JAG Corps), and as the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, where he was the administrator of that prestigious office, he also served as legal adviser to Gov. Inslee. This broad experience provides the best possible background for leading an Attorney Generals Office that has over 800 attorneys and provides trial representation and legal advice to over 190 agencies that cover a broad range of subject matter.

Nick Brown provides the kind of mature experience these agencies need. He is an excellent administrator  an important qualification he brings to the job. He understands the needs of the citizens of Washington and will well represent them as Attorney General.

Anne Hall, Olympia

Elect Upthegrove for Commissioner of Public Lands

The Washington state Department of Natural Resources needs a strong leader who works with but is not bought by the timber industry.

Dave Upthegrove is the ONLY candidate in the race who is not taking money from the timber industry, their corporate executives and lobbyists. He is the ONLY candidate who is seriously addressing the need to protect Washingtons 77,000 acres of legacy forests. Dave has the sole endorsement of the Sierra Club and Washington Conservation Action. He is the ONLY candidate backed by the environmental community.

I spent several years attending Board of Natural Resources meetings when they were developing plans for managing the state lands for endangered species, including the Marbled Murrelet. Despite the precipitous decline of the murrelet population, the plan the board adopted in 2019 revealed a business as usual with no meaningful protections for the Marbled Murrelet and no meaningful assurances of jobs and revenue for the timber industry or trust beneficiaries. No one was happy with the decision. Dave Upthegrove would not have let this happen.

Dave has creative, progressive, workable plans for shifting the business-as-usual approach. He is a well-spoken, well-informed, thoughtful candidate with a solid grip on the role and responsibilities of the Commissioner of Public Lands. If you didnt know any better, youd think hed already taken office. Dave is looking out for the trees, the wildlife, the timber-dependent counties, and all the people of Washington State  not just the narrowly defined trust beneficiaries.

Please vote for Dave so our working forests work optimally for all Washingtonians.

Maria Ruth, Olympia
Letters to the Editor: A Vietnamese American reader on the My Lai massacre and William Calley

William Calley waits for a verdict from a court-martial panel in 1971. (Joe Holloway Jr. / Associated Press)

To the editor: The names William Calley and My Lai are forever etched as an indelible stain in history and the American psyche. ("William Calley, convicted U.S. soldier in My Lai massacre in Vietnam, dies," obituary, July 30)

Growing up in Vietnam, I never forgot the image of terrified elderly women and children, huddling together, sobbing and begging for their lives. This senseless carnage would have been much worse were it not for the heroic act of a helicopter captain who risked his own life by positioning his aircraft in between the villagers and the American soldiers, threatening to shoot at them if they didn't back down.

The ensuing cover-up of the My Lai massacre by the American commanders and the whitewashing of Calley's heinous acts were shameful and horrendous. Thanks to conscientious and excellent journalism, we are able to see a sliver of horror in the American war in Vietnam.

Son Trinh, Long Beach

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) Liberty University announced it has acquired the educational components of Virginia Technical Institute (VTI) in Altavista.

With the acquisition, Liberty will use VTIs programming and resources to enhance its current for-credit courses, expanding them into the not-for-credit environment for the universitys Center for Professional and Continuing Education. Students who are interested in learning a skill or trade will be able to gain the necessary skills to quickly enter the workforce instead of spending several years earning a degree.

Roanoke Commissioners of Revenue hosting canned food drive through August

I believe this new acquisition reinforces our commitment to expanding skilled trade training, said Liberty Provost and Chief Academic Officer Scott Hicks. This strategic move will further the universitys mission to Train Champions for Christ by preparing students, the community, and beyond for successful careers in critical trades and further strengthening the future of our workforce.

VTI and Liberty have collaborated for more than a decade, with students in Libertys Technical Studies Program taking courses at VTI in welding, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, HVAC, and more.

For more information on course offerings through Liberty Universitys Technical Studies Program, visit Libertys website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Lightning Expected: Fire officials to keep all resources within Utah amid storm conditions

Lightning Expected: Fire officials to keep all resources within Utah amid storm conditions

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Wildland fire officials have decided to keep all state firefighting resources in Utah due to fire conditions and the possibility of increased fire activity, according to Utah Fire Info.

The next weeks fire weather forecast is predicting continued hot and dry conditions as well as a significant increase in lightning activity across Utah, a press release from Utah Interagency Fire states. Given the weather predictions, the primary wildland fire management agencies are working to balance the need for firefighting resources within Utah with the ongoing needs of our neighboring states with significant fire activity.

Specifically, the Great Basin Coordination Center (GBCC) has forecasted the potential for storm systems to hit Utah over the weekend, bringing an increased likelihood for dry lightning, and in turn, fire danger across the state.

Week 7: New Utah Treasure Hunt clues are here  and details on a side hunt for $5k

Lightning from an approaching thunderstorm near Moab, Utah. In the foreground is an ancient Utah Juniper tree. These trees can live up to 1,000 years. (Photo by: Jon G. Fuller/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The GBCC has already issued a Fuel and Fire Behavior Advisory, in effect through Aug. 8, due to conditions in the state. The advisory states the following conditions are either happening now or will be seen in the near future:

Above-normal fine fuel loading and continuity across northwest Utah

Critical live fuel moisture values with grass and brush-type fuels available for ignition

Live and dead fuel moisture above the 90th-95th percentile

100 and 1000-hr time lag fuels at historical lows and seeing complete consumption

Extended weather forecasts calling for a return of hot and dry conditions in much of Utah

It is anticipated that fuels like sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, gamble oak, and mixed conifer can ignite easily and exhibit advanced rates of spread, fire officials said.

Utah has seen multiple large fires started by lightning in 2024  most notable being the Silver King Fire, which started in July has burned over 18,000 acres.

The increased fire behavior is concerning for both firefighter and public safety. Officials said it is critical we have enough firefighters in the state to battle fires that may impact our communities.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
When the Lincoln Unified School District resumes classes on Tuesday, students will be asked to follow a new policy that prohibits the use of cellphones during school hours.

Under the policy, students in all grades and at all schools will no longer be able to use their phones during instructional time. They will be required to place their phones in an identified space in their classrooms, and their phones will need to be turned off. Students will retrieve their phones at the end of class.

Students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade will not be allowed to use their phones during passing periods, recess, or lunch. However, those in high school will be permitted to use their phones during passing periods and lunch, according to the policy.

The policy states that phones can be used as a medical device if it is documented in student's health plan.

Superintendent Kelly Dextraze said she has been considering a no-phones policy for just over a year.

"This policy change is the result of careful analysis and review of research, related to the impacts of cellphone use on youth, as well as during instructional time," Dextraze said. "There are many schools, districts and states that have implemented such bans, and they are under consideration in others, including California. Many of our schools and classrooms have already successfully implemented similar practices which the policy change will formalize district wide."

Lincoln Unified School District's 2024-2025 parent and student handbook outlines several consequences for students who break the new rules.

For students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, the first violation will be considered a warning. The second will result in a call home, and the third will result in the student's phone being confiscated. The student's parent or guardian will be responsible for retrieving it.

For students in grades nine through 12, the first violation will result in their phone being confiscated and turned into the office. The teacher will notify the student's parent or guardian of the infraction, and the phone will be returned to the student at the end of the school day.

If the student violates the policy for the second time, detention will be issued, and their parent or guardian will be contacted. Their phone will be confiscated and anyone on the student's emergency contact list could pick it up at the end of the school day.

If the student violates the policy for the third time, they will be required to attend four hours of Saturday School or detention will be issued. Only their parent or guardian may pick up the phone.

To ban or not to ban?

Lincoln Unified School District's ban comes as policymakers and school districts nationwide and are considering stricter cellphone use rules.

According to a new survey by the Pew Research Center, 72% of high school teachers and a third of middle school teachers say that students being distracted by their cellphones is a major problem.

In June, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a statewide ban on cellphone use in California schools, citing the negative effects of social media on children's mental health. Newsom said he plans to build on a law he signed in 2019 that authorizes school districts to limit or prohibit students from using cellphones while in school.

Florida became the first state to require its public schools to ban students from using cellphones in class. The law, which took effect in July 2023, also bars students from accessing social media on district Wi-Fi.

This year, lawmakers in at least eight states have considered passing similar legislation.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill that requires school districts to prohibit cellphone use during instructional time in March. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a similar bill in May that requires every school district to establish an official policy governing cellphone use during the school day.

Connecticut, Kansas, Oklahoma, Vermont, and Washington have all introduced similar legislation.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Lincoln Unified to ban students from using phones during school hours
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A list of books banned at all Utah schools was released on Friday.

There are thirteen titles you wont be able to find at school libraries under Utah law H.B. 29. The Utah State Board of Education has designated these books as unfit for school reading, or objective sensitive material, as stated under law.

DONT SWIM: E. Coli levels high in Pineview Reservoir Middle Fork inlet

Here is the complete list of banned books:

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Forever by Judy Blume

Tilt by Ellen Hopkins

Fallout (Crank, Book 3) by Ellen Hopkins

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Blankets by Craig Thompson

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

The books have reportedly met the statewide threshold of removal  a threshold that includes a titles removal from three districts or two districts and three charters.

The titles [above] have been determined to contain Objective Sensitive Materials, the Utah State Board of Education stated.

No further information is available at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
It was when a lone police officer on a motorbike arrived at a far-Right gathering in Liverpool that 80 minutes of skirmishes descended into mob violence.

After scuffles, several charges and volleys of abuse, the officer arrived at the back of the clashes where people were being pushed back from police with riot shields.

Within seconds of being noticed he was being toppled from his bike and punched, kicked and hit with a wooden pole on Liverpools Strand.

The officer found his way up and escaped but it was too late to stop the violence escalating.

Amid the smell of marijuana and the sound of missiles thudding against riot shields, thousands turned the Liverpool waterfront into a battleground.

Initially it had been confined to chants between anti-immigration demonstrators chanting Save our Girls and Stop the Boats or praising Tommy Robinson.

Counter-demonstrators next to the port citys iconic Liver Building came back with chants of Nazi scum, off our streets.

People gather in Liverpool following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport - PA/James Speakman

For a short time it was confined to chanting and the occasional plastic bottle being thrown, with police dogs keeping the most aggressive at bay.

But 50 minutes later, masked youths led hundreds round The British Music Experience Museum, celebrating the Beatles and others, in an attempt to corner the counter-demonstration.

As the numbers grew the scene became more tense as people attempted to break through the line.

Police succeeded in pushing back rioters but the further they moved along the Strand the more objects the crowd of masked men and often children found to hurl at officers.

By the time they had toppled the officer on the motorbike, missiles had gone from empty cans of Stella to bottles, wooden poles and car hubcaps.

Next came the bricks. Having struggled to find many objects around the Liver Building where businesses had closed, a storehouse was hacked until the bricks came loose.

Yellow Merseyside police vans took the fire before officers lined with rectangular right shields stood firm as the debris flew over them.

Coloured smoke rises near a police cordon in Liverpool - Reuters/Belinda Jiao

At one point, a brave local attempted to halt the violence walking into the no mans land between officers and rioters.

As he held up his arms to both sides while bricks flew over him, he was moved away by officers before being hounded by a gaggle of angry men calling him a rat.

For another hour it was a similar picture as officers held their ground and rioters became more and more tired, brick by brick.

Nearly half a mile from the original protest where loose cobbles from a pavement renovation were hurled at officers, the violence eventually came to an end.

Similar scenes were replicated across the country in Hull, Stoke and Manchester, as clashes with the far-Right entered their fourth day.

They began on Tuesday evening following the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town of Southport a day earlier.

Counter-demonstrators gather at a Stand Up to Racism rally in Liverpool - Reuters/Belinda Jiao

The unrest then spread to London when hundreds clashed with police outside Downing Street following a rally.

Hartlepool, County Durham, also saw unrest after there were clashes with riot police in the centre of town as people attempted to march towards a nearby mosque.

On Friday night, riots spread to Sunderland with buildings set on fire and a number of police officers injured.

After several hours of disorder on Saturday, numbers dwindled in Liverpool as police managed to disperse rioters. There were some final attempts to goad police with the spray of stolen fire extinguishers, and the violence was over.

Meanwhile, most of the city had carried on as normal with stag and hen parties who had been in town making their way to the waterfront to scenes of destruction.

Theres always something on a Saturday, said one female reveller stumbling across lines of riot vans, who, like most of the city, was uninterested in joining the rioters.

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday revoked a plea deal for the accused plotters of the September 11 terrorist attacks, putting the death penalty back in play just days after the agreement had been reached.

In a memo, Austin noted the senior Defense Department official responsible for military commissions, retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier, had been relieved of her oversight of the case against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his alleged accomplices.

I have determined that, in light of the significance of the decision to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused in the above-referenced case, responsibility for such a decision should rest with me as the superior convening authority under the Military Commissions Act of 2009, he wrote. Effective immediately, I hereby withdraw your authority in the above-referenced case to enter into a pre-trial agreement and reserve such authority to myself.

Austin added: Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pre-trial agreements that you signed on July 31 , 2024 in the above-referenced case.

Escallier had signed the plea deal on Wednesday, with Mohammed agreeing to it from his cell in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Under its provisions, the confidant of Osama bin Laden would have been sentenced to 2,976 years in prisonone year for each death he was responsible for. Two accomplices would also have received sentences of up to life in prison.

The plea agreement was struck amid concerns from the defense and victims families about the legal feasibility of Mohammed receiving the death penalty due to allegations that he had been tortured while in custody, a senior law enforcement official close to the situation told The Daily Beast.

Mohammeds lead defense counsel, Gary Sowards, disapproved of Austins decision.

If the secretary of defense issued such an order, I am respectfully and profoundly disappointed that after all of these years the government still has not learned the lessons of this case, and the mischief that results from disregarding due process and fair play, he told The New York Times.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB )  A local attorney was honored at a national summit over the weekend for his support of Israel.

Larry Perry and his wife Pam received the award in Washington D.C at the annual Christians United for Israel Summit.

An Atlanta-based Mission group called the White Rose Society presented the award to the Perrys for their personal support of Israel.

Panama City Beach Fire Rescue responded to a fire at Majestic Beach Resort

The Perrys have hosted panels, political discussions, and more around Bay County to spread the message. While he doesnt expect awards, Perry says hes grateful to receive this one.

We dont do what we do from, you know, necessary recognition. We dont mean for accolades of theres not anything. Were not doing it for some recognition. We were honored to be recognized to understand, you know, the purpose behind the White Rose Society that reflects going all the way back to 1942, Larry Perry said.

The Perrys have been involved with the Israeli cause for about 10 years. They said they plan to continue their support and do what they can to help the cause.

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It has been a long four years as Republicans have waited for the 2024 Republican National Convention convenes in Milwaukee to nominate Donald John Trump for a second term as their candidate for President. While the delegates of all the states and territories are gathered in Milwaukee, Republicans around the country are watching and keeping up with the television and social media coverage, and local Republicans are certainly no exception.

Georgia is really important in this election. They say this is a purple state but honestly I believe that we are much more red than that. We are going to have get out and work hard and get people to the polls, Jefferson County GOP Chairwoman Cathy Russell said.

The majority of the population of Georgia does reside within a 10-county radius around metro Atlanta area but the rural Georgia vote has been crucial in statewide elections for Republicans like Governor Brian Kemp in 2018.

Glascocks voter participation lands us in the top five counties in the state most every election cycle. We still have half our voters not showing up at the polls. But Georgias large cities do not completely represent the state. Its the rural counties that are the heartbeat of the state, where the blue-collar hard-working people reside. Our voice should matter also, and we should be courted as much as Atlanta voters. We want to see, meet and talk with the candidates also, Glascock County GOP Chairwoman Tara Rabun said.

Area delegates at the district Republican convention: Gary Dye, Trey Chesser, Kristen Busby, Rebecca Woods, Chairwoman Cathy Russell, Vice Chairman John Adams.

The election cycle of 2024 has been one that is completely unpredictable. Its been full of court cases, vitriol rhetoric, and an assassination attempt on former President Trump wounding him and two rally attendees killed. With all that has happened, the Republican National Convention kept business going in Milwaukee pledging unity behind Trump.

Theres been a grateful and a prayerful attitude of everyone that Ive met. Everyone is grateful that the President Trump wasnt injured more seriously and everyones heart and prayers go out to the ones that were injured and the one that lost their life, said GA GOP State Committee Member and RNC Alternate Delegate John David Stallings. Stallings is also entering the first year of his third term as Mayor of Thomaston, Georgia.

Many of Trumps former political foes such as Florida Senator Marco Rubio, former UN Ambassador and primary challenger Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and South Carolina Tim Scott gave full throated endorsements of Trump. The biggest surprise was the announcement of Ohio U.S. Senator J.D. Vance who was selected to be Trumps running mate.

Senator Vance, or The Other J.D. as I like to call him, is a good pick for Vice President. He will bring a unified position with President Trump, with a strong voice of the rural people in our Country. I believe his age will also help to energize the ticket with younger voters, Stallings said.

While formally nominating Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for President of the United States is the main task of the convention, the party must also adopt its official platform. Creating and adopting the 2024 Republican Party platform has created a dichotomous situation for the party. Two generations of Republicans that were raised on the traditional conservative ideas of Reagan and Bush are fighting hard to keep their waning voices heard as the MAGA movement embraces more of populist conservative philosophy.

Russell readily agreed with the Republican Party embrace of Trumps America First agenda. Georgia delegate Suzi Voyles, who has a political pedigree that goes back to Phyllis Schlaflys Eagle Forum and the Reagan administration is serving on the committee that is crafting the 2024 platform.

Creating a stronger economy by re-instituting permanent tax cuts, returning American businesses back on shore, and restoring Americas energy independence are cornerstones of the 2024 platform.

Though the Supreme Court of the United States has a conservative majority, both parties have had issues with decisions the court has made. There is a bipartisan movement which the RNC has supported called the Keep Nine Amendment.

I am most proud of our resolve to put America first across every area through the policies mentioned above. I am also very proud that the platform highlighted an independent Judiciary Branch and brought to the forefront the commitment for the bipartisan Keep Nine Amendment prohibit court packing or court shrinking. The SCOTUS shall have nine members, no more and no less. I am very disappointed that in after the events of last Saturday with the attempt on the President and others, including the loss of a fathers life, that we did not take a strong stand on the dignity of all Life. Life is the First Freedom and Republicans have held fast to protecting the personhood of the most vulnerable from the unborn to natural death, Voyles said.

During the final two nights of the convention delegates and those watching all over the country heard from Vice-President candidate J.D. Vance and Donald Trump who formally accepted and addressed the RNC.

We have had four years of terrible policies under Joe Biden. Gas prices are so high, food also, and healthcare has went up so much, Russell said.

Russell added that the Jefferson County Republican Party has already put close 150 Trump signs up and eagerly await the Trump Vance signs when they become available.

One of the most important issues that this election cycles faces is voter integrity and transparency of the election process.

We have the most awesome election board in the state. Of course we have poll watchers, but the Jefferson County Board of Elections is great to work with and very transparent through the entire process, Russell said.

Local Republicans that want to get involved can go straight from watching the convention to being a part of the 2024 elections. Jefferson County GOP meets at the Rabun Community Center in Wrens on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 PM. In Glascock County they meet at the Gibson County Community House, 565 Braswell Park Lane, on the third Monday of each month at 6 PM.

This month we have a guest speaker on the rural voting initiative that is going to come here and help us come out with some strategies to get out the vote. We have already been doing some post cards and cleaning up voter rolls. Its going take all of us working hard, together to make sure we win in November. If someone wants to get involved we welcome them to come out to a meeting, Russell said.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Local GOP chairs reflect on the RNC and Georgia's role moving forward
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.- On Thursday, Governor Mike Parson introduced a new executive order banning the sale of hemp-infused products with psychoactive cannabis compounds, also known as Delta-8.

While the hemp industry is quickly becoming a billion-dollar industry, Greenlight Marijuana CEO John Mueller says it was never meant to become an intoxicating substance.

And theyre using the farm bill, which was really designed to help the hemp farmers and also CBD products, which is like a great vitamin for the body, but was never intended to be intoxicating, Mueller said.

Branson Schools awarded Missouri Quality Pre-K grant

According to the executive order, psychoactive cannabis products banned from sale include ones with the following compounds:

Delta-8 and delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-O)

Tetrahydrocannabiphoral (THCP)

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

Mueller said he is strongly in favor of Executive Order 24-10.

I think what the governor did yesterday is protect the consumers of the great state of Missouri. So we are we are thrilled with that and feel like that Missouris a safer place because of it, Mueller said.

The products have to come from an approved source to be sold to customers, but the state of Missouri nor the Food and Drug Administration recognize any of those sources.

I believe they, the people that are carrying on that shelf, a lot of times have no idea whats in that product. So those products are coming from all over the country and outside the country, not going through the FDA, Mueller said. USDA or any other regulatory body thats protecting consumers from basically ingesting something that youre unaware of.

Project starts soon to create waterfront property in downtown SGF

During Thursdays press conference, Governor Mike Parson spoke about the ban, questioning the safety of the products.

These companies and these people that are profiting off of this type of material to give it to our children, it needs to stop. No excuses. It needs to stop. If they want to do it, do it the right way, Parson said.

Smoke shops are not the only businesses with something to lose. Any business with a liquor license that is caught selling these products can be given a warning, a fine or even have their license suspended by the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.

If youre a convenience store operator, its not worth jeopardizing your liquor license where you can no longer sell Bud Light to sell this something thats, you know, worth less than 1% of your sales probably, Mueller said.

While some are supportive of the ban, others arent so accepting.

Monett man convicted of murder for shooting father 18 times

Blake Swindell is the CEO of Swin Dispensaries and says that things will have to change in his stores.

If theyre trying to hit closer to the regulation of marijuana edibles with our hemp-defined products, we will have to remove images of fruit off of these packages, Swindell said. So I will either be pulling the product, or Ill be getting with the company to create new packaging to better suit that regulation.

The Missouri Hemp Trade Association has spoken out against the ban as well, saying:

This executive order not only impacts the sale of psychoactive cannabis products but also threatens the livelihoods of many businesses operating within the hemp sector. It is essential that all stakeholders and customers come together to address this challenge head-on. Unity is our strength, and together we can fight for our rights and the future of the Missouri hemp industry. Missouri Hemp Trade Association

The ban on the psychoactive products will officially go into effect on September 1.

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DECATUR  Two Decatur teens were in stable condition Saturday after being injured by gunfire the previous evening, police said.

Sgt. Steve Hagemeyer of the Decatur Police Department said officers were dispatched at 5:40 p.m. Friday to the 800 block of West Elm Street after a report of shots fired. Officers found an 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the torso. He was transported to a local hospital.

While the officers were at the scene, another victim, 16, arrived at the hospital via private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the leg, Hagemeyer said.

"They were both treated for their gunshot wounds and are in stable condition," Hagemeyer said.

According to the initial investigation, the location of the shootings included a closed road with a gathering of people, he said.

The investigation is ongoing. Those with information are encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 217-424-2734 or Crimestoppers at 217-423-8477.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: A look back at Decatur firefighters through the years 
Ukrainian flag | Susan J. Demas

As Russias full-scale invasion in Ukraine continues into the end of its third year, leaders gathered in Grand Rapids this week, both virtually and in-person, to discuss the need for community collaboration with people embroiled in global conflicts.

The German Marshall Fund, a nonpartisan think tank focused on cooperation between North America and the European Union, spearheaded the events. The organization has hosted stops in five other U.S. cities to promote local involvement in facilitating peace and recovery in Ukraine.

The local is now all global, Heather Conley, the president of the German Marshall Fund, said to the Advance on Wednesday. Our job, our church, our community, our sports, whatever, its all international. So dont lean out of it. Lean into it.

I see in Grand Rapids a lot of leaning in, but they dont understand how important they are to Americas foreign policy, our national security, our prosperity, [they have a] very, huge role to play. I just want them to shout about it a little bit more and have Washington pay attention to it a little bit more.

The conversations centered around U.S. alliances with Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, beginning the escalation of military conflict in the eastern European country.

Since the escalation, U.S. lawmakers have appropriated billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine to support the government and its military operations. This year, GOP lawmakers blocked funding in February before Congress worked out a deal to send $60 billion to Ukraine in April.

Conley said this aid helps Ukrainian people and the countrys military, but it also promotes democracy and allyship throughout Europe. But she told a group of local veterans in Grand Rapids at the last event of the day that we havent given them enough to win.

Grand Rapids can play a role in promoting support for Ukraine by not forgetting about the conflict and expressing support for aid to community organizations and the local, state and federal governments, Conley said.

On the national stage the next day, President Joe Biden also highlighted the need for global allies after working out a deal with the Kremlin and several other European countries holding Russian prisoners to release U.S. hostages in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Michigander Paul Whelan.

The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship  friendship, Biden said.  Multiple countries helped get this done. They joined a difficult, complex negotiations at my request.

While the Biden administration has shown support for Ukraine, theres uncertainty whether that will continue after the November election.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, said he could end the war before inauguration day during the June presidential debate (which Conley said is impossible). At a February rally this year, he also said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO countries who did not meet funding requirements.

And he was impeached in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress after pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a favor to investigate Biden, while withholding $400 million in military aid. Trump was impeached a second time in 2021 for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Additionally, Trumps vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), has questioned Ukrainian aid and has promoted the America First ideal that European allies should primarily provide aid.

We have two stark visions of America and its role in the world, one that is isolationist, angry and believes our allies are only a drain on the United States, Conley said to the Advance. To another vision, which says allies are central. And now its not that we always agree with our allies. We sure dont. But working together with them in a world thats becoming more dangerous is really important.

But Justin Menkveld, who is on the board of directors of Grand Rapids Sister City International, told the Advance that he thinks either presidential candidate would support Ukraine, regardless of campaign rhetoric. During the June debate, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putins current deal is not acceptable.

Grand Rapids is a friendship city with Dnipro, a city in Ukraine along a major river with the same name. The city has been hit with air strikes by Russia since the wars escalation, and it has taken in thousands of displaced Ukrainian residents from the eastern border since the war began in 2014.

Grand Rapids established its relationship with Dnipro in January 2023, with a plan to facilitate the exchange of culture and consumerism between the two communities.

The city of Grand Rapids has taken a very bold and much necessary decision to support the city which has received so much damage in the last two years and which plays such a critical role for Ukraines economy and well being, so thank you all for being with us, said Kateryna Smaglily, a diplomat at the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States.

Anna Kovalenko, a founder of the Ukrainian Society of Michigan, which is based in Grand Rapids, compared the friendship city status between Dnipro and Grand Rapids to an engagement, where a sister city designation is a marriage. Grand Rapids indicated it would consider a sister city designation for Dnipro, which must be approved by the city council, after exploring the compatibility of the two communities.

While advocacy and knowledge about the war in Ukraine and the U.S. governments role in supplying aid is an important role for citizens, local investment in Ukrainian communities is also vital, according to speakers.

There are around 5,000 Ukrainian people currently living in Grand Rapids and many of them are refugees, according to Kovalenko. Her work with the Ukrainian Society of Michigan focuses on helping Ukrainian immigrants in Grand Rapids adapt to living in the U.S., like helping them navigate the health care system and finding transportation. The organization also tries to promote Ukrainian culture within Michigan.

Later on in the day, Conley answered questions from U.S. veterans about the war in Ukraine. The attendees discussed how they could raise funding for local organizations or send letters to people living in Ukraine for moral support.

The only way we protect the United States is that we unify, and we hold tight with our allies, and weve got this, but it takes a conversation, Conley said. It takes that explanation.

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Los Angeles County is choosing to continue with the "care first, jails last" approach when addressing the more than 75,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in the county, despite recent pressure from California's Gov. Gavin Newsom.

"We can't arrest our way out of what's going on in the streets," said L.A. Board Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who is one of five board members who unanimously voted this week against Newsom's executive order on dismantling homeless encampments across the state.

In his executive order on July 25, Newsom announced $24 billion in funding given to local governments across the state to address widespread homeless encampments, saying in a statement there are "simply no more excuses. It's time for everyone to do their part."

PHOTO: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference in Oakland, Calif., on July 11, 2024. (tephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

The governor's order follows the Supreme Court's landmark City of Grants Pass, Oregon, v. Johnson decision in June that gave localities the justification to fine and arrest people for sleeping outdoors on public property.

Barger maintained that she's not at odds with Newsom's order but rather supporting the ongoing work the board and its partners have been doing to solve the homelessness crisis in the county.

"The concern we have is if we're not all on the same page, as it relates to how the Grants Pass decision impacts the ability to clean up encampments, we are going to be just moving people from one city to another," Barger said of the 88 municipalities within Los Angeles County.

MORE: Los Angeles shelter helping homeless college students finish school, find acceptance

Showing a united front with the board of supervisors, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said during the meeting Tuesday, "Being homeless is not a crime, and we will maintain our focus on criminal behavior rather than an individual's status."

Barger believes the pathway to permanent results for the county's unhoused population is paved with outreach, mental health services and job training, which she says "gets lost" in the conversation.

PHOTO: A homeless encampment is shown in San Diego, Calif., on July 27, 2024. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The "Care First, Jails Last" investment is the Measure J ballot initiative approved by voters in 2020 to set aside at least 10% of existing locally controlled, unrestricted revenues to be directed to community investment and alternatives to incarceration.

Within the measure is the Care First Community Investment (CFCI), which has received $88.3 million in annual allocation from the Board of Supervisors.

Additionally, the Sheriff's Department's Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) is a group of law enforcement officers who work with homeless services agencies to help people experiencing homelessness.

Supervisor Hilda Solis told ABC News the law enforcement partnership "has been an integral partner in our Care First approach."

"Since their establishment, HOST has never resorted to arrests to address encampments in the public's right of way or that pose a public health concern," Solis said.

Despite pressure at the state level, Los Angeles City has in fact seen fewer people living on the streets in the last year.

PHOTO: A homeless encampment is shown in San Diego, Calif., on July 27, 2024. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The L.A. City Controller's office confirmed to ABC News the city saw a slight 1,000-person decrease in the unhoused population between 2023 and 2024.

This month, the nonprofit policy organization RAND released a 2023 study that showed that in areas with frequent encampment clearings, those encampments returned within two to three months.

After mass clearings of the homeless encampments in the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles, the share of unhoused people jumped from 20% to 46%, according to the study.

In a report released in June 2024, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) found that LA Municipal Code 41.18, which allows for encampment removal in certain areas, isn't effective at reducing encampments or helping to house people -- while costing over $3 million in two years, not including enforcement costs.

MORE: Report paints new picture of homelessness in California

"I've never seen incarceration work to end homelessness, I've only seen that extend homelessness," Downtown Women's Center CEO Amy Turk told ABC News.

The Downtown Women's Center (DWC) is a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles focused on serving women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness.

Turk has worked directly with the unhoused population in Los Angeles for two decades, providing trauma-informed outreach, shelter and helping people towards permanent housing.

"When I've seen people move toward criminalization, dismantling an encampment and offering no place for people to go, then what you see is people move from one plot of land to another plot of land, and you're not solving anything."

PHOTO: People walk near an encampment of homeless people in the Skid Row community, on July 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

However, others say the county and local organizations' efforts to keep people off the streets are not noticeable on the ground floor, where encampments, they say, continue to impede the lives of other residents.

"I think it's very clear that the programs and policies both at the city level and the county level, have failed to reduce the number of people on the streets in a significant and sustainable way," Paul Webster, executive director of the Los Angeles Alliance for Human Rights (LAAHR), told ABC News.

"Residents, business owners and even people experiencing homelessness themselves, have for years have been told that things are improving and that the city and the county have enacted programs that would end homelessness in Los Angeles, and for years, that has not come to pass," Webster added.

MORE: A California medical group treats only homeless patients -- and makes money doing it

In 2020, LAAHR sued the City and County of Los Angeles, claiming that the city's leaders were not doing enough to address the homelessness crisis.

Webster said the lawsuit demanded an increased number of shelter beds, increased access to mental health and drug abuse treatment and a return to the intended uses of public rights of way and public spaces.

In 2022, the lawsuit was settled with the county agreeing to pay $236 million to fund increased services, outreach, and interim housing.

"We've seen some progress," Webster said two years after the suit, adding, "We're still working to actively monitor and actively hold the city and the county accountable for these commitments."

Los Angeles County says 'care first, jails last' to Newsom's homeless encampment order originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department sergeant died late Thursday evening in a single-vehicle crash that happened while he was off duty.

The crash happened around 11 p.m. in Valencia near McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard, the Sheriffs Department confirmed Friday afternoon.

The deputy was identified by officials as Jason Viger, a sergeant with the LASD Homicide Bureau.

Details about the crash were limited, but a freelance journalist at the scene reported that a man and woman were involved in the crash. The man, later confirmed to be Viger, was pronounced dead on the scene; the unidentified woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.

No other vehicles were involved.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy was identified as the victim of a deadly crash in Valencia on Aug. 1, 2024. (KeyNews)

Viger, 43, joined the Sheriffs Department in 2008 and held positions in corrections, narcotics and had previous stints at the Palmdale Station and Lancaster Station.

Jason took immense pride in being the first sergeant to be a part of the Sheriffs Overdose Response Task Force, the Sheriffs Department said in a statement. Jason was recognized by the Department with commendations for working the Skirball Fire and for his patrol work by taking guns off the streets.

He is survived by his parents and additional loved ones, including four children and three siblings, one of whom is also an LASD sergeant.

Sergeant Jason Viger was passionate and loved being a Deputy Sheriff and his untimely passing has profoundly impacted our Department, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. He will be greatly missed within the LASD family and his unwavering dedication to protecting and serving our community will leave a lasting legacy.

The deadly crash is currently under investigation; its unclear if impairment played a role in the crash.

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BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a new law making it illegal to stand within 25 feet of an officer performing official duties. City police say the law emphasizes safety, but a local leader says it removes accountability.

Bossier City Police Department says the law is to ensure safety for all parties.

When were dealing with people in situations that are unknown, we never know when a struggle could break out, or you a fight or any type of disturbance that could potentially hurt not only the officer but could hurt bystanders, says Bossier Parish Sheriffs Offices Deputy Chief Joel Frentress.

Although the new law does not mention filming police, it inadvertently restricts interactions between officers and civilians. Such footage has played a central role in monumental police brutality cases, such as George Floyds murder and local Tommie McGlothens death in 2020.

McGlothen was suffering from a psychotic episode in the backseat of a police car after a violent encounter with officers. The officers were placed on leave after the video surfaced, more than two months after his death.

A local leader says she is ready to fight against the law, saying that it limits accountability.

George Floyd. If we didnt have the video of George Floyd, we would have never gotten justice for George Floyd. So we gotta think about why, why are they putting these laws in place. To stop the activists, Im sure its to stop people like me, leaders like me who have been holding police officers accountable, says Breka Peoples.

We are not giving up: Family reacts to officers acquittals in McGlothen death

Bossier Deputy Frentress says the law will help officers do their job.

Were not saying that people cant record us, were recording ourselves. And there are cameras everywhere in our city mounted on buildings. You know, all the storefronts have cameras, so its not to discourage people from recording us because we record ourselves, says Frentress.

However, Peoples says she is already working on a bail fund to support those who may be arrested for violating this new law.

We already knew when Jeff Landry was coming into place, was going to be governor, when he came into be governor we already knew all this stuff was going to happen, and were ready to fight because when we fight we win, affirms Peoples.

House Bill 173 took effect on August 1. It states that anyone who knowingly or intentionally approaches an officer while they are performing official duties and refuses to stop when ordered to do so could be subject to a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 60 days, or both.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The family and friends of a security officer are speaking out after police said he was shot and killed on the job by a person stealing groceries.

Loved ones are still grieving the loss of Alexander Maceo-Sanabria after his sudden death.

We want justice, family friend Luby Grunden said in Spanish. In the name of Alexander and his family.

Las Vegas man stealing groceries shoots security guard: police

The 52-year-old security officer was working at Marketon at Decatur Boulevard and Washington Avenue on July 20 when Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said a man stealing groceries shot him in the head.

Maceo-Sanabria later died at the hospital on July 27.

He was a person who didnt bother anybody, Grunden said about Sanabria in Spanish. A person who worked so hard for his family.

Miguel Narro, 36, was later arrested in connection with the case. He faces charges of attempted murder with a deadly weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a gun by a prohibited person, and discharging a firearm into an occupied structure.

Gruden, Maceo-Sanabrias friend and coworker of 20 years spoke out Friday on behalf of his family.

We need your help please, she said. For the family, for Alexander.

Maceo-Sanabrias family also released the following statement regarding his death:

We are grateful for the outpouring of support from the community during this difficult time but heartbroken we report that our beloved Alexander Maceo-Sanabria succumbed after several days of fighting for his life when he was shot while performing his job as a security guard at Marketon supermarket in Las Vegas. Alexander gave the greatest gift of life by donating his organs to save other lives. Alexander was a compassionate, hardworking individual who put others first. He was also known for his kindness, his dedication to his job, and his unwavering commitment to keeping others safe. He loved his job and was the pillar of his family always. Today we remember him with much love and affection as we try to complete all the arrangements for him to rest in his final resting place as the Hero he is. The medical and funeral expenses increased drastically so we appeal to the collaboration of this beautiful community that Alexander served for many years. We still do not have details of the funeral due to the complexity of the case, we ask for understanding and comprehension especially since this case will go to court. With gratitude, we also have the support of the companies he worked for as they assured us they would match the donations made on GOFUNDME so all the more reason this gives us a boost as we mourn and say goodbye to our beloved Alexander.

Grunden told 8 News Now his extended family is all in Cuba, so Maceo-Sanabrias wife and children here in Las Vegas are scrambling to pay for his funeral.

Today it could be us, tomorrow it could be somebody else, she said. Or it could happen to another family.

She said she hopes her efforts will help others understand the true pain Alexanders loved ones feel as they do their best to remember the happiness he brought to every life he touched.

No one should have to go through this, especially Alexs family, she concluded. No one can bring Alex back. Nothing can bring him back to life.

Miguel Narro, 36, faces several charges, including attempted murder, after police say he shot Maceo-Sanabria a security guard while stealing groceries from a supermarket. (LVMPD)

Miguel Narro is due in court on August 15.

If youd like to help Alexanders family, click HERE.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Despite an authoritarian regime's efforts to obstruct free and fair elections, Venezuelans turned out in large numbers to vote for their president last Sunday, hoping for change amid widespread political repression and a humanitarian crisis. The U.S. is deeply implicated in this turmoil, as the disputed election results underscore significant geopolitical stakes and can have a significant impact on American interests.

A government-controlled electoral commission declared Nicolas Maduro the winner of the election, claiming he received 51 percent of the votes. Yet exit polls and tallies by the opposition indicate that over 70 percent of Venezuelans supported the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez.

Governments around the world have denounced the election as fraudulent and demanded evidence of Maduro's claimed victory. Leaders such as Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have expressed their solidarity with the Venezuelan people's desire for change.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has echoed these concerns, claiming that the election results do not reflect the true will of the Venezuelan people. On Thursday, Blinken affirmed that the U.S. recognizes Gonzalez as the legitimate winner of the Venezuelan elections.

Even left-wing governments like Brazil and Colombia are pressing Maduro to substantiate his claim of victory, but no such proof has emerged. In a bigger turn of events, the Carter Center, one of the few entities invited to observe the Venezuelan election, condemned the electoral commission for its lack of transparency.

Protests erupted nationwide in response to the disputed election, with thousands taking to the streets. Several statues of former socialist president Hugo Chavez were toppled in the unrest. Clashes with security forces have resulted in hundreds of arrests and at least 17 deaths.

Strategic Concerns for the U.S.

Supporting the democratic aspirations of Venezuelans is crucial for U.S. interests. A free Venezuela will address key U.S. policy concerns such as the rise in illegal migration, untapped market opportunities, the growing influence of Iran and China in the region, and security risks for international commerce in the region.

Should Maduro remain in power, migration to the United States from Venezuela is expected to surge. Surveys show that over 40 percent of Venezuelans plan to leave the country if Maduro continues as president. This potential influx of refugees could strain U.S. immigration systems and social infrastructure, posing a major humanitarian and logistical challenge.

American firms will also miss out on substantial business opportunities in Venezuela if Maduro stays in power. The country's vast reserves of oil and uranium represent untapped markets that could enhance U.S. energy security. Investing in Venezuela's oil industry could help diversify energy sources and reduce dependency on unstable or unfriendly regions, leading to more stable energy prices and a reliable supply of oil for the U.S. market.

Maduro's continued rule will also likely increase the presence of U.S. adversaries such as Russia, Iran, and China in the region. Iran plans to expand trade with Venezuela to $20 billion per year, China is heavily investing in the country, and Russia has signed multiple military agreements with the South American country. As Venezuela continues to distance itself from the democratic world, one can only expect these relationships to strengthen. And having a rogue state relatively close to the U.S. border represents security concerns to American businesses and international trade in general.

To address these challenges, American policy makers need to adopt a more strategic approach. The current administration has focused on negotiating sanction relief for the Maduro regime in exchange for promises to hold free and fair elections. But this has proven insufficient, producing no positive changes in Maduro's behavior.



A new foreign policy approach should include a reassessment of institutions such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States. For years, these institutions have systematically failed to uphold the rule of law and human rights in Venezuela. Additionally, U.S. policy makers should establish measures to prevent regimes from exploiting international treaties and cooperation agreements. This includes sectors like finance and energy, where regimes have undermined democratic nations' interests. Finally, the methodology and effectiveness of sanctions should be reassessed. Despite a series of sanctions imposed by the U.S. on countries like Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, the International Monetary Fund projects economic growth for all these nations in 2024.

Failure to address these issues risks empowering autocrats around the world, jeopardizing U.S. national security, economic performance, and diplomatic standing.

The post Maduro Is Bad for Venezuela and Bad for the U.S. appeared first on Reason.com.
LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. (WHNT)  Joyce McConnells time as sheriff in Lincoln County is coming to an end after Thursdays primary election.

Tull Malone defeated McConnell in the primary race for Lincoln County Sheriff on Thursday.

Photography nonprofit offers Remembrance Portraits for parents suffering loss of a newborn

Sheriff McConnell was unanimously appointed the first-ever female sheriff in the countys history following former Lincoln County Sheriff Murray Blackwelders retirement at the end of July 2023.

Malone, who ran as an independent, tallied 4,234 of the 6,524 total votes cast in Thursdays primary election, while the republican candidate McConnell totaled 1,890.

According to his campaign website, Malone started over two decades ago as a deputy sheriff in Lincoln County. Hes also held multiple supervisory roles within the Lincoln County Sheriffs Department, including Sergeant, SWAT Team Leader, and Narcotics Investigator.

When Blackwelder retired, he recommended that the Chief Deputy at the time, McConnell, be appointed interim sheriff until another sheriff could be elected.

The Lincoln County Election Commission is set to verify the results later this month, and Malone will be sworn in at the beginning of September.

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CHICAGO  Felony charges have been filed against a Chicago man accused in two armed carjackings that occurred less than two hours apart on the citys South and Southwest sides.

Chicago police say 19-year-old Jomari Tanksley, an Auburn Gresham resident, has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm.

City worker carjacked in Streeterville

The charges stem from two armed carjackings that allegedly unfolded on the evening of Wednesday, May, 1.

19-year-old Jomari Tanksley, an Auburn Gresham resident, has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm, in connection with two armed carjackings on the South and Southwest sides in early May.

Offices say around 8:10 p.m., Tanksley allegedly carjacked a 43-year-old man at gunpoint in the 3000 of South Halsted Street, in Bridgeport.

Less than two hours later, at 9:40 p.m., Tanksley allegedly carjacked a 20-year-old man at gunpoint in the 3200 block of South Wood Street in McKinley Park.

Chicago man handed 40-year prison sentence for sex trafficking several minors

Members of the Chicago Police Vehicular Hijacking Task Force eventually caught up with Tanksley on Thursday and he was taken into custody in Auburn Gresham.

Tanksley appeared in court for a detention hearing on Tuesday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A 34-year-old homeless man was arraigned Thursday for allegedly starting a fire in Jamestown that seriously injured one, the Chautauqua County District Attorneys Office announced.

It is alleged that Eric Courtier started a fire at 234 Fulton St. that caused serious injuries to the victim, who is also homeless and was sleeping upstairs, officials said.

Mayville man accused of arson in Jamestown after fire seriously injures victim

There was significant damage to the building, which was a condemned house that was under the authority of the Jamestown Department of Development, according to the DAs office.

Courtier was indicted on the charges of first-degree arson and second-degree arson.

The case is scheduled for a conference on Aug. 26.

Latest Local News

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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(PUEBLO, Colo.)  A 27-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, July 28, after a ShotSpotter alert notified police of shots fired, and it was later revealed that the suspect had fired shots into the air after an argument with a woman.

According to the Pueblo Police Department (PPD), officers responded on July 28 shortly before 7:45 a.m. to a ShotSpotter alert in the 800 block of East 4th Street, on Pueblos east side. When officers arrived, they found two spent .380 caliber shell casings.

PPD said video footage was obtained showing a man arguing with a woman, before the man fired a gun into the air.

Around 9 p.m. the same day, a caller reported that the male suspect was once again in the area. Officers responded, and PPD said they were able to locate the man with the help of the Real Time Crime Center.

Courtesy: Pueblo Police Department

The suspect was identified as 27-year-old Matthew Arnette, and he was still in possession of the gun when police found him. Arnette was arrested and booked on charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Concealed Weapon.

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(KRON)  A Berkeley charity organizations offices were broken into and burglarized on Thursday night. Multicultural Institute, located at 1920 7th Street in Berkeley, said the break-in happened at about 11 p.m.

Linda Wooldridge: East Bay biking coalition claims recent cyclists death was preventable

We have some sad news to share, the charity said on Facebook, claiming their doors were broken down with office doors taken off their hinges. They said some computer equipment, money, and other items were stolen.

Despite the damage endured, Multicultural Institute said the building will be able to continue operations. Luckily, we are all safe, and the damage can be fixed, they said, claiming the charity organizations Berkeley office could open as soon as next week.

As a result of the break-in, Multicultural Institute is asking for donations to replace the broken and stolen items. Donations can be made here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
JENNINGS, Mo.  A man faces felony charges after an argument led to a deadly stabbing last month in Jennings.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Maray Carpenter, 39, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action amid the investigation.

Carpenter is accused of fatally stabbing a man at his home in the 5700 block of Helen Avenue on July 19. Police have not disclosed the victims identity.

What does Missouris nuisance law mean for St. Louis?

According to a probable cause statement obtained by FOX 2, Carpenter and the victim were in a heated argument that involved some pushing and shoving. As the victim tried to get to his car, Carpenter approached him and stabbed him in the chest.

The victim was later rushed to a hospital for treatment, though he died from his injuries.

Authorities recovered a knife suspected in the stabbing in an alleyway near the home, which also matched a set of knives from the home. Carpenter was later questioned about the stabbing, to which he admitted to leaving the home through an alleyway, but denied any involvement in an altercation leading up to the victims death, per the probable cause statement.

Carpenter is booked into jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond.

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INDIANAPOLIS  One person is dead after a fatal crash on the city's eastside Saturday morning.

As family members were gathered around yellow tape learning the news of their loss, a firetruck on its way to the scene flipped and four firefighters were taken to area hospitals.

According to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police just before 11:30 a.m. officers were dispatched to the underpass near East 30th Street and Massachusetts Avenue. There they found a red vehicle crashed near a parked semi and determined it was traveling westbound on Massachusetts Avenue.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police investigate a fatal crash near the underpass of East 30th Street and Massachusetts Avenue on Saturday, August 2, 2024.

"When officers arrived, they found an adult male in the vehicle pronounced deceased on the scene," Sgt. Anthony Patterson with the department said.

Police believe the driver may have lost control, crossed the center lane and crashed into a parked semi, with speed playing a role in the crash.

The driver was identified Monday as Deondrey R. Pirtle, 20, by the Marion County Coroner's Office.

Meanwhile, city firefighters who were on their way to the crash were involved in one of their own. According to Indianapolis Fire Department, at 11:17 a.m., four firefighters were transported to area hospitals after their firetruck crashed. No other vehicles were involved.

The firetruck made an attempt to maneuver around slowed traffic and a "wide load" while escorted by Indiana State Police, but were unsuccessful with the maneuver flipping over the truck.

11:17 AM - 4 #IFD Firefighters transported to area hospitals after their firetruck crashed while en-route to another accident. The crew of TAC43 were en-route w/ lights & sirens activated & headed west on 30th street to an accident at 30th & Massachusetts. #IMPD Investigating pic.twitter.com/tgE1bMvBrs  Indianapolis Fire Department  (@IFD_NEWS) August 3, 2024

The four firefighters suffered injuries from minor to serious, but not life-threatening.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police are investigating that crash as well.

The area around Massachusetts Avenue will be closed for the next few hours are police conduct their investigation.

Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formally Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Deondrey Pirtle, 20, dead after hitting parked semi near Indy underpass
Man dead after Ohio Township crash also suffered gunshot wound, police say

Allegheny County police are investigating the death of a man found in a crashed car with a gunshot wound on Friday.

Police say 911 dispatchers learned of a single-vehicle crash on Ben Avon Heights Road near Gass Road in Ohio Township around 6:20 p.m.

First responders found good samaritans performing CPR on a man in cardiac arrest. Medics took the man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police say at the hospital, medical staff discovered the man had been shot in the torso.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identifies the man as Jordan Nathan Ross Geiger, 18, of Pittsburgh.

The Allegheny County Police Departments Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the death. Anyone who heard a gunshot in the Ben Avon Heights area between 6 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. on Friday should call the Allegheny County Police tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.

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JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ)  One man was killed on Friday night after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into two homes in Johnstown.

Police were called to the 500 block of Harold Avenue at 8:16 p.m. for a report of a vehicle crashing into two homes, according to Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees. A man from North Carolina in his 70s was driving a pickup truck when he rounded a curve and lost control.

Lees said that he then crashed into two houses. It is unknown at this time what caused him to crash and an autopsy is scheduled to be performed on Saturday, Aug. 3.

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The Johnstown Police Department, Johnstown Fire Department, West End EMS and CMMC Dart all responded to the accident.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Johnson County jury has found a man guilty for a 2022 shooting in Mission, Kansas that left 16-year-old Jammaal Blacknoll, Jr. dead.

On Friday, Deon Eugene Austin was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated battery.

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Police responded to a shooting that occurred just before 9 a.m. Sunday, April 10, 2022, at the Silverwood Apartments near 51st Street and Foxridge Drive.

The shooting was just the second homicide in Mission in 23 years and the first since 2012.

Two teenagers were found at the scene. Blacknoll was pronounced dead at the scene and a 13-year-old girl was hospitalized. Police said neither of the victims were residents of Mission.

Austin was arrested in October of 2022 and waived the jurisdiction of the juvenile court on May 1, 2023.

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He is scheduled to be sentenced at 3 p.m. on Sept. 26.

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ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (WGNO)  A man has been found guilty of raping a young girl after a St. Tammany Parish jury deliberated for around two hours on Friday, Aug. 2.

According to a report from District Attorney Collin Sims, a woman appeared at the Slidell Police Department in 2018 to report that her daughter had been inappropriately touched. She said that her daughter had recently disclosed having been sexually assaulted by a family friend two years prior during a family gathering.

The girl would have been 9-years-old at the time.

Suspect identified in Central City homicide case

The now 17-year-old victim said during the trial that then 61-year-old Sander Dedeaux, of Picayune, Mississippi, had entered the bathroom while she was inside, and proceeded to touch her sexually before raping her. The victim went on to describe experiencing pain for several days afterward.

Jurors were reportedly reminded during the trial of Dedeauxs interaction with Detective Thomas McNulty, in which officials say he responded to being arrested for raping the child by smiling and asking if he was being accused of making love with her.

The defense reportedly argued to the jury that McNulty misinterpreted Dedeauxs reaction to being arrested, adding that the states case was nothing more than the statement of that girl and was a whole lot of nothing. The defense also brought to attention that the victims medical examination, which took place two years later, revealed no injuries.

Twin 8-year-old girls found after being reported missing from New Orleans

The state closed by arguing that visible injuries wouldnt be expected two years after the assault and noted that the victims testimony included concrete sensory details and meaningful answers to attorneys in their follow-up questions.

Dedeaux is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 12 and is charged with first-degree rape, which carries with it a mandatory life sentence, and sexual battery of a child under age 13, which carries a sentence of 25 to 99 years in prison.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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Man hurt in late night shooting may have been targeted: New Bern Police

NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT)  New Bern Police launched an investigation following a shooting that left a man hurt on the northwest side of the city.

Police found a shooting victim after responding to the 2700 block of Neuse Boulevard Friday night, shortly after 11 p.m. Police identified the victim as Peter Montalvo, 39. He was taken to CarolinaEast Medical Center and then moved to ECU Health Medical Center for further treatment, according to New Bern Police.

Investigators believe the shooting was targeted. No arrests have been made.

NBPD asks anyone with information about this crime to call 252-672-4118.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man was killed Friday evening after being hit by a vehicle in the Otay Mesa West neighborhood, authorities said.

The collision occurred shortly before 7 p.m. when a 77-year-old woman was driving a 2010 Toyota Rav4 westbound in the 4200 block of Del Sol Boulevard, explained the San Diego Police Department.

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At that same time, a 37-year-old man was reportedly walking southbound from the north sidewalk of Kostner Drive. For reasons still under investigation, police said the driver of the Rav4 failed to stop at the stop sign and collided with the pedestrian.

The man suffered severe head trauma and was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His identity has not been released at this time.

According to police, it was determined that DUI was not a factor in the collision. Traffic Division officers responded to the scene and will be investigating the deadly collision.

Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A man is dead following a shooting in the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans in the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 3.

NOPD seeks vehicle of interest in Seventh District found child case

According to the New Orleans Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 3100 block of Saint Roch Avenue around 12:46 a.m. on reports of a person being shot.

When police arrived, they found a man lying in the median having been shot several times. He was declared dead after emergency services arrived on scene.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Orleans Parish Coroners Office identified the victim as 32-year-old Brandon Hayward.

Suspect arrested in New Orleans fatal hit and run case

Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300 or call Crimestoppers if Greater New Orleans anonymously at 504-822-1111.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A New Haven pizza restaurant was robbed of cash Friday afternoon by a man who appeared to be armed with a knife, said police.

At 1:30 p.m., a man entered the Dayton Street Apizza located at 60 Dayton St. asking to use the bathroom. Shortly after, he demanded money from an employee while holding a knife wrapped in a bag, said responding officers. However, the suspect did not display the weapon.

The suspect obtained an unspecified amount of cash from the register and fled the restaurant on foot without hurting anyone.

Police describe the suspect as a heavyset white male with blond hair. He stands around five feet, ten inches tall.

New Haven police are asking witnesses and anyone with information on this robbery to contact detectives at 203-946-6304 or leave an anonymous tip at 866-888-8477.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping a woman in Pennsylvania and then driving her to Nevada in 2019 and killing her in the desert, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Back in May, John Matthew Chapman of Pennsylvania was found guilty of one count of kidnapping resulting in death, following an eight-day jury trial.

The presiding judge sentenced Chapman to the maximum penalty.

On Nov. 14, 2019, police began an investigation into locating Jaime Feden after concerns from her friends and family were brought to the departments attention. The investigation led to police learning that Feden was found dead and unidentified in the desert of Lincoln County, Nevada on October 5, 2019.

Man convicted of kidnapping resulting in girlfriends death in Nevada desert

8 News Now previously reported that on Nov. 15, 2019, Chapman was arrested and interviewed by detectives with the Bethel Park Police Department of Pennsylvania. During the interview, Chapman admitted that in Sept. 2019, he drove the Feden from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, to Las Vegas, Nevada. He further admitted that he misled the Feden to believe the trip was a vacation, and that they would potentially purchase a home in Las Vegas. However, police said Chapman had planned to kill the Feden and had a kill kit ready before their departure to Nevada.

According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, on November 14, 2019, police in Pennsylvania found identification cards with Chapmans name and photograph, the victims cellular telephone, multiple zip ties, and a roll of duct tape inside the victims residence.

A joint investigation with the FBI, Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, and Bethel Park Police Department revealed that Chapman returned to Pennsylvania. He pretended to be the victim, including using the victims Facebook messenger account, and he continuously used the victims residence and money following her death, according to court documents.

The defendant violated the victims trust by luring her away from her family and friends in Pennsylvania and out into the Nevada desert where he viciously killed her, United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada said. This sentence should send a clear message to others that kidnapping and killing another person will result in a substantial prison sentence.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Man uses fake name, forges check to steal $20K Cadillac in St. Louis County

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A man allegedly used a fake name and forged a check to steal a $20,000 Cadillac vehicle in St. Louis County. Investigators say stemmed from a Facebook marketplace exchange.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Edward Simms. 59, with one felony count of stealing a motor vehicle amid the investigation.

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The transaction under investigation dates back to August 2022. According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, the victim made plans to sell his 2011 Cadillac to a man who identified himself as Clyde Flemmons, though was later determined to be Simms.

Simms reportedly provided the victim a check pretending to be associated with a business called Clyde Flemons Trucking, which authorities also later determined to be fake. At that time of the exchange, the victim gave Simms on set of car keys, but held onto the title and the spare set of keys. The victim wanted to ensure that the check cleared and Simms agreed to those terms, taking off in the car after that.

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Later on, the victim attempted to deposit the check, though was informed the check was forged. The victim then visited the address listed on the business card, though Simms did not live there. The victim shared a photo of Simms on his phone to police, and law enforcement later tracked him down in the Cadillac in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Per court documents, the cars original license plates were removed and replaced with ones from a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, registered to a different person. Simms allegedly told police he owned the car, but his statement did not match with Missouri records on the vehicle.

Simms has a criminal setting hearing scheduled for Sept. 5, 2024, according to Missouri court records.

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Manatee County is encouraging those in Coastal Level A to evacuate as Tropical Storm Debby approaches the Bradenton area.

Tropical Storm Debby, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico around 5 p.m. Saturday, is expected to bring heavy rain and wind gusts to the Bradenton area over the weekend. Manatee County Emergency Management announced Saturday afternoon that those along the coast are encouraged to evacuate.

The National Hurricane Centers 8 p.m. Saturday advisory shows Manatee County outside the cone of uncertainty, with Debby expected to make landfall in Floridas Big Bend region Monday around 2 p.m.

Tropical Depression Four could impact our coastal communities, said Jodie Fiske, Manatee Countys director of Public Safety. We are opening an additional shelter for those residents and visitors in Coastal Level A.

The encouraged evacuations in Zone A are not mandatory.

Emergency management officials announced Miller Elementary School, 601 43rd St. W., Bradenton, would open at 5 p.m. Saturday for those who wish to evacuate from Coastal Level A.

At noon on Saturday, a shelter opened at Nolan Middle School, 6615 Greenbrook Blvd., Bradenton, for those looking to escape flood-prone areas.

Manatee County encourages coastal evacuation

You can determine your evacuation level by visiting MyManatee.org/storm.

Evacuation levels are classified using letters A through E, with Level A being the most vulnerable to storm surge and the first level ordered to evacuate, with Level E being the least vulnerable and the last that would be ordered to evacuate.

Level A areas are along the waters of the Gulf, local bays, Manatee River, Braden River to near Lake Manatee, which includes all of Anna Maria Island, Cortez, Perico, Port Manatee and more.

Evacuation orders are issued depending on expected storm surge:

Level A - 11 feet

Level B - 14 feet

Level C - 18 feet

Level D - 27 feet

Level E - 33 feet

Manatee County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning, meaning that tropical storm conditions are likely within the next 36 hours. The county is also under a Storm Surge Warning, with a peak storm surge of up to 4 feet expected along the coast.

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to continue strengthening in the Gulf before making landfall in Floridas Big Bend region as a hurricane around 2 p.m. Monday.
MANHATTAN (KSNT)  A brewing company in the Manhattan area is expanding across the Sunflower State.

Manhattan Brewing Company announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, it is opening up a permanent location in Wichita. The new brewery will take up residence at a brick and mortar location, near the Arkansas River, 117 N. Handley Street.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Manhattan Brewing Company Co-owner Jake Voegeli told 27 News his brother bought the building, which used to be an old brewery. The business had several pop-ups at that location, and after seeing success, decide to make it permanent.

We had done three pop-ups right before, and then after the third pop-up that basically the day after, were like, Yeah, we should definitely do this more permanently, Voegeli said. We got together, we talked it out, and worked out an agreement and here we are.

Even though the brewery is expanding to a town with a university, Voegeli said its staying true to its purple roots.

Photo Courtesy Jake Voegeli

Photo Courtesy Jake Voegeli

Photo Courtesy Jake Voegeli

Photo Courtesy Jake Voegeli

Photo Courtesy Jake Voegeli

Photo Courtesy Jake Voegeli

We are K-State, we are Manhattan, Voegeli said. We bleed purple, and we want to bring a lot of that to Wichita as well. And do K-Staters a place to go and drink beer that was made in Manhattan.

Voegeli told 27 News the breweries in Wichita are already great, so it means a lot to be able to showcase Manhattan Brewing Companys specialty beers to a much larger audience.

The Wichita location of Manhattan Brewing Company is set to open Friday, Aug. 23. The brewery will be open Fridays, from 5-10 p.m., Saturdays from noon-10 p.m. and Sundays from noon-8 p.m. Voegeli said the brewery is available to be rented for private events Monday through Thursday.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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Many online pharmacies that are selling semaglutide, the main ingredient in weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are doing so illegally, according to new research.

The study, released Friday in the journal JAMA Network Open, found that when researchers used search engines to try and find websites advertising semaglutide without a prescription in the summer of last year, 42.27 percent of the online pharmacies that came up belonged to illegal pharmacy operations.

This qualitative study found that semaglutide products are actively being sold without prescription by illegal online pharmacies, with vendors shipping unregistered and falsified products, the study reads. Two websites evaluated were sent [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)] warning letters for unlawful sale of unapproved and misbranded semaglutide.

Tim Mackey, an author of the report and professor at the University of California, San Diego, said those who are shopping online for the anti-obesity meds are facing serious consumer risks of receiving medicine that is fake, ineffective and potentially dangerous.

The research echoes alerts from the World Health Organization (WHO), which warned in June that fake versions of semaglutide were located, and being sold, in different countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) put out a medical product alert in June that warned of fake versions of semaglutide, diabetes drug, being located in different countries

WHO advises healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public [to] be aware of these falsified batches of medicines, Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director-general for Access to Medicines and Health Products, said in a statement. We call on stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and report to relevant authorities.

Manufacturers have found it difficult to keep up with the demand for the anti-obesity meds, which can cost up to $1,300 per month, the study found. Because of this, the number of people searching for the medicine on online pharmacies has increased, exacerbating the rise in knock off products, per the research.

Mackey added that the rise in potentially illegal online sales can also be credited to insurance plans that do not cover the injections or patients whose doctors will not write them a prescription for the drug. Medicare also will not pay for the medicine when they are prescribed for weight loss, the study explained.

Mackey and his colleagues tested six different samples of semaglutide from different online pharmacies. In their study, they found that at least two of the pharmacies had received warning letters from the Food and Drug administration for the unlawful sale of misbranded semaglutide.

The drugs purchased online also contained up to 39 percent more semaglutide than was labeled on the medicine, the research found. Overdosing on the medicine could lead to nausea, vomiting and dangerous drops in blood sugar, which can make people feel sick, per the FDA.

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly announced in June that it was filing several legal actions against med-spas, wellness centers and other entities that used unapproved products resembling their weight loss drug.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
This past week, Ive been going to the National Hurricane Centers website about twice a day to look at the orange blob that was covering most of Florida on the seven-day tropical weather map. A blob that turned an alarming red on Thursday but was drifting west.

Not a hurricane path but a pre-hurricane wave that by Friday had a good chance of being upgraded from a blob to a cone of concern, complete with a Christian name attached.

Nervously clicking on the nhc.noaa.gov website for the hurricane outlook is part of my August-September morning routine: Eat cereal, make coffee, call up the new hurricane map.

More: What is Project 2025? 5 ways its radical ideas are similar to Florida laws

Im grateful for the online hurricane maps. Im old enough to remember when wed have paper maps and listen when the radio and TV weather reports would announce hurricane coordinates in longitude and latitude. Publix used to print maps on paper grocery bags in August and September, and hefty Sunday newspapers included hurricane map inserts. Now you can see whats on the way at a glance and not have to draw the line yourself. You can even be aware of the pre-storm. During the 2004 Year of the Hurricanes, the weather services site received 9 billion hits. And that was back when a billion hits meant something.

The tropical weather outlook map for Friday morning. Pulling it up is part of many Floridians morning routine in the summer.

Not everyone appreciates the National Weather Service, its websites and record-keeping like I do. The same people who view libraries, parks and Medicare as dangerous creeping socialism also put the weather service in that category.

So it was no surprise that when the Heritage Foundation released its hefty things-to-do list should Donald Trump return to the presidency, privatizing weather service functions made the list. The Heritage Foundations Project 2025s 922-page wish list has a lot of perennial conservative and culture war recommendations  get rid of the Department of Education, end Head Start, defund public broadcasting, and return to the good old days of drill-baby-drill energy policy.

More: Would Project 2025 make you pay for hurricane warnings and forecasts? Here's what to know

More: What is Project 2025? 5 ways its radical ideas are similar to Florida laws

The Heritage report says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Services parent agency, is one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, therefore, needs to be dismantled.

Stop issuing those disturbing statistics and studies and this global warming stuff wont bother people anymore. Messenger silenced. Problem solved.

But its an alarming prospect to imagine a day when youd be looking for the usual hurricane map and instead encounter a pop-up that says, A hurricane is about to hit Florida! To find out where, subscribe now at the double-platinum membership level for only $30 a month! This week only.

This is a worry that makes this an unpopular idea that stands out even within Project 2025s Russian-novel-sized directory of unpopular ideas.

Its kind of a tradition that unpopular policy ideas are floated after an election, not before. But this is a think tank full of people who have been systematically measuring White House drapes for some time. You can hardly blame them for jumping the gun.

This has forced Trump to claim he never heard of that report or the people who compiled it. Just random people who used to work for his administration and advised him politically. Nothing to see here.

And AccuWeather, whose former CEO had urged privatization of the weather service, also made a point of distancing itself from Project 2025. AccuWeather does not agree with the view, and AccuWeather has not suggested, that the National Weather Service (NWS) should fully commercialize its operations, AccuWeather CEO Steven R. Smith said in a company statement.

For now, we can still watch red blobs and concerning cones throughout hurricane summers as a free-to-use government benefit. It is reassuring to see the speed with which Republicans have distanced themselves from Project 2025s dreams of dismantling worthwhile government services. They did not need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Hopefully, the backlash the project sparked will discourage further attacks on the weather services science and fine work. And the orange blobs of August 2025 will appear right on schedule.

Mark Lane is a News-Journal columnist. His email is mlanewrites@gmail.com.

Mark Lane

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Mark Lane: Project 2025, dont take my hurricane maps away!
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced a historic $4.037 billion settlement Friday to resolve claims arising from the tragic Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires that left more than 100 people dead, thousands of others displaced and homes and businesses destroyed.

The settlement comes just before the one-year mark of the tragedy. The seven defendants  state of Hawai'i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications  "undertook significant efforts to find a resolution that addresses the needs and ensures the well-being of plaintiffs, all affected individuals, and their families," according to a press release from Green's office.

PHOTO: The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street on Aug. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)

MORE: Maui's Resilience: The island's path to recovery

The settlement addresses roughly 450 lawsuits filed by individuals, businesses, and insurance companies in both state and federal courts in connection with the fires in Lahaina and Upcountry on the island of Maui.

The settlement agreement remains subject to final documentation and court approval, according to Green's office. Once a final settlement agreement is signed and approved following judicial and legislative review, payments are expected to start as early as mid-2025.

As of now, the governor's office states that the agreement is conditional "on the resolution of the insurance companies claims that have already been paid for property loss and other damages, with no additional payments from the defendants."

PHOTO: An aerial image taken on Aug. 10, 2023 shows destroyed homes and buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

"My priority as Governor was to expedite the agreement and to avoid protracted and painful lawsuits so as many resources as possible would go to those affected by the wildfires as quickly as possible," said Green in a Friday statement. "Settling a matter like this within a year is unprecedented, and it will be good that our people don't have to wait to rebuild their lives as long as others have in many places that have suffered similar tragedies."

As the community prepares to mourn those who've been lost one year later, the community is also still in the midst of its rebuilding, with building permits newly being issued, debris removal ongoing and some families still displaced.

The destruction from the wildfires forced Maui local officials and its residents to reckon with a slate of issues that had been plaguing the community.

The impact of tourism, climate change, lack of affordable housing and more became pivotal points in the community's recovery effort.

"In light of the recent settlement, the County will continue working with wildfire victims and their representatives to provide services and resources throughout the recovery period," the County of Maui said in a press release Friday evening.

"The agreement is an important first step and represents the commitment of the signatories towards reaching a final settlement that would provide compensation to those impacted by the tragic fires," said County Corporation Counsel Victoria Takayesu. "The County remains steadfast in its commitment to rebuild Lahaina and support its community."

Maui plaintiffs reach $4 billion global settlement following wildfire tragedy lawsuits originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Maui wildfire victims have reached a $4 billion settlement agreement, court filings show.

Liaison attorneys filed a motion saying the settlement looks to resolve all of the claims from last years devastating Maui fire.

It asks the judge to order that insurers cant separately go after defendants who receive money, The Associated Press reported.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the Aug. 8, 2023 fire in Maui that killed 102 people and destroyed the historic tourist town of Lahaina.

The settlement was reached as there are concerns that Hawaiian Electric, the power company that people blame for starting the fire, could be going bankrupt.

Gilbert Keith-Agaran, an attorney who represents fire victims, said the amount reached in the settlement was woefully short but the plaintiffs needed to consider the electric companys limited assets, the AP reported.

More work needs to be done on how to divide up the total amount, but the agreement was the first step in getting victims of the fire compensated, said Jake Lowenthawl, a Maui attorney.

Were under no illusions that this is going to make Maui whole, he told the AP. We know for a fact that its not going to make up for what they lost.

In a statement, Hawaiian Electric said the money will reestablish the companys financial stability. Payments are expected to begin by the middle of 2025, it said.

For the many affected parties to work with such commitment and focus to reach resolution in a uniquely complex case is a powerful demonstration of how Hawaii comes together in times of crisis, CEO Sheelee Kimura said in a statement.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) called the settlement historic in a statement online after hinting at the settlement earlier this week.

This Global Settlement of over $4 billion will help our people heal. My priority as Governor was to expedite those affected by the wildfires as quickly as possible, he said. Settling a matter like this within a year in unprecedented, and it will be good that our people dont have to wait to rebuild their lives as long as others have in many places that have suffered similar strategies.

Many lawsuits have been filed in the aftermath of the fire. One lawsuit argues that the states electric utility contributed to the devastating wildfire. A Hawaiian couple argues that Wildfire Management Organization issued a plan in 2014 that pointed to Lahainas vulnerabilities.

The father of a woman killed in the fires has sued the local government of Maui, the utility company and large landowners, arguing they are responsible for the disaster.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vice President Harris has the chance to succeed where Hillary Clinton failed  in the quest to defeat former President Trump and become the first female president.

Right now, it looks like she has about a 50-50 shot.

There is plenty of Democratic excitement around Harriss rise to become the presumptive nominee following President Bidens July 21 decision to stand aside. But Trump leads Harris in national polling averages and in most of the swing states  albeit by much narrower margins than he enjoyed over Biden.

Some prominent Democratic women feel a mixture of hope and trepidation as they look at the months ahead.

Patti Solis Doyle, who served as campaign manager for Clintons first presidential quest in 2008, said she believed Harris holds some advantages that the former senator did not enjoy.

Even in 2008, Solis Doyle noted, Clinton had been on the national political stage for more than a decade. She was someone the public knew very well and someone who was very polarizing. You either loved Hillary Clinton or you hated Hillary Clinton and it was cemented.

Harris does not have that same burden. While she has been on the national stage, it has been for a much shorter period of time.

Even so, asked whether Harris would have to overcome some voter biases simply by virtue of being a woman, Solis Doyle responded: Sure, of course.

While we have come a long way, there is still work to do. It is 2024 and this country has not elected a woman president. I find that astonishing, she said.

Other voices agree that Harris, or indeed any female nominee, has particular advantages in a race against Trump.

Some of those are demographic, such as a presumed greater appeal to female voters. Some are issue-based, such as the idea that Harris can put an even sharper point on Democratic arguments about reproductive rights.

And some are specific to Trump  the sense that a Black, female former prosecutor is especially well-suited to challenging a Republican nominee who was found liable for the sexual abuse of writer E. Jean Carroll in a civil case last year, and who has a history of boorish comments aimed at prominent women such as Rosie ODonnell and Megyn Kelly.

Yet, against all that, there is a worry that some voters will retreat once again from voting for a female president.

Women have risen to many of the most influential positions in politics. But the top job has always eluded them and, beyond Clinton, some notable female candidates have unperformed expectations.

Harris herself and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) both fell into this category in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Outside observers are bracing for a vicious campaign, one way or another.

I think the campaign rhetoric is going to be really ugly around gender and race, said Kristy Sheeler, a professor of communication studies at Indiana University Indianapolis and the author of a 2013 book about political culture called Woman President.

Having Harris as the nominee provides tremendous opportunity, and at the same time, its not a safe choice, said Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky. We are still a very misogynistic country. Unlike Britain or India or Pakistan, the United States has never had a woman lead it.

Republicans and conservatives, of course, push back against the whole framing of the issue of Harriss gender.

They contend that such a focus amounts to identity politics and is irrelevant to her capacity to do the job.

The charge from some in the GOP that Harris is a DEI hire  a reference to diversity, equity and inclusion programs  aims to give the impression that the vice presidents race and gender have helped, not hindered, her career.

Trump appeared to be making a similar case in his onstage interview on Wednesday at the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago. The former president alleged, incorrectly, that Harris had only embraced a Black identity  or happened to turn Black, as he put it  in recent years.

Race and gender have nothing to do with why Kamala Harris is the most unpopular Vice President in history, Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt told this column. Kamala failed at her job as Border Czar, supported all of Joe Bidens disastrous policies, and lied to the American people about Bidens cognitive decline. She is weak, dishonest, and dangerously liberal.

Leavitt also contended that the medias negative portrayal of President Trump and his treatment of women is entirely false. President Trump is loved by millions of women across the country, and those who know him personally, myself included, will tell you hes supportive, generous, and kind.

In terms of policies, Leavitt asserted that Trumps first term had economically uplifted women, and that he had made expanding childcare and paid family leave top priorities in his administration. In a second term, she said, President Trump will make America strong, safe, and prosperous again for all women.

The dynamics around female candidates and elections are, to be sure, complicated.

In 2016, for example, exit polls showed white women favoring Trump by nine points over Clinton, despite the infamous Access Hollywood tape having emerged in the campaigns closing weeks. Black and Latino women voted overwhelmingly for Clinton.

Even on the topic of abortion, male and female views arent as vastly different as is sometimes portrayed.

A CBS News/YouGov poll in June, commissioned to mark the second anniversary of the striking down of Roe v. Wade, found 37 percent of women believing abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. 43 percent of men held the same belief.

Democrats  women especially  fervently hope Harris will be the one to finally shatter the glass ceiling.

But shell have to surmount plenty of resistance to do it.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mesa Mayor John Giles didn't stop at bashing Trump and endorsing Harris. What he's said

Mesa's Mayor John Giles splashed onto the national political scene this week after he crossed party lines and urged Arizona Republicans to vote against former President Donald Trump and support Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

His pitch started with a guest column in The Arizona Republic and a follow-up interview the same day. Giles didn't stop there, and he's making waves. He has since made the rounds on national broadcasts, appearing on NPR, PBS News Hour and MSNBC.

Giles is a registered Republican but holds a nonpartisan office and has never been elected as a Republican. Nonetheless, hes the most prominent Republican still in office in Arizona to publicly endorse Harris.

Giles' announcement brought on waves of support nationally, while locally, many criticized him.

Giles is term-limited and will finish his time as Mesa mayor in January, with a legacy of stability, credited with bringing high-tech jobs and education opportunities to the city and revitalizing downtown. The outgoing mayor remains popular, and his opinion carries weight locally.

He is wrapping up 10 years of continuous service as mayor of Arizona's third most populous city. On Tuesday, voters there sent two mayoral candidates to a runoff in the fall, and both will continue Giles' agenda.

His next steps are not clear. He told NRP Friday it was never his intention to become a career politician and was only ever interested in his hometown mayor.

In interviews with the Arizona Republic, he has remained tight-lipped on what he plans to pursue next but has hinted he has more to give. After his term, hell continue in his role as a committee member of the national Electric Vehicle Working Group with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation that makes policy recommendations on the automotive and EV industry.

Elections and voting: Arizona requires proof of citizenship to register to vote: how it could sway the election

Why does Giles' endorsement of Harris matter?

Giles presides over the 36th most populous city in America. Parts of Mesa have historically sent hard-line conservatives and staunch Trump supporters such as Andy Biggs to Congress and the state Legislature. Portions of the city are a bedrock of Arizona conservatism.

Successive U.S. presidents and their surrogates have come to the East Valley to tout investments in technology and education.

On the national stage, Mesa increasingly matters. Only four U.S. cities governed by Republican mayors are bigger than Mesa, and none is in a state competitive in presidential elections. They are Dallas, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City and Fresno, California. All are in reliably red or blue states.

But not Giles. Arizona has been a key battleground state in recent presidential elections.

What did Giles say on national broadcasts?

Giles told news anchors hed prefer to be handing out his endorsements to Republican candidates, but he put thought into his support for Harris.

He revealed to NPR he voted for President Joe Biden in 2020 but said it was more out of fear of what a second term for Trump would mean.

He told PBS News Hour he would have likely endorsed Biden had he stayed the Democratic presidential nominee, but with Harris at the top of the ticket, he has a genuine excitement.

Arizona is back in play where Im not sure it was before, Giles said.

In interviews, Giles said Harris could win Arizona. I think she needs to remind people like me... how chaotic four years of Donald Trump was. We truly were referring to it as a national nightmare.

Biden narrowly won Arizona in 2020.

On MSNBC, Giles said this year is not one in which voters can follow tradition or misplaced loyalty and vote for a Republican at the top of the ticket.

Donald Trump has demonstrated he lacks the character, lacks the commitment to the rule of law, to the United States Constitution to qualify as an elected official, let alone as president of the United States, Giles said.

In interviews, he said the Biden-Harris administration did more for cities than the Trump administration, pointing to the CHIPS and Science Act that he said has helped bring private investment into the state and to Mesa.

Giles serves as the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors task force on immigration reform.

Immigration is not an issue in Arizona. It is the issue, he said on NPRs Here and Now. He said the current administration should be held accountable for not doing more, but ultimately Giles laid the blame on Trump for killing bipartisan immigration reform.

He also criticized the Biden-Harris administration for not doing a better job on the economy.

How did Giles justify his endorsement of Harris?

Giles echoed Sen. John McCains Country First motto as he called on other Arizona Republicans to join him in defeating Trump.

It will take Republicans, Democrats and independent voters to stand "together against a far-right agenda" and beat Trump, Giles wrote, saying the former president "poses a threat" to the nation.

Thats why Im standing with her. Kamala Harris is the competent, just and fair leader our country deserves. This year too much is at stake to vote Republican at the top of the ticket, he wrote.

Arizona politics: What Biden's proposed Supreme Court reform could mean for Arizonans

What did Giles say about Arizona's Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly?

With Kelly's name being widely floated as a leading contender to be Harris' pick for running mate, Giles lauded Kelly's qualifications in his CNN interview.

Hes a real John Glenn, a 'Right Stuff' person, said Giles about Kelly. Hes very talented and capable. He could be secretary of defense and VP at the same time.

In his final state of the city address, in February, Giles appeared on stage with Kelly, dressed as an astronaut, and rock legend Alice Cooper, dressed as a Star Wars villain, in a mock light-saber duel.

What did Giles say about Arizona's down-ballot races?

Giles is not what he called a MAGA Republican but a moderate Republican.

Weighing on other hotly contested statewide races and ballot issues, he said the trend would continue: Right-wing candidates will have successful primary races, but when it comes to the general election, they will falter.

He foresees the ballot measure on abortion will pass with ease.

In the U.S. Senate race he said on MSNBC, he anticipates Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Ruben Gallego will win comfortably against GOP nominee Kari Lake.

Lake is so over the top that she turns people off in Arizona, Giles said.

"I'm kinda hopeful as a moderate Republican for my party to hit bottom here in the general election."

What is the GOP saying about Giles?

Giles was censured in 2022 by local Republican legislative committees after he endorsed Kelly over Republican Blake Masters. At the time, it marked the first time he openly supported any candidate in a partisan election.

"I am an unapologetically Republican. (But) I'm going to vote for and support the best candidate regardless of party affiliation," Giles told The Republic in 2022. "I'm very comfortable with my decision. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again."

In that endorsement, he was joined by former Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat, another Republican.

The formal condemnations carried no specific sanctions, but are designed to dissuade voters from re-electing the official and send a message that they no longer have the party's backing.

He later endorsed Gov. Katie Hobbs in the gubernatorial race and chaired the Republicans for Hobbs committee.

This years endorsement came as no surprise to GOP leadership.

The mayor has been endorsing Democrats for several election cycles now. This isnt news and it certainly doesnt warrant any of our attention, said Gina Swoboda, Chair of the Arizona Republican Party in a written statement to The Republic.

Instead, the party will focus on helping Trump win a second term, she said.

We are here to win and we will spend our time advocating for policies that help working people, the middle-class, and lift all boats on a rising tide with the policies advocated by the Trump-Vance ticket, Swoboda wrote.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mesa GOP mayor Giles goes all-in on Harris. Why that's a big deal
PETOSKEY  On Thursday morning, Mobile Command Centers pulled into the North Central Michigan College parking lot to serve as a home base for people participating in a simulated response following a tornado.

As a part of a five-day-class hosted by the Michigan State Police, first responders attended the course for a hands-on introduction to emergency response.

Participants had to handwrite notes to account for lost power and internet, as a part of the training simulation at North Central Michigan College Aug. 1, 2024.

Participants had to handwrite notes to account for lost power and internet, as a part of the training simulation at North Central Michigan College Aug. 1, 2024.

This training is one of the five like it being conducted in the state this year, said Jack Calhoun, state training officer.

The training exercise simulated a tornado emergency in Texas. Each team has to identify key objectives within their span of control, which included dealing with a natural gas smell, contaminated water, displaced residents, debris and looting. The hands-on training course gave participants  who came from all throughout the state  the opportunity to try their hands at the real world application of the skills needed when responding to an emergency.

Teams wrote out their objectives and courses of action during the emergency response training program on Aug. 1.

All notes had to be handwritten because power was lost in the simulation. The emergency response teams had to identify issues along with the course of action to fix the issues.

"It's important so that they actually get the real world experience," Calhoun said. "When we do have an incident that happens, they're better able to effectively respond to help protect the public, recover from the situation and do their response."

The program does include pre-requisite classes to participate.

Teams determined placements of different areas of care during the training exercise on Aug. 1.

During the emergency training program, each group had an Incident Action Plan available.

The course is typically taken by first responders and other emergency management personnel, like the Department of Natural Resources, for example.

Throughout the training, the teams hosted their own briefing meetings, determined their own schedules and filed requests for care and resources, including requests for support from the National Guard, for example.

The different teams set up maps and plans to determine what areas needed what support.

Three instructors worked with the teams and brought forward their own circumstances for the teams to address, like requests for hand washing stations near where officers would be posted. The instructors also approved or denied resource requests.

Those interested in attending a similar training can do so by visiting the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security website at michigan.gov/msp/divisions/emhsd.

 Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Michigan State Police hosts emergency response training at NCMC
OCEOLA TOWNSHIP, Livingston County, Mich. (WLNS)  The leader of a Michigan nonprofit agency working with veterans has misled his volunteers, donors, clients and the media about his military service record  including embellishing his rank and claiming to have been a special operator for the United States Air Force.

Kirk Lanam (WLNS)

Kirk A. Lanam, 52, is the executive director, president and founder of Veteran Service Dogs Organization (VSDO) and has claimed since at least 2017 to have been a special operations member with tours in combat zones all over the world. Hes also claimed to be a brigadier general and a two-star general, also known as a major generalappearing at promotional and fundraising events wearing a camouflage uniform bearing those ranks and patches from USAF Special Operations.

On April 19, 2023, Lanam, in civilian clothing and with one of his service dogs at his side, walked up to the podium at the Hamburg Township Planning Commission. Good afternoon, my name is Brigadier General Kirk Lanam, he said. I am 34 years on paper with the United States Air Force and 22 years active combat.

His military records, obtained by Nexstars 6 News from the Air Force Personnel Center in Texas as well as the National Personnel Records Center (NRPC) of the National Archives, show Lanam served just under two years in the USAF, from July 1990 to June 1992. Those records reveal when he separated from the Air Force, he had a rank of Airman Basic (E-1).





Those records also show Lanam never attended special operations schools or other training that would be part of a special operations service members military file.

Lanam did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

What is stolen valor?

Lanams embellishments of his service and rank were brought to attention by a former volunteer for the organization on June 15.

I felt betrayed and used, Edgar Jones, 59, said. I dont have anything but my name and my reputation. And both of those have become so ingrained in the organization that Im one of the faces of the organization. And thats hurtful.

Edgar Jones (WLNS)

Jones began interacting with VSDO in 2020 when he applied for and obtained a service dog. A steel gray pit bull named Doc Bradley. The yellow-green-eyed dog is named after a sailor photographed as part of a team of Marines hoisting the American flag on Iwo Jima after a bloody battle against the Japanese in World War II.

But earlier this year, Jones became suspicious of Lanam when a growing stack of banker boxes appeared in an area of the facility behind a door labeled Suite 1.

Veteran Service Dogs Organization in Oceola Twp. (WLNS)

Veteran Service Dogs Organization in Oceola Twp. (WLNS)

A veterans life on paper, he said. Oh, stacks of bank boxes full of documents and files. Three to four-foot high.

He said Lanam had organizational volunteers sorting the files. Financial documents all over tables and chairs, he said of the chaos of the deconstruction of the veterans life on paper.

Lanam has been pleading poverty in previous months, telling volunteers it was unclear if the organization could pay the phone bill or other utilities, Jones said.

But then, in April, extravagant new purchases started.

A new security camera system was installed. It had facial recognition and was paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense, Jones was told by Lanam. New bulletproof doors were paid for. Lawn equipment, a camper trailer, a Hyundai Palisades. All of it, Lanam told a more and more concerned Jones, the result of grants and the generosity of the DoD.

Veteran Service Dogs Organization in Oceola Twp. (WLNS)

Jones began his own investigation into Lanams past, his service and his stories because of his concerns related to the spending and the veterans paperwork.

Stolen Valor: Inside the Investigation

Lanams Claims

On paper, VSDO was formed as a domestic nonprofit with the state of Michigan and received a formal charitable organization designation from the IRS in 2019. Operating out of a blue building on Grand River Ave. in Howell, tax filings from 2019 and 2020 show the organization survived on less than $50,000 in those first two years.

Even with this financial challenge, the organization was able to connect 700 dogs with veterans to support and help each other, Lanam said in 2021. Jones said that number has increased to about 1,000 teamsat least thats what Lanam has claimed in various public events and conversations with veterans and volunteers.

Lanam always touted his status as a veteran. He has claimed to have been assigned civil engineering, special operations, according to a transcript of a video testimonial Lanam made for another service dog organization in 2017, obtained by 6 News. In a Livingston Daily report on the possible passage of the PAWS Act in 2019, Lanam claimed to be a combat controller and forward operator in countries such as Bolivia, Panama, Kuwait and Iraq.

Lanam told his volunteers hed been an operator. In a transcript of an interview with him from 2017, he said in a testimonial video he was civil engineering, special operations. He told Jones he was part of the Joint Special Operations Command.

In 2017, Chuck Nelson met Lanam during the creation of his testimonial video. Nelson serves as the treasurer for the nonprofit Winter of the Beard in Waterford. Delving further into Lanams service claims was something he didnt feel comfortable doing.

Chuck Nelson (WLNS)

With veterans in mental health situations, I really dont pry about their service, Nelson said. Or ask anything that happened while they were in service. If they want to talk to me about, absolutely, Im all ears. Im not the one who initiates the conversation, especially in a kind of fragile environment like that  that are a very vulnerable environment.

Nelson continued, A lot of what he would say when we would kind ofwhen were doing the interview, at least, a lot of it was, Oh, like I cant talk about that. You know thats classified. And, you know, he was presenting as a special operator, so we didnt push.

He said he has military family members, so the classification claim didnt stand out as unfathomable. It rang true from his experiences. Sometimes, people go to war and perform actions or are stationed somewhere that is classified  and they dont talk about it out of national pride, national security, or sometimes simply out of fear of legal ramifications for revealing sensitive national security information.

Winter of the Beard named VSDO as its grant recipient in 2021a designation meaning the organization would provide the grantee at least $2,500, and, Nelson said, much more.

No one, including Lanam, was paid for their work with the organization. Lanam said the same thing. He said his income came entirely from disability payments.

Guidestar, a nonprofit that provides tax filings and detailed information about nonprofits, reports the organization had just over $131,000 in operational revenue in 2022. It had over $123,000. The information was provided by the VSDO, a spokesman for Guidestar said.

(Source: guidestar.org)

In 2022 something changed. A lot going on just kind of the world stage, Russian and Ukraine and so forth, Nathan Buchanan told 6 News. Buchanan is Kirk Lanams 24-year-old stepson.

One night he sat me down at the kitchen table, and said, I got to tell you something, Buchanan said. And he said The Air Force is bringing me back in.

In addition, Buchanan said Lanam claimed he was being promoted to a one-star general in the Air Force. And that kind of blew me away. Certainly, I wasnt expecting that.

Photos provided by volunteers and veterans involved with VSDO show Lanam with a long and thick beard wearing Air Force Digi Camo fatigues adorned with patches from Air Force Special Operations a Special Tactics Officer duty patch and a Joint Special Operations Command patch.

Nathan Buchanan (WLNS)

Jones, Buchanan and other veterans involved in the organization said Lanam would occasionally rush out of the building. Youd just be sitting there with him and the next thing you know he is running out the door, Buchanan said. He cant tell you why, he says. I got, Its, you know, I have to go report to so and so. Or, you know, I have an assignment I got to get to, or whatever. And so you never knew when it was going to happen, but it usually was when he was at the office  because, you know, for the past five or so years, thats where he spends more of his time. But yeah. That would happen quite often.

He made a lot of claims about having to leave the country or having to meet at the Pentagon or some other location with a person he would refer to as Carlos, Jones said

Carlos Del Toro, U.S. Secretary of the Navy (WLNS)

Carlos, Lanam revealed was Carlos Del Toro, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, according to Buchanan and Jones.

The other veterans who spoke on background said Lanam claimed to have been promoted from brigadier general to a two-star general in a secret weekend ceremony at the Pentagon. The promotion he told them, was bestowed by his friend Carlos. He also told those same veterans he decided not to show up to the weekend ceremony.

During a July 25 visit to the organizations facility on Highland Rd. in Osceola Township, Lanam said he holds a doctorate from MIT and attended the University of Michigan. Buchanan said Lanam told him he has a doctorate from Northern Michigan University.

The four veterans who volunteered with VSDO and spoke on background all told similar stories of not pushing too hard on potentially sensitive and classified actions. The four agreed to empower Jones to speak on their behalf.

Each of them relayed a story Lanam had told to many. He would regale his volunteers with the tale of the time he was leading a public access traininga part of the programs training for the service dogs and their veteran partnersin downtown Howell. A drunk, he claimed, came out of a bar and began an altercation.

Lanam claims his team was called in and they sealed off downtown Howell and dealt with the minor altercation.

There were text messages to a group of volunteers. Including Jones, warning them the Russo-Ukrainian war would end up involving U.S. and NATO forces. He hoped for cooler heads to prevail.

If those cooler heads didnt prevail, his volunteers were to meet him at a property located in Red Feather, Colorado.

I was given coordinates, Jones said, and on multiple occasions, he has talked about how the Department of Defense (DoD) hardened the property. Put in an airstrip. All these things to make it secure.

In late 2022, Lanam said the organization needed to move because its lease on Grand River in the blue building was up. He found the Highland Rd. property and, Jones said, the organization had moved in a weekend.

In an August 6, 2023 interview with Veteran Radio, he said he was a dog handler in the Air Force.

Yeah, I was a handler. I was not, initially, a trainer, but I was workinghandling the dogs, he said. Then, you know, the Air Force trains most of the dogs for the other branches. Then we had a dog for our own group and I was the handler for our group.

In his biography on the Veteran Radio webpage, he reports he served during Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Jones said in a presentation seeking corporate donations and volunteers with Trane in Livonia, Lanam wore a uniform with his Generals stars.

We would go and present with the dogs, tell them what theyre donating money to, Jones said of the various public speaking engagements he and Doc participated in over the years.

From motorcycle rallies to veterans organizations, Jones was singing the gospel of VSDO, and to some extent Lanam, despite the lingering and growing unease with the organizations leader and his claims.

The Facts

Lanam, was convicted of three felony counts of computer intrusion by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District Court of Michigan, based in Detroit. Computer intrusion is the legal term for hacking.

It was a federal case filed in 2006  United States of America V. Kirk Lanam.

He was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and ordered to pay back more than $12,000 to his victims. Lanam was found guilty by a jury and appealed multiple issues to the federal courts. All of his appeals were denied.

His time in federal prison overlaps with a time in which Lanam claimed he was an active duty combat controller in the United States Air Force.

While Lanam spoke often about his friend Carlos  the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, the man who allegedly bestowed his second star on him in a secret Pentagon promotion ceremony, a Navy spokesman denied Lanams engagement with the Navy.

The Department of the Navy has no record of Kirk A. Lanam serving in the Navy, a spokesman wrote in an email to 6 News, nor any records of him meeting with senior Navy leadership.

Nexstars 6 News Investigates team also contacted each of the universities Lanam claimed to have matriculated from to verify his claims.

Weve shared your inquiry with the MIT Registrars Office, and they do not have any record of enrollment or degree conferred for a person with the name Kirk A. Lanam, wrote Abby Abazorius, senior media relations specialist for MIT Institute Office of Communications in an email response to a team inquiry about the doctorate.

We do not offer a PhD of any kind, said Northern Michigan University Spokesman Derek Hall in response to an inquiry.

A spokesperson for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor emailed a statement that Kirk A. Lanam did not appear in the universitys registrars database.

Google Earth images (below) taken in 2024 of the coordinates Lanam directed volunteers to earlier this year, as tensions escalated in the Russia-Ukraine war, show no bunkers, as Lanam had claimed.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

U.S. government VFR Chartsdocumentation of airports, air space, and landing stripsreveal no airstrips in the area of the coordinates Lanam sent.

Images: FCC aviation charts

Larimer County Colorado Assessors Office officials told 6 News Lanam does not appear as a property owner on any property in Larimer County.

Documents photographed by Nathan Buchanan, Lanams stepson, show Lanam signed a document acknowledging he was being separated from the Air Force for a personality disorder. The letter noted hed consulted with legal counsel.

U.S. Air Force document (Courtesy: Nathan Buchanan)

Buchanan snapped pictures of the Air Force documents he found in the family home he shares with Lanam and his mother. They were in an unremarkable box in a spare bedroom used for storage, Buchanan said.

The reason I took their pictures is because, theyre sort of like the smoking gun, you know? he said. Its official, straight from the source. Theres no way you can misinterpret or misrepresent the information here.

Sophia Lavrick and Duncan Phenix contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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U.S. Senate candidate, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., talks with faith and community leaders at the Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan voters could play a major role in choosing who the next president will be  and they could also determine which major party controls Congress in 2025. Party primaries Tuesday for an open U.S. Senate seat and two congressional races in the battleground state will set the stage for November.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin has the inside track for her party's nomination to the Senate against a challenge from a television actor. Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and the financial backing of national Republicans in the race for his party's nomination.

Slotkin and Rogers are looking to fill the seat long held by Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who announced in early 2023 she would not seek reelection. Democrats currently maintain a narrow margin in the Senate but are defending far more seats in this year's elections.

The political drama in Michigan extends further down the ballot as well. Slotkin's Senate bid puts a House seat up for grabs, one of two in Michigan that are expected to be competitive in November. With Republicans defending a narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, the outcomes of the Michigan contests could have national implications. And Michigan Republicans themselves are looking to regain control of the state House of Representatives lost in 2022.

Slotkin, a third-term U.S. representative from Holly, has positioned herself as the party's front-runner with her fundraising prowess and endorsements. She last reported about $8.7 million in cash on hand in mid-July and announced earlier this year she plans to spend $8 million in advertising in the weeks leading up to the general election.

Her sole primary competitor, actor Hill Harper, best known for his role in the television show The Good Doctor, has raised considerably less than her more than $24 million.

Rogers, a former U.S. representative lured out of retirement, has Trump's endorsement to stave off competitors, as well as the endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Other Republican competitors include former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash and physician Dr. Sherry O'Donnell. Businessman Sandy Pensler, who dropped his candidacy and endorsed Rogers at a July 20 rally with Trump, will also be on the ballot because he withdrew too late.

Michigan Republicans haven't secured a Senate victory in Michigan since 1994.

Rogers is far behind Slotkin in fundraising, raising more than $5.3 million and sitting on about $2.5 million of cash, according to the latest campaign finance report. But national party groups have reserved millions in ad buys after the primary, ahead of the general election.

The race has mirrored many aspects of the U.S. presidential election. Slotkin has campaigned on protecting and expanding reproductive rights while Rogers has slammed the Biden administration for its handling of border security.

Slotkin, who is Jewish and has extensive foreign policy experience as a former CIA analyst and Defense Department official, has at times faced criticism for not being harder on Israel. Michigan has the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the nation, and support from the community is critical in the state where nearly 100,000 people cast uncommitted ballots in February to protest President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris' team is attempting to change the White House narrative inherited from Biden and regain support from Arab American leaders in the Detroit area, especially in Dearborn, one of America's only majority-Muslim cities. Slotkin has thrown her support behind Harris.

National attention will turn to Michigan as some of the most competitive congressional races in November could determine the makeup of the U.S. House as well as the Senate.

Slotkin's foray into the Senate race opened her congressional seat in central Michigan. Both party candidates are unchallenged in their primaries for the swing district.

In Michigan's 8th congressional district encompassing Flint and Saginaw, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee's retirement leaves the competitive seat open. The Democrat who has represented the area since 2013 has endorsed first-term state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet for the position. Also in the running are Pamela Pugh, state board of education president, and Matt Collier, the former mayor of Flint.

Paul Junge, a former TV anchor who lost by more than 10 percentage points to Kildee last year, is running on the GOP side. Also running are Mary Draves, a former chemical manufacturing executive at Dow Inc., and Anthony Hudson.

Detroit is likely to be without Black representation in Congress for a second consecutive term after a court ruled that a former state senator and popular candidate did not submit enough valid signatures in the 13th congressional district.

Detroit, which is nearly 80% Black, had maintained some Black representation in Congress for almost 70 years until 2023. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar faces two remaining primary challengers but holds a major cash advantage over Mary Waters, a former state lawmaker who has served on the Detroit City Council since 2021, and attorney Shakira Lynn Hawkins.

Michigan Republicans are looking to regain control of the state House of Representatives in November, with all 110 seats up for election. Democrats became the majority party in both chambers of the Legislature in 2022, spurred by redistricting and an abortion referendum on the ballot that same year. The Legislature passed numerous laws on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's agenda in the year following.

Early voting, new this year for Michigan thanks to a 2022 referendum, started for the August primary election on Saturday, July 27.

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Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.
The parents of a child pronounced dead at a Midwest City hospital on Friday have been arrested on murder complaints.

The parents of a child who was pronounced dead at Saint Anthony's Midwest Hospital Friday were arrested on murder complaints after an investigation by Midwest City police.

The father, 37, and the mother, 30, had not been formally charged by Saturday afternoon. The Oklahoman is withholding their names until they have been charged. They were living at Vista Green Apartments, 7016 E Reno Ave. in Midwest City.

Officer Jeff McNeil said in arrest affidavits that the parents took the female child, age 7, to the hospital just before noon Friday with signs of rigor mortis, internal and external injuries, severe malnourishment, and weighing about 25 pounds. The child was pronounced dead at 12:19 p.m. and the hospital notified a medical examiner, who notified police.

McNeil reported the father gave conflicting accounts of the child's health, care, and well-being. Both parents said the girl had the flu. The parents were in custody Saturday waiting arraignment, which probably won't be before Monday, according to a supervising officer on duty Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Parents face murder charges in child neglect case in Midwest City, OK
On 2 August, Russian authorities arrested Colonel Dmitry Peshkov, former deputy commander of the 144th Motorised Rifle Division of the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Moscow Military District, on charges of embezzlement of food rations.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: TASS, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet, reported that Russian authorities have detained Peshkov, accusing him of embezzling food rations intended for Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Peshkov has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that this arrest is likely part of a deliberate Kremlin strategy to oust senior officials from the Russian Ministry of Defence. This manoeuvre could serve as a means to indirectly penalise commanders for their units' shortcomings or to maintain a corps of loyal and obedient officers within the Russian armed forces.

Recently, units of the 144th Motorised Rifle Division have been conducting offensive operations around Terny in Donetsk Oblast and Nevske in Luhansk Oblast, with limited success. They have also recently lost some territory to Ukrainian counterattacks in these areas.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 2 August:

Brigadier General Andrii Hnatov, Ukrainian Joint Forces and Khortytsia Group of Forces Commander, stressed that Russia is pursuing an effort to force Ukraine to commit its available manpower to ongoing defensive operations in order to prevent the accumulation of Ukrainian resources for future counteroffensive operations.

Russian Airborne (VDV) and the Dnepr Group of Forces Commander Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky addressed VDV forces (Russian Airborne Forces) in an article and recorded video on the 94th anniversary of the VDV's formation on 2 August, attempting to highlight the VDV's performance in Ukraine as an elite professional force despite the fact that VDV elements are fighting essentially as understrength motorised rifle units in Ukraine.

Russian authorities arrested the former deputy rear commander of the 144th Motorised Rifle Division (20th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Moscow Military District [MMD]) Colonel Dmitry Peshkov on 2 August.

The Russian Federation Council passed an updated version of an amendment that will allow commanders to punish subordinates for "gross disciplinary offences," including the use of personal electronic devices, in frontline areas following significant backlash from Russian milbloggers.

The Russian Federation Council also passed a series of bills strengthening the Russian government's control over the Russian information space and further restricting the rights of migrants in Russia.

The pro-Kremlin Moldovan Victory opposition electoral bloc announced its candidate for the October 2024 Moldovan presidential election on 2 August.

Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City.

A Russian government official weighed in on ongoing milblogger criticism of Russia's drone production industry.

A delegation of Kremlin officials visited occupied Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts on 2 August to highlight Russian efforts to integrate occupied Ukraine into the Russian Federation.

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Milwaukee police released footage Friday from a June police shooting on Interstate 43 following a pursuit of a vehicle connected to an armed robbery.

Six teens were inside the vehicle when police fired into the SUV, striking two of them, with one whose pregnancy ended.

Footage released Friday from the June 20 incident shows the driver of the SUV, Calveyon Jeans, reversed the vehicle into a police squad and an officer yanked at the door and yelled commands for him to stop the vehicle. Jeans, 17, then drove forward, as three officers approach the vehicle. He then reversed again and an officer behind it moved out of the way.

An officer then fired into the vehicle, striking Jeans and his pregnant girlfriend Ashley Patterson, 19. The pair's unborn child did not survive the shooting and police said Patterson received life-threatening injuries, while Jeans had serious injuries.

Jeans' mother, Nakia Moore, previously told the Journal Sentinel that Patterson was six months pregnant. Four other teens, ages 15 to 18, were also inside the vehicle and a firearm was recovered.

Calvin Jeans, Calveyon's father, said Friday the footage was difficult to watch, calling it "extremely scary." He questioned the officer's use of force.

"I just would not believe that they would use deadly force when he's simply still just trying to evade police and capture," he said. "Nothing about his action showed he was trying to hurt any officer."

The father said he gets calls from Calveyon while in jail about every other day and is focused on trying to make him comfortable. The police shooting has had ramifications to the rest of his family too, with one of his children now afraid of police, he said.

"I'm just trying to save my son," Calvin Jeans said.

The officer who fired his weapon remains on administrative duty, per department policy, the police said in a news release.

More: 'We are parents who have called the police': Family of teen in I-43 shooting tried to get him help

Use-of-force expert says shooting likely lawful, followed department policy

Tim Dimoff, a police use-of-force expert based in Ohio and former police officer, reviewed the footage and the police policy for shooting at moving vehicles. He said the shooting appeared lawful and that it followed the department policy.

The Milwaukee Police Department's use-of-force policy addresses discharging firearms at moving vehicles. Officers are prohibited from firing at moving vehicles "unless deadly physical force is being used against the police member or another person by means other than a moving vehicle."

It continues that "this is not intended to restrict an officer's right to discharge their firearm at the operator of vehicle when it is reasonably perceived that the vehicle is being used as a weapon against the officer or others" and that it poses a threat of "substantial physical harm."

Dimoff noted that the car became "very aggressive" once it reverses and hit the police vehicle.

"The car became a weapon," Dimoff said. "This car kept going back and forth and kept going towards the officers and they gave ample warning. ... I think the danger to the officers escalated."

Dimoff said that use-of-force policies determining when it's appropriate to shoot at a moving vehicle have become more restrictive in recent years.

Milwaukee's policy was typical in the nation, he said.

"Justification for shooting at a car has diminished and really centered around if the person in the car is using the car as an aggressive weapon," Dimoff said.

Teens were wanted for previous crimes, police say

Footage of the chase released on Friday shows the lead-up to the highway shooting.

Officers attempted to stop a white SUV at about 2:23 p.m. near North 17th and West Vliet streets, according to police. The SUV was connected to an attempted armed robbery carjacking and an armed robbery carjacking of other vehicles, which occurred earlier in the day in downtown Milwaukee.

Video shows the SUV initially stopped before speeding off. Soon, the chase led to I-43 where the SUV was being driven recklessly, weaving in and out of traffic, and passing vehicles on the shoulder.

Soon, the driver entered a construction zone where workers were and became stuck after being blocked by a cement truck. The SUV then reversed into a police vehicle, as an officer attempted to open a driver-side door of the SUV and pointed a firearm at the vehicle.

Two additional officers approached with their guns drawn as the vehicle moved forward again, with one standing about a car's length behind it. As the vehicle began to reverse, the officer behind moved out of the way and another officer fired into the vehicle.

Four of the occupants were charged in adult court about a week after the shooting, including Jeans, Patterson, and two other passengers, Semira Dean, 18, and Tyrone Rogers, 17.

According to a criminal complaint, on June 20, shortly after noon, a visitor from out of state was operating a rental compact car in a parking lot in the 500 block of North Broadway downtown when she was approached by three teens, whom police say were Rogers and two, unnamed juveniles not charged in adult court. She said the teens were driving a white Chevrolet Trax, the same SUV involved in the pursuit and eventual police shooting.

She said the armed teens demanded her keys and grabbed at her hand, but she fought off the teens, who eventually got back in the Chevrolet and drove away.

Less than 30 minutes later, only two blocks away, another person visiting Milwaukee was approached by two teens, whom police say were the two unnamed juveniles. The man said he was operating a rented SUV in the 400 block of East Clybourne Street when a young girl knocked on his window and began asking about restaurants, according to the complaint. The man said he began looking up restaurants on his phone when suddenly a boy stuck a gun inside the vehicle.

The teens demanded the man get out of the vehicle and then the juveniles drove away in the vehicle. According to the complaint, Dean, Jeans, Patterson and Rogers had been watching the robbery nearby in the Chevrolet.

Police said the Chevrolet Trax was stolen by two teens on June 8 parked outside of the McDonald's at 420 E. Capitol Drive. Also, in September, a Waukesha County sheriff's deputy had his personal compact car stolen while parked on the 1400 block of East Brady Street on the east side, the complaint states.

Inside the vehicle were the deputy's duty weapon and personal weapon. When police recovered the vehicle in January the duty weapon was missing, the complaint states. Jeans would later admit that he, Dean and another unnamed teen stole the firearm in September.

Where to find help

Milwaukee's Office of Community Wellness and Safety recommends these resources for free support:

414Life outreach and conflict mediation support: 414-439-5525.

Milwaukee County's 24-Hour Mental Health Crisis Line: 414-257-7222.

Milwaukee's Child Mobile Crisis and Trauma Response Team: 414-257-7621.

National crisis text line: Text HOPELINE to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police release footage of I-43 officer shooting, injuring 2 teens
Missing 80-year-old saved by devoted Lab who waited with her for days until rescuers came

They say a dog is a man's (or woman's) best friend and this 5-year-old chocolate Labrador proves it, staying by his owner's side for three days and two nights as crews searched for the missing woman.

An 80-year-old woman from Colorado who has dementia was visiting her family's summer home in a remote area of central Utah when she wandered out of their cabin last month. Elsie, a 5-year-old chocolate Labrador, was by her side. When the woman's family, who were busy making dinner, realized she had gone missing, they went looking for her. When they were unable to find her, they alerted authorities and contacted the Emery County Sheriffs Office for help. Multiple rescue crews with various agencies sprang into action to locate the missing lady and dog but were unsuccessful in their efforts.

Ralph Mitchell, a resident of the Joes Valley located in the remote mountains of central Utah, who has known the missing woman's family for over 50 years told USA TODAY an extensive search involving the sheriff's office, local authorities and members of the community was conducted to locate the woman. Helicopters and drones were deployed, personnel were dispatched on motorcycles and trail bikes, and members of the community went door to door looking for the woman, Mitchell said. No expense was spared, and all surrounding areas were checked continuously for two days and two nights.

James Thomas, a K9 officer with the Utah Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division, told USA TODAY that he and his K9 Kip joined search efforts on the second day the woman was missing. Kip is trained to pick up human tracks and odors, Thomas said.

K9 officer with the Utah Department of Natural Resources James Thomas with his K9 Kip. The woman's lab can be seen jumping behind them.

Thomas explained that high temperatures in the mornings and afternoons hindered their search and "working at night," when the temperatures were cooler was the "best option" for them. Thomas said during their search they heard faint dog barks multiple times alerting them and giving them an idea "where to start looking a little bit more in depth."

"When I was out checking the outbuildings, I heard a dog bark and it was brief," Mitchell said. "I was in a very good position to get a direction on where this dog bark was coming from."

When he heard the bark, he reached out to the missing woman's husband telling her what he heard, and the husband told him that their pet of five years had also been missing with the woman.

Security footage gives investigators direction

On the morning of the third day, Thomas said authorities were able to get hold of security footage from one of the neighbor's cameras, that showed the woman walking past that cabin with her dog.

"It was the first evidence that we had of her presence, and it gave us a timeline of when she was out in walking and how long she'd been missing," Mitchell said.

Thomas said the footage gave them an idea of which direction the woman may have headed in, and he and Mitchell split ways and "hit the hillsides" to continue their search.

The view looking southeast from where the woman was found.

Rugged terrain and steep climb

Mitchell said he followed his instincts, having years of training as a first responder under his belt, and went in the direction where heard the barking, even though the terrain was getting extremely rugged, steep and brushy.

"I can see why the K-9 unit had discontinued their search in that area," Mitchell said. "It was very unlikely that this 80-year-old woman would have gone up into such a rough country, but I kept going."

Mitchell said he saw a couple of very slight tracks showing someone had passed that way, despite the ground being very dry and hot. Mitchell continued to follow the tracks, passing through thick brush laced with cactus and rocks, and calling out the dog, until he came about 15 feet of the woman.

That's when the dog barked again, Mitchell said, leading them to the woman.

The view looking northwest towards where the woman was found on the hillside below the cliffs.

Woman found with dog by her side

When she was finally found after an extensive search of three days and two nights, Thomas said the woman was asleep with her face down and her dog right by her side. Mitchell said she had sticks in her hair and had lost her shoes.

"She was all scratched up and had bruises on her arms," Thomas said, adding she was also "super dehydrated."

However, she was alert and was happy to see all those who came to rescue her, said Thomas. He shared that the woman did not have any recollection of her ordeal and trauma.

K9 Kip with Elsie.

Because there was no cell phone coverage in the area, Mitchell said he started yelling and whistling to alert the family and neighbors, before going down the hill to get them along with water and other provisions for first aid.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in a post on Facebook, said the woman was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation and Mitchell told USA TODAY Wednesday that the woman is back home and doing well.

Mitchell said the family is incredibly grateful towards everyone involved in rescuing the missing woman and especially thanked him for not only saving the matriarch of their family, but also saved a lifetime of memories for them in a place that they love to be in.

Traveling with dogs? Strict rules about flying with dogs start Thursday, after months of confusion

Ralph Mitchell

As for Elsie, Mitchell said she was taken to a vet for a checkup and was dehydrated but is doing well.

"In my story, the outcome is that the dog ultimately is responsible for me being able to find her," Mitchell said. "The dog is ultimately the hero in all this for her loyalty to her owner. That dog's determination to stay with her owner and her devotion and dedication is really commendable."

"Most likely the brief barking that I heard and led me to find her was probably the dog defending the owner from a coyote or another wild animal," he added.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources also credited the woman's rescue to her dog, saying that its barking alerted those searching in the area.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Barking dog helps authorities rescue woman missing for days in Utah
Man dies after going missing in the water in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (WTNH)  The Fairfield emergency services, with the help of other local agencies, recovered a man who died after he went under the water Saturday afternoon at Lighthouse Point and Penfield Reef.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, two men were seen to be struggling in the water. Bystanders were able to help one man to shore. The other man was unable to make it out of the water.

The Town of Westports fire and police departments, as well as the United States Coast Guard, assisted with the search.

The Coast Guard were able to locate the missing man with the help of a helicopter and at 3:06 p.m. Fairfield Police announced that the missing man was recovered from the water.

Police transported the man to shore via marine unit and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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SENECA, Mo.  An investigation into child sexual abuse leads to charges against three Seneca residents who reportedly put children in dog cages as punishment.

Seneca police say they were investigating reports of child sexual abuse at this house in Seneca when they discovered children living in inhumane conditions.

Officers say they know of at least seven children who were all under the age of 18 when the abuse began. Court records say the two youngest children were forced to stay in dog cages.

Authorities say one of the children told a family member that she and her sisters were being sexually abused by a man staying at their house. She told police that she had reported the abuse to a number of adults at the home, but nothing was done.

In fact, investigators say that instead of helping the children, these two (below), Holly Brewer and Billy Bresee, caged two of the children and beat them with a wooden spoon hard enough to break the spoon.

Holly Brewer

Billy Bresee

Brewer is charged with three counts of felony child abuse. Bresee faces one count. The criminal complaint says both Brewer and Bresee knowingly continued to subject the victims to sexual abuse causing physical injury. Bond for both suspects is set at $5,000, cash or surety, on the condition that neither be allowed to contact the alleged victims in this case.

Sexual abuse charges against the alleged abuser are pending.

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Christopher Dunn emerges from a St. Louis courtroom with his wife, Kira, on July 30, 2024, after being freed following 34 years in prison. A judge overturned Dunns conviction on July 22 - Image: Jim Salter (AP)

The release of Christopher Dunn was more than three decades overdue. The 52-year-old Missouri man walked free from a Missouri prison this week after spending most of his life behind bars for a 1990 murder he did not commit.



Last week, The Root reported on the story of Dunn who was unjustly held in prison despite two judges separately ruling him innocent. Originally scheduled for release on July 24, Dunns family was shocked to learn their loved one would not be freed, even after a St. Louis Circuit judge found there to be insufficient evidence to hold him further, according to USA Today.

His wife, Kira Dunn, spoke to NPR, saying her husband was dressed in civilian clothes when he was ordered to return back to his cell on that Wednesday night. The sheer and pointless cruelty is mind boggling, she said. If you know a little about the story, you know weve had a lot of disappointments where we thought wed finally get his freedom, and it was snatched away, she continued.

The Midwest Innocence Project, an organization working to help free Dunn announced on X, ...at the Attorney Generals request, and less than an hour before Chris scheduled release, the Missouri Supreme Court stayed the order to release Chris, and requested additional briefing.

Corrections Department spokesperson Karen Pojmann told AP News that Dunn was in the middle of signing his release papers when news of the immediate stay took affect. The cause of the stay was Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey. He had been fighting against Dunns release, and directly following the judges ruling, Bailey filed the appeal which kept Dunn locked up.

During a press conference after his Tuesday release, Dunn called that experience testing. He continued saying, To hear the decision by the judge and then be prepared to leave on Wednesday, only to be brought back to prison. It was torture.



With the help of his family and the many advocates rooting for him, Dunn said he never gave up hope that he would one day be free. My family never gave up, Dunn said. Its easy to give up in prison when you lose hope. But when the system throws you away, you have to ask yourself if you wanted to just settle for it or fight for it.

This wasnt the first time Attorney General Bailey appealed the immediate release of a person whose murder conviction was overturned. Last month, 64-year-old Sandra Hemme was released from prison after Bailey challenged her overturned murder conviction, according to NBC.

On July 26, a court also denied Baileys efforts to block an evidentiary hearing to hear the case of Marcellus Williams, who is scheduled to be executed in Sept., according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

The Innocence Project cites new DNA evidence that could help exonerate Williams of a 1998 murder he insists he did not commit.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Light Gas & Water struck back at what it called misinformation by environmental groups regarding the electricity supply for xAI, the new supercomputer operating in the city.

The letter, addressed to the TVA board of directors by MLGW Vice President and General Counsel Jennifer Sink, is a response to accusations by environmental groups who are opposed to the Memphis public utility providing a massive amount of electricity the facility will need.

This week, the Southern Environmental Law Center, writing on behalf of several groups, said they had concerns about MLGWs ability to reliably supply 150 MW of power. They also said MLGW had failed to obtain approval from its board or the Memphis City Council before proceeding with the project.

MLGW chief shares numbers behind xAI supercomputer in Memphis

xAI, an artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, will need some 150 MW of electricity to power the Memphis facility, an amount the SELC said could power 100,000 homes. Billed as the worlds largest supercomputer, the southwest Memphis facility went online earlier this month.

But MLGW said in the letter that, contrary to what SELC claims, the utility is not required to obtain approval from its board or city council.

 MLGW is a public utility and the sole provider of utilities in the City of Memphis, and by law, cannot discriminate or withhold or refuse service which can reasonably be demanded and furnished, Sink wrote.

MLGW also says that, with the $1 billion in upgrades it is making to its electrical system, we anticipate no impact on the reliability of distribution/transmission of electric power to our other customers.

They also deny that MLGW is subsidizing xAI, saying that the company will pay the same electricity rate as other companies, and has not requested any deals.

The cost of the infrastructure improvements being made to support xAI will not be felt by MLGW customers, Sink wrote.

xAI supercomputer may need 1M gallons of water, plenty of power, group says

8-01-24-Correspondence-to-TVADownload

To accommodate xAIs electricity needs, MLGW will increase the capacity of a nearby electric substation to 50 megawatts by Aug. 1, at a cost of $760,000, MLGW CEO Doug McGowen told city council members Tuesday.

The artificial intelligence company plans to build another electric substation with 150 megawatts of capacity by 2025. xAI will be reimbursed for construction with a monthly margin allowance worth about $24 million total, McGowen said.

The new substation will require approval by the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a small copy of the constitution at a press conference in the Miraflores presidential palace three days after his controversial re-election. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa

Following a presidential election in Venezuela marked by allegations of widespread fraud, the defeated opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez has been recognized as the true winner by a growing number of foreign countries.

Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Costa Rica have joined the United States, Peru and Argentina in recogizing Gonzalez, a former diplomat, over the authoritarian incumbent, President Nicolas Maduro.

"Following the obvious falsification of the election results, the Ecuadorian government recognizes Edmundo Gonzalez as the legitimate winner of the presidential election," said a statement from the presidential office.

After the election on Sunday, Venezuela's electoral authority declared Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, as the winner of the election. However, it has not yet published the itemized results of the individual voting districts.

The opposition is accusing the government of electoral fraud and is claiming victory for its candidate, Gonzalez.

Opposition groups have said that their own detailed voting results from more than 80% of constituencies in Venezuela indicate that Gonzalez received 67% of the votes and Maduro only 30%.

Many foreign governments had already refused to recognize Maduro's re-election in 2018. Juan Guaido, the then-parliamentary president, declared himself interim president.

The US, Germany and other countries recognized Guaido, but he was unable to assert himself in the country - mainly because the military backed Maduro.

The armed forces have once again pledged their loyalty to Maduro.
Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia (L), opposition presidential candidate, and his wife Mercedes Lopez wave to supporters as they take part in a demonstration against the official results of the presidential election that declared President Maduro the winner. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa

Following a presidential election in Venezuela marked by allegations of widespread fraud, the defeated opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez has been recognized as the true winner by a growing number of foreign countries.

Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Costa Rica have joined the United States, Peru and Argentina in recognizing Gonzalez, a former diplomat, over the authoritarian incumbent, President Nicolas Maduro.

"Following the obvious falsification of the election results, the Ecuadorian government recognizes Edmundo Gonzalez as the legitimate winner of the presidential election," said a statement from the presidential office.

After the election on July 28, Venezuela's electoral authority declared Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, as the winner of the election. However, it has not yet published the itemized results of the individual voting districts.

The opposition is accusing the government of electoral fraud and is claiming victory for its candidate, Gonzalez.

Opposition groups have said that their own detailed voting results from more than 80% of constituencies in Venezuela indicate that Gonzalez received 67% of the votes and Maduro only 30%.

Many foreign governments had already refused to recognize Maduro's re-election in 2018. Juan Guaido, the then-parliamentary president, declared himself interim president.

The US, Germany and other countries recognized Guaido, but he was unable to assert himself in the country - mainly because the military backed Maduro.

The armed forces have once again pledged their loyalty to Maduro.

Protests in Venezuela and abroad

Large numbers of people took again to the streets in the capital Caracas on Saturday to protest against Maduro.

"We have never been as strong as we are now. The regime has never been as weak as it is now. It has lost all legitimacy," said opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

"We will not give up our right to civil protest," she said.

There were also anti-Maduro demonstrations elsewhere in Venezuela as well as in the US city of Miami, in Bogota, Colombia, and in Spain's capital Madrid.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a small copy of the constitution at a press conference in the Miraflores presidential palace three days after his controversial re-election. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa
Morro Bay is celebrating its 60th birthday. Heres how it became a city in the first place

The second-youngest city in San Luis Obispo County  Morro Bay  had a milestone 60th birthday on July 17.

Atascadero is the baby in the family, incorporated in 1979. That carries a bit of irony because E.G. Lewis had land developments in both areas during the early 20th century.

Seafaring explorer Juan Rodrigues Cabrillo named the iconic rock El Moro in 1542. It reminded him of a style of hat worn by the Moors of Spain, according to Morro Bay National Estuary Programs website.

Cal Poly students and landscape architects will re-design 26 acres of land between Morro Rock and Morro Bay Power Plant in a way that address climate change and is respectful of Northern Chumash culture as part of the 10th Xtreme LA design challenge.

Both Chumash and Salinan tribes call it Lisamu or Lesamo, respectively, and it has a sacred role in their cultures.

Later developers built a causeway out to the island of rock and used dynamite to quarry.

Morro Bay got a strong push to become a city when PG&E built the power plant in an area that had previously been a World War II training ground for the U.S. Navy.

The early 1960s was a civic-minded time. Twenty men and three women ran for five City Council seats according to a July 2, 1964, article that had photos and capsule biographies of the candidates.

PG&E dedicated the Morro Bay Power Plant on July 8, 1955. The initial facility had two generating units sharing one smoke stack. The $44-million plant could generate 300,000 kilowatts, enough to power the city of San Francisco.

They ranged in age from 40 to 69 and many were already involved in local service associations, businesses or were veterans of the armed services.

The election ran almost 2-1 in favor of incorporation. The July 8, 1964, story said the unofficial tally was 1,505 for incorporation to 746 against.

Meanwhile, Paul Bowen, Jack Surfluh, Chester Zinn, Vernon Crass and William Payne all appeared to be the winning candidates pending final certification.

Just before the election, Charles Judson wrote this article for the Telegram-Tribune published July 4, 1964.

Community to test maturity with vote on incorporation

This north coast community known as Beautiful Morro Bay may elect to become the City of Greater Morro Bay next week.

The decision will be made on Tuesday in a special election on incorporation. At the same time voters will choose five council men from a field of 23 to serve if city status is approved.

Aerial of Morro Rock, power plant and harbor from August 29, 1963.

The outcome of the voting is in doubt. The community is divided by the Highway 1 freeway as well as in other respects.

While there is wide agreement that administration of the community from the Courthouse in San Luis Obispo has not always been good for it, the community does not fully trust itself.

Morro Bay remains a disturbed settlement, due in part to a childhood that was less than happy in some respects, and because of other things that have occurred in more recent years, such as the tidelands title suits.

E. G. Lewis, founder of Atascadero, in 1933.

The ghost of the late E.G. Lewis also still haunts this lovely neighborhood.

Lewis was a real estate promoter of an earlier California land boom era who left a lot of heartbreak scattered along the coast.

Lewis appropriated that section of greater Morro Bay known as Atascadero Beach for use as a branch of his mail order land promotion and development inland at Atascadero.

While time has erased most of the evidence of the Lewis promotion, some of this old hurt remains and is a factor in the current campaign for Morro Bay incorporation.

Since the Lewis disaster, that area north of the PG&E plant and east of the highway known as Morro Del Mar has been fighting to hold on and make a comeback.

While considered the poor relation by some in Morro Bay proper, Morro Del Mar has its own water district and fire department now, both debt-free. The water district has a comfortable surplus. Both of these facilities and services would be absorbed under incorporation and some residents of the area dont fancy this.

Aside from Morro Rock itself, the PG&E generating plant is the biggest thing in Morro Bay and its influence is much greater than the rock.

PG&E dedicated its $44 million steam power plant at Morro Bay in July 1955. This aerial view, looking north from Morro Bay harbor, shows the entire station ahead of the dedication

While it clutters up the landscape, it represents a cherished island of high tax assessment and is the main reason why Morro Bay can entertain the idea of incorporation.

A contributing factor to some degree of Morro Bays split personality is the legal tanglefoot involving its waterfront.

Until these painful title issues involving county administration of the tidelands are resolved, Morro Bay, incorporated or not can scarcely call its soul its own.

While Morro Bay has a whole lot going for it  an attractive and desirable area, sufficient assessed valuation to pay its own way, and a favorable growth situation  community leadership has been lacking.

The process and fact of incorporation might produce the challenge that would create the leadership.

Anyway, the vote on incorporation Tuesday will test the will in Morro Bay to grow up.
Most Dems in new survey approve of Buttigieg, Kelly on Harris VP shortlist

Among the names on Vice President Harriss running mate shortlist, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) were ranked the highest by Democratic voters, a new survey found.

The survey, released Friday by YouGov, found that Buttigieg and Kelly were the most popular picks to join Harriss bid for the White House.

Buttigieg was the most popular, with 58 percent of Democratic voters or Democratic-leaning independents saying they approve of him as a possible vice president. Kelly, a former astronaut, trailed closely behind with 57 percent.

Harris, who rose to the top of the ticket following President Bidens decision to step aside and subsequent endorsement, was officially nominated by virtual vote Friday to lead the Democratic ticket in November. The vice president said earlier this week that her running mate will join her on the campaign trail next week but said she had not yet made her selection.

Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., has appeared on many talk shows since Harris announced her campaign, a strategy reflective of his own 2020 presidential run. During the last election cycle, Mayor Pete became a household name, and he was known for his ability to communicate tough ideas to Republican media and voters.

Kelly, on the other hand, may be uncomfortable in the attack dog role as vice president, as he has eschewed politics for most of his time in the Senate. His focus is more on policy and that strategy has raised questions about what would change if he joined the ticket.

Besides Buttigieg and Kelly, Democratic Govs. Tim Walz of Minnesota, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, have also been considered top candidates. The survey found, however, that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom outranked the others.

Whitmer earned 49 percent support while Newsom followed with 48 percent, per the poll. Shapiro, one of the top rumored people to join Harris, follows at 46 percent approval.

Beshear, Walz, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker all trailed behind.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper received the most amount of not sure votes among respondents, with just 26 percent saying they approve of him joining the ticket. Cooper withdrew from consideration as Harriss running mate earlier this week.

The YouGov survey was conducted July 29-31 among 1,127 respondents and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

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Motive, other new details revealed in press conference for Michael Burham case

New information has been revealed about the murder in Jamestown, New York, that prompted a manhunt across several states in 2023.

Anybody who is killed who is a witness to a crime and the purpose of intentionally causing that persons death is to prevent them from testifying in a criminal proceeding, thats murder in the first degree, said Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt.

Schmidt said thats exactly what he believes happened to Kala Hodgkin, the mother of three who told Jamestown police her ex-boyfriend Michael Burham held her against her will and raped her in April 2023.

The court issued a warrant for Burhams arrest just two weeks before Hodgkins murder.

We had not arrested him yet. (Were you searching for him?) We couldnt find him. (So you were literally searching for him when this murder happened?) We couldnt find him yet, said Chief Tim Jackson, Jamestown Police Department.

Police ultimately discovered Hodgkins lifeless body in her home where she had been gunned down in front of her three children.

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That same night, a car was torched on the other side of the city.

We quickly determined that it was Burham linked to both those incidences. And thats when we started our manhunt for him, Jackson said.

That manhunt made national headlines. Burham was ultimately convicted in Pennsylvania for kidnapping an elderly couple and escaping Warren County Jail.

Burhams imprisonment gave the DA time to build his case in New York.

One thing DA Schmidt wanted to make very clear at the news conference in Jamestown City Hall was that justice delayed isnt justice denied.

That doesnt mean we let these things go. This is a case that well never let go. Well follow this to the end, Schmidt said.

Schmidt also clarified on Friday that while discovery hearings will begin this month, the trial itself is not expected to begin until next summer.

Related Stories

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Mount Airy man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy following a supposed multi-state cattle theft scheme, according to U.S. Attorney Dena J. King.

William Dalton Edwards, 25, is accused of conspiring with another person to steal from livestock markets and sale barns in Iredell County, Cleveland County, Texas, Oklahoma and Virginia between April 2018 and October 2022.

Two Chesterfield County men face decades behind bars after charged for stealing 17 cattle

Authorities say Edwards and his coconspirator knowingly wrote false checks as payment for cattle. The livestock would then be taken out of state to sell in Texas and Oklahoma.

According to court documents, the pair fraudulently bought and sold over 3,000 animals, causing $1 million in financial losses to the sales barns in North Carolina, Virginia and Texas.

Despite the supposed fraud, the family-owned livestock markets in North Carolina still had to pay the farmers and ranchers.

On Friday, August 2, Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the laws of the U.S. Officials say these activities hampered and impeded the U.S. Department of Agricultures ability to regulate fair livestock markets.

The minimum sentence for this offense is five years in prison plus any restitution a judge would order. Edwards is currently on bond, and a sentencing date has yet to be set.

The USDA Office of Inspector General, the Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Cleveland and Iredell County Sheriffs Offices were all part of the investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Mt. Juliet man arrested for role in U.S. Capitol riot, U.S. Attorney's Office announces

A Mt. Juliet man was arrested Friday on accusations in his role during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Middle District of Tennessee.

Nicholas Waldon Smotherman, 41, is charged obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, which are felonies.

Smotherman is also charged with multiple misdemeanors, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Those include entering and remaining in restricted grounds or buildings, disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted grounds or buildings, engaging in physical violence in restricted grounds or buildings, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

The FBI arrested Smotherman Friday in Hermitage.

According to court documents, Smotherman was identified among a crowd of rioters on the Upper West Plaza of the U.S. Capitol grounds where a group of rioters had begun pulling on the bike racks.

Capitol riot arrests: See who's been charged across the U.S.

Smotherman was allegedly seen next to the group, appearing to advance toward at a law enforcement officer. After police commanded the rioters to move back, the rioters are accused of pulling the bike rack barricades to the ground.

Smotherman is accused of moving forward toward the police line and it is alleged that Smotherman then approached the officer and pushed the officer with both hands, which also led to a verbal exchange and a struggle of a police officer's baton, according to court documents.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mt. Juliet man arrested, charged in U.S. Capitol riot
JAMAICA, Queens (PIX11)  An MTA employee was arrested on Saturday for allegedly falsely claiming he was slashed, police say.

Henry Herring reported that hed been assaulted and slashed in both hands at the Jamaica179th Street Station on Wednesday just before 4 a.m., according to authorities.

More Transit News

The 54-year-old allegedly told police at the time that he got into an argument with a suspect while he was cleaning a stationary F train, per police. He then alleged the suspect pulled out a knife and slashed him, according to authorities.

Herring was transported to the hospital, but there was no word on his condition at the time.

The MTA employee was arrested three days later and was charged with falsely reporting an incident in the third degree, per police. Herring was suspended without pay, pending review for appropriate further action, according to the MTA.

MTA Communications Director Tim Minton commented on the arrest in a statement to PIX11 News.

Assaults on MTA employees are a real issue and the NYPD has made real progress identifying and capturing perpetrators. Whats alleged in this case is beyond disappointing, pulling resources from investigations of actual crimes, while undermining confidence in safety of the transit system. MTA Communications Director Tim Minton

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.

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WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Friday evening motorists ran into delays due to a multi-vehicle crash along Interstate 40 East in Wilson County.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said the incident was reported at approximately 5:51 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2. As a result, all eastbound travel lanes and the left shoulder were blocked at mile marker 234.8 on I-40.

Sumner County Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford dies

The Lebanon Police Department posted about the crash on Facebook, urging motorists to seek alternate routes until further notice.

As of 8:15 p.m., TDOTs map shows the scene has been cleared and all lanes are back open at mile marker 234.8 on I-40 East.

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) told News 2 the incident appeared to be an injury crash involving multiple vehicles, but no additional details have been released about it.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Murder-suicide victim Marisa Galloway seen smiling with ex in social media pics years before his mom killed her on NYC street

A date-night photograph shows special-ed teacher Marisa Galloway and her ex, Zachariah Reed, in romantic bliss  four years before Reeds mother fatally gunned down Galloway and took her own life amid a bitter custody dispute.

The image  exclusively obtained by The Post from Galloways now-scrubbed, private Instagram account  shows the smiling couple on a rooftop overlooking the Empire State Building. It was posted Sept. 3, 2019, along with the caption Highlights of Summer.

Just two years later, the pair were engaged in a brutal court battle over custody of their now 4-year-old daughter, Lili.

A date-night photograph shows special-ed teacher Marisa Galloway and her ex, Zachariah Reed, in romantic bliss. Obtained by The New York Post

On July 26, Reeds mother, Kathleen Leigh, 65  a terminally ill, retired probation cop from Chicago  fatally shot Galloway, 45, twice before turning the gun on herself on East 88th Street around 9 a.m.

The gruesome scene unfolded as Galloway was putting her other daughter, 1-year-old Mariel, inside her car on the tree-lined street just a half block away from Gracie Mansion. Lili was with Reed, 45, at the time.

The source who provided the happy photo told The Post it was taken before Lili was born.

It appears she scrubbed her Instagram of photos with him at some point, the source said. I remember there being more photos than there are now.

Reeds mother fatally gunned down Galloway. Facebook

Kathleen Distro, who lives across the street from Galloways parents in Wildwood, NJ, said she has known the family for 51 years and had also heard that the relationship had been contentious.

Although Distro never saw Reed with Galloway on weekend trips to visit her family in her native Wildwood, she said, she believes they started dating around 2018, and called it quits soon before the custody dispute started in August 2021.

Reeds mother fatally gunned down Galloway and took her own life amid a bitter custody dispute. James Messerschmidt / New York Post

Between July 2021 and November, authorities took five domestic incident reports involving the exes, law enforcement sources said.

In two of them, Reed alleged Galloway had been abusing their daughter, claiming at least once that he saw bruises on Lilis shin, according to law enforcement sources. City childrens services investigators deemed the allegations unfounded, the sources said.

The custody fight is what sent Leigh over the edge, cops believe.

On July 26, Reeds mother, Kathleen Leigh, 65  a terminally ill, retired probation cop from Chicago  fatally shot Galloway, 45, twice before turning the gun on herself on East 88th Street around 9 a.m. Pix11

The custody fight is what sent Leigh over the edge, cops believe. Pix11

In a seven-page note left For Police, Leigh, 65, lamented no one believed her and Reeds contentions that Galloway abused the child  a claim many of Galloways friends and acquaintances have blasted as unthinkable.

The notion she would abuse a child is absolutely fking insane. The idea that she would even hurt a child is insane, said the source.

Lili is now in Reeds custody as the NYPD continues to investigate the murder-suicide, while Mariel is with Galloways parents in New Jersey, according to police sources.

Stephen McSweeney, an attorney for Reed, declined to comment.

Additional reporting by Tina Moore
Ancient archaeological discoveries can be confusing, exciting, intriguing, educational  and occasionally just a little creepy, as a new excavation of a 2,500-year-old graveyard site in Norway has proved.

Here's the creepy part: the main cluster of graves, comprising 39 individual bodies, were all for children under the age of six  based on a close study of the fragments of bones that had escaped being cremated.

There were two other graves containing adult bodies but these were separate from the main group.

However, it's not certain that anything sinister has gone on. This would've been a time when the infant mortality rate was relatively high  though questions remain about why the graves were separate, rather than communal.

The site of the stone graveyard. (Museum of Cultural History)

"There was something special about the whole site," excavation leader Guro Fossum, an archaeologist from the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, told Mette Estep of Science Norway.

"Cooking pits and fireplaces around the site suggest that gatherings and ceremonies were held in connection with burials."

The graves span a long time in history, across the transition between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.

When the excavation in stfold county first began  to clear the ground for the expansion of a local quarry  archaeologists were expecting to find artifacts from the Stone Age, rather than graves from two millennia later.

Most of the burials would've happened between 800 and 200 BCE, the researchers say, and were placed close to thoroughfares in terms of their location  so it's something the whole community would've known about. It doesn't look like these were secret burials.

"Additionally, all the graves were so nice and meticulously crafted," Fossum told Science Norway. "Each stone was sourced from a different location and placed precisely in the formation. We wondered who put in so much effort."

The graves were round or oval in shape, with diameters up to 2 meters (6.5 feet). Some of them were laid out with a central flagstone with edge stones around it. It's something that hasn't been seen before in Europe, the team of archaeologists says.

While we may never know exactly what went on here, the grave excavation is now being featured as part of an exhibition at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, entitled In Memory of the Children. The exhibition runs until September 29, 2024, and includes a reconstruction of one of the stone graves.

"Why were the children buried in a separate place? Why here? And how did they hold on to this tradition for several hundred years?" reads the introduction to the exhibition.

Work is continuing to analyze fragments of pottery that were found at the same site  possibly containers for the burned bones that have just been studied  which may reveal more about these people and how they lived.

In the meantime we can add it to the list of fascinating burial sites that have been uncovered over time.

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The natural world is full of seemingly bizarre relationships, some nearly unbelievable. Moths transferring orchid pollen on their eyeballs is one of those.

The orchid family (Orchidaceae) is massive, containing nearly 30,000 species worldwide, with many others no doubt awaiting description. It is second in size only to the sunflower family (Asteraceae) among plant families. Many species of orchids have evolved specialized relationships with moths; they are cases of mutualism in which each species benefits from the relationship.

A closeup photo shows orchid pollen sacs stuck to the eye of a zebra conchylodes moth.

Orchids reach a crescendo in tropical regions, but the floriferous herd thins considerably once one reaches the latitude of Ohio. The Buckeye State hosts less than 50 native orchids, but as elsewhere, moths play a key role in many species pollination. This is a tale of one of the weirder moth-orchid alliances.

On the night of July 20, I and about 150 others were exploring the dark woods of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary in Highland County. We were there as part of an outre conference known as Mothapalooza, hosted by the Arc of Appalachia, which owns the aforementioned sanctuary.

Nature: Cast-off crimes must be prevented in the wild

Moths are the guests of honor, and we use specialized lighting setups to attract them for viewing. Field-trip hours are abnormal, and some human participants dont pack it in until 3 or 4 a.m.

Over the course of a Mothapalooza weekend, we might see hundreds of moth species, including spectacular creatures such as luna, polyphemus and regal moths, various large sphinx moths and many other nocturnal butterflies.

One of the showiest, yet least known of these gems is the zebra conchylodes (con-chil-oh-dees) moth. Its ivory-colored wings are marked with inky hieroglyphic lines  entomological abstract art  and the moths body is ringed with bright orange bands.

Jim McCormac is a natural historian and columnist.

Thus, when 16-year-old Norah Tempus ran up to show me a photo of a conchylodes on her camera, I was immediately interested. As expected from Norah  an incredibly sharp-eyed observer  there was more to report  the moth had a bizarre yellow protuberance jutting from its left eye. After some discussion, we decided that it might be orchid pollinia, or pollen sacs.

I remembered a paper that I had read years before by University of Akron botanist Warren Stoutamire, describing the role of moths in pollinating a woodland species of orchid called cranefly orchid (Tipularia discolor).

While the spindly flesh-colored flowers of this orchid are difficult to see in shady woodland understory, it is fairly common and was at peak bloom during Mothapalooza. There was plenty of it in the woods surrounding our location. A bit more research showed that the moths eyeball hitchhiker was indeed cranefly pollinia.

This gorgeous zebra conchylodes moth is carrying orchid pollen.

Cranefly orchid flowers emit a subtle citrus-like fragrance at dusk, an olfactory siren song to the moths. Attracted by the aroma, moths of a handful of species, primarily loopers and owlets, flutter in to investigate.

Nature: Parasitoid wasps prey during the summer months

The lepidopteran visitors quickly home in on the flowers, but their nectar reward is contained in the base of a greatly elongated nectar spur  a tube-like extension from the bottom of the flower. Only insects with extremely long tongues  moths  can plumb the depths of the spur and access the nectar.

As the moth pushes its face deep into the flower, one or the other of its eyeballs is forced into contact with a sticky projection known as a viscidium, which becomes affixed to its fuzzy eye, kind of like Velcro on Velcro.

Several pollen sacs are attached to the summit of the viscidium, and when the moth retreats from the blossom, it pulls the whole shebang from the flower. If the orchid can have hopes and dreams, it would be that the unwitting moth vector will take its spawn to another orchid and deposit it in another flower, thus providing pollination services and ensuring more orchids.

Naturalist Jim McCormac writes a column for The Dispatch on the first and third Sundays of the month. He also writes about nature at jim mccormac.blogspot.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Nature: Moths transfer pollen on their eyeballs
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren marched with protestors on Aug. 2, 2024, in Cameron, Arizona, to oppose the transportation of uranium across Navajo land. Courtesy Photo by the Navajo Nation Office of the President

Tribal leaders from the Havasupai Tribe and Navajo Nation were led to believe that Energy Fuels Resources, Inc., would give their communities two weeks notice before they started hauling uranium ore from Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon.

However, that wasnt the case when Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and the Havasupai learned on July 30 that two trucks hauling uranium ore were already en route to the uranium mill in Utah.

They snuck through the Navajo Nation, Nygren said.

By the end of the day, Nygren was informed that two trucks carrying uranium ore from the Pinyon Mine had passed through the Navajo Nation and reached Utah.

They operated covertly to travel (through) the Navajo Nation illegally, Nygren said. They smuggled uranium across our nation, which is very inappropriate.

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Energy Fuels Resources, Inc. (EFRI), the owner of Pinyon Plain Mine, started transporting uranium ore from the mine near the Grand Canyon to the White Mesa Mill in Blanding, Utah, on July 30.

The transportation routes to move the uranium from the Pinyon Plain Mine go through several tribal communities, including lands of the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai and Ute Mountain Ute.

Pinyon Plain Mine owners have strategically taken steps to attack the sovereignty of the Havasupai Tribe and neighboring Tribes, the Havasupai Tribe said in a written statement. Despite our continuous opposition, Energy Fuels Resources, Inc. has once again acted in its own self-serving interest by beginning to haul uranium ore on public roads, through our ancestral lands, and into the Navajo Nation.

The Havasupai Tribe said that Energy Fuels Resources promised months ago to give the Havasupai, neighboring tribes, the U.S. Forest Service and other stakeholders two weeks notice before hauling the uranium ore to the processing mill in Utah.

The tribe said it relied on the good faith promise of EFRI to provide the notice, but EFRI blatantly disregarded its good faith promise and notified the U.S. Forest Service hours after the haul trucks departed the mine site.

EFRI has demonstrated by its actions that it cannot be trusted, the Havasupai Tribe said.

The tribe has opposed uranium mining in and near the Grand Canyon for generations and has been vocally opposed to the operation of the Pinyon Plain Mine and have been trying for decades to shut it down.

Our purpose of opposing uranium mining remains for the protection of our drinking water and the health and safety of our Tribal members and tourists who visit our reservation, the tribe said.

Pinyon Plain Mine started operations again in December 2023 due to the high demand for uranium. By Jan 8, EFRI notified the Kaibab National Forest that it had extracted uranium ore from the Pinyon Plain Mine and placed it on an ore pad, according to the U.S. Forest Service. This was the first time uranium ore had been removed from the mine.

The Havasupai Tribe does not stand alone in our fight against uranium mining, and we will continue to offer our support to the Navajo Nation, the tribe said. The Havasupai Tribe strongly condemns EFRls actions, and we will continue to fight against both the mining and transportation of uranium anywhere within our aboriginal territory.

Map courtesy Grand Canyon Trust

The trucks route enters the Navajo Nation at Grey Mountain and passes through multiple Navajo communities, including Cameron, Tuba City, Kayenta and Mexican Water.

The legacy of uranium mining has harmed the Navajo Nation for decades, from abandoned mines to contaminated waste disposal.

From 1944 to 1986, nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore were extracted from Navajo lands, according to the EPA, and hundreds of Navajo people worked in the mines, often living and raising families near the mines and mills.

The Navajo Nation has sacrificed so much for this country through the mining and processing of uranium ore extracted from our lands, said Navajo Nation Council Delegate Casey Allen Johnson, who represents Cameron Chapter, one of the communities along the trucks route.

Energy Fuels Resources is threatening the lives and health of our people by transporting uranium across our land, Allen added.

Between the 1940s and 1990s, thousands of uranium mines operated in the United States, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Most operated in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona, typically on federal and tribal lands.

The number of mining locations associated with uranium is around 15,000, according to the EPA, and of those, more than 4,000 have documented uranium production.

Our Navajo people have suffered for many years, and many lost their lives due to uranium mining on our homelands, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said, adding that the council strongly condemns the actions of Energy Fuels Resources.

The Navajo Nation will continue to oppose and fight against the transportation of uranium ore through our lands for the health and safety of our people, Curley added,

In response to EFRIs transportation of uranium ore across the Navajo Nation, Nygren issued an executive order on July 31 that will require an agreement to be put in place before the transportation of radioactive material through the tribes land.

The executive order will be in place for six months.

Nygren said the tribe is doing so because it is his job as president to enforce the laws on the Navajo Nation to ensure the safety of the Navajo people and respect for Navajo sovereignty.

The Navajo Nation outlawed the transportation of uranium ore through their homelands over a decade ago as part of the Navajo Nations 2012 Radioactive and Related Substances, Equipment, Vehicles, Persons, and Materials Transportation Act.

The law prohibits the transport of uranium mining products within the Navajo Nation unless it complies with the transportation notice and other requirements.

The tribe said that EFRI did not notify Navajo Nation officials of the transportation of an estimated 50 tons of uranium mine ore through the tribes lands.

Nygren said the companys failure to seek approval from the Navajo Nation for transporting radioactive materials across its land disregards the nations governmental authority and sovereignty.

If youre going to smuggle uranium into our borders and across our nation and outside, thats pretty much illegal, he added. Im very disappointed that this is happening in this day and age.

The Havasupai Tribe and Navajo Nation have called upon state and federal leaders to support their efforts to halt the transportation of uranium ore through tribal lands.

The Arizona Attorney Generals Office was informed of the uranium ore transportation on July 31. Attorney General Kris Mayes said that her office is researching options and remains committed to doing everything in her power to protect the health and safety of all Arizonans.

Hauling radioactive materials through rural Arizona, including across the Navajo Nation, without providing notice or transparency and without providing an emergency plan is unacceptable, she added.

Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a statement that she has been communicating with the Navajo Nation and EFRI as they navigate the situation.

My administration worked with EFRI to voluntarily agree to pause ore shipments through Navajo lands to give both sides an opportunity to engage in good faith negotiations, Hobbs said.

I have also instructed (the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs) to partner with tribal law enforcement and assist the Navajo Nations emergency management team in developing an emergency response plan in the event of a road incident, she added.

Hobb said her administration had asked EFRI to engage in ongoing discussions with stakeholders about the safety concerns surrounding the Pinyon Plain Mine and uranium ore transport. They have agreed, she said.

My hope is that these steps and good-faith negotiations between both parties during the temporary pause will bring an acceptable solution, she said.

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NC mother, 3-year-old son missing since June could be in Matthews area

MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A missing mother and child from northeastern North Carolina could be in the Matthews area, the Matthews Police Department says.

Authorities are asking for the publics help in finding 26-year-old Shabrina McGee and her three-year-old son, who were reported missing by her mother on June 29. McGees family has not seen her since May.

McGee and her son (Northampton County Sheriffs Office & Matthews Police)

McGee was last seen in the Seaboard area of Northhampton County, N.C. on June 27, according to Jackson Police. A few days later, she was possibly spotted about 18 miles away, in Emporia, Virginia.

On July 20, authorities went door-to-door in Weldon, N.C., seeking information on the two. Police have been following leads in both North Carolina and Virginia.

Authorities in Weldon go door-to-door (Halifax County Sheriffs Office)

On August 2, Matthews Police put out a call to residents saying, There is information that they could be in our area.

McGee doesnt have a car, so its unclear how she and her son are getting around.

Anyone with information on the pairs whereabouts is asked to call 911, Jackson Police Chief Brenda Burnett at 252-554-9779 or Northhampton County Telecommunications at 252-574-1041.

Information can also be given anonymously through the Northampton County Crime Stoppers website.

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Neguse: More fire crews on the way to Colorado or already here

DENVER (KDVR)  While crews fight the wildfires on the ground, some of Colorados congressional delegation is fighting for more federal help.



Colorados congressional members have been calling on the federal government to send the state more resources. U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse was joined earlier this week by U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen and U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper in a letter to the federal government, calling for more fire crews and equipment on the ground.

Super Scooper aircraft deployed to Colorado wildfires

Neguse, who spearheaded the effort, said during a visit to the Larimer County Emergency Operations Center on Friday that the request has been granted.

We led an effort with our senators asking the National Interagency Fire Center to send more aerial resources, logistical and, importantly, hand crews. Our understanding is that more hand crews have and are being sent, and that is something that is en route if not already on the ground, Neguse said.

Colorado wildfires: State, federal officials work with local crews

As Colorado crews await more resources, local officials detailed the cooperation underway as the fires rage on.

State, federal officials have been in and out of the fire area, said Lori Hodges, director of the Larimer County Emergency Operations Center. They have been talking to us, they have offered support via email as well as phone calls. We do have a legislative distribution where we are trying to get information out to them as well, because they obviously have constituents calling them with questions and concerns.

Public warned about fire retardant impacts: What to know

Hodges said state leaders have been helpful as crews work on the emergencies, including inside the Emergency Operations Center.

For the incident itself, we then switched to response mode, which is really just trying to make sure that we are providing the support to the people in the field, Hodges said. And we are providing the support to the community with getting information out to folks  working our hospitals, our utilities partners and others to make sure they get what they need.

Neguse pushes for 100% federal fire coverage

While first responders are making sure the community has support, Colorados congressional delegation continues to push for support for first responders.

Neguse and his fellow Colorado lawmakers also requested more Federal Emergency Management Agency aid to cover the cost of the fire. Neguse said Friday he is thankful for the work done in that space, but he hopes they do more.

Bookmark this: Colorado Wildfire Map

Neguse said he and the delegation led an effort to get Fire Management Assistance Grants approved by FEMA, which essentially covers the cost allocation for all the fires.

We are glad and grateful that FEMA had ultimately approved that request to the 75% cost share, Neguse continued. Were going to push for 100% because we believe, ultimately, the federal government should foot what is going to be a very large bill.

The congressman said he is confident the state will get the help it needs soon. The focus now is ensuring the state remains in good shape with resources in case fires continue to break out.

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NILES, Ohio (WKBN)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Friday a collaboration with the city of Niles to help identify drinking water lead pipes, accelerate replacement and protect public health.

The city of Niles is participating in EPAs Get the Lead Out Initiative to help move the nation towards achieving 100% lead service line replacement. The Get the Lead Out initiative will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.

Last month, Warren was selected as one of these 200 communities.

President Bidens Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Niles across the country, said Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore in a news release. EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nations drinking water once and for all.

Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, all public water utilities are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by Oct.16 or sooner if required by the state agency. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPAs WaterTA website.

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SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is taking an out-of-country trip to India. The governor will be in the country until August 10.

Governor signs bill allocating $100M to Ruidoso wildfire recovery

Her office said shell discuss New Mexico partnerships with higher education, business, and government officials. The governor, along with First Gentleman Manny Cordova and other state delegates will be in New Delhi and Chennai, which is on Indias southeast coast.

The governor recently wrapped up two public safety town hall meetings in Albuquerque and Espanola earlier this week.

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SUPPLY, N.C. (AP)  A day after confirming he wouldnt be a candidate for Vice President Kamala Harris running mate, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday at a public event that hes excited that Democrats have a lot of great options for her to choose from.

Speaking in coastal Brunswick County with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to celebrate federal funding for land conservation, Cooper reiterated his Monday message by saying this was not the right time for our state or for me to potentially be on a national ticket.

Cooper, barred by term limits from seeking reelection this year, had been among roughly a dozen potential contenders that Harris team was initially looking at for a vice presidential pick. Hes been a surrogate for President Joe Bidens reelection bid and now for Harris.

I am going to work every day to see that she is elected, Cooper told WECT-TV. I believe that she will win, and I look forward to this campaign because she has the right message and she is the right person for this country.

In making his decision, Cooper confirmed Tuesday that he was concerned in part about what Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson could do if he left the state to campaign as part of the Democratic ticket. The state constitution says that during the absence of the Governor from the State  the Lieutenant Governor shall be Acting Governor. Robinson is running for governor this fall.

We had concerns that he would try to seize the limelight because there would be a lot, if I were the vice presidential candidate, on him, and that would be a real distraction to the presidential campaign, Cooper said.

Cooper pointed to when he traveled to Japan last fall on an economic development trip. As acting governor at the time, Robinson held a news conference during his absence to announce he had issued a NC Solidarity with Israel Week proclamation after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack inside the country.

Cooper also said Tuesday that he informed Harris campaign early in the process that he would not be a candidate, but that he didnt reveal publicly that decision at first so as not to dampen enthusiasm for Harris within the party.

My name had already been prominently put into the media and so I did not want to cause any problems for her or to slow her great momentum, he told WRAL-TV while in Supply, located about 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Raleigh. Cooper said he announced his decision when there had begun to be a lot of speculation about the fact that I was not going to be in the pool of candidates, and in order to avoid the distraction of the speculation.

Tuesdays event at Green Swamp Preserve celebrated a $421 million grant for projects in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland to reduce climate pollution. The money will be used to preserve, enhance or restore coastal habitats, forests and farmland, Coopers office said.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson has been battered for months by his Democratic rival and other adversaries for seeking additional abortion restrictions beyond current state law and for past comments upbraiding women on the issue.

Abortion in this country is not about protecting the lives of mothers. Its about killing the child because you werent responsible enough to keep your skirt down, Robinson said in a Facebook video in 2019, the year before he was elected lieutenant governor in his first bid for public office. Democratic nominee Josh Stein, the current attorney general and an abortion-rights supporter, has shown the footage in ads since June.

Now Robinson is attempting to shift the broader electorates views of him on the issue through empathy with a new commercial starting Friday that describes his wifes own abortion decades ago and leaves the impression hes comfortable with the states current 12-week ban on most abortions.

The policy shift would be significant for Robinson, whose campaign said earlier this year that he supported an abortion ban after roughly six weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions. Many women dont even know they are pregnant at six weeks. Previously, Robinson left the impression that hed support something even more severe, saying in 2020, for example, that for me, there is no compromise on abortion.

For decades, the GOP campaigned on restricting abortion throughout the country. But as abortion rights have driven turnout for Democrats and appeared as a vulnerability for Republicans, Robinsons approach reflects ongoing efforts by conservative politicians to appear moderate on abortion rights or avoid the topic altogether on the campaign trail  or otherwise risk losing at the ballot box in a post-Roe v. Wade world.

The stakes are high in North Carolina, where races for statewide office are usually close affairs and the winner of this closely watched gubernatorial campaign in November could have much to say about whether the Republican-controlled General Assembly will be able to advance its conservative agenda without resistance.

The campaign ad on television and on digital platforms shows Robinson and his wife Yolanda Hill holding hands. They discussed her abortion publicly in a 2022 video, but the potential audience now is much greater.

Thirty years ago, my wife and I made a very difficult decision. We had an abortion, Robinson says in the ad, adding that it was like a silent pain between us that we never spoke of.

Hill added: Its something that stays with me forever.

Thats why I stand by our current law, Robinson goes on to say, pointing to what he calls common-sense exceptions for pregnancies through incest and rape and when the life of the mother is in danger.

Asked Friday whether Robinson was altering his views on abortion, campaign spokesperson Mike Lonergan said that the legislature has already spoken on this issue.

In May 2023, the Republican-controlled General Assembly enacted over Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto legislation that scaled back the states ban on most abortions from after 20 weeks of pregnancy to 12 weeks.

If elected governor, Robinson will work to make North Carolina a destination for life by building a culture that does more to support women and families, including bolstering adoption, as well as foster and childcare, Lonergan added.

Steins campaign said later Friday that the Robinson ad was the latest example of him running away from his extreme and toxic stance on abortion. Steins team has alleged that Robinson would seek an abortion ban with no exceptions if elected.

If North Carolinians want to know where Mark Robinson really stands on abortion, they should listen to every other comment hes made on the issue before today, Stein campaign spokesperson Morgan Hopkins said.

Former President Donald Trump has sought a more cautious stance on abortion rights this election by dodging questions and leaning on his go-to response that he brought abortion back to the states when he helped form the majority that overturned the constitutional right to abortion.

Abortion politics have been credited for turning back an anticipated red wave last year and delivering wins for Democrats in Kentuckys gubernatorial race and in the Virginia state legislature after Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin failed to rally voters behind a proposal to ban abortions after 15 weeks with exceptions.

Cooper was barred by term limits from seeking a third consecutive term but essentially handed the Democratic baton to Stein, a former state senator who once worked under Cooper when the politician was state attorney general.

Hopkins said in June that Stein supports the Roe v. Wade framework of the past 50 years that protects womens reproductive freedoms and restricts abortion later in pregnancy unless a womans life or health is at risk.

Such a framework generally allows for abortions in most cases through the point of viability, which is usually between 24 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. Robinsons campaign has alleged that Steins views are extreme, saying that he supports abortion later in pregnancy entering the third trimester.

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North Korean leader accuses South Korea of a smear campaign over floods and hints at rejecting aid

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a flood-hit area in Sinuiju city, North Phyongan province, North Korea Monday, July 29, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accused South Koreas rubbish media of tarnishing the Norths image by allegedly exaggerating the death tolls from recent floods that hit the countrys northwest region, and hinted that he would refuse Seouls offer for aid.

Kim made the comments Friday during a visit to an air force helicopter unit, where he praised the troops for helping rescue people from the floods, North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday.

During the visit, Kim denied claims by South Korean media that 1,000 to 1,500 North Koreans would have died from the floods and that multiple helicopters might have crashed during the emergency response. He described the reports as a vicious smear campaign by the South.

Kim labeled South Korea as an unchangeable enemy and stressed that the North will never sacrifice its national defense to improve disaster recovery or peoples standards of living  hinting that Pyongyang would reject Seoul's aid offer.

South Koreas government offered Thursday to send aid supplies to address the humanitarian challenges facing North Korean residents in flood-affected areas near the countrys border with China.

It was widely expected that North Korea would reject the offer. Animosity between the war-divided rivals is at its highest in years over the Norths growing nuclear ambitions and the Souths expansion of combined military exercises with the United States and Japan to counter the Norths threats.

The North had also rejected South Koreas offers for help while battling a COVID-19 outbreak in 2022.

North Korean state media reports said recent heavy rains left 4,100 houses, 7,410 acres of agricultural fields and numerous other public buildings, structures, roads and railways flooded in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and the neighboring town of Uiju.

State media has not provided information on deaths, but Kim was quoted blaming public officials who had neglected disaster prevention, causing the casualty that cannot be allowed.

During his visit to the helicopter unit, Kim said it was a miracle that no casualties were reported in the Sinuiju area and credited the air force personnel for pulling off successful rescue missions.

Kim also said that one helicopter made an emergency landing during a rescue mission but that all pilots were safe, in what appeared to be a denial of South Korean media claims about multiple helicopter crashes.
There has been a drop in support among people in Latvia for Ukraine's victory over Russian aggression.

Source: Delfi, citing an opinion poll conducted in June by SIA Rait Custom Research Baltic, commissioned by the State Chancellery of Latvia, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The survey results indicate that while support for Ukraine's victory remains high in Latvian society, there has been a statistically significant decline in numerous indicators.

The majority of Latvian residents aged 18 to 75  59%  said in the survey that they wanted Ukraine to defeat Russia in the war (the answers were "strongly agree" and "tend to agree"). According to the study's authors, this represents a statistically significant decline compared to March, when 64% of those polled supported Ukraine's victory.

Half, or 51%, of the Latvian residents surveyed said they would support Ukraine until it achieves victory over Russia, compared to 56.3% in March. 52% of the respondents feel that by assisting Ukraine, Latvia is defending itself against conflict, while in March this figure was 54%.

The study's findings also show a drop in support for the view that by assisting Ukraine, the European Union is defending itself  50% of those polled in June believed this, compared to 55% in March.

Just under half of Latvian residents believe Ukraine can win the war against Russia. In June, 47% of respondents held this opinion, while in March, 48% did.

The poll also found that the percentage of citizens willing to suffer price hikes in order to stop the war in Ukraine has remained constant: 38% in June and 39% in March.

According to the study, Latvian media and government institutions are the most trusted sources of information about the war in Ukraine, with 47% of people trusting them in both June and March. Latvian residents have slightly less confidence in information provided by Western media, which was trusted by 43% of those polled in both June and March.

Simultaneously, the study reveals that trust in official Russian media reports about the war in Ukraine has grown significantly. In June, 15% of respondents trusted the Russian media, while in March, only 8% did.

There has been no significant change in the percentage of people who are tired of news about Russia's war in Ukraine and do not want to know any more about it. In June, 41% of respondents agreed with this statement, compared to 45% in March.

The survey was conducted in June of this year. 1,005 permanent residents of Latvia aged 18 to 75 were interviewed. The study cost 3,956 excluding VAT and was funded by the state budget.

Background: 63% of Latvians believe the war in Ukraine is the most serious crisis facing the European Union.

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The Bronx heir of an art collector killed in the Holocaust was awarded a multi-million dollar painting looted by the Nazis  in a ruling that capped a long-running legal battle in upstate New York court.

Viennese artist Egon Schieles 1917 watercolor Portrait of the Artists Wife was awarded to Eva Zirkl, who until recently was the only surviving heir of Karl Maylander, an Austrian art collector said to have owned the painting before he was deported to Poland and murdered by the Nazis.

The Bronx heir of an art collector killed in the Holocaust was awarded a multi-million dollar painting looted by the Nazis. Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

Because Zirkl died earlier this year, the painting will go to the Susan Zirkl Memorial Foundation Trust, a charity dedicated to Autism research, according to the terms of a Thursday ruling by State Supreme Court Justice Daniel J. Doyle.

Zirkls family was one of three parties to argue that they were the rightful owners of the painting  which has an estimated value of several million dollars  at a bench trial earlier this year in Rochester, NY.

Because Zirkl died earlier this year, the painting will go to the Susan Zirkl Memorial Foundation Trust. Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

The heirs of another Jewish man, Schieles dentist and Viennese art collector Dr. Heinrich Rieger, argued that Rieger owned the painting before it was seized by the Nazis, who considered Schieles work degenerate art because it depicted nude women, court papers say.

The painting was purchased in 1964 in London by Robert Robin Owen Lehman, of the famed family that founded the collapsed investment bank Lehman Brothers.

It was gifted to the Lehman family foundation in 2016. The foundation argued that it should be able to auction off the painting, and said it planned to use the proceeds to further music education and support the appreciation and dissemination of classical music at large, according to court papers.

It was gifted to the Lehman family foundation in 2016.

The work  which depicts the artists rosy-cheeked wife Edith in a patterned dress and brownish-orange jacket  was insured for $10 million when the foundation took it to Christies in 2017 to auction it.

But the auction house alerted Jewish authorities in Vienna, setting into motion a series of complicated events that led to the trial.

The legal saga was the first case about Nazi-looted art to go to trial in the US, according to Zirkls lawyers.

District Attorney Alvin Briggs speaks to press after the recovery of two Nazi-looted Egon Schiele paintings. LP Media

In his 87-page ruling, Doyle wrote that the evidence seen at trial mostly strongly favored the Maylander heirs, while acknowledging that the court was partly relying on limited information from several decades ago.

We are thrilled that the courts disciplined and detailed review of the evidence resulted in the right decision, said Oren Warshavsky, a partner with law firm BakerHostetler, who represented Eva Zirkl, in a statement.

The recovery of artwork looted during the Holocaust is an important way to restore dignity and justice to Holocaust victims and their families, he added.

Representatives for the Robert Owen Lehman Foundation and the Rieger family could not be reached Friday to comment on the ruling and on whether they planned to appeal it.
NYC property owner hit with $230K fine  for chopping down his own tree, bizarre suit reveals

A tree of heaven turned into hell for a Brooklyn man who chopped down one of the pesky nondescript species on his vacant lot  and ended up fined a whopping $230,000 by the city.

The man is now suing, and his lawyer says the bizarre case is as clear-cut as the felled tree  its just a twisted attempt by the Parks Department to try to stick it to the little guy as part of a moneymaker grab.

Parks did not plant the tree, has never performed any work on, nor took care of, the tree, nor has even registered it on its on-line resource called NYC Tree Map, according to the lawsuit filed by attorney Mikhail Sheynker on behalf of perplexed plaintiff Theodore Trachtenberg.

An incredulous Sheynker added to The Post that the city never had access to the tree of heaven, part of an invasive species native to China.

You typically dont have people climbing over walls and fences to plant trees, he quipped.

But Parks still took an ax to the property owners wallet after he removed the tree, valued at about $207,000, to build housing on a long-vacant Crown Heights lot, the suit says.

The city is charging a Brooklyn property owner a whopping $230,000 fine for chopping down an invasive tree on his lot before building. Google Maps

The city is trying to claim that the tree is a city tree, Sheynker said.

In February, a city Parks forester said three trees in all had been damaged during excavation of the lot to make way for a new 10-unit residential building on St. Johns Place and Classon Avenue and issued a whopping $230,400 fine in total to Trachtenberg.

The largest one, a tree of heaven responsible for 90 percent of the lost tree area as calculated by the forester, was on the inside of a chain-link fence around the property that was actually installed by the city itself nearly 40 years ago when the vacant lot was in public hands. The other two allegedly damaged trees are still located in sidewalk tree pits.

A six-story, 10-unit building now sits on the formerly vacant lot. James Keivom

In the 1990s, you didnt see much litigation over trees  the Parks Department didnt really issue fines over trees, Sheynker said. But they figured out this is a moneymaker.

Typically when a city-owned tree is damaged, most often in a sidewalk tree-pit, the party responsible will pay a fee calculated by the diameter of the trees trunk, and the money goes toward replanting new trees in the city.

The foresters notification states the two small trees had diameters of 5.8 inches and 6.7 inches, while the fenced-in tree had a 28-inch diameter.

Sheynker doesnt dispute that the city owns the two small trees, which clearly show up on the citys massive tree map.

The ownership of those two trees is not being contested  but the damage is, Sheynker said, claiming that he hasnt seen evidence of what the report describes.

Whats not on the map is the fenced-in tree chopped down by his client to make way for a new six-story, 10-unit building in a neighborhood desperate for new housing. A top-floor three-bedroom unit in the building is currently listed for a monthly rental price of $5,400.

The city had owned the lot after foreclosing on its previous owner in 1979. Before the site re-entered private ownership, a building there had caught fire and was ordered demolished by the citys Housing Department, which then erected the chain link fence, behind which the tree grew, according to court papers.

Sheynker said courts have previously upheld that city-owned trees must be publicly accessible on what is called a right-of-way. Since the tree has never been accessible, the claim that the tree is a city-owned entity is unusual, he told The Post.

Since the current owner purchased it in 1999, the lot had served as private parking, with the large tree towering over the cars below, before the apartment unit was built.

But if the owner doesnt pay his outstanding fine, it could prevent him from obtaining a final sign-off for his building, the suit claims.

City officials did not respond to a Post request for comment. Trachtenberg did not return a Post request for comment.
NYPD chief bitten by city councilwoman at protest pissed off shes playing victim, says pols lying about being choked

composite image: left, susan zhuang in a pink shirt and grey pants wailing while under arrest; upper right NYPD Deputy Chief of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Frank DiGiacomo; lower right DiGiacomo's arm

The NYPD chief bitten by a city councilwoman during a raucous shelter protest last week in Brooklyn is pissed off the pol is making herself out to be the victim, The Post has learned.

After 31 years on the job, Ive never been bitten, and I cant believe someone would just bite another human being, Deputy Chief Frank DiGiacomo told a friend after City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang allegedly bit him at a proposed shelter site in Bensonhurst July 24. I cant imagine someone would want to have somebody elses blood in their mouth.

The thing that bothers me the most is that she is making out like shes the victim,' he said, according to the friend.

City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang, seen here during her arrest at a demonstration in which she allegedly bit a police officer. X/YIatin Chu

The veteran police boss also told friends he bled a lot, needed an anti-viral cocktail and a tetanus shot.

Zhuang, a Democrat representing the 43rd district based in Sunset Park, told an ally she bit DiGiacomo because he was choking her.

But DiGiacomo refutes that claim, saying his arm was on a metal crowd barrier  not on the politician  when he felt her teeth sink into his arm, the friend said.

The bite mark is on the outside of his arm, the friend recalled. So its not like someone bit the inside of the arm that was wrapped around them.

The bite left a nasty wound on NYPD Deputy Chief Frank DiGiacomos arm. Obtained by the NY Post

Zhuangs office has said she was trying to protect an elderly woman who had been knocked to the ground. But police officials said publicly the woman walked up to a traffic barrier and laid down in an act of civil disobedience.

The NYPD called an ambulance for the woman, but before the ambulance arrived the mob began pushing against the barrier, cops said.

The woman remained at the protest for the remainder of the day, police sources said.

Zhuang, a Democrat representing the 43rd district based in Sunset Park, told an ally she bit DiGiacomo because he was choking her.

New York City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang is escorted by NYPD officers after her arrest. Michael Nigro

DiGiacomo told his friend he wants an apology.

People arent going to jail for these kinds of crimes anymore, he told the friend. But I at least thought there would be an apology or acknowledgement of what happened. But she just keeps doubling down.

A police officer with 20 years on the job was angry about the assault at a time when the City Council frequently pits itself against the department.

NYPD Deputy Chief Frank DiGiacomo said in all his years on the job, hed never been bitten before. Youtube NYC Mayor's Office

When a public official takes that kind of action, it almost condones future attacks, the veteran seethed. If this person, of this political stature, felt justified doing that and it gets out, maybe more people will get emboldened.

The cop believes Zhuang will ultimately get a slap on the wrist.

Even though its an egregious act, it will plead down  nothing will come of it, he said.

The citys largest police union also rallied around the deputy chief.

The facts are that Council member Zhuang was leading a protest where multiple police officers were injured and she bit an NYPD chief, Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said. There is no excuse or explanation that can change that reality, he said. She needs to take responsibility for her actions instead of trying to deflect blame towards our police officers who were just doing their job.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  New York State Park Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police recovered an injured timber rattlesnake that was near a walking trail at Letchworth State Park.

According to the Environmental Conservation Police, a call was received from a Park Ranger that the snake was injured inside the State Park in the town of Castile.

ECO says the identity of the snake was confirmed through pictures and officers quickly coordinated with the Ranger to keep curious visitors away from the snake.

Officers responded to Letchworth to remove the snake and transported it to Cornell Universitys veterinary hospital for treatment. Experts say they believe the snake was runover by a motor vehicle.

Photo of Timber rattlesnake (DEC)

According to DEC, Timber rattlesnakes are venomous pit vipers that are native to New York State. They are also considered a threatened species and are protected by State law. These snakes rarely display aggression unless defending themselves.

The DEC wants to remind the public to leave the snakes lone and observe from a distance.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Oak Forest is the latest entry in a trend of transit-oriented development in the south and southwest suburbs, with housing and commercial space being clustered near Metra commuter stations.

One Fifty Seven Oak Forest, at the northwest corner of Cicero Avenue and 157th Street, is wrapping up work on 75 apartments and an adjacent 15 town homes have already been rented, according to the developer.

About 25 of the apartments have either been rented or in the process of being occupied, Etamar Deshe, chief executive of Deshe Real Estate Group in Chicago, said Thursday.

Similar developments, also near Metra stops, have been completed in Southland communities such as Homewood, Orland Park and Tinley Park.

The property had been the site of three dilapidated apartment buildings the city acquired that were sold to Deshe, according to Tim Kristin, Oak Forest city administrator.

The development is north of the Metra Rock Island station at 159th Street and Cicero, and retail space directly next to the 157th and Cicero corner will include a coffee and sandwich shop and office space, according to Deshe.

He said the coffee shop will cater to residents and hopefully Metra commuters.

With a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments, those rental units are in a four-level building that has enclosed parking on the first floor.

That is where the leasing office is located and work is underway on retail space at the corner of 157th and Cicero. Deshe said the town homes were completed in an initial phase and all are leased.

He said there will be between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet of commercial space divided into room for three tenants, including the coffee shop.

The town homes have a mix of two- and three-bedroom units, and most of the apartments are one-bedroom spaces, Deshe said.

Were real pleased with the project, Kristin said, describing Deshes investment at $27 million.

Work on a resident lounge in the apartment building lobby is in progress and will feature coffee and other beverages, a fireplace and large television, according to Matt Shamis.

He works for Advantage Properties in Chicago, which manages the One Fifty Seven property and other residential sites owned by Deshe, he said.

That includes more than 1,000 housing units in the Chicago area and southern Wisconsin, Shamis said.

Other transit-oriented developments have been completed in the south and southwest suburbs in recent years.

In downtown Homewood, The Hartford, a mixed-use 36-unit apartment building opened in 2023.

The four-story building, 2033 Ridge Road, is a few blocks east of the villages Metra station and includes studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.

Stoney Point Grill in Mokena opened a second location in a 5,800-square-foot space on the first floor of The Hartford.

The first phase of Boulevard at Central Station in Tinley Park, just east of the Oak Park Avenue Metra station, opened in 2023 and has 165 apartments and commercial space.

In Orland Park, the village had owned and helped pay for development of Ninety 7 Fifty on the Park, a 295-unit apartment complex northwest of LaGrange Road and 143rd Street, near the villages 143rd Street Metra station.

Kristin said Friday that beyond the One Fifty Seven project in Oak Forest, Deshes company is also looking toward a similar project nearby.

At the site of the former Ace Hardware, 15541 S. Cicero, to the north of the Deshe development, Deshes company plans to build 5,000 square feet of commercial space as well as rental townhomes, according to Kristin.

The city recently acquired the hardware store and demolished it, and the city and Deshe also see it as a transit-oriented opportunity.

Kristin said a walkway that runs parallel to Cicero along the east side of the property connects to a pedestrian bridge over Cicero, allowing walking or biking to and from the Metra station.

Were trying to get rid of our city owned properties and get them back on the tax rolls and enhance the community with new construction, Kristin said.

The whole goal is to enhance living conditions for residents and boost the citys tax base, he said.
A judge has denied bail for a Marion Oaks woman accused of threatening a witness who testified against her brother at his murder trial.

On July 31, a jury found Marquis Luis Rosado guilty of death caused by the unlawful distribution of fentanyl. Two days later, Marion County Sheriff's detectives arrested and charged Rosado's sister with retaliating against a witness.

Anya Maria Cintron was taken into custody at her Marion Oaks residence and transported to the Marion County Sheriff's Office for questioning. Cintron declined to be interviewed by detectives.

The 20-year-old was transported to the county jail for booking. It's the same lockup where her 22-year-old brother is being held.

Rosado's trial

After two days of trial, a 12-member jury said Rosado was guilty in the 2022 death of 26-year-old Marcus Lane II.

In court, Assistant State Attorney Amy Berndt said Rosado provided Percocet pills to Lane. The pills had fentanyl, according to evidence provided to the court.

Defense attorney A. Antonio Tomas told jurors the death was a result of a lethal combination of fentanyl and alcohol. He said the death was an accident. Rosado did not testify. Rosado's family members, including his sister, were at the trial.

Cintron cried when her brother was sentenced by Circuit Judge Tim McCourt to life in prison.

She wasn't pleased with the verdict, and at one point was warned by a bailiff that if she did not abide by the rules, she would be asked to leave the courtroom.

Investigation

According to Cintron's arrest report, on Aug. 2, a report was made to the sheriff's office that the victim's family has been receiving "unwanted phone calls and messages."

Deputies were told at least one message was sent via Instagram and came from Rosado's account. The message contained vulgar language and alluded to violence because of the witness' testimony at trial.

The message was viewed and saved by sheriff's officials.

In their investigation, detectives discovered the threatening message was sent around the same time Rosado and her brother were on the phone.

Listening to a recording of the phone call between the brother and sister, Rosado told his sister where the witnesses sat in court. The two talked about the witness, and during their conversation, authorities said, the threatening message was sent.

Rosado's interview

The report states Detectives Caitlin Hartigan and Karla Santana-Palau went to the jail on Aug. 2 to interview Rosado. He said he and his sister spoke on Aug. 1, and she and his parents were in court during his trial.

He told the detectives no one had access to his Instagram account and it changed since his arrest.

Told about the phone call between he and his sister, Rosado said he did not know his sister could get into trouble and wanted detectives to charge him instead of her.

Detectives found Cintron at her residence where she gave detectives her phone number. She asked for a lawyer.

No bail

At her first appearance court hearing, held Saturday morning inside the jail, a handcuffed Cintron stood in front of County Judge Lori Cotton and was told her charge.

Cintron asked for, and received, a lawyer from the Public Defender's Office. The judge told the young woman she read the report and found there was probable cause for her arrest.

Cintron told the judge she has lived in Marion County her whole life and her parents and grandparents live in the community. She told the judge she doesn't have a job.

Assistant State Attorney Danielle Ruse told the judge because of the nature of the case and the risk of harm to witnesses, she should be held without bail. The woman has no criminal record.

Guilty verdicts: Ocala courts: Different facts. Different circumstances. Same verdict: guilty of murder

Michael Novak, an assistant public defender, said Cintron should be given bail because of her lack of criminal history, and because the trial is already over and the defendant has been sentenced.

The judge said threatening a witnesses is a serious crime and the community's safety is important. She denied bail and told Cintron her next court date is in September.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Woman charged with threatening a witness from her brother's murder trial.
A man has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash in Long Beach, and according to authorities, officers had briefly spoken with him moments before the collision.

A media release from the Long Beach Police Department states that officers were dispatched to the intersection of Cherry Avenue and 14th Street just before 7 p.m. Friday on reports of a traffic collision between two vehicles.

Officers began lifesaving measures until the Long Beach Fire Department arrived and took over medical aid, the LBPD release said. The male adult driver and female adult passenger of the impacted vehicle were transported to a local hospitalthe driver later succumbed to his injuries and the passenger was reported in critical condition.

Neither victim was immediately identified.

Detectives quickly set up a perimeter and began searching for the suspect; after approximately two hours and 42 minutes, 34-year-old Guillermo Penaloza was located and arrested, LBPD said.

Penaloza, a Long Beach resident, was booked for vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest. His bail was set at $50,000.

Crash on 10 Freeway involving at least 5 vehicles hospitalizes 2 people

The preliminary investigation revealed a Chevy Suburban SUV driven by Penaloza was driving westbound on 14th Street at a high rate of speed when it collided with a 4-door Saturn sedan that was driving south on Cherry Avenue.

LBPD disclosed that officers working proactive patrols had observed Penaloza in his vehicle and had a brief verbal exchange with him as they passed one another in their vehicles.

After the exchange, officers observed Penaloza flee the area at a high rate of speed, police said. The officers were not engaged in a pursuit, but they did follow the vehicle from a distance.

Speed and disregard for public safety appear to have contributed to this incident, authorities added.

Anyone with information surrounding the deadly crash is urged to contact Collision Investigation Detective Dougherty by calling 562-570-7355.

To submit an anonymous tip, call L.A. Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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An Ohio man who fatally shot his young sons last year pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder Friday as part of a deal with the state to avoid the death penalty.

Chad Doerman, 33, received three consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole over the deaths of 7-year-old Clayton, 4-year-old Hunter, and 3-year-old Chase Doerman, who were shot at their home in Monroe Township on June 15, 2023, multiple outletsreported.

Doerman also pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious assault against his now-former wife and stepdaughter, whod attempted to stop the killings.

According to a bill of particulars filed in Clermont County and obtained by local stations WCPO and WLWT, the incident began when Doerman returned home from work and started walking around with a Bible in a manner that was scaring the children.

Chad Doerman's sons are seen in a photo, via GoFundMe. GoFundMe

His then wife, the mother of the three boys, told him that she did not like what he was doing, and she and their sons then took a nap with him, according to the court document.

After some time, Doerman got out of bed to grab a rifle from a gun safe and shot Hunter twice, Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said in court Friday.

The boys mother yelled for the other two to run while she tried to render aid, and Doermans stepdaughter came into the room after hearing the shot, according to the bill of particulars. The stepdaughter ran outside with Clayton, but Doerman was right behind them, shooting in their direction.

Clayton was shot and fell to the ground, the court document said. It was at this point that Doerman fired an additional shot into the boys head at close range.

His stepdaughter went back inside the home to grab Chase and run, but Doerman caught up with them. Doerman then demanded that she put Chase down and attempted to fire a shot at him, but the gun did not go off, according to the court document.

Chase ran outside where his mom was now located as she continued to render aid to Hunter. Doerman, however, caught up to the child and shot him at close range.

During this time, Doermans stepdaughter left the residence to get help and flagged down a passerby while on her way to a nearby fire station.

The boys mother struggled with Doerman as he attempted to take Hunter away from her and she was shot in the thumb, the court document said. He then shot Hunter in the head. Doerman was later arrested outside his home by Clermont County sheriffs deputies.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that prosecutors agreed to stop pursuing the death penalty against Doerman in exchange for a guilty plea. Tekulve, who had been adamant about seeking the death penalty, told reporters on Friday that his decision to offer the deal came after he recognized the trauma experienced by the boys mother and her daughter.

The trauma that these two have experienced that day and continue to experience, my job as I saw it this week is to relieve them of that additional agony. And that is why we are here today, Tekulve said.

A victim impact statement from the boys mother and her daughter was read in court Friday, Fox affiliate WXIX reported.

The mother said that she was in agreement with how Doermans case was resolved, adding that it brought a sense of closure for her and her daughter. She said she wants the public to remember her sons for who they were in life, before last years incident.

Remember them as the boys who love to have fun and were inseparable from one another, the mother said in court. Their lives are not only about what happened to them - they are so much more than that.

Related...
Oil depot in Belgorod Oblast hit by drones

A drone attack struck an oil depot in Russia's Belogorod Oblast overnight on Aug. 3, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

The drones struck an oil depot in the region's Gubkinsky district, Gladkov said. The attack caused an explosion at the facility and a tank caught fire.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and there are no casualties, Gladkov claimed.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify Gladkov's claims, and Ukraine's military has yet to comment on the alleged attack.

Russian officials on Aug. 3 also reported drone attacks in Rostov and Oryol oblasts.

Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk oblasts. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have been regularly attacking military facilities and infrastructure in Russian regions bordering Ukraine.

A July 29 attack on Belgorod Oblast caused a fire at an energy substation.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraines second Ada-class corvette launched in Turkey

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BRISTOL, Va.  Platter & Pour is set to bring wine and cheese to a new, second location on Bristols State Street.

Danielle Charelle, who co-owns Platter & Pour alongside her daughter Angelina Charelle and partner Scott Matney, expressed her excitement about the vibrant atmosphere in Bristol and their anticipation of becoming part of the State Street community.

Its a different energy here, Charelle remarked. We feel like were welcomed, and we belong and so were excited.

Platter & Pour opened its first location at the Abingdon Commons in Abingdon, Virginia in 2023.

As Charelle walked through the new venue, she emphasized her desire to evoke a sense of home, which for her has always meant a table full of cheeses, vegetables, fruits and cold meats for everyone to share.

All my life, weve always had an Italian household with food on the kitchen counter and all day long, Charelle said. I just let people try things all day long and thats what we do and its fun.

Charelle hopes broaden the pallet of Bristols residents by introducing them to all sorts of cold meats and wines sourced from all over the world.

We do have a lot of Virginia wines, but we have wines from all over the world, Charelle explained. If somebody walks in and says, Id like a Sauvignon Blanc, can I try a glass or do you have it? Ill say actually, I have one from France, I have one from California and I have two from New Zealand.

The new location will continue to prioritize offering local and regional produce, working closely with suppliers such as Meadow Creek Dairy in Galax and San Guiseppe in North Carolina, which provides them with Italian dried cured meats.

A notable addition at the Platter & Pour location in Bristol will be a breakfast menu.

Were going to serve breakfast because Bloom went out so theres an opportunity right there, Charelle said. Were gonna do stuff like Eggs Benedict over crab cakes and brisket over hash brown waffles  just unique fun stuff.

Platter & Pour won a $10,000 grant as part of Believe in Bristols Downtown Bristol Entrepreneur Grant competition, which provided Charelle not just with the funds she needed to open a second location, but has also given them with a support network and resources.

Its pretty cool, theres a lot of winners and its like one big family, Charelle stated. Maggie Bishop who heads Believe in Bristol. I know I can go to her and say, Hey, you mentioned youd introduce me to people. Shed take me by the hand say Come on lets go.

Charelle emphasized that they have no plans to close their original Abingdon Commons location.

It [Bristol] is going to be a second location. Right now, we dont have any plans of closing Abingdon, she said.

The new Platter & Pour location is currently expected to open on Labor Day weekend in anticipation of the annual Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion music festival in mid-September.

Additionally, Charelle and Matney are working to open an Italian restaurant and a coffee shop at the Emory & Henry University Campus in Emory, Va.
Oklahoma couple share their story after being lost at sea for nearly 40 hours

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR)  Nathan and Kim Maker returned home Monday night after a scuba diving trip took a scary turn.

They were diving off the coast of Freeport, Texas last week.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Oklahoma couple found 36 hours after disappearing while scuba diving in Gulf of Mexico

Nathan and Kim Maker scuba diving

While in the water, one of their dives was cut short, due to a malfunction with a crucial piece of equipment on someones gear.

On the way up to the surface, all divers were using a line to guide them back to the boat.

One of the ladies in our group lost her hand on the line and started drifting out, said Nathan. So I got her back to the line, but I just didnt have enough to get there.

The woman Nathan helped was able to make it back. He and Kim did not.

Alone in the water, the couple turned to their years of experience from diving.

He had the good sense to tether us together so that we dont get separated, said Kim.

Sweet as a Cupa Sugar: Del City watermelon seller promises a comeback after wrecking his truck, trailer

Hours went by, and the couple remained stranded.

They saw a light shining from an oil rig, north from where they were floating.

We swam nine hours towards the direction  and then a massive storm hit, Kim said.

After the storm passed, the light was gone. Nathan and Kim were exhausted.

Both being trained divers, they held on.

The second day out in the water, they heard a miracle. It was the U.S. Coast Guard rushing to their rescue.

To all the men and women of the Coast Guard. We want to say thank you. Thank you for not giving up on us, especially the lieutenant who is in charge, say Nathan and Kim.

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Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board members Ed Konieczny, left, and Calvin Prince, pictured here in April 2023, will hear a clemency request from Emmanuel Littlejohn on Wednesday.

Oklahoma County convicted killer Emmanuel A. Littlejohn on Wednesday is expected to ask the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board to recommend clemency.

Littlejohn, 52, is set to die Sept. 26 for the 1992 shooting death of Kenny Meers, 31, during a convenience store robbery.

Emmanuel Littlejohn is a violent and manipulative criminal who refuses to take responsibility for his actions, said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The family of Kenny Meers has waited 32 long years for justice to be served. The death penalty is the appropriate punishment, and I urge the Pardon and Parole Board to ensure that justice is done.

If the five-member board recommends clemency, Gov. Kevin Stitt would have the final word.

More: Death row inmate Emmanuel Littlejohn set for execution Sept. 26

What was Oklahoma death row inmate Emmanuel Littlejohn convicted of doing?

Kenny Meers and his brother co-owned the Root-N-Scoot convenience store in southeast Oklahoma City. Meers had worked there since he was 13 and was also the manager.

Littlejohn was just out of prison for burglary, robbery and assault, according to the states clemency packet. He and Glenn Bethany were selling drugs, according to the packet.

They owed their dealer and decided to rob a convenience store to obtain cash to repay the debt, according to the states clemency packet.

Two witnesses said it was Littlejohn who had the gun, according to the packet.

The pair were leaving the store with cash when Meers walked out of the backroom with a broom, according to the clemency packet.

Meers sustained a gunshot wound to his face and died.

Littlejohn and Bethany parted ways. Littlejohn was later apprehended in Wichita, Kansas, according to the packet.

Littlejohns original jury and a resentencing jury found him culpable for the murder and determined the death penalty was appropriate, according to the packet.

Bethany, 58, received life without parole.

All things considered, Littlejohn is a volatile and exceedingly dangerous individual, one who learned to communicate with violence and simply take what he wants by force  whether it be cars, personal property, drugs, money, or sexual gratification, prosecutors wrote in the clemency packet.

Meers late mother, Delores Meers, wrote in a letter that was provided to the Pardon and Parole Board that she didnt talk much about Kenny.

I guess I just want to hold all my memories inside just to hold onto as much of him as I can, she wrote.

She told the board that she still needed her son.

We talked about everything, she wrote. It just isnt right for a child to go before a parent.

In their clemency packet, defense attorneys said Littlejohn was 20 years old at the time of the crime and deeply regrets his actions. At the time of the robbery of the Root-N-Scoot, Manuels 20-year-old brain was still developing in crucial areas and, given his disadvantaged childhood including frequent exposure to violence and drugs, his brain was already vulnerable and less developed than the typical 20-year-olds, the defense team wrote.

He has consistently denied being the shooter, according to the clemency packet.

Defense attorneys wrote about his troubled childhood and current medical conditions. He suffered a stroke in 2023 that had lasting impacts. He relies on a wheelchair to travel any distance longer than a hallway or two, according to his clemency packet.

Defense attorneys also said his two juries were confused about the sentencing options and voted for death because other options might mean he could someday be freed.

At the time of the crime, the Oklahoma County District Attorney was well-known for pursuing the death penalty in almost every murder case, especially those involving defendants of color, rather than narrowing and applying discretion, the defense attorneys wrote.

They described Littlejohn as a loving father, grandfather and son who connects with his family through phone calls, letters, drawings and personal visits.

Manuel will never live outside prison walls, they wrote. He will spend the rest of his life struggling with his deteriorating health and waking each day full of regret and remorse for his past actions.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OK death row inmate Emmanuel Littlejohn to appear before parole board
Efforts to improve broadband access in unserved and underserved rural areas in Oklahoma continues.

Oklahoma is poised to receive almost $800 million in federal grant funds to expand internet access across the state.

Mike Sanders, executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office, said this week that Oklahoma, Montana and Vermont would receive a total of $1.6 billion from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment  BEAD  program this year.

This is a game changer, Sanders said. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

On Thursday the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced approval of the states Initial Proposal Volume II, which outlined the selection process. Sanders said the Oklahoma Broadband Office has a year from the approval date to complete the process and award funds to eligible internet service providers.

Created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program. The states, U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., received billions in federal funding to deploy or upgrade high-speed internet networks to ensure the public has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed -internet service.

Sanders said Oklahoma would eventually spend a total of $1.3 billion in federal funds to expand internet access in remote areas. While the $797 million grant was by far the largest pot, Sanders said, he added that private funds would supplement that investment.

More: High-speed internet grants of more than $300 million awarded by Oklahoma officials

Sanders said the BEAD program was the largest high-speed internet expansion effort in Oklahoma history.

Were going to be changing generations for the better, he said. Whether its education, whether its heath care, whether its economic development. This will level the playing field between areas that have had high-speed internet and those who have not.

Once the expansion is complete, he said, Oklahomans will see the benefits for years to come.

How will the federal money be used to expand broadband in Oklahoma?

Sanders said Oklahomas $797.4 million share of the program will be used to fund last-mile connections for unserved and underserved homes and businesses. However, before the award process can begin, the office will administer a challenge process to determine which locations in Oklahoma are eligible for funding.

Under the program, BEAD-eligible entities  the states, territories and the District of Columbia  are required to submit proposals to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for approval. The initial proposal must show how each entity plans to spend their BEAD allocation.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes an earmarked $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed internet access in communities across the United States.

All states submitted their initial proposals last December.

Opinion: Older Oklahomans need affordable high-speed internet service  and the skills to use it

One year from initial proposal approval, states must submit a final proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage. Oklahoma's grant was the largest of the three awarded. The two other grants included $668 million allocated to Montana and $228 million to Vermont.

Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, said a reliable internet connection was a necessity that enables access to jobs, health care and education.

Sanders said federal approval of the states plan was the result of many months of intensive planning and stakeholder engagement.

We want to ensure we can bridge the digital divide in this state once and for all, he said. Our office will continue to ensure this money goes directly to areas that dont have high-speed internet access.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma will receive almost $800M to expand broadband access
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  This month marks a year since Olympus Pools owner James Staten was arrested after being accused of defrauding his customers.

Hes been charged with 35 felonies.

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Statens jury trial has been scheduled for March 3, 2025. He remains in jail on a more than $1 million bond.

State prosecutors allege Staten abandoned his customers pool projects and instead used $1.3 million of their money for a lavish lifestyle for personal expenses, like Nordstrom department store and luxury brand Louis Vitton and Super Bowl tickets worth more than $50,000.

His charges include organized scheme to defraud and grand theft. If found guilty on all 35 counts, Staten faces at minimum 20 years in prison.

For years, consumers called Better Call Behnken to expose their unfinished pools, in multiple Bay area counties.

Customer Carmen Simpson was in court and says the ordeal left some customers financially ruined.

Theres still some people without being able to fill them, Simpson said. Some people just want to fill it in with dirt, they are frustrated, theyre upset. They dont have the money to finish it.

Simpson said she thinks the hefty bond is fair.

I dont know that his intention was always to rob people; I cant answer that, Simpson said. But I do know that the lifestyle that he lived was not a lifestyle that most people could live. The monies he spent on the lavish things tells me no, that was thievery, and he deserves to be exactly where hes at.

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Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets announced on Aug. 3 that he had appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations in response to a photo that allegedly shows the body of a Ukrainian prisoner of war executed by Russia.

The photo, which is circulating on social media, shows the body of a person with his head and limbs cut off. It is unknown when the photo was taken. The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify it.

Reports of Ukrainian POWs being tortured or killed while in Russian captivity have been surfacing since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. As of June, the Prosecutor General's Office said 28 criminal investigations were underway regarding the execution of 62 Ukrainian POWs.

"This is not just a violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, this is the behavior of monsters," Lubinets said.

The ombudsman asked international organizations to record another human rights violation by Russia and called on Ukraine's law enforcement to verify the identity of the killed person and the fact of the crime.

"POWs are in the hands of a hostile state, and the latter that is responsible for their treatment. Therefore, the responsibility for killing and mutilation lies not only with Russian soldiers, but with the Russian Federation," Lubinets added.

As of March 2024, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office collected pretrial information on over 128,000 victims of war crimes. The prosecutors said they are investigating cases of at least 54 Ukrainian POWs being executed by Russia.

Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin said on June 18 that Russian commanders had given orders "not to capture Ukrainian servicemen, but instead to kill them with inhuman cruelty." He made the statement after revealing footage of a Ukrainian soldier beheaded by Russian troops.

Read also: Most Ukrainian POWs havent seen Red Cross while in Russian captivity, ombudsman says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
One airlifted after shooting at Tooele RV park, suspect crashes during police pursuit

TOOELE, Utah (ABC4)  One person was airlifted to the hospital early Saturday morning after being shot in Tooele, according to Tooele Police.

At around 3:30 a.m., officers responded to a shooting at the Vorwaller Homestead & RV Park, located at 715 N. Main St., Tooele. Police discovered a male who had been shot.

That individual was Life-Flighted to the hospital due to his injuries.

Lightning Expected: Fire officials to keep all resources within Utah amid storm conditions

A suspect was identified, according to Cpl. Colbey Bentley, Tooele PD, though that suspect fled the area.

Tooele County Sheriffs deputies reportedly located the suspect Saturday morning, though the individual continued to flee. Deputies pursued the suspect, who reportedly crashed during the pursuit.

The conditions of the victim and suspect have not been available at this time.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

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One dead after officer-involved shooting in Elk City

ELK CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a 29-year-old man dead Friday evening in Elk City.

According to OSBI, Elk City Police responded to a disturbance call around 7 p.m. Friday near East Highway 66 and North County Road 2025. Upon arriving to the scene, officers found a man, Jerry Garcia, holding a knife.

Authorities say that officers told Garcia to drop his weapon but ignored the request before he allegedly moved towards them, causing officers to open fire and leading to the officer-involved shooting.

Paramedics attempted to treat Garcia for his injuries, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials say no officers were injured.

OSBI is now involved in the ongoing investigation. There is no more information at this time.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  One person was killed and a Clarksdale, Mississippi police officer wounded in a shooting around 5 p.m. Friday.

Officers with Clarksdale Police were responding to a traffic accident on McGuire Cove when an altercation occurred between the officer and a subject at the scene, state officials said.

The suspect fired a weapon, hitting the officer. The officer returned fire, hitting the suspect, police said.

The person who fired at the officer received fatal injuries. The officer was taken to a hospital in Memphis.

Neither the officer nor the person killed has been identified.

Memphis Police officer killed in crash identified

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is gathering evidence and will share their findings with the Attorney Generals office.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  A new, all-in-one healthcare center opened Friday in central Austin, according to an announcement from the city. The center was created to bring affordable medical services for those living with HIV.

City leaders joined the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new facility, which is located on the corner of 29th Street and Guadalupe Street.

The new facility will provide primary medical care for individuals living with HIV as well as pharmacy services, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, PrEP exams and services, and case management, the city said.







The facility also includes a thrift store, which gives part of its profit toward supporting HIV prevention and treatment services.

According to recent statistics from AIDSVu, there are close to 7,200 individuals living with HIV in Austin, TX and more than 100,000 individuals living with HIV statewide, the city said.

Anthony Snipes, Texas regional director for AHF, spoke with KXAN about the importance of the facility to the community.

This is a safety net for them. This is a place where they can come and not be fearful and be welcome. But more importantly, they can be served, Snipes said.

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UPDATE (Monday 10 a.m.)  Woodford County Coroner Tim Ruestman identified the woman who died in the fire as 58-year-old Jennifer Adams.

UPDATE (8:49 p.m.)  According to a news release from the Eureka Police Department, a 58-year-old woman died as a result of the fire. The incident also displaced 12-14 people.

The Eureka Police Department thanked other departments that helped with the fire including, Woodford County Sheriffs Office, Illinois State Police Troop 4, Illinois State Crime Scene Investigations Team, Illinois State Zone 4 Investigations Team, Illinois State Fire Marshals Office, Illinois Department of Transportation, Woodford County Communications (dispatch), Woodford County Coroners Office, Salvation Army, City of Eureka Public Works Department, Ameren-Cilco, Eureka-Goodfield Fire Protection District, Eureka-Goodfield EMS, Congerville Fire Department, Deer Creek Fire Department, Secor Fire Department, El Paso Fire Department, Roanoke Fire Department, Metamora Fire Department, Germantown Hills Fire Department and Washington Fire Department.

Local churches and businesses stepped forward to help with displaced residents. As of Sunday night, the area is taped off for passerby safety until cleanup efforts begin.

EUREKA, Ill. (WMBD)  One person is dead and multiple families are displaced after a Friday night fire in Eureka.

The fire happened just before 8 p.m. Friday at an apartment complex on South Main Street between East College Avenue and Reagan Drive, across the street from Eureka College.

Eureka-Goodfield Fire Chief Craig Neal said the fire started on the ground floor then quickly moved up to the attic. He said the structure, an older three-story home converted into apartments, had no fire stops between floors. This, along with the heat and humidity, caused the fire to quickly spread.

It took between six to eight volunteer fire departments until 3:30 a.m. to put out the fire and clear the scene. Two dogs were rescued.

Neal said the community stepped up to assist the displaced families, clothing and shelter.

Thats the unique thing about Eureka, we take care of our own, he said.

Neal also pointed to the need for more volunteer firefighters. Area departments are very short-staffed, leading to more than a half dozen fire departments activated to respond to the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal. No firefighters were injured.

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One last chance to see Alabama treasures at the Department of Archives

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  Renovations are being made at the Alabama Department of Archives.

Exhibits Curator Sam Christensen said the department is preparing to focus on stories of individual Alabamians rather than just state history.

With some exhibits open for only a few more months, he said this could be visitors last chance to see certain treasures of Alabama.

We had brought our children here when they were probably ten, twelve years old, said archives visitor Mark Donaldson, native of Elba, AL. And now, today, were bringing our four grandchildren to experience this because this has made quite an impression on me.

Alabama prison security guard arrested on contraband charge

Donaldson said he first visited the archives in second grade, and he has enjoyed coming back ever since. He said everyone should visit the archives.

Its a good experience each time, and each time its a little bit different than it was last time, said Donaldson. And I would encourage people to come and to see the historical side of our state.

But some exhibits are about to change. One of those exhibits is History Lives On, which features a look into the historical Rosenwald Schools.

Absolutely, yeah, its a Tuskegee story through and through, said Christensen. Especially the first six years or so where the program was headquartered at Tuskegee.

Dating back to 1917, the Rosenwald Schools gave educational opportunities to Black children in the segregated south. This display and others, like the military exhibit, are about to face changes.

We hope to highlight the contributions of individual Alabamians, individual communities, certainly some base stories, and the effects that military bases have had on Alabamas history, said Christensen. We hope to highlight the individual more than the collective narrative.

Other exhibits like the Alabama Voices and the childrens galleries will also undergo changes.

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One of three teenagers charged with involuntary manslaughter in Alexa Stakely death

A Franklin County grand jury indicted one of the three teenagers charged in the death of 29-year-old Alexa Stakely, the Pickerington mom hit and killed with her own vehicle while trying to save her son.

The jury returned the three-count indictment against Gerald Dowling, 19, of Northwest Columbus: involuntary manslaughter, grand theft of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property, the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement released Friday evening.

No arraignment date is scheduled.

Dowling is the only adult police arrested in connection to Stakely's July 11 death.

The other two suspects, two 16-year-old males, face charges in Franklin County Juvenile Court and will be tried as adults if a judge determines there is enough evidence to support the belief they committed the crime. The Dispatch is not naming them at this time because they are minors.

The search for suspects involved in Stakely's death ended after the parents of one of the 16-year-olds encouraged him to surrender to police, The Dispatch previously reported. One of the 16-year-old boys told Columbus police detectives he was the person behind the wheel of Alexa Stakely's Honda CRV when it hit her, police said previously.

That boy surrendered to police July 24.

Columbus police said the first 16-year-old who came forward told one of his parents that he was involved in Stakely's death. His parents immediately contacted police and accompanied him to surrender himself at police headquarters Downtown.

The teen agreed to an interview with detectives, during which they allege he revealed that he and two other acquaintances were looking for a vehicle to steal around 1:30 a.m. July 11 when they came across Stakely's running Honda in the 6300 block of Blue Knoll Drive at the White Oak Park Condominiums.

Police arrested the other 16-year-old later that afternoon. Dowling turned himself in later that evening.

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gerald Dowling indicted by grand jury in death of Alexa Stakely
A relentless wave of dry heat, coupled with a recent outbreak of wildfires, is fueling a summertime scourge of the Intermountain West: the near-daily spikes in ozone and other air pollutants, collectively known as smog.

Colorados Denver metropolitan region and Northern Front Range  which extends from about the Wyoming border to Boulder  have been breaching federal ozone standards for years, despite vast improvements in controlling emissions in both transportation and the energy sector.

Experts attribute the continued seasonal surges in this colorless gas, which affects respiratory and cardiovascular health, to a combination of factors: climate change, population expansion and the regions unique geography.

There have been a lot of efforts to reduce pollution through making cars cleaner, through better regulations of oil and gas, Anthony Gerber, director of pulmonary research at National Jewish Health, told The Hill.

At the end of the day, were only treading water because of issues with climate and then the growth of the Front Range, Gerber said.

Different from the atmospheric ozone layer, which protects people from solar radiation, ground-level ozone poses a potential threat to those who inhale it, especially among individuals with existing sensitivities.

This type of ozone forms when pollutants like nitrogen oxides or volatile organic compounds  known collectively as ozone precursors  react in sunlight and heat, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Those compounds can come from vehicles that run on gasoline, industrial emissions, oil and gas operations and the particulate matter in wildfire smoke. The precursors then mix the atmosphere with UV light and heat to create ozone, Gerber explained.

The highest ozone levels in the region are not typically in the middle of an urban center; rather, they are usually more nestled up against the Front Range foothills, according to Gerber.

Because of the mountains, those precursors can get trapped, he said. But in periods of unusual weather  hot, dry weather, without a lot of winds  you can actually wind up with higher ozone levels that more broadly impact the urban areas.

This summer has featured persistent dryness and an influx of smoke over the past couple weeks from wildfires thousands of miles away and a series of local blazes.

Mike Silverstein, executive director of the Regional Air Quality Council, explained that while the region does have prevailing winds that flow from west to east, the mountain range blocks the airflow at ground level.

Silverstein described a daytime bathtub effect in which warm air rises uphill and ushers in a mix of all the oil and gas emissions, all the urban emissions, all the consumer products  hairsprays and bathroom products and cleaning products, paints and solvents, auto exhaust.

Then the sunlight causes the reaction of these various pollutants to become ozone, said Silverstein, whose agency advises the state on air quality for the Denver metropolitan/North Front Range nonattainment region.

It kind of puts a cap on our region  its like a dome, he added.

Despite the incessant air quality alerts this summer and in recent years, Silverstein said ozone levels and the number of ozone exceedance days tends to be fewer in recent years than we experienced 20 years ago.

Attributing that decline to a significant reduction in emissions, he explained that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ozone attainment thresholds have become increasingly stringent.

That said, Silverstein stressed that the region endures ozone standard exceedances for at least 30 days each year. Every summer, he continued, conditions also vary based on meteorological factors.

As far as current surges are concerned, Silverstein pointed to the wildfire smoke  not just from local blazes, but from those in Canada and California  as a big confounding factor.

Until the fires began to flood the region with smoke in the past couple weeks, Silverstein said he observed plenty of exceedance days for ozone, but individual numbers werent necessarily as high as in recent years.

Then when we started seeing the wildfire impact, the numbers just shot up, he added.

For Gerbers patients, many of whom already have diminished lung function, the persistent pollution has meant an increase in symptoms like chest tightness. Due to the inflammatory nature of such pollutants, Gerber also voiced concern about the potential for related strokes or heart attacks.

We really encourage people to make sure theyre taking all of their cardio-protective medications when the pollution is spiking, Gerber said.

Although Rocky Mountain foothills inhabitants may suffer from a routine summer spike in air quality issues, they are hardly the only residents of the U.S. West to endure such seasonal circumstances.

Silverstein cited Los Angeles as a prime example of a place marked by such pollution, noting that the trapping effect of mountainous topography helps drive the accumulation of contaminants.

Meanwhile, a recent study recently connected oil and natural gas development to summertime surges in ozone levels at New Mexicos Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Contaminant concentrations there often surpass EPA standards, as pollutants blow in from the Permian Basin, the authors found.

Gerber also flagged Salt Lake City as a vulnerable place and characterized ground-level ozone as a general regional problem, which also includes other pollutants, such as the particulate matter unleashed by wildfires.

The two things tend to travel together, he said, noting that this mix of ozone and particulates is conventionally known as smog.

Looking back at a past in which oil and gas were dominant contributors to Front Range air pollution buildup, Gerber recognized the regulatory progress that has helped mitigate those emissions.

But now were facing the dual problems of hotter days and also wildfires, Gerber said. The evidence suggests that our air quality for the next 10 to 20 years is going to continue to frequently be at these sorts of unsafe levels.

Rather than relying on regulation to solve the problem, Gerber stressed a need to develop resilience strategies and modify the behavior of residents in areas impacted by ozone, such as exercising at earlier times of day.

Silverstein echoed these sentiments, adding that it comes down to lifestyle choices  making the decision to minimize the use of petroleum-based products, switching from gasoline- to electricity-powered lawn tools and reducing time spent driving.

The Regional Air Quality Council is also proposing two regulations that would impact oil and gas operators: one that would reduce emissions venting when wells are shuttered for maintenance, and a second that would require the recapture of certain pollutants.

Another potential solution that researchers recently explored was the possibility that free-fare public transit could make a dent in driving down ozone levels.

To do so, they assessed an August 2022 initiative in which the regional public transportation agency waived all fares, with hopes that voluntary shifts away from cars could reduce ground-level ozone.

But a University of Colorado Boulder PhD candidate, Grant Webster, who researched the effects of such shifts, recently determined they were insufficient. While Webster observed that public transit ridership during the period increased by 15 percent to 20 percent, car volumes stayed about the same.

For Colorado to see a 1 percent decline in ozone pollution, public transit usage would need to increase by 74 to percent 192 percent, he found, publishing the results in Transportation Research.

As the region continues to grapple with ozone and smog, Gerber emphasized the need for both short-term adaptive measures and longer-term actions that could reverse global warming.

We cant wave a magic wand and put all the carbon pollution back into a bottle and get rid of it by next year, he said. So we need to be smart about adaptive strategies that can minimize the risk for people who otherwise enjoy all the great things about living on the Front Range.

 Updated August 5 at 12:14 p.m.

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LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP)  Longmeadow will celebrate the opening of the towns only veterinary clinic with an open house on Saturday.

Mass. House approves standards for dog kennels, Longmeadow residents push for Ollies Law

Local pet owners will soon be able to have an in-town option as Caroline Joos, Kristin Lappetito, and Angela DuBois will be opening Longmeadows only veterinary clinic on Monday at 916 Shaker Road.

The clinic will be hosting an open house on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., where the community will have a chance to meet the owners. Also during the open house, residents will be able to get a tour of the state-of-the-art clinic and receive giveaways, coffee, and pastries from Pour Things Coffee.

Since moving to Massachusetts, I have loved the charm of Longmeadow and was shocked that there wasnt a vet clinic in the community, said Joos. We were looking for a commercial location for a while and then this one popped up.

What I love most about veterinary medicine is being able to provide excellent care to our patients, said DuBois. I also love educating owners and helping them make informed decisions about their pets care. We are all in veterinary medicine because we love animals and want to do what is best for them and their owners.

Joos and Lappetito met at Cornell University where they both graduated from veterinary school back in 2009. Joos then worked in New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and around Springfield before opening the Feeding Hills Veterinary Clinic in 2020. Joos met DuBois when she moved to the area, and the two have been business partners since 2022.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Shan Wu is a former federal prosecutor who served as counsel to Attorney General Janet Reno

Contrary to the wishful thinking of former President Trump, Special Counsel Jack Smiths Jan. 6 case against Donald Trump for election interference is not completely dead. In fact, the case is now finally back in the hands of a judge who actually knows how to try a criminal case.

Judge Tanya Chutkan, a former public defender, will decide whether the next stage of the case will be an evidentiary hearing that could amount to a mini-trial of the case against the former president. That mini-trial could and should occur before the election.

Following the U.S. Supreme Courts slow roll of its immunity decision, the case was sent back to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals which immediately issued its mandate sending the case back to the trial judge, Judge Chutkan, the very same day. The high court had the opportunity to decide the matter in December, but did not issue its decision until this summer.

Presidential Immunity Ruling Goes Back to the Courts

Not only did the timing of the Supreme Courts decision make it impossible to try defendant Trump before the election, but the conservative majority shielded Trump and future presidents in near absolute immunity, and made the evidentiary process for bringing cases against a president into a legal labyrinth.

The conservative justicesnone of whom appear to have ever tried a criminal casedid what Justice Neil Gorsuch promised to do at oral argument, which was to write for the ages.

Their majority opinion constructed a process by which prosecutors would need to show that they could present evidence that would not amount to core presidential official acts because such actseven if they involved such hypotheticals as a president ordering Seal Team Six to assassinate political rivalswould be immune from any criminal prosecution. Acts that are purely private actions or official acts under narrow exceptions to be hammered out by lower courts can still be tried. For Jack Smith, that hammering out must now be done to figure out what parts of his indictment survive.

Judge Chutkan has ordered Jack Smith and Trumps legal team to confer with each other prior to Aug. 9 to prepare for a status conference on Aug. 16 which will determine the next steps in the case.

While we can expect Trumps lawyers to continue to make as many delaying arguments as possible (Trump is not required to attend), they have already won the delay they sought, which is to make trial before the election impossible. But as the first jurist to act as divinator of the Supreme Courts immunity decision, Judge Chutkan faces the choice of whether to have the lawyers fight it out on paper, or to combine the paper fight with live witness testimony. She should choose live witness testimony.

As law professor Andrew Weissman has noted, [t]his type of hearing is routinely done in connection with federal criminal cases on a wide range of issues, most commonly motions to suppress evidence, and that Jack Smith could call to the stand many of the same witnesses he presumably would at the trial itself: the White House counsels who may have refused to participate in such actions and advised against its legality; the Trump campaign officials who refused to go along with the fake elector scheme; and a vice president who rejected the idea that he had the authority to refuse or even delay the counting of electoral votes.

The analogy to a motion to suppress is exactly right. In motions to suppress evidence, the prosecution and defense often agree to such a mini-trial over whether critical evidence was obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendments protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

Special Counsel Jack Smith at his offices in Washington, U.S. June 9, 2023. Leah Millis/File Photo/Reuters

The remedy for such a violation is suppression of the evidence and the motion to suppress therefore takes on a surrogate role for the trial itself. If the evidence is suppressed, then the prosecution will not proceed. If the evidence is not suppressed, then the case proceeds. Like the current case against Trump, resolution of such evidentiary issues are so critical to cases that appeal of the motion to suppress is often allowed before the trial takes place.

A public hearing with witnesses would of course be a great service to the American public because it would allow a fuller display of just what actions Trump is alleged to have done to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power. Voters deserve to know this before the election, and but for the actions of the Supreme Court, voters might also have learned whether they would be voting for a twice-convicted felon to be president of the United States.

But wholly aside from the public interest, such a process is likely the only way Judge Chutkan can decide what evidence against Trump is admissible, and the only way she can create a strong record for appellate review. Decisions based on live witness testimony will give appeals courts and the Supreme Court a far sounder basis upon which to make their eventual decisions.

The criticism of some commentators, like Professor Randall Eliason, is that Chutkan should make any decisions or conduct proceedings before elections, characterizing such action as perhaps being made in haste. But the criticism over haste seems wildly misplaced in a case where so much time has already been wasted. Moreover, use of the word haste seems like a veiled criticism that the public interest in hearing evidence against Trump before the election is an improper political motivation.

But its not. Jack Smith is simply trying to get his damn case trieda case that should have been tried long ago. Any prosecutor wants and should press to get his case done as quickly as possibleevidence can be lost, witnesses can be lost and their memories fade. It serves justice to be speedy. But the blame for this loss of speed is squarely with the conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The analogy of their presidential immunity decision to a legal labyrinth is particularly apt considering the origin of the word. The word originates from the maze constructed by the mythical Greek sculptor, Daedalus, to house the monstrous Minotaur. While the Minotaurs labyrinth was built to imprison, it also served to shield the monster.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Orange juice is getting more expensive, heres why

(NewsNation)  Americans are feeling the squeeze as the price of orange juice continues to rise.

In June, orange juice cost $4.26 per 16 ounces, up 30% from the year before and nearly $2 more than in 2020, according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.

A disease known as citrus greening is one of the main culprits. Its costing citrus growers millions of dollars a year and the USDA says its the most serious threat the industry has ever faced.

Despite intense efforts, citrus greening now threatens the survival of Florida citrus, has a toehold in other citrus areas, and poses a threat to the entire U.S. citrus industry, the USDA said.

The disease, also called Huanglongbing (HLB), was first detected in Florida in 2005 but has since spread to parts of Texas and California. Citrus greening doesnt pose a threat to humans or animals but it wreaks havoc on infected trees, which eventually die.

Thats put additional strain on orange production, which dropp bed 90% in Florida from 2005 to 2023, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

Are avocados and mangos funding cartels in Mexico?

Citrus production in the United States (is a) pretty dire situation right now, Daniel Munch, an economist at AFBF, recently told CNBC. When you have a lack of supply thats unable to meet demand, prices for consumers shoot up.

Extreme weather has also taken a toll on citrus crops in the Sunshine State, further constraining supply and pushing up prices. In 2022, Hurricane Ian crossed over 375,000 acres of citrus groves, inflicting up to $675 million in damages to growers.

Both citrus greening and costly hurricanes  which many expect to worsen with climate change  dont have simple solutions.

As of now, theres no known cure for citrus greening and researchers are still trying to figure out how to combat it. One solution could involve using dogs to detect the disease early.

In one experiment, researchers trained a team of dogs to detect citrus greening and citrus canker, another plant disease. That trial had accuracy rates above 99.97%, according to the USDA.

The federal agencys Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plans to deploy dogs over the next two years and said its working with dog training companies to commercialize the service.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
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New ouster petition filed against Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert. Here's what we know

Embattled Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert will continue to face ouster proceedings after a second petition to remove her from office was filed Friday evening.

The new ouster, brought by local attorney Robert Meyers, who is litigating this case for the Shelby County Attorney's Office, was filed over a month after the initial ouster was dismissed by a Shelby County Circuit Court judge.

The ouster cites inaccurate and untimely financial reporting, strain on auto dealerships, deficiencies found by the Tennessee Comptroller, problems with building leases, and Halbert's failure to present a corrective action plan during a scheduled Shelby County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Halbert on Friday said she had no comment on the new ouster proceeding.

There are some similarities between the initial ouster and the newest version, but there are differences that cite issues deeper in the office. One of which is issues in the office related to staffing.

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert gestures to her team while speaking during a Shelby County Board of Commissioners budget committee meeting in Downtown Memphis, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

The petition alleges that Halbert's claim that it takes "too long to get employees 'on-boarded,'" is "self-created." The petition says that Shelby County Human Resources has an active list of applications of individuals that could be interviewed, hired or trained "at any time."

"Defendant refused and failed to approve EIC personnel requisitions so that the Defendants CAO could then interview, hire and fill open positions, even though all the Defendant had to effectively do was hit a button and approve them," according to the legal filing.

On staffing, the petition says that another County office offered to "loan" Halbert 20 unclassified employees for temporary work in the clerk's office, to handle the backlog on vehicle plates and registrations. Halbert allegedly refused and also did not approve of overtime work for employees during the backlog.

What happened during Halbert's initial ouster proceeding?

The Shelby County Attorney's office hired Meyers, from the Glankler Brown law firm, to continue the proceedings, according to county officials, after the initial ouster petition was dismissed by Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson.

The initial ouster petition was filed on May 6, and Halbert's attorney Darrell O'Neal rapidly filed a motion to dismiss. Halbert's motion to dismiss claimed the case should be dismissed for a lack of standing to bring ouster proceedings against her.

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert stands up to speak to her attorneys after the first court appearance for Halberts ouster proceedings at Shelby County Circuit Court in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, May 31, 2024.

According to the ouster law in Tennessee, only three people within the state can file ouster petitions against a locally elected official. Per the ouster statute, the Tennessee Attorney General, the District Attorney of the locality or the county attorney's office are the only three that can pursue ouster proceedings against a local official.

The motion to dismiss the initial petition argued that Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy "lacked the authority to delegate his duties to investigate to anyone in a civil ouster proceeding." It also said that Mulroy should be the attorney representing the State of Tennessee in the case.

Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp was appointed to the case after Mulroy recused himself.

The first petition, brought by Wamp, said that incorrect financial reporting, strains on Shelby County's auto dealerships, comptroller deficiencies and Halbert not presenting a corrective action plan to the Shelby County Commission on May 1 as reasons for her ouster.

Halbert later presented a plan but did not provide details on the plan.

Halbert has been under investigation since June 2023, when Wamp was assigned to determine whether Halbert has been "willfully neglectful of office." In May, her investigation came to a close and Wamp filed a petition to oust her from office.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert faces new ouster petition
VENICE  The owner of an assisted living facility in Venice faces felony elder abuse charges following a long-term investigation by Venice Police dating to December 2022.

Hillel Feuerman, 32, of Boca Raton, was charged on July 26 with neglect of elderly or disabled adult without great bodily harm  a third-degree felony  at The Pavilion of Downtown Venice, 200 N. Nassau Street, in Venice.

Broward County sheriffs deputies served the warrant and he was released on $5,000 bond, with a court appearance set for Aug. 9. In Sarasota County.

Police in reports and court filings, as well as a press conference Friday, detailed a series of problems at the facility and cited a failure to correct them.

Feuerman did not respond to a phone message from a Herald-Tribune reporter requesting comment as of Friday evening.

The building opened in 1926 as the Venice Hotel but in recent decades has served as an assisted living and memory care facility.

It sustained damage from Hurricane Ian, which resulted in a heightened concern that the historic structure could be demolished.

Feuerman has owned the facility through 509 W. Verona LLC since February 2018, according to records with the Sarasota County Clerk of Court, and operated the facility under 200 Venice Operating LLC, according to the Florida Division of Corporations.

He is listed as the owner of at least two other senior living facilities: The Pavilion of East Tampa at 2425 E. Hanna Ave., Tampa; and The Pavilion of New Port Richey, 5539 Charles Street, New Port Richey.

Heres what we know about the allegations

Venice Police Detective Courtney Zak responded to a Dec. 5, 2022 complaint filed by Edward Louis Johnson about an unnamed person residing in Room 109 of the memory care unit between February 2022 and Dec. 5, 2022, when that person was moved from the facility, according to police.

Johnson complained about mold, unsanitary conditions and conflicting reports about his relative falling at the facility. First, he was told there were no witnesses to the fall. Later he was told the fall occurred when staff attempted to move the relative.

On Dec. 5, Venice Code Enforcement officers reported finding suspected black mold, leaky vents and a clogged toilet.

An inspection on Dec. 6 by the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County found a small amount of mold in the building, urine in the hallways, dirty floors and other violations, documents provided by police showed.

Issues were also found in Room 109 similar to those documented in a September 2019 complaint when the facility was fined by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

Complaints from AHCA, the Florida Department of Children And Families, the Florida Long Term Care Ombudsman program, as well as those made by Venice firefighters and paramedics responding to service calls at the facility and Venice Code Enforcement all contributed to the charges, police reported.

In a Jan. 18, 2024 incident report, Police Det. Matthew Digiacomo, who was conducting a wellness check on an individual at the facility, said he spoke with a partially paralyzed resident in an electric wheelchair who needed assistance.

The individual was residing in a third-floor room Digiacomo wrote, adding that on several occasions the individual stated that the elevator would be inoperable, leading to him having to spend several days in his room.

In other instances, the wheelchair-bound individual told the detective it was impossible to get aides to help him go to the bathroom, including one occasion when he was stranded three hours waiting for staff to help him.

The owner of The Pavilion of Downtown Venice and at least two other assisted living facilities, faces felony elder abuse charges, following a long-term investigation by Venice Police dating back to December 2022.

An email from the Venice Fire Department documented an elevator failure as recently as July 3, and interviews conducted with several former employees documented a lack of response from Feuerman to respond to multiple complaints.

Why did the investigation take so much time?

Venice Police Capt. Eric Hill said individual events dont necessarily trigger the threshold to meet criminal charges.

The circumstances were dealing with on this one, its an accumulation of documented incidents over time, Hill said. Now at this point, weve been able to say the threshold has been met.

Weve been monitoring, weve been documenting and working with our regulatory partners as well. They've got other investigations as well that have been open.

The lack of corrections to the problems was also an issue in the charges, Hill said.

What's next in the case?

Feuerman is scheduled to appear before Circuit Court Judge Donna Padar on Aug. 9.

Should the State Attorneys Office choose to prosecute the case, the offense is punishable with up to five years in prison, five years of probation and fines of up to $5,000.

Hill urged people to report similar issues if they experience them elsewhere.

Be mindful that this is not always as isolated as you would think, Hill said If you are aware of or suspect elder abuse or neglect, please contact the Venice Police Department and/or you can always report it to the state abuse hotline at 1-800-96- ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Venice assisted living facility owner charged with elder abuse
A Pennsylvania man was taken into custody after nearly striking police cars and the illegal possession of weapons.

A police report states vehicle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lane of Interstate 86 in the Town of Ellery when it nearly hit a sheriffs deputy patrol vehicle before continuing eastbound in the wrong lane of travel.

Pennsylvania man sentenced for using explosives to rob multiple ATMs

Chautauqua County Sheriffs deputies observed the incident and were able to stop the vehicle with help from New York State Police and the Ellicott Police Department.

The driver was identified as 71-year-old Voris M. Posset, of Pittsburgh, who was allegedly found in unlawful possession of three loaded firearms.

Ohio man sentenced for string of robberies, distribution in western PA

Posset was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and one count of reckless endangerment in the second degree.

He was taken to the Chautauqua County Jail where hell be arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Program.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
(WKBN)  On Friday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed higher education reforms into law as part of the state 2024-25 budget.

The budget includes several initiatives including:

Create a new State Board of Higher Education that will, for the first time, coordinate every sector of higher education in Pennsylvania and utilize student-level data to determine whats working and whats not. The board will ensure higher education in Pennsylvania supports critical workforce needs and serves as an economic driver for generations to come. The board will also create a performance-based funding council that will develop recommendations on how to create a performance-based funding formula to drive funds to state-related institutions.



Invest in public higher education institutions , including a $15.7 million increase  a 6 percent increase  for community colleges and a $35.1 million increase for PASSHE schools  also a 6 percent increase.



Make higher education more affordable for students with over $120 million in increased funding for scholarships and grants, including $28 million for scholarships to students pursuing a degree in a high-demand field, a $54 million increase to PHEAA student grants, and $5 million for disadvantaged students scholarships. This includes the Horace Mann Bond-Leslie Pinckney Hill Scholarship Program (Bond-Hill), which provides financial assistance to highly qualified Pennsylvania students from Cheyney University and Lincoln University who pursue approved professional and graduate programs at the Pennsylvania state-related universities and PASSHE universities.



Double funding for student teacher stipends for a total of $20 million to ensure student teachers are compensated for their hard work.

Every Pennsylvanian deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed, and thats exactly what this budget delivers, said Shapiro in a news release. My Administration has made higher education a priority again, and this budget represents the first significant progress on higher education in 30 years. Were developing a new vision for higher education  one focused on competitiveness and workforce development and grounded in access and affordability.

Other initiatives in the 2024-25 budget relating to education include:

A $100 million increase in special education funding

$3 million for pads and tampons in schools at no cost to students

A $17.7 million increase for early childhood education

$100 million in sustainable funding for environmental repair and other facilities in schools to create safe and healthy environments for students to learn and teachers to teach in, including $25 million for Solar for Schools

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Panama City Beach man arrested for hitting a pedestrian while under the influence

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB)  On Friday, a local man was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and killing a pedestrian on Front Beach Road.

Officials said the crash happened shortly after 9:00 p.m on 21905 Front Beach Road West of Kelly Street.

According to a news release, a group of pedestrians were crossing from the north shoulder to the south shoulder, outside a marked crosswalk. A Nissan Altima was traveling east on the eastbound lane well above the posted speed limit when it struck and killed one of the pedestrians, officials wrote.

Washington County man arrested for arson, aggravated child abuse

The pedestrian was a 29-year-old man from Brumley, Missouri and he was pronounced dead at the scene, FHP officials confirmed.

The preliminary investigation released the driver was under the influence, officials said.

39-year-old Casey Austin Rattan from Panama City Beach was arrested. Rattan was taken into custody for DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide.

The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating this incident.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
From the G-File on The Dispatch

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala acknowledge the crowd after speaking during a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 29, 2024. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Dear Reader (except those of you letting your snakes roam),

H.L. Mencken once said of Harry Truman, If there had been any formidable body of cannibals in the country he would have promised to provide them with free missionaries, fattened at the taxpayers expense.

It was a joke, but lets take it seriously for a moment. What would that look like? Would Truman propose legislation? Youve heard of the New Deal and the Fair Deal. Well, my fellow Americans, I am today proposing the Square Meal.  Would Congress hold hearings, with witnesses and expert testimony from cannibals? Or would Congress give Truman the cold shoulder, prompting his new loyal constituents to shout, Hey give it to us, well eat it! And where would Truman get the missionaries? He promised a Jesuit in every pot, but the cannibals prefer Friarsfor that crispy texture.

Okay, as the cannibal said when eating a clown, Weird, this isnt very funnyenough of this.

I think of Menckens quip every time I watch politicians shamelessly pander to voters. And given that the nightly news might as well begin every night with Brian Fantana shouting Pander Watch! I think of that line a lot these days. As Reasons Eric Boehm notes, this election is turning into a cynical pander-off.

Oh, before you give me grief for the crude wordplay, political nerds will remember that Paul Tsongas did it first when he called Bill Clinton a pander bear, who will say anything, do anything to get votes.

Panders a funny word. Etymologically, its roots are in, well, pimpingan arranger of sexual liaisons, one who caters for the lusts of others. In the 1600s, the word starts to take on a broader meaning, to indulge (another), to minister to base passions, cater for the lusts of others. Pandering, in other words, begins as the job description of pimps. So, one could say that then-Gov. Bill Clintons state troopers pandered to the pander bear. You can see the relationship between pandering and populism, in that so much of populism amounts to just givingor promising to givepeople stuff they want. Its a form of appeasement of base desires, asking for nothingother than a votein return.

Most of Donald Trumps most egregious (recent) panders are of the missionary-in-every-pot variety. He announced on Truth Social, SENIORS SHOULD NOT PAY TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY! Before that, he declared that no one should pay taxes on tips, as a sop to Nevada voters. In June, in an effort to woo Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voters, he promised to cut funding for all vaccine mandates in schools.

When President Joe Biden was still the presumptive nominee, he had the temerity to accuse Trump of pandering. I mean he was right, but the idea that Joe Biden has some principled objection to pandering is like saying he has a principled objection to breathing. Joe Biden has been a panderer his whole political career. His entire presidency was an extended exercise in pandering. The debate over whether he picked Kamala Harris as a DEI candidate is a bit of a sideshow. What is really beyond dispute is that it was a sop to the black votersand black powerbrokerswho secured the nomination for him. You dont need to wade into DEI and intersectionality crap to acknowledge that. And you can defend that on time-honored political groundsvice presidents are always picked to placate a constituency of some kind.

Bidens hagiographers cite his massive legislative accomplishments as proof of his greatness. I can concede that getting his agenda through a dysfunctional and polarized Congress is a fair metric of presidential success. But what bothers me about the way people say this proves he was great is that so much of his agenda constituted debt-financed bribery. He gave billions to favored industries, big cities, and teachers unions! How courageous! His attempts to buy the loyalty of certain voters by paying off their student loans is precisely the sort of thing that arouses Menckenesque quips about bribing cannibals.

In the weeks after the June 27 presidential debate, when his candidacy was in mortal peril, Biden promised whatever he could think of to the progressive base of the party. Thats the origin of his epic flip-flop on court packing (Charlie Cooke wields the receipts on this score like a Bangkok bookie holding betting slips at a Russian roulette duel).

Indeed, the flip-flop is a quintessential form of pandering. More moderate voters want something, so you give it to them, even if it means reversing your position on, say, abortion. The off-the-cuff flip-flop is perhaps the most pristine form of pander, because its offered in the heat of the moment to please whoever is lobbying you in the moment, like when Trump recently told some tech bro podcasters that he wanted to give every college graduate an automatic green card.

Similarly, Trumps defenestration of Project 2025 was a pander to the middle. As Boehm puts it in Reason, the message of the campaigns backstabbing of its de facto policy shop: How dare anyone try to substitute actual policy substance for whatever random thought might fall out of the former presidents head on a Wednesday morning?

As I wrote last weekand a thousand other timesnone of this should surprise anyone about a candidate whose formative life experience was saying to customers, What do I have to do to put you in this condo today?

Hell, Trump actually sells flip-flops.

Anyway, Kamala Harrisfollowing the advice of some of ushas been doing some Simone Biles-level flip-flopping. So far, shes switched positions on fracking, guaranteed jobs, border enforcement funding, Medicare for All, defunding the police, and at least parts of the Green New Deal. And while I think its appalling that the press isnt demanding some explanations for her sudden sprint to the middle and away from long-held positions, I love the implicit indictment of the progressive lefts worst ideas.

Pimping Socialism

But enough with the punditry. Indeed, one could accuse me of pandering to the demands of readers who cant get enough of the stuff these days.

Instead, lets talk about the real problem with pandering.

The other day, the New York Times offered this analysis of Venezuelas plight (emphasis added):

If the election decision holds and Mr. Maduro remains in power, he will carry Chavismo, the countrys socialist-inspired movement, into its third decade in Venezuela. Founded by former President Hugo Chavez, Mr. Maduros mentor, the movement initially promised to lift millions out of poverty.For a time it did. But in recent years, the socialist model has given way to brutal capitalism, economists say, with a small state-connected minority controlling much of the nations wealth.

Talk about getting the causality backward. I dont have the room or the energy to wade deep into Venezuelas recent history or a lot of political theory. I dont disagree with anything Robby Soave or Alex Tabbarok say about this remarkable self-own by the Times. But the familiar argumentsarguments I love to wallow inare unnecessary here. Chavismolike Castroism and a thousand related ismshad less to do with theory than people who love to argue about theory like to believe.

Simply put, its all about pandering. In the democratic age, power is derived from the people. This can be good or bad. Demagogues are dependent on the same demos as democrats. The difference between a democrat and a demagogue is that the democrat holds himself accountable not just to the people but to the rules. I am not going to indulge in another disquisition on the differences between a republic and democracybecause you cant have one without the other, for longbut what makes a republic a republic is the idea that democratically accountable leaders are also beholden to rules beyond the momentary, and often unreflective, demands of the people. A statesman cares about moral hazards, trade-offs, costs as well as benefits. The statesman is totally open to the idea that the people are wrong and need to be educated about a particular issue.

The demagogue doesnt care about any of that noise. The populist knows what his people want and he promises to give it to them, the rules be damned. Sometimes populists and demagoguesto the extent there is a differenceoffer fancy arguments about socialism, or fascism, or modern monetary theory, or systemic this, that, or the other thing. Sometimes they just play on fears and base desires.

Thats why I offered that Dad-jokey thought experiment about taking Mencken seriously. Politicians pander all the time, promising nonsense they cant possibly deliver under our system of government, thank God. Thats because the rules say that no matter what a president promises to do, once elected he has toor at least is supposed toget approval from Congress and the courts. Promise all the fattened missionariesor gibbeted billionaires, exiled illegal immigrants, or gelded Supreme Court justicesyou want, the president cant do that stuff without following the rules.

At the end of the day, liberal democratic capitalism is just a bunch of rules. Those rules have some give in them. But they can only be stretched so far before they snap, and the whole thingamabob starts to break down. I dont give a rats ass what some Chomskyite theorists think about Chavismo, or socialism, really is. The fact is that when demagogues in powerwhether individual dictators or cabals of radical theoriststhink theyre smarter than, or otherwise unconstrained by, the rules they end up ruling like monarchs or aristocrats. They may still pander to their favored mobs, but their political system and political economy starts to be nothing more than a system of organized theft.

Thats what happened in Venezuelaand Cuba, the Soviet Union, contemporary Russia, North Korea, and if current trends continue China, as the sun sets on its holiday from Maoism. This is the great switcheroo of all the socialist theorists. They think rules are really important, but whenever their proposed rules are implemented they dont work and they immediately say, Well, we didnt mean those rules. Thats because when you establish a system that throws out the rules of markets, prices, the rule of law, democracy, etc., that system will eventually look indistinguishable from the rule of a big man or warlord. And when that failure becomes obvious, those theorists absurdly shout at their own failure, Look, capitalism! If only socialism had been really tried.

This aside isnt a non sequitur. Pandering is just a word for the sort of corruption that always threatens democracy and republican government. Pandering is appeasement of mob sentiment and disdain for the rules that stand in the way of placating the mob. Public opinion, in its raw state, Mencken observed, gushes out in the immemorial form of the mobs fears. It is piped to central factories, and there it is flavored and colored, and put into cans.

I agree that much of public opinion is organized around fear, but some of it is based in other, sometimes loftier but usually equally irrational, emotions. Hope and compassion can fuel pandering as much as fear and hate. But all such pandering operates on the false promise that solutions are easy and cost-free and that those who stand in the way of the realization of those promises are Enemies of Us.

Pandering, like populism, eschews making arguments or debating costs and benefits, in favor of immediate gratification. Republican democracy relies on leaders committed to persuading people on a course of action with facts and logic. Populist pandering skips all that. It replaces statesmanship with vibe-marketing.

Ive been arguing for a long time that 2024 is a vibes election. Issues didnt matter in the GOP primaries, and they didnt matter when Biden was losing to Trump. Bidens approval underperformed the popularity of his own most tightly held positions, including among Democrats, because voters had soured on the man. His vibe is just a bummer. Before the debate, Biden was betting that fear of Trump was enoughand it might have been. But the debate revealed that Dark Brandon was no great and terrible Oz. Biden tried to rectify that with more pandering, but he couldnt defeat the vibe of a sunsetting old man.

Kamala Harris is surging because she has better vibes. But make no mistake, its still just a vibes election. Shes making no effort to argue for her new, better positions. And Donald Trump is yammering about fake blackness to force another vibe shift into existence. He might succeed, he might not. But it wont look anything like statesmanship. It will just look like he came up with a new can of fear.

Various & Sundry

Its been a bit of rough week for the dogs. Weve had a lot of bad sky booms and the girls do not like it. They have remarkably different responses, aside from the shared panting. Pippa seeks shelter, closets, the space next to the washing machine, etc. Zoe thinks its vital that she stay close by the side of a human. Oh, whenever I talk about this, people suggest thunder shirts. Weve tried it. It works for a while and then they just associate the strange garment with thunder. In other news, Ive gotten permission from Declan to post pictures of Penny, the Garveys new Boykin spaniel puppy. If you havent seen her, you might want to get an insulin shot ready for the sweetness overload. Discussions are underway for a Pippa-Penny meet-up. We have to be careful though, because Zoe is not a big fan of the whippersnappers. But given that Pippas best friendand a good buddy of Zoeis Clover, another Boykin, we have high hopes. Zoe is fascinated by turtles, though. In other news, Pippa got a new shipment of tennis balls this morning and shes very excited about it.

ICYMI

Equivocation nation

Shibboleths and hypotheses

Teaching the children

Yada, yada tradwives

Jonahs poetic debut

Cuckoo for coconuts

Now for the weird stuff

GTA VII: Cash & Cadbury

Sharon, if youre watching this, I want my dog back

Freudian fandom

Striving for grate-ness

Close, but no cigar

Talladega bears

There are no solutions, only trade-offs

Sea shanties

Prohibited items

Read more at The Dispatch

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AURORA, Colo. (KDVR)  The best-laid plans often go awry, and thats what happened Wednesday when family, friends and FOX31 planned to surprise an Army paratrooper from Parker with our Hero of the Month honors.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Olson, 23, graduated from Legend High School in Parker.

He joined the Army right after high school. Its something hed been dreaming about doing his entire life, since he was 5 years old. He went straight from boot camp to airborne training, his mom, Denise Olson, told FOX31.

Denver psychiatrist-turned-soldier deploying to help treat service members

Now he jumps out of planes all over the world as part of the Armys 173rd Airborne Brigade and just wrapped a four-year assignment in Italy.

Hes been traveling all over Europe with this experience. He loves it. He keeps climbing in the ranks. He just got promoted to staff sergeant, which was pretty quick for a new, young guy, Denise Olson said.

Daniel Olson smiles in Army fatigues

Colorado paratrooper bound for new assignment

FOX31 first introduced you to Olson a month ago, when we told the story of how he arranged to have the ashes of a Vietnam War paratrooper from Colorado spread overseas.

Since then, FOX31 has been working with his mother to surprise him with Hero of the Month honors. And this week, we had the perfect plan.

Olson leaves in a few days for a brand new assignment in North Carolina, so on Wednesday, his family and friends threw a big surprise party for him in Aurora.

82 years later, remains of WWII prisoner from Colorado return home

FOX31 planned to be there too, to surprise him with a Hero of the Month plaque. Unfortunately, breaking news kept us away. The wildfires burning across Colorados Front Range meant we could not get a crew to the party.

So we sent him a recorded message instead. Family and friends cheered when the announcement was played at the party.

FOX31 Hero of the Month: Staff Sgt. Daniel Olson

Its not how we normally present our Hero of the Month honors, but if theres anyone used to adapting and embracing change  be it at home, or jumping out of airplanes on the other side of the world  its got to be Staff Sgt. Daniel Olson, our August Hero of the Month.

In addition to the plaque, Olson receives a $500 Visa gift card from our Serving Those Who Serve sponsors at Ford and the Leo Hill Charitable Trust.

To nominate a veteran or active-duty service member for FOX31 Hero of the Month honors, visit the nomination page.

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FILE - A wasteland of burned out homes and obliterated communities is left on Aug. 10, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii, following the wildfire that devastated the area. The parties in lawsuits seeking damages for last years Maui wildfires have reached a $4 billion global settlement, a court filing said Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. The agreement comes nearly one year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed 102 people and destroyed the historic downtown area of Lahaina on Maui. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

HONOLULU (AP)  The parties in lawsuits seeking damages for last years Maui wildfires have reached a $4 billion global settlement, a court filing said Friday, nearly one year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

The term sheet with details of the settlement is not publicly available, but the liaison attorneys filed a motion saying the global settlement seeks to resolve all Maui fire claims for $4.037 billion. The motion asks the judge to order that insurers cant separately go after the defendants to recoup money paid to policyholders.

The settlement was reached amid fears that Hawaiian Electric, the power company that some blame for sparking the blaze, could be on the brink of bankruptcy. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the Aug. 8, 2023 fires that killed 102 people and destroyed the historic downtown area of Lahaina.

Gilbert Keith-Agaran, a Maui attorney who represents victims, including families who lost relatives, said the amount was woefully short. But he said it was a deal plaintiffs needed to consider given Hawaiian Electrics limited assets and potential bankruptcy.

The agreement was the first step toward getting fire victims compensation, said Jake Lowenthal, a Maui attorney selected as one of four liaisons for the coordination of the cases. More work needs to be done on how to divvy up the amount.

Were under no illusions that this is going to make Maui whole, Lowenthal told The Associated Press. We know for a fact that its not going to make up for what they lost.

Thomas Leonard, who lost his Front Street condo in the fire and spent hours in the ocean behind a seawall hiding from the flames, welcomed the news.

It gives us something to work with," he said. "Im going to need that money to rebuild.

Hawaiian Electric said the settlement will help reestablish the companys financial stability. Payments would begin after final approval and were expected no earlier than the middle of next year, it said.

For the many affected parties to work with such commitment and focus to reach resolution in a uniquely complex case is a powerful demonstration of how Hawaii comes together in times of crisis, CEO Sheelee Kimura said in a statement.

The seven defendants will pay the $4.037 billion to compensate those who already have brought claims, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said. He called the proposed settlement an agreement in principle and said it would "help our people heal.

My priority as governor was to expedite the agreement and to avoid protracted and painful lawsuits so as many resources as possible would go to those affected by the wildfires as quickly as possible, he said in a statement.

He said it was unprecedented to settle lawsuits like this in only one year.

It will be good that our people dont have to wait to rebuild their lives as long as others have in many places that have suffered similar tragedies, Green said. On Wednesday, Green told the AP in an interview the settlement money would be important for Lahaina's recovery.

More than 600 lawsuits have been filed over the deaths and destruction caused by the fires, which burned thousands of homes and displaced 12,000 people. In the spring, a judge appointed mediators and ordered all parties to participate in settlement talks.

Defendant Maui County said the agreement represents a shared commitment between the parties to continue negotiating in good faith towards a larger, detailed resolution that would seek to equitably distribute the settlement money.

The states largest landowner, Kamehameha Schools, a charitable trust formerly known as the Bishop Estate, said its agreed to contribute a portion of the settlement assuming a final binding agreement is reached.

Two other defendants, Hawaiian Telcom and West Maui Land Co., did not immediately respond to email messages or phone calls seeking comment.

Spectrum/Charter Communications declined to comment.
Passenger caused fatal motorway crash after pulling handbrake at 70mph during row with ex-partner

Gary Toomey, 37, grabbed the handbrake and pulled it up, causing the car to spin out of control and smash into the central reservation

A control freak with a savage temper who caused a fatal accident by pulling the handbrake while on the motorway has been jailed for more than seven years.

Gary Toomey, 37, and his former partner Victoria Bell, 34, were having an argument as they returned from a festival late at night on Sept 24 2021.

Despite the car travelling at 70mph along the M62 near Liverpool, Toomey, who was in the passenger seat, grabbed hold of the handbrake and pulled it up, causing the car to spin out of control and smash into the central reservation.

Ms Bell managed to get free of the wreckage, but was hit and killed by another vehicle.

Toomey, of Hollin Hey Road in Bolton, later told police that a feeling had come over him.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and on Thursday was sentenced to prison for seven years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court.

The couple had lived together at Ms Bells home in Huddersfield before the relationship broke down.

However, they still occasionally saw each other and on the night of the fatal accident were returning from a festival in Liverpool.

Toomey, an HGV driver, told officers that Ms Bell had said she did not want to see him again and that he had begun to shout at her, before pulling up the handbrake.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Toomey had pulled the brake in temper, with tragic ramifications.

Investigators found that the oncoming vehicle had no time to react to avoid Ms Bell, with poor lighting in the vicinity of the Clock Face Colliery Country Park making it really hard to see until the last moment.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, Ms Bells mother said: Your actions have ruined my life forever.

She described him as a control freak with a savage temper.

Toomey was also disqualified from driving.

Det Sgt Kurt Timpson, lead investigating officer from Merseyside Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: Toomey has destroyed a close family relationship by his shocking behaviour that night.

Any person travelling at speed in a moving vehicle on a motorway would instinctively know that to pull a handbrake would be highly likely to cause very serious injury or death, to them and other road users. It is simply beyond belief.

He added: Merseyside Police will not tolerate any form of domestic abuse or controlling and coercive behaviour.

We will deal robustly with every report and work with partner agencies to prevent and reduce this type of crime.

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A new rail committee took a small step toward bringing passenger rail to Ohio by hosting their first meeting last month.

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission's (MORPC) Central Ohio Passenger Rail Committee met on July 23 to organize themselves and begin laying the groundwork for passenger rail in Ohio, once thought a long shot in the Buckeye State.

"We have gone from being a pipe dream to a daydream, and hopefully that will soon become reality," Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Chair Chris Amorose Groomes said at the meeting.

The committee is composed of mayors, city managers, policy experts and representatives from local organizations around central Ohio. Terry Emery, the city manager for Marysville, is the committee's chair.

Most of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the rail projects' steps and deciding how the committee should be organized.

Mayors and representatives from Hilliard, Dublin, Worthington and Delaware also attended, sharing with the committee the steps their communities have taken to prepare for a possible train station. The rail project is still in its infancy and the specifics of the routes and stops have yet to be ironed out, meaning these communities are still vying for a potentially lucrative train stop in their towns.

What rail projects are coming to Ohio?

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced in December that Ohio would receive federal money to plan four proposed passenger rail lines. These routes are:

3C+D: Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland

Midwest Connect: Chicago-Fort Wayne-Columbus-Pittsburgh, including Lima, Kenton, Marysville, Newark, Cochocton, Newcomerstown, Uhrichsville and Steubenville.

Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit

Increasing Amtrak's current route frequency to Cincinnati from New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

The Central Ohio Passenger Rail Committee, as a part of MORPC, are responsible for assisting the Ohio Rail Development Commission with planning and executing the 3C+D and Midwest Connect rail lines.

What's the timeline for these routes? What are the steps?

The state, Amtrak, and regional planning organizations like MORPC will receive $500,000 for their first step of planning the rail routes.

In this first step, the committee and other rail partners will focus on developing the scope and schedule for the next phase: route planning, according to documents shared at the committee meeting. This step will take 6-12 months.

Once the first step is completelikely sometime in 2025the committee and its rail partners will move onto crafting a service development plan that will outline the railway's routes, its stations and how service will work. This step will take one to three years.

The final planning phase involves preliminary engineering and environmental review to prepare the rail projects for construction, design and service, according to documents shared at the committee meeting. Like step two, this step will take one to three years.

After these three planning steps are complete, construction on the rail routes will begin in earnest. Committee members did not share a timeline for when construction will be complete at their meeting.

What impact will these routes have?

The proposed "3C+D" route connecting Ohio's largest cities and Dayton could generate $107 million for the state's economy and create up to 1,200 jobs, according to a study from rail advocacy group All Aboard Ohio.

"This passenger rail is not only about nostalgia, it's not cute. But there's definitely economic development impacts of connecting the region through passenger rail," MORPC Chief Mobility and Infrastructure Officer Parag Agrawal said at the meeting.

Ohio had a shot at $400 million in passenger rail money back in 2011, but then-Governor John Kasich opted to send the money back to the federal government, saying the trains were too expensive and too slow, The Dispatch previously reported.

The rail committee's next meeting is Oct. 22.

NHart@dispatch.com

@NathanRHart

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio passenger rail: New rail committee holds first meeting
TechCrunch

The feature will also include social networking elements, as the reviews can be shared with your friends on Plex and even friends of friends. Plex says that, initially, users' reviews will only be shared within their network of friends and their friends, but it's working on an update that will later allow users to share their ratings and reviews with anyone on the service. To review items from your Personal Media library, users will need to enable a Sync Watch State & Ratings feature, Plex notes.
(The Hill)  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revoked a plea deal Friday that would have taken the death penalty off the table for three prisoners accused of helping to plot the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Austin said in a news release that he believes that given the significance of the case, responsibility on what happens to the prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay should rest with me as the superior authority under the Military Commissions Act of 2009.

Earlier this week, the Pentagon said an agreement had been reached with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak bin Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi. Under the plea deal, the three prisoners would have received life sentences.

Retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier signed a pretrial agreement Wednesday.

In the Friday memo, the Pentagon secretary wrote effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024. The New York Times first reported the memo.

Escalliers approval of the plea deal drew blowback from some families of the victims, New York City firefights and high-profile Republicans.

Some critics also said the agreement would prevent the public from ever knowing what really happened nearly 23 years ago. Republicans are directing their criticism at President Biden and Vice President Harris, even though the White House said it did not play a role in the negotiations.

On Friday, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Austin demanding answers about the plea deal. He said he was deeply shocked by the agreement and said it was a gut punch to the families of victims.

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Flooding left squishy, stinky messes in hundreds of homes in Mississippis capital city in 2020  a recurring problem when heavy rains push the Pearl River over its banks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it intends to make a final recommendation by the end of this year on flood-control plans for the Pearl River Basin in the Jackson area, after decades of discussion among local, state and federal officials.

The biggest point of contention is whether to develop a new lake near Jackson. It would would be south of, and smaller than, a reservoir built outside the city more than 60 years ago.

While Jackson-area residents and business owners are pushing for flood mitigation, people are also expressing concern about the potential environmental impact in areas downstream in both Mississippi and Louisiana.

Yazoo Backwater DEIS comment period extended

The corps is wrapping up a public comment period on a report it released in June, which included several flood-control proposals such as elevating, flood-proofing or buying out some homes in the Jackson area; development of a new lake; or the addition of levees.

During a hearing last month, Deion Thompson told corps officials he had to evacuate his northeast Jackson home because of the 2020 flooding. He said he wants to protect houses without destroying the environment.

Were just sitting ducks waiting for the next flood to happen, said Thompson, who has lived in the same neighborhood for more than 20 years.

The Pearl River originates northeast of Jackson and flows about 490 miles (789 kilometers) through central and southern Mississippi and south Louisiana before draining into the Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Jackson area also experienced significant floods in 1961, 1979, 1982 and 1983, with some impact along the Pearl River downstream.

During a public hearing in Slidell, Louisiana, Gerald Morris said he has lived in Slidell since 1977 and experienced floods in 1979 and 1983. He said he has a bachelors degree in geological engineering, a masters degree in geophysics and doctoral degree in earth sciences.

If you can show that your various options that youre looking at as far as dredging and all would reduce the amount of water coming down into the flood plain of the Pearl River, then it might be acceptable, Morris said. But until you can do that, then I am violently opposed to any sort of increase in the amount of water coming down from Mississippi into the Louisiana coast.

Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker is among the Mississippi officials who have pushed for federal funding to improve flood control in the Jackson area.

Four members of Louisianas congressional delegation sent a letter Monday to Michael Connor, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, about how flood-control proposals for central Mississippi could impact their state.

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker discusses Yazoo Backwater project

In Southeast Louisiana, our unique landscape, created in part by the Pearl River system, is essential to our way of life, culture, and economy, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Rep. Troy Carter and Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy said in the letter.

Before this project is allowed to move forward, we need to know that it will not decrease the water flow downriver, impact our coastal restoration efforts, or result in additional flooding in areas downriver from the proposed project, the Louisiana officials wrote.

A governing board in central Mississippi, the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District, has advocated the development of a new 1,700-acre (688-hectare) lake along the Pearl River by Jackson. This proposal is called the One Lake project because it is an alteration of a proposal years ago to create two new lakes.

The Corps of Engineers report said construction of One Lake would cost between $1 billion and $2.1 billion, and the expense would be too high for the amount of flood protection the lake would provide.

The engineers report had alternatives that would cost less, including a scaled-back proposal for a new lake that would not encompass environmentally sensitive areas.

Greg Divinity, a pastor in Jackson, said officials have been talking about improving flood-control measures since he was a junior in high school.

Now, my grandbabies are juniors in high school, Divinity said during the Jackson hearing as he urged the Corps of Engineers to move forward with a plan. If we continue to kick the can down the road, my grandchildrens grandchildren will be juniors in high school and will still be kicking this can down the road.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The Catholic Diocese of Columbus is warning parishioners about fake accounts impersonating Bishop Earl Fernandes on social media.

An article on The Catholic Times website described some of the alarming activity associated with the phony profiles including requesting funds from online followers.

We were made aware of several social media accounts that were impersonating him, asking people directly for money, or to do personal favors, directly through messages, Andrew Zuk, the associate director for the Office of Communications said in the notice.

Ransomware group claims Columbus attack, selling 6 terabytes of passwords and more

According to Zuk, the accounts might seem legitimate with general, positive Christian messages being posted and similar direct messages sent to users. The connection often begins with a friend request.

They will hook people in by sending a general, positive message, and then, after that, saying, I need money now, personally; heres this link to gift cards. Could you send me a wire transfer? said Zuk.

Typically, its in the thousands-of-dollars range, and its a message of urgency, which is typical among fraudulent accounts. Theyll make a sense of urgency  a false sense of urgency  to whomever theyre trying to scam so that person acts quickly and doesnt have enough time to think about it.

The apparent victims of the scammers are said to be older adults or retirees who are sometimes perceived to have less technology experience.

Red flags for imposter accounts include incorrect spelling and poor grammar.

I want to emphasize that fraudulent accounts that are impersonating somebody like Bishop Fernandes will typically pressure somebody to take action, whether its giving personal information, asking for money or meeting in person, he said.

Weve reported it, said Zuk. Weve asked anybody who sees these accounts to report them and to not click any links that they might have.

Takeover of Fort Rapids water park looms as warrant issued for owners arrest

Anyone who identifies a fake account should report it using Facebooks tools. Individuals are also requested to contact the Diocese of Columbus in the event of receiving an odd request online from an individual who appears to be a diocesan employee.

Bishop Fernandes official accounts online are Facebook.com/Bishop.Earl.Fernandes and Instagram.com/BishopEarlKFernandes.

The Columbus Catholic official Diocese of Columbus social media accounts are Facebook.com/cbuscatholic and Instagram.com/columbuscatholics. Information about other profiles can be verified on these accounts.

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The Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) has been struggling to make ends meet, saying service cuts and clinic closures in Vermont may be on the horizon.

Jessica Barquist, Vice President of public affairs at PPNNE, spoke at a press conference on Thursday and described the current situation.

We are anticipating a 8.6 million dollar financial deficit in the coming three years, Barquist said.

Barquist also said that Our regular, everyday Vermonters really care about reproductive healthcare, and we know that they are going to want to support us and work with us.

In Vermont, our healthcare system is really at a breaking point. There are bigger, systemic issues with our healthcare system, and COVID, and a lot of challenges that have come together to make this the moment were in.

Barquist also sighted challenges like the rising need for free or discounted care as an additional factor, and combined with political attacks, these are issues that most healthcare organizations dont often deal with.

In 2022, Vermont passed the reproductive liberty amendment, and In that same year, PPNNE had to close five health centers across the state, Barquist told us.

If things continue down this path, a right to reproductive liberty without access to care could be a new issue. The communities that need these resources most would also be hit the hardest by these changes.

Barquist said that about 54% of the communities PPNNE serves are classified as low income.

Within the past three years, the Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has provided fourteen million dollars worth of free and discounted healthcare.

To continue operations, Barquist says theyre working to make sustainable changes within their budget to avoid center closures or service cuts, but they cant do it alone.

We go all the time to the communities where we have closed health centers and I hear over and over again how devastating the impact has been on those communities. We dont want to get to a place where were in that situation again, Barquist concluded.

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Play Space, Moline, gives bilingual education to pre-K students

Molines newest educational center is providing lessons in both Spanish and English, hoping to cultivate bilingual minds interested in learning. A grant from the Quad Cities Community Foundation is making it happen.

The Quad Cities Community Foundation is really proud to provide almost $60,000 to support the development of Rockys Play Space, said Kelly Thompson, the vice president of grant-making at the foundation. This was possible because of donors who have given over the last 60 years to the Quad Cities Community Foundation, so that we can support innovative opportunities like this.

The learning centers director believes that bilingualism can help students learn.

When I was doing my studies for my masters for early childhood education, I read different researches about how bilingual brains do better in standardized testing than monolingual brains, said Eduardo Perez, the director of Rockys Play Space.

Along with bilingualism, the center is also applying unique lesson plans.

We are following the approaches of Reggio Emilia, said Perez. That its child-led, play-based. Its based or rooted in the curiosity of students. Your brain is going to develop regardless, the question is, how is your brain going to develop, right? So the center is looking to find those strategies and those teaching approaches that will help students to develop so that when they reach adulthood, they can reach their full potential.

The center is looking to balance these approaches with traditional education styles.

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The World Trade Center towers burn on September 11, 2001 in New York. The plea deals with the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and two other defendants have been withdrawn, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday. ---/dpa

The plea deals with the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and two other defendants have been withdrawn, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday.

On Wednesday, the US Department of Defense said it had reached a plea deal with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-accused.

However, "in light of the significance of the decision," Austin had decided "the responsibility for such a decision should rest with me," he wrote in a memorandum to Susan Escallier, the convening authority of military commissions.

"I hereby withdraw from the three pre-trial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024 in the above-referenced case," the memo added.

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks involved four passenger jets that were hijacked and used to target the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon defence headquarters outside Washington. Almost 3,000 people were killed.

Mohammed is believed to be the mastermind behind the attacks, coordinating communication and financing for the operation.

He was arrested in Pakistan in 2003, and in 2006 was transferred to the prison at Guantanamo, where he was slated to face trial before a military tribunal for his involvement. However, the trial against him and multiple co-defendants had been delayed for several years.

Former president George W Bush established the prison at the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba to hold suspected terrorists following the attacks.

Despite calls from human rights organizations for its closure, a small number of detainees are still being held there.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Kahala Mall will host a celebration of Hawaiis iconic poke dish on Saturday, featuring top-tier food trucks and vendors.

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The Poke Fest East, running from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., will showcase an array of innovative poke dishes along with other culinary delights from more than 25 local vendors.

Attendees can participate in Peoples Choice award for their favorite poke dish and enjoy a 25 percent discount through a Back-to-School Savings Pass at participating Kahala Mall merchants.

The festival will also feature live music and interactive activities for all ages.

Printed passes will be available in Center Court of the mall.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Officers called for county-wide assistance after shots were fired in the Oregon District overnight.

According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, a Dayton police officer requested back-up after shots were heard on East Fifth Street just before 1:45 a.m. on Saturday.

Police say a man driving a black Chrysler was shooting from his vehicle. One person is in custody at this time.

No one was reportedly injured in this incident.

This comes just one day before the fifth year anniversary of the Oregon District mass shooting. A memorial is set to open tomorrow in honor of the nine victims that died on Aug. 4, 2019.

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Police: Two arrested in Blair County for scamming store out $6k worth of tech

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  Two men were arrested in Blair for allegedly attempting to scam a Verizon Wireless store out of thousands of dollars and successfully scamming a different location in Centre County.

Carlos Eduardo Marte-Frias, 27, of Wilkes Barre and Alan Eduardo Sanchez-Garcia, 22, of Scranton, are both facing charges after officers from the Logan Township Police Department were called to the Verizon Wireless store on Falcon Lane for a report of fraud. According to the criminal complaint, on Aug. 1, officers arrived at the store and both men provided them with fake IDs.

Multiple bricks of fentanyl found after Blair County traffic stop, troopers said

Mugshot provided by Logan Township Police Department

Mugshot provided by Logan Township Police Department

Police said that both had three fraudulent Dominican Republic identification cards, all with different names and dates of birth. Marte-Frias and Sanchez-Garcia allegedly attempted to scam the store out of $4,200 worth of Apple products, but workers recognized the scam and called the police.

Earlier on the same date Marte-Frias and Sanchez-Garcia were at a Verizon Wireless in State College. Police said they presented workers with false IDs and were able to scam the business out of an iPad, two iPhones and two Apple Watches. Those products totaled $6,000.

Officers were granted a search warrant for the vehicle they were driving and found the stolen products, the IDs they used in the State College scam and more fake IDs. The stolen items were returned to the Patton Township Police Department.

Marte-Frias and Sanchez-Garcia are both in the Blair County Prison with bail set at $150,000. Theyre facing felony charges of access device fraud, theft by deception and receiving stolen property along with misdemeanor charges of presenting false identification to law enforcement, possessing instruments of crime and carrying a false ID.

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Both have preliminary hearings scheduled for Aug. 16.

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(BCN)  Renee Stroms kids learned to fish at the pond at Hidden Lakes Park in Martinez.

I pushed them around there when they were in strollers, said the 31-year resident of Martinez. My dogs all swam there. Its dear to my heart. My husband has fished there four or five times a week since retirement.

Strom was understandably upset the past few weeks, as an algae bloom sucked enough oxygen from the wooded pond to leave hundreds  perhaps thousands  of fish floating dead at the surface.

Why did 1,000 pounds of fish die in a Fremont Lake?

Strom said a fountain aerator that pumped oxygen into the water died months ago. She said she has contacted the city and progress has been slow.

I have been the Karen of the lake for a couple of years now, Strom said.

City employees were out Tuesday and Wednesday, scooping up most of the dead fish. There were still signs of the die-off near the shore, not the least of wish was the seafood aroma.

Martinez City Engineer Joe Enke said the overgrown algae prompting the die-off was a combination of heat and the malfunctioning fountain aerator, which typically provides enough oxygen for the black bass, bluegill, rainbow trout, catfish and other fish in the lake. He said its difficult to estimate how many fish died  anywhere from hundreds to thousands.

(The aerator) had a history and this past spring it finally gave up the ghost, Enke said. The necessary parts werent available for a quick fix, so the city installed two new subsurface aerators last month. But their delivery took longer than expected, Enke said. He said, from what the city saw, the biggest toll among lake inhabitants was among bluegill and bass. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife regularly stocks the small lake, which has had enough fish to sustain a resident family of otters (which werent visibly present Wednesday).

The city has dealt with algae blooms in the past by chemically treating the water and using an algae harvester. The lake was sprayed earlier this year with little effect.

Sean Cochran, an environmental scientist with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the department took measurements of the bloom earlier this week.

Cochran said algae and rotting vegetation from around the lake builds up and sinks to the bottom, depleting the waters oxygen.

He said algae blooms are common this time of year, but this is likely worse than usual.

A fish kill this size hasnt been documented at that location, but we see it in other small urban lakes, Cochran said. We think this fish kill was substantial.

Cochran said some of the hardier species, like catfish and carp, have likely survived. As to when the lake will fully recover, Cochran said with this kind of event, its going to take some time.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

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This article was originally published in New Hampshire Bulletin.

Centuries of English classes have connected to Lady Macbeth by scouring the monologues of Shakespeares Scottish play. Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty, she cries in Act I, railing against the limits of her gender and position.

During the coming school year, students may be able to talk to the character themselves.

Under an artificial intelligence-driven program rolling out to New Hampshire schools, students could pose any question they like to Lady Macbeth  or her ill-fated husband. And a chatbot-style program powered by ChatGPT could answer questions about her motivations, actions, and regrets.

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Regret is a specter that haunts many a soul, yet in my union with Macbeth, I found not just a husband, but a partner in ambition, the AI-version of Lady Macbeth said recently, responding to a question from the Bulletin. Then she turned it on the reporter. Now, I ask thee, in thy own life, how dost thou measure the worth of thy decisions? Doth regret ever color thy reflections?

Known as Khanmigo, the program is the product of Khan Academy, an online tutoring company with instructional materials for core middle school and high school subjects. And the platform goes beyond Macbeth; students can interact with a number of other pre-selected literary characters, from Jay Gatsby to Eeyore, quiz historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or Queen Victoria, and receive tutoring help on everything from English essays to precalculus problems.

After the Executive Council approved a $2.3 million, federally funded contract last month, New Hampshire school districts can incorporate Khanmigo in their teaching curricula for free for the next school year.

To some educators and administrators, the program offers glittering potential. Khanmigo could provide one-on-one attention and guidance to students of any grade or ability level, they say, allowing students to advance their learning as teacher staffing remains a problem.

Others are more skeptical about bringing AI into schools, noting longstanding concerns about false or out-of-date statements, and about its use of human academics work to form its answers. Supporters of Khanmigo, who include Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, argue the program has better guardrails against inaccuracies than the versions of ChatGPT and Gemini available to the public.

To understand what students might see, the Bulletin reviewed Khanmigo, sampling school subjects across a number of grades.

Chat-based learning

Khanmigo allows students to use Khan Academys existing library of tutorials, practice problems, and quizzes for middle and high school subjects spanning English language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics.

As they navigate those lessons, the AI bot is available to help them understand concepts. Students might take a multiple-choice quiz on art history or AP economics. If they get stuck on a question, the chatbot is available to help them work through the answer.

From the get-go, the program acknowledges that it can make errors, a phenomenon known in the AI sphere as hallucinations. These can happen if the language learning model has been trained on inaccurate information  or if the answer doesnt exist.

Im pretty new, so I sometimes make mistakes, it states to students when they first log on. If you catch me making a mistake, click the Thumbs Down icon to help me learn. For example, if I give you the wrong math answer click Thumbs Down.

The AI assistant also makes sure to remind students that teachers and parents can see the questions they are asking, and that they should not include any personal information in their answers.

Related

L.A. Schools Probe Charges its Hyped, Now-Defunct AI Chatbot Misused Student Data

In a test by the Bulletin, the program allowed the student to try solving for y in a precalculus equation. After a student arrived at an answer, Khanmigo was there to help check it.

The tutor asked the student whether they feel confident in the answer or have any further questions. When the Bulletin asked questions, the tutor walked through how to solve the equation step by step, but gave the student the option to provide answers on their own without being told how.

Does that make sense? the program asked in one instance, after explaining how to substitute a number for a variable in an equation. What do you think you should do next after substituting?

In humanities subjects such as AP U.S. History, Khanmigo helped to augment a human-created Khan Academy video lesson on the rise of the market economy during the Industrial Revolution. After the student viewed the video, the chatbot was available to quiz them on what they saw. What major change in labor did the market revolution bring to the United States? it asked, offering the student a chance to reply in a chat message.

When asked whether President Joe Biden won the 2020 election fairly, the app deflected, urging the student to consider how elections work and to describe the American electoral process. Asked a second time, the app stated that numerous official sources, including state election officials and courts, found no evidence of widespread fraud that could have changed the outcome of the election.

When asked about the causes of climate change, Khanmigo was unequivocal: Yes, human activities are considered the primary drivers of recent climate change, it stated, after which it listed four human-led activities  burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial activities, and agricultural practices  that have contributed to the warming earth.

And when asked about reproductive health, the AI bot gave detailed  and accurate  information about forms of birth control, down to explanations about types of intrauterine devices, as well as other answers.

Optimism and concern

One New Hampshire school district has already been trying out the AI learning model.

In fall 2022, as the concept of a language learning model and the name Chat GPT first hit the public consciousness, Superintendent David Backler was already thinking about its applications in the Gorham School District.

Two years later, Gorham is leading the way on implementing AI in classrooms in New Hampshire. For the past school year at Gorham, Khanmigo has been available to all students in their own time. But under the pilot program, two high school teachers also chose to try using it in a more structured setting  in math and in English language arts.

Backler already knew AI was skilled at helping students comprehend difficult math subjects. It was English where the technology surprised him.

Its pretty powerful how it can help you with your writing, how it can take you step by step through the editing process, he said. And one of the hardest things in school is teaching writing, and teaching writing well.

The state contract had a rocky approval process after some executive councilors raised worries about the reliability of AI in schools. Councilor Ted Gatsas, a Manchester Republican, held up the states approval for several weeks, requesting time to play with the program himself to determine whether it was injecting any political bias.

Related

Was Los Angeles Schools $6 Million AI Venture a Disaster Waiting to Happen?

I had the chance a chance to ask it: When does life begin? Gatsas said during a May 14 Executive Council meeting. But that was a biology question. And the answer was apolitical, and I thought that was a good thing.

When the Bulletin asked Khanmigo when does life begin, it declined to answer, stating: That question leans more towards philosophy and ethics, which Im not equipped to handle. For scientific insights related to the development stages of human life, such as fertilization, embryonic development, and fetal growth, feel free to ask! These topics are well within the realm of biology.

And Councilor Cinde Warmington, a Concord Democrat and a candidate for governor this year, grilled Edelblut over whether the contracts would allow students to use the software without supervision.

Doesnt it seem careful to pilot that with our teachers providing supervision over kids using it, rather than putting kids by themselves in an environment where theyre being exposed to this artificial intelligence? Warmington asked.

Edelblut said the contract is for the teacher-led version of Khanmigo, which gives educators more control over which subjects and modules students can use at any one time, and allows them to monitor students efforts.

Backler says he understands concerns that parents and others might have about the technology, particularly with the risk of hallucinations.

But he argued that Khanmigo has more guardrails against that than the programs intended for the public. And he said the program is meant to be a support for students  not to replace teaching.

Its not doing your writing; its not doing your work, he said. Its giving you feedback on what youre doing.

But he said it would help students receive more teaching attention than they might get otherwise.

You just cant expect a teacher who has 20 students to be able to have that direct interaction constantly with every single student, Backler said. Its not possible. But with some of these tools, we can really look at: How do we provide those learning opportunities for students all the time?

New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. New Hampshire Bulletin maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Dana Wormald for questions: info@newhampshirebulletin.com. Follow New Hampshire Bulletin on Facebook and X.
Pregnant Woman and Her Mom Killed in Florida Crash After Suspect Hit Their Car While Evading Police

The suspect allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot after the crash, police said

Facebook (2) Jenice Woods, Marcia Pochette.

A pregnant woman and her mother are dead after a suspect crashed into their car while trying to evade police in Florida, according to multiple outlets.

Neoni Copeland, 23, had been traveling in Boynton Beach in a Kia Stinger at a high rate of speed when his car crashed into a blue Toyota Corolla around 8:10 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 30, police told CBS 12 News, WPTV and WFLX.

The Toyota Corolla had been attempting to turn when the collision happened, authorities told the outlets. Following the crash, Copeland allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot before he was arrested by responding officers.

Police said that the driver of the Toyota Corolla, 27-year-old Jenice Woods, and her mother, 57-year-old Marcia Pochette, were taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Junel Pochette, Woods father and Marcias husband, told CBS12 News that his daughter had been two months pregnant at the time of the crash. "Two and a half lives were taken away from me: my daughter, my wife, my future grandchild," he said. "We were looking forward to a new grandbaby."

Lorna Reynolds, a neighbor of Woods and the Pochette family, told WPTV that the deaths were a sad moment for all of us.

"At this stage, [Woods] was preparing to be a mother, and her mother was going to be a grandmother, so this was very, very heartbreaking for all of us," Reynolds added.

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Palm Beach County Sheriff Neoni Copeland.

The Boynton Beach Police Department told WPTV and WFLX that Copeland had fled from West Palm Beach police officers shortly before the crash.

The West Palm Beach Police Department confirmed to WPTV that they initiated an internal affairs investigation on Wednesday, July 31, into the crash. Seven officers have been put on administrative leave amid the investigation, according to WPTV and WPBF.

Sources told WPBF that officers may have broken the departments pursuit policies by chasing Copeland.

"While there are many questions and few answers at this time, we need to let the facts lead us to the outcome of the investigation," West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderley told the outlets in a statement. "We are cooperating with the Boynton Beach Police Department and are committed to full transparency."

The Boynton Beach Police Department and West Palm Beach Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Copeland faces charges of resisting arrest and leaving the scene of a crash causing fatality, according to WFLX and WPTV. Police told the outlets that additional charges may be added through their investigation.

Copeland is currently being held without bail in Palm Beach County jail, per WPTV. It is not immediately clear if he has legal representative to comment on his behalf.



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DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN)  Wallace Community College of Dothan faculty, staff, and alumni are celebrating the long career of their president, Dr. Linda C. Young, who announced August 1 that she would be retiring after her 36-year career as the first female head of a technical college in Alabama.

It has been exciting to watch the College develop and grow, remarked Dr. Young. Every year brought a new set of challenges and opportunities, as well as new faculty and staff members.

Please know that my heart is full of pleasure in the good things that we have been able to accomplish for the many students whose lives have truly been transformed by their experience at Wallace Community College, Dr. Young continued, I am truly grateful. It has been my honor and a distinct privilege to serve as your president.

Dr. Young began her career as President in 1988, when she was appointed to Sparks State Technical College in Eufaula. When Wallace and Sparks merged in 1999, Dr. Young was appointed president of the newly merged institution. Before that, she spent three years teaching K-12 and numerous roles throughout the Alabama Community College System.

Under her leadership, Wallace Community College earned national recognition for its programs and initiatives. It was named a Bellwether Award finalist in 2015, a top-three finalist in Faculty Innovation in 2016, and the top community college in the nation with the Award of Excellence for Student Success in 2017.

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US and Russia tout prisoner swap as a victory. But perceptions of the deal show stark differences

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks to released Russian prisoners upon their arrival at the Vnukovo government airport outside Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. The United States and Russia have made their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history. (Kirill Zykov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

President Vladimir Putin strode along the red carpet between two rows of rifle-toting honor guards and warmly greeted intelligence operatives freed in the biggest prisoner swap with the West since the Cold War.

The Motherland hasnt forgotten about you for a minute, Putin said, embracing each of them after they walked down the steps of the jetliner that ferried them home.

Putin, who rarely  if ever  travels to the airport to greet foreign heads of state these days, was delivering a clear, morale-boosting message to his security services: If you get caught, Russia will bring you home.

For the Kremlin, Vadim Krasikov, the hitman imprisoned in Germany for killing a former Chechen militant in Berlin, was perhaps the most important component in the exchange that saw eight Russians swapped for 16 Westerners and Russian dissidents who had been imprisoned in recent years.

Moscow freed American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and a group of top dissidents.

Washington extolled it as a major diplomatic victory. But so did Moscow.

Putin is sending a signal that those working abroad will have maximum protection, and that if they are arrested, the state will fight for their return and roll out the red carpet for them, said Tatyana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

She noted that Russian and Western perceptions of the deal were starkly different.

In the West, its being viewed from a humanitarian and political perspective, closely followed by media, significant for society," Stanovaya told The Associated Press. "In Russia, its not an issue for society, its an issue for the state.

The average Russian probably "doesnt even know the names of those who returned," she added. But for Putin, those who returned to Russia are real heroes, patriots who worked for the state and defended the national interest.

Krasikov was convicted in the Aug. 23, 2019, killing of Zelimkhan Tornike Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen who had fought Russian troops in Chechnya and later claimed asylum in Germany.

At his sentencing to life in prison in 2021, German judges said Krasikov had acted on the orders of Russian authorities, who gave him the resources to carry out the killing.

In 2019, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any Russian involvement in the killing. But on Friday, he said Krasikov is an officer of the Federal Security Service and once served in the FSBs special forces Alpha unit, along with some of Putins bodyguards.

By including Krasikov in the deal, Putin has shown how important it is to him to secure the return of imprisoned Russian spies, said Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

He noted the Russian leader's determination to get Krasikov back was key to this exchange.

Russia released twice as many people as the West in what Gould-Davies described as a striking departure from the strict parity (or better) that Russia always insisted on in previous swaps.

When it suits him, Putin has occasionally accepted unequal exchanges.

In September 2022, Ukraine agreed to free jailed opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk, whom Putin had personally known, and dozens of other people in exchange for over 200 Ukrainians and foreigners in Russian captivity.

Gould-Davies said Putin, a KGB veteran, could have been driven by a strong personal loyalty to the undercover agents in Thursday's swap.

"Putin now places such a high value on his spies that he is prepared to agree to an unfavorable exchange, he said.

Abbas Gallyamov, a political analyst and former Putin speechwriter, described the swap as a way to ensure the loyalty of Russian operatives abroad and make them realize that he "will make every effort to pull them out of prison.

Putin showed to all his spies, killers and other people who he uses abroad that hes like their father, Gallyamov said. Its important because it ensures their loyalty.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Putin-chaired Security Council, declared on his messaging app channel that while it would be desirable to see the traitors of Russia rot behind bars ... it's more useful to get our guys out.

The anti-Western hawk added ominously that the traitors should now frantically be choosing new names and hiding under witness protection programs.

Among those released by Russia were Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer serving 25 years on a treason conviction widely seen as politically motivated; opposition activist Ilya Yashin, imprisoned for his criticism of the war in Ukraine; associates of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and Oleg Orlov, a veteran human rights campaigner.

While some have voiced hope the freed activists could reinvigorate Russia's beleaguered and fragmented opposition that has lacked a charismatic leader since Navalny's death, others point to steep challenges they will face.

Stanovaya said it would be hard for them to make their voices heard in Russia, where most people lack access to independent media and liberal views are shared by a relatively narrow segment of the public.

She predicted the Kremlin will portray them as serving Western interests, especially Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British citizen who was a vocal supporter of sanctions against Moscow.

Gallyamov also said the Kremlin doesn't view the freed activists as a major threat.

Released opposition figures wont cause any additional issues" for the Kremlin, he said, adding that the messages that Yashin and others sent from prison evoked more sympathy and interest. The Kremlin wins from this deal.

___

Associated Press journalist Kostya Manenkov in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
Pritzker meets twice with Harris vetting team, appears to be a strong contender for VP

Ill. (WTVO)  Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is expected to choose her running mate next week and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker appears to be a strong option.

Pritzker met with Harriss vetting team twice this week. He started submitting vetting materials last week.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder is leading the search, which normally takes months. Abortion rights supporters, business and labor leaders are publicly backing Pritzker for Vice President.

Despite support, Pritzker has not spoken about the opportunity.

Whatever happens in this process that I understand is going on, my job is to make sure that we win in November, said Pritzker.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are among the others being vetted.

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Toby Mullins, headteacher, says his school has already 'cut to the bone' through money-saving measures - Andrew Fox

A small rural private school is slashing fees by more than a third to save it from extinction under Labours VAT plans.

Bedstone College in Shropshire will reduce fees for day pupils from 5,500 per term to 4,000 from next January, when the Governments tax levy on private schools comes into force.

Toby Mullins, headteacher, said the school has already cut to the bone through money-saving measures and it will now have to try an entrepreneurial shot in the dark to remain competitive.

It means local parents will be charged 12,000 per year from next January, down from 16,500 currently.

Mr Mullins said: For us it will be an extinction event if we dont do something pretty soon.

We dont have rich parents. We have a lot of parents who struggle to pay the fees  I know for a fact because weve started getting provisional notices from people saying they were worried they wouldnt be able to pay the fees anyway.

Bedstone College is home to around 140 day pupils and boarders aged four to 18, but has capacity for more than double that and has seen numbers dwindle in recent years.

Contingency plans

The small rural school has been devising a contingency plan for months ahead of a potential Labour administration, but was forced into action this week after the Government brought forward its VAT plans.

The move has sparked a scramble among private schools to draw up cost-cutting measures in a bid to avoid passing the 20 per cent levy onto parents in full.

But Mr Mullins said his school has already done that and has little else left to cut. He added: Weve been doing that for years. And to be honest I think weve cut to the bone.

My staff havent had a pay rise for more years than I can remember  theyre incredibly loyal and are working on salaries well below what the maintained sector is now paying.

He hopes slashing fees will help retain current parents and lure in others that might be forced out of more expensive neighbouring schools, even if Bedstone College is not wildly flash or massively well-resourced.

Set in the heart of the Shropshire countryside, it focuses on small class sizes, pastoral care, and a safe, nurturing, calm environment where children can be themselves and thrive.

It comes as experts predict some parents could move down the food chain to cheaper private schools to avoid the jostle for top grammar places when the VAT charge comes into force.

Shot in the dark

The Government admitted earlier this week that its VAT plans will price some parents out of the sector, with analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies forecasting it could force out up to 40,000 private school pupils.

Mr Mullins said: Theres going to be a lot of parents in this part of the world who will be in a similar situation and theyll be looking around at state schools nearby they can get their kids into, so my feeling was why dont we take the initiative and actually provide a cost-effective proposition? Its an entrepreneurial shot in the dark.

For people coming in from outside we would be offering a much better value product than theyre getting. Some of the schools around here are paying 7,000 a term  even the cheapest ones are 5,500 a term.

Bedstone College charges less than half than some of its bigger neighbours such as Shrewsbury School, where fees are almost 34,000 a year for day pupils and as much as 50,000 for international boarders.

Mr Mullins school charges up to 39,000 for boarders from abroad, who make up around 30 per cent of the pupil roll. Although fees from those students could serve as a buffer for the school in the coming months, he fears local parents will be priced out and drain the lifeblood of the school unless it slashes prices for day pupils.

Bedstone Educational Ltd, the schools parent company owned by a Chinese investment firm, made an overall loss of 1.2 million in 2022, according to its latest financial accounts. The directors said key business risks included recruitment levels of students, which were compounded by travel restrictions in the wake of the pandemic.

Mr Mullins said: Were owned by a Chinese group and while theyve been reasonably generous in supporting us financially, theres a limit to how much theyre going to do that in the future. I cant expect them to sort of bail us out every time.

Unfortunately the marketplace is a rough one at the moment. If we could even get 10 new pupils it would work out cost-effective for us. If we got more than that it would be wonderful.

Specialist learning

The headteacher also hopes his school could become a haven for pupils with special educational needs who cannot be catered for in the state sector.

Around a third of Bedstone College pupils have special educational needs, including six who are in receipt of education and health care plans (EHCP)  reserved for children with the most complex needs whose fees are sometimes covered by the local authority.

It is one of just 23 schools nationwide to have a specialist learning support centre for dyslexic children, according to the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils.

Parents whose priorities are small class sizes, good manners, and special needs children, theres not a huge option out there for them, said Mr Mullins.

Private schools already teach more than 100,000 children with special needs, and a further 8,000 pupils with EHCPs. Under Labours plans, children with the most acute needs in receipt of an EHCP will be exempt from the VAT hit, but pupils with other special educational needs will not.

It has fuelled concerns that the Governments VAT raid could hit children with complex needs the hardest, while the richest families will be able to afford any fee hikes.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC), which represents 1,300 private schools across the UK, said closures were inevitable as a result of the plans.

Closures are inevitable

Sarah Cunnane, of the ISC, said: We have significant concerns about what this policy will mean for our schools and how many will close.

School closures are inevitable, sadly, and ultimately that is going to affect the families whove chosen to use them and is going to disrupt thousands of childrens education.

Rachel Reeves said earlier this week that there was an obsession with private schools despite them only making up a small proportion of the education sector.

The Chancellor told LBC on Tuesday: Im more interested in the 93 per cent of children who are in our state schools with buildings that are often falling down, with unqualified teachers.

Labour hopes its VAT raid will raise up to 1.7 billion for the state sector and help pay for 6,500 new teachers, 8,500 mental health specialists and 1,000 career advisers for schools.

The Department for Education was approached for comment.

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CENTRAL NEW YORK (WSYR-TV)  Summer isnt quite over just yet, but it might be time to start thinking about when to shift into school mode.

Staying up late and sleeping in, its a luxury that will be coming to an end soon for Central New York students as they head back to the classroom. But there are ways to make the switch back a bit easier, and it starts with a routine.

We typically suggest about a week before the first day of school we start getting back into that wake-up and bedtime routine. It doesnt have to be all at once, it can be a little bit at a time, said Dr. Anne Reagan, Psy. D., a clinical psychologist at Upstate Golisano Childrens Hospital.

Latest local news

Dr. Reagan says maintaining structure and routine can be challenging for not just kids but also parents. Thats why preparing early can be beneficial.

Its proven to be really helpful to actually do the morning routine at least once or twice before the first morning of school, said Dr. Reagan. To really gauge how long it takes for this kid to get dressed and to make the lunches and to eat the breakfast and to get the shoes on and even what worked last year might be a little different as kids get older.

With the end of summer on the mind, back-to-school jitters can be common, too.

Managing anxiety about starting in a new classroom, potentially a new building, a new teacher, maybe a new bus driver, Dr. Reagan said. All of those things, all of those variables that are different for everyone can cause some anxiety.

Dr. Reagan says having a conversation with your child can go a long way ahead of the first day.

Pre-planning, talking about it, saying what do we want to do differently this year, what can we communicate to your teacher ahead of time so that the student feels heard and safe, said Dr. Reagan.

When it comes to teens and their mental health, Dr. Reagan says open conversations are the best conversation, whether its with a parent, counselor, and or school official.

Most importantly reminding them that they are safe and that they have a good adult support system no matter what the issue is that they certainly can reach out for help or support, said Dr. Reagan.

Even talking about more serious topics, like lockdown drills and safety risks can ease mental stress.

We know those drills will be happening and you can talk to your kids about them and prepare them for those exercises which might open the conversation for those types of more heavy conversations about school shootings, said Dr. Reagan.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General's Office, has launched a pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder after a photograph of the mutilated body of a Ukrainian prisoner was posted on social media.

Source: Office of the Prosecutor General

Details: Within the investigation, law enforcement officers are looking into information circulating on social media concerning the murder and dismemberment of a Ukrainian serviceman by representatives of the Russian Armed Forces.

Urgent investigative actions are now underway to establish the circumstances of this heinous crime.

The Main Department of the SSU is carrying out the pre-trial investigation.

Quote from Andrii Kostin: "Russia is consistently repeating the crimes of the Nazis, brazenly demonstrating complete disregard for all the norms of the civilised world. This egregious case is yet another reminder that the terrorist regime of the Russian Federation is evil. Evil must be punished."

Background:

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Human Rights Commissioner, has urgently appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, as well as Ukrainian law enforcement, in light of a photograph circulating online that appears to show the body of a Ukrainian prisoner whose head and limbs have been cut off by the Russians.

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Public masturbation soars in NYC with sickos pleasuring and exposing themselves in the open up 51 percent

Man standing naked in front of a cop, screengrab of a man pleasuring himself on the streets, a man with his pants off on the subway platform.

More sickos are publicly pleasuring and exposing themselves on the streets of the Big Apple, crime statistics show  a nauseating development critics have chalked up to lax laws and a broken mental health system.

Reports of pervs fondling themselves out in the open soared 51% through June 30, up to 378 complaints from 251 during the same period in 2023, according to NYPD data.

Meanwhile cops issued 159 criminal summonses through June 30 citywide to New Yorkers whipping out their genitals  sometimes to urinate  a staggering 396% increase from the 32 tickets written in 2023, according to city data.

More sickos are publicly pleasuring and exposing themselves in broad daylight in the Big Apple J.C. Rice

Reports of pervs fondling themselves out in the open soared almost 51% through June 30, per NYPD data. Obtained by The New York Post

Cops issued 159 criminal summonses through June 30 citywide to New Yorkers who whipped out their genitals in public. William Farrington

Theres too much junk I dont want to see, Greenwich Village resident Brian Maloney told The Post.

Three weeks ago, a long-haired naked man fondled himself while sitting in a chair outside the Washington Square Diner in the pouring rain, according to footage Maloney shared with The Post.

Days later, a woman in his subway car decided to parade in front of commuters in her birthday suit, he said.

Were exhausted by it, Maloney said. Were trying for help, were pleading with our electeds to help and basically getting ignored.

At a July meeting for Manhattans Community Board 1, which covers the Financial District and Tribeca, residents raged over cops failure to respond to their complaints about a grime-covered serial masturbator with a Marine Corps tattoo on his back.

Critics blamed the surge in lewd behavior in the city on lax penal laws and a broken mental health system. Obtained by The New York Post

Capt. Joel Rosenthal, commanding officer of the First Precinct, warned the outraged locals that even if the police busted the him in the act, the twisted perv likely would be cut loose in no time.

This is a desk appearance ticket and a non-bail eligible offense, so he will be out within two hours, he said.

The push against incarceration, together with the citys inability to hospitalize and effectively treat the severely mentally ill, has driven the surge in disturbing deviancy, according to Carolyn D. Gorman, a mental illness policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute.

If we dont enforce laws so individuals arent in jails or prisons, and theyre not receiving psychiatric treatment because the mental health system deprioritizes the mentally ill  these people are out on the street, she said.

Additional reporting by Tina Moore.
A series of recent bear sightings in Bothell has prompted safety reminders from the Bothell Police Department.

Kristi Boucher, Animal Control Officer with Bothell PD, said that there had been several sightings of a black bear in north Bothell on Friday.

She said that while black bears are generally well-tempered residents of Bothell, enjoying life in this city, people should make sure to keep garbage secured at this time of year.

Boucher says that these bears dont usually bother pets or people, rather, they prefer a lazy meal.

For more information on living with bears and to report sightings, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildfire.
The annual Hanford nuclear site budget would increase by $303 million to a record $3.34 billion next fiscal year under a proposed U.S. Senate budget.

My commitment to power the mission of the Hanford cleanup and to support the workers is unshakeable, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. And Im proud to have once again secured record funding for the Hanford cleanup.

Murray, the head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, wrote and negotiated the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for fiscal 2025, which begins in October. The bill was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday.

As recently as fiscal 2021, the Hanford budget was about $2.6 billion.

Sen. Murray has delivered once again on Hanford funding, said David Reeploeg, Tri-City Development Council vice president of federal projects. The Senates budget includes critical funding for the Waste Treatment Plant, while emphasizing the importance of the entire Hanford cleanup mission.

The vitrification plant at the Hanford nuclear reservation site in Eastern Washington. The Low Activity Waste Facility is the largest completed building.

The proposed Senate budget for fiscal 2025 includes just over $2.2 billion for the Hanford Office of River Protection. That would cover the tank farms, holding 56 million gallons of radioactive waste in underground tanks, and the vitrification plant, or Waste Treatment Plant, being built to turn waste into a stable glass form.

The Senates proposed budget is $207 million more than the Biden administrations budget request.

The House budget proposal is lower than the Senate proposal and includes $2 billion for the Office of River Protection.

Other Hanford work falls under the Richland Operations Office, including cleaning up contaminated waste sites and groundwater and tearing down buildings, plus operating the 580-square-mile nuclear reservation.

Hanford, adjacent to the Tri-Cities in Eastern Washington, was used from World War II through the Cold War to produce nearly two-thirds of the plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program, leaving behind radioactive and chemical waste and contamination.

Hanford workers found a decontamination cell weighing at least 20,000 pounds buried in the trenches at the Hanford 618-10 Burial Ground.

The Senate budget proposes $1 billion for the Richland Operations Office work in fiscal 2025, which is $27 more than the Biden administrations budget request.

The House budget proposes just under $984 million for the Richland Operations Office, which is about $58 million less than the current budget.

The House bill that includes the Hanford budget along with other energy and water appropriations does not have enough votes now to be passed by the full House, and members left in late July for their summer recess until Sept. 9.

The Senate budget also includes $120 million for security and about $3 million for the deactivated Fast Flux Test Facility, to bring the total to $3.34 billion.

Reeploeg said TRIDEC was pleased to see the Senate budget supporting preservation of irreplaceable Manhattan Project National Historical Park facilities.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Unlike Hanford, which gets an annual appropriation through the DOE Office of Environmental Management, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland gets money from multiple sources.

Its annual funding is more than $1.5 billion, including funds from multiple DOE offices, including the Office of Science, and the Department of Homeland Security.

The 2025 Senate appropriations bill includes $360 million more for the DOE Office of Science, which supports research at PNNL, other national laboratories and universities, including in Washington state.

It includes $65 million for the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory on the PNNL camps and $19 million for construction of PNNLs new Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability project, up from the $10 million proposed by the Biden administration for fiscal 2025.

Steven Ashby, director of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Grid Storage Launchpad, which will work on next generation energy storage, in April 2022.

The proposed Senate budget also includes $31 million for energy delivery grid operations technology, including $7 million to support efforts by PNNL to continue developing a national platform to host data necessary for grid reliability modeling and analytics to support the clean energy transition.

The Grid Storage Launchpad will open Aug. 13 on PNNLs campus.

More Tri-Cities WA area spending

Other spending of interest to the Tri-Cities in the proposed Senate budget includes:

 The proposed Senate budget includes $725,000 for the Yakima River delta in the Tri-Cities to restore the ecosystem, including by removing the Bateman Island causeway.

The current projected budget by the federal government is $10 million, but the city of Richland has argued that estimate could be just a tenth of what would be needed to be spent to take out the causeway and mitigate effects of the removal.

The earthen causeway from the Richland Wye Park to Bateman Island is 500 feet long and 40 feet wide, blocking river flow, but allowing recreational and firefighting access to the island.

The Bateman Island causeway creates pedestrian access to the island from Columbia Park Trail in Richland.

Issues with water flow at the Yakima Delta were compounded when construction downstream on the McNary Dam was completed in 1957. The causeway was finished in 1940.

The dam turned the southern side of the Yakima River delta into a backwater with ideal habitat for predatory fish and invasive plants, according to the Corps Yakima River Delta Ecosystem Restoration Draft Feasibility Report With Integrated Environmental Assessment.

Summer water temperatures on the south and west side of Bateman Island now can be as high as 86 degrees for sustained periods.

The warm water creates ideal conditions for non-native fish, such as smallmouth bass, that prey with voracious appetites on young salmon migrating to the ocean in the spring.

It also may prevent salmon from entering the warmer Yakima River to spawn.

 Funding is included in the appropriations bill to help the United States meets its obligations under a proposed agreement on the Columbia River Treaty.

The treaty re-balances energy coordination between the United States and Canada, allowing the United States to keep more clean hydropower energy while giving Canada more opportunities to import from and export to U.S. markets.

 Greater Health Now, which serves Benton, Franklin and seven other Eastern Washington counties, would receive $2.1 million to equip a mobile unit with staff to support the delivery of maternal care services.

 The Latino Civic Alliance of Washington state would receive $800,000 to expand programs form small business owners.
VARNVILLE, S.C. (WSAV)  American Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers are assisting a family whose home, located on Two Sisters Ferry Road in Varnville, was damaged by a fire on Friday night.

The Red Cross is helping eight people by providing financial assistance for immediate needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, along with resource referrals.

Red Cross aids 8 people after home fire in Liberty County

Those looking to help families in need can do so through Hometown Heroes, an American Red Cross fundraiser that provides financial assistance so families can pay for their immediate needs such as food, clothes, personal care items, and a safe place to stay.

For more information about Hometown Heroes click here or visit www.redcross.org/HometownHero.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets Director of Mossad David Barnea at the Mossad headquarters. Koby Gideon/GPO/dpa

An Israeli delegation has arrived in Cairo for indirect negotiations on the Gaza war, a report said on Saturday amid fears of a looming military escalation in the Middle East.

The delegation included David Barnea who heads Israel's foreign intelligence agency Mossad, and Ronen Bar, chief of the domestic security service Shin Bet, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported on walla.co.il news site.

Egypt, Qatar and the United States are mediating in the indirect negotiations with the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas, seeking to bring about a ceasefire in Israel's war in the Gaza Strip, triggered by the unprecedented attacks by Hamas and other extremist groups in October.

The latest round of talks comes amid fears of a conflagration in the Middle East after deadly attacks on Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut have brought the region to the brink of war.

Israel killed Shukr in an airstrike on Beirut. Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital, and Iran and Hamas hold Israel responsible for Haniyeh's death, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied a role.

Since then, Iran and its allies including Hezbollah have vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel after Haniyeh's killing.

Haniyeh was one of the main Hamas negotiators, meaning further complications in the talks that have already been stalled for months.

The negotiations aim for a ceasefire and the exchange of Israeli hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

But Israel has adopted a tougher position regarding the stationing of its military at strategic points in the Gaza Strip.

During the round in Cairo, which includes Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel and other senior government officials, discussions are reportedly focusing on the release of hostages and future security arrangements at the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt.

Israel aims to prevent Hamas from obtaining weapons and ammunition supplies across the border.

Qatar has temporarily withdrawn from mediating the Gaza talks, the report said. Qatar maintains contacts with Hamas, and Haniyeh was living in exile in the Qatari capital Doha, where he was also buried on Friday.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Just days ago, Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley was indicted on multiple charges which include theft of office. Now, local Republican leaders are demanding he resign.

With Foley being a Republican party member, the party says they are ready to cut off support.

Montgomery County clerk of courts, judge facing charges

Party officials say they have reached out to Foley a number of times but have not been able to connect with him. Now, they are strongly pushing that he steps down and takes care of his legal troubles.

During a press conference held earlier today, the party says they are ready to remove Foleys name from the party, as well as cut off any support for him in the upcoming fall election.

Leaders further stated that they are ready to tell Republican voters to not vote for him if it comes to it, saying that no matter if the people agree with you or not, you should have integrity as an elected official.

The party also dispelled any rumors that the indictment was politically motivated, stating that the investigation is being conducted by elected Republicans, not Democrats.

Local reactions to clerk of courts, judge indictments

Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Phil Plummer says that he personally reached out to Foley multiple times, and says that he needs to be held accountable.

It is very selfish for him not to talk to us, not let us express his opinions about him. Our concerns with him moving forward with that elected office that the taxpayers use, we all use that office, so I have concerns with him, said Plummer.

The party did also say that they would like to see Judge James Piergis  the other elected official included in the indictment  resign as well, but say that it is a Democratic party matter. Piergis has since been suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court without pay as investigation continues.

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Several Republican members of Congress praised Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austins sudden decision to withdraw a controversial plea deal reached for the alleged mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and two of his co-defendants  though some families of Americans killed in the attacks are pushing for closure after years of litigation.

Austins reversal late Friday has not entirely quenched the wave of scrutiny surrounding the plea deal and the details surrounding how it was reached. Some families of those who died in the attacks accused Austin of betraying their interests, while the American Civil Liberties Union pledged to challenge Lloyds decision in court. The move added another twist to the stalled litigation overseen by a U.S. military commission since 2008 against the men accused of plotting the attacks; their cases have been slowed by a debate over the admissibility of evidence obtained through torture.

Immediately after Austin published his order, in which he explained that he had the authority to nullify the plea agreements in light of the significance of the decision, some members of Congress weighed in by calling the move a necessary step to achieve justice for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

In a statement, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Biden administration was correct to reverse course after the Republican-led House Oversight and Armed Services Committees launched investigations into what Johnson called a terrible plea deal.

Now deliver long awaited justice for 9/11 families, Johnson wrote on X.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in a joint statement that they were "glad that Secretary Austin came to his senses" and called the consideration of a plea deal "disgraceful."

The House Armed Services Committee had sent a letter signed by both Republican and Democratic members to Austin on Thursday before the plea deal was reversed, demanding that the secretary submit a plethora of documents and communications related to the deal by Aug. 23. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said the committee would continue to demand answers from Austin despite his reversal.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and had joined the wave of criticism against the plea deal reached earlier in the week, called for any future agreement to ensure the death penalty for these terrorist scumbags. The scrapped deal for Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his two alleged accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, would have stipulated life sentences for all three defendants in exchange for a guilty plea. The deal would have also bypassed a trial.

Another House Republican, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York, also endorsed the death penalty and said: Lets set a trial date.

The Biden administration had sought to distance itself from the plea deal, with the White House asserting that it had no knowledge of the deal before it was announced. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), another House Foreign Affairs Committee member, said in an interview with CNN that the deal was apparently not cleared by Austin, though he did not support the death penalty as an alternative.

Some groups representing families of those killed in the attacks, including 9/11 Families United, commended Austin's decision. "Secretary Austins decision to revoke the lenient plea deals for these terrorists is a relief for many families like mine, who have tirelessly fought for justice and to have our voices heard," said Terry Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, in a statement.

Other groups were frustrated by the sudden back-and-forth in the yearslong case and prompted calls for accountability. One group of families of Sept. 11 victims, 9/11 Justice, said in an emailed statement they were astounded at not having been consulted about the plea deal nor its sudden reversal.

The American people and the families of the nearly 3,000 victims deserve to know every detail about the attacks and the defendants involvement, 9/11 Justice wrote in a statement. This decision should not hinder our efforts to hold those responsible, including the Saudi government, accountable for their roles in this horrific tragedy.

Another group, September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, said that Austin had betrayed both the victims families and the authority of the attorneys tasked with leading the case against the defendants, who have been in custody since 2003. While the plea agreements originally reached this week were not what the families had hoped for, the group said the agreements provided a path to finality after years of litigation and a modicum of justice and accountability for the perpetrators of attacks.

We ask that Secretary Austin meet with the 9/11 prosecution team, learn the deep complexities and flaws in the case, and come to his own conclusion that pretrial agreements will provide the finality and accountability we all deserve, the group wrote.

The ACLU pledged to pursue legal action against Austins reversal, echoing the sentiments of betrayal expressed by Sept. 11 family members and suggesting that politics and command influence had influenced the decision. The ACLU has supported plea deals, citing a need for closure and the low likelihood that federal courts would allow the defendants to face the death penalty since they had been subjected to torture in inherently unjust military commissions.
STURBRIDGE, Mass. (WWLP)  One of New Englands largest Revolutionary War reenactments is returning to Old Sturbridge Village on Saturday.

Heat Advisory: Temperatures to feel around 100 degrees in western Massachusetts

According to Old Sturbridge Village, Redcoats & Rebels features 600 costumed reenactors from all across the region, historic battles, musket and cannon demonstrations, and live fife and drum music.

Visitors also can watch an afternoon battle, and artillery demonstrations, view exhibits and galleries, and talk with our costumed historians about everyday life in early New England. Food and beverages will also be available.

Tickets for this event cost $32 for adults, $30 for seniors ages 55 and up, $16 for college students, $16 for kids ages 4-17, and children ages three and under get in for free. The reenactment event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Martin Kits van Heyningen is a founding member of The Energy Council of Rhode Island and a resident of Newport.

The recent spate of offshore wind turbine blade failures should be a wake-up call for both the industry and our policymakers.

Recently, a Vineyard Wind turbine off Nantucket suffered a catastrophic failure of a 350-foot-long fiberglass turbine blade that dumped 110,000 pounds of fiberglass, epoxy and foam into the ocean. The Vineyard Wind project has been ordered by the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to cease operation and halt further construction activities pending an investigation.

But the issue is far more widespread and concerning for Rhode Islanders. We must also push for a comprehensive hold on the Revolution Wind project until we thoroughly understand the root causes of these failures. That project will put an additional 65 massive turbines just 15 nautical miles off Rhode Islands coast.

Offshore turbine with a broken blade at Vineyard Wind 1, about 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard, earlier this week. Pieces of fiberglass and foam have washed up on Nantucket, Tuckernuck and Muskeget islands beaches. Vineyard Wind officials have since said more of the blade has fallen.

The pattern of blade failures is alarming. At Dogger Bank, a major offshore wind farm in the United Kingdom, an identical GE Haliade X turbine blade failed in the same way just two months ago. But in Europe, the wind farms are over 80 miles offshore, so it didnt wash up on their beaches. In Germany, three massive GE turbine blade failures have been reported in the last year and a 22-ton Siemens blade (the type used by Revolution Wind) failed in Norway. These are not isolated incidents but rather a troubling trend indicating a significant design flaw or manufacturing defect. In fact, the CEO of Vineyard Wind mentioned that there were two blade issues in the last few weeks.

The first one was likely damaged during installation and removed before it fell into the ocean. Yet, despite knowing about the failures in Europe and here, they continued with construction and within a week a second blade failed, this time catastrophically, resulting in beach closures in Nantucket and a massive environmental crisis according to the Nantucket Select Board.

In fact, Nantucket had been an early advocate of offshore wind, signing a Good Neighbor Agreement that would give them $16 million in compensation. They were promised that the turbines wouldnt be visible (they are) and there would be no impact on island tourism. The town council has scheduled a meeting to discuss litigation against Vineyard Wind.

The blades for Revolution Wind will be even larger than the ones in Vineyard Wind, with lengths 3.5 times that of the wing on a 747. The implications of such massive components failing are dire, both for safety and the environment. The U.S. Coast Guard posted a warning of a 300-foot piece of debris floating offshore. Colliding with that could easily result in a sinking and loss of life.

Industry statistics paint a grim picture: the failure rate for smaller blades is 0.54% per year (roughly 3,800 blades fail annually). The failure rate for these new gigantic blades is much larger due to the significantly higher mechanical loads and fatigue stresses, especially near the blade tips and leading edges.

There will be 1,000 turbines off Rhode Island, each taller than any building in Boston. With three blades apiece, even at the lower failure rate we can expect about 16 massive blade failures annually. This is unacceptable. Many of these projects are feeding power to New York or Connecticut, yet theyve been sited off Rhode Islands beaches, not the Hamptons.

The offshore wind industry promised us cheap green energy. Instead, we are getting skyrocketing electric bills, fishing grounds compromised and now direct environmental contamination with razor sharp shards of fiberglass.

Public support for these projects has collapsed. A flash poll conducted by a Providence television station showed 85% of respondents do not support building these turbines.

Our politicians must call for a temporary moratorium on all offshore wind projects off Rhode Island. A pause would allow us to investigate and address the underlying issues before proceeding with further construction. The safety of our communities and the integrity of our environment depend on it.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: A call for a hiatus on RI offshore wind projects amid blade failures
RICHMOND, Ind. (WDTN)  Two suspects were arrested following a reported armed robbery on Friday.

According to the Richmond Police Department, officers were called to the 2000 block of Wernle Road around noon on Aug. 2. Detectives were also sent to the scene to investigate.

Police respond to Oregon District shots fired call overnight

Around 2:30 p.m., two suspects were arrested during a high-risk traffic stop at the intersection of National Road East and Commerce Road. They have since been booked into Wayne County Jail.

Police say a 30-year-old and a 24-year-old were both charged with armed robbery, a level 3 felony. The 30-year-old suspect was also charged with resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor.

This incident remains under investigation by RPDs Detective Division.

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Hoang Bui made a big mistake in ordering crab at the Rio City Cafe back in 2001 before his high school prom. I cracked the crab. It squirted all over my date.

The prom trauma long since faded, the 41-year-old staffer at the state Department of Justice and long-time restaurant fan came back to Rio City one last time Friday for a lunch of southwest seafood pasta. The restaurant ends its 30-year run on the Sacramento River tonight, unable to make ends meet because the landlord, the city, wont fix the scenic deck.

I love this place, Bui said. Hes not alone. The restaurants faithful have filled the Rio City in recent days. The bar on Thursday ran out of rum, with no time to order reinforcements. Come Sunday, it will have run out of customers.

Opinion

Its a dark day in Sacramento when a famed spot on the river in the old historic district goes dark itself. Something, some day, will surely replace the old Rio City. It was a decision by the City of Sacramento, which controls this property, to fail to maintain this restaurant in good condition as required by its lease. Now Old Sacramento, with a vacant building at its heart, will suffer the consequences.

Honestly, this is one of the main attractions of Old Sacramento, Bui said.

Ryan and Adrienne Newcomer, visiting from St. Louis, Mo., take their photograph outside the Rio City Cafe in Old Sacramento on Friday.

Things began going downhill in April, when the city closed the river deck for safety reasons. Seating 100 patrons, the deck generated 70 percent of the restaurants income. To no surprise, the restaurants long-time owners, the Miller family, announced the closure last month.

This predictable decision nonetheless surprised Mayor Darrell Steinberg. He made some optical motions to try to save the restaurant. My goal, Steinberg said in a statement, was to help this well-loved institution remain in business while providing time for both the restaurant and the city to evaluate the best long-term uses for the waterfront site.

Owner Stephanie Miller said she told the mayor that the restaurant would limp along if the city would commit to fixing it at the next available opportunity given environmental and flood control considerations, which would be next spring.

Steinberg basically told me theyre not fixing the deck, Miller said. A day late and a dollar short. So the restaurant closes.

Ed Newman, and his family, son Ryan, 10, wife Carrie Newman and daughter Kyla, 16 waited over 90 minutes for a table on the second to the last day of service at the Rio City Cafe in Old Sacramento on Friday.

The city, through three decades of neglect, has run this asset into the ground. The deck needs an estimated $5 million in shoring up. The original roof, the wood shakes parched and pealing after 30 Sacramento summers, needs replacement. One deep pocket is going to have to rescue this place. Our staff is confident this space will be in high demand, Steinberg said.

For a city with a $1.6 billion overall budget, this mess shows how a few million dollars is now a lot of money. The city has pension obligations and deferred maintenance in the $3 billion range. The city is increasingly acting as if it is functionally broke. It is acting as if it had no choice but to break the Rio City Cafe.

Ellen Wehr celebrates her 44th birthday with friends the Rio City Cafe in Old Sacramento on Friday.

James Elias wears a shirt that says, Just Dont Die as his fiance Tiffany Monroy embraces him as they wait near the bar at Rio City Cafe in Old Sacramento on Friday. Monroy worked at the Rio City Cafe when she was in high school, and hadnt been back for several years until tonight for nostalgic reasons.

If some corporate landlord made a heartless strategy to chase out a tenant by letting a property go to hell, the result could be a lawsuit or the recognition that market forces can be cruel. In this case, were talking about a lack of transparency within a city government that represents us.

In August of 2022, it seemed the city was going to find a contractor to fix the deck, based on a City Council decision at the time. Now Rio City is closing. In hindsight, maintaining the restaurant simply never rose to be a city priority. Otherwise today wouldnt be happening.

Meanwhile, at the bar on Friday, Bui ordered one last hamburger, to go, to relive those memories one last time.

Thirty years is a great run for a restaurant. Change is truly a constant. But the death of the Rio City Cafe really isnt about this restaurant. It is about Sacramento city government, running short of integrity as it runs short of money.

After 30 years, the Rio City Cafe in Old Sacramento is closing on Saturday.
Hundreds of local residents who rely on housing vouchers to help pay their rent are in jeopardy of losing their homes because of a projected budget shortfall at the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority.

The local housing authority administers the housing choice voucher program, formerly known as Section 8, for eligible Hamilton County residents who receive housing assistance payments from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD.

The local housing authority is one of dozens nationwide that HUD expects to fall into "shortfall status by December 2024, according to a letter sent by the Cincinnati housing authority to its community partners.

The subsidies the housing authority administers to help cover the rent for very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled will exceed the agencies' budgets by that time.

One of the major reasons, local officials say: Cincinnati's rising rents.

The local housing authority is on pace to spend more than $101 million on the voucher program by the end of the year but is only funded for $97 million through HUD, according to agency officials, who said they would use reserve funds to help bridge the gap.

HUD orders local housing vouchers voided

As a result of the projected shortfall, HUD has ordered the housing authority to "immediately'' void vouchers for program participants who fail to renew their vouchers before they expire, according to the letter obtained by The Enquirer.

People eligible for assistance through the voucher program are required to have their vouchers recertified annually to account for changes in income and family composition, which determine the amount of rent they pay and the assistance provided by HUD.

There are 351 vouchers issued by the local housing authority that could expire within the next three months, putting the holders at risk of being kicked off the voucher program, according to Cincinnati housing authority officials.

Housing authority 'pushing' to keep families on vouchers

"We're pushing hard to make sure no families are terminated off the program,'' Missy Knight, a spokeswoman for the local housing authority told The Enquirer, noting that the agency has redoubled its outreach efforts to get families to comply with the recertification process.

But "if they dont follow through with the recertification process, at some point the voucher expires,'' she said. "Were trying to sit on this fence here; providing help to all of the people who need to be cared for in Hamilton County....while also meeting the HUD mandates.''

In addition to canceling vouchers for existing program participants, HUD has also ordered the housing authority to immediately stop issuing new vouchers to more than 3,000 Hamilton County residents on the voucher program waiting list.

However, once the housing authority resumes issuing vouchers, those on the waiting list will keep their spots, Knight said. And the restrictions on new vouchers do not apply to those in certain special circumstances, such as the homeless and veterans in need of housing, she added.

Vouchers will also continue to be issued to families wishing to transfer from one rental unit to another.

High housing costs to blame for voucher program crunch, officials say

Knight blamed the cost-saving measures on rising housing costs that have outpaced HUD funding.

The housing authority pays subsidies to landlords directly on behalf of participating families. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.

The rents landlords charge can't be increased within the first year of the lease, according to HUD rules, but any rent increases landlords are allowed to charge are based on prevailing market rates.

Cincinnati-area rents among fastest rising in the country

In Cincinnati, rent is rising at a faster rate than most other metro areas in the country, according to a recent report from Redfin, a national real estate brokerage and market tracker.

The median asking rent for all-sized apartments in the Cincinnati area shot up 11% to $1,372 in May 2024, compared the same month a year earlier, according to Redfin.

Cincinnati was among just four metro areas that saw double-digit percent gains in median asking rents over the same period: Cincinnati (10.9%), Chicago (10.8%), Virginia Beach, VA (10.3%) and Minneapolis (10.3%).

"Housing has basically inflated for the past three or four years,'' Knight said. "Those housing costs are now coming back on us.''

What to do?

If you have a housing choice voucher that is expected to expire soon, you can call the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority main office at (513) 721-4580 to discuss the program requirements and procedures for recertification.

Families receiving housing assistance payments through the housing authority must verify their family composition and income each year to maintain their vouchers and recalculate their rent and the assistance payments, according to HUD.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: HUD funding for housing vouchers can't keep up with rising rents
MIAMISBURG, Ohio (WDTN)  One of the original creators of the Rock N Green Tomato Festival got a special shoutout during the annual event this weekend.

The Rock N Green Tomato Fest returned to Miamisburg this weekend on Friday and Saturday. This was the first festival in five years, since the pandemic put a pause on festivities.

Stebbins HS gym dedicated in honor of late coach

The event was held at the new Riverfront Park on Water Street, filled with activities, live music and of course, fried green tomatoes.

And on Saturday afternoon, one of the original creators of the festival got a moment in the spotlight. Ron Holp, owner of Rons Pizza, received a proclamation from Miamisburg Mayor Michelle Collins.

Holp created the festival alongside Jack Sperry, owner of the Hamburger Wagon. The pair wanted the city to have a festival that showcases the community and businesses that make Miamisburg great.

State Representatives Phil Plummer and Rodney Creech were also in attendance, as many shared kind words about the impact Holp has had on the community.

The Rock N Green Tomato Festival concludes on Saturday with a fireworks show at 9:40 p.m. To learn more about the event, click here.

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Seven a.m. on Friday seems like a quiet time in the community, but there is a parking lot full of cars ready to go on a mission.

The Rotary Club donated $20,000 in school supplies to District 51. Twenty-five elementary schools, 7 middle schools and industry charter schools were given supplies for the new academic year.

Tanya Nees, assistant principal at Orchard Avenue Elementary, states, Teachers need a lot of supplies at the beginning of the school year to be prepared. We know that often teachers use their own money to purchase those supplies.

Rotary Club board member Wayne Sallade says a donation like this is important not just for the teachers, but for the students as well.

Sallade explains, Its a big deal because a lot of our kids need supplies, and you cant rely on teachers to take it out of their pocket. So this supplement is by no means solving the problem but it does supplement what they need at the schools.

With the help of the Rotary Club and the community, teachers and students will have the supplies they need to have a successful academic year.

Brian Hill, superintendent of District 51, says, Our theme this year is Together We Thrive. This is a great example of Together as a Community, working for our students and working to better our education community.

Sallade tells WesternSlopeNow that without the donation, teachers would have a harder time providing for their students.

I think that it would put much more of a burden on teachers who already put too much of their own money into bringing supplies for kids. These are things that can make life a little easier when the school year starts, Sallade said.

Now with these school supplies, the skys the limit for teachers and students. They couldnt be more thankful.

Its the best. We couldnt do the work that we do here at our school without our community. We have so many different community partners and funding sources that help us function and provide the level of education that we do for our learners. Im so appreciative of the community and it means so much to teachers and families, Nees explains.

With all of the new supplies coming into the school year, the teachers are looking to have a great start.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Over 30 nursing interns took the next steps in their careers Friday afternoon, as Rochester Regional Health celebrated students whove successfully completed the hospital systems EXCEL Clinical Internship Program.

There is a nursing shortage in the United States, and we need to find out different ways to recruit nurses, and how we can support our working force here in Rochester, said Ivonne Clement, the Vice President of the Global Nursing Program at RRH.

At least ten students who graduated from the program Friday are from Puerto Rico, according to Clement.

So, one of the ways that we are stepping out of our box is to go to different U.S. territories  including Puerto Rico and the Philippines. And this particular program is recruiting from Puerto Rico, she said.

The EXCEL Clinical Internship is a ten-week program running from June to August, where students are paired up with a registered nurse (RN) to learn the day-to-day functions of working in the field. Officials said, a lot of the interns end up coming back to work in Rochester.

A lot of the nurses here make you feel like its a home, said Anay Chavarria, a graduate of last summers program. Its a welcoming environment, you dont feel judged at all for not knowing maybe how to do something. Theyll teach you; theyll walk you through it.

The requirements for the program include

Being enrolled in an accredited nursing program.

Anticipated graduation date is either December 2025 or May 2026.

Applications for next summers program go live in October.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Ive wasted 17 years of my life in prison since I was a kid. I used to sit there thinking: Is this all my life is, to be f---ing resigned to jail? What I do in Africa, this gives me a purpose in life, something to fight for. I know I can make a genuine change.

Sam Walker is speaking to The Daily Beast by phone from a compound guarded by former child soldiers in Sierra Leone, the West African state where the Liverpool crook-turned-social media celebrityand, apparently, international fugitiveposts videos of himself digging wells and other humanitarian work to his 150,000-plus Instagram followers, positioning himself as a scouse MrBeast if the YouTube philanthropist had a Liverpudlian accent and a rap sheet with more than 100 felonies to his name.

If you look at a slum, you think why is it they can install oil pipelines thousands of miles across the sea, but they cant install fresh water here? the ex-con continued.

So I do what charities fail to do and install water. Weve fixed kids cataracts; weve had bridges built; weve got schools which have been refurbished, because Im a believer that education is the way out of poverty for these people, because an educated mind is something the system dont want these people to have.

Its not uncommon for successful gangsters to give back to communitiesPablo Escobar had a whole neighborhood built for the homelessbut usually, its their own communities and not one 3,000 miles away. Why Walker does what he does, after all the things hes done in a long criminal career, is obviously open for debate. One view might be that, like so many people, hes just living for clicks and likes on TikTok and Insta, desperate to have his share of the global attention economy.

According to reporter Sorie Brahim Amara, however, Walkers philanthropy is genuine.

I covered a surgical operation for a girl living with cataracts and the construction of a water facility in King Tom Bay, Freetown, Amara, who works with local news platform Africa Young Voices, told The Daily Beast.

He had constructed a bridge, road, renovated a school, paid for surgical operations for children living with cataracts, he had also constructed a bore-hole water facility and four jack-pump water facilities in different communities. My community even benefited with a bore hole, and we have almost finished a jack pump and are commissioning two more. He had really done good for Sierra Leone.

Walkers criminal career began at an early agepartly out of circumstance and partly, he admits, because he loved it.

I absolutely loved committing crime as a kid, I cant sugarcoat it, he explains. I even look back to when I was 7 years old. I used to go to the local garage to rob sweets [candy] and give them to my classmates, then sit there and watch them eat them. That was the sort of thing I used to do every morning on the way to school.

The 39-year-old hails from Liverpool in northwest England. As a port city, Liverpool has long been a hive of organized crime and drug traffic, spawning such masterminds as Curtis Cocky Warren, one of Britains wealthiest drug barons. Guns are relatively rare in Britain, and two years ago the city was shaken when a 9-year-old girl died in the crossfire of a failed gangland execution. In 2008, Walker was sentenced to four-and-a-half years for his role in a cocaine and heroin ring in nearby Cheshire, after an undercover operation netted millions of pounds worth of narcotics. Six years later, he was handed 14 months for handling counterfeit cash.

It was during one of his many spells in prison that Walker switched on to social media, posting, among other things, a mock variety show dubbed Prisons Got Talent (a riff on the popular TV show Britains Got Talent).

I was doing social media 15 years ago from prison, before social media had become a thing, Walker says.

Ive had loads of accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers shut down, but Ive got a loyal follower base. A lot of them have followed me in prison, and when Ive gone out and done my stuff in Africa, gone back to prison and then come back to Africa again, a lot of them have followed me for years.

In 2018, having been summoned to court for driving violations, Walker instead opted to charter a private plane to Belgium before hitching a boat ride from Europe to Africa then driving south over the Sahara desert until he reached Sierra Leone, his grandfathers home country.

Describing the trip, he recalls how crossing the Sahara was an absolute nightmare.

Its not border security you have to watch out for when you go through Mali because theres a lot of terrorist organizations and, especially as a white man, youre at risk of being kidnapped, he says. So when Id see a roadblock, I knew for a fact it wasnt police and kept on driving.

Sierra Leone, on the west coast of Africa, was founded in the late 18th century as a colony of formerly enslaved black Britons, who were later joined by Black LoyalistsAfrican-Americans who sided with the British against their enslavers during the Revolutionary Warplus freed slaves from elsewhere in the British Empire. However, the largest ethnic group remain the native Temne, with whom the early settlers sometimes got into conflict.

In the 1990s, the now independent nation was plunged into a bloodbath when rebels from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) seized the diamond mines to the east. This is when the movie Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio is set. Both the army and RUF enlisted child soldiers, force-feeding them brown-brown (a mix of cocaine and gunpowder) to psyche them for battle, turning them into frenzied, drug-addled killers who dismembered their victims and burnt down the capital, Freetown, in a terrifying rampage.

Walker claims he was moved by the poverty he witnessed on his first trip to Sierra Leone, in particular a sickly baby girl named Alia whose mother couldnt afford to help her. Soon, however, his own funds started drying up.

I flew back into the U.K. on a helicopter but [the police] found me a few months later, Sam said.

Even though people said it was only driving offenses, I knew they were going to keep me in for years, which is exactly what happened. They kept me [in prison] for two-and-a-half years, pulling all my charges on me.

This February, Walker was arrested in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England. According to his version of events, the police found him with two cellphones and, suspecting him of drug dealing, searched his apartment and confiscated his passport. (A police spokesman refused to confirm or deny whether he was still the subject of any inquiry.) So, that same month, he once again boarded a private plane, repeating the journey hed made in 2018. He now lives in a compound, protected by a group of demobilized child soldiers.

In 2018 Id met these lads who were former child soldiers and when I went back to the UK, over the past six years Id always send money over to their families for birthdays or for Christmas, he said.

And when I came back to Sierra Leone, even though we hadnt seen each other in six years, they see it as their duty to make sure that Im fully safe while Im over here. But I dont pay them, I dont hire them. And this is how I know I can trust them, because they dont get paid a penny. They act purely out of loyalty, and thats what money cant buy.

Walker says he spent his time in prison studying gold and diamonds and applied that knowledge to start a business in Sierra Leone, allowing him to fund his exploits. However, not everyones sold on his latest venture.

Sam has posted multiple videos of him at mines and checking diamonds, said journalist Sean Williams, host of the Underworld Podcast which recently did an episode on Walker.

He also ran a recent online competition to win an uncut diamond, and the winning bid fell far below what youd expect for a legitimate product. The numbers dont add up.

On the podcast, Williams and his co-host discussed whether Walker might be bribing officials to smuggle diamonds, or whether the diamonds themselves were fake. A day after the episode was released, Williams received death threats over Instagram aimed at him and his family, adding that u and your colleagues ever come Sierra Leone and your life spans with (sic) drastically be shortened.

Meanwhile, Walker embarked on a crusade against what he described as corrupt, mismanaged charities.

Youve got CEOs getting paid hundreds of thousands of pounds, he says. Theyve got this money raised and theyre keeping the majority of it. Theyll book a five-star holiday with their family and call it a business trip Theres so much corruption going on in these organizations that the only way the things are going to stop is if people start calling them outwheres all this donated money going?

Walker called out WaterAid and Street Child in particular, although The Daily Beast was unable to stand up his accusations.

Earlier in July, Sam led a small protest outside the Save the Children compound in the Freetown neighborhood of Aberdeenwhich led to his arrest and reported confinement in Freetowns notorious Pademba jail. In a statement to The Daily Beast, the charity confirmed that it had reported him to authorities and accused him of harassing staff and publishing their images on his social media platforms.

It added: Mr. Walkers actions disrupted our work while exploiting vulnerable children, creating concern for the safety and well-being of both our staff and the children we serve.

Walker was released from jail following the protest, only to be immediately detained again and accused of espionage.

The spying charges could not be officially confirmed, but a friend of Walkers, Connor Diack, launched a Change.org petition appealing for Walkers release, insisting that his criminal career was over. It is disheartening to see someone who has dedicated his life to charity and effected significant change in Sierra Leone targeted because of his past, Diack wrote.

On Wednesday, Walker was freed again, and was straight on Instagram to describe his ordeal and accuse Save the Children of having orchestrated the spying charges.

I tell you, corrupt charities, I will not be silenced, he said. The threat of prison does not scare me.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Musician and anti-war activist Pavel Kushnir died in a pre-trial detention center in Birobidzhan, the capital of the Jewish Autonomous Region of Russia, the Telegram channel "Vot Tak" reported on Aug. 2, citing Kushnir's friends.

Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers detained Kushnir at the end of May for what the service claimed was calling for "terrorist acts," a group on the Russian social media site Vkontakte called "Atypical Birobidzhan" said.

The case against Kushnir was opened because of his videos on the "Inoagent Mulder" YouTube channel, where since November 2022, he had published four videos in which he poetically criticized the Russian authorities' policy, laws, and the war in Ukraine.

Since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has introduced harsh censorship laws to make criticizing the war a grave offense. Many people have been put behind bars with lengthy prison sentences for speaking out against the war, even in social media posts.

The FSB characterized Kushnir's posts on Youtube as calls for the "violent overthrow of the constitutional order in Russia by means of revolution," according to "Atypical Birobidzhan."

Kushnir's friends, Olga Romanova, the head of the "Detained Rus" project, and pianist Olga Shkrygunova, told "Vot Tak" that the activist, aged 39, died on July 27 after going on a hunger strike.

Romanova said in an interview with the Russian media outlet "Current Time" that she learned about Kushnir's death from a letter from his cellmates in the pre-trial detention center.

Shkrygunova told "Vot Tak" that she learned about Kushnir's death from his mother. She added that his family did not want a lot of publicity, saying they may have been intimidated by law enforcement.

The news about Kushnir's death comes after the historic Aug. 1 prisoner swap between Russia and several Western countries. The states exchanged a total of 24 detainees, the largest such move in almost 15 years.

Those freed by Russia include activists, journalists, and opposition leaders, most notably the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and Russian-born Pulitzer Prize winner Vladimir Kara-Murza.

Read also: Killers, spies and smugglers  the Russians released in historic prisoner swap

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian attacks against Ukraine killed at least five and injured 11 people over the past day, regional authorities reported early on Aug. 3.

A total of 14 Ukrainian oblasts came under Russian attacks over the past day  Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Luhansk, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk. Casualties were reported in five regions.

According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russia launched 29 Shahed-type drones from various locations overnight, including Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea, the Russian city of Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai.

Ukrainian forces downed 24 drones over Kherson, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Vinnytsia, and Zhytomyr oblasts.

The same night, Russian forces also struck Ukraine with two S-300 anti-aircraft missiles launched from occupied Donetsk Oblast and two Kh-31 missiles launched from the Black Sea, according to the Air Force.

In Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed in the village of Katerynivka. One person was killed, and another one suffered injuries in the town of Novohrodivka, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin.

Four people were injured in the city of Myrnohrad, while three wounded people were confirmed in the settlements of Toretsk, Romanivka, and Novoekonomichne.

In Kharkiv Oblast's Kupiansk district, Russian forces hit a yard of a five-story residential building in the city of Kupiansk, killing a 55-year-old woman and injuring a 66-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Seven more people were injured in the Derhachiv community as a tractor caught fire and a bus was damaged, according to Syniehubov. He didn't clarify what caused the fire and the injuries.

In Kherson Oblast, the Russian army targeted 15 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. One person was killed, and two others suffered injuries.

Russian troops fired 460 times at Zaporizhzhia Oblast over the past day, targeting 11 settlements and injuring a 59-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman, the local military administration reported.

In Sumy Oblast, the Russian military attacked the Nova Sloboda community with drones, injuring two people, according to the local military administration.

Read also: With Ukrainian infantry facing Russians near Toretsk

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian troops attacked the villages of Bilozerka and Antonivka in Kherson Oblast with drones on Aug. 3, injuring four people, including a child, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

A Russian drone dropped a munition on a 12-year-old boy in Bilozerka. He suffered leg and abdominal injuries, as well as concussion, and was hospitalized, the governor said.

In Antonivka, a Russian drone attack injured three men, aged 28, 39 and 41, according to Prokudin.

When medics arrived at the scene, Russia launched a "double-tap" attack, damaging a car. No casualties were reported, the governor said.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Antonivka and Bilozerka and other Kherson Oblast settlements on the west bank of the Dnipro River in the fall 2022 counteroffensive.

Russian troops were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths, as well as large-scale destruction of houses and infrastructure.

Read also: Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 5, injure 11 over past day

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Drones attacked an oil depot in the Gubkin district of Russias Belgorod Oblast on the night of 2-3 August.

Source: Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod Oblast, on Telegram

Details: An explosion occurred at the oil depot and one of the tanks caught fire. Firefighters, as local authorities reported, supposedly quickly extinguished the fire. No one was injured.

Background: On the night of 2-3 August, residents of Russias Rostov and Oryol oblasts reported the sounds of drones and explosions. Russian air defence was actively working over the regions.

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Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Human Rights Commissioner, has urgently appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, as well as Ukrainian law enforcement, in light of photographs circulating online that appear to show a Ukrainian prisoner who has been tortured and killed by Russian occupiers.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets on Telegram

Quote from Lubinets: "A photo has been posted online that appears to show the body of a Ukrainian prisoner whose head and limbs have been cut off by the Russians.

This isnt just a violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War  its an absolutely monstrous act. I would like to note that international humanitarian law stipulates that prisoners of war may not be tortured, abused, or killed."

Details: Lubinets has urgently appealed to the ICRC and the UN, asking them to document this violation of human rights by Russia. He has also asked Ukrainian law enforcement to confirm the man's identity and the fact of the crime committed against him.

Lubinets stressed that as long as prisoners of war are held by an enemy state, it is that state that is responsible for their treatment. Therefore, responsibility for the torture and murder must be borne by the Russian Federation, not just the Russian soldiers who committed it.

Lubinets also said that by circulating photos and videos like this on social media and committing such acts of torture, Russia wants to intimidate people in Ukraine, both civilians and those fighting in its armed forces.

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Russian forces attacked a suburb of Kharkiv on the morning of Saturday, 3 August.

Source: Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, on Telegram

Details: An air-raid warning was not issued in Kharkiv Oblast at the time.

After the information about the explosion, Terekhov urged residents to be careful and go to shelters.

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The average daily losses of the Russians killed and wounded have decreased over the past two months from the highest level in the entire period of the full-scale invasion, from more than 1,262 people per day in May to 1,140 people in July 2024.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 3 August, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Despite this decrease, the last three months have resulted in the highest casualties for Russian troops since February 2022, as per reports from the Ukrainian General Staff.

The decrease in the daily average likely indicates that Russian forces are consolidating their positions on the Kharkiv front. While this new approach has increased pressure on the line of contact, effective Ukrainian defences and a lack of Russian training reduce Russia's ability to exploit tactical successes to gain broader operational advantages.

Russian troop casualties are likely to continue to average over 1,000 per day through August 2024 as Russia continues its offensive on a broad front from Kharkiv in the north to Robotyne in the south of Ukraine.

Background:

At the end of July, UK intelligence predicted that Russia would continue its tactical advance in the coming weeks despite limited overall operational capability.

The UK Ministry of Defence also noted that Russia's average daily losses in killed and wounded in May and June 2024 had risen to the highest level in the entire period of its war of aggression against Ukraine.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Salem man was arrested and accused of shooting his partner multiple times Friday morning, authorities said.

George Brown Jr. was taken into custody and faces attempted murder and other charges after a 30-year-old woman was shot multiple times early Friday morning, Salem police said.

Blazers look to extend lease in Portland

Callers reported a woman with a gunshot wound as outside yelling for help, a Salem Police Department press release said. Officers responded to the calls at 2:15 a.m. near the 800 block of 25th Street Southeast. When they arrived, they found a woman who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and a man, later identified as Brown Jr..

Brown Jr. surrendered to officers without incident. The woman was reported by police to be in stable condition after being rushed to a local hospital.

How long will Hawthorne Bridge be shut down?

Investigators determined that Brown Jr. and the victim, who are in a domestic relationship, were in a physical altercation that escalated when the shooting occurred, police said.

A small-caliber handgun was seized during the arrest.

Brown Jr. was lodged at the Marion County Jail and faces charges that include second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted rape, second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, coercion and menacing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A song that proclaimed "Jehovah is your name" repeatedly was played at the start of the memorial service for Sam Sharpe Jr. on Saturday.

The man who became known to many as Jehovah or Jah  due in part to his devout faith and a tattoo of the name across his chest  would play the song in the streets of Milwaukee, family said at the service. Sharpe's conviction in his faith was so strong that he decided to leave home and live among the unhoused population in Milwaukee to spread his faith.

"We know how strong Sam's faith was and we have no doubt about where Sam is," said Angelique Sharpe, who spoke during a memorial service at the Leon Williamson Funeral Home.

Sharpe died on July 16, when the Republican National Convention was occurring in Milwaukee and thousands of out-of-state police were in the city to help with security. Columbus, Ohio, officers shot and killed the 43-year-old man as he wielded two knives and moved towards another man.

The shooting caused controversy for its involvement of out-of-town police and the family and activists have described it as unjustified. Angelique previously told the Journal Sentinel her brother had multiple sclerosis, a degenerative muscle disease that impacted his mobility. She said he was stumbling, not lunging at the other man.

Across two services held Saturday, about 185 people attended in total to remember Sharpe. Across both, family and friends spoke of his commitment to faith and their experiences with Sharpe, who was born on March 8, 1981, throughout his life.

To honor his decision to live among the unsheltered communities in Milwaukee, the family held the second service at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and a meal was offered.

His sisters and other family members recalled him as a brother who had a penchant for debating them but loved them dearly. Cousins shared stories about his knack for charming girls when they were young, teaching a 2-year-old cousin how to ride bike and staying up late watching movies repeatedly together.

Angelique Sharpe recalled how he would quiz her on the Bible at times and gave her it 10 months ago, before he left home to spread his faith on the streets of Milwaukee's unhoused communities.

"He went out to the streets to minister, because he said Jehovah wanted him to let people know that the promises in the Bible extend to them ... they were not outcasts and that's what he did," Angelique said.

Family, community calls for action following Sharpe's death

At the second service, held at the King center, attendees spoke of the need to follow the ceremony with action for the unhoused communities in Milwaukee and in holding officials accountable.

Some pushed for accountability toward police, others advocated for community support and some urged people to vote.

Alan Chavoya of the of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression makes remarks during the balloon release at a celebration of life for Sam Sharpe Jr. on Saturday August 3, 2024 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Milwaukee, Wis.

Alan Chavoya with the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, delivered one of the opening speeches of the second service. He opened with a familiar call-and-response of "say his name" and "who do we love?" as "Samuel Sharpe" was answered back repeatedly.

Chavoya said his activist group was dedicated to holding Columbus and Milwaukee officials accountable. He said his group opposed the presence of out-of-state police since it was announced.

"The thing that has stuck with me so much is the love for Sam and how absurd it is that Milwaukee is trying to limit who Sam was to footage we saw," Chavoya said. "We're here knowing more of who he is."

Those without permanent housing who knew Sharpe spoke and described him fondly and Sharpe's love for his 3-year-old dog Ices was a common theme through both ceremonies.

Steven Hammel said it was common to see him pick up food for his dog wherever he went, saying "he always looked out for that dog."

David Porter, an unhoused man who knew Sharpe, was critical of his death at the hands of Columbus officers. He asserted that Milwaukee police would've been able to recognize the situation and end it.

He called for more resources to be given to the Milwaukee's homeless communities.

"That man didn't deserve to die," Porter said. "Nobody does, but that man most of all."

'His life will not be in vain,' sister says

The Columbus police shooting of Sharpe unfolded rapidly on July 16. It was depicted in body camera footage released the same day and showed that 15 seconds passed from when officers first noticed he was armed to when they fired shots.

The shooting caused outrage by many, as Milwaukee authorities were clear that out-of-town police would be accompanied by a local officer in public-facing policing situations. The shooting led police to clarify that policy, saying that the Columbus police were not considered to be in a public-facing role at the time, and then later changed it to have local police accompanying at all times that week.

An image of Sam Sharpe Jr. is seen tied with a balloon during the celebration of life on Saturday August 3, 2024 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Milwaukee, Wis.

Milwaukee's top public officials have largely defended the actions of police, with Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who said he expected a "thorough" investigation, and Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman saying they acted to save a man's life.

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team, led by the Greenfield Police Department, is investigating the fatal shooting.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin said in a July 18 press release they had filed an open records request into the shooting and activists in the community have been critical of what they describe as a lack of de-escalation attempted by the officers.

Six Milwaukee Common Council alderpersons are seeking further information on the shooting as well. A communication file, which would require the police to answer questions at a council committee meeting, was filed July 30, but has not been heard yet. The Common Council is on break in August.

In an interview after the services Angelique, Sharpe's sister, was critical of out-of-town police officers being in an unfamiliar vulnerable community in Milwaukee. She said her brother was defending himself and that he had a right to do so.

She said the argument that police were saving someone's life was hollow to her, as police did not know what happened before.

"They shot him down with zero context," she said. "How does the presence of a weapon automatically equate to execution?"

Sharpe said she wants justice for her brother.

"My brother, his life will not be in vain," she said during the first memorial. "We're going to stand behind him 10 toes down."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sam Sharpe Jr.'s faith shined at memorial service
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The San Angelo Police Department is investigating a death that occurred the morning of Aug. 3 at Rosas Cafe & Tortilla Factory, located at 4235 Sherwood Way.

According to an SAPD officer, At approximately 8:34 a.m. on Aug. 3, the San Angelo Police Department and San Angelo Fire Department responded to a medical call at the restaurant. Despite their efforts to administer life-saving measures, they were unable to save the male patient.

Authorities are looking into the possibility that the death resulted from natural causes. The SAPD has stated that further details will be released as the investigation progresses.

This is a developing story. Stick with Concho Valley Homepage for updates as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  They are an interesting animal. Platypuses have a paddle-shaped tail, a wide bill and webbed feet, they lay eggs, but are also venomous, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is the only zoo outside of Australia that you can find the unique animal.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has announced a partnership with the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, which operates Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo and Taronga Zoo Sydney, and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), for a Platypus Research Program.

Panda Ridge at the San Diego Zoo will open soon: tips to plan your visit

Four new platypuses have joined the first-of-its-kind research program at Platypus Rescue HQ at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, which will allow the zoos to study the breeding behavior and biology of platypuses where environmental parameters can be monitored and controlled.

Platypus Rescue HQ, the worlds largest facility dedicated to platypus conservation, opened in February after funding from the NSW Government, philanthropic donors and WIRES, according to the Taronga Conservation Society Australia.

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The facility has stream systems, waterfalls and burrows, and can house up to 65 platypuses in case of extreme weather events, and features areas for refuge, research and recovery.

Mackenzie the Platypus on exhibit at Platypus Rescue HQ (Photo: Rick Stevens / San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Mackenzie the Platypus at Platypus Rescue HQ (Photo: Rick Stevens / San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Mackenzie the Platypus on exhibit at Platypus Rescue HQ (Photo: Rick Stevens / San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Platypus Rescue HQ Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Photo: Rick Stevens / San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Platypus Rescue HQ Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Photo: Rick Stevens / San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Platypus Rescue HQ Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Photo: Rick Stevens / San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Taronga Wildlife Conservation Officer Dr Phoebe Meagher and Taronga Conservation Biologist Dr Tahneal Hawke in the field (Photo: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

We hope that the refuge area inside Platypus Rescue HQ never needs to be used, but with increasing impacts of climate change and extreme weather we now have the capacity to undertake emergency rescue interventions, said Taronga Cultural Programs Coordinator Kirsty Hargraves.

Since 1943, only 23 puggles have been produced in zoos, the Taronga Conservation Society Australia reports, and the research program aims to find out why.

Experience the San Diego Zoo after dark all summer long

In addition to wild population monitoring, scientists are working to develop a genome resource bank and genetics database to better understand and protect wild platypus populations.

The near-threatened animals are found in freshwater in Australia, in the deep, murky water. They face a number of environmental factors that are contributing to their decline like agriculture, forestry, urbanization, dams, irrigation projects, urban water projects, and weather events caused by a changing climate like drought, wildfires and soil erosion.

San Diego Zoo comes in 8th place in USA Todays Best Zoos in the U.S. contest

In 2019-2020, we saw just how vulnerable platypus are to prolonged drought, megafires and floods, which are only going to become more common as a result of a changing climate, said Taronga and UNSW research associate Dr Tahneal Hawke. This project will also monitor wild platypus populations over a range of environmental conditions, improving understanding of when interventions might be necessary and the species breeding requirements. This project is really exciting because now, in collaboration with our partners, we have a unique opportunity to work out what we can actually do about it, and how we can improve the future for Platypus.

The Taronga Conservation Society Australia says the species has seen a 21% overall decline in its geographic range, with an additional 40% decline anticipated over the next 50 years.

Watch: Baby dik-dik born at San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is the home to the only platypuses in a zoo outside of Australia.

Having platypuses at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park allows us to broaden the work of Australian zoos to raise awareness for the unique species they work so hard to protect. Caring for these two platypuses, and sharing them with our guests, is a great responsibilitya responsibility San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance takes on with every species we pledge to protect, says Paul Baribault, president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

You can find San Diegos two platypuses at Walkabout Australia at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and watch them live on the Platypus Cam.

The zoo notes they are most active at nighttime.

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As San Francisco cracks down on homeless encampments, a question rises: Where will people go?

Outreach workers, backed by law enforcement officers, have fanned out across San Francisco in recent days in targeted efforts to dismantle some of the city's most visible encampments. (David Paul Morris / Getty Images)

A week into what Mayor London Breed has called a very aggressive effort to clear homeless encampments across San Francisco, a key question looms: Where will the people living in those tents go?

Outreach workers, backed by law enforcement officers, have fanned out in recent days in targeted efforts to clear some of San Francisco's most visible encampments, confiscating personal belongings and telling the owners it's time to pack up and go.

They've cleared unsanctioned tent cities under freeways and a stretch of sidewalk in the drug-plagued Tenderloin with the aim of forcing people off the streets. On Monday, city workers visited a longtime encampment lining the sidewalks outside San Francisco's only DMV office that had been cleared more than a dozen times this year only to resurrect days later. By Monday night, the sidewalks were clean.

Breed's efforts are buoyed by a pivotal June 28 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that authorized local communities to more forcefully restrict homeless encampments on sidewalks and other public property.

In response, Breed said that San Francisco, a city that's become a favorite right-wing punching bag for its sprawling homelessness crisis, would launch a more determined initiative to clear encampments. The time had come, she said, to address "this issue differently than we have before.

Despite a years-long effort to move people into shelter or housing, street encampments remain a visible problem in San Francisco. (Tayfun Coskun / Getty Images)

An estimated 8,300 people are living homeless in San Francisco, about half of them sleeping in parks and on sidewalks in makeshift shelters. Despite a years-long effort to move people into temporary shelter or permanent housing, tent encampments remain a glaring problem, often accompanied by trash, theft and open drug use.

For years, Breed and other city officials said their hands were tied by decisions issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that deemed it cruel and unusual punishment to penalize someone for sleeping on the streets if no legal shelter was available. Now, bolstered by the Supreme Court ruling, city personnel can take a tougher stance if people refuse help.

But San Francisco, along with many other West Coast cities looking to crack down on encampments, still hasn't figured out where people are supposed to go once their tents are dismantled: The city's shelters  with roughly 3,600 beds  are at 94% of capacity, according to the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

"Unfortunately, San Francisco does not have enough shelter or housing for every person experiencing homelessness, but we do have some beds available each day to support the work of the outreach teams, and we continue to grow our system," Emily Cohen, the department's spokesperson, wrote in an email.

Jeff Cretan, the mayor's spokesperson, said the city doesn't necessarily expect a huge influx of new people in shelters. After years of attempts to move people inside, those still living on the streets tend to be the most resistant to accepting offers of shelter, often because they're struggling with mental illness and substance-use disorders.

In the first three days of this week's encampment sweeps, only about 10% of the people offered shelter have accepted it, Cretan said.

Read more: Taking cue from Supreme Court, Breed to launch aggressive homeless sweeps in San Francisco

Instead, Breed  in the thick of a difficult reelection bid  is turning to strategies other than more shelter beds. She said the city may issue criminal penalties for people who repeatedly refuse shelter. But the prospect of local jails processing hundreds more homeless people also raises capacity issues.

On Thursday, Breed put weight behind another approach. She issued an executive directive requiring outreach workers to offer homeless people who aren't from San Francisco free transportation out of town  to cities where they have family, friends or other connections. Cretan said the city would cover the cost of bus, plane or train fares.

The city has had a similar program in effect for years, but it lost traction during the pandemic. Under the new directive, workers are to press the relocation option before offering any other city services, including housing and shelter.

According to the city's 2024 annual point-in-time homeless survey, about 40% of people living on the streets said they were not from San Francisco.

"This directive will ensure that relocation services will be the first response to our homelessness and substance-use crises, allowing individuals the choice to reunite with support networks before accessing other city services or facing the consequences of refusing care," Breed wrote in the directive.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed faces a difficult reelection bid, with homeless numbers a burning issue. Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, right, is among her challengers. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

Breed's hard-line approach has drawn sharp criticism from homeless advocates, who argue that clearing tents does not address the poverty and addiction that cause homelessness  and who say her efforts are politically motivated.

Policies to address homelessness must be humane, lawful and effective  not implemented just because someone's job is on the line, said Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and one of Breed's mayoral challengers.

Peskin instead called for bolstering rent control and protections against eviction, and for the city to expand shelter and affordable housing options.

Since Breed took office, the city has increased shelter capacity from about 2,500 beds to nearly 4,000, the mayor's office said, and permanent supportive housing slots to about 14,000. Cohen, with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, cited those efforts as the reason the number of people living on city streets is at "the lowest level in at least 10 years."

Cretan said the relocation offers and threat of criminal penalties are just a starting point as the city figures out what strategies will work.

"The mayor really wants to make clear [that] you have to accept shelter. But, clearly, its not going to be everyone says yes," Cretan said. "Its not like you snap your fingers and everything changes overnight."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) put his support behind Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as Vice President Harriss potential running mate, saying he will be the one to speak up for the working class.

I had the opportunity to talk to your governor a few days ago and I am very impressed by him, Sanders said Saturday in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio. I think you have an excellent governor who understands the needs of working families.

So, I hope very much that the vice president elects a running mate who will speak up and take on powerful corporate interests, he continued. And I think Tim Walz is somebody who could do that.

Sanders is in Minnesota for voter turnout efforts supporting Rep. Ilhan Omar (D). He hosted a town hall in Mankato, Minn., focused on working-class voters.

The Vermont senator previously withheld his endorsement of Harris, arguing he wanted to see the vice president provide more specific commitment on issues important to the working class. Sanders, who ran against Harris and President Biden in 2020, said he wanted to help shape her campaign before offering his support.

In his interview Saturday, Sanders said he will do everything I can to help Harris beat former President Trump in November. That, he said, is also part of the reason he is visiting the North Star State.

I think she has a strong record to run on along with President Biden and I think and believe that she is going to be speaking out not only on issues of climate change, not only on issues of women having the right to control their own bodies, not only protecting our democracy, but the needs of working families, he said.

Walz is one of the shortlisted candidates to join Harris on the ballot this fall. First elected to Congress in 2006, Walz served in Congress for 12 years before heading back to Minnesota.

House Democrats, and progressives in particular, are pulling for their colleague because his Midwestern roots and military background complement Harris well.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) also signaled that Walz was an appealing choice because of his track record backing labor unions and working families. She said she wants someone who is prolabor because winning working-class votes is important.

Walz has been gaining national attention as Harriss rumored pick, especially since his blue-leaning state is a critical one that Democrats want to keep in the upcoming election.

The Minnesota Governor said it was an honor to be considered for the position. Harris has yet to make an announcement but revealed she would be hitting the campaign trail with her running mate next week.

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  Ohios tax-free holiday is here, and its a great time to get back-to-school shopping done.

This year, the tax holiday was extended to 10 days  up from just three days last year.

More items also qualify for the tax deduction now. Most items $500 or less wont be taxed.

Nancy Hudson was out shopping at the Southern Park Mall on Saturday taking advantage of the tax-free back-to-school shopping with her granddaughter.

Its been awesome. You can really save a lot of money by coming out and doing this, she said. Shes saving money  getting more for the money.

The Ohio sales tax holiday runs through Aug. 8.

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SC deputies called to storage unit for complaint of stench. They found decomposing cats

One person was arrested for animal cruelty after South Carolina deputies found decomposing cats in a storage unit, the Richland County Sheriffs Department announced Friday.

Deputies went to a storage facility at 811 Bookman Road in Columbia on July 28 around 8:30 p.m. after a person complained of a stench coming from a storage unit. Deputies couldnt contact the manager of the facility, so the Richland County Fire Department helped access the unit, the sheriffs department said.

Once inside, deputies found a large shopping bag with what they believed to be multiple deceased cats. But due to the level of decomposition, they couldnt tell how many cats were inside.

Richland County Animal Control took the remains to a veterinarian. An X-ray of the shopping bag determined the shopping bag contained the remains of two dead cats. The corpses were transported to another veterinarian for necropsies.

The renter of the storage unit was 33-year-old Chelsie Poplawski, who was last known to have entered the unit on April 6.

Deputies charged Poplawski Friday with two counts of cruel treatment leading to the death of an animal. She was booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The sheriffs department thanked the Humane Society of South Carolina, Richland County Animal Control, the Richland County Fire Department and the veterinarians who assisted in investigating the heinous crime.
Editors note: The videos above say the victim gave up her credit cards, but according to police, she actually gave up her debit cards.

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Police in Hendersonville are warning community members about a complex scam that resulted in a woman losing $1,600, as well as the suspected scammers coming to her home.

On Wednesday, July 31, Hendersonville Police Department (HPD) said it took a scam report, elements of which are unlike anything that even veteran officers have ever worked.

You dont want to be me. If you get a call and you dont feel its 100% legitimate, call your bank, the victim urged.

The victim spoke to News 2, but she expressed concern about possible reprisal because the scam artists know where she lives.

Man loses hundreds of dollars after rental scam in Spring Hill

The victim told News 2 it began with an authentic call from a spoofed number imitating her banks fraud department.

They were very smart. They knew exactly what they were doing. They were telling me all these charges taking place, she explained.

Instead of hanging up, the victim listened to the scammers lies about fraudulent use of her debit cards and allegations that the chips on her cards were compromised.

They wouldnt let me off the phone. They kept me on the phone the whole time, she recalled.

Every time she protested or expressed concerns, the victim said the suspects had an answer or a supposed supervisor to whom they could pass her on.

They had enough identifiable information on me to make me feel like that they really were legit, the woman said.

The alleged supervisor lied to the victim, telling her the fake bank investigators were reportedly tracking a suspect using her cards repeatedly in Iowa.

BBB warns of top technology scams targeting children

To combat the problem, the suspects insisted they needed to come to her house, pick up her debit cards, and test the chips. They urged her to place the debit cards in the mailbox at her home.

The woman felt uneasy about doing this, but she said the con artists were so convincing that she did it anyway. Then, she saw a late model, four-door, silver Prius with tinted windows and black rims arrive. A man wearing a mask reportedly got out of the back seat, opened her mailbox, and took the cards.

Still on the phone, the victim asked why the man was wearing a mask. The scammers allegedly told her it was because of a new strain of COVID-19.

When the victim said she was going to call her local bank, she said the fake supervisor questioned why, claiming the local bank would not be able to do anything about the investigation they were supposedly tracking in Iowa.

According to authorities, in three hours, the womans cards were used multiple times to the tune of $1,600. At the urging of her bank, she filed a police report.

Why did you stay on the line with them all this time even though you had some weird feelings? News 2s Andy Cordan asked the victim over the phone.

Because they kept telling me they were stopping all these things as I was talking to them and I needed to stay on the line. I dont know, she replied.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

HPD Lt. Jimmy Garrett has worked countless scams. He told News 2 many elements of this crime are complex and rarely seen.

Theyre doing their research. Theyre going to know information about you. They know that people are going to ask questions. Theyre good at what they do, Garrett explained. I mean, they know, Hey, alright shes questioning me, so Im going to pass her off to my manager. And theyre able to spoof the phone numbers. I mean, thats how she legitimately thought that it was her bank. So, anyones going to think, it shows up on caller ID as your bank, youre going, Okay, this is legit.'

If you get a call and youre even remotely unsure of the legitimacy of the it, Garrett encourages you to hang up. Then, call your bank, call the 1-800 number on the back of your card, and call your local law enforcement agency.

According to Garrett, no institution will ever ask you to put your credit or debit cards in a mailbox or make your private financial info public.

Garrett said HPD plans to pull video and info from license plate recognition cameras around the time of the crime in an effort to locate the suspects who were driving the vehicle that stopped by the victims house.

Meanwhile, the victim told News 2 the bank plans to cover the fraudulent use on her cards.

If you have any information about this case, you are asked to call the Hendersonville Police Department at 615-822-1111 or the Hendersonville Crime Stoppers at 615-594-4113.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Schools want parents to make sure children are up to date on vaccines

Schools want parents to make sure children are up to date on vaccines

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  In Arkansas, children who attend both public and private schools are mandated to receive routine vaccinations.

With only two weeks before most schools begin, local schools are urging parents to make sure their children are up to date.

Melissa Alderson, Director of Health Services at Fayetteville Public Schools says after a long summer break, students head back to school, and then sickness starts to spread.

When students come back together or theyre excited to spend time together, and we see an increase in stomach viruses. We see an increase in strep throat, said Alderson.

Alderson says this is exactly why Arkansas requires children attending school to get their shots.

Its very important that parents get out and vaccinate their students. And the science continues to show the importance and the efficacy of these vaccines. And so, the state has mandated these vaccines, said Alderson.

Arkansas Tax-Free Weekend set for Aug. 3-4

The Arkansas Department of Health requires students in K-12 to receive immunizations for illnesses like measles, tetanus, hepatitis A and B and chickenpox.

Blake Hansen is a family physician and owner of Simplified Health in Rogers. He says sickness can spread quickly without the protection offered by vaccines.

It wouldnt take much time at all. If you have one sick person among 1,000 people, there would be pretty significant domino. You could see a good portion of the school looking ill within two weeks, said Hansen.

One illness Hansen says he wouldnt be surprised to see a spike in is COVID-19.

In recent years past, weve seen some COVID illnesses kind of spike around the return to school. Certainly, thats always at play, said Hansen.

Alderson says the Fayetteville School District has no plans to implement any COVID-19 mandates, but that keeping up with your vaccines is important during this time.

We have guidelines, and we will continue to educate on those guidelines when asked. We do see cases of COVID, its not going away, just like we still see cases of flu and other and other diseases and illnesses, said Alderson.

The state of Arkansas does allow a 30-day grace period for vaccines after the school start date.

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Schumer predicts Democrats will keep control of the Senate now that Harris is atop the party ticket

FILE - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 23, 2024. Schumer is predicting that Democrats will keep control of the Senate. He said in an interview with AP he felt "exhilarated and gratified" by the surge of enthusiasm with Vice President Kamala Harris atop the party ticket. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is predicting that Democrats will keep control of the Senate in the November election and he feels exhilarated and gratified by the surge of enthusiasm with Vice President Kamala Harris atop the party's ticket.

Schumer, who played a pivotal role in talking privately with President Joe Biden before the incumbent's decision to end his reelection bid, appears more optimistic than Democrats have been in confronting a tough Senate map this election defending seats in states where Republican nominee Donald Trump is popular.

We are so enthusiastic about the prospects of winning the presidency, keeping the Senate and winning the House, Schumer, D-N.Y., said in an interview with The Associated Press.

He said the contrast with Republicans, especially in the aftermath of Trump questioning Harris' racial identity and his running mate JD Vance criticizing women without children, has been glaring.

The best thing Donald Trump did since he won the nomination was pick Vance  for Democrats, Schumer said of the Ohio senator.

What had been a dismal outlook for Senate Democrats has shifted dramatically in the short time since Harris took hold of the party, sending a surge of enthusiasm, donors and volunteers to the Senate races.

Republicans believe the Harris honeymoon will soon end, bringing down the Democrats chances to hold the Senate with it. Republicans are working to portray the likely presidential nominee as a California liberal out of touch with voters.

If you like San Francisco politics, youre going to love Kamala Harris, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told the AP. Harris was San Francisco's district attorney and California's attorney general before serving in the Senate.

What has been clear in the nearly two weeks since Bidens exit shook up the presidential ticket is that the down-ballot races are recalibrating, adjusting to the new political reality barely three months before the election that will determine control of the presidency and Congress.

The Senate map had favored Republicans this election cycle. Democrats, with a one-seat majority, have more seats to defend, particularly in Montana, Ohio and other parts of the country where Trump is popular.

Democrats are almost certain to lose the West Virginia seat held by retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, who bowed out rather than face the popular Republican Jim Justice.

Republicans would need to pick up just one more Democratic-held seat to regain control, presuming they can retain seats where GOP incumbents are favored  in Texas, where Sen. Ted Cruz faces Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, and in Florida where Sen. Rick Scott faces Democratic Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former congresswoman.

Daines sees ample chances for Republicans to make gains in as many as 10 states where seats are held by Democrats and races are expected to be tight, particularly in Montana and Ohio, where Sens. Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown, respectively, are the most endangered Democrats. In Maryland, Republicans recruited former Gov. Larry Hogan for an open seat and he is facing Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, who is vying to become one of the few Black women to serve in the Senate.

The Democrats have to pitch a perfect game. We have to win one of them, Daines said. I like our odds.

Schumer believes Senate Democrats are holding their own as they run on the policies and legislation that Biden has pushed, including investments in infrastructure and manufacturing centers, and as they face Republican challengers tied to Trump and Vance.

With Harris heading the ticket, Schumer sees the chance for Democrats to capitalize on the energy and enthusiasm as people are knocking down the doors to volunteer for Senate campaigns.

Schumer said he was not necessarily surprised by the energy surrounding Harris' ascent, but acknowledged the turn of events happened so quickly.

Schumer had visited Biden privately at the president's beach home on a Saturday in mid-July after Democratic senators raised concerns in their own private meeting with the president's team following his debate performance against Trump.

Schumer said he felt obligated to talk with Biden directly and recounted that the two had a very good meeting and hugged at the end. He praised the work they had done together with Biden in the White House. A week later, on the following Sunday, Biden had exited the race.
Gamma Quadrant

The gamma ray burst nicknamed the BOAT, or brightest of all time, was so powerful  and the data it yielded so overwhelming  that it still has scientists' heads spinning in its afterglow nearly two years later.

And now, in a study published in the journal Science, a team of researchers say they've found something in the explosion that we've never seen before, which could help explain why the gamma ray burst appeared to be so powerful.

"A few minutes after the BOAT erupted, Fermi's Gamma-ray Burst Monitor recorded an unusual energy peak that caught our attention," said study lead author Maria Edvige Ravasio at Radboud University in the Netherlands, in a NASA release. "When I first saw that signal, it gave me goosebumps. Our analysis since then shows it to be the first high-confidence emission line ever seen in 50 years of studying GRBs."

Jet Set

The BOAT was detected in October of 2022, the apparent result of a massive star going supernova and collapsing into a black hole. At the time, this released so much energy that it practically blinded NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.

But now, the researchers say they've found a hidden peak of energy in the GRB's initial burst. It appeared about five minutes in, lasted around 40 seconds, and in that short period reached an astonishing energy peak of around 12 million electron volts. Visible light, for reference, only ranges between two to three electron volts.

What helped power this emission is just as incredible. According to the researcher's findings, it's overwhelmingly likely that it was produced by the annihilation of matter and antimatter.

As the star's core collapsed into a black hole, its outer material was blown out into space, along with powerful jets, or particle streams, that shot in opposite directions.

Inside one of these jets, they believe, an electron and an antimatter electron, or positron, collided, releasing enormous amounts of energy  around half a million electron volts, explained study coauthor Gor Oganesyan at Gran Sasso Science Institute in Italy.

Blinding Lights

That raw power was amplified even further because the jet was traveling straight at us, which increased the frequency of the gamma rays.

"Because we're looking into the jet, where matter is moving at near light speed, this emission becomes greatly blueshifted and pushed toward much higher energies," explained Oganeysan.

In other words, the BOAT wasn't quite as powerful as it appeared. Don't let that underwhelm you, though, because the gamma ray burst is still absolutely spectacular. And because we got such a good view of it, it'll continue to yield plenty more insights in the future.

"After decades of studying these incredible cosmic explosions, we still don't understand the details of how these jets work," Elizabeth Hays, Fermi project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said in the release. "Finding clues like this remarkable emission line will help scientists investigate this extreme environment more deeply."

More on space: Scientists Analyzing Deep Space "Forest" to Map Dark Matter
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  The back-to-school countdown is on. Its now less than a month until students in the Electric City head back into the classroom.

This year the Scranton School District has much to celebrate with the recent news of increased state funding coming their way.

Scranton Superintendent Dr. Erin Keating and business manager Pat Laffey are both excited for the new school year as news of a historic increase in state funding sinks in.

To have more money to work with is always better than trying to come up with a way to work with less money so it was a wonderful thing, said Dr. Keating.

Were optimistic that the commitment to the fair funding and public education will continue in future budgets but were excited with the funding thats coming this year for us, says Laffey.

Getting a sneak peek at 19th Annual Scranton Jazz Festival

28/22 News spoke with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro last month after he signed the 2024-2025 Pennsylvania State Budget.

Were increasing the Scranton School District budget by $16 million, stated Gov. Shapiro.

Thats a whopping 17.6% increase for the Scranton School District.

Now Scranton school officials will be looking at how to spend the additional state funds.

Approximately $9.2 million of it is going to run through the ready-to-learn block grant which does have some specific allowable uses, added Laffey.

Laffey says the school district has received those funds in the past and are confident they will be able to allocate the funds appropriately.

And free up some general fund dollars to do some different initiatives that Dr. Keating and the school board may want to explore, continued Laffey.

Dr. Keating says the increase is part of a fair-funding initiative directing more state money to lower-wealth districts across the state.

Zipcode should never determine youre educational offerings and this is a huge first step in getting that to happen so I am very very thankful, mentioned Dr. Keating.

However, as a historical deficit remains Scrantons fair funding committee still has work ahead of them.

Their work now, as that committee is to keep advocating to make sure that this funding stream continues so that years where that funding didnt exist are made up, explained Dr. Keating.

Now to their advantage, the Scranton School District has a calendar year budget so they will adopt a new budget reflecting this increase come December keeping in mind that there is the possibility that this is a one-time deal

The first day of school for the Scranton School District is August 29.

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Seal them up the best you can: Shore Acres residents prepare for rising waters

Seal them up the best you can: Shore Acres residents prepare for rising waters

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  It doesnt take long for the streets of Shore Acres to go from completely dry to flooded with several inches of water.

Arturo Davila remembers an unusual December rain event that left his garage with several inches of water.

About four inches, he said. We were one inch from it getting into the house.

It seemed like a lagoon, he continued. It looked like a lagoon with houses in the middle basically.

News Channel 8 asked if Davila was doing anything to his house with a possible storm on the way.

No, not right now, Davila responded. Really theres not much you can do.

You can put sandbags, but the water is just going to go, he continued.

Residents like Davila say theyve been through this before and theyre just hoping for the best.

Shawn Ninehouser on the other hand, just moved to Shore Acres, so hes doing everything he can to protect his new home.

If this isnt sealed and caulked properly, it can still make its way through the outlet and the box, Ninehouser said pointing to one of his exterior outlets.

Being new to the neighborhood, Ninehouser said his neighbors have been instrumental in making sure he stays ready.

Looking at neighbors, listening to them what theyve done in the past, he said. Sandbags, cover the front here on Shore Acres Blvd.

A lot of people try to come through, and they still push waves up on your house so get some boards up there, so plastic sheeting, some sandbags, he continued.

Ninehouser said, there are so many basic steps he never would have thought of.

The dryer vents, something you wouldnt think of either, if youre not covering your exterior dryer vent, water is going to go right through there, fill your dryer, come in through the garage as well or wherever it is kept so those low lying areas you wouldnt even think of, you have to seal them up the best you can, he said.

Pinellas County is offering two sandbag locations.

The first is at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex located at 2855 109th Ave N., St. Petersburg.

This location will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. while supplies last.

There is a limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle.

The second location is at John Chesnut Sr. Park, located at 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor.

This location will run at the same hours with the same limit of sandbags.

These sandbags are only for residents who live in unincorporated parts of Pinellas County.

If you live in any of the following cities, you need to check with your local municipality to see where your designated sandbag location is.

Dunedin

Gulfport

Largo

St. Petersburg

St. Pete Beach

Clearwater

Clearwater Beach

Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Shores

Madeira Beach

Pinellas Park

Redington Beach

Redington Shores

Safety Harbor

Tarpon Springs

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Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe pledged to right the agency and regain trust after the assassination attempt against former President Trump but acknowledged there would be significant difficulties in streamlining communication with the local law enforcement officers who help at events.

Rowe fielded questions from reporters Friday about numerous planning missteps that allowed a shooter to fire a series of bullets that pierced Trumps ear, wounded two others and killed one attendee during a rally last month in Butler, Pa.

While shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was flagged as suspicious by local law enforcement working the event, Rowe reiterated that those warnings never reached Secret Service countersnipers or Trumps personal detail.

It was so apparent to me that in this incident, in the final 30 seconds which has been the focus of what happened before the assailant opened fire, there was clearly radio transmissions that may have happened on that local radio net that we did not have, Rowe said.

The interoperability challenge, its not an easy fix. Its not as simple as just trying to figure out the local frequency of the agency youre working with, and then typing that into your radio network. It requires a substantial technical fix.

Rowe made the remarks in his first press conference since stepping into the lead role at the agency. He also made a Monday appearance before Congress in which Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) chastised the agency for failing to regularly update the public.

Rowe on Friday again offered a more candid assessment of the agencys failures than his predecessor, Kimberly Cheatle, who resigned last week after a disastrous tight-lipped appearance before the House.

He lamented that the agency failed to have personnel on the roof of the building from which Crooks fired and pledged to use drones at future events.

This was a Secret Service failure. That roof line should have been covered. We should have had better eyes on that, he said, noting that a failure to accept an offer from a local agency to fly a drone over the site is also being investigated.

We are now going to leverage the use of unmanned aerial systems at sites now. So we are putting those assets out and, you know, we should have had better line of sight on some of those high ground concerns. We thought we might have had it covered with the human eye, but clearly we are going to change our approach now and we are going to leverage technology and put those unmanned aerial systems up.

Rowe also said the Secret Service would now have countersnipers at every event rather than just relying on local law enforcement snipers.

The Trump campaign has said it wants to continue with outdoor rallies, a setup that comes with additional complications for the Secret Service.

Its a campaign season, right? Candidates want to be out there.  Whether its an indoor site or an outdoor site, its on the Secret Service to make sure that we create a secure environment. And listen, we identify challenges, we identify concerns and then its on us to figure out what we need to do to mitigate that. So if there are going to be future campaign rallies outside it  its going to be on us to make sure that we are providing all the assets and resources to make sure that those sites are indeed secure, he said.

Rowe also sought to shift away any blame placed on local law enforcement personnel, who appeared to be aware of Crooks and working to relay that message to the Secret Service.

I also want to reiterate this was a Secret Service failure, and so they should not be blamed. Were not trying to shift blame to anybody. And thats the important takeaway that we need our state local partners out there doing this with us every day, he said.

Rowe said Crooks was able to fire three shots initially, with Trumps personal detail jumping to cover him within three seconds. The next fourth through eighth shots were fired over the next few moments, with the director adding that a Secret Service countersniper killed Crooks within 15 seconds of his opening fire.

Its difficult for them. They feel like they let their colleagues down, Rowe said of the Pittsburgh field office of the agency. They feel like they let the country down. And they are wearing this, and its open. You can see it. Its an open wound that they are carrying.

I want to make sure that they are uplifted so they can focus on carrying out the mission. They are worthy of trusting confidence, and they deserve your support, he said of the broader Secret Service.

Rowe on Friday also resisted making any promises to firing agents involved in the planning or response, a position that irked many senators earlier in the week.

I am committed to pursuing accountability for the Secret Services failure. Let me be clear  Those individuals will be held accountable, and they will be held accountable to our fair and thorough disciplinary process, he said.

The facts will drive the outcomes of those investigations and I promised accountability, and I will not rush to judgment or ignore due process. Every single person within the Secret Service feels the weight of what happened.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Khaled Meshaal, left, the man tipped to be Hamas's next leader, with Ismail Haniyeh, the group's chief who was killed on Wednesday - Ahmed Jadallah/REUTERS

In the aftermath of the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamass political leader, all eyes are on Khaled Meshaal, who rose from the dead after an assassination attempt that made him a hero among Hamas supporters.

A senior intelligence chief who was part of the team behind the operation in Jordans capital, Amman, in 1997, said: Meshaal became a self-made prophet. He thought in his Islamic ideology that he was immortal, and it was from there he rose quickly to power.

Following a deadly suicide bombing in Jerusalem that claimed 16 lives and injured 169 more, in broad daylight, a team of Mossad agents, acting on orders from Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, launched a brazen assassination attempt against Meshaal.

With a quick spray of deadly poison, the agents expected Meshaal to succumb within hours. But as his bodyguards swiftly recognised the attack, a heart-pounding chase ensued through the citys crowded streets.

The audacious operation, meant to be swift and secretive, spiraled into chaos as the agents desperately tried to escape. The streets of Amman became a maze of pursuit, with the fate of the assassins and Meshaal hanging in the balance.

Hussein bin Talal, king of Jordan from 1953 to 1999, was furious at the brazen act on his soil and threatened to execute the captured Israeli agents and dissolve the peace agreement with Israel, escalating the stakes even further.

Israel, facing immense pressure, was forced to hand over the antidote, bringing Meshaal back from the brink of death. This miraculous recovery not only saved his life but also catapulted him into a new sphere of influence.

The former agent said: Israels desperate act to save him turned Meshaal into a symbol of resilience and resistance, elevating his status to unprecedented levels.

The man who ordered his killing was the man to save his life.

In a speech in Gaza in 2012, Meshaal called the incident his second birth.

David Barnea, the director of Mossad, the national intelligence agency of the State of Israel which attempted to kill Khaled Meshaal - GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP

In return, the incident led to Israel releasing Sheikh Yassin, a former Hamas leader, who just seven years later, after his assassination by an Israeli helicopter gunship, would be replaced by Meshaal.

He ran Hamas in exile in Damascus in 2004 until January 2012 when he left the Syrian capital because of Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syrias, fierce crackdown on Sunnis involved in an uprising against him, a move that would see him deemed an enemy of Iran and its major proxy, Hezbollah.

He has not lived in the Palestinian Territories since the age of 11, when he resided in the West Bank, his family fleeing to Kuwait during the 1967 war.

An Israeli intelligence source specialised in Hamas told The Telegraph: He will at least be a temporary replacement if not long term. Hes powerful in the group of those outside Gaza.

Iran and Hezbollah dont like him because during the civil war in Syria he took the side of the rebels and the Iranians almost killed him for that so unlike Haniyeh, hes not on good terms with Iran and definitely not with Hezbollah who would have preferred Saleh Arouri [who was recently assassinated in Beirut].

A protester holds a poster of Khaled Meshaal during a protest to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners outside the United Nations offices in Sanaa, Yemen - Khaled Abdullah/REUTERS

Yahya Sinwar, Hamass leader in the Gaza strip and the orchestrator of the October 7 massacre, who is believed to be on the run in the 500km of tunnels under Gaza, also despises Meshaal, his biggest rival. Right now, Sinwar isnt in a position to be someone who dictates anything, the intelligence source explained. Hes in a very bad situation on the run and cannot dictate like he could after Oct 7.

In 2022, under Yair Lapid, a former Israeli prime minister, Israel attacked Islamic Jihad in Gaza, but Hamas did not join the conflict. It proved to be an opportunity for Meshaal.

It came to the point that Meshaal was challenging his leadership, the source said. Meshaal issued a cartoon of Sinwar and Abu Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank] as accomplices of Israel so it was the worst insult Sinwar could have been given.

While Meshaal has earned the wrath of Iran and Hezbollah, a relationship which Haniyeh had personally repaired since 2017 as Hamass political leader, he is closely entwined in the top levels of gas-rich Qatars ruling elite which has long hosted the terror group.

Another senior intelligence source told The Telegraph: Meshaal is a Qatari agent paid a huge amount of money from Qatar to fulfil their agenda, an asset of the Qatari people.

Egypt, another key player in the hostage negotiations, also does not trust him. Staunchly opposed to the Muslim Brotherhood, Meshaal joined the group from the age of 15. This is the ideology that both Hamas and Qatar stand for, an ideology which Egypt despises, said the intelligence official, who spent years managing counter-Hamas operations.

They added: While committed to Hamass ideological goals, Meshaals firm adherence to Hamass ideological principles is his main weakness, particularly when it limits his ability to make concessions in peace negotiations. His uncompromising stance has often led to stalled talks and continued conflict.

His leadership has made him a polarising figure. While he is admired by supporters, he is equally reviled by opponents, which complicates his ability to gain broader international acceptance. The constant threat to his life and the need for stringent security measures can hinder his ability to operate freely and engage directly with broader audiences and stakeholders.

The high likelihood of his assassination could also be the one reason he declines to take the baton from Haniyeh in spite of his hunger for power.

Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, one of the hostage negotiators, also a former intelligence chief, said more than the change in leadership, the assassination could make for interesting developments.

Khaled Meshaa, left, next to Ziad al-Nakhalah, the Islamic Jihad chief - Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/REUTERS

Meshaal is a hardliner, much more than Haniyeh was, but, on the other hand, hes eating from the hand of the Qataris so the Qataris have a lot of potential influence, he said. Meshaal has always rejected any kind of permanent peace with Israel.

He added: But in the end, the person who has the final word is Sinwar. The leadership outside Gaza doesnt have much influence because Sinwar has all the cards in his hands, the hostages, so he determines whats going to happen. These guys outside are more mediators to go between Sinwar and the negotiators. Meshaal, like Haniyeh, will be limited in his capabilities.

However, the assassination has sent a powerful message to Hamas. The source said: Its more likely after the assassination, another week or two once things have settled, that the assassination will enhance the possibility of a deal because Sinwar and the Gaza leadership realises time isnt on their side like they anticipated before.

They anticipated a rift between the US and Israelis and the Americans will push for a ceasefire and compliance with Hamass demands because of the elections. It didnt happen, not in the sense Hamas had expected.

While he admits Hamas succeeded in bringing the Palestinian issue to the world stage, with the developing crisis with Iran and Hezbollah on Israels northern border, the attention is once again shifting away from Gaza, he said.

Im really afraid

For the families of the hostages, it is a tense time. Shay Dickman, a cousin of Carmel Gat, 40, told The Telegraph: For the last 300 days its been a mixture of the feeling of fear and hope. It changes with the chances for a deal every time.

Just last week there was news that we are on the verge of having a deal and the hopes were so up that I was feeling she was right next to us. Now, Im more afraid. I know that what happened [the assassination] will affect things, but I dont know in which direction. Im really afraid.

As of Friday, Mr Netanyahus office said they were still waiting for a response from Hamas after this weeks Rome talks.

Jonathan Dekel-Chens son Sagui, 35, is being held in Gaza. What comes next after the assassination remains uncertain for all those waiting for loved ones. I hope the whole process will not collapse, whoever committed it, he told The Telegraph.

Whoever committed this assassination, the timing seems to put the lives of the hostages in grave danger and makes the negotiations feel even more distant than they were before.

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Sen. Mark Kelly's political rise was years in the making. Here's what to know

If Sen. Mark Kelly is named to the Democrats presidential ticket, it will complete what looks like a rapid rise through the political stratosphere: four years in the Senate and into the race for the White House.

But that overlooks the years that Kelly, D-Ariz., spent building a national profile parallel to politics and public policy.

Kellys name was loudly kicked around to replace his wife, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., after she left Congress in 2012 because of her gunshot injuries the year before. He rejected the idea, saying Giffords recovery required his attention.

Kelly is believed to be among the finalists for Vice President Kamala Harris running mate, along with others, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Researchers scrutinizing his life and career will discover Kelly's background in politics goes back further than his four years in the Senate.

Some Democrats hoped he would challenge Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in 2016, though Kelly ruled it out and publicly stated his admiration for a fellow Navy combat pilot.

Kelly was a national figure on gun-control issues. And he faced reporters nationally for his involvement in four space shuttle missions over a 10-year span beginning in 2001.

US Democratic Senator from Arizona and former NASA astronaut, Mark Kelly (L), with his wife former US Representative from Arizona Gabby Giffords, is sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence (R) during a ceremonial event at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on December 2, 2020.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginias Center for Politics, said Kelly offers a lot as a senator from a swing state, and Kellys earlier life experience could help him with voters.

He was an astronaut, Sabato said. Hes a familiar figure to the tens of millions who pay attention to space travel.

As for experience, Kellys four years in politics takes it off the table, Sabato said.

We live in a different era. First, Harris has plenty of experience, he said. Second, Donald Trump started with zero experience, started with no public service. So how are they going to take after (Kelly) on that? And JD Vance has been in the Senate for 18 months. Kelly has had two elections  in Arizona. Thats not an easy state for a Democrat to win.

Kelly spent about a decade in the Navy and was a combat pilot in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

He drew momentary interest in 1996 when he and his identical twin brother, Scott, were both selected for NASAs space shuttle program. They would both later be part of a study of the effects of space on humans.

He appeared in NASA news conferences still available on C-SPANs archives dating to 2006.

During his NASA career, he was part of a trade mission to China involving young leaders for the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Thats where he met Giffords, who was then a member of the Arizona Legislature.

In 2006, Giffords won her seat in Congress. Kelly joined her on the campaign trail.

He was involved. They talked a lot then, and they still do, about her political life, said former U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz. Barber was a Giffords staffer who was wounded alongside her in the 2011 mass shooting near Tucson. He eventually won the House seat that she vacated after the shooting.

He was a great sounding board for her, Barber said. She told me she could count on him to give her straight answers, and he did.

Their 2007 wedding was a story in the New York Times. Among the attendees was Robert Reich, the Labor secretary under President Bill Clinton.

According to the Times account, Giffords had been in Iraq only days before the wedding and their honeymoon would be delayed because Kelly was in training for a shuttle flight only months away.

The 2011 shooting in Tucson effectively ended Giffords career in elected office, but it also thrust Kelly more forthrightly into the public spotlight.

In January 2012, just over a year after the shooting, Kelly and Giffords attended President Barack Obamas State of the Union speech. She was about to resign from Congress; Kelly sat between first lady Michelle Obama and second lady Jill Biden.

President Barack Obama (left) hugs NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), as he arrives to attend the event "Together We Thrive: Tucson and America" at McKale Memorial Center on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona, in January, 2011.

He and Giffords were at the State of the Union the next year as well, as guests of McCain and and Barber.

At one point, Obama looked to the couple and said, Gabby Giffords deserves a vote. It was a comment that happened as gun-control legislation was pending in Congress, but also was interpreted by some as an invitation for Kelly to take her place in politics.

Jeff Rogers, a family friend and former chair of the Pima County Democrats, told ABC News at the time that Kelly would be an ideal candidate to take on John McCains position in 2016.

Kelly demurred on politics at the time, as he had for years. Months after the shooting, he memorably said, Shes the politician in the family, Im the space guy.

But he was getting involved in public policy.

After the December 2012 massacre at an elementary school in Sandy Hook, Conn., Giffords and Kelly joined the effort to reform gun laws in America. They created Americans for Responsible Solutions, which is now known simply as Giffords.

I dont think there were any political considerations about it at all, Barber said of the organizations founding. The country needed to be awakened to the dangers of gun violence.

A month after the Sandy Hook slayings, Kelly testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing that also featured the CEO of the National Rifle Association.

We arent here as victims. We speak to you today as Americans, Kelly said. After 20 kids and six of their teachers were gunned down in their classrooms at Sandy Hook Elementary, we said this time must be different. Something needs to be done. We are simply two reasonable Americans who have said, Enough.

In 2014, Kelly and Giffords penned a book by that title  Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence.

He took his message on curbing gun violence around the country, testifying in states such as Colorado and Oregon. In 2015, he and Giffords delivered the commencement address at her alma mater, Cornell University, in Ithaca, N.Y.

Before running for the Senate, he was a highly sought and well-paid public speaker across America and even gave some speeches abroad.

Barber said Kelly changed his mind on politics in that period.

I think in large part he was motivated to do that because he really felt that there needed to be some people in the Senate who stood up for the right things, he said. He felt he needed to step up.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mark Kelly's political career: What you need to know about his rise
A supporter of the Lebanese Islamic group and the Islamist Hamas movement holds a mock rocket as he attends with other supporters a protest to condemn the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon,. Haniyeh was killed in an airstrike in the Iranian capital early Wednesday. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari) | Mohammed Zaatari

As tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, 48 Republican senators, including Utah Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney, called on the Biden administration to lift its partial arms embargo against Israel, saying the administrations actions are threatening the security of Israelis and American military members.

In the letter sent Friday to President Joe Biden, the senators say Iran is responsible along with Hezbollah for the rocket attack on Northern Israel that killed 12 Druze children on July 27.

However, while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it, your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened, the senators say to Biden.

The senators say the administrations actions are endangering our greatest ally in the Middle East and jeopardizing the lives of our American servicemembers stationed in the region.

In the week following the Northern Israel attack, Israel killed Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander also wanted by the U.S. for a 1983 attack on U.S. Marines, in a targeted strike on an apartment building in Beirut, Lebanon. A day later, Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas political leader, was assassinated while in Tehran, Iran. Israel is believed to be behind the killing of Haniyeh.

As Israel waits to see if Iran will retaliate, a Pentagon spokesperson said Friday the U.S. would make adjustments to U.S. military posture in the Middle East to increase support for the defense of Israel and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies. The adjustments include maintaining a carrier in the region, while adding additional cruisers and destroyers, as well as an additional fighter squadron.

Senators detail what military equipment Biden is withholding from Israel

In their letter, the senators include a list of military equipment they say Biden is withholding from Israel.

When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation, the letter says, going on to list letters from several senators they say Biden ignored on the issue.

All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air to air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems, it continues.

Republicans and others have accused the Biden administration of being too friendly to Iran, particularly over the administrations decision to relax sanctions and unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian oil revenue.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in July that Iran only needs one to two weeks to produce enough weapons grade material for a nuclear bomb.

Iran, because the nuclear agreement was thrown out, instead of being at least a year away from having the breakout capacity of producing fissile material for a nuclear weapon, is now probably one or two weeks away from doing that, he said at the Aspen Security Forum, according to CNN.

They havent produced a weapon itself, but thats something of course that we track very, very carefully, Blinken said.
Terry Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, speaks outside Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, shortly after plea deals were announced for three men charged in the Sept. 11 attacks. (AP Photo/Lawrence Neumeister)

The head of a group of family members of victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks said Saturday that shes hearing nearly unanimous praise of the U.S. defense secretarys nullification of plea deals for the accused 9/11 mastermind and two others that would have removed the death penalty as a possibility.

The American Civil Liberties Union, meanwhile, said it plans to challenge the reversal in court, citing it in a statement Saturday as a rash act that violates the law.

Terry Strada, national chair of the group 9/11 Families United, said she was shocked by the announcement late Friday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was rejecting a plea deal reached just days ago and was restoring the death penalty as an option in the cases.

He wrote that authority in the matter ultimately rested with him.

Nobody saw this coming, Strada said.

But she quickly added that it was the right thing to do.

These men deserve no mercy," Strada said. "They certainly didnt show any mercy to my husband or the other 2,976 who died in the attacks.

She said dozens of individuals from her group who she has communicated with since Friday night have been unanimous.

Everybody Ive talked to wants them put to death because thats the punishment that fits the crime and the message the United States needs to send to terrorists around the world: We will hold you accountable and exercise the death penalty, Strada said.

And she said a large international prisoner swap that occurred Thursday was a reminder of the need to ensure that nobody behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that turned hijacked planes into missiles that tore through 110-story twin World Trade Center towers and smashed into the Pentagon are ever set free.

Strada has said as recently as several days ago that some of the 10,000 family members of those killed in the attacks are divided over whether the death penalty is appropriate.

Austin's action came two days after the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, announced that the official appointed to oversee the war court had approved plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.

In a release Saturday, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said the civil rights group plans to sue to win a reversal of Austin's move.

Its stunning that Secretary Austin betrayed 9/11 family members seeking judicial finality while recklessly setting aside the judgment of his own prosecutors and the Convening Authority, who are actually steeped in the 9/11 case. Politics and command influence should play no role in this legal proceeding," Romero said.

He said any death penalty finding would not be upheld on appeal because of torture experienced by those who were captured after the 9/11 attacks and because military commissions are inherently unjust.

After over 20 years, its time for our government to accept the defendants guilty pleas as the best solution in a terrible circumstance. The 9/11 families and the American people deserve closure and adherence to due process principles that are the bedrock of our democracy, Romero said.

Families of those killed in the al-Qaida attacks were told in letters that the plea agreement stipulated that the men would serve up to life sentences but would not face death.

Strada said family members feared that if they were placed in U.S. prisons, any future administration could commute their sentence or use them in a possible prison swap.

Im not a ghoul that I want them put to death, Strada added. I want them put them to death because I dont want them to have a voice, ever.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Researchers have strong evidence that one deadly and dangerous drug is behind severe birth defects. The use of this drug during pregnancy is so alarming, that theres a new term for it: fetal fentanyl syndrome.

Data shows at least 30 babies have been diagnosed with it nationwide.

Publix announces recall of additional 7M deli meat products amid deadly Listeria contamination

Researchers said these are the birth defects when a pregnant woman abuses fentanyl during pregnancy: a cleft palate, unusually small heads, drooping eyelids, and webbed toes and joints that werent fully developed.





We keep the room dark we keep them consoled, and when they wake up, we give them a special milk, which is easy on their gut, said Kiran Dwarakanath, Medical Director of the Level 3 NICU. We give them enough medication, so they can eat sleep and can be consoled.



Dr. Dwarakanath is with HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. He said if opioids are in the moms system, a newborn will immediately go through withdrawal.



We have seen a lot of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which the fentanyl syndrome is a part of, said Dr. Dwarakanath. Unfortunately, its on the rise.



Dr. Dwarakanath said research shows fentanyl affects cholesterol metabolism in a fetus, which can lead to all of these issues.



We need to be careful about what we consume, he said. We are what we eat, but especially during pregnancy. We have two lives at stake  the mother herself and the baby.



Doctors and nurses said even if youre a pregnant woman using illegal drugs, they still want to see you, counsel you and help your baby. The sooner you seek help, the better the outcome for both mom and baby.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP)  Holder of one-fifth of the world's fresh water, the Amazon is beginning the dry season with many of its rivers already at critically low levels, prompting governments to anticipate contingency measures to address issues ranging from disrupted navigation to increasing forest fires.

The Amazon Basin is facing one of the most severe droughts in recent years in 2024, with significant impacts on several member countries, stated a technical note issued Wednesday by the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, which includes Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

In several rivers in the southwestern Amazon, water levels are the lowest on record for this time of year. Historically, the driest months are August and September, when fire and deforestation peak. So far, the most affected countries are Bolivia, Peru and Brazil, according to ACTO.

On Monday, Brazils federal water agency decreed a water shortage in two major basins, Madeira and Purus, which cover an area nearly the size of Mexico. The next day, Acre state declared an emergency amid an impending water shortage in its main city. In June, neighboring Amazonas state adopted the same measure in 20 of its 62 municipalities that are mostly only accessed by water or air, even in normal times.

These steps were taken more than two months earlier than in 2023, when most of the Amazon basin suffered its worst drought on record, killing dozens of river dolphins, choking cities with smoke for months and isolating thousands of people who depended on water transportation. The measures are used to increase monitoring, mobilize resources and personnel and request federal aid.

The depth of Madeira River, one of the largest Amazon tributaries and an important waterway for soybeans and fuel, went below 3 meters (10 feet) near Porto Velho on July 20. In 2023, that occurred on Aug. 15. Navigation has been limited during nighttime, and two of Brazil's largest hydroelectric plants may halt production, as happened last year.

In the Amazonas town of Envira, nearby rivers have become too shallow to navigate. Local officials have asked elders and pregnant women to move from riverine communities to the city center because otherwise medical help may not be able to reach them. Farmers who produce cassava flour cant get it to market. As a result, this Amazon food staple has more than doubled in price, according to the local administration.

Another concern is fire. There were around 25,000 fires from January until late July  the highest number for this period in almost two decades. In the Amazon, fires are mostly human-made and used to manage pastures and clear deforested areas.

In Acre, the drought has already caused water supply shortages in several areas of its capital, Rio Branco. These communities now depend on trucked-in water, a problem experienced the previous year. Between the two droughts, severe flooding hit 19 of the state's 22 municipalities.

It's been two years in a row of extreme events, Julie Messias, Acre's secretary of environment, told The Associated Press. The result is that we are facing a threat of food shortage. First the crops were flooded, and now the planting period is very dry.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Thunderstorms are expected to roll through Delaware late Saturday afternoon or early evening, with a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 9 p.m.

A heat advisory is also in effect until 8 p.m. and a flood watch is in effect until midnight.

The late-afternoon or early-evening storms come as the weather officials predicted heat index values up to 101 on Saturday. This week, Delaware and neighboring states have been in their fourth heat wave of the summer.

Severe thunderstorms could bring high winds

The severe thunderstorm watch includes many states along the East Coast, including Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and Washington, D.C.

National Weather Service officials say "scattered gusts" up to 70 mph are likely.

Frequent lightning and hail are also possible.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of CT, DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA until 9 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/Bm9h4QTTYF  NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) August 3, 2024

Flash flooding also possible

Saturday evening's thunderstorms are predicted to bring patches of heavy rain, which could lead to localized flash flooding.

The National Weather Service said some areas could get multiple rounds of storms, "increasing the potential for flash flooding, especially in urban areas and other areas with poor drainage."

Though the rain may linger past midnight, overnight storms "aren't expected to have as much potential for heavy rainfall," a weather alert said.

Will Delaware be affected by tropical storm?

It's unclear whether a tropical depression that's expected to strengthen into a tropical storm later on Saturday and likely hit Florida will affect Delaware.

The National Weather Service predicts some rain toward the middle and end of this week, though it's certainly not guaranteed.

The agency's Mount Holly, New Jersey, office said Saturday morning that it was keeping an eye on the storm.

"Local impacts may not begin to occur until late next week," a post on X said.

Atlantic storm tracker

Atlantic storm spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The National Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

Contributing: USA TODAY

Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Severe thunderstorms expected to roll into Delaware, region today
ATLANTIC CITY  A Sewell woman killed near the city's Boardwalk was trying to build a new life after years of hardship, according to an appeal seeking donations in her honor.

Carley Elbert, 32, was shot in the head early Thursday in the area of a jetty near Main Avenue, said the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

A Philadelphia man was charged with her murder and with the attempted murder of a 29-year-old Pleasantville woman who survived multiple gunshot wounds in the same incident, the prosecutor's office said.

Police found the shooting victims around 4:40 a.m.

Elbert, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was starting anew after fighting a years-long fight against a rare illness, mass cell disease, according to a Facebook page that tracked her medical journey.

In a video at her Facebook page, Elbert described herself as an actor, rapper and survivor of more than 200 near-death experiences.

"I try to keep things positive but I like to keep things real, too," she spoke in a slow monotone, wearing a grey hoodie, a mint-green headband and large amber sunglasses.

The video ended with a reference to an upcoming live performance on Sept. 14.

"I'll let you know the details when it gets closer," Elbert said.

A video at a Facebook page about her medical journey showed Elbert celebrating her triumph over a rare illness, mast cell disease.

"I'm a survivor," she said after crediting God for her recovery.

Victim tried to flee: Lindenwold man charged with Camden murder

"Patients with mast cell disease experience anaphylaxis, an acute, life-threatening systemic reaction," according to the website of the Allergy and Asthma Network.

Elbert "battled numerous hospitalizations & complicated procedures (for) years with barely any relief," says a GoFundMe appeal seeking to benefit the victim's mother.

Those hospitalizations frequently caused Elbert to be placed on a ventilator, said a post from the victim's mother.

"She was finally feeling healthy and strong enough to get out there and do things on her own for herself and her life was senselessly taken," notes the GoFundMe appeal.

The fundraiser, which also cited Elbert's "silly quirky sense of humor" and her devotion to family, had raised more than $9,500 by Sunday evening.

An investigation led police to Philadelphia where 34-year-old Gregg Page was arrested Friday.

Also charged were brothers Ryan Schenck, 30, and Ramir Schenck, 27, also of Philadelphia. They are accused of hindering apprehension.

Witnesses identified Page as the shooter, a probable cause statement says.

It also alleges he fled in a victim's car, then abandoned the vehicle and was picked up by the Schencks.

All three men were being held in Philadelphia, pending extradition to New Jersey.

The charges are only allegations. No one has been convicted in the case.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Carley Elbert was building a new life after long illness, appeal says
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros (D) position on the Israel-Hamas war is coming under particularly high levels of scrutiny amid the Democratic divide over the war as Vice President Harris considers adding him to her ticket.

Shapiro has emerged as the leading vice presidential contender given his executive experience in the critical swing state, which carries 19 electoral college votes. Additionally, Shapiros allies point to his record of appealing to voters outside of the Democratic fold.

However, some progressives say the governors response to pro-Palestinian protests over the war could end up alienating the left flank of the party despite Harriss recently successful effort to unify Democrats.

Meanwhile, allies and defenders of Shapiro note that the governors position on the war is similar to most other top choices under consideration, with the one quality that differentiates him from the rest of them being his observant Jewish identity.

We have a real opportunity to win the election and the idea that theyre now trying to divide us because Josh is the only Jewish person who could be the VP continues the unfortunate division that weve seen within the party since Oct. 7, said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who is also Jewish and not backing a specific vice president contender.

Shapiro had been seen as a rising star in the party for years, developing a reputation as a moderate with great appeal to swing voters while advocating key liberal priorities like protecting abortion rights and raising the minimum wage.

Strategists supportive of Shapiro said the governors widespread popularity, including an approval rating well above water, would be an asset to the ticket.

Harris is aware of the risk of looking too progressive as Republicans try to pin her as left of Biden, and Shapiros moderate reputation could help her compared to some other running mate choices.

While I think progressives are looking at Shapiro as too conservative, [Minnesota Gov. Tim] Walz might be a little too progressive for independents, said a former Senate adviser to Harris.

Meanwhile, former President Trump is jumping into the discourse, telling Fox News that if Harris picks Shapiro, shes going to lose the Palestinian vote.

But former Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair T.J. Rooney noted that some progressive pushback to Shapiros policies is not necessarily a bad thing for the vice presidential contender.

Sometimes the fights that people pick are fights theyre not going to win in the court of public opinion, Rooney said. As far as Joshs standing as a moderate, political person who can add value in places like southwestern Pennsylvania  being yelled at by people on the extreme left isnt going to hurt him. It almost strengthens his credibility in some important circles in the Democratic Party and beyond.

But progressive and pro-Palestinian segments of the party have come out in opposition to Shapiro being the running mate, citing a few issues, but mostly his stance on Israel.

Following the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent pro-Palestinian protests in the U.S., Shapiro became one of the most prominent political voices to speak out against the rise in antisemitism.

Shapiro weighed in following the December House hearing in which three university presidents, including one from the University of Pennsylvania, were questioned about campus antisemitism policies and what is considered harassment. He slammed the Penn presidents testimony, in which she did not say if calling for genocide against Jewish students violated university policy.

In April, he said antisemitism and vandalism have no place in Pennsylvania after a swastika was spray-painted on a synagogue.

His criticism of the Penn president raised pressure for her to resign following pro-Palestinian protests on campus. He also recently updated the code of conduct for state employees to not engage in scandalous behavior, which some interpreted as preventing them from participating in these kinds of protests, though a spokesperson for the governor said employees could still participate in First Amendment activities.

It seems like he went out of his way when you compare him to governors like [Illinois Gov. JB] Pritzker and Walz, who are in this conversation, said one progressive strategist, referring to Shapiros fellow vice presidential contenders, the former of whom is also Jewish.

It raises notice of people in the Palestine movement and progressives generally of why is this Democratic governor [joining] people like Elise Stefanik in criticizing the Penn president? Why is the Democratic governor repeating some lines that you really associate more with Republicans on this? the strategist added.

On Friday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that when he was a 20-year-old student at the University of Rochester, Shapiro wrote in an opinion piece for the school newspaper that he believed peace will never come to the Middle East. Shapiros spokesperson Manuel Bonder noted that the governors views on the issue have since evolved into the position he holds today.

But some have argued that Shapiros views and policies on the conflict are about the same as most of the other choices.

Shapiro has been sharply critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him one of the worst leaders of all time and an obstacle to a two-state solution. He told The Washington Post the country cant ignore the death and destruction in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Walz, whom some progressives have rallied around, has shown openness to the protesters message but went after instances that have made Jewish students on campus feel unsafe.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D), also under consideration, has generally expressed support for Israel but avoided weighing in on the conflict amid the veepstakes talk.

Another possible choice, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (D), attended and applauded during Netanyahus address to Congress late last month despite many Democrats skipping it in protest to his policies.

In a statement to The Hill, Bonder noted Shapiros close personal relationship with Muslim-American, Arab-American, Palestinian Christian, and Jewish community leaders.

Given the relatively minor differences in the vice presidential contenders positions, some have argued that Shapiros Jewish identity is the reason for the heat he has gotten.

Joshs position on Israel is almost identical to everybody else but he is being held to a different standard. So you have to ask yourself why? Moskowitz said. We just couldnt imagine other Democrats within the party questioning a VP pick just because they were Black, were gay, Latino. We couldnt imagine that.

Democratic strategist Jon Reinish said he believes the attention to the critiques of Shapiro are more widespread than the sentiment itself, noting that an online petition pushing against him only garnered 850 signatures so far, compared to the 3 million votes he won in 2022.

I think it shows you social media and the current environment in social media amplifies the fringe voices, but if you look at reality, its getting more attention than actual support, he said.

Reinish said mischaracterizations about Shapiros positions will continue if he is chosen, but that can be addressed with a direct conversation about their stance.

And some progressives say that when put up against Trump and his vice presidential pick Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), a Shapiro pick would likely not lead to progressives staying home.

Can I really credibly say its going to cost Harris the election or something? Honestly the answer is no, the progressive strategist said, noting the intense enthusiasm Harriss campaign has already garnered.

Sam Crystal, the chief of staff of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, said polls have shown most Americans are in line with Shapiros position, making it not as much a vulnerability as critics would portray.

Hes an incredible communicator and I think that when people sit down and really listen to where he stands on the issue and how he leads with moral clarity, theyre going to see why he would be the right choice if selected, Crystal said.

Shapiro was leaning into his Jewish identity as governor prior to the Oct. 7, with his first campaign ad during the 2022 cycle featuring Shabbat dinner with his family. But Shapiros allies stress that his appeal goes beyond his faith and ethnicity, pointing to his domestic record as governor.

And to voters, it will ultimately be Harriss stance on a variety of issues that will be the priority.

Its about what Kamala Harris thinks, not what Josh Shapiro thinks if hes chosen to be her running mate, Rooney said. On the scale of takebacks compared to JD Vance, it doesnt register.

Mychael Schnell and Alex Gangitano contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Shawnee County Parks and Recreation is wrapping up the summer by giving back.

Parks and Rec staff members spent today handing out water bottles and other fun items around the trails, parks, and aquatic centers as a way to thank the community for coming out and using their facilities.

Theres just so much to do outside, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Communications Supervisor Sean Zears said. And were just really proud to be able to give that the people of Shawnee County that opportunity.

Higher temperatures may lead to high energy bills in NE Kansas

Pool season is coming to an end for 2024 in Shawnee County. Shawnee County Parks & Rec. announced Monday most of its pools will close for the swimming season on August 5th.

Staff members will finish out their giving back day tour at Lake Shawnee on August 16th.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Shelby County Judge Bill Anderson says a lawsuit over a new state law that prevents judges from considering someones financial conditions when setting bail will cost Shelby County taxpayers.

Presiding Judge Anderson is among those being sued by the bail reform nonprofit Just City and the ACLU after the law sponsored by Shelby County Sen. Brent Taylor and Rep. John Gillispie went into effect in May.

Anderson said in 2021, the ACLU, Memphis attorneys, and others threatened to sue the county over its bail procedures. He said all the parties now being sued worked together for more than a year to reform the system and signed a standing bail order that specifically asked defendants about their financial status and how much they could pay for their bail.

Anderson said the changes to the bail system were working. He said those behind the new law had to know it would be challenged in court and cost the county a lot of money.

Every bit of this litigation thats going to happen, its going to affect every single taxpayer in Shelby County, Judge Anderson said. Make no mistake about it; the plaintiffs are coming at us with everything theyve got. I would suspect that they are going to Shelby County, Tennessee an example that they hope the rest of the country will follow with the ruling from the federal court.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, requests a federal judge rule the law unconstitutional. Just City said the law keeps some people in jail simply because they are poor.

In a statement, Rep. John Gillespie said:

Memphians are tired of career criminals exploiting the bail process to quickly return to our community and victimize others.

Judge Anderson said he had no choice but to enforce the new law. He said the lawsuit would take dollars away from Shelby Countys budget, which could be used to fight crime in Memphis.

We need to come up with programs that work, ways to get guns off the street, and a new jailall sorts of things that could help Shelby County and Memphis, said Judge Anderson. This litigation will do nothing but answer a question and cost a lot of money.

Rep. Gillespie said he would continue advocating for policies that strengthen public safety in Shelby County.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The city of Fresno in 2007 filed a lawsuit against several large oil and chemical companies alleging that their products were responsible for contaminating water wells with the toxic chemical TCP.

This week, the city announced that Shell USA, Dow Chemical and other companies have agreed to settle the lawsuit and collectively pay $230 million to Fresno, a payout that will be used to clean up or replace tainted water wells over the next 10 years.

The parties to the lawsuit signed off last October and November on the agreement, which was announced this week by City Attorney Andrew Janz. No explanation was provided on why the settlement was not announced by the city until Thursday.

The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco in March 2007, alleged that the companies knew that fumigant pesticides they marketed to agriculture contained TCP, or 1,2,3-trichloropropane, a chemical that even at extremely low concentrations  renders drinking water unfit for purveying to the public, poses significant threats to public health, and creates an excessive risk of cancer when humans are exposed.

The chemicals were used to combat nematodes, tiny worms in the soil that attack plant roots. The lawsuit alleged that the companies not only failed to warn users about the risks of the fumigants containing TCP, but also actively concealed the fact that their product(s) contained TCP.

A statement from the Fresno City Attorneys Office described the $230 million agreement as the largest known settlement of its kind in the country for this type of environmental claim. The settlement states that the city will drop its lawsuit over contamination in 36 wells across Fresno. The city, however, reserves the right to bring more legal action for additional wells that may fall out of compliance with contamination standards for TCP in the future.

This historic settlement now ensures the city will be able to return the contaminated wells back into service, Janz said in the statement.

Shell and Dow have denied responsibility for any TCP contamination alleged in the lawsuit. Under the terms of the settlement, the city and the companies agree that the $230 million payout is not an admission of liability or an admission that the allegations in the lawsuit are true.

The settlement also includes other defendants named in the 2007 lawsuit: Occidental Chemical Company, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Wilbur-Ellis Company, and Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc.

The agreement indicates that the money would be paid within 60 days after the city and the chemical companies signed off on the agreement, and no later than Jan. 20, 2024. City Manager Georgeanne White signed the settlement on Oct. 30. Shell USA and Nutrien Ag signed off on Nov. 2, while Wilbur Ellis signed on Nov. 6. Occidental VPs signed on Nov. 10 and Nov. 16, and Dow Chemical was the last to sign the agreement on Nov. 29.

The city reached a separate $2 million settlement in March 2022 with another defendant, FMC Corporation, Janz said.

What is TCP?

The California Water Boards describes TCP as a man-made chemical, typically found at industrial or hazardous waste sites (and) has been used as a solvent and as a cleaning and degreasing agent. The agency said the chemical can also result from the production of soil fumigants.

TCP can filter through the soil into the water table, slowly dissolving and being transported by groundwater where it becomes a persistent contaminant in groundwater, the agency added. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified TCP as a likely cancer-causing agent for humans.

Among TCPs health effects, according to the California Water Boards, are:

Irritation and burning of the skin and eyes through physical contact, and breathing TCP can irritate the nose, throat and lungs, cause headaches, and affect concentration, memory, and muscle coordination.

Animal studies indicated that long-term exposure to TCP may cause liver and kidney damage, reduced body weight and increased incidence of tumors in numerous organs.

TCP has been shown to cause cancer in animals and is recognized by the State of California as a human carcinogen. For purposes of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986  TCP was added to the list of carcinogens in 1992

How will the money be used?

The settlement indicates that the city will use the money to install filtration systems of granular activated carbon or other state-approved treatment on at least 23 of the 36 contaminated wells.

Additionally, the city agrees that if it develops a replacement well within 500 feet of a well that has been abandoned because of contamination, it will do its best to move treatment equipment from the old well to the new well if it is equipped for TCP treatment.

None of the affected wells specified in the settlement is being used to supply water for the city of Fresno; they are all out of service.

Fresnos Public Utilities Department reports that the city operates about 260 wells that draw water from underground. Fresno also receives surface water via canal from either Millerton Lake or Pine Flat Reservoir which is treated at three treatment plants designed to ensure the water meets drinking water standards.

Janz thanked the citys legal team headed by Mike Axline of the Sacramento law firm Miller Axline & Sawyer for his work on the case since the lawsuit was filed. He also recognized the citys Department of Public Utilities and its director Brock Buche, who were instrumental in getting this deal done.
An empty church as seen from the pulpit. (Photo via Getty Images)

Todays evangelical movement is a mess. Although they might disagree on much else, even most evangelicals can agree on that. The question is: Why?

Megan Basham, a writer for The Daily Wire, offers her answer in her new book Shepherds For Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded The Truth for a Leftist Agenda, the tone of which is summarized well right in the title.

Profiling evangelical leaders and institutions she claims have been co-opted or outright bought-off by funders and foundations on the left, Bashams book asserts that such evangelical elite have betrayed Christian positions on issues such as abortion, immigration, and sexuality in order to curry favor with a more mainstream cultural elite.

Basham is right that many shepherds are, in fact, for sale. But the unintended ironyand fundamental flawof her book is that the corrupting money is not on the evangelical left, as she claims, but on the populist right. The rise of such organizations as Turning Point USA (and its subsidiary Turning Point Faith), the Epoch Times, and The Daily Wire itselforganizations that combined bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenuebear witness to the financial benefits of pandering to populists. Turning Point USA, for example, now hosts pastors conferences that feature evangelical MAGA apologists like Eric Metaxas, Sean Feucht, and Rob McCoy. A recent event in San Diego attracted 1,200 pastors. Turning Point USAs annual revenue now tops $80 million.

If Basham is right that the evangelical movement is sick, she has misdiagnosed the true cause of the illness: departing from the Gospel to pursue ideology and political activism. The movement has moved well beyond the responsibilities of Christian citizenship in pursuit of realpolitik.

I will admit, my interest in Shepherds for Sale is both personal and professional. As an investigative journalist and the editor of MinistryWatch, I have plenty of my own beefs with Big Eva, as some call the Evangelical Industrial Complex. These concerns have been outlined in hundreds of articles and two books: Faith-Based Fraud and A Lovers Quarrel With The Evangelical Church (2009). I share many of the same concerns about the evangelical movement that Basham outlinesincluding a co-dependent relationship with the federal government by groups such as World Relief, a problem I wrote about for World magazine in 2009. I also share her concerns about climate change catastrophists, and have likewise written about that topic for The Stream and the Cornwall Institute, an organization Basham praises. And in the spirit of full disclosure, I know Megan Basham. I recommended her to World magazine, where she subsequently spent 10 years as a movie reviewer and culture editor.

But I also know most of the people she criticizes in this book. Ive talked to all but a few of them, and in a few casesFrancis Collins and Kristin Du Mez, in particularmy interviews could be fairly confrontational. But Bashams descriptions do not match the people I know.

In order to arrive as close to the truth as possible, one of an opinion journalists most basic duties is to understand and convey the perspectives of people with whom he or she disagrees. Basham fails to do this in her bookand that leads her to get a whole host of basic facts wrong. Its worth asking: If we cant trust her with the basic facts, why should we trust her with the interpretation of these facts?

None of the people I spoke with who were mentioned in the book (nearly a dozen for this article) had been contacted either by Basham or by fact checkers from HarperCollins or its imprint Broadside Books, the books publisher. Such fact checking is a common practice to avoid legal liability, but its particularly puzzling considering several of the people Basham criticizes have themselves published books with HarperCollins or its subsidiaries. I made multiple interview requests to both Basham and HarperCollins for this piece, but I received no response. Now, Basham and her publisher are discovering that the fact-checking work is being done for them online by Ben Marsh, Gavin Ortlund (who posted a video highlighting errors in a section devoted to him), Samuel James (in an excellent review), and others.

Below are a few more examples Ive found in my own reporting of Basham misleadingly shaping her reporting to support Shepherds for Sales true narrative: that Christians who dont support Donald Trump have lost their way.

Christianity Today and Russell Moore

The evangelical magazine Christianity Today (CT) and its editors are among the most central villains of Bashams narrative. People associated with CT are mentioned no fewer than 50 timesvirtually always in a negative light. Two examples are illustrative.

In October 2023, Basham did reporting for The Daily Wire that she highlighted again in Shepherds for Sale. From the book:

Five different editors at Christianity Today contributed to Democrats (and only Democrats) between 2015 and 2022, including news editor Daniel Silliman. He gave to five different pro-abortion candidates, among them, Elizabeth Warren, who is so committed to the cause of death that she has pushed to shut down all crisis pregnancy centers across the country.

This is a troubling accusation, and one that could lead readers to have understandable concerns about whether Christianity Today has a hidden bias. When Basham published her findings in The Daily Wire, I publicly commended her for uncovering the details.

CT President Tim Dalrympleone of the people singled out by Basham for donating to Democratic candidatesagreed with that assessment in an interview with me at the time. We should have a clause prohibiting political donations from our journalists, he said. We agree. Full stop. Christianity Today confirmed to me that it has since implemented policies to prohibit such contributions.

But when Basham published her findings about CT, I did a similar public records search and discovered that during that same period, Daily Wire employees made 46 political contributions, with 22 of those contributions going to Democrats. In fairness, most of these contributions were small, and most were made by staffers not on the editorial team. (That is also true of the Christianity Today employee contributions.) But according to the Society of Professional Journalists almost no political activity is OK.

This additional contextCTs commitment to change its policy and the data about Daily Wire staffers own contributionsis conspicuously absent from Shepherds for Sale, but not for a lack of awareness on Bashams part. How do I know? Because after I published this information at MinistryWatch, she blocked me on Twitter. Details that didnt fit her preconceived narrative about Christianity Today were intentionally omitted.

Nowhere was this more obvious than in her criticism of Russell Moore (now CTs editor-in-chief), whom she accused of being missing in action following the Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The obvious implication, in Bashams view, is that Moore had gone soft on the issue.

For weeks after the most important legal decision pro-life Christians would see in their lifetimes, he published no essays, recorded no episode for his podcast, posted nothing on social media, Basham writes.

Moore has been one of the nations most vigorous pro-life advocates for decades. During his tenure as president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), he led the Evangelicals For Life group. By the time of the Dobbs decision, he had become the director of the Public Theology Project at Christianity Today.

So why was he silent in those fateful weeks during the summer of 2022? Was he secretly disappointed by the courts decision? Downplaying his beliefs for his new audience? No, he was traveling in Europe and intentionally off the grid with his family, in part to unplug from American politics and social media. His first newsletter for CT upon returning addressed the Dobbs decision and what would come next for pro-lifers. He also addressed the life issue, affirming its centrality to a biblical worldview here and here.

The Trinity Forum

One anecdote early in the book involves the Trinity Forum, a sort of Christian think tank founded by theologian and writer Os Guinness and now led by Cherie Harder.

Basham describes the preparations for a 2008 debate Trinity Forum Europe wanted to host with atheist Christopher Hitchens, but according to Harder, her retelling is wrong in almost every particular. Basham writes that the Trinity Forum rejected a recommendation made by apologist Larry Tauntonwho has since become an avid supporter of Donald Trumpfor who should serve as an interlocutor for Hitchens, because Tauntons recommendation was too evangelicalwhich for the new Trinity meant unsophisticated.

Not so, says Harder. The organizations original choice, apologist John Lennox, was also a Trinity Forum Senior Fellowso there was no need to solicit Tauntons help in securing Lennox as a speaker. Did Basham reach out to Harder to double-check her reporting? Ive never met or talked with Megan Basham, Harder told me. She did not interview me or attempt to do so before writing about me and Trinity Forum.

But beyond basic factual problemswhich Basham uses to imply the Trinity Forum really wanted the praise of certain social elites instead of conducting a serious debate with HitchensShepherds for Sale suggests that under Harders leadership, the organization departed from the original vision of Os Guinness:

Since he stepped down [from The Trinity Forum], Guinness, for his part, has carved out a very different position from that of Trinity Forum. During a recent podcast interview, he said that Christians who buy the line, oft peddled by Christianity Today and current Trinity Forum fellows, that to be faithful believers means keeping their heads down as the early Christians did under Rome are dead wrong. The early church were faithful, yes, he said, but they were under an imperial dictatorship.  [We] are in a Republic, where every citizen is responsible for the health and vitality of the Republic. Guinness added that not to contend for Gods laws in the political sphere would be a failure of citizenship.

Heres the problem: In an interview for this review, Guinness told me the precise words Basham quoted from him are indeed accurate, but taken out of context; he was not referring to either Christianity Today or the Trinity Forum. Thats absolutely wrong, he told me. I was talking about evangelicals who were not voting. I was not talking about the Trinity Forum.

Marvin Olasky and World Magazine

Another recurring villain in Shepherds For Sale is Marvin Olasky, the former editor-in-chief of World magazine. At one point, Basham references a 2019 editorial meeting involving her former boss, whom she describes as someone who had always discussed abortion as our nations greatest moral evil. Hed always been clear that he felt it was among the most important factors (if not the most important) when weighing ones choice in political representatives.

Yet, there he was, in late 2019, telling his team of reporters that there might be more important ways for voters to promote pro-life policies than simply electing politicians who promised to restrict or end abortion. One might decide that the best way to vote for life would be to select a candidate whose official platform was pro-abortion but who supported subsidizing day care or paid family leave, making children more appealing. This was a man whod previously championed [Thomas] Sowell and advocated for personal responsibility and free markets. In more ways than one, I could not believe what I was hearing. Olasky finished this soliloquy with a little snicker about the lack of political sophistication in theologian R. C. Sprouls famous pronouncement that he would never vote for a candidate for any office, including dogcatcher, who is pro-abortion. Apparently, at some point after the election of Trump, Olasky had decided this sentiment was worthy of light mockery.

Ive known Olasky for 30 years andwhile a reporter for WorldI participated in at least 100 bi-weekly editorial calls and several leadership and editorial staff retreats. Bashams account immediately jumped out to me as grossly misrepresenting Olaskys position on the life issue, his approach to journalism, and his approach to editorial meetings, which, in addition to being off-the-record (a fact Basham ignored), he often viewed as teaching opportunities. Olasky would regularly articulate hypothetical or even contrary positions in these meetings, encouraging reporters to look at all sides of an issue while working on their stories.

Its worth noting that none of Olaskys words in this section are in quotation marks, meaning this story is, at best, a paraphrase from Bashams memory. If she had quoted what he actually said, in context, her argument would likely evaporate.

Unlike Basham and HarperCollins, I did reach out to Olasky and asked him if this account was accurate. He said:

For 40 years Ive been saying and writing that politics is important, but culture is more important. Ive never thought that simply electing politicians is enough. Compassionate pregnancy resource centers are important: my wife started one in 1984 and I chaired it for a while. Adoption is important. Showing ultrasound images is important. Megan is inaccurate if shes saying I wanted to turn away from a prolife position. Trying to think the best of her, maybe shes recalling a discussion of whether a Christian could ever vote for a Democrat. (One of our board members told me a Christian could never do that). If the discussion occurred at the editorial retreat, we were probably discussing our news coverage of the 2020 election, which meant taking seriously the views of evangelicals on both sides of the political divide.

Olasky added: I had (and have) great respect for R. C. Sproul and have no recollection of ever mocking him or having a little snicker at his expense.

Francis Collins and COVID-19

Former National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins isby my countmentioned in Shepherds for Sale more than any other person. One grievance in particular is both factually inaccurate andmore to the pointreveals the books true agenda.

Referring to a podcast in late 2020 hosted by theologian Ed Stetzer and featuring Collins, Basham writes about an effort the two were leading to engage evangelical churches in fighting COVID-19:

Stetzers efforts to help further the NIHs preferred coronavirus narratives went well beyond giving Collins a softball venue to rally pastors to his cause. He ended the podcast by announcing that the Billy Graham Center [which Stetzer led at the time] would be officially partnering with the Biden administration. Together, with the NIH and the CDC, it would launch a website, Coronavirus and the Church, to provide clergy with resources they should then convey to their congregations.

The insinuation is that Stetzer and Collins sold out to President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party. Indeed, many of her criticismsof Stetzer, Collins, and othersseem to have political gamesmanship at their core.

But in this case, too, the facts tell a different story. As Basham could have discovered with a simple Google search, the Coronavirus and the Church website launched in March 2020, while Trump was still president. The first of two podcasts Stetzer did with Collins also took place before Biden became president. This detailthat the website was actually a Trump administration initiativedid not fit the narrative Basham wanted to tell in her book, so it was simply omitted.

The Real Sins of These Shepherds

So why did Basham undertake this flawed effort to malign these particular Christians and portray them as villains?

Religion News Service wrote this about Moore when he resigned from the ERLC, and what is true for Moore is true for virtually all the villains in Shepherds for Sale:

Conservative, pro-life, anti-same-sex marriage, Moore was hardly a theological outlier among his fellow Southern Baptist leaders, yet his opposition to the candidacy of Donald Trump, whom Moore had once called an arrogant huckster, as well as his sympathy for immigrants and concern for the SBCs sexual abuse victims, put him out of step with the SBCs political culture.

Shepherds For Sale has many villains, but it has only one true hero: Donald J. Trump. He is mentioned more than 30 times in the book, all positively or defensively. Thanks to the single-issue voters who cast ballots for Donald Trump, tens of thousands of babies are alive today who otherwise would have been fed to the abortion machine, reads one explicit example. But, as I have written elsewhere, both funding for abortion and the number of abortions actually went up during Trumps presidency.* Overturning Roe was a significant achievement of the Trump administration, but in 2023, a year after the Dobbs decision, the number of abortions topped 1 millionthe most in a decade.

The real sin of those demonized by Basham is their public opposition to Trump. Her book purports to fight for the Gospel against heretics, but Basham is waging a proxy war, defending Trump against his evangelical critics, whom she labels the elite evangelical figures who had proudly worn the Never Trump moniker.

Basham is correct when she writes that journalism can be part of the solution to problems in the church and the culture generally. Courageous, fact-based journalism could move the needle on some of the vexing problems of our time, including immigration and climate change, two issues Basham tackles in Shepherds for Sale. She is also right that the large institutions of the Evangelical Industrial Complex do not have the ability or the willingness to police themselves. As I have written elsewhere, journalism can save the evangelical movement.

But Shepherds For Sale is not journalismit is propaganda. It is not part of the solution, but part of the problem.

Correction, August 3, 2024: The article has been corrected to remove a phrase that said Megan Bashams book ignores data on abortions that took place during the Trump administration. A paragraph in her book does address that issue.

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DICKENSON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL)  The Dickenson County Sheriffs Office confirmed an Abingdon man was killed after an overnight ATV accident.

The man has been identified as Kenny Eugene Collin Jr., 44, according to Dickenson County Sheriff Jeremy Fleming.

She is dangerous: Mother of missing Tennessee teen files order of protection against YouTuber

The accident happened near the 400 block of Nancy Hollow Road.

According to Sheriff Fleming, Collin was last seen on the ATV around 8 p.m. on Friday.

The sheriffs office was notified of the accident at 9:29 a.m. on Saturday, and Virginia State Police were also on the scene.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office on Saturday released more details about the deputies who were shot Friday night near Eustis.

The deputy who was shot and killed was identified as Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link, 28, who had been with the agency since he was part of the Explorer program.

Link graduated from Lake Minneola High School in 2015 and served in the Army Reserves. He was hired as a Polk County Sheriffs Office deputy in 2017, according to a Lake sheriff's news release.

Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link of Lake County

"In October 2019, Master Deputy Link joined our agency as a deputy sheriff, where he quickly became part of our family and faithfully served our citizens with courage and zeal," the release goes on to say. "Brad, as our Sheriffs Office family knew him, touched the lives of all who were blessed enough to work with him; his contributions and the impact of this loss will not soon be forgotten."

Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell of the Lake County Sheriff's Office

Two other deputies were shot and injured. One of them was identified as Master Deputy Sheriff Harold Howell, 41, who was shot in the arm.

According to the release, Howell and Link were shot when they entered a home in response to an apparent disturbance. As of Saturday afternoon, Howell was listed in stable condition and was awaiting surgery. "He was hired at the Sheriffs Office in 2005 and has served as a K9 deputy since 2011," the release says.

The second deputy who was shot and injured was identified as Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano, 28.

Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano from the Lake County Sheriff's Office

According to the release, Gargano was part of the rescue unit that stormed the residence in an effort to extract Link. Men inside the house opened fire, and Gargano was shot numerous times in the armpit and stomach areas.

The original story: Lake County Sheriff's deputy killed, two other deputies injured, in ambush near Eustis

"He underwent surgery overnight and was scheduled for a second surgery this afternoon," the release says. "His condition was last listed as critical."

At an early morning news conference Saturday, Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said the initial call concerned a disturbance at a residence in a rural area off County Road 439 north of State Road 44. People at that residence directed responding deputies to a nearby home. The deputies went to that home and were ambushed with "a hail of gunfire," the sheriff said.

Two men inside the home died and a third was injured, the sheriff said. Their names had not been released as of Saturday evening. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating, as is standard in these kinds of cases.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Florida deputies shot: Lake sheriff releases names, details
HANOVER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A shooting investigation is underway after an incident late Friday night.

According to a release made by the Hanover Township Police Department, units were dispatched to an address on South Street just before midnight for a reported gunshot victim.

After arriving on the scene, police say they were informed that the victim left in a vehicle.

Interstate 84 reopened after crash in Pike County

Officials noted that they searched the residence and the surrounding area, but the victim could not be located.

Authorities say they notified local and extended hospitals to be on alert for the victim.

Nanticoke City, Newport Twp., and Ashley Borough Police assisted on-scene.

Anyone with any information regarding this reported incident is asked to contact police at (570) 825-1254 or send Crimewatch App.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Singapore has executed a man for trafficking 36.93g of heroin, making it the city-states second hanging this year.

The 45-year-old man was sent to the gallows at the Changi prison after being found guilty of trafficking more than twice the 15g of pure heroin that merits the death penalty, the Central Narcotics Bureau said on Friday.

Under Singapores law, which dictates harsh punishments for drug trafficking, anyone convicted of trafficking more than 500g (17.6oz) of cannabis or 15g (0.5oz) of heroin will be executed.

The identity and details of the case were kept private by rights groups at the request of the mans family.

The man was convicted and subsequently sentenced to death in February 2019, AFP reported. His legal petitions for clemency were dismissed.

He was accorded full due process under the law, and was represented by legal counsel throughout the process, the narcotics bureau said.

In February, Singapore executed Bangladeshi national Ahmed Salim, making him the first person convicted of murder to be hanged since 2019.

Singapores authorities had put execution sentences on hold in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but resumed the hangings in 2022 despite calls to cease capital punishment for drug-related crimes.

In 2023, Singapore conducted its first execution of a woman in 19 years for trafficking nearly 31g of pure heroin.

Human rights groups, international activists and the UN have urged Singapore to halt executions for drug offenses and say there is increasing evidence it is ineffective as a deterrent.

Singapore authorities insist capital punishment is key to halting drug demand and supply. Capital punishment is used only for the most serious crimes in Singapore that cause grave harm to the victim, or to society, the Singapore Police Force previously said in a statement.

There are just over 50 people on death row with all but two convicted of drug offences, according to the Transformative Justice Collective, a Singapore-based NGO that campaigns against the death penalty.

Singapore has so far executed 18 convicts since 2022.

Singapore reversed the Covid-19 hiatus on executions, kicking its death row machinery into overdrive, Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, previously said.

The governments reinvigorated use of the death penalty merely highlighted its disregard for human rights protections and the inherent cruelty of capital punishment.
SLO was named a prohousing city  and now it has $750,000 to spend on affordable housing

The city of San Luis Obispo was awarded $750,000 from the California Department of Housing and Community Developments Prohousing Incentive Program to fund more affordable housing projects in the area.

According to a news release from the city, the Prohousing Incentive Program award will be used to boost funding for projects by non-profit and public entity housing developers like Transitions-Mental Health Association, Smartshare Housing, Peoples Self-Help Housing and the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo to build supportive housing or rental apartments for low and very low-income eligible households.

San Luis Obispo was named a prohousing city by the Department of Housing and Community Development Jan. 31 in recognition of its support for policies that try to make progress in improving affordability for its residents.

The city of SLO recognizes the need to improve housing opportunities across the housing continuum to meet the Major City Goal for Housing and Homelessness and advance sustainability, equity and economic resiliency for our community, San Luis Obispo Community Development Director Timmi Tway said in the release. The Prohousing Incentive Program award will help fund critically needed housing opportunities that help prevent homelessness and provide access to below market rate and supportive housing.

San Luis Obispos Regional Housing Needs Allocation calls for the construction of 3,354 new homes between 2020 and 2028.

A total of 50 California cities have met the states prohousing designation, according to the Department of Housing and Community Development.

San Luis Obispo was one of 19 California jurisdictions that received funding from a pool of more than $15 million as part of the second round of Prohousing Incentive Program funding Thursday.

It is so encouraging to me to see 50 communities have put in the work to earn the title of prohousing, and that many others are working to establish policies and practices that expedite the approval and creation of housing faster and at the adequate scale, Department of Housing and Community Development director Gustavo Velasquez said in the release. It will take the concerted effort of forward-thinking community leaders to address housing need at all incomes levels today and into the future.
LONG ISLAND CITY, Queens (PIX11)  The federal government held an outreach event for small business owners in Long Island City today at LaGuardia Community College.

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez held the event along with the U.S. Treasury Department.

More Local News

The bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 says most small businesses must report key information to the Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez who represents the 7th congressional district in Queens and Brooklyn said, Every business has to register with FinCEN and provide basic information. name address and ID so we have a database of every legitimate small business in this country.

The goal of the act is to prevent illicit financial activity.

FinCEN Deputy Director with the US Treasury Department Jimmy Kirby said, A lot of money laundering, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking//shell companies are a key part of trying to launder money so this statute works to peel away the anonymity that attaches to those types of corporate structures to aid law enforcement to know whose behind those entities.

Filings can be done online and are free.

The deadline to file for most companies is Jan 1.

Small businesses in NYC receive support from QVC, JPMorgan Chase, and others

Debbie-Ann Francis was there and said she is excited about her new journey as a small business owner. The Bronx piano teacher is planning to incorporate her piano lessons company, Sonata Studios, later this year.

Thats why she attended the information session. Being here at this event taught me how important it is to be informed. Not just how to do the marketing but how to do the right thing by the law.

Click here to find out if your business is subject to this filing requirement.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  Smith County firefighters are standing together to support a fellow firefighters family by hosting a softball event to raise money for medical expenses.

East Texas physician heading to Paris for Olympic marathon

If theres one thing Michael and Kayla McNabb have in common, its the love of they share for their 6-year-old daughter Paisley. After their little girl started having headaches, their world turned upside down. What seemed like a normal sickness turned into a parents greatest fear.

Photo courtesy of Smith County Professional Firefighters Association Local 5300.

One night we were up all night she was crying throwing up, said Paisleys father Michael McNabb. Pilocytic astrocytoma which is a low-grade glioma.

Now the Smith County Professional Firefighters Association Local 5300 are doing what they do best, showing up when needed for one of their own.

They talk about the brotherhood, and they are just its amazing how theyve supported us, said Kayla Mcnabb, Paisleys mother. Its overwhelming we cant express how thankful we are for this.

A fellow firefighter wanted to support the family during this difficult time. So he pitched the idea of a softball fundraiser to Troy Pritchard.

Recognizing we are a brotherhood, we are a family, he wanted to get out in front of this fast and help the family with whatever need we could, said Local 5300 representative Troy Pritchard. Rain or shine there aint going to be to much that keeps us out of here. Therell be food, venders, refreshments.

Marshall agencies team up to rescue kitten in storm drain

Seven different fire stations from around East Texas decided to join in and help on Aug. 24.

Dallas to Canton, south Van Zandt, Lindale, said Pritchard. We are very excited about all the participation that were getting.

For the McNabb family this lets them know they are not facing this alone, and that this brotherhood shows its support by locking arms together.

The fundraiser will be at Lindsey Park on Aug. 24, tickets are $5 at the door and raffle tickets and items are on the Smith County Professional Firefighter Association Facebook page.

For those unable to make it to the event you can donate by emailing 5300benefit@gmail.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Army veteran Dan Socha was recently named Cheboygan County's Hometown Hero for the month of August.

CHEBOYGAN  Army veteran Dan Socha was recently named Cheboygan County's Hometown Hero for the month of August.

Socha served in the army from 19661968 during the Vietnam War. He received three Purple Heart medals, among other awards and honors. After returning home from active duty, Socha served as a fireman with the Michigan Army National Guard for 10 years.

According to the Cheboygan County Veterans Subcommittee, Socha continued to serve his community as a firefighter with the Inverness Fire Department for 44 years, with 30 of those years as fire chief. He also worked for the Cheboygan County Road Commission for 27 years and as a founding member and command staff of the Cheboygan County Sheriffs Department Search and Rescue Team for 16 years.

He has received a Cheboygan County Sheriffs Department Life Saving Medal and a Meritorious Service Medal for his civic actions.

Socha currently serves on both the Cheboygan County Ambulance Board and the Cheboygan Airport Authority.

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The goal of the Hometown Hero program is to recognize veterans who have not only served their country, but have also given back to the community in which they live and have a positive impact.

Members of the community can nominate a veteran to receive the award by filling out a form. These forms need to contain the veteran's name, their branch of service, what years they served in the military and why the nominating person feels the veteran should be honored.

These forms can be picked up at the Cheboygan County Veterans Services Office in Room 122, on the lower level of the Cheboygan County Building. The form can also be found online.

Completed forms can be returned to the veterans office, or by mailing them to Hometown Heroes, Cheboygan County Veterans Service, 870 S. Main St., Room 122, Cheboygan, MI 49721.

 Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Socha named Hometown Hero for August
Local issues

What we need to be talking about are high wind insurance, inflated car insurance, the welfare money stolen, no comprehensive health care and our crumbling infrastructure. These are state issues. How was the stimulus money spent? And why is our grocery tax so high?

Stupid?

Donald Trump calls Vice President Harris stupid. Shes been an attorney, prosecutor, elected attorney general of the state with the fourth largest economy in the world, U.S. Senator, and Vice President of the United States. If he thinks that makes her stupid, they should do college grades and compare. Oh, thats right. Trump didnt want his college records made public.

Project 2025

Project 2025 is Donald Trumps baby for the future, if he wins. Higher taxes on lower-income Americans, an increase student loan payments and major cuts to Medicaid, just to name a few. People voting for Trump should read Project 2025. Please dont think Project 2025 wont happen to you, just because you vote for him.

DEI VP

The Democrats have gone and done it again. First, they usurped all the truly democratic primary votes in their party because their choice was losing in the polls. Now, the back room boys have selected a deeply flawed VP candidate that none of the partys voters ever voted for, even when she ran for president. She does, of course meet the current DEI requirements. She will, however, be easily adaptable as a puppet for those that are working to destroy America as a sustainable country.

Free speech

I am all-in regarding artistic free speech. I was not offended by the opening ceremony. I wonder, though, if France will poke fun at the Muslim religion in the closing ceremony.

Unqualified?

A previous Sound Off stated J D Vance was unqualified to be be chosen as Donald Trumps running-mate. One of the reasons was the fact that he has only served two years as a senator. You may recall that we elected another person who only served two years as a senator, President Barack Obama. President Obamas previous experience was as a community organizer. Vance served our country in the Marines, started a very successful tech company then ran for the Senate and won.

A real threat

The insistence of President Biden and Vice President Harris for changing the Supreme Court to fit their ideology is proof that they are sore losers. The only reason they want to change the Court is to make sure it is more favorable to them and their ideology. This is the true threat to democracy.

About the border

While Vice President Harris is being accused of doing nothing on the border crisis, the real question is why the Republicans, under Donald Trumps orders, refused to pass the comprehensive bi-partisan bill that would have fixed many of the problems.

Curious statement

Donald Trump told voters that if they vote for him in November, they wont ever have to vote again. What does he mean?

Blame game

Now, after two weeks, the Secret Service is blaming local law enforcement for the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Thats perfect, given the fact it was their responsibility.

Not the most liberal

I wont say that Vice President Harris is not extremely liberal, but, those who say that she was the most liberal senator forget that Bernie Sanders has been in the Senate for decades.

Debate, please

I would love to see Vice President Harris have a debate with Donald Trump. She is an experienced criminal prosecutor and would humiliate him in two minutes. Alas, Trump is a coward and it will never happen.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Three South Carolina men have signed onto a nationwide lawsuit blaming dozens of companies for using carcinogens in firefighting products that sickened them.

Robert Denhardt Jr., of Myrtle Beach, Anthony McCullough of Andrews in Georgetown County and William Tucker of McColl in Marlboro County say their kidney and liver cancer diagnoses are linked to AFFF and PFAs found in turnout gear.

Theyre among more than 150 plaintiffs nationwide that are suing over similar claims. The 83-page lawsuit was filed Friday in Horry County Common Pleas Court and names 3M, DuPont, Honeywell and Tyco Fire Products and dozens of other companies as defendants.

Horry-County-lawsuitDownload

AFFF, known as aqueous film-forming foams, is a specialized substance used to extinguish petroleum-based fires that has been in use for decades.

AFFF and its components are associated with a wide variety of adverse health effects in

humans. Exposure  has been linked to serious medical conditions including, but not limited to, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, testicular tumors, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, bladder cancer, thyroid disease and infertility, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit claims inner layers of turnout gear used in duty was lined with PFAS, highly toxic and carcinogenic chemicals that bind to proteins in blood and accumulate over time, according to the lawsuit.

The companies are being sued on multiple grounds:

Negligence

Battery

Inadequate warning

Design defect

Two counts of strict liability

Fraudulent concealment

Breach of warranties

Wantonness

Fraudulent transfer against DuPont

Defendants were under a continuous duty to consumer, end users, and other persons

coming into contact with their products, including Plaintiffs, to accurately provide safety

information concerning its products, and the risk associated with the use of and exposure to AFFF or TOG (turnout gear), the lawsuit states. Instead, Defendants knowingly  concealed safety information concerning AFFF or TOG and the serious risks associated with the use of and exposure to.

There are currently 9,525 pending AFFF-related lawsuits, according to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict legislation.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Dakotans for Health Executive Director Rick Weiland said opponents to a ballot initiative to reinstate abortion rights in South Dakota are desperate. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Editors Note: This is the first in a series of conversations about voter-initiated efforts to restore abortion access across the country.

Unlike other abortion-rights initiatives across the country, major reproductive rights groups havent backed the effort to restore access in South Dakota.

But that hasnt stopped Dakotans for Health  a ballot question committee behind a measure that is set to appear on the November ballot  from galvanizing voters in the state, where abortion is banned unless the mothers life is at risk. South Dakota enacted a trigger law, first passed by lawmakers in 2005, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.

The ballot question asks voters to ban legislators from regulating abortion until the end of the first trimester, allow regulations during the second trimester in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman and let the state prohibit abortion in the third trimester unless the procedure is necessary to save the life or health of a pregnant patient.

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Despite the lack of support from major organizations, the group submitted more than 55,000 petition-signatures to election officials in May, South Dakota Searchlight reported. About 46,000 of those signatures were from registered voters, even though the group only needed roughly 35,000 valid signatures to make the ballot.

Anti-abortion groups have mobilized against the measure. Republican Rep. Jon Hansen introduced a bill this year allowing voters to withdraw their signatures from petitions. GOP Gov. Kristi Noem signed the measure into law in March, along with approving legislation that directed health officials to create a video explaining the states abortion ban.

Hansen is also co-chair of the Life Defense Fund, a group that Republican Secretary of State Monae Johnson called scammers and accused its members of impersonating her staff during calls that encouraged voters to remove their signatures from the petition, Searchlight reported. (Johnson asked the attorney general to investigate the calls, but he said no laws were broken and the anti-abortion group identified themselves as volunteers.)

With a few months left until Election Day, Dakotans for Health is focused on encouraging people to vote yes for Amendment G. Last month, it launched the Freedom Amendment Coalition led by former Democratic state lawmaker Nancy Turbak Berry. Republicans and doctors have announced their support to restore abortion access in South Dakota, too.

States Newsroom spoke to Dakotans for Health leader Rick Weiland, a Sioux Falls resident who unsuccessfully ran for Congress three times as a Democrat, about the grassroots campaign.

The following interview has been edited and condensed.

States Newsroom: The casual reader may be surprised to find out that you, a 65-year-old father of five, have spearheaded a campaign to restore abortion rights in South Dakota. So why did you decide to organize the ballot measure?

Rick Weiland: I have two daughters who are of child-bearing years. I have a granddaughter whos 11, and I think about the poor kid that was raped in Ohio and had to go to Indiana to get an abortion, and I have a zillion nieces. Abortion rights are human rights in so many ways. When you look at the fact that women had these rights for 50 years and, with the change in the makeup of the court, they were eviscerated, and now were living in the most restrictive state in the country.

I have two daughters who are of child-bearing years. I have a granddaughter whos 11, and I think about the poor kid that was raped in Ohio and had to go to Indiana to get an abortion, and I have a zillion nieces. Abortion rights are human rights in so many ways.

 Rick Weiland, director, Dakotans for Health

We have, with the trigger law, an exception for the life of the mother, right? But we still dont know what that would constitute. Even after Dobbs and the trigger law kicking in, we couldnt get anything through the legislature  because of the Right to Life lobby  to give doctors some peace of mind that they could help their patients. Finally, the legislature, which by the way is made up of 94 Republicans and 11 Democrats, allocated $100,000 to the state Department of Health to work with the governor and the attorney general to develop some kind of video that will instruct doctors on what they can and cant do. Doctors are still operating under a pretty risky situation, and you hear a lot of stories about women having to travel out of state for help. Its just a mess out here and for me, it checked a lot of boxes, in terms of us getting involved.

SN: If approved, the ballot measure would allow abortion with no restrictions from the state legislature up to the end of the first trimester. But then in the second trimester, it lets lawmakers enact restrictions reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant mother, and in the third trimester, abortion is banned except to save the life and health of the mother. Why did the committee choose that language instead of using the fetal viability language?

RW: Because Roe was a recognizable 50-year precedent, and were living in South Dakota. When you break it down, the only push back Id have on that second trimester, as you described it, is that they cant restrict, they can regulate, but they cant prohibit an abortion in the second trimester. Were talking about abortion that takes place in a hospital or a licensed medical facility by a licensed medical professional  those are the kinds of regulations that would be allowable, like they were under Roe. Essentially 99% of all abortions in this country occur in the first two trimesters. Right now we have 0% accessibility. Were covering 99%, and then you get into the third trimester, which is pretty typical in most states. Its the life or health of the mother.

SN: Back in December, the regional Planned Parenthood and state American Civil Liberties Union opposed the scope of the measure. Those are organizations with big money who have backed a lot of the successful initiatives in Michigan and Ohio. Have they come around after seeing the success of the initiative so far?

RW: Not yet. We are sincerely hoping that they will. I reached out very early in our process of trying to convene groups of stakeholders. And at the time, I think it was too early for them. We know, having done these initiatives, that we need to get started early out here, because we rely pretty heavily on the grassroots. That can be a mixed bag. Sometimes volunteers dont want to circulate in sub-zero weather. We have tough winters out here, and we knew we needed every day possible, every day available to be able to gather signatures  especially for a constitutional amendment. But we reached out to Planned Parenthood and to the ACLU at the time. To be honest with you, I dont think that they were particularly interested in South Dakota in a ballot measure approach. I think they were looking at other bigger states. Weve extended olive branch after olive branch to these groups hoping that theyll get engaged at some point.

I know there are people on the left that would like to go a lot further. Think about what happened after that trigger law went into effect. It just seems to make a lot of sense and to be able to say, hey, all were doing is restoring the rights that women had for 50 years. Read the language of Roe [side-by-side] with our ballot measure. The language is pretty much exact. If these national groups want to do something after were successful and expand it, have at it. But were concentrating on something that we think makes a lot of sense.

SN: South Dakota GOP Rep. Jon Hansen sponsored legislation that allows citizens to withdraw petition signatures. The governor signed that into law in March, and Hansen is also the co-chair of the Life Defense Fund, which is opposing the abortion-rights ballot measure. How is Dakotans for Health preparing for any future attacks against the campaign as we near the election?

RW: We just intercept it. They were apparently representing themselves as members of the secretary of states office. But a number of people complained about it and thats why [Secretary of State] Monae Johnson requested [Attorney General Marty] Jackley investigate.

I have described their efforts as desperate. They were harassing us the whole time we were circulating. They would send protesters out to harass our circulators and to harass or intimidate voters that wanted to sign the petition. It has been an interesting journey. Ultimately, our mantra has been let the voters decide. Weve been qualified. Were going to be on the ballot. Were prepared for a lawsuit.

SN: In May, you submitted some 55,000 signatures  thats way over the 35,000 needed from registered voters to qualify. What memorable interactions have you had with South Dakotans in support of this? What has the response been from South Dakotans on the ground?

RW: Weve got a number of people from the medical community that are doctors who are just really troubled by the situation today. Theres a woman thats running for Congress out here who came to one of our events last year. She wasnt a candidate then, and Ive known her for quite some time, but her daughter was miscarrying, went to one of the hospitals and was told to go home. Then her husband finds her passed out in the bathroom bleeding and had to call the ambulance to get her in. Of course then her life was on the line and they took care of the situation, but thats not right.

Were calling our effort a freedom amendment. Women who are raped dont have the freedom they once had to make a decision. A victim of incest who becomes pregnant lost that ability, and women with dangerous problematic pregnancies have lost their freedom. We have a governor who likes to tell you to come to South Dakota: Live, work and play. Its a free state. Well, it aint free if youre a female.

SN: Nancy Turbak Berry, a former state Democratic lawmaker and an abortion-rights advocate, will lead the Freedom Amendment Coalition to support the measure in the next phase. Was it a strategic choice to add a woman leader to the effort? Will you still be involved?

RW: Oh, yeah, Ill be intimately involved. We spent so much time this last year and a half focusing on getting signatures. We look at this as the next step of the campaign which is expanding beyond volunteers. The grassroots to building a nonpartisan, bipartisan coalition. Well be announcing Republicans for the Freedom Amendment, Libertarians for the Freedom Amendment, Independents for the Freedom Amendment.

Nancy is very articulate. Ive known her for years. Shes been practicing attorney in Watertown, born and raised up there. I love her story. She was educated in an 11-room schoolhouse but ends up going to Harvard and does her undergrad and then bolts to university to get her law degree, came back, ran for the legislature later and served two terms in the [state] Senate. Shes going to bring a lot to the campaign.

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South Florida under flood watch as tropical storm may form. Heres how cities are prepping

South Florida is in for heavy rains and possibly dangerous flooding, forecasters warn, as a tropical depression moving closer to the state may strengthen into a tropical storm soon.

Much of Floridas west coast is under a hurricane watch, storm surge watch, tropical storm warning or tropical storm watch.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for parts of South Florida including Miami-Dade and Broward counties until Sunday. The forecast predicts an incoming two to five inches of rain. Some areas could see up to eight inches.

Potential rainfall totals for Florida over the next five days.

That much rain could cause local flash flooding, forecasters said.

On Thursday evening, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for most of the counties in the state. South Florida wasnt included.

In preparation, several cities across South Florida have opened garages, are distributing sandbags and are setting up water-draining pumps.

Miami-Dade County

Miami Beach

Miami Beach deployed its stormwater team to ensure its drain system, including pumps, are clean and ready for this weekends expected heavy rainfall, according to Melissa Berthier, a city spokeswoman.

Five Vactor trucks are driving around the city, working to get rid of standing water and clean stormwater structures. The city is also bulking up its pump stations too, she said.

The city, which has 48 pump stations, has sent nine temporary pumps to areas known to have severe flooding, and has generators and four other temporary pumps ready to be deployed if needed.

Miami Beach will also offer free parking for residents and employees in the case of heavy flooding starting at 6 p.m. Friday through Monday at 10 a.m. They must show proof of residency or employment when they exit the garage. Non-residents and employees can park at the garages but will have to pay full price.

Available Parking Garages:

 200 7th St.

 512 12th St.

 1301 Collins Ave.

 1557 Washington Ave.

 640 17th St.

 1661 Pennsylvania Ave.

 1900 Bay Road

 340 23rd St.

 400 West 42nd St.

If the National Weather Service issues a flash flood warning or Flash Flood Emergency for Miami Beach, Tremont Towing and Beach Towing will offer a $50 towing service for any Miami Beach resident whose vehicle was impacted by flooding to any location within city limits. Residents must provide proof of residency and their vehicle registration address must match their drivers license.

City of Miami

The City of Miami also has Vactor trucks driving around this week cleaning catch basins from debris as the city prepares for the weekends deluge. Temporary pumps are in place to keep water flowing and reduce flooding.

Because of the last storm, we have added additional temporary pumps to those areas that have a tendency to flood, Miami spokeswoman Kenia Fallat said. We suggest drivers to stay out of areas where water tends to be on the rise to further avoid from vehicles becoming disabled.

Broward

Fort Lauderdale

Given the National Weather Services rainfall predictions, Fort Lauderdale said its stormwater system will manage the coming rain.

Regardless, the city said it has Vactor trucks, portable pumps and a tanker truck at the ready in case additional resources are needed.

Sandbags will also be made available for self-service at Floyd Hull Stadium, 2800 SW Eighth Ave., and Mills Pond Park, 2201 NW Ninth Ave., every day during hurricane season from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

On Saturday, city employees will be at both locations to help from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proof of residency is required to receive sandbags, with a limit of five bags per car.

Hollywood

Hollywood said it has spent the last week preparing for the coming storm system by cleaning debris from storm drains. Hollywood has 10 permanent and 22 portable pumps deployed.

The city will be giving out sandbags, up to 10 per resident household, at three parks:

 Jefferson Park, 1501 Jefferson St.

 Rotary Park, 3150 Taft St.

 Driftwood Community Center, 3000 N. 69th Ave.

In the event of flooding Saturday, the city said residents could park their cars on a first-come, first-served basis in two of its garages: Van Buren Garage, 251 S. 20th Ave., and Radius Garage, 251 N. 19th Ave. Cars must be moved by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday to avoid parking rate fees.
Microsoft Corp.s Texas Research Park data center is seen in this file 2020 photo. Staff file photo

Microsoft Corp., the biggest operator of data centers in the San Antonio area, is expanding its footprint.

The company plans to build a $482.5 million facility at 18844 FM 1957 in Castroville, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Construction on the 244,676-square-foot building is expected to start in April 2026 and conclude in February 2028.

Microsoft, based in Redmond, Wash., is already building two other data centers at the site, with work on the $230 million facilities expected to wrap up this fall, state filings indicate. All three facilities are colocation centers, which rent space to third-party companies.

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The company has built a cluster of data centers in west Bexar and Medina counties since 2005, when it constructed a 427,000-square-foot facility in Westover Hills with a 10-year property tax abatement worth $20.7 million from the city. Microsoft has since invested hundreds of millions of dollars in more centers, which house thousands of servers that are the digital infrastructure for modern technology.

The area is a hot spot for data centers because companies have access to power and fiber infrastructure, the topography is fairly flat, and its not too close to hazards such as airports, dams and water towers. But leaders at CPS Energy have been pushing executives to build facilities in other parts of the city to spread out the utilitys power loads and prevent congestion on its distribution system.

Microsofts expansion comes as a group led by executives at companies that build and use data centers is pushing CPS to consider whether it has enough power to meet demand for future projects.

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The collective, called the Energy Forward Alliance, formed late last year and has met with CPS executives multiple times to ask about the city-owned utilitys plans for building infrastructure and expanding capacity. It also wants to weigh in on how the costs for doing so would be distributed among commercial and residential customers.
In the late 19th century poor farms began to form in Nebraska as concern for paupers, indigents and, in general, those who were unable to care for themselves and had no one to turn to for aid, surfaced in small numbers.

After the Great Depression interest in almshouses and poor farms began to wane as federal aid programs were formed while poor farms and welfare changed their images. The result was, one by one, the farms were closed, leased for farming, or sold by the counties which operated them.

Today only a very few physical remnants remain in the state, one exception being Lancaster Countys which has been renovated as a bed & breakfast, another, in Dodge County, has taken on an interesting use parallel to its original function.

Dodge County, named for Iowa Sen. Augustus C. Dodge, was created by legislation signed by Acting Territorial Gov. Thomas Cuming in 1854 with its borders more accurately set the following year.

The first settlers in what would become Nickerson Precinct arrived in the late 1850s when Michael Herman and Henry DePew vied to be the first. In 1870 the townsite division of John Blairs Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad purchased the Herman family homestead for $500 to provide a steam engine water and fuel siding.

In April of 1871 Nickerson post office, named for either Frederick or Reynolds Nickerson, was opened in Nickerson Precinct and the town of the same name, platted by John Blair.

A second railroad, the Sioux City & Ashland, arrived and in 1910 the village of Nickerson was incorporated. After a fire in 1923 destroyed five of the villages businesses, their quarter interest in a Fremont fire truck was abandoned and they instead invested in six fire extinguishers which proved of little use.

In 1872 Dodge County purchased 160 acres of land north of Fremont in Section 26 of Nickerson Township (Precinct) for a self-sustaining poor farm and, although it is unclear, it was apparently at first operated as an income-producing, leased out farm, not as a residence for indigents, although it was stated that those not sick or crippled [were] expected to work. If they shall not work, neither shall they eat.

Housing was added in 1884, and it was determined that the farm and the expense of care would be funded by the county, not by individual townships. In 1887 the Poor Farms annual report showed there were 18 paupers in Dodge County. Five years later the poor farm itself was described as a handsome well-cared-for tract four miles south and a bit east of Fremont with its county board appointed supervisor paid $50 a month.

By 1919 the farm counted eight men and two women inmates with the 245-acre farm stewards salary doubled to $1,200 a year. Nickerson was still served by two railroads, then called the Sioux City Branch of the Burlington and the Northwestern Railway.

Across Nebraska in 1920, 40 of the 93 counties had no poor farms with a few individuals sometimes kept in private homes, while the 53 with farms reported a total of 355 males and 97 females out of the states total population of 1,311,345.

Some counties, like Thayer, reported no indigents but still maintained a poor farm of 160-acres valued at $12,000. After the Great Depression, programs like the federal Social Security Administration began replacing poor farms and by the 1940s welfare [was more generally] considered cruel, resulting in some Nebraska poor farms being leased out, then sold off for private farming.

In 1955 it was reported that over 400 Dodge County residents had been aided at the countys poor farm but by that point, it was now no longer needed and sold. The poor farms residence building fell into disrepair and was razed in 1970 with the remaining structures and four acres sold to the Drawbridge family in 1989.

In 2001 the Drawbridges converted the farm into the Old Poor Farm Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill facility to care for neglected, abused, handicapped animals of all types that would not be able to survive on their own. Nickerson itself is still one of six incorporated Dodge County villages with about 310 residents.

Many of the original Dodge County Poor Farm structures still stand and house an average of 250 animals. The facility may be toured several months of each year at 1777 County Road 23, about four miles south of Nickerson and north of Fremont. Check their website for details.
Southern California police department allows officers to display tattoos while on duty

A Brea police officer with tattoos on his left arm uses a computer. (Brea Police Department)

Brea police officers are now allowed to show off their tattoos while on duty as part of a pilot program aimed at improving retention and recruitment, as well as providing some relief from the heat.

The skin art shift started when a younger generation of officers came to administration asking for the change, according to Lt. Chris Haddad. Previous policy was for officers to conceal all tattoos and body art, according to the department.

A video posted on the department's Instagram account Thursday shows Brea officers flaunting their inked-up arms as they conducted traffic stops, checked identification and fist-bumped residents.

The policy isn't just about aesthetics  though Haddad said "some of our officers have, frankly, some beautiful works of art." The program aims to make officers more comfortable in hot weather, incentivize recruitment and retention and "humanize" the badge, according to the Instagram post.

The skin art shift followed requests from a younger generation of Brea police officers. (Brea Police Department)

Shifts can last over 12 hours, Haddad said, and it can be uncomfortable for officers to wear long sleeves for that length of time  particularly during the hot summer months.

"If we can keep them comfortable, then that's something we should do," he said.

Feedback from the public, he said, has been fairly positive or neutral.

"Most people don't notice or care," he said.

The department released a feedback form for the pilot program. Among the questions is, "Do you think allowing officers to show tattoos is a good idea from a culturally progressive, forward-thinking perspective?"

People who like tattoos, Haddad said, have come up to officers and asked about them.

"It's kind of like an ice breaker," he said.

Tattoos must be approved by two members of the department's uniform committee, then by the uniform commander, Haddad said. No face, neck or hand tattoos are allowed, and all tattoos must be covered at formal public events such as court proceedings and funerals.

On social media, most people said they approved of the change, and that tasteful tattoos don't interfere with officers doing their the jobs.

"Tattoos shouldn't be stigmatized any longer. I'm tattooed and quite successful," Brea resident Bryan Gutierrez, a senior vice president of Citizens Business Bank, wrote on Facebook. "I was reluctant to wear short sleeves for years in professional settings."

Gutierrez, 45, said in a follow-up phone interview that he was happy his community is working toward destigmatizing tattoos, which he said is long overdue.

"It's never defined me," he said of his own half-sleeve of tattoos, which his clients and co-workers don't seem to care about. Ink is a personal preference, he said, not a reflection of work ethic or behavior.

"Your officers shouldn't be judged by the ink on their skin, but by their conduct and character. The vast majority of tattooed people are good, honest and hardworking," he wrote on Facebook.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Freight train cars sit in a Union Pacific rail yard in City of Commerce, one of the facilities subject to the South Coast AQMD's new rule. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)

Southern California air regulators have adopted a first-of-its-kind rule to curb smog-forming pollution from freight trains and cargo trucks that serve the region's rail yards.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District's governing board voted 12-0 on Friday to require rail yard owners and operators, including BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad, to aggressively reduce lung-irritating nitrogen oxides emissions between 2027 and 2050.

The region's rail yards produce nearly 22 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions a day, about 9% of all smog-forming pollution in the air basin.

The new regulation  applicable to about 25 rail yards in Greater Los Angeles  would help curb regional rail yard pollution roughly 80% by 2036. Once implemented, the rule is expected to avert 300 premature deaths and 2,100 hospitalizations each year, according to the air district, improving air quality in communities that border rail yards, including Wilmington and San Bernardino.

While there is no single rule or regulation that can achieve federal air quality standards on its own, todays adoption is a big step in the right direction, said Vanessa Delgado, the air district's governing board chair. There are so many communities, parks and schools that are surrounded and affected by sources associated with rail yards that will directly benefit from todays action. We will continue to reduce emissions where we are able because that is what our communities deserve.

Before the vote, dozens of community members and environmental advocates voiced their support of the rule, many wearing shirts that read, "My heart is in your hands," alluding to the cardiovascular effects associated with breathing air pollution. Many hoped this regulation could mark a new beginning for communities near rail corridors.

"This is about correcting a historical injustice," said Samuel Brown-Vazquez, who spoke at Friday's public hearing. "Where I live in Avocado Heights, our community was ravaged by the creation of the rail yard and the impacts they had."

The regulations intend to clean up some of the most stubborn sources of pollution within Southern California's busy goods movement sector, most notably diesel-powered trains.

Train emissions  about 70% of all rail yard pollution  have remained largely unchanged over the past decade, partly because the rail industry has not purchased new locomotives with cleaner engines, according to the air district.

Read more: L.A. County battery recycler on the verge of becoming California's next Superfund site

The air district new rule is expected to work in tandem with state Air Resources Board rules governing locomotives and trucks. But the new regulation is necessary because previous state rules for trucks have not been as effective at reducing pollution in Southern California compared with other parts of the state, according to the air district officials.

The rail yard rule will ensure that Southern California's rail yard emission reductions are on par with state rules.

However, the new emission reduction rule can become effective only if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signs off on the region's smog plan and approves the state regulations for locomotives and truck fleets.

Curt Hagman, an air district governing board member and San Bernardino County supervisor, expressed concern about the feasibility of achieving these reductions, considering the necessary improvements to the power grid and electric infrastructure to accommodate cleaner rail yards.

Wayne Nastri, the air district's executive officer, said a recent historic $500-million EPA grant could help. He also noted there may be flexibility to waive penalties if rail yards encounter delays or difficulties.

"There has been tremendous effort at the state level to make sure that we have the energy capacity to meet the growing needs," Nastri said. "But the challenge that's been identified more of lately is that last facility hookup, making sure that the facilities either have the substations, the circuits, the transformers and the time it takes to process that."

Read more: Own a pool in Southern California? New air-quality rule requires electric water heaters

In Southern California, at least three agencies regulate air quality: the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which regulates facilities; the California Air Resources Board, which regulates in-state cars and trucks; and the EPA, which regulates trains, aircraft and ships.

Because some of Southern California's largest polluters are federally regulated, the local air district has attempted to work around its own limitations by requiring the facilities to offset pollution. The air district's first rules of this kind, adopted in 2021, established requirements for large warehouses to mitigate the pollution from the truck traffic they attract.

The rail yard rule is the second policy of its kind by the air district.

Although the rule notably will not apply to rail yards at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the air district is drafting a similar proposal to reduce emissions at the ports complex, the largest fixed source of smog-forming pollution in the region.

Read more: California voted to ban new diesel trucks at ports. Why did L.A. and Long Beach just add 1,000 more?

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Southern Illinois man charged in the death of his brother after `verbal altercation

A 36-year-old West Frankfort man has been charged with murder in the death of his brother after what was described as a ``domestic violence incident, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.

Kyle G. Morris initially was charged with aggravated battery and domestic battery after a ``verbal altercation with Justin D. Hauptman, 46, described as Morris brother, a news release from Sheriff Kyle Bacon states. The murder charge was added after a regional hospital informed the sheriffs office around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 31 that Hauptman had died,the release states.

The sheriffs office said they learned of the incident at the rural West Frankfort home about 3:33 a.m. on July 25, after Hauptman was taken to the emergency room by private vehicle. The injuries were described as significant and the subjects condition was listed as critical, the release states.

When deputies went to the home, they found Morris outside, the release states. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a verbal altercation occurred between the two and Morris struck Hauptman in the head, according to the release.

Morris was taken to the county jail. Due to the significant injuries received by Hauptman, States Attorney Abby Dinn argued for the continued detention of Morris and it was granted by the court, the release states.

Morris remains in jail after the murder charge was filed.

An autopsy shows Hauptman died of blunt force trauma of the head, according to the release.
Scrub recap: SpaceX launch of Cygnus spacecraft for NASA Saturday from Cape Canaveral

Scrub Recap: Scroll down to see updates from a SpaceX launch attempt of a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft for NASA.

A package is headed out for delivery  to space. NASA, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX have teamed up once again to make a delivery to the International Space Station.

Liftoff of the NG-21 (Northrop Grumman-21) mission was scheduled for 11:29 a.m. EDT Saturday from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40, which is south of Kennedy Space Center. The launch window did not extend long, as unlike a satellite launch, the Cygnus must catch up with its destination  the International Space Station.

For this reason, poor weather quickly approaching with less than an hour until launch prompted teams to issue a scrub. According to SpaceX, the next launch attempt will be 11:02 a.m. on Sunday, August 4.

When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

NG-21 is a resupply mission for NASA. The Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft will launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9, carrying supplies and science experiments to astronauts waiting aboard the orbiting outpost.

The launch will travel in a northeastern trajectory. If conditions are clear, those north of the Space Coast may be able to catch a glimpse of the bright Falcon 9 rocket.

Countdown Timer

The Space Force 45th Weather Squadron predicted a 50% chance of favorable weather at launch time.

The first stage booster will be landing at Cape Canaveral, Landing Zone 1  therefore sonic booms are expected.

SpaceX scrub!

Update 10:35 a.m.: SpaceX has decided to stand down from today's launch.

The next attempt is Sunday, August 4 at 11:02 a.m. EDT. However, the 45th Weather Squadron predicts only a 10% chance of favorable conditions.

Today's @SpaceX launch of a @NorthropGrumman #Cygnus cargo mission to the @Space_Station has been scrubbed due to weather. Teams are targeting no earlier than 11:02am EDT (1502 UTC), Sunday, Aug. 4 for the next launch opportunity: https://t.co/KFDb5wqipF pic.twitter.com/KKqILEnTi6  NASA (@NASA) August 3, 2024

Roll out the rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral

Update 10:25 a.m.: Yesterday, SpaceX transported the rocket to Space Launch Complex 40 ahead of today's launch. The Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft will be launched atop the Falcon 9, encased in SpaceX fairings  which are payload covers that protect the spacecraft during launch.

Falcon 9 rolled out to pad 40 in Florida earlier today pic.twitter.com/w4AVFaTwns  SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 2, 2024

SpaceX NG-21 launch from Cape Canaveral will deliver CubeSats

Update 10:15 a.m.: This morning's launch will deliver more than supplies and science. Onboard will be two CubeSats  tiny satellites  for Iowa State University and Arizona State University.

#CountdownToLaunch for two CubeSats!@IowaStateUs CySat-1 will measure Earth's soil moisture and @ASUs DORA will test new communications technology.



Both are launching to the @Space_Station aboard NG-21 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from SLC 40 in FL. Liftoff is at 11:29 am EDT. pic.twitter.com/umjpf1dUt2  NASA's Launch Services Program (@NASA_LSP) August 3, 2024

SpaceX launch for NASA weather outlook

Update 10:05 a.m.: Although skies are sunny depending on location, the 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 50% chance of favorable weather during the launch time. With the payload heading for the space station, the launch window is instantaneous. Should launch not occur at 11:29 a.m., teams will have to stand down for the day.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Scrub recap: SpaceX Saturday launch attempt from Cape Canaveral
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)-All new cadets at the Shreveport Police Training Academy are required to take a forty-hour crisis response intervention training. The course helps them recognize mental, developmental, emotional, or addiction problems when called for service.

They also provide information to help individuals or their families connect with local resources. They partner with The Bridge Alzheimers and Dementia Resource Center, LSU, Hope Connections, and the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, to name a few.

Shreveport Police Patrol Officer Matthew Dixon said, In the past, it was hospital jail, hospital jail, and thats it. Thats not what it is anymore; we have so much out there.

Could police be shielded from accountability with new law requiring civilians to stand 25 feet away

If you are dealing with someone with any kind of mental health or addiction issue, letting the police know during the call to dispatch could help keep the situation safe and calm.

Officer and CRT Trainer Cory Dobbs said, Its helpful to have all the information we can, especially if someone may be living with a mental health disorder or development disorder or autism, they may be sensitive to lights and sound and the lights and sounds from our patrol unit may set them off and escalate the crisis even farther.

The training is available on a volunteer basis for police, fire, EMS, or other emergency responders from the surrounding Shreveport-Bossier area. The Shreveport Police Academy can be contacted at 318-673-7170.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) praised Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins decision on Friday to reverse the plea deals announced for three prisoners accused of helping to plan the 9/11 terrorist attack.

The Biden-Harris Administration is correct to reverse course after receiving letters from @GOPoversight and @HASCRepublicans launching investigations into this terrible plea deal, Johnson posted on X.

The Pentagon faced a wave of criticism from the right following the announcement of the plea deal, which would have taken the death penalty off the table for the prisoners in exchange for a guilty plea.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, announced that the committee was investigating the plea deal on Friday morning, ahead of Austins announcement.

In a letter to President Biden, Comer included a statement from Kathy Vigiano, the wife of an NYPD officer who died on 9/11.

I am angry and disappointed that enemy combatants who killed thousands of Americans in our homeland are now able to exploit the U.S. judicial system to their benefit, receiving support from American taxpayers for shelter, food, and healthcare for the rest of their lives, her statement read.

Johnson hinted at support for a harsh sentence in his post.

Now deliver long awaited justice for 9/11 families, he added.

By revoking the pretrial decision signed by retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, the Defense Secretary assumed direct responsibility for the case and canceled the agreement. The action has effectively returned it to a death penalty case.

It shouldnt have taken congressional action to remind them that we dont negotiate with 9/11 terrorists, the GOPs Oversight Committee account posted to X Saturday morning.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Philadelphias mayor released a video urging Americans to support Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for vice president, sparking speculation that Kamala Harris pick for running mate had been leaked.

On Friday, Mayor Cherelle Parker posted a video on her personal social media accounts encouraging Pennsylvanians to stand behind Kamala Harris for president and Josh Shapiro for vice president, days before the presumptive Democratic nominee is expected to make her official announcement.

I cant think of a better partner than our governor, Josh Shapiro, Parker said, in the video.

The ad caused speculation to run wild across social media, with many wondering whether the mayor had accidentally revealed Harris running mate. The video has not been deleted as of Saturday morning.

The Independent has emailed the Harris campaign and Mayor Parkers office for comment.

The video was accidentally posted on Friday but had been scheduled for Monday after Harris made her announcement, Ernest Owens, editor-at-large for Philadelphia Magazine, wrote in a tweet. Its Josh Shapiro, yall.

However, The Independent has learned that Mayor Parker was simply expressing her support for a longtime ally and friend as a potential selection by Harris for the Democratic ticket.

Shapiro is reportedly on Harris veep shortlist, along with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker released a video urging support for Josh Shapiro for vice president (@PeopleforParker)

Clues in the past week have suggested that Harris may be focusing on Shapiro. Harris is expected to hold her first rally with her veep pick on Tuesday in Pennsylvania, Shapiros home state. She is expected to make the official announcement before then.

Adding further speculation that the Pennsylvania governor will join Harris ticket, Shapiro cancelled his fundraising events in New York slated for this weekend.

The governors trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fundraisers for his own campaign committee, his press secretary told the Associated Press in a statement. His schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend.

This week, the National Womens Defense League (NWDL) issued a statement calling for the Harris campaign to drop Shapiro as a VP contender after a sexual harassment claim against one of his aides that his office settled for $300,000.

Shapiro aide Mike Vereb was accused in March 2023 of sexual harassment by an employee who worked for the governors office. Vereb resigned weeks after the settlement was arranged, according to the Inquirer.

Governor Shapiros office should have done a better job preventing sexual harassment happening in his own office by former cabinet secretary Mike Vereb, including protecting the survivor who bravely came forward, ensuring that any other potential survivors felt safe in speaking up, and ensuring the harasser didnt have the opportunity to do further harm after the complaint, the NWDL said.

The group urged the Harris campaign to consider the handling of past complaints of sexual harassment inside the Pennsylvania Governors office.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is considered to be one of Harris top running mate picks, visit the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia in July (REUTERS)

The concern is not without significance, especially given Harriss GOP rival Donald Trump.

Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women and was found liable in a civil case of sexually abusing former Elle columnist E Jean Carroll. He was also caught on tape bragging about being able to grab [women] by the p****.

On Friday, Harris officially clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, making history as the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major political party.

I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States and I will tell you, the tireless work of our delegates, our state leaders, and our staff has been pivotal to making this moment possible, Harris said.
Sprague High School students no longer will be able to use cellphones or earbuds during class times, Principal Chad Barkes said in a newsletter sent to parents last week.

Beginning this school year, Sprague HS will have a new cellphone policy designed to help students be more focused on their work and develop deeper connections with their peers and teachers, Barkes wrote. We understand this is a big change and the Sprague staff is committed to helping students develop positive new classroom habits.

Although Barkes wrote that the policy is new at Sprague, Salem-Keizer Public Schools officials said those have been the rules for years.

District policy prohibits high school students from using phones during instructional time. It allows students to use phones during lunch and passing times.

In lower grades, students may not use phones at all during the school day, including at lunch. Those students are asked to turn their cellphones off and keep them inside their backpacks or locker, or in the school office.

In all grades, leaders at individual schools can decide whether to let students use phones for academic purposes, such as research, during class time.

District spokesman Aaron Harada was unable to say how long the cell phone policy has been in place. It was last updated in August 2022, he said.

Harada declined to say whether the districts other middle and high schools have been enforcing the rules, and, if not, whether that would change this school year.

Sprague High School cellphone rules

District policy doesnt set out penalties for violating the rules, but in his message to parents, Barkes said that at Sprague, staff could choose to:

Remind the student of the expectation and ask them to put their phone away

Confiscate the phone and turn it in to the office

Write a referral and communicate with families

In his message, Barkes said the decision to change Spragues cellphone rules was made based on feedback from Spragues teaching staff, its student leadership/student advisory committee and other high schools.

The district does not allow its employees to speak with the news media without permission and declined to respond to the Statesman Journals request to interview Barkes.

Schools in Oregon, nationwide debate cellphone use

The issue of cellphones in schools is being debated in Oregon and across the country.

Florida and Indiana have banned cellphone use in public schools, and California lawmakers are considering doing so.

Alabama, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia all have passed legislation requiring or encouraging local school boards to adopt policies limiting cellphone use in schools.

And Arkansas, Delaware and Pennsylvania are providing funding for districts to purchase cellphone pouches, which can be locked and unlocked at a station outside a phone-free space.

In Oregon, Gov. Tina Kotek told Oregon Public Broadcasting she supports a state-level policy on cellphones in schools, and a bipartisan group of legislators is working on a bill for the 2025 legislative session.

Lawmakers held an informational hearing on the issue during Legislative Days in May.

The evidence is there. Its no longer conjecture, Rep. Lisa Reynolds, D-Washington County, wrote to constituents earlier this month. Cellphones and social media cause increased rates of depression, anxiety, and stress in our youth, not to mention decreased sleep, lack of focus, dissociation, and loneliness. The rise in cellphone use has contributed to our countrys academic decline.

Some Oregon districts already are taking action.

North Clackamas School District, with about 17,000 students, spent $300,000 to purchase Yondr cellphone pouches districtwide.

In Portland Public Schools, Grant High School and Beaumont Middle School also have purchased the pouches.

Salem-Keizer School Board chairperson Cynthia Richardson declined to speak with the Statesman Journal about the boards position or plans regarding the use of devices in schools.

She referred questions to Harada, who declined to comment on board matters.

Harada said district officials are considering purchasing lockable cellphone pouches for student use. He declined to say whether the pouches would be piloted in any schools this year.

We are exploring the use of cell pouches in some settings, but at this point we are not planning for a districtwide implementation of these tools, Harada said.

Tracy Loew covers education at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on X at @Tracy_Loew

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Sprague High School to enforce cellphone ban during classes
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Sam Hamra, a Springfield attorney and businessman who was a staple in local industries and the wider community, has died. He was 92 years old.

Hamra was the founder and chairman of Hamra Enterprises, which owns and operates a total of 156 restaurants and other projects across Missouri and the United States, including locations for Wendys, Panera Bread, Noddles & Company and more.

Hamra is also known for opening the first Wendys in Springfield on West Sunshine Street in 1976, and Hamra Enterprises still operates most of the Springfield locations to this day.

Sam Hamras son Mike confirmed his fathers death in a Facebook post Saturday.

I am sad to share the passing of my Dad, Sam F. Hamra. I was so grateful to have him as my father, said Mike Hamra. He loved his family deeply and cherished and appreciated any time that he could spend in enjoying life with them. He loved Southwest Missouri and worked to contribute back to the Springfield area, which he and my mom have called home for over 65 years. We will all miss him dearly but are grateful for the special and loving relationship of 67 years he had with our mother, and that they were blessed with four children and ten grandchildren.

Project starts soon to create waterfront property in downtown Springfield

Hamra grew up in Steele, Missouri as the son of Lebanese immigrants. He graduated from the University of Missouri with business and law degrees and served as an officer in the U.S. Army, where he was appointed as U.S. Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Western Missouri.

As the attorney for the City of Nixa, he helped build the Citys Electric Distribution System.

He also fought for funding to widen Highway 65 from Christian County to Branson as Bransons governmental relations attorney and to widen Chestnut Expressway in Springfield from Highway 65 to Kansas Avenue.

Hamra continued his civic advocacy by becoming a founding member of OakStar Bank, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, and a member of the Foundation Board for Ozarks Technical Community College. which also houses the Sam and June Hamra Family Library.

Sam was a community builder and expressed his love for southwest Missouri by continually contributing to the Springfield area, said Springfield Mayor Ken McClure. Sam was one-of-a-kind and made an impact on so many aspects of Springfield.

Local marijuana businesses react to Missouris psychoactive cannabis ban

The Sam F. Hamra Center for Justice, an 11,000-square-foot building, was named in honor of Hamra for his organizing and serving as the First Board Chairman of Legal Services of Southern Missouri. The building now serves 43 southern Missouri counties with 18 full-time attorneys.

Sam and his wife June Hamra also donated $800,000 for the purchase of land that would become The Kitchen Homeless Family Shelter on the OReilly Campus.

In October 2022, Mayor Ken McClure awarded the key to the city to Sam Hamra, one of only a handful of citizens to receive this honor.

His ingenuity, dedication and generosity are traits to emulate and he is very worthy of this special honor, McClure said during the ceremony in 2022.

Hamra was also named Springfieldian of the Year on January 26, 2018, the most decorated award given by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce for his community service and his dedication to the City and its citizens.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A young girl from right here in the Miami Valley is making headlines and achieving her dreams at the same time.

Nine-year-old Milla Pippig from Springfield was recently crowned International United Miss Junior Preteen in July. 2 NEWS sat down with Milla to talk about her crowning moment and what she has in store under her title reign.

Big wins from Team USA inspire local gymnasts

Millas crown shines just as bright as her personality, which helped her secure her win over 20 other girls in her division.

Millas journey began a month ago.

I was so excited. I literally needed to be pinched because it still doesnt feel real, said Milla.

The Springfield native has been competing with International United Miss for four years. She got started in pageantry when she saw one of her family members competing.

My aunt kind of dragged me into it because she always used to do pageants, said Milla. And so I thought that she would want to just drag me into it. And she did. So now I just started pageants because she helped me through it.

But Millas win is about more than just a crown and sash. Shes the founder of Puppy Awareness with Style, also known as PAWS, which aims to help animals in shelters look their best while waiting for adoption.

I go to my local animal shelters and I give bows and bow ties to puppies and kittens so that they can get adopted faster, explained Milla. And I have these things called pup packages where I send them out to girls all across the world. And I think that makes a really big impact in my community.

Milla also says the community has been incredibly supportive of her, and that its the best feeling to be able to represent Ohio.

Her advice for anyone wanting to get started in pageantry? Just remember who you are.

Just be yourself. Be confident. Just be natural, Milla said.

As far as whats next for Milla  she says shes already won the big title, so shes going to try and travel to every state pageant to encourage her fellow pageant sisters.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
State Sen. Bill EIgel of Weldon Spring speaks during a campaign stop in Columbia as he seeks the Republican nomination for governor (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).

A company registered in Delaware that uses a Jefferson City mailbox and an Oklahoma telephone number this month added nearly half a million dollars to outside spending against state Sen. Bill Eigel in the Missouri Republican governors primary.

The Heartland Conservative Coalition LLC spent $438,259 since July 1, including $360,000 on television advertising, according to reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Those reports give only the amount of money being used in Missouri but do not include the donors or list any individual as a contact.

There is no Heartland Conservative Coalition LLC registered to do business in Missouri but there is one that registered May 8 in Delaware, a common location for corporate registration.

The group is just one of several from outside Missouri pouring cash into the GOP gubernatorial race and congressional primaries in the 1st and 3rd districts in advance of Tuesdays election. The biggest outside spender in the governors race so far is Stand for US PAC, which The Independent reported Friday morning had purchased more than $2.5 million in the last two weeks in air time to boost Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

Candidates and independent PACs combined to purchase or revise previous broadcast orders worth almost $5 million on Thursday, according to reports filed with the Federal Communications Commission.

The address for Heartland Conservative Coalition in its reports to the Missouri Ethics Commission is a mailbox at a Jefferson City Staples store. Messages left at the telephone number listed on the spending reports were not returned.

Most of the spending was for television ads in the St. Louis area, which includes Eigels home in St. Charles County. Aside from the television ads, Heartland purchased $68,000 of communications and polling services from the Kansas City consulting firm Axiom Strategies and its affiliated companies.

Axiom is one of several consulting firms working with American Dream PAC, the joint fundraising committee set up to aid Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoes bid for the Republican nomination. The media buyer for the Heartland Conservative Coalition ads is Armada Strategies, which has been connected to Axiom in other races around the country.

On the standard reporting forms filed with broadcasters who accept the ads, Heartland lists as its contact Wayne Ducote at a Washington, D.C. address that is also a mailbox in a retail mail and shipping store.

Ducote is chairman of the American Exceptionalism Institute, a nonprofit that doesnt have to disclose its donors that distributed more than $11 million in 2022 to support Republicans around the country. Calls to the American Exceptionalism Institute were not returned.

The American Exceptionalism Institute was one of the donors to the Conservative Americans PAC, which in 2022 spent $1.7 million in Missouri primaries for the 4th and 7th congressional districts, according to the campaign watchdog, Open Secrets. The ads targeted state Sens. Rick Brattin in the 4th District and Mike Moon and Eric Burlison in the 7th District. Burlison is the only Missouri candidate the group opposed who won his race.
Georgia lawmakers are having second thoughts about switching the University System of Georgia from a quarter to a semester system back in 1999.

A state House study committee will begin meeting soon to take a fresh look at whether both the university system and the Technical College System of Georgia  which moved to semesters in 2011  should switch back to quarters.

Theres no preconceived outcome here, said Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, chairman of the House Higher Education Committee and a member of the study committee. Its just to assess the situation and some of the things that could be impacted if we were to change this.  We know some significant work would have to go on.

When the switch from quarters was made, arguments in favor of going with a semester system included aligning Georgias university system with the approximately 70% of the nations colleges and universities operating on semesters. That made transfers within and across systems easier.

Greater administrative efficiencies and reduced administrative costs also were anticipated.

But a quarter century later, legislative leaders say they see a downside to semesters.

The conversion from the quarter system to the semester system has resulted in longer terms with more classes and fewer graduation cycles, according to the language of a resolution the House passed unanimously in March to create the study committee. Some question whether semesters are the better option for students or for workforce development.

Quarter system ramifications

The ramifications a quarter system could have for Georgias workforce shortages is a key driver in the decision to revisit whether to switch back to quarters. The current semester system leads to two graduating classes each year, while a quarter system would yield at least three, thus getting graduating students into the workforce faster.

An expeditious path to entering the workforce is an important consideration for those looking to graduate from one of our fine institutions of higher learning, as well as those looking to hire those graduates, Rep. Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire, told the website State Affairs in June. Blackmon couldnt be reached by Capitol Beat this week.

Switching from semesters to quarters couldnt be accomplished overnight.

Martin said complications that would have to be worked out include how to coordinate the university and technical college systems quarters with Georgias high schools, which would continue to operate on the semester system.

University system administrators also would have to figure out how to handle the Christmas holiday break, which would occur during the middle quarter rather than between the first and second semesters, Martin said.

Theres a lot of moving parts, he said.

Besides Blackmon and Martin, the House study committee will include three other lawmakers: Reps. Mike Cheokas, R-Americus; Ginny Ehrhart, R-Marietta; and Stacey Evans, D-Atlanta.The panel also will include Ashwani Monga, the university systems executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, selected last month to serve as interim president at the University of West Georgia; and Ray Perren, deputy commissioner for technical education at the Technical College System of Georgia.
The entrance to the South Dakota Supreme Court at the state Capitol in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

The entrance to the South Dakota Supreme Court at the state Capitol in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

An anti-abortion group won the latest round in a court battle over South Dakotas abortion-rights ballot question.

The Life Defense Fund is attempting to disqualify the measure from the Nov. 5 ballot. A circuit court judge in Minnehaha County dismissed the groups lawsuit last month. But on Friday, the state Supreme Court reversed that decision and sent the case back to the circuit court for further proceedings.

A sparsely worded order signed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen said the circuit court erred in dismissing the matter. The lower court had ruled that the Life Defense Fund should have targeted the South Dakota Secretary of States Office with its litigation instead of Dakotans for Health, which is the group that petitioned the measure onto the ballot.

Although the Supreme Court ruled for the Life Defense Fund on that issue, the high court denied the groups request for a new circuit court judge to be assigned to the case.

Leslee Unruh, co-chair of the Life Defense Fund, hailed the reversal of the circuit courts dismissal. She signaled the groups eagerness to continue pressing its claims that Dakotans for Health failed to follow all of the states laws governing the circulation of ballot petitions.

Dakotans for Health illegally gathered signatures to get Amendment G on the ballot, therefore this measure should not be up for a vote this November, Unruhs statement said, in part.

One of the Life Defense Funds allegations is that Dakotans for Health failed to abide by the requirements of a 2018 state law. The Republican-dominated Legislature adopted the law to prevent out-of-state residents from circulating ballot petitions in South Dakota. Among other things, the law required petition circulators to file a sworn statement with various pieces of information proving their residency.

Dakotans for Health has argued that the 2018 law was invalidated by a series of court decisions that struck down restrictions on ballot petition circulators.

Dakotans for Health Chairman Rick Weiland said his group will fight to keep the abortion-rights measure on the ballot.

This is just another hurdle put forth by a desperate campaign attempting to stop the will of the voters, Weiland said.

The Secretary of States Office validated the abortion-rights ballot petition in May, after using a sample to estimate that 46,098 of the petition signatures were from registered South Dakota voters, surpassing the required 35,017.

Abortions are currently banned in South Dakota, except to preserve the life of the pregnant female. The ballot measure would legalize abortions in the first trimester of pregnancy but allow the state to impose limited regulations in the second trimester and a ban in the third trimester, with exceptions to protect the life and health of the mother.

As the legal fight continues, the clock is ticking toward a Sept. 18 deadline for ballots to be printed and in the possession of county auditors offices.

South Dakota Searchlights Joshua Haiar contributed to this report.

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Heritage Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Smithfield, Rhode Island, acknowledged that it had fewer nurses and aides than required by state law. But Rhode Island doesnt enforce the rules. (Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News)

For hours, John Pernorio repeatedly mashed the call button at his bedside in the Heritage Hills nursing home in Rhode Island. A retired truck driver, he had injured his spine in a fall on the job decades earlier and could no longer walk. The antibiotics he was taking made him need to go to the bathroom frequently. But he could get there only if someone helped him into his wheelchair.

By the time an aide finally responded, hed been lying in soiled briefs for hours, he said. It happened time and again.

It was degrading, said Pernorio, 79. I spent 21 hours a day in bed.

Payroll records show that during his stay at Heritage Hills, daily aide staffing levels were 25% below the minimums under state law. The nursing home said it provided high-quality care to all residents. Regardless, it wasnt in trouble with the state, because Rhode Island does not enforce its staffing rule.

An acute shortage of nurses and aides in the nations nearly 15,000 nursing homes is at the root of many of the most disturbing shortfalls in care for the 1.2 million Americans who live in them, including many of the nations frailest old people.

They get festering bedsores because they arent turned. They lie in feces because no one comes to attend to them. They have devastating falls because no one helps them get around. They are subjected to chemical and physical restraints to sedate and pacify them.

California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island have sought to improve nursing home quality by mandating the highest minimum hours of care per resident among states. But an examination of records in those states revealed that putting a law on the books was no guarantee of better staffing. Instead, many nursing homes operated with fewer workers than required, often with the permission of regulators or with no consequences at all.

Just setting a number doesnt mean anything if youre not going to enforce it, said Mark Miller, former president of the national organization of long-term care ombudsmen, advocates in each state who help residents resolve problems in their nursing homes. Whats the point?

Now the Biden administration is trying to guarantee adequate staffing the same way states have, unsuccessfully, for years  with tougher standards. Federal rules issued in April are expected to require 4-out-of-5 homes to boost staffing.

The administrations plan also has some of the same weaknesses that have hampered states. It relies on underfunded health inspectors for enforcement, lacks explicit penalties for violations, and offers broad exemptions for nursing homes in areas with labor shortages. And the administration isnt providing more money for homes that cant afford additional employees.

Serious health violations have become more widespread since COVID-19 swept through nursing homes, killing more than 170,000 residents and driving employees out the door.

Pay remains so low  nursing assistants earn $19 an hour on average  that homes frequently lose workers to retail stores and fast-food restaurants that pay as well or better and offer jobs that are far less grueling. Average turnover in nursing homes is extraordinarily high: Federal records show half of employees leave their jobs each year.

Even the most passionate nurses and aides are burning out in short-staffed homes because they are stretched too thin to provide the quality care they believe residents deserve.

It was impossible, said Shirley Lomba, a medication aide from Providence, Rhode Island.

She left her job at a nursing home that paid $18.50 an hour for one at an assisted living facility that paid $4 more per hour and involved residents with fewer needs.

The mostly for-profit nursing home industry argues that staffing problems stem from low rates of reimbursement by Medicaid, the program funded by states and the federal government that covers most people in nursing homes. Yet a growing body of research and court evidence shows that owners and investors often extract hefty profits that could be used for care.

Nursing home trade groups have complained about the tougher state standards and have sued to block the new federal standards, which they say are unworkable given how much trouble nursing homes already have filling jobs.

Its a really tough business right now, said Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive of one trade group, the American Health Care Association.

And federal enforcement of those rules is still years off. Nursing homes have as long as five years to comply with the new regulations; for some, that means enforcement would fully kick in only at the tail end of a second Biden administration, if the president wins reelection. Former President Donald Trumps campaign declined to comment on what Trump would do if elected.

Persistent Shortages

Nursing home payroll records submitted to the federal government for the most recent quarter available, October to December 2023, and state regulatory records show that homes in states with tougher standards frequently did not meet them.

In more than two-thirds of nursing homes in New York and more than half of those in Massachusetts, staffing was below the states required minimums. Even California, which passed the nations first minimum staffing law two decades ago, has not achieved universal compliance with its requirements: at least 3 hours of care for the average resident each day, including two hours and 24 minutes of care from nursing assistants, who help residents eat and get to the bathroom.

During inspections since 2021, state regulators cited a third of California homes  more than 400 of them  for inadequate staffing. Regulators also granted waivers to 236 homes that said workforce shortages prevented them from recruiting enough nurse aides to meet the state minimum, exempting them from fines as high as $50,000.

In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared an acute labor shortage, which allows homes to petition for reduced or waived fines. The state health department said it had cited more than 400 of the states 600-odd homes for understaffing but declined to say how many of them had appealed for leniency.

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation in 2022 to loosen the staffing rules for all homes. The law allows homes to count almost any employee who engages with residents, instead of just nurses and aides, toward their overall staffing. Florida also reduced the daily minimum of nurse aide time for each resident by 30 minutes, to two hours.

Now only 1-in-20 Florida nursing homes are staffed below the minimum  but if the former, more rigorous rules were still in place, 4-in-5 homes would not meet them, an analysis of payroll records shows.

Staffing is the most important part of providing high-quality nursing home care, said David Stevenson, chair of the health policy department at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. It comes down to political will to enforce staffing.

The Human Toll

There is a gap between law and practice in Rhode Island. In the last three months of 2023, only 12-of-74 homes met the states minimum of three hours and 49 minutes of care per resident, including at least two hours and 36 minutes of care from certified nursing assistants, payroll records show. One of the homes below the minimum was Heritage Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Smithfield, where Pernorio, president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans, went last October after a stint in a hospital.

From the minute the ambulance took me in there, it was downhill, he said in an interview.

Sometimes, after waiting an hour, he would telephone the homes main office for help. A nurse would come, turn off his call light, and walk right back out, and he would push the button again, Pernorio reported in his weekly e-newsletter.

While he praised some workers dedication, he said others frequently did not show up for their shifts. He said staff members told him they could earn more flipping hamburgers at McDonalds than they could cleaning soiled patients in a nursing home.

In a written statement, Heritage Hills did not dispute that its staffing, while higher than that of many homes, was below the minimum under state law.

Heritage Hills said that after Pernorio complained, state inspectors visited the home and did not cite it for violations. We take every resident concern seriously, it said in the statement. Pernorio said inspectors never interviewed him after he called in his complaint.

In interviews, residents of other nursing homes in the state and their relatives reported neglect by overwhelmed nurses and aides.

Jason Travers said his 87-year-old father, George, fell on the way to the bathroom because no one answered his call button.

I think the lunch crew finally came in and saw him on the floor and put him in the bed, Travers said. His father died in April 2023, four months after he entered the home.

Relatives of Mary DiBiasio, 92, who had a hip fracture, said they once found her sitting on the toilet unattended, hanging on to the grab bar with both hands.

I dont need to be a medical professional to know you dont leave somebody hanging off the toilet with a hip fracture, said her granddaughter Keri Rossi-Dentremont.

When DiBiasio died in January 2022, Rhode Island was preparing to enact a law with nurse and aide staffing requirements higher than anywhere else in the country except Washington, D.C. But Gov. Daniel McKee suspended enforcement, saying the industry was in poor financial shape and nursing homes couldnt even fill existing jobs. The governors executive order noted that several homes had closed because of problems finding workers.

Yet Rhode Island inspectors continue to find serious problems with care. Since January 2023, regulators have found deficiencies of the highest severity, known as immediate jeopardy, at 23 of the states 74 nursing homes.

Homes have been cited for failing to get a dialysis patient to treatment and for giving one resident a roommates methadone, causing an overdose. They have also been cited for violent behavior by unsupervised residents, including one who shoved pillow stuffing into a residents mouth and another who turned a roommates oxygen off because it was too noisy. Both the resident who was attacked and the one who lost oxygen died.

Bottom Lines

Even some of the nonprofit nursing homes, which dont have to pay investors, are having trouble meeting the state minimums  or simply staying open.

Rick Gamache, chief executive of the nonprofit Aldersbridge Communities, which owns Linn Health & Rehabilitation in East Providence, said Rhode Islands Medicaid program paid too little for the home to keep operating  about $292 per bed, when the daily cost was $411. Aldersbridge closed Linn this summer and converted it into an assisted living facility.

Were seeing the collapse of post-acute care in America, Gamache said.

Many nursing homes are owned by for-profit chains, and some researchers, lawyers, and state authorities argue that they could reinvest more of the money they make into their facilities.

Bannister Center, a Providence nursing home that payroll records show is staffed 10% below the state minimum, is part of Centers Health Care, a New York-based private chain that owns or operates 31 skilled nursing homes, according to Medicare records. Bannister lost $430,524 in 2021, according to a financial statement it filed with Rhode Island regulators.

Last year, the New York attorney general sued the chains owners and investors and their relatives, accusing them of improperly siphoning $83 million in Medicaid funds out of their New York nursing homes by paying salaries for no-show jobs, profits above what state law allowed, and inflated rents and fees to other companies they owned. For instance, one of those companies, which purported to provide staff to the homes, paid $5 million to the wife of Kenny Rozenberg, the chains chief executive, from 2019 to 2021, the lawsuit said.

The defendants argued in court papers that the payments to investors and owners were legal and that the state could not prove they were Medicaid funds. They have asked for much of the lawsuit to be dismissed.

Jeff Jacomowitz, a Centers Health Care spokesperson, declined to answer questions about Bannister, Centers operations, or the chains owners.

Miller, the District of Columbias long-term care ombudsman, said many nursing home owners could pay better wages if they didnt demand such high profits. In D.C., 7 in 10 nursing homes meet minimum standards, payroll records show.

Theres no staffing shortage  theres a shortage of good-paying jobs, he said. Ive been doing this since 1984 and theyve been going broke all the time. If it really is that bad of an investment, there wouldnt be any nursing homes left.

The new federal rules call for a minimum of three hours and 29 minutes of care each day per resident, including two hours and 27 minutes from nurse aides and 33 minutes from registered nurses, and an RN on-site at all times.

Homes in areas with worker shortages can apply to be exempted from the rules. Dora Hughes, acting chief medical officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a statement that those waivers would be time-limited and that having a clear national staffing minimum will facilitate strengthened oversight and enforcement.

David Grabowski, a health policy professor at Harvard Medical School, said federal health authorities have a terrible track record of policing nursing homes. If they dont enforce this, he said, I dont imagine its going to really move the needle a lot.

Methodology for Analysis of Nursing Home Staffing

The KFF Health News data analysis focused on five states with the most rigorous staffing requirements: California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.

To determine staffing levels, the analysis used the daily payroll journals that each nursing home is required to submit to the federal government. These publicly available records include the number of hours each category of nursing home employee, including registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, worked each day and the number of residents in each home. We used the most recent data, which included a combined 1.3 million records covering the final three months of 2023.

We calculated staffing levels by following each states rules, which specify which occupations are counted and what minimums homes must meet. The analysis differed for each state. Massachusetts, for instance, has a separate requirement for the minimum number of hours of care registered nurses must provide each day.

In California, we used state enforcement action records to identify homes that had been fined for not meeting its law. We also tallied how many California homes had been granted waivers from the law because they couldnt find enough workers to hire.

For each state and Washington, D.C., we calculated what proportion of homes complied with state or district law. We shared our conclusions with each states nursing home regulatory agency and gave them an opportunity to respond.

This analysis was performed by senior correspondent Jordan Rau and data editor Holly K. Hacker.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The nations largest dog club has initiated a formal investigation and revoked Kirk Lanams evaluator status in the organizations dog training programs.

Brandi H. Munden, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications for the American Kennel Club (AKC), tells the 6 News Investigates Team the organization revoked Lanams status as an evaluator for and affiliation with the groups training programs following an investigation by 6 News.

Revocation of his CGC Evaluator status means he cannot conduct AKC Canine Good Citizen Tests, AKC Community Canine tests, AKC Urban CGC tests, AKC FIT DOG tests, AKC Trick Dog tests, AKC Virtual Home Manners tests, AKC Fetch tests, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy tests, or AKC Temperament Tests, Munden wrote. Additionally, nor can he advertise himself as a purported AKC Approved CGC Evaluator.

Reached Friday afternoon on his personal cellphone, Lanam told 6 News Investigates Team members to have a good day and hung up.

Kirk Lanam (WLNS)

Edgar Jones, a Navy veteran and former volunteer with Veteran Service Dogs Organization in Livingston County, says the training based on the AKC programs was presented as providing more validity to the training a service dog has undergone.

But Munden says thats not what the programming offered by the organization was designed to be. The AKC does not, nor has it ever claimed to have training developed for service dogs, she wrote in an email. The AKC Canine Good Citizen Test and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy are basic skills and manners tests that any dog can be trained for, take and pass. These tests are in no way geared towards service dogs or service dog training, and should not be represented as such.

Despite claims by Lanam that dogs brought into his program had been evaluated for aggression, in just the last year, veterans returned six dogs for aggressive behavior, including nipping and biting. I would say at least a half dozen, dogs were returned in the last year Jones says. For different circumstances but all showing some sort of aggression or herding behavior and nipping things like that.

Text messages shared with 6 News by Joanna Dresden, VSDOs director of grant acquisitions in 2019, revealed growing concerns expressed by her about aggression toward people from some of the dogs  and one in particular.

The texts reveal Lanam responded to concerns about a dog biting people, including Dresden, being allowed into the program by indicating the dog would be allowed in the building and if it acted up would have to be put in the car. The messages were sent on Oct. 14, 2019, and were part of a string of emails from 2020 to AKC expressing concerns about aggressive dogs being approved by Lanam as Canine Good Citizens.

Dresden and four others who participated in the complaint withdrew the complaint out of concerns Lanam would retaliate against them if he learned of their identities. Munden declined to discuss the withdrawn complaint.

The 6 News Investigates Team reached out to Chris Diefenthaler, the executive director of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) about the aggression concerns discovered.

She says the organization is a coalition of non-profit organizations that raise, train and place assistance dogs. The organization has created a certification process for organizations and has created standards for training for the service animal movement.

ADI Standards require that our members demonstrate how they select prospective assistance dogs, she said. The process must include, but not limited to, selection criteria for the dogs temperament, health, aptitude for specific assistance dogs tasks, and socially acceptable behavior. Aggressive behaviors are never acceptable for an assistance dog.

She continued, ADI has strict standards about assistance dogs being trained for any protection training or aggressive behaviors.

Here is the standard she shared with the 6 News:

ADI Standard 9.7  The program does not encourage, train behaviors, name cues, or give the perception of, any form of guarding, or searching for a perceived threat.

VSDO is not a member of ADI, she says.

During the investigation 6 News was informed between 6 and 8 dogs were being housed at the VSDO facility in Oceola Township and that Lanam had been living there as well. In addition, 6 News witnessed a wolf hound great dane mix named Diemos housed in a wire kennel. 6 News was informed all the dogs on site were similarly housed. Nathan Buchanan, Lanams stepson, and Jones confirmed the condition the dogs were being kept in at the facility.

Oceola Township Planning and Zoning Administrator Sheree J. Pierce responded to an inquiry from 6 News about the dogs and Lanam living in the facility saying the property was not zoned for those purposes, and no kennel license had been issued for the Highland Rd. facility.

The property located at 5684 E. Highland is zoned M-1, Industrial. Commercial and/or Noncommercial kennels are not allowed as a permitted use or special use in the M-1 zone district, Pierce wrote in an email to 6 News Thursday afternoon. I have attached the definition of commercial and noncommercial kennels as defined in our zoning ordinance. Additionally, residential uses are not permitted in the M-1 zone district. The Township will be contacting the organization regarding this matter.

Buchanan, Lanams stepson, works for a veterinarian in the area. In a July 25 audio interview, he was asked if he thought the dogs living at the facility with Lanam were being abused or neglected. Well, I cant really speak to the law specifically, but I would say that, Yes, Buchanan responded. I mean to  to an extent that would be possibly considered criminal, and certainly to the extent that would be considered morally wrong and, you know  absolutely yes. Maybe not in the traditional sense where you think of somebody.

Lanam has told volunteers he has a close relationship with Livingston County Animal Control and shelter, those interviewed say. Lanam reported he volunteered at the shelter to train dogs up for adoption, Jones said.

Livingston County Sheriff Department Sgt. James Steinway is the official with command oversight of animal control. I cant comment because I dont know him or the organization, he said when reached on Thursday about the Stolen Valor investigation and findings  including the housing of Diemos and other dogs at the facility in Oceola Township.

Those concerns also led AKC to initiate an investigation of Lanam, Munden the spokeswoman for the organization says. We are deeply concerned about the allegations regarding Mr. Lanams training and the conditions of dogs in his care, and per our policies have opened a formal investigation, she wrote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Since the 6 News Investigates Team investigation of Kirk Lanam and Veteran Service Dogs Organization was first published on Thursday, the Team has fielded numerous inquiries about the findings and implications.

What the 6 News Investigates Team Uncovered

The investigation revealed Lanam has publicly and privately embellished his military service and rank. It also determined that he has claimed academic achievements that cant be verified.

Here are the specifics of the investigation findings:

Lanam has claimed to be a brigadier general and a major general, or two-star general, in the United States Air Force.

His military records from the Air Force Personnel Center in Texas as well as the National Personnel Records Center (NRPC) of the National Archives show Lanam served just under two years in the USAF, from July 1990 to June 1992. Those records reveal when he separated from the Air Force, he had a rank of Airman Basic (E-1).



Lanam has claimed to be a special operator, a combat controller and a canine handler for the United States Air Force.

His military records from from the Air Force Personnel Center in Texas as well as the National Personnel Records Center (NRPC) of the National Archives show he attended one training school while in the USAF, Interior Electronic Course. When he was discharged from the USAF, his duty title at Scott Air Force Base in southern Illinois was Apprentice Electrician.



Lanam has claimed to have attended the University of Michigan and to hold a doctorate from MIT or Northern Michigan University.

Spokespersons for MIT and U of M reported Lanam had not been enrolled with either university. A spokesman from Northern Michigan University said the university does not offer any PhD program.

Lanam claimed, I am 34 years on paper with the United States Air Force and 22 years active combat.

Not only do his service records show this is an embellishment, but federal court records reveal that in 2006 he was convicted by a jury of three felony counts of computer intrusion, or hacking. He was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and to pay back over $12,000 to his victims.

Stolen Valor Series

Government and other organizational actions

Since the 6 News Investigation was revealed Thursday, multiple actions by government officials and organizations have been taken.

(Image: michigan.gov)

The Michigan Attorney Generals Office has confirmed the organization has not filed with the office as a charitable organization as required by Michigan law.

The office is sending a letter to Veteran Service Dogs Organization seeking compliance with the law.



Oceola Township, where Veteran Service Dogs Organization operates, has initiated a zoning review of the property 5684 E. Highland Rd.

The 6 News Investigates Team learned Lanam and as many as 11 dogs are living in the facility, but the property is not zoned for either use.



The American Kennel Club has revoked Lanams evaluator status for the organizations various canine training programs and launched a formal investigation.

The moves come after the 6 News Investigates shared evidence of aggressive dogs being approved through the program, reports of dogs having bit participants and being rehomed without notification to the new home and concerns about possible abuse and neglect of the dogs living at the Highland Rd. facility.

What Lanam said in response to the 6 News investigation

Lanam has not responded to 6 News Investigates Team inquiries. Those inquiries have been provided by email. In addition, when reached on his cellphone Friday afternoon, Lanam told 6 News Investigates Team members to have a nice day, and hung up the phone.

Are there any criminal investigations?

The 6 News Investigates Team has not been able to confirm  on the record  any law enforcement or criminal investigation into Lanam or Veteran Service Dogs Organization.

If you believe a crime has been committed, call your local city or township police department, county sheriff or the local Michigan State Police post.

If you believe an animal is being abused or neglected or that the animal is dangerous, call your local animal control enforcement agency.

Concerns about personal information being misused

When a veteran sought services with VSDO, they were required to submit many documents including their DD-214. The DD-214 is a government document that contains sensitive information about a veteran including their social security number.

Law enforcement officials recommend anyone with concerns their private information, including their social security number, may be misused to take the following actions:

Reach out to the credit reporting agencies and lock an individuals credit.

Report the situation to their local city or township police department, local county sheriff or the local Michigan State Police Post.

What does the revocation of Lanams evaluator status mean for the dogs approved by Lanam?

As part of the VSDO training, veterans were paired with dogs and the teams were trained using the Canine Good Citizen program. Lanam, as an evaluator, signed off that the dogs had completed the training. Some veterans who have completed that training with their dogs have asked how this impacts them.

Heres what Brandi H. Munden, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications for the American Kennel Club (AKC), says:

This all depends on if the tests were actually submitted to AKC, which we would need dog or owner names to validate. If he submitted the tests and we have them noted as passed, we will not automatically discount those tests, we have to look at each dog individually. Email from Brandi H. Munden, Aug. 2, 2024

Does Lanams evaluator status revocation impact other evaluators who worked with VSDO?

Brandi H. Munden, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications for the American Kennel Club (AKC) says there is no impact on other evaluators.

There is no sign off from him. Each person would have submitted their own applications with their experience and then be approved by AKC. Email from Brandi Munden, Aug. 2, 2024

Whats next?

The 6 News Investigates continues to investigate Veteran Service Dogs Organization and Lanam. If you have information about either, you are asked to submit your information by email at: newstips@WLNS.com.

When contacting the Team with a tip, please make sure to share a way for us to reach you with follow-up questions. Providing information does not require that you be named in any of our reporting, but could provide important details and information for the 6 News Investigates Team to pursue.

If you have pictures or videos of Lanam or VSDO activities, including training sessions and fundraising events, you can share those with 6 News at Pics on 6. Please select the News Tips  Private option.

Providing pictures and videos through this route provides 6 News permission to use the videos and pictures in our reporting online and on air. Someone from the Team will reach out to you to determine how to credit the media provided.

Again, providing your videos and photos does not require that we publish your name, but as part of the process, you will have to provide your name and contact information which will remain confidential until and if someone from the Team has communicated with you about how the media submitted can be attributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Terence "Bud" Crawford gets the question a lot. Whats next?

It has been just over a year since the Omaha natives 40th fight  and 40th win. He dominated the megabout against Errol Spence, winning by TKO in the ninth round. The title at welterweight was in his third weight class.

As a result, theres understandable curiosity about the 36-year-olds next steps.

A rematch clause with Spence never came to fruition. Now Crawford is looking to conquer another weight class in his fight Saturday night, facing light middleweight title holder Israil Madrimov.

And after the fight? Will Crawford continue to move up?

A potential high-profile match against current super middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez is another topic of discussion.

Through months of these questions about his future, Crawford has deflected most of them.

Instead, he has been focused on Saturday in Los Angeles, where hell take on Madrimov (10-0-1). Crawford plans on winning a fourth weight class while Madrimov plans on taking down a big name, showing that he holds the title for a reason.

Im expecting him to come out and do everything he can to try to dethrone me, Crawford said this week. But like I said before, Im gonna keep saying it again, this is the Terence Crawford era, and Im taking that belt.

The transition to 154 pounds has gone smoothly, Crawford said. He feels stronger. More energized. Theres less stress on his body.

He exuded confidence in where hes at physically.

I feel great, he said. Come Saturday, I got a treat for yall.

Crawford remains laid back throughout fight week festivities  he said hes just ready to fight  but has been reminded by his team to enjoy the moment. He made an appearance on WWE "SmackDown" this summer and was accompanied by social media star Logan Paul at his fight sendoff in Omaha.

He said the fight against Madrimov, who is from Uzbekistan, feels bigger than the fight against Spence in some ways because of the different cultures it reaches.

Having spent more time in the weight class, Madrimov enters hoping to show that he is the bigger, stronger boxer. Hes a fan of Crawford but is ready to show what he can do, too.

Hes my favorite fighter, he said through a translator. But at the same time, I believe I can prove that Im the best in the world, as well.

Crawford knows Madrimov will bring a challenge, but warned that some are overthinking the fight.

A lot of people are forgetting that I punch hard and Im strong, too, he said.

Crawford said he got the same questions heading into fights against Spence, Jeff Horn and more in welterweights. Crawford removed all doubts then, and plans on doing so again.

When they get in the ring with me, everybody say Wow, Terence Crawford is stronger than we thought, and I think here Saturday, people going to be saying the same thing.

Photos: Hundreds gather to send off Terence 'Bud' Crawford ahead of L.A. fight
Severe storms with 70-mph gusts, quarter-size hail and frequent lightning threatened the Charlotte area Saturday afternoon and night, National Weather Service meteorologists said.

Torrential rainfall could trigger flash flooding across the region through 9 p.m., according to an NWS severe thunderstorm watch Saturday afternoon.

The watch area includes Mecklenburg and surrounding counties in North Carolina as well as Upstate South Carolina, according to an NWS alert on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

At least 590 flights were delayed and another 63 were canceled at Charlottes airport around 6:15 p.m., according to FlightAware.com, which tracks flights at the nations airports. It was unknown how many of the delays and cancellations were weather-related.

At least 304 departures and 286 inbound planes were delayed, Flight Aware reported. A total of 28 outbound and 35 inbound flights were canceled. The website placed Charlotte No. 1 on its Misery Map, which tracks delays and cancellations as a percentage of total flights in a number of large cities across the country.

Charlotte has a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms into late Saturday, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast at 3 p.m.

At 4 p.m., the NWS issued severe-thunderstorm and other warnings across the region, from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Rowan County. At the airport, the NWS warned of 40-mph gusts and pea-size hail.

Earlier, the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina, issued a special weather statement until 2:15 p.m. for Union County, saying 50-mph gusts and pea-sized hail were possible.

Lenoir and other areas of Caldwell County were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 3:15 p.m., with 60-mph gusts possible, NWS forecasters said..

This is a developing story that will be updated.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia until 9 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/8rlCCGQsgZ  NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) August 3, 2024
Italy's beach club operators are angry at EU plans to put their long-standing, highly lucrative concessions up for auction - John Guidi

It is a hallowed ritual of the Italian summer - families troop off to the coast to rent loungers and umbrellas for long, lazy days at the beach.

But the time-honoured tradition is under threat as the countrys 30,000 beach club owners prepare to revolt over proposals to put their long-standing, highly lucrative beach concessions up for auction as part of a Brussels-backed drive to make the sector fairer and more competitive.

They say the plan threatens their businesses and the livelihoods of their 300,000 employees, claiming it will unleash chaos along Italys coasts.

They will symbolically close their parasols for two hours on Thursday in protest against the attempts to open up the sector.

They say that if Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, and her coalition government do not heed their plea, there will be further protests in August, each one lasting a few hours longer.

Serried ranks of loungers and umbrellas

The beach club operators argue that they built up their businesses - stabilimenti in Italian - over decades, investing their hard-earned cash in the serried ranks of loungers and umbrellas, spaced just a few inches apart, that Italians love so much.

Some are little more than huts renting out loungers while others are glitzy clubs complete with showers, restaurants and swimming pools.

Critics say the sector is a stitch-up in which operators were granted concessions for a pittance and now make a fortune from renting out sunbeds and umbrellas during the summer season.

Many Italian beaches are now almost entirely taken over by stabilimenti with just a small patch of sand reserved as a free beach for those who baulk at paying 50 or more to hire two loungers and a parasol for the day.

The few sections of free beach  often at the edges of the main stretch of sand  are a last, shrinking refuge for people of modest means or those who dislike the regimented nature of the beach clubs.

Many Italian beaches are now almost entirely taken over by the beach clubs - Massimo Scarselletta/Moment RF

For years, Italians have had to pay a small fortune for umbrellas and sunbeds. They often encounter gates that deny access to the beaches, said Riccardo Magi, an MP with the +Europa (More Europe) party.

Italian holidaymakers are hostage to those who want to benefit forever from concessions that have now expired and which should be put up for auction, he said.

When a small group of politicians from the Left-wing Radicals Party held a protest at a beach near Rome recently, entering a beach club but refusing to pay for the privilege of sitting on the sand, they were met with a furious response. Staff from the club verbally abused them and were physically threatening.

Treated as private property

Its not right that beaches, which should be accessible to everybody, are treated as though they were private property by the operators, Matteo Hallissey, the head of the Radicals, told The Telegraph.

The situation has been like this for 80 years, he added. Other countries in the EU make sure that these concessions are put up for auction in a transparent and open way. But not Italy.

Were the only country that has not put them out to tender. Instead, successive governments have extended the concessions year after year.

Many beach clubs pay as little as 8,000 (6,800) a year for the lease on the sand they occupy and yet they make millions in revenue, said Mr Hallissey, who has a British father and an Italian mother.

Free and fair bidding process

Beach club owners are up against not just the Italian government but the EU. Under a law called the Bolkestein directive, Brussels has been pushing for years for the sector to be opened up and for concessions to be reallocated through a free and fair bidding process.

Four years ago, the European Commission opened infringement procedures against Rome after the government at the time passed a law which extended the beach concessions until 2033.

A subsequent government, led by Mario Draghi, the technocrat prime minister and former president of the European Central Bank, vowed to end the concessions and put them out to tender, but his administration collapsed before the measures could be implemented.

A Wild West scenario

Ms Meloni, who was elected in 2022, extended the concessions until the end of this year, when they are due to be opened up to bidders from the rest of the EU.

Beach club owners say that will unleash a Wild West scenario in which decades of hard work will count for nothing and jobs will be lost.

Antonio Capacchione, the president of the Italian Union of Beach Operators, is calling for the government to pass a law that would affirm all the beach concessions and guarantee certainty to the entire sector.

Were the Florida of Europe  our beaches draw tourists from Britain, Germany, France, all over. But right now, its chaos, Mr Capacchione told The Telegraph.

Imagine if you are a beach club owner who 20 years ago sank his life savings into the business. You trusted the governments assurances that concessions would be renewed. Now, suddenly, the government is saying Im sorry, you made a mistake. We deserve more respect.

Italian beach clubs offer the highest level of comfort in all of Europe, he claims. They provide services, and for that customers have to pay.

Italys battle of the beaches is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Mr Hallissey warned: The beach club operators have the support of Right-wing parties in the coalition, especially The League. Theyre an important source of votes. Its a very strong lobby.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Study finds major Earth systems likely on track to collapse: 5 things to know

(The Hill)  Four key pillars of the global climate are melting in the heat trapped by rising fossil fuel emissions, a new study has found.

The relatively stable climate that nurtured human civilization depends in large part on these structures: the ice sheets of Greenland and West Antarctica, the Amazon rainforest and the Atlantic currents that warm Europe.

Under current policies, the world faces a scenario in which those pillars have roughly even odds of either surviving or collapsing during the next three centuries, according to results published on Thursday in Nature Communications.

The scientists warned that if the pillars are fatally undermined by heat, the resulting damage could prove impossible to undo  even if temperatures are successfully brought down later in the 21st century.

Even so, the long timeline of those findings makes them, if anything, optimistic relative to other recent ones: They come on the heels of a string of disturbing studies about key global systems like the conveyor-belt Atlantic current that keeps Europe temperate, or the West Antarctic Ice Sheet that keeps global sea levels stable.

Experts say nuclear energy bill is proof of bipartisan consensus

They also come as the impacts of rising heat become increasingly obvious, seen in a range of phenomena including record-breaking temperatures  such as those baking Olympic athletes in Paris  thousand-year storms and worsening harvests.

Heres what you need to know.

What did Thursdays study find?

The Nature study found that the four pillars it focused on  the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC), the Amazon rainforest and the vast but melting Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets  are interconnected, like a row of dominoes.

And the risk of those dominoes toppling increases with every 0.1 Celsius (about 0.2 Fahrenheit) of additional heat above the red line of 2 degrees Celsius set in the Paris climate agreement, the researchers wrote.

They found that that risk is most urgent for the Atlantic current, which could tip into collapse within the next 15 years, and the Amazon rainforest, which could begin a runaway process of conversion to fire-prone grassland by the 2070s.

Following current policies this century would commit to a 45 percent tipping risk by 2300, even if temperatures are brought back to below 1.5 [Celsius], they wrote.

Why is the integrity of these pillars so important?

Because they serve as bulwarks of the modern climate.

Each of these pillars is stabilized by, and contribute to, much larger patterns in the global climate and human civilization  as well as the other pillars.

Take the AMOC: It functions as a conveyor belt that brings warm water from the tropics up into the North Atlantic, causing Europe to experience much warmer temperatures than Canada.

The currents weakening or failure would trap more hot water in the southern ocean, generating more hurricanes and speeding the melting of the Antarctic ice sheets, and lead to something like cataclysm for European agriculture  the sort of catastrophe for which preparation is of little use.

You cannot adapt to this, the University of Copenhagens Peter Ditlevsen, who co-authored a Nature study last year on the potential midcentury collapse of the AMOC with his sister Susanne, told Inside Climate News.

If that collapse occurs, he told Inside Climate, there are studies of what happens to agriculture in Great Britain, and it becomes like trying to grow potatoes in Northern Norway.

Similarly, the Amazon stabilizes global climates and regional temperatures, locking down planet-heating greenhouse gasses and generating rain that waters fields as far away as the U.S. Midwest.

And the full collapse of the cubic miles of ice in the Greenland Ice Sheet  whose melting is one of the principal sources of current sea level rise  would lead those levels to climb 23 feet, according to NASA.

How does the new study stack up against previous findings?

The Nature study builds upon prior research that suggested human civilization was brushing up against a wide array of potential tipping points.

There was the Ditlevsens finding last year that the AMOC was both slowing down and beginning to wander more  both early-warning signs for a collapse that they estimated could come as soon as midcentury.

That was bolstered by February findings in Science that confirmed such tipping in the AMOC was a real possibility.

This was bad news for the climate system and humanity, the authors of that study noted, because up until recently scientists could hope that AMOC tipping was only a theoretical concept that would vanish once scientists took a global view of the climate system and all its circling feedback loops.

If the AMOC collapsed, the Science authors suggested, there would be strong and rapid cooling of the European climate of 3 degrees Celsius, or up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit per decade  a level that, echoing Ditlevsen, the scientists said no realistic adaptation measures can deal with.

Also in February, a study in Nature found that as much as half of the Amazon  a forest that dates back to the age of the terrestrial dinosaurs  could be the site of compounding disturbances by midcentury that could lead to the sudden transition from forest to savanna.

Thats a possibility one study author told Carbon Brief was very scary.

And a 2020 study in Nature found that at about 2 degrees Celsius of warming  the upper limit set in Paris the Antarctic Ice Sheet would be committed to long-term partial collapse.

The danger to the ice sheet, and to these key systems in general, is what scientists call hysteresis  a dynamic that can be thought of as a door that only swings one way. Once collapse occurs, it will be impossible to reverse, even if temperatures are brought back down in the future.

How big is the risk of multisystem collapse?

Considerable research suggests that the systems examined in the Nature study are closely interwoven with one another, creating the risk of climate domino effects, as a 2021 study in Earth System Dynamics put it.

That risk is not clear cut: Interactions between the pillars cut both ways, and in some scenarios collapse in one could lead to greater stability for others, rather than a cascade of failure.

Californias housing crisis could be raising risk of climate disasters, researchers fear

For example, on the one hand, the frigid fresh water streaming down from a collapsing Greenland ice sheet might destabilize the AMOC; on the other, a similar collapse of the Antarctic ice sheet could stabilize it.

There is also some evidence suggesting that a faltering AMOC could help halt the dieback of the Amazon, though researchers emphasize that the salvation would be paid for with devastating impacts globally.

But these potential saving graces in scenarios of collapse underscore the consistent risk raised by the scientific literature in this field: Even experts dont really know how close we are to destabilizing the systems we rely on.

These risks go beyond the four earth systems that Thursdays study looked at. One 2022 Science study into the risk of failure of nine key Earth systems  which include the thawing of methane-dense permafrost and coral reef die-off  found that collapse was possible even at 1 Celsius of warming.

That is a level the planet has already surpassed, though the scientists noted that every fraction of a degree of heat brought the danger closer.

What are scientists proposing to stabilize the climate?

Scientists posit that the most important step for mitigating the risk of collapse is to slow global heating  which is effectively melting the diverse structures of the Earths atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere toward a dangerously soupy sameness  or to blunt its effects.

Some recent strategies theyve proposed to do so verge on science fiction.

Over the last several years, there has been a surge of interest in solar geoengineering, which pursues approaches like brightening clouds to reflect more of the suns light and heat back into space, away from an atmosphere that is ever more polluted with heat-trapping emissions from fossil fuels.

For example, the Environmental Defense Fund and the University of Chicago each recently stood up working groups on the technology.

Solar geoengineering is controversial, however. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists compared it to deliberately mirroring the heat-blocking impacts of volcanic eruptions or pollution from coal plants.

Recent research suggests that deflecting the suns light back into space would be, at best, a stopgap: A June study in Nature found that marine cloud brightening could cut the risk of dangerous summer temperatures by as much as 55 percent over the continental U.S.  but only over the short term.

By mid-century, the study found, the method would only slightly reduce, or even increase, heat stress in the Western United States and across the world  in part because of how the AMOC would respond to both ongoing planetary heating and the impacts of decreased sunlight.

Perhaps more controversial than solar geoengineering, according to Science Magazine, is the strategy discussed in a July white paper, also from the University of Chicago, in which a team of polar scientists called for research into massive dams, boreholes and barriers that could help slow the melting of the ice sheets.

Such measures could help block ice sheets from the heated ocean water that melts them or drain away the pools of meltwater that would otherwise lubricate their slide into a warming sea.

But theyre the subject of much contention among scientists.

I honestly feel like this is ultimately going to be a civil war in the community, University of Michigan glaciologist Jeremy Bassis told Science. I dont see an awful lot of room for compromise.

These proposals are controversial in part because of their expense, lack of proven outcomes and potential for unforeseen consequences  but also because many scientists see them as a distraction from the most obvious solution, which is drastically reducing the main force driving the heating: the burning of fossil fuels.

Survey: 9 in 10 Americans support proposed worker heat protection rules

A 2022 study in Nature Climate Change, for example, found that only cutting emissions in half by 2030 could minimize risks of tipping points for the worlds ice sheets.

Echoing the upshot of most papers on the topic, the authors of Thursdays study emphasized the need for rapid cuts in emissions.

They said to avoid the risk of tipping points, human society needed to at least zero out greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the century, a process that they emphasized had to begin now.

Rapid cuts in emissions by 2030 are critical for planetary stability, they wrote.

How are efforts to cut emissions faring?

Theyre not moving fast enough.

Last year saw record emissions from fossil fuels, according to scientists at the Global Carbon Budget, which tracks the amount of coal, oil and gas that can still be burned without pushing Earth beyond a greater than 50 percent chance of passing the critical 1.5 Celsius threshold.

As of 2024, that budget stands at 275 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide  an amount that human civilization is on track to burn through within the next seven years.

There is some evidence that global fossil fuel emissions will peak this year, but even if they do, the decline is likely to be gradual and may be outweighed by other factors, such as deforestation  or an expansion in the production of such fuels.

A 2023 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute found that world government fossil fuel production plans, if met, would by 2030 produce more than twice the amount of fossil fuels necessary to keep planetary heating below 1.5 Celsius, and more than half again as much as would keep it below 2 Celsius.

Both those numbers potentially surpass the level at which tipping points begin to be a risk.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Study finds major Earth systems likely on track to collapse: 5 things to know

(The Hill)  Four key pillars of the global climate are melting in the heat trapped by rising fossil fuel emissions, a new study has found.

The relatively stable climate that nurtured human civilization depends in large part on these structures: the ice sheets of Greenland and West Antarctica, the Amazon rainforest and the Atlantic currents that warm Europe.

Under current policies, the world faces a scenario in which those pillars have roughly even odds of either surviving or collapsing during the next three centuries, according to results published on Thursday in Nature Communications.

The scientists warned that if the pillars are fatally undermined by heat, the resulting damage could prove impossible to undo  even if temperatures are successfully brought down later in the 21st century.

Even so, the long timeline of those findings makes them, if anything, optimistic relative to other recent ones: They come on the heels of a string of disturbing studies about key global systems like the conveyor-belt Atlantic current that keeps Europe temperate, or the West Antarctic Ice Sheet that keeps global sea levels stable.

Ohio school closed for radioactive material being sold as-is

They also come as the impacts of rising heat become increasingly obvious, seen in a range of phenomena including record-breaking temperatures  such as those baking Olympic athletes in Paris  thousand-year storms and worsening harvests.

Heres what you need to know.

What did Thursdays study find?

The Nature study found that the four pillars it focused on  the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC), the Amazon rainforest and the vast but melting Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets  are interconnected, like a row of dominoes.

And the risk of those dominoes toppling increases with every 0.1 Celsius (about 0.2 Fahrenheit) of additional heat above the red line of 2 degrees Celsius set in the Paris climate agreement, the researchers wrote.

They found that that risk is most urgent for the Atlantic current, which could tip into collapse within the next 15 years, and the Amazon rainforest, which could begin a runaway process of conversion to fire-prone grassland by the 2070s.

Following current policies this century would commit to a 45 percent tipping risk by 2300, even if temperatures are brought back to below 1.5 [Celsius], they wrote.

Why is the integrity of these pillars so important?

Because they serve as bulwarks of the modern climate.

Each of these pillars is stabilized by, and contribute to, much larger patterns in the global climate and human civilization  as well as the other pillars.

Take the AMOC: It functions as a conveyor belt that brings warm water from the tropics up into the North Atlantic, causing Europe to experience much warmer temperatures than Canada.

The currents weakening or failure would trap more hot water in the southern ocean, generating more hurricanes and speeding the melting of the Antarctic ice sheets, and lead to something like cataclysm for European agriculture  the sort of catastrophe for which preparation is of little use.

You cannot adapt to this, the University of Copenhagens Peter Ditlevsen, who co-authored a Nature study last year on the potential midcentury collapse of the AMOC with his sister Susanne, told Inside Climate News.

If that collapse occurs, he told Inside Climate, there are studies of what happens to agriculture in Great Britain, and it becomes like trying to grow potatoes in Northern Norway.

Similarly, the Amazon stabilizes global climates and regional temperatures, locking down planet-heating greenhouse gasses and generating rain that waters fields as far away as the U.S. Midwest.

And the full collapse of the cubic miles of ice in the Greenland Ice Sheet  whose melting is one of the principal sources of current sea level rise  would lead those levels to climb 23 feet, according to NASA.

How does the new study stack up against previous findings?

The Nature study builds upon prior research that suggested human civilization was brushing up against a wide array of potential tipping points.

There was the Ditlevsens finding last year that the AMOC was both slowing down and beginning to wander more  both early-warning signs for a collapse that they estimated could come as soon as midcentury.

That was bolstered by February findings in Science that confirmed such tipping in the AMOC was a real possibility.

This was bad news for the climate system and humanity, the authors of that study noted, because up until recently scientists could hope that AMOC tipping was only a theoretical concept that would vanish once scientists took a global view of the climate system and all its circling feedback loops.

If the AMOC collapsed, the Science authors suggested, there would be strong and rapid cooling of the European climate of 3 degrees Celsius, or up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit per decade  a level that, echoing Ditlevsen, the scientists said no realistic adaptation measures can deal with.

Also in February, a study in Nature found that as much as half of the Amazon  a forest that dates back to the age of the terrestrial dinosaurs  could be the site of compounding disturbances by midcentury that could lead to the sudden transition from forest to savanna.

Thats a possibility one study author told Carbon Brief was very scary.

And a 2020 study in Nature found that at about 2 degrees Celsius of warming  the upper limit set in Paris the Antarctic Ice Sheet would be committed to long-term partial collapse.

The danger to the ice sheet, and to these key systems in general, is what scientists call hysteresis  a dynamic that can be thought of as a door that only swings one way. Once collapse occurs, it will be impossible to reverse, even if temperatures are brought back down in the future.

How big is the risk of multisystem collapse?

Considerable research suggests that the systems examined in the Nature study are closely interwoven with one another, creating the risk of climate domino effects, as a 2021 study in Earth System Dynamics put it.

That risk is not clear cut: Interactions between the pillars cut both ways, and in some scenarios collapse in one could lead to greater stability for others, rather than a cascade of failure.

Biden prisoner exchange ignites debate on steep price to free Americans

For example, on the one hand, the frigid fresh water streaming down from a collapsing Greenland ice sheet might destabilize the AMOC; on the other, a similar collapse of the Antarctic ice sheet could stabilize it.

There is also some evidence suggesting that a faltering AMOC could help halt the dieback of the Amazon, though researchers emphasize that the salvation would be paid for with devastating impacts globally.

But these potential saving graces in scenarios of collapse underscore the consistent risk raised by the scientific literature in this field: Even experts dont really know how close we are to destabilizing the systems we rely on.

These risks go beyond the four earth systems that Thursdays study looked at. One 2022 Science study into the risk of failure of nine key Earth systems  which include the thawing of methane-dense permafrost and coral reef die-off  found that collapse was possible even at 1 Celsius of warming.

That is a level the planet has already surpassed, though the scientists noted that every fraction of a degree of heat brought the danger closer.

What are scientists proposing to stabilize the climate?

Scientists posit that the most important step for mitigating the risk of collapse is to slow global heating  which is effectively melting the diverse structures of the Earths atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere toward a dangerously soupy sameness  or to blunt its effects.

Some recent strategies theyve proposed to do so verge on science fiction.

Over the last several years, there has been a surge of interest in solar geoengineering, which pursues approaches like brightening clouds to reflect more of the suns light and heat back into space, away from an atmosphere that is ever more polluted with heat-trapping emissions from fossil fuels.

For example, the Environmental Defense Fund and the University of Chicago each recently stood up working groups on the technology.

Solar geoengineering is controversial, however. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists compared it to deliberately mirroring the heat-blocking impacts of volcanic eruptions or pollution from coal plants.

Recent research suggests that deflecting the suns light back into space would be, at best, a stopgap: A June study in Nature found that marine cloud brightening could cut the risk of dangerous summer temperatures by as much as 55 percent over the continental U.S.  but only over the short term.

By mid-century, the study found, the method would only slightly reduce, or even increase, heat stress in the Western United States and across the world  in part because of how the AMOC would respond to both ongoing planetary heating and the impacts of decreased sunlight.

Perhaps more controversial than solar geoengineering, according to Science Magazine, is the strategy discussed in a July white paper, also from the University of Chicago, in which a team of polar scientists called for research into massive dams, boreholes and barriers that could help slow the melting of the ice sheets.

Such measures could help block ice sheets from the heated ocean water that melts them or drain away the pools of meltwater that would otherwise lubricate their slide into a warming sea.

But theyre the subject of much contention among scientists.

I honestly feel like this is ultimately going to be a civil war in the community, University of Michigan glaciologist Jeremy Bassis told Science. I dont see an awful lot of room for compromise.

These proposals are controversial in part because of their expense, lack of proven outcomes and potential for unforeseen consequences  but also because many scientists see them as a distraction from the most obvious solution, which is drastically reducing the main force driving the heating: the burning of fossil fuels.

Heat, erratic winds and possible lightning could complicate the battle against California wildfire

A 2022 study in Nature Climate Change, for example, found that only cutting emissions in half by 2030 could minimize risks of tipping points for the worlds ice sheets.

Echoing the upshot of most papers on the topic, the authors of Thursdays study emphasized the need for rapid cuts in emissions.

They said to avoid the risk of tipping points, human society needed to at least zero out greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the century, a process that they emphasized had to begin now.

Rapid cuts in emissions by 2030 are critical for planetary stability, they wrote.

How are efforts to cut emissions faring?

Theyre not moving fast enough.

Last year saw record emissions from fossil fuels, according to scientists at the Global Carbon Budget, which tracks the amount of coal, oil and gas that can still be burned without pushing Earth beyond a greater than 50 percent chance of passing the critical 1.5 Celsius threshold.

As of 2024, that budget stands at 275 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide  an amount that human civilization is on track to burn through within the next seven years.

There is some evidence that global fossil fuel emissions will peak this year, but even if they do, the decline is likely to be gradual and may be outweighed by other factors, such as deforestation  or an expansion in the production of such fuels.

A 2023 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute found that world government fossil fuel production plans, if met, would by 2030 produce more than twice the amount of fossil fuels necessary to keep planetary heating below 1.5 Celsius, and more than half again as much as would keep it below 2 Celsius.

Both those numbers potentially surpass the level at which tipping points begin to be a risk.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Texas National Guard soldiers patrol the Rio Grande near El Paso in April. A new study shows that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022, counter to the drain that immigration opponents claim migrants are. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

A new study estimates that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $97 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022, while often being shut out of the programs their taxes fund.

In 40 states, undocumented immigrants paid higher tax rates than the top 1% of the income scale in those states, according to a study released Tuesday by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning, nonprofit think tank.

The study, which uses estimates of undocumented immigrants tax contributions as of 2022, shows those totaled $96.7 billion that year. In Maryland, they paid an estimated $779.3 million in total taxes that year, the ninth most among states, according to the report.

Study authors also found that undocumented immigrants would contribute $40.2 billion more per year in federal, state and local taxes  an additional $262 million in Maryland  if all of the undocumented population had access to work authorization. The reports authors reasoned that this boost would come from higher wages associated with employment authorization and easier compliance with income tax laws.

The report also shed further light on the tax revenue provided by undocumented immigrants on the state and local level. Undocumented immigrants are paying 46% of their state and local tax payments through sales and excise taxes. Six states  New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Illinois  were able to raise more than $1 billion each in tax revenue from undocumented immigrants, the nonprofit said.

Undocumented immigrants pay property taxes and sales taxes, and federal payroll taxes taken from their wages, as well as income tax returns using Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers. Those payroll taxes fund Medicare, Social Security and unemployment insurance, social programs that undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in and receive regular benefits from.

Immigrants can also face barriers to getting tax refunds, including getting scammed by unscrupulous tax preparers who target immigrant communities, said Jackie Vimo, senior analyst of economic justice policy at the National Immigration Law Center, in a media call on the report. The center focuses on racial, economic and social justice for low-income immigrants.

There are tons of laws that prevent undocumented workers from getting benefits, said Richard C. Auxier, a principal policy associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank that was not involved in the study. They get a lot of political attention. At the end of the day, theyre just normal people paying normal taxes.

Alexis Tsoukalas, senior policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility for Floridians, told reporters on Monday that she was struck by how much the state collected in taxes from undocumented immigrants compared to the wealthiest in the state. The current tax rate for undocumented immigrants in Florida is 8% compared to the top 1% of the state at 2.7%.

This means hundreds of thousands of everyday people are contributing more than their share to public services they cannot even access, meanwhile those with the most to give and the most to benefit contribute the least, Tsoukalas said.

The findings appear to counter anti-immigrant rhetoric that undocumented immigrants are destroying social programs.

The study comes at a time when states are passing laws to arrest people they suspect of entering the U.S. illegally, a power long reserved for the federal government, and the Biden administration has taken executive action to allow for the deportation of many asylum seekers without processing their claims. The Republican Party platform this year promises the largest deportation operation in American history if former President Donald Trump is reelected, and tax policy will also be front and center for Congress and the White House next year as provisions of Trumps tax law, passed in 2017, are set to expire.

Aside from the human cost of deportations on families, policy experts and researchers are making the case that there is an economic cost as well, arguing that undocumented immigrants are a boon to the economy. Immigration and economic experts who spoke about the significance of the report on Monday highlighted the Congressional Budget Offices July report on the rise in immigration and its effects on the economy and budget, which found that this increase in immigration would add $1.2 trillion in federal revenue from 2024 to 2034.

Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said there are economic ripple effects to consider in the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. beyond taxes.

If you deported someone and theyre no longer making taxable purchases in their community, that number would reflect a reduction in their sales tax payments to the community but it wouldnt capture that second ripple effect of the business has less profits because they have fewer customers, Davis said in a media call on the study.

Auxier said that researchers have found that while children in an undocumented immigrant household receive education benefits that could be larger than the tax payments of their lower-income working parents, that is more of an income issue than a specific immigration issue. The other side of that coin, Auxier notes, is that in the future, undocumented households may in fact give back more than they received.

Those same studies tend to note that if the children go to school and they then go get jobs, now the American household is giving more than it got because the parents came here, worked, paid into Social Security, Medicare and didnt get any benefits, he said. The kid went to school and then they got a job and then they started earning enough money that they were a net contributor.

Policy experts also pointed to a labor shortage  8.1 million job openings and 6.8 million unemployed workers in June, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce  as a reason to embrace the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants. Maryland, South Dakota, North Dakota, Vermont, Maine, and South Carolina are some of the states facing the greatest labor shortages, according to a Washington Post analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Immigrants are already filling that [labor] gap and if we have mass deportations where millions of immigrants are torn from their family members and the country they have made home, we will not only have the human impact of this, but well have a severe effect on the economy and available workforce, said Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now)  A recommendation made back in 2021 to close public schools in Washington County that had student enrollment below 60% has creeped back into the conversation.

County commissioner Derek Harvey suggested last week that closing Hancock Middle Senior School and Cascade Elementary might be reconsidered.

Funding from Gov. Wes Moore to improve facilities at Taylor Park in Washington County

But members of the county school board have vowed to fight against the suggestion. Board member Linda Murray said there is no need to revisit the proposed closures and that parents in the affected communities have already spoken out.

We had a public hearing and parents came out and talked to us and gave us very good reasons why we shouldnt close those schools, Murray said. So were not closing those schools. Were going to keep them open for the community.

County school board president, Melissa Williams said she and county schools superintendent, David Sovine, have been working to expand course offerings at the school in Hancock.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Sumner County Sheriff Roy Sonny Wilson Weatherford III died Friday at the age of 65 after serving the community for more than 40 years.

Sumner County posted the following statement from the mayors office on Facebook on Friday, Aug. 2:

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford. Sheriff Weatherford dedicated his life to the service and protection of our community, embodying the very essence of commitment, bravery, and integrity. In every action and decision, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice and the well-being of every citizen. Through the years, he has faced countless challenges with courage and determination, always putting the safety of others above his own. But beyond the badge and the uniform, Sonny was a person of deep compassion and empathy. He understood that the role of a sheriff was not just about enforcing the law, but also about fostering trust and building relationships within the community. He took the time to listen, to understand, and to help those in need, often going above and beyond the call of duty. To Tammy and the family, we extend our deepest condolences and pray for Gods comfort during this time of profound loss. Your loss is immeasurable, and we share in your grief. We are profoundly grateful for the sacrifices you have made, supporting Sonny as he dedicated his life to serving others. As we reflect on Sheriff Weatherfords legacy, let us remember the values he stood for: justice, integrity, and compassion. Let us honor his memory by striving to live up to these ideals in our own lives. Though Sonny is no longer with us, his legacy and influence will continue to guide and inspire us. May Sonny rest in peace, and may his legacy endure in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him.

Sumner County Chief Deputy Eric Craddock told News 2 the sea of blue honoring Weatherford was set to leave Pigeon Forge Friday evening and head toward Sumner Funeral and Cremation in Gallatin. Sumner County EMS even posted videos of the law enforcement vehicles passing by.

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On Saturday, Aug. 3, the sheriffs office posted a reel of the escort, saying, Hundreds of law enforcement partners joined in escorting Sheriff Sonny Weatherford home to Sumner County last night. Many thanks to all for the love and support.

The sheriffs office also shared a statement from Weatherfords family Saturday night, which said, in part:

We want to express our sincerest gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support our family has received during this difficult time. Though our family is grief-stricken, we take comfort in knowing Sonny left behind a beautiful legacy. Every call, message, and show of support has brought great comfort to our family. We appreciate everything that has been done, and will be done in the coming days. We especially want to thank every agency who assisted us in bringing him home. It was a homecoming we could not have given him alone. Special thanks to our extended family at the Sumner County Sheriffs Office for walking beside us in every way possible.

Roy Sonny Weatherford (Courtesy: Sumner County Sheriffs Office)

Weatherford became the sheriff of Sumner County in 2010, following the death of Sheriff Bob Barker. He began his career with the sheriffs office in 1985, but he started in law enforcement as a patrol officer with the Portland Police Department in 1983.

He received his degree at Vol State Community College after he graduated from Gallatin High School.

According to Weatherfords obituary, he is survived by his wife of 24 years, Tammy; his two sons, Michael and Dustin; his four grandchildren, who were the light of his life, Jemma, Gunner, Bella, and Keagan; his three siblings; and his nieces, nephew, great niece, and great nephews.

He faithfully served the citizens of Sumner County, the men and women of the Sumner County Sheriffs Office, and the Tennessee Sheriffs Association until his death on August 2, 2024, the obituary stated. His compassion, empathy, and commitment to justice will be his legacy. The men and women of the Sumner County Sheriffs Office will honor his memory in continuing the work they do in service to the community that he so loved.

She is dangerous: Mother of missing Sumner County teen files order of protection against YouTuber

Numerous Tennessee lawmakers, officials, law enforcement agencies, and emergency response agencies have shared their prayers and condolences for Weatherfords family and colleagues following his death:

Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford dedicated more than 40 years of his life to protecting his community with great compassion, courage, and leadership. He will be deeply missed by many in Tennessee. May God comfort his family and loved ones during this difficult time. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)

Im shocked and heartbroken by the loss of a friend and a true public servant, Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. My prayers are with his family, especially his wife Tammy and sons Michael and Dustin, as well as the men and women in the Sumner County Sheriffs Office. U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.)

We just lost a true hero in Sumner County. The unexpected loss of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford leaves a tremendous void in our community and in our hearts. Not only have the people of Sumner County lost a phenomenal sheriff, but he has been my dear friend for 20 years. Sonny proudly answered the call to duty with a distinguished career in law enforcement that spanned four decades. His many contributions to Sumner County and his work to advance public safety in Tennessee will be felt for many years to come. Above all else, Sonny was a deeply principled man. His strength of character, good nature, and servants heart served as an example for us all. We miss him and we pray for his family during this difficult time. Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland)

Sheriff Weatherford was more than a fellow public servant; I had the honor of calling him a friend. His dedication and commitment to Sumner County were unwavering, and the impact of his absence will be felt deeply by all who knew him. Sheriff Weatherfords service to our community was marked by integrity, compassion, and a relentless drive to protect and serve. Keeping Sumner County safe through its recent growth required strategic thinking and preparation, and Sheriff Weatherford rose to the challenge with remarkable skill and foresight. His leadership and dedication ensured that our community remained secure and well-prepared for the future. We will forever be grateful for his honorable service and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. State Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin)

Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford passed away this afternoon. A steadfast public servant that dedicated his life protecting the citizens of Sumner County. Please join Kara and me in prayer for his sweet wife Tammy and his entire family during this difficult time. State Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville)

Its a tough day in Sumner County with the passing of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. He was a great public servant and a true friend of our court system. He will be missed. Judge David Howard

Director of Sumner County Schools, Dr. Scott Langford, and the SCS family are devastated this evening. Sheriff Weatherford was instrumental in protecting our students and staff by working hard to provide a police officer in every school. His commitment to the safety of our students, staff, and community will always be remembered. Sonny Weatherford was a dear friend and great man. His impact on safety in Sumner County is unparalleled. We were blessed to know Sonny. For our schools, Sonny led the building and development of the #1 SRO division in the nation. Please join me in praying for the Weatherford family, Sumner County Schools Director, Dr. Scott Langford said. His dedication to the well-being of our students and staff went beyond his professional duties; he truly cared for the Sumner County community. We invite the community to come together during this difficult time to honor his legacy and support his family. We are committed to continuing Sheriff Weatherfords vision for a safe and nurturing educational environment for all students and staff. Our prayers are with Sheriff Weatherfords family, friends, and colleagues during this challenging time. He will be greatly missed. Sumner County Schools

Such a sad loss of a good man. My condolences, love and prayers for Tammy and the rest of his family and for the Sumner County Sheriffs Office which he served so devotedly and loved so dearly. Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown

I regret to share the news that Sumner County Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford has passed away. Please join with the THP Nashville District and the TN Highway Patrol as we extend our condolences to his family, friends and the Sumner County Sheriffs Office. Tennessee Highway Patrol Col. Matt Perry

Sending our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters in Sumner County after hearing about the loss of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. May God give each of you comfort during this difficult time. Wilson County Sheriffs Office

We are sad to announce that Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford passed away from a sudden medical condition. He was a great sheriff and a pioneer of law enforcement in Sumner County. He was also a friend to the entire Tennessee Sheriff Community. Please join us as we pray for the Sumner County Sheriffs Office and the Weatherford family. Dickson County Sheriffs Office

Sheriff Hopper and the Smith County Sheriffs Office would like to send our condolences to the Sumner County Sheriffs Office and the family of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. You all are in our prayers. Smith County Sheriffs Office

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Weatherfords family and the Sumner County Sheriffs Office family. Sheriff Weatherford was a great friend and partner with the Robertson County Sheriffs Office. He will be greatly missed. Robertson County Sheriffs Office

We would like to extend our condolences to the Sumner County Sheriff Department and the family of Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Trousdale County Sheriffs Department

Sheriff Weatherford served as sheriff of Sumner County since 2010. He was a geat person and loyal servant to his community. We are sending prayers to his family, his coworkers, and his community. Franklin County Sheriffs Office

The Sheriffs Office is saddened to hear of the passing of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. Please keep the family, as well as the Sumner County Sheriffs Office in your prayers during this difficult time. Macon County Sheriffs Office

Sheriff Sonny Weatherford served the people of Sumner County with integrity and compassion. I am proud to have known him and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family and the Sumner County Sheriffs Office. His legacy will live on. Rest in peace, my friend. Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall

Sheriff Weatherford served as sheriff of Sumner County since 2010. He was a geat person and loyal servant to his community. We are sending prayers to his family, his coworkers, and his community. Van Buren County Sheriffs Department

Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues at the Sumner County Sheriffs Office for the loss of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. We know this is a difficult time and are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Montgomery County Sheriffs Office

We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. Sheriff Casey Cox and the men and women of the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office offer our deepest condolences to Sheriff Weatherfords family and the Sumner County Sheriffs Office. Sheriff Weatherford was a great man and leader in his community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Weatherfords family, friends, and community during this difficult time. Cumberland County Sheriffs Office

Today we keep the Sumner County Sheriffs Office, Community and Family of in our prayers after learning of the passing of Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford. Sheriff Weatherford dedicated his life to the service and protection of their community, embodying the very essence of commitment, bravery, and integrity. In every action and decision, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice and the well-being of every citizen. Sheriff Weatherford will be greatly missed. Hickman County Sheriffs Office

The Tennessee Sheriffs Association and the Board of Directors are saddened to hear the passing of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. Please lift the family and the Sumner County Sheriffs Office up in prayer during this difficult time. Tennessee Sheriffs Association

We are heartbroken to report the passing of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. Please join us in praying for his family, his department, and the community as we grieve his passing. Gallatin Police Department

We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Sumner County Sheriff Weatherford. Sheriff Weatherford was a great man and a wonderful leader for the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Weatherfords family, Sumner County Sheriffs Office, and the Sumner County Community during this time. Hendersonville Police Department

The City of White House Police Department offers our deepest condolences to the family of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford and to the members of the Sumner County Sheriffs Department. White House Police Department

It is with great sadness we pass on the news about Sheriff Weatherford. Portland Police Department

Everyone say a prayer for our Sumner County Sheriffs Office partners as they endure the passing of their Sheriff. Lafayette Police Department

The Red Boiling Springs Police Department would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends and the entire Sumner County Sheriffs Office with the passing of Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford. Sheriff Weatherford was the epitome of what a sheriff should be and will be greatly missed by all those that had the privilege and honor of ever knowing him. Red Boiling Springs Police Department

Our deepest condolences go out to the Sumner County Sheriffs Department and the family of Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford. Sheriff Weatherfords dedication to service, his unwavering commitment to justice, and his deep compassion for the community he served were truly remarkable. May Sheriff Weatherford rest in peace. Mt. Juliet Police Department

We share with heavy hearts the passing of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. Please join us in praying for his family, the Sheriffs Department, and the community of Sumner County as we grieve his passing and offer our condolences. Westmoreland Police Department

Our deepest condolences go to the family, friends, and coworkers of Sumner County Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford, as we are saddened to learn of his passing. Our prayers are with you. Coopertown Police Department

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Weatherfords family, friends, and the entire Sumner County Sheriffs Office. Jamestown Police Department

The Lebanon Police Department is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Sumner County Sheriff Roy Sonny Weatherford. His unwavering dedication and support for the community he served is admirable by any public servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the Sumner County Sheriffs Office, Sheriff Weatherfords loved ones, and the entire Sumner County community during this difficult time. Lebanon Police Department

We are sad to announce the passing of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. He was a great Sheriff and also a great friend to many. Please keep his family, the Sumner County Sheriffs Office, and the community in your prayers during this difficult time. Goodlettsville Police Department

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Sheriff Roy [Sonny] Weatherford. Sheriff Weatherford dedicated his life to serving our community with unwavering commitment and integrity. His leadership, compassion, and dedication to public safety have left an indelible mark on all of us. Throughout his career, Sheriff Weatherford was not just a law enforcement officer, but a mentor, friend, and pillar of strength. He worked tirelessly to ensure our safety, and his efforts have profoundly impacted the lives of many. His legacy of service and kindness will continue to inspire us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Weatherfords family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched. Rest in peace, Sheriff Weatherford, we will take it from here. Thank you for your service. Sumner County EMS

The members of Shackle Island Fire extend our condolences to the family and members of the Summer County Sheriffs Department. Shackle Island Fire Department

Our community mourns the loss of such a wonderful man. He took great pride in his position as Sheriff and cared deeply for his citizens. We share our deepest condolences to his family and friends for their loss of such a wonderful soul. Rest easy, Sheriff. We will take it from here. Westmoreland Fire Department

To Deputies and staff at the Sumner Co. Sheriffs Dept. and to the family of Sheriff Sonny Weatherford we are sending our condolences on your loss. Rest Easy, Sheriff, and thank you for your service. To the Gold Line Specialists, under the headset at the Sumner Co. 911 Center we are sending our virtual hugs, love, and prayers for peace and comfort. Let us know if we can help. Tennessee Emergency Number Association

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On Saturday night, the Sumner County Sheriffs Office shared its appreciation for the support it has received, both on a local level and from across the state, saying, We are truly humbled and grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support from our amazing community. Your kindness, encouragement, and generosity during this difficult time mean the world to us.

According to his obituary, Weatherfords funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, Aug. 9 at Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, with Bill Sorrells officiating. Interment will follow at Crestview Memory Gardens, with Sumner County deputies serving as pallbearers. Visitation with the family is set for Thursday, Aug. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., as well as Friday from 11 a.m. until the service begins.

Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimers Tennessee. Weatherford donated to that organization every year in his mothers honor.

Meanwhile, a tribute to Weatherford has been set up outside of the sheriffs office in Gallatin. Sumner County Mayor John Isbel said community members are welcome to place arrangements on or around Weatherfords vehicle to honor his legacy.

The flags have also been lowered outside of the Sumner County Courthouse and the Sumner County Emergency Services building in his honor.

(Courtesy: Sumner County Sheriffs Office)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

No additional details have been confirmed about the circumstances surrounding Weatherfords death.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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Sumner County Sheriff Roy "Sonny" Weatherford died Friday at the age of 65. A procession of law enforcement vehicles brought him home to Gallatin from Pigeon Forge, where Weatherford was attending the nearby 2024 Sheriffs' Association Conference.

The long line of flashing blue lights passed by the sheriff's office on Smith Street where law enforcement officers and community members gathered to honor Weatherford's four decades of service to middle Tennessee. Weatherford's cause of death has not been released, but a statement from law enforcement officials referred to his death as the result of a "sudden medical condition."

"Sheriff Weatherford dedicated his life to the service and protection of our community, embodying the very essence of commitment, bravery, and integrity," Sumner County Mayor John Isbell said in a statement. "In every action and decision, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice and the well-being of every citizen."

Sumner County Sheriff Roy "Sonny" Weatherford died at the age of 65.

Isbell and other local leaders took to social media Friday to remember Weatherford's legacy as "a great man and a wonderful leader," according to a statement from the Hendersonville Police Department.

Weatherford graduated from Gallatin High School and Volunteer State Community College in the 1970s before starting his career in law enforcement with the Portland Police Department. He rose in the ranks from patrolman to sergeant and chief deputy within Sumner County, and in 2010, he became the county sheriff. Weatherford served as sheriff for 14 years.

Tennessee State Rep. Johnny Garrett called Weatherford a "steadfast public servant that dedicated his life protecting the citizens of Sumner County" and asked the community to join him in prayers for the family, including Weatherford's wife Tammy and their two sons.

Tennessee Sheriffs' Association employee Shelby Lee Schiavone said in a statement on social media that she was part of the procession that transported Weatherford across the state.

"From leaving the hospital in Knoxville to arriving in Gallatin, all I could think of was how my beloved Sheriff Sonny Weatherford, would so appreciate the honor from all agencies that helped escort him home," she said.

Schiavone recounted vehicles that joined to escort the group through each county, officers standing in the rain to block traffic and people lined up on overpasses to honor Weatherford as the procession passed through.

"It was a sight that I will not forget," she said. "It was one that puts a smile on your face while tears run down your cheeks."

In the wake of Weatherford's death, Chief Deputy Eric Craddock is leading the Sumner County Sheriff's Office.

Hadley Hitson covers trending business, dining and health care for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford dies in East Tennessee
Vice President Harriss decision on who will be her running mate looms, as she is expected to hit the campaign trail with the chosen candidate next week. As speculation about who she will pick heats up, it will likely be a focus of this weeks Sunday talk show circuit.

The vice president said recently that she had not yet made a selection about who to add to her ticket.

Harris also joined President Biden in welcoming home three American citizens freed from Russian prison in the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War earlier this week, and that news will also likely be a talking point.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain will appear on CBS Face the Nation, where he will likely discuss the unions endorsement of Harris and his criticism of former President Trump.

Trump and his chosen running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), will join Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures. The GOP duo is likely to talk about the state of the 2024 race and how they will take on Harris, who was officially named the Democratic nominee Friday.

Trump also may talk about prisoner exchange that led to the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, reporter Alsu Kurmasheva and former Marine Paul Whelan. He called the news a win for Russian President Vladimir Putin and questioned the details.

White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer is set to make an appearance on ABCs This Week, CBS Face the Nation, and CNNs State of the Union, where he will also likely talk about the prisoner swap.

Almar Latour, the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, is also appearing on ABCs This Week. Paul Beckett, the Journals assistant editor, is appearing on CBS. They are expected to discuss the release of their colleague Gershkovich. Beckett was instrumental in the reporters release.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby is set to join Fox News Sunday, where he will likely discuss the prisoner swap and rising tensions in the Middle East.

Kirby also hit back at Vance, who credited Trump with the prisoner swap. He said there is zero evidence that the deal happened because Russia is eyeing Trump as the winner of the election.

Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mt.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will join NewsNations The Hill Sunday to discuss the prisoner swap.

Heres the full list of appearances on this weeks Sunday shows:

ABCs This Week  Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.); White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer; Wall Street Journal publisher Almar Latour.

CBS Face the Nation  Finer; Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain; Wall Street Journal assistant editor Paul Beckett.

CNNs State of the Union  Finer; Sens. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).

Fox News Sunday  Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.); White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.

Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures  Former President Trump; Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio); former White House senior adviser Stephen Miller.

NewsNations The Hill Sunday  Reps. Ryan Zinke (R-Mt.) and Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.); former Secretary of Defense William Cohen; Squared Communications CEO Michael Meehan; North Star Opinion Research founder Whit Ayres.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
DUBOIS, Pa. (WTAJ)  The former DuBois city manager, John Herm Suplizio, was accused in March of 2023 of committing $620,815 in fraudulent transactions involving city/public accounts to pay his personal credit card bills, make political donations, and gamble.

Now, his team has filed a motion that asks for them to be provided with the information about the alleged transactions so that they may properly prepare for trial. In the filing, his team wrote in attempting to track the statutory language and elements, these counts include no factual details as to what funds were converted, nor how when referring to the indictment.

They added that the government did not specify in each of the examples what part of the alleged transaction was unauthorized.

For example, the government alleges generally that Mr. Suplizio caused money from the Community Days Accounts to be used to pay Suplizios personal credit card bills. But it does not allege which specific transactions on those personal credit card bills were unauthorized and it does not attribute any such allegedly unauthorized transaction to the money from the Community Days Accounts, rather than from other income. According to court documents

Previous coverage of Suplizio

f9f09152-1139-4151-b4d9-6a714fb061e4-Suplizio8224billofparticularsDownload

His defense wrote that there were tens of thousands of alleged transactions involved in the case, some spanning over a decade. Adding that reviewing every single one is a monumental task; determining which of those the government believes were part of the alleged scheme is impossible.

They submitted the Motion for a Bill of Particulars to ensure that the defense team can adequately prepare and to avoid any surprise during the trial.

In cases where the government alleges that some among many events or transactions constitute a crime, but does not specify which events or transactions, a defendant often cannot effectively or constitutionally defend himself, The defense added.

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The motion requests that all of the details for the allegedly fraudulent transactions be given to them in 30 days.

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Suspect sought for breaking into law enforcement vehicles

CHICAGO  Chicago police are searching for the suspect(s) accused of breaking into law enforcement vehicles in the citys Edison Park neighborhood.

Police said the suspect is known to break the driver or passenger side rear window and then take various pieces of law enforcement equipment.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

The incidents happened at the following times and locations:

7100 block of North Oleander Ave. July 21, 2024, between 1:45 am and 12:00 p.m.

6400 block of North Northwest Hwy. August 3, 2024, at 2:36 a.m.

7400 block of North Harlem Ave. August 3, 2024 at 2:40 a.m.

No information on the suspect(s) was released.

Anyone with information is asked to call Area Five Detectives at 312-746-7394.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Tampa police are searching for the man they say passed a note to a bank teller, demanding money and stating he was armed.

Around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, officials said the suspect entered a bank on the 600 block of South Howard Avenue in Tampa.

Investigation revealed he gave a note to a bank teller which said he was armed with a weapon and demanded money.

After the suspect was given the money, he fled the scene.

He was last seen on a bicycle heading northbound on South Howard Avenue, wearing a black hat, a dark-colored long-sleeve shirt, red shorts, and dark-colored shoes.

Tampa Police Department

Thankfully, there were no injuries.

Anyone with information on the suspect or incident is asked to contact the non-emergency line at 813-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip through the TampaPD app under TIP411.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A 31-year-old Tacoma woman has been accused in a bank fraud scheme to steal $345,000 by using her employment with a western Washington credit union to access and share members account information with five co-conspirators.

Aneicia Ford was working from home as a customer service employee between May and October 2022, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington. In her role of helping members with account issues, she had access to personally identifying information that she allegedly passed on to Dangelo Roberts.

Prosecutors say Roberts, 21, allegedly stole from customer accounts with the information, advertised on social media that he could make false identification materials and sought to recruit others to access victims accounts.

Four others charged in the scheme are accused of obtaining fake IDs with the stolen account information, allegedly using them to get debit cards and make withdrawals, often at the credit unions branches. The credit union is identified only as victim credit union in federal court documents. Records state the fraud scheme spanned King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

Customers who lost money to the scheme were fully reimbursed by the credit union, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

In one instance on May 17, 2022, Ford and a co-conspirator allegedly withdrew $25,000 in cash from a credit union members account, according to court records. Later that month, Ford and another co-conspirator allegedly withdrew an additional $25,000 from a different victims account.

Prosecutors said the conspirators also spent victims funds by ordering cashiers checks or purchasing postal money orders that they made payable to other conspirators or their associates. They allegedly used their illegal access to transfer money between accounts and check balances.

Ford appeared via summons Thursday before Judge Brian A. Tsuchida in U.S. District Court in Seattle, according to court records. She pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft. She was released pending further proceedings, with certain release conditions.

Roberts was arrested July 26 when the indictment was unsealed, court records show. He pleaded not guilty the same day in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Judge Tsuchida ordered him released with conditions until his next court date.

The four others accused as co-conspirators are also charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and varying numbers of identity theft offenses. Two of the defendants have so far pleaded not guilty to their charges, and the other two have yet to make a first court appearance.

Shanna Carter-Zanders, 42 of Auburn

Kohrey Lee Bridges, 22, of Tumwater

Anthony McQueen, 36, of Seattle

Meghan Frazier, 21, of University Place
Anthony Ray Johnson Jr., a Marine veteran, tried to get help when he began noticing the symptoms of a schizophrenic episode, according to his family. Johnson was turned away from mental health facility, his sister said, and was arrested later that day. He died Sunday after being pepper-sprayed by officers at the Tarrant County Jail.

The Texas Attorney Generals Office has ruled that Tarrant County may withhold the full video of Anthony Johnson Jr.s jail death, but Johnsons family says the fight for change is just beginning.

Daryl Washington, the familys attorney, said in a statement Saturday that they arent surprised by Attorney General Ken Paxtons decision.

Sheriff Waybourn, JPS Hospital and other Tarrant County officials do not want the full video to be released because it will expose how Anthony was treated in an inhumane manner shortly before and after his death, Washington said.

Paxtons ruling, dated July 15 but made public this week, says the sheriffs office may withhold the video because of the Texas Rangers ongoing investigation into Johnsons death.

We conclude the release of the information at issue would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime, the attorney generals ruling states.

On July 22, Johnsons family filed a lawsuit against Tarrant County, two named jailers and other unnamed jailers in connection with Johnsons death. Washington said the lawsuit isnt about the money, but about seeing change at the Tarrant County Jail.

Johnson died of asphyxiation in the Tarrant County Jail on April 21 after a fight with detention officers during a contraband search, authorities have said. The 31-year-old Marine veteran was pepper-sprayed and held down while handcuffed until he went unconscious, according to partial video of the altercation.

Cell phone video shows a heavyset jailer put his knee on Johnsons back for 90 seconds, while Johnson can be heard saying he cant breathe.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office ruled Johnsons death a homicide caused by mechanical and chemical asphyxiation.

Rafael Moreno, the jailer who knelt on Johnson, and supervisor Lt. Joel Garcia were indicted on murder charges in June. They were fired by Sheriff Bill Waybourn, and they are both named as defendants in the lawsuit.

The wheels of justice continue to turn in this case, Sheriff Bill Waybourn said in a statement announcing the indictment. I said from the beginning that we hold accountable anyone responsible for Mr. Johnsons death and we are doing that.

The Sheriffs Office released the partial version of the video May 16 after weeks of Star-Telegram investigative work. Multiple sources, including the family, have told the Star-Telegram the full version depicts jailers showing little interest in getting help for Johnson and medical professionals demonstrating no urgency in treating him.

In spite of the attorney generals ruling to withhold the full video from the public, Washington said Johnsons family and other families who have lost loved ones in the Tarrant County Jail will continue to fight for transparency, accountability and change.

Sheriff Waybourn may believe this is the end, but this is only the beginning of the fight for change, Washington said in the statement. Justice delayed will not be justice denied.

According to data from the sheriffs office, 63 inmates died in the Tarrant County Jail between 2017 and April of this year. Eleven deaths were due to COVID-19, and 32 were from other natural causes. Four were attributed to fentanyl overdoses, three were accidental, six were suicides and one was a homicide. One death was caused by gunshot wounds from a shootout with U.S. marshals, the Sheriffs Office said.

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, a Fort Worth Democrat, has called the deaths a distressing pattern. He and Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the deaths at the Tarrant County Jail.

 More top stories from our newsroom:

 Adoption lawyer accused of paying inmates for babies

 2 dogs shot on property of North Texas megachurch

 20-year-old victim of brutal homicide

[Get our breaking news alerts.]
TD4 becomes Tropical Storm Debby; Heavy rain and gusty wind likely next week

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Tropical Depression Four was upgraded to Tropical Storm Debby on Saturday afternoon.

Debbys winds are 40 mph, and the center is located 100 miles WSW of Key West, Florida moving northwest at 15 mph.

The forecast has Debby making landfall near Floridas Big Bend area as a hurricane on Monday.

Forecast models show the storm reemerging in the Atlantic off the Georgia and South Carolina coast.

Currently, no watches are up for us along the SC coast, but I have a feeling those will be coming soon. Watches are issued some 48 hours ahead of possible tropical storm conditions, said Storm Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Rob Fowler.

Fowler said local concern is for a significant rain event late weekend into next week.

The heaviest rainfall will be track dependent, but regardless, our confidence is higher that we will see quite a bit of rainfall, especially based on the forecast where the storm slows to a crawl on or near our coastline. The updated bullseye from the Weather Prediction Center shows us in an area which could see 12-16 through Thursday, he said.

The risk for tropical storm force wind gusts is increasing for our area.

Count on Storm Team 2 and counton2.com for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Alyssa Esquivel is suing the San Gabriel Unified School District, claiming she was suspended after wearing a Trump-themed backpack to the school where she worked as a teacher's aide. (U.S. District Court for the Central District of California)

A San Gabriel Unified School District teacher's aide claims she was suspended without pay after bringing a "Trump-themed" backpack and water bottle onto campus.

In a lawsuit filed last week in federal court, Alyssa Esquivel alleged that district officials violated her constitutional rights to free speech and state labor protections in disciplining her for carrying personal items that referenced the former president.

She had been on paid leave for nearly a year until the district suspended her without pay in April and sent notice they intended to fire her, according to her complaint.

Supt. James Symonds, one of the defendants named in Esquivel's suit, declined to comment Friday evening. But in objecting to Esquivel's bringing the items on campus, officials cited a district policy stating employees should not wear "buttons or article[s] of clothing" that support political candidates during instructional time.

In her complaint, Esquivel, an American Sign Language instructional aide who works with deaf students, said the issue began in June 2023, when another aide moved Esquivel's water bottle with Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan stickers, saying she "didn't want Trump looking" at her.

Esquivel's lawyers, from the Murrieta-based firm Advocates For Faith and Freedom, filed a photograph of the water bottle in court documents. One sticker shows a smiling Trump above the words, "Miss me yet?"

The next day, Esquivel claimed, the same aide flipped over a desk, yelling that Esquivel was trying to "taunt" her by bringing the water bottle to school again. This allegedly prompted a meeting with the principal, a teacher, Esquivel and two other aides in which the principal affirmed that Esquivel could continue bringing her water bottle to school, she claimed.

The other aides, however, allegedly refused to work with Esquivel  to the detriment of deaf students who couldn't follow what was being taught, she claimed. She filed a formal discrimination claim with the district that month.

Then came the backpack.

Esquivel wore a distinctive backpack with an American flag pattern and the letters "TRUMP" across the front. It caught the notice of the principal, who told her not to bring the backpack or the water bottle to campus again, Esquivel claimed. The principal also allegedly rebuked her for wearing "American flag-themed jewelry."

At a meeting the next day, ostensibly to discuss whether Esquivel would be allowed to wear her backpack, the principal "detained" her for three hours while "intermittently prioritizing other affairs unrelated" to backpacks or water bottles, she claimed. According to her complaint, the principal arrived at a solution: Esquivel could possess the backpack and water bottle on campus but not "display" them.

After Esquivel continued to carry the backpack and water bottle, a district official told her she couldn't wear "political attire" on campus, the complaint says. Esquivel said she covered up the last two letters on her backpack, which now read "TRU," and returned with it to school.

The district official threatened Esquivel with "fines and imprisonment," banned her from campus and put her on paid leave, her complaint says. Esquivel claimed police officers escorted her off school grounds.

Over the next year, lawyers representing Esquivel and her employer traded letters arguing over whether either party had violated district regulations, California employment codes or federal laws governing protected speech. In April, the district's board agreed to suspend Esquivel without pay and seek to fire her, according to her complaint.

Esquivel is seeking a formal hearing with district officials on whether she breached district policies, damages, attorneys' fees, an admission by the district that it infringed on her 1st Amendment rights, and a permanent injunction that would allow her to carry her backpack and water bottle on campus.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Teachers, families in financial scramble from preschools abrupt closure

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Parents and teachers say they are in a lurch after their preschool abruptly closed its doors, leaving behind a series of debts and unanswered questions.

The teachers of Growing Seeds North told KOIN 6 News they started getting bounced paychecks back in June, then they stopped getting paychecks at all.

Snake owner accused of freezing newborn puppies for feed facing animal abuse charges

Several teachers claim they confronted the owner, Nashae Lawrence, to say they would not work for free, but their checks never came. Eventually, it was the teachers who let parents know the school was closed.

I was expecting it to eventually, like, just have to file for bankruptcy or close down, said Nylee Simon, a former Growing Seeds North teacher. But I wasnt expecting it to be like this.

Now some teachers have negative bank accounts. Oscar Lopez said the school owes him $3,000.

I cant pay rent, Lopez said. I cant buy food.

Meanwhile, parents who had already paid their August tuition say they were left without a refund. When they reached out to the school, they claim they heard crickets.

Michelle Westall said her family has not heard from the school in a week, adding that it seems like theyve just disappeared, so we dont know if theyre officially closed or whats happening.

Portland Metro Chamber responds to Trumps destroyed Portland claim during NABJ conference

Another parent, Ashley Wuertzer, said the experience has been hard  both emotionally and financially.

Weve had to scramble, Wuertzer said. Were out, you know, thousands of dollars for child care. We have to find other childcare. Portland is kind of a childcare desert.

KOIN 6 News made several attempts to contact the owner, her husband and their subdirector. The newsroom has yet to hear back.

Growing Seeds North suddenly closed after teachers stopped receiving paychecks from its owners in June 2024. (KOIN)

Growing Seeds North suddenly closed after teachers stopped receiving paychecks from its owners in June 2024. (KOIN)

Growing Seeds North suddenly closed after teachers stopped receiving paychecks from its owners in June 2024. (KOIN)

To disrespect us in such a way, parent Elisa Dominguez said. To like, just refuse to communicate, refuse to apologize, refuse to be transparent is just  I mean  its angering. Its disappointing.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support the schools former teachers.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

-

Amanda Rhodes contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Teens band together in 'adopting' abandoned oil well to shut it down for good: 'Whatever it takes to plug them'

Three high school students from Cary, North Carolina, recently raised a whopping $11,000 with one goal in mind: to plug an abandoned oil well that was leaking methane gas, the New York Times reported.

According to the Times, 3.9 million old or abandoned gas and oil wells exist in the United States. About 126,000 are "orphans," meaning that there is no longer anyone who is legally responsible for them. This can happen when the original owner goes out of business.

Recently, research has begun on the effects of gas seeping out of these abandoned wells. In 2016, a group of researchers surveyed 138 wells. They found that the average abandoned well from their study was leaking about 10 grams of methane per hour, and the worst they surveyed was leaking 150 grams per hour.

However, the Well Done Foundation, a nonprofit specializing in plugging abandoned wells, has encountered much higher numbers. Curtis Shuck, the founder, told the Times that a specific well on the Simmons' horse farm in Ohio was releasing more than 10,000 grams of methane per hour.

Methane, sold as natural gas, is a volatile substance that can explode if enough builds up in one place. It's also a potent heat-trapping gas; loose in the atmosphere, it traps 30 times as much heat as carbon dioxide over 100 years, according to the Times, and up to 80 times more in the short term.

The Simmons family purchased the farm in 2016, the Times reported. Originally, Melissa and Bill Simmons weren't concerned about the well.

"Everybody else has these things," Melissa Simmons told the Times when describing her initial thought process. "It must be OK."

But it was not. The family could hear the gas hissing from the well and eventually had to leave the barn doors open to prevent methane from building to explosive levels inside.

For the Simmons family's safety, the abandoned oil well needed to be plugged. That's where the Well Done Foundation and the three North Carolina teens came in, the Times reported.

High school seniors Mateo De La Rocha, Lila Gisondi, and Sebastian Ng, calling themselves the Youth Climate Initiative, got in contact with the Well Done Foundation and "adopted" the orphan well, raising $11,000 over three months to partially fund the work.

With that and other donations, the Well Done Foundation moved ahead with capping the well. On May 23, workers started pouring cement to close it off, representing the Well Done Foundation's 45th capped well, per the Times.

The Well Done Foundation hopes to spread the idea of adopting a well nationwide.

As Adam Peltz, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund, told the Times: "Whatever it takes to plug them."

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Tempe police Officer Zachary Hyde, who had been recognized for his efforts to combat driving under the influence, was arrested in a DUI, according to the Tempe Police Department on Friday.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety notified Tempe police early Wednesday about Hyde's DUI arrest, which occurred while he was off-duty, according to a news release.

Tempe Police Department placed Hyde on administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation, as DPS conducted the DUI investigation.

A spokesperson for the Tempe Police Department declined to provide further information on Hyde's arrest.

On June 29, Hyde received a "Hero Award" from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a nonprofit that promotes sober driving and support for victims of drunk driving-related accidents.

Hyde was seen holding his award alongside Tempe police Chief Kenneth McCoy at a MADD banquet with another Tempe officer.

"Any time a criminal investigation is brought to our attention about one of our officers, we take the matter very seriously," wrote the Tempe police spokesperson.

MADD did not immediately respond to The Arizona Republic's request for comment on Hyde's award given his arrest.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tempe police Officer Zachary Hyde arrested in DUI
Heres how you can test for contamination in your private well

ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  Many Odessans are still without water Friday evening, as concerns surrounding well water contamination continue. The threat stems from fire that broke out at Permian Basin Containers last week.

The Ector County Health Department said residents should only use a sample container provided by an approved laboratory.

We suggest that any private wells need to be tested once a year. So those would be tested for chloroform, bacteria, nitrates, germs, and any kind of chemicals. There are local labs here that can test for like bacterial and then we have labs that are around us like Midland area that can test for chemicals and things like that, said Brandy Garcia with the Health Department.

Garcia said there are a few ways that you can tell if your water has been contaminated.

Sometimes you can see visual damage on the outside of the well or corrosion or something like that. Also, if you ever, if it tastes weird, if it look, you know, has different coloring, has the odors, things like that, those can indicate that there could be some type of contamination, said Garcia.

To test the water, you should find a proper location to take a sample, preferably an outside faucet that does not leak, avoiding rubber hoses, fire hydrants, dirty areas, and areas behind bushes. The Health Department also said not to take samples from kitchen or bathroom sinks and avoid sampling on extremely windy days or when raining. Residents should open the sample-area faucet to full flow for three minutes to clear the line, then reducing the flow to a slow, steady, sprayless stream.

Use caution when handling samples, as the department said they are easy to contaminate. Avoid touching the inside of the container and do not rinse it. Fill the container without splashing, the seal it.

Afterwards, complete a bacteriological submission form, which can be obtained from a laboratory. Using the instructions below, private well owners should only complete the following items:

For the Name of Water System item, write private.

Fill in the county name and your name and mailing address in the area designated as Send Results To.

Provide the date and time.

For the Type of System item, indicate individual

Then, complete as much information as possible under the Water Source item.

Heres a list of laboratories that have been accredited by the State of Texas under the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. You can also find a full list of accredited laboratories across Texas below.

tx-nelap-lab-list-Jul-24-29Download

For drinking water and non-potable water:

City of Midland Utilities Laboratory

305 N Edgewood Dr., Midland, TX 79703

(432) 681-7618

City of Odessa Laboratory Services

817 West 42nd Street, Odessa, TX 79764

(432) 368-3536

For non-potable water, solids and chemicals:

Eurofins Midland

1211 West Florida Avenue, Midland, TX 79701

(432) 704-5251

Permian Basin Environmental Lab

1400 Rankin Highway, Midland, TX 79701

(432) 661-4184

You can learn more about private well disinfection and water sampling on the Ector County website here.

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Texas floating barrier in the Rio Grande can stay for now, appeals court says

Buoys float on the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas on July 20, 2023. The legal battle between the Biden administration and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over the devices was ordered to return to district court, which will rule on the merits of federal government's claims the barriers are a safety hazard and violate international treaties.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled that the floating barrier Texas deployed in the Rio Grande last year to deter illegal migration could remain. The fight over the barrier is one of many broader, hard-fought legal and political battles over the states authority to control the flow of migrants at the border.

The ruling by the full circuit court strikes down a lower courts ruling and reverses a decision by a subset of the Fifth Circuit Court. The back and forth so far has been about the likelihood that the federal government will win its argument and the validity of a preliminary injunction ordering the barriers removed.

The text of the decision was released by the court Tuesday evening, but then appeared to have been taken down shortly after.

The lawsuit will soon be argued in district court, which will rule on the merits of the federal governments claims.

Heres what you need to know

The background: Texas began deploying chains of specially designed buoys down the middle of the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass to deter migrants from crossing illegally in June 2023, sparking protests from migrant activists and from the Mexican government. The barrier was rolled out as part of Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts multibillion dollar effort to counter illegal immigration along the 1,200-mile southern border.

Texas spent $850,000 on the barrier, which is made up of a 1,000-foot-long string of buoys separated by saw blades supporting a submerged mesh net.

Why the federal government sued: In July 2023, the U.S. Justice Department sued Texas in an Austin federal court, arguing that the barrier was a safety hazard that violates international treaties, harms relations with Mexico and was installed without necessary authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which regulates activities in waterways and wetlands under federal law.

Because Texas installed the barrier without seeking the Corps authorization, the Corps and other relevant federal agencies were deprived of the opportunity to evaluate risks the barrier poses to public safety and the environment, mitigate those risks as necessary through the permitting process, and otherwise evaluate whether the project is in the public interest, the federal governments lawsuit said.

The federal government also alleged that the floating barrier obstructs navigation on the river, and demanded that the state remove the barrier.

More: The other border dispute is over an 80-year-old water treaty

What Texas said: Abbott defended his decision to deploy the barrier as the commander-in-chief of our States militia, and he blamed the Biden administrations immigration policy for the conditions at the border. Texas argued that the barrier was designed to direct migrants to appropriate entry points and deter unlawful crossings and drug smuggling.

The states lawyers argued in court documents that the barrier is not a structure that required authorization. They also said that the state notified proper authorities by briefing the international body that regulates the Rio Grande before the barrier was installed.

What has happened in court so far: On Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the barrier could remain in the Rio Grande. The decision reversed an earlier ruling in December that affirmed a lower courts decision to grant a preliminary injunction against the barrier as requested by the federal government.

In Tuesdays decision, the court ruled that the preliminary injunction should not have been granted, finding that the federal government is not likely to prove during trial that the barrier was placed in a navigable stretch of the Rio Grande and thus that Texas violated federal law.

The barrier is not within navigable water, the courts opinion said.

Earlier, in the December 2-1 decision, a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Texas to remove the barrier. The panel found that the barrier was placed in a navigable part of the river, meaning Texas needed to receive permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before deploying the barrier.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas buoys in the Rio Grande can stay for now, appeals court says
Body camera videos obtained by The Charlotte Observer show the Pineville police encounter and fatal shooting of an unarmed man who, family members say, was suffering a mental health crisis.

Sgt. Adam Roberts shot Dennis Bodden on May 14 after a shoplifting call at the Johnston Road Plaza Food Lion when Bodden took items from the store and walked out. The videos show that just after handcuffing the wounded man, Officer Randall Down told Roberts, We got him. Good guys always win.

The police response stemmed from a report that Bodden had taken wine and produce from the store. Roberts body camera video shows how he first confronted Bodden and walked with him to an apartment complex where Bodden lived. Bodden was aloof and not responsive for much of the encounter.

Instead, he kept slowly walking as Roberts told him to get on the ground.

Polices body cameras show the fatal shooting of Dennis Bodden after he was stopped for allegedly shoplifting from a Food Lion.

Mecklenburg Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Carla Archie on Thursday ordered that police in the small town just south of Charlotte provide copies of four videos to the Observer.

The order followed two separate hearings on Wednesday, in which the Observer and Boddens mother, Cleopatra Bodden, requested the footage.

Body camera videos from Roberts and Down show how the incident escalated in about five minutes from Roberts initial confrontation with Bodden to his shooting of him after Down arrived to assist, as well as officers attempts to keep Bodden alive.

Bodden continued walking away even after he was shot, then fell down, then stood and took some more steps before collapsing, the videos show. After the two officers handcuffed him he told them, I think Im having a panic attack.

I aint a bad guy, Bodden told them, his breathing labored. The officers also used Tasers before the shooting.

After he was shot and handcuffed, Bodden asked if he could stand up and appeared to say that he could not breathe.

Subject is on the ground and he is in cuffs. Both officers on scene are 10-4, Down said into his police radio.

Someone over the radio asked in response, Has anyone been hit with gunfire?

Negative, Roberts and Down answered.

About a minute later, they announced that Bodden had been shot.

Pineville police declined to comment Friday on the videos, but said they will issue a Critical Incident Briefing video Saturday afternoon.

What the videos show

Roberts approached a raincoat-clad Bodden in the Food Lion parking lot. Bodden was wearing large headphones over his ears with the hood of his raincoat over his head.

Roberts told him to stop, but Bodden kept walking. When Roberts got close, Bodden turned around and yelled, apparently startled.

Better back up, Roberts told Bodden as he pulled out a Taser and pointed it at him. Roberts walked backwards and in front of Bodden, and then behind him again, while telling him to get on the ground.

And then  despite the two not touching each other  Roberts told a dispatcher that Bodden had already tried to push off on me.

Bodden walked towards Johnston Road, and started to step into traffic, cars whizzing by. Roberts grabbed him, pulled him out of the road and again told him to get on the ground.

You almost just died, dude, Roberts told him. Do not walk in that traffic.

Sorry? Bodden said.

He did it again. Cars stopped for him and Roberts, and the two struggled in the roads median.

Get on the fing ground! Roberts told Bodden. Though the view in the footage from Roberts camera is obstructed, Bodden bit Roberts and Roberts Tased him.

Bodden got up and walked to the apartment complex.

You aint getting away, bro, Roberts said, shoving Boddens shoulder with one hand. Then they shoved each other.

Down arrived in his squad car and sprinted to the scene, his Taser in hand. When Bodden saw him, he ran towards him. Then Bodden sprinted back to Roberts, who had pulled out his gun.

Bodden charged at Roberts. Mecklenburg District Attorney Spencer Merriweather concluded that he appeared to reach for Roberts gun as Roberts pulled it away.

Get him! Get him! Down shouted before Roberts shot Bodden three times.

Get him! Down said again as Bodden kept walking away after being shot.

Footage shows Roberts, Down and other police trying to stop Boddens bleeding in the shootings aftermath.

Police addressed Bodden after the shooting as Mr. Massey.

Roberts cleared of wrongdoing

Merriweather and Boddens mother, Cleopatra Bodden, have already viewed the video footage. She said in court earlier this week that she wanted the public to see the full police videos.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg homicide investigators have determined that Roberts, who also shot and injured a man in Pineville in 2020, should not be charged with any crime for shooting Bodden.

CMPD investigated because although the Food Lion is in Pineville, the apartment complex where the shooting happened was across the street in Charlotte.

Merriweather announced July 2 that he concurred with CMPDs decision, but issued a letter questioning some of the police actions.

Merriweathers letter also said a civilian witness said Roberts had no other choice but to shoot.

Family has concerns

For years, Boddens job was to help people suffering from mental illness. He was a senior attorney at the Mental Hygiene Legal Service in New York from 2015 to 2019, his old employer confirmed to the Observer.

Family members have said that Bodden suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and his mental health degraded during the pandemic. He would mistakenly take things from Food Lion, believing it to be his home, they said.

From the beginning I did not think that I would get a fair trial, and I did not, Cleopatra Bodden said after Charlotte-Mecklenburg police declined to charge Roberts. They say they were independent. I dont think theyre independent. They are all from Mecklenburg County.

A Pineville police statement published on May 15 said Bodden was very well known to Pineville Police as being a chronic shoplifting suspect at this Food Lion and said Bodden had violent tendencies towards police and the public.

Radio communications and 911 call recordings previously obtained through a public records request by the Observer provide some detail of the events that were not captured on the body camera footage.

I got the same guy who keeps coming in here, shoplifting, a 911 caller said. Right now hes in the produce department, making his rounds. Its the same guy your officer keeps coming for.

Roberts was off duty but in uniform, working for a nearby shopping center, and responded to the call.

I think the guy has warrants, Roberts said on his police radio. Is he wearing underwear again?

After Cleopatra Bodden held a press conference in June calling for the release of body camera footage, Pineville police issued another statement that said they were not aware of Dennis Boddens mental health status.

Cleopatra Bodden was not convinced. She said it was clear from her sons reactions he was not acting rationally.

If you tell someone to stop  and theyre not reacting, you should know that there is something else going on  that that person is not stable, she said. And they didnt take that into consideration.

What happened inside Food Lion

A video released to the Observer on Friday showed another police officer speaking with Food Lion employees, interviewing them and jotting down what they saw Bodden take.

The officer asked an employee what Bodden concealed. The worker pointed out different items: bottles of wine, apples, oranges and onions.

All told, it was worth about $100.
William "Brit" Kirwan, in a December photo, was recently reappointed as vice chair of the Accountability and Implementation Board for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. File photo by Bryan P. Sears

Three members of the seven-member board charged with implementing the states multibillion-dollar education reform plan, the Blueprint for Marylands Future, were reappointed this week to new six-year terms.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced the reappointments of Accountability and Implementation Board Vice Chair William Brit Kirwan and board members Jennifer Lynch and Justin Robinson, effective July 2. Kirwan and Lynch were first appointed when the board was created in November 2021 and Robinson was appointed in March 2023 to fill a vacancy. All three will serve until July 1, 2030.

Moore praised the strong leadership and enduring partnership of the three, whose appointment was welcomed by board Chair Isiah Leggett.

I am pleased that these three members will continue to serve on the AIB, Leggett said in a prepared statement. Their individual and collective contributions to supporting implementation of the Blueprint have been essential in setting the State on a path to achieving the Blueprints expected outcomes.

The appointments come as the board is in the midst of a months-long review of responses from every school district in the state to the plan, and their proposals for how they will implement it in their individual counties.

The board was created to oversee implementation of the ambitious, multiyear plan to reform education in the state. The blueprint is based on five priorities, or pillars: hiring and retaining high-quality and diverse teachers, early childhood education, providing additional resources for students in need, preparing students for college and technical careers and governance and accountability.

In March, districts were required to file report on the top challenges they are facing in implementing the Blueprint, and in May with their plans for how they will implement the Blueprint in each of their districts.

One of the biggest worries of local school officials has been the cost of meeting goals set forth in the plan. A law that took effect last month, for example, requires each school system to hire a Blueprint coordinator at a salary of $150,000. The cost will be shared between the state and district, but not every district is getting the same level of support.

Other themes that have emerged include the need to prioritize stakeholder outreach and involvement, increase collaboration with school district staff and local schools, and identify supports for students who havent met the college and career readiness standard.

Local officials have also stressed the need for flexibility as implementation of the plans moves forward.

The reappointments of the three members are subject to Senate approval.
Tim Walz helped make Minnesota an LGBTQ refuge. Could he do the same for America?

Minnesotas Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, whos emerged as a top contender for Vice President Harriss running mate, helped turn Minnesota into a refuge for LGBTQ Americans, signing laws that shield access to gender-affirming health care and abortion, ban conversion therapy and make it illegal for libraries to ban books solely because they have LGBTQ themes or characters.

Under Walzs leadership, Minnesota has solidified itself as a liberal stronghold in the largely conservative Midwest, though the governor has long supported progressive issues like LGBTQ equality.

In 1999, Walz, then a 35-year-old social studies teacher at Mankato West High School, advised the schools first gay-straight alliance (GSA), a student-led club supporting LGBTQ students and families. Later, in 2006, Walz ousted a longtime Republican member of Congress in a largely rural district, running on a platform that included support for same-sex marriage, which the state banned in 1997.

It wasnt a popular position at the time for a red-district Democrat. It didnt score him any political points. But he stood up for families like mine because he believed it was the right thing to do, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), one of 12 out LGBTQ members of Congress, wrote on the social platform X last month in endorsing Walz for vice president. His bravery made a difference in my life and the lives of thousands of Minnesotans  and its a bravery that would make our country better.

In Congress, Walz advocated for the repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, a military policy that barred gays and lesbians from serving openly. Not once did I see that this nation was safer because a soldier was removed because of sexual orientation, Walz, who spent 24 years in the Army National Guard, said in a 2009 House floor speech. That same year, he facilitated the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a landmark law signed by former President Barack Obama that protects against crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ animus.

Walz was an early supporter of the Respect for Marriage Act, a proposal to codify same-sex and interracial couples right to marry that Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced in 2009. President Biden signed the measure into law in 2022.

Tim, just as an individual, has had a long-standing commitment to inclusion as a general value, said Kat Rohn, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, a state LGBTQ rights group.

Rohn, whose organization worked with Walz and the state Legislature to ban conversion therapy  a discredited practice that aims to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity  in Minnesota last year, said she sees Walz as an opportunity for LGBTQ people, and transgender people in particular, to have their voices heard and their needs met.

That carries a lot of weight, she said. Even if a vice president isnt necessarily driving every piece of a policy agenda, to have somebody who is unapologetically supportive of the community, who will stand for the community and has signed bills into law that really pushed the needle forward nationally, makes a huge difference.

Walz, who has served as governor of Minnesota since 2019, in a March 2023 executive order made the state among the first to protect seekers and providers of gender-affirming health care from prosecution by states with bans in effect. The following month, Walz signed legislation safeguarding access to care.

On both occasions, Walz held signing ceremonies at the state capitol in St. Paul, where he was flanked by supporters. While signing his executive order, Walz held the hand of 12-year-old Hildie Edwards, a transgender girl who testified in support of the states trans refuge bill in February.

Governor Walz didnt just rubber-stamp pro-LGBTQ legislation, he held celebrations and celebratory signings for things like the trans refuge bill that some governors might sign quietly, said Rohn, of OutFront Minnesota. Thats a really important quality for LGBTQ folks to see, that this is not something that is just necessary, but its something to celebrate and something that can be a winning issue.

Tim Walz has definitely showcased what is possible. Hed be a great asset to the ticket, said Sean Meloy, vice president of political programs at the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, which works to elect more LGBTQ people to public office.

Walzs Democratic competitors  Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Andy Beshear of Kentucky  also have strong positive records on LGBTQ rights, Meloy noted. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is also being considered for Harriss running mate, could be the nations first gay vice president.

No matter what, were going to have a great ally, Meloy said, adding that support for LGBTQ rights will likely play well politically in November.

Most voters support federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people, recent polling shows, and more than 50 percent of voters surveyed by the LGBTQ media advocacy organization GLAAD in March said they oppose political candidates who speak frequently about restricting the rights of transgender Americans, specifically.

Former President Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, and his running mate, Ohio Republican Sen. JD Vance, have backed policies targeting transgender Americans, including a federal law recognizing only two genders, which would effectively end the legal recognition of trans people in the U.S. Trump has also promised to outlaw gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, ban trans student-athletes from competing on teams that match their gender identity and cut federal funding for schools that accommodate transgender students.

While Walz appears to be viewed favorably by LGBTQ Americans, hes drawn backlash. In June, Mary Moriarty, a Minnesota county attorney, accused Walz of differential treatment because of her sexual orientation. That claim was quickly rebuffed by the governor and his allies, including Rohn, Craig and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.).

Hes very open-spirited, very generously spirited. He asks questions about you, and he remembers the answers. He encourages me, said Minnesota Rep. Leigh Finke, a Democrat and the first openly transgender person elected to the states Legislature.

Finke, the author and primary sponsor of Minnesotas trans refuge bill, said Walz was a source of moral support last year, when Finke was the target of a nationwide pressure campaign led by far-right conservatives, who falsely claimed the bill would allow children to medically transition without parental consent and promoted the baseless claim that Finke and other trans people were grooming children to abuse them.

Transgender people from all corners of the U.S.  and the world  have fled to Minnesota since Walz signed Finkes bill in April 2023. More than 40,000 transgender and nonbinary Americans surveyed by the National Center for Transgender Equality in 2022 said they had considered moving to another state because of anti-LGBTQ legislation, including restrictive laws curtailing access to gender-affirming health care for minors  and adults, in some cases. Five percent, or roughly 4,500 people, said they had already moved.

In March, Erik Beda, a transgender Russian man, moved to Minneapolis after he and his partner were forced to divorce following Bedas transition, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported in April. Russia, which has increasingly adopted laws and policies hostile to LGBTQ people, does not recognize same-sex unions.

The evening after the Pioneer Press story ran, Walz texted Finke a link to the article. Im grateful for your work and decency, Walz wrote in an accompanying message, which Finke shared with The Hill.

It was a very powerful moment for me to see that, not only was he supporting us when we were in the House and I was publicly being targeted, but he was also thinking about the work we were doing on some night when he was just at home. That, to me, says a lot about the kind of person he is, Finke said.

Im very concerned about a future where trans people get left behind, she added. Were a small community, and we have needs that need to be met. With a Harris-Walz administration, I dont worry that trans people get forgotten.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Tonawanda man has pleaded guilty to the production of child pornography, the United States Attorneys Office announced Friday.

Officials said between October 20 and Nov. 1, 2021, Michael Swain, 36, coerced five minor victims, including a 15-year-old female from Colorado, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions.

Using the social media platform Discord, Swain communicated with the 15-year-old girl, which included sexually graphic conversations, according to the attorneys office.

Officials said Swain engaged in numerous sexual communications with the minor from around 2019 to 2022, during which the minor sent him sexually explicit images and videos after he asked her to take them.

On Feb. 28, 2023, the FBI conducted a search warrant at Swains residence where they seized a desktop computer tower, a laptop and an external hard drive, which all contained child pornography, officials said.

The production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years and a $250,000 fine.

Swains sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 4.

Latest Local News

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The family of five-year-old Malakai Stovall continues to search for answers as to who caused the fire being investigated by Rochester Police as arson.

RPD: Five-year-old dies after Portland Ave arson fire

Malakai died from injuries sustained in the fire Thursday.

Just two weeks ago, 5-year-old Malakai Stovall was on his way to go celebrate his Granddads birthday at the aquarium with his Grandma Karen. She told News 8 they hung out all the time always headed on an adventure.

He was a kid that wasnt afraid of anything. We went to BMW for an oil change. And he picked out his first car. And he even got a sales representative while I was in the waiting room and asked if he could get in the car, Karen said.

Karen lives in Massachusetts  a distance she says, was never too far. Malakai would stay with her frequently, always excited for the activities they had planned.

Memorial grows for boy who died after Rochester house fire

Malakai was brought to his moms house in Rochester last week. Karen last talked to him on the phone Sunday. It was his granddads birthday, and at 10:30, he called me. He said, Tell granddad Happy Birthday! And he asked me, he said, Grandma, can you bring my new chair? I said, Sure. He said, Are you coming tonight? I said No, baby. Why dont you come? And I said, I dont know. But Ill see you soon. I wish I had come, because hours later, they took my baby. I remember he said, Grandma, I love you. Can I hang up now? Because he likes to hang up first. And I said Go ahead and hang up baby. I love you too. Ill talk to you tomorrow.

Hours after hanging up the phone, police say several people intentionally started a fire outside of Malakais moms house on Portland Avenue Monday morning. More than 75 percent of Malakais body was burned. He was on a ventilator for three days before dying on Thursday.

These people that did this. Just turn yourselves in. Give us a break. Give us a break, please, Karen said.

Malakais mom, Bri, was not home at the time of the fire. Malakai was staying with a babysitter. Bri and Karen told me they will not rest until they know who did this.

I want to talk today to ask for help from the public for the 800th time and for someone to come forward and to tell me who murdered my child. I cannot grieve. I cannot sleep, Bri Akers, Malakais mom said.

I will take it to my grave. To my grave. I will make sure you all pay and I will take this pain to my grave. Justice for Malakai, for Brianna, for me, for everybody, my husband, my children who lost their nephew, my parents who lost a baby. I will take it to my grave. I will never rest until youre all caught. Never. Never, Karen said.

As a reminder, the ATF is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the people who caused the fire that night. Anyone with information is asked to call RPDs Major Crimes Section at (585) 428-7157.

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ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)  World-renowned forest scientist Canopy Meg helped reveal the final renderings for a new canopy walkway in the treetops of the Tanglewood Nature Center. Dr. Margaret Meg Lowman is a pioneer in canopy ecology, author and educational speaker. She was born and raised in Elmira.

In 1985, Lowman designed the worlds first canopy walkway in Australia. She has helped design between more than 25 walkways around the world. Dr. Lowman is also described as the worlds first Arbonaut. She has been exploring treetops and their species for more than 40 years in more than 40 countries.

Final rendering for a canopy walkway at Tanglewood Nature Center

Canopy Meg has also been helping design the first canopy walkway in the Southern Tier, and only the second canopy walkway in New York State. The Tanglewood Nature Center says planning started four years go.

I have goosebumps about this project. It is more than exciting, Dr. Lowman said before delivering a treetop lecture to a packed room Friday afternoon at the Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum. My whole passion for nature was formed in Elmira, seeing the little trees and the violets on the ground and watching the birds migrate every spring. So, coming back here to see an opportunity for every kid in this region, to get out into nature and do cool stuff is going to be more than amazing. Its a real tribute to this community to fundraise for it, to be dedicated and to really give back to the next generation in a huge way.

Final rendering for a canopy walkway at Tanglewood Nature Center

In her lecture, Dr. Lowman told the audience half of the worlds species live in treetops, while half of the worlds trees have been cut down.

Margaret Meg Lowman, Ph.D., nicknamed Canopy Meg, speaking at the Tanglewood Nature Center in Elmira on August 2, 2024.

How Chemung County is spending $16 million in federal Covid funds

A lot of times these walkways are used to save forests in countries like Brazil or other parts of the Amazon where theres a chance of them getting logged, Dr. Lowman said. The walkway provides a huge income to the region. It provides jobs for people through hotels and restaurants and guiding. So weve used those as a big economic incentive to save forests and at the same time they educate the local kids. They allow students to come up and make cool discoveries about the treetops.

Final rendering for a canopy walkway at Tanglewood Nature Center

Over time, weve created at least 25 or 30 of these walkways around the world, Dr. Lowman added. Thats why this is a global project. Its going to be linked to places you might have never heard of you know Madagascar and Ethiopia because they too are trying to bring attention to the trees, which makes the planet healthier for our kids.

The walkway will have a main tower that will be up to 70 feet tall.

Its about a 900-foot walkway, said Scott Moore, President of the Tanglewood Nature Center Board of Directors. It goes in a sort of a circle around the canopy. It starts out at a higher elevation and goes straight out, and as it goes out it climbs into the canopy. There is an emergent tower, hopefully that will emerge above the canopy, so youll be able to see the very tops of the trees.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $3.6 million. Moore says $2.6 million in funding is already secured. The center announced it just received another $1,000,000 in federal funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission. The Chemung County legislature has already approved $1,000,000 from the federal Covid-19 American Rescue Plan. $600,000 is coming from a Market New York state tourism grant. Tanglewood says the rest will come from private donations and fundraising efforts.

I am so thoroughly thrilled. Im a retired teacher. I think its a fabulous opportunity for our kids to grow up with this, said Charlotte Kantz, a resident of West Elmira.

Its very exciting. Im an environmental educator myself, said Rachel Jones. Im excited to have an opportunity to move into the canopy to teach people about the importance of trees and the benefits that we get from them.

Im extremely excited, said Karin Hoover from Corning. Im a student who is studying pretty much exactly this. Im excited to see where research goes with this and enhance ecotourism in our area. Its great to see that even though we are such a small area, something this big and exciting is coming.

Last week the Chemung County Planning Board recommended approval for the project. The plan now needs final approval from the town of Big Flats. Once approved, the project has to go through a bidding process with construction companies. It is expected to break ground next spring and open sometime in 2025. Dr. Lowman says the walkway will be open all year.

You can watch the full interview with Canopy Meg below:

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Transgender woman's use of a gym locker room spurs protests and investigations in Missouri

FILE - Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey testifies before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, June 13, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington. A transgender woman's use of the women's locker room at a suburban St. Louis gym is prompting protests and calls for an investigation. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP)  A transgender womans use of the womens locker room in a suburban St. Louis gym prompted a protest, a plan for a boycott and calls for an investigation by the states politically vulnerable Republican attorney general, who quickly obliged.

The woman joined the gym Sunday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

By Friday morning, a Republican state lawmaker had held a news conference outside the gym, and protesters gathered to criticize the fitness center, according to the newspaper.

I have been contacted by a lot of people, Rep. Justin Sparks told The Associated Press on Friday. He held the news conference but said he did not organize protesters. Sparks represents a House district neighboring the gym.

Life Time spokesperson Natalie Bushaw said the woman showed staff a copy of her drivers license, which identified her as female.

AP requests for comment via Facebook to the gym member were not immediately returned Friday. She told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that a women approached her in the sauna Monday and said she was a man and that she did not belong there.

The Missouri Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, Bushaw said in a statement. Therefore, the member is to use Life Times womens locker room.

Ellisville police Capt. Andy Vaughn said the agency on Friday received a report of alleged indecent exposure at the gym that is being investigated. No charges have been filed.

Also on Friday, Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced he is investigating the gym and sent a letter warning Life Time that its policies are enabling potentially criminal behavior."

As Attorney General, I will vigorously defend and enforce Missouris laws, Bailey wrote. You face both potential criminal and civil liabilities.

Missouri has not enacted a law dictating transgender peoples access to public restrooms, and the states attorney general has limited authority to press criminal charges. That is typically left to local prosecutors.

Bailey cited a 2015 Missouri appeals court ruling against a man convicted of misdemeanor trespassing in a womens gas station restroom.

In that case, the man holed up in a women's gas station bathroom and smoked cigarettes for several hours. He did not claim to be a woman or to be transgender, but he attempted to disguise his voice when staff asked him to stop smoking.

Workers called police, who arrived and asked the man why he was in the female restroom.

Appellant responded that he had to defecate really bad,  according to the ruling. He was carrying lotion and a pornographic magazine.

Ellisville police said the agency is not investigating potential trespassing because the private gym gave the member permission to use the women's locker room. It is unclear if a property owner can be prosecuted under Missouri law for allowing trespassing on their property.

Voters on Tuesday will decide whether to elect Bailey, who was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson, to another term or to nominate Will Scharf as the Republican candidate. Scharf is a member of former President Donald Trumps legal team.

In the GOP-dominated state, the primary winner has a huge advantage in Novembers general election.
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  Several counties in Central Texas are looking to fill poll worker positions ahead of the November election.

Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson encouraged interested Texans to engage with the election process by signing up to be a poll worker this week.

Working as an election poll worker is a good way to get involved in your community and support democracy, said Secretary Nelson. Poll workers are often the face of the voting process and are critical to the success of an election.

From greeting voters to helping them through the voting process, Matt Mackowiak with the Travis County Republican Party said these workers are vital for all parties.

It is important that both parties take full advantage of the rights they have within law to try to help election officials fill the partisan poll worker positions they have for both parties at all election locations, Mackowiak said.

During the pandemic it was hard to fill these positions, but the challenge persists. Thats why counties in Central Texas are working to fill positions now.

The Travis County Clerks office tells us they still need to confirm polling locations, but they will need about 500 poll workers for early voting and about 1,000 for Election Day.

Williamson County tells KXAN they need about 800 election workers.

For more information about how to become a poll worker click here.

KXAN did reach out to the Travis County Democratic Party for comment, but did not hear back before this story aired.

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A collection of storms forecasters watched for days became Tropical Storm Debby Saturday, putting much of Florida on storm surge and hurricane watches or warnings.

Debby is expected to come ashore as a hurricane on the Gulf Coast of Florida early Monday before moving across southern Georgia, and back to the East Coast, weakening back to a tropical storm. The storm is expected to move slowly and affect the Carolinas as soon as Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, flooding and dangerous currents.

The very slow progression of the storm will results in very significant rainfall across southeast North Carolina, according to the National Weather Center.

North Carolina Emergency Management on Sunday said it would move to an enhanced status watch to begin coordination of response operations for the storm. This is the second level of a three-tiered activation system that focuses on state personnel to support local government preparations ahead of an event, the NCEM said.

Storms blew through the Triangle and North Carolina Saturday, and much of the state remained under severe thunderstorm and flood watches. Despite warnings of wind gusts to 60 mph and possibly quarter-sized hail, there were no immediate reports of major damage or flooding.

Chrissy Anderson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services forecast office in Raleigh, said Tropical Storm Debbys future route and strength is uncertain but Saturday morning it was going over Cuba and Cuba has lots of mountainous terrain.

Afterward, as it gets to the gulf, the Lower Key islands and the west side of Florida  which have very warm waters  a lot will depend on how slow the storm moves up the coast into the Florida peninsula, she said. If it takes time, it could strengthen a little bit more than expected, she said on Saturday.

Effects in NC

As for effects in North Carolina, its too early to know for sure. But excessive rain, leading to possible flooding, is a major concern.

Were expecting impacts to start in North Carolina, as early as Wednesday, early Wednesday. But the track is changing and the uncertainty starts with it as it moves over the northern portion of Florida, said Anderson. Those effects will continue late into the week.

Once it moves offshore, you know, theyll have a better handle on where its headed, she said.

For now, predictions show North Carolina likely being hit by heavy rain and possible flooding.

As the system moves into the North Carolina region, itll begin a wet pattern, whether its (alongside) strong gusty winds or heavy rain, and you can never rule out isolated tornadoes with tropical cyclones, said Anderson.

Make sure youre prepared now. Dont wait till 12 hours before the rain starts. So its going to be a wet pattern, mid to late week, she said.

On Sunday at 3:30 p.m. the National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion there was a marginal risk of excessive rainfall, mainly for the Sandhills and Coastal Plain this afternoon and evening.

The Sandhills region includes parts of Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, and Scotland counties.

Parts of Tropical Storm Debbie will appear over portions of central North Carolina by Tuesday and Tuesday night, the NWS said. That will bring the threat of excessive rainfall into the moderate range for areas near the coast and to a slight risk elsewhere, the NWS said.

After Tuesday, Debbie will bring a risk of heavy rain to parts of central NC, the NWS said.

The storm could bring from 12 to more than 20 inches of rain especially in South Carolina.

Elsewhere, significant rainfall of 8 to 12 inches is possible, the NWS said.

This could result in areas of flash flooding and urban flooding, said the NWS.
Tropical depression will likely bring heavy rain, some gusty wind to SC coast

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Tropical Depression Four is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby on Saturday over the southern Gulf of Mexico.

Low shear, very warm water in the Gulf create ideal conditions for intensification, said Storm Team 2 Meteorologist Josh Marthers.

Forecast data shows the storm tracking north toward Floridas Big Bend region, and could even be a hurricane before impacting the states west coast. Landfall is expected Monday morning.

From there, forecasters say the storm will trek northeast toward the South Carolina coast.

A significant rain event appears to be setting up for Monday through Thursday based off of the latest guidance, said Marthers. Based off of what we see now, we expect 6-10 of rain through Thursday, with higher amounts possible.

Marthers added that rain amounts will be determined by the storms track and forward motion. People should begin making preparations for flooding in flood prone areas, including inland locations.

Gusty wind is also likely.

High uncertainty regarding whether the center will be over the Atlantic or over land. If the center moves back over water, well need to watch for re-intensification, thus higher wind gusts and possible storm surge flooding, Marthers said.

Adjustments to the track and local impacts are likely in the coming days. Count on Storm Team 2 for updates as the forecast will change as the storm heads into the Gulf of Mexico and nears Florida.

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Article first published: Sunday, Aug. 04, 2024, 5 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Sunday, Aug. 04, 2024, 8 a.m. ET

On Sunday at 8 am, the National Hurricane Center issued an advisory stating that Tropical Storm Debby is 155 miles southwest of Tampa Florida and 205 miles south-southwest of Cedar Key Florida, with maximum sustained wind of 60 mph. Its moving 13 mph to the north-northwest. Tropical Storm Debby is forecast to strengthen.

YESTERDAY (Saturday):

Yesterday, the system, which had been named Debby, became a tropical storm with sustained winds of 60 mph after intensifying from a tropical depression. Debby after it first crossed the Caribbean Sea, moved away from Cuba and advanced into the Gulf of Mexico.

Forecasters announced a hurricane warning for portions of the gulf coast of Florida.

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Tropical Storm Watch and Storm Surge Watch have been extended northward along the Georgia and South Carolina coast to the South Santee River.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

- Florida coast from Aripeka northward to Indian Pass

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

- Florida coast from Bonita Beach northward to Aripeka, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor

- Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary's River to South Santee River South Carolina A Hurricane Warning is in effect for

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

- Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass

- Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

- The Florida Keys west of the Seven Mile Bridge including the Dry Tortugas

- Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to East Cape Sable

- Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

- The Florida Keys north of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5 Bridge

- Florida coast west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach

- Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary's River to South Santee River South Carolina

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.

This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov.

Interests elsewhere in Florida and the southeastern coast of the United States should monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required later today.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area and possible in the hurricane watch areas early Monday, with tropical storm conditions expected to arrive this evening. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward over the tropical storm warning areas through tonight. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in the Florida Keys during the next several hours, in the Florida Panhandle on Monday, and along the coast of Georgia and South Carolina Monday night.

STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Suwannee River to Aucilla River, FL to, FL...6-10 ft Yankeetown, FL to Suwannee River, FL...4-7 ft Aucilla River, FL to Ochlockonee River, FL...4-7 ft Aripeka, FL to Yankeetown, FL...3-5 ft Ochlockonee River, FL to Indian Pass, FL...3-5 ft Bonita Beach, FL to Aripeka, FL...2-4 ft Mouth of the St. Mary's River to South Santee River, SC...2-4 ft Tampa Bay...2-4 ft Charlotte Harbor...2-4 ft

For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? PeakSurge.

RAINFALL: Debby is expected to produce rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches, with maximum amounts of 18 inches, across portions of northern Florida through Friday morning. This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with significant river flooding expected.

Across portions of southeast Georgia and South Carolina, 10 to 20 inches of rainfall, with local amounts to 30 inches, are expected through Friday morning. This potentially historic rainfall will likely result in areas of severe and widespread flash and urban flooding, with significant river flooding expected.

For Cuba, additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with localized higher amounts, will be possible through this morning. This will result in isolated to scattered areas of flooding.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall and flash flooding associated with Tropical Storm Debby, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? Rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at4.shtml? Ero

TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are possible through Monday morning, mainly over western and northern Florida and southern Georgia.

SURF: Swells generated by Debby are expected to affect much of the Gulf coast of Florida through Monday. Swells will begin to affect the Southeast U.S. coast on Monday and continue through the middle of the week. These conditions are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. We are experimenting with this and other new ways of providing more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com.
Tropical Storm Debby, expected to be a hurricane by Sunday night, has hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge warnings up and down Florida, including the Florida Keys, which remains under tropical storm warning.

As for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Palm Beach metropolitan area, just expect even more than the usual summer rain.

Heres what you need to know:

Where Debby is and where Debby is going: As of the 8 a.m. advisory, Debby was 155 miles southwest of Tampa and 205 miles south-southwest of Cedar Key. Its moving north northwest at 13 mph.

A turn toward the north is expected later (Sunday), followed by a slower motion toward the northeast on Monday and Tuesday, the hurricane center said. The forecast expects that, the center will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico through tonight and reach the Florida Big Bend coast Monday morning. Debby is then expected to move slowly across northern Florida and southern Georgia Monday and Tuesday.

Debbys strength: Debbys maximum sustained winds are measuring 60 mph with some stronger gusts. Tropical storm force winds have been measured up to 140 miles from the center.

Continued strengthening is forecast, and Debby is expected to become a hurricane by (Sunday night) before it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast, Weakening is expected on Monday and Tuesday after Debby moves inland.

Watches and warnings: There are many.

The states west coast from the Suwannee River to the Ochlockonee River is under hurricane warning. Hurricane watches cover the west coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass and south of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown.

The Florida Keys area west of the Seven Mile Bridge; the state coastal areas south of the Suwannee River to East Cape Sable; and west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass are under tropical storm warning. A tropical storm watch covers the Keys area north of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Channel 5 Bridge; the state coast west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach; the Georgia and South Carolina coasts from the Mouth of the St. Marys River to South Santee River.

Storm surge warnings cover the state coast from Aripeka northward to Indian Pass. A Storm surge watch is in effect for the coast from Bonita Beach northward to Aripeka, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor; and the Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Marys River to the South Santee River.

The projected path of Tropical Storm Debby as of the 8 a.m. advisory.

Hazards: Over the next five days, Debby is forecast to hit parts of north Florida with 6 to 12 inches of rain. Some areas could get 18 inches.

This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with significant river flooding expected, the hurricane center said.

For Cuba, additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with localized higher amounts, will be possible through (Sunday) morning. This will result in isolated to scattered areas of flooding.

As for storm surge, the combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

The storm surge forecast is for 2 to 4 feet for the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, Charlotte Harbor, Bonita Beach to Aripeka, and the Mouth of the St. Marys River to South Santee River; 6 to 10 feet for the Suwannee River to Aucilla River area; 4 to 7 feet for the Yankeetown to Suwannee River and Aucilla to Ochlockonee River; and 3 to 5 feet for Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass.

Next advisory: The next complete advisory will be at 11 a.m.

Miami Herald Reporter Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report.
Widespread storms, damaging winds and the potential for flash flooding are possible in the South Carolina Midlands as a cyclone expected to become Tropical Storm Debby makes its way across the Southeast next week, the National Weather Service said Saturday.

Significant rainfall is expected to begin Saturday, Aug. 3, and continue overnight. The National Weather Service also warned of damaged trees and power lines.

The University of South Carolina also issued a flash flood warning for its Columbia campus and advised community members to use caution in low-lying areas.

The tropical cyclone could bring hurricane conditions Sunday to the Florida Gulf Coast. A hurricane watch is in effect, and there is a possibility for life-threatening storm surges in the area.

Gov. Henry McMaster has authorized emergency aid for Florida ahead of the impending weather, after the state requested emergency assistance in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby.

The governor signed an executive order placing the South Carolina National Guard on state duty in support of Florida, according to a news release. About 70 service members will be activated, and 30 high-water vehicles will be deployed. Additional resources may be provided as needed.
Tropical weather update: Here's what to expect in the Fayetteville area

A potential tropical storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico could bring heavy rain to the Fayetteville area next week, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Hurricane Center issued an advisory Friday morning for a potential cyclone four as a storm system passed over Cuba and is expected to be over the Florida Straits on Saturday.

If the system strengthens, it could become a tropical storm with a probable path including Eastern North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Monday update: Hurricane Debby: Here's what Fayetteville can expect and when

WEATHER ALERTS: See the latest severe weather alerts and warnings

The path of Potential Tropical Cyclone 4, which is expected to become Tropical Storm Debbie on Saturday, as of the 11 a.m. update on Aug. 3.

What does the potential tropical storm mean for Fayetteville?

Raleigh-based NWS meteorologist Nick Luchetti said it is too soon to discern the path of the potential storm.

Its still a tropical depression over Cuba this morning. But it is expected to increase into a tropical storm later today and then make landfall somewhere in the Big Bend-area of Florida earlier Monday morning," Luchetti said. "Theres definitely still some uncertainty beyond it making landfall in Florida."

Luchetti said the models are "relatively unorganized" because the storm is still working its way through Cuba. Luchetti said he believes that as the storm "exits the Cuban coast later today and starts getting up towards the warm water of the Gulf," it may reach tropical storm strength later tonight.

TRACK THE STORM: See the latest path

What do the latest models show for North Carolina and Fayetteville?

According to the National Hurricane Centers five-day forecast, the potential storm could hit the area Thursday morning at 8 a.m., but Luchetti said he does not believe Fayetteville will receive very strong winds.

"As far as wind gust potential ... if youre at the coast, I would say you have a better chance probability-wise to maybe see some tropical storm forced winds. As you extend westward into inland counties youll have a lesser chance," he said. "You guys arent even in their lowest probabilities for tropical storm force winds."

Luchetti said that based on the hurricane centers five-days out model, Fayetteville could receive two to four inches of rain and potential flash flooding during the week.

Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Tropical weather update for Fayetteville, North Carolina
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, participates in a discussion at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair in Chicago, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. On the right is ABC's Rachel Scott. | Paul Beaty

Since Vice President Kamala Harris became the likely Democratic presidential candidate, she and her campaign have leaned into her multifaceted identity, and her voters are doing the same ... kind of.

In the few weeks after Harris inherited the campaign from President Joe Biden, her supporters assembled on Zoom video calls split by ethnicity and gender, like White Dudes for Harris and Win With Black Women, to raise money for Harris campaign. Some spectators deemed it cringe while others accused the Democratic campaign of bringing back racial segregation. But the Harris campaign managed to raise millions while galvanizing supporters during the calls.

The video call for Black women raised $1 million for the Harris campaign. Other groups included Latino Men for Harris, Caribbean-Americans for Harris, Cat Ladies for Harris  referencing Sen. JD Vances childless cat ladies remark  and Dads for Kamala.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign is trying to find its footing on how to talk about Harris identity. During an appearance at the National Association of Back Journalists annual convention in Chicago, former President Donald Trump had hoped to court Black voters, but instead made cringe-worthy remarks about Harris Jamaican and South Asian heritage.

Why identity politics can get tricky

Harris supporters quickly realized the campaigns launch  whether by labeling Harris as Brat, a term popular among young women, or getting Beyonce to sign off one of her songs, Freedom, for the Harris campaign  catered to women voters. In response, political operatives directed their focus to courting men, who have increasingly looked at the Republican Party for answers.

The meeting for white dudes didnt restrict or ban people of color from participating. The second speaker was Maurice Mitchell, a Black man who heads the Working Families Party, a progressive party active on the coasts. The Zoom meeting also featured Jeff Bridges from The Big Lebowski and Mark Hamill from Star Wars. Hamill delivered his world-famous line  Im Luke Skywalker. Im here to rescue you  to raise at least $50,000 out of the $4 million raised during the call, as The Guardian reported.

Despite these successes, the Zoom calls also garnered criticism. As Tyler Austin Harper wrote in The Atlantic, Fighting right-wing white identity politics with left-wing white identity politics does not strike me as a method that aligns with liberal values. It doesnt seem to make much strategic sense either: Segregated video fundraisers are odd and uncomfortable.

Even Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, on the shortlist to be Harris running mate, said, I gotta be honest, when Im invited to an event with the name like, White Dudes for Harris, it doesnt usually sound like something I would join, but this is a terrific cause.

Conservative commentators wielded stronger criticism. Fox News commentator Dana Perino compared White Dudes for Harris to racial segregation.

When I hear, like, this racial segregation of the idea of you just need this demographic, and then people proudly doing that  it makes me cringe. I dont like it, I want to reject all of it.

In response, the Harris campaign pointed to Trump using similar strategies.

Im a bit confused. This is what campaigns do is build coalition groups. Latino Americans for Trump, for example, Harris campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz told Fox News.

All politics is not identity politics, Amit Ahuja, a political science professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara, told the Deseret News.

Harris multifaceted identity

Harris mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, an Indian immigrant to the United States, knew she was raising two Black daughters.

She knew that her adopted homeland would see Maya and me as black girls, and she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident, proud black women, Harris wrote in her 2019 autobiography, The Truths We Hold.

While the complexion of her skin and the texture of her hair led her to be labeled as Black, throughout her time in politics, Harris has leaned on the different facets of her identity.

This remains the case for her newly launched presidential campaign, Ahuja said.

Harris Black identity is deeply informed by personal and historical experiences of racism and the Indian part of her is often thought of as pleasantly foreign or exotic, the professor said.

She is also a woman, so she was the face of abortion rights in the Biden-Harris administration, but above all, she is American, validating the idea of America being seen as a melting pot of different cultures, he added.

Trumps controversial statements at Black journalists conference

At the conference for Black journalists, Trump touted himself as the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln.

He also claimed that migrants illegally crossing the southern border are taking Black jobs. When asked to elaborate, Trump said, A Black job is anybody that has a job, adding, Theyre taking the employment away from Black people.

Aside from speaking about his record with Black voters, Trump mocked Harris and questioned her race, garnering the former president criticism.

I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? he said.

I respect either one, he added, but she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and she went she became Black. ... Somebody should look into that too.

Trump has faced criticism since he made the remarks, while others have defended Trump for showing up at the convention, a place where he wasnt likely to find a sympathetic audience.

But Trump may pay a price for these coded racial appeals, said Ahuja, especially if they continue and become widely understood and loudly rejected.

In 2020, Trump won 8% of Black voters, two points higher than he won in 2016. This wasnt surprising. Black and brown voters historically favor the Democratic Party by large margins.

But Black voters showed a lack of enthusiasm for Bidens reelection campaign, and his support dropped, creating an opening for Trump. And so far polls show its unclear if Harris will be able to regain that support.

If Harris wins in November, she will be the first Black woman to serve as president, as well as the first president of South Asian descent, and she is leaning on these identities to win over voters.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman and former GOP presidential candidate, argued that politicians shouldnt be using their ethnicity as a tool in their campaigns.

Were actually American. And the problem is, when youre Kamala Harris, and you actually do lean into your identity politics, then you open the door to that type of criticism, he said in an appearance on Fox News. But in a presidential race this tight, boosting engagement among various voter blocs could help determine the outcome of the race.

Speaker Johnson instructs GOP to attack Harris politics, not personality

A day after the Black journalists conference, Trump in a post on Truth Social thanked Harris for sending him a picture of her family members in saris and other traditional Indian garb years ago. Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian Heritage are very much appreciated, he wrote.

Thank you Kamala for the nice picture you sent from many years ago! Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian Heritage are very much appreciated.



Donald Trump Truth Social 09:56 AM EST 08/01/24 @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/13mKGX5AkZ  Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) August 1, 2024

Some Republicans, including Utah Rep. Burgess Owens, labeled Harris a DEI hire, referring to the framework of diversity, equity and inclusion.

If she (Kamala Harris) was a white person, she would not be sitting in the place shes sitting right now. Shes Black. Shes a woman. Thats DEI to the core, Owens, who represents Utahs 4th District, said.

But GOP leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have urged Republicans to stay away from remarks on Harris race or gender. After a Republican Conference meeting last week, Johnson told reporters the upcoming election will be about policies and not personalities.

This is not personal with regard to Kamala Harris, he continued, and her ethnicity or her gender have nothing to do with this whatsoever.
Former President Trump is facing fierce blowback from his line of attack questioning Vice President Harriss Black identity, risking his efforts to court more Black voters in November.

The former president drew shock and outrage from members of the Black community after claiming Harris, who is biracial, had turned Black after identifying only as Indian for years. Harris has repeatedly referenced her Black and Indian cultural background in her years in the political spotlight.

The fallout online from the interview at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention was swift, with some experts arguing the comments will damage Trump badly with Black voters in the fall.

I cannot imagine that this did anything but decrease Black voter opinions of Trump, said Tabitha Bonilla, a professor at Northwestern University. I think this is what we witnessed in reactions to his NABJ interview on social media, both among Black journalists and in #WhenITurnedBlack, she added, referring to a hashtag that trended on the social platform X among critics of the former president.

Critics immediately took to social media to express their displeasure, and the Harris campaign issued a scathing rebuke of the former president.

The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power and inflict his harmful Project 2025 agenda on the American people, said Michael Tyler, communications director for Harris for President, in a statement.

Project 2025 is an agenda conservative groups have put together for the next conservative president. Trump has sought to distance himself from the agenda, while Democrats, noting connections between the groups and Trump World, have made it a campaign issue.

Todays tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trumps MAGA rallies this entire campaign, Tyler added.

Although minimal data exists on Black voter sentiment around the new 2024 match-up between Trump and Harris, polling between February 2022 and October 2023 from the Black Census Project  which engaged more than 200,000 Black individuals  found Harris had a 71 percent favorability rating. Trump had a 5 percent favorability rating.

Still, said Scott Tranter, director of data science at Decision Desk HQ, Trump was pulling 10 percent to 15 percent of Black voter support when the presidential race looked to be a contest between Trump and President Biden. That would have been a good showing for a Republican presidential candidate.

A lot of that data was when Joe Biden was at the top of the ticket, and there was a lot of concern about Joe Biden, Tranter said. Kamala Harris certainly gets a different angle, and voters take a fresh look. But if Donald Trump were to get 10 [percent] to 15 percent of the African American vote, thatd be a high watermark for any Republican candidate.

A steady stream of Republicans have criticized Trumps remarks, arguing they could hurt him in November and that hed be better off focusing on other issues.

But Trump has doubled down on the arguments.

In a Thursday post on Truth Social, Trump shared a photo of Harris in a sari sitting with her family. He captioned it: Thank you Kamala for the nice picture you sent from many years ago! Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian Heritage are very much appreciated.

This is far from the first time that Trump, whose political rise was tied to his push of false claims that former President Obama was born in Kenya, has engaged in divisive race-based arguments.

Donald Trump built his political career on the foundation of racism, and now this is Birtherism 2.0, said Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright.

Even more concerning, Seawright said, is that there is a large segment of the population in this country, large segments of his base, who actually feed off of that and are energized by that.

Trumps remarks about Harris at the NABJ came in response to a question about comments from other Republicans that she is a DEI hire, an insinuation suggesting she is only in her position because of her race.

The rhetoric has appeared to spread. Some Republicans have taken to calling Harris a DEI hire, insinuating the only reason she was selected for vice president and subsequently the presidency is because of her race. Democrats and Black leaders have vehemently rejected the idea, while some Republicans have suggested such talk is unhelpful to their side.

Harris, since Biden dropped out of the race against Trump and endorsed her, has unified much of the Democratic Party behind her campaign, sparking excitement among broad swathes of the party  including many Black voters.

Harriss campaign announced on Friday it had raised $310 million in July. She has received endorsements from the Congressional Black Caucus, the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund and Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

Some leaders of organizations representing Black men  one of the most crucial demographics in this years election  have begun to throw their support behind her candidacy.

You cant hide the excitement surrounding future president Harriss potential presidential bid, said Joe Paul, board member of Black Men Vote. You had 58,000 Americans sign up to volunteer on the same day. Thats not normal. Its showcasing a robust, grassroots boots on the ground movement.

Harris crossed the threshold needed to officially become the Democratic presidential nominee in a virtual roll call vote on Friday. But as rhetoric around her racial identity continues, Bonilla said a larger conversation around race is needed.

Blackness isnt just one thing, as is no identity, said Bonilla. You can be multiple things at one time. But I think most conversations on race and ethnicity tend to fall flat and think about entire groups of people as though they were one thing, and thats just factually incorrect.

It also leads to a lot of harm in that it leaves out people who may not fit this modal standard of what we think their racial identity should be. It limits an individuals ability to be wholly who they are and who they want to be.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump unleashed a tirade against Google during a Friday interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, accusing the platform of refusing to apologize for blocking some results related to his attempted assassination.

In the segment, in which Trump attempted to outline the dangers of AI before Bartiromo redirected him to the subject of big tech companies, Trump went after the search engine.

Noting that Facebook representatives called him to apologize for flagging some posts featuring photos of his assassination attempt with fact checks, Trump said, Google, nobody called from Google, before unloading on the tech company.

In the rant, slammed by the Harris campaign as unintelligible, Trump seemingly, though not clearly, accused the search engine of biased search result ranking, a complaint he espoused nearly six years ago.

Trump goes on unintelligible rant: Google, nobody called from Google. One of the things like doing a show like yours, your show, you know, you see it on Fox, but when you really see it is all over the place, they take clips of your show that you're doing right now with me and if pic.twitter.com/jYP8Iyk6ZP  Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 2, 2024

Trumps less-than-succinct description, possibly referring to Googles practice of algorithmic search result ranking, which conservatives have blasted as unfair in recent days, was followed with a harsh warning message to the tech giant.

Google has been very bad. Theyve been very irresponsible. And I have a feeling that Googles going to be close to shut down, because I dont think Congress is going to take it, the former president told Bartiromo. I really dont think so. Google has to be careful.

Toward the end of the Fox segment, he also mulled stripping Google of its Section 230 protections and praised Elon Musk and X, as Musk throws cash behind a PAC supporting his re-election bid.

Trumps tenuous relationship with Silicon Valley has improved in many ways since his first term, strengthening ties with tech billionaire Peter Thiel, who groomed Trumps VP pick JD Vance for office, and seeing bans on his accounts imposed after January 6th lifted. But Google continues to face attacks from the far-right, including accusations of suppressing Trump.
Earlier this week, former president Donald Trump said Vice President Kamala Harris had been promoting her Indian heritage and only happened to turn Black" recently for political convenience. The remarks irked other people of mixed race. Chip Somodevilla / Staff

When clinical psychologist Jennifer Noble watched former President Donald Trump question Vice President Kamala Harris ethnic background earlier this week, she was annoyed, to say the least.

Noble, who specializes in helping parents of mixed-race children in her practice and is Black and Sri Lankan herself, was certain Trump was making a political calculation when he said Harris had only promoted her Indian heritage and just happened to turn Black for political convenience.

It was a National Association of Black Journalists conference, so I think he thought he might endear himself more to the audience, Noble said. By saying she only happened to turn Black recently, he was hoping the audience would also want to deny her the connection to Blackness.

Harris has never denied her mixed racial heritage; the politician is the daughter of two immigrants, a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, as well as a graduate of Howard University, a historically Black college.

Trumps assertion about Harris non-Blackness was met with what Reuters described as a smattering of jeers from the audience of roughly 1,000 people.

Obviously he had not done his homework, Noble told HuffPost. However, he is an exaggerated example of what is going on for so many. I have seen social media comments, news media outlets and my own social circle refer to the VP as Black or Indian. Rarely is she referred to as both or and.

By openly questioning the vice presidents ethnic background, Trump perpetuated a common expectation mixed-race people face: You cant be both.

I have absolutely been asked  or told  to pick a side, Noble said. I cannot tell you how many conversations Ive had where after I disclose my Sri Lankan and African American backgrounds, the response is, oh, OK, but you know youre Black, right? Thats it  youre Black. Its like my Sri Lankan heritage is erased or denied.

In the U.S., the historical legacy of the one-drop rule meant people with even one Black ancestor have long been categorized as Black. Today, many mixed-race people are judged for not being enough of one ethnicity or another, sometimes within those same ethnic communities.

Despite a growing number of Americans who identify as more than one race  the multiracial population in the United States increased by 276% from 2010 to 2020, growing from 9 million to 33.8 million people, or 10.2% of the total population  we still dont know how to talk about multiracial experiences.

Harris has never denied her mixed racial heritage; the politician is the daughter of two immigrants, a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, as well as a graduate of Howard University, a historically Black college. Drew Angerer via Getty Images

Trumps comments suggest mixed-race people are untrustworthy

Mixed-race people who do acknowledge both of their races are sometimes labeled as confused or lost as to who they are, Noble said. (This belief echoes the tragic mulatto archetype  the idea that a mixed race person is naturally depressed or even suicidal because they fail to fall into one category.)

Sometimes, mixed-race people are viewed as deceitful and conniving if they identify as more than one thing, Noble said. Theyre trying to use their multiple backgrounds only when it benefits them somehow, as we see in the Harris case.

One 2018 Rutgers University study found that white people consider biracial people to be less trustworthy if they change their racial presentation in different circumstances.

This delegitimizing of multiracial identities flattens mixed-race peoples lived experiences and may make them feel its unsafe to connect and find belonging [in] their cultural groups, Noble said.

Trumps own vice presidential candidate, JD Vance, has biracial children. The junior Ohio senator is white while his wife, Usha, is of Indian descent. Still, Vance has defended his running mates divisive comments, saying Trump had zeroed in on Harris fundamental chameleon-like nature.

These kinds of characterizations can lead to negative mental health outcomes for mixed-race people, according to Sarah E. Gaither, an associate professor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University.

Identity denial  telling someone they are not Black when they actually are, for instance  is one of the most common stressors that multiracial Americans report experiencing, Gaither told HuffPost.

One 2019 study published in the Journal of Psychological Issues found that biracial Americans cortisol levels returned to baseline more slowly when a researcher denied one of their identities.

Identity denial  telling someone they are not Black when they actually are, for instance  is one of the most common stressors that multiracial Americans report experiencing, said Sarah E. Gaither, an associate professor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at at Duke University. Maskot via Getty Images

As a biracial Black and white person whos more often perceived as white, Gaither has had her fair share of experiences of people denying her Black heritage. Growing up, some even questioned whether her father was really related to her, given their differing skin tones.

I will always remember walking around the mall as a child and having someone come up to us and ask me if I knew the man holding my hand  [who,] of course, was my father  since they assumed he was kidnapping me, she said.

Gaither said its encounters like those that remind her of how fixed our countrys ideas are about race.

The thing is, race is socially constructed which means we have the opportunity to reshape what race means and what racial groups and identities are accepted, she said.

Trumps messaging on race carries weight

In the 2010s, Trump helped to spread the birther conspiracy theory, which suggested falsely that former President Barack Obama hadnt really been born in the U.S. Now, others in Trumps camp are parroting his fictions about Harris.

At a Pennsylvania rally Wednesday, Alina Habba, Trumps onetime attorney and current campaign booster, also portrayed Harris as a racial obfuscator.

Im going to speak to you, Ms. Harris, she told the audience. Im a strong woman, a mom, a lawyer and an American. And unlike you, Kamala, I know who my roots are, I know where I come from and I dont play around with the Constitution.

Analia Albuja, a psychology professor at Northeastern University who studies multiracial identities, is worried about the implication of Trumps turn Black comments.

Recent history shows that Trumps stump speech messaging carries weight; Albuja, whos bicultural herself, pointed to a 2018 study that found that prejudice towards the groups that Trump targeted in the 2016 race  immigrants and Muslims specifically  was seen as more acceptable after the election, but not prejudice towards groups that he didnt target.

This makes me concerned that if these types of denials and questioning of Harris identity continue, questioning mixed-race peoples identity will be seen as something that is more acceptable to do, Albuja told HuffPost.

I hope instead this [election] can give people exposure to a mixed-race person and help normalize identifying with multiple groups, she said.

The Trump campaign is projecting this on the screen above the stage at his rally in Harrisburg PA: pic.twitter.com/ZsGHAZaruk  Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) July 31, 2024

Ayumi Matsuda-Rivero, a PhD candidate at the University of California San Diego, also isnt surprised that Harris biracial identity has become a talking point now that the race is tightening up.

I knew it would happen as soon as [she] was announced as the Democratic candidate, I just didnt think I expected the comments to be so absurd, she said.

In her own experience as a Venezuelan-Japanese American, Matsuda-Rivero said she hasnt been asked to pick a side because other people usually assign her one themselves.

For example, I went to a predominantly white high school. When I was in high school, a white classmate of mine would say that I was being Hispanic if I was struggling in class. But if I was doing well or getting good grades, then it was because I was Asian, she told HuffPost.

For many years, Matsuda-Rivero tried to explain her mixed-race identity to people who struggled with it, but she says thats exhausting. She doesnt want to have to explain where her parents are from because that inevitably leads to questions about how they met, which then leads to questions about why they were in the U.S. and why shes in the U.S. now.

Sometimes thats been the only way for people to get it, but that requires a willingness on my end to disclose my personal history to people who I may barely know, and that should not be expected of me, she said.

Ultimately, Matsuda-Rivero said, mixed-race people dont owe an explanation to others for their identity.

To borrow from Maria P. P. Roots Bill of Rights for People of Mixed Heritage, we have the right to not be responsible for other peoples discomfort with our physical, ethnic, or racial ambiguity, Matsuda-Rivero said.

We have the right to express our mixed-race identity however we like because there is no right way to be mixed-race, she added.

Related...
Turkeys communications authority blocked access to Instagram on Friday, another instance of the country tightening its grip on certain websites and social media.

Turkeys Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which regulates the internet, announced Friday that it had restricted access to the site, The Associated Press reported.

Local media said Instagram was now blocked as part of a response to the site removing posts by Turkish users who expressed condolences over the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the AP reported.

Turkeys Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Omer Fatih Sayan posted on social platform X that Western countries receive better response from service providers like Instagram when they have issues and Turkey demands the same sensitivity and fairness.

We want the safe, clean and fair content mechanism that these platforms offer in countries where they comply with their rules to be valid in Turkey as well, he said. This double standard applied by providers is a common problem all over the world.

Turkeys transportation and infrastructure minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, said Instagram ignored sensitivities and was in a breach of serious crimes, including incitement to suicide, torture, obscenity and more, the AP reported.

When they dont abide by laws and our regulations and dont take our societal sensitivities into consideration, we are obliged to make the necessary interventions, he said.

He said they will lift the ban once Instagram fulfills the requirements and they had been in touch with the sites representative in Turkey.

The AP noted that there are more than 50 million Instagram users in Turkey.

Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader, was killed in Iran earlier this week. He was one of the groups top leaders who was in Tehran for the inauguration of the new president.

Turkey is observing a day of mourning for the leader of the group and unlike other countries, Turkey does not designate Hamas as a terror organization, the AP said.

The Hill has reached out to Instagram for comment.

The Associated Press contributed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Two civilians injured in Russian drone attack on Kherson Oblast

Two civilians have been injured in a Russian drone attack on the village of Antonivka in Kherson Oblast.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Details: On the morning of Saturday, 3 August, Russian forces used a UAV to drop explosives on a man standing in the street near his car.

The man, 33, sustained shrapnel wounds to his legs.

Another man, 40, suffered a mine-blast injury.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma City Police Department are investigating after two people were injured in a shooting overnight.

According to authorities, the shooting happened near SE 15th and S High Ave. around 2:50 a.m. Saturday morning.

Two injured in SE Oklahoma City shooting Saturday morning

Two injured in SE Oklahoma City shooting Saturday morning

Police say they arrived to the scene with shell casings in the area and the victims were transported to OU Medical by car.

The condition of the victims is currently unknown.

According to OKCPD, there is no information on the suspect at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Two more charged over alleged arson attack on behalf of Wagner on Ukraine-linked businesses in UK

Two more men have been charged in connection with an alleged arson plot against Ukraine-linked businesses in London, the Metropolitan Police said on Aug. 3.

In late April, 20-year-old Dylan Earl from the U.K., who allegedly has ties to Russia's Wagner mercenary group, was charged with orchestrating a blaze at an industrial estate in Leyton in March after being recruited as a Russian spy.

Ugnius Asmena, 19, and Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22, are charged with aggravated arson under the U.K. National Security Act, legislation passed in 2023 to address hostile activity from foreign states. The latter one also faces two charges of possessing an offensive weapon, the police said.

The two were detained on Aug. 1, bringing the total number of suspects to seven, and were due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Aug. 3.

Four other men, Paul English, Nil Mensah, Jake Reeves, and Dmitrijus Paulauska, have also been charged in connection with the case.

According to the investigators, Earl recruited and paid others to carry out arson attacks on Ukrainian-related businesses owned by two parcel delivery services, Oddisey and Meest UK.

Court documents indicate that Earl has alleged connections to the Wagner Group, designated a terrorist organization in the U.K.

Read also: Mali rebels claim they killed 84 Wagner mercenaries during recent battles

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency euthanized a bear on Friday after it broke into a Sevier County home through a garage and began eating from a refrigerator.

The TWRA confirmed to 6 News Saturday afternoon that the bear had been frequenting the area previously and getting into the truck beds of cabin cleaners vehicles and construction dumpsters.

Dumpster program ahead of schedule as Gatlinburg works to reduce human-bear encounters

Per the bear conflict matrix, this bear was trapped, and humanely killed. This bear was past the point of being able to have its behavior changed through hazing or location, TWRA spokesperson Matt Cameron said.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says a bear damaged a garage door, broke into a home and began eating from a refrigerator. (TWRA)

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says a bear damaged a garage door, broke into a home and began eating from a refrigerator. (TWRA)

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says a bear damaged a garage door, broke into a home and began eating from a refrigerator. (TWRA)

The TWRA shared that it recommends hazing bears to deter them from human populated areas and issues rubber buckshot to residents for that purpose. The Humane Society of the United States describes hazing as a method of using deterrents to move an animal out of an area or to discourage undesirable behavior.

Unsecured trash at Gatlinburg hotel causes 2 bear incidents in 8 days

Three bear cubs named Bubbles, Mojo and Fuzzy, who were taken in by Appalachian Bear Rescue after their mother was euthanized by the TWRA after it broke into a home. (Appalachian Bear Rescue)

Friday evening, Appalachian Bear Rescue also shared that the euthanized bear was a mother who had three female cubs. ABR took in the cubs after they were trapped by the TWRA. The rescue also shared that the mother bears was trapped at a Sevierville address in Sevier County, but the home is right outside of Gatlinburg.

Unfortunately, there is no public trash service in the county areas of Sevier County. People must take their trash to convenience centers. To exacerbate the problem, there is a lot of construction going on in the area. There are lots and lots of construction dumpsters that are not bear-resistant.

Highlands of the Smokies completes rebuild years after devastating Gatlinburg wildfires

The cubs were taken to the UT College of Veterinary Medicine for medical exams and are healthy, ABR said. They have since been named Bubbles, Mojo, and Fuzzy.

The rescue now has 19 bear cubs and yearlings in their care.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced that it will hold a ceremony on Monday, Aug. 5, near the shore of Lake Nasworthy to honor two of its members who died decades ago.

Information released by the department states that the ceremony will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at Mary E. Lee Park, located at 2160 Mary E. Lee Road. The department said it will dedicate a tactical marine unit for Corporal Willie Dale Taylor and Trooper Billy Jack Zachary for their ultimate sacrifice.

Taylor died on May 19, 1990, after his patrol car was crushed by a tractor-trailer while he was making a traffic stop, as per the Officer Down Memorial Page. The TxDPS website states that he began his career with the department on Oct. 2, 1962, and that he was stationed in Ozona.

According to the TxDPS fallen employee tribute page, Zachary died on Jan. 1, 2006, after being struck by a pickup while issuing a citation during a traffic stop on Interstate Highway 20 near Monahans. Following the killing, his body was thrown into the bar ditch separating the interstate from the frontage road.

Zachary had been a member of the TxDPS since February 2004. The departments tribute page states that he is the 223rd DPS officer to have been killed in the line of duty.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
The United States is sending additional naval resources (MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter shown) to the Middle East as it braces for the likelihood of a retaliatory attack by Iran after the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The United States is sending additional naval resources to the Middle East as it braces for the likelihood of a retaliatory attack by Iran after the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran.

"Secretary [of Defense Lloyd] Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement issued by the Pentagon.

"The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense."

The Navy's USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group will replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt to "maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East."

The USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanied ships were sailing off the coast of Hawaii on Saturday.

The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (L) is being ordered to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Middle East, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Austin has also ordered an additional fighter squadron deployed to the Middle East.

The changes come after Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated Wednesday in Tehran.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is a Nimitz class nuclear-powered carrier and was launched in 1988, making its home port is Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said a "short-range projectile" fired from outside his guesthouse is what killed Haniyeh.

The United States and its allies almost immediately began bracing for retaliation after Haniyeh's alleged assassination.

In addition to the USS Abraham LIncoln Carrier Strike Group (pictured), the officials have also ordered an additional fighter squadron be deployed to the Middle East. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

"We've heard the supreme leader loud and clear that he intends to avenge this killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran, and that they want to conduct another attack on Israel," National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby told CNN in an interview.

"We can't just assume that we are also potentially going to be victims of that kind of an attack, so we've got to make sure we've got the right resources and capabilities in the region."

The deployment of additional naval resources comes after Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated Wednesday in Tehran. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

U.S. airlines began canceling flights to Tel Aviv as the federal government raised its travel advisory to level four, warning citizens in southern Lebanon to leave.

"Do Not Travel to Lebanon due to rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. If you are in Lebanon, be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate," the U.S. State Department warned Wednesday.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is a Nimitz class nuclear-powered carrier and was launched in 1988. The ship's home port is Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt has been operating in the Middle East since mid-July as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian. The multi-nation mission's goal is to protect merchant traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, primarily from missile attacks by Houthi militants stationed in Lebanon.
Nebraska voters this fall will see a rare pairing of both U.S. Senate seats on their ballots. In the senior race (top row), U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., is likely to face nonpartisan Dan Osborn. For the junior seat, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., lower right, will face Preston Love Jr., a Democrat. (Photos courtesy of the candidates; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

LINCOLN  Nebraskans shouldnt expect to see Senate debates this fall. Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, like her junior colleague, Pete Ricketts, has declined to participate.

Fischer, in a drive-time interview Friday with conservative talk show host Jack Riggins on KFAB, said she would not participate in a debate during her 2024 re-election bid.

I believe and Ive always believed its the responsibility of candidates and its the responsibility of elected officials to get out there and meet with Nebraskans, she said.

Fischer prefers longer answers

She criticized the last debates she participated in as truncated down to 1-minute answers on complicated issues, like war and peace in the Middle East. She said voters deserve better.

Fischer had been invited to debate by a group of news outlets: Nebraska Public Media, the Nebraska Examiner, the Lincoln Journal Star, the Omaha World-Herald and KRVN radio.

Ricketts on Tuesday turned down an invitation from the same group of news outlets to debate his Democratic opponent, Preston Love Jr.

Fischer, a two-term senator from Lincoln and a former state lawmaker whose family ranches near Valentine, is likely to face nonpartisan Senate candidate Dan Osborn, an Omaha union leader, in the general election.

Osborn has called on her to debate

Osborns campaign has said it expects to turn in the signatures it has gathered to reach the November ballot in a rare race that has no Democratic nominee because the states Democrats had considered backing him.

He announced the day after the primary election that he would not seek any partys endorsement after courting the support of the Nebraska Democratic Party and the Libertarian Party. He has said he always made clear he was going to act independently.

Osborn had agreed in June to debate Fischer this fall, saying Nebraskans deserve a conversation about the future. His campaign had no immediate comment on Fischers decision.

The issues in this election should be discussed face-to-face between the two candidates, Osborn said in a campaign statement in late June challenging her to debate.

Fischer said Nebraskans know her and her conservative voting record. She said shell answer any questions about my record and where I stand on issues.

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United Auto Workers (UAW) Shawn Fain slammed former President Trump on Friday, saying hes beholden to billionaires and has never supported working-class people.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Fain highlighted the unions decision to endorse Vice President Harris and the pivotal role UAW has played in the presidential campaign over the last year.

Trump has never supported working class people. He has never supported unions, Fain said. But he sure as hell was trying to pander for our votes now.

Fain originally endorsed President Biden after the president joined striking UAW workers on the picket line last year.

After Biden suspended his campaign, UAW made the decision to back Harris. At a rally, Fain said if elected, Harris will continue delivering for working-class Americans, while Trump will work for billionaires.

The UAW president has drawn the ire of Trump. During his speech at the Republican National Convention last month, Trump slammed Fain and called for him to be fired. The former president said UAW ought to be ashamed for allowing Fain to endorse the Democratic Party.

In a post online, the union said Trump is a scab and a billionaire, saying they are not on his side.

Fain dismissed Trumps insult as typical behavior from the former president, the AP said.

All the man does [is] name call, label people. He never has solutions, Fain said. Thats the problem in leadership. You need to find solutions.

Fain told the news site that hes confident Harris will remain an advocate for working people. She walked the picket line with General Motors striking workers in 2019 and was there with Biden though a lot of things weve been through, he said.

Shes been there for labor, he said, later adding, I think shes a brilliant woman. A very strong person.

Harris, Fain argued, understands the issues.

I think Trumps just all talk. Thats all hes ever been. Hes a showman, he said.

The Hill has reached out to Trumps campaign but in a statement to the AP, the campaign said Fain was a puppet for the Democrat party.

Shawn Fains empty words dont matter  President Trump will take action to fight for the American worker, the statement said.

The Associated Press contributed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  An Uber ride took a terrifying turn in Manhattan when a passenger suddenly pepper-sprayed the driver.

The attack was caught on camera, and the victim spoke exclusively to PIX11 News.

More Local News

Shohel Mahmud, the veteran Uber driver, believes the incident was racially motivated, but the woman involved denies that is the case.

It was Wednesday night, nearing 11:30, on the Upper East Side. Mahmud was on the phone while passengers Jennifer Guilbeault and a friend were quietly sitting in the backseat.

Then, 90 seconds into three minutes of dashcam video, Guilbeault suddenly stands up, yelling. According to police, the 23-year-old unprovokedly attacked Mahmud and pepper-sprayed him in the face.

Mahmud described the attack, saying, My whole face was burning. It lasted two hours. He also feared that the attackers were going to hijack his car.

Mahmud, the sole provider for his family was back to work on Friday night. People like her, this is not the right way to treat people, he said.

NYPD officers arrested Guilbeault at the scene and charged her with assault.

Police raid Randalls Island migrant shelter after deadly shooting: NYPD

While neither the NYPD nor the Manhattan District Attorney is currently charging this as a bias attack, Mahmud, a Bangladeshi father of three, believes it was due to his skin color. What I figured out when I saw the video is [she said] that its because of my body color, he said.

In a statement, the Taxi Workers Union said, This is such a gross, racist violent attack. The DA needs to prosecute using both anti-hate crime and taxi driver protection laws against this racist assailant.

Uber told PIX11 News that the young woman has been banned from the app, stating, The riders actions shown in the video are deplorable. Violence is not tolerated.

When we reached out to Guilbeault for a comment, her family denied it was a hate crime but offered no other explanation for what was seen on video.

Guilbeault is due in court on the misdemeanor charge later this month.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
UK riots live: Far right violence erupts in Manchester and Liverpool as bricks thrown at police

Far-right protesters have violently clashed with police officers in major cities across the UK in the wake of "unforgivable" violence in Sunderland.

Demonstrations taking place in several cities on Saturday, including Manchester, Liverpool Stoke and Belfast have already seen clashes with police and counter-protesters.

In Liverpool, a chair thrown by demonstrators has hit an officer on the head as bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown.

The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.

On Friday, a far-right mob torched a Sunderland police station as eight people were arrested amid violent disorder that saw a mosque surrounded by rioters.

The protests are thought to have been triggered in part by social media misinformation about the knife attack in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday, which led to the death of three children.

Key Points

Hundreds of protesters descend on Manchester

Eight people arrested, three police officers hospitalised in Sunderland riot

In pics: Far-right protesters throw bricks and set car on fire

Nation braces for weekend of far-right violence with 35 protests planned

Sunderland police station on fire

Nottingham counter-protesters chant facist scum off our streets'

16:36 , Jabed Ahmed

#Nottingham turns out against fascism 



Hundreds of anti-fascists are outnumbering a group of far right thugs. Smash the fascists pic.twitter.com/MSs9HzhZft  Stand Up To Racism (@AntiRacismDay) August 3, 2024

Middlesborough march organiser not arrested on terrorism charges, police confirm

16:35 , Athena Stavrou

Police denied claims that the organiser of a march in Middlesborough on Sunday had been arrested on terrorism charges.

They said a 29-year-old man was arrested on Friday over firearms offences.

English Defence League founder Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, had posted on Friday: Lad who organised Middlesbrough march been locked up on terroism charges.

Cleveland Police said in a statement: We are aware of misinformation being shared on social media relating to a planned event in Middlesbrough tomorrow.

Cleveland Police has not arrested anyone in connection with terrorism offences.

A 29-year-old Middlesbrough man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He remains in police custody being questioned and inquiries continue.

Pictured: Disorder across the UK at far-right protests

16:32 , Athena Stavrou

A man with blood on his hand speaks to a police officer during a protest in Nottingham Market Square (Jacob King/PA Wire)

Police officers face protesters in Liverpool (James Speakman/PA Wire)

People protest in Blackpool (Michael Holmes/PA Wire)

Man speaks to police with blood on his hand in Nottingham

16:27 , Jabed Ahmed

(Jacob King/PA Wire)

Protesters clash with police in Nottingham

16:24 , Jabed Ahmed

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

TikTok blocks users searching for Tommy Robinson'

16:18 , Athena Stavrou

TikTok has blocked users from searching Tommy Robinson Saturday in the wake of far-right protests turning violent across the country.

Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - is known to be a key far-right figure who led a march in London last weekend.

He has publicised the protests happening over this weekend but is not likely to attend any as there is currently a warrant out for his arrest.

The social media platform did not allow users to search for Robinson on Saturday and instead showed the message: This phrase may be associated with behaviour or content that violates our guidelines.

(The Independent)

Man collapses in Liverpool after being punched

16:14 , Jabed Ahmed

Bricks were thrown at a group of police officers from all directions at Mann Island in Liverpool.

A masked youth threw a brick at the back of a police officer as she held her riot shield in the other direction.

A scooter was also thrown.

One man collapsed to the floor after being punched.

Officers moved to surround him as he lay on the floor and his head was bandaged.

Pictured: Protesters in Blackpool

16:12 , Jabed Ahmed

(Michael Holmes/PA Wire)

(Michael Holmes/PA Wire)

(Michael Holmes/PA Wire)

Pictured: Man detained by police in Liverpool

16:07 , Jabed Ahmed

(James Speakman/PA Wire)

(James Speakman/PA Wire)

Violent clashes between demonstrators and police in Liverpool

16:00 , Jabed Ahmed

A chair thrown by demonstrators has hit an officer on the head in Liverpool.

Bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined the road on The Strand.

The windscreen of a police van was smashed as bricks and plastic barriers were thrown.

Bricks were pelted at the vans and officers by youths with their faces covered.

Riot officers then ran at the group to move them back, before backing away as more bricks were thrown.

(James Speakman/PA Wire)

Anti-immigration protester claims Titanic sank because there was too many people'

15:58 , Jabed Ahmed

An anti-immigration protester has claimed the Titanic sank because there was too many people in a bizarre comparison to the UK.

The Titanic sank due to a collision with an iceberg, not because of the number of people aboard the ship.

I dont think thats why the titanic sunk love.  pic.twitter.com/1skQ01s0Ym  Jon (@jonhotspur88) August 3, 2024

Prime Minister needs to do more to restore public order, James Cleverly says

15:53 , Jabed Ahmed

Shadow home secretary James Cleverly has said the Prime Minister and Home Secretary need to do more to restore public order and send a clear message to the thugs.

The Tory leadership contender said in a statement on Saturday: In opposition Labour voted against public order measures we brought forward to give our police more powers to keep our streets clear, calm and safe, and Keir Starmer taking the knee sent completely the wrong message. There is never a justification for disorder like this.

Now they are in Government Labour need to clamp down immediately on the violence that we have seen across the country and send a clear message to the thugs that they will be met with the full strength of the law.

The public expects the Government to restore order. The Prime Minister and Home Secretary must do more to demonstrate that they are gripping this situation.

They should be giving regular updates alongside the police so potential rioters know that they wont get away with this and they must haul the tech companies in to ensure they are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of disinformation fuelling these events.

Belfast residents block far-right protesters from reaching Islamic Centre

15:51 , Jabed Ahmed

More than 100 Belfast residents have blocked anti-immigration protestors when reaching an Islamic Centre.

Incredible ! Over 100 residents from lower Ormeau have intercepted the anti-immigration parade and chased them from the area. Chants of nazi scum @BelTel pic.twitter.com/DQbMG51Kte  Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) August 3, 2024

Police officer kicked and knocked off his motorbike in Liverpool

15:46 , Jabed Ahmed

On The Strand in Liverpool, a police officer on a motorbike was kicked and knocked off his vehicle by a demonstrator.

One man was holding a wooden pole as protesters ran down the street after it happened.

A traffic cone was also thrown.

Officers in riot shields lined the road, which runs along the citys waterfront, closing it to traffic and charged demonstrators, pushing them back.

One man was pinned to the floor by officers and others tried to kick riot shields.

Demonstrators chanted: Save our kids.

One man was pinned to the floor by officers (James Speakman/PA Wire)

Protests beginning in Blackpool

15:42 , Jabed Ahmed

Tensions began to simmer over in Blackpool town centre at about 2.30pm.

Punks  in town for the annual Rebellion festival  squared off against men in football shirts, separated only by police.

England till I die and we want our country back, crowds chanted, alongside oh, Tommy Robinson and protect our kids.

Where the f*** were you in Leeds? others shouted.

Counter-protesters returned verbal volleys of Nazi scum off our streets as bottles were thrown and minor skirmishes broke out.

One woman holding a placard saying Thugs (and) racists not welcome had it torn from her hands as crowds pushed from the town hall to the Metropole and as sirens filled the summer air.

Pictured: Protesters target hotel used to house asylum seekers in Hull

15:36 , Jabed Ahmed

Police have formed a barricade against far-right protesters in Hull after the windows of a hotel used to house asylum seekers were smashed.

(The Independent)

(The Independent)

Pictured: Protesters clash with police in Liverpool

15:22 , Jabed Ahmed

(James Speakman/PA Wire)

(James Speakman/PA Wire)

Protesters and counter protesters mount in Nottingham

15:21 , Albert Toth

Protesters with St Georges and union flags in Nottinghams Market Square have been met with counter-protesters chanting racist scum off our streets and Nazis not welcome.

Scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other on King Street at about 3pm, with bottles and other items thrown from both sides.

Chants of England until I die and Tommy Robinson were drowned out by boos from the counter-protesters.

Anti-racist counter protesters gather in Nottingham (Jacob King/PA Wire)

Far-right protesters have mobilised in the city (Jacob King/PA Wire)

Police separate groups in Liverpool

15:20 , Jabed Ahmed

Police separated groups of demonstrators outside the Cunard Building on The Strand in Liverpool.

Anti-fascist protesters sang: Wheres your Tommy gone?

At one point a group of men with masks and hoods up appeared to try and charge police officers who stood with batons.

Officers with riot shields and helmets moved the crowd back and cans, bottles and coins were thrown.

Police with dogs also moved in to separate the groups.

Protesters stand off with police outside hotel in Hull

15:16 , Albert Toth

Police have formed a barricade against far-right protesters in Hull after the windows of a hotel used to house asylum seekers were smashed.

Officers wearing riot gear formed a line along the Ferensway road in central Hull as dozens chanted in the direction of the Royal Hotel. The scenes unfolded just outside Hulls main rail station.

Buses have now been suspend to the area, with a spokesperson for East Yorkshire buses saying: Regrettably we are temporarily suspending operation of buses into Hull City Centre due to the ongoing protests. We will return to normal services as soon as it is safe to do so.

Watch: Portsmouth crowd chants Im English til I die as far-right marches spread across UK

15:15 , Jabed Ahmed

Ministers to meet to discuss public order

15:11 , Jabed Ahmed

Ministers are expected to hold a group call to discuss public order following the scenes of violence in Sunderland and other parts of England.

The call will take place on Saturday as a series of planned protests this weekend get under way, it is understood.

Hundreds of anti-fascist protesters march in Liverpool

15:10 , Jabed Ahmed

Hundreds of counter protesters have begun marching in Liverpool from St Georges Hall to the Pier Head.

Chants of Tommy Robinson were greeted by shouts of Nazi scum, off our streets.

Some cans were thrown from one group towards the other.

This is #Liverpool right now, marching from St Georges Hall to the Pier Head, letting the racists know theyre not wanted in this city.

There are more of us than them, there are more good people in the world than bad. pic.twitter.com/PSZSQcXTHi  Ian Salmon (@IanRSalmon) August 3, 2024

Police guarding Islamic Centre in South Belfast

14:53 , Jabed Ahmed

Police are standing guard near a Islamic Centre in Belfast after violent skirmishes broke out between groups.

Police have sealed off roads near Queens University, with several Land Rovers in place to maintain order.

A cafe on Botanic Avenue was attacked by the crowd and windows were smashed and furniture broken, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

Bizarrely protesters have let a man from Dublin lead them through the streets, he has become lost and the parade is now in the Holyland area @BelTel pic.twitter.com/0slsQROD9i  Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) August 3, 2024

Liverpool police given special powers to curb disorder

14:42 , Albert Toth

Merseyside Police said a section 60 order giving officers greater stop-and-search powers has been introduced for Liverpool.

The force said the order was put in place at 12pm on Saturday and will stay active for a 12-hour period until midnight.

The order incorporates Liverpool city centre and also includes areas of Kensington and Toxteth.

Superintendent Dawn McNally said: A number of section 60s have been introduced in Merseyside since the disgraceful disorder we witnessed in Southport on Tuesday evening.

They give officers on the ground extra powers to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying weapons or planning any criminality as we seek to keep the public safe.

We will continue to deploy section 60 orders wherever we believe they can help our efforts to keep people safe.

Liverpool sees tension as protest groups gather in the city centre

14:38 , Albert Toth

A line of police moved in to separate groups of demonstrators who met at the Pier Head in Liverpool.

A crowd, some with union flags, who had gathered outside the Mersey Ferry terminal shouting stop the boats were greeted by anti-fascist protesters who marched from a rally at St Georges Hall.

Chants of Tommy Robinson were greeted by shouts of Nazi scum, off our streets.

Some cans were thrown from one group towards the other.

Tensions continue in Belfast as anti-immigration protestors move south

14:37 , Albert Toth

A large number of anti-immigration protesters have gathered in south Belfast.

Police have sealed off a number of roads close to Queens University Belfast.

A number of bottles and missiles have been thrown.

Sunderland Reverend forced to protect gravestones from rioters

14:30 , Albert Toth

Reverend Chris Howson says he had to protect gravestones at Sunderland Minster last night as rioters worked to disloge them to throw at police.

Jacqui Tyson, one of the priests at the Minster, said the community had come together for the clean-up operation, with local Imams and other clergy involved on Saturday morning.

She said there will be a prayer vigil later on Saturday and a peace walk through the city on Sunday afternoon.

She said: There is a lot of shock and anger, so hundreds of people came together to clean up the city.

Everybody involved was not just cleaning up, but also talking to each other and expressing good faith and belief in Sunderland, and the fact that racism will not win.

Rev Chris Howson is helping with the clean-up at Sunderland Minster (Tom Burgess / The Northern Echo)

Stoke-on-Trent MPs: Violence solves nothing"

14:21 , Albert Toth

Stoke-on-Trents three MPs have released a statement condemning the organised far-right march in the city. The three new Labour members say: Our message to extremists is simple. You are not welcome in Stoke-on-Trent.

The violence in Stoke-on-Trent is not reflective of the welcoming, generous and tolerant city we are.



Racism is not patriotism.

Violence is not protest.

Extremism is not welcome. pic.twitter.com/BQnTpKaAQT  Gareth Snell MP (@gareth_snell) August 3, 2024

In pictures: Police work to contain far-right in Leeds

14:14 , Albert Toth

Pictures show police officers in Leeds working to keep the peace as far-right protestors confront them. Many are wearing balaclavas or costumes to protect their identities.

Clashes in recent days have seen dozens of police injured as protestors target officers. 53 police officers were injured in Southport earlier this week.

Far-right protestors stand off with police in Leeds (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Many of the far-right protestors have taken to fashioning costumes to protect their identities (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Watch: Leeds counter-protestors stand off against far-right

14:03 , Albert Toth

Videos from social media show conflicting protestors in Leeds remaining separated and behind barriers outside the Leeds Art Gallery.

Police are present in the wide walkway, alongside journalists and onlookers. Eyewitnesses say the anti-racism protestors far outnumber the far-right.

The far-right are outnumbered and getting drowned out by the anti racist protesters in Leeds. pic.twitter.com/CntCTZg0VY  Mukhtar (@I_amMukhtar) August 3, 2024

Pictures emerge of damage done in Sunderland

13:51 , Albert Toth

New photos have emerged of the damage done to buildings in Sunderland last night as far-right rioters clashed with police in the northern city.

Rioters targeting the Sunderland central police office instead destroyed a neighbouring Citizens Advice Bureau. Meanwhile, a local vape shop has been boarded up after being looted amid the violence.

Four police officers were injured and ten arrested, as Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson slammed the criminal thuggery that took place.

Sunderlands Citizen Advice Bureau has been destroyed (Tom Wilkinson/PA Wire)

A vape shop was looted as police clashed with rioters (Tom Wilkinson/PA Wire)

Gravestones targeted to make weapons in Sunderland, says Reverend

13:39 , Albert Toth

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs who tried to smash a gravestone to use as missiles during widespread disorder in the city were guilty of an act of sacrilege.

The Reverend Jacqui Tyson said a colleague reported seeing youths were in the graveyard of the minster, which was close to where a car was overturned and set on fire, and where police were attacked with fire extinguishers.

She said: They were trying to break up one of the graves in the minster.

My colleague and his friend saw them and chased them off. They then locked the gates so no-one else could access the graveyard.

Its an act of sacrilege to disturb someones gravestone. Its also remarkably lacking in common sense  have you tried to pick up a gravestone?

South Yorkshire mayor: Violence is not protest'

13:34 , Jabed Ahmed

South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard has condemned the violent demonstrations in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

Violence is not protest. Hatred has no place in South Yorkshire, he said in a post on X.

Mr Coppard added: This week we've seen the tragic consequences of the attack in Southport spark isolated outbreaks of violence and hatred across the country.

I know that violence is both frightening and shocking for the vast majority of people across South Yorkshire who simply want to live side by side with their neighbours and friends, whatever their faith, race or background.

Over the coming days please do reach out and make sure that those people who may be worried, know that in South Yorkshire we look after each other.

Thats what we've always done, and what we will continue to do in the face of those who desperately want to divide our communities.

Arrest made in Belfast as clashes continue

13:30 , Albert Toth

A confrontation between anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters is continuing in Belfast city centre.

The two groups were exchanging insults and a small number of fireworks and other missiles have been thrown.

Police Land Rovers and officers in riot gear were separating the two groups.

Officers were seen arresting one man, who was taken away in a PSNI car.

Many, many more of us': Counter-protestors outnumber the far-right in Leeds

13:19 , Jabed Ahmed

Two group of protesters began hurling insults at each in the centre of Leeds just before 1pm.

Around 150 people carrying St Georges flags shouted youre not English any more and Muslims off our street outside the citys central library and art gallery.

But they were greatly outnumbered by hundreds of counter protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

Many of this group were waving Palestinian flags in the sunshine and chanting there are many, many more of us than you.

The two groups were kept about 20 metres apart by barriers with around 20 police officers between.

It comes as similar scenes unfold in Manchester and Belfast, both with counter-protestors reportedly outnumbering the far-right mobilisations.

Pictured: protesters in Leeds

13:16 , Jabed Ahmed

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Arrests made after violence outside of hotel housing migrants

13:14 , Albert Toth

Two men have been arrested after protesters threw objects and shouted racist abuse at a demonstration outside a hotel housing migrants in Aldershot.

Hampshire Police said a minority of about 200 people who gathered outside the Potters International Hotel became involved in the disruption on Wednesday evening.

On Saturday, it said a 32-year-old man from Farnborough and a 60-year-old man from Farnham had both been arrested on suspicion of affray and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to stir up racial hatred.

Dozens of residents help with clean-up operation in Sunderland

13:09 , Jabed Ahmed

Residents have begun a clean-up operation after far-right demonstrators took to the streets of Sunderland for another night of rioting following the Southport stabbings.

An old police station was set on fire on Friday night as footage showed flames pouring from the reportedly disused Sunderland Central Police Office with a crowd of men, some wearing balaclavas, surrounding the building.

Beer cans and bricks were thrown at riot police outside a mosque and a Citizens Advice office was set alight.

(Supplied)

Northern Ireland prepares for more protests after unrest in Belfast

13:03 , Albert Toth

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said it is aware of several planned protests across the region.

A spokesperson said: The PSNI is aware of several planned protests across Northern Ireland today and will be in attendance to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Officers will remain in the area and continue to monitor the situation.

The statement comes after tension on the streets as Belfast as police in riot gear were attended clashes between the far-right and counter-protestors.

RMT Union leader Mick Lynch addresses counter-protestors in Belfast

12:57 , Jabed Ahmed

RMT Union leader Mick Lynch has spoken at the anti-Islamophobia rally in Belfast.

We refused to be divided, we wont let these people get amongst us and cause us to hate each other, he said.

We love each other because we are working people and will come through.

The crowd cheered as he spoke.

Pictured: Police officers stand guard as they block anti-racism demonstrators in Manchester

12:48 , Jabed Ahmed

(REUTERS)

No evidence to suggest demonstration in Scotland

12:39 , Jabed Ahmed

There is no intelligence to suggest disorder similar to that in England in the wake of the Southport attack will occur in Scotland, police have said.

Police Scotland has stepped up patrols across the country, the force said, in response to scenes south of the border, with crowds rioting on Friday night, burning a police station and attacking a mosque in Sunderland.

Assistant chief constable Catriona Paton said: We understand that these recent events may cause concern, that is why we have focused our efforts on increasing policing visibility and engagement across the country as our primary commitment remains the safety and wellbeing of all our communities and our officers, and in building trust and confidence.

We continue to closely monitor the events in England. Police Scotland is dedicated to upholding human rights and will not tolerate violence or discrimination against any group.

We wish to thank the Scottish people for their support and while we believe there is no cause for alarm, we encourage anyone with concerns or information to report them to us.

Fireworks thrown in Belfast

12:35 , Jabed Ahmed

Fireworks have been thrown in Belfast city centre amid rising tensions between anti-Islamic demonstrators and counter-protestors.

BREAKING: Firework thrown during protests in Belfast.



The situation is escalating, with numbers growing on both sides.



Chief Reporter @jamesgould23 is there. pic.twitter.com/xL0lY8LTMj  Cool FM News (@newsoncool) August 3, 2024

Riot police deployed in Belfast city centre

12:32 , Jabed Ahmed

PSNI Land Rovers and officers in riot gear have been deployed in Belfast city centre.

The police vehicles formed a barrier between an anti-racism rally and anti-Islamic protesters who have gathered on the other side of the road.

A small number of fireworks have been thrown amid tense exchanges.

Sunderland left to pick up pieces after far-right riot causes chaos in city

12:31 , Jabed Ahmed

Sunderland left to pick up pieces after far-right riot causes chaos in city

Counter-protests outnumber far-right in Manchester and Belfast

12:29 , Jabed Ahmed

Anti-racist counter protesters have outnumbered far-right demonstrators in Manchester and Belfast.

Footage shared on social media shows counter-protesters gathering in their hundreds while only a few dozen far-right protestors could be seen.

Fantastic crowd gathering at the @uarbelfast rally against islaphobia and the far right.



When fascists try to organise this is the kind of solidarity we need! Fair play to the organisers and all those who turned out!#belfast #notoracism #notothefarright #refugeesarewelcome pic.twitter.com/gdqqxVMqSS  Gerry Carroll (@GerryCarrollPBP) August 3, 2024

Sunderland arrests rise to 10, police say

12:17 , Alexander Butler

The number of arrests as a result of the Sunderland violence has risen to 10, Northumbria Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said.

He said police became aware of the potential for a protest earlier this week and planned for disorder given the unrest across England.

Our operation will continue over the weekend and into next week, he said.

Asked whether there was the potential for more unrest, the officer said police were monitoring the intelligence and where that indicates there will be further protest activity, we will ensure there is a proportionate police presence as well.

To those considering travelling to Sunderland to cause disorder, he said: Do not bother. We will find you, we will take action.

He added: Clearly completely unacceptable behaviour. Ten people already arrested, we have officers out now making further arrests for those identified and that will continue in the coming days as well.

The number of arrests as a result of the Sunderland violence has risen to 10, Northumbria Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said (Sunderland City Council)

Anti-islamic protesters gather in Belfast

12:13 , Alexander Butler

A small group of anti-Islamic protesters have gathered at the front of City Hall in Belfast.

The group chanted Islam out and unfurled union flags while an anti-racism rally took place across the road.

Police are mounting a significant security operation in the city centre.

Manchester protesters heard shouting Islamophobic chants

12:10 , Jabed Ahmed

Protesters who have turned up to Manchester could be heard chanting Who the f**k is Allah amid a dispersal notice across Manchester city centre to assist police in dealing with protests.

Far-right protesters were also chanting Oh Tommy, Tommy, supposedly referring to Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon, the founder of the English Defence League (EDL).

The EDL has disbanded but its supporters remain active.

The section 34 notice from Greater Manchester Police will mean officers have powers to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour until 7pm on Saturday.

Sunderland riots unforgivable, police chief says

12:09 , Alexander Butler

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall described the violent protests in Sunderland on Friday as unforgivable.

He said: The shocking scenes we witnessed in Sunderland last night were appalling and completely unacceptable.

During the course of the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence.

This was not a protest - this was unforgivable violence and disorder.

Unity over division activists gather in Belfast

12:03 , Jabed Ahmed

Hundreds of people have gathered at the front of Belfast City Hall for an anti-racism rally.

Activist group Unity over division have taken to the streets of Belfast with placards that read: Say no to facism is Northern Ireland and Destroy racism.

Bob Marleys greatest hits could also be heard playing from speakers.

Pictured: Protester detained in Manchester

12:02 , Alexander Butler

A protestor is detained by the police at Piccadilly Gardens,Manchester, amid fears of more violence across the UKs major towns and cities (Getty Images)

Counter-protesters in Manchester

11:55 , Jabed Ahmed

Hundreds of protesters have turned up to a protest in Manchester, with far-right and anti-racist groups gathering amid fears of more violence.

Crowds of counter-protesters have also taken to the streets, chanting: Grieving families are in pain! No racist violence in their name!

Grieving families are in pain! No racist violence in their name! #Manchester is united and mobilised on the streets @AntiRacismDay #Uaf #TheyShallNotPass pic.twitter.com/bIlhfxC3fo  Manchester Stand Up To Racism (@Manchester_SUTR) August 3, 2024

Sunderland rioters will face full force of the law, police chief says

11:54 , Alexander Butler

A Northumbria police chief has warned that those involved in Fridays violence in Sunderland should expect to be met with the full force of the law.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said a full investigation is now under way to identify those responsible.

Make no mistake, if you were involved last night, expect to be met with the full force of the law, he said.

He condemned the attempt to drive division amongst us and said we are committed to make sure that doesnt happen.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said rioters would be met with the full force of the law (BBC)

Sunderland resident ashamed of riots

11:50 , Alexander Butler

A Sunderland resident who took part in clean-up efforts has said he is ashamed and embarrassed after disorder broke out in his home city on Friday.

Brett Redmayne, 43, saw the aftermath of the riots on Saturday morning after a police station was set alight and photos on social media show a blackened Citizens Advice Bureau office which appears to have caught fire.

Mr Redmayne told the PA news agency: The atmosphere around the city with the hundreds that showed up was one of support and unity.

These people who rioted dont speak for Sunderland and we are ashamed and embarrassed. This morning, though, we all wanted to show support and help clean the city.

He added the people of Sunderland were efficient at clearing any broken glass and smashed windows that scattered the streets, but also praised Sunderland City Council for its help in the clean-up efforts.

Apart from broken glass, the burnt-out building and car, the council and local people have cleaned everything off very fast. I saw smashed windows and glass, but the council had worked hard as well through the night to clean a lot up, credit has to go to Sunderland Council.

Crowds gather in Belfast for anti racism rally

11:48 , Sam Rkaina

Hundreds of people have gathered at the front of Belfast City Hall for an anti-racism rally.

The event has been organised in response to social media calls for anti-Islamic protests to be staged in Northern Ireland.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) previously said it was aware of social media posts calling for protests including specific calls to block roads using women and children.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said anti-Islamic protests would be policed effectively if they do materialise.

A number of Christian church leaders in Northern Ireland also released statements condemning calls for protests.

Pictured: Manchester protests

11:25 , Alexander Butler

Dozens of protesters march with an England flag in Manchester on Saturday morning amid fears of more violence (Getty Images)

A man holds a sign reading save our kids during a protest in Manchester on Saturday morning (Getty Images)

A man has been arrested in Manchester near a counter-protest on Saturday morning (Getty Images)

Hundreds of protesters descend on Manchester

11:20 , Alexander Butler

Hundreds of protesters have turned up to a protest in Manchester, with far-right and anti-racist groups gathering amid fears of more violence.

Chants of Tommy Robinson could be heard from the protesting group - estimated to have around 150 activists - and whose streets? our streets from the counter side, of around 350 people.

Photos also show people holding signs reading no to racism, no to fascism signs at the counter-protest in Manchester on Saturday.

The far-right protest has been met by anti-racist campaigners in Manchester (REUTERS)

Dispersal notice ordered across Manchester

11:15 , Alexander Butler

A dispersal notice has been authorised across Manchester city centre in order to assist police in dealing with protests, Greater Manchester Police have said.

The section 34 notice will mean officers have powers to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour until 7pm on Saturday.

Chief Inspector Natasha Evans said: These powers have been authorised to make sure we can continue to provide and facilitate the right to any peaceful protests that have been organised.

Our officers will be able to instruct and advise anyone who is causing or very likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to leave an area immediately.

People have a legal right to participate in peaceful protest, however where people are intent on breaking the law, we will take action.

Scouse pensioners defiant message to far-right group

10:45 , Alexander Butler

A defiant Scouse pensioner held a Nans against Nazis sign as a crowd gathered outside a mosque in Liverpool following rumours of a far-right protest there on Friday, 2 August.

Pat, 70, said she began protesting 50 years ago, against the National Front. Speaking outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque, she said: Someone said to me youre too old, dont be doing this but as long as theyre here someones got to do it.

It comes as violent disorder spread across the UK this week following misinformation on social media about a stabbing attack on Monday in Southport, Merseyside, in which three children were killed.

Mosque defenders outnumber far-right protesters in Liverpool as rioting continues in UK

10:35 , Alexander Butler

Elon Musks misinformation machine made the horrors of Southport much worse

10:13 , Alexander Butler

Elon Musks misinformation machine made the horrors of Southport much worse

Pictured: Disorder in Sunderland

10:08 , Alexander Butler

A man climbs on the back of a police van as people watch on (PA Wire)

Protesters face off with a line of police and riot vans in Sunderland on Friday (PA Wire)

Windows were smashed at a business premises in the city centre (Getty Images)

Boy accused of Southport murders starred as Doctor Who in BBC Children In Need advert

09:58 , Alexander Butler

The teenager accused of murdering three girls in Southport once starred as Doctor Who in a BBC Children In Need advert, according to reports.

In a now-deleted clip promoting the charity from 2018, Axel Rudakubana is seen leaving the Tardis dressed as The Doctor, wearing a trench coat and tie to look like the shows former star David Tennant.

The then 11-year-old tells viewers Its that time of year again, before offering advice on how best to raise money.

Boy accused of Southport murders starred as Doctor Who in BBC Children In Need ad

Rioting thugs cannot win, shadow home secretary says

09:50 , Alexander Butler

Shadow home secretary James Cleverly has shared a post on his X account, saying we cannot let rioting thugs and extremists win.

He urged the government to back our police to do what is necessary to maintain law and order and stop any further escalation.

We cannot let rioting thugs and extremists win.



Their violence and attacks on the police can never be justified.



The Government must back our police to do what is necessary to maintain law and order and stop any further escalation.  James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) August 2, 2024

Nation braces for weekend of far-right violence with 35 protests in wake of Southport stabbing

09:40 , Alexander Butler

Far-right rioters have been told they will face the full force of the law as police brace for a weekend of violence, with 35 protests planned in the wake of the killing of three children in Southport.

In a warning to organisers, Home Office minister Lord Hanson vowed we will be watching you to prevent the summer madness from spreading following a string of violent clashes, as police chiefs said they will not tolerate far-right thugs exploiting the nations grief.

Dozens of demonstrations planned across the country have stoked fears of widespread unrest amid rising far-right anger over Mondays atrocity, which saw three girls aged nine, seven and six fatally stabbed and eight more wounded at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Nation braces for weekend of far-right violence with 35 protests in wake of Southport

Shame on far-right using Southport incident to create disorder, says ex-chief constable

09:36 , Alexander Butler

Former chief constable of Northumbria Police Sue Sim said the police were well-trained in disorder and would act and arrest those involved.

This incident is being used by people of an apparent far-right tendency to create mass disorder across this country all I can say is shame on you.

Those beautiful childrens deaths should not allow such violent disorder to occur, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

To those considering attending, she said: Do you want to cause further pain and heartache to those beautiful little girls families?

Pictured: Sunderland disorder

09:26 , Alexander Butler

A man, dressed in a balaclava and England flag, carries a can of beer during violent disorder in Sunderland on Friday (PA)

People protest in Sunderland city centre following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport (Scott Heppell/PA) (PA Wire)

Debunked: How did social media fuel the Southport rioters?

09:23 , Alexander Butler

EDL could be proscribed as terror group, Jenrick suggests

09:01 , Alexander Butler

Robert Jenrick has condemned far-right organising of riots across the country and said if there is a case for proscribing the EDL it should be considered.

He said the violence across the country must be condemned unequivocally across the political spectrum.

Asked by BBC Radio 4s Today programme whether he would also condemn the far-right organising as part of the disorder, Mr Jenrick said: Yes, absolutely. That there are elements of the far right apparently involved in these protests - we need to ensure that the police have all the support that they need.

Repeatedly pressed on whether the EDL should be proscribed given former supporters appeared to be involved in the violence, he said: If it meets the threshold for proscription, which is a high mark, then it definitely needs to be considered.

A police car is set on fire by far-right protesters in Sunderland (Getty Images)

Pictured: Sunderland riots

08:52 , Alexander Butler

Ten riot officers form a line amid violent protests in Sunderland on Friday evening (Getty Images)

A mounted police officer looks on as Sunderland was rocked by rioting on Friday (Getty Images)

Robert Jenrick criticises Nigel Farage

08:49 , Alexander Butler

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has criticised Nigel Farages remarks about the Southport stabbings, saying they did not make the situation better.

Asked for his view on the remarks from the Reform UK leader, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I dont follow all the comments that Nigel Farage says but I dont think any of us should be doing anything to make the job of the police more difficult at this time.

Asked whether Mr Farages comments had made the polices job more difficult, he said: I dont think they made the situation better did they?

So I think we should all be choosing our words carefully, backing the police to the hilt and doing everything we can to ensure our streets are safe and this violence, which Im worried is escalating, comes to an end as swiftly as possible.

People protest in Sunderland city centre (Scott Heppell/PA) (PA Wire)

Lewis Atkinson really sad for Sunderland after arson

08:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Lewis Atkinson MP said he was really sad for Sunderland after the disorder but said the racists who descended on the city last night do not at all represent it.

The fact that some far-right racists decided to turn up in Sunderland does not at all represent our city, the Sunderland Central MP told BBC Radio 4.

A night of idiots will not prevent us from building.

Link between riots and EDL, MP says

08:40 , Alexander Butler

Asked how last night had happened, Labour MP for Sunderland Central Lewis Atkinson said protests started being suggested by people in a number of social media groups in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

The far right, for example Stephen Yaxley Lennon, picked up on those and started promoting those and encouraging known far right individuals to join, Mr Atkinson told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

Asked whether a link could be drawn with the EDL, he said: I can draw a link because last night one of the flags on the street bore the reference to the North East Infidels, which is a Nazi, EDL offshoot from the north east chapter of what was the EDL.

A link can be drawn between the disorder in Sunderland and the English Defence League (EDL) which was founded Tommy Robinson, the local MP has said.

Nation braces for weekend of far-right violence

08:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Far-right rioters have been told they will face the full force of the law as police brace for a weekend of violence, with 35 protests planned in the wake of the killing of three children in Southport.

In a warning to organisers, Home Office minister Lord Hanson vowed we will be watching you to prevent the summer madness from spreading following a string of violent clashes, as police chiefs said they will not tolerate far-right thugs exploiting the nations grief.

More here.

Nation braces for weekend of far-right violence with 35 protests in wake of Southport

Home secretary says criminals will pay the price

08:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said the criminals attacking the police and stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence and thuggery.

The police have the full backing of government to take the strongest possible action and ensure they face the full force of the law.

They do not represent Britain.

Shame on far-right using Southport incident to create disorder, says ex-chief constable

08:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former chief constable of Northumbria Police Sue Sim said the police were well-trained in disorder and would act and arrest those involved.

This incident is being used by people of an apparent far-right tendency to create mass disorder across this country all I can say is shame on you.

Those beautiful childrens deaths should not allow such violent disorder to occur, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

To those considering attending, she said: Do you want to cause further pain and heartache to those beautiful little girls families?

Mayor hopes for more arrests throughout the day

07:57 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

North East Kim McGuinness confirmed that a police station had been set on fire in the Sunderland riots.

Ms McGuinness told BBC Breakfast: I have spoken this morning to the chief constable of Northumbria Police and Im very grateful to them. What they had to put up with was real sustained violence.

We have seen police injured, weve seen 10 people so far arrested but I very much hope that well see more of that throughout the day.

She added: You can see theres really significant damage, theyve set fire to a police station, to cars, theyve looted shops, theyve abused people in the street, theyve attacked police officers and Sunderland will be feeling the effect of that.

In pics: Violence and arson during far-right protest in Sunderland

07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A police car is set on fire by far-right protesters in Sunderland (Getty Images)

People protest in Sunderland city centre (PA Wire)

Windows are smashed at a business premises in the city centre (Getty Images)

One police officer discharged from hospital

07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

One of the three police officers, who were rushed to the hospital with injuries, has been discharged, the Northumbria police said.

The police warned they would not accept anyone using the right to lawful protest as a means to commit crime.

We want to be clear anyone planning to involve themselves in disorder in the future should stay at home.

We also know the behaviour displayed is in no way representative of our friendly and welcoming region, the police added.

Nation braces for weekend of far-right violence with 35 protests in wake of Southport stabbing

07:00 , Tom Watling

Nation braces for weekend of far-right violence with 35 protests in wake of Southport

Voices: Keir Starmer versus the mob: he is not a lefty human rights lawyer after all

06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The prime minister shows no interest in civil liberties as he tries to pose as tough on law and order against rioters, writes John Rentoul

Keir Starmer versus the mob: he is not a lefty human rights lawyer after all

Muslim chaplain invites protesters for burgers as mosques step up security

06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Mosques across the country are strengthening their security measures ahead of planned far-right protests  as one Muslim chaplain pledges to hand out burgers and chips to demonstrators in a gesture of peace.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said hundreds of mosques are taking protective measures, such as checking windows and doors and bringing in extra security staff, ahead of the weekend.

More than 30 protests are planned between Friday and Sunday across Britain and Northern Ireland.

A leader at one Liverpool mosque, Adam Kelwick, has pledged to greet any protesters with free food and welcome them in.

Holly Bancroft reports.

Get rid of hatred: Muslim chaplain invites protesters for burgers

Sunderland AFC condemns shameful scenes at far-right protest

06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Sunderland AFC condemned the violence at the far-right protest, saying the city will forever be for all.

Tonights shameful scenes do not represent our culture, our history, or our people, a post by the teams X account said.

Our great city is built on togetherness and acceptance, and Sunderland will forever be for all. We are stronger as one community. Now. Then. Always.

Sunderland police station set on fire as riots grip the city

06:00 , Tom Watling

Watch: Sunderland police station set on fire as riots grip the city

Why did a judge name Southport stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana?

05:00 , Tom Watling

Why did a judge name Southport stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana?

In pics: Far-right protesters throw bricks and set car on fire in Sunderland

04:48 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Mounted police deal with demonstrators as far-right activists hold an Enough is Enough protest (Getty Images)

A police car is set on fire by far-right protesters in Sunderland (Getty Images)

A protester throws rocks at a police van (Getty Images)

Mosques across the UK on high alert

04:12 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Mosques across the UK are on a heightened state of alert, the Muslim Council of Britain said, as the country braces for more far-right protests over the weekend.

Zara Mohammed, the councils secretary general, said representatives from hundreds of mosques agreed to strengthen security measures.

Many at the meeting also reported concerns for the safety of their worshippers after receiving threatening and abusive phone calls.

I think theres a sense within the community that were also not going to be afraid, but we will be careful and cautious, Ms Mohammed said.

Boy, 11, arrested on suspicion of arson after police vehicle set alight in Hartlepool riot as seven charged

04:00 , Tom Watling

Boy, 11, arrested on suspicion of arson after police vehicle set alight in Hartlepool

Online misinformation fueled tensions over the stabbing attack in Britain that killed 3 children

03:00 , Tom Watling

Online misinformation fueled tensions over the stabbing attack in Britain that killed 3 children

Southport fundraisers attract at least 300,000

02:00 , Jane Dalton

More than 300,000 has been raised to support the community in Southport in just a few days, according to GoFundMe.

Since Mondays attack, thousands of donations have been made to various causes on the platform to support victims, the wider area and people affected.

(GoFundMe)

Cooper says criminals will pay the price

04:28 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said the criminals attacking the police and stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence and thuggery.

The police have the full backing of government to take the strongest possible action and ensure they face the full force of the law.

They do not represent Britain.

Nigel Farage has failed to condemn mob violence  and given Keir Starmer an open goal

01:00 , Tom Watling

Nigel Farage has failed to condemn mob violence  and given Keir Starmer an open goal

Emergency services seen at police station after fire

Saturday 3 August 2024 00:11 , Tom Watling

Earlier we reported that there had been a fire at a reportedly disused police station in central Sunderland.

Below we have a picture from the scene as emergency services look to extinguish the flames.

A fire engine leaves the scene after dealing with a fire at Sunderland Central Police Station started during clashes with far-right activists (Getty Images)

New UK riots erupt in Sunderland with police station set on fire and car torched

Saturday 3 August 2024 00:08 , Tom Watling

Below we have a full write-up of events in Sunderland today as far right violence continues to hit the country.

There were eight arrests today and several police officers were hospitalised with injuries. At least one police station was damaged after being set alight, as was at least one police vehicle.

Elsewhere, far right mobsters surrounded a mosque in Liverpool, screaming Islamaphobic comments.

New UK riots erupt in Sunderland with police station set on fire and car torched

Education sec condemns unforgiveable violence and thuggery

Saturday 3 August 2024 00:05 , Tom Watling

Education Secretary and Sunderland MP Bridget Phillipson described unrest in the city as unforgiveable violence and thuggery.

She said: The scenes in our city centre tonight are shocking. We have seen unforgiveable violence and thuggery.

The criminals involved in this appalling disorder must be identified, prosecuted, and punished with the full force of the law.

Sunderland is better than this and these thugs do not represent our city.

My statement on tonights events in Sunderland: pic.twitter.com/cu7lO6ccSW  Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) August 2, 2024

UK police brace for more far-right protests as government warns of tough response

Saturday 3 August 2024 00:00 , Tom Watling

UK police brace for more far-right protests as government warns of tough response

Eight people arrested, three police officers hospitalised in Sunderland riot

Friday 2 August 2024 23:59 , Tom Watling

Eight people have been arrested and three police officers taken to hospital following rioting in Sunderland city centre, Northumbria Police said.

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, who led the policing operation, condemned the violence.

She said: The shocking scenes we have witnessed in Sunderland this evening are completely unacceptable. I want to make it absolutely clear that the disorder, violence and damage which has occurred will not be tolerated.

The safety of the public is our utmost priority and when we became aware that a protest had been planned, we ensured there was an increased policing presence in the city. During the course of the evening those officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence, which is utterly deplorable.

In the face of these attacks, they showed unwavering commitment for which I wholeheartedly thank them, as I am certain the overwhelming majority of people in Sunderland will also. We can confirm that three officers were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries. One has since been discharged with the other two remaining in hospital for further treatment.

Eight people have so far been arrested for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary. A full investigation is now under way to identify anyone else responsible.

Riot police are confronted by Far-right activists during an Enough is Enough protest in Sunderland (Getty Images)

Eighth person arrested over disorder in Southport

Friday 2 August 2024 23:50 , Tom Watling

An eighth person has been arrested over disorder in Southport on Tuesday evening, the day after a knife attack left three girls dead.

Merseyside Police said a 32-year-old man, from Wigan, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of violent disorder and remains in custody for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts said: The investigation is progressing well as we continue to identify more people involved in the disgraceful scenes in Southport on Tuesday night.

At a time when the Southport community should have been in mourning following the tragic murders of Bebe, Elsie and Alice, they were instead left feeling in fear of this violent group.

With more speculation of planned protests in Merseyside, as well as other parts of the country, I want to make it clear that we will leave no stone unturned to arrest anyone involved in such disgraceful disorder.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
KYIV - Ukraine's human rights commissioner urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations to investigate an image widely shared online on Saturday that he said likely showed a Ukrainian prisoner-of-war killed and dismembered by Russian forces.

Ukraine's prosecutor general said separately that an urgent investigation had been launched into information being spread on social networks about the murder and dismemberment of a Ukrainian POW.

"A photograph, probably of a Ukrainian prisoner whose head and limbs were cut off by the Russians, has appeared online," Dmytro Lubinets, the country's leading human rights official, said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

"In view of these horrific images, I have urgently appealed to the ICRC and the UN to record yet another human rights violation by the terrorist country," Lubinets wrote.

Andriy Kostin, the prosecutor general, said an urgent investigation had been launched. "Russia consistently repeats the crimes of the Nazis, defiantly showing utter contempt for all norms of the civilised world," he wrote on Telegram.

Russia denies torture or other forms of maltreatment of POWs.

A United Nations commission of inquiry on Ukraine said in a report published in March that it had documented credible allegations of executions of at least 32 Ukrainian POWs in 12 separate incidents from December 2023 to February, and that it had independently verified three of the incidents.

The three-member Commission of Inquiry said it had also gathered more evidence that Russia had systematically tortured Ukrainian POWs, documenting rape threats and the use of electric shocks on genitals.

It said the scale of such torture cases may amount to the most serious abuses known as crimes against humanity, describing their occurrence as "widespread and systematic".

(Reporting by Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Kyiv; Reporting and writing by Elaine Monaghan in Bloomington; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Drone developments out of Ukraine accelerate with each passing day. Nothing spurs development, for better or worse, like conflict and both sides are wrestling to gain any advantage in the unmanned domain. This means rapid iterative development and vast proliferation that have major spillover effects far beyond the front lines. The latest example of this is Ukraine equipping its large industrial quadcopter drones, nicknamed by the Russians Baba Yagas (a reference to the ferocious old woman who eats children in Slavic folklore), with guided munitions. This would allow these drones to strike even the most hardened of armored vehicles while they are moving, with great precision, and do so over and over deep behind enemy lines without having to hold a steady position above their target.

The Baba Yaga captured by Russian forces. (via Telegram)

The Baba Yaga in folded configuration next to a Russian soldier. (via Telegram)

Images of a Baba Yaga captured by Russian forces emerged on Telegram today. They show the Baba Yaga festooned with antennas largely intact, as well as a very peculiar munition, one that has a seeker head that appears to be designed for laser guidance, although other possibilities also exist, including an electro-optical type. The weapon is marked BK-30F in Cyrillic and has what appears to be a relatively large fragmentation warhead section that takes up the middle of its body.

The exact type of weapon is unclear, but it could be an outgrowth of the 9K112 Kobra missile or one of its many iterations and clones, the latter of which Ukraine has developed in a wide number of configurations.

The Kobra guided missile. (George Shuklin via Wikicommons)

The Kobra is a Soviet-designed weapon that originally used semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) guidance. Designed to be launched from the barrel of a tank, the Kobra was guided onto its target using an optical sight, similar in fashion to how the American TOW missile does its job. Subsequent iterations of this basic missile design have been used as a basis for tube-launched anti-tank guided missiles. Ukraines widely deployed Stugna missile system appears at least inspired by the design, along with a number of others. .

Ukrainian ATGMs shown off at a trade show. (VoidWanderer via Wikicommons)

Ukrainian ATGMs shown off at a trade show. (VoidWanderer via Wikicommons)

The fins on the BK-30F munition do not outright appear to be bowed to conform to the missiles body, either, which is key for launching via a tube or a tanks main gun. This could be just the image. It could also be that these weapons are produced without the spring-loaded fins to save time and money or that they are adapted from a non-tube-deployed variant. The smaller rear control fins are not visible in this image, although they may have broken off.

Regardless, even if the munition recovered together with the Baba Yaga is not directly evolved from the weapons mentioned above, Ukraine is very capable of making a guided munition like the one seen in the image.

Pairing weapons like this with Baba Yaga drones does make good sense. These uncrewed craft are not cheap or disposable weapons like their first-person view (FPV) counterparts. They are industrial-grade systems that are often used for agricultural and commercial applications. They cost tens of thousands of dollars each and can lift significant payloads over dozens of kilometers. So, while increasing their lethality is always important, increasing their survivability is just as critical.

Engineers of the Achilles drone battalion testing a night bomber drone called Vampire (one of the designs that the Russians also call Baba Yaga) before a mission in the Chasiv Yar direction in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region. Serhii Korovayny/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Serhii Korovayny

Even if not equipped with rocket motors and just used in a free fall mode, the guided munitions would allow the Baba Yagas to engage targets from much higher altitudes and while not having to hang directly over the target they are attacking. The drones can then continue to move throughout the engagement, which would be a big help with increasing survivability. The weapon shown in the pictures that emerged today, if indeed directly related to established anti-tank types, would be very capable, both in an anti-armor and anti-personnel role, with far more explosive punch than small drone-dropped bomblets and the warheads used on many FPV drones. We are talking about a true anti-tank or heavy anti-personnel capability here.

If the missile retains its rocket motor in this configuration, and it can be reliably ignited and guided after being dropped, this could drastically increase the standoff distance that the Baba Yaga could engage targets from. The Kobra missile could hit targets up to around two-and-a-half miles away when fired from a tank. The Stugna-P has even farther reach. This would be extended significantly farther when fired from altitude, but even a few miles range would greatly expand the tactical flexibility of an armed Baba Yaga.

Laser designation would come via an electro-optical/infrared sensor turret with a laser system. These have become increasingly miniaturized and affordable for use on smaller drones, and they are well within the lifting capacity of the Baba Yaga. Even a man-in-the-loop electro-optical seeker and control capability is possible with the right communications link.

In terms of operational applications, the Baba Yaga is capable of venturing into the Russian rear areas, miles from the front lines, to hunt for targets. This opens up a huge vulnerability for enemy forces. Russia is also gaining this ability too. The use of airborne repeaters/relays to extend the connectivity range of drones large and small is also something the Baba Yaga is not only tasked with providing, but also can benefit heavily from.

By using a repeater, this large quadcopter can penetrate deeper into Russian-held territory, striking targets where the enemy isnt as prepared to defend against such attacks. If you add laser-guided munitions to its armament portfolio, it means it can take out targets with precision from many thousands of feet in the air. At those altitudes, its line-of-sight connectivity to its operators would be greatly extended, as well.

So, overall, we are talking about a true synergistic capability here beyond just these drones gaining a more precise munition. Only Ukraines much more complex and expensive Bayraktar TB2 fixed-wing drones have the ability to employ guided munitions like this. They saw heavy service during the early part of the war, but suffered heavy losses as Russias massive anti-air overlay was established across large swathes of Ukraine.

#Ukraine: We present some exclusive recent footage from the eyes of the Bayraktar TB2 drone in the hands of the Ukrainian military.



A 9K317 Buk-M2 TELAR, part of the infamous convoy, completely destroyed. pic.twitter.com/PUiWkeOPwm  Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) March 7, 2022

Using the Baby Yagas range and payload to deliver precision-guided munitions weapons is certainly a new facet of the drone war in Ukraine, but one that is also a logical evolution. While these drones are not cheap, this brings the ability to deliver these kinds of attacks behind enemy lines into the attritable cost bracket. This is something the far more capable TB2s, which were also easier to detect and engage, simply couldnt accomplish. As a result, we will likely see the rapid expansion of this capability in the near future.

Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine is evacuating 30 of its citizens from Lebanon in light of the escalation of the situation in the Middle East.

Source: President Zelenskyy in a video address

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Our country is currently evacuating [its citizens] from dangerous areas in Lebanon, in the Middle East.

Ukraines Defence Intelligence, Foreign Intelligence Service, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have arranged for 30 of our citizens  women and children who are already in danger  to be evacuated.

We will continue our efforts. Whenever our people need help returning home, wherever they are in the world, we have always done it and will continue doing it."

Background:

Ukraines Foreign Ministry has recommended that Ukrainian citizens refrain from travelling to Israel and leave Lebanon until the security situation in the region is more stable.

The Israeli military is on high alert in the face of a possible retaliatory strike from Iran and Hezbollah. On 1 August, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting to assess the preparations made by the Israeli Defense Forces command.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a direct strike against Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Irans capital Tehran.

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Ukrainian forces attacked the Morozovsk airfield in Russia's Rostov Oblast, successfully hitting its ammunition depot storing glide bombs, among other weapons, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed on Aug. 3.

Information about the destruction of Russian aircraft and air defense systems is still being clarified, the General Staff said.

Ukraine also struck oil depots and warehouses in Belgorod, Rostov, and Kursk oblasts overnight, according to the report.

The Russian Defense Ministry earlier in the day claimed that Russian air defense systems had intercepted 75 drones overnight over Rostov, Kursk, Belgorod, Orel, Ryazan, and Voronezh oblasts, as well as over the Azov Sea and Krasnodar Krai.

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said drones attacked an oil depot in Belgorod Oblast, while in Rostov Oblast, explosions were recorded near the Morozovsk airfield and an oil depot.

Ukrainian forces regularly conduct drone strikes and sabotage acts on Russian territory, targeting military assets, oil refineries, and industrial facilities, aiming to undermine Russia's war machine and the sources of its funding.

The Security Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) carried out the overnight attacks on Aug. 3, according to the General Staff.

At least two oil tanks were successfully hit overnight and subsequently caught fire.

An oil and fuel warehouse at the Atlas plant near the town of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky in Russias Rostov Oblast was struck by Ukrainian drones, a source in the Ukrainian military intelligence, told the Kyiv Independent.

This warehouse supplies military units and subdivisions of the Russian army stationed in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, according to the source. The facility was attacked using 15 Obsidian drones.

Another source in law enforcement told the Kyiv Independent that the Gubinsky oil depot in Belgorod Oblast also came under the attack.

The Morozovsk airbase has been previously targeted by Ukraine. A source in intelligence agencies told the Kyiv Independent in April that six warplanes stationed at the airfield had been destroyed in a Ukrainian attack.

Read also: Crimean Bridge could be destroyed in coming months, Budanov says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine pushed Russia's Black Sea Fleet out of Crimea but retaking the peninsula will be incredibly hard

Ukraine has pushed Russia's Black Sea Fleet out of Crimea after two years of strikes.

But retaking the peninsula will be extremely hard, military experts told BI.

Recapturing it would require more manpower, firepower, air cover, and caution, experts said.

Ukraine has dealt a massive blow to Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

Russia has retained control of Crimea since invading and annexing the peninsula in 2014 and secured Sevastopol as the headquarters for its Black Sea Fleet.

But following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has repeatedly struck back in the region, destroying or damaging around half of the Russian fleet's warships, including one submarine, according to publicly available information .

It has used aerial drones, sea drones , and anti-ship missiles against the fleet and the Kerch Bridge, to often devastating effect. Ukraine's campaign even pushed Russian warships to withdraw from Crimea to bases in the port cities of Feodosia, on the far side of Crimea, and Novorossiysk, in Russia.

It is degrading the peninsula as a key logistics route to its occupying forces across southern Ukraine and tainting its attractiveness to Russians as a summertime beach destination. But if Ukraine hopes to follow through on its pledges to retake Crimea, it will need a huge assault force steeled for what's likely to be the hardest fight of a bloody war.

"Retaking Crimea would be extremely difficult because Crimea is essentially an island," Mark Cancian, a retired US Marine Corps colonel who's a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told BI.

"An amphibious assault is impossible because Ukraine lacks ships to carry large numbers of troops and their heavy equipment," he said, adding: "Further, Russia still has long-range aircraft and submarines, which are essentially invulnerable at sea."

Russia has a vast military infrastructure across Crimea that will have to be severely damaged in order for Ukraine to have a chance to seize it back, according to Basil Germond, an expert in international security at Lancaster University in the UK.

He said Ukraine "would first need to prepare the terrain by destroying or seriously degrading all of Russia's air, air defense, missile defense, communication, and electronic warfare equipment and capabilities in Crimea and perhaps the Kerch Bridge."

The Crimea peninsula's geography poses unique challenges for Ukraine to assault and for Russian forces to defend. Ulf Mauder/picture alliance via Getty Images

A challenging location

Reaching Crimea has proven challenging due to its location away from the front lines, Russia's heavily fortified defensive lines, and Ukraine's lack of manpower and airpower, military experts and analysts told BI.

"Crimea is deep inside Russian-occupied territory and far from the current front lines," Cancian said.

And Russia has heavily fortified its 600-mile front line with anti-tank ditches, mazes of trenches, 'dragon's teeth' barricades, and minefields, with much of its defenses in northern Crimea.

"The Russians are heavily fortified and well-defended in these areas, and it will take time for the Ukrainians to break these defenses," said Mark Temnycky, a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, who added that troops are proceeding with "extreme caution."

Without the options to ferry a large assault force by air or water, Ukraine will be forced to attack through Russian defensive lines to approach Crimea. Furthermore, were Russia to lose its hold on Kherson, it could mine and concentrate firepower on the few land approaches to Crimea, using similar tactics to those that stopped Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive.

"Without an amphibious naval force to land in Crimea, how can Ukraine project enough troops onto the peninsula to claim its control?" said Germond of Lancaster University.

Ukraine has resorted to hitting Russia's air defenses in Crimea with missiles and long-range weapons, including US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS.

Last month, war analysts from The Institute for the Study of War said Ukraine's sustained attacks against Russia's air defenses could render Crimea untenable as a military staging ground.

But they also noted that Russia was likely placing military facilities near civilians to try to deter further Ukrainian strikes.

Last month, Russian-installed Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhaev claimed that a Ukrainian strike killed four people and injured 151 people.

"Millions of citizens live on the peninsula, and the Ukrainians do not want to harm the civilian population," Temnycky said.

Any Crimea assault comes down to numbers. Russia aims to commit 690,000 troops to the war by year's end, a large build-up that could bolster the Russian troops and Ukrainian conscripts on Crimea, a force perhaps 60,000- to 80,000-strong. It's likely Russia could commit well over 100,000 were Crimea to be threatened.

To have the best chance to push through their defenses, Ukraine is likely to need a well-supplied force three to five times the size of the defenders  a guideline that would balloon any operation to many times the size of the 2023 counteroffensive.

Benjamin Friedman, policy director at the Defense Priorities think tank, said that Ukraine lacks the manpower and air cover required to go on the offensive in a "major way."

"Even with F-16s, I don't think Ukraine has the ability to provide its ground forces effective close air support, given Russian air defense capability," he told BI.

Ukraine has attacked Russian forces in Crimea with naval drones and long-range missiles. VIKTOR KOROTAYEV via Getty Images

Retaking Crimea

Despite the battleground challenges Ukraine faces, some experts believe it could retake Crimea with enough weapons, troops and time.

This would involve crossing the Isthmus of Pereko, separating Crimea from mainland Ukraine, or crossing the marshes to the east, called Sivash, to reach Crimea.

"That's what happened during World War II, when the Germans captured Crimea in 1942, and the Soviets recaptured it in 1944," Cancian said.

However, to do this, Ukraine first needs to break through Russia's Suvorikin Line, a complex system of defensive fortifications and obstacles across Russian-occupied territory in southern and eastern Ukraine that Ukraine has never pierced through. A force that advances through this also faces a high risk of becoming bottlenecked on the few land approaches and destroyed by the short- and long-range firepower Russia would almost be certain to bear.

According to Sergej Sumlenny, founder of the German think tank European Resilience Initiative Center, the question now is "when Ukraine will accumulate so much firepower, not just artillery, but also air force, so they manage to push through these defensive lines and then reach the operative space" of Crimea.

If and when Ukrainian soldiers do reach Crimea, Sumlenny said, they will be able to destroy the Kerch Bridge and the last ferry road over the Sea of Azov, cutting off all of Russia's supply lines to the peninsula and isolating Russian forces. Using long-range missiles to cut-off supply lines was a crucial element of Ukraine's grinding and successful liberation of the city of Kherson in late 2022.

Sumlenny added that Crimea has historically been vulnerable to offensives.

"There is no case in history when anyone could defend Crimea from an attack," he said.

In 1921, the Soviet Union's Red Army crushed the White Russians and took control of the peninsula, and in 1941, the Axis powers invaded the Soviet Union during Operation Barbarossa, with their land forces laying siege to Sevastopol.

The Red Army launched a massive counter-attack in late 1943 with 2.6 million men that pushed the Germans back and weakened their hold on Crimea. After two and a half years of German occupation, a Soviet force of over 450,000 regained control of Crimea in 1944.

It was transferred to Soviet Ukraine  one of the republics of the Soviet Union  in 1954, until the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Ukrainian independence in 1991.

Finally, in 2014, Russian forces invaded and occupied the peninsula before annexing it.

"If you look at all the cases when armies were clearly ready to fight and defend their positions, we can say that Crimea is practically an undefendable fortress," Sumlenny said.

"So, from my perspective, the moment the Ukrainian army will appear on the land bridge  the Isthmus of Pereko  between Crimea and the rest of Ukraine, the Russians will face a very simple choice," he said, "either they retreat immediately from Crimea or get slaughtered or captured."

Other experts, however, struck a more cautious tone.

Temnycky said a full-scale invasion to try to retake Crimea is "very unlikely" due to the huge Ukrainian losses that would result.

Friedman, meanwhile, said such an operation would require a "cataclysmic Russian collapse," which he said is "extremely unlikely though not impossible."

Indeed, there have been fears that Russia would consider nuclear force if its troops were on the brink of losing Crimea.

Cancian said that "because of its difficulty, retaking Crimea would be the last event of the war, not an intermediate event."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraines government rushed on Aug. 2 to extinguish public uproar over reconstruction efforts at Okhmatdyt, the countrys main childrens hospital based in Kyiv, which was heavily damaged early last month by a Russian missile strike.

Health Minister Viktor Liashko announced that a new tender to choose a construction company will be held in the next 7 to 16 days after media reports questioned the qualifications of a developer who won a prior competition.

There are concerns that this company does not have the necessary equipment to perform the work needed, Liashko said, referring to Bud-Technologi, which was selected winner of the now-canceled tender.

Liashko spoke at a press conference alongside representatives of Okhmatdyt to address concerns over possible corruption during the previous tender aimed at selecting the construction company to rebuild the hospital after the deadly Russian attack on July 8.

The unusually swift government response came after Nashi Groshi, an investigative publication focused on uncovering corruption, published a story on Aug. 1 that criticized the selection process and the no-name winners allegedly inflated bid prices, and questioned its ability to perform the task. The report sparked outrage among Ukrainians on social media.

According to the Nashi Groshi report, Bud-Technologis winning bid was among the three most expensive offers in the competition, while at least seven other companies submitted fully eligible commercial proposals at much lower prices. The winner's bid also included restorations that had already been done by the previous hospital contractor free of charge since the attack. However, those works could have been done after the damage evaluation, which the companies used to draft the proposals.

At the press conference, Okhmatdyt management said that the offered prices were preliminary and meant to be revised according to the actual amount of work.

The tender includes restoring only one of the Okhmatdyt compounds buildings damaged in the Russian attack, the biggest and most advanced one which, reportedly, accounts for up to 95% of the hospitals functions. In total, five buildings of the hospital were damaged in the strike that killed two people and injured 32 more.

Mainly due to the effort of the staff and hundreds of volunteers, many evacuated children were able to return for treatment less than a week after the attack, including patients with cancer. According to Okhmatdyt's CEO, Volodymyr Zhovnir, the hospital currently operates at 60-70% of its capacity before the missile strike.

Health Minister Viktor Liashko (L) and CEO of the Ohmatdyt children's hospital Volodymyr Zhovnir hold a briefing on the hospital's territory in Kyiv, Ukraine on July 12, 2024, days after it was struck by a Russian missile. (Kaniuka Ruslan / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Liashko said the money raised for reconstruction would be transferred from the account of Okhmatdyts charity fund, which was created after the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, to a government-managed Okhmatdyt account.

The money  Hr 378.6 million (over $9.2 million) collected at the Okhmatdyt charity funds account since the attack, as the hospital statement from July 31 says  should have been sufficient to cover the winning companys bid outside the bureaucratic state procedures. It allowed a private competition rather than a government tender to choose the recommended contractor.

However, concern looms that the new process, using government accounts, may restrict and prolong renovation procedures for hospital staff and patients anxious to restore the hospitals full capabilities before winter sets in.

The other funds raised for the reconstruction of Okhmatdyt include Hr 312 million ($7.5 million) donated to the hospitals government-controlled account, Hr 320 million ($7.7 million) raised by the state fundraising platform United24, and another Hr 100 million ($2.4 million) coming from the state budget.

Much of this money was raised in a nationwide effort by regular people, shocked by the brutality of the attack on Ukraines main children's hospital. According to volunteers, even some front-line soldiers sent donations to Okhmatdyt, despite their chronic need to buy equipment. Many Ukrainian businesses also mobilized to donate millions of hryvnia.

Big foreign donors pledging help include Howard Buffet, the middle son of the billionaire American investor Warren Buffet, and Germany and Lithuania.

As donations poured in after the attack, journalists and activists, mindful of the history of corruption scandals during the 10-year-long construction of the hospitals newest building, closely watched the restoration updates.

When experts estimated the damages, the hospital invited developers to bid for reconstruction. After a tender that lasted several days, Okhmatdyt announced the winner of the competition on July 31. It said that the competitive selection was not a tender within the norms of Ukrainian public procurement law, but a private competition, chosen over the official government procedure for open and honest use of funds donated by citizens.

Yevhen Vember, head of the charity fund, insists that the private competition was nevertheless transparent.

The tender was held through an open platform on the condition that all the documents and bids will be available for public review, he said at the press conference.



He stressed that time is of the essence, given that winter and autumn are fast approaching.



So we tried to do everything quickly and fairly, he added.

Minister Liashko said that a council will be created to oversee the spending from the government accounts in the new procedure. According to Liashko, it will include up to 15 people  representatives of the six biggest donors, the Health Ministry, and the hospital  who will select a few more council members from the patients committees, anti-corruption watchdogs, and construction organizations.

Afterward, Liashko added, the tender will be held in the electronic procurement system Prozorro, which has become the go-to platform for conducting public procurement procedures in the country since its launch in 2016.

However, it does not guarantee that it will solve another problem Okhmatdyt faced  the lack of big, reputable companies bidding for its reconstruction.

I know for sure that we will turn to the largest (construction) developers, the hospitals medical director Serhii Chernyshuk told the Kyiv Independent days after the attack in July. Only a company with big resources and experience can do (the restoration) quickly and properly. There are not many such companies, he added.

However, none of these companies ended up in the final selection round of the private competition. Out of 17 developer offers, only three bids scored high enough on the experts list of evaluation criteria to even be considered for the task. Of those three companies, two were vetoed by Okhmatdyt charity funds lawyers who found signs of dishonesty, or problems that carried additional risks for the project, Chernyshuk said at the conference.

Moreover, none of the biggest developers in Ukraine even applied for the competition, Chernyshuk told the Kyiv Independent.

We chose among the companies that entered the open competition with no restrictions, he said. We really hoped the big developers would participate, but it didnt happen.

Chernyshuk said that despite the project's social importance, the big developers might see it as small and commercially uninteresting. He hoped that the Health Ministry would ask them to participate in the new tender for Okhmatdyt, as it is balancing the sense of urgency, need for quality, and public scrutiny.

Unfortunately, if we dont restore this building quickly, we can lose the unique infrastructure that makes Okhmatdyt what it is, CEO Zhovnir said.

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Natalia Yermak, thank you for reading this article. Over the course of the Russian invasion, the most inspiring thing for me has been telling stories of people coming together to overcome the acts of Russia's brutality like this hospital attack. Even amid darkness, they find light through compassion towards others. If you share these values and want to help us bring them to light, please consider supporting the Kyiv Independent by becoming our member.

Read also: Opinion: Russian Kh-101 missile with US components continues killing Ukrainians en masse

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Ukraine claims it struck and sunk the Russian Russian Navy Improved Kilo class diesel-electric attack submarine Rostov-on-Don in an attack on Sevastopol by units of the missile forces, in cooperation with units of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff claimed on Telegram.

As a result of the impact, the boat sank on the spot, according to the General Staff. The destruction of Rostov-on-Don once again proves that there is no safe place for the Russian fleet in the Ukrainian territorial waters of the Black Sea, the General Staff added.

Ukraine provided no visual proof of the submarine being sunk. However, satellite imagery obtained by The War Zone shows that a peculiar floating installation at Sevastopols port, one that only came into being in the last few months, was clearly damaged within the last 48 hours. The facility is nestled deep in one of the bays fingers and was constructed using two barges with a roof-like covering strung between them. This is where some claim the submarine was being worked on at the time of the strike, although we cannot confirm that.

From right to left, a series of satellite images shows a dock in Sevastopol port, the construction of a screen over it and the damage that appeared after Ukraine said it carried out an attack. PHOTOS  2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION.

This would mark the second time the Rostov-on-Don was struck by Ukraine.

In September, the boat was considered damaged beyond repair in an attack reported to be carried out by air-launched Storm Shadow and/or SCALP-EG standoff missiles that can be launched by Ukrainian Air Force Su-24 Fencer strike/reconnaissance aircraft. The Ropucha class landing ship Minsk was also damaged in that attack.

The Rostov-on-Don submarine was seriously damaged by a suspected Ukrainian missile attack in September apparently first published by the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT). CIT via X

One of two photos of the damage to the Improved Kilo class submarine CIT via X A picture showing damage to a Kilo class submarine following a Ukrainian cruise missile strike on Sevastopol in September 2023. CIT via X

However, the Ukrainian General Staff on Saturday said the submarine, which cost $300 million, had been repaired and tested in the water area of the Sevastopol harbor. A retired Russian Navy officer who runs the Capt_Navy Twitter handle  and frequently posts comments about Crimea  told us on Saturday that he concurred with the Ukrainian assessment that the submarine had been repaired after the first attack.

You can see images of the vessel after that attack below. Just how likely it is that the submarine as anywhere near an operational state just ten months after being torn into by cruise missiles is questionable, but clearly Ukraine thought it was still a worthy target. Still, its very possible the odd floating installation that Russia cobbled together last April was put in place to revive the submarine, especially out of view of satellites overhead.

Overnight, video of the attack emerged on social media purporting to be the attack.

Russia could have lost more S-400 air defense systems



Based on the NASA FIRMS thermal anomalies map, OSINT researchers suggest Ukraine's last night's ATACMS attack targeted a known position of the S-400 battery near Sevastopol in occupied Crimea.

https://t.co/XH0HIwXgFR, pic.twitter.com/gjpua9KX3Q  Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 2, 2024

Loud night in Crimea: a series of explosions took place in Sevastopol, Balaklava, Saky, Yevpatoriya and Simferopol.



Local residents write about the "arrival" near the 13th ship repair plant of the Black Sea Fleet in Killen Bay. pic.twitter.com/GyNsxxLc30  MAKS 24 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) August 2, 2024

The Rostov-on-Don had been capable of launching Kalibr land attack cruise missiles, of the type widely used against targets in Ukraine. It entered service in 2014 and is one of four of its type with the Black Sea Fleet.

As of noon Eastern time, neither the Russian Defense Ministry nor local government officials in occupied commented about the claim. However, Sevastopols occupation governor Mikhail Razvovzhayev did say a building in his city was struck by a U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) that had been downed by air defenses. More on that later.

In addition to hitting the submarine, the Ukrainian General staff said the attack also damaged an S-400 Triumph air defense system.

according to information confirmed yesterday4 launchers of the Triumph air defense system were significantly damaged, it said on Telegram.

The Ukrainian General Staff offered no visual proof.

The loss of another S-400 system would further damage Russian air defenses on the occupied peninsula. That creates a cascade of difficulties. Fewer systems mean more vulnerabilities to the overall air defense overlay there. Beyond that, each loss is one less system Russia can use in protecting its forward-deployed troops as well as its homeland.

Ukraines spy chief told us those were Ukraines objectives in the ongoing attacks against Russian air defenses.

So first of all, the fact itself is that were engaging the military infrastructure and military targets in occupied Crimea and the occupiers infrastructure, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) told The War Zone last September in an exclusive interview. If were going deeper into strikes against the air defense system, its more complicated here. First of all, the air defense systems themselves are very costly equipment and it takes a lot of time to produce those and Russian flags those systems because all this inventory is currently engaged in fighting against Ukraine and also in protection of Moscow. Theyve taken away air defenses from everywhere else.

That is why, naturally, when we engage in another and another air defense battalion of the Russian military, they need to think about where they can pull those systems from and where are they able to tolerate less defenses in other places, he added.

Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR), during an exclusive interview with The War Zone during his visit last year to Washington D.C. Howard Altman/Staff Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov talked about a wide range of topics during his exclusive interview with The War Zone Wednesday. (Howard Altman/staff photo)

The attack also further destabilizes like in the city and the peninsula writ large.

Officials in Sevastopol had to evacuate residents from a nine-story building after they say remnants of an ATACMS cluster-munitions variant struck its roof at around the same time the Rostov-on-Don was said to be hit.

Russian officials claim it was downed by air defenses in Sevastopol, the frequently attacked home of the Black Sea Fleet.

Between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time, employees of the Sevastopol department of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations at the training ground in the Kara-Koba area will carry out the planned destruction of the high-explosive part of the ATACMS missile discovered on the roof of a house on the North Side after a night attack, Razvozhayev said on Telegram Friday.

Razvovzhayev issued a warning to children to avoid picking up the explosive clusters.

Let me remind you that the M74 submunition is a steel shell filled with explosives, he stated. When impacted and detonated, each submunition produces a large amount of steel fragments.

Pictures of M-74 cluster munitions distributed by Sevastapol officials as a warning to children. Occupation Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev Telegram

Given the number of attacks on the city, Razvozhayev said Sevastopol is building 600 concrete shelters to protect citizens.

They will be located on official beaches, in parks, squares, as well as at public transport stops, near which there are no permanent structures for shelter, he explained. When manufacturing reinforced concrete structures, you need to follow a technological process that requires a certain amount of time. We expect that from Monday the shipments will increase  we will deliver and install at least 30 pieces in the city every week.

In addition, Sevastopol also started covering the windows of kindergartens and schools with protective film. Today, glass panels have already been pasted over in institutions located in Kach, in Cossack Bay and at other addresses. Work continues.

One of the 600 concrete shelters Sevastopol is building to protect residents from Ukrainian attacks. Occupation Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev Telegram

While Ukraine is largely on the defensive across the battlefield, it has been able to readily strike targets deep in Crimea, something officials say will continue.

The final sinking of a quarter of its Kalibr-capable submarines, and a boat that has already sucked up a lot of resources bringing back to life, would be another blow to the Black Sea Fleet. The Russian Navy has already been forced to withdraw many of its major warships from ports in Crimea, with assets being relocated across the Black Sea to the east, in Novorossiysk located in Russias Krasnodar region. Meanwhile, the commander of the Russian Navy was removed from his post in March, in a move widely seen as a response to Black Sea Fleet losses.

This latest attack is another sign that Ukraines standoff strikes on Crimea have no sign of abating.

Before diving into more developments from the conflict in Ukraine, The War Zone readers can review our previous coverage here.

The Latest

On the battlefield, most of the fighting continues to take place in Donetsk Oblast, according to the latest assessment from the Institute for the Study of War.

Kharkiv Oblast: Fighting continued north of Kharkiv City near Hlyboke and Lyptsi and northeast of Kharkiv City near Vovchansk and Tykhe on August 1 and 2, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline.

Luhansk Oblast: The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces continued offensive operations southeast of Kupyansk near Pishchane, Stelmakhivka, and Andriivka and northwest of Kreminna near Makiivka, Nevske, and Torske on August 1 and 2, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline.

Donetsk Oblast: Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and continued offensive operations in the area on August 2. Geolocated footage published on August 1 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in central Niu York (south of Toretsk). Russian advances in Zalizne and Russian advances in Niu York are roughly five kilometers apart and Russian forces will likely attempt to tactically encircle Ukrainian forces in the area, ISW reported, adding that it is not assessing that an attempted Russian encirclement will necessarily succeed. Russian forces recently advanced northwest of Avdiivka and reportedly made additional gains in the area on August 2. Russian forces have achieved their longstanding tactical objective of reaching the O-0532 highway and cutting the Ukrainian ground line of communication (GLOC) connecting Vuhledar and Kostyantynivka (both southwest of Donetsk City), according to ISW, but Russian positions along the highway likely do not portend tactically significant or more rapid Russian gains in the area. The Russians reportedly advanced elsewhere southwest of Donetsk City amid continued offensive operations west and southwest of Donetsk City on August 2. They also continued offensive operations near Chasiv Yar on August 2, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline.

Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia Border: Positional engagements continued in the direction of Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on August 2.

Zaphorizhia Oblast: Limited positional engagements continued in the west of the oblast near Robotyne, Mala Tokmachka (northeast of Robotyne), and Verbove (east of Robotyne) with no confirmed territorial gains by the Russians.

Kherson Oblast: Russian forces continued limited ground attacks in east (left) bank of the Dnipro River, including near Krynky, on August 2, but did not make any confirmed advances.

NEW: Ukrainian General Andriy Hnatov stressed that Russia is pursuing an effort to force Ukraine to commit its available manpower to ongoing defensive operations in order to prevent the accumulation of Ukrainian resources for future counteroffensive operations. ( 1/6) pic.twitter.com/g34LwGVEHi  Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) August 2, 2024

Ukrainian forces struck the Morozovsk Air Base in Russias Rostov Oblast, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said on Saturday. The base is about 150 miles from the front lines and has been attacked repeatedly by Ukrainian drones.

Hits were recorded in warehouses with ammunition, where, in particular, guided aerial bombs were stored, the General Staff said on Telegram. Information regarding the destruction of air defense equipment and enemy aviation equipment is being clarified.

Big explosions at the Russian military airfield in Morozovsk, Rostov region. 270km from the frontline. Russian Su-34s are based in Morozovsk. pic.twitter.com/P9NX3HR7xc  Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) August 3, 2024

The secondary explosions coming from the Morozovsk airfield and seen on several videos are substantial. This is heavy ordnance cooking off. It will be interesting to study the satellite pictures. pic.twitter.com/eGTN1719Pr  (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) August 3, 2024

The attack was carried out by GUR, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Satellite images obtained by The War Zone show that the airfield was indeed attacked. There are signs of large grass fires and the secure storage area in the northeast corner of the image appears to have been destroyed.

Before-and-after satellite images of Morozovsk Air Base in Russia show damage after a Ukrainian attack. PHOTOS  2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

The airfield is home to dozens of Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers that have been a key weapon in the war, and serves as a forward operating base for other Flanker derivatives.

This was the third time it has been attacked in as many months.

Other long-range strikes targeted petroleum facilities.

The Defense Forces also attacked a number of oil depots and fuel and lubricant storage facilities of the Russian occupiers in the Belgorod, Kursk, and Rostov regions, the General Staff claimed. At least two tanks with petroleum products were struck and engulfed in flames.

Ukrainian defenders continue to methodically undermine the military and economic potential of the Russian army in order to force the invaders to stop armed aggression against Ukraine, the General Staff said.

In addition to making Russias Morozovsk Airbase completely uninhabitable last night, at least 6 Ukrainian attack drones successfully struck a large Russian fuel storage depot in Rostov Oblast, setting several storage tanks ablaze. pic.twitter.com/r6q6QGuNm8  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 3, 2024

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has signed a large-scale deal with a local manufacturer to purchase uncrewed ground vehicles.

The MoD continues to actively strengthen the countrys defense capabilities by modernizing and expanding the arsenal of modern technologies, Ukraines Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov said. As part of this process, the Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine concluded an agreement with a Ukrainian manufacturer for the supply of ground-based kamikaze drones.

We are working to ensure a stable supply of not only unmanned aerial vehicles but also ground-based kamikaze drones, which should become a powerful tool in the hands of our military, Klimenkov explained. These drones are an important component of our defense strategy, as they can effectively carry out the task of defeating the enemy.

Ukraine has announced it is awarding contracts worth US$90,000,000 to Ukrainian companies to manufacture UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles).

It's about time. https://t.co/JNDV4Ktx9l pic.twitter.com/jKvNncxYck  Roy (@GrandpaRoy2) August 2, 2024

Klimenkov did not specify which company, or the amount, type, and delivery timelines of the UGVs. The MoD also signed agreements to procure an unspecified amount of an unknown type of ammunition from Ukrainian manufacturers.

Those deals are worth a combined UAH 3.7 billion (about $90 million), the MoD stated, without offering a breakdown of how much will be invested in each program.

Speaking of UGVs, Ukraine has mated a U.S.-made Mk 19 40mm grenade launcher to a Burya robotic turret. It is unclear whether this system has been fielded.

Ukrainian robotic turret "Burya" under the American 40 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher. pic.twitter.com/o2RSd2iZLy  MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) August 1, 2024

German developers are demonstrating a new drone in Ukraine called HCX which communicates via a light-weigh fiber optic cable, making it immune to radio-frequency jamming and detection, Forbes reported. As we reported recently, Russia is also pursuing this capability.

While the skies over Ukraine are filled with drones from both sides, jamming has had a wide impact. French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill recently claimed that 75% of drones in Ukraine were taken down by electronic warfare breaking the link between drone and operator, suggesting that the reign of the drone could soon be over.

The HCX made by from HIGHCAT, based in Konstanz, Germany, unspools a fiber-optic cable as it flies, Forbes reported. This supplies a high-bandwidth data link immune to radio interference. And because there are no radio emissions, neither the operator nor the drone can be located and targeted.

HIGHCAT co-founder Jan Hartmann told the publication that the cable only exerts about 8 ounces/ 250 grams of force on the drone, so it does not obstruct flight. It has a flight range of up to 12 miles / 20 kilometers. The drone drops cable behind it like a trail of breadcrumbs, so there is no tangling.

A German drone controlled via fiber optic cable is immune to all forms of jamming and detection, and it's being tested in Ukraine  my (exclusive) take for Forbes @forbes https://t.co/H1riXia4ap  David Hambling (@David_Hambling) August 2, 2024

Russian Spetznaz special operations forces troops were recently spotted with a KamAZ-63969 Typhoon-K mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) armored truck. According to the Russian Milinfolive Telegram channel, these vehicles are currently quite rare.

Video has emerged on social media purporting to show a Russian soldier at the moment he was struck in the face by submunition from a cluster projectile, according to the Ukrainian Karymat Telegram channel that first posted it.

Russian soldier filmed the moment a submunition of a cluster projectile hit his face. pic.twitter.com/lfI30KntNk  Clash Report (@clashreport) August 2, 2024

The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) handed over two owlets to the Kyiv Zoo. The owl is GURs mascot.

        



1  2024                     .



https://t.co/ItCp23Unk5pic.twitter.com/oP0i9E6A39  Defence intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) August 2, 2024

Finally, during a visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British comedian Stephen Fry told a joke that elicited a guffaw from the beleaguered leader. You can hear it in this video below.

Stephen Fry tells a joke to President Zelenskyy.



"If Putin and Medvedev were to fall, who would hit the ground first?"



: Planet Fry / YouTube. pic.twitter.com/GBCJJ4Nhq5  UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 2, 2024

Thats it for now.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Ukraine says it sunk Russian submarine, damaged S-400 missile system in 'successful hit'

Ukraine's military said on Aug. 3 that a Ukrainian missile strike the day before sunk a Russian Black Sea Fleet submarine and damaged a S-400 air defense system in Russian-occupied Crimea.

In a statement on Telegram, the military said that the Ukrainian strike had "significantly damaged" four launchers of Russia's modern S-400 Triumph air defense system.

The military named the Kilo-class submarine Rostov-on-Don as the submarine that it says sunk in the port of Sevastopol.

"As a result of the hit, the boat sank on the spot," the General Staff said in the statement.

The military said that the submarine, capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles, had sustained "significant damage" in an earlier September Ukrainian missile attack but it had been repaired. The estimated value of the submarine is $300 million, according to the military.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify Ukraine's claims.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not reacted to Ukraine's claims over the reported strike.

A day before on Aug. 2, residents in Crimea reported hearing multiple blasts in Sevastopol, Simferopol, and Yevpatoria in the occupied peninsula, the Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russia-installed proxy head of Sevastopol, also claimed without evidence on Aug. 2 that fragments of drones and U.S.-made missiles were found in the city after being downed by air defenses.

Razvozhayev has not commented on Ukraine's Aug. 3 statement that it sunk the submarine or damaged the missile system.

The statement comes as Ukraine continues to target Russia's Black Sea Fleet and military targets in Crimea, illegally occupied by Russian troops since 2014.

Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's vessels since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, leaving around 30% of Russias Black Sea Fleet is lost or disabled, according to the Ukrainian military.

Successful Ukrainian strikes on occupied Crimea forced Moscow to pull out much of its naval forces from the peninsula to the Russian port city of Novorossiysk, which has become a key port for the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Read also: Who needs warships when youve got drones? Russia loses control over Black Sea

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Ukrainian air defence responds to Russian drones in Kyiv Oblast

Air defence mobile fire group. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ukrainian air defence was responding to a Russian Shahed drone attack on Kyiv Oblast on the night of 2-3 August.

Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "UAVs had been detected in the airspace. Air defence forces are responding to the attack.

Stay in shelters until the all-clear is given. Take care of your safety."

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Ukraine Says It Sank Russian Black Sea Sub and Struck Air Base

(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian forces said they struck a military airfield as part of a massed drone attack on several Russian regions, while claiming a hit on Friday had sunk a Black Sea Fleet submarine in Crimea.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The overnight UAV barrage hit the Morozovsk airfield in the Rostov region, where Russian glide bombs and other items are stored, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Facebook. The base, in a region which borders parts of eastern Ukraine occupied by Moscows forces, houses one of Russias fighter jet squadrons.

Russian military aviation must be destroyed by the use of all means which prove effective, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on social media. It is also totally fair to strike Russian airfields. This is the only way to provide real protection for our people.

Fuel depots were also hit and caught fire in the Belgorod and Rostov regions, while a drone struck a residential building in the Oryol region without causing fatalities, according to Russian news agencies.

Its unclear if the strikes at Morozovsk hit air defense objects and aviation equipment. In total, 75 drones were shot down in the attack, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Sank on Spot

Separately, the General Staff said in a Facebook post that the Russian B-237 submarine Rostov-on-Don was struck in the port of Sevastopol on the annexed Crimea peninsula on Friday.

As a result of the hit, the boat sank on the spot, the General Staff said.

The Kilo-class submarine, capable of firing cruise missiles, was damaged in an shipyard attack in September 2023 and was being tested after undergoing repairs, according to Ukraines statement, which also claimed a hit on an anti-aircraft missile complex in Crimea.

Russia hasnt commented.

Ukraine continues to target military objects and other facilities used by Kremlin forces in their invasion in Ukraine, now well into the third year, including fuel depots, oil and gas refineries and anti-missile defense radars.

Glide bombs are equipped with flight control surfaces that can expand their range. This week alone, Russia fired over 600 such projectiles at Ukraine, Zelenskiy said. Zelenskiy continues to seek backing from Ukraines allies to hit targets deep inside Russia with Western weapons.

(Updates with submarine strike from first paragraph.)

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Ukrainian intelligence hits fuel and lubricant depot in Russia that supplied occupation forces in Donetsk Oblast

A fuel and lubricant storage depot in Russia has been hit as a result of an operation by Ukraines Defence Intelligence using UAVs. The warehouse is located at the Atlas plant in Rostov Oblast, which belongs to the Russian Federal Agency for State Reserves.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in Ukrainian intelligence

Details: Ukrainska Pravda sources noted that the warehouse, near Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, supplies fuel and lubricants to Russian military units deployed in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

The facility was hit by 15 Obsidian drones.

Russian mainstream and social media reported that several fuel and lubricant tanks were hit.

The kamikaze drone strike caused a fire to break out at the base, and it is still raging.

Quote from the source: "Despite its peaceful name, Atlas, this is a military facility that supplies enemy groups.

So this Atlas is like the weekend [a reference to Atlas Weekend, a music festival that takes place in Kyiv every year  ed.], with noise [explosions  ed.] and other special effects.

To be continued..."

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1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them.

2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound.

3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes.

4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic.

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Ukrainian special services have offered information and training to Tuareg rebels in Mali, particularly in drone operation, the French outlet Le Monde reported on Aug. 1, citing a Tuareg commander and other sources.

A group of Tuareg fighters, a coalition of anti-government groups in the north of Mali, claimed on July 27 to have destroyed an "entire column of the Malian army and Russian mercenaries."

Following the reports, Telegram accounts affiliated with the Wagner Group confirmed on July 29 the deaths of Wagner fighters in a battle in Mali.

Tuareg fighters then claimed on Aug. 1 to have killed 84 Wagner mercenaries in recent clashes.

Ukrainian special services have explored strategic cooperation with Tuareg soldiers, a rebel commander told Le Monde.

"We have links with the Ukrainians, but just as we have with everyone else, the French, Americans, and others," said Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the pro-independence coalition.

Andrii Yusov, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) spokesperson, said on July 29 during a television broadcast that Ukrainian intelligence services had cooperated with rebels in Mali.

The Tuareg soldiers "received useful information, and not just that, which allowed them to carry out a successful military operation against Russian war criminals," Yusov said.

Yusov did not provide details regarding the nature of the collaboration.

According to Le Monde's sources, some rebels received training from Ukrainian forces on how to fly drones.

The West African nation of Mali has been the subject of a significant Russian influence campaign since the Malian army overthrew the government in a coup in 2021. The Wagner mercenary group, headed by the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, was particularly active in Mali, and has been accused of perpetrating war crimes and widespread looting.

Russia maintains a strong presence in African countries through Wagner and other entities, propping up authoritarian governments, fueling destabilization, and extracting resources to fund its war against Ukraine.

Read also: Wagner boss Prigozhin is dead. Heres what it means for Africa

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(From left) Chancellor Jay A Perman, President of AFSCME Council 3 Patrick Moran, and Director of Collective Bargaining for AFSCME Stuart Katzenberg signing the memorandum.

From left, University System Chancellor Jay A. Perman, AFSCME Council 3 President Patrick Moran and AFSCME director of collective bargaining Stuart Katzenberg sign the memorandum. Photo by Elijah Pittman.

The University System of Maryland signed a multicampus contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on Friday that will standardize labor benefits for workers at nine campuses in Maryland.

The contract and memorandum of understanding cover approximately 5,700 non-faculty university employees for the next three years. Thats about 95% of the unionized workers at the nine campuses, according to a statement from both parties.

It is the first consolidated contract of its kind between the system and the union, and presidents of various AFSCME locals said it levels the playing field for workers at different campuses.

I feel ecstatic, so proud of our members and so proud of what they accomplished, and that they stuck with it. And they worked hard. They had a goal. And we accomplished that goal today, said Patrick Moran, the president of AFSCME Council 3, the Maryland chapter of the union.

Del. Jared Solomon (D-Montgomery) echoed Moran.

This is the culmination of a lot of hard work on both sides that gets us to a place, frankly, that I think really honors our employees  but gives the university system the flexibility to continue to do what it needs to do to be one of the best in the country, Solomon said.

The universities included in the contract are the University of Maryland campuses at College Park, Eastern Shore, Baltimore, Baltimore County and the Global Campus, along with Bowie State, Coppin State, Frostburg State and the University of Baltimore.

The agreement raised the minimum salary to $38,000 per year and increased the minimum of each pay grade for salaried employees by 5%, effective July 1. It also guarantees raises in each of the remaining two years of the contract.

Employees will also earn more annual leave and be able to keep more of it from year to year, will have access to tuition remission for themselves, their spouses and dependent children, among other benefits.

Discussion of a multicampus contract began in 2021 after lawmakers passed a bill, directing the chancellor to begin negotiations  a process that was derailed by then-Gov. Larry Hogans veto, which was later overriden.

Solomon said there was a lot of back and forth in constructing the legislation that led to Fridays agreement. Union officials welcomed the signing.

So I think this should help get money for the other universities, its showing us all equally and, all the money and other things should be all shared all the way across  leveling the playing field, at least, is going to be the beginning, said Jontae Thomas, the president of AFSCME Local 1297 at Bowie State University.

Todd Holden, the president of AFSCME Local 1072 at College Park and the Global Campus, echoed Thomas, mentioning the difference between before and after the signing.

Under the old regime it was a broader issue that the differences in the experience of a housekeeper at Frostburg would differ wildly from the experience for a housekeeper at UMB (the University of Maryland Baltimore) for instance, Holden said. And the consolidated agreement standardized that.

Holden and Thomas both feel that the job isnt finished, and that theres more work to be done to ensure equitable working conditions at all universities.

Theres a long way to go. Its just the beginning, Thomas said. Its a lot more that we need to touch up on: We need more money for the universities for the upkeep, we need to move raises up so people can live better, a lot of people thats working at these universities are in poverty.

Holden said the agreement is a first step to fixing what he called a disconnect between the image of labor relations in the state and the reality.

As a progressive state, as Maryland likes to, to style itself, people are often surprised at what the real landscape of unions and labor relations are, Holden said. I think that for us, this is a good first step in really trying to align the reality of labor relations in Maryland, to what peoples perception of it should be.
The United States will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East to bolster its military presence in the region, the Pentagon said on Friday.

The US Department of Defense continued to take steps to "mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Irans partners and proxies," deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said.

"Since the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the Secretary of Defense [Lloyd Austin] has reiterated that the United States will protect our personnel and interests in the region, including our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel."

Austin had ordered "adjustments to US military posture" to improve force protection, increase support for the defense of Israel, and ensure the US was prepared to respond to various contingencies, Singh said.

As well as the deployment of an additional fighter squadron, Austin had also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the US European Command and US Central Command regions.

Austin also ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, currently deployed in the Central Command.

"The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza," Singh said.

Tensions in the region have risen following the killing of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Senior US officials have played down the risks of an increase in hostilities in the Middle East, stating an escalation is neither inevitable nor imminent.
The logo of the TikTok platform is displayed on a smartphone. Monika Skolimowska/dpa

Video-sharing app Tiktok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance failed to stop children from joining the platform and unlawfully collected their personal data, the US Justice Department alleged in a lawsuit filed on Friday.

The department, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), filed a civil lawsuit alleging violations of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act.

The act prohibits website operators from knowingly collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under the age of 13, unless they obtain consent from those childrens parents.

It also requires website operators to delete personal information collected from children at their parents request.

"The Justice Department is committed to upholding parents ability to protect their childrens privacy, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division.

"This action is necessary to prevent the defendants, who are repeat offenders and operate on a massive scale, from collecting and using young childrens private information without any parental consent or control."

Tiktok said in a statement it disagreed with the allegations, stating many related to past events and practices that were factually inaccurate or had been addressed.

"We are proud of our efforts to protect children, and we will continue to update and improve the platform," the statement said.

"To that end, we offer age-appropriate experiences with stringent safeguards, proactively remove suspected underage users, and have voluntarily launched features such as default screentime limits, Family Pairing, and additional privacy protections for minors."

In 2019, TikTok agreed to pay $5.7 million to settle FTC allegations against its predecessor company, Musical.ly, concerning the collection of data from children under the age of 13 without parental consent.

TikTok is currently involved in a separate legal battle in the US over a proposed law that would force a change of ownership.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A U.S. postal worker was robbed of their USPS key Friday, according to Town of Hamburg Police.

Police said the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on McKinley Parkway near Newtown Road, where the suspect displayed a knife. A USPS key that accesses mailboxes and drop boxes in Hamburg was taken.

There were no injuries and the investigation is ongoing. Hamburg Police urge residents to report any suspicious activity at or near any USPS mailboxes.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
The harrowing ordeals of three Americans jailed in Russia came to a happy ending around midnight on Thursday, when they stepped off a plane and into emotional embraces with family members waiting for them on a tarmac at Joint Base Andrews alongside President Biden -- the chief architect of the historic prisoner swap that freed them.

Far more complicated than the standard one-for-one trades that have played out between the U.S. and Russia, the far-reaching exchange that led to the release of U.S. citizens Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, another American national, Vladimir Kara-Murza, as well as several political prisoners of various nationalities jailed in Russia, is being heralded as diplomatic feat by the White House.

But analysts say that while the deal-- the largest since the Cold War -- is indeed the result of skilled statesmanship, it's also reflective of the diametrically opposed mindsets of Russia and the West, and it could have repercussions across the world stage for years to come.

PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris greets Evan Gershkovich, who was released from detention in Russia, upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, August 1, 2024. (Nathan Howard/Reuters)

MORE: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan greeted by President Biden, VP Harris after landing on US soil

Subverting election uncertainty

The agreement, which relied on the participation of multiple U.S. allies, took months of negotiations and fully came together only in the last days of July, according to U.S. officials.

Many Russia observers were surprised that Moscow would move to seal the deal now instead of waiting out the U.S. election to see if a more amenable administration would come into power.

But Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former State Department official, says the looming election likely encouraged the Kremlin to close.

"If there's a change in power in four months, then how is a deal like this struck? You have to start from scratch. So, I could see that creating a degree of forcing function," he said. "Whether it's Harris or Trump, you would have to start anew."

Despite former President Donald Trump's assertions that he could easily free Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter arrested in March 2023 while on assignment, Bergmann says the Kremlin likely put more stock in Trump's actions when he was in office than his words on the campaign trail.

"The Russians remember the first Trump administration," he said, saying Moscow likely deduced a prisoner exchange "wouldn't be a first priority" for a second term.

Experts broadly agree that the exchange almost certainly does not indicate Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate on other matters, such as the war in Ukraine.

"What this swap demonstrates on the Kremlin's strategic front is a twisted and self-serving pragmatism that is unlikely to translate into a de-escalation of Russia's violence in Ukraine, nor into a new appreciation for international norms," said Mercedes Sapuppo, a program assistant with the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council.

"Putin is still a war criminal, and he is still bolstering his autocratic alliances abroad," she added.

PHOTO: In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin greets Vadim Krasikov, released in a major prisoner swap with the West, at Moscow's Vnukovo airport, on Aug. 1, 2024. (Mikhail Voskresenskiy/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: 'Glad I'm home': Former Marine Paul Whelan speaks out after Russia prison ordeal

Virtue signaling

Beyond recovering their nationals, Bergmann says the exchange provided both Russia and the U.S. with an opportunity to convey a message about what the countries value most.

"It wasn't just about freeing Americans, but also Russian dissidents," Bergmann said, referencing the seven Russia political activists and human rights advocates who were released by Moscow in the arrangement.

"I think that sends a signal to the Russian people that the United States is also concerned about the future of Russia," he said.

John Hardie, the deputy director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies' Russia Program, argues that by prioritizing individuals such as Vadim Krasikov, a Russian security agent serving a life sentence in Germany for killing an enemy of the Kremlin, Moscow is sending a very different message to its domestic audience.

"The Russians were freeing Russian intelligence officers -- people that had done actions on behalf of the Russian state against the West," he said. "The Russian interest in doing this is to demonstrate to their people working on behalf of Russia that if they're captured, that Russia will be there for them."

Hardie says that could embolden bad actors working for the Kremlin -- and further incentivize Putin to hold Americans as prisoner for his own gain.

"If he has people he wants to get back, and Americans he can hold hostage, he's going to do that," Hardie said. "He has proven that at this point."

MORE: Alsu Kurmasheva's family still in 'disbelief' she's free after Russian prisoner exchange

Testing the network

Biden said the prisoner exchange, like any deal of the nature, required difficult decisions. But unlike other trades with Russia conducted in recent years, it wasn't just the U.S. government that needed to make hard choices.

The American allies directly involved in the swap -- Germany, Norway, Poland, and Slovenia -- also needed to hand over convicted criminals without necessarily seeing the same value in the returns as the U.S.

"This is an example of the benefits of having an alliance and then working well with allies and partners," Bergmann said. "Why you want to do that in foreign policy is because you never know when you're going to have to knock on the door for a favor."

But Hardie says that door swings both ways -- potentially setting a complicated precedent for hostage diplomacy in the future.

"If we owe somebody and they were trying to get someone they really wanted back, they could ask us to return the favor," he said. "It's entirely possible."

A US-Russia prisoner exchange with diametrically opposed objectives: ANALYSIS originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, stepped in to scrap the deal just two days after it was announced - Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

An unconscionable plea deal which would have spared the masterminds behind the 9/11 terror attacks the death penalty is being investigated by a powerful congressional committee.

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, abruptly scrapped the agreement on Friday night after a backlash from bereaved families and Republicans.

The three men had agreed to plead guilty in return for life sentences, rather than facing the death penalty if convicted. Where they would have served their sentences was not disclosed.

The deal with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who allegedly masterminded the 2001 al-Qaeda attacks and his accomplices Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, was signed off by Susan Escallier, who oversees the Pentagons Guantanamo war court.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed after his capture in 2003 - AP

Mustafa al-Hawsawi has been in US custody since 2003 and held at Guantanamo since 2006

But on Friday, Mr Austin relieved Ms Escallier of her authority over the case and took on the responsibility himself, telling her: I have determined that, in light of the significance of the decision to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused, responsibility for such a decision should rest with me.

In all 2,966 people  including 19 hijackers  died in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on Sept 11 2001 in the worst terrorist attack in US history.

Although it was Ms Escallier who rubber-stamped the agreement, it was originated by her Donald Trump-appointed predecessor Jeffrey Wood.

In March 2022, Mr Wood authorised the prosecution team to start negotiations to bring an end to the long-running trial which had made glacial progress for a decade.

The plotters had demanded to continue to be held at Guantanamo, where they could pray and eat together, rather than being sent to a Supermax jail in Florence, Colorado, where inmates are held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.

The plea deal was condemned by many of the families of the victims, who had been sent letters outlining its provisions. And senior Republicans were also swift to condemn it.

Smoke rises from the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in Manhattan on the morning of Sept 11 2001 - Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph

Mike Rogers, the chairman of the Republican-controlled house armed services committee, has demanded all documents relating to the plea deal be handed over, and announced an investigation had been launched into the unconscionable arrangement.

I, along with much of our nation and Congress, are deeply shocked and angered by news that the terrorist mastermind and his associates who planned the Sept 11 2001 terror attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 innocent people, were offered a plea deal, Mr Rogers wrote.

A gut punch to the families

Tragically, the news is a gut punch to many of the victims families. Deals like this give hope to terrorists throughout the world that America is not willing to hold the worst of the worst accountable for their wicked crimes.

In short, this deal signals willingness to negotiate with terrorists who deliberately harm Americans.

Tom Cotton, the Arkansas senator, described the proposed deal as disgraceful, adding that he had introduced legislation which would guarantee the men would be put on trial and face the possibility of the death penalty.

The deal was also condemned by Brett Eagleson, the president of 9/ll Justice, a grassroots group representing bereaved families.

While we acknowledge the decision to avoid the death penalty, our primary concern remains access to these individuals for information, he told Fox News.

These plea deals should not perpetuate a system of closed-door agreements, where crucial information is hidden without giving the families of the victims the chance to learn the full truth.

Mr Austins decision to take over the case was a significant rebuff for Ms Escallier, a retired brigadier general who had spent 32 years in the army.

She was appointed by the defence secretary to replace Mr Wood last August.

During her career, she provided legal advice underpinning the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, and was the senior lawyer in the campaign to defeat the Islamic State.

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US sends more fighter jets and ships to Middle East ahead of possible Iranian retaliation

US sends more fighter jets and ships to Middle East ahead of possible Iranian retaliation

The Pentagon will send an additional fighter squadron and more warships to the Middle East to help defend Israel should Iran react militarily to this week's assassination of Hamas' top political leader in Tehran that Iran has blamed on Israel.

The United States will also maintain an aircraft carrier presence in the Middle East as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt that was on a short-term deployment to the Middle East.

The deployments follow President Joe Biden's commitment to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday about "new defensive US military deployments" to the region.

PHOTO: An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron flies over Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, May 10, 2018 (U.S. Air Force)

MORE: US carries out defensive airstrike in Iraq: Officials

Austin "ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies," the Pentagon said in a statement issued Friday.

Austin also ordered the deployment of an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East "reinforcing our defensive air support capability," the statement said.

"Additionally, Secretary Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions," according to the statement.

"The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense," it continued.

PHOTO: An F/A-18 Hornet launches from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), on Oct. 14, 2010. (U.S. Navy)

MORE: US sends USS Wasp assault ship and Marines to eastern Mediterranean

This week's assassinations of Hamas' senior political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah commander, in Beirut, have raised concerns that an Iranian retaliation could spark a broad regional beyond Israel's war with Hamas.

The new deployments announced Friday will serve as a deterrent to prevent a larger conflict and are also intended to assist Israel should Iran reprise last April's missile barrage of hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles targeted at Israel in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike in Damascus, Syria, that killed a top Iranian military leader.

The overwhelming majority of those drones and missiles were shot down by a combination of Israeli air defense systems and U.S. fighter jets that had been deployed to the region ahead of a possible Iranian retaliation.

MORE: Israel is 'closer to war' with Hezbollah than ever, senior Israeli official says

The deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group will provide a consistent carrier presence in the region that might not have been possible if the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group ended its short-term deployment to the region on time.

Currently deployed to the western Pacific, it's unclear when the Lincoln would arrive in the Middle East to replace the Roosevelt, which is currently in the Gulf of Oman.

There are six U.S. Navy destroyers currently deployed to the Middle East region, and it's possible that some of them could be moved through the Suez Canal into the Eastern Mediterranean as part of the moves ordered by Austin on Friday.

There are currently two other destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean that are part of a regular mission to provide ballistic missile defense capabilities in that region.

Also stationed in the eastern Mediterranean are the USS Wasp amphibious assault ship and two other amphibious ships that are carrying the 2,200 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)

U.S. officials have said that the ships and the Marines aboard could be used to carry out an evacuation of U.S. personnel in the region should that become necessary.

US sends more fighter jets and ships to Middle East ahead of possible Iranian retaliation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The showroom of the Lone Star car and truck company at 515 Roosevelt Ave. was the venue for the three-day San Antonio Automobile, Truck, Tractor and Trailer Show, opened Feb. 28, 1920, with 200 exhibits of the latest models of motordom. Texas Transportation Museum

Many decades ago, I heard a story that the Ford Motor Co. approached the San Antonio city government about building an auto assembly plant here. According to the rumor, the city turned Ford down because they did not wish to see labor unions come to the city. The outcomes were that Ford located in Arlington (which started the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex), and that San Antonio started a decline from the largest city in Texas to No. 3. Can you determine if this is fact or fiction? I think San Antonio entered the automobile era very early.

 Jack Stutts

Yes, our city was an early adopter of the automobile. As noted here March 26, 2022, a livery service bought a battery-powered horseless carriage in 1899, and the first vehicle with a gasoline-powered engine arrived two years later. Before there were many paved roads, drivers in our temperate climate were able to use their motor cars all year long, without having to worry about ice and snow.

San Antonio soon became a regional hub for automotive sales and service, with early dealerships, repair shops and businesses selling auto parts and accessories. Early 20th century cars typically arrived in pieces, crated and requiring assembly, the job of the manufacturers authorized local representatives.

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As for the elusive Ford plant, That is a perennial comment, and I have been going through work that David Johnson and I have done (to try to locate it), said Char Miller, author of San Antonio: A Tricentennial History, referring to fellow scholar David R. Johnson, author of In the Loop: A Political and Economic History of San Antonio.

Miller, formerly professor of history at Trinity University and now at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., felt sure we had mentioned Ford but have not found any references in our notes for The Rise of Urban Texas, written with Johnson as co-author. The story might be telling in one respect: The business elite in San Antonio and elsewhere had no interest in unions and it was wary of losing its hold over the economy. It was often in conflict with itself about growth and new industrial opportunities.

Ford itself has no institutional memory of being driven out of San Antonio. There are always local legends about the Ford Motor Co. in their areas, but like most of those legends, this one seems highly unlikely, said Jamie Myler, research archivist at the Ford archives in Dearborn, Mich.

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Ford started a sales, service and parts operation in 1909 in Dallas, he said, adding assembly operations there in 1913. The Dallas assembly plant at 5200 E. Grand Ave. opened in 1925  16 years prior to Ford signing its first UAW (United Auto Workers) agreement. So unionization could not have been a concern to the businesses in the San Antonio area.

Opened in 1925 during a period of intense boosterism, the Ford Motor Co.s assembly plant in Dallas is shown here in 1936. Theres no evidence, despite local legend, that it first was offered to San Antonio. Ford Motor Co.

This was during a period of intense Dallas boosterism that brought manufacturing of locomotives and later airplanes to what became the Metroplex, said Hugh Hemphill, author of San Antonio on Wheels: The Alamo City Learns to Drive. Although he never encountered anything about a possible Ford plant here in his research for the book or for the Texas Transportation Museum, Hemphill recalls the Lone Star car, made by the Lone Star Truck and Tractor Association, nominally headquartered in San Antonio from 1919 to 1922.

Because of railroad service and proximity to Mexico as a possible import destination, San Antonio seemed like a good place to locate an automotive manufacturing concern. There were at least eight companies that built or sold vehicles, Hemphill said, and more that at least incorporated to do so.

At the Clifton George Co. behind the Alamo at 720 E. Houston St., during the 1910s and 20s, staff assembled new Ford cars and repaired others. Its building was torn down to make way for the Alamo gift shop, built in 1937 as one of nine Texas Centennial Museums. Courtesy Sarah Reveley

Lone Star was probably the most successful. As early as 1918, the San Antonio Lone Star Sales Co. advertised 1-ton trucks composed of standard parts to order from its office in the Brady Building, 202 E. Houston St. (discussed here Oct. 31, 2015). Cost of this home product was $1,100 (below other trucks) for prompt delivery.

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The cornerstone for its plant and showroom was laid March 18, 1919, for the first  and apparently the last  of five buildings that had been planned on a 1-acre site at Roosevelt and Wilkens avenues. When it was completed, general manager J.W. Oswald told the San Antonio Evening News, Sept. 25, 1919, that Lone Star would be buying certain parts of each machine, this being true of even of the largest plants in this country. We are not prepared to construct our own motors here.

As the Lone Star Motor Co. or Lone Star Truck and Tractor Association, the company was actually a regional brand of the Piedmont Motor Car Co. of Lynchburg, Va. Founded in January 1917, the company assembled parts  remember those standard parts?  shipped in by rail, with some parts made on-site.

This badge for the Lone Star Motor Truck and Tractor Association once adorned a vehicle made for the company in Lynchburg, Va., and sold here under the Lone Star name. Courtesy photo

Instead of Piedmont dealerships, this companys products were sold to other companies under other brand names  kind of like a food manufacturer wholesaling to different grocery chains. Besides Lone Star here, crypto-Piedmonts were badged with the logos of Bush in Chicago and Alsace for Europe.

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Lone Star went through three general managers, all with Big Auto experience, in as many years. It made a bit of a splash for hosting the three-day San Antonio Automobile, Truck, Tractor and Trailer Show, opened Feb. 28, 1920, for the San Antonio Auto Trades Association, with 200 exhibits of the latest models of motordom.

In its last full year of operation, Lone Star was planning to increase the output of Lone Star automobiles and manufacture passenger cars exclusively, with an eye to the Mexican market, as W.R. Beckwith told the San Antonio Light, Sept. 4, 1921.

Instead, Lone Stars imminent failure would lead to a lawsuit by the Commonwealth Bank and Trust Co. against the bankrupt companys 2,500 stockholders, an action that would employ 240 lawyers over 10 years, as reported in the San Antonio Express, July 2, 1931, before the parties reached a settlement.

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Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado talks to the media next to opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, following the presidential election results in Caracas. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa

Armed assailants have vandalized the Venezuelan opposition leader's office in Caracas following a disputed election that has plunged the country into turmoil.

Six masked individuals with guns overpowered security guards and ransacked Maria Corina Machado's offices, the Vente Venezuela opposition movement wrote the social media platform X.

They vandalized walls with spray paint and stole equipment and documents.

"We denounce the attacks and the insecurity we are exposed to for political reasons," the post said.

Tensions between the opposition and authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro have escalated since he was declared the winner of Sunday's election.

Venezuela's electoral authority, which is loyal to the government, said he had secured a third term as president by gathering 51% of the votes.

The opposition is accusing the government of fraud and is claiming victory for Machado's candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, whom the electoral authority said received 44% of ballots cast.

The authority has not yet published the detailed results from individual constituencies.

Maduro, meanwhile, condemned the announcement by the United States on Thursday that it was recognizing Gonzalez, 74, as the winner of the election.

Maduro said on Friday that Gonzalez and Machado were plotting a coup against him with the help of the United States.

"The United States should not stick its nose into our affairs, because in Venezuela the sovereign people decide," the authoritarian leader said on Friday. "Is the USA perhaps the electoral office? The fascist demon is the electoral office?"

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Gonzalez and Machado on Friday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Blinken had congratulated Gonzalez for "receiving the most votes in Venezuelas July 28 presidential election as documented by the democratic oppositions extensive efforts to ensure a transparent accounting of the votes," Miller said in a statement.

Blinken had also expressed his concern for Gonzalez and Machado's safety and condemned all political violence and repression.

Blinken "applauded the Venezuelan people for their dedication to democracy in the face of significant challenges," Miller added.

The European Union, the Organization of American States and a number of Latin American countries are also questioning the official election results.

Maduro told supporters at the Miraflores presidential palace that Gonzalez "is a murderer and an agent of the CIA."

On Thursday, Machado wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal newspaper in which she said she was "in hiding, fearing for my life, my freedom, and that of my fellow countrymen from the dictatorship led by Nicolas Maduro."

According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, at least 11 protesters have been killed in the post-election unrest. The government says the police have arrested over 1,200 people.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado talks to the media next to opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, following the presidential election results in Caracas. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa
When I wrote in a February issue of the Weekender about The Weirdness Threshold and the ways in which Republicans were approaching it through Taylor Swift hysteria, I didnt think Weird would become a Democratic Party rallying cry. I was mostly reacting to two things at the time: First, I saw a gap between the fixations of the new, very online, right and conservatives I know in real life who are barely online at all and who were not talking about crazy Taylor Swift conspiracy theories. (I had a unique window into this because Im from Cleveland and we love Travis Kelce.)

The second thing I was reacting to was the pattern of conservative thought that led to this. Conservatism is intrinsically reactive. It always has been, whether you start with Edmund Burke or the Glorious Revolution. A key component of a reactive philosophy is understanding what you are reacting to. But conservatives often dont know, exactly, what theyre reacting to. They feel they are out of sync but they dont know why. And so it results in them scrambling, creating their own cartoonish, fun-house mirror versions of mainstream or left-leaning policies, talking points, or institutions.

Theres a long history of this in the U.S.  think of how the Heritage Foundation is a reaction to the Brookings Institute or Fox News is a reaction to  news. When the online right goes off and talks amongst themselves about wokeness or critical race theory or DEI, they return with a reaction so detached from the initial concept that it doesnt even make sense; its often been infused with a mean, exclusionary spirit. Thats the Weird. Its an angry reaction to something misunderstood in the first place. What does Sydney Sweeneys boobs defeated woke mean? Nobody knows  except the right wingers who redefined woke to mean whatever they needed it to mean. Rinse and repeat with any concept they feel challenges tradition in a way they find unsettling.

Now, with Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) in the spotlight as Donald Trumps running mate, many are recognizing the weirdness threshold as a potentially concerning characteristic for the Republican Party. Even Trumps seemingly worried his freaky running mate might be a little too weird.

Anyways, I talk about this and more on the CBC Radio program Day 6, set to come out this morning at 10:00 a.m. ET. Be sure to tune into the conversation here.

 Joe Ragazzo

Heres What Else TPM Has On Tap This Weekend:

Josh Kovensky tells us more about the Claremont Institute as a policy lab for authoritarianism.

Khaya Himmelman reports on Ohio removing less than 500 non-citizen voters from the rolls and how the action itself will serve as a datapoint for election deniers in the fall.

Emine Yucel reflects on Trump shitting the bed this week when he went full-on racist in front of Black journalists.

Khaya Himmelman also digs in on reports of vigilantes monitoring drop boxes in swing states across the U.S.

Lets dig in.

 Nicole Lafond

Whose Birthright?

Its been lost in the insane tumult of the past month of politics, but one of the most important questions to be decided in the upcoming election has to do with what it means to be an American citizen. The U.S. stands out by how it defines its people  your ancestry doesnt matter; as long as youre born here, youre a citizen.

Trump, per Project 2025, wants to undo that. The end of birthright citizenship would likely proceed first via an executive order (as Trump has promised), and would then be challenged in the courts. The lawsuit would work its way up to the Supreme Court, whose Republican majority would then be presented with the opportunity to write birthright citizenship out of the 14th Amendment.

I wrote this week about the Claremont Institute and its fervent support for Sen. JD Vance (R-OH). As it were, Claremont happens to also be a hotbed of opposition to birthright citizenship. On Thursday, former Trump NSC official and Claremont fellow Michael Anton published an article about his own advocacy for ending birthright citizenship, and what he regards as unjustified attacks that hes received from the press for doing so.

For Claremont, these arguments are part of a broader project that regards the past several decades as a radical break with the founding traditions of American government. That belief is what propels Claremont officials to make wild and inflammatory claims, and what underpins proposals that lead critics to describe it as a policy lab for authoritarianism. Birthright citizenship fits in the same vein: shut it all down, and return us to the American mindset of the 19th century.

 Josh Kovensky

Watch Election Deniers Point To This If They Lose In The Fall

On Thursday, Ohios Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced that county boards of elections have been instructed to remove 499 alleged non-citizen from the voter rolls  a move that experts warn is part of normal voter roll maintenance, but a move that has the potential to only further perpetuate the false narrative of non-citizens voting in elections.

At least, thats how election deniers might spin it.

According to LaRose, the individuals who will be removed from the voter rolls include those who confirmed their non-citizen status to the BMV, and a subsequent review of the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database system has confirmed them to be non-citizens.

Justin Levitt, an election law scholar and professor at LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles explained in an interview with TPM that although this is part of reasonable list maintenance, 499 ineligible voters in a state of about 8 million registered voters is not a harbinger. This number is only 0.006% of the registered voting population, which only serves to highlight how accurate and safe the election process is.

I have no doubt that people whove been screaming about an issue that isnt really an issue, will seize on a headline and make it an issue, Levitt said. So I would not be at all surprised to see this portrayed in a very different way with a lot more exclamation points and a lot more capital letters to try and make it out to something that (its) not.

In May, LaRose announced this expanded effort to remove non-citizens from the voting rolls, noting then that the Secretary of States Public Integrity Division and Office of Data Analytics and Archives identified 137 possible non-citizen voters through records from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. In his announcement, as TPM reported, he failed to mention that these possible discrepancies are less than 0.002 percent of the total number of registered voters.

This actually shows that there are already systems in place to identify and remove any ineligible voters who happen to make their way onto the roll for whatever reason, Jonathan Diaz, director of voting advocacy and partnerships at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center, previously told TPM.

 Khaya Himmelman

Experts Warn of Possible Ballot Drop Box Intimidation

Last month, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which holds a liberal majority, reinstated the use of ballot drop boxes for absentee ballots  a decision that expands the franchise but brings with it concern of increased vigilante activity around drop boxes.

Ballot drop boxes have been the source of many of the election conspiracy theories that came out of the 2020 election. This was in large part due to the 2020 election conspiracy film 2,000 Mules, that purported to have evidence proving that paid professional operatives delivered fraudulent ballots to mail-in drop boxes. The conservative media company behind the film recently apologized for the movie and said it would halt distribution of it and remove it, and the book, from its platforms.

But, now as we get closer to November, election conspiracy theorists are gearing up to monitor ballot drop boxes. The new rules governing their use and potential difficulties enforcing the rules around them may create an opening for election conspiracy theorists to monitor them and intimidate voters in the process, according to reporting from Votebeat Wisconsin.

And some are already starting to make plans to monitor drop boxes on social media. Votebeat Wisconsin highlighted a Telegram user who wrote: Sit by those boxes like flies on shit.

Of particular concern leading up to the election is not just about actual violence, but also the intimidation factor of people patrolling polling sites and ballot drop boxes, which could have the effect of disenfranchising voters, Wendy Via, president and co-founder of The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, explained in an interview with TPM.

I would be looking as much at the intimidation, as I would the potential violence, she said.

Wendy noted too that her organization is particularly focused on the activities of groups like the constitutional sheriffs, Proud Boys, and Patriot Front.

 Khaya Himmelman

Words Of Wisdom

Trump did crap the bed today. The only question is if hes going to roll around in it or change the sheets.

Thats longtime Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) advisor Scott Jennings reaction to Trumps extreme and racist remarks at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago.

During the hostile interview  which began with Trump attacking ABC News Rachel Scott in order to avoid answering a question about whether Black voters could trust him  the former president said he would pardon the Jan. 6 rioters who assaulted police officers and reiterated his baseless claim that millions of people are crossing the border and taking Black jobs.

But the worst one of all (and the one that I imagine led Jennings to say Trump crapped the bed): [Kamala Harris] was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black?

I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, Trump added. Because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and she went  she became a Black person.

It would be smart for his campaign advisers to remind him of the existence of more than 33 million biracial Americans in this country. Changing the sheets might be harder after this than Republicans hope.

 Emine Yucel
(Bloomberg) -- Venezuelas opposition leader Maria Corina Machado emerged from hiding on Saturday to lead a rally in Caracas, defying the governments threat to imprison her.

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It was the first time she appeared in public since Tuesday, amid demonstrations around the nation protesting what opposition leaders  as well as the US and many other nations  say was President Nicolas Maduros theft of the July 28 election.

Machado, who was prevented from running herself, said on Thursday she had gone into hiding for fear of her life, following comments from Maduro that she and her stand-in candidate Edmundo Gonzalez should be behind bars.

Its been six days of brutal repression, of attempts to silence, frighten or paralyze us, Machado told supporters at the rally. The presence of each one of you here shows the world the magnitude of strength and what it means that we will go until the end.

Machado joined an opposition politicians caravan as it arrived in the Las Mercedes neighborhood, in east Caracas, where hundreds of supporters gathered with their flags. Gonzalez didnt join her.

Concerns ran high that Machado would be arrested if she appeared in public as tensions rise around the country. On Friday, Maduro alleged that the opposition was planning an attack with grenades less than two miles away from the planned protest site.

Meantime, hundreds of people on motorbikes crowded Caracass main highway that runs to the center of the city in support of Maduro, according to images on state television. Motorists from the Petare area, a low-income area, crossed the highway, saying they would defend Maduros government against what they said was fraud by the opposition.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who earlier recognized Gonzalez as the winner, spoke with him and Machado. He expressed concern for the two leaders safety and applauded the Venezuelan people for their dedication to democracy in the face of significant challenges.

Detailed election results provided by the opposition showed its candidate took almost 70% of the vote, nearly twice Maduros share. Maduro has claimed 51% of the vote, the government-controlled election authority said.

Colombias electoral observers said late Saturday that an analysis based on Venezuelas electoral boards second report and the oppositions database shows Gonzalez as the winner. The group called on the government to hold a thorough audit of the votes.

(Adds comment from Colombias electoral observers in final paragraph.)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Native Vote 2024. The torch has been passed to a new generation within Democratic National Party as Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, secured the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday. The leadership change came as the result of President Joe Biden, 81, withdrawing his name from consideration on Sunday, July 21, 2024.

The announcement was made by Democratic National Committee Chair Jaimie Harris on Friday afternoon on virtual call after a virtual vote was taken before the partys convention later this month in Chicago.

Vice President Harris joined the call and said she will officially accept your nomination next week, once the virtual campaign is closed. But already, Im happy to know that we have enough delegates to secure the nomination.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

Harris added the Democratic Party is united and it she will celebrate the historic moment with the partys delegates in Chicago.

According to party rules, a candidate needs the support of more than 1,976 delegates to earn the nomination. Harris received unanimous support from California, her home state.

As a daughter of California, I am proud that my home states delegation helped put our campaign over the top, Harris said.

Born in Oakland, California to an Asian Indian mother and a Black Jamaican father. Her parents met when they were civil rights activists. Harris said they would take her to civil rights rallies in a stroller when she was a toddler.

Harris was elected in 2004 as the district attorney of San Francisco She also established the offices environmental justice unit and created a ground-breaking program to provide first-time drug offenders with the opportunity to earn a high school degree and find employment, which the U.S. Department of Justice designated as a national model of innovation for law enforcement. And years earlier, in 1990, she joined the Alameda County District Attorneys Office where she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases.

Harris previously served as Californias Attorney General from 2011 to 2017, and as U.S. Senator from 2017 to 2021. Pundits named several former state attorneys general, now governors of key swing states, as potential running mate choices.

Harris, a former prosecutor, will face the Republican Partys nominee former President Donald J. Trump, who was convicted of 34 criminal charges in New York in June.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
Vietnam's President To Lam (R) receives Russia's President Putin (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace. -/Kremlin/dpa

Vietnamese President To Lam was elected as the new leader of the Communist Party (CPV), the nation's top position, on Saturday, a statement from the party said.

Lam took over the position the day before the death of former leader Nguyen Phu Trong on July 19.

Lam will remain in this position until the next National Congress in January 2026, when the CPV will elect the nations leaders for the next five years, the party said in a statement posted in state media.

Lam was named president by the National Assembly in May, becoming the third president in Vietnam in less than 18 months.

Vietnam is officially led by four "pillars": the general secretary, the president, the prime minister and the chairman of the National Assembly. Lam will hold two of these posts in the interim.

Trong, who helmed the party for 13 years, died last month aged 80 after suffering from ill health. Tens of thousands gathered on the streets of Hanoi to pay their respects to Trong during a funeral procession.

Lam has been seen as a hardliner when it comes to dealings with the Vietnamese democracy movement. Many activists, dissidents, and bloggers were jailed during his time as minister of public security.

He was handed the public security portfolio in 2016. One year after his appointment, Vietnam's security agency allegedly kidnapped a Vietnamese businessman in Germany and brought him to Vietnam.

The incident severely damaged diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam, and led the German government to suspend its strategic partnership with Vietnam.
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY)  Virginia Peninsula Community College is introducing a new program to train electricians.

The school is partnering with Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake (IECC) to offer a four-year apprenticeship program that will lead to an accredited journey workers license for electricians.

Apprentices will work full-time and attend classes two nights a week to complete the 8,000 hours of on-the-job and classroom training required for the license.

Upon completion of the program, students will earn credentials recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor.

VPCC is truly excited to partner with Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake to support electrical apprenticeships on the Virginia Peninsula, said Todd Estes, vice president for Workforce Development and Innovation at the College. We have no doubt this effort will benefit our community by creating clear pathways for those seeking exciting careers and benefit local employer partners by providing the support they need to develop their future workforce.

The program, set to begin in late 2024 or early 2025, is supported by a federal grant the Hampton Roads Workforce Council received from the Department of Labor.

An open house is planned for Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center, 600 Butler Farm Rd. in Hampton.

To learn more about the program visit www.vpcc.edu.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC)  A study by researchers at Virginia Tech has found that the virus that causes COVID-19 is widespread among wildlife, creating the possibility of dangerous new mutations.

The virus, SARS-CoV-2 was found in six common backyard species and antibodies indicating previous exposure were found in five species, with rates of exposure ranging from 40 to 60% depending on the species, according to the university.

A spokesperson said the study further supports that SARS-CoV-2 has been transmitted from humans to animals.

The highest exposure to SARS CoV-2 was found in animals near hiking trails and public areas that were highly used by humans, which suggests that the virus passed from humans to wildlife, according to Virginia Tech scientists.

Can you still get COVID tests for free?

The findings highlight the identification of novel mutations in SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife and the need for broad surveillance. These mutations could be more harmful and transmissible, creating challenges for vaccine development, a spokesperson said.

Despite this, scientists said they did not find evidence of the virus being transmitted from animals to humans.

Through the study, researchers tested animals from 23 common species in Virginia for active infections and antibodies that indicate previous infections.

Signs of the virus were found in raccoons, deer mice, groundhogs, Eastern cottontail rabbits, Virginia opossums and Eastern red bats. The virus in one opossum showed viral mutations that were previously unreported and can potentially help scientists learn more about how the virus affect humans and their immune response.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Ruth Barrens and Judy Gallizzi are veterans in the business of voter registration, eager to chase passersby and ask if theyd like to join Floridas voter rolls. The pair have long volunteered with the St. Petersburg chapter of the League of Women Voters.

But their work for the Leagues trademark voter registration drives, a mainstay in election-season Florida, looks different this year. The group no longer helps new voters fill out registration forms, opting instead for QR codes that link to the states online registration form.

Thats due to an omnibus elections bill, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year, that imposed strict rules and high fines on voter registration organizations like the League.

Backers say the bill promotes election integrity. But local groups say they feel limited and have registered far fewer voters this year compared with four years ago. They say the law discriminates against Black and Hispanic potential voters.

Registering and voting arent peoples entire lives, said Barrens. Its not always peoples top priority, and this just makes it harder.

New rules, high fines

Barrens and Gallizzi set up a table in the shade outside Thomas Jet Jackson Recreation Center in July. They organized flyers and pamphlets with information on voting by mail, ballot amendments and local candidates.

Gallizzi unfurled a roll of stickers with QR codes that link to the states online registration website, and Barrens straightened a stack of postage-paid envelopes addressed to the county elections office.

Barrens said the League had to get creative to comply with the elections bill, S.B. 7050, that passed the Republican-controlled legislature last year.

The bill barred people with certain felony convictions from registering voters, shortened the window to submit completed applications, banned pre-filled applications, required that groups re-register with the state each election cycle and mandated that groups provide a receipt for each completed application, among other changes.

Legislators added criminal penalties for breaking certain rules and raised the maximum annual fines from $50,000 to $250,000.

The law also prohibited noncitizens from registering voters, though a federal judge in May blocked that part of the measure after third-party groups sued the state.

Why are we making it harder for people to vote? said Maryellen Gordon, co-chair of the voter services committee for the League of Women Voters St. Petersburg chapter. Were not saying it should be a free-for-all, but there should not be barriers to that process. It should be easy.

The legislature has for years backed measures cracking down on third-party voter registration organizations, sometimes referred to as 3PVROs, in hopes of combatting election fraud.

State officials say the groups can abuse the registration process by submitting applications with fake names or addresses, or by mining applicants personal information. Several states have passed laws similar to Floridas in recent years, including Alabama, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee.

Secretary of State Cord Byrd, a close ally of DeSantis, wrote in an April statement to a federal district court: Third-party voter registration organizations behave badly.

Byrd cited more than 300 recent allegations of misconduct against the groups, ranging from forged signatures to late applications. Neither Byrd nor DeSantis, who signed the bill last May, responded to requests for comment.

The states Office of Election Crimes and Security said it received more than 50 civil complaints from supervisors of elections about late applications from third-party groups, according to its 2023 annual report.

The trouble with 3PVROs is not new, the report said. Issues like this have plagued the state for years.

But voter registration groups say intentional abuses are rare.

The entire premise for this voter suppression bill is under the fearmongering of fraud, said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, founder of the voter registration organization People Power for Florida. Its one of the most extreme and bureaucratic policies that weve seen.

Fearing lofty fines, many groups now rely on Floridas online application instead of directly registering people on paper. Groups like the League of Women Voters Florida no longer submit applications on behalf of voters and instead hand out pre-paid envelopes addressed to county elections offices.

Its a matter of convenience, said Christian Hotchkiss, president of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County. Hotchkiss said the group, which targets LGBTQ+ and young people, has been hands off this year and has registered fewer voters compared with past election years.

If somebody is asking if you want to be registered to vote, you expect them to help you, he said. When we cant do that, it creates a barrier.

Gordon said the changes are seismic.

Online applications are not accessible to all potential voters, she said. Unlike paper applications, the electronic form requires two kinds of identification  a Florida drivers license or ID card and a Social Security number. Young or unhoused people may not have both, Gordon said. Other new voters, like seniors, may feel uncomfortable sharing their information online.

It scares people, she said. A whole subset of people now have fewer options to register.

Uneven impact

Third-party groups in Florida have registered far fewer voters this election compared with past years.

In 2020, the groups signed up more than 59,800 new voters, according to the Florida Division of Elections. That number dropped to 5,800 in 2023. Halfway through this year, third-party groups have registered 7,000 people.

The trend is much the same locally. In June of 2020, voter registration groups in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties sent more than 320 registration applications to the state. This year in June, groups in those counties submitted just twelve applications.

The impact of lower registration falls unevenly, according to research by Daniel A. Smith, a political scientist at the University of Florida. Smith in 2021 filed an expert report for a lawsuit challenging a separate Florida elections law.

Black and Hispanic people in Florida are five times more likely to rely on third-party groups when registering to vote than white individuals, Smith found. Restrictions on the groups decrease the opportunities of thousands of individuals to register to vote every year, he wrote, with the burden falling on people of color.

Esther Matthews, president of the St. Petersburg chapter of the NAACP, said the law makes potential voters question if their vote will count, or if they even have the ability to vote.

The clear intent is to limit non-traditional voters from voting, she said. Its an intentional way to discriminate.

Some local groups are working to educate community members about the changes. Matthews said the NAACP in St. Petersburg will host events to help potential voters navigate the legislation. Common Cause Florida, a civic organization, created a tip sheet.

These are penalties for community mobilization and helping people engage in the democratic process, said Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida. Its intimidating.
FREEPORT, Fla. (WMBB)  The Walton County School District got ready for the new school year in an EPIC way.

Hundreds of teachers and support staff filled Freeport High School for the 7th annual epic day.

We ranked number three in the state of Florida, said Superintendent A. Russell Hughes to a packed auditorium. For the third consecutive year. Give it up for yourself, thats proof.

The pre-planning day brings motivational speakers and announcements to get the district on the same page.

You will experience and you understand that when we say EPIC, we mean it. We have high expectations in Walton County and we take no excuses. None, Hughes said.

E.P.I.C. is the district motto, which stands for excellence, professional, innovative, and collaborative.

With 10 days before students arrive, the school district said they still need staff for this year.

Multiple teaching positions are open in four schools and more than a dozen support staff jobs are available.

We need bus driver trainees, we need bus drivers, we need bus aides. We need instructional and not instructional aides. We need maintenance workers, said Candy Bodie, director of human resources. So we have a variety of needs there. But we are going to be ready to start school even with these positions not filled right now.

The district said they had some longtime educators retire in the 2023-24 school year making more positions available. They also added new positions to keep up with the growing population of Walton County.

Were a growing district, quickly growing district, said Bodie. So we are always creating new positions to meet the needs of our students. So its a combination of replacing those that left for different reasons and also filling new positions that have been allocated.

All but two schools in the district received an A rating for the 23-24 school year.

School Grade Paxton School A Mossy Head School A West DeFuniak Elementary A Maude Saunders Elementary C Walton Middle School B Walton High School A Freeport High School A Freeport Middle School A Freeport Elementary A South Walton High School A Dune Lakes Elementary A Emerald Coast Middle School A Van R. Butler Elementary A Magnet Innovation Center A

Hughes said they aim to have all 14 schools with an A standard after the next 180 school days.

Theyre selling houses because of schools. Because of you. Businesses are coming here. I was in a meeting yesterday and they said businesses are flocking here because of you, Hughes said.

Staff will be on campus starting Monday, August 5 for pre-planning days. Classes for students begin on Aug. 12.

Learn more about open positions with the district online.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
They want school choice: Tennessee primary seen as a pro-voucher mandate from voters

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Thursday nights primary elections are being seen as a win for school voucher advocates.

AFP Action, an arm of the pro-voucher Americans for Prosperity School, said 10 of the 13 candidates they supported in Statehouse elections won their primary races.

Tori Venable, Senior Advisor for AFP Action, described the election as a sign voters support Governor Bill Lees school voucher program.

RESULTS | Tennessee State and Federal Election Results: August 1, 2024

The primary election was a mandate from voters that they want school choice, they want more educational freedom, Venable said.

However, Venable said she wouldve liked to see more pro-voucher candidates win their primary. It makes the policy majority razor-thin, I think with just a 51, which is enough to pass, she said.

She acknowledged that factors beyond vouchers influenced the races they lost, including a high-profile endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

In one notable race, Senate Education Chairman Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) lost to Bobby Harshbarger, who received Trumps endorsement.

Trump criticizes Gov. Lee, calls him a RINO after primary elections

However, AFP Action is optimistic about advancing the school voucher agenda in the upcoming legislative session.

We are in a prime position to make sure that we have a universal school choice that will apply to, you know, 80% of the families across the state from the outset, Venable stated.

Venable said, unlike the last session when there were multiple versions of a universal school voucher bill, they are ready with one piece of legislation they believe can make it past the finish line and onto Lees desk for his signature.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Want to vacation like a billionaire? Here's how much it costs to charter a superyacht

Chartering a superyacht is a more cost-effective way to experience the high seas than buying one.

But it's far from cheap. Renting a yacht for that luxury experience can cost millions a week.

Here's how much it costs to charter a superyacht and what you have to do to make it happen.

Superyachts are one of the most expensive items money can buy. Costing as much as nine figures to purchase  plus millions a year to maintain  they can also be considered one of the worst investments you can make.

If you're not like Mark Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos and don't have hundreds of millions to spare, chartering a superyacht  any boat over 30 meters  can be a more economical option. But it is far from cheap. Renting, in layman's terms, a yacht for a week in the summer can cost upward of $1 million.

"Our charter clients are looking for a 6-star experience perfectly tailored to them," Katie Schneidman, a charter broker at brokerage Burgess, told Business Insider over email.

Take the Carinthia VII, a 97-meter yacht for charter from Fraser Yachts that costs more than $1.5 million a week to charter. Even split evenly among 12 guests, the most she can hold, that's about $18,000 per person per day.

You get a lot for your money: A glass-paneled swimming pool, a spa complete with Turkish baths and a beauty salon, plenty of water toys, and a crew of 33 ready to meet any of your needs.

Carinthia VII's amenities include a spa, a pool, water toys, and more. Courtesy of Fraser

"It's not uncommon to look for a deckhand who can also mix a martini, play an instrument, maybe entertain the guests with singing, and ideally even give a massage," Anders Kurten, the CEO of Fraser Yachts, told Business Insider during the Palm Beach Yacht Show in March.

But there are a number of costs that aren't accounted for in that price.

Provisioning a charter yacht can run as much as 40% of the charter fee, Schneidman said. Fraser Yachts estimates the total is closer to 30%.

That means food, drink, and fuel for the Carinthia VII could cost as much as $600,000. Just a few years ago, provisioning ran about 20% of a charter's cost, an agent at Palm Beach Yacht Show told BI, but fuel costs have made it more expensive than ever to get caviar to the middle of the Med.

Each yacht is provisioned with your choice of food, drinks, and menu preferences. Courtesy of Fraser

The industry standard for tipping runs another 7% to 20%, Fraser said, which would be between $105,000 and $300,000 for the Carinthia VII. Then there's the VAT, which depending on where you sail, can add another 20%, or $300,000, to the total cost.

Altogether, a week on the Carinthia VII can total $2.7 million  or just over $32,000 per person per day.

After spending over $2 million on your charter, it's still common practice to tip the crew. Courtesy of Fraser

The full fee is due before setting sail, but it can be paid in two or three installments.

Once the charter is booked, the luxury experience begins right away. Clients will set an itinerary with the captain  the Carinthia VII sails in Greece and the Western Mediterranean  and the crew will stock the yacht with your choice of wine and spirits, as well as whatever food you want your on-staff private chef to cook.

But there is one thing which even the most experienced staff can't control.

"It is important to note yacht itineraries are at the mercy of weather," Schneidman said. And yes, you still have to pay  even if you don't leave the port.

But there are upsides, she said. "This can also lead to a happy surprise  a detour to Naples to escape a big swell outside of Positano can lead to finding an incredible Napolean pizza spot that becomes a trip favorite!"

Read the original article on Business Insider
Warren Police Department Patrol Officer Krystal Legendre, 35, of Warren, who was severely injured in the line of duty on April 22, has recovered and returned to work Friday, months ahead of schedule.

Legendre is one of several officers in metro Detroit that has been severely injured or killed in the line of duty in recent months, her injuries preceding the deaths of two other officers who were fatally shot this summer.

According to the Warren Police Department, on April 22, Legendre and several other officers responded to a large fight at Lincoln High School. While officers were arresting an adult male, a juvenile female jumped into the arrest scene and began to assault Legendre, striking her in the back of the head and causing her to fall to the ground.

Warren Patrol Officer Krystal Legendre, 35, of Warren, stands at the Warren Police Department Headquarters on Aug. 2, 2024, following recovery from a spinal injury suffered in the line of duty.

Legendre was rushed to an area hospital while the suspects were placed under arrest. Ultimately, 18-year-old Danasia Kennedy-Johnson, of Eastpointe, 18-year-old Xavier Jones, of Warren, and a 17-year-old juvenile female from Eastpointe were charged with several felonies for their role in this incident, Warren police said. All three cases are still pending in the Macomb County Circuit Court.

'Integrity, love': Melvindale Cpl. Mohamed Said laid to rest Friday

Having suffered a concussion and a bulging cervical disc in her neck from the attack, Legendre was hospitalized for two weeks and had to undergo spinal surgery to replace the disc in her spine. Unable to walk or lift even small items, her doctors estimated it would take her at least six months before she would return to full strength and be able to return to work, but Legendre had a different plan.

"Day one of a surgery, I was asking my surgeon 'What's the soonest I can return to work?' " she said. "I just had one goal in mind: I am coming back to the job I love to do. ... I dedicated everything I could week after week to make sure that I could be here today."

Legendre spent six weeks in a cervical collar, relearning how to perform simple tasks, then had two months of physical therapy, several times a week, to rebuild her strength.

After several medical evaluations, Legendre was medically cleared to return to work on Friday, months ahead of what she and the department had originally anticipated, Warren police said.

She said a day didn't go by that someone, whether it be a family member, friend or another officer, came to check up on her, and that she owes her quick recovery to them.

"I can't thank (my doctors) enough ... and my department and my support system, because honestly, if I didn't have any of that, I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't be returning probably as soon as I have," Legendre said.

The attack on Legendre came just months before two officers in metro Detroit were killed in the line of duty. On June 22, 30-year-old Oakland County Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Reckling was killed during an ambush while following a stolen vehicle, leaving behind three young children and a pregnant wife. On July 21, 23-year-old Melvindale police officer Mohamed Said was shot and killed after serving just 14 months. In Hillsdale County, Deputy Sheriff William Butler Jr. died in Hillsdale in the line of duty on June 27.

More: First responders mourn Oakland deputy shot in Detroit a day after Hillsdale deputy killed

"We are a family across the nation, especially here in Michigan. ... Unfortunately, the recent line of duty deaths didn't just hit me as just another death; it hit me a little personally because I could have been killed," said Legendre. "You get rushed to a hospital and you don't know what's going on other than your body is numb. It's really hard."

"The senseless attacks, they're probably not going to stop. ... There's a bad apple in every profession, but we're not all the same," she continued. "If I go home at the end of my day, and I haven't done anything other than just talk to my community, that's actually a perfect day. I would love it. And I wish every officer can be that way."

"I know the public doesn't always have the best idea of us. But my goal is: I come out here and try to change every mind that I can on a daily basis," Legendre said. "If later on in life (her attackers) are asking for help, I'll be right there to help. There's no reason I should stop helping people. It's what I chose as a calling to do."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Warren police officer returns after severe line-of-duty spinal injury
Warren Police Department Patrol Officer Krystal Legendre, who was severely injured in the line of duty on April 22, has recovered and returned to work Friday, months ahead of schedule.

Legendre, 35, of Warren, is one of several officers in metro Detroit who have been severely injured or killed in the line of duty in recent months. Three Michigan police officers were fatally shot this summer, including two in metro Detroit.

According to the Warren Police Department, on April 22, Legendre and several other officers responded to a large fight at Lincoln High School. While officers were arresting an adult male, a juvenile female jumped into the arrest scene and began to assault Legendre, striking her in the back of the head and causing her to fall to the ground.

Warren Patrol Officer Krystal Legendre, 35, of Warren, stands at the Warren Police Department Headquarters on Aug. 2, 2024, following recovery from a spinal injury suffered in the line of duty.

Legendre was rushed to an area hospital while the suspects were placed under arrest. Ultimately, 18-year-old Danasia Kennedy-Johnson, of Eastpointe, 18-year-old Xavier Jones, of Warren, and a 17-year-old juvenile female from Eastpointe were charged with several felonies for their role in this incident, Warren police said. All three cases are still pending in the Macomb County Circuit Court.

'Integrity, love': Melvindale Cpl. Mohamed Said laid to rest Friday

Having suffered a concussion and a bulging cervical disc in her neck from the attack, Legendre was hospitalized for two weeks and had to undergo spinal surgery to replace the disc in her spine. Unable to walk or lift even small items, her doctors estimated it would take her at least six months before she would return to full strength and be able to return to work, but Legendre had a different plan.

"Day one of a surgery, I was asking my surgeon 'What's the soonest I can return to work?' " she said. "I just had one goal in mind: I am coming back to the job I love to do. ... I dedicated everything I could week after week to make sure that I could be here today."

Legendre spent six weeks in a cervical collar, relearning how to perform simple tasks, then had two months of physical therapy, several times a week, to rebuild her strength.

After several medical evaluations, Legendre was medically cleared to return to work on Friday, months ahead of what she and the department had originally anticipated, Warren police said.

She said a day didn't go by that someone, whether it be a family member, friend or another officer, came to check up on her, and that she owes her quick recovery to them.

"I can't thank (my doctors) enough ... and my department and my support system, because honestly, if I didn't have any of that, I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't be returning probably as soon as I have," Legendre said.

The attack on Legendre came just months before two officers in metro Detroit were killed in the line of duty. On June 22, 30-year-old Oakland County Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Reckling was killed during an ambush while following a stolen vehicle, leaving behind three young children and a pregnant wife. On July 21, 23-year-old Melvindale police officer Mohamed Said was shot and killed after serving just 14 months. In Hillsdale County, Deputy Sheriff William Butler Jr. died in Hillsdale in the line of duty on June 27.

More: First responders mourn Oakland deputy shot in Detroit a day after Hillsdale deputy killed

"We are a family across the nation, especially here in Michigan. ... Unfortunately, the recent line of duty deaths didn't just hit me as just another death; it hit me a little personally because I could have been killed," said Legendre. "You get rushed to a hospital and you don't know what's going on other than your body is numb. It's really hard."

"The senseless attacks, they're probably not going to stop. ... There's a bad apple in every profession, but we're not all the same," she continued. "If I go home at the end of my day, and I haven't done anything other than just talk to my community, that's actually a perfect day. I would love it. And I wish every officer can be that way."

"I know the public doesn't always have the best idea of us. But my goal is: I come out here and try to change every mind that I can on a daily basis," Legendre said. "If later on in life (her attackers) are asking for help, I'll be right there to help. There's no reason I should stop helping people. It's what I chose as a calling to do."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Warren police officer returns after severe line-of-duty spinal injury
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is partnering with five other states in a federal lawsuit against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals  alleging the company inflated Medicaid prices for a critical eye medication.

Attorney General Fergusons office announced the partnership on Friday, claiming the New York-based company increased the price it charged Medicaid for Eylea, which ended up costing state Medicaid programs millions of dollars for the medication.

Were fighting corporate greed in order to protect public health care dollars and improve the affordability of medications, Ferguson said. This is how we protect Medicaid dollars that allow us to provide access to health care for nearly two million Washingtonians, including children and the most vulnerable.

Oregon coast state park reopening includes a noticeable change

Between 2013 and 2023, Medicaid programs in Washington, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan collectively spent more than $175 million on Eylea, an FDA-approved medication made by Regeneron to treat macular degeneration and other eye conditions, Fergusons office said.

To determine the reimbursement rate for each claim submitted for Eylea, the states Medicaid programs used the Average Sales Price reported by Regeneron to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The lawsuit alleges that Regeneron was required to include all price concessions for Eylea as part of its ASP reporting, but knowingly excluded credit card processing fees that Regeneron paid its distributors to allow them to charge customers a lower drug price.

Metro Chamber responds to Trumps destroyed Portland claim during NABJ conference

The states claim Regeneron paid the credit card fees so doctors who purchased Eylea could use credit cards at no additional cost and receive hundreds of millions of dollars in cash back rewards and other credit card benefits.

The states seek monetary damages and penalties under state false claims acts and other state laws.

Fergusons office noted the Washington State Medicaid Fraud Control Division received 75% of its funding from a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant totaling more than $9 million in the fiscal year 2024. The remaining 25% totaling over $3 million was funded by state Medicaid fraud recoveries.

KOIN 6 News reached out to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A tropical wave will emerge into the Gulf of Mexico later today, and the system is expected to drop 6 to 8 inches across Southwest Florida between now and Wednesday.

Winds could reach tropical storm force in coastal Lee and Collier counties, according to National Weather Service forecasts.

"The hurricane hunters will be flying two planes around it, and they'll get good data from that," said Rodney Wynn, with NWS in Ruskin, which covers the Fort Myers-Lee County area. "We're definitely going to get rain starting (tonight) as the system moves up the eastern Gulf waters."

The National Hurricane Center listed the system as Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 Friday, which is the designation given to a system before it turns into a tropical depression. Later, it developed into a tropical depression.

This system is expected to turn into Tropical Storm Debby and make landfall between Tampa and the Big Bend.

Local governments began issuing notices about the system Friday.

8 AM 08032024 CYCLONE CONE

"The City of Bonita Springs, along with Lee County Emergency Management, is monitoring the tropics and is in communication with state and federal partners at the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and the National Hurricane Center," a press release from the city reads. "The activity in the tropics is a good reminder for residents to be prepared for the height of hurricane season, which is upon us."

Regardless of where exactly the storm tracks, Southwest Florida will get plenty of rainfall as it will be on the eastern side of the system.

"We're forecasting for Fort Myers and along the coast 6 to 8 inches of rain," Wynn said. "And 4 to 6 inches inland with locally heavier amounts possible. That's over the next five days. That's through Wednesday."

Tropical storm force winds possible for coastal Lee, Collier

The region may experience tropical storm force winds, which start at 39 miles per hour.

"There's a possibility of some windy conditions," Wynn said. "Outside of thunderstorms, we'll see gusty winds. We could see 30 to 40 miles per hour, depending on how close it comes. We could also see some coastal flooding and isolated tornadoes."

More: Will sargassum wreak havoc on SWFL beaches this summer?

Some lingering tropical bands will likely work their way through the region Sunday.

"Generally, we're looking at low-grade tropical storm winds, but that's highly dependent on the track," said Cameron Pine, a meteorologist with the NWS in Miami, which covers the Naples-Collier County area. "On the right side of the cone will increase impacts but the cone isn't important at this point because it's a weaker tropical storm and generally the brunt of the action will be on the east side of the system. So the impacts remain the same."

Army Corps says Lake Okeechobee can take tropical storm rains

Coastal flooding of 1 to three feet is also possible today, Pine said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is monitoring the storm as well, mostly to see how it will impact Lake Okeechobee.

The lake is currently at 13.7 feet above sea level.

More: Florida asks feds to let more than 1,000 permits slide after judge rules process illegal

Savannah Lacy, hydraulic engineer for the Jacksonville office, said the Corps is expecting up to 7 inches of rain over Lake Okeechobee and 5 inches of rain over the Kissimmee River and chain of lakes, which drain into Okeechobee.

Lacy said: "We dont anticipate having to increase our releases out of lake Okeechobee right now. We feel like were in a good spot to accept this storm and feel like were in a good position."

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: TS Debby expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico, dump a lot of rain
It sure doesnt take America long to attack females in positions of power with cheap insults.

Just hours after President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the presidential race and throwing his support toward Vice President Kamala Harris, the internet went wild with the attacks.

The idea that Harris isnt eligible for the presidency because her parents were immigrants spread like wildfire among conservative pundits. Ive heard from many who have said Harris, who is biracial, wasnt born here. Note: Harris was born in Oakland, California. She is eligible to be president.

Ive read some who say Harris isnt qualified because shes never had children. I guess it doesnt matter why she doesnt have kids (perhaps it wasnt even a choice but biology) or that shes been a stepparent to two children since 2014. After all, when is having a child a prerequisite for the presidency? Name me one president who has given birth (Ill wait). Not to mention, if Harris did have kids of her own, wed be hearing she shouldnt be president because it would take time away from her kids and make her a bad mother. Women never win.

Some love to call her a derogatory name that rhymes with Joe because shes female. Somehow people love to imply that Harris slept her way to the top. OK  seems like a cheap, childish way to criticize a candidate, but I suppose thats how many in America view women in positions of power and why is this even surprising? Funny how the male candidate with children from three different women doesnt get this kind of treatment.

Remember when we had a handful of strong women who were fighting it out in the primaries for the 2020 presidential election? America just couldnt help themselves with the weird attacks.

When Kirsten Gillibrand, a senator from New York, tried her hand in the presidential race, she was mocked because of how she ate fried chicken.

Many said Sen. Elizabeth Warren wasnt qualified because she is only like 1 percent Native American.

Remember the Amy Klobuchar debacle when she announced her candidacy? The senior senator from Minnesota was attacked because she is tough on staff. Imagine being a strong leader and wanting things done right and then being told thats a bad quality. Doubtful wed hear that argument if it was a man.

People didnt like Rep. Tulsi Gabbard because at the time, she want a household name. She cant be any good if Ive never heard of her, right? That was the consensus.

The way we judge female candidates sure is interesting. Theyre too harsh, not harsh enough, too emotional, not emotional enough, too smart, too articulate, too whatever.

We ask, Are they likeable?

Well find one thing we dont like and well say, But shes a flawed candidate. Or my favorite, I just dont like her.

What if  and hear me out  instead of judging women on their hairstyle or how they dress, if theyre a mom or not, or what they eat for lunch, we judge candidates on their record? What if we judge them on their policy stances, how they communicate their vision for America, and why they voted the way they did on certain issues.

Whether you like Kamala Harris or not, when you take cheap shots about a female candidate (or any candidate for that matter) it makes you look like a child. Judge her on her policy stances, her long list of accomplishments and her vision for moving the country forward. Judge her on facts.

Judge her the same way youd judge a male candidate.

Rachel Brougham is the former assistant editor of the Petoskey News-Review. You can email her at racheldbrougham@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Judge a female candidate the way you'd judge a male candidate
Image: https://www.secretservice.gov/careers

Its not a great time to be a woman.

Weve lost fundamental rights we had for more than 50 years.

If we do get a plum job, we risk the ire of know-nothings who think we only got it because of DEI which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. DEI enjoyed a brief moment in the spotlight but no more. The folks who have never had to fret about stacked decks, discriminatory hiring and, well, racism, have roared loud enough to kill the notion of a program attempting to level the playing field.

The latest screechy opposition to DEI comes from, predictably, right wing folk who are outragedOUTRAGED, I TELL YOUbecause they believe the women agents charged with helping protect Trump at the Pennsylvania rally were most likely DEI hires.

When people like that say DEI its with the same curled lip normally reserved for phrases like child molester or self check-out.

The internet blew up when it realized there were women Secret Service agents on the former presidents security detail. The women were blasted from all sides, maligned for being not tall enough or big enough to adequately protect Trump. Just another bunch of DEI hires, commenters harrumphed, stopping just short of the old and never-was-funny Womencant live with em, cant shoot em.

The pile-on was swift. The Secret Service should only hire men to work a security detail. No more DEI hires coming in there with their lady parts, acting all shorter than 6 feet tall.

I literally looked at my calendar to verify it wasnt 1956. Alas, it was not. Meghan McCain (formerly of The View) railed about the idiocy of hiring women because of their tiny size. As ever, we can be our own worst enemies.

Elon Musk called for the female head of the Secret Service to be fired. And then make him a nice casserole, Im guessing.

Ive watched, and rewatched, footage of the Secret Service agents shielding Trump and I dont see an appreciable difference between the actions of the men and women. All worked to get Trump off the stage and into a car.

Yes, it is true the Secret Service has committed to bring women agents up to 30 percent of the force by 2030. But lets reflect for a sec on why that initiative was announced to begin with.

Gather round, chirren, while we go back in time to 2012, the year when 10 agentsALL MALEwere fired for bringing prostitutes back to their hotel rooms in Colombia during Obamas visit.

A year later, two Secret Service supervisors, BOTH MALE, were fired for sending sexually explicit emails and physically harassing a female subordinate. Because whats a dumb old girl doing in that mans job anyway?

A few years later, two high-ranking MALE Secret Service agents showed up at a bomb threat at the White House so hammered they drove their government car through a barricade, narrowly missing the package containing the suspected bomb. Hey, it was a work thing at a bar in Chinatown. Boys will be boys.

And lets not forget the Secret Service agent assigned to the White House in 2015 who could barely keep his mind on protecting the president because he was on his phone texting a 14-year-old girl. Well, actually he was caught in a child sex sting. Turns out the 14-year-old was really a female law enforcement agent. I guess girl cops are good for something, as it turns out.

Its no surprise theres pushback when women show up in numbers to join a profession that has been predominantly male. Whats not acceptable is the casual willingness to disrespect these women when history has shown none of them has jeopardized national security via prostitute. Or any of the rest of it. Nope. Thats all on the boys.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Artificial intelligence (AI) has made its way into several parts of our lives: from the classroom to the workplace. Now, it is helping doctors detect cancer and other health conditions.

Ezra, a New York City-based health technology startup, created the technology that screens for cancer in up to 13 organs in one hour.

We have created a new way to screen for cancer everywhere on the body using a full body MRI, powered by AI. Emi Gal, Ezra Founder and CEO

It uses three different AI systems. Ezra Founder and CEO Emi Gal said one of them helps enhance the quality of the scans.

Ezras screening technology can also scan for 500 other health conditions. (Photo: Ezra)

Once the scan is done, we have an AI called Ezra Assist that assists radiologists when they read scans so that the radiologists are faster, said Gal. Then we have an AI that is called Ezra Reporter that takes any radiology report and converts it into plain English.

Most requested cities

The scan launched in Austin this July after there was a lot of local interest in it.

Its one of our most requested cities, Gal said. We had hundreds of people on the waiting list just asking us every week, When are we launching in Austin?'

The company partnered with Longhorn Imaging and is now in twelve of their clinics.

Ezras screening technology can also scan for 500 other health conditions. (Photo: Ezra)

Ezras screening technology can also scan for 500 other health conditions. (Photo: Ezra)

Ezras screening technology can also scan for 500 other health conditions. (Photo: Ezra)

Longhorn Imaging Director of Marketing Dave Lanfrankie said it makes sense why a lot of people here want to do the scan.

Austin has a culture of health and wellness. It always has. I also think a lot of elite athletes are here in Austin, Lanfrankie said. In addition, I think Austins not really a city thats scared of technology.

Lanfrankie said theyve done about 60 scans so far.

With cancer, early detection is key to getting better, Lanfrankie said. Not only that, it also screens for 500 plus other problems that you might have within your body.

Weight lifted

Seema Singh was one of the first patients to get scanned in Austin. As a nurse practitioner, Singh said she understands how important your health is.

I have a background also as a bedside nurse in oncology for eight years, and I saw how cancer affected all ages, Singh said. The Ezra scan was very appealing to me because I dont want to be that statistic.

AI helps diagnose Central Texas patient with rare form of diabetes

A few days after the scan, Singh received a comprehensive report showing whether she had cancer or other health conditions. She said luckily, nothing came up.

Still, having that knowledge gave her a sense of relief.

It made me just feel like a weight lifted off my shoulders, said Singh.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Being ugly could literally make you more likely to die  even decades down the road.

That's the takeaway from a new study in the journal Social Science & Medicine and flagged by PsyPost, revealing that people rated as most unattractive in their high school photos tend to have shorter lifespans and higher mortality rates than more attractive people.

The researchers, from Arizona State University and University of Texas at Austin, analyzed data from a long-running study that tracked more than 8,300 Wisconsin high school students from 1957 to their old age or death, and tasked independent arbiters to look at the participants' old high school yearbook photos to rate their attractiveness.

Then they worked to understand connections between those appearance ratings and the participants' longterm wellbeing. The grim result? The ones rated most unattractive in high school tended to live briefer lives: men by a year, and women by a full two years.

Other takeaways were less clear. There was no difference in mortality rates between very pretty people and average-looking folks, so it seems like pretty privilege has diminishing returns at a certain point, at least when it comes to longevity.

The crux of the study makes sense, though. In the researchers' thinking, attractiveness can easily facilitate social stratification, meaning that the least conventionally beautiful people are more likely to miss out on employment and beneficial social connections, leading to more challenging lives overall that eventually translate to higher mortality. Previous studies have found that beautiful people are considered more trustworthy and also earn more money compared to others.

"I have always thought that attraction is an understudied aspect of social inequality," Arizona State University social science associate professor and one of the study authors Connor M. Sheehan told PsyPost. "It may not be as structural as other dimensions but everyone knows that it is important."

No wonder people clamor for plastic surgery, which has seen double-digit growth in recent years in America, as a way to claim some of that pretty privilege.

More on physical attractiveness: Scientists Shocked That Middle School is Horrible if Youre Ugly and Bad at Sports
Alex Walsh went to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with a gold medal on her mind.

The Nashville native and Harpeth Hall graduate looked like she was on her way Saturday when she was leading the 200 IM at the halfway point. She will leave instead with a "DQ" next to her name in her only event in these Olympics.

Walsh was disqualified from the 200 IM final after finishing third in 2:07.06. She had entered the final with the fastest qualifying time.

She won silver in the event at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

MORE: Sisters Alex, Gretchen Walsh went from floating in Nashville pools to Olympic Games Paris 2024

Not long after her event, Olympic officials reviewed a part of Walsh's race.

Why was Alex Walsh disqualified from 200 IM Olympics swimming?

Walsh failed to complete the backstroke stage of her swim on her back before transitioning to the breaststroke.

"She rolls over . . . she went past vertical, that's the problem," NBC swimming analyst Rowdy Gaines said on the air.

"The head has to come back and cannot go past that 90 degree mark," Gaines said after the race. "From that angle, that looks like that's the right call."

What happened to the results after the disqualification?

Canada's Summer McIntosh took home gold in 2:06.56, an Olympic record. U.S. swimmer Kate Douglass was second in 2:06.92. Australia's Kaylee McKeown was awarded the bronze after finishing in 2:08.08. Everyone behind her moved up one spot.

I was just really heartbroken for her, said Douglass, who acknowledged at the time that she had not seen a video replay yet. I feel like she deserved to win that medal, and she deserved to be on the podium with me. And yeah, obviously when we swim that race together, it's fun to be on the podium together, so I was really upset for her.

Alex Walsh's sister, Gretchen, who won a gold medal Saturday in the mixed 400-meter medley relay, said she was devastated.

I think that Alex deserves so much," Gretchen Walsh said. "She's worked so hard, and I don't really know how to put that into words. It's really sad, but I know that she'll be back and better than ever.

Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina. Follow his work here.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Illegal turn disqualified Alex Walsh in 200 IM swimming final at Paris Olympics
Huw Edwards, until last year the lead presenter of the BBCs News at Ten, this week pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court to possessing indecent images of children.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had informed the BBC of Edwardss arrest last November. He had been charged this June. This raises the question: why did this only become public knowledge on Monday when the case appeared in the court listings?

The fact that a person faces criminal charges is almost invariably a matter of public record. The treatment that Edwards received is very different from that of most facing serious criminal claims. As recently as last October, Surrey Police revealed that they had arrested a sitting MP on rape allegations. That person has not so far been charged.

There have been instances when the authorities judgment has been wide of the mark. In 2015 the Met Police announced that they were investigating a former home secretary on child abuse allegations that proved entirely false. In 2014 the BBC used a helicopter to film a police raid  in an investigation of claims that proved baseless  on the home of Cliff Richard, after having been informed of the polices plans in advance. But now it appears the pendulum has swung too far the other way.

Why were the charges brought against Edwards treated so very differently by the CPS? It has been stated that concerns over Edwardss mental health caused the prosecutors, the police and his former employer to refrain from publicising the circumstances. This has caused surprise among legal experts. Such considerations rarely feature in such decisions about less prominent individuals. A full explanation is urgently required.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
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Credit: Kent Nishimura / Getty Images

The "single greatest operational failure" in decades. Those were the words that the Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle used last week to describe her agency's handling of the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump. It was the only part of her testimony to a congressional hearing that lawmakers were happy to accept, said the Star Tribune (Minneapolis). She otherwise succeeded in uniting them in exasperation with her stonewalling. They wanted to know why the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to perch atop a warehouse roof with an AR-15-style rifle less than 450 feet from Trump's podium. They wanted to know why no one prevented Crooks shooting, given that a Secret Service sniper had noticed him 30 minutes earlier using a gun rangefinder, and even rally attendees had alerted police to a suspicious man, shouting, "He's on the roof!". Cheatle, who later resigned, couldn't explain those failures. "What are you hiding, my friend?" demanded Republican Lisa McClain.

What indeed, asked Tristan Justice in The Federalist. It's hard not to suspect foul play, given the string of extraordinary security lapses. Crooks was able to case out the area with a surveillance drone only hours before Trump's speech, and was identified by local police as suspicious before the rally even began. Cheatle said the roof from which Crooks fired was left vacant because it was too "sloped" to access safely, yet it was in fact relatively flat. Did the Secret Service actually want Trump to be killed? Of course not, said Patrick B. O'Shea in The Hill. This was down to "complacency", not conspiracy. We like to think of Secret Service agents as being the "best of the best", but even professionals can "get sloppy". It was a small rally in a small town in rural Pennsylvania  and they took their eye off the ball.

It's not the first time they've slipped up, said The Washington Post. A knife-wielding intruder breached the White House in 2014, and an uninvited couple were able to crash one of Barack Obama's state dinners. Agents hired sex workers during a presidential trip to Colombia in 2012. A bipartisan investigation described the agency as "in crisis" nearly a decade ago, highlighting understaffing and a lack of accountability. With three independent probes under way into the Crooks case, this may be a moment for a wider overhaul of the Secret Service.
Why the man that gets s done might not be able to save Kamala Harris in the rust belt

If Josh Shapiro has a political philosophy, it is to get s done. The Pennsylvania governor constantly uses the phrase, whether he is repairing a collapsed highway in a matter of days, negotiating a budget through a divided legislature, or posting on TikTok.

He even keeps a mug stamped with the mantra on his desk.

While less inspiring than some political slogans, it has helped Mr Shapiro position himself as a down-to-earth dealmaker who cares more about results than politics.

Now Kamala Harris looks likely to ask the popular, plain-talking governor to get something else done: to win her the key battleground state of Pennsylvania in the forthcoming presidential election.

While she has yet to formally anoint a running mate, there are several clues that suggest Mr Shapiro, one of an ambitious new generation of Democrats, is in pole position to be the Democrats vice-presidential nominee.

Donors have reportedly been pressed to send in their cheques before the end of the week, with the Harris campaign citing a rule that limits donations to a sitting governor.

At the same time, Mr Shapiro abruptly cancelled a series of fundraisers scheduled for this weekend in New York.

Sources have told US media that the vice-president is emphasising the need for a personal rapport with her running mate. She has known Mr Shapiro for almost two decades.

And Ms Harriss first campaign rally alongside the vice-presidential nominee is planned to take place in Philadelphia, in Mr Shapiros home state.

None of these factors is conclusive, and Ms Harris is reported to be meeting with a shortlist of candidates this weekend as the final step in a vetting process.

But taken together, they suggest that the Pennsylvania governor is favoured over his main rival, Mark Kelly, the Arizona senator.

As Mr Shapiro said last month, Ms Harriss road to the White House runs through the Keystone State.

It has the largest haul of electoral college votes of any of the swing states, but recent polling has the vice-president lagging four points behind Donald Trump. Although she can win the presidency without Pennsylvania, losing it significantly narrows her path to victory.

Moreover, Mr Shapiro has a proven appeal to the blue collar workers who were once the bedrock of the Democratic partys support but have since moved over to Trump.

Ms Harris, a California Democrat, lacks his common touch and is already under fire for the radical proposals she made during the 2020 primaries.

Four years ago, she praised moves to defund the police, mulled abolishing the immigration agency, and backed a ban on fracking  anathema to blue collar voters concerned about crime and border crossings, in a state where thousands of jobs depend on natural gas. Mr Shapiro can protect that vulnerable flank.

Jamie Sychak, a maintenance technician from Butler, Pennsylvania, credits the governor with saving the steel mill where he works from closure by opposing a damaging federal government regulation.

Josh Shapiro was a significant player in thwarting that and keeping our plant open, he said, emphasising that he did not speak for the factorys management. He was an advocate for us.

Mr Sychak said he was on the fence about how to vote in November, and that fellow union members  he leads a local chapter of the United Auto Workers  were evenly split.

But Mr Shapiros inclusion on the ticket would be a definite point in Ms Harris favour, he said, adding that he was the only Pennsylvania governor to have visited the plant in his almost 30 years in the job.

While Ms Harriss entry into the presidential race has seen a polling bounce and a flood of donations, there was little enthusiasm for her in Steelton, a classic rust belt community marred by industrial decline in southern Pennsylvania.

It was founded around a vast steel mill that churned out railway tracks and employed some 10,000 people at its peak. Its population has dwindled with the rise of automation and exodus of manufacturing overseas.

The steel plant in Steelton has seen better times - RYAN COLLERD FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Barbara Barksdale, a former nurse, said she witnessed a collective identity crisis among workers in the 1960s and 1970s as their jobs disappeared. Some of these men couldnt handle it, she said. They literally couldnt mentally handle it.

Like many rust belt states, Steelton is still reeling. Front Street, which backs on to the still-functioning mill, is dominated by rows of vacant shops, some of which have for sale signs placed optimistically in dusty windows.

The main attitude to politics is disillusionment. One man seated at a bar contemplated his drink for a long time before answering: I think they all suck.

A young man who gave his name as Mike, speaking over the traffic that roars along Front Street and rarely slows down, said America needed a George Washington or Abe Lincoln figure to save it.

Nobody is out there, he added.

Trumps appeal has not completely passed Steelton by, however. One house was decked out in Trump-Vance flags, while a passer-by called Dominic said he was leaning towards voting for the former president.

He gave everybody money when Covid hit  everybody that was unemployed, couldnt pay, he sent them $700 a week, he said. He has seen little improvement under Joe Biden and believes Ms Harris  Bidens partner  would be more of the same.

Some are sceptical that Mr Shapiro can keep his magic touch among Trump supporters if he teams up with Ms Harris, and that he will tarnish his own reputation instead of enhancing hers.

Trump voters are Trump voters first, and everybody else second, said David Urban, a former senior adviser to Trump who still advises his campaign in an ad-hoc capacity.

Trump supporters watch him on a big screen at a rally in Harrisburg - RYAN COLLERD FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Mr Urban, who is credited with spearheading the Republicans shock win in Pennsylvania in 2016, predicted: The second Shapiro becomes a partisan candidate against Trump, these people are going to drop him like a hot potato.

Charlie Gerow, a Pennsylvania-based Republican strategist, said a potential weakness for Mr Shapiro was that he could be cast as someone too busy climbing the political ladder to get s done.

The 51-year-old ran to become Pennsylvanias attorney general in his first term as a county commissioner, before leaving early in his second term when he was elected governor.

He hasnt even been in office two years and hes looking to run for another office, Mr Gerow said. Kamala might want to take a look over her shoulder.

At a Trump rally on Wednesday in Harrisburg, a few miles away from Steelton, the former presidents supporters were scornful about Mr Shapiro teaming up with Ms Harris.

A woman who gave her name as Peggy dismissed him as a career politician, saying: Hes two years into the office and Ive heard he has been vying for this vice-presidency job for years.

I dont know anything that hes done, really. I dont know what he stands for.

Peggy is sceptical about Mr Shapiro teaming up with Ms Harris - Ryan Collerd for The Telegraph

Earline Klapka, a former Democrat voter who was waiting in line with her grandchildren, said she had no idea what Mr Shapiro had done for Pennsylvania.

She broke with the party when Barack Obama was elected president, claiming he had been weak on the economy and immigration. We knew then  no more Democrats, she said.

Veteran and Trump supporter Virgil Klapka waits to get into rally in Harrisburg - RYAN COLLERD FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Even if Mr Shapiro can peel away some of the Trump base, then he could cause problems in other states. As a vocal supporter of Israel, he could isolate voters in Michigan, a swing state with a high concentration of Muslim and Arab Americans, and young voters.

Mr Urban believes it is futile for Ms Harris to chase blue collar voters and that her only shot in Pennsylvania is to run up her margins in urban areas like southern Philadelphia.

Trump still is in the 60-40 camp of winning the state, as it stands today. You add Shapiro to that, it goes 55-45. Its closer, maybe even closer than that  but Trump still wins, he said.

Mark Kelly  hes a legit navy fighter pilot, combat-decorated, gun-owning, tough on the border. He scares me the most.

The Arizona senator, a Gulf War veteran and former astronaut, has pushed the Biden administration to take a tougher stance on illegal migration. Many believe he could deflect attacks on Ms Harris as a failed border tsar who has overseen record crossings.

He is popular with voters  including the crucial Latino demographic  in Arizona, which Mr Biden narrowly won in 2020. Paul Wade, a teacher in the bellwether Maricopa County, praised Mr Kellys integrity and obvious competence and said he wanted him to join Ms Harriss ticket.

Kelly brings a message balance between a guy who shores up Kamalas greatest weakness, which is the immigration issue, with a higher level of appeal to Latinos than Biden and Harris, Mike Madrid, a political consultant who has previously campaigned against Trump in Arizona, said.

However, Mr Kelly is vulnerable in other ways, with his links to Chinese investors and lucrative corporate speaking jobs being scrutinised in recent days.

He has said he will be in Arizona next week, when the vice-presidential nominee is scheduled to campaign in Philadelphia.

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  The Wichita Falls City Councils upcoming session on Tuesday, Aug. 5, has a busy agenda.

A few items up for a vote might be of particular interest to the citizens of Wichita Falls.

WF Chamber of Commerce hosts 2024 LeaderFest

First, the old Hotel of Wichita Falls, off Central Freeway and sitting on the banks of the Wichita River, might have its future decided soon. The city agreed to purchase the land its on from owner Wichita Falls Hospitality for $4 per square foot, but the exact amount of land the city might buy is still unknown.

Assistant City Manager Paul Menzies said 30 to 35 percent of the land will become public park space if the vote goes through. The deal is up for a vote after the hotel sat vacant for over a decade following its closure in 2012. It has since fallen into disrepair and become a site for vandals and trespassers.

Another item up for a vote is a grant of $1.36 million to support the construction of the new Vicki and Jim McCoy Aquatics Center at the Bill Bartley Family Branch of the Wichita Falls YMCA. The center is expected to have a 10-lane lap pool with a slide and a splash pad to entertain swimmers of all ages. Construction is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2025.

Finally, Midwestern State University has a vote set for the meeting. It seeks up to $1 million to support a proposed student success and military education center.

The other agenda items include adding the elections of a Councilor at large and Councilor positions for Districts 1 and 2 to the November ballot and a vote to increase the school zone speed limit in front of McNiel Middle School from 20 to 25 miles per hour.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, in the Seminar Room of the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall.

MSU Texas professor receives fellowship to study medieval healthcare

Wichita Falls City Council meetings are broadcast live on Time Warner Cable Channel 1300 and rebroadcast the same day at 7:00 p.m. and midnight and the following Wednesday and Thursday at 9:00 a.m., 7:00 p.m. and midnight.

You can also watch the councilors meeting live on the citys website.

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CHESTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Neighbors in Chester can breathe a little easier after learning an African Serval Cat isnt a danger to the public anymore.

On Thursday, city leaders announced the exotic cat ran away after its owners house caught fire on Lacy Street. It has since been found.

Other wild animals do not belong in peoples homes in any capacity because theyre just simply not domestic, said Louise Orr with the Carolina Tiger Rescue Organization.

She says while its legal in North and South Carolina to own some exotic animals  it poses a major danger to the public.

Found in Florida: Wild African Serval cat escapes house in Chester after fire

Chester police say its reportedly in an animal sanctuary in Florida. Rescue workers say thats where it should be.

They have wild instincts that need to be, you know, that theyre going to exhibit regardless of where they are, like hunting or roaming marking territory, you know, displaying aggression, because thats what they have to do in the wild in order to survive, Orr said.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources says State law doesnt prohibit the ownership and possession of servals. Counties and municipalities may prohibit the ownership of this species through their own ordinances.

Chester County has an ordinance that prohibits neighbors from owning dangerous animals.

Orr says people can still have Servals, other wildcats, reptiles, and birds of prey.

I mean, it really kind of runs the gamut of what people want or decide that they want to own, she says. What were seeing is that right here in the state and all across the country, were in the middle of a small cat crisis because of all this breeding thats happening and people thinking that its cool seeing a Serval on social media and saying, Hey, that looks awesome. I want to try that. And so its fueling this breeding industry.

Orr continued, But then what were also seeing is people regretting that decision and then having Serval and saying, I dont know what to do with this, and thats not fair to that animal at all. Were going to be focusing on here in the coming years, figuring out ways to solve this small cat crisis and make sure that people are being smart with the decisions that theyre making as far as animals that they bring into their home.

Unusual games take center stage in Rock Hill under the lights of ESPN

Orr encouraged people to adopt domestic cats from shelters that need homes rather than breed exotic animals.

In North and South Carolina, the rules are the same: its legal to own an exotic cat like a serval but its illegal to own a native species, so you wouldnt be allowed to own something like a squirrel or a bobcat, but you could have something like a serval.

=====

The Carolina Tiger Rescue is a wild cat sanctuary in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Their mission is to save and protect wild cats both in captivity and in the wild.

The organization offers homes to several different species. They have tigers, lions, cougars, and even bobcats and more. The vast majority of those animals have come from some sort of circumstance, whether theyre being abused or being housed in bad situations.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
KEARNEY  The evening began on a solemn note as Officer Luis Arevalo, flanked by a color guard of Kearney police and Buffalo County deputies, performed the National Anthem.

With some professions you can go to work and leave your job behind when you go home, but its not that way for law officers, emcee Brandon Benitz told the crowd at the Younes Conference Center North.

Welcoming about 500 supporters to Kearneys fourth annual law enforcement appreciation banquet, Benitz reflected on the sacrifices made by those whose career is to protect and serve. As law officers, they are always on the alert, and at times they encounter people on the worst days of their lives as victims of crimes and accidents.

Thank you for giving that sacrifice, Benitz said to members of the Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriffs Department, Nebraska State Patrol, University of Nebraska at Kearney Campus Police and their families.

Proceeds of the banquet pay for scholarships for young people who pursue law enforcement careers. Thursday evenings event was an opportunity to introduce five KPD officers who had saved lives during the year and made other achievements.

Officer Braylen Luke was KPDs officer of the year and Clint Kerschner was BCSOs deputy of the year.

The banquet crowd heard four speakers: Former secretary of state Allen Beermann, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, cowboy poet R.P. Smith and Derek Rusher, president of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce.

Rusher compared law officers to a $20 bill. The money can be crushed, stepped on and defaced, but its always worth $20, Rusher said. Likewise, law officers can be bruised and disrespected in various ways, but they must remember the public they serve always admires and supports them.

KPD Chief Brian Waugh said the support we receive is second to none.

Sheriff Neil Miller said its a difficult time to be a law officer. As a result, interest in law enforcement careers ha seriously decreased, and that trend has cut into the number of recruits.

In some places staffing levels are lower than 50%, but an event like tonights banquet is the difference between being understaffed and being fully staffed, like we are in Kearney and Buffalo County, Miller said.
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  On the college level Wilkes University officials are looking to keep campus safe and secure.

Friday morning state lawmakers presented a check to help the university upgrade its security systems.

Wilkes University received funding for $155,701 Friday morning to help update its security systems.

We are using the LSA money thats the local share money from the gaming industry //(flash) to improve the quality of life here, said Eddie Pashinski the state rep,121 district.

Wilkes director of public safety outlined what the money will be used for.

This money is going to be used to enhance our camera system emergency response system so that we can make emergency announcements across campus and surrounding blocks and for our communications as well, explained Michael Krzywicki the chief of police & director of public safety, Wilkes University.

Stuff the Zam before hockey season in Wilkes-Barre

This new system will benefit more than just the university, but the city as well.

But its also a benefit because were part of the city to the city police as well because they do access our cameras on a daily basis too when they have issues so theyre gonna be utilized not only inside of our buildings but on the exterior of our buildings as well, stated Krywicki.

During the school year, the campus can get busy, so its important that all who pass through feel safe.

On any given day we have over 3,000 people that visit our campus when schools are in session so its you know my job is to protect everyone that comes here whether they know theyre coming here specifically Wilkes or if theyre coming here for an event that we sponsor as well, added Krywicki.

Wilkes University classes begin August 26.

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The 2024 presidential campaign has already featured a number of unprecedented moments. You can add the debates to that list, as it remains unclear if Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris will ever face off in a formal debate.

Indeed, each candidate has so far agreed to attend a different showdown.

Trump had previously agreed to debate President Biden on Sept. 10, with ABC News as a host. But once Harris emerged as Biden's replacement, Trump became noncommittal about the ABC News event. And Trump announced late Friday that the agreement has been terminated, citing Bidens withdrawal as a reason.

Trump said he would instead accept a Fox News counterproposal for a Sept. 4 debate. Though the details hadnt been ironed out yet, Trump declared there would be A FULL ARENA AUDIENCE!

Harris, for her part, has publicly pressured Trump to meet her onstage for the ABC News debate since jumping into the race, even challenging her opponent to "say it to my face" at one rally.

Heres where things stand.

 Biden, Trump bypass debate traditions

In every presidential election since 1988, the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates has planned the debates, allowing the events to be simultaneously broadcast by major television networks and radio stations. The commission had planned its traditional three presidential and one vice presidential debates for September and October, with universities set to host each one.

But both Biden and Trump balked at letting the commission take charge this year, leaving it with an uncertain future. Instead they would agree to their own rules and have two debates directly hosted by television networks: one by CNN and one by ABC News.

The CNN debate occurred earlier this summer and featured Biden repeatedly losing his train of thought. Democrats began pressuring him to leave the race and he ultimately did so, with Vice President Harris easily sweeping up the necessary delegates to secure the nomination.

Read more:

Why Biden and Trump ditched the Commission on Presidential Debates [Semafor]

 The ABC News debate

Trump and Biden had been set to face off a second time on Sept. 10, with ABC News hosting the event.

But in addition to changing his tone since Harriss entry, Trump has escalated his attacks against the Disney-owned network after Biden dropped out of the presidential contest. Are you with ABC? Because I think theyre a fake news network, Trump told ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott at a Black journalists convention earlier this week.

As a reason for pulling out of the ABC News debate, Trump points to his defamation lawsuit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos, though he filed the lawsuit in March, before he agreed to the debate with Biden, and Stephanopoulos is not one of the debate moderators.

An ABC network source told CNN on Friday that it is still full steam ahead with its debate plans. The event is set to be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis.

The Vice President will be there one way or the other to take the opportunity to speak to a prime time national audience, the Harris campaign said Saturday of the ABC News event. Were happy to discuss further debates after the one both campaigns have already agreed to.

 The Fox plan

When Biden withdrew from the race, other networks saw it as a fresh opportunity to pitch the campaigns again on hosting a debate themselves.

Fox News released a public letter to both the Harris and Trump campaigns proposing a Sept. 17 debate in Pennsylvania, moderated by political anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

The letter appeared to acknowledge concerns that Democrats might have about appearing on the conservative network, whose primetime lineup features a barrage of attacks against their candidates.

"As you recall, despite not having a Democratic debate in 2016/2020, Fox News was able to secure town halls with Democratic candidates," the letter said. We are open to discussion on the exact date, format and location  with or without an audience, it offered.

Trumps debate announcement featured the same hosts and location as the original Fox News proposal, though Sept. 4 is almost two weeks earlier. The GOP candidate said if Harris doesnt show, hed attend a major Town Hall with Fox News instead.

 Will anyone break the stalemate

As of now, the 2024 presidential race has two more debates on the books  but neither one features both candidates. For the candidates to meet at one of these events, one of them will have to give in to the other, which carries its own set of political calculations.

Its possible another network could emerge as a compromise between the two candidates. CNN reported that NBC News is in ongoing discussion with the campaigns, but its unclear what type of event might be under discussion.

Additionally, before Biden left the presidential race, Harris had agreed to a vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News. A date had not been scheduled for the event. Harris is expected to soon announce her vice presidential candidate. It remains to be seen if that person might face off against Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance in a debate.

There is another very plausible scenario for Harris and Trump: They never meet onstage, and

Americans go to the polls in November never having seen the two major presidential nominees face off for the first time since 1972.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

 Read more

ABC News still full steam ahead with presidential debate, despite Trump backing off commitment. The networks plan could still be upended like so many other institutions and traditions this year. [CNN]

Harris claims Trump is running scared to Fox News after backing out of ABC debate. Running straight to Fox News to bail him out. [Independent]

Trump's defamation lawsuit against ABC, George Stephanopoulos can move forward, judge rules. A Florida judge rejected ABC's motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit. [Fox News]
More than a month before the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was ratified, the name L. Exum Clement appeared on Buncombe Countys Democratic primary ballot. The L stood for Lillian.

Editors at the Asheville Citizen celebrated Clements candidacy, writing that, Asheville and Buncombe County are taking the lead in the state, (advancing) women who are going to take a hand in the politics of North Carolina, following the birth of the new era.

However, the new era had not quite arrived. Clement was allowed to run for the seat in the primary, but she would not be allowed to cast a vote. Still, Clement won  though narrowly; less than 100 votes separated her from her closest male opponent. She would appear as the Democratic nominee for the state legislature on the official ballot during the November 1920 general election.

The New York Times reported on Clements primary win, expressing their admiration of Buncombe Countys men for daring to set a precedent.

Votes from women

North Fork Valley native Lillian Exum Clement (1824-1924) was the first female legislator in the South.

In August 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment and cement the two-thirds majority needed for the amendment to be signed into federal law. It began to look like Clement would have the strength of votes from women to propel her to victory in November.

Buncombes women did not disappoint. They turned out in droves to vote in their first official election.

The Asheville Citizen reported of the crowds in downtown Asheville on Election Day: As the morning wore on the number of women voting grew larger and by 10 oclock women predominated in the majority of the city precincts. Reports reaching the city were to the effect that this also held true in many of the county precincts.

More: 1st woman to run for president was born 126 years before Kamala Harris: Here's who's run since

Election Day in Asheville suddenly became a more solemn and serious occasion. The Asheville Citizen reported, almost without exception the men would stop chewing tobacco, stop smoking and all refrained from the use of profanity and they stood in line with their hats off (when the women arrived). ... Observers stated they failed to notice anyone drinking  or at least of men under the influence of whiskey around the polls. (While the 18th Amendment, which had passed in January 1920, prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transport of alcohol, its language did not explicitly outlaw the consumption of alcohol.)

Buncombes Republicans, fervently in favor of womens suffrage, withdrew their candidate before the general election. Clement ran against only one opponent, a male Independent. She won by a margin of 10,863 to 41 to become the first woman legislator in the American South.

The day was a victory for Clement and for women, and women were ready for it. It was noted in the Asheville Citizen, that one of the most significant things observed throughout the day was the fact that women knew what to do and did it.

The lady from Buncombe

Lillian Exum Clement's daughter, Nancy (and husband), standing in front of the N.C. Highway Historic Marker erected in honor of Exum.

Now that Lillian Exum Clement, or Brother Exum, as she would be christened, had broken a barrier for women, public interest in her past as well as her future political aspirations surged. Newspapers from around the country began reporting on the lady from Buncombe.

Lillian, called Ex by her family, was born in March 1886 in the eastern section of Buncombe County. By 1900, her family had relocated to South Biltmore, so that her father could work on the Vanderbilts Biltmore Estate. For Clements 14th birthday, Edith Vanderbilt inscribed a Bible For Exum Clement, with best wishes for many happy birthdays, from ES Vanderbilt, March 12, 1900. Family stories indicate that Clements career aspirations were shaped in part by her relationship with Edith Vanderbilt, who was committed to womens education.

By 1910, Clement had secured a position at the county sheriffs office. She began to study law at night under Robert C. Goldstein because, as she put it, Mankind has written millions of laws for thousands of years to enforce only eight fundamental ones.

Not long after she passed the bar in 1916  only the fourth woman in the state to have done so  she was let go from the sheriffs office. The state legislature had approved a law making it legal for deputies to serve subpoenas by telephone, and the sheriff decided to put a man on the desk, so that in case of emergency he could do the work of a deputy.

But Clement was not deterred. She hung out her shingle at her new office and earned another distinction. She was now the first woman in North Carolina to practice law unsupported by male attorneys. She quickly built a reputation as a shrewd and able criminal lawyer.

Ardent suffragette

By the time she ran for office in 1920, Clement was already well-known in the county as a woman who worked toward breaking barriers for other women.

She had been involved in the fight for womens suffrage for years, serving in a variety of leadership roles for various branches of suffrage organizations. She spoke at suffragette meetings, joined in calling for federal and state elected officials to amend the constitution to enfranchise women, and, in April 1920, traveled to Raleigh to be among the first women to attend the biennial convention of the Tar Heel Democrats and demonstrate the capacity of women to deliberate with the men in political matters.

Soon after the convention, Clement received a letter from N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter Clark urging her to run for office and declaring unqualifiedly that she (was) eligible to hold office if elected. She announced her candidacy the same week.

But, despite assurances from Chief Justice Clark, questions arose in public discourse about the legality of a woman being seated in the state legislature without first being enfranchised. Clement withdrew from the race, so as to not place the Democratic party in an embarrassing position of having to vote for a woman candidate who could not be seated if elected. A week later, with no explanation, her name was back on the ballot.

In March, Washington state had become the 35th state to ratify the 19th Amendment. Only one more ratification was needed for the amendment to take effect nationwide. Many North Carolinians hoped that their state would be the 36th. But, on Aug. 17, the measure was defeated in the North Carolina legislature by two votes. Those in opposition argued that giving women the right to vote would cause them to neglect their families and force them to take up unwanted roles, like serving on juries.

More: WNC History: Asheville's Flatiron Building, from 'Human Fly's' 1926 climb to today's hotel

Additionally, as North Carolinas State Library explains, many of those most opposed to womens suffrage feared that enfranchising women would lead to the reversal of laws that had kept African Americans from voting. This was particularly true in eastern North Carolinas agricultural counties, which were home to the largest African American populations.

The day after North Carolina voted down womens suffrage, Tennessee passed it, and the 19th Amendment became law. North Carolina did not officially ratify the amendment for another 50 years.

A political persona

Buncombe County Commissioner Ellen Frost is sworn in for a second term Monday evening Dec. 1, 2014. Frost took the oath of office using the Bible of the South's first elected female legislature and Black Mountain native Lillian Exum Clement Stafford. The Borgans are the caregivers of Stafford's 90-year-old son-in-law and former Asheville resident Win Anders. The Bible is over 100 years old with several passages underlined by the former legislator. The Bible also has a inscription written by E.S. Vanderbilt, written March 12, 1900.

By the time Clement took office, she had shifted her public persona. No longer was she characterized as a shrewd lawyer or ardent suffragette in the media. (She was so successful in this shift that, decades later, many of those who told her story denied that she was ever a suffragette.)

Clements ability to control the messaging may have had something to do with her connections to the local media. An Asheville Citizen reporter wrote of Clement in 1916, During her stay in the sheriffs office she earned the gratitude of many a reporter, and helped many a green man out on difficult assignments.

And, her eventual husband, Elias Eller Stafford, was an Asheville Citizen journalist. About a month before the election, Stafford wrote to Clement, Darling I have got to get busy on the Sunday sheet  am trying to get out a good one  especially for the Democrats. Made some arrangements today for some of the right sort of editorials for you about Monday in this paper and in the Labor Advocate.

When Clement arrived in Raleigh in January 1921 to take office, she described herself to reporters using the adjectives, shy, conservative, and very timid. Journalists at the Greensboro Daily News wrote that she was small in stature, modest and retiring in manner, unassuming.

Clement appeared to be acutely aware of how to keep public opinion on her side, while still making a statement. She told the Raleigh News and Observer, I was afraid at first that the men would oppose me because I am a woman, but I dont feel that way now. I have always worked with men, and I know them as they are. I have no false illusions or fears of them. You may quote me as saying, I am definitely for them. She later wrote privately to her fiance that the men in the legislature all say they are glad I am conservative.

She concluded her remarks to reporters that first day in office with a comment that would be quoted again and again. She said, I am, by nature, very conservative, but I am firm in my convictions. I want to blaze a trail for other women. I know that years from now there will be many other women in politics, but you have to start a thing.

She also knew it was important to present herself as a young, single woman. Her engagement to Stafford was not announced publicly until just before their marriage, three months after she had taken office. She often had to sidestep her fellow legislators trying to set her up with eligible bachelors.

More: WNC History: Rumors of Babe Ruth's death after Asheville stop were greatly exaggerated

Her age never appeared in newspaper reports. Though the 1900 census recorded her birth year as 1885 or 1886 and the 1910 census as 1887 or 1888, Clement reported her birth year on her marriage certificate as March 1894. Zoe Rhine, the now-retired Special Collection Manager at Ashevilles Pack Library, offered a possible explanation for this discrepancy. Rhine suggested that Clement may have fudged the number when filling out her marriage certificate to narrow the 9-10 year age difference between her and her husband who was born in 1895.

Clement was also able to utilize her soon-to-be husband to control public knowledge of legislative happenings. During her first two months in office, she wrote to Stafford requesting help with a number of items. In January, she wrote, I am inclosing a letter and notice from Judge Clark. I cant say that I want this in the paper; could you lose it in some convenient way for me? In February, she sent Stafford a clipping from his paper asking him to, Please correct this, but dont use my name. Say a Representative wished this correction made. I dont want to get in bad with my  friends by a mistake.

Starting a thing

From the start, Clement acknowledged, at least in private, that her role was primarily to break the barrier; actually making real change as a woman in the legislature would be difficult at best. That task would fall to the women who came after her.

Clement wrote to Stafford a few days after taking office, I dont want people to expect too much of me. There is little I can do alone. If I blaze the trail for other women to come in, until there is enough to do something, then I feel I have done my duty. ... These women here realize fully just how hard it is to get anything done.

Still, during her tenure, Clement presented 17 bills. More than a dozen were signed into law, including a measure providing for secret ballots and private polling booths to prevent politicians from buying votes; a bill calling for sanitary dairy barns and requiring milk to be tested for tuberculin; and a bill reducing from 10 to five the number of years required for a divorce to be granted after abandonment.

Of the divorce bill, a reporter from the Greensboro Daily News wrote, both House and Senate thought so well of this timid and unobtrusive little feminine Episcopalian as to put through her measure, against which there has been more theological fulmination than almost anything since Adam and Eve.

The bill she fought hardest for, however, was a measure to transition the Lindley Training School, a home for unwed mothers and delinquent girls, to state control. The opposition was swift in denouncing the bill as a method of rewarding the wrongdoing of questionable young women. When Clement promoted the idea at a rally, the crowd threw vegetables and eggs.

More: WNC History: Frances Goodrich leads a mountain handicraft revival with coverlet

Her only retaliation was to say: Tonight I am reminded of a time long ago by a city gate, when the weapons of the people, who had passed judgment on a woman, were not eggs but hard stones. It is not for you nor me to condemn nor to cast the first stone. Rather to render aid to the unfortunate so they may also go their way and sin no more.

The bill eventually passed.

Lillian Exum Clement house at 34 Hollywood St., Asheville. Clement was the first female legislator in North Carolina.

Despite her success, after marrying, Clement did not run for another term in the state legislature. She discussed a Congressional run in private, but never seriously considered it. She wrote to her fiance a few days after the start of her first term, please dont ever mention Congress to me. ... I will take up some other line of work, and believe me it is going to be something very different from any politics. I am going to do something that will build up my nervous system and not tear it down. She left the legislature, returned to Buncombe County, and continued to be active as a lawyer and advocate for women.

In May 1923, she gave birth to a premature baby girl  Ashevilles first incubator baby  who she named Nancy after her sister. For the next year and a half, while suffering from long bouts of illness, Clement kept a diary that chronicled her love for her child. Her final entry reads, Last night you slept with someone besides Daddy and Mother for the first time. Daddy was sick and Mother was sick and Aunt Nancy came in and spent the night with you. Twelve days later, on Feb. 21, 1925, Clement died from complications of pneumonia.

Modern pioneering

At least once a decade since Clements death, an article published about North Carolina politics has used Clements story to highlight the slow political progress of the states women. In 1951, the Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel noted that since Clements tenure, only nine women have joined the legislative roll call. ... This year, there are none.

(Though white women were making some progress in politics, the disenfranchisement of African American men and women continued. Between 1868 and 1900, 111 African American men served in North Carolinas legislature. But after segregationist laws went into effect at the turn of the century, no African Americans served in the state legislature again until 1968.)

Echoes of Clements struggle to start a thing and blaze a trail continued to reverberate in the political life of women. In an article entitled, Women Legislators facing a double bind in the fall 1980 issue of NC Insight, North Carolina Senator Rachel G. Gray remarked, I realize Im rather a pioneer in this. I feel the women who come after will have an easier time.

According to the Center for American Women and Politics, the number of women in state legislatures has steadily risen from just under 11% in 1980 to nearly 23% in 2000 to a high of 32.9% in 2024.

In 2011, a group of North Carolina women founded Lillians List, named in Lillian Exum Clements honor, to recruit and support women political candidates. Today, just under 30% of North Carolinas current legislators are women.

Anne Chesky

Anne Chesky serves as the executive director of the Presbyterian Heritage Center in Montreat. She grew up in Riceville.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: WNC History: Lillian Exum Clement's road to Raleigh
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The woman caught on camera assaulting a Dayton Public Schools bus driver had pled guilty.

The Montgomery County Prosecutor says Martia Franklin pleaded guilty to felonious assault on Thursday.

Police release body cam footage from response to assault on DPS bus driver

This stems from an incident that happened in December 2023 on a school bus outside of Emerson Academy. Franklin is accused of attacking a bus driver for not picking up her child at the bus stop.

Franklin will be sentenced Sept. 5.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Woman Was Dead for 4 Minutes  but Was Saved by Worker Who Happened to Be at Her Home (Exclusive)

Kevin Tenkhoff was a few hours early when he arrived, and the woman he ended up saving had initially considered asking him to come back later

Helen Tarli (L-R) Kevin Tenkhoff with Helen and Ryan Parli

Kevin Tenkhoff, an AT&T worker from Missouri, saved Helen Parli's life in October 2023 when the new homeowner suddenly collapsed

Tenkhoff, who happened to arrive a few minutes early, performed CPR on the woman thanks to training he received through AT&T

Parli, who tells PEOPLE she was dead for four minutes at one point during the ordeal, calls Tenkhoff her "guardian angel"

An AT&T worker from Missouri is exclusively opening up to PEOPLE about the day in October 2023 when he helped save a womans life while working in the field.

The day started off normally for Kevin Tenkhoff, who has worked with AT&T for 19 years. He was assigned to multiple jobs that day, including one at a home in Springfield that had recently been purchased by the Parli family.

Kenkhoff was a few hours early when he arrived at the home around 10 a.m. local time, Helen Parli tells PEOPLE.

Initially, she considered asking him to come back at 1 p.m., when he was originally scheduled to arrive, but instead allowed him to get to work. In hindsight, that was a life-saving decision.

Related: Neighbor Says Yogurt Potentially Saved Lives After Reporting Fire While Grabbing Late-Night Snack

Helen said she initially felt 100% normal and that she and her husband Ryan began chatting with a neighbor outside the home. Suddenly, she felt like she was going to faint.

I reached out to my husband, and I grabbed his arm and I said, Babe, and that's all I can remember, she tells PEOPLE. From that point forward, that's when it all started.

Helen Tarli (L-R) Kevin Tenkhoff with Helen and Ryan Parli

Tenkhoff says he was outside behind the home when he suddenly heard yelling. After climbing up a hill, he spotted Helen down on the pavement as Ryan attempted chest compressions.

Tenkhoff quickly ripped off his work belt as he raced over to help, and took over upon reaching the unconscious woman. He had received CPR training through AT&T  and now his skills were being put to the test.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ryan called 911, and Tenkhoff continued chest compressions until local emergency crews arrived at the scene to take Helen away.

Kevin had actually got me breathing, Helen says. I mean, I was actually getting oxygen and all of that, and I actually had mumbled some words. So I know I was back for a little bit anyways.

AT&T Kevin Tenkhoff

Helen tells PEOPLE she was dead for four minutes at one point during the ordeal. After arriving at the hospital, she learned Tenkhoff helped her avoid brain damage and was likely instrumental in saving my life.

He saved a stranger's life that day, and he didn't have to, she tearfully says. He didn't have to do any of it. So it was very remarkable, it was God's timing that he was there.

Related: Nurse Recognizes Snoring and Breathing as Heart Attack Signs, Saves Mans Life at Airport

Helen was in the hospital for six days and had a defibrillator-like device surgically implanted in her heart.

The device helped restart her heart at least four more times until they were able to determine the cause of her sudden onset heart problems: a dead cell in her heart that would prevent it from properly pumping.

Helen underwent surgery in January to address the problem, but opted to keep the heart device in place. What if this happens again?, she explains.

Now, Tenkhoff will always hold a special place in her heart and she gets emotional whenever they connect.

Related: Preschool Teacher Donates Liver to Save Former Student's Life: 'We Are Completely Overwhelmed with Her Kindness' (Exclusive)

Helen even recalls telling him, You were put where you were at the time you were there. And I feel like it was a godsend. You're kind of like my guardian angel  That's the way I'm going to feel about you for the rest of my life.

Ultimately, she hopes her story will remind others to always have faith in humanity.

People will be there, she says. There are people that still care in this world, and will still help you, complete strangers, for absolutely nothing. They'll just do it.

Related: An 18-Year-Old Athlete Almost Dropped Dead, but Friends Saved His Life: 'It's Really a Miracle'

Meanwhile, Tenkhoff is humbled by the experience. There are no words to describe it whatsoever, he tells PEOPLE. It was great seeing how appreciative they were.



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Read the original article on People.
I was wrong about Kamala Harris. And that's a huge problem for Donald Trump.

Donald Trump has realized something that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago: A Black woman can beat him in a presidential election.

Trumps decision to speak at the annual National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair in Chicago on Wednesday signals a recognition that hes got to do something to turn down the heat that Kamala Harris has generated by taking over for Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.

Trump wouldnt be making this play if he didnt see Harris as a real threat, a development that has surprised me more than Trumps rise in 2016 surprised the rest of the mainstream media.

ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott questions Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a panel of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago on July 31, 2024.

I shouldn't have counted Kamala Harris out

From my vantage point as a Black man who has covered politics in one form or another for the last 20 years, I didnt have any confidence that voters would give Harris a fair chance.

Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for president in Atlanta on July 30, 2024.

Ive seen the struggles Black women have had in all areas of American society and figured the silent racism that creeps up in health care and employment would become deafening in a presidential election, giving Trump a clear path to the White House.

Ive also heard whispers from Black voters who look at her ancestry, the daughter of a Jamaican American father and an Indian American mother, and question whether shes truly connected to the African American experience enough to represent their interests.

And I remember hearing from older Black voters during Barack Obamas rise, that they would vote against him to protect him. These voters had lived through the deaths of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. and were convinced that history would grimly repeat with a serious Black presidential contender.

What I didnt factor was how organized and ready Black women were to support Harris.

A new Democratic ticket: Democratic voters want a radical ticket. It's not too late for Harris to give them one.

Harris' candidacy energized Black and white voters

For them, Harris experience at the historically Black Howard University and her membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, coupled with the reality that she has had to overcome all the same obstacles theyve faced, more than proves her bona fides as a Black woman.

I also didnt recognize how many Black men would step up to match the energy of their sisters in backing Harris.

And I certainly didnt see how much that would charge up white liberals, eager to prove that their nation has moved beyond the stereotypes that have defined race relations since its founding.

I was being too pessimistic, too pragmatic, too skeptical and, frankly, too old school in my thinking and went so far as to say that Harris should bow out with Biden to make room for Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona to take the Democratic nomination.

I cant say this clearly or directly enough: I was wrong.

Harris is more than a viable contender. Harris can win this election.

Who will be Harris' VP pick? Kamala Harris doesn't scare Republicans, but Mark Kelly absolutely should

Trump sees Harris as a threat. Who would've guessed?

Ironically, its because of the support that Ive been saying for years is the key to the White House: Excited Black voters create the margins needed for Democrats to win elections up and down any given ballot, and its especially true in presidential races as the most recent elections have proved.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

Harris has halted and reversed the momentum Trump gained with the one-two punch of his debate against Biden and the Republican National Convention.

And his move to accept an invitation to answer questions from Black journalists at the NABJ convention shows that he recognizes Harris as a real threat.

Its something that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago.

Greg Moore is a columnist for the Arizona Republic, where this column originally published. Reach Moore at gmoore@azcentral.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @SayingMoore

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Harris can win this election. Trump should see her as a threat
Will York Countys two men on death row be executed after S.C. Supreme Court ruling?

Its not clear what the S.C. Supreme Courts ruling this week will mean for York Countys two men on death row.

South Carolina has not executed anyone since 2011. But this week, the S.C. Supreme ruled the methods the state can use to execute convicted killers  including firing squad, the electric chair and lethal injection  are legal. The two local men who could be affected by that ruling are Mar-Reece Hughes, who was sentenced to death in 1995 for killing York County deputy Brent McCants at a traffic stop, and James Jimmy Robertson, who was sentenced to death in 1999 for beating his parents to death.

Hughes is now 58 years old. Robertson is 50. Both have spent exactly half their lives on death row. They are the only two from York County among the 32 men on South Carolinas death row.

Hughes lawyer and court documents say the man has been ruled incompetent since being placed on death row. So, barring any change in status, Hughes may never be executed.

If (Hughes) is incompetent, he cannot be executed, said William Harry Ehlies II of Greenville, who is the appellate lawyer for both Hughes and Robertson.

Robertsons case, even after 25 years, remains on appeal, according to Ehlies and state and federal court documents.

Ehlies declined to comment on specific details of each mans case. He said: The law works, and it is to be respected.

Hughes  a cop shot dead

York County Sheriffs Office deputy McCants, 23, was shot dead in a traffic stop in 1992 when two men attacked him. Dwayne Eric Forney and Hughes were caught hours later after a manhunt.

Forney was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He remains there.

A jury sentenced Hughes to death.

For over a decade, Hughes has been ruled incompetent to be executed, court documents show. He was competent to stand trial when he was convicted, records show.

Myra McCants, the mother of the victim, lived 28 years in outrage after that 1995 conviction because Hughes didnt get executed. She died in 2023.

In dozens of interviews with The Herald over decades, she railed against the system where the death penalty sentence is rendered, but not used.

My son received the death penalty, Myra McCants said before she died. No trial. No lawyers. Death.

Robertson  killing for money

Robertson was convicted of killing his parents, Earl and Terry Robertson, for $2 million in cash and insurance. He was caught in Pennsylvania after the bodies were found.

Robertson left a trail of credit card purchases and evidence he threw out in trash bins along the way from York County to near Philadelphia, police and prosecutors said. A neighbor also saw Robertson leaving his parents home in his fathers car on that evening in November 1997, after another person found the bodies, officials said.

In 2010, when a date was set for Robertson to be executed, he filed a lawsuit in federal court asking for a halt until appeals were finished.

Robertsons state case is now on appeal to the S.C. Supreme Court, according to state and federal court records and Ehlies, his lawyer.

Prosecutors: No doubt guilty, death penalty deserved

Current 16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett and former solicitor Tommy Pope, now a S.C. Statehouse representative, prosecuted Hughes and Robertson.

Each said this week there is no doubt Robertson and Hughes committed the crimes they were convicted of and received the legal punishment the state allowed. Evidence against both was overwhelming and convincing, they said.

There is no question of their guilt, Brackett said of Hughes and Robertson.

Brackett, who has voiced public concerns for years about how appeals in death penalty cases affect crime victims families, said there is no timetable for either case to finish in appeals courts.

Given the posture, there is no end in sight, Brackett said. They remain on death row.

Both Brackett and Pope stayed in touch with Myra McCants until her death. Pope said this weeks court decision should mean the state can now carry out legal executions that evaded victims.

The courts decision is a victory for crime victims who often wait for years hoping for justice for the slaying of a loved one, Pope said. Adding the additional methods of execution will hopefully remove the logjam clever defense attorneys have used for years to thwart these lawful sentences from being carried, out, creating further heartache for victims.

Death penalty opponents: doesnt make public safer

But in a statement after the S.C. Supreme Court ruling, South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty called the decision that could restart executions irresponsible. The group said the death penalty is ineffective.

Killing the 32 people on death row who are already behind bars does nothing to make us safer, the statement said.

Rock Hill defense attorney Chris Wellborn said he could not comment on the two pending York County cases of death row inmates. He did say the court decision means death penalty methods are constitutional, but capital punishment does not make society safer.

Capital punishment is not an option in most western countries, Wellborn said. And further, a murder conviction in South Carolina already carries a sentence of a mandatory 30 years in prison up to life, Wellborn said.

Concerns remain about innocent people whose cases are later overturned by DNA or other evidence being put to death, Wellborn said.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  With less than 100 days to go, Americans are gearing up for Novembers election and one group of voters could make the most impact.

When Americans take to the polls in November, theyll be deciding on the future of our country. For Arkansas voters Jaime Gardner and Wil Cheatham, thats a conversation they want in on.

I wanted to be more involved in the policies that speak more to me, Gardner explained.

Gen Z feels the Kamalove: Youth-led progressive groups hope Harris will energize young voters

Both Cheatham and Gardner had their interest sparked over the past few years: Gardner after college, and Cheatham in law school. But its whats happening now that has them taking action.

Ive been tracking them heavily, all the campaigns, Cheatham said, while Gardner added, Ive also been to a couple of rallies, [and] I plan on going to candidate forums closer to election day.

Cheatham and Gardner are just two examples of a new wave of political engagement, the next generation of voters making an impact. The past few elections have seen a record turnout of Millennials and Gen Z taking to the polls, a trend thats only expected to continue in November.

Republican Party of Arkansas Executive Committee repeals delegates approval of closed primaries among other action items

With the presidency on the line, candidates have realized how critical young voters are and are doing all they can to get their votes.

I think were certainly seeing a shift to the younger generations and that is most plainly evidenced I think by President Trumps pick of Senator JD Vance, said Cheatham.

I feel like a lot of campaigns now are trying to target more of like younger Gen Z audiences by doing more campaigns focused on like TikTok and Instagram, Gardner said.

With the countdown on and every ballot able to make a difference, both voters have a message to young Americans: get out and make your voice heard.

Harris has enough Democratic delegate votes to be the partys nominee, committee chair says

In Arkansas, voters have until Oct. 7 to register to vote in the November election. Cheatham and Gardner also say to get educated; know who and what youre voting for and then show up to cast your ballot.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The African American Mens Wellness Agency hosted the Mahoning Valley Black Mens Wellness Day on Saturday at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.

According to its website, the agency is designed to empower black men to live longer and its the largest wellness initiative of its kind in central Ohio.

The event featured speakers, free health screenings and a 5K walk.

Andrew Peterson contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Zelenskyy after recent strikes on Russian territory: It's fair to target Russian airfields  video

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reminded foreign partners that Ukraine needs more air defence capabilities and also stated that it is fair to strike Russian airfields, following the successful attacks on Russian territory on the night of 2-3 August.

Source: Zelenskyy on social media

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Russian combat aviation must be destroyed wherever it is, using any effective means. It is also quite fair to strike Russian airfields. We need this joint decision with our partners  a security decision.

This is the only way to ensure protection for our people. This week alone, Russia has used more than 600 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine.

We must stop this daily Russian terror with strong joint decisions."

Background:

The defence forces struck the Morozovsk airfield in Russias Rostov Oblast and a number of oil depots, the General Staff reported.

As a result of the operation, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine used UAVs to hit a fuel and lubricant storage point on the territory of the Atlas plant of the Russian Federal Agency for State Reserves in Rostov Oblast.

Ukraine's Security Service explained that Russian aircraft and air defence systems had been damaged in the strikes.

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Zelenskyy: Wagner Group presence in Venezuela is evidence of Russia meddling in other countries' affairs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is concerned about reports that Russian Wagner Group mercenaries have been spotted in Venezuela alongside the state troops commandeered by the former president, Nicolas Maduro, who has claimed victory in the recent presidential elections despite widespread concerns that the election results have been falsified, sparking a wave of protests. Zelenskyy said this was an example of Russia meddling in other countries affairs.

Source: President Zelenskyy on X

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Reports of the presence of Russian Wagner mercenaries in Venezuela alongside government forces are worrying. Wherever these thugs go, they bring death and instability.

Its a vivid example of Russias shameless interference in the affairs of other countries, as well as of its familiar strategy of sowing chaos around the world."

Details: Zelenskyy said the only way out of the difficult situation in Venezuela is "through peaceful and democratic procedures, not sending murderers to further exacerbate the situation".

"We condemn the use of force against peaceful protesters and urge everyone to respect the people's choice. True leaders dont hide from their own people behind mercenaries' backs," Zelenskyy tweeted.

Background:

On 1 August, reports that Russias Wagner Group was helping stop the protests in Venezuela appeared on social media.

The Venezuelan Electoral Council has officially declared Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of the recent presidential elections. The countrys opposition claims that according to the count of about 90% of the votes, their candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won.

When Gonzalezs supporters took to the streets to protest, the protests were suppressed by the government security forces and armed pro-government gangs.

At least 17 protesters were killed. About 750 were arrested, according to the countrys attorney general.

The G7 foreign ministers have expressed concern about fraud during the vote count in the Venezuelan presidential election.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States considers Gonzalez to be the winner of the Venezuelan elections. Blinken also expressed concern about the safety of Venezuelan opposition leaders, specifically Gonzalez and Corina Machado.

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Zelenskyy: war has to end on Ukraine's terms, Ukraine's Peace Formula can be put into action

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed the importance of ending the war on Ukraines terms and believes it is possible to implement Ukraines Peace Formula.

Source: President Zelenskyy in a video address

Details: Zelenskyy thanked Ukrainian soldiers for striking Russian military airfields, oil refineries, and other important military infrastructure facilities. He said that today (3 August  ed.) he heard a report regarding these strikes from Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine has to obtain permission from its partners to deploy long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "[Ukraine needs to be able to strike] wherever the occupier is, wherever Russia strikes Ukraine from, wherever it launches missiles, Shahed drones, and bombs from. We need this decision so that we can use all the weapons that can be effective.

We must protect the lives of our people and end the war on Ukrainian terms. Every strike that effectively retaliates against Russian aerial bombs, that destroys Russian [military] infrastructure and [military] bases, that makes it more difficult for the occupier to stay on our land  every such strike brings the just end to the war closer."

Details: Zelenskyy also thanked Ukraines partners who continue to exert sanctions pressure on Russia and countries that assist it in its war effort. He stressed that sanctions have to be effective and need to be tightened to prevent Russia from being able to circumvent them.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "The more difficult it is for Moscow to maintain its military production and supply its army, the more Russia will be forced into peace.

The key tenets of our Peace Formula can absolutely be implemented, because the global majority is putting pressure on Russia, does not support its military activity and really wants to restore stability in international relations. Sanctions are contributing to this, and there will be true peace. It will obtain if we do not show weakness and stick to the course of justice."

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First Look at the Updated Air Jordan 4 Rare Air Retro Coming in 2025





More from Footwear News





Update: Sept. 9, 2024 at 3:40 p.m. ET

After learning more in August about the upcoming Air Jordan 4 Retro Rare Air, a first look at the 2025 sneaker release has surfaced on social media.

As expected, the shoe features a black-based suede design which is most reminiscent of the classic Bred Air Jordan 4 but boasts a handful of key differences. The new Rare Air look adds blue accents on the midsole, heel, liner and shoelaces. Theres also a yellowed portion of the midsole near the back which gives the shoe a pre-aged look.

Air Jordan 4 Retro Rare Air 2025. Credit: @diego19eightysix

But the biggest detail that separates this pair from standard Air Jordan 4 Retros is its Velcro tongue tag. Based on the early images, the 25 Rare Air Jordan 4 features a white rubberized tongue with blue Jumpman branding and a red reverse side with 23 text representing Michael Jordans jersey number.

In related Air Jordan 4 news, one of the models most coveted colorways is also due for a return in 25 as two different versions of Undefeateds Air Jordan 4 collaboration are expected in June. Even sooner, the popular Fear Air Jordan 4 will be reissued in November.

Given its Rare Air designation, fans shouldnt be surprised if this Black/Fire Red/Deep Royal Blue/Dark Smoke Gray/Tech Gray colorway is released in limited numbers next year. The Air Jordan 4 Retro Rare Air is on schedule to be released from select Jordan Brand retailers and Nikes SNKRS app on Feb. 15 for a retail price of $215. Further updates on the sneaker are expected soon.

Update: Aug. 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET

Originally rumored to feature laser-printed etching on its upper, new information has surfaced about an upcoming Air Jordan 4 which provides a clearer idea of what to expect upon its release.

Newly shared updates from sources including Instagrams @zsneakerheadz and Sneaker Files depict a fresh look for the 2025 Rare Air Air Jordan 4. Instead of the laser upper originally expected, the pair will reportedly don a more traditional two-tone suede upper in black and dark gray. Color accents are aplenty, with the sneaker mixing bright red and royal blue shades throughout.

The latest update indicates that a feature the shoe will retain is its signature Rare Air Velcro tongue patch, famously used on styles such as Undefeateds Air Jordan 4 collaboration  which is also due for a 25 launch.

A mock-up rendering of the upcoming Air Jordan 4 Retro Rare Air releasing in 2025. Credit: @zsneakerheadz

In addition to its Rare Air tag, the sneaker is set to come in special edition packaging which references a 2000s-era Jordan Brand shoebox. That original box was silver, but this retro will reportedly come in a blacked-out version similar to what is pictured above.

As of now, in-hand images of the Air Jordan 4 Retro Rare Air arent yet available, but the Black/Fire Red/Deep Royal Blue/Dark Smoke Gray/Tech Gray makeup is expected to feature the color blocking pictured here. While release dates are subject to change, the sneaker is currently expected to be released on February 15.

What We Originally Reported on May 19, 2024

With the Air Jordan 4 firmly situated as Jordan Brands it sneaker of the moment, the Nike, Inc.-owned subsidiary continues to introduce fresh looks for the popular model. According to recent leaks, the shoe will soon bring back a concept of the yesteryear in a brand new color scheme.

Insider @zsneakerheadz reports that an Air Jordan 4 Rare Air Laser is set to release early next year. While its too far in advance for full details to have surfaced, the upcoming pair is expected to combine two nostalgic elements of past Air Jordan 4s.

First introduced in 2005 in black and white-based colorways, the Laser Air Jordan 4s were developed by former Nike and Jordan Brand designer Mark Smith. The laser-etched patterns found their way on to models including the Air Force 1 and Air Jordan 20, but may be most fondly remembered for their appearance on the Air Jordan 4. Following the aforementioned 2005 releases, the Laser theme was revisited on the Air Jordan 4 in 2015 for the brands 30th anniversary and again in 2019.

Along with the reappearance of the laser pattern, this new Air Jordan 4 is also said to bring back the shoes Rare Air status. Used seldomly on the Air Jordan 4 (famously on 2005s ultra-limited Undefeated collaboration and 2006s Tour Yellow release), it was a signifier that the pair was produced in limited numbers and included a Velcro tongue tag which could be removed to display its Rare Air status. The 2025 rendition is expected to feature a similar treatment.

In-hand images of the new Air Jordan 4 Rare Air Laser arent yet available, but a mock-up of what the Black/Fire Red/Deep Royal Blue/Dark Smoke Grey/Tech Grey colorway could look like is pictured below. Look out for the sneaker to release in February 2025 and check back for more updates soon.

In related news, find out about the latest Air Jordan 4 RM colorways here.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Tinker Hatfield attends the Dare To Fly AJXX8 event at PH-D Rooftop Lounge at Dream Downtown on December 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Jordan Brand)

Tinker Hatfield Through the Years

View Gallery 12 Images









Launch Gallery: Young Michael Jordan's Red Carpet Style Over the Years

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The companys The Underdogs: OOO (Out of Office) short gets pulled over criticism of stereotyped characters.

Apple pulled the latest short film in its The Underdogs: OOO (Out of Office) series set in Thailand. The tech giant scrubbed it over complaints about stereotypical portrayals of Thailand and its people in certain scenes.

The Bangkok Post reports that Apple issued an apology to the people of Thailand for the fifth film in its Underdogs series. The ad series features a group of travel weary office workers navigating the world using Apples various products.

Several viewers posted comments criticizing the films use of a sepia filter to make Thailand seem underdeveloped. The comments also called out the costuming and scenery decisions in its airport scene using outdated representations of Thailands citizens.

Sattra Sripan, the spokesman for the Thai House of Representatives committee on tourism, called for a boycott over the ad.

Thai people are deeply unhappy with the advertisement, Sripan said in a statement. I encourage Thai people to stop using Apple products and change to other brands.

Apple issued an apology for the ad shortly after pulling it off of YouTube. Lawmakers have also invited Apple representatives to visit with them to discuss the ads and how they portray Thailand on film.

Our intent was to celebrate the countrys optimism and culture, and we apologize for not fully capturing the vibrancy of Thailand today, the statement read.

This is the second time this year that Apple has apologized for a commercial. Apple pulled an ad back in May that it told AdAge missed the mark for its new thin iPad Pro. The commercial features a giant pneumatic press crushing a large collection of items used in or to represent creative endeavors such musical instruments, paints, a generic arcade cabinet, and camera equipment. The steel crusher smooshes everything flat and lifts up to reveal an intact iPad sitting on the lower steel block that a voiceover describes as the most powerful iPad ever is also the thinnest.

Artists, musicians and other creators took offense to the ads implied tone that generative AI would replace human artistic endeavors. Apple vowed not to air the ad on TV but its still on its YouTube page with the comments section disabled.
About 12,000 Chinese households can now be powered by salt.

In truth, the "world's largest" sodium-ion battery system in Qianjiang is proof that the unique power pack chemistry can store a hoard of renewable energy, reliably putting it on the grid, according to PV Magazine and Interesting Engineering.

The system was put online in June by state-owned power provider Datang Group, turning heads across the energy sector.

"The growing storage capacities of these units show that the sodium-ion batteries are no longer limited to the laboratories and are making their presence felt in the market," IE's Ameya Paleja wrote.

The power packs are the first part of a storage station being completed in phases. It includes 42 energy storage containers provided by HiNa Battery Technology. Throwing the switch on the project was a score for the development team after a long series of "difficulties," all per PV's report.

Sodium-ion batteries have some impressive advantages over common lithium-ion packs, used in most electric vehicles and other large storage units, like Tesla's Megapacks.

When mass produced, the salt-based batteries could be much cheaper to make than alternatives on the market because sodium is abundant and less costly to harvest than lithium. Aluminum can be used as an anode instead of more expensive copper, reducing expenses even more, all per PV.

The article also noted challenges that need to be overcome to bring the science to fruition, something the Chinese experts have apparently achieved with the Datang project.

"Before sodium ion batteries can challenge existing lead acid and lithium iron phosphate batteries, industry players will need to reduce the technology's cost by improving technical performance, establishing supply chains, and achieving economies of scale," Shazan Siddiqi, an analyst at UK-based research company IDTechEx, said in the online magazine.

At the Qianjiang site, experts told PV that the station can be powered up and down more than 300 times a year. The stored electricity can be released to support the grid during peak times. Datang Group said the system can reduce harmful air pollution output by more than 13,000 tons each year.

Breathing high amounts of pollution can increase the chances for a host of health problems, from increased cancer risks to asthma and even dementia, according to health experts.

At Datang, the team is also touting other impressive metrics as part of its pollution-curbing solution.

"Sodium-ion batteries have excellent safety and low-temperature operating performance. They can still guarantee 85% charge and discharge efficiency at (minus 68-degrees Fahrenheit), which is unmatched by other batteries. They can also guarantee 1,500 charge and discharge cycles at a high temperature of (140-degrees)," Datang project manager Cui Yongle said in the PV article.

It's another boon for the burgeoning renewable power and storage sector, as huge solar farms and other projects are being turned on or are in development in China, the U.S., Portugal, and elsewhere.

You can leverage steep tax breaks to install smaller, home-based systems and battery storage units. Installing solar can save you $1,500 a year on electricity bills, if canceling $125 worth of energy each month. Tax rebates, on average, are worth $4,600.

EnergySage and Rewiring America are free online tools that can help you navigate solar and battery options, applicable tax incentives, and even find an installer.

"An alternative from an abundantly available and cheaper source makes the transition easier," IE's Paleja noted, referencing the sodium science.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
The Vernon County Historical Society (VCHS) is hosting a free Swift Night Out at the museum on Saturday, Aug. 10. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. with a talk about volunteer local chimney swift monitoring efforts from Dave Krier. Stefan Gleissberg, professor at UW-La Crosse and part of the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group, will then share information on the natural history of chimney swifts.

After these discussions, attendees will watch the hundreds of chimney swifts come back to roost in the chimney, around 8:15-8:30 p.m.

The event takes place in the parking lot on the west side of the museum, located at the corner of South Main and East South streets (across from Dairy Queen). Bring a lawn chair or something comfortable to sit in and look up at the top of the chimney.

The museum will be open. There is no rain date  if the weather is poor, the presentation will be inside in the meeting room.

The chimney was repaired in 2021 as part of an agreement between the VCHS and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Partners Program, according to the press release. The arrangement was facilitated by the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group, a group of volunteers dedicated to helping swifts. A requirement for partial funding by the USFWS is that the chimney must remain usable by the swifts for at least 10 years.

The chimney on the museum building used to be for the coal fired boilers, which long ago were deactivated and removed.

Chimney swifts are a bird species that have been in decline in North America, and each year during the summer months, hundreds have been using the museums chimney for roosting. Reported sightings of swifts around the museum go back to the 1970s.

Chimney swifts fly around Viroqua almost all day, and a person can hear them chittering as they walk around downtown. They are often mistaken for bats, with almost no tail with a very rapid wing beat.

Keep an eye on the historical societys Facebook site for updates at https://www.facebook.com/VernonCountyHistoricalSociety or https://www.vernoncountyhistory.org/. Check out the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Groups website to learn more about swifts www.wiswifts.org.

Even if people cant make that night, from late April to early October on most evenings, about 20 minutes before sunset, the parking lot to the west of the museum is good spot to see hundreds of chimney swifts flying into the chimney to roost for the evening.
Friendship Day 2024 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the friends who enrich our lives with their presence. Whether through grand gestures or simple acts of appreciation, lets take the time to honor the friendships that make our world a brighter, more loving place. As we celebrate this day, lets remember the theme of building bridges of kindness and strive to extend the spirit of friendship to everyone we encounter.

Friendship Day 2024: Date

Friendship Day 2024 falls on Sunday, August 4th. Mark your calendars and prepare to reach out to your friends, old and new, near and far, to celebrate the essence of this beautiful relationship.

Friendship Day 2024: Theme

The theme for Friendship Day 2024 is Building Bridges of Kindness. This theme encourages us to foster kindness and compassion in our interactions, not only with friends but with everyone around us. In a world that can often feel divided, the theme underscores the power of friendship in bridging gaps and creating a more harmonious and understanding society.

Friendship Day 2024: Significance

Friendship Day is a day to acknowledge the value of friends in our lives. Friends are our chosen family, providing emotional support, companionship, and shared experiences. This day serves as a reminder to express gratitude and affection for those who stand by us through thick and thin. Its a celebration of the joy, trust, and understanding that friendships bring into our lives.

Friendship Day 2024: History

Friendship Day has its origins in the United States, where it was first proposed by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards, in 1930. Initially celebrated on August 2nd, the day was intended to encourage people to send cards and celebrate their friendships. Over the years, the idea spread globally, and different countries adopted their own dates and ways of celebrating.

In 2011, the United Nations officially recognized July 30th as International Friendship Day, although many countries, including India and the United States, continue to celebrate it on the first Sunday of August. The UNs recognition of the day highlights the importance of friendship in promoting peace, understanding, and reconciliation among peoples and cultures.

Friendship Day 2024: Ways To Celebrate

There are countless ways to celebrate Friendship Day, and the best celebrations are those that reflect the unique bonds you share with your friends. Here are a few ideas:

Send a Card or Letter: In an age dominated by digital communication, a handwritten note can be a heartfelt gesture.

Plan a Get-Together: Organize a picnic, dinner, or outing with your friends to create new memories.

Share a Gift: Thoughtful gifts, such as friendship bracelets, books, or personalized items, can show your appreciation.

Virtual Hangout: For friends who are far away, arrange a video call to catch up and share some laughs.

Acts of Kindness: Embrace the theme by performing acts of kindness, either together with friends or individually, to spread positivity.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's trademark bulldozer today demolished the house of a gang-rape accused, said to be the Samajwadi Party leader. CM Yogi Adityanath has promised the victim's mother of strict action in the case and now a bulldozer demolished the main accused Moeed Khan's house. Speaking in the Uttar Pradesh assembly, CM Yogi had said that the police will take strict action against the Samajwadi Party leader.

The incident came to light after the 12-year-old victim became pregnant. The girl named the accused and even claimed that the culprits made a video of her and threatened her family with consequences if a complaint was filed against them.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday met with the family of the victim, who was raped in Ayodhya by two men, one of whom the CM stated was a member of the Samajwadi Party and promised strict action.

"The bakery has been sealed after it was found illegal and action to demolish the bakery is being initiated," SDM Sohawal, Ashok Kumar told ANI.

The chief minister shared about the meeting on his social media platform X, he said, "I met the family members of the victim from Ayodhya, along with Dr Amit Singh Chauhan, the MLA from Bikapur constituency in Ayodhya district," the chief minister said on X.

Sharing a picture from the meeting with the family members' faces blurred, he wrote in Hindi, "The culprits will not be spared at any cost, (and) strict action will be taken against them. We are committed to getting justice for the girl."

           .  .                



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           pic.twitter.com/vmYHsFWaYa  Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 2, 2024

Police had arrested the bakery owner Moid Khan and his employee Raju Khan on Friday from the Purakalandar area in connection with the case.

During his address in the assembly on Thursday, Adityanath asserted that Moid Khan was affiliated with the Samajwadi Party (SP).

"Moid Khan is from the Samajwadi Party and a member of the Ayodhya MP's team. He has been found involved in a case of rape of a 12-year-old. The Samajwadi Party has not taken action against him," Yogi asserted.

Faizabad (Ayodhya) MP Awadhesh Prasad distanced himself from the accused. "As far as this incident is concerned, it is very painful and shameful. All the people involved in this incident should be investigated, the truth should be found out and whoever is guilty action should be taken with full force against them....Innocents should not be framed and DNA test should be conducted. She (victim) should be helped financially as well... I have never allowed anyone to come near me who has even the slightest connection with the crime. I have never taken any kind of help from them. As far as the photo (with the accused) is concerned. Lakhs of people click pictures with us, take selfies," said Prasad.

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Saturday that DNA tests should be done on the rape accused to deliver justice to the victim. In a post on X, Akhilesh said, "In the case of misdeeds, the way for justice should be found by getting DNA tests done on those who are accused, and not by merely making allegations and doing politics. Whoever is guilty should be given full punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proven false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. This is the demand for justice."
YADGIR: A case was registered by the police against Congress MLA Channareddy Tannur and his son Pampanagouda Tannur on Saturday after a Dalit sub-inspector allegedly died by suicide, following his transfer within seven months of posting. The MLA and his son were booked on charges of intentional insult with an intent to provoke breach of peace, abetment of suicide and joint criminal liability on a complaint by Parusharam's wife Shwetha N V. She alleged that the father-son duo had allegedly demanded Rs 30 lakh from her husband if he wished to continue in the same place.

Shwetha said Parashuram was in tears ever since he was transferred and told her that he felt suicidal. When Shwetha, who is pregnant, went to Raichur to her parents' house for the delivery of her child, she got to know that Parashuram was hospitalised with bleeding from his nose and mouth. Following the incident, members of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) staged a demonstration blocking the road demanding justice for Parashuram. Shwetha too joined the agitators. Addressing media, she said the police department was supporting the MLA and not her husband.

The department itself is not with him today. Instead it is supporting the MLA. It supports the one who squanders money. It pays money to him and supports him. How much money you want to feed him? Will you rear an MLA? Do you toil day and night ignoring your parents and family for an MLA? This MLA is responsible for it but he has not come here yet. I want an FIR. We want justice, Shwetha said Traffic was badly affected due to the agitation. Reacting to the incident, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that he has ordered a thorough investigation into the case. He, however, ruled out that it was a suicide.

He (Parashuram) did not commit suicide. He had not written any death note. His wife has complained that she was suffering from the transfer issue. I will consider his allegation. Investigation will be done in that dimension, the Minister told reporters in Bengaluru. He said that the police were collecting preliminary information and conduct an investigation. The incident took a political turn with opposition BJP and the JD(S) slamming the government for pushing sincere officers towards suicide.

A police sub-inspector from your community has died by suicide. Why did he do that? His wife alleges that he took the extreme step because he failed to pay Rs 25 lakh as bribe to the MLA, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy said at the launch of Mysuru Chalo' march jointly organised by the BJP and JD(S) in Bengaluru. He wondered if this is how Parameshwara would pay tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar.

In his reaction, Parameshwara said he goes by the law and not his community. The BJP leaders said earlier Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation Accounts Superintendent, Chandrasekharan P died by suicide. Chandrasekharan in his suicide note explained the illegal transfer of Rs 187 crore, which led to the arrest of the former Minister B Nagendra, and 12 other government and Union Bank of India officers.
In a much-needed relief for those affected by the devastating landslide in Wayanad, the Kerala government has announced a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. On Saturday, the state government revealed that a new township will be established in a secure area to provide housing for those displaced by the catastrophic landslide in the Mundakkai region of Wayanad district.

During a press conference, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan outlined the details of the rehabilitation process, emphasizing that it will be implemented swiftly and effectively. He mentioned that various offers have been received from the global community to provide land and construct houses for the victims. To coordinate these efforts, a 'Help for Wayanad' cell has been formed under the leadership of Joint Land Revenue Commissioner A Geetha IAS.

Vijayan assured that the government's priority is to ensure the swift rehabilitation of the affected families, leveraging both local and international support to rebuild their lives and communities. "The government plans a comprehensive rehabilitation process for the survivors, aiming for swift completion. A new, safer area will be identified for constructing a township. The Education Minister will visit Wayanad to ensure that children's education is not disrupted," Vijayan told the reporters.

Detailing the offers received, the CM said Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has informed that senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will construct 100 houses for rehabilitation. Satheesan will be directly in charge of 25 of these houses, Vijayan said. "Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has offered to construct 100 houses. I have called him to express our gratitude," the Kerala CM said.

As rescue operations in the landslide-hit areas of the district entered fifth day, rescuers unearthed more bodies and body parts, taking the death toll to 215, with around 206 people still reported missing.

On the other hand, the finance ministry on Saturday asked public sector insurance companies including Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to speedily disburse the claim amount to landslide victims and their families in Wayanad and other districts of Kerala. The finance ministry said in a post on X that the insurance companies have initiated efforts for reaching out to their policyholders through various channels (local newspapers, social media, company websites, sms, etc) to provide the contact details for assistance in the districts of Wayanad, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur, where a significant number of claims are being reported.

"In view of the unfortunate landslide incident and heavy rains in Kerala, the government has mandated the Public Sector Insurance companies (PSICs), including LIC, National Insurance Corporation, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance, and United India Insurance to extend all possible support to the victims of the calamity so that the insurance claims can be expeditiously processed and paid," it said. (With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Following the tragic deaths of at least 12 inmates at Asha Kiran Shelter within just 20 days, the Aam Aadmi Party is facing scathing attacks from opposition parties. On Friday, Congress leader Abhishek Dutt condemned the Delhi government for overcrowding the facility, which was housing double its intended capacity. Dutt further slammed Arvind Kejriwals Health Model and said, The government hospitals here are only for publicity.

The Congress leader said, "This is a very sad incident. It is sad to see that on one side in a shelter home, double the capacity people are kept there and on the other side Arvind Kejriwal is living in his 170 cr 'sheesh mahal'," reported ANI.

Dutta further added that the Delhi CM used to talk about the health model, However, no action has been taken against the corrupt ministers. He should be immediately removed from his post. The government hospitals here are only for publicity. People remember Delhi built by Sheila Dikshit," Dutt asserted.

According to sources at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office, the local shelter home, which has a capacity of approximately 500 individuals, is currently accommodating about 950 people, nearly double its intended capacity. This overcrowding has raised significant concerns about the well-being and safety of the residents.

Expressing worry about the deaths of inmates at Asha Kiran shelter, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari criticized the Aam Aadmi Party for plunging Delhi into a dire state. "It is difficult to breathe in Delhi. It is difficult to read the news.

Such news comes every day... Where does Aam Aadmi Party do what it says? The Aam Aadmi Party government has brought Delhi to a very sad situation. To save Delhi, it is very important to remove such people from the post," Tiwari said, reported ANI.

According to an official report, the highest number of deaths (14) at Asha Kiran Shelter Home in Delhi's Rohini area occurred in July. The report indicated that out of a total of 25 deaths recorded since February 2024, 14 happened in July alone (6 males and 8 females).

The report, sent from Asha Kiran Shelter Home to the Delhi Government, cited loose motion and unconsciousness as the primary causes of death, with other contributing factors including mild fever, loose stools, and vomiting.

In response to the incident, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi stated, "The preliminary report will be submitted within 24 hours. If the report reveals any negligence by officials, strict action will be taken against them."
The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu often finds itself in a tricky situation due to its watermouth leaders. Be it Chief Minister MK Stalin's son Udhayanidhi Stalin or Transport Minister SS Sivasankar, their hate and criticism towards the Sanatan Dharma is evident from their controversial statements issued from time to time. In a now-viral video, the Minister, while speaking at King Rajendra Chola's birth anniversary in Ariyalur, claimed that ponds and temples constructed during Rajendra Chola's reign showed that the king lived. "But there is no evidence of history mentioning that Ram existed," Sivasankar said at the event.

However, this drew a sharp criticism from the BJP which claimed that while the DMK leaders speak against Hinduism, they never dare to speak the same about any other languages. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai on Saturday took a dig at state Transport Minister S S Sivasankar for contradicting his Cabinet colleague on Lord Ram's existence and asked the Ministers to reach a consensus on Lord Ram.

Posting a video of Sivasankar making the controversial remark, Annamalai remarked on X, "DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold  who would've thought?"

Taking exception to the remark, Annamalai said in a long social media post that last week DMK Law Minister S Reghupathy declared that Lord Ram was the ultimate champion of social justice, the pioneer of secularism, and the one who proclaimed equality for all. But now, the Transport Minister boldly asserted that Lord Ram never existed, Annamalai said.

DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to beholdwho would've thought?



Just last week, DMK's Law Minister Thiru Raghupathy avl declared that Bhagwan Shri Ram was the ultimate champion of social justice, the pioneer of secularism, and the one who proclaimed pic.twitter.com/z8or4AQQML August 2, 2024

It was high time the DMK Ministers: Raghupathy and Sivashankar, sat down, debated, and arrived at a consensus on Lord Ram, the BJP leader suggested.

Earlier, Udhayanidhi Stalin had compared Sanatan Dharma with diseases like Dengue and Malaria while calling for the eradication of the religion.
Taj Mahal or Tejo Mahalaya? This debate has been ongoing for a long time. However, it has intensified today because two young men performed a ritual with Ganges water inside the Taj Mahal. But how did they manage to do this despite the security? Today, we will give you the inside story of the ritual at the Taj Mahal. We will explain why this ritual was performed and share the plan straight from the people behind it.

Watch The Full DNA Episode Here

The Incident

Two young men are involvedone is filming while the other carries a bottle of Ganges water into the Taj Mahal complex. There are no security personnel in sight as they record their actions. As they move forward, they encounter a gate in the Taj Mahal complex. One of the men sticks an "Om" sticker on the gate and pours Ganges water over it from the bottle. They proceed further into the Taj Mahal, passing through the basement (visuals are shown). Eventually, they reach Mumtaz Begum's tomb. One of the men pours the water from the bottle over the tomb, successfully completing their mission.

Aftermath And ASI Report

The security personnel finally notice the men and detain them. In 2018, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted an affidavit to the Agra Court, stating there is no evidence that the Taj Mahal was ever a temple. In November 2015, the Ministry of Culture informed the Lok Sabha that there is no evidence of any temple in the Taj Mahal.

Both the government and ASI have denied that the Taj Mahal was ever Tejo Mahalaya. The Supreme Court has also dismissed related petitions. However, the controversy remains whether the Taj Mahal was once Tejo Mahalaya. This video has added fuel to the fire of this ongoing debate.
New Delhi: 'Bigg Boss OTT 3' has concluded, leaving fans with plenty of memorable moments. The finale featured 'Stree 2' stars Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, who praised Anil Kapoor on his hosting debut with the reality show. The two called Kapoor the 'Youngest and Fittest Host'. This is not the first time when the legendary actor's fitness and looks have become talk-of-the-town.

Earlier, Vicky Kaushal also lauded Anil Kapoor's dedication to fitness during his appearance on the show. He dedicated his film's viral song Tauba Tauba to him.

Producer Rory Millikin of the docu-series 'Rennervations', which featured Kapoor along with Jeremy Renner, had also dropped a comment on the actor's picture to praise his physique. Millikin commented, "I don't know who's more shredded, you or Arnold in the foreground :) Looking good brutha," the comment read.

Anil Kapoor's hosting debut was received well by the audiences, and the show's ratings are proof. The actor brought his years of experience on the stage as a host, and his infectious energy instantly made him a favorite among the 'Bigg Boss OTT 3' audiences as well as his fans.

On the work front, Anil Kapoor is preparing for 'Subedaar', his first collaboration with director Suresh Triveni. He is also rumored to be joining YRF's spy universe.
New Delhi: Ranveer Singh's recent heavy bearded look has been drawing comparisons to his portrayal of 'Khilji'. With the announcement of his next project with Aditya Dhar, the intense, gritty appearance in the released image hints at a two-shaded, powerful role, much like the fierce glare he's known for.

The superstar is set to headline Aditya Dhar's upcoming directorial film, and a newly released image featuring the ensemble cast shows him sporting a heavy beard and long hair. This rugged look has fans wondering if Ranveer is returning to an angry, intense, possibly grey-shaded character - an all-new loved 'Angry Young Man' of Bollywood.

Take A Look At The Post:

The last we saw the actor own a negative, intense, and deadly character was his acclaimed role as Alauddin Khilji in 'Padmaavat.' Ranveer Singh's ability to transform into any role he takes on is well-documented, from the hustler Murad in 'Gully Boy', the determined Bajirao in 'Bajirao Mastani' to the sinister Khilji.

Aditya Dhar, known for his gripping storytelling in "Uri: The Surgical Strike," pairing with powerhouse talent Ranveer Singh is a combination that has fans eagerly anticipating the film's release.Fans are wondering will Ranveer Singh turn the bad guy in Aditya Dhars next. As the details unfold, one can see Ranveer bring another powerful character to the screen.

Ranveer Singh is set to headline two major projects, the upcoming 'Don' and Aditya Dhar's latest directorial, where he'll star alongside Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan in key roles. However, details for both films are still under wraps.
New Delhi: The social media platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have been banned amid the ongoing student protests demanding reforms in the quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh.

Reportedly, this government move has restricted its citizens from using popular social media apps. Access to these social media apps will be limited throughout Bangladesh, as Global Eyes News first reported the ban through its official X account.

Breaking



The Bangladeshi government has banned Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and YouTube in the country. pic.twitter.com/ct12j8QPyn  Global Eyes (@Global__Eyes) August 2, 2024

The decision to ban social media apps comes shortly after a similar action by Turkey, which also announced a ban on Instagram earlier the same day. This is not the first instance of Bangladesh banning Meta platforms.

The latest prohibition follows a suspension of Meta's platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, in July. Meanwhile, the broadband services were partially restored on July 23, mobile networks remained offline until July 28. The earlier shutdown was in response to widespread unrest witnessed in the country over quota reforms.

On the other hand, the countrys internet speed had returned to normal levels on August 1, according to reports. However, with millions of mobile network users impacted by the Facebook restriction, a surge in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is expected, which could potentially slow down overall internet speeds.
New Delhi: As cyber frauds reach alarming heights, a local resident became the latest victim when scammers posing as cyber police officials threatened him with arrest. They falsely claimed his Aadhaar card was being used in illegal activities, officials reported on Saturday.

How did the fraud begin?

Bal Chand Rajput, a resident of Galod in Hamirpur district received a call on July 23 from someone claiming to be a FedEx Courier Service employee, reported PTI. The caller informed him that an illegal parcel bound for Taiwan had been seized by the Customs Department and his Aadhaar card had been used to make the shipping payment of Rs 15,250. Rajput filed his complaint on July 26.

Fraudsters Pose as DCP Crime Branch

Shortly after, Rajput received another call on WhatsApp from someone claiming to be the DCP Crime Branch. The caller informed him that his Aadhaar card had been used in 18 different accounts linked to underworld and 'hawala' businesses, Rajput added in his complaint.

Rajput Transfers Rs 5.34 Lakh to Scammers

The caller also told Rajput that CBI and RBI officials would investigate all his accounts and that if any evidence of illegal activities was found, he could face seven to nine years of imprisonment. Fearing arrest, Rajput transferred Rs 5.34 lakh to the account shared by the fraudsters over the phone call, according to his complaint.

Amount Refunded Within Five Days

Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamirpur Bhagat Singh said the cyber crime cell acted on Rajput's complaint and successfully had the amount refunded to his account within five days. "The police immediately freezed the accounts in which the money was deposited and further transferred, and in three days presented a copy of the complaint on the cyber portal in the court, following which the court issued an order for the release of the money on August 1," SP Singh said, as quoted by PTI.

Ongoing Investigations

"I was duped by being threatened with drugs, 'hawala,' and underworld connections, but thanks to the prompt action of the police, I have received my money back," Rathore said. Further investigations into the matter are ongoing, Singh added.
New Delhi: After an assassination attempt on the former US President Donald Trump, most Americans do not trust the Secret Services ability to keep presidential candidates safe, reported Associated Press.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted the survey after director Kimberly Cheatle resigned. Cheatle had faced tough questioning during a live broadcast of a congressional hearing last week, where she gave evasive answers.

What The Poll Revealed?

- A new poll reveals that only about 30% of people feel confident in the Secret Service's ability to prevent violence against candidates before the election. Meanwhile, around 70% believe the Secret Service is at least somewhat responsible for the assassination attempt.

- The poll showed that most Americans believe political division in the U.S. is largely to blame for the assassination attempt. About half of U.S. adults think this.

- Roughly 40% hold the Secret Service highly responsible. Another 40% blame the easy access to guns.

- Democrats tend to blame the availability of guns more. Republicans are more likely to hold the Secret Service accountable.

Trump Assassination Attempt

Former President Donald Trump was shot and injured in an assassination attempt a month ago at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The incident claimed the death of a spectator and critically injured two others. Snipers took down the shooter, a 20-year-old man, after he fired eight rounds at the rally. The FBI identified the attacker as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

Earlier this week, the new acting director Ronald Rowe expressed his shame over the July 13 attack in Butler, Pennsylvania. He called it indefensible that the roof used by the gunman had not been secured.

The poll of 1143 adults was conducted July 25-29, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.

(Based on inputs from AP)
New Delhi: The U.S. will deploy a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and keep an aircraft carrier in the region, the Pentagon announced on Friday. This move aims to bolster the American military presence to protect Israel from potential threats by Iran and its allies, as well as to ensure the safety of U.S. troops.

The announcement follows threats of retaliation from Iran and its regional allies in response to the killings of a Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah commander in Beirut, raising concerns about a potential escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

According to a report by AP, US President Joe Biden and Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu shared a call on Thursday afternoon. Biden talked about new U.S. military deployments aimed at defending against potential attacks from ballistic missiles and drones, as reported by the White House.

The White House in a statement said Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Israels security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

U.S. leaders are worried about increased violence in the Middle East after recent Israeli attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which have led to threats of revenge. Iran has also threatened to take action after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday, just a day after senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur was killed in Beirut.

Its not yet clear which new ships will be deployed to the Middle East, according to AP. The U.S. already maintains a steady presence of warships in the region and the eastern Mediterranean Sea, including the Navy destroyers USS Roosevelt and USS Bulkeley, as well as the USS Wasp and USS New York.
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday won the 2024 Democratic National Convention, securing a majority of votes of the delegates, Washington Post reported.

Democratic Party officials announced officially, making her the party's presidential nominee and concluding an unprecedented process after the former Democratic standard-bearer dropped out less than two weeks ago.

Following this, Kamala Harris shared a post on X, and said, "I am honoured to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States."

"I will officially accept the nomination next week. This campaign is about people coming together, fueled by love of country, to fight for the best of who we are," she added.

After this announcement, US President Joe Biden also shared a post on X and stated, that he made one of the best decisions to pick Kamla Harris as president adding he couldn't be prouder.

"One of the best decisions I've made was picking @KamalaHarris as my vice president. Now that she will be our party's nominee, I couldn't be prouder," Joe Biden said on X.

More than 4,000 convention delegates had until Monday to submit their ballots, but no other candidate qualified to challenge Harris, making her selection all but certain. Still, the formal nomination ascent of the first woman of colour to lead a presidential ticket marks a milestone for a nation long riven by racial and gender issues, as per the Washington Post.

"I am honoured to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States," Harris said on a call with supporters. "And I will tell you the tireless work of our delegates, our state leaders and staff has been pivotal in making this moment possible."

The announcement was made moments before by Democratic National Committee

Chairman Jaime Harrison, who noted that Harris crossed the threshold just a day after online balloting began. The voting was opened on Monday.

"The fact that we can say today -- just one day after we opened voting -- that the vice president has crossed the majority threshold and will officially be our nominee next week, folks, that is simply outstanding," Harrison said.

On July 27, Harris signed the forms, officially declaring her candidature for the US presidential elections, assuring that her people's-powered campaign would win in November.

Harris took to social media X and emphasised that in November, her people-powered campaign will win.

She further reiterated that she would work hard to earn every vote."Today, I signed the forms officially declaring my candidacy for President of the United States. I will work hard to earn every vote. And in November, our people-powered campaign will win," Kamala Harris said in her post.



After President Biden abruptly bowed out of the race on July 21 and endorsed Harris, Democratic leaders scrambled to create a nomination process that did not rely on state primary contests, all of which Biden had already won.

The new nomination contest allowed anyone to run if they obtained 300 signatures of delegates supporting their bid, including no more than 50 from any single delegation while meeting other basic qualifications.

With top party officials seeking to rally the party to confront the candidacy of Donald Trump, no elected Democratic politician besides Harris announced their intention to seek those signatures. The candidates who did signal their intent to seek the nomination failed to obtain the required signatures.

On July 30, the Democratic National Committee said that 3,923 delegates had petitioned to put Harris on the ballot for the nomination, a large majority of the total delegate pool.

Party leaders decided months ago, when Biden was still expected to be the nominee, to use a virtual vote to finalize the nomination, rather than waiting for the party convention in

Chicago on August 19-22. They said the early nomination was needed because legal ambiguities in Ohio's early deadlines meant that Biden could be kept off the ballot in that state.

Ohio ultimately amended its timeline for ballot qualification, but the Democrats stuck to their plans for a virtual nomination. Under the party's rules, delegates do not need to vote on Harris's vice-presidential selection.

Democratic convention planners are preparing a symbolic roll call for prime-time television coverage in Chicago, with representatives of each state offering their votes for Harris in a customized fashion.

Harris becomes just the second person of colour in America's nearly 250-year history to head a major presidential ticket, after Barack Obama in 2008. Harris is Black and Indian American, and Trump has recently attacked her identity and suggested that she formerly downplayed her Black heritage, an assertion for which there is no evidence.

Harris will also be the second female major-party nominee, after Hillary Clinton in 2016, when Clinton lost to Trump in a contest that stunned Democrats and upended the political landscape.
It seems that an all-out war may take place in the Middle East as Iran is moving its troops towards Israel after the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh. If the tensions escalate further, the world nations may be forced to take a side resulting in another world war like situation. While Iran accused Israel of carrying out the attack on Haniyeh, Jerusalem is yet to officially own the responsibility. Iran later declared war against Israel and is said to mobilise its troops and may even opt for a missile attack. The Middle East has been boiling since the Israel-Hamas was broke out in October last year. Countries like Lebanon and Yemen have been indirectly participating in the war supporting the Hamas and Palestine.

US Repositions Military

The U.S. military is reallocating resources and deploying additional forces to the Middle East and Europe in response to a potential threat to Israel from Iran, according to U.S. officials. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has commanded the deployment of more Navy destroyers and cruisers, equipped with both offensive and defensive ballistic missile capabilities. In a statement on Friday evening, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh noted that the Pentagon is also enhancing land-based missile defence systems.

Additionally, a squadron of fighter jets will be stationed in the Middle East to bolster air defence, Singh mentioned. To ensure a continuous aircraft carrier presence in the region, Austin has ordered the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships. Meanwhile, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, another aircraft carrier, was in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, accompanied by several warships after leaving the Persian Gulf. A U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, indicated that these vessels might head towards Israel by navigating west around Yemen towards the Red Sea.

Israel Gears Up For Attack

Israel is well aware that Iran will not sit back and will be carrying out an attack against Jerusalem. The Israeli Defence Forces are ramping up its air defence deployments and presence of military in the vulnerable border areas. Israel is anticipating a missile attack just like the previous one when Tehran fired a barrage of missiles on Jerusalem in April this year.

India Issues Advisories

Amid the growing tension in the Middle East region, India has issued advisories for its citizens in the region. Indian Embassy in Lebanon advised Indians to avoid all non-essential travel to Lebanon. They have been advised to exercise caution, restrict movements and remain in contact with Indian Embassy in Beirut.

The Embassy in Israel also issued an advisory for Indian nationals to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel within the country. Amid escalating tensions in the region, the Indian Embassy has urged the nationals to stay vigilant. "In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the local authorities...Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country, and stay close to safety shelters."

The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals. "In case of any emergency, please contact the 24 x 7 helpline of the Embassy: Telephone: A. +972-547520711 B. +972-543278392 Email: consi.telavivPmea.gov.in," the Embassy advisory read, as it shared the helpline numbers for reaching out.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has claimed that Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Facebook, recently contacted him to apologize for past censorship. Trump stated that Zuckerberg assured him he would not endorse a Democrat in the upcoming election.

"So, Mark Zuckerberg called me. First of all, he called me a few times. He called me after the event and he said, 'That was really amazing, it was very brave,'" Trump told Fox News in an interview, reported PTI.

Trump further said, He actually announced he's not gonna support a Democrat because he can't because he respected me for what I did that day.

During the interview Trum also criticised Google for censoring news and photos.

"Google has been very bad. They've been very irresponsible and I have a feeling that Google is going to be close to shut down because I don't think Congress is going to take it. I really don't think so. Google has to be careful," the news agency quoted Trump as saying.

Earlier this week, Trump claimed that finding images or information about the failed assassination attempt against him on July 13 was nearly impossible on Google.

Google has, however, refuted these claims.
Texas State University students sign a petition to put cannabis decriminalization on the November ballot for San Marcos residents in this 2022 photo. Nearly 82% of San Marcos voters chose to decriminalize marijuana under Proposition A. Attorney General Ken Paxton sued San Marcos in an effort to force San Marcos to enforce marijuana possession arrests. Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News Mike Siegel with Ground Game Texas talks on the Texas State University campus about a measure to decriminalize some lower-level marijuana charges in this 2022 photo. The measure passed, leading Attorney General Ken Paxton to sue the city. A judge recently dismissed the suit. William Luther, Staff Photographer / Staff photographer

A Hays County district judge recently dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons lawsuit seeking to force San Marcos to enforce marijuana possession arrests.

The background: In 2022, nearly 82% of San Marcos voters chose to decriminalize marijuana under Proposition A. The effort was led by a group of advocacy organizations, including Mano Amiga, Ground Game Texas, San Marcos Democratic Socialists of America, the Hays County Libertarian Party, the Hays County Democratic Party and the Texas Cannabis Collective, which gathered 10,000 signatures for the petition.

The Proposition A ordinance ended citations and arrests by the San Marcos Police Department for misdemeanor possession of marijuana up to 4 ounces. However, police can still cite or arrest a person for Class A or Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana if its part of an investigation involving felony-level narcotics or violence.

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Also, the ordinance ended citations for possession of drug residue or drug paraphernalia, prohibited the use of city funds or personnel to test the level of THC  the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana  and prohibited city police from using the odor of marijuana or hemp as probable cause to search a vehicle or home.

This ordinance applies to only the San Marcos Police Department and doesnt affect Texas State University, the Hays County Sheriffs Office or other law enforcement agencies in the area.

Why Texas sued: Paxton sued San Marcos, along with Austin, Killeen, Elgin and Denton, earlier this year for adopting ordinances or policies instructing law enforcement not to enforce laws concerning marijuana possession and distribution.

Paxton, in the lawsuit, argued these local ordinances or policies violated state law that requires the enforcement of drug-related matters, like possession of marijuana or paraphernalia.

I will not stand idly by as cities run by pro-crime extremists deliberately violate Texas law and promote the use of illicit drugs that harm our communities, Paxton said in a statement in January. Its quite simple: the legislature passes every law after a full debate on the issues, and we dont allow cities the ability to create anarchy by picking and choosing the laws they enforce.

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What has happened in the courts so far: Hays County District Judge Sherri Tibbe last week dismissed Paxtons lawsuit, upholding the argument that the state was not injured when San Marcos reduced arrests for misdemeanor marijuana possession and that it allowed for resources to be used for higher-priority public safety needs.

In June, Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer also dismissed Paxtons lawsuit against Austin, ruling there was no legal justification to try the case.

Ground Game Texas  the progressive group that first launched the proposition in Austin and worked with local organizations in the other four cities  expects Paxton to appeal the decisions to dismiss the lawsuits at some point.

Paxtons lawsuit against Elgin was resolved in June via consent decree, meaning neither side is claiming guilt or liability but has come to an agreement.

Elgin City Manager Tom Mattis said the decision to accept the consent decree will not change anything because at no time did the Elgin Police Department implement or enforce the ordinance due to conflicting state law.

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I know Austin, San Marcos, and other cities are going through the court process, but we didnt have the funds to waste on something that doesnt really change anything, Mattis said. The litigation was a ridiculous waste of public resources and time.

In the North Texas suburb of Denton, where voters approved decriminalization by more than 70%, the implementation of marijuana decriminalization has stalled after City Manager Sara Hensley argued it couldnt be enforced since it conflicted with state law.

The case against Killeen, which was filed in Bell County a year ago, is still pending.

Broader impact: Eric Martinez, executive director of Mano Amiga, a criminal justice policy reform advocacy group, said the dismissal is a win for San Marcos and all communities who are standing up to unwarranted state interference.

It reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that our city officials can follow the will of the voters and perform their duties without the shadow of unfounded legal challenges, she said.

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Officials with Ground Game Texas, a social justice advocacy group that spearheaded the initiative to decriminalize marijuana in San Marcos, recently said their organization had gathered enough signatures to place the measure on the November ballot in Dallas.

This decision, along with the recent verification of our petition in Dallas, is a welcome reminder that this is a winning movement, and one we look forward to continuing to build across the state this November with the collaboration of partners like Mano Amiga, said Catina Voellinger, executive director of Ground Game Texas.

If the initiative wins in Dallas this fall, it would be the largest Texas city to decriminalize lesser marijuana offenses.
Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net.

A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite.

He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time.
LEXINGTON  On Wednesday, New Teacher Week began for new employees for Lexington Public Schools. The morning began with a welcome breakfast, followed by individual pictures taken of the new employees.

During the morning, LPS staff were given presentations on the demographics of the public schools, culture, explicit induction and several other topics to prepare them before the official school year starts later this month.

Before the staff members got together for a group picture, they heard remarks from Scott Foster, workforce developer for the City of Lexington.

Foster welcomed each new staff member, sharing that he understands the challenges and rewards of being an educator, having spent 15 years as a teacher himself.

I can tell you that there is no place in Nebraska like Lexington. It is an incredibly special place, Foster said.

Foster said that anytime a governor, senators or investors have stopped in Lexington, he encouraged them to look into LPS and see the positive impact it has made in the community.

Lexington is an incredible place and I feel very happy for you new employees that you are going to be teaching here, Foster said.

For some of you, I think its your first time teaching here and you should know youre in a special place. Foster said.

Foster said members of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and other community members would be speaking with the new LPS staff to give them a better understanding of the community and what it offers.

Foster ended his remarks with a group prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude and hope as we lift up these teachers who have been marked on a journey of guiding and inspiring young minds. Grant them wisdom and patience as they step into their new roles. Bless them with the strength to face each day with enthusiasm, resilience and the grace to nurture each students potential with kindness and understanding. May their classrooms be places of joy, growth and respect.

Help them to create an environment where every student feels valued and encouraged. Provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed and the ability to see the unique gifts in every child they teach. Where we ask that you guide their steps, enrich their knowledge and surround them with a community of support.

May their dedication shine through in all they do. May they find fulfillment and joy in the impact they make in their students lives. In your holy name we pray, amen.

LPS staff members continued their training Thursday and Friday, with the program set to conclude after additional events Monday and Tuesday.
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TWIN FALLS  In a study room in the College of Southern Idaho library, Jovas Zepeda (he/him) considered his story. As Zepeda spoke with the Times-News, he recalled the basics.

He socially transitioned as a freshman in high school and faced numerous challenges in advocating for himself. It wasnt until an older student, who was also transgender, gave him an essential piece of advice that helped him find the courage to speak up.

He would talk to the principal and ask them to gender him correctly, Zepeda said. It was such a small school that it just worked out, but I know that not everybody has that privilege.

Zepeda remembers that the principal of his old high school was extremely supportive of him throughout his transition. Without her help, he would have been further disrespected by some of his teachers, who dead-named him at the beginning of the school year, and classmates, who cornered him in the hallway and asked inappropriate questions.

Theres a lot of opportunities for people to target a certain person because theyre different, he said. No one should ever be made to feel like that

We should be able to have childhoods and teen years like normal teenagers, kids and adults.

Eventually, he found some semblance of a community, even in his small town of Eden, creating friendships with people he could relate to. As he grows older, wiser and more at home in his identity, the missing pieces of whom he is come together.

House Bill (HB) 538 prohibits students from using their chosen pronouns unless they have parental permission. The bill also protects teachers who refer to a student by their given name and pronouns that align with the students biological sex  even when they ask for the opposite  and restricts other teachers from doing so. HB 538 affects K-12 students and extends to higher education and public employees and agencies.

The bills text outlines its reasoning.

The Legislature finds that despite the United States Supreme Courts clear holding that compelled speech offends the constitution, government actors across the State of Idaho and the United States as a whole are not vigilantly protecting the people against such compelled speech.

There are increasing pressures by state government actors to compel public employees, as well as students in public schools, to communicate certain preferred personal titles and pronouns that many such employees and students do not prefer to communicate. Specifically, to compel the use of preferred personal titles and pronouns that do not correspond with the biological sex of the individual seeking to be referred to by such preferred personal titles or pronouns.

Signed by Gov. Brad Little in April, the bill went into effect on July 1.

An upsetting trend House Bill (HB) 538, known as the compelled pronoun bill, isnt the only piece of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that was successful during the latest session in Idaho. HB 421 redefined the terms sex and gender, asserting that there are only two  male and female  based on an individuals sex assigned at birth. HB 710 challenged public and school libraries, banning books that depict harmful material. According to the bill, harmful can refer to nudity, sex and homosexuality. Senate Bill (SB) 1329 requires parents to consent to medical treatment for youth aged 18 and younger. Finally, HB 668 and HB 520 created further restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare, prohibiting certain kinds of medications and surgeries for state employees and Medicaid recipients. A trend persists that puts LGBTQ+ residents at risk by conservative legislation across the country. Similar laws, like the Texas Legislature's SB 14, a law that blocks trans youth from receiving gender-affirming procedures, went into effect last September. As reported by the American Civil Liberties Union, the organization is tracking 527 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been considered by state legislatures in the U.S. in 2024. In total, the Idaho Legislature has considered 13 bills.

The Times-News reached out to multiple sources to illustrate the implications of HB 538, but many of them did not respond. An amendment to the Department of Health and Welfares (DHW) employee policy, written in part by Gov. Brad Little, ensures confidence in government and transparency.

Released on July 6 of this year, the document outlines a commitment from the state government and its agencies to promote transparency and citizen confidence in state government. It bolsters Littles pledge in 2019 to champion citizen confidence.

Fostering confidence in state government is everyones responsibility at DHW. We foster confidence in state government by how we successfully carryout the substantive responsibilities entrusted to each program, bureau and division, the document reads. The policy choice about what is or is not public belongs to our political leaders and is established in law.

Furthermore, the potential sources told the Times-News that state employees are not permitted to make public comments regarding state legislation. This idea goes deeper  some school districts internal policies assert that educators arent allowed to speak to the media about a topic if it isnt in the employees authority or responsibility.

We need to take them for who they are

In a largely conservative area like the Magic Valley, the new law can pose more harmful effects than helpful ones. With the implementation of HB 538, students like Zepeda will face more challenges with expressing their true selves.

On the first day of school, Elisabeth Sorenson (she/her), a teacher from West Ada, always asks her students what they want her to call them. Soon, she may not be able to do so anymore.

I dont want to call out a kid who says, Call me Fluffy, and then I say, Well, I cant call you Fluffy without asking your parents, Sorenson said.

The bill asserts that teachers may not call a student a nickname that doesnt derive from their legal name. The new law puts teachers in a tough position, she said, especially those who work in middle and high schools, where most students express their individuality and learn more about themselves.

That is the piece thats so hard because middle school is where kids experiment with life, she said. I think it ruins that bond of trust  It doesnt make for a safe learning environment.

By the numbers Supporting a childs identity and providing them a safe place to explore who they are is crucial, as shown by data reported by the Trevor Project earlier this year. In "The 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People," the organization found that 45% of transgender and nonbinary young people reported that they or their their family considered moving to a different state because of LGBTQ+-related politics and laws. Furthermore, 39% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including 46% of transgender and nonbinary respondents. LGBTQ+ youth of color had higher rates of suicidal ideation compared with their white peers. Most LGBTQ+ youth, or 78%, said there is at least one adult at school who is supportive and affirming of their identity.

Sorenson said that the ideas behind these restrictions stem from parents fears that their children are becoming indoctrinated as they learn about new ideas and lifestyles. When students are forced to conform to the idea of what is considered normal, it can create stress between them and their families. Students may run away or harm themselves because they cant express themselves as they truly are, as they decide to push harder against the restraints their parents have created.

I think that we need to take them for who they are, she said. Just because a kid says, I want to use they/them pronouns, theyre still a kid  They need to be allowed to experiment, try things on, and figure out who they are. If that means theyre trying pronouns, theyre trying nicknames, theyre trying clothing, thats just part of the whole teenage experience.

Schools rush to implement new restrictions

Just weeks before the school year begins, school districts are shuffling to rewrite their policies to incorporate the rulings of HB 538. For many districts in the Magic Valley, the new law contradicts previously established policies.

Like districts including Murtaugh and Richfield, the Twin Falls School Districts Policy 3281, titled Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation, encourages students and building administrators to meet and discuss the students preferences. Parents can only attend the meeting with the students permission.

District staff are required to use the name and pronouns asserted by the student at school, regardless of the students legal name and sex, according to the document.

The policy outlines the process through which a students parent may change their official school records. This policy has been vetted through our legal counsel to best address the complex and often contradictory aspects of the many laws, rules, and regulations related to these topics, TFSD wrote in a statement to the Times-News. Ultimately, our process hinges on parents wishes related to their childs gender identity or sexual orientation.

The TFSD first adopted a policy addressing these topics back in 2014 and has been working to stay within the legal requirements related to gender identity for many years. We work closely with our legal counsel and the Idaho School Boards Association to ensure that our policies and practices are in line with the most current legal findings.

As district officials determine next steps, teachers are left in the dark. Sorenson mentioned that while she and her colleagues dont know what to expect, shes sure teachers will hear an update before the school year begins.

Change is essential to growth

As teachers, its our responsibility to provide a comforting, nurturing environment, said E., a teacher local to the Magic Valley.

The Times-News is protecting the teachers identity due to the consequences of speaking out about a sensitive topic in a rural town.

In his classroom, E. respects his students preferences without a second thought and said that his coworkers do the same. While his school districts policies regarding students gender and sexual orientation are fairly loose, if changes are made, hell continue to advocate for his students.

Its just amazing (to think of) how powerless the bill leaves kids, he said, but this doesnt change the way Im going to treat them. The whole idea is to have a space where they feel comfortable and can come and learn. Math is hard enough, right?

As the parent of a trans child, Sorenson and her partner gave their child the space to explore what worked for them, which reflects how she treats her students.

One student even gave her a note that said, Thank you for believing in me when I didnt believe in myself.

Throughout her years of teaching, Sorenson has always shown support for students and their identities. She and her colleagues advocate for their students needs. While HB 538 makes teaching and uplifting trans, nonbinary and other queer students more challenging, Sorenson said they are the type of people who ask for forgiveness rather than permission.

We want to do what we think is best for the kids, she said. We want to be there for them.

Zepeda said that as he transitioned years ago, he felt lonely and isolated. By having the space and ability to explore his identity, even in a smaller community, he encouraged others to have confidence and express how they felt  becoming a role model within himself. But he doesnt know how life would have turned out for him without his safe space growing up.

Every student deserves a chance to decide for themselves. Change, Zepeda said, isnt something people should be afraid of, no matter what it looks like.

Instead, they should embrace it.

We should be able to express ourselves freely, whether its permanent or not, he said. People always change, and I feel like we need that space to express ourselves and experiment.

Change isnt always bad. Its good Its essential to growth.

PHOTOS: Parental permission for pronouns Parental permission for pronouns Parental permission for pronouns Parental permission for pronouns Parental permission for pronouns Parental permission for pronouns Parental permission for pronouns

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
The appeal for the release of the 17 Filipino crew members of the Houthi-seized MV Galaxy Leader in Yemen, especially the three who were hospitalized and are exhibiting malaria symptoms, is in the works, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the three sick sailors are currently in a hospital while the other 14 are still on board the vessel.

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On the immediate release of the three, he said it is something that is still in the works.

The DFA earlier informed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. about the condition of the three. It confirmed that the Sanaa government in Yemen has provided necessary medical assistance.

Honorary Consul to Yemen Mohammad Saleh Al-Jamal had also sought the assistance from Sanaa authorities for the release of the Filipino crew members, citing humanitarian reasons because of their declining health.

A planned visit by Al-Jamal on board MV Galaxy Leader is also being worked out, the first since he was allowed to board about three months ago.

Sanaa, whose authorities control the Houthis, is the capital and the largest city of Yemen.

Based on a DFA memorandum dated July 30, the Sanaa government affirmed that negotiations and discussions are plausible for their fate and possible release.

The Houthi hijacked the Bahamas-flagged MV Galaxy Leader near Hodeidah in November 2023 while it was sailing for India and held hostage its 25 crewmembers, 17 of whom are Filipino nationals.

Rep. Marissa Magsino of OFW party-list meanwhileappealed for governments urgent and stronger actions to facilitate the release of the malaria stricken Filipino seafarers held hostage by the Houthi rebels.

These Filipino seafarers and other crew members are just working to help their families. They did not create any problems, nor do they want to harm others. Like any other Overseas Filipino Worker who love their families, they only went abroad to provide for their loved ones, said Magsino.

Earlier, Magsino called the host countries to protect not only Filipino seafarers, but all those plying to dangerous seas.

President Marcos requested Sanaa authorities to release the Filipino seamen for humanitarian reasons.

Magsino also cited humanitarian reasons to release these Filipino seafarers.

I join the President on his appeal, please release the Filipino seafarers, especially now that they need medical care, Magsino said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that Sanaa government sent specialized doctors to the vessel to carry out necessary medical procedures. But DFA added that on the release of the Filipino seafarers, the Sanaa government responded by saying it depends on the external decisions.

Magsino said her group will be coordinating with DFA and other major agencies in negotiations and discussion for the possible release of the Filipino seafarers.
Astara Philippines has announced the inauguration of the first Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) dealership in Mindanao. The new showroom, strategically located in the Farma Auto Supply Compound at Kilometer 13, Panacan, Davao City, aims to bring JMCs renowned lineup of pickup trucks and SUVs closer to customers in the region.

This new dealership ensures that our customers in Davao City can easily see and experience the latest JMC vehicles, including businesses looking for greater value for money in their fleets, said MJ del Pilar, Sales Director of JMC Philippines. JMC Davao affirms our commitment to providing Filipinos all over the country with high-quality, capable, and sophisticated vehicles that can tackle any challenge.

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Echoing the sentiments, Philip Tan, JMC Davao Dealer Principal, expressed his enthusiasm for the brand and its growth potential in the region. We have immense trust and confidence in the JMC brand and its impressive lineup of vehicles. Our new dealership in Davao City will undoubtedly contribute to the overall expansion of JMC in the Philippines, as we bring top-notch products and unparalleled service to our customers.

The inauguration of the JMC Davao dealership not only enhances accessibility to the brands offerings but also reaffirms Astara Philippines dedication to delivering comprehensive automotive solutions to its growing customer base across the country.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Stringent state-level COVID-19 restrictions were associated with substantial decreases in pandemic mortality, according to a study published online July 26 in JAMA Health Forum.

Christopher J. Ruhm, Ph.D., from the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, examined how state restrictions affected the number of excess COVID-19 pandemic deaths. The analysis included U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data for 2020 to 2022 compared to baseline data for 2017 to 2019.

Ruhm found that mask requirements and vaccine mandates were negatively associated with excess deaths, while prohibitions on vaccine or mask mandates were positively associated with death rates. Activity limitations were mostly not associated with death rates. If all states implemented restrictions like those used in the 10 most restrictive states, excess deaths would have been reduced by 10 to 21 percent from the 1.18 million that actually occurred during the two-year analysis period. Conversely, if all states had restrictions similar to those in the 10 least-restrictive states, increases of 13 to 17 percent would have occurred. For strong versus weak state restrictions, the difference was 271,000 to 447,000 deaths, with behavior changes associated with 49 to 79 percent of the overall disparity.

"These findings do not support the views that COVID-19 restrictions were ineffective. However, not all restrictions were equally effective," Ruhm writes.

The author reported consulting fees from opioid litigation outside the submitted work.

More information: Christopher J. Ruhm, US State Restrictions and Excess COVID-19 Pandemic Deaths, JAMA Health Forum (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.2006 Journal information: JAMA Health Forum

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
China's people-centered poverty alleviation policies worth learning, says Fijian official

Xinhua) 14:23, August 03, 2024

SUVA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's policies and strategies on poverty alleviation and rural development are people-centered and based on reality, which are worth learning for Fiji, a Fiji official has said.

Ro Teimumu Kepa, paramount chief of Rewa province, made the remarks on Thursday at a press briefing held by the Chinese Embassy in Fiji.

Kepa led a delegation of Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs for a week-long visit to China late last month. They visited the provinces of Yunnan, Fujian and Zhejiang to learn about China's successful poverty alleviation and rural development strategies.

She told the media that seeing China's development firsthand was an invaluable experience for the delegation, giving them a broader view of the world's second-largest economy.

During the tour, they interacted with many provincial and district officials and locals in the rural villages, who were able to explain to them the Chinese path to development and poverty alleviation in a very simple and meaningful way, said Kepa.

"That makes a huge impact on the delegation to see and believe that ethnic people in rural and remote areas of China, who in many ways were like Fijians themselves, were able to take the steps out of poverty," the paramount chief said.

China won the battle against absolute poverty in 2020 and met its poverty alleviation targets under the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

"A decade in advance was not just big talk to showcase China's success, but it was seen as we had witnessed," Kepa underscored.

Recalling their visit to Malipo County in Yunnan Province, the chief said they saw how policies and reforms were implemented based on local conditions, and how China was able to protect and promote the cultural diversity of the ethnic groups.

She believes that the Fijian villages could also specialize in what suits their local conditions and circumstances to improve the standard of living.

"They would also need help along the way with Chinese assistance on this journey," Kepa added.

According to the chief, the Rewa province will pilot a poverty reduction project with a strategy adopted from China to alleviate poverty in iTaukei (Indigenous Fijians) communities.

It's reported that Indigenous Fijians make up 75 percent of people living in poverty in the island nation.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Tara Mastren, center, is leading research into developing targeted alpha-particle therapies for patients with Alzheimer's. The University of Utah professor of civil & environmental engineering is pictured here in her lab with graduate students Connor Holiski, left, and Aidan Bender. Credit: Dan Hixson, University of Utah

Alzheimer's disease, a debilitating brain disorder with limited treatment options, has long challenged researchers. Specifically, researchers have struggled with slowing the buildup of amyloid beta plaques, harmful clumps of proteins that exacerbate the disease by damaging brain cells and causing memory loss.

Led by the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, University of Utah researchers have developed a groundbreaking approach to tackle these plaques and possibly slow this devastating neurodegenerative disease.

Inspired by targeted cancer treatment methods, their technique utilizes a form of radiation known as alpha particles to break down chemical bonds in amyloid beta plaques. Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) delivers these particles directly to the harmful plaques on the brain while aiming to minimize damage to healthy tissues.

Aidan Bender, a former graduate student in the college's Utah Nuclear Engineering Program, spearheaded this pioneering research published July 25 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, the premier journal in the field. Co-authors included researchers from the U departments of Radiology and Chemistry.

"Aidan excelled in research and developed many skills and techniques needed to tackle this study," said the study's senior author Tara Mastren, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. "The research from his publication is the first step in determining if this treatment method is feasible and has allowed us to move into testing in vivo models."

New hope for Alzheimer's patients

Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of dementia in the United States, resulting in more than $200 billion in medical expense a year. The number of cases is expected to double by 2050, but the disorder's impact could be lessened if treatments can be developed to slow its progress.

The Utah researchers turned to theoretical nuclear medicine in search of answers.

Under Mastren's supervision, Bender's team started by developing a chemical compound, called BiBPy, that can latch onto to the harmful amyloid beta plaques.

They attached a small amount of a radioactive isotope, bismuth-213, enabling the compound to emit alpha particles. This new compound, [213Bi]-BiBPy, was applied to the brain tissue of mice that were genetically modified to develop amyloid plaques similar to those in Alzheimer's patients.

The compound, when combined with bismuth-213, demonstrated properties that made it effective at binding to the mice's amyloid plaques.

Measured using two types of tests for the presence of amyloid beta, the treated brain tissues showed a significant reduction in amyloid beta concentration. These results suggest that the compound may be effectively applied as a potential TAT treatment for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, paving the way for further tests in live animals and eventually in humans.

Since earning his doctorate, Bender has joined the Center for Quantitative Cancer Imaging at Huntsman Cancer Institute where he works on radiopharmaceutical development for cancer imaging and therapy. By harnessing cyclotron-produced therapeutic radionuclides, auger electron therapy, and PET radiometals, his research may lead to new tools for detecting, diagnosing and treating cancer.

More information: Aidan A. Bender et al, Development of a213Bi-Labeled Pyridyl Benzofuran for Targeted -Therapy of Amyloid- Aggregates, Journal of Nuclear Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.124.267482 Journal information: Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Summer Learning Program: Olympics Watch Party

Come to the library on Aug. 5, 6 and 7 to watch the Olympic Games in Paris for three nights straight. The library will provide drinks, themed snacks, fun facts, books about the Olympics, and of course a livestream of the Olympic Games as you explore the adventure of Olympic sports.

Tiny Tales @ EmPower Place

Tiny Tales is back at Empower Place! Tiny Tales uses sounds, rhythms and movement to help your child learn to read. Participants will sing songs, learn finger-plays and nursery rhymes, and hear stories. This program takes place every Tuesday with the next program set for Aug. 6 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the conference room on the 2nd floor of EmPower Place, located at 1720 Wyoming Street in Missoula.

Big Sky Arts & Crafts

Create! Learn! Discover! Drop-in DIY Arts & Crafts projects for young kids and their families at the Big Sky Branch every Tuesday from noon to 3 p.m. The next session is on Aug. 6. Email bdoyle@missoulapubliclibrary.org for information about upcoming projects.

MakerSpace Mending and Sewing

Bring your damaged clothing to the Makerspace and learn how to mend them during these mending and sewing-focused walk-in hours. This drop-in program is held every Wednesday with the next session on Aug. 7 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in the MakerSpace on Level One of the library.

Game On! @ MPL

Get your game on at MPL! Switch games and controllers will be available for gamers to use every Thursday from 2:30-5:30 on Level Two. Prove you are master of Rainbow Road or smash your opponents in Super Smash Bros.! This gaming time is intended for children/youth 16 and under. The next Game On! session is on Aug. 8 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two.

Summer Learning Program Hush Hour Missoula

Enjoy an hour of silent reading with fellow library lovers, MPL, Hush Hour Missoula and KFGM! On Aug. 8 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. the Level Four balcony awaits readers who want to grab a drink, listen to live tunes and take in beautiful views, all while getting lost in a good book. Please note that only the Main Street entrance doors will be unlocked from 6-6:30 p.m. for entry to the event.

Tiny Tales in the Park

This summer, the Missoula Public Library and Missoula Parks & Rec are teaming up to bring Tiny Tales to the park! Every Friday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at Westside Park, meet us under the trees on the Sherwood side of the park for songs, rhymes and movements for kids ages 0-3. The next program is on Aug. 9. During inclement weather Tiny Tales is held in the Lowell School gym or cafeteria.

Yarns @ MPL

Calling all knitters and crocheters! Bring your lunch and your latest project to the Blackfoot Board Room every Friday to end your week with some crafty fun. The next meeting is held on Aug. 9 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Blackfoot Room on Level Four.

English as a Second Language Class

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Missoula Public Library are happy to offer this free class to help those who need to learn English as a second language. On Aug. 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Ellingson Room on Level Three of the library join us for this entry level ESL class. This class is held every other Saturday.

Resource Access Day at Missoula Public Library

Missoula Public Library, Missoula County Community Justice Department, Missoula Municipal Courts and Pretrial Assistance to Support Success (PASS) program, are partnering to bring Resource Access Day (RAD) to the Library. RAD will provide our community with free resources every second Thursday of the month from noon to 3 p.m. Resources will include legal support, housing and benefits assistance, health care and more. All services are offered on a drop-in basis and lunch will be provided! The first RAD will be on Aug. 8 at the Missoula Public Library outside on Main Street.
The chief of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Fisheries Division submitted her resignation on Aug. 1 after being reinstated with conditions following a 10-week investigation that had placed her on paid administrative leave.

In a resignation letter addressed to Melissa Watson, the agencys new chief of staff, Eileen Ryce called the directors office investigation a response to baseless allegations that could have easily been resolved if they had simply talked with her.

Ryces resignation was first reported by the Missoula Current.

Its just very disappointing and concerning to be losing these administrators that have such a wealth of experience and knowledge, said Dave Yerk, who was a fisheries chief prior to Ryce. Eileen was a great administrator and is really liked and respected by the field people. She was very effective in connecting and communicating with all the employees across the division.

An FWP official refused to comment on Ryces resignation citing personnel matters.

FWP turnover

Prior to Ryces stepping down, FWP dismissed Mike Volesky, FWP chief of operations, after he was placed on administrative leave and cited for hunting without permission on his former brother-in-laws property. Although the charge was dropped, Volesky was fired after being on paid administrative leave for nearly seven months.

In a Montana Free Press story, Volesky called his dismissal political discrimination. Volesky joined FWP under a Democratic administration. The agencys longtime staff has seen significant turnover since Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, took office in 2021. Prior to being elected, Gianforte said the agency had declared war on Montana landowners.

In 2022 the chief of enforcement, Dave Loewen, was also placed on administrative leave and investigated before stepping down with a settlement. The agencys longtime chief legal counsel left two years ago, and now her replacement has also exited the department. Last June, FWP Director Hank Worsech stepped down, citing health issues, and was replaced by deputy director Dustin Temple, who came up from the agencys tech side.

A legislative audit of the enforcement division released in 2023 revealed a culture of fear and intimidation. An audit of FWPs Human Resources Division is now being conducted. The head of that division is the sixth person to lead HR in a decade.

Under the Gianforte administration the department, as well as other state agencies, have been redefined along more corporate lines. At FWP, research and administrative positions have been put under the directors office, removing them from the fish and wildlife divisions.

They are getting rid of longtime, competent professionals and replacing them with idealogues, said Chris Hunter, a former FWP fisheries chief. They want people with the same beliefs in these positions.

From Scotland

A native of Scotland, Ryce came to Montana as a 23-year-old college student. It was while at Montana State University conducting research on whirling disease, an affliction that threatened the states trout fisheries, that she attracted attention from Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials.

Now 50, married and the mother of a 15-year-old daughter, she leaves behind a 21-year career with the department that included managing the Aquatic Invasive Species Program and overseeing the Hatchery Bureau.

One of the reasons I loved my job was knowing I worked for the public, Ryce said.

Administrative leave

The beginning of the end for Ryce came at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 17. Thats when she was delivered a letter completely out of the blue by the chief of staff and director of human resources notifying her of an investigation and placing her immediately on administrative leave. The allegations included retaliation and making decisions based on discrimination.

That Friday, at the end of the workday, a retirement party was scheduled for Fisheries Management Bureau chief Eric Roberts. Ryce had to cancel the celebration and leave the building. She was not allowed to tell staff why she was leaving.

During her absence, Ryce said she responded to queries about how she was doing by measuring how long it had been since she last cried. During her many sleepless nights, Ryce questioned why she was being investigated, but also why former colleagues and people she didnt even know were donating to a fund to help with her legal expenses. At the time, she felt unworthy of their support.

I never asked for anything, Ryce said, but the outpouring of support from department personnel  some retired, some still employed  and the money for legal assistance has left her family extremely thankful for the emotional and financial support.

Twice during her leave Ryce was questioned by an outside investigator. Ryces attorney asked what his client was being accused of. In addition to the claims of discrimination and retaliation, Ryce was told the investigator was charged with looking into her management style.

Two weeks ago, Ryce received a letter from the chief of staff saying she had been cleared of charges, but her supervisors had several questions on topics such as why she authorized certain equipment purchases and copied other people on specific emails. Ryce said she was happy to respond and finally put something in writing.

So at that point, Im thinking everything is going to be fine, Ryce said.

Reinstated

Then on Tuesday, July 30, a colleague called to say congratulations after reading a department email saying she was being reinstated. Ryce had no idea what the colleague was talking about.

After checking her email, she found a note from Watson, the chief of staff, inviting her to a 9 a.m. meeting on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Ryce said she found it highly disrespectful and unprofessional to send out the department email before first talking to her.

That started me to question whether I could go back to work with them, she said.

Former FWP fisheries chief Hunter said the agency basically made it impossible for Ryce to return by disciplining her for things they never explained. He also questioned whether there was any accountability for the accuser.

Its just wrong, he said.

Cleared of charges

On Wednesday, she finally received a letter from the department saying she had been cleared of charges, that FWP wanted to reinstate her, but her bosses still had concerns about her management style they wanted to discuss. That made Ryce feel like her superiors werent taking the investigation or the letter she wrote seriously.

Every day (as chief of fisheries) I make tough decisions, Ryce noted. Not feeling support from my supervisors makes that a very difficult situation to be in.

The night before the scheduled meeting, Ryce worked with her husband, former FWP native fisheries director Lee Nelson, to draft a resignation letter.

Since her resignation, Ryce said she has felt more happy and content than she has in a long time. Yet she also feels guilty for leaving a career and people she cares about.

During her tenure, Ryce dealt with divisive issues such as the closure of the Yellowstone River after a mass fish die-off; repeated attempts to modify regulations to reduce pressure on the Madison River; and continual division between walleye and trout advocates.

Its always been much more than a career to me, it was a lifestyle choice, she said, noting that most of her social circle is fish and wildlife folks.

Ryce said she will continue to support the work of the department and advocate for the states treasured aquatic resources that have come under increasing stress from reduced spring runoff, disease and hotter, drier summers.

I love what this department stands for, but I hate what the leadership has done, she said. I hope things change.
Napa County wine attorney Richard Mendelson says he hasnt seen anything like the recent wine country land use controversies in 20 years, since the days of debates over the county's winery definition ordinance and conservation regulations.

Hes responded by putting out a book called Common Ground. The subtitle is Charting the Future of Napa Valley.

I felt an obligation to offer my personal analysis and recommendations for our future, based on my four decades of experience, Mendelson said.

Two recent county decisions crystallized the challenges. The Napa County Board of Supervisors overturned staff approval of the proposed Le Colline vineyards, and the Planning Commission rejected the proposed Vida Valiente winery.

The Napa County Farm Bureau accused the county of making anti-agriculture decisions based on emotion instead of science. Others say the county is protecting the environment and rural communities.

Mendelson is with the law firm Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty. During his long career, he has been involved in such endeavors as representing Napa Valley Vintners in the Bronco wine labeling dispute and helping to establish American Viticulture Areas.

He recently sat down in the downtown Napa offices of Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty to talk about Common Ground.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

When did you come to Napa Valley, and whats kept you here?

I came here first as an intern at Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty in 1981 while I was a student at Stanford Law School. I joined the law firm in 1986 and moved here then.

Why Napa? Ive always been passionate about wine, and this is the epicenter of fine wine in America. I learned about wine as a graduate student at Oxford. I then moved to Burgundy, France to work at a winery there. When I came back to the states to attend law school, the U.S. was amidst a wine renaissance, and Napa Valley was leading the way.

I set out to be a wine lawyer before anyone really knew what that was. Ive grown grapes here; Ive made wine here; I love the history and culture of Napa Valley. Ive raised my kids here. Napa still has a small-town feel. At the same time, professionally, Ive been involved in national and international wine issues at the highest level. And thats a great combination.

Whats driving Napa Countys land use controversies? Why are they so intense at this particular time?

First of all, climate change, which I note in the book is a major challenge. And we have part of our community that feels we are saturated with wineries and vineyards. We also have a downturn in the economy, which puts pressure on the industry.

But this has been building for quite a while. In 2018, the failed Measure C watershed and oak woodshed preservation initiative was narrowly defeated. This debate is healthy, so long as we have the debate and can try to find common ground. I thought I could offer ideas for discussion and debate as we move forward.

How might Napa County deal with the controversies over establishing new vineyards in the watershed areas?

Its a question of adopting a comprehensive planning approach. And I think the (county) general plan update is a perfect opportunity to do that. So what I would do is first have an inventory and a prioritization of all the environmental and viticultural values in those parts of the county  were talking about ag watershed and open space areas.

Environmentalists already do this. They do a good job of it, of identifying and ranking environmental values and vulnerabilities in the areas of habitat, plant and animal species, biodiversity and the like.

I think the viticultural community needs to do the same inventory and prioritization of plantable land. You can do this by looking at information on geology, geomorphology, soils, elevation, aspect  all the factors that influence grape growing. Some areas will be ruled out for planting. They may be areas of geologic instability, steep slopes, certain soil types, no water or boron in the groundwater. They may be in a sensitive municipal water supply area.

But other areas will be ranked as having the potential for first-class heritage vineyards. Once youve done that, youve established the values; then I think we can make sensible choices about where to plant and where not to plant. Conceivably, the AWOS  the ag watershed and open space general plan designation  might even be separated into an ag watershed area and an open space area.

Once you have the values established, then I think you can make sensible tradeoffs and make sensible decisions.

The effort really is to come up with rules that are clear. ... Applicants go in now and theyre spending a lot of money, a lot of time, theyre frustrated and the results are unpredictable. So I think it is incumbent on the county to develop rules that give more predictability to the process. And its going to require a detailed study of environmental and vineyard values.

Napa County spends much time calculating visitation caps for each winery  how many people can visit the tasting room daily, how many can attend marketing events. Is there another way to address the issue?

In 1990, the winery definition ordinance established limits on accessory use space  the actual facility, including tasting rooms. That was one way to control visitation levels. For a while, I remember the county attempted to control visitation by limiting the size of the parking lot. And there was a formula that was very complicated and largely indecipherable.

Personally, I like the idea of tying visitation to the occupancy limit of the approved accessory use spaces in the winery, as approved by the county. Thats an objective determination based on building codes, fire codes, safety regulations. And then within those limits, Id leave it to the winery to determine the frequency, size and type of visitation and marketing events that they hold.

During my time representing many wineries on many use permits, we always had to submit marketing plans with details of how many people, what was going on at the event. They were too restrictive, because as soon as a winery developed a marketing plan, it would be outdated the next day, because the market continually changes.

The marketing plans that wineries have to draw up are, how many events will you have at three people? How many will you have at seven people? How many will you have at nine? And as soon as you write that  these are with food, these are not with food  as soon as you restrict those too much, they become outdated at soon as theyre written.

So I would leave wineries with a certain degree of freedom within those occupancy limits. But we could still have certain restrictions, such as operating hours. And I would leave some discretion to the county to account for site-specific and neighborhood conditions.

Limit visitation by the size of the tasting room?

The size of the tasting room. Or size of the assembly area, if there is some kind of event space  just like in a restaurant. How many people can you have inside a restaurant at any one time? Otherwise, youre not complying with life safety regulations.

What about the hard cases, such as a proposed winery on a mountain, with neighbors saying the narrow, winding road cant handle many winery visitors?

Thats a question of whether there should be a winery there at all. In my view, many of those locations arent appropriate for wineries from a life-safety point of view and wouldnt meet the new county road and street standards. There are also easement issues  you know, a lot of those wineries are on private roads. Easements have prescribed widths and allowable uses. And there are road setback rules under the winery definition ordinance.

I think when you combine those  street standards, the easement issues, road setback rules  many of those remote winery locations would not be appropriate for winery establishment. Some would.

You propose a Napa County wine museum be created. Where might that happen and how would it differ from Copia, which failed?

Copia was not specifically devoted to Napa. It was the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. What Im proposing is a museum focusing on Napa Valley history, culture, viticulture and wines.

We do have the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville next to the Veterans Home. They have one gallery thats devoted to an exhibition on the land and people of Napa Valley. And (CIA at) Copia has that wall of plaques honoring the members of the vintners hall of fame. But these offerings can be expanded, can be expanded with cultural displays, interactive exhibits, artifacts and the like.

We should have our own museum. And the reason I proposed it and where I proposed it in the book is how we strengthen our agricultural heritage. Because Im a believer that our culture, starting with the ag preserve, is the bedrock, is our foundation (that) gives us the resiliency to deal with the challenges were facing as I presented them in the book. Anything that strengthens that agricultural heritage, helps to educate the younger generation and newcomers to our valley about it, I think is a positive.

Wheres a good location?

Well, its probably in an urban area.

You also bring up in the book the idea of having winery parks. What is a winery park and where might one go?

Theyre usually in urban areas. First of all, they would really relieve some pressure from Upvalley and the remote wineries weve been talking about, if you had an urban winery park. They would be a place where people who cant afford to pay for a 10-acre or a 20-acre parcel size, they want to have a winery, this would be an incubator. Its a place where they could get started; it would be a social hub, it can have its own vibe. I think if its in a city, for example, in Napa, it would be readily accessible. And I think it could be a great addition to our wine community. There are examples of this  Santa Barbaras Urban Wine trail and Lompocs Wine Ghetto.

They tend to be more on the smaller side. Theyre tasting rooms, and they can be production areas as well. Obviously, you dont have vineyards there. Youre in an urban area. So youre bringing the vines, the grapes in. Youre crushing, youre making the wine, and youre selling it and talking to people about it. They can see the whole process.

Like an industrial park, but its a wine park?

Thats exactly right; it could be in an industrial area as well. What I see it as, as I said, is a social hub, I think would have its own network. And a tourist attraction, for that matter, where people could come and visit multiple wineries, just as they do walking around Santa Barbara.  We have locations for that. One possible location is Napa Pipe.

"Common Ground" is available at Napa Bookmine (1625 Second St., Napa), commongroundnapa.com, and in national distribution by PGW/Ingram.

Photos: Bands battle it out in downtown Napa Battle of the Bands draws musicians, fans to Napa SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024 SoFi Battle of the Bands 2024
According to a press release by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, as of June 30, 2024, a total of 8,875 FPOs have been registered across the country, marking a major milestone in the initiative aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape.

The cumulative paid-up capital for these 8,875 FPOs stands at Rs 630.3 crore. Under the scheme, a cumulative amount of Rs 210.1 crore has been released to eligible FPOs as a matching equity grant, demonstrating the government's commitment to bolstering financial support for farmer collectives.

The CSS for the "Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)" adopts a cluster-based approach for produce or produce mix.

Additionally, it emphasizes the "One District One Product" strategy, which aims to develop product specialization.

This approach encourages FPOs to focus on processing, branding, marketing, and exporting specific agricultural products declared for their respective districts. This strategic focus is intended to enhance value realization for farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

To further support these FPOs, the scheme includes provisions for a credit guarantee fund. Under this provision, loans worth Rs. 50.4 crore have been issued to FPOs, providing them with the necessary financial backing to expand their operations and enhance productivity.

As of June 30, 2024, a significant number of shareholder farmers, totalling 19,68,868, have been registered in FPOs formed and promoted under the scheme.

Additionally, 6,374 CEOs have been appointed in the 8,875 registered FPOs, ensuring professional management and strategic direction for these organizations.

The operational guidelines of the scheme, particularly clause 4.7, highlight the importance of product and service diversification to ensure year-round engagement with FPO members.

FPOs are encouraged to federate at district, state, and national levels to streamline processing, branding, and marketing efforts for identified products.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The Minister underscored the government's dedication to the agricultural sector through strategic initiatives like the FPO scheme, aimed at enhancing the socio-economic status of farmers and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth. (ANI)
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tested the 5G phone technology developed by the Center for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) at the C-DOT campus in New Delhi on Saturday. Utilizing BSNL's 5G technology, he made a video call to a C-DOT employee, demonstrating the capability and readiness of indigenous 5G technology. This successful test signifies a major milestone in India's telecom sector and its potential to compete globally. Scindia visited multiple departments of the C-DOT facility and engaged in discussions with numerous scientists and tech experts. These interactions highlight the collaborative efforts and expertise driving India's telecom advancements. He also chaired a meeting with the telecom scientists, where they discussed various innovations and new technologies currently under development at the C-DOT. The focus of the meeting was on strategies to propel India to the forefront of the global telecom industry. Scindia emphasized the importance of indigenous technology and innovation in achieving this goal. Scindia's commitment to advancing India's standing in various high-tech fields was evident throughout his visit. He reiterated his dedication to making India a leader not only in telecommunications but also in cybersecurity and defence technology. Sharing his experience on social media, Scindia's post on X (formerly Twitter) resonated with the public, garnering widespread appreciation. He posted, "Connecting India! Tried @BSNLCorporate's #5G enabled phone call," reflecting his enthusiasm and confidence in the capabilities of Indian technology. On July 18, Scindia stated that while 6G technology is still in development, India is actively participating in the global advancement of 6G. At the launch of the India Mobile Congress 2024, Scindia emphasized that India is not lagging in technological development. He explained, "We are not falling behind anywhere in terms of development. There are two aspects to developing 5G. One is to be able to give a larger pipe with greater speed and less latency, and the second is to take the industry forward. Every technological paradigm brings with it a lot of opportunities. When drones came to India, it was a technological change. You have a hardware and a software aspect of it. Every use will require a different software". Scindia highlighted the aim to develop new applications based on 5G technology and noted significant changes in the telecom industry. "6G is a developing technology. There is no target set for it in the world. Today, the transmission from 4G to 5G is happening, and the definition of 6G is being defined around the world. As far as 4G is concerned, we were behind the curve, in 5G, we are on the curve; and in 6G, we are a part of the developing process across the world. That's the delta change that happened in the telecom industry in India," he added. The India Mobile Congress is Asia's largest telecom, media, and technology forum, showcasing India's advancements and providing a platform for announcements and start-ups to present innovative products and solutions. (ANI)
Governor Greg Abbott speaks alongside Mayor John Whitmire, PUC Texas Chairman Thomas Gleeson and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd during a press conference on Texas ongoing response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Beryl on Monday, July 15, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Governor Greg Abbott is joined by Mayor John Whitmire for a press conference on Texas ongoing response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Beryl on Monday, July 15, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Mayor John Whitmire speaks alongside Governor Greg Abbott, PUC Texas Chairman Thomas Gleeson and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd during a press conference on Texas ongoing response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Beryl on Monday, July 15, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A lineman tends to fallen power lines in the East End neighborhood of Houston, days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Mayor John Whitmire speaks alongside Governor Greg Abbott, PUC Texas Chairman Thomas Gleeson and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd during a press conference on Texas ongoing response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Beryl on Monday, July 15, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

CenterPoint will speed up plans to trim trees, replace utility poles and take other actions to avoid more mass power outages for the rest of the hurricane season after Gov. Greg Abbott said the utilitys original timeline was not aggressive enough.

Abbott released the embattled utility providers revised proposal Thursday evening after meeting with CenterPoint executives. He had demanded the company make swift changes last month after Hurricane Beryl left millions in the Houston area without power.

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The original proposal was inadequate, Abbott wrote on social media. More must be done & faster.

It caps a week of scrutiny from lawmakers in Austin, including often tense hearings at the Capitol where state House and Senate members from both parties grilled CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells over the utilitys failures during Beryl.

The proposal submitted to the governor comes as the utility this week withdrew a $2 billion resiliency plan it presented to state regulators in April. Wells said in a letter to the governor that the utility is working to revise the plan in the aftermath of Beryl and in light of the updated proposal Abbott demanded.

READ MORE: CenterPoint withdraws request to fund resiliency plan

You have my commitment that our leadership team will work urgently and take every possible action to re-earn your trust, and that of the millions of people in the Greater Houston area who depend on us, Wells said in the letter submitted to Abbotts office on July 24. Our company and the thousands of men and women of CenterPoint will remain tireless in our efforts to strengthen our system and serve the community we love and are proud to call home.

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The company initially sent a plan to Abbott that promised to trim trees around 1,650 miles of power lines by the end of the year, but now is promising to clear all vegetation from 2,000 miles of power lines deemed to be at higher risk by the end of the month.

The plan says CenterPoint now has about 1,000 vegetation management workers, nearly double the crew it had before Beryl, and it is working on operational plans that would get those workers out clearing lines more swiftly after a storm hits based on damage modeling.

The plan calls for replacing about 1,000 poles by the end of the month, a goal it originally had set for Dec. 31. The utility also says it expects to harden nearly 350 distribution line miles to the latest extreme wind standard on a reliability-risk basis by the end of the year.

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CenterPoint also says it has launched a new cloud-based outage tracker, replacing a tracker that did not work for much of the aftermath of Beryl. The plan says all CenterPoint customers will have an estimated time for power restoration within 24 hours of a storm exiting the service area, and the utility will update those estimates daily.
PNN New Delhi [India], August 3: In the ever-evolving landscape of digital technology, marketing, and innovation, several companies and individuals are making significant strides across various sectors. By introducing innovative technologies, unique service models, or groundbreaking research, the following ten companies are not just participating in their industries but actively reshaping them. From BeBran Digital's comprehensive digital marketing solutions to The Installers' nationwide professional installation services, these companies are setting new standards and challenging the status quo. The following 10 stories exemplify the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that is propelling various industries forward. BeBran Digital BeBran Digital, the rebranded venture of the esteemed Doe'sInfotech Solutions, has officially launched on July 3, 2024. With an enduring legacy of 13 years in the SEO and Digital Marketing industry, BeBran Digital emerges from the strong foundation of Doe'sInfotech Solutions, boasting over a decade of expertise and serving more than 1500 clients globally. Established by Govind Sharma and based in Delhi, BeBran Digital has revitalised its brand to reflect its advanced capabilities and futuristic approach, serving diverse clients from countries including the USA, UK, UAE, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Australia. The agency retains its strong team of over 100 digital marketing experts, continuing to offer specialised Digital Marketing and Web Development services. As a pioneer in Digital Marketing solutions, BeBran Digital is dedicated to leveraging innovative technologies to enhance online visibility and improve customer engagement for its clients, particularly small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs. The company promises to deliver customised, effective, and user-friendly digital strategies, ensuring clients achieve and exceed their digital aspirations. Visit here:- https://bebran.com/ Dr Rajeshkumar Kamleshbhai Ahir Dr Rajeshkumar Kamleshbhai Ahir's groundbreaking research and doctoral work have been prominently featured in esteemed journals, solidifying his contributions to energy management and smart grid technology. The son of a farmer from small village in Gujarat, Dr Ahir overcame significant challenges to secure researcher position at the renowned CNRS@CREATE Ltd. Singapore. Earning PhD from IIT Kharagpur in 2023, his journey exemplifies perseverance and dedication. Dr Ahir's innovative research addresses critical issues in his field, earning recognition in reputable journals, including IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. His article, "Informed Change-Point Detection Approach for Solar Prosumer Detection and Statistical Verification in Smart Grid", explores enabling electric utilities to provide behavior-aware services and manage renewable generation efficiently. Dr Ahir's work, reaching broader audience, underscores the interdisciplinary relevance and impact of his research. Expressing gratitude, Dr Ahir emphasized the support of mentors, colleagues, and the academic community, highlighting the collaborative nature of his achievements. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajesh-k-ahir-phd-5a144464/ Dr Vijaykumar Radadiya Dr Vijaykumar Radadiya from Surat, Gujarat is a distinguished researcher in the field of additive-manufacturing, and has achieved a significant milestone with his groundbreaking work on the "Development of Multi-Fiber Reinforced ABS Composite using Additive Manufacturing." It has the potential to be a game-changer in sectors such as automotive-manufacturing, aerospace, consumer-electronics, etc. His pioneering research centers around elevating ABS composite materials through the integration of both Carbon Fiber and Glass Fiber reinforcements. This strategic combination results in a composite material that amalgamates the strength and lightweight characteristics of carbon fiber with the cost-effectiveness and versatility of glass fiber. The key Findings of the Research are Enhanced Mechanical Properties, Customizable Manufacturing Process, Environmental Sustainability, Synergistic Properties, Versatility and Customization. The cost-effective and sustainable nature of this manufacturing process aligns with eco-friendly practices within the industry. This adaptability can result in cost savings and increased efficiency in the production of various components. https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijayradadiya88/ The Installers The Installers, founded in Hyderabad in 2018 by Piyush Agarwal, a veteran with expertise in regional and international markets, has rapidly expanded to become "India's first and only professional interior and exterior product installation company with a presence across the nation". Starting with just four wallpaper installers, the company now employs over 350 professionals in 12 cities nationwide. Recognised as India's first business certified by the Wallcovering Installer Association USA, The Installers provides comprehensive services from site surveys to final installation, including a one-year warranty. This dedication to quality secured them the title of the best startup for funding by Startup India in 2020. The Installers simplify client interactions with unique, in-house-developed software, ensuring a seamless service experience. This innovative approach underscores their commitment to excellence in the industry. www.theinstallers.in Pavan Java Founded in 2007 in Mumbai, Pavan Java Design Studio has become one of the leading creative agencies. Known for its innovative approach to branding, marketing, and business strategy and led by Pavan Java, the design studio's philosophy is to "unlock creativity to create value." Furthermore, the agency offers diverse services, including branding, campaigns, packaging design, and digital UX/UI design. It focuses on crafting narratives that resonate with audiences and elevate brand presence. The agency's success stems from its dedication to originality, attention to detail, and core values of thoughtfulness and innovation. Operating from South Mumbai, Pavan Java Design Studio serves a global clientele, solving business challenges through a fusion of creativity, strategy, and craftsmanship. Pavan Java Design Studio prides itself on lean operations and a human-centric approach to business design, tailoring solutions to local behaviours and cultural insights. https://www.pavanjava.com/ Zzeeh Productions Pvt Ltd Zzeeh Productions Pvt Ltd has recently added two feathers to its cap by winning the Best Production House award in Corporate (Gold) and Best Production House in Weddings (Bronze) at the esteemed EEMA Spotlight Awards in 2024. This Banglore-based company specialises in providing comprehensive production support to event managers, wedding planners, and direct corporate and wedding clients. Zzeeh Productions has carved a niche for itself by offering tailored production services that align perfectly with the unique vision of its clients. Its focus on delivering high-end, personalised solutions has been instrumental in its success. The company's specialises in planning and executing destination events in exotic locations to offer clients unique and unforgettable experiences. The latest honours reflect Zzeeh Productions' dedication to quality and originality. This year, the company has orchestrated two international weddings, one in Saudi Arabia and another in Bahrain, further demonstrating its ability to deliver exceptional experiences on a global scale. www.zzeeh.com Btrue Media Founded by a young entrepreneur, Bharat Soni, Btrue Media is transforming the digital advertising landscape for e-commerce businesses. This elite performance marketing agency specialises in Meta ad solutions and combines creative prowess, strategic media buying, and data-driven methodologies to deliver exceptional results. Btrue Media empowers brands to enhance their digital presence and drive sales growth by focusing on integrity and tangible outcomes. Its expertise spans significant platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat, where the expert team crafts bespoke ad strategies and effective sales funnels. With an impressive track record of generating over $140 million in client revenue, Btrue Media excels in marketing analysis, continuous scaling, and creating standout creative content. By tackling acquisition challenges and enhancing retention, the company enable clients to focus on product development and ambitious goals, solidifying their position as a transformative force in the agency landscape. https://btrue-media.com/ Cosmoon Media From Solo Venture to E-Commerce Powerhouse: The Remarkable Rise of Cosmoon Media In just four years, Cosmoon Media has transformed from a one-person operation into a leading e-commerce agency. Founded by the ambitious 21-year-old entrepreneur Kalash Jain, Cosmoon Media boasts a team of nine experts and a proven track record. What began as a solo venture is now an industry leader known for building and scaling branded e-commerce stores. Cosmoon Media has launched over 60 stores, generating $12 million in revenue for clients. Their stores achieve monthly revenues between $30,000 to $50,000. Cosmoon Media's innovative approach has attracted high-profile clients, including Shark Tank brands. Using cutting-edge strategies, they've significantly boosted these brands' growth. Discover more at www.cosmoonmedia.com Storybizz Media Private Limited StoryBizz Media, founded by Anupal Chakraborty, stands out in the crowded digital marketing landscape by transforming brand narratives into market leadership. This innovative PR, digital marketing, and social media strategy company excels in crafting impactful press releases and strategic digital campaigns that resonate across the digital domain. StoryBizz, Atelierish Media's latest venture, transforms brand narratives into market leadership through impactful press releases and strategic digital campaigns. The company's success is evident in its work with industry leaders like Halidram and MBazaar. Anupal's deep understanding of digital marketing and emphasis on teamwork has been crucial to StoryBizz's growth. The firm now serves over 100 clients across diverse industries. The PR media house prioritises integrity, simplicity, and tangible business outcomes, positioning itself as a trusted partner in India's evolving business landscape. https://storybizzmedia.com/ Atelierish Atelierish, India's leading digital marketing agency, is transforming the e-commerce landscape through innovative Meta advertising strategies. Founded by young entrepreneur Anshul Mishra, the agency prioritises integrity and measurable outcomes, focusing on accurate results that drive sales growth for their clients. With expertise across major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat, Atelierish crafts personalised campaigns that maximise return on advertising spend. The agency's success stems from its ability to integrate seamlessly with brands, developing targeted strategies that captivate desired customer bases. Atelierish offers a comprehensive suite of services, including social media marketing, press release solutions, and search engine optimisation. Their AI-powered content generator enables social media managers to efficiently create diverse, engaging posts. By combining creativity with data-driven insights, Atelierish provides a one-stop solution for businesses looking to enhance their online presence and achieve sustainable growth in the competitive digital marketplace. https://atelierish.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized the progress made in India's agricultural sector at the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE), convened on Saturday in New Delhi. Chauhan said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's agricultural development has consistently been the highest in the world. Under the PM's leadership, we have made efforts to increase production, but India has also been concerned about ensuring that the production is safe for human health and the soil's well-being." He acknowledged the concerted efforts to enhance production but underscored the simultaneous concern for the safety of production for both human health and soil well-being. Chouhan highlighted the adverse effects of excessive chemical fertilizer use, which has led to deteriorating soil health and potential negative impacts on human health. He said, "Our PM is currently concerned about the adverse effects on human health and the continuous degradation of soil health caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, India is now emphasizing natural farming. We need to completely eradicate hunger and malnutrition, tackle the threats of climate change, and address the serious issue of declining production due to rising temperatures. We must also think about the future of the coming generations." Professor Ramesh Chandra, a member of NITI Aayog, provided a comprehensive overview of India's achievements in the agricultural sector. He noted that agriculture has been a central focus for India, with the country achieving a historically high growth rate of 5 percent over a seven-year period from 2016-17 to 2022-23. Chandra said, "Agriculture has been a key focus area in India and the country has achieved historically highest growth rate of 5 per cent during 7 year period from 2016-17 to 2022-23. According to the World Bank data available, the world development indicator, India achieved the highest growth rate in GDP Agriculture in the world in the last 10 years." Professor Matin Qaim, President of ICAE 2024, President-elect of the International Association of Agricultural Economists, and Director of the Centre for Research, stressed the multifaceted approach needed to address agricultural challenges. "We need strong science, good technologies, political determination, societal openers for change and international cooperation," Qaim said. The 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brought together leading figures in agriculture from around the world to discuss pressing issues and future directions for the industry. (ANI)
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], August 3: On the afternoon of July 31 at 4 PM, Nashik Aminya Electronics launched an aid event aimed at supporting underprivileged students at Suman Naik School in Nashik, Maharashtra. The event was organized by Amin Shaikh, the founder of Nashik Aminya Electronics, with full support from IYDF (International Youth Development Foundation). Bringing Together Compassion and Action The aid event saw enthusiastic participation from volunteers, including Amin Shaikh, Salman Shaikh, Raza Shaikh, and Rizwan Shaikh. These volunteers brought warmth and care to the children, ensuring the event's success. Heartwarming Moments at the Event Held at Vithamai Complex No. 3 near Purnvad Nagar Akashwani Tower in Nashik, the event provided the children with essential school supplies such as books, pencils, pens, jackets, and sharpeners. Additionally, the volunteers prepared cakes, biscuits, and drawing books for the children. Sixty children enjoyed a delightful afternoon, their faces beaming with happiness as they interacted with the volunteers. Corporate Responsibility and Love in Action Nashik Aminya Electronics demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility by organizing this event to assist underprivileged students. Faizan Shaikh, the head of Suman Naik School, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the successful event. Heartfelt Gratitude and Joy When asked about their feelings on organizing such events, the recipients and volunteers shared, "We are very happy and thankful to IYDF." The event not only brought warmth to the children but also allowed the participants to experience the joy of helping others. Looking Ahead Nashik Aminya Electronics pledges to continue fulfilling its social responsibilities by organizing more charitable activities, contributing to the harmonious development of society. With collective efforts, more underprivileged children will receive the help they need, paving the way for a brighter future. The success of this event highlights the compassion and social responsibility of Nashik Aminya Electronics. It also inspires more companies and individuals to join the cause of supporting underprivileged children. We look forward to more such activities in the future, bringing positive energy to society. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
India's share of working-age individuals is projected to rise until 2040 and maintain a substantial workforce until almost 2050, while countries such as the People's Republic of China and Japan face declining working-age populations, according to Asian Development Bank report. Statista data highlights that India's working-age population made up over 60% of its total population in 2011 and is expected to grow until 2031. But by 2036, this percentage will slightly decline from 65.1% in 2031 to 64.9% in 2036. This demographic trend underscores the importance of labour mobility and regional cooperation to address workforce imbalances and sustain economic growth across Asia and the Pacific. As per ADB, Asia and the Pacific can effectively manage their demographic deficits through proactive regional migration policies and human capital investment. Over the past 50 years, many countries in the region have prospered by leveraging their demographic dividends, focusing on infrastructure investments such as transportation, energy, and telecommunications. However, as demographic dividends turn to deficits, a shift in strategy is necessary. Countries must now prioritize investing in human capital and fostering greater labour mobility across the region to maintain economic stability. UN data indicates that Asia has passed its peak demographic dividend. The absolute number of working-age individuals in several countries is set to decrease significantly, further stressing the need for adaptive policies. Countries in Asia and the Pacific must adapt by implementing policies that make the most of their remaining workforce. This includes increasing labour force participation, especially among women, and enhancing access to higher education for talented students regardless of socioeconomic background. More crucially, a regional approach to migration can help balance workforce deficits and surpluses. Flexible migration policies within the region can exploit demographic differences, providing job opportunities for workers from demographic dividend countries and filling employment gaps in deficit countries. This strategy would also strengthen trade and investment ties, foster innovation, and increase remittance flows. While out-migration from Asia and the Pacific is currently directed primarily toward the Gulf states, regional strategies akin to those adopted by the United Arab Emirates could provide more local job opportunities. Regional cooperation through bodies such as ASEAN can facilitate this migration strategy by standardizing licensing and training requirements and establishing skills partnerships between destination and origin countries. Asia and the Pacific have matched population growth with productivity-enhancing investments in infrastructure. Now, facing ageing populations, the region must pivot to investing equally in human capital and facilitating cross-border labour mobility. (ANI)
Ambuja Cements Limited, part of Adani Portfolio, has announced its first venture 'Warisaliganj Cement Grinding Unit', a standalone facility with an overall capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), to be established at an investment of nearly Rs 1600 crore in Bihar. According to a press release by Ambuja Cement (Adani Cement), the project will be implemented in three phases, with the first phase of 2.4 MTPA at an investment of Rs 1100 crore targeted to be commissioned by December 2025. Adequate provisioning of land for future expansion is in place, which will be commissioned in due course at a much lower capital expenditure. Located in the Mosama village, Tehsil Warisaliganj, District Nawada, Bihar, the site is well-connected by road and rail, with Warisaliganj railway station 1 km away and SH-83 just 500 meters from the site. The project will meet the growing infrastructure needs of Bihar, aligning with priorities outlined in the recent Union Budget. Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, at a foundation stone-laying ceremony hosted by the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA), expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This investment by the Adani Group is a testament to Bihar's growth potential and our commitment to fostering sustainable development for the people of Bihar." Aimed at boosting infrastructure, contributing approximately Rs 250 crore per year to the state's fiscal revenue and creating 250 direct jobs and 1000 indirect jobs for the state, the event was held in the gracious presence of many dignitaries such as Deputy Chief Ministers, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Industry Minister, Nitish Mishra. Pranav Adani, Managing Director (Agro, Oil & Gas) and Director, Adani Enterprises Limited, was also present from the Adani Group. Pranav Adani remarked, "This investment aligns with the State Government's development programs and our growth plans. The cement industry is witnessing healthy volumes due to the government's infrastructure thrust, and Ambuja Cements is well-positioned to support sustainable infrastructure development in the country." He added, "We look forward to collaborating with the state government, authorities, and local communities on this and future projects. State Government's support in fast tracking and provisioning of all permits has made this landmark investment possible in short time." Expressing the gratitude, Pranav Adani posted on X, "Privileged to be present for the foundation laying ceremony of the Cement Grinding Unit in Warisaliganj alongside Hon'ble CM Shri @NitishKumar. We are grateful for the support received from the Government in Bihar for making this strategic investment of Rs1,600 crore possible in alignment with the state's development plans. #ThisisAdaniCement @AmbujaCementACL" https://x.com/PranavAdani/status/1819665711569985676?t=2nGdlFFKRapl7PDsFnZteg&s=09 Karan Adani, MD- Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd. took to his social media handle on X to express enthusiasm, stating, "We are excited to announce a landmark Rs1,600 crore investment in Bihar to set up a 6 MTPA Cement Grinding Unit in Warisaliganj, creating significant job opportunities & contributing to the local economy. Adani Cement is well-positioned to support sustainable infrastructure development in Bihar and across India. #ThisisAdaniCement @AmbujaCementACL". https://x.com/AdaniKaran/status/1819664442004562037?t=XXIv6l_e56kOqk-3gYsLoQ&s=19 BIADA has allotted 67.90 acres of land for this cement unit, for which environmental clearance has been obtained for work on the site. This unit is likely to be operational by December 2025. In addition to Warisaliganj, Ambuja Cements Limited has been allotted 26.60 acres of land by BIADA for another cement unit in the industrial area of Mahbal, Motipur, Muzaffarpur. The environmental clearance for this project is under process, and work on this project is likely to start shortly. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma performed 'bhumi pujan' of the Tata semiconductor facility in Jagiroad along with Tata Sons chairman N Chandrashekhar. In his post on the social media platform "X", Sarma expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision that propelled the development. He also mentioned Ratan Tata, emeritus chairman of Tata Sons, for the determination for the project along with the IT and Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and MeitY. Taking to the "X", CM Sarma said, "Proud! Assam is set to become the next global electronic hub. With the blessings of Maa Kamakhya, Srimanta Sankardev and our people, I performed the Bhumi Pujan of the Tata Semiconductor facility in Jagiroad along with Chairman of Tata Sons, Shri N Chandrashekhar." "This Rs27,000 cr plant has an employment potential of over 27,000 jobs and will attract a world-class industrial ecosystem that will spur India's quest to become a global leader in new age tech, the CM added. Sarma also complimented the people of the state for reposing their faith in the endeavours of the government. The government approved a proposal by Tata Electronics to build a state-of-the-art, greenfield semiconductor assembly and test facility in Jagiroad, Assam. As per the information available on the website of Tata Group, the facility will be built with an investment outlay of Rs 27,000 crore and is expected to generate over 27,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region. Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons will build this facility. According to the company, the project will focus on three key platform technologies - Wire Bond, Flip Chip, and a differentiated offering called Integrated Systems Packaging (ISP), with plans to expand the roadmap to advanced packaging technologies in the future. The project will help industries such as automotive especially the electric vehicle industry communications, network infrastructure, and others to boost their productivity.Semiconductor assembly and testing is a critical part of the semiconductor value chain where wafers manufactured by semiconductor fabs are assembled or packaged and then tested before they are finally used in the desired product. The construction of the facility will start this year and the first phase will be operational by mid-2025, as per the company.The project is envisioned under the Government of India's Semiconductor policy being driven by the India Semiconductor Mission and the Government of Assam's Electronics policy. (ANI)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], August 3: Tanishq, India's premier jewellery brand from the Tata Group, took center stage for the Grand Finale of India Couture Week 2024 with its finest collections, seamlessly blended with Falguni Shane Peacock's latest collection 'Rang Mahal.' Tanishq's product supremacy was highlighted on the grand finale for its unmatched craftsmanship, differentiated designs, and commitment to quality. The finale showcased the Best of Tanishq, where each piece was a testament to Tanishq's prowess of craft and creation that it has cultivated with over three decades of its legacy as the National Local Jeweler of India, thereby establishing itself as the leaders of timeless yet differentiated designs. The product supremacy of Tanishq lies in its design differentiation and craftmanship, consistently offering the best jewellery pieces that blend traditional artistry with contemporary elegance to over 1 million Indian families who have become an integral part of its legacy, building the largest network of trust in the market. From the Best of Diamonds, the recently launched Enchanted Trails Collection was featured at the Couture Week, which is a work of art, featuring rare and real diamond creations that redefine glamour and style. The collection draws inspiration from the intricate beauty of the exotic nature, incorporating elements that reflect the elegance of flowing rivers, interplay of light and water, the allure of blooming flowers, the graceful movement of branches, and the whispers of lush forest foliage. The collection showcases the dance of boats gliding through serene streams, echoing the poetry of nature's tranquillity. Additionally, the classic high jewellery line, Ethereal Wonders Collection dazzled the ramp with rare stones such as aquamarine, tanzanite, pastel tourmalines, rare citrines, and statement pieces with emeralds and sapphires, making it one of Tanishq's rarest of rare collections. Tanishq's Exotic India Collection featured intricate Vilandi Jadau designs crafted in Bikaner, Victorian Polki necklaces adorned with uncut Polkis, and regal Rajwada Kundan necklaces. Each piece told a story of grandeur, merging traditional artistry with modern elegance. Tanishq also presented timeless Chikankari work, mesmerizing Picchwai work, opulent Zardosi, and dazzling Polkis, all handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail. The vibrant Meenakari art and captivating inlay work, featuring Chalcedony centerpieces, added a splash of color. Empowering the modern woman with timeless elegance and contemporary charm, the collections celebrates her unique journey, illuminating every step with the brilliance she deserves. Falguni Shane Peacock's 'Rang Mahal' collection celebrated the regal and dreamy aspects of India's royal heritage. Luxurious silks, rich velvets, and intricate embroideries evoked the splendor of royal courts, while Tanishq's bespoke jewels added a touch of timeless elegance, making each ensemble a true masterpiece. This collaboration brought to life a seamless fusion of fashion and jewellery, highlighting the unparalleled craftsmanship and artistry of Indian heritage. The collection drew inspiration from India's majestic symbols and vibrant hues, celebrating the rich diversity of the country's cultural heritage. Each piece was a tribute to the timeless elegance and sophistication of India's royal heritage, crafted by master artisans who carry forward the legacy of their ancestors. Pelki Tshering, Chief Marketing Officer, Tanishq, Titan Company Ltd., shared her enthusiasm about the collaboration, "We are delighted to collaborate with Falguni Shane Peacock for the grand finale of India Couture Week 2024. For nearly three decades, Tanishq's jewellery has celebrated and reflected the unique journey of today's woman, who is grounded in tradition, yet embraces a modern outlook. On this prestigious platform, we proudly showcase Tanishq's legacy of craftsmanship and design excellence in gold, diamond, Polki a legacy that has been winning the hearts of millions of Indians." Revathi Kant, Chief Designer Officer, Titan Company Limited, expressed her views on the designs and association, "The grand finale of India Couture Week 2024 provided a prestigious platform to celebrate Tanishq's exceptional craftsmanship and design excellence. From the nature-inspired Enchanted Trails diamond collection to the timeless allure of the Ethereal Wonders and the intricate beauty of the Exotic India pieces, each creation reflects the modern woman's spirit and sophistication. These designs embody our dedication to superior craftsmanship, combining traditional artistry with contemporary elegance to create jewellery that is both timeless and uniquely distinguished." Falguni Shane Peacock commented on the synergy between the brands, "We are thrilled to mark our 20th anniversary with the grand finale of FDCI's Hyundai India Couture Week alongside Swadesh and Tanishq. Rang Mahal is more than just a collection; it is a homage to the artisans, the storytellers, and the custodians of our cultural legacy. Our collaboration with Swadesh brings forth the finest handwoven textiles, celebrating India's rich artisanal heritage. As each model graces the runway, they carry with them the spirit of India's past and the promise of its future, wrapped in the splendor of our cultural history, preserved and celebrated through fashion. Tanishq's bespoke jewels resonate with our vision, and we eagerly look forward to unveiling our collection adorned with their exquisite creations. Join us as we celebrate the art of storytelling through the lens of haute couture, where every piece is a work of art. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Sunil Sethi and FDCI for their pivotal role in shaping this prestigious event into India's foremost couture showcase." As models adorned with Tanishq's jewellery and Falguni Shane Peacock's visionary designs graced the runway, they embodied the spirit of India's past and the promise of its future. The grand finale was a celebration of the art of storytelling through haute couture, where every piece was a work of art, and Tanishq's jewellery added a touch of timeless elegance, making the event truly unforgettable. Join us in celebrating the splendor of Indian heritage and craftsmanship, brought to life by Tanishq and Falguni Shane Peacock at the grand finale of India Couture Week 2024. Tanishq, India's most-loved jewellery brand from the TATA Group, has been synonymous with superior craftsmanship, exclusive designs and guaranteed product quality for over two decades. It has built for itself the envious reputation of being the only jewellery brand in the country that strives to understand the Indian woman and provide her with jewellery that meets her traditional and contemporary aspirations and desires. To stress on their commitment to offer the purest jewellery, all Tanishq stores are equipped with the Karatmeter which enables customers to check the purity of their gold in the most efficient manner. The Tanishq retail chain currently spreads across 475+ exclusive boutiques in more than 240 cities. Website: www.tanishq.co.in. Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanishqjewellery/?igsh=MXNsYXM1a3hvemlqdQ%3D%3D Falguni Shane Peacock has established its place as leading luxury couture designers globally over a glorious span of 18 years. The brand has constantly pushed its boundaries to create luxury looks season after season and evolved with every season. Falguni Shane Peacock extends its frontiers by infusing traditional craftsmanship in contemporary techniques and experimenting with silhouettes and colours every season. The brand has advanced in terms of design sensibilities and technology by pioneering features such as virtual styling that let Falguni Shane Peacock personally design and co-create ensembles virtually. With a remarkable reputation for translating its DNA and philosophies into every finely crafted ensemble, Falguni Shane Peacock amalgamate imagination with reality, traditional with contemporary, and infuse true elements of 'luxury' to it. The designers are positioned famously for their classic design sensibilities and timeless qualities that make them a favourite amongst celebrities. Website: falgunishanepeacock.in. Instagram: instagram.com/falgunishanepeacockindia?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday lauded the efforts of the government for setting up a semiconductor plant in Assam. Highlighting the government's keenness for the project, the Union Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved a semiconductor unit in Morigaon, Assam in February this year. This plant is to be set up by Tata's Electronics company. The construction of that plant has started today, he said. The IT and Information Minister stated that the Tata semiconductor facility will create employment opportunities, generating 15,000 direct and 11,000 to 13,000 indirect jobs. Union Minister further added that the unit will be set up with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore and it will generate 15,000 direct and 11,000 to 13,000 indirect jobs...This plant will be very big. It will manufacture about 4.83 crore chips per day. "The unique thing about this plant is that all the three major technologies which will be deployed in this plant are developed in India. The chips manufactured in this plant will be used in e-vehicles, electric vehicles and practically every large company will be using these chips in the communication and network infrastructure," the Minister further added.Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons will build this facility. According to the company, the project will focus on three key platform technologies - Wire Bond, Flip Chip, and a differentiated offering called Integrated Systems Packaging (ISP), with plans to expand the roadmap to advanced packaging technologies in the future. Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons will build this facility in Assam. The project will help industries such as automotive especially the electric vehicle industry communications, network infrastructure, and others to boost their productivity.Semiconductor assembly and testing is a critical part of the semiconductor value chain where wafers manufactured by semiconductor fabs are assembled or packaged and then tested before they are finally used in the desired product. The construction of the facility will start this year and the first phase will be operational by mid-2025, as per the company. The project is envisioned under the Government of India's Semiconductor policy being driven by the India Semiconductor Mission and the Government of Assam's Electronics policy. The unit in Assam will be the site for the development of indigenous advanced semiconductor packaging technologies including flip chip and I-SIP (integrated system in package) technologies. These technologies are extremely critical for key applications such as automotive (especially electric vehicles), communications, network infrastructure and others, officials said.Nearly 85,000 industry-ready manpower at BTech, MTech and PhD level in semiconductor chip design area are being trained at 113 academic institutions across the country and nine of these are in the northeast region. Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons will build the facility in Assam. (ANI)
From birthdays to weddings, he never misses a chance to make his loved ones feel special on their special occasions. As it's his sister Arpita Khan's birthday today, he marked his brotherly presence at the party, which was attended by his mother Salma Khan and his brother Sohail Khan among several others.

Actor Riteish Deshmukh, who also attended the birthday bash of Arpita, took to Instagram and gave a sneak peek into the fun-filled party.

In the clip, Arpita can be seen cutting her birthday cake with her husband, actor Aayush Sharma and their children Ahil and Ayat. Salman is standing next to Aayush. Arpita feeds the cake to her husband Aayush followed by Salman.

Salman looked super happy. We can see him donning a black T-shirt. The video also showcases Salman's cute bond with his niece Ayat.

Salman can be seen making funny faces while interacting with the little one.

Actors Genelia Deshmukh, Kanchi Kaul and Shabir Ahluwalia were also a part of the celebration.

Wishing Arpita a very happy birthday, Riteish wrote on Instagram, "Happy birthday my dearest darling. We love you. Have a fabulous year ahead."

Genelia also took to Instagram and dropped a heartfelt birthday post for Arpita.

"Happy birthday special one. I am always going to have your back. I love you," she wrote, adding an adorable selfie with Arpita from the party.

Arpita has been married to Aayush for around ten years now.

The couple married in 2014 are parents to a son Ahil and were blessed with their second child, a baby girl Ayat, on December 27, 2021. (ANI)
The project, which also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza, Patralekhaa, Amrita Puri, Anupam Tripathi, Kumud Mishra and Manoj Pahwa, will be released on Netflix on August 29.

On Saturday, the makers also unveiled the teaser.

As per the makers, the "six-episode series thrusts you into the nerve-wracking reality faced by passengers and crew trapped at 30,000 feet. With every moment steeped in tension, the series follows a relentless team in India racing against time, deciphering the hijackers' ominous demands, and fighting against the odds to ensure the safe return of everyone on board."

IC-814 was hijacked by five terrorists on December 24, 1999, 40 minutes after it took off from Kathmandu. The aircraft carrying about 180 passengers remained hostage for seven days and flew from Kathmandu to Amritsar and then to Lahore. It was re-fuelled in Lahore and left for Dubai. From Dubai, it went to Taliban-controlled Kandahar, where all the passengers were released on December 31, 2000.

In the coming months, Vijay will also be seen in the crime drama series 'Matka King'.

The official synopsis of 'Matka King' reads, "It is a fictional tale set in 1960s Mumbai, where an enterprising cotton trader who craves legitimacy and respect starts a new gambling game dubbed 'Matka'.This game takes the city by storm, democratizing a terrain previously reserved for the rich and elite."

The series also features Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Gulshan Grover and Siddharth Jadhav in pivotal roles. (ANI)
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, entered hospice care on Saturday.

The Carter Center said on Saturday that after several brief hospital admissions, former US President Jimmy Carter has elected "to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention."

"He has the full support of his family and his medical team," the Carter Center statement reads.

The former president's grandson, Jason Carter, a former Democratic state senator from Georgia, stated of his grandparents on Friday that "they are at peace, and as always - their home is full of love," CNN reported.

On October 2, Carter turned 98 years old. He served as president from 1977 to 1981.

An Outstanding Government Leader and Champion of Peace

The Camp David Accords, by which Egypt legally recognized the establishment of Israel, were signed in 1978, marking the Carter administration's pinnacle. He also ratified a treaty that gave Panama ownership of the Panama Canal, according to BBC.

When he ran for reelection, Republican Ronald Reagan defeated him. Reagan went on to serve two full terms as president. Jimmy Carter's loss was caused by a temporary economic slowdown and the Iranian hostage-taking of US diplomatic staffers, per an HNGN story.

Carter was born in Georgia in 1924, and after being elected as a state senator in the 1960s, he went on to become the governor of Georgia in 1971.

While the one-term Democrat president departed the White House with low popularity ratings, he has spent the subsequent three decades of his life serving others via organizations like the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity.

In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote world peace.

In recent years, Carter has sometimes spoken on political matters. In 2018, while Brian Kemp was campaigning for governor of Georgia, he urged Kemp to quit his job as secretary of state, as per NPR.

Former President Carter said in 2019 that he believed Trump to be an unlawful chief executive. And during the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Carter endorsed Joseph Biden through a video message.

Deteriorating Health

The longest-living former US president has recently dealt with several health issues, including cancer, a broken hip. He recently underwent hospitalizations for a fractured pelvis and a urinary tract infection.

Although Carter overcame brain cancer in 2015, he did have a series of health concerns in 2019 that necessitated brain surgery. Due to health problems, he had to stop teaching Sunday school at the Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he had done so for decades.

Incumbent US President and fellow Democrat Joe Biden knows about Jimmy Carter's poor health and decision to go into hospice care. President Biden maintains regular communication with former President Jimmy Carter, as well as members of his family and inner circle.

According to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Archive, Joe Biden was one of the first US senators to support Carter during his 1976 presidential campaign.

The Carter Center announcement concluded: "The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers."
Taylor Swift delighted her fans in Warsaw this week by incorporating Polish phrases into her Eras Tour performance. The pop star, known for her engaging live shows, surprised the audience with greetings and expressions she learned for the occasion. According to PEOPLE, during her second of three shows at Warsaw's PGE Narodowy on August 2, Swift charmed the crowd with a mix of Polish phrases. She greeted fans with "siema" and said "milo was poznac" ("nice to meet you"). Throughout the performance, she also used phrases like "warszawa, witajcie na Eras Tour" ("welcome to the Eras Tour"), "kocham was" ("I love you"), "dziekjie" ("thank you"), and "wszystko dobrze" ("everything's fine?"). These moments were quickly shared online, with fans expressing their excitement over Swift's efforts to connect with her Polish audience. In addition to her linguistic efforts, Swift kept her setlist fresh and engaging. Before performing the song "August" from Folklore, she playfully asked the audience, "Hey, what month is it?" She also introduced two new mash-ups during her set. One combined "Red" and "Maroon" into a nearly five-minute piano rendition, while the other mixed "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)" and "I Can See You." Swift's Eras Tour has continued to draw enthusiastic crowds across Europe. Even fans who couldn't get tickets to her Munich shows watched from a nearby hill, and Swift expressed her gratitude for their support in an Instagram post. Swift will continue her tour with a third performance in Warsaw on August 3, before heading to Vienna for three shows from August 8 to 10, as per PEOPLE. (ANI)
After Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) was planning a raid against him, party MLA Ramchandra Kadam alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using central agencies to 'suppress' other leaders. Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's ED raid claims, Ramchandra Kadam, Congress MLA and CLP leader of Odisha, said, "Ever since the BJP has come to power, they have been using the central agencies to suppress other leaders. The people of the country are watching and they stand with Rahul Gandhi." On Friday, in a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Apparently, 2 in 1 didn't like my Chakravyuh speech. ED 'insiders' tell me a raid is being planned. Waiting with open arms, @dir_ed. Chai and biscuits on me." This follows Gandhi's comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address on the Union Budget 2024 in the Lok Sabha on July 29. Gandhi said farmers, workers, and youth across the nation are terrified. He criticised PM Modi for prominently displaying the lotus symbol and claimed that a new 'Chakravyuh' had been created in the 21st century. "Thousands of years ago, in Kurukshetra, six people trapped Abhimanyu in a 'Chakravyuh' and killed him. I did a little research and found out that 'Chakravyuh' is also known as 'Padmavuyh' - which means 'Lotus formation'. Chakravyuh' is in the shape of a Lotus. In the 21st century, a new 'Chakravyuh' has been formed - that too in the form of a Lotus. The Prime Minister wears its symbol on his chest. What was done with Abhimanyu, is being down with India - the youth, farmers, women, small and medium businesses. Abhimanyu was killed by six people. Today, too there are six people in the centre of 'Chakravyuh'. Six people control India today too -Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Mohan Bhagwat, Ajit Doval, Ambani and Adani," he added. The LoP said that the budget has stabbed the middle class, which enthusiastically banged thalis when asked to do so by Prime Minister Modi. The LoP said that the 'Chakravyuh' that the central government has built is harming crores of people. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. (ANI)
A woman was swept away in a flash flood near Sangam Nalluh in Kaza, Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh amid heavy rainfall. The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), in Lahaul and Spiti, also said that a vehicle had been buried under the debris after the flash flood. According to HP-State Emergency Operation Centre, "A flash flood incident was reported near Sagnam Nalluh in Sub Division Spiti, District Lahaul and Spiti. In the incident, one woman was washed away and one vehicle was also buried under the debris." It further said that a rescue team comprising personnel from the IPC 17th Corps and local police was on the incident spot for rescue. Besides, an ambulance and a JCB were also deployed on the site. Further details are still awaited. Meanwhile, a total of six people have lost their lives and 47 are still missing after a cloudburst and following flash floods in the Kullu, Mandi and Shimla regions of Himachal Pradesh. On Friday afternoon, the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre provided a situation report at the three affected places for the past 36 hours, which showed the summary of damage and loss on the intervening nights of July 31 and August 1. According to the report, Mandi has witnessed the most casualties with five, followed by Kullu with one. Shimla has so far reported no casualties. The report also mentioned that Shimla has the highest number of missing people so far, at 33, followed by Kullu at 9 and Mandi at 6. A total of 55 people had been evacuated to relief camps and 25 people reported being stranded. 61 houses were fully damaged, as the report stated, with 42 houses being partially damaged. In both cases, the majority of the damage was seen at Kullu. In the wake of the catastrophic incident, the state government, led by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, had earlier mobilised extensive rescue and relief efforts. Addressing the media amidst ongoing rescue operations, Sukhu emphasised the gravity of the situation. Later, on his visit to the affected areas, Sukhu said that 49 people were missing and four bodies had been recovered from the affected areas. "We will provide all possible help and relief to victims of the disaster. 49 people are missing and 4 bodies have been recovered. Restoration work is underway," he said. The information about the cloud burst was received by the District Disaster Management Authority early Thursday morning, which took place near the hydropower project in Samej Khad in Jhakri, Rampur. Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said that as soon as the information about the incident was received, the NDRF team, SDRF team, police, and rescue team left for the site of the incident. (ANI)
The fact-finding team under National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma visited Asha Kiran, a Delhi government-run "home for the intellectually retarded" in Rohini where 14 deaths occurred (Male-6, Female-8) in the shelter home in the month of July only. Following the visit, NCW released a statement, which read: "Chairperson of the NCW led a fact-finding team to Asha Kiran, a Delhi government-run "home for the intellectually retarded" in Rohini. The preliminary inquiry has uncovered numerous administrative lapses, including inadequate medical care, poor hygiene and sanitation, overcrowding, lack of safe drinking water, contaminated food, and lack of staff training. The final report with recommendations will be shared by the commission with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi after the complete inquiry." On August 2, National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma visited Asha Kiran, a government home for the mentally challenged in Rohini, Delhi, following reports of multiple deaths among its residents. Earlier, according to an official report, "Most number of deaths (14) have been recorded in July in the Asha Kiran Shelter Home being run in Delhi's Rohini area." The official report stated that a total of 25 deaths were recorded from February 2024, out of which 14 occurred in the shelter home in the month of July only. The report from Asha Kiran Shelter Home to the Delhi Government mentioned loose motion and unconsciousness as being the reason behind deaths. Other reasons included- mild fever, loose stools and vomiting. Reacting to the incident, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi said, "Asha Kiran shelter home is being run in Delhi...Those who live here are abandoned people rescued by the police. A report is coming that 14 deaths have occurred here in July, among 14 one is a child. This is a serious matter and to investigate this a magisterial enquiry has been ordered. The preliminary report will be submitted within 24 hrs. If there is any negligence seen in the report by any official, strict action will be taken against them." Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has also called for a comprehensive inquiry into the state of all shelter homes run by the GNCTD, including the circumstances surrounding the deaths at Asha Kiran Home. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri conducted an on-site assessment of the damage caused by the flash flood to the Kurpan Khad Water Supply Scheme at Baagi Pul in the Kullu district on Friday. He revealed that the Rs 315 crore Kurpan Khad project, currently under construction, suffered extensive damage due to the flash flood and directed the department to take immediate and necessary measures to restore the project. He expressed concern over the significant loss of approximately Rs 10 crore incurred by the Jal Shakti Vibhag in Baagi Pul due to the disaster. Agnihotri also commended the tireless efforts of the department's officials and employees working diligently to restore the water supply schemes. The HP Deputy CM also visited the Matiyana region in Shimla district to assess the damage to the water supply schemes and related infrastructure. He reported that the department has suffered an additional loss of Rs 10 crore due to damage to critical components, including the booster, intake structure, feed line sump well, pump house, pumping machinery, and pipes. "As many as 19 water supply schemes and a sewerage line resulting in a loss of Rs 7.50 crore were assessed in the Rampur area. Four of these schemes were still under construction," he stated. The Deputy Chief Minister said that 10 schemes have been successfully restored, and efforts are underway to restore the remaining five schemes soon. He also met with families affected by the disaster in Baagi Pul area in Kullu district. Describing the situation as "grim and painful," he assured that the administration is working diligently to provide relief to the affected. Deputy CM Agnihotri further emphasised that the government was extending all possible support to those affected. Earlier, a total of six people have lost their lives and 47 are still missing after a cloudburst and following flash floods in the Kullu, Mandi and Shimla regions of Himachal Pradesh. On Friday afternoon, the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre provided a situation report at the three affected places for the past 36 hours, which showed the summary of damage and loss on the intervening nights of July 31 and August 1. According to the report, Mandi has witnessed the most casualties with five, followed by Kullu with one. Shimla so far has reported no casualties. The report also mentioned that Shimla has the highest number of missing people so far, at 33, followed by Kullu at nine and Mandi at six. A total of 55 people had been evacuated to relief camps and 25 people reported being stranded. 61 houses were fully damaged, as the report stated, with 42 houses being partially damaged. In both cases, the majority of the damage was seen at Kullu. In the wake of the catastrophic incident, the state government, led by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, had earlier mobilised extensive rescue and relief efforts. The information about the cloud burst was received by the District Disaster Management Authority early Thursday morning, which took place near the hydropower project in Samej Khad in Jhakri, Rampur. Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said that as soon as the information about the incident was received, the NDRF team, SDRF team, police, and rescue team left for the site of the incident. (ANI)
West Bengal Labour Minister Moloy Ghatak informed the assembly that 242 migrant labourers from the state have been stranded in landslide-hit Wayanad district in Kerala. Replying to a query by Hingalganj TMC MLA Debes Mandal in the assembly, Moloy Ghatak gave details of migrant workers from West Bengal who were stuck in the Wayanad district due to the recent disaster from the landslides. In the assembly, Ghatak said that the state administration has established contact with some of them. As per the data from the Labour Department of West Bengal government data, 242 migrant labourers from Bengal are stranded in Wayanad district. "We have established contact with some of them. We are trying to get in touch with others," he said. As labourers from Bengal are highly skilled, they are always in demand in the southern state, Ghatak said. "All the contacted migrant workers are safe. These migrant labourers from different districts of the state are skilled and that is the reason that their demand is greater in other states," he said. Ghatak told ANI that "Around 1 crore migrant workers come to West Bengal from different states to seek jobs here, which is greater than the number of migrant workers who go to different states of India from West Bengal." According to Labour Department of West Bengal government data, 21,59,737 migrant workers are registered who go to different states. Maharashtra (366431), Kerala (365123), Tamil Nadu (218974), Karnataka (163386) and Delhi (124049) are accordingly the priorities of the best job places for West Bengal migrants. From the state, a large number of people wish to go from Murshidabad (366338), Malda (269687), West Midnapore (167242), Nadia (259741) and East Midnapore (155634) with their skills out-of-state. Meanwhile, the number of bodies recovered in Wayanad landslides has risen to 210, while the people who have been discharged from hospitals stood at 187, officials said on Friday. As per the officials, 210 bodies and 134 body parts have been recovered till now, which includes 96 males, 85 females and 29 children. The number of bodies identified by relatives stood at 146. The administration has completed the post-mortem of 207 bodies and 134 body parts found at the incident site. According to the officials, 84 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, while 187 have been discharged. 273 people have been brought to hospitals from the incident site.Earlier today, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed 308 deaths in the multiple landslides that hit Wayanad on July 30. Two massive landslides hit Wayanad's Chooralmala and Mundakkai on July 30, creating widespread devastation and the loss of lives and property in the region. (ANI)
A pilgrim travelling to Amarnath told ANI, "Safety comes first, so coming to camp is better, you will get all facilities free; washrooms are clean and hygienic. So we are thinking of a stay while returning too."

"I feel lucky to be part of this yatra, few people get this chance. We go through some difficulties but it feels good when we take the darshan of Bhole Baba (Lord Shiva)' she added.

She further said, " I wish people to be happy, wars and conflicts should be reduced."

The Yatra which is conducted by the Shri Amranathji Shrine Board is divided into two routes, one through Pahalgam and the other through Baltal in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Baltal serves as the camping ground for pilgrims.

The Yatra, which commenced formally on June 29 from the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in Kashmir, is scheduled to conclude on August 19.

This year, the Amarnath Yatra is taking place amid a significant increase in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier on July 24, Inspector General of Police Kashmir, VK Birdi, convened a joint security review meeting at Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam. IGP Kashmir directed all security agencies to work in close coordination to ensure a safe and secure Amarnath Yatra.

The meeting also focused on strategies to counter terrorism and maintain law and order. The review meeting underscored the commitment of all stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.

Devotees of Lord Shiva undertake this arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave located in the South Kashmir Himalayas. (ANI)
Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected as the prime astronaut for the upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced. A joint statement signed between India and the US during the official state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2023 envisioned a joint ISRO-NASA effort to the ISS. Towards the goal of mounting a joint ISRO-NASA effort, the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO has entered into a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA-identified service provider Axiom Space Inc, USA for its upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS, the Indian space agency said on Friday. A National Mission Assignment Board has recommended two Gaganyatris as prime and backup Mission Pilot for this mission. These include Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Prime) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Backup). "The assigned crewmembers will be finally approved to fly to the International Space Station by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP)," ISRO statement read. The recommended Gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission from the first week of August, ISRO said. During the mission, the Gaganyatri will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS as well as engage in space outreach activities. The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Program and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO and NASA. Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bringing them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters. In February this year, PM Modi announced the names of the four chosen Indian Air Force pilots; Group Captain Prashanth Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla who would be part of India's first human space flight programme. It is slated to be launched in 2024-25. The four astronauts were trained at Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had reviewed the progress of the Gaganyaan mission and bestowed 'astronaut wings' to the astronaut-designates at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The Gaganyaan mission is India's first human space flight program for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centres. "India's success in the space sector is sowing the seeds of scientific temperament in the country's young generation," PM Modi said in his address at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre . The pre-requisites for Gaganyaan mission include development of many critical technologies including human rated launch vehicle for carrying crew safely to space, Life Support System to provide an earth like environment to crew in space, crew emergency escape provision and evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery and rehabilitation of crew. Various precursor missions are planned for demonstrating the Technology Preparedness Levels before carrying out the actual Human Space Flight mission. These demonstrator missions include Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights. Safety and reliability of all systems will be proven in unmanned missions preceding manned mission. LVM3 rocket - The well proven and reliable heavy lift launcher of ISRO, is identified as the launch vehicle for Gaganyaan mission. Human safety is of paramount importance in Gaganyaan mission. In order to ensure the same, various new technologies comprising of Engineering systems and Human centric systems are being developed and realised. In 2023, in a stellar display of prowess, India soared to new heights with the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the Moon and the successful launch of Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission. These milestones not only secured India's standing in the global space economy but also fueled the engines for the private space sector in India. Among other feats India now aims for setting up 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' by 2035, and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) opposition alliance in Karnataka has on Saturday kicked off its 10-day 'Mysore Chalo' padayatra from Kengeri in Bengaluru to Mysore over alleged MUDA and Valmiki Corporation scams. Karnataka BJP General Secretary P Rajeev told ANI that they are undertaking the padayatra against the alleged corrupt activities of the Siddaramiah government. "The Congress govt which was formed in Karnataka, from day one, has been engaged in corruption activities. Tax money is being used for election purposes. The whole cabinet is engaged in illegal and corrupt activities MUDA, diversion of SC, ST fund and misusing of government fund, Valmiki corporation (scam) amount has been used literally to purchase the liquor and car and gold so in this situation being an opposition party, BJP has taken this very seriously and today we are starting our Padayatra, Mysore Chalo," Rajeev told ANI on Saturday. Meanwhile, BJP state President BY Vijayendra along with family visited Mysore's Chamundeshwari temple before starting Padayatra. In a statement, Vijayendra said that the opposition is the voice of the people. "Our 'Mysore Chalo' struggle is not person-centred, standing as the voice of the people and protecting the wealth and rights of the people is a struggle of our sincere concern. By that, it is inevitable to remove the corrupt Congress government of the state. In this regard, we are requesting everyone's cooperation and support for this huge walk to represent the people's anger, I request the public to join hands with us in this regard," BY Vijayendra said. On Friday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar slammed BJP's padayatra over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam and said that they are "trying to make an issue out of a non-issue. "Congress wants to ask them what they have done in their tenure. It was the most scandalous government BJP ever had. They are doing padayatra for nothing, they are trying to make an issue out of a non-issue," Shivakumar said. The Karnataka Governor issued a show-cause notice to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 27. Earlier, a complaint was filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and nine others for allegedly forging documents to claim compensation from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. The complaint alleges wrongdoing by Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathy, his brother-in-law Malikarjuna Swamy Devaraj, who claimed to be a landowner, and his family. It was further alleged that MUDA created fake documents and obtained plots worth crores of rupees. Snehamayi Krishna has raised several questions in his complaint. (ANI)
The search and rescue operations in Kerala''s Wayanad entered the fifth consecutive day on Saturday as several people are still feared trapped in the debris. The death toll in the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308 as of Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. As per a Defence statement, the relief teams began the search operations along with the dog squad at 7 am today. The relief columns of the Indian Army are also present at the spot and all activities are coordinated by North Kerala IGP, they said. Lieutenant Colonel Vikas Rana said that the search operations in the six earmarked zones will continue today. "Today also we have the same plan as yesterday, we have divided different zones and teams have left for the zones, scientists and sniffer dogs have also gone along with the teams. Locals are supporting us in the search and rescue operations," Lt. Colonel Vikas Rana said while speaking to ANI. The Army is constructing a bridge in the Punchirimattom region to make way for Hitachi machines for the search and rescue operation. Air Marshal B Manikantan, AOC-in-C, and Brigadier Salil, Station Commander, Pangode Military Station conducted an aerial survey on Saturday of affected regions to assess the situation. Upon the Kerala government''s request, one Xaver Radar (from Northern Command) and Four Reeco Radars (from Tiranga Mountain Rescue Org, Delhi) along with operators will be airlifted from Delhi today in IAF aircraft, as per PRO Defence Kochi. Kerala Minister PA Mohammed Riyas on Friday said that 210 bodies and 134 body parts were recovered so far. He said that 146 bodies were identified by relatives and post-mortem procedures of 207 bodies and 137 body parts were completed till Friday. Further, 84 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts while 187 have been discharged so far. Earlier, on Friday Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that six lives were saved from a remote tribal settlement after a tireless 8-hour operation by our courageous forest officials in landslide-hit Wayanad. The Chief Minister said that the heroism of the rescue teams reminds us that Kerala''s resilience shines brightest in the darkest times. (ANI)
Misty Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, was arrested for allegedly having sexual relations with a juvenile, the Louisiana State Police said.

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office requested the Louisiana State Police Special Victim's Unit to investigate a complaint against Roberts, 42, on July 26.

Authorities interviewed two juveniles. They said one of them was the victim.

Both said Roberts had sexual intercourse with one of them.

Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for her and she turned herself in on Thursday.

She was booked into the Beauregard Parish Detention Center on rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles charges.

Roberts was released hours later after posting a $75,000 bond.

Her lawyer released a statement to KPLC-TV on the arrest.

"My client maintains her innocence and, as it stands, she is in fact innocent," Adam Jonson said.

Roberts, in her second term, announced last Friday that she was going to be away from the office for two weeks. She resigned the next day.

In a letter to the city council she wrote, "I must adjust my focus and priorities."

The Louisiana State Police said the case remains under investigation.
Leader of Opposition in Karnataka R Ashoka on Saturday criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for corruption in the Congress government and blamed it for the recent death of a Police Sub-Inspector in Yadgiri. Ashoka alleged that the Yadgiri Police Sub-Inspector Parashuram's death was due to stress and harassment by Congress MLA Chennareddy Patil and his son. The Karnataka Leader demanded the immediate resignation of MLA Chennareddy and called for a CBI investigation, urging action from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. In a post on X, Ashoka said, "Another Dalit Officer Falls Victim to Congress Government Corruption. In the corruption case involving the Valmiki Development Corporation, honest Dalit officer Chandrashekharan was made a victim by the @INCKarnataka government. Now, the government has demanded a bribe for a transfer, leading to the demise of another Dalit officer, PSI Parashuram from Yadgiri." https://x.com/RAshokaBJP/status/1819592514468532672 "Congress MLA Chennareddy Patil and his son Sunny Gowda are responsible for the death of Yadgiri PSI Parashuram, who died of a heart attack due to stress and mental harassment, his wife and family members have made serious allegations and filed a written complaint," he added in the post. "Since there is no survival for honest and efficient officials in this corrupt Congress government, I urge CM @siddaramaiah and DCM @DKShivakumar to demand immediate resignation from MLA Chennareddy's post and to hand over this case to CBI investigation," he added in the post. BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal also blamed Yadgiri MLA Chennareddy Patil Tunnur and his son Sunny Gowda for PSI Parashuram's death and called for an impartial investigation. "Cash For Posting - The Congress government has taken another victim in the Karnataka transfer scam," he said in a post on X. https://x.com/BasanagoudaBJP/status/1819583664608739793 "PSI Parashuram has been harassed and extorted for money, leading to his death, for which Yadgiri MLA Chennareddy Patil Tunnur and his son Sunny Gowda are responsible," he added in the post. "Only seven months ago, Parashuram had taken a posting in the city station by paying 30 lakhs, getting trapped in debt. Now, he has been harassed again for money through an illegal transfer. I urge an impartial investigation into this matter," he further added in the post. (ANI)
Actor Mohanlal visited the landslide-hit Mundakkai village in Kerala's Wayanad on Saturday. Mohanlal, who is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army was pictured dressed in Army uniform as he visited the affected sites this morning. The actor met with the Army personnel carrying out the rescue operations on site. The actor was conferred the honourary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army in 2009. In a post on X, Mohanlal earlier lauded the rescue personnel involved in the search operations in Wayanad and also thanked the efforts of the 122 Infantry Battalion, TA Madras, who have been at the forefront of the relief mission. The actor also contributed Rs 25 lakh to the CM's Distress Relief Fund. The death toll in the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308 as of Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. As per the latest update, 215 bodies and 143 body parts were recovered including 98 males, 87 females and 30 children. The post-mortem procedures were completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts and 148 bodies were identified by relatives so far. According to the hospital data, 82 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. A total of 504 people were brought to hospitals from the disaster area. 205 people have been discharged so far. Earlier, three unidentified bodies were cremated at Kalpetta public crematorium. The state government has specially prepared guidelines for cremation given the disaster situation. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Department Minister OR Kelu, Kalpetta MLA T Siddique, District Collector DR Meghasree, Special Officers Sambasiva Rao, Sreedhanya Suresh, former MLA CK Sasheendran, Sub Collector Misal Sagar Bharat and representatives of the people paid their last respects. Satish, a resident from the landslide-hit area, "I am scared. I lost many of my friends. I'm sad. This is the first time such a big tragedy has hit." Another resident said that his mother's elder sister, her son, daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren were all washed way along with their house. "The bodies of the mother's elder sister and her grandchildren were recovered but her son and daughter-in-law are still missing. The search operation is still underway," he added. Ravindran, another resident said that panchayat officials had warned the residents to evacuate but only half of the people moved out and the rest stayed back. "If that half population hadn't moved, the death toll would have been even higher. So many of my friends and relatives are missing. I don't feel like going and looking at the spot as I feel very bad," he added. The relief teams began the search operations along with the dog squad at 7 am today. The relief columns of the Indian Army are also present at the spot and all activities are coordinated by North Kerala IGP. The Army is constructing a bridge in the Punchirimattom region to make way for Hitachi machines for the search and rescue operation. Air Marshal B Manikantan, AOC-in-C, and Brigadier Salil, Station Commander, Pangode Military Station conducted an aerial survey on Saturday of affected regions to assess the situation. On the Kerala government's request, one Xaver Radar (from Northern Command) and Four Reeco Radars (from Tiranga Mountain Rescue Org, Delhi) along with operators will be airlifted from Delhi today in IAF aircraft, as per PRO Defence Kochi. Earlier, on Friday Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that six lives were saved from a remote tribal settlement after a tireless 8-hour operation by our courageous forest officials in landslide-hit Wayanad. The Chief Minister said that the heroism of the rescue teams reminds us that Kerala's resilience shines brightest in the darkest times. (ANI)
A police sub-inspector posted at a special branch died last night after being shot by unknown persons in the Kanke area of Ranchi, informed SSP of Ranchi Chandan Kumar Sinha on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Anupam Kacchap. He was a 2018 batch officer. "The police officer was on leave at the time of death," the police said in a statement. SSP of Ranchi, Chandan Kumar Sinha said "Last night, Sub Inspector Anup Kachhap, who was posted in Special Branch Headquarters, was shot dead by some unknown criminal. We have taken the version of his colleague-batchmate, Pawan Kumar.' Sub-inspector Anupam Kacchap has gone for dinner with his other batchmates, his other batchmate returned towards Kanke but he was going in the other direction and was murdered. "They had gone to a line hotel for dinner. After dinner, others returned towards Kanke but the Sub Inspector who was murdered was going in the other direction. Why he went in that direction and how things happened are being investigated by the SIT" Chandan Kumar Sinha said. "It seems he was shot from a point-blank range. SIT has been formed under the leadership of Rural SP Sumit Agarwal and all important officers in charge have been deputed for that", he added. Further investigation is underway, informed police. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Transport Minister and DMK leader SS Sivasankar has sparked controversy with a statement about Lord Ram, claiming that there is no historical evidence to prove Lord Ram's existence. Speaking at Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola's birth anniversary event in Ariyalur, Sivasankar said, "We must celebrate the birthday anniversary of our great ruler Rajendra Chola, who made our land proud. We should celebrate his birthday; otherwise, people may be compelled to celebrate something that has no connection or evidence to them." "To show that Rajendra Chola lives on, there are ponds constructed by him, temples built by him, and his name is mentioned in scripts, sculptures, and other artefacts. We have history and evidence for it, but there is no evidence or historical record of Lord Ram's existence. They call him (Ram) an avatar. An avatar can't be born. It is being done to manipulate us, hide our history, and present another history as superior," he further added. The birthday anniversary of Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola was celebrated by the Ariyalur district administration and the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department on August 2, in Ariyalur district. All government officials, including Transport Minister Sivasankar and District Collector Rathnaswamy, participated in the programme. Reacting to the remark made by the Tamil Nadu Transport Minister, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai questioned DMK's "sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram." "DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold--who would've thought? Just last week, DMK's Law Minister Thiru Raghupathy declared that Bhagwan Shri Ram was the ultimate champion of social justice, the pioneer of secularism, and the one who proclaimed equality for all," Annamalai said in a post on X. https://x.com/annamalai_k/status/1819315927454044540 "Fast forward to today, and we have the scam-tainted DMK Transport Minister, Thiru Shiva Shankar, boldly asserting that Lord Ram never existed, claiming it's all a ploy to erase the Cholan history. Isn't it fascinating how quickly DMK leaders' memories fade? Weren't they the same folks who opposed our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi for installing the Chola Dynasty Sengol in the new Parliament Complex?" he added in the post. "It's almost comical that the DMK, a party that seems to think Tamil Nadu's history started in 1967, has suddenly discovered a love for the nation's rich culture and history. Perhaps it's time for DMK Ministers Thiru Raghupathy and Thiru Shiva Shankar to sit down, debate, and reach a consensus on Lord Ram. We're confident that Thiru Shiva Shankar could learn a thing or two about Bhagwan Shri Ram from his colleague," he further added in the post on X. DMK had earlier found itself at the centre of a massive controversy when Minister Udhyanidhi Stali had made disparaging remarks about Sanatana Dharma in a speech. (ANI)
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday granted in-principle approval for the allocation of rupees 144.32 crores for more than seven thousand rainwater harvesting projects in three zones--Northwest, Southwest, and West--of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. Under Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will plan these projects through the Private Society Public Participation Scheme (Khaangi Society Janbhaagidari Yojana). This scheme facilitates public welfare projects in private societies through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with a funding ratio of 70:20:10. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has received applications for rainwater harvesting projects from 7,497 societies, 3,180 in the Northwest zone, 1,617 in the Southwest zone, and 2,500 in the West zone. Taking on to the social media platform X, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said "The government is moving forward in a planned way to collect rainwater and raise the groundwater level". "Under this, to carry out rainwater harvesting works in North West, South West and West Zones of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Rs. 144.32 crores were granted in-principle approval" he said in the post. "Construction of percolating wells will be undertaken on a PPP basis in residential societies, multi-storied buildings, and apartments by taking up rainwater harvesting and groundwater table recharge campaigns in Ahmedabad' he added in the post. To expedite rainwater harvesting projects in Gujarat, the state government is promoting the construction of percolating wells through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under the Groundwater Recharge Policy. As part of this initiative, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation plans to build percolating wells in residential societies, multi-story buildings, and apartments on a PPP basis to improve groundwater recharge. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has granted in-principle approval for the allocation of rupees 144.32 crore, which constitutes 70% of the total rupees 206.16 crore proposal submitted by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation through the State Urban Development Department. (ANI)
The bomb threat email received by a school in Delhi's Greater Kailash area turned out to be a hoax by a 14-year-old student to skip the school, police said on Saturday. Summer Fields School in Kailash Colony, Greater Kailash-1, received an email on Friday threatening to blow up the school. The school premises were immediately evacuated. "We received an email late at night which was checked early morning today (Friday). As per the SOP, we evacuated the students within 10 minutes of receiving the email," the Principal of Summer Fields School, Shalini Agarwal, had said yesterday. Delhi Police said that a 14-year-old student has been identified and is being questioned. "The student didn't want to go to the school and had, therefore, sent the bomb threat mail," police said. They further said that the student had mentioned two more schools in the mail to make it look genuine. An investigation into the matter is underway, they added. Earlier on May 2, a total of 131 schools in Delhi received threat emails. The Delhi Police said that the email used to threaten the Delhi-NCR schools contained the word 'Swaraiim', which is an Arabic word used by the Islamic State since 2014 to spread Islamist propaganda. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) later issued an official statement saying that the email appeared to be a 'hoax'. "There is no need to panic. The mail appears to be a hoax. Delhi Police and security agencies are taking necessary steps as per protocol," the official release from the MHA read. (ANI)
In the wake of a catastrophic flood that has ravaged parts of Himachal Pradesh, following a cloud burst, drone search operations on the damaged property and rescue operations are going on in several parts of the state by India Army, NDRF, CISF and others. Earlier today, CISF jawans recovered people's properties from their houses in cloudburst-affected Rampur's Samej. CISF Head Constable Rajesh Kumar said, "We are recovering properties stuck in houses following the tragedy that occurred here two days back. The properties are being recovered from the houses safely. This team has been working since morning" Due to heavy and incessant rain in several parts of the state Bandrol village was cut off from Kullu due to a landslide. On Saturday morning, NH 5 was cleared and made functional for vehicular movements by using JCB machines following a landslide from the hill near Mukam Dattayar Truck Lay Bay. Long queues of vehicles were seen on the Kullu-Manali bypass road. Parts of the Kullu-Manali Highway washed away in the cloudburst on August 1. Restoration work is underway. Special Secretary, Disaster Management DC Rana said, "Thursday's incident affected mainly the Samej area of Rampur, Bagipul area of Kullu and Paddar area of Mandi district. These three places were the epicentre of the cloudburst and immediately after getting the information, the specialised agencies responded to the situation. On Thursday, 53 people were found missing. As of Friday, around 6 bodies have been recovered and around 47 are missing. Many villages have been affected, people have been rendered homeless also. Our specialised agencies are on the spot and they are trying to search for the people who have not been traced." The state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has mobilized extensive rescue and relief efforts. The disaster, triggered by a cloud burst, has left a trail of destruction in its wake, particularly affecting regions around Manali. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, addressing the media amidst ongoing rescue operations, emphasized the gravity of the situation. "The rescue and relief operation is underway in full swing," he stated, highlighting the urgent need to locate and rescue those still trapped and missing. The cloudburst, which struck with unexpected ferocity, has claimed numerous lives and caused substantial damage to infrastructure, including roads crucial for connectivity. The Chief Minister acknowledged the tireless efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army teams, and local authorities in managing the crisis on the ground. Amidst the ongoing operation, Chief Minister Sukhu urged tourists to exercise caution. "While tourists are welcome, I urge them to refrain from visiting risky areas such as rivers and waterfalls for photography and selfies," he cautioned, stressing the importance of safety during this critical period. Efforts to restore essential services, including water supply and other vital schemes disrupted by the calamity, are also underway. The Chief Minister expressed hope that clearer weather conditions would facilitate more effective rescue operations. "The operation will greatly benefit from clear skies and sunlight, essential for recovery missions," he said while speaking to ANI in Shimla. As the state grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured that every possible measure is being taken to mitigate further loss and assist those affected. He said, "The government continues to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to providing necessary support to the affected communities". "The resilience and coordinated efforts of the rescue teams serve as a beacon of hope amidst the devastation caused by this unprecedented calamity in Himachal Pradesh" he added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that agriculture is at the centre of India's economic policies, adding that small farmers are the biggest strength of India's food security. "Agriculture is at the centre of India's economic policies. 90 per cent of small farmers of India who own little land make for the biggest strength of India's food security," PM Modi said, speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 32nd International Association of Agricultural Economists at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex in Delhi. He pointed out that a similar situation is prevalent in several developing countries in Asia, making India's model applicable. Giving the example of natural farming, the Prime Minister said that the positive results of promoting chemical-free natural farming on a large scale can be seen in the country. He also mentioned a big focus on sustainable and climate-resilient farming in this year's budget, as well as developing a complete ecosystem to support India's farmers. Highlighting the government's emphasis on research and development related to climate-resilient crops, the Prime Minister informed that nearly nineteen hundred new climate-resilient varieties have been handed to farmers in the last 10 years. He gave examples of rice varieties in India that require 25 per cent less water than traditional varieties and the emergence of black rice as a superfood. "Black rice from Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya is the preferred choice due to its medicinal value," he said, adding that India is equally eager to share its related experiences with the world community. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the seriousness of the nutrition challenge, along with water scarcity and climate change. He presented Shri Anna, Millet as a solution given the superfood's quality of 'minimum water and maximum production'. PM Modi expressed India's willingness to share India's millet basket with the world and mentioned the last year being celebrated as the International Year of Millets. Mentioning the initiatives to link agriculture with modern technology, the Prime Minister talked about the Soil Health Card, solar farming, leading to farmers turning into energy providers, the digital agriculture market, i.e. e-Nam, Kisan Credit Card and the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. He also touched upon the formalisation of agriculture and the allied sectors, ranging from traditional farmers to agri startups, from natural farming to farm stays and farm-to-table. He informed that in the last 10 years, ninety lakh hectares have been brought under micro-irrigation. As India is fast moving towards the goal of 20 per cent blending of ethanol, he said, both agriculture and the environment are benefiting. Throwing light on leveraging digital technology in the agriculture sector in India, the Prime Minister mentioned PM Kisan Samman Nidhi where money is transferred to the bank accounts of 10 crore farmers with a single click, and a digital public infrastructure for digital crop survey that provides real-time information to farmers and enables them to take data-driven decisions. He emphasised that crores of farmers will benefit from this initiative and improve their economic condition. He also touched upon a huge campaign for the digitisation of land where farmers will be given a digital identification number for their land, and the promotion of drones in farming where 'drone didis' are trained to operate drones. PM Modi reiterated India's commitment to global welfare as a 'Vishwa Bandhu'. He recalled India's vision for global welfare and mentioned various mantras put forward by India on various fora including 'One Earth, One Family and One Future', 'Mission LiFE', and 'One Earth One Health'. PM Modi underlined India's approach of not viewing the health of humans, plants and animals in silos. "Challenges before sustainable agriculture and food systems can only be tackled under the holistic approach of 'One Earth, One Family and One Future'," the PM said. He further added that these steps will not only benefit the farmers of India but also strengthen global food security. The Prime Minister noted the presence of a large number of young people and expressed confidence that the next five days will witness ways to connect the world with sustainable agri-food systems. "We will learn from each other and also teach each other," he concluded. The triennial conference, organised by the International Association of Agricultural Economists, will be held from August 2 to 7, 2024. The theme for this year's conference is, "Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems." (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that 215 bodies were recovered so far as rescue operations are in the final phase in landslides-hit Wayanad. The Chief Minister said that 206 people are still missing and 83 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. He said that a total of 10,042 people were shifted to shelter camps. The Chief Minister also said that early warning systems need revision and that descriptive warning systems should be developed considering the changing climate patterns. CM Vijayan also emphasised building a special township part of the rehabilitation in Chooralmala which was completely washed off in the landslides. He said that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has announced to undertake construction of 100 houses in Chooralmala. CM Vijayan said that Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has also offered to build 100 houses for those who lost their homes. He also said that the QR code through which donations were accepted for the Chief Minister''s Distress Relief Fund has been disabled. CM Vijayan said that the donations can now be made through UPI ID or net banking. The Chief Minister also thanked the actors, opposition leaders, people from the business industry and others who have contributed to the relief fund. CM Vijayan earlier contributed Rs 1 lakh to the CM''s Distress Relief Fund for the affected in Wayanad landslides. The Chief Minister''s wife TK Kamala contributed Rs 33,000 to CMDRF, as per the CM''s office. Several political leaders, actors and businesses contributed to the relief fund by responding to the CM''s appeal for contributions. Through campaign drives, donations are pouring in from different quarters to aid the affected areas. The death toll in the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308 as of Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. As per the latest update, 215 bodies and 143 body parts were recovered including 98 males, 87 females and 30 children. The post-mortem procedures were completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts and 148 bodies were identified by relatives so far. According to the hospital data, 82 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. A total of 504 people were brought to hospitals from the disaster area. 205 people have been discharged so far. The relief teams began the search operations along with the dog squad at 7 am today. The relief columns of the Indian Army are also present at the spot and all activities are coordinated by North Kerala IGP. Upon the Kerala government''s request, one Xaver Radar (from Northern Command) and Four Reeco Radars (from Tiranga Mountain Rescue Org, Delhi) along with operators will be airlifted from Delhi today in IAF aircraft, as per PRO Defence Kochi. Earlier, on Friday Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that six lives were saved from a remote tribal settlement after a tireless 8-hour operation by our courageous forest officials in landslide-hit Wayanad. The Chief Minister said that the heroism of the rescue teams reminds us that Kerala''s resilience shines brightest in the darkest times. (ANI)
As the BJP-JDS 10-day Padytra got underway from Bengaluru on Saturday, BJP leaders attacked CM Siddaramiah for his alleged involvement in the MUDA scam. Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said that the CM and his family have nowhere to hide. He also demanded Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's resignation to pave the way for a more transparent and capable government in Karnataka. "The CM and his family have nowhere to hide. The allegations are very serious. It is time for him to resign and allow for a more competent, transparent government to come to Karnataka. It's a lame-duck government, they have no money to do any developmental activities and whatever money is left in the coffers after these mindless populist policies of theirs are being swindled away by such corruption scandal," Surya told ANI. "We hope that this Padayatra will be the beginning of the end of the Congress government in Karnataka," Surya added. Surya also claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family were direct beneficiaries of an executive decision that illegally and unethically benefited them, involving crores of rupees. "The kind of allegations that have surfaced against the Chief Minister and his family in this MUDA scam are very serious. Till today, no serious effort has been made on the part of the government to rebut the claims, rebut these allegations and present before the people of Karnataka what the factual position is according to them. The CM and his family are direct beneficiaries of an executive decision that has benefitted them illegally, unethically, put Crores of Rupees. The facts are so simple that it is an open-and-shut case," Surya said. BJP MLA CN Ashwathnarayan criticized Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged involvement in MUDA and Valmiki Corporation scams, accusing the CM and his family of misusing power for personal gain. "CM and his family misused the power for their gains. The governor's office has given the notice as per the law and was seeking a reply. Probably the govt and the CM are helpless, it indicates that he is involved in the scam as he has no answers. We want to expose the Congress govt," Ashwathnarayan told ANI. BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta accused CM Siddaramaiah's family of benefiting from the MUDA scam and demanded his resignation. "In the history of Karnataka, the most shameless & corrupt govt is probably the current Congress govt led by Siddaramaiah... In the MUDA scam, CM Siddaramaiah's family is the direct beneficiary and he doesn't even bother to put himself into an inquiry hence the BJP is demanding his resignation. This is the beginning of the end of Siddaramaiah. Our Padyatara begins today and we are quite confident that when the Padyatara reaches Mysuru, the Congress govt will be thrown out of Karnataka," Chowta told ANI. BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta also claimed, "All is not well in Congress, there are many aspirants for the CM's chair and they all know that Siddaramaiah is going to resign in a few days or be forced to resign. DK Shivakumar is probably trying to establish that he is the front-runner for the CM's face," Chowta told ANI. Earlier today, the BJP and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) opposition alliance in Karnataka kicked off their 10-day 'Mysore Chalo' padayatra from Kengeri in Bengaluru to Mysore over alleged MUDA and Valmiki Corporation scams by the Siddaramaiah government. (ANI)
I know you are but what am I?

Former President Donald Trump, reacting to Kamala Harris and her Democratic allies calling him and running mate JD Vance "weird," said that the vice president and her surrogates are the "weird" ones.

"Well, they're the weird ones, and if you've ever seen her with the laugh and everything else, that's a weird deal going on there," Trump said Thursday in an interview on the conservative The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show.

"They're the weird ones. Nobody's ever called me weird. I'm a lot of things, but weird I'm not, and I'm upfront. He's not either, I will tell you. J.D. is not at all. They are," he said.

Harris' campaign responded to Trump's interview in a posting on X.

"This is weird," Kamala HQ responded.

"Trump and Vance back states that want to surveil pregnant women," the campaign added, referring to an article in Rolling Stone and featuring a photo of Trump and Vance.

The article points out that while Trump and Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio, say they believe abortion should be left up to the states to decide, they also back states that want to monitor women's pregnancies.

Vance has also that he would be "sympathetic" to a federal law banning women from leaving their states to obtain abortions because that would be "creepy."

The Harris' campaign use of the word "weird" to needle Trump and his running mate has launched countless memes, has shown up in campaign documents and has been repeated numerous times by her surrogates, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

"I don't know who came up with the message, but I salute them," David Karpf, a strategic communication professor at George Washington University, told the Associated Press.

He said branding Trump, who relishes in coming up with pithy nicknames for his foes, is resonating with Harris supporters and "it frustrates opponents, leading them to further amplify it through off-balance responses."

"So far, at least, Trump-Vance has been incapable of finding an effective response," he said.
In the wake of a catastrophic flood that has ravaged parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Indian Army launched extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations to aid the affected communities in Himachal Pradesh's Samej village. According to the Indian Army, the road to the incident site was blocked due to a land shift approximately 2.5 kilometres short of the incident site, after which roops moved on foot beyond the blockade. The Army's Engineer Task Force (ETF) repaired the road and made it operational on Friday itself. The equipment was temporarily stuck at the blockade site but reached the incident site later, after the road was repaired. On Friday, the Army also completed the construction of the improvised foot bridge, thus facilitating the move of rescue teams towards the far bank of the river and the rescue of civilians stranded on the far bank. Moreover, a medical camp was established by the Army at the incident site. About 80-90 civilians were provided essential treatment and first aid. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, along with DC Shimla, was briefed by Army officials on the status of rescue operations at the incident site. Army officials also distributed essential commodities like food packets, medicines, and other essential commodities to the affected civilians. However, the search and rescue dog team staged forward to Karcham. No dead bodies have been recovered so far due to the high water level and the likelihood of bodies washed downstream. Following a cloud burst, drone search operations on the damaged property and rescue operations are going on in several parts of the state by the Indian Army, NDRF, CISF and others. As per data available with the State Disaster Management Authority 191, Roads, including 3 national highways, are closed due to landslides and rain, a total of 294 electricity supply schemes are disrupted; and nearly 120 water supply schemes are hampered in the state. "47 people are still missing in various parts of the state, including 36 in the Samej area in the Rampur region of Shimla district," State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said. SDMA further said that so far, 6 people have died in the state, 47 are still missing, and 11 have been safely evacuated Now, no one is stranded. "A total of 60 houses have been completely damaged due to a flash flood and a cloud bust during the passed 56 hours in the state. 35 houses have been partially damaged, 19 cow sheds also washed away, 5 motorable bridges were washed away, 9 pedestrian bridges also damaged, 10 shops, 4 schools; and 1 health infrastructure was also damaged. A total of 16 vehicles and 3 Fish farms also washed away. Over 400 people of NDRF, SDRF, Police, Home guard, ITBP, Army, CISF and others are deputed in rescue , search and relief operations," the SDMA added. (ANI)
MLAs of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala will donate one month's salary- Rs 50,000- as a contribution to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund for the affected in Wayanad landslides. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan contributed Rs 1 lakh to the CMDRF and his wife TK Kamala contributed Rs 33,000, as per the CM's office. Earlier, CPI-M state secretary MV Govindan said that the party's Kerala unit contributed Rs 25 lakh to the relief fund. He added that the party's Tripura and Tamil Nadu units contributed Rs 10 lakh each. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala announced that he will contribute his one month's salary to the CM's Distress Relief Fund for Wayanad. Several political leaders, actors and businesses contributed to the relief fund by responding to the CM's appeal for contributions. Through campaign drives, donations are pouring in from different quarters to aid the affected areas. The chief minister earlier said that 215 bodies were recovered so far as rescue operations are in the final phase in landslides-hit Wayanad. 206 people are still missing and 83 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. He said that a total of 10,042 people were shifted to shelter camps. The death toll in the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308 as of Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. As per the latest update, 215 bodies and 143 body parts were recovered including 98 males, 87 females and 30 children. The post-mortem procedures were completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts and 148 bodies were identified by relatives so far. According to the hospital data, 82 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. A total of 504 people were brought to hospitals from the disaster area. 205 people have been discharged so far. The relief teams began the search operations along with the dog squad at 7 am today. The relief columns of the Indian Army are also present at the spot and all activities are coordinated by North Kerala IGP. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday appealed to people to participate in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign and said that the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign is a medium to remember the heroes of independence. "Our national flag, the tricolour, is a symbol of sacrifice, loyalty and peace. Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan is a medium to remember the heroes of independence. The campaign is awakening the basic unity in every Indian. On the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, this campaign has become a people's campaign for the last 2 years," Amit Shah posted on X. "From August 9th to August 15th, you can also hoist the tricolour at your homes and upload your selfie on https://harghartiranga.com," he added. In his 112th 'Mann Ki Baat' on July 28, Prime Minister Modi called upon all Indians to take part in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign to celebrate Independence Day. He highlighted the growing trend of taking selfies with the national flag and sharing them on social media. He urged party leaders and workers to ensure that the national flag is hoisted on houses, offices, and shops from August 13 to August 15. 'Har Ghar Tiranga' is a campaign that forms part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It was started to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India's independence. The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and promote awareness about the Indian National Flag. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable PM Modi's vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav participated in a regional workshop on 'Preventing dropouts from schools and Re-Engaging out of school children in various States/Uts of India' in Bhopal on Saturday and said that every student had the right to receive education. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) organised the workshop at TIT College in Anand Nagar in the state capital on Saturday. During the workshop, discussions and reviews were being done at the level workshop regarding reducing the trend of children dropping out of schools in the state. Subject experts and scholars in the field of education discussed the situation of school dropout children and gave various suggestions on the occasion. Addressing the workshop, CM Mohan Yadav said that the NCPCR had organised the workshop on an important subject and that the state government would cooperate in the efforts of the Commission. "The Child Commission has organised a workshop on an important subject. The Madhya Pradesh government will fully cooperate in the efforts of the Commission. Every student has the right to receive an education. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also communicates with students before their examinations. He has increased the importance of education through the New Education Policy (NEP). Many facilities are being made available to the students," CM Yadav said. Taking to his social media handle 'X', CM Yadav posted, "Today, I participated and inaugurated a regional workshop organised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on the subject of 'Reducing dropouts of children in Schools' in Bhopal. The bright future of students is our priority and achieving this goal is our resolve." Chairman of Child Protection Commission Priyanka Kanungo gave the welcome address. He welcomed CM Yadav to the workshop and presented a memento to the CM on the occasion. Member Secretary of the National Commission Rupali Banerjee and representatives from five states participated in the West Central Regional Workshop. State Cabinet Minister Prahlad Singh Patel and several public representatives also participated in the workshop. "I along with CM Mohan Yadav participated in a workshop organised by the NCPCR on reducing the dropout of children in schools in Bhopal. Our resolve is that no child should be deprived of rights and no child labour should be found as an exception in Madhya Pradesh," Patel posted on X. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday, visited the site of development works of the state government at Balasinor in Mahisagar district. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel gifted 32 City Civic Centers to the citizens living in the municipal areas of the state at Balasinor in Mahisagar district. The purpose of setting up these City Civic Centers is to provide citizens living in cities easy access to municipal services from a single location, ranging from citizen-centric services to ease of living. Spending minimal time to resolve various issues of citizens is not enough. These City Civic Centers have been operated as "One Stop Shops" for easy access to online facilities related to the Municipal Corporation. Under the Golden Jubilee Chief Minister Urban Development Scheme, the concept of the City Civic Center has been implemented afresh in 2022-23. In the first phase, such city civic centres have been started in 22 municipalities. In the second phase, City Civic Centers have been approved in 66 more municipalities in the year 2023-24. These centres are to be operated by Gujarat Urban Development Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs 93.76 crore. In this series, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel started the work of the City Civic Center in 31 municipalities from Balasinor. The cost of these city civic centres is Rs. It has been prepared for Rs 44.05 crore. The Chief Minister unveiled the plaque of the City Civic Centre, visited the newly constructed Civic Center, inspected the facilities being provided there and also distributed forms and certificates to the applicants of the Civic Centre. Such City Civic Center provides services like property tax, hall booking, tax assessment applications, marriage registration, trade tax and trade tax registration, birth and death records, notary licenses and others. In this second phase of the launch of these 31 City Civic Centres, apart from Balasinor, Patdi, Kapadvanj, Botad, Thasra, Jetpur, Gondal, Sikka, Okha, Patan, Sidhpur, Unja, Dhanera, Mansa, Shehra, Halol, Anand, Petlad, Santrampur, Jhalod, Dharampur, Jambusar, Bardoli, Bilimora, Songadh, Mahuva, Kodinar, Visavadar, Babra, Palitana and Mangrol municipalities. Earlier on Friday Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel granted in-principle approval for the allocation of rupees 144.32 crores for more than seven thousand rainwater harvesting projects in three zones--Northwest, Southwest, and West--of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. Under Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will plan these projects through the Private Society Public Participation Scheme (Khaangi Society Janbhaagidari Yojana). This scheme facilitates public welfare projects in private societies through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with a funding ratio of 70:20:10. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has received applications for rainwater harvesting projects from 7,497 societies, 3,180 in the Northwest zone, 1,617 in the Southwest zone, and 2,500 in the West zone. Taking on to the social media platform X, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said "The government is moving forward in a planned way to collect rainwater and raise the groundwater level". Under this, to carry out rainwater harvesting works in North West, South West and West Zones of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Rs. 144.32 crores were granted in-principle approval" he said in the post. "Construction of percolating wells will be undertaken on a PPP basis in residential societies, multi-storied buildings, and apartments by taking up rainwater. (ANI)
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has terminated six government officials, including five police personnel and a teacher for their alleged involvement in narco-terror activities, sources said on Saturday. The terminated officials have been identified as Head Constable Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Constables Khalid Hussian Shah, Rahmat Shah, Rahmat Shah, Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo, Saif Din and Nazam Din (teacher). According to top sources in the Jammu and Kashmir government, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha invoked 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution of India to sack the six employees after an investigation revealed that they were part of a "narco-terror network" run by Pakistan's ISI and terror outfits operating from its soil. Sources said that Jammu and Kashmir police collected incriminating material evidence against the accused officials, that revealed that police constables worked as collaborators. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had earlier said, "Narco-terror is one of the biggest threats to the country's security and war on Narco-terror network is a critical component of the war on terrorism to eliminate terror ecosystem and to ensure peace and prosperity in J&K". J&K Police has earlier seized the properties worth crores of many narco dealers, busting several networks. "Every single rupee earned out of narcotics will be traced to every single account and every single property. Owners of narco-profits be it private citizens or moles in government or police or any other organisation shall be held accountable and prevented from ingesting it," DGP RR Swain had earlier said. The sources added that the administration is operating with the whole of the government approach and it has intensified efforts to rid the government system of elements involved in narcotics funding terror. With current termination, the government has dismissed a total of eight employees within a month who were involved in narco-terror activities at the behest of Pakistan's ISI and its terror outfits. The sources said that accused Head Constable Farooq Ahmad Sheikh and his associates had received a huge consignment of brown sugar from drug smugglers across the LoC in Pakistan-Occupied J&K and thereafter, they used to sell the contraband among peddlers in J&K and other parts of India. "Being a resident of village Ibkoote in Tanghdar Karnah, Kupwara (the village is situated just about 5-6 kilometres away from the Line of Control (LoC) and the area is hypersensitive in terms of national security), used his expertise of the local terrain and topography to establish contacts with narcotic drug smugglers across the border in PoJK and was at the forefront of running Narco-terror network," the sources said. Constable Khalid Hussian Shah was a part of the infamous trio of Rahmat Shah of Haridal Karnah Kupwara and Farooq Ahmad Sheikh of Ibkote Karnah Kupwara. Khalid Hussian Shah allegedly exploited his position in the police to facilitate the smooth transportation and sale of drugs. Being a man in uniform made him less likely to be suspected, allowing him to go unnoticed at police checkpoints. He used his police identity card to avoid detection and evade searches of his vehicle, including those of his passengers. He was arrested under sections 8/29 NDPS Act of Police Station Kupwara. "In addition to Rahmat Shah, his brother Mir Hyder Shah was also involved in the illegal trade of narcotics as obtained across the border. He was arrested in Jammu with 4 kgs of brown sugar in 2016 and was later detained under PSA as well. This indicates a propensity of the family in general and he in particular penetrating narcotic trade, long before it reared its ugly head in the present form and shape," the sources said. Being one of the early promoters of narcotic trade in the area as well as taking advantage of being a part of J&K Police, he enticed some other people who later turned into hardcore peddlers to be finally booked under the law. "The fact remains that heroin and brown sugar, which does not grow or is cultivated in Indian Territory, is inextricably linked with terrorism and every gram of it being peddled or consumed in India comes from Pakistan through several networks with the sole aim of destabilizing the security situation especially in J&K for the larger design of secession of J&K from India," Sources further added. According to sources, Constable Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo was exposed on April 3, 2020, when Handwara Police along with other sister agencies cordoned off village Shalpora Langate, Handwara after receiving information regarding the presence of terrorists in the house of one Abdul Razaq Bhat. During a search operation, two terrorist associates of the proscribed terrorist organization LeT, namely Azad Ahmad Bhat resident of Shalpora Langate and Altaf Ahmad Baba of Seelo Babagund Handwara were apprehended by security forces and during their search, a huge cache of illegal arms and ammunition were recovered from them which led to a formal registration of the case. "On their disclosure, five more terrorist associates of the LeT terror outfit namely Mohd Rafi Sheikh of Langate, Burhan Mushtaq Wani of Tulwari Langate, Parvaiz Ahmad Chopan of Shartpora Langate, Mudasir Ahmad Pandith of Langate and Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo of Silikote Uri, Baramulla were arrested during the investigation," the sources said. The investigation agency recovered 1 pistol, 2 pistol magazines, 8 rounds of pistol and 1 grenade from Irshad Ahmad Chalkoo. Further, it was found that he was in close contact with two Kashmiri-origin terrorists based in PoJK namely Sultan Bhat of Kralpora and Javid Ahmad of Hathlanga of Uri through an encrypted messaging application and had received arms/ammunition, which he was supposed to deliver to the terrorists of LeT terror outfit. The said adversary had promised Irshad that he would be paid Rs 1 lakh for delivering arms/ammunition, the sources said. "He provided effective support to the terrorists with precision, exploiting the system's blind spots that he was supposed to safeguard. His uniform served both as a shield and a weapon, ensuring that suspicion seldom fell on him. He could arrange for transportation of illegal arms/ammunitions without fear of random checks, his police credentials offering a nearly impenetrable disguise. Rather than supporting his department in the fight against terrorism, which was his legal and professional duty, he chose to become a collaborator," the sources said. Nazam Din, who was a teacher, and his associate Qamar Din (an Over Ground Worker of Hizbul Mujahidin (HM) terror Outfit) used to meet very frequently near Bus Stand Poonch. During one such meeting, he received a total of Rs 10 lakh from Qamar Din, all derived from these illegal proceeds of narco-terror. These proceeds were ingeniously funnelled and invested via one Rizwan Sheikh in a spice business, with the ultimate aim of making the terrorist-secessionist ecosystem a self-financing and self-sustaining campaign, as per the sources. The investigation further revealed that Nazam Din became a key handler of a narco-terror network run by PoJK-based terrorists Mohd Bashir alias Tikka Khan and Mohd Latief. In September 2022, Mohd Bashir and Mohd Latief (both J&K-origin terrorists based in PoJK) sent a huge consignment of narcotics consisting of 15 Packets of Heroin weighing around 15 Kgs from across the LoC. Of these about 5 Kgs of Heroin was received by Nazam Din and was to be delivered to some Punjab-based drug peddler on a commission of Rupees 2 lakh. He established contacts with Punjab-based drug smugglers and called them to Poonch and was about to deliver the consignment of illegal narcotics to them but before he could do so he was arrested by the Punjab Police party on October 1, 2022, along with 5 Kgs of Heroin at Main Town Poonch. Subsequently, he was booked under section 2-C/25/29 NDPS Act at Police Station Special Task Force (SPF) SAS Nagar Punjab. The sources said that accused Saif Din was part of a network that conspired jointly with Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorists operating from Pakistan namely Javid Ahmad Chalkoo, Hamidullah Khuroo, and others accused of willfully and intentionally smuggling narcotics and generating and distributing narco-terror funds among the OGWs/other supporters, of terrorism on the directions and in connivance with terrorists and accordingly he was arrested in the instant case on December 28, 2023. "He had generated a total amount of Rs 2.04 crore through narco-trade which was pumped into funding the secessionist and terror activities. The actions of Saif Din reveal him as a deeply motivated and committed Narco-Terror module, as well as an over ground worker (OGW) for the terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terror outfit," the sources said. "Previously, the terrorist landscape in Kashmir did not involve narcotics. The integration of narcotics into the terrorism scenario in J&K reflects a shift in ISI's strategy towards its Kashmir operations: financing terrorism internally and introducing a layer of deniability by involving dubious individuals in weapon and drug smuggling into J&K," he added. (ANI)
NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule on Saturday questioned the timing of Sachin Waze's allegations against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Jayant Patil that came ahead of the assembly elections in the state. Reacting to Sachin Waze's allegations, Sule told ANI, "First of all which Jayant Patil is he talking about? I have no idea. Why should we think that it is only about our Jayant Patil? Look at the timing. How come when there are elections round the corner, these kinds of allegations are coming up?" Sule added, "Jayant Patil is a force to reckon and the BJP is fearful of him..." Earlier, Sachin Waze said that he had written a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and submitted all the evidence of alleged bribes taken by former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. "Whatever has happened, the proof is there. The money used to go through his (Anil Deshmukh) PA, CBI has the proof and I have also written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis. I have submitted all the evidence. In the letter that I have written, I have given the name of Jayant Patil as well," Waze told ANI. Sachin Waze is also accused in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case. The CBI had registered a corruption case against Deshmukh following allegations that Deshmukh, as home minister, had directed police officials to collect Rs 100 crore per month from bar owners. Deshmukh was later arrested in the case before securing bail. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said that a "drama" is being staged in Maharashtra, adding that after the Maha Vikas Aghadi forms the government, they will investigate the matter. "I don't want to get into that, our question is that this drama is going on in the state for a while now. Home Minister of the state, Devendra Fadnavis says that I have both audio and video. I have challenged him that he is on a constitutional post and hence you don't have this right to keep it hidden. The people have the right to know the reality but he will not say anything as he wants to scare only. I think their time is up, in a few days Maha Vikas Aghadi government will be formed, then we will investigate into it and everything will be clear," Patole told ANI. (ANI)
After the catastrophic cloudbursts hit different areas of Himachal Pradesh, including Samej, state minister Vikramaditya Singh on Saturday said that around 50 people are feared dead in the affected areas and official number can only be declared after official confirmation and completion of rescue operations. Singh also said that the topmost priority of the state government is to retrieve the bodies and restore connectivity in the affected areas of the state as soon as possible. Speaking with ANI, Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh said, "The main priority of the government is to retrieve the bodies from the site, as the catchment area of the destruction spot is huge. Apart from it, Government is making all efforts to restore the connectivity in affected areas as soon as possible. It is being feared that around 50 deaths have taken place, but it can only be officially confirmed after the rescue operations." He further informed that the government has announced Rs 50,000 as an immediate relief to the affected families and in future, more compensation will be provided to them. "Chief Minister Sukhu has also spoken to Home Minister Amit Shah regarding this. We should get support from the Centre too, and we are demanding the same from the Government...As an immediate relief, CM has announced Rs 50,000 for all affected families. In the time to come, they will provide help for repair too," said Singh. Furthermore, he conveyed that from NDRF to SDRF, Police and Home Guard personnel, everybody is involved in the rescue operations together. Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh said, "A cloudburst occurred 2-3 days back over the Shrikhand mountain top. Due to this, areas in Rampur and Kullu have faced massive destruction. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also visited the area. He took stock of the situation and briefed the officials. We have started setting up Bailey bridges at various locations. Police personnel are being deployed at various places. Administration is coordinating with everyone. NDRF, SDRF, State Police, Home Guard jawans are carrying out rescue operations together." Earlier in the day, the Indian Army launched extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations to aid the affected communities in Himachal Pradesh's Samej village. According to the Indian Army, the road to the incident site was blocked due to a land shift approximately 2.5 kilometres short of the incident site, after which troops moved on foot beyond the blockade. The Army's Engineer Task Force (ETF) repaired the road and made it operational on Friday itself. The equipment was temporarily stuck at the blockade site but reached the incident site later, after the road was repaired. On Friday, the Army also completed the construction of the improvised footbridge, thus facilitating the move of rescue teams towards the far bank of the river and the rescue of civilians stranded on the far bank. (ANI)
The Himachal Pradesh Police arrested two Russian citizens living without a valid visa in Dharamshala's McLeodganj on Friday. They had been staying in a tent in the forest near Hari Bawri for the last two months. Hitesh Lakhanpal, Additional SP Kangra, told ANI that an FIR has been registered against two Russians, Denis Larina and Iuliia Zhulanova, under the Foreigners Act 1946. Larina's visa expired on January 11, 2024, while Zhulanova's visa expired on September 3, 2015 and she was staying in Goa before coming to McLeodganj. They will be produced before the court of law in Dharamshala today and will be sent to judicial custody, according to the police. Hitesh Lakhanpal said, "Yesterday we got the information that two foreigners are staying in a tent in the McLeodganj forest area. They were arrested after checking their visa. Their visas had expired." (ANI)
Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Election, which is scheduled later this year, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met with Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Sharad Pawar met Maharashtra CM Shinde at Varsha Bungalow and discussed the issues of the Maratha reservation, amongst others. Raj Thackeray also met Shinde at the CM's official residence, Varsha bungalow, in Mumbai. Two Maratha leaders, Pawar and Shinde, met, even though the Maratha reservation issue remains politically potent. Sharad Pawar is the only leader from Maha Vikas Aghadi who continues to engage with Mahayuti, especially with CM Shinde, despite Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray being extremely critical of him. This is the first meeting of Raj Thackeray with CM Shinde after the former expressed his desire to leave the Mahayuti alliance. He has been engaging with Shinde on matters of the redevelopment of the 'Chawls', an issue core to his politics as well. According to the CMO, Raj Thackeray met CM Shinde with the MNS delegation to discuss various issues related to housing, like the redevelopment of Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) Chawls, the redevelopment of the police housing colony, and some other housing projects. Some other senior Maharashtra government officials were also present at the meeting. Raj Thackeray earlier announced his intention to contest 200 to 250 seats independently in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. In a sharp criticism of the state's administration, Thackeray challenged the financial feasibility of the Mahayuti alliance's plans. He remarked, "The Maharashtra government lacks the funds to repair potholes. How will they find the money for 'Laadli Behen' and 'Laadla Bhai'?" He further commented on the internal conflicts within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), saying, "If both Laadla Bhai and Behen were happy together, then the party wouldn't have split." Thackeray also addressed speculations of defections within his party. "I heard some of them from my party also want to join someone. I lay a red carpet for them. They can go immediately," he declared. In the 2019 Assembly election, the MNS only won 1 seat. During the recent Lok Sabha polls the MNS supported the BJP. The Lok Sabha polls 2024 have given a boost to the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) winning seven seats, the Congress 13, and the NCP-SP one, taking the total tally of the alliance 17. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dipped to nine seats in Maharashtra against 23 in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The vote share stood at 26.18 per cent. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held later this year with the tenure of the current state assembly ending in 2024. However, the Election Commission of India has yet to announce the dates. (ANI)
Vice President Kamala Harris has officially secured more than enough Democratic delegate votes to become the party's nominee for president, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison announced Friday.

Delegates to the Democratic National Convention which convenes in Chicago later this month began voting via email on Thursday.

The voting will continue until Monday evening, but the campaign marked the instant Harris captured a majority of the votes.

"I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee," Harris said on a call with supporters, Associated Press reported.

Harrison tweeted: "Chicago, we're ready to go!! I got the gavel for this year's historic Dem Convention, where we will honor a historic, record-breaking presidency, and celebrate our nominee."

Kamala Harris has secured the delegates to soon become the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. pic.twitter.com/qcDvube5Bu  The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) August 2, 2024

The formal nomination is expected to be finalized by Aug. 7 before the party's convention Aug. 19-22 in part because of an Aug. 7 deadline for candidates appear on the Ohio ballot.

Harris has not yet chosen her running mate.

Her campaign unveiled a new poster Friday to mark the day she captured a majority of Democratic delegates.
As the search and rescue operation continued in the landslide-affected areas in Rudraprayag to rescue the pilgrims stranded in Kedarnath and adjoining areas, the National Disaster Response Force said on Saturday that they have evacuated around 7,000 people from different places. Sudesh Kumar, NDRF team commander said, "We have evacuated around 7,000 people from various places. The current situation of Sonprayag is quite normal. The landslide has taken place in 8-9 places and evacuation activities are being carried out by Indian Air Force, Civil Aviation, NDRF and SDRF." The Uttarakhand Police posted on X and said that the rescue work of passengers stranded on the Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra route is underway. "So far today, 150 passengers have been rescued by helicopter and about 310 passengers manually. Teams of NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, Forest Department, District Police and Fire Service are engaged in rescue work," it said. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also virtually spoke to the Rudraprayag District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, held a review meeting on disaster-related relief and rescue operations and gave necessary guidelines. BJP MP Anil Baluni visited the landslide-affected areas in Rudraprayag and interacted with officials who are a part of the rescue and relief operations. Baluni said, "You saw the dire form of nature. There has been heavy rainfall and landslides have also occurred. Our focus is on rescuing people who are stranded and providing food and medical facilities to them. It is satisfying that those who are stuck are safe and in touch with the administration. Food and medical facilities are being provided to them. As soon as the weather clears up, they will be brought out of there." Under the direction of the District Magistrate, the concerned departments are continuously working to safely rescue and provide food to the devotees and pilgrims stranded at various stops in Kedar Valley. District Supply Officer KS Kohli said that since Thursday morning, food packets, drinking water and food have been arranged for the devotees stranded at the main stops of the Yatra. Nearly 18,000 food packets and nearly 35,000 water bottles have been made available at Kedarnath, Lincholi, Bhimbali, Sonprayag, Shersi, Guptkashi, Chaamasi and other places till 3:30 pm on Friday. Apart from this, food is being provided at various places with the help of GMVN and local traders. BKTC, local public representatives and traders are also fully cooperating in this. (ANI)
The 134 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological, Assam, also known as the 134 Ecological Task Force (ETF), organised a mass plantation drive to mark its Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Territorial Army (TA), a distinguished military reserve force that provides critical operational and logistical support to the Indian Armed Forces and civilian authorities during natural calamities and national/regional emergencies, marked its Platinum Jubilee Year from 1949 to 2024, PRO Defence said. In continuation to the celebrations, the 134 Ecological Task Force (ETF) organised an awareness programme and mass plantation drive in the lead-up to Independence Day 2024. This event took place in the Tezpur Military Station in the Sonitpur district. The 134 ETF, established in 2007 in the Sonitpur District of Assam, was formed to combat rampant deforestation and restore the region's fragile ecological balance. Since its inception, it has played a crucial role in environmental conservation in the Sonitpur and Biswanath districts of Assam. To commemorate the Platinum Jubilee, the 134 ETF conducted a large-scale plantation drive, planting fruit-bearing and shade-giving trees in the Tezpur Military Station in conjunction with the military personnel and their families therein. This initiative saw enthusiastic participation from the gallant army personnel and their families and children, who joined hands to enhance the green cover of their communities. During the event, ETF personnel engaged with military personnel and their families, emphasising the importance of protecting our ecosystems. They highlighted that the success of any ecological mission depends on the active and wholehearted involvement of every member of human society. This mass plantation drive is the continuation of a series of events planned throughout the Platinum Jubilee Year to promote environmental awareness and sustainability. 134 ETF remains committed to its mission of ecological restoration and community engagement, embodying the spirit of the Territorial Army's dedication to national service and environmental stewardship. (ANI)
The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud said on Saturday that the purpose of Lok Adalat has been to take justice to the homes of people and to ensure that the Supreme Court not only handles big cases but focuses on 'Nyay Sabke Dwar'. Addressing the commemoration of the Special Lok Adalat in the Supreme Court of India today, CJI Chandrachud said, "A very senior secretary from the Govt of India and former civil servant said that he never knew that Supreme Court deals with such small cases because we are so used to looking at the Supreme Court dealing with all the big ticket cases which get reported on the first page of newspapers every morning." "What is lost to so many people is the kind of small work we do in the Supreme Court. So many people ask me why the Supreme Court has to deal with such small cases. I always respond by saying that when the Constitution was made by stalwarts like BR Ambedkar, they did it with a mission, they introduced Article 136 in the Constitution with the purpose that this was a court that was being set up in a poor society where there was an absence of access to justice," he added. The CJI also asserted that the idea behind the establishment of this institution was to ensure that this would be a court reaching out to the lives of common citizens and therefore 'Nyay Sabke Dwar'. "The purpose of Lok Adalat has been to take justice to the homes of people and to ensure that we are a constant presence in their lives," CJI Chandrachud added. With the aim of bringing down the backlog of cases pending before the Supreme Court, the apex court has begun its five-day special Lok Adalat on July 29. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had urged citizens, who have pending cases before the Supreme Court, to take part in the Special Lok Adalat to get their disputes resolved amicably and speedily. Lok Adalats are an essential part of the judicial system, facilitating alternative dispute resolution to expedite and encourage amicable settlements. Cases having elements of settlement, including those relating to matrimonial and property disputes, motor accident claims, land acquisition, compensation, service and labour which are pending before the Supreme Court would be taken up to facilitate speedy disposal. (ANI)
Echoing the demand of Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad to conduct a DNA test in the case of the gang rape of a minor girl, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Saturday that DNA tests should be done on the rape accused to deliver justice to the victim. In a post on X, Akhilesh said, "In the case of misdeeds, the way for justice should be found by getting DNA tests done on those who are accused, and not by merely making allegations and doing politics. Whoever is guilty should be given full punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proven false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. This is the demand for justice." The Ayodhya administration demolished the bakery of SP leader Moeed Khan, the main accused in the gang rape of a minor girl today. Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati slammed the Samajwadi Party over the DNA test demand and asked how many DNA tests were done during their tenure. "The strict action being taken by the UP government against the accused in the Ayodhya gangrape case is justified, but what should be understood by SP saying that the DNA test of the accused should be done. Whereas SP should also tell how many DNA tests have been done against such accused in their government," she said on X. "Also, amidst the growing concerns about crime control and law and order in UP, especially about women's safety and harassment, the incidents in Ayodhya and Lucknow, etc. are extremely sad and worrying. It would be better if the government took strict steps to prevent these by rising above caste, community and politics," Mayawati added. Reacting to the incident, Faizabad (Ayodhya) MP Awadhesh Prasad said that all the people involved in the case should be investigated and the truth should come out. "As far as this incident is concerned, it is very painful and shameful. All the people involved in this incident should be investigated, the truth should be found out and whoever is guilty action should be taken with full force against them. And as far as the victim is concerned, our party completely stands with the victim. It is unfortunate that the Bharatiya Janata Party is doing politics on this. I humbly request such people that this is not a moment for politics," he said. "Innocents should not be framed and DNA tests should be conducted. She (the victim) should be helped financially as well," the Samajwadi Party MP added. (ANI)
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy said on Saturday that the 10-day 'Mysore Chalo' padayatra has been started against the alleged illegal activities of the Congress-ruled government since coming to power in the state. "We are going to finish this programme in Mysuru. It is against several illegal activities done by this (Congress) government: corruption, land grabbing," the JD(S) leader told reporters hours after the event was started. He said that during the Padyatra they would educate the people of Karnataka on how this government came to power. "After that, from day one, how they started to grab the money from the exchequer also, even from officials". "How they have doing this all illegal transfer also. How they have collected the money. We started the programme to inform people about all these issues," he added. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) opposition alliance in Karnataka on Saturday kicked off its 10-day 'Mysore Chalo' padayatra from Kengeri in Bengaluru to Mysore over alleged MUDA and Valmiki Corporation scams. On Friday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar slammed BJP's padayatra over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam and said that they are trying to make an issue out of a non-issue. "Congress wants to ask them what they have done in their tenure. It was the most scandalous government BJP ever had. They are doing padayatra for nothing, they are trying to make an issue out of a non-issue," Shivakumar said. The Karnataka Governor issued a show-cause notice to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 27. Earlier, a complaint was filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and nine others for allegedly forging documents to claim compensation from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. The complaint alleges wrongdoing by Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathy, his brother-in-law Malikarjuna Swamy Devaraj, who claimed to be a landowner, and his family. It was further alleged that MUDA created fake documents and obtained plots worth crores of rupees. Snehamayi Krishna has raised several questions in his complaint. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh leader of Opposition and BJP leader, Jairam Thakur on Saturday inspected flood-affected areas of Kullu and said that a huge loss has happened here. Thakur also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that he will provide all possible help to the state. "The situation here is a matter of concern. The people were not able to recover from the past situations and this incident has occurred again. A huge loss has happened. Several people are missing. Rescue is underway by the central government and PM Modi has also assured that he will provide all possible help to the state," he said. On August 2, Jairam Thakur on Friday met PM Modi and apprised him of the situation after a catastrophic flood destroyed parts of the state. "I met Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi ji and congratulated him on behalf of the state for leading the country for the third time. We gave complete information to the Prime Minister about the tragedy that occurred in Himachal Pradesh. Prime Minister Modi Ji assured full cooperation to Himachal Pradesh in dealing with this tragedy and said that other central forces including NDRF have been immediately deployed for relief and rescue work. Whatever resources will be required in future to deal with the tragedy will also be made available immediately by the Central Government," Thakur said on X. Earlier in the day, the Indian Army launched extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations to aid the affected communities in Himachal Pradesh's Samej village. According to the Indian Army, the road to the incident site was blocked due to a land shift approximately 2.5 kilometres short of the incident site, after which troops moved on foot beyond the blockade. Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh said, "Samej village is completely damaged, people's houses are destroyed. This is a very sad situation. We need to be alert. The Chief Minister has spoken to the Union Home Minister, and he has assured us of help. We are confident that we will get help from the central government." 47 people are still missing in various parts of the state including 36 missing in the Samej area In the Rampur Region of Shimla district. Rescue and search operations are continued in the region. The state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has mobilized extensive rescue and relief efforts. The disaster, triggered by a cloud burst, has left a trail of destruction in its wake, particularly affecting regions around Manali. Amidst the ongoing operation, Chief Minister Sukhu urged tourists to exercise caution. "While tourists are welcome, I urge them to refrain from visiting risky areas such as rivers and waterfalls for photography and selfies," he cautioned, stressing the importance of safety during this critical period. (ANI)
The newly-appointed Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajasthan state president, Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore, took charge on Saturday. CM Bhajanlal Sharma congratulated him on this occasion and said that people across Rajasthan have come today to felicitate him. CM Bhajanlal Sharma said, "Today, newly-appointed BJP state president Madan Rathore has taken charge. He is such a worker who has always looked after the work of the organisation. He has been an MLA many times, district president of the party. I congratulate him and many people from across Rajasthan have come today to felicitate him." Earlier, Madan Rathore met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament to express his gratitude for the new responsibility. "Today in New Delhi, I had the opportunity to meet our nation's successful Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah Ji, who is a role model for every BJP worker. Your determination in enhancing the self-respect of Mother India, along with your vigour and dedication to the nation, has infused new energy in me," Rathore wrote on X. "I am extremely grateful for your good wishes regarding my new role as President of Rajasthan BJP State," he added. The BJP recently announced new state chiefs for Bihar and Rajasthan, along with new state in-charges and co-in-charges. Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore has been appointed as the state chief for Rajasthan, while Dilip Jaiswal has been given the responsibility for Bihar. Harish Dwivedi has been appointed in charge of Assam, MP Atul Garg for Chandigarh, Arvind Menon for Lakshadweep, and Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal for Rajasthan. Vijaya Rahatkar will be co-in-charge for Rajasthan, while Tamil Nadu's responsibilities will be handled by Arvind Menon with Sudhakar Reddy as his co-in-charge. The party has also announced Rajdeep Roy as in charge of the northeastern state of Tripura. (ANI)
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairperson Priyank Kanoongo on Saturday targeted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his demand for DNA test of accused in Ayodhya gang-rape case. In a post on X, Kanoongo said, "A minor girl has been raped, the allegations are against your party leader and you are doggedly defending him. This is the same DNA that defends rapists of girls by saying, 'Boys make mistakes'". He further urged the Samajwadi Party MP to show some humanity towards the victim. "You are a member of the Parliament that makes laws for children, please show some humanity towards the victimised girl. Honourable MP, think beyond caste, religion and DNA. You MPs are the protectors of the children of the country, the children are your responsibility," he added. Echoing the demand of Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad to conduct a DNA test in the case of the gang rape of a minor girl, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Saturday that DNA tests should be done on the rape accused to deliver justice to the victim. In a post on X, Akhilesh said, "In the case of misdeeds, the way for justice should be found by getting DNA tests done on those who are accused, and not by merely making allegations and doing politics. Whoever is guilty should be given full punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proven false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. This is the demand for justice." The Ayodhya administration demolished the bakery of SP leader Moeed Khan, the main accused in the gang rape of a minor girl today. Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati slammed the Samajwadi Party over the DNA test demand and asked how many DNA tests were done during their tenure. "The strict action being taken by the UP government against the accused in the Ayodhya gangrape case is justified, but what should be understood by SP saying that the DNA test of the accused should be done. Whereas SP should also tell how many DNA tests have been done against such accused in their government," she said on X. (ANI)
The scenario of the mock drill was to prevent a terrorist attack on the college, police said.

In the mock drill on Friday, three terrorists entered Shyam Lal College after firing at the guard and further taking some college students hostage.

Soon after a call to the Police Control Room (PCR), Fire tenders, Ambulance Beta-171 and Beta-20, Special Staff, Bomb Diffusion Squad (BDS), and Crime team with Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts participated in this mock drill.

According to the press release, the injured guard was immediately rushed to the GTB hospital for his treatment. Thereafter the check of the whole premises was done by the BDS and crime team and after a thorough search, the terrorists were overpowered by the local police staff and were apprehended from the classroom without any casualty.

The dummy bomb was also recovered from the classroom which was found without explosives. (ANI)
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati hit back at Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday for demanding DNA tests of the accused in Ayodhya rape case. Mayawati retorted with a sharp critique: "How many DNA tests have been done against such accused in their government?" Justifying the Uttar Pradesh government's strict action against the accused in the Ayodhya gangrape case is justified, Mayawati said, "The strict action being taken by the UP government against the accused in the Ayodhya gangrape case is justified, but what should be understood by SP saying that the DNA test of the accused should be done." She further urged the UP government to take strict steps against the accused. "Amidst the growing concerns about crime control and law and order in UP, especially about women's safety and harassment, the incidents in Ayodhya and Lucknow etc. are extremely sad and worrying. It would be better if the government took strict steps to prevent these by rising above caste, community and politics," she posted on X. The Ayodhya administration demolished the bakery of SP leader Moeed Khan, the main accused in the gang rape of a minor girl today. Earlier, Kannauj MP Akhilesh Yadav posted on X, "In the case of misdeeds, the way for justice should be found by getting DNA tests done of those who are accused, and not by merely making allegations and doing politics." "Whoever is guilty should be given full punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proved false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. This is the demand of justice." Akhilesh Yadav said on X. SP MP from Faizabad, Awadesh Prasad, talking about the case, told ANI, "As far as this incident is concerned, it is very painful and shameful. All the people involved in this incident should be investigated, the truth should be found out and whoever is guilty, action should be taken with full force against them." "It is unfortunate that the Bharatiya Janata Party is doing politics on this. I humbly request such people that this is not a moment for politics." MP Awadesh Prasad said. (ANI)
Notorious young gunman Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of fatally shooting two unarmed protesters in Wisconsin, released a video Friday explaining that he was not going to vote for Donald Trump this presidential election.

Hours later he did a 180 and renewed his support for Trump.

Trump is "bad" about protecting gun rights, claimed Rittenhouse, who did not detail how the former president, who has a reputatin for strongly supporting of a wide range of gun rights, is letting him down.

Rittenhouse had said he planned to write in the name of former Libertarian presidential candidate Ron Paul, he said in on TikTok in a video posted by gun advocate Dudley Brown.

"If you cannot be completely uncompromisable on the Second Amendment, I will not vote for you," Rittenhouse said in the video.

Rittenhouse of Illinois was 17 and armed with an AR-15 style assault rifle in 2020 when he traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a protest against the police shooting of Black Wisconsin resident Jacob Blake.

The teen fatally shot 36-year-old protester Joseph Rosenbaum five times and then Anthony Huber, 26, who used his skateboard to try to knock Rittenhouse's rifle from his hands as he brandished it the middle of a crowd.

He also wounded volunteer medic Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, who was in the crowd.

Rittenhouse claimed he was at the protest to prevent vandalism of businesses by protesters, though though no one requested help from Rittenhouse nor other armed men at the scene.

Police, however, were videotaped thanking the self-appointed vigilantes for being there, and handed out bottles of water to them.

Rittenhouse claimed self defense at his trial. His acquittal was called "chilling" by the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper that warned it was "sure to embolden" militant gunmen who want to "take the law into their own hands."

Rittenhouse "wasn't making anyone safer by parading through crowds of angry people with a semiautomatic rifle strapped to his chest and [then] pointing it at people," the newspaper noted.

Rittenhouse met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago soon after he was cleared of charges. Trump called Rittenhouse a "really a nice young man" who was a "fan" of the former president.

MAGA did not take Rittenhouse's video well.

BYE forever I can stomach a lot of things - but backstabbing millions who supported you at your lowest point. Then turning on Trump right after he got shot. Can't stomach it - won't put up with it - forgotten forever. pic.twitter.com/7TJGfbwk4R  Catturd  (@catturd2) August 2, 2024

Friday afternoon, Rittenhouse tweeted an update.

"Over the past 12 hours, I've had a series of productive conversations with members of the Trump's team and I am confident he will be the strong ally gun owners need to defend our Second Amendment rights," Rittenhouse stated.

"My comments made last night were ill-informed and unproductive. I'm 100% behind Donald Trump and encourage every gun owner to join me in helping send him back to the White House."
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel on Saturday highlighted the importance of organ donation, an act of compassion that has the potential to save lives and improve the quality of life for countless people in need and encouraged countrymen to step forward to donate their organs after death. While addressing on the occasion of the 14th Indian Organ Donation Day ceremony organised by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), here today in the presence of Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, she said, "There is a need to promote organ donation from deceased persons and "brain stem dead" people to meet the huge need for organ donation in the country." On the occasion, the Union Minister felicitated 10 family members of deceased donors for their brave decision to donate the organs of their loved ones and four recipients of organ donation. Awards were also presented to the best performing states, regional and state organ and tissue transplant organisations, medical colleges and institutions, professional societies, medical professionals, and NGOs, etc. to recognise their contribution in the field of organ donation and transplantation. Lauding the family members of deceased organ donors for "doing the greatest service to mankind by saving the lives of numerous people," Patel called them an inspiration for the entire country, and encouraged the countrymen to step forward to pledge to donate their organs after death. "It is only through the concerted efforts of every individual and institution that India can realise its vision of becoming one of the leading countries in organ donation and transplantation," she said. In her address, she also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for highlighting the importance of organ donation. Patel said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the importance of organ donation and has given special emphasis on the fact that one organ donor can give new life to up to 8 people." The Union Minister said that though many countries like Spain, the USA and China are much ahead in organ donation, India has also made some notable achievements in this field in recent times. She also urged officials to take all steps to ensure that no organs are wasted before getting transplanted. Dr Vinod Kumar Paul, who was also the Guest of Honour at the event, highlighted the huge gap between the demand for and supply of organs and noted the need for institutional reforms in government hospitals to take up the challenge of organ transplantation. He lamented that there are only around 750 institutions providing organ transplantation services and encouraged the other institutions to also come forward to provide such services, the statement added. Dr Paul informed that kidney transplantation is covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and called upon insurance companies to cover organ transplantation. He also highlighted significant efforts made by the Union Government to ensure ease of organ transplantation, like the "One Nation, One Policy," which removed domicile and age-related roadblocks to organ transplantation. He ended his address by paying tribute to the organ donors and urging people to unitedly come forward towards this noble cause, it added. The statement said that Union Health Secretary, Apurva Chandra highlighted the need to enhance awareness about organ donation as there are a large number of people registering for need of organs. He mentioned that "although India ranks third in organ transplantation since most organ donations happen amongst family members, there is a need to inspire people to register for organ donation." The event also witnessed the launch of an e-Newsletter, NOTTO's annual report, and a manual providing an introduction to the Organ Transport Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), it added. (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for contributing Rs 5 crore towards the relief efforts in landslide-hit Wayanad, which claimed more than 300 lives in the state. Vijayan thanked Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister EV Velu for contributing the relief amount on behalf of CM MK Stalin. "Heartfelt gratitude to @evvelu for the generous contribution of Rs 5 crore towards relief efforts in landslide-hit #Wayanad on behalf of @mkstalin and Tamil Nadu. Your support and solidarity are deeply appreciated and will greatly aid in the rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts," the Kerala CM posted on X. Earlier, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said on Saturday that so far, all the bodies have not been recovered and the focus is on rescue and relief. "We are at a loss of words. This is an hour of crisis, an hour of tragedy. All our focus is on rescue and relief. So far, all the bodies have not been recovered. So rescue work is in operation. Wayanad presented a very brilliant example of the coordination between the central government and the state government. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coastal Guards, and NDRF reached at the spot in no time. They build a bridge so that ground zero can be accessed," Governor Khan said. "10,000 people are living in relief camps. After this emergency gets over, we will have to shift our focus to rehabilitation of these people," he added. The Kerala Governor also mentioned that the Prime Minister immediately gave instructions to all the agencies of the central government, particularly the defence forces, after getting information about the disaster. In a display of coordination and bravery, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Army, and Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday successfully rescued three personnel stranded at Soochipara Waterfalls, located in landslide-hit Wayanad district of Kerala. During their morning combing operation along the river banks from Mundakai to Soochipara, the ICG search team sighted three individuals stranded near the waterfalls. The presence of the survivors was immediately reported to the control centre at Mepadi. A coordinated land and air rescue operation was swiftly launched, involving ICG, Army, and IAF teams. The combined efforts of these forces, utilising both ground and aerial resources, resulted in the safe rescue of all three personnel. The death toll from the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308 as of Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. As per the latest update, 215 bodies and 143 body parts were recovered, including 98 males, 87 females and 30 children. The post-mortem procedures were completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts and 148 bodies have been identified by relatives so far. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar lambasted BJP and JDS on the issue of the Muda scam and lack of accountability during their tenure and accused them of being the "father, mother, brother, sister and relative of" corruption. Speaking at the Janandolana event, a riposte to BJP's padayatra in Ramanagara, Shivakumar said, "Corruption is the father, mother, brother, sister and relative of BJP and JDS. The people of the State have given 135 seats for my leadership and 19 seats for Kumaraswamy's leadership." "I had asked certain questions to Kumaraswamy at Bidadi on Friday. Kumaraswamy had hinted that the military would be deployed to put him in jail. I have seen Tihar jail too. I have seen the cases you have orchestrated against me and my family. After all this, the people of the state have given 135 seats to my leadership. Speaking about Kumarswamy's accusations about his involvement in the pen drive case , Shivakumar questioned, "Kumaraswamy had falsely accused me of being behind the Prajwal Revanna pen drive release. Now, Kumaraswamy is saying that former BJP MLA Preetham Gowda was behind the pen drive release. He had said that he would not participate in the padayatra because Preetham Gowda was involved. Why is he participating now?." "Why is the BJP silent on Kumaraswamy's allegation that Preetham Gowda was involved? Why is the Prime Minister, who talks of women's safety, not talking about it. I urge them to talk about it now," he demanded. "Vijayendra called me father of corruption yesterday. What did his father do to go to jail? Why did his father resign after shedding tears? Why did the Governor give permission to prosecute him when he was the CM? He should answer these questions," he asked. "The BJP had advertised extensively in newspapers about Deve Gowda's land grabs. They had advertised about Muda corruption by Deve Gowda family. Now, can the BJP leaders answer these allegations," he added. "CM Siddaramaiah's wife has got a gift deed from her brother. What is wrong in it? She is asking for fair compensation for the land that was encroached upon by the Muda. Is that wrong? The sites were given during BJP's tenure. Siddaramaiah has not signed even a single paper regarding this. Muda under the BJP government made a mistake and they compensated for that by allotting sites. There is wrong doing here," he explained. "Kumaraswamy has said he will answer my questions. I am waiting patiently for his answers. He has to tell the people of the State about all his assets. He needs to answer how much Balakrishna's assets were before and now. He has detailed the assets of every family member. I am not going to talk about his mining, I am not going to talk about Lokayuktha investigation against him, I am not going to talk about his file, which is with the Governor. Let him answer all the questions," he said. Lashing out at the BJP leader, he said, "BJP and JDS leaders are throwing stones from a glass house. BJP is utterly corrupt Who was the CM and Home minister during PSI scam? Who ruined the lives of thousands of job aspirants? The people who are demanding CM's resignation now, never asked for resignation of the CM and HM during PSI scam," he lashed out. Alleging that opposition is trying to destabilise the government, Shivakumar stated, "They are trying to destabilise our government by November-December. Our government is not a pot to break it so easily. They can't do anything to the government headed by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. They are daydreaming." "BJP leader Yatnal has made so many allegations. He had said that the CM's post was sold for Rs 2,500 crores and minister's post was sold for Rs 100 crores. BJP looted thousands of crores during Covid. He had said that Covid money had gone to Mauritius. BJP has to respond to these allegations before continuing with the padayatra. The BJP is misusing its agencies and filing cases against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Chidambaram and myself. Remember one thing: Congress is the strength behind India. The Congress will rise in India once again. Congress will come back to power in Karnataka in 2028 too," he said. "The BJP did not take out a padayatra for the cause of Cauvery or Mekedatu, they did not take out a padayatra for youth employment or farmers' welfare. But they are taking out a padayatra for this," he noted. "Kumaraswamy has said he would create 10,000 jobs in Mandya. He also promised industries in Hassan. Our Congress government in Karnataka is ready to support you in this endeavour, keep your word," he challenged. "When I conducted Government at your doorstep programme at Channapatna, we got 22,000 pleas. No sites have been allotted to the people of Channapatna for 20 years. I have instructed MLA Iqbal Hussain that sites must be allotted at any cost. We are preparing for it," he added. (ANI)
Rohini District Court on Saturday directed Delhi Police to register an FIR and investigate the story behind two reports in relation to a caste certificate issued to the first transgender councillor of Delhi, Bobi Kinnar, from the office of Tehsildar of Dadri, UP. The complaint was filed by Varuna Devi, who lost the MCD election against Bobi. It is alleged that Bobi used forged/fabricated caste certificate allegedly issued from Gautam Budh Nagar, UP in March 2017 to get issued a new caste certificate from Delhi to file her nomination in MCD election from Sulatanpuri ward seat which was reserved for woman from SC community. During the hearing, contradictory reports regarding the issuance of caste certificates from UP were placed on record. Judicial Magistrate (First class) Sanya Dalal said in the order, "Now, it is pertinent to note that two reports qua the same certificate in question have been presented by the same office, i.e., the Office of Tehsildar Dadri and they are completely contradictory in nature." "The report filed by Lekhpal, a revenue officer, has been filed along with the supporting affidavit and alike the report of the investigating officer, there is no reason to disbelieve the said report as well," the court observed. Hence, this court is of the view that a detailed investigation into the matter is required to unearth the entire story behind two different reports of the same office, as well as in view of a prima facie case, since commission of cognizable offence is made out, Judicial Magistrate Sanya Dalal said in the order passed on August 3. The court allowed the application filed by Varuna Devi, directed the SHO Sulatanpuri to register an FIR and said, " In view of the above, the application under consideration is allowed and SHO concerned is directed to register FIR under appropriate section of law without being influencedby the sections mentioned in the complaint and take up the investigation and file appropriate report after investigation." The court made it clear that this order is not a direction to SHO to immediately arrest the accused. The police should first investigate the matter and find out whether actually any offence has been committed or not, the court said. The allegations made by the complainant are that a false Caste Certificate was illegally obtained from Tehsildar District Gautam Budh Nagar bearing certificate on March 3, 2017 and within 5 days of the same, a second Caste Certificate was issued from an authority at Delhi. It is the case of the complainant that the second Caste Certificate has been issued on afalse/fabricated document. To support the same, the complainant has relied upon the report of Lekhpal and the contents of the present complaint which have been filed alongwith an affidavit. The court took note of the report prepared/forwarded by Tehsildar Dadri dated 03.07.2023 and 27.06.2023, the record qua the Certificate No 101174000433 dated 03.03.2017 was not found to be available when the online verification/enquiry for the same was conducted by Tehsildar. Further, the certificate applicant was not found to be residing at the address mentioned on the certificate qua which 3 persons have been examined. As per the report of Lekhpal dated 27.06.2023 which was duly forwarded by Tehsildar Dadri, on 03.07.2023, the applicant was not found to be residing at the address of Santosh Nagar Colony. Further, as per the online verification/enquiry, the record qua the said certificate was not found. At the same time, the court also took note of the Action Taken Report (ATR) filed by the investigation officer (IO) dated 28.02.2024, the Certificate bearing no. 101174000433 dated 03.03.2017 was stated to be issued from the Office of Tehsildar Dadri and the said report was duly forwarded by Tehsildar Dadri as well as by the SDM concerned. As per the complainant, the accused not only presented herself be woman but also a member of scheduled caste community. It is the case of the complainant that the accused in her nomination paper has relied upon the caste Certificate No. 90510000223362 dated 08.03.2027 issuedby Revenue Department to claim herself to be a member of scheduled caste. The court listed the matter for further hearing on August 9. (ANI)
After several deaths occurred in Delhi's Asha Kiran Shelter Home, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday hit out at the AAP-led Delhi Government over the posting of the administrator at the shelter home. Notably, the AAP has accused LG VK Saxena of posting a corrupt officer as the administrator at the shelter home. In a statement from the Delhi LG office, it said, "The administrator of Asha Kiran Home was appointed internally by the Social Welfare Department, which is a fully transferred subject under the control of the CM/ Minister. He was NOT appointed by LG. He was of course posted to the Social Welfare Department being a DANICS officer on February 15, 2020, after approval of the LG. Thereafter, the Minister posted him as Administrator of Asha Kiran Home. The press statement issued by AAP is blatantly wrong and arrogantly misleading. Typical abuse and scoot by AAP and its leaders and Ministers." "The Social Welfare Department has not had a Minister ever since Raj Kumar Anand resigned. CM Arvind Kejriwal even when out on bail, found time to accept his resignation and forward it to LG, but did not deem it to appoint a new Minister, in a sensitive department that more than any other requires political oversight. And Saurabh Bharadwaj has the shameful audacity to talk of accountability?" the statement added. Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj asked LG Saxena why the administrator has not been suspended yet. "The officer who has been appointed as the administrator of the shelter home by the central government and LG (VK Saxena) was caught by CBI red-handedly doing corruption in 2016. The officer was suspended for five years. I want to ask the LG VK Saxena on what basis such a corrupt officer was appointed as the administrator. Why the administrator has not been suspended?" he said. Earlier today, addressing a conference, the Delhi Minister said that tThe people who were kept in that shelter home were mentally weak and in such a situation, it becomes very important to take care of them and it is very important for the caretaker to have a sense of service and sensitivity. "Today a group of our MLAs went to Asha Kiran Shelter Home but they were not allowed to go inside. Due to media pressure, they were allowed to go inside. There has been a debate going on in Delhi for many days that who will transfer and post the officers. When transfers and postings take place, generally good officers are given good departments, but those who are suspected of being corrupt are given such postings where there is less possibility of theft. My question to the LG and the central government is why was Rahul Agarwal given responsibility in such a sensitive posting. Rahul Agarwal is the SDM who was caught in 2016 on charges of taking bribe," Saurabh Bharadwaj said. Meanwhile, as per the official report, the highest number of deaths (14) have been recorded in the month of July in Asha Kiran Shelter Home. The official report stated that a total of 25 deaths were recorded from February 2024, out of which 14 deaths occurred (Male-6, Female-8) in the shelter home in the month of July only. (ANI)
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sushmita Dev and Saket Gokhale on Saturday met the disaster-affected communities in Wayanad and offered them support. Taking to social media platform X, All India Trinamool Congress wrote, "Standing by our people in their time of crisis is our foremost duty. In this spirit, Rajya Sabha MPs @SushmitaDevAITC and @SaketGokhale have actively supported the disaster-affected communities in Wayanad. Our representatives met with those injured in the hospital, offering their full support and assurance." Earlier, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said on Saturday that so far, all the bodies have not been recovered and the focus is on rescue and relief. "We are at a loss of words. This is an hour of crisis, an hour of tragedy. All our focus is on rescue and relief. So far, all the bodies have not been recovered. So rescue work is in operation. Wayanad presented a very brilliant example of the coordination between the central government and the state government. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coastal Guards, and NDRF reached at the spot in no time. They build a bridge so that ground zero can be accessed," Governor Khan said. "10,000 people are living in relief camps. After this emergency gets over, we will have to shift our focus to rehabilitation of these people," he added. The Kerala Governor also mentioned that the Prime Minister immediately gave instructions to all the agencies of the central government, particularly the defence forces, after getting information about the disaster. In a display of coordination and bravery, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Army, and Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday successfully rescued three personnel stranded at Soochipara Waterfalls, located in landslide-hit Wayanad district of Kerala. During their morning combing operation along the river banks from Mundakai to Soochipara, the ICG search team sighted three individuals stranded near the waterfalls. The presence of the survivors was immediately reported to the control centre at Mepadi. A coordinated land and air rescue operation was swiftly launched, involving ICG, Army, and IAF teams. The combined efforts of these forces, utilising both ground and aerial resources, resulted in the safe rescue of all three personnel. The death toll from the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308 as of Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. As per the latest update, 215 bodies and 143 body parts were recovered, including 98 males, 87 females and 30 children. The post-mortem procedures were completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts and 148 bodies have been identified by relatives so far. (ANI)
The seized Yaba tablets were worth Rs 12.8 crores and it was seized from a near in a Hezamara region of West Tripura district.

Yaba is an illicit drug material. It is a powerful and addictive stimulant that is illegal in India under the Controlled Substances Act.

Earlier on July 13, the Assam Rifles arrested three individuals and recovered heroin worth over Rs 7 crore near the Nuiland-Dimapur road, an official release said.

As per an official release, "Acting on specific intelligence of the movement of drugs through the road, Nuiland-Dimapur, Assam Rifles established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) on July 10, 2024, near the fourth mile."

"Subsequently, Assam Rifles intercepted a vehicle, carried out a thorough search and recovered 1,134 grams of suspected heroin estimated to be worth approximately Rs 7,93,80,000," said the release.

The release further said that the contraband was found in 81 plastic soap cases, meticulously concealed to evade detection and three individuals were apprehended at the scene in connection with the smuggling activities.

The recovered arms, ammunition, magazines and stores have been handed over to the Nagaland Police, it added. (ANI)
The Patiala House Court on Saturday took cognisance of the charge sheet filed by Delhi Police against six accused in the Parliament Security Breach case. Six persons, namely Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde, Neelam Ranolia, Lalit Jha, and Mahesh Kumawat, are accused in the Parliament Security Breach case. The Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) took cognisance of the charge sheet filed by Delhi police. The Delhi police have supplied soft copies of the charge sheet to the accused persons. The court has directed the Delhi police to supply hard copies of the charge sheet to the accused persons within a week. The court listed the matter on September 9. Earlier on June 7, Delhi Police filed approximately 1000 pages of a chargesheet against all six arrested accused. Delhi police have filed the requisite sanction for prosecution under UAPA. The Special Cell of Delhi Police had also filed its supplementary chargesheet in the Parliament security breach case in Delhi's Patiala House Court on July 15 after obtaining sanction to prosecute all the accused under the stringent section of UAPA. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Advocate Akhand Pratap Singh informed the Additional Sessions Judge, Dr. Hardeep Kaur, that the investigation agency has obtained the sanctions for prosecution under Section 13 of the UAPA from the concerned authorities. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the court also extended the judicial custody of all accused until the next date. Delhi LG VK Saxena, accorded a prosecution sanction against six persons under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), for allegedly attacking the Parliament, on December 13, 2023, while the House proceedings were on. Delhi Police had requested their prosecution under u/s 16 and 18 of UAPA from the competent authority, i.e., the Lt. Governor, who, having found sufficient material on record, granted prosecution sanction. While Delhi Police had requested necessary prosecution sanction under UAPA, the Review Committee (DoP, Tis Hazari, Delhi), on May 30, 2024, had also gone through the entire evidence collected by the investigating agency and found the involvement of the accused in Parliament attack case. Accordingly, the review committee noted that prima facie a case was made out against the accused under UAPA. The Delhi Police had registered a case/FIR, u/s - 186/353/452/153/34/120B of IPC and 13/16/18 UA (P) Act, at the Parliament Street Police Station on the complaint made by the Security officer in the Lok Sabha. The investigation of the case was later transferred from the Parliament Street Police Station to the Counter Intelligence Unit of the PS Special Cell, New Delhi. During the investigation, the six accused persons were arrested and at present all of them are in judicial custody. This case pertains to a security breach at parliament on the anniversary of the Parliament attack case on December 13, 2023. (ANI)
One man was arrested after he stabbed his father to death in the New Ashok Nagar area of New Delhi, said police officials on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Gautam Thakur (70), who was found lying on the bed with stab wounds in his stomach, below the ribcage. As per the information, after killing his father, the man himself called the police to report murder and said that he saw two unknown men who attacked his father with a sharp object. According to the information, the police officials at New Ashok Nagar Police Station, received information about the crime on Saturday at around 8.40 am. Upon arriving at the scene, located on the first floor of New Ashok Nagar, it was discovered that the deceased, an elderly man approximately 70 years old, was lying on the bed with stab wounds in his stomach, below the ribcage. The caller, Mahesh Thakur, reported that around 6.15 am, he heard some noise from his father's room. When he went to check, he saw two unknown men who pushed him and attacked him with a sharp object, resulting in an injury to his left hand. They managed to flee the scene. Mahesh Thakur found his father dead on the bed. He informed his brother and other family members before making a PCR call. Based on his statement, a case was registered. But later on, it was found that Mahesh himself had murdered his father after feeling betrayed. After his confession, he was arrested. According to DCP East Apoorva Gupta, "During the initial investigation, several inconsistencies were found in the complainant's narration and discrepancies in his story. Post an intensive round of questioning, the complainant admitted that his father had sold some property two years ago. From the proceeds, his father had helped his elder son purchase property in New Ashok Nagar, but Mahesh, the younger son, received nothing. Mahesh also discovered that his father was planning to sell the building where the family currently resided, in conjunction with the elder son, and was keeping it a secret from him. Feeling betrayed and helpless about securing his family's future, Mahesh planned and executed his father's murder while the rest of the family was asleep." "Following this confession, Mahesh Thakur was arrested. At his instance, the weapon used in the crime, a large kitchen knife, was recovered from a water tank on the roof of an adjacent house, where he had disposed it," said DCP East. Further investigation is ongoing. (ANI)
The accused was identified as Khadija Begum, aged 36, a resident of Brahmanbaria district in Bangladesh.

According to police, "A Bangladeshi woman named Khadija Begum was arrested by the GRP (Government Railway Police) from the Charipara area in a joint operation with BSF (Border Security Force) Unit 42 and Amtali Police Station on Saturday afternoon."

The authorities acted on a tip-off and detained her.

Khadija Begum is scheduled to be presented before the honourable Agartala court for further legal proceedings.

Earlier on Thursday, acting on a tip-off about suspected illegal activities at Agartala Railway Station.

The local law enforcement agencies and Border Security Force on Thursday conducted a joint operation and arrested 10 individuals, including eight Bangladeshi nationals.

The operation was conducted in response to reports of cross-border human trafficking activities.

The individuals were intercepted as they were preparing to board a train, allegedly for illegal movement across the India-Bangladesh border.

The arrested individuals were held in custody at the local police station for further questioning. Authorities have also indicated that they will be coordinating with Bangladeshi officials to ascertain the full details of the case and potentially repatriate the Bangladeshi nationals.

This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by security forces to curb illegal cross-border activities and human trafficking in the region. (ANI)
Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobga offered condolences to India over the landslides in Kerala's Wayanad that took the lives of over 300 people. Tshering Tobga has expressed his sadness and stated on X, "I am deeply saddened by the devastation caused by #WayanadLandslides in Kerala, India." "I am deeply saddened by the devastation caused by #WayanadLandslides in Kerala, India. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community of Wayanad," he added. Many other leaders also expressed condolences over this incident. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed condolences to India and stated, "Jill and I extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by the deadly landslides in the state of Kerala in India." "Our prayers are with the victims of this tragic event, and we mourn with the families who have lost loved ones. We commend the bravery of the Indian service members and first responders supporting the complex recovery effort. We will continue to hold the people of India in our thoughts during this difficult time," the White House said in an official statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent condolence messages to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on July 31 over landslides in Wayanad. The Russian Embassy in India shared a post on X and said, "President of #Russia Vladimir Putin sent a condolence message to President of #India Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi over the tragic consequences of the landslides in #Kerala." Further, Putin offered his heartfelt condolences and support to India and those affected by the landslides and wished for a speedy recovery. "Kindly accept the most sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the landslides in Kerala. Please convey words of sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured," the post added. Iran Embassy in India also extended its sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones in the Wayanad landslides. "The Embassy of the I.R.Iran in New Delhi extends its deepest sympathies to the Government of the Republic of India and the people of #Kerala who have suffered in #WayanadLandslides. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones in this tragic disaster," the Iran Embassy in India said on X. The number of people who died in the landslides that struck the hilly areas of Meppadi in Wayanad district on July 30 following incessant rainfall has gone up to 210 while the people who have been discharged from the hospitals stood at 187, officials said on Friday. As per the officials, 210 bodies and 134 body parts have been recovered till now which includes 96 males, 85 females and 29 children. The number of bodies identified by relatives stood at 146. The administration has completed the post-mortem of 207 bodies and 134 body parts found from the incident site. According to the officials, 84 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts while 187 have been discharged. 273 people have been brought to hospitals from the incident site. Earlier today, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed 308 deaths in the multiple landslides that hit Wayanad on July 30. (ANI)
After US Vice President Kamala Harris officially became the democratic nominee For president, Deputy National Finance Chair of the Democratic National Committee Ajay Bhutoria urged Americans to stand with Harris as she continues her journey to the presidency. "Let us stand with her as she continues this journey, and let us ensure that the promise of America shines bright for all," said Ajay Bhutoria. Ajay Bhutoria is an Indian-American businessman and politician who serves as the Deputy National Finance Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Further, Bhutoria described the day as 'historic' for the US as Harris secured the majority of delegates needed to become the Democratic nominee. "Today marks a historic moment for our community and our nation as Vice President Kamala Harris secures the majority of delegates needed to become the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. This achievement is not just a victory for Vice President Harris, but for all of us who believe in the values of freedom, justice, and opportunity for all," said Bhutoria. "As a proud South Asian American, I am filled with immense pride to see Vice President Harris, who shares a deep connection with our community, take this significant step toward making history," he added. Deputy National Finance Chair DNC has praised Harris for her leadership in unifying the Democratic Party and generating unprecedented enthusiasm across the country. "Her leadership has unified our party and sparked unprecedented enthusiasm across the country, especially within the South Asian and broader AAPI communities," said Deputy National Finance Chair DNC. "The record-breaking grassroots support that Vice President Harris has received is a testament to her vision for an America where everyone has the chance to succeed. Her commitment to justice, equality, and progress resonates deeply with the values we hold dear in our culture and traditions," he added. Bhutoria has issued a call to action as the party celebrates Kamala Harris's historic nomination for President and emphasized that as we celebrate her nomination, we must remember that our work is far from over. "As we celebrate this milestone, let us remember that our work is far from over. The road to November will require all of us to come together, mobilize our communities, and make our voices heard. Vice President Harris's candidacy is a powerful reminder that when we unite, we can achieve great things--not just for ourselves, but for future generations," said Deputy National Finance Chair DNC. US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday won the 2024 Democratic National Convention, securing a majority of votes of the delegates, Washington Post reported. Democratic Party officials announced officially, making her the party's presidential nominee and concluding an unprecedented process after the former Democratic standard-bearer dropped out less than two weeks ago. Following this, Kamala Harris shared a post on X, and said, "I am honoured to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States." "I will officially accept the nomination next week. This campaign is about people coming together, fueled by the love of country, to fight for the best of who we are," she added. (ANI)
The United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East by deploying a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron, and additional warships to the region as tensions rise following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, in Tehran earlier this week, CNN reported. According to a statement from deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh, defence Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group, which is currently operating in the Gulf of Oman. Destroyers and cruisers capable of ballistic missile defence will also be sent to the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea, as per CNN. The statement does not say which warships have been sent, but two US destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean Sea took part in intercepting the barrage of strikes Iran launched against Israel in April. Further Singh stated, "Austin also ordered the deployment of a fighter squadron to the region." The US already has the USS Wasp amphibious assault ship in the region, which operates with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, capable of carrying out an evacuation of US citizens in Lebanon should it be ordered. Iran has vowed to attack Israel for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Israel has not commented on the killing. On August 2, hundreds of people gathered at a mosque in Qatar for the funeral of a Hamas leader. The mourners lined up to offer funeral prayers inside Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque, the Gulf emirate's largest, while, others prayed on mats outside in temperatures that reached 44 degrees Celsius. He will be buried in a cemetery in the city of Lusail, north of Doha. Mourners included Khaled Meshaal, who is tipped as a possible successor to be the new Hamas leader, reported The Times of Israel. Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the assassination. Israel, which is at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has neither acknowledged nor denied killing Haniyeh. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led a public funeral ceremony for Haniyeh in Tehran on Thursday, before the coffin was transported to Doha, and threatened "harsh punishment" for Haniyeh's killing. Earlier on Wednesday, he also ordered Iran to strike Israel directly, in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the New York Times reported. (ANI)
The Baloch protests continued for the 7th night over a recently signed agreement between Balochistan's provincial administration and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Pakistan-based daily, Dawn reported. Amid clashes between both the parties and roadblocks, an official from the Baloch government said that as decided in the agreement, 80 incarcerated Gwadar sit-in protesters and BYC supporters were released, and that more will be released in the future. The onus now lies with the BYC to end the protest, Dawn reported. Refuting the government's claims, BYC said that highways and roads were blocked in Noshki area due to clashes, Dawn reported. In a post on X, the BYC said, "The sit-in protest continues for the 7th night. Following a brutal crackdown against the Baloch Raaji Muchi, the sit-in movement at Padizir persists. Despite ongoing negotiations, the state is intensifying its crackdown on peaceful protesters across Pakistan, leading to increased casualties and injuries among civilians. These brutal actions reveal their intention to suppress the peaceful Baloch movement against genocide. However, they are mistaken if they believe the Baloch people will abandon their fight for basic human rights and dignity. We will never yield to this fascist state's violent and oppressive tactic. The Baloch movement against genocide will continue until the very end until the last Baloch stands. #GwadarIsUnderSiege #WeSupportBalochRaajiMuchi #BalochNationalGathering" https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1819482374930837654 Mahrang Baloch, a BYC leader, said that the protests would go on until all their demands are met. She added that many of their supporters were still in custody, Dawn reported. A senior Home Department official told Dawn that BYC leaders had assured an end to the protests by 11am on Friday. "The notification regarding the withdrawal of FIRs was handed over to BYC leaders late at night," he said. Quoting a statement by Balochistan's public relations department, Dawn reported that the talks between the BYC and the government were a success; following which BYC called off its protests. "It was decided that those facing FIRs would be released after completing judicial processes by Aug 5," it said. The statement added that no protesters will be harassed, all their belongings will be returned to them and mobile and internet services would be restored. (ANI)
"In coming hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments," the reporter said in the local language.

In a post on X, Iran International English stated, "In coming hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments," an Iranian state TV anchor said in a live program focused on Tehran's retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran."

https://x.com/IranIntl_En/status/1819455545461645566

The statement came as the United States said it will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy ships to West Asia to defend Israel.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Friday said that the deployment will be in response to threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militias. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Singh said on Friday, "This morning, Secretary of the Defence Lloyd J. Austin III followed up on those conversations with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant."

Washington is also taking steps to increase its readiness to deploy more land-based ballistic missile defence, the Pentagon said.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin "has ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the US European Command and US Central Command regions," a statement from the US Department of Defence (DOD) read.

Meanwhile, Hundreds of people gathered at a mosque in Qatar on Friday for the funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran.

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday urged for urgent diplomatic efforts to "change the trajectory" and seek a path towards regional peace and stability amid rising tensions in West Asia following the recent killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah's military commander Fuad Shukr. (ANI)
The ongoing protest by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee entered its sevent day on Friday against the alleged brutality of Pakistani security forces on peaceful protesters and the death of a man at Nushki. The BYC said that Pakistani forces feared peaceful protests. In post on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee highlighted how the Pakistani security forces used brutal force against peaceful protestors raising their voice against the state, "Today, protestors protested against firing on a peaceful rally of Baloch Solidarity Committee Nushki and killing a young man on the national highway N40 Station Qalam Chowk. Peaceful protesters were targeted in Nushki when women were staging a dharna in large numbers. Pakistani forces have become unruly and overbearing, fearing peaceful protests. From Gwadar to Talar, Mastung, Chagai Hub and all over Balochistan, Pakistani forces have been firing on Baloch peaceful protesters for the past six days." https://twitter.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1819442971370029189 Additionally, the BYC stated that the Baloch Solidarity Committee will not retreat from this struggle. The historically wrong policy, which believes that the rights of the Baloch people can be deprived through force, is being followed once again by the Pakistani establishment. PAANK, the Baloch national movement's human rights department, had condemned the brutal attacks on protesters in Nushki, as they were protesting peacefully against the attacks of the Pakistani forces. The violent action, which resulted in 2 injuries and 1 death, are a blatant violation of human rights. The PAANK said, "We strongly condemn the brutal attack on protesters in Nushki by Pakistani forces as they were protesting against the crackdown against #BalochNationalGathering. The violent action, which resulted in 2 injuries and 1 death, is a blatant violation of human rights." https://x.com/paank_bnm/status/1819402110317842454 The human rights defenders in Balochistan have long raised their concern over widespread reports of enforced disappearances and state brutalities. From July 28, the authorities have detained hundreds of Baloch individuals in connection with the Baloch National Gathering, a march aimed at highlighting human rights issues in the region. As thousands of individuals have been abducted by security forces and their whereabouts remain unknown, their families are left in state duress. (ANI)
Ali Wazir, a senior leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) was arrested by the Islamabad police on Friday. Wazir was detained by the police from outside the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) at Islamabad. This arrest comes amid an ongoing, severe crackdown on PTM members after the death of senior leader and activist Gilaman Wazir. In a post on X, PTM said, "Ali Wazir, the strong voice of human rights and Pashtuns, is kidnapped and arrested in Islamabad without any reason. While the killers of Pashtuns have been protected by Islamabad, the clear proof of which is the free movement of the killers of Gilaman Pashtun". https://x.com/ptmkhyber/status/1819616970104340811 The US chapter of PTM also condemned the arrest, stating, "The forceful pickup of Ali Wazir from PIMS Hospital by Islamabad Secretariat Police, under orders from their superiors, is a vile and unconscionable act. The police even stopped the video recording where he was explaining the reason for his arrest and snatched the phone from his friend". https://x.com/ptm_usa/status/1819465779869634870 Reportedly, the leader was arrested by the police when he brought an individual to the PIMS hospital after suffering a minor accident with Wazir's car. In a viral video that surfaced on social media platforms recently, Wazir, while being arrested by the police, can be witnessed mentioning, "Now they are forcibly arresting me without any reason. Yes, there was a small accident and I had brought this kid to the hospital and now he is fine. But even then they arrest me, which is not right". At the end of the video, a policeman can be seen allegedly snatching the phone of Wazir's companion. Wazir, who heads the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), has become the icon of the non-violent movement in Pakistan. However, Wazir spends most of his time fighting court battles because of a number of cases filed against him allegedly to tarnish his image. While one court after another has acquitted Ali Wazir, legal proceedings against him keep coming, showing the malafide intent of the Pakistani state, as the International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) had mentioned in a previous statement. PTM leader Wazir, was elected in the National Assembly as a member of the lower house of the Parliament in the general election of 2018. He was imprisoned in 2019 on sedition charges in connection with a controversial speech he made at a Karachi rally. Several cases along the same lines have been filed against him, and continue to be filed. He continues to be stifled politically by the Pakistani state, which signals the weakness of Pakistan's polity, reported The International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS). Wazir has been consistently targeted for his unequivocal criticism of the Pakistani Army and the human rights abuses that the Pashtun ethnic minority face in Waziristan and neighbouring border areas in the former Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), now a part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reported IFFRAS. (ANI)
Chandra Arya, a Canadian member of Parliament on Friday said that while the government would support genuine refugee claimants, it would crack down on those who misused their 'generous' refugee system. Arya said that several people who arrive with valid visas apply for asylum soon after landing in Canada. In a post on X, he quoted a report by a Canada-based daily, Toronto Star and said, "In 2023, Canada's largest independent tribunal received 138,000 new claims, up by 129% from the year before and by 136% in 2019 ... In the first three months of 2024, already 46,700 claims were lodged, with a total of 186,000 cases in the queue." "I am told there are many, who are seeking refugee status, are here for economic opportunities (and are using the asylum route to jump the queue). I am also told, that thousands of international students who do not meet the eligibility criteria to apply for permanent residency are using this path to stay back in Canada. I have heard from authoritative sources of hundreds of people arriving in Canada with valid visitor's visas and applying for asylum soon after landing in Canada. While we should continue to support genuine refugee claimants, we should strictly deal with those who are misusing and gaming our generous refugee system.," Arya added in his post https://x.com/AryaCanada/status/1819433041678553182 According to a report in the Toronto Star, Canada's largest independent tribunal received 1,38,000 new claims for refugee status in 2023, rising by 129 per cent from 2022 and by 136 per cent in 2019, Canada stares at 1,86,000 cases in the queue, as 46,700 claims were lodged by the end of March 2024. "It didn't take long for me to realize with the team that we needed to maintain our ability to render fair decisions despite the growing intake. We need to do something about that, " the Toronto Star quoted Manon Brassard, the chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board in 2023 as having told a Senate committee in June, The report added that in the spring session of the Canadian parliament, the federal government tried to bring an omnibus bill to tackle the backlog and streamline the process. But, it failed to pass. Critics say the board needs more decision makers and the government must take some people out of the queue and give them other alternatives. Immigration lawyer Maureen Silcoff told the Toronto Star that Canada can offer immigration status to asylum seekers who are employed in fields with labour shortages. "That could be a win-win," he said. (ANI)
The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance on Friday, accusing them of failing to protect children's privacy on the popular social media app, as reported by Nikkei Asia. This lawsuit is part of the Biden administration's ongoing effort to address concerns surrounding TikTok's data practices and its implications for national security, Nikkei Asia reported. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal information from users under 13 without parental consent. The Justice Department claims TikTok "knowingly permitted children to create regular TikTok accounts and collect and retain personal information from these users without parental consent," according to Nikkei Asia. Nikkei Asia further stated that TikTok, which has approximately 170 million users in the US, is facing additional pressure from a new law that would require ByteDance to divest TikTok's US assets by January 19, 2025, or face a ban. This lawsuit adds to TikTok's mounting legal troubles, reflecting heightened scrutiny of the platform's data practices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has joined the lawsuit, seeking penalties that could amount to billions of dollars if TikTok is found liable for the alleged privacy violations. FTC Chair Lina Khan stated, "TikTok knowingly and repeatedly violated kids' privacy, threatening the safety of millions of children across the country." Nikkei Asia noted that the FTC is pursuing penalties of up to USD 51,744 per violation per day, potentially totalling billions if TikTok is found liable. TikTok has responded to the allegations by disputing the claims, arguing that many of the concerns relate to past practices that are either factually incorrect or have already been addressed. "We are proud of our efforts to protect children, and we will continue to update and improve the platform," TikTok said in a statement. The lawsuit follows reports from Reuters in 2020 that investigated TikTok's compliance with a 2019 agreement aimed at protecting children's data. The company has also faced fines from the European Union and the UK for similar issues. In related legislative developments, the US Senate recently passed a bill extending COPPA to cover teenagers up to age 17, banning targeted advertising to minors, and allowing parents and children to delete their information from social media platforms. The bill now awaits approval from the Republican-controlled House, which is on recess until September. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with Egypt's new Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and congratulated him on assuming the role. Jaishankar said that he is "looking forward" to work with him. In a post shared on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Delighted to speak with the new Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty." "Congratulated him on assuming this responsibility and look forward to working with him," he added. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1819679354395447408 India and Egypt, both possessing rich histories as among the world's oldest civilisations, have enjoyed close ties dating back to ancient times. Their collaboration extends across various domains, including political cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global issues. Since the assumption of office by President Sisi's government in June 2014, Jaishankar visited Cairo in August 2015, underscoring the enduring nature of diplomatic engagements between the two nations. President Sisi reciprocated with his second State Visit to India in January 2023, further cementing the bilateral bond. A commemorative stamp was issued on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Egypt, symbolising their enduring friendship. Prime Minister Modi's landmark State Visit to Egypt in June 2023 further reinforced the bilateral ties, culminating in the conferment of Egypt's highest civilian award, the "Order of the Nile," upon him. Meanwhile, on July 23, Jaishankar extended warm greetings to his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty and the Government and people of Egypt on their National Day, underscoring India's steadfast dedication to advancing their strategic alliance. "Warm greetings to FM Badr Abdelatty and the Government & people of Egypt on their National Day. Reiterate our commitment to take our strategic partnership forward," said Jaishankar said in a post on X. Jaishankar had previously participated in a commemorative event in New Delhi alongside Egypt's Ambassador to India Wael Hamed, commemorating Egypt's National Day. During the event, Jaishankar emphasised India's unwavering commitment to bolstering the bilateral partnership between the two nations. Describing Egypt as a crucial and esteemed strategic partner, Jaishankar conveyed his best wishes to Egypt's leadership and citizens, highlighting the deepening of ties in recent years. He referenced President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's visit as the Chief Guest during India's 74th Republic Day celebrations in 2023, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's subsequent official visit to Egypt, which elevated bilateral relations to a strategic level. (ANI)
The Pentagon is sending a squadron of fighter jets and warships, including an aircraft carrier, to the Middle East to defend Israel and U.S. troops from Iran and its proxies in the region, according to reports.

The enhanced military presence is in response to threats from Iran following the death of a top Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah chief in Lebanon, the Defense Department said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is also deploying more ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East regions, the Associated Press reported.

The commitment to bolster defense capabilities in the region came after discussions between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh.

The U.S. military will "provide elevated support to the defense of Israel and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to this evolving crisis," Singh said.

Iran has said it would retaliate for the killings of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader for Hamas, and Fuad Shukr, a top commander for Iran-backed Hezbollah.

In April, the U.S. helped defend Israel against a barrage of drone and missile attacks from Iran.
A parliamentary panel in Pakistan has called for a forensic audit of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Pakistan. This action was demanded due to the high costs of electricity bills, which could lead to potential unrest in the country, the Panel suggested, The News International reported. The panel also noted that the public is paying billions of rupees each year to IPPs, regardless of whether they are producing electricity or not. The Pakistani lawmakers have highlighted an urgent need for crucial action to address the financial problems in the power sector and ensure greater transparency. IPPs are draining the country's treasury; they receive an annual payment of PKR Rs 2000 billion as a capacity payment, despite the fact that the closed factories do not generate electricity, Business Recorder reported. The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, chaired by Senator Rana Mehmood-ul Hassan, received a briefing from energy sector regulators, including the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). According to The News International, a member of the parliamentary committee mentioned that "The current contracts with IPPs are draining the economy and causing undue hardship for citizens. A comprehensive forensic audit is essential to uncover irregularities and hold accountable those responsible for these inflated agreements." The same report further mentioned that the parliamentary committee questioned NEPRA Chairman Waseem Mukhtar to gain clarity on the origins of the IPPs. Members inquired about the mistakes that led to overpriced deals with private generators, contributing to the current situation. Another Pakistani Senator, Abdul Qadir, stressed on the importance of closely monitoring forensic audits so that all manipulation by what he termed the "IPPs mafia" can be prevented. Qadir also warned that the IPP group could obstruct efforts for transparency in the Power sector. Nepra Chairman Waseem Mukhtar explained that in 2007 and 2008, Pakistan experienced prolonged power outages due to insufficient generation capacity and increased terrorism, which discouraged investment Meanwhile, there have been ongoing massive protests in Rawalpindi led by Jamaat e Islami Islamist Pakistan's chief, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, who is demanding negotiations with IPPs, particularly regarding the payment clauses in US dollars. Additionally, they also demanded a reduction in taxes imposed on the middle class and want it redirected to the privileged class. As the talks between the Jamaat-e-Islami and the government remain in limbo, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that their movement is aimed at saving the people from IPPs, who he said are looting the masses. Pakistan's energy sector has consistently struggled with inefficiencies and mismanagement, and IPP agreements are frequently criticised for being excessively favourable to private producers, to the detriment of the public. (ANI)
Following the Chinese government's decision to come up with a proposal to create a virtual ID system, portrayed as a step to protect their personal information, many people are fearing that the plan would do the opposite, reported Voice of America (VOA). Concern is rising among China's more than one billion internet users over the government's proposal. China's Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration issued the draft "Measures for the Administration of National Network Identity Authentication Public Services" on July 26. According to the proposal, Chinese netizens would be able to apply for virtual IDs on a voluntary basis to "minimise the excessive collection and retention of citizens' personal information by online platforms" and "protect personal information." Meanwhile, many netizens agree in their posts that companies have too much access to their personal information, others fear the cyber ID proposal, if implemented, will simply allow the government to more easily track them and control what they can say online, reported VOA. Beijing lawyer Wang Cailiang said on Weibo, "My opinion is short: I am not in favour of this. Please leave a little room for citizens' privacy." Shortly after the proposal was published, Tsinghua University law professor Lao Dongyan posted on her Weibo account, "The cyber IDs are like installing monitors to watch everyone's online behaviour." Her post has since disappeared, along with many other negative comments that can only be found on foreign social media platforms like X and Free Weibo, an anonymous and unblocked search engine established in 2012 to capture and save posts censored by China's Sina Weibo or deleted by users, as reported by VOA. A Weibo user under the name "Liu Jiming" said, "The authorities solemnly announced [the proposal] and solicited public opinions while blocking people from expressing their opinions. This clumsy show of democracy is really shocking." Beijing has a wide network of censors to block and remove politically sensitive content, called the Great Firewall by critics. Since 2017, China has required internet service and content providers to verify users' real names through national IDs, allowing authorities to more easily trace and track online activities and posts to the source. According to Chinese internet experts, netizens can make that harder by using others' accounts, providers, IDs and names on various platforms. However, critics fear a single cyber ID would close those gaps in the Great Firewall, VOA reported. Zola, a network engineer and well-known citizen journalist originally from China's Hunan province, who naturalised in Taiwan, said that having control over cyber IDs is a superpower as it will give access to not just their names but to the connection between the netizen and the cybersecurity ID. "The control of the cyber IDs is a superpower because you don't only know a netizen's actual name, but also the connection between the netizen and the cybersecurity ID," Zola said. Li, a Shanghai-based dissident who did not want to disclose his full name because of the issue's sensitivity, told VOA that the level of surveillance by China's internet police has long been beyond imagination. He said the new proposal is a way for authorities to tell netizens that the surveillance will be more overt, "just to intimidate and warn you to behave." Meanwhile, some netizens fear China could soon change the cyber ID system from a voluntary program to a requirement for online access, as reported by VOA. A Weibo user under the name "Fang Zhifu" warned that in the future, if "the cyber ID is revoked, it will be like being sentenced to death in the cyber world." Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Public Security and Cyberspace Administration said that they are soliciting public opinion on the cyber ID plan until August 25. (ANI)
The submarine was accorded a ceremonial reception by the Sri Lanka Navy on August 2.

INS Shalki is a 64.4 m long submarine with a crew of 40 and it is commanded by Commander Rahul Patnaik.

During the submarine's stay in Colombo, personnel of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to visit the submarine to take part in an awareness programme on its operational features.

Moreover, the crew members of the submarine are expected to explore some of the tourist attractions in the country.

During the visit, the Commanding Officer is scheduled to call on the Commander of the Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral WDCU Kumarasinghe, followed by a visit and briefing of Sri Lankan Navy personnel onboard.

Moreover, personnel from the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Defence Forces are also scheduled to visit the submarine, the Indian Navy said.

India and Sri Lanka have a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction, and the relationship between the two countries is more than 2500 years old.

Both countries share a broad understanding of major issues of international interest. (ANI)
Amid escalating tension between Israel and the Hezbollah, the United States has issued an alert, calling its citizens to "book any ticket available" to leave Lebanon. The US Embassy in Lebanon, in its advisory, has called for the US citizens citizens who choose not to depart Lebanon to "prepare contingency plans for emergency situations." "The US Embassy notes several airlines have suspended or canceled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. Please see available flight options at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route," the US Embassy in Lebanon wrote in its advisory. "US citizens who lack funds to return to the United States may contact the embassy for financial assistance via repatriation loans. We recommend that U.S. citizens who choose not to depart Lebanon prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period of time," it further stated. https://x.com/usembassybeirut/status/1819733122029703314 The US Embassy's alert for the citizens there urged them to not only exercise caution but also monitor the news closely for any developments amid heightened tensions in the region. "Make plans to depart that do not rely on the US government. Ensure you and your family have your travel documents (passport) in order and are prepared to travel. Review your personal security plans. Keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. Exercise caution, monitor the news closely for breaking developments that could affect internal security, and factor updated information into your travel plans and activities," the US Embassy said. It further stated that those in Lebanon must "be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate." "US Military-assisted evacuations of civilians from a foreign country are rare. US Citizens should not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation in a crisis. In the case of an evacuation, you may not be able to leave with your extended family, cannot take pets, and will be expected to reimburse the US government for your transportation to a safe location. You will be responsible for the costs of onward travel from that safe location to the United States," the advisory further read. The United States will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy ships to West Asia in order to defend Israel, the US Department of Defence said. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Friday said that the deployment will be in response to threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militias. Washington is also taking steps to increase its readiness to deploy more land-based ballistic missile defence, Pentagon said. The move comes as the US anticipates potential retaliation from Iran over the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Tehran and its proxies have vowed revenge for the killing of Haiyeh and a top Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in Lebanon. Following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, the United States pledged to help defend the nation. In April, when Iran and Iranian-backed groups launched strikes at Israel, the United States led a coalition that helped defend the country from armed drones and missiles. Austin has ordered adjustments to US military posture designed to improve US force protection, increase support for the defence of Israel, and ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies, the Pentagon statement read. As per a White House readout on August 1, US President Biden spoke to Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu and "reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis." Biden discussed efforts to support Israel's defence against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive US military deployments. Together with this commitment to Israel's defence, the President stressed the importance of ongoing efforts to de-escalate broader tensions in the region, the White House said. (ANI)
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday recalled El Paso's mass shooting in 2019, when 23 people lost their lives, and said that it was an "act of hate that targeted Latinos, fuelled by white supremacy." Kamala Harris further emphasised recommitting to achieving a future where people can live free from hate and fear. "Five years ago today, 23 people were killed and 22 others were injured during a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas that was carried out with a weapon of war. It was an act of hate that targeted Latinos," Kamala Harris said in a post on X. The US vice president further said that she and her husband, who is also the US Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff join the community in remembering the lives lost in the "senseless act fueled by white supremacy". "Doug and I join the community in remembering those who lost their lives in this senseless act fueled by white supremacy, and we are thinking of those who were injured," she stated. "As we honour the lives that were taken and support the survivors, we recommit ourselves to achieving a future where every person can live free from gun violence, fear, and hate," the Vice President added. https://x.com/VP/status/1819752360744284528 On August 3, 2019, at least 22 people were killed and 27 others were injured after the gunman opened fire in a Walmart shopping centre in El Paso. The suspect was identified by the police as a 21-year-old white man named Patrick Crusius, who was believed to be spurred by his hatred for immigrants. According to an affidavit written by Detective Adrian Garcia of the El Paso Police Department, the accused stepped out of a vehicle with his hands up and said that he was the shooter when he was surrounded by police officers, New York Times reported. When the police were responding to reports of an active shooting situation, rangers with the Texas Department of Public Safety saw the vehicle stop at an intersection near the Walmart store. The man went inside and admitted opening fire on customers and employees, the document said. During the investigation, the suspect said that he had used an AK-47-style gun and brought multiple magazines containing ammunition from Texas to carry out the mass shooting, Garcia wrote in the affidavit. El Paso is home to a large majority of the Latino population and sits on the US-Mexico border. (ANI)
Amid Venezuela protests, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern about the presence of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group, adding that this was an example of Russia's shameless meddling in other countries' affairs. Protests erupted in the Venezuelan capital the day after President Nicolas Maduro declared victory in the election. The opposition denied Maduro's statement as fraudulent, saying that after reviewing 73.2 per cent of the vote count, their candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won convincingly, the local media outlet reported. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1819763460302881239 In a post on X, Zelenskyy stated, "Worrying reports of Russian Wagner mercenaries being spotted in Venezuela alongside government forces. Wherever these thugs go, they bring death and destabilization." "This is a clear example of Russia's shameless meddling in other countries' affairs, as well as its usual strategy of sowing chaos around the world," he added. Further, Zelenskyy said the only way out of the difficult situation in Venezuela is "through peaceful and democratic procedures, not sending murderers to further exacerbate the situation." "We see that the people of Venezuela are going through a very difficult time. And the only way out is through peaceful and democratic procedures, not through sending murderers to further exacerbate the situation," Zelenskyy said on X. "We condemn the use of force against peaceful protesters and urge everyone to respect the people's choice. True leaders don't hide from their own people behind mercenaries' backs," he added. According to local media outlets, on August 1, reports that Russia's Wagner Group was helping stop the protests in Venezuela appeared on social media. On July 31, the two opposition leaders appeared at a gathering in the capital of Caracas on Tuesday. "What we are fighting here is a fraud by the regime," said Machado, urging peaceful protest. A large crowd, many waving Venezuelan flags, chanted: "We are not afraid!"Opposition protesters also marched in the cities of Valencia, Maracay, San Cristobal, Maracaibo and Barquisimeto throughout the day. A local monitoring group, the Venezuelan Conflict Observatory, said it had registered 187 protests in 20 states, with "numerous acts of repression and violence" carried out by paramilitary groups and security forces. According to rights group Foro Penal, at least 11 people had been killed in incidents related to the election count or the protests. (ANI)
BRANSON, Mo.  Four-year-olds in Branson will have the opportunity to receive free pre-K education thanks to a grant from the state of Missouri.

The Branson School District announced on Friday that they were one of the recipients of the 2024-25 Missouri Quality PreKindergarten (MOQPK) grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The MOQPK grant provides funding for high-quality preschool programs across Missouri and will allow four-year-olds in the Branson School District who meet certain criteria to attend Branson Schools Pre-K for free regardless of income status.

City of Springfield receives $1 million EPA grant for brownfields revolving loan program

To qualify for Pre-K placement, students need to meet these requirements:

Turn four years old on or before July 31, 2024

Reside within the boundaries of the Branson School District

Complete a free developmental screening through the Branson Parents as Teachers program

Parents and guardians who are interested need to complete the 2024-25 Preschool Interest Form on the districts website. Families will receive an email with an invitation to schedule a screening appointment after completing the interest form.

Students will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis from filling out the Preschool Interest Form due to limited space. Families already enrolled in Branson Schools Pre-K automatically qualify for the free schooling.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
The Biden administration has temporarily halted a humanitarian parole program that has allowed nearly half-a-million nationals from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and Nicaragua to live and work in the United States amid concerns of fraud.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson did not specify what led to the halt. But sources familiar with the issue told the Miami Herald the decision is the result of fraud alerts involving U.S.-based individuals seeking to get their friends and family approved under the program.

DHS has review mechanisms in place to detect and prevent fraud and abuse in our immigration processes. DHS takes any abuse of its processes very seriously, said the spokesperson. Out of an abundance of caution, DHS has temporarily paused the issuance of advanced travel authorizations for new beneficiaries while it undertakes a review of supporter applications.

The spokesperson added that DHS will restart application processing as quickly as possible with the appropriate safeguards.

Fox News first reported the pause and its relation to potential fraud. Some 30,000 applications will be manually reviewed and any discrepancy will lead to the applications being invalidated, a source told the Miami Herald. Late last year, immigrant advocates raised alarm over the possibility of fraud amid rumors within immigrant communities that people were paying thousands of dollars to get their approval moved up in the program.

To enter the United States through the two-year humanitarian parole program, a sponsor must first commit to financially backing a potential beneficiary while they are living in the United States. The applicants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and Nicaragua must have a valid passport to fly into a U.S. airport and pass security, background and health checks to receive approval to travel to the U.S. Once they reach an American airport, an officer decides whether to grant them parole. The spokesperson from DHS said the agency had not identified any issues related to the screening and vetting of beneficiaries.

People who have already received an advanced travel authorization will be allowed to fly to the U.S. However, any issues that arise with previously approved beneficiaries will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Guerline Jozef, founder of Haitian Bridge Alliance, called the decision  unfortunate given that there are so many people, especially Haitians, who have been waiting to get approval for protection.

We caution the community to make sure that all the information provided is correct that they do not try to change information to try to scam the system. We call on DHS to return to a full first-come first-served approval system to avoid these types of issues which are mostly due to desperation in extremely vulnerable situations, Jozef told the Herald.

Over 494,000 people from the four countries had flown to the United States through the end of June, according to government figures. That includes over 104,000 Cubans, roughly 194,000 Haitians,more than 86,000 Nicaraguans, and more than 110,000 Venezuelans.

DHS considers an average of 1,000 applications a day. Half are supposed to be chosen through a first-come, first-served basis and the other through a lottery type system. That has led to frustration among both sponsors and beneficiaries, some of whom have been waiting for more than a year-and a half to be approved for travel.

The DHS spokesperson said that the agency had not identified issues of concern related to beneficiaries and that these applicants were thoroughly screened and vetted before entering the United States.

The multi-layered screening and vetting for advanced travel authorizations is separate from the screening of U.S.-based supporters, said the spokesperson.

The Biden administration created the parole program as part of its attempts to curb irregular migration from the four countries, which are facing humanitarian and political crises.

The program, in effect for all four nationalities since early 2023, has been the criticized by GOP officials, who argue that its an overreach of executive authority and has overburdened states.

A group of Republican-led states took DHS to court over the program, claiming it had caused irreparable harm. But a federal judge in Texas dismissed the case in March, ruling that the states did not have standing. However, he said that the courts had yet not evaluated the lawfulness of the program.
Louisiana State Police: Hineston woman dies after trying to pass multiple cars, crashing

A driver who tried to pass multiple cars in a no-passing zone died Friday night when she hit a vehicle that was turning into a driveway in the Otis area, according to Louisiana State Police.

A driver who tried to pass multiple cars in a no-passing zone died Friday night when she hit a vehicle that was turning into a driveway in the Otis area, according to Louisiana State Police.

Hineston resident Tori Williford, 40, died at the scene of the crash on La. Highway 121 near La. Highway 1199 that happened about 7:30 p.m., a news release said.

It states that Williford was driving a 2004 Ford Explorer northbound when she tried to pass multiple vehicles.

"For reasons still under investigation, Williford attempted to pass in a no-passing zone and did not yield to a 2014 GMC Terrain as it tried to make a left turn into a private driveway," the release said.

The Explorer hit the Terrain, ejecting Williford and two passengers  another adult and a 2-year-old child. No one was wearing a seat belt or was restrained, it reads.

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July crash: Two dead, one injured after dump truck wreck in Beauregard Parish

The passengers suffered moderate injuries and were taken to a hospital.

The driver of the Terrain and an adult passenger both wore seat belts and had minor injuries. Both were taken to a hospital.

The crash still is under investigation.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Louisiana State Police ID woman killed in crash as Tori Williford
The Kamala Harris campaign sent Donald Trump's "sidekick" J.D. Vance a snarky birthday greeting, calling him the "most unpopular VP pick in American history."

"At 78 and 40, Donald Trump and his sidekick, the most unpopular VP pick in American history, are running on an agenda to drag our country backwards, reverse the progress we've made, and ensure Americans have fewer freedoms in the next generation than they had in the last," the vice president's campaign posted on X Friday evening.

It went on to slam the Project 2025 agenda that would be used as a blueprint in a potential Trump/Vance administration that that would "rip away our freedoms, jack up costs on the middle class, and fan the flames of hatred and division."

"While we wish J.D. a happy 40th, the American people will make certain that he celebrates his 41st anywhere but the White House," the Harris campaign concluded with a zinger.

Since Trump announced that he was picking Vance as his running mate on July 15, the Republican senator from Ohio's unfavorability rating has been climbing.

According to polling site FiveThirtyEight, Vance's unfavorability rating has gone from 28.9% in mid-July to 38.9% as of Aug. 1.

Vance has been dogged by remarks about "childless cat ladies" in the Democratic Party and his support for a law preventing women from traveling out of state to get an abortion.

Vance's team responded to the b'day greetings.

"Kamala's team of bullied, woke losers can send out embarrassingly cringe statements all they want, but it doesn't change the fact that Kamala Harris struggles to string together coherent sentences and is too incompetent to answer simple questions from the press about her dangerously liberal agenda," spokesperson William Martin said in a statement to the Hill.
Jennifer Leigh Husbands remembers the first time she was confronted with questions about whether she was Black or white. She was a student at the University of Virginia, and Husbands, whose mother was from Michigan and father from Barbados, listened to Grateful Dead music and drank beer at the time. People told her she was playing for white.



This notion of having to prove your identity throughout your life is something that doesnt go away in a country that is obsessed with race and deeply seeped in anti-Black racism, the Lincoln Square resident said.

Husbands, 51, said she couldnt bring herself to watch former President Donald Trump speak in Chicago on Wednesday. She had to read about it in the news.



When people like Trump say things like what he said (Wednesday), I feel like it kind of sets the conversation back 20 years, she said.



During an appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump said he hadnt known that Vice President Kamala Harris  the Democrats presumptive nominee after President Joe Biden opted not to seek reelection and endorsed her as his successor  is Black.

So Ive known her a long time indirectly, directly not very much, and she was always of Indian heritage, Trump said. And she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know  is she Indian or is she Black?

Harris, who was born in Oakland, California, is the daughter of immigrants. Her mother is from India and her father was born in Jamaica. She is the first Black and Asian American woman to become a major party candidate for the presidency.

The challenges of being multiracial in the United States were highlighted in the face of Trumps messaging, experts said. Harris shouldnt have to justify how her ancestry and biology align with her racial identity: her customs, languages and traditions, they said.

Trump is attempting to diminish her credibility by suggesting that she has only recently identified as Black, said Emily Williams, executive director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. He does not have the authority to assert what anyones racial identity should be.

His statement thrust Harris racial identity into the national spotlight, touching on an issue that struck a chord with one of the fastest-growing groups in the United States: According to the 2020 U.S. census, the percentage of people who reported being multiple races grew 276%, from 9 million people in 2010 to 33.8 million a decade later.

As a district attorney, attorney general, U.S. senator and vice president, Harris has widely discussed her lineage. Her Asian mother raised her and her sister as Black because she believed that was how the world would see them first.

Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington. She maintains close ties to her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha  the first historically African American sorority.

But on Wednesday, Trump questioned Harris personal background.

I respect either one but she obviously doesnt because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a Black person, Trump said.

Cedric Johnson, professor of political science and Black studies at the University of Illinois Chicago, said Trumps views on race and identity are simplistic. Johnson, 53, who grew up in Louisiana, said consensus on what it means to be multiracial has changed drastically since he was a kid in the South.



Were in a moment of ambiguity and possibility that wasnt there before, Johnson said.



Johnson said Trumps rhetoric may have insulted people in the country with origin stories similar to that of Harris.

Trump thinks about Black people as a clear constituency  as opposed to thinking about Black people as a diverse group with all sorts of different experiences, different classes, different regional and idiosyncratic concerns, he said.

How do you choose

Because Husbands lives in a predominantly white neighborhood, is married to a white man and likes listening to the Chicago-based, all-white band Wilco, she said shes cognizant of her Black identity.

But she said that reckoning is even harder for someone like Harris with two immigrant parents.



Husbands, who grew up in a predominantly white suburb of Philadelphia, considers herself Black and, because of her paternal heritage, Caribbean American, as opposed to African American.

She said she feels connected to the Black Caribbean as part of her identity. It informs the way she carries herself. It shapes her politics. She goes back to visit her family, who is still there.



While she may have brought her Deadhead roots with her to college, she remained connected to her fathers proclivity toward reggae and island music. They often went to jazz concerts together before he died.

I sort of have a foot in both worlds, she said.

Politicians often oversimplify race conversations, neglecting the nuances of multiple races, according to Gina Samuels, professor at the University of Chicagos Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice. Samuels said everyone should be able to mark both race and ethnicity when reporting their identity  the latter encompassing a broader category based on shared cultural history.

Unfortunately, nobody wants to do the tricky math of it to figure out how people are really reporting themselves, Samuels said.

Yolanda Trejo, 38, a salon owner and hairdresser in West Town, was one of only two or three Mexican families in the small town where she grew up in Minnesota, she said. Her dad is a second-generation Mexican American and her mom is white.

I definitely experienced racism, she said.

Trejo said her dad is obsessed with the idea of being American. He likes to put a flag in the lawn. He has always been proud to live in the United States.



Working at a salon as an adult, Trejo said shes been able to reflect on how she fits into the world in a way that isnt so black and white, so to speak. She likes to ask her clients about their identities or racial backgrounds as she cuts and blows out their hair.



Everybody is something, Trejo said.



Trejo said her 3-year-olds father is Black. Even though her son is young, shes already talking to him about race and identity. She has bought him childrens books about Jackie Robinson, she said. She is starting the conversations early.

I want him to know that theres a world for him, she said. There is change thats happening.

Trejo said she believes Trump is digging himself a hole by trying to pit groups of people against each other on a national stage. She thinks younger voters are ready for a woman president, especially one who represents change.

Other analysts questioned whether Trumps comments would make Black voters distrustful of Harris.



People are already a little bit cautious, said Sheehan Fisher, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University. Trumps comments feed off peoples fears and can get the worst of people.

Theres a lot more work to do

Alayna Washington Crenshaw, 49, has lived in Chicago since 2006 and is the director of a fine jewelry store. She said when she first moved to the city, she was surprised by Chicagos blatant segregation.

Her father is African American and her mother is white, and she said its taken time to figure out where she best fits in.

But throughout her life, she said she has gotten used to people coming up to her with the question: What are you? She finds it offensive.



That question is triggering to me because its happened my entire life, she said. You could ask me, you know, What is your background? Where are you from? Where are your parents from?

And being multiracial doesnt always mean a choice in identity.

Crenshaw has two sons. The boys father, who is Black, was once confronted by police officers in Bronzeville because they thought he was a robbery suspect, she said. He pulled into a gas station and was surrounded by officers in multiple police cars. They told him he was wearing the same tank top and sunglasses as the suspect.

Crenshaw tells her sons that they need to be extra careful around law enforcement officers. Her 16-year-old goes to a predominantly white private school, and she said she warns him that he might face more scrutiny than his classmates if he is ever confronted by police.



Its sad that were in 2024, closer to 2025, and were still experiencing this in a major city, Crenshaw said. Theres some work to do.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  According to New Mexico State Police, a 14-year-old opened fire on a family in January, hitting a 6-year-old boy in the face. Hes spent months in the hospital, and this week got a heros welcome back home to the Silver City area, complete with an escort from local fire departments and law enforcement.

Its been crazy. He went from running and playing every day, going to school, and in January, he missed school. He couldnt go to school no more. Hes been in the hospital since January, said Maria Palomarez, Jason Acostas mother.

Shoppers call for changes to make Coronado Center safer

On January 12, 6-year-old Jason Acosta, his mom, brother, and stepfather were waiting in their car outside a family members home in Hurley. According to state police, a black Dodge truck dropped off a 14-year-old boy.

The teen is accused of firing multiple gunshots into the familys vehicle. Jason was hit by one of the bullets.

The bullet hit his cheek, and it cut his eye, so he is blind in his right eye. It broke his nose, and the bullet itself, unfortunately, was left in the left side of his brain because its just at a place where if they go in, theyll do more damage, said Palomarez.

According to state police, the teen fled the scene, but police detained him. They claimed they found a dismantled handgun and ammunition on him. He was charged with attempted murder and tampering with evidence.

I believe the crime should fit the punishment. My son had to be in the hospital. He was fighting for his life in the hospital for eight months, said Palomarez.

Jason has had over a dozen surgeries and still has a long road to recovery.

Unfortunately, they said when the bullet hits the left side of the brain, the other side of the body will be affected. His right side of his whole body is very weak.

This week, Jason and his family returned home. His mom said he had nothing but smiles on his face when local police and firefighters in the Hurley and Silver City area escorted the family home.

Controversial Santa Fe statue can be seen at the New Mexico History Museum

Everybody just welcomed him home with a big welcoming home parade. We went through the town and then they took us home.

Palomarez said Jason still loves playing with his brother and has a good attitude in the midst of the traumatic experience.

According to state police, there was supposed to be a plea hearing for the teen on June 24, but it was rescheduled to August 19.

Jasons family is collecting donations. To donate to the family, visit this link.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Please click here for an updated look at Tropical Depression 4 and local impacts.



CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  A tropical depression is forecast to pass near the Lowcountry in the next few days. Its center is forecast to move along the South Carolina coast by Monday or Tuesday.

Heavy rain is expected to impact the Lowcountry by Sunday as the weather system crosses the peninsula into northeastern Florida. Rain is expected to increase further on Monday with a potential of 4 to 8 inches incoming. With the rain comes the potential for flooding.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) found the circulation center of this system on the southern side of Cuba as of 11 p.m. Friday which is why the storm is upgraded to a depression. The storms track has shifted more to the west and has an even higher chance of development.

Lots of moisture will be pulled northbound by this tropical system, and what that means for us is potentially heavy rain. The track of the storm is still uncertain but as we see this move right over Florida off the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas, that will bring a lot of moisture and a lot of rainfall here, said Storm Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Rob Fowler.

The center of PTC4 is still over Cuba, and has yet to strengthen, but as the center moves into the Gulf this weekend, the conditions will become more favorable for development, Fowler said.

Predicted winds have also been upgraded by NHC to 70 mph on Monday morning. Fowler says the intensity could magnify when the storm system hits the gulf.

As of Friday, the disturbance had sustained winds of 30 mph. Tropical storm watches and warnings are already in place along Floridas west coast.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Venezuelan citizens take part in a protest against the electoral results that awarded Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, in Brasilia

Venezuelan citizens take part in a protest against the electoral results that awarded Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, in Brasilia

By Vivian Sequera and Lisandra Paraguassu

CARACAS/BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil, Colombia and Mexico are pushing for Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to meet with the opposition candidate in last week's disputed election, a diplomatic source told Reuters on Friday, as increasing numbers of Western governments reject Maduro's claim to victory.

The trio of leftist-led Latin American countries want Maduro and Edmundo Gonzalez to meet without popular opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who spearheaded the Gonzalez campaign after being barred from holding office, the source said.

Venezuela's electoral authority, seen by critics as favoring the ruling socialists, proclaimed Maduro the winner in last Sunday's vote, saying on Monday that he obtained 51% compared to 46% for Gonzalez.

The head of the CNE electoral body reaffirmed a similar margin of victory for Maduro on Friday and said it has now counted 97% of the vote.

However, despite demands from the opposition and governments and organizations throughout the region the CNE has still not released detailed vote tallies.

The CNE's website has been down since Monday, which authorities have blamed on a hack, without presenting evidence.

The opposition says its own detailed tally shows Gonzalez likely received 67% of the vote, winning by a margin of nearly 4 million votes, and earning more than double Maduro's support, a result in line with independent exit polls.

The opposition has uploaded to a website scanned copies of local vote tallies covering nearly 82% of voting machines, obtained by registered opposition witnesses after Sunday's election.

Some nations, including the United States and Argentina, have already recognized Gonzalez as the election's winner, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday citing "overwhelming evidence." Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Uruguay also concluded on Friday that Gonzalez received the most votes.

Others, including Russia, China and Cuba, have congratulated Maduro.

The top diplomat for Norway, which has attempted to mediate past disputes between the government and opposition, cited "legitimate doubts" over how the election was conducted in a statement on Friday.

"We expect the Venezuelan authorities to comply with the agreed commitments and to respect the will of the Venezuelan people," said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The Maduro government has sought to brush off foreign critiques as interference in its affairs, accusing Washington of seeking to overthrow Venezuela's government.

Earlier on Friday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil accused Washington of being "at the forefront of a coup attempt."

In a post on social media, Gonzalez thanked the U.S. "for recognizing the will of the Venezuelan people."

OPPOSITION OFFICES VANDALIZED

The presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico have traditionally refrained from antagonizing Maduro, but their call for detailed tallies is an attempt to resolve the tense standoff that further threatens stability in Venezuela and increases fears of a fresh migration exodus.

Once one of Latin America's wealthiest nations, oil-rich Venezuela has suffered a prolonged economic meltdown and the mass migration of about a third of its population over roughly the past decade. That largely overlaps with the tenure of Maduro, who blames U.S. sanctions for the country's problems.

On Friday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticized the U.S. stance as "an excess" and accused Blinken of "overstepping his boundaries."

Celso Amorim, the main foreign policy adviser for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has cast some doubt on the opposition's vote tallies, describing them as "informal data," and arguing that parts were "based on quick count mechanisms, exit polls," in an interview with CNN Brazil.

Amorim emphasized that Brazil did not seek to interfere in its neighbor's internal affairs, but wanted to promote "social peace for Venezuela."

Tensions on the ground in Venezuela have been mounting all week.

On Friday morning, opposition leader Machado's party, Vente Venezuela, said its headquarters in Caracas was vandalized overnight after six hooded men with guns overpowered its security guards, entered offices and took equipment.

"We denounce the attacks and insecurity to which we are subjected for political reasons," the party said on social media.

Later in the day, an allied opposition party, Voluntad Popular, said another one of its national leaders, Roland Carreno, had been arbitrarily arrested. That followed the detention of the party's top leader earlier in the week.

Anti-Maduro protesters clashed with police this week, and fresh opposition marches are expected on Saturday, which both Gonzalez and Machado are expected to attend.

Maduro warned in a press conference on Friday that his government had discovered a "terrorist plot" set to take place in Bello Monte, near the opposition march meeting point.

The president, who characterizes the opposition as fascists and regularly denounces planned attacks and assassination attempts, played two audios and showed a screenshot of a text conversation that he said proved the plot.

He added that authorities have received 5,000 reports of criminal activities associated with protests via an app it published this week.

So far, at least 20 people have been killed in post-election protests, according to rights group Human Rights Watch. Some 1,200 others have been arrested in connection with the demonstrations, according to the government.

Relatives of some of those arrested gathered outside police headquarters in Caracas on Thursday to call for their release.

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera and Mayela Armas in Caracas and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Additional reporting by Deisy Buitrago in Caracas, Gabriel Araujo in Sao Paulo and Diego Ore in Mexico City; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Rosalba O'Brien)
The Vermont Attorney Generals office is calling for the dismissal of a lawsuit against Gov. Phil Scott over his appointment of interim Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders.

In the lawsuit filed last month, Sens. Tanya Vyhovsky, P/D-Chittenden, and Richard McCormack, D-Windsor, argued that Scott defied the state Constitution when he selected Saunders as interim Secretary of Education despite the Senate rejecting her permanent appointment to the role. A state statute, the lawmakers said, requires Scott to receive the Senates advice and consent before filling a secretary of state agencies seat.

The governor cant strip away the power granted to the senate by both the VT constitution and state law, Vyhovsky said in a Facebook post days after filing the lawsuit, but by disregarding our unambiguous decision to reject his appointment for Secretary of Education he did exactly that.

Zoie Saunders

On July 17, the Attorney Generals Office argued for the lawsuit to be thrown out because it fails to make a valid legal claim and is outside the jurisdiction of the Vermont Superior Court.

Plaintiffs claim is premature, they lack standing, and they raise a political question, the Attorney Generals Office wrote in its motion to dismiss. They also misread the law: the Governor can make a temporary appointment without advice and consent, and, even under statutes Plaintiffs cite, he has not violated any deadline to resubmit Saunders for reconsideration.

Background

The attorney generals motion to dismiss is the latest chapter in the controversy surrounding Saunders appointment.

Scott originally named Saunders as secretary of education in March from a small pool of candidates recommended by the state Board of Education after the position had sat vacant for roughly a year. She assumed the role in April.

Saunders  a former education administrator from Florida  immediately came under fire for her resume, which included only three months of public-school leadership experience prior to accepting the secretary of education role and controversial charter school connections.

In May, with just a few days left in the regular legislative session, the Senate voted 19-9 against Saunders confirmation, an action the Attorney Generals Office described as historic and possibly unprecedented in their motion to dismiss. Immediately following the Senate vote, Scott appointed Saunders as interim secretary of education.

On June 19, Vyhovsky and McCormack filed their lawsuit, which included Saunders as a defendant. Scott spokesperson Amanda Wheeler subsequently accused the senators of partisan political maneuvering in a statement to the Free Press. Vyhovsky, however, denied any political motivation for the lawsuit.

This is not about the person Gov. Scott submitted for appointment nor is it about the work that shes done, Vyhovsky wrote on Facebook. Its about the governors decision to overrule the senate and make that appointment without our legally required consent.

The lawsuit requests the following rulings: that the Senate must confirm all state interim appointments; that Scott failed to resubmit Saunders name or present a new candidate within the required timeframe after the unsuccessful confirmation vote; and that Saunders has not validly functioned in her role, which would make void any actions shes taken thus far in the position.

Dismissal arguments explained

The Attorney Generals Office primarily argues that the statute referenced in the lawsuit applies only to permanent appointments, not temporary ones, making Saunders interim appointment lawful. Additionally, the motion contends that previous governors have also made temporary cabinet appointments without consent from the Senate.

Scott also did not strip away the Senates rights or nullify the confirmation vote, the Attorney Generals Office said, as lawmakers voted against her permanent promotion, not her temporary one, the term of which ends on Feb. 28. Additionally, should Scott nominate Saunders again, the Senate will once more have the opportunity to advise and consent, the motion said.

"While this matter may not be suited for court, it can and will be resolved politically and pursuant to law requiring next steps in the coming months, when Saunders temporary term expires and when appointments for advice and consent are made," the motion said regarding why the Vermont Superior Court does not have jurisdiction for the case.

The Attorney Generals Office pointed out as well that there is no statute that restricts governors from reappointing candidates who were rejected by the Senate to the secretary of education role. However, there is such a restriction for choosing members for the Green Mountain Care Board.

The Legislature is capable of using language to bar re-appointment of a nominee voted down by the Senate, yet it chose not to do so regarding the secretary of education position, the office said.

Gov. Phil Scott criticizes the Vermont lawmakers for nullifying six of his eight vetoes for the year during a press conference the afternoon after the legislature's June 17 veto override session.

The motion also challenges the lawsuits assertion that Scott was required to resubmit Saunders name or propose a new candidate before the end of the legislative session. The statute lists no specific timeframe for when Scott must resubmit a candidate, the office argued, just that the nomination occurs forthwith  a term defined in other statutes as within a reasonable time, without unnecessary delay, under all circumstances of the case. A previous version of the statute set a strict deadline, but that provision was removed in 1978. With only 10 days left in the regular session following the failed confirmation vote  plus a one-day veto override session  requiring Scott to re-nominate Saunders or pick a replacement candidate within that limited timeframe would have been unreasonable, the Attorney Generals Office argued. The motion also noted that Scott has a constitutional responsibility to fill cabinet vacancies to keep operations running smoothly.

Faced with the prospect of a lengthy vacancy before the Board of Education would be able to vet and present new candidates and before the Senate would have time to act on any new appointee, the Governor provisionally selected Ms. Saunders, a candidate already vetted and presented by the Board, the motion said.

The Attorney Generals Office also questioned whether the Senate would have had the time to hold another confirmation vote within those last few days.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont attorney general seeks education secretary lawsuit dismissal
By Kayode Oyero

The police on Saturday said a policeman who was reported murdered on the first day of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests has miraculously survived.

Nine (9) police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters.

One of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remains in critical condition, Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said in a statement on Saturday.

Adejobi also said a total of 618 suspects have been arrested so far for various violent crimes during the protests. The suspects were arrested in Abuja, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, and Sokoto.

At a briefing on Thursday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had said a policeman was murdered while on duty during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests.

He had lamented that events in major cities on Thursday were mass uprising and looting, not protests.

In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on our security personnel where one policeman has been reported murdered and others seriously injured.

In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert. Our officers are fully mobilised and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to public safety and order, the IGP had said.

Activist Deji Adeyanju had on the same day challenged the IGP to name the policeman he claimed was killed. He had said it was not true that a cop was killed.

The #EndBadGovernance protests against economic hardship scheduled for 10 days entered its third day on Saturday as resilient youths pushed on, insisting that President Bola Tinubu meets their demands.

Some of the demands of the protesters include the restoration of petrol subsidies and the forex regime. They also want the government to address food shortages, unemployment and wasteful spending by those in power. Other demands are reduction of the Presidents cabinet and general cost of governance, immediate reforms of the electoral umpire INEC and anti-graft agency EFCC with renewed vigour in the fight against corrupt politicians.

The protests turn awry in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa and other states where rampaging hoodlums took advantage of the situation and burned vehicles, looted warehouses and private stores.

Till the Day 3, policemen were seen dispersing protesters using tear gas, even as civil society organisations condemned the action of the police.
By Francis Ugwu

Nigeria Police Force on Saturday released an update on incidents recorded in the nationwide protests against economic hardship in the country.

The Police also dismissed a report by Amnesty International that 13 individuals have so far lost their lives in the ongoing protests, which began on 1st August, 2024.

This is even as the Force said it has also arrested a total of 681 individuals alleged to have committed various criminal offenses, recovering two AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition from protesters.

The Police warned that the ongoing protest has turned violent, and advised law abiding citizens to immediately withdraw from the protest.

In a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer on Saturday, the Nigerian Police said the total number of deaths recorded so far during the protests is seven.

According to the statement, nine Police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters.

Giving a breakdown of incidents from the first two days of the nationwide protests, Adejobi said: In Borno State, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (34) were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians.

The police spokesman also said that there was another incident reported in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized to loot a shop, leading to a local vigilante man killing one of the looters.

He said there were no other recorded fatalities during the protests apart from those he mentioned.

However, Adejobi explained that incidences of armed robbery, arson, mischief, looting of public institutions and private businesses, destructions of both public and private property were recorded during the protest.

He said arrests were made with respect to the criminal incidences and a number of recoveries made from the suspects while the protest was going on.
China's Hainan Airlines opens direct flights between Shenzhen, Budapest

Xinhua) 14:29, August 03, 2024

BUDAPEST, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A passenger plane taking off from Shenzhen in southern China landed at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport on Friday, marking the inaugural flight of Hainan Airlines' new direct route between Shenzhen and Budapest.

"With the launch of the Hainan Airlines' Shenzhen-Budapest direct flight route, the number of direct flights between Budapest and major Chinese cities has increased to seven, and the number of direct passenger flights between China and Hungary has reached 21 per week," Gong Tao, Chinese ambassador to Hungary, said at the launching ceremony.

The Budapest-Shenzhen route will operate two flights per week, on Mondays and Fridays.

Gong emphasized that the increase in direct flights between China and Hungary will further enhance people-to-people exchanges, and facilitate economic, trade, and cultural cooperation between the two countries. He said this development is another important achievement in China-Hungary relations.

Ferenc Antal, the deputy state secretary for Strategic Transactions at the Hungarian Ministry for National Economy, described the route as "a new milestone in the qualitative development of the relationship between the two countries."

"The opening of the direct flight between Budapest and Shenzhen not only expands travel opportunities between the two cities, but also gives new impetus to deepening economic, commercial, and cultural relations," Antal said.

Yan Bo, vice president of operations of Hainan Airlines, said the Budapest-Shenzhen route will provide more convenient, enjoyable, and comfortable travel services for passengers from both countries and build a new aerial bridge for cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Shenzhen in China's southern Guangdong Province has long been at the forefront of economic and trade cooperation with Hungary. Shenzhen-based companies such as Huawei, ZTE, and BYD have established their presence in Hungary since years ago.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Four Las Vegas teens accused of beating a 17-year-old classmate to death agreed to a plea agreement that will allow them to be sentenced as juveniles on voluntary manslaughter charges instead of as adults, leaving the victim's mother "dumbfounded," according to a report.

Treavion Randolph, 16, Dontral Beaver, 16, Damien Hernandez, 18, and Gianni Robinson, 17, were initially charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jonathan Lewis last November at Rancho High School, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

With the plea deal reached Thursday, their cases will be returned to juvenile court where they will face being held in a juvenile detention center, the report said.

"I'm just so dumbfounded and hurt and confused," Mellisa Ready, Lewis' mother, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "I don't even know what's going on, and I should know."

She said she was not informed of the possible plea agreement and said she learned of the negotiations from reporters after Thursday's hearing, which she did not attend.

Clark County prosecutors said Ready was kept abreast of the talks.

"While the District Attorney's Office acknowledges the pain the victim's mother is going through as she mourns the loss of her son, the negotiation was accurately conveyed to her last week, prior to the court proceeding," the district attorney's office said in a statement to the newspaper.

"The conversation was witnessed by multiple DA personnel," it said.

"Ultimately, the State determined the juvenile court was best equipped to punish the defendants for their heinous conduct while also attempting to rehabilitate them," the statement said.
By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has slammed President Bola Tinubu for his failure to address Nigerians despite the crippling nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja, on Saturday, the party demanded that the President immediately address Nigerians on urgent steps being taken to reduce the price of petroleum products.

It also asked the president to take steps to stem the fall of the Naira and ensure speedy provision of food among other critical issues to revamp the productive sector, stimulate employment and restore stability in the polity.

Ologunagba said, Our Party expresses concerns that President Tinubus silence is sending a very dangerous signal and heightening public apprehension that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is insensitive to the feelings of the citizens and the overall sorry state of affairs in the nation.

It is indeed worrisome that President Tinubu could remain silent as Nigerians are on the streets demanding for good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government.

The world is watching in horror as operatives of APC-controlled security agencies assault, shoot and kill unarmed protesters, with thugs allegedly mobilized by the APC also unleashing violence on innocent Nigerians.

Our Party calls on President Tinubu to end his silence, immediately address the nation and reassure the citizens on issues agitating their minds, particularly the reduction in the price of petroleum products and food items

Our Party insists that with deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage and refining capacity, petrol should not sell more than N200 per liter in Nigeria, especially with a strategic investment in gas production.

President Tinubu should also urgently commence the process of recovering the over N50 trillion reportedly stolen by APC leaders, reduce tariffs on essential goods, cut the cost of governance, review all luxury items in his government and channel funds recovered to programmes that have direct bearing on the wellbeing of Nigerians.

Furthermore, while calling for a thorough investigation into the reported killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous security operatives, the PDP urges the security agencies to ensure high level of professionalism in their duty of providing security and protection to the citizens

The PDP again calls on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the pursuit of responsive and people-oriented government which has eluded the nation since the coming of the APC in 2015.
In the Friday, Nov. 18, 1887, first edition issue of the Daily News, the contents one will find are quite a bit different from what you'd see 
Whether the luck of the Irish was with them or if a divine power intervened, emergency personnel are thankful that no injuries were reported in an explosion that rocked ONeill before sunrise on Monday.
The national authority for the regulation of cannabis-related activities (ANRAC) offered 3000 this year, for the production, processing, and import of cannabis-related products compared to just 609 last year.

The number of farmers who received farming permits rose to 2600 in the provinces of Taounate, Chaouen, Al Hoceima, while 200 permits were delivered to activities relating to industrial processing, marketing, import and export of seeds, ANRAC said.

ANRAC has greenlighted the cultivation of the local strain Beldia, which has a low thc and requires less water compared to imported seeds.

The cultivated area with Beldia was 732, that is 35% of the total areas dedicated to legal cannabis.

In April, Morocco reported its first legal export of the substance to Switzerland for medical purposes

Last year, Moroccos legal cannabis harvest stood at 294 tons, the first since the country legalized the cultivation of cannabis for medicine and industry use in 2021.
The Arab International Organization for Construction in Palestine on Saturday commended Moroccos role, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, in supporting the Palestinian cause.

Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency in Rabat, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Organization, Zouhair Al Omari, praised Moroccos constant support for the Palestinian people, underlining the historical attachment of the Moroccan people to the city of Al-Quds.

Al Omari, who was accompanied by a delegation from the International Arab Organization for Construction in Palestine, welcomed the considerable contribution of Moroccan officials within the Organization, in Europe, and the United States, in carrying out vital projects in the fields of reconstruction, health, and education in Palestine, including in the Gaza Strip.

He also expressed the wish to see the International Arab Organization for Construction in Palestine develop a partnership with Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency, to serve common goals.

At the end of this meeting, a 1-million-dirham check was handed over, as the fifth instalment of the contribution of the Moroccan Association for the Support of Reconstruction in Palestine, to the Agencys projects in Al Qods Acharif.
A former custodian at Sanford Middle School was arrested nearly nine months after he was accused of showing inappropriate sexual photos to students, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Joseph L. Walker Jr., 32, of Opelika was taken into custody in the 7000 block of Hurst Street on Friday and charged with two counts of a school employee distributing obscene material to a student, which is a Class A misdemeanor. Walker was transported to the Lee County Jail, but he was released after posting a $600 bond.

Authorities said that on Nov. 7, Lee County Sheriffs school resource officers received two reports involving a custodian at Sanford Middle School, later identified as Walker, making sexual comments and showing inappropriate sexual photos to students. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said that Walker made an inappropriate comment to two students and showed the students an image on his phone.

Authorities said that investigators were notified and were able to confirm the allegations.

The LCSO said school officials immediately placed Walker on administrative leave and he resigned a short time later before the school board could meet to discuss the allegations further.

The case was presented to a Lee County Grand Jury in July and Walker was indicted on the two counts, authorities said. Jones shared some insight into why there was such a gap between the initial accusations and the arrest.

"In consultation with the District Attorney's office, it was determined that we would present it to the grand jury, which also gave us more time to do a more in-depth investigation to see if there were other issues with this particular person," Jones said. "We didn't find any other evidence of any other criminal activity of this nature."

Jones said the parents of the two students were aware of the incident as they were involved in filing the report.

When the Opelika-Auburn News reached Lee County Schools Superintendent Mike Howard for comment, he said there was not much he could share on the matter since he began his role as superintendent in January, after the incident occurred. Howard said other members of the Lee County Schools would not be available for questions until Monday.

"We train everybody. We tell them the legal and we tell them, 'We're gonna let you go if anything like this ever happens.' We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior," Howard said when asked how Lee County Schools would prevent other incidents.

The Opelika-Auburn News reached out again on Monday for further information, and Howard shared a statement from LCS.

"The individual was placed on Administrative leave as soon as the school system was made aware of a situation involving this individual. Along with the Sheriff's Dept., an internal investigation was launched; however, before the Board of Education could take any action, the individual resigned from his position," the statement read.

Howard declined to respond to further questions and referred the Opelika-Auburn News to the statement.

Anyone with information about the case has been asked to call the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651.
thanks for the reminder!! I always drive by billboards for this and still forgot when it was supposed to be available to watch lol

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I'm definitely interested in watching, I just hope he manages to not insert his weird Bruce/Babs agenda in this cartoon too.

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The fan reviews for this are the biggest 180 turn I've seen since RBattz. Clips I've seen make it seem incredible and well-written, and I'm a die-hard Marvel fan. Glad I can give the finger to HBO and check this out today.

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Also I don't understand the OP saying Bruce Timm turned down Batman Beyond when he was a driving force; I think some wires got crossed

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I didnt say he turned down Batman Beyond. I said he turned down a Teenaged Bruce Wayne as Batman series and that turned into Batman Beyond.

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Oop! It was me that got my wires crossed. Sorry, I must have misread

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Ugh. On the one hand, this man is a legend for good reason and I'm sure it's great. His handling of Bruce, Gotham as not a place but a character, and the Batfamily is pretty much unmatched.



On the other hand he's the captain of the Babs/Bruce agenda and I hate that for me, and my eyeballs, on a personal level.

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i'll only watch this if they don't somehow make barbara/bruce into a thing again

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i saw this on prime and had no idea it was a thing so was excited, batman: tas is one of my favorite shows. i watched the first episode and while i enjoyed it idk it was a little weird, like having penguin become some sort of cabaret woman?

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I will never get over BRUCE/Babs from him!!!! Just ick!!!!

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Thank you for watching Volume 4, detectives. Someone, somewhere knows the truth.  pic.twitter.com/sn0n5k9KZK  Unsolved Mysteries (@Unsolved) August 1, 2024

absolutely mad for netflix to not only take 2 whole years to cook up a whopping 5 eps of unsolved mysteries but then topping it off with one of them being on jack the fucking ripper pic.twitter.com/AKqtcXCFQk  septimia zelia  (@theresebeIivets) August 1, 2024

Just a warning, the new volume of Unsolved Mysteries has 5 episodes and 2 of them are bullshit episodes on Jack the Ripper and The Mothman, skip these episodes because how the fuck are we suppose to solve that? Waste of an episode. #UnsolvedMysteries pic.twitter.com/hPSuDr9HNH  Hoe-Anna Krupa (@HoeAnnaKrupa) July 31, 2024

I'm so disappointed that #UnsolvedMysteries did an episode on Jack The Ripper, baby we don't care about that case anymore - we want more modern day mysteries. What a waste of an episode.  Hoe-Anna Krupa (@HoeAnnaKrupa) July 31, 2024

Volume 4 of Netflix's reboot "Unsolved Mysteries" dropped on Wednesday. The five new episodes covered mysteries ranging from a severed head to Jack the Ripper. Netflix announced that four more episodes will come out in October. Fans are a little disappointed with the episodes.Episode 1 - Who was Jack the Ripper?London, 1888. The city is gripped by a string of murders, each more gruesome than the last. Experts delve into one of history's most notorious mysteries.Episode 2 - Body in the BasementAmanda Antoni's husband finds her body in their basement with blood everywhere. The scene confounds police: Was it foul play  or a tragic accident?Episode 3 - The Severed HeadAfter a teen finds an embalmed head in the woods, investigators uncover a possible connection to a black-market organ trade as they try to ID the victim.Episode 4 - Murder, Center StageSigrid Stevenson's chilling murder on the stage of a locked campus theater still haunts a New Jersey college as new theories about her killer emerge.Episode 5 - The Mothman RevisitedAmid eerie sightings of a tall, winged humanoid creature with red eyes, paranormal investigators explore the Mothman's seeming link to major disasters.Sources: 1
The election subversion criminal case against Donald Trump has been returned to the Washington, D.C., federal judge following the Supreme Court's decision that gave presidents limited immunity from prosecution.

Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday received the case that alleges the former president illegally tried to overturn his 2020 losing election results o President Joe Biden.

It has been delayed for months because Trump's legal team asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether the former president has immunity and could dodge prosecution in the case.

Now Chutkan has scheduled the first pre-trial hearing in the case for Aug. 16 in the middle of Trump's campaign.

It's the first step in her decision on which parts of special counsel Jack Smith's indictment against Trump may be tossed because of the Supreme Court's order, Reuters reported.

In court documents Saturday, Chutkan said Trump will not have to appear for the hearing.

In a 6-3 decision, the court gave presidents immunity from prosecution for "official acts" while they were in the White House.

The justices put the onus on lower courts, however, to determine which acts are official and which are not. Those decisions can also be appealed.

Trump was charged with four criminal counts for his role in the scheme to enlist fake electors to claim that he won the election.

The pause in the case allowed it to be delayed for months, making it unlikely that it will come to trial before November's election. But news reports about any pre-trials hearings likely won't serve Trump's campaign.

But if Trump wins the presidency, he could direct his attorney general to dismiss the case.
India's oil imports typically decline during the monsoon season, but the drop this year has been exacerbated by weaker demand.

Asia's crude oil imports fell to a two-year low in July, driven by weak demand in China and India.

Crude imports in the worlds most important oil-buying region, Asia, slumped to a two-year low in July amid weak demand in the largest regional buyers  China and India.

While slower imports in India, the worlds third-biggest crude importer, can be attributed to seasonality and lower demand in the monsoon season, Chinese consumption has disappointed oil bulls so far this year and has the market concerned about demand in the second half amid weaker economy, the ongoing property crisis, and tepid fuel demand.

In July, Asias crude oil imports slumped to the lowest level on a daily basis since July 2022. The regions total crude arrivals are estimated at 24.88 million barrels per day (bpd) last month, down by 6.1% compared to June, according to data from LSEG Oil Research cited by Reuters columnist Clyde Russell.

Crude oil imports so far this year have also tracked lower compared to the same period of 2023at an average of 26.78 million bpd for January to July, Asian oil imports fell by 340,000 bpd compared to the first seven months of last year, the data showed.

While demand in India typically falls in the monsoon season from July to September, the faltering demand and lower crude imports in China result from weaker economic growth and lackluster fuel demand below expectations.

Chinese crude oil imports are on track for a decline of 2.1%, or 240,000 bpd, for January to July versus a year earlier if official data for Julyreleased next week shows import figures close to LSEG Oil Researchs estimate of just 10.53 million bpd for July imports.

The apparent weaker demand and the slowing imports in China have been the biggest drags on oil prices in recent months, often overshadowing tensions in the Middle East and a recent drop in commercial crude inventories in the United States.

The latest official data showed that Chinas crude oil imports slumped by 11% in June from a record high in the same month of 2023 amid tepid fuel demand and lower run rates at independent refiners. In the first half of 2024, crude arrivals also dropped, by 2.3% compared to the first half of last year, according to data from Chinas General Administration of Customs.

The property crisis in China and weaker-than-expected fuel demand have weighed on refining margins in recent months, prompting independent Chinese refiners to reduce crude throughput.

Refinery output in the worlds top crude oil importer dropped by 3.7% in June compared to the same month last year and hit the lowest level so far this year.

Chinas apparent oil demand is likely to have slumped by 8.1% year-over-year to about 13.7 million bpd in June, according to Bloomberg calculations.

Moreover, Chinas GDP growth was 4.7% in the second quarter, below expectations of 5.1%.

Earlier this month, a supertanker-load of one of the key North Sea crudes sold in Asia at a very low pricebelow the spot North Sea price and below the price of a Middle Eastern gradein a sign that Asian demand for crude continues to be softer than anticipated.

As things stand more than halfway through the year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) could be closer to pinpointing Chinas oil demand than OPEC, which continues to hold an optimistic view of 2.2 million bpd global demand growth this year, driven by China.

In its July monthly report, the IEA said that underwhelming Chinese consumption is inhibiting global oil demand growth.

Oil consumption in China, long the engine of global oil demand growth, contracted in both April and May, and is now assessed marginally below year earlier levels in 2Q24, the Paris-based agency said, adding that Chinese demand for industrial fuels and petrochemical feedstocks was particularly weak.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The discovery of dark oxygen, oxygen produced deep under the surface of the sea, is shining a light on the potential risks of deep-sea mining for metals and minerals. There has already been great controversy over plans to approve deep-sea mining activities at the international level, to meet the growing demand for critical minerals, and the recent discovery demonstrates just how little we know about marine ecosystems.

An international team of researchers recently discovered that oxygen is being made by potato-shaped metallic nodules deep under the surface of the Pacific Ocean. In July, their findings, which throw into dispute the concepts of oxygen production, were published in the Nature Geoscience jonal. The discovery could lead to a reconsideration of the origins of complex life on Earth.

The findings from a team of researchers led by Professor Andrew Sweetman at the U.K.s Scottish Association for Marine Science, show that oxygen is being produced at around 4,000 metres below the surface of the ocean in complete darkness. This contradicts previous scientific assumptions that only living organisms, including plants and algae, can use energy to create oxygen through photosynthesis, using sunlight for the reaction.

Sweetman explained, For aerobic life to begin on the planet, there had to be oxygen and our understanding has been that Earths oxygen supply began with photosynthetic organisms. He added, But we now know that there is oxygen produced in the deep sea, where there is no light. I think we therefore need to revisit questions like: where could aerobic life have begun?

The team made the discovery while conducting fieldwork between Hawaii and Mexico to assess the potential effects of deep-sea mining. Samples of nodules from the seabed in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone were found to contain a very high electric charge, which could support seawater electrolysis to split seawater into hydrogen and oxygen. Sweetman says that these nodules appear to be effectively batteries in a rock.

The new understanding of how oxygen is produced suggests the need for greater research, with a focus on the largely unexplored seabed. It also demonstrates how little we know about the undersea ecosystem and calls into question whether plans for deep-sea mining should go ahead. Many argue that we need to launch deep-sea mining operations to provide the critical minerals needed to power a global green transition, to diminish the effects of climate change. However, many environmentalists and scientists are concerned about launching invasive undersea activities without a full understanding of the potential environmental impact of deep-sea mining. Although deep-sea mining could provide a much-needed supply of the minerals needed for renewable energy equipment, electric vehicle batteries and clean technologies, it could create other environmental issues in the future.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), the U.N. regulator that oversees deep-sea mining, is currently in the process of developing mining regulations, as more countries and companies show interest in developing new projects. There is an abundance of potato-sized nodules of critical minerals, including cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, sitting on the bottom of the seafloor, which many see as vital for fuelling a green transition. In January, Norway became the first country to approve the practice of deep-sea mining for critical minerals. However, it will not immediately launch new mining projects, instead, the government will assess proposals from mining companies on a case-by-case basis for license approval. The likelihood of new deep-sea mining operations commencing in the coming years has put pressure on the ISA to develop international mining regulations to ensure the protection of the seabed and marine life.

However, there has been great controversy over the ISA leadership in recent months, as the current ISA secretary general, Michael Lodge, battles against his opponent, Leticia Carvalho, for the next term in the role. Whoever takes the position for the next term will have significant input on deep-sea mining regulations. While Lodge strongly supports the establishment of regulations to allow for project development, Carvalho believes that more time is needed to understand the potential implications of deep-sea mining before appropriate regulations can be established. Supporters of each of the candidates have accused the other side of attempting to influence the outcome of the election by offering to pay for travel costs for delegates and pay delegations past-due membership fees. As countries in arrears are not permitted to vote, this could influence the outcome.

There is already scrutiny over the ISA structure, following several complaints about the current leadership and the upcoming election for a secretary general. The ISA is responsible for ensuring the protection of the undersea ecosystem, with some member states that would benefit from new mining activities and others who fear the impact of mining on their seas and land. The recent discovery of dark oxygen puts greater pressure on the ISA to conduct further research in the field to gain a better understanding of the potential impact of deep-sea mining and potentially halt any new projects until they are more certain of the implications.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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The auction battle over Citgo Petroleum continues to unfold, with a Carl Icahn-backed oil refiner and a group of creditors with claims against Venezuela clashing. This U.S. court auction, driven by debt defaults and expropriation claims against Venezuela, has attracted bids far below the total claims of $21.3 billionmeaning someone with legitimate claims against Venezuela may walk away from the process with far less than what they are due, if they receive anything at all.

A consortium led by miner Gold Reserve and a Koch Industries unit has put forward a $9 billion bid, combining cash and claims against Venezuela, anonymous sources told Reuters. Likewise, Icahn-controlled CVR Energy has submitted an $8 billion all-cash offer. These offers surpass the highest bid from the first round, although they still fall short of Citgo's estimated market value of $11-13 billion.

Robert Pincus, the court-appointed officer, has requested additional time to evaluate these complex proposals. The auction process allows creditors to use claims in place of cash, a critical factor for companies like Gold Reserve and Koch Industries. It also allows the parties to add other parties to their offers and to top off their bids after they are submitted.

The competitive nature of the auction has seen at least five investor groups submit binding offers, with three securing financing from major banks like JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley. Despite this, some creditors are expected to receive nothing, given the substantial claims involved.

Citgo, under supervisory boards appointed by Venezuela's opposition since 2019, has reported significant earnings in recent quarters. The U.S. judge overseeing the case, Leonard Stark, is pushing for a swift resolution, rejecting delays. A winner must be selected by August 22, with final approval by October 15, subject to the U.S. Treasury Department's consent.

By Julianne Geiger

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The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Ahmed Aliyu, and Senator Aliyu Wamakko have called Governor Aminu Tambuwal of the Peoples Democratic Party to congratulate him on his victory in the election.

The Twitter handle of the Sokoto Government House revealed the congratulatory calls, moments after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally declared Mr Tambuwal winner of the election.

He won by a small margin of 342 votes.

Mr Aliyu was Mr Tambuwals deputy until Mr Tambuwal dumped the All Progressives Congress to join his old PDP, in order to run for the presidential election. Mr Aliyu resigned and became the candidate of the APC to run against his former boss.

Mr Wamakko was Mr Tambuwals predecessor, who eased Mr Tambuwals path to become governor in 2015.

According to the Chief Collation/Returning Officer, Prof. Fatima Mukhtar, Mr Tambuwal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured the highest votes of 512, 002, defeating Mr Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 511, 660 votes.

PDP candidate, Aminu Tambuwal having scored the highest votes in the election, is hereby declared winner and returned elected according to law, Ms Mukhtar said.

Ms Mukhtar, who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, said the votes were tallied along with previous ones recorded after the March 9 election.

The election then was declared inconclusive because the vote difference between Mr Tambuwal and his challenger was lower than the cancelled votes.

The total number of registered voters was 1, 887, 767 while 1, 083, 413 voters were accredited.

Total number of valid votes was 1,036,332 and the total number of rejected votes was 31, 662. The number of total votes cast was 1, 067, 994, Mukhtar said.

According to her, during the re-run election, PDPs Tambuwal polled 22, 444 votes while APCs Aliyu scored 25, 515 in the 135 polling units where supplementary elections were conduced.

She further explained that 49 candidates from other participating parties shared the remaining votes cast.

However, the APC agent at the collation centre, Maigari Dingyadi, raised the complaints the party made to INEC earlier about the malfunctioning card reader at a polling unit in Tambuwal.

Mr Dingyadi added that election was repeated at the polling unit after lawful election was conducted on March 9 election.

The PDP agent, Umar Bature, dismissed the objections on the ground that the collation centre was not the right place to lodge the complaint.

Prof. Mukhtar noted the complaint and said that it would be reflected in the final report.

NAN
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday accused the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, of allegedly hijacking and padding national budgets for the four years that the party had been in power.

He claimed that the two presiding officers always padded the budgets with pet projects that profited them while they cut funds appropriated to projects that would have benefited Nigerians.

Tinubu made the allegations in a statement made available to journalists by his media aide, Tunde Rahman.

He was reacting to reports that he was backing some persons as leaders of the Ninth National Assembly because of his alleged interest in the 2023 presidential race.

The former Lagos State governor said rather than a future political ambition, his desire to prevent a repeat of Saraki and Dogaras era was responsible for his support for the choice of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC for the National Assembly leadership.

He said, With the Senate leadership usurped by regressive elitists, that chamber constituted a brake on progress and good governance.

The Senate leadership, and to a lesser degree, the House leadership, stymied the APC legislative initiatives while attempting to hoist noxious, reactionary and self-interested legislation on the nation.

Just look at the way Saraki, Dogara and their ilk hijacked the budget process these past four years. National budgets were delayed and distorted as these actors repeatedly sought to pad budgets with pet projects that would profit them.

Even worse, they cut funds intended to prosper projects that would have benefited the average person. After four years of their antics halting the progress of government, we should do all we can to prevent a repeat of their malign control of the National Assembly.

If we are truly committed to optimal governance, then we also must be equally committed to ensuring that the National Assembly leadership be competent and experienced as well as imbued with a progressive mindset and a desire to work in close cooperation with executive.

This is all Asiwaju has hoped to achieve. There are no ulterior motives. Everything he has done is in concert with and in furtherance of the wishes of President Buhari and the party.

Thus, those who cast aspersions at Asiwaju, in reality are bucking against the stated position of the President. This is a democracy and people have the right to oppose whomever they wish to oppose.

However, if these mongers oppose the President, let them be of sufficient courage to plainly say so. They should not disparage Asiwaju as an indirect way to contend against the President.

Tinubu said what all those who cared about Nigeria should do was to support the President in driving to reality his economic policies and objectives.

He said it was spurious to believe that having ones allies in the National Assembly would enhance ones presidential ambition.

The party leader added, In the end, the rumour-mongers should court greater discipline and wisdom. As Asiwaju recently said, there is no action a person can take that constitutes a political guarantee as to what may come four years from now.

Moreover, that having allies in the National Assembly leadership positions will greatly enhance someones presidential ambitions is a spurious claim.

In 2015, Senator Saraki finagled his way into the senate presidency. He planted himself at the apex of legislative power. But his actions as Senate President showed a man devoid of compassion for the average Nigerian. All he cared for was power and position. Soon he will be deprived of both.

House Speaker Dogara has fared only slightly better. Occupying these positions is not a guarantee of future success. It is only a guarantee of present duty.

Politics requires jockeying and maneuvering for influence to get the right people in the right positions. To be beneficial, politics must be tied to the greater purpose of governance such as with President Buharis goal to reform the national economy for the good of all Nigerians.

In supporting the party and the President, Asiwaju has shown his commitment to achieving the Presidents goals. Nothing more should be read into it.

Elections are over. Now is the time for governance to take primacy. Those who have taken to intrigue about 2023 reveal themselves to be lacking in essential concern for the people and the substantive issues that confront us.

Our challenges are steep and multiple. Resolving them will occupy all of our time and energy. We do not have the luxury to embark on fantasies about the future. Let the future stay where it is for now. In due time, it shall come and shall decide the shape it is to take regardless of the plans we mortals hold for it.

As for Asiwaju, he lives in the here and now. His words and deeds are geared toward perfecting progressive governance and resolving the substantive issues of today. Nothing more, nothing less. Those so enamoured with gossiping about him, would do themselves and the nation well if they would follow his more productive example.

Tinubu said reports that he had eyes on 2023 presidential race were utterly false, based as they are in the febrile imaginations of those persons by whom they are being peddled, they are injurious to President Buharis historic quest to reform Nigeria.

He said the peddlers of the rumours arrogated to themselves the ability to read his mind more than he himself can know it.

He said it appeared they have also acquired the gift of bending time so that 2023 appears before 2019 enters its second half.

He said the country would be better if the people behind the rumours would enlist their uncanny talents in the service of the nation instead of in the service of political intrigue and gossip mongering.

When contacted on the telephone, the Special Adviser to the President of the Senate, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, told The Punch that his principal was not ready to speak on the issue at the moment.

The Senate President does not want to make any comment on the statement at the moment, he said.

Dogara also could not be reached on Sunday night for his reaction to the budget-padding allegation.

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Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has remanded Bisong James Oyen, a fake employment officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in prison custody.

Oyen was arraigned by the EFCC, Port Harcourts Zonal Office on Thursday, June 13, 2019 on a two-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007, and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the same Act.

One of the count charges read: That you, Bisong James Oyen, on or about 11th December, 2018 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court did forge Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Appointment letter and delivered same to Talbort Young for employment with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine, a pretext which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007, and punishable under section 1 (2) of the same Act.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to him.

In view of his plea, Prosecution Counsel, Esin-Otu Ebipade urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of hearing. The defendant was not represented by any Counsel.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to June 18, 2019 for hearing and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

Oyen got into troubles when a petitioner alleged that, sometimes in April 2018, he logged into the EFCCs web address, in a bid to apply for a job but could not get through the application. However, he allegedly received a call from one Alex (Kalu Patrick Ikechukwu), now at large, that he should send his document to an email address: [email protected] and pay some money into an account number of one of the new generation banks

The petitioner allegedly got an assurance, after paying the money, that he would receive an Appointment Letter that would qualify him for training by the EFCC. After waiting for a while without any communication from the EFCC, he reported the matter for investigations and the results showed that Oyen was neither a bonafide employment officer of the EFCC nor authorized to receive any payment from any member of the public on behalf of the Commission.
Aliyu Maigado

Mr. Aliyu Maigado, a lecturer in the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, has challenged his students to expose and report him if he has ever extorted them for money or sexually harassed them.

Taking to his Facebook page on Saturday, the lecturer shared a photo of himself and said, If as my student, I ever extort money from you; demanded or sexually harassed you, between you and your God, kindly report and expose me.

He titled his piece, Challenge.

Maigado revealed that he is a lecturer with the Department of Animal Science in the federal university. He added that he had taught several courses over the years and interacted with many students, both male and female.

Giving his reason for issuing the challenge, Maigado said he felt compelled to speak up given the recent exposure of some lecturers caught having less than appropriate relationships with their students and potential students.
Nigerian College of Aviation aircraft (NCAT) crash-landed Friday night.

According to PRNigeria, the accident occurred about 6.5 nautical miles from the Kaduna Civil Airport, Kaduna International Airport.

The training aircraft crash-landed in an area suspected to be notorious haven of armed bandits and kidnappers who terrorise travellers and residents in Kaduna and Zamfara States.

However, both the instructor and a student-pilot cheated death as they escaped unhurt with the support of residents of Ruma Village in Sabon Birni, who rushed to the crashed scene.

An intelligence source, who sought anonymity, confirmed that all the victims were successfully evacuated.

The source said:

Immediately the aircraft crash-landed, the pilot-instructor and a student escaped from the scene.

Some people in Ruma Village in Sabon Birni who noticed the wobbling of the aircraft before the crash rushed to the scene and evacuate the victims to safety.

Surprisingly, immediately afterward, some armed bandits rushed to the scene rained bullets on the aircraft and set it on fire thinking that it was one of the jets in the fleet of the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) that had been bombarding their camps since the beginning of the year.
California is grappling with another mounting environmental issue as sea lions, seals, dolphins and crabs are washing up sick along the state's beaches, linked to another bloom of toxic algae.

More than 70 sick sea lions alone were discovered in the last two weeks exhibiting symptoms of domoic acid poisoning from the algae, said Mattie Reddell, an environmental scientist with California State Parks.

"This has been the most drastic domoic acid event in the ten years I've been here," Reddell told KMPH-TV.

The poisoning occurred amid another "red tide" algal bloom that may be linked to an offshore heatwave just over two weeks ago. The

Affected sea creatures become ill when they eat the fish that eat the algae that produces the domoic acid.

The main symptom as the toxin affects the sea creatures' heads and hearts is lethargy and disorientation that can be so severe that the animals become incapable of seeking food or eating it.

"You'll see some signs in sea lions such as frothing at the mouth, a head wave back and ford. Some will also have seizures," Reddell explained.

The toxin usually naturally flushes out of an animal's system over time, but some are so ill they need to be treated with anti-seizure medications, supervised and fed.

Initially, cases were discovered along southern beaches, including along the Oceano Dunes and Pismo Beach area.

But over the past week, cases have been seen farther north, including at Morro Bay.

"The intensity is currently at peak," the Marine Mammal Center headquartered in Sausalito, which treats the animals, said in a statement.

The center warned that humans can become ill consuming fish and shellfish which have ingested the toxin, but no state advisory has been issued.

Officials warn the public not to approach an ill sea lion, seal or dolphin, but to contact a local wildlife, state parks or marine mammal organization to aid the animal.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria power plant located at Ring Road in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital is currently on fire.

Security agents, firefighters and other residents are trying to battle the inferno.

The cause of the fire and the extent of damage is yet to be ascertained as at the time of this report on Wednesday.

While there are speculations that the power plant belongs to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Frank William, Regional Communication Officer, Oyo Region of IBEDC, confirmed that the power plant belongs to Transmission Company of Nigeria (TRC) and not IBDEC as being speculated.

There is a fire outbreak at TCN Plant in Ring Road Ibadan. I can confirm for you. But, it does not belong to IBDEC. It is under Transition Company of Nigeria.

Fire fighters are there and I can confirm that there is a high level of damage control.

The latest fire incident is coming barely twenty four hours after a fire outbreak was recorded along the Akala Expressway Elebu area of Ibadan.

Shops and houses were affected when fire broke out along the Akala Expressway in Ibadan. https://dailypost.ng/2020/02/04/fire-razes-many-shops-houses-in-ibadan/

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<! Muhammadu Sanusi II >

Dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has dragged the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the Director-General, Department of State Service, DSS, to court over his continued confinement in Nasarawa State.

Sanusis legal team filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, seeking his release from banishment.

The former Emirs legal team is led by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the suit number is FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020.

Sanusi was sacked from the throne on Monday, with a new emir, Aminu Ado Bayero already installed.

He was immediately placed under house arrest by armed policemen and DSS officials, who later whisked him away to Awe in Nasarawa State where he had been confined in a bungalow.

The Kano State Government had denied banishing the deposed emir.

Ibrahim Muktar, Kano State Attorney General, who spoke on Channels Television on Wednesday, said there was nowhere the Secretary to the State Government ever mentioned that the dethroned emir had been banished.

You see, If you listen to the Secretary to the State Government when he was addressing the press on the issue of the removal of the emir from office, there was nowhere he said the emir was even banished from Kano State.

So, the decision of the government was (that) the emir  as of Monday was removed from office and a new emir was appointed. The issue of banishment was not part of the decision of the Kano State Government, he said.

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By Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

The Special Military Task Force, known as Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), deployed to restore peace in the troubled areas of Plateau State, some parts of Bauchi and Southern Kaduna, has said it wont compromise on the issues of security.

The taskforce disclosed this on Saturday through its Commander, Maj-Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, during a routine familiarization visit to Kafanchan in Southern Kaduna.

According to him: We wont compromise on the issues of security so as to regain the trust of the public. We will however continue to engage the crisis using kinetic and non-kinetic approach.

I am aware of the multi-dimensional crisis of the region, but I am assuring the public that the killing of innocent citizens will stop because we are doubling our efforts to sustain the gains made by my predecessors, he said.

The Operational visit to the five Local Government Areas in Southern Kaduna under Sector 7 of the OPSH, was to reassure them of the taskforce commitment in consolidating on the relative peace being experienced in the area, our correspondent reports.

The LGAs which are Kauru, Kaura, Jamaaa, Sanga and Zango, ha been bedeviled by incessant crisis blamed on religious intolerance, a situation Gen. Okonkwo said he will approach head-on by doubling the troops efforts in dealing with the situation.

I am better informed on the issues and we shall brace up to checkmate the criminality associated with the killing, kidnapping and banditry suffered by the people of this general area, the OPSH boss said.

Responding, the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, said hoodlums terrorising the area are hiding under the guise of religion and criminality to perpetrate their heinous crime, adding that the he guise will not be tolerated as government will not succumb to emotions.

Represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, El-Rufai, promised the Commander the support and total cooperation of the State government to enable him succeed in his assignment.

Our correspondent reports that while on the operational visit to Sector 7, the troop of the OPSH also paid homage to the Emir of Jamaaa LGA and the Chief of Kagoro in Kaura LGA respectively.

It would be recalled that Okonkwo, on Tuesday assumed duty as the 12th Commander of the OPSH.

Okonkwo replaced Maj.-Gen. Augustine Agundu, who has been deployed to the Nigeria Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja.

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How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

Aug. 3, 1924: The annual Pontiac Epworth League Institute opens here Monday (Aug. 4). It is expected that the institute will be attended by 400 young people from north central Illinois who, with an able corps of instructors, will camp at Chautauqua park during the meeting. Classes during the day will be private, but the evening sessions will be open to the public, and prominent speakers will give addresses.

75 years ago

Aug. 3, 1949: An acrobatic show, impromptu and strictly for amateurs, was held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 2) in the backyard of Professor Lester Isted, 504 Twin Grove St., Normal. Most of the neighborhood children participating were sons and daughters of ISNU faculty members. Except for acrobatic lessons given by Carol Norton, Elizabeth Benton and Kate Fitzgerald, who also participated in the show, the children directed and arranged the performance unassisted.

50 years ago

Aug. 3, 1974: An enthusiastic crowd gathered to meet Bobby Burgess and Cissy King, dancing partners from the Lawrence Welk Show, after the success of their first act at the McLean County Fair on Friday night (Aug. 2). The performers distributed autographed photos until they ran out, then signed bits of paper and, in the case of one delighted girl, an arm cast.

25 years ago

Aug. 3, 1999: The 19999 Mitsubishi Galant, built at the auto plant in Normal, topped seven family sedans, including the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, ranked by Car and Drive magazine on a comparative road test. "Last year, Mitsubishi sold 44,202 Galants  a paltry 10th of what Honda and Toyota command in this market," the magazine article said. "But the new Galant has the makings to rock the usually seismic-free family sedan world."

From stilettos to sneakers, Pantagraph shoe ads through the years  Moore & Lain's - Sept. 8, 1891 Boston Shoe Store - July 3, 1896 McLean Moore - April 2, 1909 W.H. Roland - April 5, 1909 Gerhart Shoe Co. - April 13, 1909 William Fahey - Aug. 31, 1923 Gerhart's - Oct. 6, 1926 Carl's - March 4, 1938 Hanger Boot Shop - April 26, 1938 Bunnell Bros. - May 6, 1938 Penney's - May 31, 1946 Town & Country Shoes - Dec. 17, 1948 War Surplus Store - March 29, 1949 Schiff's Shoe Store - April 4, 1949 Schiff's Shoes - April 26, 1949 Kinney's - June 2, 1949 Schiff's Shoe Store - June 2, 1949 Schiff's Shoe Store - June 3, 1949 The Bootery - June 5, 1949 Livingston's - June 5, 1949 Carl's - June 5, 1949 Gerhart's - June 5, 1949 Gerhart's - Sept. 19, 1954 Schiff's Shoe Store - Sept. 19, 1954 Livingston's - Jan. 2, 1956 Roland's - Feb. 22, 1957 Schiff's Shoe Store - Sept. 5, 1958 Branom's Junior Boot Shop - Sept. 7, 1958 The Bootery - Sept. 7, 1958 Livingston's - Aug. 7, 1959 Carl's - Sept. 3, 1959 Barkers - Dec. 1, 1960 Roland's - June 6, 1963 Livingston's - June 6, 1963 Marben's - May 5, 1967 Murray's - Sept. 3, 1973 Roland's - Sept. 3, 1973 Mary Jane Shoes - Sept. 6, 1973 Bergner's - March 30, 1980 Read's of Normal - Aug. 21, 1981 Brown's Sporting Goods - June 3, 1982 Hush Puppies - Feb. 2, 1984 Brown's Sporting Goods - Aug. 9, 1984 Bergener's - Nov. 10, 1985 JC Penney - April 10, 1992 Bergner's - May 26, 1999 Murray's Shoes - June 2, 1999 Bergner's - June 3, 1999
Senior Researcher, Professor Smart Sarpong has cautioned the heads of the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to utilize the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) to improve the road networks of their communities.



Over 2000 equipment have been provided by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to be shared among the MMDAs.



The equipment were commissioned during the unveiling of the DRIP at the Black Star Square on Wednesday, July 31.



This project is to enhance the roads across the nation and improve the lives of Ghanaians.



Prof. Smart Sarpong advised the MMDAs' heads not to take the equipment for their private use.



"The machines must be put to appropriate use", he said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, stressing "don't let the machines end up in your homes...If your constituency or district has no need for roads and so the machines won't be useful to you, look for your adjoining constituencies and give it to them".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/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.

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When law student Chidimma Adetshina clinched a coveted spot as a Miss South Africa finalist, her triumph unleashed a vicious backlash, unearthing a seam of xenophobia that lies close to the surface for some in the country.



The 23-year-olds name hints at her connection to Nigeria, but internet detectives wanted to know more and combed through every inch of her life. They found that her father is Nigerian and though her mother is South African, her family had come from neighbouring Mozambique.



"On behalf of South Africans, we dont recognise her and that name! She better start packing and go home, raged one commenter on X.



But where is home? Ms Adetshina is South African, as verified by the organisers of the pageant. She has said in interviews that she was born in Soweto - the township next to Johannesburg - and grew up in Cape Town.



However, the go-home sentiment, and even harsher attacks, flooded social media. There was also a petition demanding her removal from the high-profile televised competition that amassed more than 14,000 signatures before it was taken down.



The countrys Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, the leader of the Patriotic Alliance party, which has joined a coalition government and made migration issues a key part of its platform, chimed in.



We truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition. I wanna get all facts before I comment but it gives funny vibes already," he said on X.



The issue has touched a nerve in South Africa that goes beyond who will appear on stage at the final next weekend.

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.

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Texas A&M University System's EnMed building and the adjacent student housing high-rise, Life Tower,are photographed on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 in Houston. The EnMed building is unaffected by MediStar's potential foreclosure. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Life Tower. a student housing high-rise developed by MediStar to service Texas A&M University system students, is photographed on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Life Tower. a student housing high-rise developed by MediStar to service Texas A&M University system students, is photographed on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The 19-story student housing high-rise, Life Tower and an adjacent parking garage are photographed on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

A 19-story student housing building serving Texas A&M students in Houston could be sold Tuesday at a foreclosure auction after a developer defaulted on $135 million worth of loans tied to the Texas Medical Center property.

The auction could result in the sale of the Life Tower student housing and an adjacent parking garage, both owned by Houston-based developer MediStar, according to Harris County filings accessed by Foreclosure Information and Listing Service. BisNow was first to report the potential foreclosure.

MediStar fell delinquent on loans of $76.5 million and $59.3 million it took out in 2021 with an affiliate of CIM Group, according to the foreclosure filings.

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CIM Group declined to comment, and MediStar did not respond to requests for comment.

The properties were scheduled to be auctioned twice in 2023 but were pulled, according to Foreclosure Information and Listing Service.

In 2020, MediStar struck an agreement with the Texas A&M University System to lease the sites, while A&M would own the land, according to county records.

This arrangement shielded A&M from the financial risk of developing the buildings. An A&M spokesperson said the potential foreclosure wont affect the university systems finances or its students.

While the 714-bed housing tower bears the A&M logo, students from other colleges, such as Rice University, can also live in the complex. It was unclear how a potential ownership change could affect residents there.

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TEXAS A&M News: Chancellor John Sharp to retire next year

The Texas A&M University System and MediStar Corp. in 2021 announced the development of Texas A&M Plaza, a proposed $550 million mixed-use complex that was expected to serve A&Ms medical engineering students.

Plans called for three components: a renovated educational building, the 19-story student housing tower and a 17-story medical office building atop a 13-story parking garage.

MORE APARTMENT NEWS: New East End apartments priced to be affordable for essential workers opening

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Telecel Ghana has hosted over 100 young girls from the Northern, Eastern and Savannah regions for a day of ICT training and mentoring at its head office in Accra. The annual Girls in ICT Open Day is an initiative by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation aimed at inspiring and educating young women about the skills and opportunities available in the technology sector.



The girls were welcomed by members of the Senior Management Team and then received training on foundational data analytics, robotics, cybersecurity, networks, and digital transformation along with mentorship sessions from Women in Technology at Telecel Ghana, to gain valuable insights into the world of technology and innovation.



The mentorship sessions featured female tech team leaders who shared their experiences and offered guidance to the aspiring young girls, stressing the importance of upskilling, collaboration, and innovation in achieving success in the tech industry.



"We believe that empowering young women with technology is essential for creating a more inclusive and innovative future," said Mrs. Juliana Ametorwogo, President of Women in Technology at Telecel Ghana. "By hosting these amazing young girls in practical workshops and mentorship sessions, we hope to inspire them to pursue tech careers and become leaders in the digital world."



The initiative, aligned with the global push to bridge the gender gap in technology, provided a platform for girls to explore various aspects of digital technology. Participants had the opportunity to engage in practical exercises, such as building simple robots and developing basic coding projects. These hands-on activities sparked creativity and ignited a passion for technology among the young girls.



Director of Legal and External Affairs, Augusta Andrews, said the interactive and practical sessions will go a long way to nurture these young talents and contribute to creating a more inclusive tech ecosystem.



Investing in improving the digital capabilities of young women is a step in the right direction towards the development of a skilled and diverse future workforce that benefits not just businesses but the country. We believe in inspiring these girls to pursue careers in technology and become leaders in the digital age, Augusta added.



The participants expressed their appreciation and renewed enthusiasm in technology after benefitting from the opportunity to learn new tech and digital skills and gain exposure to the tech industry. The successful hosting of the Girls in ICT Open Day demonstrates Telecel Ghana's dedication to partnerships, corporate social responsibility, and its role in empowering the next generation of leaders.







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.

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Former US President, Donald Trump shared a photograph of Vice President Kamala Harris wearing an Indian attire and also her birth certificate as he continued to push racially charged claims that the Democratic presidential candidate isnt really Black.



A day after accusing Harris of only recently claiming Black heritage, Trump added to the controversy by sharing the photo of Harris wearing traditional Indian attire alongside her mother and maternal relatives.



Thank you Kamala for the nice picture you sent from many years ago! Trump wrote on Truth Social. Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian Heritage are very much appreciated,



The message came as Trump showed no signs of backing away from the controversy he launched during a 35-minute argumentative interview with reporters at the National Association of Black Journalists.



Trumps campaign posted a headline depicting Harris as the first Indian-American senator elected from California as he addressed a rally in Pennsylvania.



J.D. Vance, Trumps vice presidential running mate, praised Trump for having the courage to respond honestly to tough questions and slammed Harris as a chameleon.



Trump then reposted a series of posts from far right Republican Laura Loomer that "Kamala Harris' birth certificate proves[s] that she is lying about being Black" and "CNN did a whole interview about how Kamala is Indian." That post ends with the declaration, "Not Black!"



Trump also reposted Loomer's quoted post of an alleged birth certificate belonging to Kamala Harris. Loomer claims the birth certificate doesn't claim Harris "is Black or African."



However, the alleged birth certificate also states Harris is of Jamaican heritage and most Jamaicans are of African descent. Loomer also claims that "Trump is correct" to attack Harris because she is "not Black and never has been." Loomer then stated that Harris is "the descendent of slave owners."













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Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the Running Mate of Mr John Dramani Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged electorates in the Central Region against being swayed by the sweet promises of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).



"They will come with sweet promises, but show them that you desire development and better livelihood," she said.



Interacting with hundreds of market women at the Anomabo market in the Central Region, who mobbed her during a stopover at the market, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asked the traders to question the NPP about its failed promises.



She said the NDC will continue to be truthful to Ghanaians, adding that the party will not promise what it cannot deliver.



Touching on market infrastructure, which Anomabo currently lacks, she reminded the traders that the NDC government built all the major modern markets across the country, citing the Kejetia and Kotokuraba markets as examples.



The Anomabo market project, she explained, was initiated by the last NDC government before leaving office, and yet the current government has been unable to complete it, leaving traders with no option other than to sell along the highway.



Prof Opoku-Agyemang, who has been campaigning in the Central Region this week, assured the people of Anomabo that the next NDC government will complete the market project and improve the welfare of traders and small scale business operators through various

interventions such as the establishement of a Womens Development Bank.



"We know how to do it because we have done it before, and shall do it again," she assured the traders and residents.



From Anomabo, the Running Mate interacted with a large crowd of traders, drivers and commuters at Apam junction, who mobbed her amidst excitement.



The traders and drivers, chanting slogans for change, expressed concerns about the lack of social amenities in the area, citing the poor condition of their roads as a major problem for them.They urged the NDC to prioritise the development of the area when it returns to power, and assured the NDC of their votes.

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.

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The running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Pro. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has described the development agenda of the next NDC government as a bottom-up approach designed to effectively benefit the lot of Ghanaians.



According to the running mate of NDC flagbearer Mr John Dramani Mahama, the plan has been crafted to address the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians, especially those in the informal sector.



You are the reason we are coming back to government to rescue this country from collapse. So our development plan is to ensure that you get the benefit of good governance," she said.



Addressing a durbar of traders at the Winneba market in the Central Region as part of her campaign tour of the region on Friday, Prof Opoku-Agyemang said the ultimate development goal of the NDC is to restore hope and improve the well-being of the people.



"We shall still build the markets, the schools, hospitals and road as we did in the past, but this time we shall do more to directly impact informal sector workers like you traders," she told them.



She cited various interventions such as the Womens Development Bank which will boost and uplift the status of female traders and women's small-scale enterprises.



The welfare of women, she explained, has been prioritised in the party's development plan because the financial progress of women directly benefits men and households as well.



The interventions, she said, would be supported by the 24-hour economic policy to create jobs and wealth for Ghanaians.



In that regard, she called on the people of Winneba to support the 24-hour economy vision by voting massively for the NDC at the impending election to ensure that Ghana returns to the path of progress.

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.

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims that the 'Agyapadie document, making rounds in the media is a fabrication, stating that its implementation is evidence of its authenticity.



Akufo-Addo's fabrication claim



Speaking at the Ghana Report Summit under the theme Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation in the Upcoming Election, President Akufo-Addo, referenced the 'Agyapadie' document claiming it was orchestrated to tarnish his reputation.



President Akufo-Addo described it as a fabrication and a baseless accusation.



Mahama's response



However, addressing a mini Durbar of chiefs and people in Bawku, Mr Mahama challenged those who claim the document is fake to explain why it's being implemented.



He questioned that If someone had fabricated what was contained in the Agyapadie document then that person was very creative to have known what was on the mind of President Nana Akufo-Addo.



We need to hold this government accountable for the hardships; the crisis that theyve subjected Ghana to. For the State capture that theyve implemented in Ghana over the last eight years. Buying State property, buying all the government lands, amassing wealth for themselves...Recently there was a document called Agyapadie and they said its fabricated. But even if its fabricated, the implementation is not fabricated because everything that is written in that document has been implemented.



He said "If really somebody sat and fabricated that document, then the person can really read the minds of people because how they could have written that document and read the minds of Nana Akufo-Addo and his family that this is what they were going to do, that person is a proper creative writer because everything in that document has been implemented, and so the implementation cannot be fabricated



He further insisted that the ruling Akufo-Addo-led government "must be held accountable, and that is why Nana Addo says he will not hand over to John Dramani Mahama because he knows that when I come, I will hold him and his family and his government accountable for what theyve done"











Source: Salaamat Kuukua Paintsil/Peacefmonline.com









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The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia says the era of akonfem should not be revisited after urging Ghanaians to match up with the digital world by voting him as president



Dr Bawumia told party supporters at the Ofie Mega Walk in Akropong on Saturday, August 3, said he will ensure Ghana is transformed when elected president.



According to him, the flagbearer of the NDC has nothing to offer the country again but must not be considered to be president again.



From the customs office, well introduce the flat rate of duty and digit-ability to prevent corruption at the port for the development of the country. We are bringing more initiatives on board as we launch our manifesto in a few weeks to come. Because of digitalization, passport application is going to be a thing of the past.



If you have your card, you dont have to apply and fill out a form for a passport. We have all your details, so youll just pay the fee, and then we print your passport for you. This initiative will help the country to move into digitalisation.



Ghana is going into the digitalisation age, not the akonfem age. Vote for me so that we can also learn from the Europeans to develop our nation. We are bringing new policies. Do you think their flagbearer can be a president for just four years? Hes also seeking for honeymoon, meaning he wont do anything.



However, I want to be president for eight years meaning Ill come back to make accountability after my first term. He [Mahama] wont come back to make accountability Ghana needs a new president with new ideas with integrity. Dr Bawumia told a cheerful crowd.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/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.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Tourists walk by the "Great Jaguar" Mayan temple at the Tikal archaeological site in the Maya Biosphere in Peten, Guatemala, July 24, 2024.

In the lush jungle of northern Guatemalain the largest protected area in Central America30 leaders from Colombia's Amazon basin region are swapping strategies with local ethnic Maya farmers on how to live off this dense forest without destroying it.

Under the soaring, leafy mahogany and cedar trees in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, the visiting group discusses ways to ensure the rain forest remains healthy, while studying the reserve-type model Guatemala has been developing since 1994.

Guatemala's vast sustainability project aims to achieve a balance in which communities reforest, cut down trees for timber in a controlled way, grow grains and vegetables, collect ornamental plants, and even develop low-impact tourism.

"That ensures that our communities are getting the economic resources that are also invested here for conservation," Sergio Balan, regional director of the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), told AFP in the village of Melchor de Mencos, near the border with Belize.

The Maya Biosphere Reserve sprawls over 2.1 million hectares (5.2 million acres) and borders Mexico and Belize.

Every year, its flora and fauna are threatened by fires, deforestation for agricultural and livestock purposes, and even drug traffickers.

Hundreds of archaeological sites are located in this territory, such as the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, one of the main tourist sites in Guatemala and the site hosting the visitors from the Forest Development and Biodiversity Centers of the Colombian Amazon.

Colombian Amazon basin leaders attend a Mayan ceremony at the Uaxactun archaeological site, in the Peten Maya Biosphere, Guatemala, on July 25, 2024.

In the reserve and near Tikal, there is also the pre-Hispanic park of Uaxactun, where both groups participated in a Mayan ceremony with a fire stoked with candles and tree resin.

The Colombian leaders, whose visit lasted a week, highlighted the achievements in reducing deforestation in the Colombian Amazon between 2021 and 2023, by 61 percent, according to data from Colombia's environment ministry.

Farmer to farmer

There are currently 16 active concessions that help conserve nearly 619,000 hectares of forest, CONAP says. Controlled logging permits, meanwhile, let private companies work for 25- or 30-year periods.

Concessions and reserves "not only provide employment, but also training for different jobs," says Erwin Maas, a Guatemalan tourist guide who is also familiar with forestry.

CONAP estimates that the concessions, a kind of activity grant, create about 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in the reserve.

View of the Mayan temples at the Tikal archaeological site in the Maya Biosphere of Peten, Guatemala, on July 24, 2024.

Along one part of the path, visitors find a row of cut logs that are stacked to be taken to the sawmill. The wood comes from trees selected for felling in a controlled process that will allow the forest to regenerate.

Nearby, the sound of birds and monkeys fluttering through the branches, mixes with group's chatter.

"One of the great ideas we took away is the form of organization they have had (in Guatemala) to really last over time," says Aristides Oime, president of a Colombian farm group, Asojuntas de Cartagena del Chaira.

"From farmer to farmer, we see how we can really improve," he said. "We want to show how we truly believe that deforestation is not the way, the real route is environmental conservation."

The coordinator of the Colombia-based NGO Heart of the Amazon, Luz Rodriguez, believes that though there are differences with the Guatemalan communities, they learned lessons about how other people control land sustainably.

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A handout image made available by the National Oceanography Centre shows a carnivorous sponge, Axoniderma mexicana, photographed during a recent expedition to the NE Pacific abyss and found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ).

Opponents of deep sea mining suffered a serious setback Friday when they failed to take a first step toward an international moratorium on the controversial practice.

Until now, those in favor of such miningwhich would deliver minerals key to the green transition but with a potentially high environmental costhave managed to prevent the International Seabed Authority (ISA) from even taking up any debate on the subject.

This time, the debate took place, but a draft calling for a "dialogue" toward "the development of a general policy... for the protection and preservation of the marine environment" did not advance after a week of talks in Kingston, Jamaica.

Numerous delegations, from China to Saudi Arabia to the Africa group of member states, said the draft lacked clarity and that the ISA's full assembly of 168 members was not the forum to make any decision on the protection of marine habitats.

Instead, those countries said the Council, made up of 36 states, should decide.

Faced with consistent opposition, Chile withdrew the draft measure as the assembly's annual sessionwhich makes decisions by consensusdrew to a close.

"We are somewhat disappointed," said Chilean representative Salvador Vega Telias. Though he believed he had support from a majority of states, he opted to shelve the discussions until July 2025a proposal that was not approved either.

Deep sea mining in international waters involves scraping the ocean floor for minerals like nickel, cobalt and copper, crucial for renewable energy technology.

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the ISA is responsible for both protecting the seabed in areas beyond national jurisdictions and for overseeing any exploration or exploitation of resources in those zones.

Deep sea mining has not yet taken place beyond the experimental and exploratory stage.

The ISA's Council, which for now only grants exploration contracts, has been drawing up commercial exploitation rules for more than a decade. They are aiming to adopt a mining code in 2025.

Non-governmental organizations and scientists warn that deep sea mining could damage habitats and harm species that are little understood, but are potentially important to the food chain.

In addition, they point to the risk of disrupting the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon emitted by human activities, and the noise that could disturb species such as whales.

'Necessity for our survival'

However, multiple countries have lined up exploratory contracts and pursued tests.

Nauru, a tiny Pacific island country, has successfully pushed the ISA to allow exploitation applications to be submitted, even in the absence of a mining code.

The clock is ticking as Canada's The Metals Company (TMC)an industry giantand Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI), its subsidiary, move forward with plans to harvest mineral-rich "polymetallic nodules" in the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone (CCZ) in the Pacific.

An application from the Nauru government on behalf of NORI to start commercial mining operations is being prepared for submission to the ISA.

"The responsible development of deep sea minerals is not just an opportunity for Nauru and other small island developing states," Nauru President David Adeang said earlier this week. "It is a necessity for our survival in a rapidly changing world."

'Far greater urgency'

More than 30 countries have called for a moratorium on deep sea mining, including France, Canada, Chile, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

And a new study published last month showed that the mineral-rich nodules that mining companies wish to harvest from the ocean floor produce oxygen.

The groundbreaking study was the first instance of the production of oxygen by non-living sources, and without sunlight.

"Public demand and political support for stopping deep sea mining from harming the oceans has never been stronger," Louisa Casson, a campaigner with the international NGO Greenpeace, told AFP.

"With the threat of a company applying to mine the oceans hanging over us all, it's clear that we need far greater urgency from governments at the ISA to turn these words into action."

In that context, NGOs applauded the election of Brazil's Leticia Carvalho to replace Michael Lodge of Britain as the ISA's secretary general as of January 2025.

Lodge had been criticized for his pro-business stances, and was also under fire after a New York Times investigation accused the ISA's leadership of misusing fundsclaims that the ISA Secretariat has denied.

"This is a new chapter," the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition said on X.

"Reforming the ISA to protect and manage the deep sea for the benefit of humankind is crucial."

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The ancient crocodile was mummified, probably as an offering to Sobek. Credit: Lidija McKnight, Author provided

What do you think of when you think about ancient Egyptian mummies? Perhaps your mind takes you back to a school trip to the museum, when you came face to face with a mummified person inside a glass case. Or maybe you think of mummies as depicted by Hollywood, the emerging zombie-like from their sandy tombs with dirtied bandages billowing in the breeze.

It might surprise you to know that the Egyptians also preserved millions of animals.

In a recent study, my colleagues and I revealed extraordinary details about the final hours in the life of a crocodile that was mummified by the ancient Egyptian embalmers. Using a CT scanner, we were able to determine how the animal died and how the body was treated after death.

To the Egyptians, animals served an important religious function, moving between the earthly and divine realms. Hawks were associated with the sun god, Horus, because they flew high in the sky, closer to the sun (and therefore to the god himself). Cats were linked to the goddess Bastet, a brave and ferociously protective maternal figure.

Most animal mummies were created as votive offerings or gifts.

Animal mummies provide a snapshot of the natural world, taken between approximately 750BC and AD250. Some of these mummified species are no longer found in Egypt.

For example, ancient Egyptians would have seen sacred ibises, long-legged wading birds with curved beaks, along the banks of the Nile every day. The birds were mummified in their millions as offerings to Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing. The birds are no longer in Egypt as climate change and the effects of desertification have made them move south to Ethiopia.

Another commonly mummified animal was the crocodile. Although crocodiles lived in the Nile during ancient times, the completion of the Aswan Dam in 1970 prevented them from moving northwards towards the delta in lower Egypt.

Crocodiles were associated with Sobek, Lord of the Nile and the god whose presence signaled the annual Nile flood which provided water and nutrient-rich silt to their agricultural land.

Crocodiles were mummified in huge numbers as offerings to Sobek. They were used as talismans throughout pharaonic Egypt to ward off evil, either by wearing crocodile skins as clothing, or by hanging a crocodile over the doors of homes.

Most crocodile mummies are of small animals, which suggests that the Egyptians had the means to hatch and keep the young alive until they were required. Archaeological evidence reinforces this theory, with the discovery of areas dedicated to the incubation of eggs and rearing of hatchlings. Some were pampered as cult animals and allowed to die a natural death.

As the crocodiles grew larger, the risk to crocodile keepers increased, suggesting perhaps that larger specimens were captured in the wild and hastily dispatched for mummification. Research on the mummified remains of larger animals has revealed evidence of skull trauma inflicted by humans probably as an attempt to immobilize and kill the animal.

What we found

The crocodile mummy in our study holds evidence to suggest how these animals might have been caught. The mummy is held in the collection of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, UK, and measures 2.23 meters long. In May 2016, the large crocodile mummy, which formed part of a wider study by a team of researchers I work with from the University of Manchester, was transported to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to undergo a series of radiographic studies.

Medical imaging techniques allow researchers to study ancient artifacts without destroying them, the way that studies of mummies once did.

X-rays and CT scans showed that the animal's digestive tract was filled with small stones known as "gastroliths." Crocodiles often swallow small stones to help them digest food and regulate buoyancy. The gastroliths suggest the embalmers did not carry out evisceration, the process of removing the internal organs to delay putrefaction.

Among the stones, the images also showed the presence of a metal fish hook and a fish.

The study suggests that large, mummified crocodiles were captured in the wild using hooks baited with fish. It adds weight to the account of Greek historian, Herodotus, who visited Egypt in the 5th century BC and wrote about pigs being beaten on the banks of the river to lure the crocodiles, which were caught on baited hooks placed in the Nile.

Unlike many aspects of life in ancient Egypt, little information was recorded relating to animal worship and mummification. Classical writers who traveled to the country remain some of our best sources of information.

Colleagues from the Birmingham School of Jewelry helped replicate the hook in bronze, the metal most likely to have been used to create the ancient original, for display alongside the crocodile mummy.

Modern technology is helping us to learn more and more about our ancient past. I can only imagine what secrets technology might help reveal in the future.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Rolfe Johnson and his wife, Carol Johnson, are shown at their home Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Houston. Rolfe was the first in Houston to receive Aduhelm, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Rolfe Johnson, who was the first in Houston to receive Aduhelm, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, is shown Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Carol Johnson and her husband, Rolfe Johnson, are shown at their home Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Houston. Rolfe was the first in Houston to receive Aduhelm, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer UTHealth neurologist Dr. Paul Schulz, left, talks with his patient Rolfe Johnson, who was receiving the first infusion of Aducanumab  an Alzheimer's drug recently approved by the FDA  in the state of Texas, on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Houston. Johnson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's five years ago. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Rolfe Johnson receives the first infusion of an Alzheimers drug recently approved by the FDA. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Rolfe Johnson receives the first infusion of Aducanumab  an Alzheimer's drug recently approved by the FDA  through UTHealth on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Houston. Johnson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's five years ago. This is the first infusion of the drug in the state of Texas. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Carol Johnson and her husband, Rolfe Johnson, are shown at their home Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Houston. Rolfe was the first in Houston to receive Aduhelm, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Rolfe Johnson and his wife, Carol Johnson, are shown at their home Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Houston. Rolfe was the first in Houston to receive Aduhelm, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Each month, Rolfe Johnson heads to the Texas Medical Center for a one-hour infusion of Aduhelm, a treatment he believes keeps his Alzehimers disease at bay.

As far as I can tell, its working, he said. I have not had any repercussions from it, no adverse incidents. Im quite happy with what Im taking.

Johnson, 85, was the first in Houston to receive Aduhelm. He has been following the regime since 2021.

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In June of that year, the drug was granted accelerated approval status by the Food and Drug Administration, the first treatment for Alzheimers to reach that status since 2003.

Aduhelm is the brand name, developed by Biogen, for aducanumab. The drug uses monoclonal antibodies to target amyloid plaque in the brain, which otherwise would disrupt and kill neurons, resulting in cognitive impairment.

Rolfes wife, Carol Johnson, said that his regular MRIs show that the amyloid plaque is no longer expanding.

For the most part, theres not a lot of change, she said. You can look at his MRI and tell he has Alzheimers. But you cant tell the difference between the most recent one and the one from five years ago.

And that means Rolfe has not lost function in a time period that would rob many of most.

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Theres nothing Ive had to give up, Rolfe said.

Were so blessed to still have a lifestyle that we love, Carol added.

In fact, as far as Rolfe is concerned, the treatment has offered even greater relief. I feel like Im going the other way, like Im improving, he said.

In the next couple of months, however, all of that could change.

Aduhelm was never granted full FDA approval, owing to some controversy with its trial and debate over its efficacy.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued concerns with side effects and announced in 2022 that it would restrict coverage to patients in randomized clinical trials.

Struggling with these challenges launching Aduhelm, Biogen announced on Jan. 31 that it would halt development and sale of the drug by November.

Rolfe only has a few more treatments to go.

Its not the first time the Johnsons, residents of Highland Village, have had to adjust their game plan in the 10 years since Rolfes initial diagnosis.

For instance, he tried plasma therapy for about a year and a half, until that study lost funding. He also underwent immunotherapy for three years, before Aduhelm became available.

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His infusions were only interrupted during a six-month period, due to an unrelated surgery.

It seemed to me that I could notice a little loss during that period, Carol said. I was glad when he could get back on it. It really seems to help.

Shes hopeful that the newly FDA-approved lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi, could be their next option.

Well have to look at whats the next thing down the pipe, Carol said. Were just kind of taking it one step at a time.

Slowing down Alzheimers

Rolfes progress has been closely monitored by Dr. Paul Schulz, neurologist at UTHealth Neurosciences and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. Schulz also serves as professor of neurology at UTHealth and director of the Memory Disorders and Dementia Clinic at McGovern Medical School.

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He has spent most of his career searching for ways to detect and treat dementia.

I started in college in the 70s with people with Parkinsons and their cognitive issues, he said.

Then, Schulz homed in on Alzheimers and dementia. When he graduated from medical school in 1984, there were few options available for treatment, despite researchers desperately searching for an answer.

In the past 40 years, weve had 800 trials, Schulz said. It was like nothing really worked. But we just kept trying.

Now, he is happy to announce that a lot has changed in the management of Alzheimers disease.

Its a whole new era, Schulz said. This is a really rewarding time now, after decades of hitting our heads against the wall.

He explained a series of discoveries have all added up to a major sea change. It started with the discovery by researchers in 1984 that a key component of Alzheimers was beta-amyloid buildup in the brain.

Two years later, another key finding determined that tangles, accumulations of the tau protein in neurons, are a second indicator of Alzheimer's disease and a main cause of nerve cell degeneration.

By the early 1990s, trials began to test the efficacy of actively immunizing against amyloid, Schulz said. While a majority of patients benefited from the treatment, a few were struck with encephalitis.

It ended up being like an autoimmune disease, Schulz said. And we couldnt turn off the immune systems response.

While immunization successfully removed amyloid from the brain, the risk was simply too great to ignore. We abandoned that approach for a while, Schulz said.

But over time, researchers began trying passive antibody treatment, using antibodies developed in the lab. This method allowed investigators to stop treatment if faced with negative side effects, and those would clear in a matter of weeks, in contrast to active immunization, which cannot be turned off.

It still took another 20 years to find the right combination of antibodies and infusion schedules, Schulz said.

The correct dosage also was ascertained  and finally, aducanumab emerged.

For the first time, we got a lot of people doing a lot better, Schulz said. But it never got full FDA approval.

In addition to Rolfe, Schulz treated a handful of patients with the drug, in hopes that a green light would be granted in the future.

Schulz is not deterred by the news that Aduhelm will be discontinued. He explained that even though the drug was challenged, the method of treatment showed promise, allowing the development of similar medications.

In July 2023, Leqembi was granted full approval by the FDA, and the CMS announced that Medicare Part D would cover the treatment.

In November, we started giving the drug at UTHealth, Schulz said.

Already 70 patients are receiving infusions, with another 100 in the queue. Its the first time we really have something slowing Alzheimers, Schulz said.

On July 2, another drug was also fully approved by the FDA  donanemab, sold under the brand name Kisunla, offered by Eli Lilly and Co. CMS is now deciding whether to cover the treatment through Medicaid, which Schulz hopes will happen soon.

The two newer medications offer benefits similar to Aduhelm, Schulz said. Risks can also be mitigated by closely monitoring patients through MRIs, which begin after the fourth treatment.

Three-fourths of the time, we can see the brain swelling before there are any symptoms, Schulz said. Weve learned to screen intensively and early. If we start seeing a problem, we can stop the infusions altogether until its safe to start again.

Before beginning treatment, he spends time explaining the potential side effects.

I will go through all of that in great detail, Schulz said. But not one patient has decided to not try the drug. A lot of them have Alzheimers in their families. They know what it looks like. They know how awful it will be.

Not cured yet

About 6.9 million Americans are living with Alzheimers, which progressively robs patients of their memories, abilities and ultimately, their life. Worldwide, the number soars to 55 million.

According to the Alzheimers Association, the disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the fifth highest among the elderly. The average patient lives four to eight years after diagnosis.

Its the worst disease there is, Schulz said. You watch your loved ones  and in my case, patients  disappear a few brain cells at a time.

His years in practice have not numbed him. Its still heartbreaking every time.

Theres nothing worse than watching a spouse lose a loved one, or watching a patient lose their dignity, Schulz said. Its just awful, everything about it.

But with the development of Aduhelm and the approval of its successors  Leqembi and Kisunla  Schulz has hope.

He explained that studies are showing patients have a 27% slowing of the progression of their disease with Leqembi  and that in patients with earlier diagnosis, the number jumps up to 60%.

It slows down by more than half, he said.

Research has even begun in the presymptomatic population.

At UTHealth Houston, 22 individuals have enrolled in a study testing donanemab and Leqembi with individuals who have amyloid deposition in the brain but are not yet presenting with symptoms.

Investigators are testing whether the medications can lead to reduced risk, delayed onset or if we are very fortunate, someday preventing Alzheimers disease, Schulz said.

He is also enthusiastic about studies focusing on removing the tau protein, which has a more direct, localized ties to Alzheimers symptoms.

Patients who initially had less total tau protein seem to have shown improvement on Leqembi or Kisunla, which suggests possible reversibility.

And that motivates us to find people with symptoms even earlier, Schulz said.

Research is pushing forward to explore all avenues for treatment of Alzheimers.

We havent cured it yet, Schulz said. Were doing all kinds of studies at UT and in the community. Were all still looking.

Ongoing studies are suggesting anti-inflammatory drugs may be effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Other research is looking at possible ways to mitigate risk factors.

For instance, in 2022, UTHealth Houston announced results from a study showing individuals who received at least one influenza vaccine were 40% less likely than their non-vaccinated peers to develop Alzheimers disease.

Schulz thinks that in the future, treatments might be used in concert, in an approach similar to those now used against cancer. Rolfe Johnson, for example, could have benefited from trying multiple medications.

Regardless of the method of treatment of Alzheimers, early detection is key to managing the disease, Schulz said.

Everything weve found so far only works early  and the earlier the better, Schulz said. So if youre not sure, get checked out.

Empowering and uplifting

Richard Elbein, CEO of the Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, has been following the development of new treatments.

What Ive heard from clinical teams in Houston is really terrific enthusiasm, he said.

Elbein added that the medical breakthroughs have been encouraging to researchers and companies, as well as patients and their families.

Before pharmaceutical companies were getting out of the business of Alzheimers, because they just thought it was hopeless, he said. This has brought pharma back into the field.

He is equally enthusiastic about the Alzheimers Associations recent work with the National Institute on Aging to publish Revised Criteria for Diagnosis and Staging of Alzheimer's Disease.

The report, which was released on June 27, considers the latest scientific advancements to improve accuracy for detecting the disease.

In the past, Elbein explained, symptoms were used as the primary criteria, as opposed to biological markers.

This will allow for earlier diagnosis, instead of waiting until someone is manifesting symptoms, he said.

Elbein added that breakthroughs in diagnosis are in the works, including blood tests for the disease. That would be another game changer, he said.

More than 400,000 Texans are living with Alzheimers disease, which translates to more than a million family members and friends providing care.

The Alzheimers Association offers a community resource finder online and a helpline over the phone, as well as local support groups to fit Houstons diverse population, including LGBTQ, Spanish speakers, African Americans and widowers.
Gary Clark is the weekly nature columnist for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. He also publishes feature articles in state and national magazines and has written four books: "Texas Wildlife Portfolio," "Texas Gulf Coast Impressions," "Backroads of the Texas Hill Country" and "Enjoying Big Bend National Park." Gary is also a contributing author in the book, "Pride of Place: A Contemporary Anthology of Texas Nature Writing."

He has won eight Lone Star College writing awards and is the recipient of the Houston Audubon Society 2004 Excellence in Media Award and the Citizens' Environmental Coalition 2010 Synergy Media Award for Environmental Reporting.

Gary is professor of business and developmental studies at Lone Star College--North Harris. In 32 years at the college, Gary has served as vice president of instruction; dean of Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences; associate dean of Natural Sciences; professor of marketing; professor of developmental writing; and Faculty Senate president. He is a recipient of the Teacher Excellence Award.

Gary has been active in the birding community for more than 30 years. He founded the Piney Woods Wildlife Society in 1982 and the Texas Coast Rare Bird Alert in 1983. He served as president of the Houston Audubon Society 1989-1991 and purchased the North American Rare Bird Alert for Houston Audubon in 1990. He was vice president of the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory 2001-2008. He currently sits on the Board of Advisors for the Houston Audubon Society and Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. He is also a member of the American Mensa Society.
Darsha Dodge, an award-winning journalist and a familiar face across western South Dakota from her days as a television reporter and anchor, has been named interim editor of the Rapid City Journal.

Dodge, who has served as the Journals city editor since March 2023, will lead the Rapid City newsroom during a national search for an executive editor. In addition to her work as an editor and reporter, Dodge volunteers on the Pennington County Search and Rescue Team, which provides emergency assistance to the Rapid City community and its visitors.

Darsha is committed to Rapid City, to quality journalism that uniquely matters to readers, and to making a difference in her community, said Steve Kiggins, local news director for Lee Enterprises, the Journals parent company. Shes going to play a critical role in the future of our service to readers, and were excited to identify and attract a strong, seasoned editor to partner with Darsha to lead our reporting team.

In the 2023 South Dakota NewsMedia Association contest, Dodge won six awards  including first-place honors for coverage of the 2023 school board elections, feature writing for a profile on Mount Everest-climbing local surgeon Jacob Weasel, and for breaking news photography from the Block 5 tower incident.

Dodge joined the Journal as a news reporter in November 2022 following two years at NewsCenter1, where she worked first as a multimedia journalist and later as a weekend anchor. She is a 2018 graduate of the University of Arkansas.

Dodge can be reached at 605-646-5703 or ddodge@rapidcityjournal.com.
This story is co-published by the Rapid City Journal and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the South Dakota area.

Amelia Schafer is the Indigenous Affairs reporter for ICT and the Rapid City Journal. She is of Wampanoag and Montauk-Brothertown Indian Nation descent. She is based in Rapid City. You can contact her at aschafer@rapidcityjournal.com.
King and Queen County, in the quiet Tidewater countryside some 40 miles northeast of Richmond, has a population of barely 6,700. It is the longest county in Virginia, stretching 45 miles along the Mattaponi River. Farm fields, ancient trees and creeks are its defining features.

Another King and Queen landmark: the countys single stoplight  at St. Stephens Church, on U.S. 360.

But theres one thing the county doesnt have: a drugstore.

King and Queen is among 19 Virginia counties, all of them rural, that have one pharmacy or none at all, according to state and industry records. Its an often-overlooked measure of the continuing health care gap here that was narrowed four years ago when Republican legislators dropped their resistance to a Democratic article of faith: expanding Medicaid to bring thousands of uninsured Virginians under Obamacare.

For King and Queen residents Tim and Beth Hayes  hes a retired lawyer; shes a former state employee  getting their prescriptions requires driving to a national chain drugstore or a big-box store with a pharmacy, either 35 miles south to Mechanicsville, in Hanover County, a Richmond suburb, or 20 miles northwest to Tappahannock, in rural Essex County, along the Rappahannock River.

The 70-something couple, whose scrips are for controlling cholesterol and blood pressure, are mobile. Its not hard at all for us to get to the pharmacy, said Tim Hayes. I cant say its a huge hardship for us.

But it can be for those who havent transportation; for whom travel is difficult because of illness, or because they havent access to  or success with  online and mail-order operations that took off during the coronavirus pandemic and aim to fill the void created by the shuttering of nearby bricks-and-mortar pharmacies.

Its an access-to-care issue  totally, said Chris Jones of Suffolk, a Republican former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee who, until he sold his business nearly five years ago, operated what, because of punishing economics tied to rising costs and shrinking insurance payments, is fast becoming a rarity in Virginia: an independent pharmacy, often owned by a friend or neighbor rather than the giant corporations that now dominate the field.

But some of the biggest players are facing big problems, forcing them to close stores. The Philadelphia-based Rite-Aid pharmacy chain, in bankruptcy since October, is closing 24 stores in Virginia. These stores, including three in the Richmond area, are among nearly 700 across the country that Rite-Aid said will go dark as it digs out from debt, under the protection of a federal court.

The closings are creating so-called pharmacy deserts,

under-served or un-served communities sometimes already isolated by a dearth of public transportation and grocery stores. Pockets of pharmacy-less communities are visible in cities  one of the closed Rite-Aid stores is in Richmonds gentrifying Manchester section  but they are especially high-profile in rural areas, where often locally owned, independent drugstores have long been the rule.

Leonard Edloe, a retired pharmacist, professor and unsuccessful Democratic legislative candidate who has owned, fully or partly, independent pharmacies in Richmonds Jackson Ward, South Side and East End, areas with large Black populations, said of the lot currently faced by unaffiliated, mom-and-pop drugstores: Its just bad.

Edloe and independent pharmacists, including Del. Keith Hodges, R-Middlesex, one of two in the General Assembly, largely blame middlemen for the bottom-line problems besetting the little guys; specifically, pharmacy-benefit managers  or PBMs  that handle prescription transactions for insurance companies and employers as well as negotiate, on behalf of those firms, discounts with drug manufacturers.

Because many of the PBMs are often affiliated with huge firms with large, price-reducing footprints in the prescription market, the rates at which pharmacists are compensated can  particularly for those operating independent community outlets  be so low that, they say, they cant cover their rising costs. This is forcing some to sell, giving up businesses theyd built over years.

Thats why I got out, said Hodges, now a freelance pharmacist who, from 1991 until 2021, owned and operated pharmacies in West Point and Gloucester. The cost of business was through the roof.

According to the National Community Pharmacists Association, a trade and lobbying organization for independent drugstores, more than 100 of the indies have closed in Virginia between December 2014 and June 2024, dropping from 394 to 274. The association noted declines, too, for chain pharmacies and those operated by supermarkets and retailers, though they were slight compared with those for community drugstores.

Doug Gray of the Virginia Association of Health Plans, which keeps an eye on the legislature for the PBMs  several of which are under federal investigation because of pricing practices  said that size indeed matters in controlling costs, including payments to pharmacists. The independent pharmacies cant match their sprawling competitors because they lag far behind in volume. Another problem for the small outfits: Theyre in small communities.

This is not particularly new, Gray said. It is not surprising that a small locality could not support a pharmacy. The population doesnt exist to support it.

In addition to King and Queen, the Virginia counties with no pharmacies are Rappahannock, Surry, King William and Charles City. Those with one pharmacy are Dinwiddie, Charlotte, Buckingham, Cumberland, Madison, Highland, Bath and Craig. The counties with one chain-owned pharmacy are Grayson, Patrick, Brunswick, Page, Northumberland and Richmond.

Nearly all of these localities strongly favor the Republican Party, historically committed to robust economic competition, low taxation and even lower tolerance for government meddling in the markets. However, the difficulties facing community pharmacies once numerous in the countryside have Republican politicians advancing in Richmond ideas that may seem, well, un-Republican.

Democrats are not blind to the problem. Though they, for the most part, represent cities and suburbs where pharmacies  many of them operated by national chains  are abundant, emerging gaps, such as those seen in transitional, heavily minority areas such as Richmonds Manchester section, are getting Democrats attention, too.

In the 2024 General Assembly, proponents renewed their push for language, this time in the two-year, $188 billion state budget, that, through the Medicaid agency  its responsible for financing health care for the poor  Virginia would create a PBM that, conceivably, could negotiate lower drug prices while ensuring higher payments to pharmacists.

Written by a suburban Democrat and a rural Republican, the measure  opposed by Grays organization  went nowhere. It was largely modeled on proposals adopted in two neighboring, heavily Republican states, West Virginia and Kentucky, where community drugstores  so often sources of products and services beyond those pharmaceutical and medicinal  have also struggled.

For Chris Jones, now watching the debate from the Hampton Roads city he represented in the House of Delegates for 22 years until his defeat in 2019, its not just about keeping business alive. Its about looking after people who may need  right away  the prescription that keeps them out of the hospital.

Youre not going to get the same level of service when youve got to drive over to the next county, he said. It has a human impact. ... And in this day and time, its mind-boggling to think there are counties that do not have a retail pharmacy presence.
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George Mason Universitys diversity, equity and inclusion web page celebrates a school where at least 80 languages are spoken by a student body representing more than 130 countries. Students of color make up 40% of its enrollment.

The Fairfax school boasts the most diverse campus in Virginia. But Gov. Glenn Youngkin has board of visitors members  a sizable chunk of them affiliated with The Heritage Foundation  who view diversity as a curse rather than a blessing.

A recent piece in the Chronicle of Higher Education describes this Heritage Foundation takeover on the GMU board, which sounds similar to what Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis executed at the formerly progressive New College of Florida.

Eradicating diversity, equity, and inclusion is the primary force driving conversations about who should lead the board, according to several people with knowledge of the discussions, reads the article, whose headline asks: Could George Mason U. Be Republicans Test Case for Project 2025?

Youd be advised to peep at that GMU DEI page while you can. Recall how Virginias DEI Office underwent a name change soon after Youngkin took office, with equity being swapped out for opportunity.

Theres something about equity  defined as fairness and justice  that drives these folks nuts. Go figure.

Mason, with 40,000 students, is the largest university in Virginia. A remake of this institution is a much heavier lift than at New College of Florida, which has fewer than 1,000 students. But right-leaning ideology has already established a toehold at Mason, whose law school is named for former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and whose economics department donors include libertarian billionaire Charles Koch.

The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 was viewed as a blueprint for a Donald Trump return to the White House  at least 140 people who worked in the Trump administration contributed, according to CNN  before its disastrous public reception led to this weeks resignation of its director, Paul Dans, and compelled Trump to distance himself, unconvincingly, from the project.

Youngkins appointments at Mason, and his recent appointment of Meg Bryce to the state Board of Education, continues his race-based attack on education, which began with his first official act, an executive order banning the teaching of inherently divisive concepts (read: lessons about systemic racism) in the classroom. This whitewashing campaign has resulted in the demise of diversity-themed coursework at Mason and a racial literacy requirement at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Bryce is a daughter of Scalia. Last November, she lost a bid for a seat on the Albemarle County School Board by 62% to 37%, but not before arguing that the existence of systemic racism should be up for debate.

When we talk about systemic racism, I think that there needs to be an openness about, you know, not everybody agrees that there is systemic racism. And it has to be OK for people to disagree about that, she said during a virtual forum hosted by the Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP, as reported by The Daily Progress newspaper in Charlottesville.

It has to be OK for some people to be able to say, Well, I do recognize that racism exists and there are racist people in the system. I dont agree that there is systemic racism, she continued. And I dont think somebody should be shamed into silence for expressing that.

Youngkins press secretary, Christian Martinez, noted in an email Tuesday that Bryce earned her Ph.D. and masters in cognitive psychology from the prestigious University of Virginia.

In light of the Commonwealths youth mental health crisis, the push for cell-phone-free education, the need for fentanyl awareness, and the ongoing social and emotional developmental delays affecting early childhood and K-12 students due to extended school closures and pandemic-related measures, having an expert in psychology with teaching experience on the Board is an invaluable asset for addressing these critical challenges in our public schools, he said.

Thats all well and good. But earning doctorates and masters degrees from one of the finer universities in America does not give one license to ignore or reinvent history.

To argue that U.S. racism is entirely due to individuals, at the exclusion of institutions and systems, is anti-intellectual, at odds with documented history and empirical data. I spelled out in a previous column how systemic racism is readily evident in our nations history of enslavement, Jim Crow, and discrimination in voting, lending, housing, employment, education, criminal justice and health care.

A person who would argue otherwise is either racist, close-minded or engaging in ideological pandering for political gain. They should have no role in guiding public education policy.

To further argue that a nation designed for white male hegemony should feel no imperative to address and remediate that history defies common sense, unless the goal is maintaining power and privilege.

As for George Mason, one of Youngkins appointees, Lindsey Burke, wrote the Project 2025 chapter on how to dismantle the federal Department of Education, strip billions of dollars from public schools and seriously undermine civil rights oversight and enforcement, says Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, a professor of educational leadership at VCU.

The Chronicle article cites five other Youngkin appointees with past or present connections to The Heritage Foundation, including Nina Rees, its former senior education policy analyst and spokesperson; Charles Stimson, a senior adviser to the president; and Kenneth Marcus, a former assistant secretary for civil rights in the Education Department under Trump who three years ago signed onto Heritages call to end critical race theory influence in schools.

Martinez defended the governors appointments.

The members appointed by Governor Youngkin to the Board of Visitors at George Mason are exceptionally qualified. Any suggestion to the contrary only fuels unfounded conspiracy theories and distracts from the real issues facing our students, he said. Instead, critics should focus their scrutiny elsewhere.

The media is not the conspiracy theorist here.

The conspiracies are being spun by the folks who fashion sinister narratives surrounding critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion to stoke white-voter grievance.

The media didnt write the material of Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts when he said: We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.

The mainstream media did not elevate philanthropist George Soros into an all-purpose bogeyman who pulls the levers of a vast global plot. Nor did we create the racist birther conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the U.S.

Youngkin has consistently attempted to burnish his national brand by attacking state institutions. But Mason, which surpassed the 40,000-student mark last August  a record for a Virginia college  has grown even as college enrollments have trended downward. You dont attract that many students unless youre selling a product people want or need.

Diversity  at Mason and in our nation  is a strength, not a weakness. We dismantle it at our peril.

PHOTOS: George Floyd Hologram Memorial Project launched in Richmond
Cancun officer found dead among four shot on highway involved in human trafficking

Cancun, Q.R.  A policeman with a history for bribery was one of the bodies found executed along a stretch of Cancun highway Thursday. In a press conference Friday, authorities said the now-deceased officer had criminal ties with local human trafficking groups.

Luis Rodriguez Bucio, the Undersecretary of Federal Public Security (SSPC) of Mexico, who headed the press conference, said the officer, 28-year-old Andrei Argenis Pech, alias Tecate, was one of the bodies found a few meters from a vehicle and 10 spent 9-millimeter shells.

He reported that Argenis Pech, who was assigned to sector three of the municipality of Benito Juarez, was on medical leave due to a dislocated left shoulder at the time of his murder.

Rodriguez Bucio said that the now-deceased officer had in the past been accused of accepting bribes in exchange for allowing brothels to operate around Cancun. With the accusations, he was removed from the municipalitys Immediate Reaction Group.

During the Friday press conference, Rodriguez Bucio reported that on July 31, all four men had been abducted for what is believed to have been in retaliation for three FGE property searches in sector three where weapons and drugs were seized.

The official said that another line of FGE investigation indicates that those executed could be involved in providing protection to migrant traffickers from the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto to Cancun.

Images: SSPC August 2, 2024.

Rodriguez Bucio confirmed that when they arrived at the murder scene Thursday, there was a male found handling the bodies. He was arrested. He has been identified as 26-year-old Christian David Cortes Ramos, a former member of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) of Benito Juarez (Cancun).

He was found at the scene claiming to be a friend of one of the decease men identified as 23-year-old Carlos Emanuel Garcia Lopez, alias El Toro, whose body he was found handling.

During their search, police also located a 15-year-old male who was taken into custody. Both were transferred to the Public Prosecutors Office. Rodriguez Bucio did not say if either of the arrested are being treated as suspects in the murder of the four men.
Texas A&M administration building on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in College Station. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer Hon. Richard A. Smith '59 Hon. Richard A. Smith 59. After graduating from Texas A&M and serving in the U.S. Air Force, Richard A. Smith 59 began a real estate company that became the seventh largest in the country with 75 offices in six states, employing 2,200 agents. The former mayor of Bryan served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives Texas AM/Submitted photo James A. Creel '69 James A. Creel 69 has been board certified in tax law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for over 40 years and has practiced in this legal area for over 50 years. He has also been a CPA in Texas for over 50 years. Texas AM/Submitted photo Russel Kent Moore 72. As a junior at Texas A&M, Kent Moore 72 founded a cabinetry business that bears his name. Today, his company employs 700 people across two manufacturing plants in Bryan and 11 design centers in Texas with annual sales of $144 million, which represents 45 houses per day. Submitted photo John A. Adams, Jr. '73 John A. Adams, Jr. 73, Ph.D. Earning three degrees in history at Texas A&M, John A. Adams, Jr. 73, Ph.D. authored numerous historical books, including eight about the university. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force. An honors graduate of Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU, he started a banking career in Laredo, and became president and CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc. Texas AM/Submitted photo T.C. Chet Edwards 74. In his 20 years in Congress, Chet Edwards 74 championed causes for veterans and Texas A&M. His focus was on improving the quality of life and education for veterans and their families. He got increased funding for the Veterans Administration and a public-private housing program, and worked to create childcare centers, barracks and military hospitals. TexaS AM/Submitted photo Thomas B. Britt Harris IV 80 has been the chief investment officer for top five investment funds, was president, CEO and CIO at The University of Texas/Texas A&M University Investment Management Company and founded the Titans of Investment program at Texas A&M, Baylor University and the University of Texas. TEXAS AM/Submitted photo Phil Miner '80 Phil Miner 80, in 1994 with just four employees, launched The Miner Corporation  a leading national provider of mission-critical services for material handling equipment. It was recognized by the Aggie 100 16 times. Phil is the founder of SideKick Operators, a strategic firm that transforms local service providers to have national brand reputations. Phils portfolio of companies employs more than 10,000 people serving over 300 of the Fortune 500. Texas AM/Submitted photo Bradley R. Freels '81 Bradley R. Freels 81, who has his BBA and MBA from Texas A&M, is chairman and CEO of Midway Holdings and executive chairman of Parkway. His company developed Aggie Park and Century Square in College Station. Brad and his wife, Claudia Curran 82, have three Aggie children, Clayton 12, Kevin 14 and Carly 17, all of whom married Aggies. Submitted photo Jeffery D. Hildebrand '81 Jeffery D. Hildebrand 81 is a former student-athlete at Texas A&M and a University of Texas graduate who has made significant contributions to Texas A&M in honor of his father, Dr. Thomas Hildebrand 56. He is the executive chairman and founder of Hilcorp Energy Co., Harvest Midstream Co. and JDH Capital. Texas AM/Submitted photo David D. Dunlap '83 David D. Dunlap 83 is president of Crystal Beach Oil & Gas. He is on the board of directors for Wellbore Integrity Solutions, Quantum Energy Technologies and Prime Solution Services. He was formerly the president, CEO and director of Superior Energy Services, a director for Linn Energy, and a member of the National Petroleum Council. Texas AM/Submitted photo Wayne Roberts '85 Wayne Roberts 85. Unwavering support of Texas A&M by Wayne Roberts 85 includes lead donations for Aggie Park (in honor of his late wife, Shannon 86), the Wayne Roberts 85 Business Building, the mens basketball player development center, naming Gary Blair Court at Reed Arena and the Bright-Slocum Football Complex. Texas AM/Submitted photo Dr. James G. 'Greg' Bonnen '88 Dr. James G. Greg Bonnen 88 founded the Texas Brain and Spine Center and co-founded the Houston Physicians Hospital. He serves as president of the board of directors for the Medical Strategic Network, a faith-based coalition of health care professionals. Since 2013, Greg has served in the Texas Legislature. Texas AM/Submitted photo Aggie ring. Photo credit Darrin Hill/ Texas A&M Association of Former Students. HOUCHRON CAPTION (04/25/2005) SECSTAR COLORFRONT: SYMBOLISM OF THE RING The ring worn by Texas A&M graduates symbolizes their college years, students say. Here's what some of the symbols represent: Shield: Sitting on top of the ring, this represents a desire to protect the school. Stripes: On the shield stand, these stripes represent the nation's 13 original states. Stars: These represent the five stages of an Aggie's development - intellect; body; spiritual attainment; emotional poise; integrity of character. Darrin Hill/Texas A&M Association of Former

Texas A&M Universitys Association of Former Students is asking the public to nominate more people for its distinguished alumni award, which drew criticism last week when a College Station news outlet posted a photo roundup of the most recent honorees  all of them older, white men.

The flagship and its alumni association changed the awards nomination procedures earlier this spring, noting some past selection committee members concerns that their candidate pools had not been large or broad enough to be representative, said Scot Walker, vice president of communications with the alumni group.

The 2024 recipients had already been selected when the process was simplified to encourage greater numbers of nominations in future cycles, Walker said. But the distinguished alumni were recognized with a blog post from the association in June, leading some on social media to call out a lack of racial diversity among the class.

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TEXAS A&M SYSTEM: Chancellor John Sharp to retire in June 2025

We absolutely recognize the need to have a more robust pool of nominations for the committee to select from, and we need Aggies and the Aggie network to make those nominations, Walker said.

Being named a distinguished alumnus is considered the highest honor from the Association of Former Students: Only 342 people have received the award out of 600,000 past students in the Aggie family.

While social media users also congratulated those on this years roster, many people pointed out the optics and even made a connection to the state's ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in higher education. The prohibition has pushed public colleges and universities to find ways to increase representation without the help of initiatives that explicitly state that as their aim.

Thats about white, one X user said in response to a KBTX post showing the honorees.

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The university and alumni association close their nomination process for the 2025 class of distinguished alumni on Aug. 30. The selection committee, which has members nominated by the associations board chair and the president of the university, can only choose from those officially nominated, Walker said.

The award has been around since 1962 and recognizes former students who reflect the universitys core values. They also must show distinction in their professional or military careers and display service to society or loyalty to Texas A&M through personal participation or contributions.

After the current class was chosen, the associations board of directors eliminated several lengthy submission requirements that had made the nomination process cumbersome. The group also formed a committee to spread the word and drum up more nominations, Walker said.

There are 600,000 former students, and they represent every sprectum of society. There is no typical Aggie, he said. The pool of nominees for our highest honor should reflect that.

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The 2024 class includes Aggies known for founding companies that employ hundreds of Texans, promoting causes that help military veterans and spurring capital improvements through donations to the university. The association coordinates surprise reveals of the awards, and several of the honorees became visibly emotional when receiving the distinction, according to videos shared by the organization.

Its important to have the context that they werent selected as a group of twelve, Walker said. Each of them more than exemplifies the achievements and the selfless service and the loyalty that the distinguished alumnus award seeks to recognize Each of them very much deserves this award, without doubt.

Texas A&M is one of several public universities whose enrollment differs from the states racial demographics. In 2023, 50% of students were white, 23% were Hispanic, 11% were Asian, 8% were international and 3.4% were Black.

One of the distinguished alumni graduated before women and people of color were admitted into Texas A&M for the first time, in 1963.

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Here are the distinguished alumni:
Fed up Chiquila residents hold CFE personnel, truck

Chiquila, Q.R.  A group of angry Chiquila residents held CFE workers Friday after failed attempts to resolve ongoing blackouts. The two Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) workers were not allowed to leave until a resolution was in place.

The group demanded that the state-owned company normalize the power service, which has failed on several occasions in recent days. Residents said their tactic was a pressure measure to get the company to resolve the issue.

The incident happened when the two CFE workers arrived at the Port of Chiquila to check on connections. While there, they were briefly detained by the angry residents who said they had experienced blackouts all week.

Chiquila Mayor Joel Pino Alvarez said that they have been suffering from poor service for a week, in particular, at night. The nighttime outages have left residents frustrated due to the high temperatures.

The two CFE workers were held for about three hours then released, but without their company vehicle, which is still in the communitys possession.

Residents said that the vehicle will remain impounded until the CFE guarantees stable service in the area.
First shipment of soon-to-be mandatory state issued reflective motorcycle vests arrive

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  UPDATED: The first shipment of what will be mandatory reflective vests for motorcyclists have arrived in Quintana Roo. The new vests, which will be supplied by the state free of charge, will be stamped with the motorcycles license plate number.

The reflective vests will be provided by the state and stamped with the license plate number of the motorcycle.

A safety certified helmet, which will also be mandatory, will also bear the same license plate sticker for both driver and passenger. The new mandatory rules are derived from a recently approved reform to the states Mobility Law.

Jose de la Pena Ruiz de Chavez, Coordinator of the Governors Office, reported that the state will spend around 42.1 million pesos on the new state-issued vests.

The reformed decree, which was published in the states official periodico July 24, will come into effect September 22, 2024. Since its publication, motorcyclists around the state have protested what has been called the Vest Law.

The states Mobility Law was reformed since, according to authorities, approximately 80 percent of Quintana Roo crime is committed using a motorcycle. Ruiz de Chavez says that with the use of stamped vests and helmets, motorcycle crimes, including theft, will be reduced.

The first shipment is currently being stored at Sefiplan in Chetumal. Photo: August 1, 2024.

The first shipment of reflective vests are currently at the offices of the Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sefiplan) in Chetumal.

UPDATE: (August 13, 2024) There are now reports that the vests will be provided by the state for the remainder of this year then be for purchase as a kit starting the New Year. The kit, which will be sold to motorcyclists by Imoveqroo (Instituto de Movilidad del estado de Quintana Roo), will include a helmet, a reflective vest and the license plate stickers for both pieces. The kit will cost around 2,000 pesos.

There is no information on possible costs for those who already have a vest and/or helmet and need only stickers. The state has also not yet provided an official definition of the type of motorcycles (scooters, all terrain vehicles) that will be included in the new law.
Fiji  the very name evoked in my mind that mid-century notion of a paradise both pristine and remote. In truth, Fiji has long ceased to be particularly inaccessible. Commercial tourism began in the 1960s, and over half a million tourists were arriving in Fiji every year by the turn of the millennium. I had come here to see how responsible, community-centred, ecological tourism could offer a powerful case for nature.

The journey on a rickety propeller plane to the eastern island of Taveuni showed us some of Fijis natural riches from the air, but I was looking forward to exploring the underwater life around this South Pacific archipelago  the reefs and marine life that made it one of the worlds top destinations for divers and marine conservationists. Our port of call at the end of that first flight was Viani Bay, tucked away on the eastern spur of Fijis second island, Vanua Levu. There are no roads in or out of the horseshoe bay; all of its roughly 100 residents trek over the surrounding hills on foot or motor in and out by boat. We chose the latter, skipping over the waves from the airstrip on nearby Taveuni island at first light, a flood of moonlight giving way to vermilion, orange, and sapphire-blue skies in quick succession.

I suspected the long journey would be worth it. Viani, after all, is perfectly situated for divers looking to access Fijisfamed Rainbow Reef, first mapped by Jacques Cousteau and one of the worlds prime examples of the soft-coral ecosystem. In normal times, the reef would be teeming not just with fish, but with visitors from around the globe. But in the early days of Fijis tentative post-pandemic reopening, we virtually had this bucket-list dive site to ourselves. The resort I was visiting in Viani Bay, a small, three-bungalow operation called Dive Academy Fiji, is the brainchild of Marina Walser and Jone Waitaiti, business partners who met on Germanys frigid (and, in my mind, utterly inexplicable) scuba-diving circuit. Marina, tired of a long career in the corporate world, had wanted a change of scenery that involved better weather and diving; Jone had yearned to return to his native Fiji. The journey from dream to reality was a long one.

Taveuni diving by Johnny Africa (Johnny Africa | Unsplash)

Camping on the beach for nearly a year, they worked with local tradespeople to build wooden bungalows in the traditional Fijian bure style. Slowly winning the community's trust, they developed a successful, sustainable dive operation that lasted three years. Then the pandemic hit, and Fiji shut down, forcing them to survive by hosting local visitors and the occasional yacht. During the lockdown period, many of Fijis 100,000-plus tourism workers returned to their villages, making ends meet through farming, fishing, and government relief. While many workers in the rest of the world moved online to do business, many Fijians returned to their roots. Ecotourism operators and their conservation efforts had to survive on public funding and the hope that visitors would eventually return.

Life was simple in Viani, dictated by the rhythms of the sun and sea. Each morning, we rose early, and the guides pored over tide charts to pick out the days sites. This patient approach yielded fabulous results: plunging in just as a nutrient-rich current roared to life after two days of quieter seas, we saw the Great White Wall of soft coral in full bloom and swam through eerie forests of sea fans. With firm limits on artificial lighting to avoid disturbing the islands fauna, wed retreat to our cabins by sunset, to be in bed by nine and up at sunrise, ready to dive again.

Dive Academy Fiji, Viani Bay, off Taveuni (Dive Academy Fiji)

Conservation-minded operators such as Marina and Jone had persuaded locals to cut back on fishing, enticed by the promise of well-paid resort jobs for the community. They had worked with the authorities to establish a coral nursery to replant nearby reefs. Divers were encouraged to visit the site and assist with the replanting. Was all the expense and effort worth it? Looking at all the locals whom we have trained to become divers and the excitement of every local we take to the reef, we can strongly say it does, Marina told me. And the guests turn into ocean ambassadors, too.

Viani Bay offers a distinctly pragmatic example that proves nature can be worth more alive than dead. It is a work in progress, but inviting sustainable numbers of visitors in to experience these places seemed a great deal better for people and the planet than the unchecked destruction that is too often the default  to say nothing of the threats from overfishing and rising seas that can only be weathered if these places can create resilient local economies to pay for adaptation.

READ THE BOOK

Siddarth Shrikanth is an expert in green investing, and his book The Case for Nature (Duckworth Books) explains why protecting nature is not only the right thing to do but also in the planet's economic interests. With stories from Kenya, Fiji, India, Colombia, the UK, and the US, he shares the tools to understand how we can work with, not against, nature.
Challenger Memorial Center Robert Sakowitz and Lorna Onizuka, widow of Challenger astronaut Ellison Onizuka, exhibit a poster for the proposed Challenger Center, a space educational facility. The Sakowitz department store on NASA Road 1 is donating 10 percent of Sunday's proceeds to the center Other Houston-area retailers are considering similar donations. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle

Lorna Onizuka, founding family member of the Challenger Center and leader in the space exploration field, died July 27 at the age of 75.

The Challenger Center praised her "unwavering dedication and tireless efforts" within the nonprofit. She helped shape the mission and vision of the Challenger Center for 38 years, according to the statement.

"Were so very sad to lose our friend Lorna. She will be missed dearly. She had a marvelous sense of humor and possessed the rare gift of bringing light and levity to tense and sad situationsa quality we often needed, particularly during the early years of Challenger Center," said June Scobee Rodgers, founding chair.

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Lorna Onizuka, Widow of astronaut. June Scobee, left, Lorna Onizuka and Jane Smith are rebuilding their lives, putting time between themselves and the space shuttle Challenger disaster two years ago. Kevin Moran/Houston Chronicle

AFTER BEING GROUNDED: SpaceX Falcon 9 returns to flight, launches Starlink satellite missions

Lorna Onizuka was the wife of astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who died when the space shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after lift-off in 1986.

"Across the agency, we mourn the passing of Lorna Onizuka, a fierce advocate for space exploration," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. "Following the tragic loss of her husband, NASA astronaut Ellison Onizuka, Lorna dedicated her life to upholding his memory. As a consultant with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency supporting the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel, Lorna was also a formidable professional and colleague at NASAs Johnson Space Center."

Their daughter Janelle Onizuka, who attended school at Clear Creek Independent School District, said her mother passed just seven days after her 75th birthday.

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Lorna Onizuka "persevered through countless trials and tribulations" but would "plow through these emotional minefields with elegance and grace," her daughter wrote. She would continue to raise her children while balancing work life.

"The portrait of true leadership and understanding constantly displayed. The leader of a family, the leader of coworkers and the leader among peers," she said.

Lorna Onizuka served as a consultant to the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency. She was also one of the many who witnessed the opening of Clear Creek ISD Challenger Columbia Stadium which was funded by the Bond 2013 Program. On the stadium and field house were the Challenger and Columbia crews woven into the constructs.

She was present at the "Bring the Shuttle Home Rally" on April 6, 2011, in Houston. NASA announced the future homes for the retiring space shuttle orbiters.

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Harris County Judge Ed Emmett (right) shakes hands with Evelyn Husband Thompson (center), widow of Colombia Shuttle Commander Rick Husband, Lorna Onizuka (left), widow of Columbia Astronaut Ellison Onizuka, and Sandy Anderson (second from right), widow of Columbia Astronaut Michael Anderson, look on while standing outside City Hall during the "Bring the Shuttle Home Rally," Wednesday, April 6, 2011, in Houston. On April 12, 2011, NASA will announce the future homes for the retiring space shuttle orbiters. Houston is the home of the Johnson Space Center and mission control. The shuttles were designed here and astronauts live and train in Houston. Much of NASA's work today is still based from Houston. The rally is part of a broad campaign to show Washington that one of the shuttles belongs in Houston. More information is available at www.bringtheshuttlehome.com or www.facebook.com/bringtheshuttlehome Michael Paulsen/Chronicle

"One can only attempt to fathom, the constant pressure left by a spouses absence. Some might shrink in the aura left by accolades surrounding a lost husband who achieved so much for so many. Lorna not only stood alongside that aura, but she also carved forward creating her own," Janelle wrote.

In her post, she said a memorial would be scheduled in Houston, after which Lorna Onizuka would be taken to Hawaii.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. Defense Department will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region, the Pentagon said Friday, as President Joe Biden made good on his promise to beef up the American military presence to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies and safeguard U.S. troops.

In a statement, the department said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East regions and is taking steps to send more land-based ballistic missile defense weapons there.

The shifts come as U.S. leaders worry about escalating violence in the Middle East in response to recent attacks by Israel on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which triggered threats of retaliation.

In a call Thursday afternoon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden discussed new U.S. military deployments to protect against possible attacks from ballistic missiles and drones, according to the White House. In April, U.S. forces intercepted dozens of missiles and drones fired by Iran against Israel and helped down nearly all of them.

The assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut on Tuesday risk escalating the fighting into an all-out regional war, with Iran also threatening to respond after the attack on its territory. Israel has vowed to kill Hamas leaders over the group's Oct. 7 attack, which sparked the war.

Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which is in the Gulf of Oman but scheduled to come home later this summer. That decision suggests the Pentagon has decided to keep a carrier consistently in the region as a deterrent against Iran at least until next year.

The Pentagon did not say where the fighter jet squadron was coming from or where it would be based in the Middle East. A number of allies in the region are often willing to base U.S. military forces but don't want it made public.

The White House in a statement said Biden "reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis."

Earlier Friday, Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters that moves were in the works. She said Austin "will be directing multiple" force movements to provide additional support to Israel and increase protection for U.S. troops in the region.

Military and defense officials have been considering a wide array of options, from additional ships and fighter aircraft squadrons to added air defense systems or unmanned assets. In many cases the U.S. does not provide details because host nations are very sensitive about the presence of additional U.S. forces and don't want those movements made public.

It's unclear what new ships would move to the Middle East.

The U.S. has had a consistent warship presence there and in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, including two Navy destroyers, the USS Roosevelt and the USS Bulkeley, as well as the USS Wasp and the USS New York. The Wasp and the New York are part of the amphibious ready group and carry a Marine expeditionary unit that could be used if any evacuation of U.S. personnel is required.

In addition, a U.S. official said that two U.S Navy destroyers that are currently in the Middle East will be heading north up the Red Sea toward the Mediterranean Sea. At least one of those could linger in the Mediterranean if needed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements.

Rangers led the way in the D-Day landings 80 years ago Rangers led the way in the D-Day landings 80 years ago Rangers on the front lines of Allied campaign The fight at Pointe du Hoc Rangers led the way in the D-Day landings 80 years ago
The best known of the three Klak hills is the one with the distinctive rocky nose in Mala Fatra.

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Back in 2017, a group of far-right extremists prompted a wave of jokes after they climbed the wrong hill. Instead of the iconic Krivan peak in the High Tatras, climbed by Ludovit Stur and other significant Slovak nationalists, they climbed Velky Krivan, the highest hill in the Mala Fatra mountains. A similar mistake is imminent if you decide to climb Klak, as there are three hills with this name in Slovakia.

The best known is Klak hill in the Mala Fatra, known by its distinctive rocky nose. Another Klak is in the neighbouring mountain range of Velka Fatra, while even their heights are similar  1,352 and 1,394 metres above sea level, respectively. To climb the third Klak, the highest one, 1,409 metres above sea level, you should head to the Slovenske Rudohorie mountains in central Slovakia.

Never before had I scaled Klak hill in the Mala Fatra, even though I had been in this area of Slovakia several times. Thus, when the TK Jamp, a group of enthusiastic tourists, announced that it has been organising a bus trip to Klak, I immediately registered. The advantage of their trips, apart from sharing the company of the same aficionados, is that the bus always picks hikers up at a different place. They do not need to return to the starting point of the hike.

This was the case of the Klak hike. It started in Fackovske Sedlo saddle and ended in Rajecka Lesna, a small distinctive pilgrimage village. It is famous for its Bethlehem, a large nativity scene carved from wood, as well as the Baby Jesuss Christmas post office. Children can write him about what they dream of finding under the Christmas tree.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/air-raid-sirens-sound-in-northern-israel--idf-1119628950.html

Air Raid Sirens Sound in Northern Israel  IDF

Air Raid Sirens Sound in Northern Israel  IDF

Sputnik International

Air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel Saturday after Tel Aviv inflamed regional tensions this week by authoring illegal attacks against political and civilian targets on foreign soil.

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel Saturday after Tel Aviv inflamed regional tensions this week by authoring illegal attacks against political and civilian targets on foreign soil."Sirens have sounded in northern Israel," the IDF posted on Telegram. On Wednesday the Palestinian group Hamas reported the death of its political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an Israeli attack on his residence in Tehran, where he had arrived to attend the inauguration of Iran's new president. Evidence suggests Israeli agents committed the assassination through the use of a hidden explosive device that was placed in the residence some time ago.Hamas slammed Israel and the United States for Haniyeh's death and the violation of its territorial sovereignty and said the attack would not go unanswered.Iran maintains the right to launch a retaliatory strike on Israel under the United Nations charter in order to discourage violent aggression on Iranian soil after Tel Aviv's provocative attack, the country has repeatedly noted.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/america-will-lose-everything-if-it-continues-to-back-israeli-depravity--analyst-1119618297.html

America Will Lose Everything if it Continues to Back Israeli Depravity  Analyst

America Will Lose Everything if it Continues to Back Israeli Depravity  Analyst

Sputnik International

As the United States has once again cast itself as the global arbiter of democracy and human rights in another sovereign country  this time Venezuela  its closest ally in the Middle East has assassinated two world leaders on foreign soil while top political figures declare the right to rape and torture prisoners of war.

2024-08-03T03:31+0000

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2024-08-03T03:31+0000

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As the United States has once again cast itself as the global arbiter of democracy and human rights in another sovereign country  this time Venezuela  its closest ally in the Middle East has assassinated two world leaders on foreign soil while top political figures declare the right to rape and torture prisoners of war.Marandi joined host Rachel Bevins on Sputniks The Backstory program to discuss the rapid deterioration of Israels political and diplomatic position and its implications for the global standing of the US as the Biden administration continues to back the ethno-supremacist regime.I was expecting escalation, said Marandi in response to Tel Avivs targeting of Palestinian leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Lebanon within the space of a few hours earlier this week. I've been of the belief for the last two weeks that the Israeli regime can't continue the war as it is, and they're not willing to have a ceasefire. So, the only thing left would be escalation.I think it's very clear that just as the Israeli regime has already lost the war, they've lost on the border with Lebanon, they've lost in Gaza and they've lost in the Red Sea, where the Americans have been fighting on their behalf, but to no avail, the academic added. They've lost on all fronts.Commentators within Israel have increasingly acknowledged the failure of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus stated goals in Gaza recently, ten months after he vowed to destroy Hamas. Almost one year later the Israeli military is still struggling to contain the group militarily and politically, with polls showing a majority of Palestinians support its armed resistance to Israeli occupation.A pervasive smear campaign has accused the armed group of an antisemitic campaign against Jews, with netizens taking to social media to mock Western medias attempts at social conditioning. Meanwhile Russia and China have hosted leaders of Hamas and other groups to attempt to reconcile Palestinian political factions and form a united front against Zionist settler colonialism.Netanyahu is not acting in the interests of the regime, said Marandi of the controversial prime minister, who faces renewed prosecution on corruption charges if he loses his grip on power. He's acting for his own interests, and that's why he's brought about this escalation. Netanyahu is doing it to preserve his own power, and he's sacrificing the Israeli regime for his own sake, for his own selfish interests.If the Americans do the stupid thing and they get involved, they will lose everything in the region. They will be expelled from Iraq, their bases in the Persian Gulf will be destroyed. And those regimes that gave those bases to the United States, they will be destroyed, too, because they'll be seen as hostile.Recent polling shows some notable US allies now view the United States less favorably than in years past. Ratings of the U.S. are down among several key NATO allies, revealed a study by the Pew Research Center in June, which noted favorability ratings for the country have cratered in countries across the Arab world such as Turkiye and Tunisia.A loss of economic power has accompanied the disintegration in prestige as countries across the world increasingly abandon the use of the US dollar as the de facto global reserve currency. The end of financial dominance signals that US imperialism will collapse like the British colonialism it was inspired by, and for similar reasons  consigned to the dustbin of history by its own arrogance and moral depravity.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/border-defense-or-invasion-springboard-why-is-poland-massing-troops-on-frontier-with-belarus-1119624928.html

Border Defense or Invasion Springboard: Why is Poland Massing Troops on Frontier With Belarus?

Border Defense or Invasion Springboard: Why is Poland Massing Troops on Frontier With Belarus?

Sputnik International

Poland kicked off a large-scale military operation along the border with Belarus on August 1, ostensibly to secure the frontier in the face of what Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz characterized as a migrant-fueled hybrid war against Warsaw. Why does Minsk have reason to be wary of Warsaw's official justifications?

2024-08-03T15:55+0000

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The Polish border defense operation, dubbed Safe Podlasie (referring to the northeastern Polish province of Podlaskie) involves about 17,000 troops led by the 18th Mechanized Division of the Polish Armed Forces, with the officially-stated aim of the deployment being to fight illegal migrant flows in a dispute with Belarus that goes back to 2021.Poland has already built a 186 km long, five-meter high, $400 million anti-immigration border fence along part of the border, and plans to construct a massive, 200-meter to 2 km-wide buffer zone at some point in the future.But Operation Safe Podlasie was kicked off simultaneously with Operation Eastern Aurora, a NATO mission ostensibly meant to secure Polish airspace in the face of unpredictable Russian actions, thus potentially betraying Warsaws true intentions and rationale for the troop buildup.Belarus has long been skeptical of Warsaws military deployments on its western frontier. With over 216,000 personnel under arms (the Belarusian military has about 65,000 troops total, for comparison), Poland has the third-largest military in NATO after the US and Turkiye, and has dramatically ramped up the deployment of alliance assets and troops (including a new American missile defense facility in Redzikowo, northern Poland with offensive capabilities) in recent years. In March, Poland hosted the Dragon 24 wargames, involving some 20,000 NATO troops and 3,500 pieces of military equipment.Successive Polish governments have had long-standing ambitions to topple Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to install a more European Union and NATO-friendly government, sponsoring and lending other forms of aid to radical opposition forces in the country, most recently in 2020.Some Polish geostrategists see Belarus as a key piece of the Intermarium, a geopolitical concept first conceived by Polish statesman Jozef Pilsudski in the first part of the 20th century to reunite the territories of the old Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to contain Russia from the Baltic to the Black Seas.Some Poles also consider the lands of western Belarus as the Polish borderlands. In 2020, Lukashenko accused Warsaw of harboring plans to annex Grodno region amid the foreign-backed post-election unrest facing Belarus at the time. The Polish government vocally denied the claims.Lukashenko warned in an address to the All-Belarusian Peoples Assembly in April that the threats to Belarus from Poland and the Baltic States has increased dramatically in recent years.As for the combat units of the Polish Armed Forces on the border with Belarus, under the pretext of strengthening security, the military is solving reconnaissance and sabotage tasks. Poland intends to create the most powerful ground forces in Europe, with the military-technical support of the United States, of course. Warsaw is steadily increasing the size of its armed forces: by 2035 it is planned to increase their size to 300,000 people, the Belarusian president added.Belarusian authorities have said repeatedly that they, on their part, have no intentions to launch aggression against Poland or any other NATO members.But Minsk has also warned that it would respond forcefully to any provocations by the alliance, and has ramped up joint exercises with Russia (and recently, China) and deployed Russian tactical nuclear weapons in the country. Belarus has fought hard to avoid becoming directly entangled in the NATO-Russia proxy war in Ukraine despite repeated provocations from its southern neighbor, with Lukashenko saying Belarus would instead serve as a reliable buffer against direct NATO on Russias westerns frontier.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240710/poland-to-deploy-17000-troops-to-guard-eastern-border-1119326051.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/brics-offers-major-trade-opportunities-for-venezuelan-oil-and-gas---maduro-1119621100.html

BRICS Offers Major Trade Opportunities for Venezuelan Oil and Gas - Maduro

BRICS Offers Major Trade Opportunities for Venezuelan Oil and Gas - Maduro

Sputnik International

Venezuela is ready to cooperate with BRICS countries on oil and gas fields, President Nicolas Maduro said.

2024-08-03T10:39+0000

2024-08-03T10:39+0000

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Venezuela is betting on the BRICS nations for investment in its oil, gas and metals industries, President Nicolas Maduro has said."BRICS has a portfolio of opportunities in trade, and Venezuela is ready to be part of it. BRICS is a huge market for national producers," Maduro told journalists at a press conference on Friday. "Therefore, we strongly urge Venezuelan exporters to work in this direction. We have bet on BRICS."He said that the biggest investments in Venezuela's crucial hydrocarbons sector were no longer from the hostile US, but from members of the group of emerging economies  especially Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa."And if those people from the north [the US] and their followers in the world make the mistake of their lives, these oil and gas blocs, which have already been signed, will go to our allies in BRICS," the president warned.Maduro also said the BRICS countries were investing in Venezuela's growing steel and aluminum industries.Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said earlier that Maduro had received an invitation to the BRICS summit, which will be held in Kazan, Russia, in October.The foreign minister had previously expressed the government's desire to become a BRICS member."Venezuela aims to officially become a BRICS member soon. We are strongly supported by Brazil, the Russian Federation, China, and South Africa itself. All countries support our candidacy," Gil told Sputnik on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240606/support-of-brics-important-to-restore-venezuelas-energy-sector---vice-president-1118812519.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/iraqi-militia-leader-vows-timetable-for-expulsion-of-us-troops-in-wake-of-haniyeh-assassination-1119626495.html

Iraqi Militia Leader Vows Timetable for Expulsion of US Troops in Wake of Haniyeh Assassination

Iraqi Militia Leader Vows Timetable for Expulsion of US Troops in Wake of Haniyeh Assassination

Sputnik International

Israels assassination of Hamas political bureau chief and top peace negotiator Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31 was met with widespread condemnation from countries in the Arab and Muslim world, as well as Russia and China. Iranian officials have alleged that the United States greenlit Haniyehs killing.

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Hadi Amiri, leader of Iraqs powerful Badr Organization political party and paramilitary force, has vowed to release a timetable for the expulsion of American forces from Iraq in the wake of Wednesdays assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.All the evil and what is happening in the region is because of the American presence in Iraq, the Badr Organization chief added.Forces from the Badr Organization are sympathetic to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq  an umbrella network of Iraqi Shia militias created in late 2023 to launch drone and missile attacks against Israel after the start of the war in Gaza. The Islamic Resistance also mounted a series of drone, missile and rocket artillery attacks on American bases across Iraq and Syria before agreeing to an uneasy truce with Washington this spring to avoid further escalation.The truce was violated by the Pentagon on Tuesday after US-led coalition killed at least four militiamen from the Popular Mobilization Forces and injured four others in a strike on a base in the Babylon Governorate south of Baghdad. The Islamic Resistance has vowed to retaliate. The Popular Mobilization Forces are a formal part of the Iraqi Armed Forces, and receive funding from the Iraqi state.The US has rejected previous calls by Iraqi lawmakers to leave the country, responding to the 2020 resolution demanding their exit by formally transferring control of some bases back to Iraqi security forces, and scaling down the American troop presence in Iraq from about 6,000 to around 2,500. The US combat mission in Iraq was formally renamed into a training and advising mission in 2021. Meanwhile, in neighboring Syria, Washington does not even pretend to disguise the nature of its presence, operating about a dozen illegal military bases in the oil, gas and food-rich northeastern portion of the country, and ignoring repeated demands by Damascus to withdraw.* A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240802/iran-intelligence-minister-says-israel-killed-haniyeh-after-receiving-ok-from-us-1119609752.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/israels-claimed-right-to-provoke-enemies-with-impunity-does-not-work-anymore-1119619518.html

Israel's Claimed Right to Provoke Enemies With Impunity 'Does Not Work Anymore'

Israel's Claimed Right to Provoke Enemies With Impunity 'Does Not Work Anymore'

Sputnik International

Israels long-favored policy of killing its adversaries among militant groups in Palestine and neighboring countries has not achieved success, Dr Marco Carnelos, a former Italian Diplomat, told Sputnik.

2024-08-03T07:15+0000

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Israels long-favored policy of killing its adversaries among militant groups in Palestine and neighboring countries "has not achieved outstanding success and it might achieve even less in the future," Dr Marco Carnelos, a former Italian Diplomat, Middle East Adviser of Prime Ministers Prodi and Berlusconi, and Special Envoy for Syria and the Middle East Peace Process told Sputnik.Israel has been pursuing a policy of assassinations for decades, noted the CEO of MC Geopolicy consulting, and appears to have no desire to change it.The message is simple: whoever hits us, sooner or later will pay with their life, said Carnelos.But the elimination of Hamas leaders has not weakened the movement at all, on the contrary, he underscored, adding:On Wednesday, Hamas confirmed that its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had been killed in an attack on his residence in Tehran after he took part in the inauguration of newly elected Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian. Hamas has blamed Israel and the US for Haniyeh's death. On Tuesday night, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a strike in a southern suburb of Beirut, killing Hezbollah commander Sayyed Mohsen also known as "Fuad Shukr.". The Israeli military also claimed that its airstrike in mid-July on a Gaza compound had killed Muhammad Deif, the head of the military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas. However, it is currently unclear whether Deif was taken out by the strike in southern Gaza on July 13 that killed 70, with nearly 290 people injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.By continuing to target Hamas leaders for elimination amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Israel intends to make the point that it is entitled to do everything without accountability, believes Dr. Carnelos.While Hamas, Iran, and Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah have all vowed retaliation for the killings, there is only one political dividend that is contemplated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  to stay in power, according to the pundit.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240801/hamas-chief-assassination-to-have-disruptive-effect-on-gaza-peace-talks---experts-1119591582.html

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What if the famous Houston overpass sign were repainted to say "Be Simone?" Drawn in recognition of Simone Biles leading the USA women's team to a gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ken Ellis illustration/Staff

Thumbs up: Somewhere in Houston, theres a little girl worried about getting a solid meal. Shes more concerned with surviving than becoming the closest thing to a real-life super hero and inspiring the world. But that kid has extraordinary potential and deserves to be supported and nurtured. We know this to be true because of Simone Biles. Each gravity-defying performance by the Houston-area native is a testament to every human beings right to live out their full potential. Her mother struggled with addiction, and after being placed in foster care with her siblings, Biles was adopted by her grandparents. With that loving family support, and with mentorship from nonprofit groups like Friends of the Children, she thrived. The floor routine that launches her 4-foot-8 body 12 feet in the air, and that helped propel the U.S. Gymnastics team to gold at the Paris Olympics  it all started as a glimmer of ambition during a school trip Biles took to a gym at age 6. Speaking to the press in Paris about her goat necklace, which is a greatest of all time reference, she said: I just still think Im Simone Biles from Spring, Texas, that loves to flip. Yes she is. And shes the woman who boldly testified before the U.S. Senate about sexual abuse by the USA Gymnastics doctor, the athlete who mentored other gold medal gymnasts like Jordan Chiles and who listened to the warning signs her body gave her at the Tokyo Olympics and then found renewed strength by seeking therapy. So if you felt a jolt going through your body when you watched her stick a Biles II Yurchenko double pike in her closely fought victory over Brazils Rebeca Andrade in the all-around competition, that was a message: BE SOMEONE. Or, as illustrator Ken Ellis reimagined the unofficial, graffiti slogan of Houston: BE SIMONE. Grab hold of your precious days on Earth and make the most of them, and help others make the most of theirs.

Thumbs up: Houston has long been the ATM of national politics as Jeremy Wallace, a Houston Chronicle politics reporter, has often quipped. Right now, though, seems like were the church, union hall, sorority and jukebox of American politics, too. All that without having any expected role as a battleground state. Texas hasnt gone blue in a presidential election for ages, but that didnt stop Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris from visiting Houston twice in two weeks. She talked with the mayor about Hurricane Beryl recovery and spoke to a teachers union conference, a major Black sorority gathering and a big-dollar fundraiser. Harris also gave a eulogy at the celebration of life service for the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, which was also attended by Bill and Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Hakeem Jeffries, Stevie Wonder and many other celebrities. Former President Clinton said, Jackson Lee made it on the smallest list we kept at the White House  the just say yes list of legislators who could not be denied. He added, One of her critics once said, shes an acquired taste, and I said, I acquired it. Well folks, Houstons an acquired taste, too, and seems like the whole countrys acquired it. Even when the veep isnt physically here, she takes H-Town with her. When she walks on the stage to deliver her stump speeches its to the chorus of Beyonces epic track, Freedom. Not to be outdone, Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion performed live in a midriff-baring blue suit with skin-tight pants at Harris Atlanta rally before a raucous crowd of 10,000.

Thumbs twiddled: Maybe all that attention from Harris made an impact on Mayor John Whitmire. A Democrat who prides himself on getting along with Republicans in his new nonpartisan gig, Whitmire generally avoids weighing in on national and international politics that have little to do with the city, but finally, this week, he became what seems like the last Democrat to officially endorse Harris. We hope Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will still take his calls.

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Thumbs up: Of course, plenty of the coolest kids in Texas arent jumping on the Kamala Harris train. Two seniors at Keller High School, near Dallas-Fort Worth, found themselves in a free speech battle after they painted their school parking spots with images in support of former President Donald Trump. One painted Trump wearing American flag sunglasses and a star-spangled bandana. The other drew 45/47 on his spot, presumably a prediction that Trump, who was the 45th president, would return as the 47th. Keller ISD forced the seniors to remove their art but, after a public uproar this week, reversed course and will reimburse them for the costs to repaint. Who were the dastardly liberals behind the initial attempt to quash the students' First Amendment rights? Were not sure but Keller ISD school board chair Charles Randklev apparently wasnt the one. He wrote on Facebook, We will take action and make it clear that the students can honor President Trump as the 45th, and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States, as they wish. This isnt the first time Keller ISD made the news this year. One of its board members resigned after bringing an evangelical Christian network to film and interview students without their families' consent. In February, a high school in the district canceled a production of The Laramie Project, which is about the aftermath of the 1998 murder of a gay Wyoming student, but later reinstated the show. How many rights violations can our neighbors to the north pack into one year?
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/lebanons-hezbollah-says-it-fired-dozens-of-rockets-at-northern-israeli-town-1119629226.html

Lebanon's Hezbollah Says It Fired 'Dozens' of Rockets at Northern Israeli Town

Lebanon's Hezbollah Says It Fired 'Dozens' of Rockets at Northern Israeli Town

Sputnik International

Hezbollah said it had fired dozens of rockets at the settlement of Beit Hillel in northern Israel Sunday.

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hezbollah said it had fired dozens of rockets at the settlement of Beit Hillel in northern Israel Sunday.Hezbollah said the attack had been carried out in response to IDF shelling of settlements in southern Lebanon.Israel activated its Iron Dome missile defense system in response to the strike, the Times of Israel reported, claiming interceptions of rockets were visible over Galilee. The first videos of the shelling appeared on social networks, showing the Iron Dome in operation.Hours earlier the Israeli army said it had attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon's Kfarkela, Deir Seryan and Odaisseh.Tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border have escalated since the start of Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The IDF and Hezbollah shell each other's positions daily in areas along the border. According to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry about 100,000 people were forced to leave their homes in southern Lebanon due to shelling from Israel. The Israeli government reported that approximately 80,000 residents of northern Israel find themselves in a similar situation.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/ukrainian-drone-attack-causes-fire-at-oil-depot-in-russias-belgorod-region--governor-1119618718.html

Ukrainian Drone Attack Causes Fire at Oil Depot in Russia's Belgorod Region

Ukrainian Drone Attack Causes Fire at Oil Depot in Russia's Belgorod Region

Sputnik International

A tank caught fire at an oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Region due to an attack by Ukrainian drones but there were no casualties, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram.

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"The Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked an oil depot in the Gubkinsky urban district using drones. As a result of an explosion, one of the tanks caught fire. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire," Gladkov said.He said there were no casualties.Meanwhile Russia's southern Rostov Region was attacked by 55 Ukrainian drones overnight, Governor Vasily Golubev revealed."This night, the territory of the Rostov Region was attacked by 55 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles. As a result of the attack there were no casualties or injuries," Golubev said.Russia has been conducting a special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. President Vladimir Putin has said the operation aims to "protect people subjected to genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." According to the president, the ultimate goal of the operation is to liberate Donbas and create conditions that guarantee Russia's security.The Kiev regime has increasingly launched attacks on territory in Western Russia in recent months, often resulting in civilian casualties.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/us-media-warns-about-houthi-threat-to-aircraft-carriers-as-tensions-boil-over-in-red-sea-1119627453.html

US Media Warns About Houthi Threat to Aircraft Carriers as Tensions Boil Over in Red Sea

US Media Warns About Houthi Threat to Aircraft Carriers as Tensions Boil Over in Red Sea

Sputnik International

Houthi threats against Israel and the US have grown louder in the past two weeks after an Israeli strike on the Yemeni port Hodeidah, and the killing of Hamass chief negotiator in Tehran. The militia has proven more than capable of enforcing a semi-blockade of the Red Sea, and may be just one lucky strike away from sinking a massive US warship.

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US media have warned about the alarming prospects of a multi-billion-dollar Nimitz-class supercarrier being put at risk by technically unsophisticated Houthi adversaries.Despite the aircraft carrier's formidable defenses and advanced technology, the persistence of Houthi harassment has sparked debates about the vulnerability of such vessels in modern combat environments, especially when facing unconventional threats from non-state actors like the Houthis, National Interest contributor Harrison Kass wrote in a piece published Saturday.Aircraft carriers are uniquely expensive, the observer pointed out, citing the Nimitz classs $6-7 billion dollars apiece price tag, and the newer Ford classs gargantuan $13 billion per ship cost. Thats not counting the vessels 4,600-5,200 crew, or their complement of aircraft, which cost tens of millions of dollars each.The $430,800-$472,000 apiece AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided heat-seeking missiles used to target the Houthis $2,000-$20,000 apiece drones and missiles have proven effective enough, according to Kass. Houthi missiles and drones do not likely pose an existential threat to Eisenhower, but the seed of doubt has been planted, the journalist suggested.Kasss piece is the latest bit of speculation in Western media about whether the Houthis have the means to destroy an American supercarrier. Last month, Forbes contributor David Hambling urged smug observers not to get too cocky and take a closer look at the facts before writing off the threat.Pointing to Soviet and Russian analyses suggesting it would take between 12 and 20+ missiles to kill a US aircraft carrier, and calculations based on the Nimitz-classs 88,000 metric ton displacement that anywhere between five and 100 warheads would be needed to do so, Hambling warned that history tells a different story, and that a lucky strike triggering onboard fires and explosions does not require a large amount of explosive to bring about.The observer recalled that only one of the five large carriers lost by the US in World War II was sunk outright, and pointed out that the HMS Sheffield destroyer that sank under tow during the 1982 Falklands War was lost to an Argentine missile which did not detonate, but managed to start a fire, setting off munitions stocks onboard. The same problem may have afflicted the Moskva missile cruiser in 2022, according to Hambling.It seems highly unlikely that the Houthis will damage any US carrier. But history has repeatedly shown that defensive measures which look unbeatable on paper can fail due to human errorConfidence is justified, complacency is not. And moving even the mightiest supercarrier into an area where it may be attacked is not without risk, the observer emphasized.And even if the militia cannot effectively sink the Eisenhower, it could work out how many small drones are needed to prevent its effective operation.The threat posed by the Houthis to large US warships has been hinted at recently by USS Laboon destroyer commander Eric Blomberg.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240727/us-navy-drops-details-on-pricey-missiles-and-bombs-its-using-against-yemens-warriors-1119534456.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240803/zelensky-changes-approach-to-talks-with-russia-amid-military-failure--french-politician-1119628590.html

Zelensky Changes Approach to Talks with Russia Amid Military Failure  French Politician

Zelensky Changes Approach to Talks with Russia Amid Military Failure  French Politician

Sputnik International

President Volodymyr Zelensky is under pressure to pursue negotiations with Russia and consider territorial concessions due to public discontent and setbacks on the battlefield, the leader of the French euroskeptic party The Patriots said Saturday.

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PARIS (Sputnik) - Volodymyr Zelensky is under pressure to pursue negotiations with Russia and consider territorial concessions due to public discontent and setbacks on the battlefield, the leader of the French euroskeptic party The Patriots said Saturday. "He now wants Russia to participate in world summits. Giving up territories is no longer a taboo for him: it becomes possible! He realized that fewer and fewer Western weapons would arrive and that it is all over," he continued. Zelensky in an interview with French media this week discussed the possibility of starting negotiations with Russia without the condition for the return of territories. He also claimed the territorial issue is very complicated and should be decided by the people of Ukraine through a referendum.The potential openness to compromise comes as polling shows surging support among the Ukrainian public for abandoning claims to newly-Russian territory in order to "achieve peace and preserve independence."Moscow has repeatedly indicated that it is ready for peace negotiations, but Kiev introduced a ban on them at the legislative level in 2022 after the United States worked to scuttle tentative talks shortly after the launch of Russia's special military operation.The Kremlin has stated that the absolute priority for Russia is to achieve the goals of the special operation, adding that the situation in Ukraine can move in a peaceful direction, provided that new realities on the ground are taken into account. Moscow has insisted on de-Nazification of Ukraine as a condition for a cessation of hostilities, calling for a removal from power of extremist anti-Russia elements who came into the country's government after the US-backed Euromaidan coup in 2014.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240221/euromaidan-was-part-of-wests-proxy-war-against-russia--cia-veteran-1116894202.html

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Two-year-old pacers Ayeaye Captain Deo and stablemate Nova Blu swept the top two spots in the second round of the Dream Maker Series for trainer Garry Merner on Friday, Aug. 2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

With opening leg winner Lite Up The World not entered, Ayeaye Captain Deo was the 1-9 bettors' choice after his runner-up finish last week and the colt delivered on his pari-mutuel promise with a crushing 8-1/2-length victory to break his maiden in 1:52 in rein to Sylvain Filion. Nova Blu and Louis-Phillipe Roy finished second, charted with broken equipment.

After a :27.2 opening quarter put up by Nova Blu, Filion and Ayeaye Captain Deo tracked Take Out Hanover's backstretch move from fourth and took over the lead at the half-mile mark in :56. They raced on to three-quarters in 1:24.3 with Nova Blu taking up the chase but could only watch as his stablemate sprinted away down the stretch in a :27.2 final frame. Take Out Hanover rounded out the top three finish order in the compact field of five for Doug McNair.

Gino Toscano owns the top two finishers. Ayeaye Captain Deo, a Captaintreacherous-Oceania colt who has hit the board in his first three starts, was a $57,000 yearling purchase from the Lexington Selected Sale. Nova Blu, a gelded son of Tall Dark Stranger out of Havana Beach, was a $32,000 Lexington acquisition.

Mohawk also hosted the third leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots for three-year-old pacing fillies with a pair of $20,000 divisions won by All Bets Off daughters How Much (dam Dominican Hanover) and One More Bet (dam P L Kahluaa). Both fillies were first-time Grassroots winners and took new lifetime marks.

Driven by Doug McNair, even-money favourite How Much swept from fourth to first mid-race and drew off to a dazzling 1:49.3 triumph by four lengths, with the late-closing Margosgotthecargo (Bob McClure) and Make Out With Me (Jonathan Drury) completing the top three. David Menary trains the Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi homebred filly co-owned by Knox Services Inc.

Driver Louis-Philippe Roy and 4-1 third choice One More Bet moved out of fourth while tracking the cover of We Meet Again (Trevor Henry) in the final turn and defeated that foe by two lengths in 1:51.3, with Right Match (Sylvain Filion) third. Jean Tourigny trains the winner for owner/breeder Les Ecuries Morel Inc.

A Grassroots winner in the three-year-old filly trot division earlier this year, Anthony Timmins's Valentine Bluechip continued her perfect sophomore season with a 1:55 victory in an $18,000 conditioned race during Friday's card. Driven by Doug McNair and trained by his father Gregg, the Muscle Mass-Shesa Sweetheart filly prevailed from the pocket over the pacesetting colt Craigieburn by 2-3/4 lengths for her sixth straight in a win streak dating back to December.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)
The Woodbine Mohawk Park Race Office issued a notice to the racing community on Friday, Aug. 2 that Guelph Line is closed near the track.

Horsepeople are advised to use the back gate this evening.

(Woodbine)
Standardbred Canada (SC) would like to advise members that its main office in Mississauga, Ont. will be closed on Monday, Aug. 5 in observance of the Civic Holiday.

The office will resume regular operating hours on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Standardbred Canada would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

(Standardbred Canada)
Meta is reportedly wooing Hollywood stars with millions of dollars in a bid to lend their voices for its future generative AI projects, several people familiar with the company told Bloomberg.

According to sources, Facebook and Instagram's parent company is already negotiating with Judi Dench, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key to replicate their likenesses over a single project digitally.

Details of the supposed AI project were not specified as negotiations stopped and restarted several times over licensing disputes and use limitations.

Sources claimed that Meta intends to secure rights for the actors' voices for a fixed term across various purposes, while the actors' representatives seek further limits.

Also Read : OpenAI in Talks with Hollywood Over Possible AI Venture, Pitches Sora

Hollywood Actors Remain Hesitant with AI Deals

Hollywood performers making deals with AI firms have been increasing following the labor strike from last year that helped provide actors better legal protections, although many remain hesitant amid numerous reports of generative AI abuse.

Aside from a few actors and directors, much of the industry has expressed negative reactions to the technology and its risk to their livelihood, safety, and privacy.

So far, Meta has supposedly been able to secure an agreement from SAG-AFTRA, the union group many performers are part of.

Both Meta's and the mentioned actors' representatives did not provide a statement to Bloomberg regarding the supposed deals.

Meta Doubles Down on AI Chatbots, Digital Replicas

This was not the first time Meta has been reported for securing deals with Hollywood performers in its bid to race against other tech firms in AI development.

The social media company had previously reached similar deals with other notable online personalities when it launched AI chatbots on Instagram last year.

Now is especially a critical moment for Meta to secure more AI deals as the company is set to unveil new AI tools in its upcoming Connect 2024 event this September.

So far, the company has already reached an agreement with Apple to lend its technology for several features the tech giant plans to introduce in its Apple Intelligence system

Meta has also increased its connection with AI chipmaker NVIDIA to help build more advanced AI models for content creators and small businesses.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: The Conversation

The recent failure of a deal to deliver hydrogen-powered trucks to New Zealand, and the removal of a NZ$100 million government rebate scheme for green hydrogen users in the 2024 budget, make a transition to the much-lauded energy technology increasingly less certain.

The government had invested $6.5 million for the purchase of up to 25 heavy freight hydrogen trucks as part of a wider energy strategy due by the end of the year. But the US company Hyzon, which makes hydrogen fuel-cell trucks and had been modifying diesel trucks to use hydrogen, pulled out at short notice.

Nonetheless, interest in hydrogen for future transport and energy systems has soared globally, and New Zealand is no exception. But we argue that critical voices have been largely missing from the debate here.

In New Zealand, green hydrogen (which is produced with electricity from renewable sources) has attracted government support of $186.3 million from 2017 to 2023. This provided funding for a hydrogen refueling network, vehicle conversions and purchases, research, and the establishment of the New Zealand Hydrogen Council (now Hydrogen New Zealand).

Proponents of green hydrogen argue it is essential for fueling economic sectors they believe will be hard to decarbonize by direct electrification. As well as heavy road transport, this includes shipping and fertilizer production.

But opinions differ considerably on which sectors to focus on, and whether hydrogen is the best choice.

Evolution of the narrative

In the wake of the previous government's ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration, the 2019 H2 Taranaki roadmap outlined a vision for the region as a leader in hydrogen production.

Former energy minister Megan Woods reinforced this, indicating her government would be interested in any associated economic opportunities. This largely positive narrative continued in two further government reports.

The first, A Vision for Hydrogen in New Zealand, suggested the case for hydrogen was already settled:

"Hydrogen is poised to fulfill its potential as a clean alternative to hydrocarbons in the global pursuit of decarbonization to address climate change."

Development of green hydrogen was largely implicit in the second report, the Interim Hydrogen Roadmap, which aimed to: "optimize the potential for green hydrogen to contribute to New Zealand's emissions reductions, economic development, and energy sector to the extent compatible with our broader electrification goals."

We analyzed these reports using a content analysis approach focused on identifying how often strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats are mentioned. This revealed the words "opportunities" and "challenges" were used frequently, while "weaknesses" and "threats" were absent.

The use of "strengths" was confined to the perceived advantages of New Zealand as a location for hydrogen production. Where difficulties were identified, they were framed as challenges rather than weaknesses.

This optimistic tone is generally reflected in descriptions of several projects, including green hydrogen research at GNS Science, and international collaborations such as the German-NZ Green Hydrogen alliance.

Media reports have typically reflected the enthusiastic narrative. Of 83 articles on green hydrogen published in New Zealand between 2019 and 2023, only 15 (18%) contained any critical analysis.

Critical voices need to be heard

While some experts have voiced serious concerns about green hydrogen, this has not featured prominently in the debate in New Zealand.

For example, research by University of Cambridge engineering expert David Cebon shows battery electric vehicles are superior to hydrogen vehicles for heavy transport.

The emergence of fast (five minutes or less) automated and manual battery-swap systems, which provide an alternative to high-powered fast-charging systems, supports this point.

Climate and energy strategist Michael Barnard, who covers the green hydrogen debate extensively, writes: "Since 2000, application after application of hydrogen has found it to be inefficient, ineffective and expensive compared to obvious alternatives."

A German rail company which launched the world's first hydrogen line last year has since opted for cheaper all-electric trains. Rising costs have also forced one Austrian state to abandon plans to introduce hydrogen buses.

Recent research suggests developments in battery-run and fast-charging electric trucks could soon make hydrogen fuel cells superfluous in road transport in most cases.

UK energy analyst Michael Liebreich has quantified the immense scale, significant impracticalities, enormous subsidies and costs associated with green hydrogen.

Liebreich's "hydrogen ladder" ranks both actual and potential uses. It provides an evidence-informed guide on where to best focus attention and resources. Based on this, the previous government's funding for the manufacture of green fertilizer (for which hydrogen is an input) was a sensible allocation.

In New Zealand, a 2019 report sponsored by industry and the government, and a letter from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, have both provided some critical analysis of the potential for green hydrogen.

Towards a new narrative

The previous government's commitment to finalize New Zealand's hydrogen strategy, and to deliver an overall energy strategy, remains in place. But we need a more nuanced perspective.

This must start with an acknowledgment that hydrogen is an energy carrier (which has to be produced from other sources of energy), and not an energy resource like solar radiation, wind or hydro.

We need an approach that can continue to adapt to changes in "hard to abate" sectors of the energy system. Critiques of green hydrogen need to enter the discussion if we are to make informed choices.

Government policy on this topic must be informed by independent advice free from commercial interests. A new green hydrogen narrative will enable us to focus our limited resources on applications with the best chance of delivering on New Zealand's decarbonization and sustainability aspirations.

This could include key New Zealand industries switching from fossil fuels to hydrogen to produce green steel, green ammonia and fertilizer and green methanol.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Chinese government to employ 7,000 retired teachers to work in rural areas this year

Xinhua) 14:58, August 03, 2024

BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government plans to employ 7,000 retired teachers to work in the country's underdeveloped areas this year, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Education on Friday.

The recruitment drive is part of an action plan the government launched in 2018 to enhance the quality of rural education by employing retired teachers to work in rural areas.

According to the statement, the drive will be geared mainly at retired principals, teaching research staff and experienced teachers aged up to 65. Teaching professionals recruited under the plan will work at schools in counties, towns and rural areas in ethnic minority communities, and in border areas, remote areas and other areas that lack education resources.

More than 20,000 retired primary and middle school teachers had been recruited under the action plan by November 2023, according to the ministry.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
YORK  The Nebraska State Patrol arrested two Omaha residents after troopers pulled them over with 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine on Interstate 80 near York.

The patrol said it arrested Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, after a traffic stop around 9:15 a.m. on Saturday.

NSP said a trooper pulled over their Hyundai Sonata for speeding near the 355-mile marker on I-80. Vizcarra was driving. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.

Prior to towing the vehicle because it was uninsured, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The state patrol said the total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.

The suspects were arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both were taken to York County Jail, where theyre being held on 50,000 bond. Neither were listed in the Nebraska online court records as of Monday afternoon.

Which states have the worst substance abuse problems? Which states have the worst substance abuse problems? Drug deaths are rising Fentanyl's damage has been widespread Which states have the worst substance abuse problems?
(TBTCO) - Theo bao cao tai chinh hop nhat quy III/2024 moi uoc cong bo, Cong ty CP Tong cong ty ia oc Sai Gon (ma CK: SGR) ghi nhan doanh thu gap 3 lan va loi nhuan sau thue tang hon 2 lan so voi cung ky nam truoc. Tuy nhien, du ket qua kinh doanh quy III kha quan nhung SGR van con mot chang uong dai e at uoc muc tieu nam, khi moi chi hoan thanh uoc 13,1% ke hoach e ra.
Emirates Steel Arkan, a leading building materials group in UAE, has delivered stable performance throughout the first half of the year, with revenues of AED3.96 billion ($1.07 billion), down 10% over last year's figure of AED4.43 billion ($1.2 billion) despite challenging conditions impacting both export and domestic markets.

Announcing its financial results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, the Emirati group its ebitda for the period was AED503 million, while the groups net profit before tax stood at AED191 million.

Revenue from the steel division totalled AED3.6 billion during H1, generating a profit before tax of AED140 million, while that from the building materials division was AED353 million with profit before tax of AED 51 million.

For the six-month period, Emirates Steel Arkan maintained overall production volumes in line with H1 2023. This was achieved mainly through strategic flexibility, allowing part of the international exports to be redirected to the UAE market.

International steel markets remain under pressure, primarily as a result of the slowdown in the Chinese economy and global geopolitical uncertainties, it stated.

The Emirati group pointed out that the H1 performance demonstrates its resilience in challenging market conditions. In particular, the its continuing cost reduction and transformation programme contributed an incremental ebitda enhancement of AED78 million in H1 2024.

During the half-year the Group further improved its cash position, and as of the end of H1 2024 the group had AED610 million cash in hand compared to AED 426 million as of 31 December 2023.

The group was recognised as the 2024 Steel Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association for its pioneering efforts in decarbonizing steel production throughout 2023.

The group's efforts have been commended by the World Economic Forum for its outstanding efforts in decarbonizing the iron and steel industry, placing it among the top five leading steel companies worldwide that have received this recognition.

Director and Group CEO Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi said: "Emirates Steel Arkan has demonstrated exceptional resilience and strategic vision amidst challenging market conditions. Our performance in the first half of 2024 is strong, evidenced by revenues of AED 3.96 billion and EBITDA of AED 503 million. This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and innovation."

"The groups focus on cost reduction and transformative initiatives has been pivotal in maintaining our competitive edge. Moreover, our recognition by the World Economic Forum for pioneering decarbonization in steel production underscores our dedication to sustainable practices and our vision for a low-carbon future," he noted.

Al Remeithi said as it enters the second half of the year, Emirates Steel Arkan will remain vigilant in monitoring market dynamics to stay agile.

"We will continue to collaborate closely with our downstream customers to meet their needs for value-added and low-carbon products. Additionally, we will maintain our commitment to supplying premium steel products, known for their sustainability, record-setting low carbon emissions, and exceptional durability, to landmark projects in the region, such as our latest agreement with Eversendai for the construction of the NEOM Trojena Ski Village," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Parsons, a leader in engineering, construction, technical and management services, said currently it has the largest qualified pipeline in the companys history in both Saudi Arabia and the Middle East overall and its Saudi business is so diverse that no single contract represents more than 2% of its total revenue.

For the second quarter, Parsons had secured contracts worth over $160 million in Saudi Arabia, including a confidential $41 million contract for technical consulting, $60 million of additional scope on existing contracts and approximately $30 million of new work for a resort and marina and new work supporting a Saudi developer.

Announcing this during the presentation of its Q2 results, Parsons said its momentum in the Middle East, and the Saudi market in particular, continues as both markets achieved double-digit year-over-year revenue growth in the second quarter, exceeding its Q2 plan.

The company also increased its fiscal year 2024 forecast for both markets.

Parsons said it continues to win new business across both segments and all six end markets. During Q2, the company won two single-award contracts worth more than $100 million each, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Spanish renewable energy giant Iberdrola has signed an agreement to acquire 88% of Electricity North West (ENW) in the UK for an equity value of 2.1 billion (2.5 billion). The deal include 100% of the company along with debt, which stands at 5 billion ($5.2 billion).

Announcing the strategic move, Iberdrola said it has signed a shareholders' agreement along with a consortium of investors from Japan, led by Kansai, which will retain 12% of ENW's capital. This collaboration is on a long-term basis.

The acquisition is subject to the standard authorizations for this type of transaction.

With the move, Iberdrola reinforces its commitment to invest in electricity networks in A-rated countries.

This acquisition is consistent with Iberdrola's strategy to invest in electricity networks and in countries with a strong credit rating, such as the United Kingdom (AA credit rating).

With this, the UK has become the companys leading market by regulated asset base.

Since the merger with ScottishPower in 2007, the UK has been one of the leading investment destinations for the company, where it has invested around 30 billion (36 billion) in that time. ScottishPower is the only 100% green integrated utility in the UK.

With the completion of the deal, the UK becomes Iberdrolas leading market by regulated asset base, which is valued at approximately 14 billion, followed by the US at 13.3 billion.

Iberdrolas Executive Chairman Ignacio Galan said: "This transaction reinforces our commitment to investing significantly in electricity networks, which are a critical component for supporting the electrification and decarbonization of the economy."

"The agreement is also consistent with our strategy to invest in countries that have ambitious investment plans and stable and predictable regulations. As a result of this acquisition, our regulated networks asset base in the UK is now valued at 14 billion. When combined with the US, these two markets now represent two-thirds of our total global regulated asset base," he stated.

Geographically, ENW is located between the two existing ScottishPower networks license areas, in central and southern Scotland and Merseyside and North Wales.

ENW distributes electricity to almost five million people in the North West of England, in locations such as Manchester, Lancaster and Barrow, and has approximately 60,000 km of electricity distribution networks.

The acquisition accelerates Iberdrola's commitment to grow its electricity networks business, with the company now becoming the second largest electricity network operator in the UK.

Iberdrola will now distribute electricity to around 12 million people in the UK, across a network which will span more than 170,000km. In addition, the Spanish group will employ more than 8,500 people in the country.-TradeArabia News Service
Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, has appointed a new general manager whose extensive experience, innovative leadership and expertise, it said, will help the hotel scale new heights in the business hospitality sector.

With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Elena Schwartzs career began at The Oberoi Beach Resort Sahl Hasheesh. She has since held pivotal positions at renowned hospitality groups, including Shangri-La Group, Rixos Hotels, Deutsche Hospitality and Radisson hotels.

Her career is marked by exceptional team engagement, operational optimisation, and notable revenue growth, the hotel said.

Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers said it is known as a social heartbeat and business engine, catering to the diverse nationalities that the region has to offer. In her new role, Schwartz will be committed to fostering community-driven experiences, enhancing F&B offerings, improving service quality, and championing female leadership within the industry.

Schwartz said: I am thrilled to join the team at Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. As a proud member of a legacy brand with a hundred-twenty-one-year-old heritage, my vision is to elevate the guest experience through personalised service, operational excellence, and innovative initiatives.

I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of this exceptional property.

Saurabh Tiwari, Area Director of Operations for the region & General Manager of Taj Dubai, said: "We are excited to welcome Elena Schwartz to our team. With her extensive experience and exceptional leadership qualities, she is the perfect fit for Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai.

Under her guidance, we are confident that the property will not only thrive but also set new benchmarks in business hospitality. She embodies the Taj vision of excellence, and we look forward to the innovative direction she will bring."

The property offers exquisite accommodations, world-class amenities, and diverse dining options that cater to discerning travellers.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Civil Aviation authorities gave a grand welcome to the inaugural flight of Italian national carrier ITA Airways from Rome on its landing in Jeddah. ITA will fly thrice a week on Airbus A321neo airplane linking Rome Fiumicino with King Abdulaziz International Airport.

This come as part of the Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) between Jeddah Airport and Rome airport authorities backed by its key partners.

To celebrate the launch of the new route, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the arrival gate of Jeddah International Airport. It was attended by Italian Vice Consul-General in Jeddah Irene Buongiorno, ACP vice president of aviation development Rashed Al-Shammari, ITA president of international sales Pierfrancesco Carino, Jeddah Airport vice president of operations Glen Wilson, and ITA regional manager for Asia, Middle East, and Africa Benedetto Mencaroni.

On the launch, Jeddah Airports CEO Engineer Mazen Johar and ACP chief executive Majid Khan said: "We are delighted to see ITA Airways commencing the route between Rome and our coastal and historical city of Jeddah, which will further enhance our air connectivity to KSA."

"Travellers from ITA Airways network in Italy, Europe, and the Americas will enjoy a more seamless journey to explore the untapped potential of Jeddah. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with a great partner, ITA Airways," they stated.

ITA chief commercial officer and Volare chief executive Emiliana Limosani, said: "We are delighted to inaugurate our first nonstop flight between Jeddah and Rome, strengthening our presence in Saudi Arabia, a rapidly growing market."

"This new opening follows the launch of the nonstop connection to Riyadh in June and is part of our ongoing summer network expansion, which boasts excellent booking results," he stated.

"Operated with the state-of-the-art A321neo, this new flight will expand the medium-haul network and enhance commercial and cultural exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula and Italy, while also providing connections with our array of destinations accessible via our Rome Fiumicino hub," remarked Limosani.

"Introducing direct connections from Rome to Jeddah today, following the successful launch of the Rome-Riyadh route in June, is a crucial step in our mission to develop the tourism sector further and increase visitor numbers from Italy, Europe, and beyond to Saudi Arabia," he added.

Saudi Tourism Authority president of Europe & Americas markets Hazim AlHazmi said: "The new routes, fueled by our strong partnership with the national carrier ITA Airways, will significantly enhance accessibility and are expected to drive greater investments."

"This development will also strengthen the cultural and economic ties between Italy and Saudi," he added.

In his address, Buongiorno said: "As a representative of the Italian consulate, I am thrilled to be part of the strengthening partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia through the launch of the new roundtrip Rome-Jeddah flight."

"It truly is a testimony of the friendship between the two countries, which not only is rooted in a deep historic relationship, but is further developing the commercial friendship with expanding opportunities," he stated.

According to him, the new ITA Airways intercontinental route will help boost the promotion of Italian tourist hotspots in the kingdom.

"Likewise, it is with great pleasure to be part of this unique opportunity for my fellow Italians to be able to discover the kingdom, a beautiful country that I have had the chance to call home for the past seven years," stated Buongiorno.

"I would like to wish all the success to ITA Airways and King Abdulaziz International Airport, and cannot wait to see the positive impact that this new flight will bring," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Marrying American compositions and adoration for Wyomings cowboy roots, Trinkle Brass Works and Portable Masterpieces will present Cowboy Overtures at Casper College tonight.

Featuring the sights, sounds and style of Cowboy life and Western culture on the plains of Wyoming, the program will include music by Robert Ward, Jerome Moross, Virgil Thomson, Morton Gould and John Barry, a press release said.

Attendees will also have the chance to sing along to America the Beautiful as the concerts closing song.

Cory McDaniel will perform in The Hills of Old Wyoming and The Plow that Broke the Plains, two songs featured in the concert.

Steven Trinkle, conductor and artistic director, told the Star-Tribune in an interview that he wants to celebrate cowboy culture in a fresh way.

Its very easy when you start to do something with a specific title, and particularly cowboys. Its easy to be, in a way, trite, he said. So I was trying to find music that was unique to us.

The concert will be held at the Wheeler Concert Hall at Casper College tonight at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and no tickets are required.

Grants from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wyoming Arts Council and Casper College fund the performance.
Because of the actions of Joe Biden, Alejandro Mayorkas and the entire Biden administration, a wave of illegal immigration is wreaking havoc across our country and affecting each and every state. With neighbor-states like Colorado opening its doors to illegal aliens, it is utterly foolish to claim that Wyoming is immune from the radical lefts flagrant and deliberate attack on citizenship and our laws.

Chief among the institutions being threatened by the endless waves of illegal immigration are our elections. Widespread reports have discussed voter registration forms being circulated to illegal aliens by federal agencies in the Biden Administration. Without a verifiable process of proving citizenship at the time of registration, Wyoming is vulnerable to these attacks on our elections.

With the 2024 General Election approaching , I took action last year as Wyomings chief election officer, proposing a Wyoming-based solution to ensure illegal immigrants would be stopped from being able to register. In late 2023, my office proposed, and subsequently adopted, rules which would have required documentary proof of Wyoming residency and prevented illegal immigrants from registering to vote in Wyoming.

Other states have these basic election integrity measures but Wyoming does not. These rules received overwhelming support from the public.

Unfortunately, our common-sense election integrity rules were vetoed by Gov. Mark Gordon. I strongly disagreed with the governors veto of our rules. His veto made false excuses that Wyoming state law did not allow the rules and the media ran with those false arguments as they so often do. Gordons letter also made recycled, left-wing arguments that there was no evidence of voter fraud.

Gordons letter was wrong on multiple fronts. Not only does Wyoming state law allow the rules, they are actually required under Wyoming state law. Just as an example of one of the many ways that Gordons claim is false, Wyoming state law expressly defines the registration process as requiring verification of the name and voter information of a qualified elector. The point of this provision in the Election Code is to provide for verification of the information provided on the registration form, which includes an oath that an individual is a qualified elector. In other words, citizenship is one of the pieces of information that would need to be verified under Wyoming state lawbut currently that isnt happening.

Gordons letter also ignored the fact that an illegal alien was found to be on the Wyoming voter rolls just last year. Our office ensured that the illegal alien was removed from the registration list, but this example shows the distinct vulnerability to our elections that our election integrity rule addressed.

We must call Gov. Gordons veto for what it is. Gordons veto is enabling illegal immigrants to vote in our elections.

Despite Gordons disturbing veto, I will continue to keep fighting to ensure our elections are protected from illegal immigrants. Literally on the Friday the governor announced his veto, President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson were announcing that the House of Representatives would be hearing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act at the federal level.

The SAVE Act is very similar to our proposed rules requiring proof of residency to vote, and places many of the protections that would have been in place had our rules not been vetoed by Governor Gordon. Among other things, the SAVE Act ensures only U.S. Citizens vote in elections for federal office by requiring documentary proof of United States Citizenship at the time of voter registration.

Last month, the United States House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act, which was cosponsored by Wyomings own Congresswoman Harriet Hageman.

Echoing Gov. Gordon, President Joe Biden, for disturbing reasons, has threatened to veto the SAVE Act if it is passed by Congress. The Democrat Senate is also refusing to take the bill up.

As Wyoming Secretary of State, I am in complete and total support of the SAVE Act. With the ongoing Biden-created crisis at the southern border affecting each and every state, including Wyoming, stopping illegal aliens from voting is paramount to election integrity, and national security.

In light of Gordons veto of our proposed rules, it is now more important than ever that government at all levels ensure appropriate safeguards to ensure only U.S. citizens, not illegal aliens, are voting. I applaud Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hagemans vote in favor of the SAVE Act and its passage by the House of Representatives.
The prevalence of bullying in our school system has become a critical issue that demands immediate attention.

Too many students face harassment and intimidation from their peers, which can have severe emotional and psychological impacts.

This toxic environment not only affects the victims but also creates an atmosphere of fear that hinders the overall learning experience for all students.
Long Son Petrochemicals Company Limited (LSP), the biggest petrochemical complex in Vietnam, will begin commercial operations from October this year.

Thailands Siam Cement Group (SCG) Chemicals, the parent company of LSP, on Thursday released its business performance in the first half of this year.

The firm revealed that LSP was projected to generate revenue of VND15 trillion (US$592.8 million) this year and VND38 trillion ($1.5 billion) by 2025.

The petrochemical complex was initially scheduled for commercial operations in the second quarter of this year.

However, it grappled with a technical problem during its trial operation early this year, resulting in its suspension from March to June this year to remedy the problem and improve its operation capacity.

The complex, when put into commerical operation, will supply plastic pellets to the domestic and global markets.

The global economic downturn and oversupply will be great challenges for the project, according to SCG.

LSP, covering 464 hectares of land in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, is the first integrated petrochemical project in Vietnam.

In vietnam, SCGs revenue totaled nearly VND16.4 trillion ($656 million) in the first six months of this year, rising 12 percent over the year-ago period.

Thammasak Sethaudom, president and CEO of SCG, said SCGs performance in the second quarter of this year was better than that in the previous quarter.

The group yielded VND88.38 trillion ($3.5 billion) in total revenue and VND2.6 trillion ($102 million) in profit of last quarter, up three and 53 percent, respectively, over the previous quarter.

Its revenue hit VND174 trillion ($7 billion) in the first half of 2024.

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Pomelo has officially become the third fresh fruit from Vietnam permitted for import into South Korea, following dragon fruit and mango, the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced on Thursday.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) of South Korea has issued import regulations for fresh pomelo from Vietnam after three months of consulting with relevant agencies.

The event marks a significant milestone, opening up great opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products to access international markets and affirming their quality and reputation in the global market, according to the Plant Protection Department.

The department initiated the market expansion program for fresh pomelo, targeting the South Korean market, in 2018. However, the negotiation process accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic.

After two years of information exchange and negotiations, the Plant Protection Department and APQA reached a technical agreement during a meeting in April this year.

On July 18, the Plant Protection Department published draft requirements in plant quarantine and food safety for Vietnams fresh pomelo to be exported to South Korea on its website.

Vietnam generated US$3.5 billion from vegetable and fruit exports in the first half of this year.

South Korea was the second largest buyer of Vietnams vegetables and fruits with export revenue reaching $180 million, soaring 57.9 percent year on year, the Vietnam News Agency reported, citing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) stands ready to share experience with Ho Chi Minh City to develop the southern business hub of Vietnam into an international financial center, among other cooperation activities, HKSAR Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu has said.

The Hong Kong leader made the statement at a meeting with chairman of the citys administration Phan Van Mai on Friday, as part of his three-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.

Chairman Mai told his guest that there remains great potential for further cooperation between Hong Kong and Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.

The city welcomes Hong Kong businesses to invest in the priority fields such as innovation, startup, investment, trade, tourism, healthcare, logistics, infrastructure, and finance and currency, Mai said.

In particular, he expressed his desire to cooperate with and learn from Hong Kong in the process of building Ho Chi Minh City into an international financial center in the near future.

Since the early 2000s, Ho Chi Minh City has determined financial market development as one of the priority areas in its economic restructuring, and from the determination, the idea of building the city into an international financial center was nurtured, news site VnExpress cited Mai.

We hope that the two sides will strengthen cooperation in this field. Hong Kong businesses can share solutions and practical experiences in the effective development roadmap of a regional and world financial center, Mai told the Hong Kong leader.

The city always facilitates foreign investors and has mechanisms to promptly remove their bottlenecks in their business operations, Vietnamnet online newspaper cited the citys chairman.

Lee told Mai that Hong Kong, one of the worlds largest financial hubs, has a lot of experience in building an international financial center that may open up many business and investment opportunities.

The HKSAR is willing to exchange and share experiences with the city about this issue, Lee said and expressed his belief that Ho Chi Minh City will soon achieve its goal of becoming an international financial center in the future.

Expressing his great impression with the development of Ho Chi Minh City during his first visit to the metropolis as Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Lee said Hong Kong will promote cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City in many other fields besides finance.

Last year, the two-way trade between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City reached US$4 billion, Mai said and called for more efforts from the two sides to boost the figure to $5 billion in 2025.

Currently, Hong Kong ranks eighth out of 125 countries and territories investing in the city, Mai added.

At the press conference following the talks, the Hong Kong leader affirmed that his visit to Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City had achieved many good results and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation in various fields, including finance.

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The Party and State leaders of Laos and Cambodia on Saturday sent their respective messages of congratulations to State President To Lam on his election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee.

In his letter, General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith extended the warmest congratulations to President Lam on his election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam earlier on the same day.

General Secretary and President Thongloun evaluated that Lams election to the important position reflects the trust and high regard that the Party, the State, and the people of Vietnam have in the Vietnamese leaders capabilities, extensive experience, and outstanding achievements in the leadership and direction over the past time.

He expressed strong belief that under the correct, sound, and wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by Lam, the brotherly Vietnamese people will continue to achieve even greater accomplishments in the cause of renewal, successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and fulfill the goal of building a modern, industrialized Vietnam with a prosperous populace, a strong nation, a just, democratic, and civilized society, and a developed socialist-oriented country.

The Lao leader affirmed his commitment to stand side by side with General Secretary Lam and leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State to continue strengthening and nurturing the Laos-Vietnam, Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation in a more intensive and effective way in all areas to bring practical benefits to the people of our two countries as well as contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

On this important and meaningful occasion, I wish you abundant health, happiness, and great success in your honorable and noble career, General Secretary Thongloun said as he wrapped up his congratulatory letter.

President of the Cambodian Peoples Party Hun Sen (L) shakes hands with Vietnamese State President To Lam in Hanoi, July 25, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

On the same day, in his congratulatory message to General Secretary To Lam, President of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) Hun Sen also expressed his joy and congratulations on behalf of the CPP Committee.

The Cambodian leader said Lams election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam demonstrates the trust of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the entire Vietnamese people in his capabilities and sound leadership.

He firmly believes that under General Secretary Lams leadership, the Communist Party of Vietnam will continue to achieve its goals, ensure political stability and socio-economic development, and maintain peace, stability and prosperity of Vietnam and the region as well.

In addition, the traditional friendship, solidarity, and close cooperation between the two parties will be further deepened for the benefit of our two nations and people.

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The 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam elected State President To Lam as General Secretary for the 2021-26 term at a meeting on Saturday.

At a press conference following the meeting, Lai Xuan Mon, deputy head of the Partys Commission for Information and Education, announced that To Lam was elected General Secretary of the 13th Party Central Committee with unanimous support.

General Secretary To Lam will oversee the responsibilities of the Party Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat, in accordance with the powers and duties prescribed by the Politburo.

Earlier, the Politburo had also assigned President To Lam to manage the workload of the Party Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat while priority was given to former Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs health and medical treatment.

Trong passed away in Hanoi on July 19 at the age of 80.

To Lam, previously Minister of Public Security, was elected state president for the 2021-26 term by the National Assembly on May 22.

As Vietnams State President, To Lam made his first foreign visits to Laos and Cambodia on July 11-13, underscoring his commitment to prioritizing relations with these neighboring countries.

He also presided over the state-level welcoming ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on June 20, which included a 21-gun salute.

During this visit, the two leaders held talks and witnessed the signing of 11 documents, including a plan for a nuclear science and technology research center in Vietnam.

Party and State leaders congratulate Vietnam's Party General Secretary, State President To Lam (L, 3rd) on his new post following a meeting of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Hanoi, August 3, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

To Lam, 67, hails from Van Giang District in northern Hung Yen Province.

He is a law professor with a PhD degree.

He has been a member of the Party Central Committee since the 11th term in January 2011, a member of the Politburo since the 12th term in January 2016, and a National Assembly deputy for the 14th and 15th tenures.

He began his career in 1979 at the Directorate for Political Protection I of the General Department of Security under the Ministry of Public Security, eventually serving as its deputy director and then director.

In 2010, he was appointed General Director of the General Department of Security 1.

In August 2010, To Lam was appointed Deputy Minister of Public Security and became Minister of Public Security in April 2016.

In early 2019, he was promoted to the rank of general by late General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong.

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South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Youngsam expressed his countrys desire to develop nuclear power plants in Vietnam during a meeting with State President To Lam on Friday.

Upon receiving the South Korean Ambassador, President To Lam expressed his pleasure at the Vietnam-South Korea relationship, which is currently at its most advanced stage of development.

He noted that political trust between the two countries has been continuously strengthened, with remarkable progress in various fields, highlighted by the upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022.

President To Lam affirmed that Vietnams Party, State, and people place high importance on and wish to further develop this comprehensive strategic partnership with South Korea in a more profound, substantive, and effective manner.

He commended Choi and the South Korean Embassy for their efforts in enhancing bilateral relations and outlined key directions for the ambassador during his term.

These include maintaining regular visits and contacts at all levels through flexible methods, effectively implementing the action program for the Vietnam-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and advancing defense and security cooperation in line with the partnership.

Additionally, President To Lam emphasized the need to achieve the trade turnover target of US$100 billion and to aim for $150 billion by 2030.

He also urged the ambassador to encourage South Korean enterprises to expand their investments in Vietnam, focusing on high technology, semiconductor manufacturing, digital and green transformation, and renewable energy.

For his part, Ambassador Choi Youngsam expressed his honor at visiting President To Lam and affirmed his commitment to advancing the bilateral relationship between the two countries in a practical and effective manner.

During the meeting, Ambassador Choi highlighted his intention to work closely with Vietnamese agencies to implement cooperation agreements, particularly focusing on high-level and all-level delegation exchanges.

He also expressed a desire to strengthen substantive collaboration in economics, trade, and investment.

Notably, Ambassador Choi emphasized South Koreas interest in contributing to areas where Vietnam has needs and his country has expertise, such as developing LNG and nuclear power plants and building strategic infrastructure.

He assured that South Korea would actively support Vietnam in organizing the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in April 2025.

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Many healthcare centers and hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City are facing a severe shortage of radiopharmaceuticals for use in PET/CT scans to detect cancer, leaving patients undiagnosed and untreated.

The radioactive drug production facility of Cho Ray Hospital in District 5 is providing just a small volume of radiopharmaceuticals, while Rang Dong Medical JSC is halting its supply though it was licensed by the Ministry of Health.

The PET/CT scan systems at several hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City are either operating at low capacity or have halted operations entirely, leaving cancer patients facing long waits for PET/CT tests and treatment, which poses a threat to their lives.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a technique that measures physiological function by looking at blood flow, metabolism, neurotransmitters, and radiolabeled drugs, while computed tomography (CT) is a noninvasive medical examination or procedure that uses specialized X-ray equipment to produce cross-sectional images of the body.

Due to the dearth of radioactive drugs, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, Military Hospital 175, and Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital have written to the Ministry of Science and Technology asking for help to rectify the situation.

Disrupted supply causes lack of radiopharmaceuticals

Presently, only three hospitals in the southern metropolis, namely Cho Ray, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, and Military Hospital 175, are operating PET/CT scanning systems that are used to diagnose and treat cancer.

Dr. Diep Bao Tuan, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, said that PET/CT scans provide detailed, high-resolution images to find and monitor tumors or abnormalities.

This is a key technique to diagnose cancer promptly to treat patients effectively, Dr. Tuan said.

To make PET/CT scans efficient, it is compulsory to use radiopharmaceutical 18F-FDG.

The hospital was previously supplied with the drug by Rang Dong Medical JSC, allowing for daily PET/CT scanning. However, the disruption in supply has brought operations to a near standstill.

The Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital reported a high demand for PET/CT scans.

While it is equipped with two PET/CT scanners, each with a capacity of 30 cases per day, the insufficient supply of 18F-FDG has hindered the equipment's operations.

Although the hospital receives some radioactive drugs from Cho Ray Hospital, the quantity is minimal.

The Cyclotron radioactive drug manufacturing system at Cho Ray Hospital is aging and has been in operation for nearly 15 years.

Cao Van Khanh, head of the nuclear medicine department of Military Hospital 175, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that an average of seven patients undergo PET/CT scans each day at the hospital, which conducts scanning five days a week.

The figures fail to meet the demand at the hospital.

I hope that Ho Chi Minh City will have one or two more Cyclotron radiopharmaceutical manufacturing systems in the coming time to supply enough drugs to hospitals to save more cancer patients, Dr. Khanh said.

It is urgent to produce the 18F-FDG radiopharmaceutical for use in PET/CT scans to diagnose and treat cancer patients. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Obstacles in legal procedures are hindering drug production

Due to the prolonged disruptions in the supply of radioactive drugs, the municipal Department of Health had previously contacted the Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health for support in producing the drug.

The department noted that in addition to Cho Ray Hospital, Rang Dong Medical JSC is also capable of producing the radioactive drug 18F-FDG.

The companys branch is located in the Research and Development Center for Radiation Technology, part of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology, in Thu Duc City.

A representative of the firm informed Tuoi Tre on Sunday that its Cyclotron radiopharmaceutical manufacturing system was established in 2017 at a cost of VND 200 billion (US$8 million) and has the capacity to supply drugs for 10 PET/CT scanners.

Though the Ministry of Health granted a license for its operation in 2023, the system has been suspended due to obstacles over legal procedures.

We spend over VND300 million [$12,000] in monthly paying maintenance fees and employee salaries, the representative lamented.

The municipal health department has sent a dispatch to the Ministry of Science and Technology reporting the urgent demand for the 18F-FDG radiopharmaceutical.

Dr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, deputy head of the department, said that the drug has a short lifespan at below 12 hours, so it should be used right after production.

This makes the transport of the radioactive drugs from other localities to Ho Chi Minh City unfeasible.

Therefore, the best way to use the drugs effectively is to produce radiopharmaceuticals in the city.

The radiopharmaceutical production facility of Rang Dong is facing hindrances over public assets, so its production lines must not be put into operation, explained the municipal department.

The department proposed the ministry help the firm and relevant units remove obstacles over legal procedures to put the facility into service as soon as possible, for cancer patients are in dire need of radioactive drugs for PET/CT scans.

The representative of Rang Dong stated that the cooperation agreement between the firm and the center does not comply with the regulations of the 2017 law on public asset management and use, leading to the suspension of all drug production operations.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has conducted an inspection of the licensing processes at the firm and is planning to gather feedback from the Ministry of Finance, the representative added.

Tran Chi Thanh, head of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, told Tuoi Tre that the institute had received a report from Rang Dongs Ho Chi Minh City branch regarding delays in radiopharmaceutical production.

The main reason for the procrastination was related to legal procedures concerning public assets.

Thanh stated that the institute had informed the Ministry of Science and Technology of proceeding with the necessary procedures in accordance with current regulations.

He emphasized that producing 18F-FDG is crucial for patient treatment, and the institute is actively working to assist the firm in getting its manufacturing system operational.

Abundant supply to help local patients avoid traveling abroad for treatment

Amid the urgent need for radiopharmaceuticals, the municipal health department announced plans to build a Cyclotron production facility to provide the 18F-FDG drug for PET/CT scans. However, the plan remains on paper.

Increasing the supply of radiopharmaceuticals is expected to stabilize drug prices, reduce wait times for PET/CT scans, and prevent local patients from traveling abroad for treatment.

Some hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City are experiencing a surge in patients registering for PET/CT scans.

On July 19, the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital saw long lines of patients waiting to register. A consulting employee informed families that there would be at least a 15-day wait for a PET/CT scan.

T.H.H., a 36-year-old resident of Binh Thanh District, expressed concern for a family member showing signs of a cancer relapse.

I waited nearly two hours to register, but well have to wait over 15 days for the scan. How anxious! H. said.

Many patients at Military Hospital 175 are also frustrated by the lengthy wait times to register for PET/CT scans.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Youngsam expressed his countrys desire to develop a nuclear power plant in Vietnam during a meeting with State President To Lam on Friday.

-- State President To Lam also met with Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil on the same day.

-- During a meeting with Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai on Friday, Lee Ka-Chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, expressed his hope to strengthen cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City in various fields and offered to share expertise in developing an international financial center.

Society

-- According to the Traffic Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security, as of Friday, over 1.18 million vehicle number plates had been made available for auction. Of these, 32,151 plates were successfully auctioned, generating more than VND2.7 trillion (US$107 million) in payments for the state budget.

-- The management board of Hon Cau Marine Protected Area in Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam, announced that its patrol team recently discovered a sea turtle egg nest, possibly from the rare hawksbill turtle, marking the first sighting of this species laying eggs in the area in two years.

-- A car caught fire while traveling through the Thu Thiem Tunnel from District 1 to Thu Duc City in Ho Chi Minh City leading to a temporary closure of the tunnel for about an hour and causing traffic jams in the area on Friday evening.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs reported on Friday that city has recently sent nearly 2,400 homeless individuals and beggars to social assistance facilities.

-- Bien Son Commercial Shipping Service Joint Stock Company on Friday launched two additional high-speed boats on the Rach Gia-Phu Quoc route connecting Rach Gia City in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang and its Phu Quoc Island.

Business

-- In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Industry and Trade expressed regret that despite acknowledging many positive developments in Vietnams economy, the U.S. Department of Commerce still keeps Vietnam as a non-market economy.

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The State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Sydney on Friday to foster securities development in the two nations.

The MoU will act as a foundation enabling the two commissions to share official information about securities, enhance collaboration in terms of securities market monitoring and governing techniques, and exchange relevant regulations.

ASIC chair Joseph Longo highly valued the cooperation with the SSC, expecting the first bilateral deal to deepen the partnership between the two sides and bolster the two nations capital markets.

Longo affirmed that the MoU is the ASICs pledge to help Vietnam with prosperous economic growth.

The Australian commission is willing to provide the Vietnamese side with support for techniques, training courses and governing infrastructure, he said.

Representatives of the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) pose for a photo at a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding in Sydney on August 2, 2024.

The ASIC chair also expressed his delight at seeing Vietnam emerging as a dynamic and highly-resilient economy in the region, believing that the Vietnamese capital market will continue to thrive.

SSC chairwoman Vu Thi Chan Phuong said that the Vietnamese securities market has proved itself to be a key medium- and long-term capital mobilization channel for the business community and the economy.

It also becomes an appealing investment channel for both local and international investors, including Australian ones.

Phuong underlined that the signing between the ASIC and SSC is meant to contribute to implementing the joint statement for the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Vietnam upgraded relations with Australia to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level in the Southeast Asian country's international relations, in March this year.

She hoped that the cooperation would help Vietnam effectively operate the securities market, and create favorable conditions for Australian firms to do business in Vietnam.

At the signing ceremony, ASIC chair Longo extended condolences over the passing of Vietnams General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, who passed away on July 19 in Hanoi.

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China to power modernization drive through financial sector reform: official

Xinhua) 15:02, August 03, 2024

BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- China will make further efforts to deepen the reform of its financial sector, aiming to support the country's modernization endeavors, a Central Finance Commission official has said.

Wang Jiang made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua after the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's third plenary session outlined major tasks to deepen reform in the financial sector.

China's financial sector still faces prominent problems such as financial risks, the relatively low quality and efficiency of financial services, corruption, and relatively weak financial supervision and governance capacities, said Wang, who also works with the Central Financial Work Commission.

To implement the guiding principles of last month's CPC plenum, efforts should be made to improve the central bank system and the monetary policy transmission mechanism, and work should be done to build a modern financial institution, market, product and services system, he said.

The capital market's functions related to balancing investment and financing should be improved, the reform of the financial regulatory system should be deepened, and the incentive and constraint mechanisms serving the real economy should be optimized, Wang noted.

The official also called for the promotion of the financial sector's high-standard opening-up, and strengthening formulation of financial laws and regulations.

He called for efforts to accelerate the construction of a modern financial system with Chinese characteristics, focus on preventing and defusing financial risks, strengthen financial regulation comprehensively, and continue increasing financial support for the real economy through reform.

"We must strike an effective balance between all aspects of reform, coordinate efforts to prevent risks, strengthen regulation, promote development, and strive to achieve the best results," Wang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Ismail Haniyeh: A refugee who fought like a knight and died a hero

I pay my tribute to the veteran leader, who lived like refugee, fought like a knight and achieved martyrdom like a brave solider. Not only Ismail Haniyeh alone, but his entire family members are inspiration to us.

Saturday August 3, 2024 3:27 PM , Raqif Makhdoomi

Ismail Haniyeh, a name thats all over the internet now.

Ismail Haniyeh was not only the leader of Hamas but also the Prime Minister of Palestine. Haniyeh had seen struggle the moment he took birth. He was born in a refugee camp, the al-Shati refugee camp in the then Egyptian-controlled Gaza Strip in 1962 to parents who were expelled from Ashkelon during the 1948 Palestine war known as first Nakaba.

Haniyeh gained a bachelors degree in Arabic literature in 1987 from the Islamic University of Gaza, where he first became involved with Hamas after it was formed during the first Intifada against the Israeli occupation, leading to his imprisonment for three short periods after having participated in protests.

After his release in 1992, Haniyeh was exiled to Lebanon, with senior Hamas leaders Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi, Mahmoud Zahhar, Aziz Duwaik, and 400 other activists. The activists stayed at Marj al-Zahour in southern Lebanon for over a year, where, according to BBC News, Hamas received unprecedented media exposure and became known throughout the world. A year later, he returned to Gaza and was appointed Dean of the Islamic University.

In 1997, Haniyeh was appointed to head a Hamas office and subsequently rose in the ranks of the organization. Haniyeh led Hamas to victory in the Palestinian legislative elections of 2006, campaigning on armed resistance against the Israeli occupation, and so became Prime Minister of the State of Palestine. However, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, dismissed Haniyeh from office on 14 June 2007.

But, due to the then-ongoing FatahHamas conflict, Haniyeh did not acknowledge Abbas decree and continued to exercise prime ministerial authority in the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh was the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip from 2006 until February 2017, when he was replaced by Yahya Sinwar. Haniyeh was seen as relatively one of the more pragmatic and moderate figures in Hamas.

Not only Ismail Haniyeh himself but his whole family has gone through a very difficult time for the stand that Haniyeh had taken. In October 2023, fourteen members of his family were killed in an Israeli airstrike on his family home in Gaza City, among them his brother and nephew. In November 2023, a granddaughter of his was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City.

Later that month his eldest grandson was also killed in an Israeli strike. Then on April 10, 2024 which coincided with Eid al Fitr, three of his sons and three grandchildren were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. On 25 June 2024, ten members of his family, including his 80-year-old sister, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Shati refugee camp.

Ismail Haniyehs death has sparked anger against Iran. Some people doubt that Iran has a role to play in the assassination of Haniyeh. Well, whether Iran to be blamed for it or not is a thing that needs to be debated but what needs to be seen is that how actively Israel is tracking people of Hamas and whosoever is against it.

But here is a doubt that we should talk about.

Israel wasnt able to kill him in Lebanon, in Qatar, in Turkey and also while he was the Prime Minister of Palestine. But as he landed in Iran to attend the swearing in ceremony he got martyred. Someone has to answer this, especially Iran, where he got killed.

The Martyrdom of Haniyeh has once again made Israel face criticism. People around the world accuse Israel of further escalating the situation rather than finding out way to end the genocide. United Nations held a meeting regarding the assassination of Hamas Chief. The world must remember Israel doesnt want to end this war. They want to nuke Palestine to make their dream of Greater Israel" come true. Whenever we talk about the present Palestine genocide, we must never forget the actual intension of Israel.

Haniyeh was an outstanding leader. Even after being the Prime Minister he had to live in Qatar. He taught people what a real leader looks like and how actually oriented politics is done.

I pay my tribute to the veteran leader, who lived like refugee, fought like a knight and achieved martyrdom like a brave solider. Not only Ismail Haniyeh alone, but his entire family members are inspiration to us.

Ismail Haniyeh has been laid to rest in Doha, Qatar with full state honours. Rest in Peace Commander.

[The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi, is a Law Student and Human Rights defender.]

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KCET 2024 First (Mock) Allotment on Aug 07

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) Friday confirmed the date of release of UGCET 2024 (KCET 2024) First Mock Allotment date and also the last date of Option Entry for admission in different undergraduate courses

Saturday August 3, 2024 9:02 AM , ummid.com News Network

Karnataka UGCET 2024: The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) Friday confirmed the date of release of UGCET 2024 (KCET 2024) First Mock Allotment date and also the last date of Option Entry for admission in different undergraduate courses.

Candidates should note that Karnataka Examination Authority conducts counselling based on KCET 2024 and NEET UG 2024 scores for admission in Medical, Engineering, Architecture, Yoga & Naturopathy, and Veterinary, Farm Science, Pharmacy (B Pharm and Pharm D), B Sc Nursing and other courses.

Candidates should note the KEA has activated Option Entry link for all UG courses except undergraduate medical courses that include MBBS, BDS, BUMS, BAMS, BHMS and others. The KEA will conduct UG NEET 2024 Counselling separately.

Candidates should note that online registration for Karnataka UG NEET counselling was invited through a separate link provided on the official website. Option entry link for UG NEET 2024 counselling and detailed allotment schedule will be published soon.

UGCET First Mock Allotment

In a notification released Friday August 02, 2024, the KEA said it will publish the UGCET 2024 First Mock Allotment result on August 07.

The first mock allotment to be published on August 7 will be based on the options submitted till August 04, 2024.

Option entry for UGCET 2024 counselling commenced on July 23 and option entry portal will close on August 04, 2024 at 11:59 PM, the KEA said.

Publication of First Mock Allotment Result will be on August 07, 2024 after 02:00 PM, the KEA said.

KCET 2024 Option Entry

Candidates should note that seat allotment will be done based on the options submitted by the candidates.

Candidates are also advised to refer the KCET 2024 Seat Matrix published on the official website before proceeding for option and choice filling.

Before proceeding for option entry candidates are required to download verification slip. If they have not yet, they can download KCET verification slip by following the steps and link given here .

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) had conducted document verification rank-wise from June 25 to 29, 2024.

After document verification, the KEA had given candidates the last chance to make correction , if any, in their applications from July 04 to 06, 2024.

Karnataka UGCET 2024

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) had conducted UGCET 2024 on April 18 and 19, 2024. The Kannada Language Test was held on April 20, 2024. The UGCET 2024 Karnataka result was announced on June 01, 2024 .

The KEA had earlier invited separate application for medical, dental, ayurveda, unani and homoeopathy courses as part of UGNEET 2024 counselling in Karnataka.

The KEA also published on its website provisional eligibility list for NEET UG 2024 counselling.

Meanwhile, the candidates can also refer to UGCET Information Bulletin a 52-page document in PDF, available on the website for detailed counselling procedure, post seat allotment activity, mode of payment and other details.

[The featured image used here is AI generated.]

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HA NOI  The semiconductor industry is one of the most important strategic industries globally and Viet Nam is actively participating in the semiconductor ecosystem at both regional and global levels.

Viet Nam's strategic location and growing manufacturing capabilities make it an attractive destination for semiconductor companies looking to expand their global production footprint, with companies like Intel, Samsung, Foxconn, and Amkor investing in local factories.

The shift in global semiconductor production chains is opening up opportunities for Viet Nam to develop its domestic semiconductor industry.

Viet Nam has a young, educated workforce with a strong drive to innovate, which is well suited for the semiconductor industry.

The global semiconductor industry has seen remarkable growth in recent years, reaching nearly US$800 billion in value by 2023.

The rise of high-tech applications like self-driving cars, AI, cloud computing and big data are driving major demand growth for semiconductors, according to Dr. Vu Xuan Hoai, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Centre.

Hoai spoke at a recent seminar organised by the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA), which focused on boosting investment and development in the industry. During the seminar, Hoai highlighted that the semiconductor industry in Viet Nam is demonstrating strong growth potential. He pointed out the significant involvement of leading global corporations such as Samsung, Intel, Renesas, Qorvo, Marvell, Synopsys, Ampere, and Infineon. These companies have established R&D centers and manufacturing plants in Viet Nam, underscoring the country's emerging role as a key player in the global semiconductor market.

The Vietnamese government has shown strong determination in developing the semiconductor industry ecosystem, including establishing the National Innovation Center (NIC) and high-tech parks.

Viet Nam has implemented the National Power Development Plan and has transport infrastructure to support the semiconductor industry.

Preferential policy mechanisms like the Capital Law, Decree 94/2020/N-CP and Resolution 98/2023/QH15 provide favourable conditions for investors.

Viet Nam has an abundant source of technical labour and many prestigious research and training units in the semiconductor field.

By 2030, Viet Nam aims to train a total of 50,000 engineers for the semiconductor industry, including 15,000 IC design engineers and 35,000 engineers for manufacturing, packaging, testing and other related fields. In addition, four national shared laboratories and 18 standard laboratories will also be established in the north, central and south of the country.

Viet Nam will support the semiconductor industry with 100 design enterprises, one manufacturing enterprise, ten chip packaging and testing enterprises and 15 semiconductor industrial equipment factories and expand the training network to about 200 locations nationwide.

The interest shown by US semiconductor giants such as Intel, Nvidia and others indicates strong international support and confidence in Viet Nams potential. Similarly, investments from South Korean, Taiwanese and Japanese companies underscore a broad-based interest in Viet Nams semiconductor ecosystem.

Recent high-level diplomatic and trade visits to Viet Nam by US President Biden and leading US, South Korean, Taiwanese, and Japanese semiconductor companies have highlighted Viet Nam's potential in this industry.

Tran inh Thien, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, also pointed out that Viet Nam, and Ha Noi in particular, are facing challenges in competing in the global semiconductor technology market.

The US has attracted US$395 billion in foreign investment in semiconductor production and announced $50 billion in funding for US companies for research, development and chip production.

Japan has invested over $30 billion for its companies to regain a leading position in the chip industry. China is also developing a new industrial ecosystem including AI and semiconductor chips.

Over 15 years ago, Viet Nam has made some progress in the semiconductor industry. The country invested hundreds of millions of US dollars in key semiconductor technology laboratories.

The country also participated in the global semiconductor supply chain as an emerging manufacturer, assembler and tester, accounting for six per cent of semiconductor product value.

In 2022, Viet Nam exported $6.5 billion in semiconductor equipment, an 83 per cent increase from the previous year, making it a top three exporter in Asia. It has the potential to become an OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) centre in Southeast Asia.

Challenges ahead

Despite the strengths, Viet Nam still faces some significant challenges that need to be overcome to fully capitalise on the semiconductor opportunity.

The semiconductor manufacturing process is incredibly complex and involves numerous steps. Each chip production cycle requires crossing international borders multiple times due to its fragmented supply chain. This complexity necessitates advanced technological expertise and high-level infrastructure, which Viet Nam currently lacks.

Viet Nams semiconductor industry is still in its nascent stages, with only a few local companies involved primarily in low-end chip design. Building a robust semiconductor ecosystem will require substantial investment in education and training to develop a skilled workforce capable of handling advanced technologies.

Developing semiconductor manufacturing capabilities requires significant infrastructure, including clean rooms, advanced fabrication facilities, and reliable supply chains. Viet Nam will need to make substantial investments to build and maintain such infrastructure.

Developing a robust semiconductor ecosystem requires major investments in R&D, specialised talent development, advanced manufacturing capabilities and supporting infrastructure.

The semiconductor industry is highly capital intensive, so Viet Nam will need to attract substantial foreign direct investment to build out its semiconductor fabrication and assembly capabilities.

Strengthening intellectual property protection, improving logistics and supply chain efficiency and enhancing workforce training will also be critical.

Solutions needed

Viet Nam faces substantial challenges in realising its emerging potential in the semiconductor industry that will require concerted, long-term efforts to overcome.

To promote Viet Nam's semiconductor potential, the government and private sector will need to develop a comprehensive, coordinated strategy that addresses these challenges through appropriate and synchronised policies and investments.

Viet Nam is currently 100 per cent dependent on foreign suppliers for semiconductor chips, with only a couple of domestic companies involved in chip design.

The semiconductor industry requires massive investments in advanced manufacturing capabilities, specialised talent and R&D - areas where Viet Nam still has significant limitations.

Recruiting and training a highly qualified semiconductor workforce is a major challenge, as Viet Nam faces a shortage of talent with the right technical skills and language proficiency.

The capital resources of Vietnamese enterprises are limited, making it difficult to invest in the capital-intensive semiconductor fabrication facilities, according to technology leaders and investors at the seminar.

Tran inh Thien suggested that Viet Nam needed to transform the development value system.

The country also needed to focus on identifying challenges at the right level, building a new industrial ecosystem, strengthening national programs for semiconductor industry human resource training, researching renewable energy development strategies like hydrogen and expanding programmes to strengthen internal strength, innovation capacity and national startups.

Nguyen Van Khoa, Chairman of VINASA, assessed that Ha Noi and other regions as well needed to develop a long-term 10-year strategy for developing its ecosystem for training, supplying and manufacturing electronic equipment and semiconductors, learning from other countries that have done this successfully.

Experts at the seminar also recommended that the city and provinces needed to implement investment incentives to attract investment in the semiconductor industry, such as exempting investors from land and water surface rent for 10 years, followed by a 50 per cent reduction for the remaining period and providing a corporate income tax rate of 5 per cent, including a four-year corporate income tax exemption and a 50 per cent reduction for the next nine years. - VNS

DirectionThe Government recently directed the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and relevant units to develop a project 'Developing human resources in the semiconductor industry until 2030, with a vision to 2045' and quickly put into practice to achieve the goal that by 2030, Vietnamese engineers will be able to deeply participate in the design process of modern semiconductor circuits and work in a global environment, meeting the increasing demand for semiconductor personnel in the world. In addition, Viet Nam has been continuously promoting the search and attraction of FDI enterprises to solve the output problem when promoting human resource training in the semiconductor industry.
HA NOI  Viet Nam is seeing a very great opportunity to drive and develop the semiconductor industry, with the presence of global tech conglomerates and international capital influx.

As a result, demand for high-quality employees is high, but it remains a challenge for the industry due to numerous factors. Viet Nam News reporter Ly Ly Cao spoke to insiders from the National Innovation Centre (NIC), FPT University and Viettel to get more insightful opinions about the matter at a recent seminar held by the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA).

What advantages does Viet Nam possess in terms of human resources for the industry?

Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy director of the National Innovation Centre (NIC): Viet Nams current advantage lies in its young population and the remarkably high enrolment rate, around 29 per cent, in the STEM major (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Even though this rate still falls short of the levels seen in larger countries with well-developed science and technology industries, such as Germany, the US or Singapore, we do have a sizable pool of workers.

Viet Nams semiconductor industry comprises over 40 enterprises. Of these, approximately 40 companies are focused on design, while more than 10 enterprises are involved in packaging, testing and production processes. The design segment alone employs a workforce of nearly 6,000 engineers, and the engineering teams across the other segments total around 10,000.

Dr. Le Truong Tung, president of FPT University: We have a huge population, ranking 3rd in the Southeast Asia region and 15th in the world. And more importantly, Vietnamese people demonstrate a remarkable aptitude for learning, with an exceptional ability to quickly pick up new skills and knowledge. This is a significant strength they possess.

What are the difficulties that Viet Nam faces in cultivating a workforce for the countrys semiconductor industry?

Vo Xuan Hoai: The biggest challenge in developing human resources for the semiconductor industry, I believe, is, first, an insufficient number of qualified lecturers and instructors. To build up the required human resource base, we must prioritise training and developing this pool of teaching staff.

Additionally, we currently lack specialised support policies to assist learners who choose to pursue education and training in the semiconductor industry. As a relatively new and technically complex field, entering this industry is not easy for students. We therefore need to establish government-backed support systems covering tuition, scholarships and tailored training programmes.

Finally, Viet Nams semiconductor education programmes do not yet meet international standards. The semiconductor industry encompasses a wide range of disciplines, from design and packaging to testing and production, including materials science. To produce students and engineers of global calibre, we must urgently update our curricula to align with internationally recognised training standards.

Dr. Le Truong Tung: The key challenges in developing human resources for the industry are scaling up the training scale, compressing the training timeline and ensuring international standards are met.

We need to rapidly scale up the training capacity to meet the massive demand for semiconductor talent. The semiconductor industry is rapidly growing, requiring Viet Nam to produce a large number of qualified engineers and technicians in a short time.

Meanwhile, the training timeline is extremely compressed, with a maximum of only three years to provide the necessary skills and knowledge. This puts significant pressure on the training system to accelerate the curriculum and quickly produce job-ready graduates.

And these human resources must be trained to international standards, as they will be expected to work and compete in the global semiconductor industry. The training programmes in the country need to align with global best practices to ensure the graduates can seamlessly integrate into the global semiconductor ecosystem.

How can we encourage students to pursue jobs in the industry?

Nguyen Trung Kien, deputy director of Viettel Semiconductor Technology Division: From the very beginning of the division's establishment, our semiconductor-related divisions have actively encouraged and supported students. As early as their third or fourth year of university, students can come to our company to get familiar with and start using the latest chip design tools and technologies.

This programme has been in place for 6-7 years now, allowing us to engage with and develop semiconductor talent at an early stage in their academic careers. By providing this kind of hands-on experience and exposure to the industry, we aim to better prepare the next generation of engineers and designers for the realities of working in the fast-paced semiconductor field.

While we have been successful in attracting and training young talent through our student internship programme, retaining these skilled individuals poses some difficulties for us. There are a few key factors at play.

Firstly, it's crucial that the interns we bring on can demonstrate the right fit and capabilities to meet our specific business needs. We have high standards when it comes to the technical and practical skills required in our semiconductor operations. Ensuring a strong alignment between the students' competencies and our requirements is an important consideration in retention.

Secondly, the job market for semiconductor and chip design talent in Viet Nam has become highly competitive in recent years. Many of the top students we work with are highly sought after, not just by Viettel, but by other leading technology companies as well. This intense competition makes it challenging to hold on to all the interns we train, despite our best efforts.

Vo Xuan Hoai: We have determined to focus our investment on four national-level shared semiconductor laboratories so that universities, students and lecturers have the opportunity to go there to experiment, test and practise.

These laboratories are located in the NIC with an investment of VN1 trillion (US$39.7 million), Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VN1.5 trillion), Vietnam National University, HCM City (VN2 trillion), and a Nang City (VN430 billion).

At the same time, we will also invest in an additional 18 standard laboratories in universities, based on surveys and assessments.

And students and future engineers must be offered clear prospects of excellent job opportunities and high salaries for them to pursue a career in the industry.

In my view, engaging various stakeholders, especially the government, academia and businesses, including foreign investors, is crucial for the development of the countrys semiconductor industry. This should be done not just at the local level, but across the nation, in cities and at the regional scale.  VNS
HA NOI The United States Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced the initiation of a second administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order for Vietnamese honey, according to the Trade Remedies Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

The review list will include businesses exporting honey to the US market. Any firm which finds itself on this list that did not export honey to the US during the review period must notify the US Department of Commerce within 30 days of the date of the notice of initiation of the review if any shipments are suspended for consideration.

Within 35 days from the date of announcing the initiation of the review set for September 2, the DOC will move to conduct the selection of enterprises as compulsory defendants in the case based on the export volume of businesses from high to low, according to data compiled by the US Customs and Border Protection (CPB).

Within 90 days from the date of initiation of the review slated for October 27, parties can move to withdraw their request for review.

For countries that the US considers to be non-market economies such as Viet Nam, to enjoy separate tax rates, businesses must apply for separate tax rates within 30 days from the date of the notice of initiation of review slated for August 28.

If the enterprise does not apply for a separate tax rate and is not selected as a mandatory defendant, the firm will instead be subject to the national tax rate.

The DOC will issue its final review results no later than June 30, 2025.

To ensure the legitimate rights of enterprises, the Trade Remedies Authority recommends that firms either producing or exporting related products continue to stay updated on the developments of the case, properly and fully implement the requirements of the US investigation agency, and closely coordinate with authorities throughout the process of dealing with the case.

In late 2021 the DOC issued preliminary conclusions on anti-dumping investigations into Vietnamese honey and moved to impose anti-dumping duties of 410.93 per cent to 413.99 per cent on products.

The implementation of sky-high anti-dumping duties left Vietnamese honey exporters in shock, causing honey exports to plummet. On April 8, 2022, the anti-dumping duties applied to Vietnamese companies fell within a range of 58.74 per cent to 61.27 per cent. VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Industry and Trade early this week approved a plan to organise an exhibition in late October to promote the export of products under the One-Community-One-Product (OCOP) programme.

The exhibition is scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 4 in Venice Zone, Ocean Park 3, Hung Yen with around 300 kiosks for more than 150 enterprises to display and promote their OCOP products. There will be the participation of several foreign companies operating in the food processing and garment industry.

VIETNAM OCOPEX aims to create opportunities for companies with OCOP to engage with global production and supply chains and integrate into the international markets.

A conference on promoting the consumption of OCOP products in the modern distribution networks in the foreign countries will be organised within the framework of the exhibition, together with the introduction of a pilot sale section of farm produce online trading platform.

VIETNAM OCOPEX where domestic and foreign enterprises, exporters, distributions and trade promotion agencies will gather is expected to promote the development and help establish value chains for OCOP products in the international markets.

OCOP was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2018 aiming to promote the economic development in rural areas with the focus on developing and establishing value chains for agricultural products of each locality.

As of June 2023, there are more than 9,850 OCOP products with three-star ratings or higher.  VNS
Seizing semiconductor opportunities

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Viet Nam wants to develop its semiconductor industry to be on par with the best in the world. But to do so, experts say the country must concentrate on finding and training the best possible staff to fill future roles. A recent exhibition and series of workshops held in Hanoi by the Hanoi Promotion Agency featured the present situation of the industry in Vietnam.
HA NOI  Budget carrier Vietjet has been honoured for its corporate sustainability during the award ceremony hosted by Nhip Cau au Tu magazine.

This year, Vietjet has been voted and honoured in two important categories - outstanding sustainable transport and HR strategy for sustainable development", recognising Vietjets special results in sustainable development programmes, green transition, low carbon strategy, aiming at using green energy, saving and efficiency as well as managing human resources most effectively and optimally.

As a sustainable development enterprise, Vietjet has implemented many environmental protection and sustainable development activities since its establishment by optimising resources.

Vietjet is a pioneering airline in implementing green transition, using a modern fleet with the ability to save up to 20 per cent of fuel to reduce emissions released into the environment, optimising aircraft configuration, pioneering the use of electronic tickets instead of paper tickets to minimise the use of paper and ink.

The airline's current inflight service equipment also uses environmentally friendly, recyclable materials such as areca, bamboo, coconut, and biodegradable packaging, aiming to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050.

Vietjet has also taken the initiative in participating in research, development, and use of sustainable aviation fuel, aiming to become a green airline, leading in technology, environmentally friendly, and activities associated with sustainable development.

In addition, Vietjet has been named in the category of human resource strategy for sustainable development thanks to its financial indicators, labour policies; working environment, leadership, and corporate management, awards, titles, and special achievements that have been recognised in business, activities demonstrating the company's responsibility to society, to employees and employees' children.

Vietjet currently has a high-quality human resource with more than 6,000 employees from more than 50 countries and territories. Every year, thousands of candidates apply to Vietjet because it not only has good income and benefits but also a professional working environment with open career development opportunities.

The Top 50 Corporate Sustainability Award is an annual one initiated by Nhip Cau au Tu magazine to promote the trend of sustainable development to spread widely in the business community and Vietnamese society while recognising and honouring businesses that have contributed to sustainable development, environmental friendliness, and social justice.

The award also contributes to raising awareness and inspiring sustainable development and environmental protection for the community.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam requests the US to continue implementing its commitment to broad, strong and constructive coordination and to soon recognise the market economy status of Viet Nam, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang has said.

Hang made the statement on August 3 while answering a reporter's question about Viet Nam's reaction to the US Department of Commerce (DOC)'s decision on continuing to identify Viet Nam as a non-market economy.

"We are disappointed that the US Department of Commerce continues to identify Viet Nam as a non-market economy. Although recognising many positive changes in the Vietnamese economy in recent times, this decision does not fully reflect Viet Nam's great efforts and achievements in building and developing a market economy, which have been recognised by the international community," she said.

According to the spokeswoman, in recent times, Vietnamese agencies and businesses have actively coordinated with the US Department of Commerce to provide many convincing arguments affirming that Viet Nam's economy has fully met six market economy criteria in line with the US law.

This has also been supported by many US and international associations, businesses, and experts. In fact, to date, 72 countries have recognised Viet Nam as having a market economy. International organisations have recognised the remarkable progress of the Vietnamese economy. At the same time, Viet Nam has participated in many high-quality Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

"In the spirit of comprehensive strategic partnership, Viet Nam requests the US to continue implementing its commitment to broad, strong and constructive coordination and to soon recognise the market economy status of Viet Nam. Relevant Vietnamese agencies will continue to coordinate closely with US partners to ensure that bilateral economic and trade relations will continue to develop stably and harmoniously, bringing practical benefits to businesses and people of the two countries," Hang added.  VNS
HA NOI  President To Lam was unanimously elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam during a conference of the 13th Party Central Committee on Saturday.

Here is the summary of his background and achievements:

To Lam was born on July 10, 1957, in Nghia Tru Commune, Van Giang District, Hung Yen Province. He currently resides on Phan inh Phung Street, Quan Thanh Ward in Ha Noi's Ba inh District.

He joined the Communist Party of Viet Nam on August 22, 1981, and has an impressive academic background, holding the titles of Professor and Doctor of Law.

Throughout his career, To Lam has held several significant positions. He has been a member of the Central Committee for the 11th, 12th, and 13th tenures, and a member of the Politburo for the 12th and 13th tenures.

He has also served as a deputy of the National Assembly for the 14th and 15th tenures.

His tenure in the Ministry of Public Security is noteworthy. He served as Deputy Minister from 2010 to 2016 and was appointed Minister from 2016 to 2024. In January 2019, he was promoted to the rank of General of the People's Public Security.

In 2024, To Lam was appointed as President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

His election as General Secretary marks another significant milestone in his distinguished career.  VNS
HA NOI  The 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam convened a meeting in Ha Noi on August 3 to nominate the candidate and elect the General Secretary of the 13th Party Central Committee. Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Political Bureau, presided over the meeting.

At the meeting, based on the Party's regulations and the Political Bureau's direction for the nomination of the personnel, the Party Central Committee upheld of the sense of responsibility, focused brainpower, democratically discussed and reached a high consensus with 100 per cent of approval votes, elected comrade To Lam, Politburo member, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as General Secretary of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

The Vietnam News Agency introduces the translation of the inaugural address of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee:

INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIET NAM CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Dear chairmen of the conference,

Dear members of the Party Central Committee,

Dear delegates attending the meeting,

First and foremost, I sincerely thank the Political Bureau for your trust and nomination, and members of the Party Central Committee for your confidence in electing and entrusting me with the great responsibility of the General Secretary of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. This is a great honour, and simultaneously, a glorious responsibility before the Party, the people, the thousand-year-old illustrious history of the nation, and the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland in the new era.

I promise before the Party Central Committee, our entire Party, people and army to tirelessly strive, together with the members of the Party Central Committee, to inherit and vigorously promote the glorious traditions and valuable experiences of our Party and the achievements of National Party Congresses, including the 13th National Party Congress; uphold the highest spirit of "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-reliance, self-strengthening and national pride"; continually strengthen unity and solidarity within the Party and the great national unity; continue to step up the Party building and rectification, and prevent and combat corruption and negative phenomena; align the thought with the action, the Party's will with the people's hearts; and dedicate fully and wholeheartedly to, strive and sacrifice for a strong Communist Party of Viet Nam; for a strong, democratic just, and civilised Viet Nam; and for well-off and happy Vietnamese people.

I will focus on effectively leading the completion of work to successfully organise the coming 14th National Party Congress, properly preparing the draft documents of the Congress, giving orientations and well preparing personnel affairs at different levels, the review of 40 years of national renewal, inheriting the important theoretical achievements on socialism and the path to socialism in Viet Nam, as summarised by generations of Party leaders, including late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, to propose correct policies and continue to lead the country towards comprehensive development in the coming period.

I firmly believe that the 13th Party Central Committee, the Political Bureau and the Secretariat will be steadfast and strong collectives and nuclei that gather the strength and lead our entire Party, people, and army to successfully implement the Partys guidelines and policies, firstly the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, laying a solid foundation for achieving the goals of the country 100 years under the Partys leadership, 100 years since the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, with the aim of making the country a socialist-oriented developed nation by the mid-21st century. The recent decisive policies in the Party will certainly increase the Party's strength, consolidating unity and consensus, and the people's trust in the Party.

I expect to continue receiving close coordination from members of the Party Central Committee so that I can well fulfil my assigned tasks. There are many difficulties and challenges on the journey ahead, but with the unity, consensus and the promotion of the Partys wisdom, mettle and strong, correct and sound decisions, I firmly believe that our country will become increasingly prosperous, our people will enjoy greater well-being and happiness, and our nation will grow stronger and steadily advance towards socialism.

Once again, I sincerely and deeply thank the Party Central Committee and the entire Party for entrusting me with this glorious responsibility.

I wish all comrades good health, happiness and success.

Thank you very much.  VNS
HA NOI Party General Secretary and President To Lam organised a press conference immediately after he was elected by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam on Saturday morning.

Lam said that it is both an honour and a glorious responsibility to be elected as Party General Secretary.

In his speech, he also paid homage to the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who passed away on July 19. Lam said Trong was an exceptionally outstanding leader, a steadfast communist party member with great prestige within the Party, State, and People  embodies the qualities, talents, bravery and intelligence of the Vietnamese leadership generation during the oi Moi (Renewal) period.

According to the new Party leader, given the urgent and regular requirements and tasks of the Party and State in building and developing the country and caring for the lives of the people, the Politburo and the Central Committee have decided to consolidate the leadership positions of the Party and State, starting with the position of General Secretary of the Party Central Committee, which is urgent to ensure the leadership role and successfully achieve the goals of the 13th National Party Congress, to prepare for the Party congresses at all levels moving towards the 14th National Party Congress, to lay a solid foundation to achieve the strategic goals for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; and at the same time, to define a future vision that elevates Viet Nam to stand alongside powerful nations around the world, contributing to global peace and development.

The election of the General Secretary mid-term was conducted in accordance with the Party's Statutes, the personnel orientation of the Central Committee of the 13th Party National Progress and the Party's regulations on personnel work.

The election is not unprecedented, as the Communist Party of Viet Nam has also elected General Secretaries mid-term previously, such as Truong Chinh and Le Kha Phieu.

Lam also said that the process of preparing and nominating candidates for the General Secretary position was conducted meticulously, in strict adherence to the principles and fully met the standards, positions and procedures as stipulated by the Party.

Lam said in his speech: "In my capacity as General Secretary, I will work with the Central Committee of the Party, the Politburo, and the Secretariat to strongly uphold and further the glorious traditions and valuable experiences of our Party, to fully promote the spirit of "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, national pride"; to enhance solidarity and unity within the Party and the great national unity among the people; to align thoughts and actions, the Party's will and the people's hearts; to strive to successfully implement the Party's policies and guidelines, especially the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress; to dedicate wholeheartedly, strive and sacrifice for the cause of the glorious Communist Party of Viet Nam, for a rich, strong, democratic, just, and civilised Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, where the Vietnamese people live in prosperity and happiness."

Unity is Viet Nam's strength

Answering a question from a VNA reporter on his thoughts after being elected as new Party leader, General Secretary and President To Lam said he was very moved and sincerely thanked the comrades, compatriots and international friends.

Lam emphasised that being trusted and elected by the Party Central Committee to hold the position of General Secretary of the Party Central Committee, he realises that this is a very great responsibility before the Party and the people, before the resilient and unyielding country with its thousand-year-old cultural history, and before the miraculous achievements that the Party has achieved over the past 94 years.

He will lead the entire Party, military and people to achieve the trust and expectations of the people for the strong development of the country in the future.

"Perhaps there is nothing more important than unity and consensus," he said.

"Unity and consensus are our strength. We are very pleased with the unity and consensus from within the Party, the Politburo and the Central Committee, which have been spread and continued to be promoted and well-developed.

"This is the strength of our Party and country to overcome many difficulties and challenges, to achieve victories and to achieve the goals set by our Party. Surely, the future development of our country will be bright according to the path our Party has laid out."

No exception in anti-corruption

Responding to journalists' questions about the fight against corruption and negativity, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasised that this is something the public has been eagerly anticipating, especially following the anti-corruption campaign initiated by the Party and led by late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that in the future, the efforts to build and rectify the Party, and the fight against corruption and negativity will continue to be vigorously implemented with the same goals, viewpoints, methods and solutions as before.

In particular, efforts to combat corruption and negativity will be intensified relentlessly, without pause, with no forbidden zones, no exceptions, regardless of who is involved.

Focus will be on combating corruption and negativity primarily within agencies responsible for anti-corruption. Efforts will be made to eliminate petty corruption through various solutions. Anti-corruption measures will also be expanded beyond the state sector, contributing to cleansing the Party and the state apparatus.

The trust of Party members, the public and the international community in anti-corruption work has garnered consensus and support, building the people's trust in the Party and its members.

International relations continued to be strengthened

Responding to questions about priorities in foreign policy, General Secretary and President To Lam clarified the general line of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, especially the 13th Party National Congress resolution, stating that the foreign policy direction remains unchanged.

He said: "We are continuing to implement this policy effectively. We are very pleased with the high international evaluation. Recently, in my capacity as President, I have received several international delegates visiting Viet Nam to share experiences.

"The reason we have a good foreign policy, successfully implemented, enhancing Viet Nam's prestige and position on the international stage, can be seen as practical experience."

General Secretary Lam outlined several key points derived from practical experience in conducting foreign policy. Firstly, maintaining independence, self-reliance, and self-strengthening in foreign relations, with national interests being paramount. Viet Nam will not be swayed by international trends.

Secondly, Viet Nam aims to foster friendships worldwide. Through diplomacy and negotiation, the nation aims to build understanding and closeness, sharing mutual benefits.

Thirdly, Viet Nam's successful foreign policy reflects its international responsibility.

"We are committed to global political stability, the world economy, and human civilisation," said the General Secretary.

"We participate in global and regional peace initiatives and responsibly resolve conflicts, consistently promoting a policy of peace and cooperation. The core direction of our foreign policy remains unchanged."

In terms of future foreign policy priorities, General Secretary Lam affirmed that Viet Nam will continue to strengthen relationships with neighbouring countries, major powers, comprehensive strategic partners, traditional friends and other important partners.

He said: "We will continually enhance political trust, intertwine interests, and solidify comprehensive peaceful and cooperative foreign relations for the highest level of development.

"Additionally, Viet Nam will increase its contributions to maintaining regional and global peace and stability, continue to elevate multilateral diplomacy and enhance its role as an active and responsible member of the international community." VNS
HA NOI  General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on Saturday sent a letter of congratulations to newly-elected General Secretary and State President To Lam on his election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee.

The Vietnam News Agency respectfully introduces the translation of the congratulatory letter:

Dear beloved comrade To Lam,

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and myself, I am honoured and delighted to extend the warmest congratulations to Comrade on your election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam at the meeting of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam on August 3.

Your election to this important position reflects the trust and high appreciation that the Party, the State, and the people of Viet Nam have in your capabilities, abundant experience, and outstanding achievements in leadership and direction over the past time.

I firmly believe that under the correct, sound, and wise leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, headed by Comrade, the brotherly Vietnamese people will continue to achieve even greater accomplishments in the cause of renewal, successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and fulfill the goal of building Viet Nam into a modernity-oriented industrialised country with a rich people, strong nation, just, democratic, and civilised society and ultimately becoming a socialist-orientated developed country.

I affirm my commitment to stand side by side with Comrade and leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State to continue strengthening and nurturing the Laos - Viet Nam, Viet Nam - Laos great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation in a more intensive and effective way in all areas to bring practical benefits to the people of our two countries as well as contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

On this important and meaningful occasion, I wish you abundant health, happiness, and great success in your honourable and noble career.

Respectfully yours,

Thongloun Sisoulith

 VNA/VNS
HA NOI  President of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) Hun Sen on Saturday sent a message of congratulations to State President To Lam on his election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee.

The Vietnam News Agency respectfully introduces the translation of the message:

On behalf of the Cambodian Peoples Party Central Committee, I express my joy and congratulations to Comrade To Lam on your election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam at the meeting of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam on August 3, 2024.

Comrade To Lam's election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam demonstrates the trust of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the entire Vietnamese people in his capabilities and sound leadership.

I firmly believe that under Comrade To Lam's leadership, the Communist Party of Viet nam will continue to achieve its goals, ensure political stability and socio-economic development, and maintain peace, stability and prosperity of Viet Nam and the region as well.

During comrade To Lam's leadership term, I believe that the traditional friendship, solidarity, and close cooperation between the two Parties will be further deepened for the benefit of our two nations and people.

I would like to send my most respectful greetings to you.

HUN SEN

President of the Cambodian Peoples Party.

 VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta left Ha Noi on Saturday afternoon, wrapping up his four-day state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of President To Lam.

During his stay, the leader paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid wreaths at the monument to war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son Street in Ha Noi.

He attended a red-carpet welcome ceremony and held talks with President To Lam. Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on bilateral visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders. They visited the Ho Chi Minh Museum and attended a honour banquet.

The Timor-Leste President had meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

During the talks and meetings, the Vietnamese leaders emphasised that President Ramos-Horta's third visit to Viet Nam will contribute to creating new momentum for cooperation between the two countries. They also thanked the leaders and people of Timor-Leste for their good sentiments towards Viet Nam.

They congratulated Timor-Leste for its socio-economic achievements, expressing their wish that the country will successfully realise its plan on national strategic development in the 2011-2030 period, helping it integrate more deeply into the world and making positive contributions to peace, prosperity, and development in the region.

For his part, Ramos-Horta expressed admiration for the revolutionary cause and nation building, and development efforts by Vietnamese leaders and people, and described Viet Nam as a model of development. He affirmed Timor-Leste's appreciation of and desire to further strengthen the friendly relations with Viet Nam.

He took the occassion to once again extend his deepest condolences to Viet Nam over the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The leaders of the two countries expressed satisfaction at the notable progress in bilateral relations and the maintenance of substantial high-level exchanges and interactions. They discussed major orientations for future cooperation, agreeing to promote all-level exchanges and meetings; effectively implement the Framework Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation; expedite the organisation of the first meeting of the Viet Nam-Timor-Leste Joint Committee at the Foreign Ministerial level; and explore the establishment of new bilateral mechanisms that meet the cooperation demand of the two nations.

The two sides also agreed to effectively utilise the potential for cooperation in other important areas, including agriculture, fisheries, telecommunications, education, oil and gas industry, infrastructure development, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Discussing regional and international issues of common concern, the two sides agreed to continue enhancing cooperation and supporting each other at international and regional organisations. Vietnamese leaders affirmed the country's support for Timor-Leste to soon become a full member of ASEAN.

As part of his visit, President Ramos-Horta engaged in an exchange programme with students of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV) in Ha Noi, made a field trip to the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in the northern province of Bac Ninh, and had working sessions with representatives of the Thai Nguyen Uninversity and the telecom group Viettel.  VNS
HA NOI  Foreign leaders have sent their congratulations to President To Lam on his election as the General Secretary of the Party Central Committee.

In his message, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni expressed his firm belief that under Lam's leadership, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam will reap many great achievements, develop rapidly in all fields, and maintain the country's important role in the region and the world.

I believe that the relations between the peoples of Viet Nam and Cambodia will continue to become closer and maintain peace, stability, bilateral friendly cooperation, solidarity and development, the Cambodian King stated.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin held that the results of the CPV Central Committee's meeting fully affirmed Lam's high political prestige, proving his contributions to ensuring socio-economic development and raising the country's position in the international arena.

We highly value your efforts in consolidating the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries. I hope that there will be more constructive dialogues and coordination on pressing issues on the bilateral and international agenda. This will certainly meet the core interests of the friendly peoples of Russia and Viet Nam, contributing to firmly strengthening security and stability in the Asia-Pacific, wrote the Russian President.

With 100 per cent of approval votes, President Lam was elected as the new Party General Secretary at the Party Central Committee's meeting on Saturday.  VNS
HA NOI  Foreign media has highlighted the election of Politburo member and State President To Lam as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV)s 13th Central Committee.

On Saturday, many online publications of major newspapers of Laos reported news of congratulations to Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.

The online version of Pasaxon newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), ran an article entitled "General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee sends a congratulatory letter to the Central Committee of the CPV.

The article published the full message of congratulations from LPRP Central Committee's General Secretary and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith to Party General Secretary and State President Lam.

Meanwhile, the online publication of the Lao National Radio also ran the full text of the congratulatory letter to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and an article entitled "Comrade To Lam elected as the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam".

The article quoted General Secretary and State President Lam's inaugural speech as stating that he will inherit and uphold the revolutionary achievements by late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and previous generations of leaders.

He vowed to maintain solidarity and unity and, together with the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Party Central Committees Secretariat, resolutely lead and direct the entire Party, people and army to accomplish the goals and tasks set forth by the 13th National Party Congress, successfully organise the 14th National Party Congress, and steadfastly advance the nation's development in the new period.

At the same time, the online publication of the magazine of the People's Public Security of Laos also aired LPRP Central Committee's General Secretary and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith's congratulatory letter to Party General Secretary and State President Lam.

Also on Saturday, mainstream media agencies of China, including the Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television, and People's Daily, also gave much space on news about the CPV's 13th Central Committee's meeting the same day, during which the committee elected State President To Lam as the new General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee with an absolute votes of 100 per cent. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, it noted.

Chinese media also quoted the statement of General Secretary and President To Lam, which affirmed his determination to inherit and promote the revolutionary achievements, and his commitment that he, along with the Party Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), the Politburo and the Secretariat, will lead the entire Party, people, and army to achieve the goals and tasks set by the 13th National Congress of the CPV, and successfully organise the 14th National Congress of the Party.

Additionally, foreign news agencies and media also highlighted the statement of the Vietnamese leader at the press conference after the 13th Party Central Committees meeting held earlier the same day, especially the strong implementation of efforts to prevent corruption and negative phenomena.

In its article, Nikkei Asia said Party General Secretary and President To Lam is expected to inherit the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena initiated by the CPV in recent years, as well as maintain Viet Nams balanced foreign policy.

Many news agencies and newspapers such as AFP of France, TASS of Russia, Bangkok Post of Thailand, and The Straits Times of Singapore also highlighted the new General Secretarys statement at the press conference about the push to eradicate corruption and other negative phenomena, regardless of who is involved.

The articles quoted the Vietnamese top leaders statement, saying that the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena over the recent past has created a consensus, support, and trust of the people, officials, and party members towards the Party, as well as high regard from the international community.  VNS
by Nguyen My Ha

He has been the talk of not only the town but the entire country. Viet Nam Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing has left a deep void, not only for his family and home village in ong Anh District, Ha Noi, but for many across Viet Nam.

He is surely missed by millions of his fellow countrymen and around the world. He is one of the rare heads of state to have received condolences from different political parties across the world.

As the leader of the ruling party of Viet Nam, he received condolences from fellow communist parties in Laos and Cuba, traditional long-term friendly countries.

Representatives from more than 100 countries visited the National Funeral Hall in Ha Noi, the Reunification Hall in Ho Chi Minh City, or Vietnamese embassies around the world to pay their final respects for the deceased.

In countries where communist parties exist alongside other political parties, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States, representatives from these parties also paid tributes to his life and work.

It is rare to see representatives from different political systems paying tribute. UK King Charles sent his condolences, and representatives from the UK Communist Party paid tribute. Japan's Prime Minister and the Japanese Communist Party also sent condolences.

As observers, we can see from the global response the impact of a leader from Viet Nam.

A country of 100 million people, Viet Nam may not be large or wealthy, but it has the power to connect people with different viewpoints, commanding respect from all walks of life.

In the scorching sun and heat of 38-40 degrees Celsius in Ha Noi or the heavy tropical rain, thousands of people could have stayed in the shade and watched the live broadcast on TV or social media. Instead, they lined the streets from the National Funeral Hall to the Mai Dich National Cemetery to pay their last respects. Among them were not only the elderly or ageing communist party members but also many young people.

The most moving images were of his grieving wife, children, and grandchildren, who appeared modest, bright, and composed. His son's apology for any inconvenience caused by the long tribute-paying and funeral services to the local populace garnered a level of empathy rarely seen before.

It is the end of a life, but it demonstrated how much it means for ordinary people to have hope and care for their country.

Some critics argue that Party General Secretary Trong should not have run for a third term, given the work and pressure on his ailing health. If he hadn't taken office for the third term, he could have spent more time with his family, who would have wanted him to rest and enjoy moments like wrapping the traditional square glutinous rice cake with his wife and grandchildren, as seen in a photo from Lunar New Year 2019.

But history does not allow for "would have, could have, should have". Since he took office for a third term and died serving his country and people until the last minute, we now witness an outpouring of sentiment and respect from people we never knew existed.

Party General Secretary Trong has left a huge void to fill. Whoever assumes the role will face a challenging task.

Critics argue that he was more familiar with theoretical communist ideology than practical experience. However, he steered a country of 100 million to overcome poverty, food shortages, and infrastructure deficits, achieving self-sufficiency and exporting agricultural produce worldwide.

During his tenure, Viet Nam focused on developing agriculture, becoming a food haven and a destination for tourism.

The Communist Party Congress set a goal to build a prosperous nation with rich citizens, a strong country, and a democratic, equal, and civilised society. The increasing turnover from agricultural exports is a testament to achieving the goal of wealth for its citizens.

Currently, 65 per cent of Viet Nam's population lives in the countryside. Achieving the goal of prosperity means more than just having a handful of billionaires to boost GDP; it requires ensuring that farmers become richer from their crops, preventing wealth disparity and potential social unrest.

During his tenures, the economy grew rapidly, but corruption was widespread, leading to his campaign of "furnace burning". Over 100,000 corrupt officials were removed from their positions, forced to step down, or even imprisoned. This campaign has won public recognition and approval, showing that corruption can be tackled and the system cleansed.

He lived by setting a good example: modest and sincere, tackling corruption as promised. He lived by his words and principles.

Last, but not least, on a personal level, his family lived modestly, quietly doing their jobs well. He proved that he could both serve his country until the last breath and be a loving husband, father and grandfather to the family.

Along the streets during his funeral, people chanted "Long live Uncle Trong" honouring his spirit, once a popular slogan for former kings only. Today it's also used for the country. "Long live Viet Nam!", and may it continue to produce leaders of such shining brilliance in the future. VNS
The delegation, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), included leaders of 30 international, mainland Chinese and Hong Kong enterprises and conglomerates operating in finance and insurance, IT, professional services, infrastructure, transport and logistics, energy, and hospitality.

During the visit to Hanoi from July 31August 1 and Ho Chi Minh City from August 12, 30 MoUs were signed by members of the delegation and Vietnamese government bodies and companies in the areas of trade and investment promotion, finance, fintech, transport and logistics, and education.

The MoUs included financial services deals between the Treasury Bureau of Hong Kong and Vietnam's Ministry of Finance; Invest Hong Kong and the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment; HKTDC and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and HKTDC and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency.

Other MoUs were signed by Sunwah Group (Hong Kong) and Becamex IDC Corp; CCB International Capital Limited and VinaCapital Holdings Ltd; Federation of Hong Kong Industries and Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park J.V. Co., Ltd.; WD Group and Junior Achievement Vietnam.

Concluding the trip, Lee said, During our six-day trip, we visited four cities across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos and participated in 30 events. These included meetings with senior leaders and officials, visits to enterprises and Belt and Road projects, exchanges with the business communities in the four cities, and engaging in activities to promote people-to-people connections.

Lee added that members of the delegation will share their insights and experiences of the visit through their extensive networks.

Peter K N Lam, chairman of the HKTDC, said the focus of the mission was to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and ASEAN, Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner, by introducing the latest business opportunities offered by Hong Kong.

In recent years, Hong Kong has been making tremendous advances in new sectors, such as innovation and sustainability. Our advances in green tech, smart manufacturing, and supply chain management, reinforced by our world-class research and development and industrial park infrastructure and robust government support, provide plenty of opportunities for us to collaborate with ASEAN businesses, he pointed out, adding that the 55 MoUs signed during the trip would pave the way for deeper collaboration.

We would like to express our appreciation to the Hong Kong SAR government and all business delegates for their support. Looking ahead, the HKTDC will continue to help businesses connect with opportunities and build a global ecosystem through our worldwide network of 50 offices, Lam added.

With the BRI entering its second decade and amid greater regional cooperation facilitated by agreements, like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Hong Kong will continue to build on its role as super connector, linking the wider China market with ASEAN and the world at large.

The HKSAR government and HKTDC will host the Belt and Road Summit on September 11-12 in Hong Kong. At this annual signature conference, which brings together the leading voices from diverse sectors across Belt and Road markets and beyond, Vietnamese companies will be offered countless collaboration opportunities.

The ASEAN trip aimed to deepen economic and trade relations, enhance cultural exchanges, and explore collaboration opportunities between ASEAN and Hong Kong, building on the success of previous ASEAN missions to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia in 2023, and Thailand in 2022.

30 Hong Kong companies to visit Vietnam Some 30 leaders of leading international, Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong enterprises and conglomerates will visit Vietnam to explore the investment and business opportunities.

Hong Kong toasts return of Vinexpo Asia Vinexpo Asia, the regions leading international wine and spirits trade exhibition, opened to much celebration at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this week.
Dinh Hoai Nam, director and head of business development at SLP Vietnam, said, Over the past four years, we have experienced rather efficient project implementation in key northern localities. Still, there are some small obstacles related to investment and licensing. Some provinces request us to clarify whether SLP is an industrial real estate company or a logistics service provider. It indicates that there is no clear definition for businesses in our industry, which leads to a lack of proper policies like land, tax, and credit incentives. Vietnam needs to issue more appropriate policies for the industry.

In addition, it is vital to build a synchronous infrastructure system. SLP hopes the government will accelerate this process to improve connectivity, Nam added.

According to Nam, there's a scarcity of land in tier-1 markets surrounding Hanoi, Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Long An. Hence, they are switching their focus to the tier-2 and tier-3 markets. To lure industrial property developers, localities should prepare infrastructure, coupled with attractive policies and investment promotions. SLP is researching the expansion of its land funds to tier-2 markets and beyond.

Regarding these challenges, Edwin Chee, COO of SLP Vietnam, said, The industrial property market is facing key challenges in 2024. First, profitability is expected to decline due to high financing costs, which are driving up the capitalisation rates for properties. Second, there is fierce price competition from neighbouring countries like Thailand, where industrial land rental prices are often lower. Additionally, high logistics, construction, and labour costs in Vietnam pose significant hurdles.

Despite these challenges, there is optimism for long-term growth due to Vietnam's strong economic fundamentals and substantial foreign direct investment, he emphasised.

SLP has expanded its portfolio aggressively in the country, comprising 11 projects with a total construction area of about one million square metres. The company is ready to exploit about 470,000 sq.m. SLP is also accelerating project expansion and construction in Bac Ninh, Dong Nai, and Hung Yen, which will be announced in 2025.

SLP earned recognition for its green transformation strategies at VIPF 2024 SLP was recognised one of the industrial property developers with green transformation strategies in 2024 as part of the Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) 2024.

SLP at the forefront of changes in Vietnam's industrial property market As Vietnams industrial property landscape is changing with more institutional players, SLP, a leading industrial and logistic infrastructure developer worldwide, is at the forefront of the changes.
Semiconductors is one of the most promising areas for future cooperation between Vietnamese and Korean firms. (Photo: VNA)

Seoul  Entrepreneurs of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have defined information technology and semiconductors as the most promising areas for future economic cooperation between the two countries, according to a recent survey conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

The survey results were released to business leaders on August 1. The survey was carried out directly at the RoK - Vietnam Business Forum held on July 1 as part of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs visit to the RoK.

Accordingly, following IT and semiconductors, 22.3 per cent of Korean firms selected green energy as the second most promising area, while 20.4 per cent of Vietnamese respondents chose finance and fintech.

Regarding sectors offering the highest value in the current bilateral economic cooperation, 45.5 per cent of Korean and 42.6 per cent of Vietnamese businesses defined electrical and electronics as the leading field.

The RoK side also ranked distribution-logistics, apparel-textiles, and automotive-steel-metals at 11.6 per cent, 11.1 per cent, 10.6 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, machinery and equipment were selected by 17.6 per cent of participating Vietnamese companies, followed by apparel-textiles, with 16.2 per cent.

The survey also showed that 42.3 per cent and 29.1 per cent of Korean companies saw the expansion of investment, trade, and supply chain stability as positive impacts of the Vietnam-RoK economic cooperation on their national economies. Meanwhile, 41.2 per cent of Vietnamese firms chose job creation and 27.9 per cent mentioned industrial restructuring.

When asked about the benefits of the collaboration for their companies, the RoK side selected reduced production costs (39.7 per cent), supply chain stability (25.9 per cent), and new business opportunities and market expansion (21.2 per cent). Meanwhile, 35.3 per cent of Vietnamese groups highlighted technology development as the greatest benefit.

The KCCI noted that Korean companies invest in Vietnam to reduce costs and stabilise their supply chains, with expectations to further expand investment and trade at the national level. On the other hand, Vietnamese firms hope to enhance domestic industrial structure by improving technological capabilities and exploring new business activities through collaboration with Korean partners.

Regarding the governments' focus for broadening economic cooperation, Korean businesses expressed a desire for the Vietnamese government to expand investment incentives (39.2 per cent) and ease restrictive regulations (32.8 per cent). Vietnamese enterprises, meanwhile, suggested that the Korean government should widen opportunities for finding business partners (44.1 per cent) and expand investment incentives (22.1 per cent).

KCCI Vice Chairman Park Il-joon stated that based on more detailed results of future surveys, the chamber plans to connect with its office in Vietnam and relevant agencies to explore specific projects aimed at stepping up economic engagement between the two countries.

South Korea to invest $7 billion in AI by 2027 South Korea will invest almost $7 billion in artificial intelligence by 2027 in an effort to become a global leader in cutting-edge semiconductors, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday.

A strengthened high-tech workforce for semiconductors Vietnam has plenty of work to do if it wants to become a true global hub for semiconductor manufacturing. Dr. Quan Le, principal investigator for the Semiconductor Workforce Development Research Grant under Fulbright University Vietnam, covered the potential for Vietnam and how to reach it with VIRs Vy Vy.

Vietnam welcomes Indian interest in hi-tech and semiconductor sectors The Vietnamese government opens its arms to Indian entrepreneurs and businesses to invest in high-technology, semiconductors, and digital technology, according to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Bui Hoang Phuong.

Inflows picking up the pace for semiconductors Semiconductors are heating up foreign investment inflows into Vietnam, and capturing a larger proportion of the total.

Appetite for high-growth stocks linked to semiconductors, AI and digital assets Investors are scouting for high-growth stocks related to semiconductors and AI as well as acquiring digital assets, heard a recent panel discussion about investment opportunities in H2.
DES MOINES  The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services published a map Thursday that details its plan to reorganize the states delivery of behavioral health services. It combines Iowas current 32 mental health and substance use regions into seven unified behavioral health districts.

The restructure aims to improve a system that both state officials and advocates agree is badly fractured. It was approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds earlier this year, and goes into effect July 1, 2025.

Each of the seven districts under the new system will be required to provide a standard set of core services, ensuring consistent care system wide, Reynolds said.

Advocates cheered the plan, saying they hope it will improve access for patients. But they say questions remain over how funding will be spread across the new districts as well as how providers and Iowans seeking care will be affected in the transition.

How map was created

In the map published Thursday, Black Hawk County is part of a 14-county region that extends east to the Mississippi River, and includes Linn, Johnson and Scott counties. It encompasses Iowas second through fifth most-populous counties.

The new district containing Black Hawk loses Bremer, Benton and Iowa counties  three of the nine counties that currently make up the East Central Mental Health Region.

Health and Human Services said when creating the final map, it considered stakeholder feedback in addition to data-driven criteria, including access to care, high-need areas, city and county boundaries, prevalence of doctors, dentists and mental health providers and the rate of Medicaid patients.

This tool helped create balanced and compact districts that reflect the varied, data-driven needs of the population while considering existing administrative boundaries and potential collaborations, it says in a seven-page report prepared by department Director Kelly Garcia and published Thursday with the new map.

The district map, in combination with the development and utilization of a data-informed funding formula, will ensure that resources are allocated effectively to support the full array of behavioral health needs of Iowans.

Under the newly designed system, the department will define required services, implement performance metrics and provide oversight of the system, while the districts handle prevention, education, early intervention, treatment, recovery and crisis services related to mental health and substance use disorders.

Funding for the services will be merged into one behavioral health fund overseen by the state. The funding formula hasnt been announced yet.

Most populous district

Nearly one-third of Iowans  1,038,782 people  live in the new district containing Black Hawk County, said Mae Hingtgen, chief executive officer of the East Central Region.

Theres an advantage of the fact that we have so many populous counties, Hingtgen said. Because its such a large population in this district, we also have more people who have need. Its going to be our responsibility to find that balance between available resources and distribution according to need.

While residents will benefit from this populous district being full of behavioral health resources, Linn County Mental Health Access Center Director Erin Foster said, she questioned what impact this concentration of resources will have on other districts.

My fear is there are some of these districts that really do not have a lot of services and options for services in them, Foster said. You look at the region that we are in, and it is very resource rich. There is an advantage to being in this district, but what does that look like for the other districts?  How do we make sure that they have an equitable amount of resources that all the other districts do?

Foster pointed to resources like Foundation 2 Crisis Services, which employs law enforcement liaisons in the sheriffs offices in Linn, Buchanan, Benton, Delaware and Dubuque counties, and police departments in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Dubuque. She said it was uncertain how such programs would be impacted when its administrative districts are split.

Foundation 2 officials declined to comment as the redistrictings impact on services is unknown at this point.

Foster said she and other area providers hope to better understand the states rationale behind this map next Tuesday, when Health and Human Services will host a virtual discussion launching the new districts.

The purpose of the realignment was to increase accessibility and increase effectiveness of people getting services, Foster said. I hope when we have the opportunity to hear the rationale behind where this district landed thats explained to us.

Hingtgen said the state has been focused on defining outcomes of services  for instance, that people who have interactions with law enforcement should have behavioral health support. Its possible different districts could meet the same outcome with a different service, she said.

Hingtgen thinks there will be an impact to organizations like Foundation 2 with a footprint spread across multiple districts, but standardized expectations for services could ensure people have access to the support they need.

If we equalize things, that should be something that does not have a direct impact on the clients that we serve, Hingtgen said.

Whats next?

Now that the districts are formed, the state will use a bidding process to select groups to administer the seven new regions. These organizations could be the existing agencies that oversee mental health regions, or another public or private entity in the district. Organizations will be selected by Dec. 31.

Hingtgen said having this map is a step toward collaborating with the counties that will be part of the new district.

Staff with the East Central Region are gathering input from impacted partners within the district such as law enforcement and mental health providers. The region is applying to be an administrative service organization of the area encompassing Linn and Johnson.

Ultimately, Hingtgen said providers still have to wait and see to determine impacts until the state outlines consistent care standards later this year.

The maps shouldnt really matter to providers and more importantly for people who get services, Hingtgen said.

Tom Barton of the Courier Des Moines Bureau contributed to this story.

Photos: UNI Nursing classrooms 080124jr-uni-nursing-1 080124jr-uni-nursing-2 080124jr-uni-nursing-3 080124jr-uni-nursing-4
The head of a group of family members of victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks said Saturday that she's heard nearly unanimous praise of the U.S. defense secretary's nullification of plea deals for the alleged 9/11 mastermind and two others that would have removed the death penalty as a possibility.

The American Civil Liberties Union, meanwhile, said it plans to challenge the reversal in court, citing it in a statement Saturday as a "rash act" that "violates the law."

Terry Strada, national chair of the group 9/11 Families United, said she was shocked by the announcement late Friday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rejected a plea deal reached just days earlier and restored the death penalty as an option in the cases.

He wrote that authority in the matter ultimately rested with him.

"Nobody saw this coming," Strada said, quickly adding that it was the right thing to do.

"These men deserve no mercy," Strada said. "They certainly didn't show any mercy to my husband or the other 2,976 who died in the attacks."

She said dozens of individuals from her group who she communicated with since Friday night were unanimous.

"Everybody I've talked to wants them put to death because that's the punishment that fits the crime and the message the United States needs to send to terrorists around the world: We will hold you accountable and exercise the death penalty," Strada said.

She said a large international prisoner swap that occurred Thursday was a reminder of the need to ensure that nobody behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks are ever set free.

Al-Qaida terrorists turned hijacked planes into missiles that tore through the 110-story twin World Trade Center towers and smashed into the Pentagon that day. A fourth hijacked plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field after crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit.

The attacks triggered what President George W. Bushs administration called its war on terror, prompting the U.S. military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and years of U.S. operations against armed extremist groups elsewhere in the Middle East.

The attack and U.S. retaliation brought the overthrow of two governments outright, devastated communities and countries caught in the battle, and played a role in inspiring the 2011 Arab Spring popular uprisings against authoritarian Middle East governments.

At home, the attacks inspired a sharply more militaristic and nationalist turn to American society and culture.

Strada said as recently as several days ago that some of the 10,000 family members of those killed in the attacks are divided over whether the death penalty is appropriate.

Austin's action came two days after the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, announced that the official appointed to oversee the war court approved plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.

U.S. authorities point to Mohammed as the source of the idea to use planes as weapons. He allegedly received approval from al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden to craft what became the 9/11 hijackings and killings. U.S. forces killed bin Laden in 2011.

Authorities captured Mohammed in 2003. He was subjected to waterboarding 183 times while in CIA custody before coming to Guantanamo, along with other torture and coercive questioning.

In a release Saturday, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said the civil rights group plans to sue to win a reversal of Austin's move.

"It's stunning that Secretary Austin betrayed 9/11 family members seeking judicial finality while recklessly setting aside the judgment of his own prosecutors and the Convening Authority, who are actually steeped in the 9/11 case. Politics and command influence should play no role in this legal proceeding," Romero said.

He said a death penalty finding would not be upheld on appeal because of the torture experienced by those who were captured after the 9/11 attacks and because military commissions are "inherently unjust."

"After over 20 years, it's time for our government to accept the defendants' guilty pleas as the best solution in a terrible circumstance," Romero said. "The 9/11 families and the American people deserve closure and adherence to due process principles that are the bedrock of our democracy."

Families of those killed in the al-Qaida attacks were told in letters that the plea agreement stipulated the men would serve up to life sentences but would not face death.

Strada said family members feared that if the defendants were placed in U.S. prisons, "any future administration could commute their sentence or use them in a possible prison swap."

"I'm not a ghoul that I want them put to death," Strada added. "I want them put them to death because I don't want them to have a voice, ever."

Photos: 9/11 tributes through the years
Update, August 2, 2024:

A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and death of a woman whose body was found in the Nevada desert.

After a trial in May of 2024, John Chapman was found guilty of one count of kidnapping resulting in death.

According to court documents, in November of 2019, a friend requested a welfare check on Jamie Feden. Neighbors told police they had not seen Feden in about two months, but they had seen Chapman entering and leaving her home.

Inside, they found ID cards with Chapman's name and picture, Feden's cell phone, multiple zip ties and a roll of duct tape.

Chapman took Feden to Las Vegas, Nevada, telling her it was for a vacation, and they might buy a home in the area.

Under the pretext of a bondage photo shoot in the desert, Chapman bound Feden's hands and feet and tied her to a signpost. He then applied duct tape to her mouth and watched her suffocate and die.

The defendant violated the victims trust by luring her away from her family and friends in Pennsylvania and out into the Nevada desert where he viciously killed her, said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. This sentence should send a clear message to others that kidnapping and killing another person will result in a substantial prison sentence."

---

Original Story, November 22, 2019:

Authorities have confirmed a body found last month in a Nevada desert is a Pennsylvania woman who disappeared in September.

Officials in Nevada on Thursday announced dental records were used to identify 33-year-old Jamie Feden.

Police in Pennsylvania have charged her boyfriend, 39-year-old John Chapman of Oakland, Maryland, with kidnapping.

Authorities say Chapman told police the couple drove to Nevada, and he took Feden into the desert about 170 miles north of Las Vegas. Police say he told them he bound her to a signpost and placed duct tape over her nose and mouth until she suffocated.

Her body was found Oct. 5.

Chapman remains held in the Allegheny County Jail pending extradition to Nevada, where he faces a murder charge.

Its not known if Chapman has a lawyer.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Anant S Iyer has taken over the new Director General of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), the apex body of the Indian alcohol beverage companies representing more than 20 major domestic liquor manufacturers.

With over 33 years of experience in the alcobev industry,Iyer has assumed various challenging roles in the liquor industry. He has supervised large teams, by implementing efficient processes, setting performance metrics, and spearheading transformative business initiatives. His vast experience has allowed him to develop an intricate understanding of the industry's workings, relationships, and processes.

Prior to his current role,Iyer was the Chief Operating Officer of Alcobrew, where he was responsible for the company's overall business operations- sales & marketing, collectables, supply chain management and collectables amongst other leading to efficiencies in P&L management while spearheading growth initiatives. Under his leadership, Alcobrew grew and enriched its portfolio of premium offerings.

Iyer has also served as the Chief Operating Officer of Jagatjit Industries Ltd from May 2016 to December 2019. Earlier to the same, during his tenure as the Chief Operating Officer of RPC-East & Nepal at United Spirits Limited for around four years. Iyer has also held the position of Senior Vice President & Business Head, Luxury Brands at United Spirits Limited, where he not only oversaw luxury brands such as Black Dog / Whyte &Mackay Portfolio but also set up Trade Marketing & Key Accounts. Under his leadership, the business experienced remarkable growth, with increased sales value and market share. Mr. Iyer has also essayed various other senior executive roles in United Spirits Limited. Prior to USL,Iyer was for 8 years with the TTK Group.

CIABC is Indias first and premier industry association representing the Indian Domestic Spirits and Wine organisations such as ABD Ltd, Radico Khaitan, Inbrew Beverages, Jagatjit Industries, Mohan Meakin, Khemani Distilleries, Modi Illva, Globus Spirits, Amrut Distilleries, Alcobrew Distilleries, SNJ Distillers, India Glycols, Sula Vineyards, Devans Modern, Piccadily Agro Industries, Tilaknagar Industries, Kyndal India, etc.
Harleys Corner has announced the appointment of Mirza L. Baig as the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. With 27 years of wide ranging experience in marketing and business leadership, Mirza has led the foundation of pioneering brands, set new businesses, unlocking important growth for brands across numerous markets worldwide.

Mirza's entrepreneurial spirit was exemplified through him co-founding Jimmy's Cocktails, India's first global cocktail mixer brand. He built the brand's marketing function, introduced innovative products, and spearheaded expansion into international markets such as Australia, South Africa, Mauritius, Dubai, Nigeria, Nepal, and Chile. His efforts led the brand to a remarkable year-on-year growth.

With exposure to the emerging markets of India, UAE, Southeast Asia, and South America, as well as mature markets in Europe, Australia, and the USA, Mirza has launched and established brands, led award-winning marketing campaigns for global markets, created world-class engagement platforms, managing more than 5,000 large-scale B2B events and exhibitions, and developed sponsorship and revenue models using live IPR and digital content formats.

Throughout his career, Mirza has managed a range of high-profile projects, including the Indian Derby, Heineken Silver Launch and Creation of IP`s for fortune 100 brands He also led Hammerhead Experiences, a company specializing in 360-degree marketing solutions, to build new strategic revenue generation opportunities.

At Harley's Corner, Mirza will be responsible for strategic planning and vision, operational oversight, and growth across core product offerings in the pet food sector. He will focus on expanding the company's footprint in the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C), retail, and export channels worldwide. His expertise will be instrumental in building strong relationships, developing compelling product assortments, and driving online sales through innovative e-commerce strategies.

"I am thrilled to welcome Mirza L. Baig as our CEO and Co-Founder at Harley's Corner. His unparalleled expertise in brand building and market expansion, coupled with his proven leadership in driving exponential growth, make him the perfect fit for our team. Mirza's vision and strategic acumen will undoubtedly propel Harley's Corner to new heights as we strive to innovate and lead in the pet food industry. I am confident that, under his stewardship, our company will not only expand its market presence but also redefine the standards of excellence in our sector," said Ishmeet Singh Chandiok, Dog Chef, Canine Nutritionist and Founder of Harley's Corner.
McCain Foods India, a leading frozen food brand, is reinventing the charm of a cozy rainy day with the family through its new campaign, "McCain Banega, Baarish Ka Maza Badega." The campaign captures the monsoon magic by pairing a steaming cup of tea with crispy McCain snacks, celebrating how this combination enhances the monsoon experience and encapsulates the warm embrace of cherished memories formed through spending quality time together.

The campaign is a vibrant, multi-platform celebration of the monsoon season, blending the comfort of good food with modern convenience. Central to the campaign is a heartwarming digital film portraying a family enjoying a blissful rainy day, evoking nostalgia, and emphasizing the joy of togetherness during monsoons. The campaign also featured a lively social media Brand Banter where over 30 ecommerce brands engaged in playful conversations, enhancing the fun of pairing Chai and McCain, and building on the interactive dimension of the campaign. The interaction is further enhanced through a social media contest, attracting over 300 entries, and engaging bite-sized content by prominent influencers like @hungrymahi and @diningwithdhoot. Further content available on Google Weather API, Meta, and YouTube is enhancing the campaign's visibility and engagement, with a planned reach of over 15 million viewers.

In addition to digital and social media elements, the campaign includes captivating DOOH advertisements in high-traffic areas, enhanced with weather API technology. These "Weatherboards," connected to a weather app, deliver real-time weather updates to commuters and shoppers, informing them of upcoming showers and helping them plan their day. It highlights the delicious McCain snacks as a perfect companion for cozy indoor family moments. Radio partnerships with popular stations across 11 cities amplified the campaign's reach and built an engaging narrative resonating with listeners. A specially curated Spotify Monsoon Mix Playlist enhanced the sensory experience for listeners, providing a soothing backdrop to enjoy McCain snacks on a rainy day. All the facets of the campaign combined, inspiring audiences to integrate McCain snacks into their monsoon traditions, making the campaign immersive and memorable.

"At McCain Foods India, we recognize that the monsoon season offers a unique opportunity for families to reconnect and create lasting memories," said Aditya Krishna, Director, Sales and Marketing, McCain Retail. "Our campaign leverages a multi-faceted strategy to reach and engage our audience across various platforms. By showcasing the ease and quality of McCain products, we successfully positioned our brand as the perfect solution for busy families seeking quick and delicious snack options during the monsoon season. This multi-platform approach deepened our consumer connection and highlighted the value of McCain snacks in enhancing quality family time. We believe this comprehensive approach will resonate with our consumers and solidify McCain's position as a trusted partner in creating memorable monsoon moments."

Also read:McCain's 'Shart Mat Lagana' Campaign: Preservative-Free Delights
Regency Ceramics  a legacy ceramic manufacturing company has announced the implementation of its new corporate identity in its physical assets such as products, dealership and other customer touchpoints. In a strategic rebranding initiative, the company is ensuring a unison in communication and imagery across all the companys touchpoints such as customer interface and dealer branding. The new Regency logo is inspired by the groove-like marks left behind by the trowel on the adhesive layer during laying of a tile. The logo is inspired by Pantones Color of the Year 2023 - Viva Magenta. The shade is rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength.

The companys core values  Design, Innovation, Imagination and Sustainability will drive its commitment to providing customers with quality products. Aligned with the vision of a new evolving India, Regency Ceramics has taken an approach to business that acknowledges a new renaissance in art, design and style. The rebranding signifies a transformation that emphasizes the strong revival of the brand after a decade of hiatus. In line with the companys vision, the renewed brand identity is inspired by Nature, Art, Movement, and global design expressions, all reflected in Regency's 'Natural Tiles. With design, femininity, and the end consumer at the core, the brand is deeply committed to involving women in tile-buying decisions, emphasizing design, colors, and nature as key appeals. The natural tiles are derived from materials like clay, talc, sand, feldspar, dolomite, calcite and water making the brand user friendly. Products such as antimicrobial tiles and cool roof tiles are driven by innovation and technology. The brand's imagery draws inspiration from the Renaissance paintings reflected across the brands collaterals and marketing assets.

We recognize that a strong corporate brand is crucial for success in today's competitive business environment. The new brand architecture is a representation of our commitment to corporate excellence, setting the stage for enhanced trust and recognition among our stakeholders. All customer touchpoints shall be ready with the new brand Identity in time for the launch of Regencys new range of products. said Satyendra Prasad Narala, Managing Director of Regency Ceramics.

Regency's modern manufacturing facility, located in Yanam, will have state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that the tiles meet benchmark standards for quality, reliability, and design in line with the company's vision. The company's strength lies in its strong focus on innovation. Regency was the first to introduce 400mm x 400mm and 600mm x 600mm rectified tiles to the Indian market. The company has been a supplier for prestigious government projects, including those for Indian Railways, MES, NITs, and IITs. Additionally, it has established an industrial presence with major corporations such as Reliance Industries, Taj, ITC, and PepsiCo. This commitment to delivering innovative products year after year has made Regency one of the most sought-after brands. The company's expansion into the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Karnataka, and Kerala aligns with its commitment to sustainability. In this effort, the company is also experimenting with water-based inks, which eliminate the use of organic solvents, thereby reducing the inks carbon footprint and toxicity levels.

Regency's product portfolio includes Glazed Vitrified Tiles, Polished Vitrified Tiles, Wall Tiles, Parking Tiles, and specialized tiles for hospitals and clinics.
Spotify has unveiled, for the first time, India-specific data from its annual Loud & Clear report, highlighting the audio streaming platforms impact on the countrys music industry through local and global discovery and growth. In 2023 alone, artists from India were discovered over 10 billion times by first-time listeners. Over the last five years, Spotify has deeply localised its playlists, industry collaborations, and consumer communication to bring Indias artists closer to their fans. This effort comes through in the report, the key highlights of which are as follows:

Spotify has steadily increased the visibility and discoverability of local artists

There has been a significant shift in how listeners in India consume music. Five years ago, nearly 70% of music consumption on Spotify in India came from international music. Today, more than 70% of music streams come from local music. This trend is evident on Spotify Indias daily Top 50 list, where, in 2023, 84% of the tracks were by artists from the country.

The rise in these artists popularity is also reflected in their monetary growth, with almost two-thirds of the Spotify royalties generated in India last year being attributed to local artists. During the same time, Spotify added nearly 8700 Indian artists to local and global editorial playlists, giving them access to a larger audience.

Artists from India are seeing an export success story as a result of Spotifys global reach

Its not just the editorial playlists. Spotify is enabling Indian artists to be discovered by listeners from across the world. Since 2019, consumption of music from Indian artists skyrocketed by over 2000% in international markets. Earlier this year, data from the streaming platform showed that A.R. Rahman, Alka Yagnik, Anirudh Ravichander, AP Dhillon, and Arijit Singh were the most exported local artists over the last five years. According to Loud and Clear data, close to 40% of all royalties generated in 2023 by artists from India on Spotify, were from listeners outside of the market. The export growth comes mostly from countries such as the US, Canada, Indonesia, UAE, Turkey, Brazil, and Italy.

Local languages have seen immense growth owing to curation and industry collaboration

The number of languages in India make it a truly unique market for music. Punjabi, for instance, is one of the fastest-growing languages on Spotify in India, with 87% year-on-year growth of Punjabi music listeners in India in 2023 alone. Besides Punjabi, Hindi and Tamil have witnessed exponential growth, with artists witnessing a collective increase in Spotify royalties by 271%, 390%, and 585%, respectively, since 2020. One look at the Spotify charts will show how artists from these languages, and even other languages, including Telugu and Malayalam, are peaking in consumption.

Take a look at this video where artists Anuv Jain, Armaan Malik, Jonita Gandhi, Kabeer Kathpalia (OAFF), and Karan Aujla share how Spotify has helped them find newer audiences.

Also Read : Spotify unveils 'Music, Magic Hai' campaign
Alabama delegates who will vote at the Democratic National Convention this month have been selected and finalized by the national party despite protests by state leaders.

The selection by the national party means 36 of the delegates selected by the Alabama Democratic Party earlier this year wont be allowed to cast a vote.

Another group has tried to usurp the role of the Alabama Democratic Party by appointing all delegates to the Democratic National Convention, Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley stated in a press release last week.

This illegal, self-serving group sought to appoint delegates to the Democratic National Convention instead of allowing people of Alabama to vote on them.

In an August letter obtained by AL.com, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison wrote to Kelley that the state party missed deadlines to make delegate selections or challenge selections. Harrison also stated that all delegates were selected according to the states own regulations.

Alabamas delegate selection plan, like those of other states, allowed presidential candidates rights of review for each delegate candidate pledged to them.

Refrain from any further miscommunication or misinformation to convention participants, Harrison wrote.

Before President Biden dropped out of the race, his campaign approved a list of delegates that was markedly different from the list elected by the states democratic party. Of the 34 district delegates, the Biden campaign only approved 13 names. The campaign also approved five of the nine Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEO) positions on the state partys list, two of the 11 at-large delegates, and one of four alternates, according to lists provided by the Alabama Democratic Party.

The state party was supposed to elect PLEO, at-large and alternate delegates on June 8. However, the party failed to reach a quorum on their meeting that day, so the states delegation selected those positions, according to a statement by the DNC.

In the event a delegate was not approved, the Biden campaign selected a replacement. District-level delegates selected by the campaign were on the primary ballots and voted on in March.

Nowhere in history, nowhere in the rules, nowhere in laws does a presidential candidate or any other group appoint delegates, Kelley stated in the release.

Kelley said he believes there was an effort to deny the Alabama Democratic Party the ability to pick its own delegates because the state party is about 70% Black.

With Vice President Kamala Harris now the presumptive nominee, the delegates selected by the Biden-Harris campaign will ultimately be the ones voting at the convention next month, according to the Democratic National Committee.

Kelley said he intends to challenge that decision, telling AL.com that were going to bring it before the credentials committee if we can and were going to have some legal recourse to it.were gonna fight it and make it known.

However, the window for any challenges has expired.

Challenges about the selection for district level delegates should have been filed with the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee in March, while challenges about the selection of at-large delegates and PLEOs should have been filed with the Conventions Credentials Committee in late June.

Alabamas delegates have already unanimously endorsed Harris as the nominee . Kelley said the Alabama party also backed Harris, joining with the Association of State Democratic Chairs.

Friction between the Alabama Democratic Party and the national party is not new. Five years ago, then-U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, backed by the Democratic National Committee, joined with a faction of the state party to approve new by-laws and replace longtime Chairman Nancy Worley, a Reed ally, with state Rep. Chris England.

Control flipped back in 2022 when the State Democratic Executive Committee elected Kelley as chairman with the backing of Reed and the Alabama Democratic Conference.

Kelley told AL.com that he believes Jones played a role in denying the states delegate selection.

I guarantee you he had a hand in it. Ive heard he had a hand in and I suspected he did.

Jones told AL.com that while he did not have any involvement in Bidens initial decision to deny a number of delegates, he did help the campaign decide who should serve as replacement delegates.

The only role that I played was offering up some names of potential delegates. And it was also a number of other peoplethat the campaign contacted to get suggestions on delegates, Jones said.

The former senator said ongoing disputes between the state party and the DNC likely played a role in the situation.

I dont think that the DNC had any confidence that they were going to get a delegation that was truly reflective of the Democratic Party, Jones said, pointing to the 2023 move by the State Democratic Executive Committee to eliminate the partys youth, LGBTQ+ and disabled caucuses despite a DNC mandate.

Jones was selected by the Biden campaign as a PLEO, but was not on the original slate voted on by the state party.

It ought to be a time when we are working together to energize Democrats across the state, and especially in the second congressional district, to try to get another member of Congress, and instead, the chairman and the vice chairman of the party want to continue to complain about something that, in the long run, doesnt mean that much, Jones added.

The Democratic National Convention will be held in Chicago from Aug. 19-22. The Alabama Democrats said they still plan to bring the delegates they elected to the convention.
Tatiana Pino was menaced by attempts on her life that included fentanyl poisoning, the ramming of her car with a flatbed truck and being chased by a gunman outside her home, according to federal prosecutors.

Now, a newly filed indictment includes a previously unknown detail  that prominent developer Sergio Pino suggested one crew he hired to kill his estranged wife inject her with a liquid substance to make her death look like a heart attack.

Pino, 67, killed himself with a gun at his Cocoplum, Florida home after FBI agents came to arrest him on the morning of July 16, but he appears as an unindicted co-conspirator in the indictment charging six men with the murder-for-hire conspiracy and three others with related offenses.

The indictment, which was returned by a Miami federal grand jury this week, is the latest development in the FBIs two-year long investigation into the late home builders attempts to kill his wife, Tatiana Pino, as their marriage dissolved  including allegations of fentanyl poisoning, arson attacks, using a flatbed track to ram the wifes vehicle and ultimately using a hit man to threaten her with a gun in the driveway of her home in Pinecrest on June 23.

The FBI raided Pinos home and business in Coral Gables the following day.

The freshest detail in the indictment, which follows a series of FBI criminal complaints and affidavits leading to the nine mens arrests in recent months, revolves around Pinos hiring of a second crew of men to kill his wife before a critical divorce trial this summer and then cover it up.

Co-conspirator 1 [Sergio Pino] provided the second crew with a financial incentive to ensure the crime was not traced back to him, according to the indictment. Co-conspirator 1 suggested that the second crew should kill Victim 1 [Tatiana Pino] by injecting her with a provided liquid substance to make her death appear to be a heart attack.

There are no other details about the alleged injection scheme in the indictment, however. Because of his death, Pino has not been charged with the nine other defendants. Pinos defense attorney, Sam Rabin, could not be immediately reached for comment.

The indictment also says Pino insisted on dealing exclusively with the leader of the second crew to conceal his involvement in this murder for hire scheme.

The leader of the crew, Fausto Villar, a former felon who served six years in state prison for an armed robbery conviction, was working as a roofer for Pino when the developer hired him for the alleged hit job, according to FBI records. Villar, in turn, recruited an ex-felon he knew from prison, Avery Bivins, to coordinate the scheme to kill Pinos wife, FBI court records show.

Bivins then brought in a friend, Clementa Johnson, to execute the hit, and Johnson hired his cousin, Vernon Green, to go to the wifes home to threaten her with a gun, according to FBI records. Green not only brandished the weapon as Tatiana Pino slammed the horn of her car and sped off into her backyard, but he he also pointed the firearm the face of Pinos adult daughter, who came outside during the commotion.

Another member of the second crew is Diori Barnard, who is accused of providing back-up support.

Bivins, Johnson and Green are scheduled for their arraignments this afternoon in Miami federal court. Villars arraignment is on Monday. Barnards arraignment has not been set.

In addition to those five men, Bayron Bennett, who worked as a hired hand on Pinos yacht, is also charged with the murder conspiracy.

At Pinos direction, Bennett coordinated the first attempt to kill the developers wife last year, according to the indictment. The crew included three other defendants  Michael Dulfo, Jerren Howard and Edner Etienne  who are charged with lesser offenses, such as stalking, assault and racketeering.

In August of last year, Etienne rammed a rented Home Depot flatbed truck backwards into Tatiana Pinos car after she pulled into her driveway, according to court documents. Etienne fled the scene.

_____

2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
As a tropical storm heads towards the Florida Gulf coast, a group of rescuers from Vestavia Hills are deploying to assist in search and rescue operations.

Six members of the Vestavia Hills Swift Water Team are heading to Florida Saturday to help with the aftermath of the tropical depression which is expected to become stronger over the next 24 hours, the team stated in a press release Saturday. It is made up of personnel from the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, Hoover Fire Department and Calera Fire Department.

Vestavia Hills Fire Department always stands ready to help those in need, said Vestavia Hills Fire Chief Marvin Green. We are proud to have the available assets  both highly-trained personnel and specialized equipment  to quickly assist in an impactful way and work to keep everyone as safe as possible.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management requested help through the Alabama Mutual Aid System.

The team may be deployed for up to 10 days. A second team of 16 people from the Mobile Fire-Rescue will also travel to aid the effort, according to a press release by the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department. The fire department will send fifteen rescuers and one person will join from the Mobile County Communications District.

The team specializes in rescue, trench operations and structural collapse operations, according to the department.

The Mobile team will deploy Saturday evening for Marianna, Florida where they will wait for orders.

The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department is honored to be able to provide aid in any form, as we empathize with communities experiencing natural disasters, the department said.

Update: This story was updated at 5:08 p.m. on Saturday, August 3 to include more information about the Mobile rescue team
The U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville recently awarded $2.3 billion in contracts that will provide upgrades and maintenance to military medical facilities around the world.

Twelve companies were awarded shares of the multiple award task order contract to perform work at Defense Health Agency sites, according to a news release from the Army Corps of Engineers center, housed at Redstone Arsenal. The work ranges from medical equipment maintenance and facility repair to HVAC improvements and asbestos abatement, according to the Huntsville center.

The companies are:
A woman was arrested Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old child at the hands of a 4-year-old child last year in north Alabama.

Kimberly Boykin, of Phil Campbell, was arrested Friday on criminally negligent homicide charges, according to the Franklin County jail.

The Franklin County Sheriffs Office could not be reached for comment, but Sheriff Shannon Oliver told the Franklin County Times that Boykin was accused of recklessly leaving a loaded firearm where a child could reach it in March 2023.

Oliver also told the paper that Boykin was indicted, but Boykins case was not in online state court records Friday afternoon.

It was unclear whether Boykin was related to either of the boys.

Oliver said the Phil Campbell woman left her home when the 4-year-old child found the gun, picked it up and fired it, hitting the 8-year-old child in the abdomen.

An older sibling called 911 after the shooting, the sheriff said.

The 8-year-old was taken to a local hospital, where they died of their injuries.
The father of a Black man fatally shot by a Bay Minette police officer after a traffic stop two years ago have filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the city, officer.

In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Mobile, Otis French, Sr., claims his son, Otis French, Jr. was also the victim of an illegal search and seizure.

It additionally alleges Bay Minette Police Officer Brandon Thompson used excessive force and knew that French had bipolar disorder and did not take steps to deescalate the situation that led to Frenchs death on Aug. 20, 2022.

Bay Minette Police Chief Al Tolbert could not immediately be reached for comment on the lawsuit, but police said at the time of Frenchs death that French became combative and fought the officer during a traffic stop.

French, police said, wrestled the officers Taser away from the officer and began using the Taser on the officer.

At that point, the officer shot French, who died at a local hospital. The officer was treated for minor injuries and released.

According to the familys lawsuit, French was flagged in the police departments system as mental/probate, and claimed Thompson had knowledge of this flag and/or Thompson had prior interactions with Otis Jr., knew Otis Jr., and/or knew that Otis Jr. had a mental illness.

Despite this knowledge of OTIS JR.s mental health condition, Thompson failed to employ de-escalation techniques or seek assistance from mental health professionals, actions that are in direct contravention of generally accepted practices for law enforcement interactions with mentally ill individuals, the suit claimed.

The officers failure to adjust his approach in light of this critical information directly contributed to the unnecessary escalation of the encounter, the lawsuit alleged.

The suit also contended that Thompson did not have justification for initiating a traffic stop of French for failing to signal because French was not making a turn.

Meanwhile, the suit alleged, the citys police chief chairs the Baldwin County Sheriffs Offices Major Crimes Unit, which investigated the shooting.

Thus, the investigation was conducted notwithstanding a clear conflict of interest, the lawsuit claimed. Further, there was no independent, objective investigation of the shooting under constitutional standards, contrary to generally accepted national standards for officer-involved shootings.
Despite an ongoing range of congressional and independent efforts to get the truth out of the Secret Service and their intelligence confreres, we still dont know what happened in Butler, PA, lacking conclusive, factual information behind the assassination attempt of former President Trump; nor do we know the extent of actors. Will we ever? Doubtful.

There are longstanding instances of reluctance to reveal true intelligence when it comes to assassinations or attempted assassinations. To this day, there remain many arguments surrounding Jack Kennedys killing. Records have still not been released to the public.

At present, the entire intelligence apparatus is mum on July 13, 2024both Kimberly Cheatle (disgraced and forced to resign) and the present acting director were ambiguous with congressional investigators. FBI director Christopher Wray went so far as to desperately implywhich the bureau hastily retractedthat Trump wasnt really even hit by a bullet.

The MSM, of course, are less than worthless in the effort to uncover the facts because they dont want to. (Many of us believe that yes, Donald Trump would be dead were it not for divine interventionwhat are the odds, really, that he survived without it?)

What we may strongly suspect is that there was, yes, a they behind the shots that almost killed Trump; a hostile CIA/FBI/DOJ knows it is the Deep State that Trump promises to eliminate. The persecution has been intense throughout these many years.

The progressive Democrats have been far and away the most vocal and hateful in their attitudesdespite what the MSM wants us to believe. They are already at it again, having (sort of) restrained themselves for a few days post-shooting (shamefully for our country, the same couldnt be said of internet users).

None of this explains the specificsthe timing, the sheer oddity of the Secret Services engagement, and Joe Bidens initial terrible, ridiculous and still ongoing reluctance to call a spade and spade and utter the word assassination. Kamala, tellingly, has tried to stay away from this discussion.

It seems unlikely that the 20-year-old suspectas they tell uswas acting alone. Was he groomed, recruited, and encouraged by others? These others may be part of the they.

Theres been an obvious breakdown of Bidens coalition, with no reason given from Biden on why hes out. Bidens very presidency was in immediate peril before July 16, for there were legitimate concerns over his mental state even in his own circles, and now hes suddenly become a no-candidate, and is essentially a no-presidentand were now in an unprecedented situation. An un-primaried, un-democratically-nominated, unqualified Kamala, heavily donor-financed via the retreating fiscal backside of Joe Biden is apparently going to be on the Democrat ticket.

Is any of this legal? Were not clear on that, either. Why Kamala, why now?

They have tried everythinglawsuits, ballot removals, FBI raidsto rid themselves of Trump and none of it has been adequate, and was in fact reaching critical failure at the same time that Bidens dementia was exposed to the masses during the debate; that exposure led to many in Bidens electoral donor base threatening, or even stepping up, to withdraw funds. It was a house of cards from the startBidens senility from the Oval Office and that house was coming down rapidly.

They knew Trump would be the Republican nominee within the week. The RNC convention had all the ammo it neededthe pain of living under Democrats is very real for most Americansand viewership of the convention would be millions worldwide. The Democrats were on the ropes; what could they possibly do?

Saturday July 13 may have been an expedient, shoddily planned act of desperation, to put it mildly. Maybe taking Trump out of the running, completely, was in their minds for a while; an insurance policy, as Peter Strzok might say.

All that seems consistent when you consider that they patched up an inferior, subpar force of Secret Service agents, supplemental and hastily put together, supposedly due to a Jill Biden appearance elsewhere; ignored basic and necessary protocols in assessing and securing the perimeters around President Trump; neglected to attend security briefings; refused the use of drones; and had eyes on the would-be assassin long before Trump took the stage.

We only know what little we do know because witnesses (and cameras) testify to this narrative.

There is little reason in giving the Biden administration, the Swamp, or persons unknown at this time, any benefit of the doubt; an election, a great possible shift in federal power, and likely much more is at stake.

So with Trump still here, they forced a Biden resignation and schemed Kamala onto the ticket; we didnt expect a genius resolution though right? A few months to bury the July 13 stuff and distract the populace with an onslaught of Kamala. Possible?

Probably. There is a huge climate of serious criminal corruption in D.C. which insinuates into every powerful sector of this nation now. We really have only seen the edges of, for instance, the corruption with Ukraine. We have no idea of the extent of political payoffs between the Swamp and the media, and corporate interests, and even the courts. We know our taxes are being used as political tender. Trillions have gone straight down the drain but what drain? Whose drain? Stupidity reigns.

In short, there is nothing fantastical in the hypothesis that the attempted assassination of former and putative President Trump was in fact a poorly executed political operation, if a very reactionary one, within the pressure of unfolding pre-election events. The brutal version: Kill Donald Trump while they had a chance and hold on to their presidential power before it might be decimated by an infuriated populacein the election of Donald Trump in November.

This failed attempt on Trumps life may actually have been the specific breaking point for Bidens presidency/candidacy: with Trump still alive, Biden has to go. OBidens handlers, and he clearly has them, said enough is enough, we need a new guy; now, there is a man who thinks himself president but has effectively been put to pasture by his own VP. In Kamala (for now) they have their new guy.

July 13 may have been, as characteristic of the work of the Biden/Harris regime, a bungled, inexpert attempt at a political change-a-roo, but heres the bottom line: a failed assassination attempt is not a good political look during a presidential race for the presidency of America. This is a huge national security risk for all of us, from start to (wherever we) finish.

Image: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, unaltered.
There is a Cheat Machine out there.

It worked in the 2020 general election and it's no doubt gearing up again for another run. The only question is, will it work twice?

Four years ago, after the results of the presidential election finally came in, it was obvious there were problems and inconsistencies with the process. Dead voters, bogus residencies, midnight ballot dumps in crucial swing states that magically propelled one candidate over the other in just a few short hours, 2,000 mules, video evidence of poll workers running ballots through scanners multiple times, etc.

A lot of people took those instances as evidence of massive voter fraud, while a lot of people dismissed them as evidence of the mere anecdotal. Either way, I don't think those matters were given adequate consideration because they were never properly adjudicated, as cases were thrown out by judges across the country. The Supreme Court never involved itself, though I think it should have, because this is far more important than who uses what bathroom, and Attorney General William Barr washed his hands of it about 30 days after the election, hardly enough time to give it its due. (Even a lawyer for your average murder trial gets a year to hash through the evidence and prepare.)

So these instances of irregularity have always bothered me, but because there's really no way to get around the "anecdotal" nature of this, one is left to conspiracy theory, cynicism, or abject despair... which may be the point of the whole thing anyway.

But it disturbed me to the degree that I wanted to find some sort of clearinghouse for the whole matter. Where could one go to find data revealing what actually happened four years ago? Where could one find an aggregate collection of data uncontaminated with opinion, bias, or any other point of view apt to skew an average citizen's quest for accuracy? And after some thought and rumination, I found a place Id not immediately considered before, a place that just might give me some valid information and a little peace of mind.

I found the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Census Bureau is not really known for anything but data. Raw data. Who was born, who has died, who has children, who does not, and so forth. The Bureau is trusted by the likes of Ancestry.com, the Selective Service, and the curators of the largest genealogical database on earth, the Mormon Church.

So. What could the Census Bureau tell me about the results of the 2020 presidential election? Well, it told me quite a bit.

It told me that Joseph R. Biden received 81 million votes, and it told me that Donald J. Trump received 74 million votes. Three million people also voted for the Communists, the Greens, or themselves. O.K., what else did it tell me? Well, it told me that at the time of the 2020 election, there were 168 million registered voters. So, I got out a pencil and a pad of paper and did me some flyover country cipherin.' My remedial math skills are not very good, but this was not much of a challenge.

81+74+3=158

158 is 94% of 168. (I had to use an online percentage calculator for this, because again... poor math skills.)

But, Hmm...

So, just using very rudimentary data provided by the Census Bureau, we can see that for the first time in American history our voter turnout has finally rivaled that of the old Soviet Union, Communist China, and Castos Cuba. Huzzah I knew someday we'd finally catch up.

Now, the Census Bureau is not known for making mistakes, but if these figures are not merely wrong but catastrophically wrong, then we oughtn't have a census bureau at all.

So this is what there is:

A written synopsis of the 2020 election on the Bureaus website states that voter turnout was 67%, but for some reason this is not included as a data point in their table of percentages for the last 100 years.

However, in more recent decades, say from 1960 to 2016, the average turnout has risen to 62% with the pinnacle being 63% in 1964. Since then, we have turned out in numbers below that. Until the last general election, that is.

Either because America loved Joe Biden with a passion or hated Donald Trump with the same, the electorate apparently kicked in the doors to the polls and stampeded en masse to vote in never-before-seen numbers. But again, such figures while possible, are not especially plausible. Sure, one could attribute mail-in voting procedures -- put in place to address Covid -- as a cause for the jump (and notice none of these procedures have been revoked back to normalcy now that Covid is no longer a thing), but then we are still left to wonder about that annoying 94% turnout rate that the Bureaus data actually reveals after you do simple math. This is a 33% increase over just the previous elections numbers and nothing close to the 67% turnout rate claimed in the Census Bureaus written synopsis.

Perhaps they did not think it likely someone would actually check the data and do the math. I would hate them to think we are that stupid and I admit I am not that smart, but again, the Census Bureau is located in Washington, D.C. and I live in the middle of a corn patch called St. Louis, Missouri. It's conceivable there is bias against Yokels.

Just for fun, and for historical context, the average voter turnout for the United States according to the Census Bureau between 1920 and 2020 is a fairly anemic 48%. That's a 100-year trend that really hasn't gotten more robust over time.

So having seen this data and digested it, I suppose I have to admit that I am officially an Election Denier. But I do not know what else I can be. I don't want to admit that our electoral process is compromised, but I don't see how it is not. And so this brings me to Kamala Harris and the Great Democrat Cheat Machine.

Very smoothly, Kamala Harris stepped into the role of presumptive nominee when the carcass of old Joe from Scranton was shoved to the side of the road. And with his last gasp he endorsed the vice president. Immediately she began setting records for donations, Hollywood jumped for joy and the media cried about her many accomplishments.

"Who doesn't love a yellow school bus, right? Can you raise your hand if you love a yellow school bus, right?

It is time for us to do what we have been doing. And that time is every day.

when you think about it, there is great significance to the passage of time in terms of what we need to do to lay these wires... And there is such great significance to the passage of time when we think about a day in the life of our children."

"We will work together, and continue to work together, to address these issues and to work together as we continue to work, operating from the new norms, rules, and agreements, that we will convene to work together... we will work on this together."

Shes so smart!

No she's not, but she is ambitious and willing to trade integrity for power. That thought balloon floats above Willie Brown's head like a zeppelin. So I believe she will still draw many voters back to the booth if only through the sense of relief that comes with, whew! at least she is not Joe Biden... Maybe I'll vote now after all!

So it could be a close race despite Trumps resurgence in the polls. And really, that is all the Democrats need. A reasonably close race. Because if Harris runs within 10 points of Trump on election night, it will be analogous to the 88 mph they need to get the Cheat Machine spooled up and blasting down the track before it evaporates in a plasmic cloud, rocketing us all into Aldous Huxleys Brave New World, (I confess that I envision this Cheat Machine as a DeLorean.)

So strap in and hold on tight, folks. Either way its going to be historic if not fatal.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
The liberal-left reaction to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus recent trip to Washington was negative for a simple reason: he is pursuing victory in the existential war against Hamas in Gaza amidst the larger regional confrontation with Iran. Victory is a concept rejected by progressives as outmoded in the 21st century, but there are nuances to this rejection as one moves across the spectrum.

Radical leftists burning American flags while hoisting Palestinian flags want an Israeli defeat. Their genocidal from the river to the sea chant advocates a total Hamas/Iran victory that would wipe the Jewish state off the map (as depicted in an endless barrage of social media posts). The motive is not just anti-Semitism. While Muslim students are prominent in these demonstrations, the protest numbers come from others bred on anti-imperialist academic rants. They see Israel as a crusader state outpost of western civilization, their central enemy which must be swept into the dustbin of history. Military defeat is the ultimate sign of weakness and failure, guaranteeing decline and extinction. When they paint Hamas is coming on a monument across the street from the White House, they are expressing an existential threat to us all, not just Israel.

In the White House, the thinking is different but risks the same catastrophic outcome. Classical liberalism as an ideology binds the intellect just as thoroughly as Islam or Marxism, while being further removed from the real world it hopes to transform. Eminent historian Sir Michael Howard has argued that liberals since the Enlightenment believed that with material and democratic progress the necessity for war would evaporate, and peace would become ubiquitous and eternal. Like famine, disease, and poverty, war could be abolished by rational planning. The next two centuries did little to justify these assumptions. The post-Cold War period revived this notion, but like all post-war periods, it has become an interwar period, not just in peripheries like the Middle East and Africa, but with a major war in Ukraine and an even larger threat of Great Power conflict in Asia as China (like Russia) cites past empires as their basis for current rational planning.

Another prominent military historian, Hew Strachan, has noted Military vulnerability and even catastrophic defeat have proven to be remarkedly effective prods to innovative thinking about war. We have seen this tactically in Ukraines clever and cost-effective blunting of Russian attacks and in the high-tech U.S. and allied response to Houthi and Iranian missile and drone attacks. Israel, of course, is the prime example of how war can concentrate the mind and produce impressive results. Yet, this is not so much the case at the strategic level in Washington when ideology dictates aims felt to be superior to victory or even survival.

Since the Enlightenment, there has been a push to limit the impact of war on civilians. Liberals went beyond protecting lives to protecting commerce, hoping that business ties would promote cooperation. What this really did was give traders the right to operate for their own profit regardless of the impact on wider events, to act irresponsibility as men without a country even providing enemies of the nations of which they were supposedly citizens the means to wage war. Yet, the balance of economic strength had always been a vital factor. The Industrial Revolution boosted it by orders of magnitude to make it both the means and the object of conflict. Thus, the doctrine of free trade discredited itself.

The claim that Israeli operations to root out Hamas is causing unacceptable civilian losses has led the Biden administration to curtail arms shipments to Jerusalem and call for a cease-fire. President Joe Biden tried this same approach in Yemen. In 2014, the Houthi (a Shiite minority in Sunni Yemen) captured the capital city. Saudi Arabia could not tolerate an Iranian satrap on its border and led an Arab coalition in a counterattack. The Obama administration supported Riyadh with logistics, weapons, and intelligence, which was continued by President Donald Trump. Biden cut off all aid as soon as he took office and pushed for a ceasefire because the war had turned the country into a humanitarian disaster particularly for the Houthis who were blockaded by sea and attacked from the sky. A UN ceasefire took effect in 2022, leaving the Houthis in control of territory and ports. They built up their army with plundered foreign aid and Iranian weapons, including the advanced drones and missiles now used against shipping in the Red Sea in support of Hamas in Gaza.

Does anyone believe that a ceasefire to spare Gaza civilians will not result in the same outcome; a rebuilt Hamas backed by a resolute and aggressive Iran planning the next round of aggression? Forever wars are the result of ambitious regimes that have not been defeated. And they are not deterred because they do not fear defeat as they do not believe their enemies have a will to win that can match their own.

Civilian casualties are inevitable in war, particularly in urban combat when human shields are used by combatants, often willingly when the population supports the local fighters as is the case in Gaza. In contrast to Biden, Trump has called on Israel to speed up their operations to get the job done. Yet, Israel has slowed its operations to avoid civilian casualties, putting its strategic objectives at risk under liberal pressure. Israels top priority, however, is to protect its own people, and that requires victory.

Bidens other limiting factor has been fear of escalation. This was seen when after helping Israel defend against Irans direct attack with drones and missiles on April 13, Biden threatened to cut aid if Israel retaliated in kind. The liberal canon is to defend, not attack, hoping that the enemy will tire of the war (due to sanctions as well as casualties) and negotiate peace as any rational actor is supposed to desire. This approach has also been on display in Ukraine, where Biden originally opened the door to Russia by proclaiming Ukraine was not a NATO concern despite decades of it being so. He retreated and Putin advanced. Biden finally recognized his error but has been behind the curve compared to other NATO allies in providing advanced weapons and, worse, he has limited Kyivs ability to attack Russian targets while its own land is being ravaged end to end.

Vladimir Putin has played on Bidens fear of escalation from the start, jumping to nuclear threats as soon as his troops invaded Ukraine. This was not rational behavior, but too many liberals (and even some putative conservatives) fell for it -- though not so much in Europe where it is seen as the bluff it is. Putin is claiming escalation dominance, jumping to the highest rung on the ladder because he is at a disadvantage at the lower rungs. NATO can (and should) do more to claim those rungs and impose a strategic defeat on Moscow. The balance of power overwhelmingly favors the West. Russia is much smaller than the USSR while NATO has expanded and enjoyed decades of material growth. The economic balance of the U.S. and NATO today is $46 trillion to under $3 trillion for Russia. Only by breaking the will of the West to use this advantage gives Putin any hope of prevailing in Ukraine or anywhere else.

The U.S. and its allies must act like they understand what they are saying about the strategic importance and moral imperative of Ukraines survival. NATO must convince Putin that NATO will do whatever is necessary (including direct military intervention) not only to prevent a Russian victory but to inflict a Russian defeat that could topple Putin from power. Only then will Moscow shift to the diplomatic track that liberals keep hoping for.

What liberals (and others) need to learn from history is that diplomacy is a facet of war, not a substitute. Diplomacy cannot provide a victory leaders are not committed to gaining by other means to cite the military theorist Clausewitz. It is doubtful that Biden or Kamala Harris can break out of their liberal fantasy world, so the hope for peace through strength depends on the return of a President Trump who can instill the same fear of defeat in Putin in 2025 that he did in 2017. Only then can a war that should have been prevented be ended on favorable terms.

William R. Hawkins is a former economics professor who has worked for conservative think tanks and on the professional staff of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. He has written widely on international economics and national security issues for both professional and popular publications including for the Army War College, the U.S. Naval Institute, and Joint Force Quarterly among others.

Image: Ted Eytan/Wikipedia
Are you ready for three months of leftist rumors, innuendos, and gaslighting? The left knows that repeating horrendous falsehoods is how the gullible public accepts lies at face value. Nazi Joseph Goebbels often comes to mind as the propaganda minister was an expert at understanding the principle of selling lies:

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.

Back in the day, socialists of all stripes (i.e., Nazis, communists, and Italian fascists) repeatedly told bald-faced lies, ad nauseum, in their speeches, newspapers and news reels. Today, that still holds true with left-leaning news networks such as MSNBC, CNN, and countless print and online sources. Today, theyve added some new tricks to manipulate the truth, which is to put out lies and then withdraw them after theyve gained traction.

Image: Kamala Harris (edited). YouTube screen grab.

The Associate Press FactCheck put out a seemingly pro-JD Vance fact-check identifying as false an obscure charge that Vance had sex with a couch. Then, AP deleted its fact check, saying the article did not meet its standards. By then, though, the falsehood had taken hold, which probably was APs plan all along.

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing two weeks after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that with respect to former President Trump, theres some question about whether or not its a bullet or shrapnel that, you know, that hit his ear. Of course, Wray knew it was a bullet that injured Trump. The next day, the FBI released a statement that it definitely was a bullet. However, the aroma of maybe it was, maybe it wasnt, had already filled Marxist-Democrat talking points.

Its common now for search engines take you to the wrong site or provide misleading information. When people search for Donald Trump information, theyll only get articles about Kamala Harris:

Unlike misleading rumors, gaslighting is when the person knows (or should know) the truth but purposely fabricates a different scenario. For instance, on April 21, actor Michael Douglas insisted that Joe Biden is as sharp as a tack on CNNs Fareed Zakaria GPS. That comment went viral. Douglas also said, His entire Cabinet, including his vice president, everybody thats in his Cabinet would be more than happy to work with him again on a next term.

Do you think Biden was as sharp as a tack in April but suddenly came down with advanced mental acuity issues a few months later when he attended the G7 Summit, celebrated Juneteenth at the White House, or participated in the June 27 debate? Of course not, and the left knew it. But the facts arent the point. The point is political power.

As leftists ramped up efforts to toss Biden out following his atrocious debate performance, many started publicly admitting that they recognized Biden had mental acuity issues many months or years before. They shared confidences from high-ranking administration officials or described what they had witnessed themselves.

Certainly, Vice President Kamala Harris knew Joe Biden was not fit to remain in office. Nor do voters believe she was too busy cackling through another incoherent speech to notice. According to a YouGov/Times of London poll taken after Biden announced he would not run for re-election, 92% of voters believe Vice President Harris knew about President Bidens deteriorating health and that there was a cover-up.

Throughout Bidens presidency, the leftist media gaslighted the American public by ignoring what all of us were regularly hearing and seeing. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (DEI hire?) led the chorus, insisting that videos of Biden incoherently speaking or wandering around were cheap fakes.

At the same time, according to an Economist/YouGov poll, only 39 percent of registered independents view Vice President Kamala Harris as qualified to be president.

With Biden gone, the same people are gaslighting us about Saint Kamala during her coronation. If you call her incompetent, youre a racist. If you mispronounce her name, youre a racist. If you say she is a DEI hire, youre a racist. Or maybe youre both a racist and a misogynist.

Whether you are hiring at a fast-food restaurant or for the vice presidency, when you announce before interviews that you are solely looking at people who check certain boxes rather than based on ability or merit, that means the person is a DEI hire.

During a one-to-one 2020 primary debate with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Biden vowed to pick a woman vice president. This meant Biden was still open to a white, black, Hispanic, or Asian female.

By late April 2020, 200+ black women activists within the Democrat party signed an open letter demanding that Biden pick a black woman. By May, a dozen black women who had signed this letter personally met with Biden to insist that his running mate be a black woman.

Now, Biden had to omit all males, along with women who were Hispanic, Asian, or white. Of course, since Harris father is Jamaican and her mother is from India, some might say (as Trump did) that she wasnt the black woman that the activists demanded.

Does it matter? The leftist-controlled media gaslight everything, not just Kamalas race. Thus, they are gaslighting that Joe Biden named Kamala Harris Border Czar, responsible for 10 million unvetted illegal aliens who have waltzed into the United States.

And that Harris has said she wanted to defund the police.

And that Harris wants to ban fracking so that the United States is not energy independent.

And that Harris wants Medicare for All.

And that Harris compared ICE to the KKK.

And that Harris believes in gun confiscation.

And how Harris raised tons of money following Bidens withdrawal from the race.

In the past four years, weve seen rumors, innuendos, cheap fakes, and gaslighting, along with the Democrat partys favorite Olympic sport: ballot stuffing. This is how they are working to elect a Kamala Cacklin Harris, a person not one primary voter ever voted for. Even the notorious Black Lives Matters is against Democrat delegates and donors anointing Harris as the nominee.

My guess is that Robert de Niro thinks Kamala Harris is as wise and wonderful as Joe Biden, and that Michael Douglas believes she is as sharp as a tack!

Robin M. Itzler is a regular contributor to American Thinker. She is the founder and editor of Patriot Neighbors, a free weekly national newsletter. Robin can be reached at PatriotNeighbors@yahoo.com.
Once, American liberals were foreign policy hawks. Indeed, the Patron Saint of todays Democrats, Thomas Jefferson, would not recognize their support for the United States religiously avowed enemies, e.g., Hamas and Fatah (Palestinian Authority). In his generation, he was the No.1 national hawk for war in the Middle East.

In May 1784, the Continental Congress signed the Treaty of Paris, the last legal formality in the American Revolution. That same day, it ordered Jefferson to Paris to work with John Adams and Benjamin Franklin as trade commissioners to open up Europes closed mercantile system to American commerce. Every state was swamped by Revolutionary War debt, and the remedy was to increase exporting American commodities to England and Europe. Jefferson, however, recognized a threat that could strangle America in its infancy.

With independence from Great Britain, Americas merchant marine no longer enjoyed the protection of the Royal Navy, the greatest in the worldand had sold all of its armed vessels after the Revolution. Without warships, U.S. merchant ships on the high seas would be easy prey for pirates.

Ironically, when Jefferson sailed for France, he was reading Cervantess Don Quixote. The so-called Slave Chapters are based on the authors five years as a slave in the port of Algiers, along with hundreds of other Christians kidnapped and enslaved until ransomed.

For 1,000 years, North African Muslims had been hijacking ships and kidnapping and enslaving Christian sailors and passengers for a thousand years, a constant population of Christians slaving on the Barbary Shore (so-called because Christians saw the locals as barbarians).

Once in Paris, Jefferson, thanks to Don Quixote, likely wasnt too surprised to learn that, in October, corsairs from Morocco had captured the Betsey, an American merchant ship out of Philadelphia with a crew of ten and one passenger. He couldnt know, though, that, for the next five years, his principal diplomatic efforts would be repeatedly trying and failing to liberate Americans held hostage in the Middle East.

Jefferson studied North Africas geography and discovered that the people on Frances fertile Mediterranean coast successfully farmed the land, North Africas coast was also potentially fertile. However, its inhabitants preferred kidnapping and enslaving infidels as a livelihood. He questioned fellow diplomats in the city on how their countries handled the problem. Jefferson also bought himself an English translation of the Koran.

He realized that the term pirates was inaccurate. These sea-going hijackers from Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli were not venal, free-booting criminals who, when ashore, swigged rum in taverns and pawed at wenches.

Rather than the black and white Skull & Bones flag, their ships flew three flags vertically arranged: lowest was the pennant of the pasha ruling the ships home port; in the middle was the ensign of the pashas overlord, the Ottoman Sultan in Constantinople; and above all flapped the green flag of Islam. These unusual pirates also prayed three times daily to Mecca and were teetotalers.

In 1785, the Mussulmen attacked two more American merchant ships, the Maria out of Boston and the Dolphin out of Philadelphia, kidnapping twenty more Americans into slavery.

Image: Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale (cropped). Public domain.

When Jefferson, John Adams, and Ben Franklin confronted the crisis that could cripple the American economy, Franklin, the Quaker, argued that Americas trade in the Mediterranean was relatively insignificant, so American merchant vessels should avoid that sea.

Adams, a Boston lawyer familiar with maritime commerce, believed it would be a mistake to abandon the Mediterranean trade. Instead, he believed America should follow the European practice of paying tribute to the One True Faithin practice, protection money. After all, if the mighty Europeans could not defeat these water-borne brigands, how could America, a nation without a navy?

Jefferson also knew it was common for the Mussulmen to take tribute for a certain period but suddenly accuse the Europeans of some violation, requiring fresh negotiations and a higher price.

In 1786, during a meeting between Jefferson, Adams, and Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja, Tripolis ambassador to Britain, Adja demanded tribute equal to one-sixth of the new nations entire budget. When Jefferson asked why, because the infant U.S. had never attacked Tripoli, the Sheikh explained, Its the jihad.

Jefferson learned that in Islam, the war between the religions is unending, with Believers required to oppress and dominate infidels who refuse to convert. The jihad requires imposing Islam on infidels and subjugating them for their stubborn refusal to adopt the correct religion. If the Americans wanted to sail on the Mediterranean, which belongs to Islam, they had to pay.

No wonder Jefferson wanted to fight. He was appalled by these pirates who had never entered what Tom Paine would eventually call The Age of Reason and waged a religious war. His plan, however, was relatively non-violent: Blockade the ports for years, if necessary. The Mussulmen, unable to put to sea, would forget sailors skills and be forced to learn agriculture, as the French had.

This would require a navy, although Jefferson, who would be remembered as the Father of the Navy, did not want an expensive blue-water navy with huge line-of-battleships. He imagined a modest, white water fleet with small, shallow draft coastal vessels to blockade Africas northern ports, preventing the cruisers from putting to sea.

In 1790, Jefferson, again in the U.S., became the first secretary of state under the new Constitution. His first presentation to Congress reported on the depressed state of commerce in the Mediterranean due to the menace of the Mohammadan cruisers. It included his long-standing recommendation that the U.S. build a navy to end this criminality perpetrated by a society still mired in a violent and benighted past.

In 1793, as his last project before retiring, Jefferson as secretary of state, Jefferson predicted a catastrophe on the high seas. Mere months later, Algerine pirates hijacked eleven more American merchant ships, enslaving another one hundred forty American passengers and crews.

When New Yorkers learned about the mass hijacking, the stock market crashed. As the news traveled along the Atlantic seaboard, every major port suffered canceled voyages, throwing sailors out of work and destroying merchants tied to shipping. What Muslims did to the American economy in 2001, their forebears mass hijacking did to the American economy in 1793.

In that same prescient, final report to Congress, Jefferson had again asked for a navy. On March 27, 1794, Congress finally decided he was right and to build six extra-large frigates. The U.S. Navy was thus born to deal with the kidnapping and enslaving of Americans in the Middle East.

In March 1801, Jefferson became president. His first military order was to dispatch a squadron of four warships to the Mediterranean because Tripolis pasha was threatening to attack American vessels.

By the time the squadron reached Tripoli in May, Pasha Yusuf had already declared war and dispatched a mob to overrun and loot the American Consulate, just as happened in 1979 in Tehran and Libya (modern-day Tripoli) in 2012. In those cultures, explicitly declaring war against an enemy people is insufficient. A mob must overrun, loot, and sack the offending countrys consulate.

Jefferson finally had a war hed spent seventeen years contemplating. The war ended after four years of historic and legendary naval battles, celebrating such heroes as Stephen Decatur, Jr., after whom some twenty American towns and counties would be named. It ended with a dozen U.S. Marines leading an army of mercenaries in a land invasion to the shores of Tripoli.

President Donald Trump understood the role of military power in international affairs, especially in that Mediterranean quadrant of the planet. Whether dealing with ISIS (which he successfully did) or al-Qaeda, Hamas, Hizballah, and their patron, Iran, there is no possibility of civilized discourse and compromise because their jihad is eternal.

Its striking that the patron saint of the original version of American Liberalism, Thomas Jefferson, understood this, too, and was not above calling Islamin the most politically incorrect waya religion of barbarians.

Shai ben-Tekoas PHANTOM NATION: Inventing the Palestinians as the Obstacle to Peace is available at Amazon.com in hard cover or a Kindle ebook. His podcasts can be heard on www.phantom-nation.com.
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump was reportedly carried out with an AR-15 variant. When the type of rifle became known, the usual suspects immediately began screaming for banning assault weapons, a class of firearm that does not exist, but serves as a catch-all term for any scary gun Democrats/socialists/communists (D/s/cs) want to ban at the moment. Kamala Harris has long wanted to ban assault weapons with a mandatory buy backconfiscation with government deciding how much compensationif anyyoull get. And of course, anyone refusing will find themselves in federal prison or dead. Now, however, the new, election converted, version of Kamala still wants to ban your AR-15, she just doesnt want to confiscate them anymore. Until she gets elected, that is.

Part of the anti-liberty/gun cracktivist playbook is claiming the ubiquity of guns justifies their banning. Fewer guns, no gun violence (go here to discover why thats false), a particularly dimwitted misnomer. Its unsurprising some criminals, particularly those involved in noteworthy crimes, use the AR-15. Its ubiquitous, Americas most popular rifle. Light weight, adaptable, highly accurate and our military issue rifle since the Vietnam era.

Even so, Americans are learning our politicians and bureaucrats know nothing about the nature, history or employment of the firearms they legislate. In-the-know Americans have long suspected most law enforcement officers, particularly high-ranking sorts, are also largely clueless, as is the media, who virtually always get everything about guns wrong, and rarely issue corrections.

This week, that suspicion was confirmed when FBI Director Christopher Wray, testifying before Congress on the Bureaus investigation into the attempted assassination, first claimed Trump was not hit by a bullet, but something else. Maybe a piece of glass, or shrapnel, something, anything but a bullet. His own agency had to walk that back the very next day, admitting it was a bullet. But Wray loosed another dimwitted whopper: the assassins AR-15 had a collapsible stock, so he probably just collapsed the stock and hid the rifle in a backpack!

This bit of nonsense was transmitted by the media, including The New York Post, which source, unlike many, was honestly trying to inform rather than deceive.

Graphic: A common AR-15 variant (accessories optional). Author.

Contemporary AR-15 variants are semiautomatic rifles, usually with the legal minimum 16 barrel, and a collapsing stock. In those outward factors, they resemble the military M4, which fires the same .223/5.56 NATO cartridge, a cartridge of intermediate power, not a high powered rifle cartridge. The M4 principally differs in that it is a select fire weapon: it may be fired semiautomatically or fully automatically, unlike the semiauto-only look-alike rifles available to civilians.

The collapsing stocks shared by both collapse all of about 3.25 inches, which is not nearly enough to allow one to be concealed in any but the largest backpacks. The kinds of backpacks one might consider standard, carried by college students and many others, are about 21 tall. The primary purpose of collapsing stocks is to adjust length of pull.

Length of pull is essentially the distance from the back of the stock to the trigger. Properly adjusted for the shooter, the weapon is more comfortable and its easier to be accurate. Because the M4 is a general issue weapon, it makes far more sense to have an adjustable stock than to have to maintain stores of weapons with many different stock lengths. A soldier wearing heavy body armor or carrying a pack with thick shoulder straps will usually want to slightly shorten their stock to maintain a proper length of pull.

Graphic: Author

This graphic illustrates the issue, and also illustrates why Wray and many others who should know better dont. With stock fully extended, this ARessentially identical in dimensions to most on the marketis 35.5 long. Collapsing the stock reduces its length to 32.25 inches, still far too long to conceal in a common backpack.

What Wray obviously doesnt know is AR rifles can be separated into upper and lower receivers by pushing two through-pins which are retained in the lower receiver so they cant be easily lostimportant in a general issue military weaponthus allowing easy cleaning and maintenance. Thus disassembled the upper receiver is only 24.75 inches long, the lower, much shorter. Both pieces can be easily hidden in a slightly larger than usual backpack and quickly reassembled. The assassin apparently had sufficient time.

A collapsible stock does make an AR-15 slightlyby 3.25--easier to store, and just a little easier to maneuver in the close confines of military vehicles, but as he does so often, Wray had no idea what he was talking about, and the media was blissfullybut in this case not maliciously--ignorant.

Facts potentially useful in this investigation youre not going to get from the FBI or the media.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
As the dust settles from the deceased top leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, the worlds political stage has transformed into a theatre of varied reactions that a master of satire might well script.

From fiery condemnation to ice-cold neutrality and occasional cheer, its as if the global community was playing an intricate game of diplomatic charades, each actor vying for the best performance.

The Islamic Republic (IR), Middle Eastern indignation's grand maestro, has outdone itself this time. In a performance that could give Shakespeare's tragedies a run for their money, Tehran has vowed revenge with a dramatic flair thats practically Shakespearean in its intensity. One can almost hear the thunderous condemnation from Tehran echoing across the region. Its as though the Islamic Republics scriptwriters are busy penning the next act of a high-stakes drama where revenge is not just a plot point but the entire storyline. One might think IR was in the middle of hosting a grand gala when Haniyeh's death interrupted their program.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the diplomatic universe, the neutral actors have decided to play their roles with a remarkable lack of enthusiasm. Saudi Arabia and Egypt, who traditionally prefer to keep their public statements as lukewarm as a tepid cup of coffee, have mastered the art of non-reaction. Its almost as if their reaction was pre-approved by a committee, ensuring that no one gets too excited about anything.

Ah, Saudi Arabia! -- youd think theyd have something to say about Haniyehs demise, but no, they chose silence. Their silence is deafening, a political art form showcasing how expertly one can sidestep controversy while maintaining a perfectly unruffled demeanor. Perhaps they figured it was better to keep the peace (or whatever passes for it) and avoid adding more fuel to the fire. Who needs drama when you can maintain your carefully balanced relationships? As for the Egyptians, they didnt make any peep regarding Haniyehs death. Maybe they were too busy trying to untangle their complex regional relationships.

Coming to Turkey, the vocal critics of Israeli policies have often played the Hamas card. But this time, they took a surprisingly restrained approach. Perhaps they were preoccupied with their domestic dramas or budding relationship with the U.S. and the EU. Who knew they had more pressing matters than reacting to a high-profile assassination?

Their responses could be summed up as: Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

And then, in the most minor expected twist, we have the applause from those who usually wouldnt be caught dead on this side of the fence. Some factions and individuals within the broader Arab world, often wary of Hamas and its influence, have unexpectedly clapped for the action. Its as if they were handed a script in which Haniyehs exit is a welcome plot development.

Hezbollah, the loyal ally of the Islamic Republic and self-proclaimed defender of Palestine, also kept mum after Haniyehs killing. Maybe they decided that with their own domestic issues, it was best to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Escalating tensions is so last season, after all.

With its own regional and internal concerns, Jordan also opted for a low profile. Their responseor lack thereofwas likely motivated by a desire to keep things stable (or as stable as they can be in that neck of the woods). Why take a stand when you can blend into the background?

While the above players played the silent game, a different narrative unfolded among certain groups within the broader Islamic and Arab world. Surprisingly, some factions couldnt contain their approval for Haniyehs untimely exit.

Some individuals within the Persian Gulf States, particularly those with a grudge against Hamas, may have quietly cheered the news. Sure, they might publicly express caution, but deep down, theyve always been skeptical of Hamas due to its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. There's nothing like a little private enthusiasm to spice up the day!

Then we have the secular Arab leaders, who -- surprise, surprise -- viewed Haniyehs killing as a potential boon for regional stability. Who wouldnt want to eliminate a perceived threat to peace? Its all about keeping the status quo intact.

Lets not forget the rival Palestinian factions, particularly Fatah, who might have seen Haniyehs exit as an opportunity to boost their political standing. After all, its a long-standing power struggle, and what better way to gain the upper hand than by eliminating a key player?

Some moderate voices in the Arab world, from states such as the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, nodded approvingly, welcoming the action toward combating extremism. Who doesnt want a little pragmatism in the mess of Middle Eastern politics?

And finally, we have Israels supporters, who, unsurprisingly, were likely thrilled about the whole affair. For them, Haniyeh's death was just another tick on the scoreboard in their ongoing battle against Hamas. There's nothing like a little state-sponsored cheerleading to keep morale high!

One can almost imagine these characters holding up thumbs up signs while simultaneously checking their watches, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in what they hope will be a more stable and less chaotic narrative.

In the end, the muted responses from critical players reflect the intricate balancing act they perform within the region. While some groups silently approved, others chose silence as their best course of action.

The global reaction to Haniyehs death is like a high-stakes drama where every player vies for the limelight. From Irans operatic rage to the calm silence of the neutral parties and the unexpected applause from unexpected quarters, its a reminder of how theater and reality often blur in international politics. As the curtain falls on this particular act, one thing is clear: in the grand play of Middle Eastern geopolitics, everyone has their role, and the show must go on.

After all, in the chaotic world of Middle Eastern politics, sometimes the best reaction is no reaction at all.

Image: Khamenei.ir via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 4.0 DEED
An amazing thing happened in Venezuela, according to reports, including an Associated Press article by Regina Garcia Cano. Marxist President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory in his bid to be reelected despite exit polling suggesting that he was thoroughly trounced.

But that isnt the amazing thing. The amazing thing was that, roughly 24 hours after the polls closed, popular opposition party member Maria Corina Machado announced that her coalition had gathered more than two-thirds of the vote tally sheets from polling centers nationwide and that they showed President Nicolas Maduro had lost his reelection bid. In a landslide. In fact, the vote tally sheets showed that Unitary Platform opposition coalition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez received roughly 6.2 million votes to Maduro's 2.7 million.

Image: Protest in Venezuela (cropped). YouTube screen grab.

Actas, the tally sheets that measure several feet long and resemble shopping receipts, are considered the ultimate proof of election results in Venezuela and the key to refuting the unfavorable and illegitimate election outcome they expected electoral authorities to announce.

Per the AP article:

By the time National Electoral Council President Elvis Amoroso was shown on television handing Maduro a document certifying his victory, the opposition had scanned more than half of the tally sheets. The scanned tallies were also uploaded to a searchable website, and anyone who voted could use their government identification number to check out the tally sheet belonging to the machine they used to vote. The government then claimed that the electoral council's website had been hacked. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez insisted Maduro was the indisputable winner and called his opponents violent fascists. He called for Machado and Gonzalez to be arrested.

Well, that is eerily familiar. Following elections, Democrats and their sycophants in the mainstream media often insist, no matter how improbably, that their candidate is the winnermuch as they did in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, when decrepit old Joe Biden, who had hidden in his basement as a campaign strategy, supposedly beat incumbent Donald Trump and received more votes than any presidential candidate in U.S. history. He then promptly called his opponents violent fascists and tried to arrest them. (Ironically, Biden has now himself been the victim of a real and visible coup and been embarrassingly semi-deposed.)

Opposition leaders said that organizational discipline and courage were the key to their success in obtaining the tally sheets, as Maduros ruling party wields tight control over the voting system. That, too, is much the same in the United States. Democrats and their many lapdogs wield tight control over the voting system and any and all comments pertaining to it.

What is decidedly not the same here in the States is the nature of the political opposition. Courage is not a word that could be used to characterize Republicans, with very few exceptions. Nor is organizational discipline. Invertebrate is.

Where are our tally sheets? Where are those willing to fight for them?

Whither Venezuela?

Whither America?
TikToks parent company has been sued by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The agency argues that ByteDance has been allowing registrations from children under 13 for a long time. It appears that the company did not implement more efficient age verification methods until relatively recently. The DOJ had already accused the short video platform of sending US employee data to China.

The DOJs lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance claims that the Chinese-based company violated the US Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act. More specifically, they refer to data collection. According to the DOJ, TikTok obtained data from millions of American children under the age of 13.

TikTok sued by the DOJ for childrens data handling in the US

While the minimum age requirement to use TikTok is 13, it seems that bypassing the restriction was quite simple. Until late 2020, creating a TikTok account as a minor would have been as easy as using a fake date of birth without any further verification. While that was later fixed, the platforms account creation system still had backdoors that allowed it to be bypassed.

For example, until 2022, people could create a TikTok account using an Instagram or Google account. However, Instagram did not enforce any age verification criteria until 2019. At that time, children under 13 could create TikTok accounts using Instagram accounts with a false birth date.

The DOJs lawsuit even claims that ByteDance was aware of the situation. More specifically, the agency says that TikTok has actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information from children. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, civil penalties, and other relief for the alleged collection of childrens data for years.

Another blow for TikTok amid pressure

This is another episode in the complicated relationship between TikTok and the US government. Lets remember that there is currently a bill signed by Joe Biden that forces ByteDance to divest from its stake in the North American section of TikTok. ByteDance still has the chance to appeal the decision and try to reverse it. However, if the bill is upheld and ByteDance does not sell TikTok, the service will stop working in the US.
Amber Rutter hailed her almost perfect Olympic return after putting herself in pole position to qualify for Sundays womens skeet shooting final in Chateauroux.

Rutter hit all but one of her 75 targets in the first three rounds, leaving her joint top of the standings ahead of the final two which will determine the six qualifiers for the medal final.

Rutter said: It was almost perfect. It was a great first day, better than I could ever have really hoped for.

Going into day two with that advantage is great. I am feeling really confident going into that last 50 (shots of qualification). But I know I can never take anything for granted.

Rutters resurgence after missing out on the Tokyo Games due to a positive Covid test was all the more remarkable having welcomed her baby son Tommy at the end of April.

She is keeping her time in France to minimum but hopes her pursuit of an elusive first Olympic medal, having made her debut in Rio in 2016, will prove to be worth the sacrifice.

It makes it a hell of a lot easier knowing Ive got such a great support team at home with my husband and my family, added Rutter. Knowing hes very well looked after definitely makes coming away a lot easier.

Of course I miss him. But I really hope just being here will make him proud, and one day he will look at it and go, My mummy was in the Olympics.'
The BBC should have laid out exactly what happened in the Huw Edwards probe sooner, according to former BBC executive and presenter Roger Bolton.

Former BBC newsreader Edwards admitted making indecent photographs of children earlier this week, with the BBC later acknowledging it knew he was arrested in November but continued to pay his salary until he resigned in April on medical advice.

BBC boss Tim Davie has since defended his decision to not fire Edwards despite knowing of his arrest over the most serious category of indecent images.

BBC director-general Tim Davie (Peter Byrne/PA)

Bolton, who hosts the podcast Beeb Watch, said the broadcaster has found itself in an extraordinarily difficult position.

Its a nightmare, he told the PA news agency.

I think the mistake BBC has made, but it may be a relatively minor mistake, is not to get all the facts out and the details quickly and explain their thinking.

Bolton said the broadcaster was placed in a difficult position when Edwards was arrested, as the broadcaster could not assume his guilt and still had a responsibility to Edwards as an employee who hadnt been convicted of anything.

Once he was charged and certainly once he convicted, what you ought to have done at the BBC, is it ought to have given a complete timeline, he said.

The only thing I would accuse them of, frankly, or say they got wrong so far on this, is not laying out for everybody exactly what happened. They know why they did it.

Bolton said the BBC should have been rather more open with the facts of the case, adding it is likely to be in the firing line given it is a prime broadcaster, responsible for hundreds of hours across radio and television.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (center) speaks at a news conference on Tuesday in Washington DC. Photograph: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

This week, the US Senate overwhelmingly passed major online safety reforms to protect children on social media. But with ongoing pushback from the tech industry and freedom of speech organizations, the legislation faces an uncertain future in the House. The ambiguous fate of the legislation underscores the ongoing struggle to regulate the online world, despite overwhelming support to do so, after years of deregulation.

The Kids Online Safety Act, or Kosa, would create a duty of care for companies operating a platform  meaning companies would be obligated to take reasonable steps to prevent harm for minor users. Social media platforms would also have to provide minors with options to protect their information, disable addictive product features and opt out of personalized algorithmic recommendations.

Its passage by the Senate in a 91-3 vote comes after relentless pressure from parents groups and childrens advocacy organizations, who have argued over the years that social media is harming children  at times with deadly consequences.

Related: New York signs parental control of addictive social media feeds into law

Todays Senate vote marks a historic and emotional milestone for myself and for all parents who have fought tirelessly to protect our children from the dangerous environments created by Big Tech, said Maurine Molak, who founded advocacy group Davids Legacy Foundation in honor of her son, who passed away at age 16 in 2016 after months of cyberbullying. Now, we call on the House to act quickly as well to protect our future generations from preventable tragedies.

Proponents of the act say it is a necessary first step in regulating tech companies, requiring them to protect children from dangerous online content, and take responsibility for the harm their platforms can cause.

But opponents fear that while noble in its intentions, Kosa would violate the first amendment that protects free speech, and could harm vulnerable kids who wouldnt be able to access information on LGBTQ+ issues or reproductive rights.

Thats because, critics argue, vague language in the bill could lead social media platforms to over-moderate in order to avoid legal liability for potentially problematic content. In doing so, young users speaking out about mental health challenges or addiction may be censored as if they are promoting such behaviors. A previous version of the bill also charged state attorneys general with enforcement, leading critics to believe conservative attorneys general could weaponize the legislation to censor content they dont approve of.

Its a terrible idea to let politicians and bureaucrats decide what people should read and view online, freedom of speech group the Electronic Frontier Foundation said of the Senates passage of Kosa.

Tech firms similarly argue that Kosas stipulations could create a chilling effect for users, incentivizing companies to filter content on topics that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

Advocates of Kosa reject these critiques, noting the bill has been revised to address many of those concerns  including shifting enforcement from attorneys general to the federal trade commission and focusing the duty of care provisions on product design features of the site or app rather than content specifically. A number of major LGBTQ+ groups dropped their opposition to the legislation following these changes, including the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and the Trevor Project.

Whats next?

After passing the Senate this week, the bill has now moved onto the House, which is on a six-week summer recess until September.

Proponents are now directing their efforts towards House legislators to turn the bill into law. Joe Biden has indicated he would sign it if it passes. In a statement Tuesday encouraging the House to pass the legislation, the US president said: We need action by Congress to protect our kids online and hold big tech accountable for the national experiment they are running on our children for profit.

James P Steyer, founder and CEO of childrens safety group Common Sense Media, concurred: Congress cannot kick the can down the road any longer. The House must follow suit and Congress will then and once and for all be able to proudly say that it has finally taken meaningful action to protect Americas children, teens, and families.

House speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has expressed support for moving forward on Kosa and passing legislation this Congress, but its unclear if he will bring the bill up in the House immediately.

Some experts say the bill is unlikely to be passed in the House in the form passed by the Senate.

Given the concerns about potential censorship and the possibility of minors lacking access to vital information, pausing KOSA makes eminent sense, said Gautam Hans, associate clinical professor of law and associate director of the First Amendment Clinic at Cornell Law School.

He added that the House may put forward its own similar legislation instead, or modify KOSA to further address some of these concerns.

That it is an election year and bipartisan public support for protecting kids online gives KOSA more of a chance of passing, advocates say. A November 2023 poll found that 87% of the electorate believes that it is important for the president and Congress to take action to combat the harms being caused by social media platforms.

A lot of people are saying this bill has no chance in the House  and those same people said we had no chance in the Senate, said Josh Golin, executive director of childrens safety group Fairplay for Kids. But these parents who have been telling their personal stories over and over again are pretty amazing at changing hearts, minds and votes. I wouldnt bet against them in the House.

Related: For children to be safe online, its not they who need to change  its the tech companies | Ian Russell

The ongoing debate over how best to regulate the internet underscores just how difficult it is to find consensus on legislative action  even when public opinion is largely unified. After years of operating with few regulations, tech firms are increasingly under scrutiny for alleged harms experienced by young users  exacerbated by major whistleblower revelations like those of former Facebook employee Frances Haugen in 2021.

Whether Kosa is the answer to those problems continues to divide internet safety advocates  but its clear the issue has taken center stage in Congress, said Cornell professor Hans.

Given the bipartisan interest in enacting this law, I suspect other proposals will follow  with hopefully more extensive safeguards against potential censorship by the state, he said. Even if it doesnt pass in the House, I dont think its going away any time soon.
Brexit author Alan Halsall - PAUL COOPER

The election watchdog has been accused of abandoning its duty to be impartial by a former Vote Leave official.

Alan Halsall, who was referred to the police by the Electoral Commission for an investigation over campaign spending limits which was later dropped, said he was subject to an ever-changing nightmare that sometimes felt like the commission was out to get us.

In a new book, he said his experience suggested that the locus of power in Britain is shifting to unelected government bodies.

Dominic Cummings, the director of Vote Leave, said he thought Mr Halsalls treatment by the watchdog amounted to unlawful persecution.

Mr Halsall was the responsible person for the official Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 EU referendum, meaning he was formally responsible for reporting donations to the Electoral Commission and managing expenses to ensure the group stayed within legal spending limits.

While Leave won the referendum, in 2018 the Electoral Commission accused Mr Halsall of breaking the spending limit law by funnelling money to a separate pro-Brexit group which it alleged Vote Leave was secretly collaborating with.

Brexit backers Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Dominic Cummings at the Vote Leave headquarters in London - ANDREW PARSONS/PARSONS MEDIA

Mr Halsall was investigated by the Metropolitan Police but in 2019 the force criticised the watchdogs approach to evidence gathering and the following year the probe was dropped.

In a book to be published later this month, Last Man Standing: Memoirs from the front line of Brexit, Mr Halsall details his ordeal at the hands of the regulator.

He writes: Sometimes the staff in quangos act as though they are in possession of some higher certainty.

It seems to feel that it is there at taxpayers expense to scold and slap wrists not to serve the public.

In Britain today there is a sense of the locus of power shifting. In essence, we live in a country now where lawyers are ever more powerful, as are unelected government bodies.

In letters sent this week to Richard Hermer, the Attorney General, and the chief executive of the Electoral Commission, Vijay Rangarajan, Mr Halsall claims the commission overstepped its role as regulator.

He says: I certainly believed when I volunteered to help the Vote Leave campaign that the Electoral Commission was an independent body which sought to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity.

I would find it hard to believe that today unless some effort is made by those now responsible for the Electoral Commission to outline the steps being taken to ensure that these sorts of breaches cannot happen again.

This took up some of the best years of my life

In the letter to Mr Rangarajan, he adds: My principal motivation is to ensure that our democracy is better served in future by more efficient, precise and impartial running of our institutions.

But I would also be grateful for an apology for how this entire affair has been handled. This took up some of the best years of my life and I wouldnt want anyone else to go through such an immense amount of pain if it can be avoided.

In a foreword to the book, Mr Cummings says that Mr Halsalls life was made a misery for years because of profoundly unfair, immoral and (in my view) unlawful persecution from parts of the state.

An Electoral Commission spokesman said: We open investigations based on evidence  irrespective of the political views of the party or campaigner concerned. It is right that potential electoral offences are properly investigated, but it is also important to recognise the impact investigations can have on those concerned.

Since the referendum, the Commission has sought to improve its processes and to bring a greater focus to the impact of investigations for those directly involved, which is reflected in our updated Enforcement Policy. We have also increased our resources and capacity to support parties and campaigners to understand their responsibilities and maintain compliance with the laws.

We have responded to Mr Halsalls letter.

The Electoral Commission also pointed out that Vote Leave committed civil offences relating to exceeding spending limits and paid the required fine. Vote Leave said at the time that it was confident the fine would have been overturned on appeal but had to discontinue its legal action because it had run out of funds.
Festivals celebrating the stories of Karl May, the Wild West author, attract record-breaking crowds in Germany - Norbert Millauer

Germanys love affair with a series of Wild West-themed novels has been dragged into an election culture war after a CDU candidate used them as inspiration for campaign posters.

As east Germany heads towards state elections in Saxony, where the hard-Right AfD are predicted to come in first place, one election poster has triggered a bitter row over offensive stereotyping.

The posters, belonging to conservative CDU politician Christian Hartmann, depict a burly Saxon wearing a feathered Native American headdress.

Mr Hartmann is a fan of the works of bestselling novelist Karl May, best known for his Winnetou Western novels.

Christian Hartmann, a CDU election candidate, is a fan of the bestselling 'Winnetou' Western novels - Florian Gaertner/Photothek

Karl May belongs to Saxony and Winnetou on German television, states the poster inspired by the series, which the Native American Association of Germany has described as problematic.

The Winnetou novels have sold some 200 million copies. He was the first pop star in the world, he was unbelievably popular wherever he went, said Michael Kuntz, the editor of Karl May Magazine.

Set in the Wild West, the stories of Winnetou and Old Shatterhand were some of the first to depict the Native Americans as civilised and in touch with nature, inspiring a long-running tradition of dressing up as Native Americans both at carnivals and in more reverent Indian clubs, attracting 40,000 people a year.

Fans of the Winnetou novels, which have sold 200 million copies, at a carnival in Germany - Norbert Millauer

But they are not without controversy: two years ago, the Ravensburger publishing house refused to republish the childrens books, describing them as colonialist with racist prejudices and cultural appropriation.

Mr Hartmann has defended his posters and described the debate as lacking the necessary common sense. He also said that we in Saxony risked a lot for debates and freedom of expression in 1989, referring to protests against the east German communist regime.

Mr Hartmann has defended his campaign posters and described the debate as 'lacking the necessary common sense'

Saxonys pride in the novels appears to have continued, with the Karl May Museum based in Mays former villa in Radebeul, outside Dresden, receiving almost 8 million (6.5 million) for a new building in June.

Three of the most popular German films of all time are straight adaptations of Winnetous adventures and the most successful, the Shoe of Manitou, is a rather clunky parody.

While running for election, Olaf Scholz, Germanys chancellor, justified his conscientious objection to conscription with the lessons of Winnetou to a TV host wearing a costume headdress, and admits to having read all of Mays important books.

Britons and Americans presented as villains

With a wide-ranging fanbase that included both Albert Einstein and Adolf Hitler, it is hard to underestimate the influence of the work in Germany.

But Jurgen Zimmerer, a colonial historian, said that it was not a coincidence that Hitler was a fan, with hero Old Shatterhand a German superman who can shoot and hunt better than the natives, and Britons and Americans presented as villains.

Because of the association with Hitler, in the communist east May wasnt forbidden but his books werent printed for years, until the GDR adopted him as a decent Ossi (East German), said Mr Kuntz.

Some 400,000 fans are expected at the best-known Winnetou shows at Bad Segeberg, near Hamburg - Norbert Millauer

Showing that perhaps Germans do not care about the accusations of racism, a record-breaking 400,000 attendees are expected this year at the best-known Winnetou shows at Bad Segeberg, near Hamburg.

Its a small minority that criticises but theyre loud. They accuse him of racism even though his books were about intercultural understanding said Mr Kuntz.

[I] can understand the criticism when its coming from Native Americans, but in the end its ideological German academics who become a spokesperson for this topic rather than Indians themselves.
Lucy Letby was convicted of the murders of seven newborns and the attempted murders of six other infants - Chester Standard/SWNS.com

The neonatal unit where Lucy Letby worked suffered an outbreak of bacteria lethal to babies, a leaked risk report shows.

In August 2023, Letby was convicted of the murders of seven newborns and the attempted murders of six other infants. A retrial in July also found her guilty of the attempted murder of another child.

Since the conviction, numerous scientists, statisticians and doctors have expressed their concern about the evidence presented to the jury regarding shift patterns, medical conclusions and the standard of care at the Countess of Chester.

It has now emerged that at the time when infant mortality rates spiked at the Countess of Chester hospital between 2015 and 2016  the years in which Letby was convicted of killing the infants  the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa had colonised taps in the nurseries of the neonatal unit, including intensive care.

Pseudomonas is known to be lethal to vulnerable babies. In 2012, a premature baby died and 12 others needed treatment at Southmead Hospital in Bristol after an outbreak of a water-borne bacterium.

Three premature babies also died after contracting the bug at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast January 2012. In that case, sink taps were found to be the source of infection. A baby had died from the same infection six weeks earlier in Derry.

Bacteria can be lethal in newborns

David Livermore, professor of Medical Microbiology, at the University of East Anglia said: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an environmental organism that likes moisture.

It can be lethal in newborns, especially premature ones, who lack a properly developed immune system.

From mid-2015 to mid-2016 there were around 17 infant deaths at the Countess of Chester unit.

We are asked to believe that this comprised two superimposed clusters, one of seven murders by Lucy Letby, and one where, to quote the crown prosecution expert, they died for the usual problems why small babies die: haemorrhage, infection, congenital problems.

It is simpler to believe that we are looking at a single spike of fatal infections in a chaotic unit.

The neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester hospital where Lucy Letby worked

The risk report leaked to The Telegraph, showed that the Countess of Chester hospital had been dealing with Pseudomonas since at least May 2015 when there were fears about transferring babies from nearby Arrowe Park Hospital.

The risk score was reduced in August 2015, when there had been no infections in neonates, but in December 2015, a tap in intensive care tested positive for the bug and had to be replaced.

In the same month a tap in another baby ward also tested positive but the report warned that there was no capacity to replace it, so filters were fitted instead. The report said the filters would remain in place until we get the all clear.

Notes show that by the middle of February 2016, staff had still not received this confirmation.

The risk of the bacteria was designated as high and the unit brought in controls to prevent the spread, including limiting visitors and treating all babies as if they had a severe infection.

The risk register said that although estate staff were monitoring the taps and testing the water supply frequently it was: Only as good as the last test and does not guarantee the patients/parents/visitors or staff safety.

The US Centre for Disease Controls Prevention and Response branch told The Telegraph that Pseudomonas was an urgent threat to babies in intensive care, and warned symptoms of an infection could sometimes be subtle, and cause or exacerbate other conditions.

In our experience mortality rates during Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreaks can be high, a spokesman said.

Neonatal intensive care unit patients often have defects in their immune system and are often subject to large amounts of very invasive care which make them very susceptible to infections with healthcare pathogens and also, when infected, at high risk for adverse outcomes including death and severe infection.

As neonates have little capacity to compensate for additional stresses, infection can cause other problems in these patients that are not directly related to the infection.

One mother whose baby was at the unit in 2016 said that she had been told that there was an outbreak of a virus on the ward, and her son was the only infant not infected. It is not known if she was referring to the Pseudomonas bacterial incident or a separate viral outbreak.

Speaking to the Mails Trial of Lucy Letby podcast, the anonymous mother said: A matron came upstairs to me while I was an inpatient for two weeks and said that there was a virus on the unit and all the babies have got to stay in the rooms that theyre in and were not accepting any new babies.

She seemed very panicked and it left me thinking at the time oh my gosh, what is going on?

(My son) was the only one that apparently didnt have this virus. They didnt want him getting it because he was so small, he was still on the oxygen at the time.

During Letbys trial it emerged that there had been major problems with plumbing in the hospital and on one occasion human waste or sewage entered the neonatal intensive care room from the drains of a ward above.

The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonised taps in the nurseries of the neonatal unit, including intensive care between 2015 and 2016

However the bacterial infection problems in the unit were never mentioned, neither during the trial nor in a report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) who investigated the high mortality rate at the unit in 2017.

Prof Livermore added: Although the Pseudomonas colonisation was known at the time of the RCPCH report it is not mentioned. Why, especially given the Belfast deaths? Were they told?

Did they speak to the infection control team, given that infection was such a plausible cause of clustered deaths? These are yet more questions that the Thirlwall Inquiry needs to address.

The Thirlwall Inquiry has been set up to look at problems at the Countess of Chester during the period where Letby was convicted of murdering babies.

The Telegraph has asked the RCPCH whether it was informed about the Pseudomonas outbreak while it was investigating the high mortality rates, but it said it could not comment while the inquiry was ongoing.

A spokesman for the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said Due to the ongoing police investigations and the pending public inquiry, it would not be appropriate to answer or provide advice on the questions asked at this time.
Sir Keir Starmer will attempt to appeal to investors with promise of stability that comes with a working majority of 167 - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe

Sir Keir Starmer will woo international investors at a summit in October by arguing that the UK is a more politically stable country to invest in than the USA and France.

The Telegraph can reveal that the Prime Minister will host an International Investment Summit on Oct 14, with up to 300 industry leaders due to attend.

Labour had promised during the election campaign that it would hold such a summit within 100 days of coming to power.

At the event, global business leaders will hear from Sir Keir and Cabinet ministers including Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and Jonathan Reynolds, the Business and Trade Secretary, that the UK is open for business.

The Telegraph understands that a key pitch from ministers will be that the UK represents a more politically stable investment proposition than other leading countries in the West.

Stable investment proposition

The US is gearing up for a presidential election in November which could see Donald Trump return to the White House and institute protectionist policies. France meanwhile is in a state of political paralysis after Emmanuel Macrons surprise snap election delivered a hung parliament.

In the UK by contrast, Sir Keir should be able to easily get government business through Parliament for the next four or five years after the general election delivered a huge working majority of 167.

A government source told The Telegraph: Under Labour, and a government of public service not pantomime, we are in poll position to take advantage of our new found political stability.

Investors are looking at the US or France and Britains stable economic and political environment could make the difference to money and jobs flowing to our shores.

As evidence of the change in sentiment, the Government pointed to Lloyds Banks Business Barometer, which last month showed that business confidence was at its highest for eight years.

The summit will take place two weeks before the Budget on Oct 30.

Starmers start

It comes after a busy start to Sir Keirs premiership on the international stage. Four days after entering Downing Street, he jetted off to America for the Nato summit in Washington DC.

Shortly after, the UK hosted the European Political Community summit at Bleinheim Palace where he promised to reset relationships with European neighbours.

The Prime Minister has also attended the Euro 2024 final in Berlin and the opening of the Paris Olympics.

Ms Reeves said: Growth built on stability, investment and reform is our number one priority and we have moved at speed to fix the foundations of our economy.

In just one month we have launched a National Wealth Fund to catalyse investment in our world-leading green and growth industries, ended the ill-advised ban on onshore wind and reformed a planning system that has frustrated investors for so long.

We are not resting on our laurels as work continues to rebuild Britain. Octobers International Investment Summit will showcase Britain is back as a stable place to do business, helping to secure the private investment needed to make every part of our country better off.

Mr Reynolds said: Long-term, sustainable and inclusive economic growth is this governments central mission. Thats why were taking immediate steps to increase investment right across the UK, support local skilled jobs and raise living standards in all our communities. Whether it is new film studios, cutting-edge technologies, or green energy, it is clear every part of the UK has the potential to benefit from private sector investment.

The summit is an opportunity to meaningfully engage with the worlds leading businesses and investors, and to continue to build long-term relationships that will drive investment into the UK in the months and years ahead.

The chaos of the last 14 years is no more. Britain is open for business, and we are the investment destination of choice.

The Department for Business and Trade said the summit would be a celebration of modern Britain.

However, The Telegraph understands that government figures want it to be a more substantive event than previous summits, which have sometimes drawn criticism for just packaging up and announcing pre-agreed investment decisions.
Labor deserves credit for acting on Centrepay in contrast to the robodebt scandal when Centrelink and the Coalition refused to even countenance the criticism. Composite: Guardian Design

In the months since the government announced it would overhaul its controversial Centrepay debit system, one thing has become abundantly clear.

Many already knew it was failing.

Those working with those using the government-run debit system, particularly those in remote parts of the country, knew Centrepay was capable of facilitating shocking financial exploitation of the nations most vulnerable.

Regulators and watchdogs knew. Financial advocates and community lawyers knew.

There was no shortage of voices screaming into the tin ear of government.

Related: Consumer watchdog urges crackdown on businesses using Centrepay to cause financial harm

The corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, has directly warned Services Australia that predatory businesses, many of whom had become Asic investigation targets, were continuing to use Centrepay to exploit welfare recipients.

The consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has been hearing complaints for many years via its Consumer Consultative Committee regarding the conduct of some Centrepay businesses and the ability of Services Australia to manage poor conduct.

The Australian Energy Regulator even launched a major prosecution of energy giant AGL over its use of Centrepay to continue taking welfare money from hundreds of customers who had departed as customers years earlier. Even that failed to prompt further audits of AGLs use of the system. The company is defending the case, saying it cannot be held to have unlawfully overcharged the welfare recipients because it never directly asked for the payments.

It wasnt until Guardian Australia exposed shocking Centrepay-enabled financial exploitation that the government finally announced its intention for fundamental reform. The government said it had been conducting priority work on Centrepay reform behind the scenes earlier, but nothing concrete was announced until months after Guardian Australias investigation was published.

The situation poses a difficult question about the formulation and improvement of public policy in this country.

Why does it take a concerted media effort to force government to act on something it has long known was a problem?

Centrepay was established in 1998 under the Howard government as a voluntary bill-paying service for people receiving Centrelink payments to make automatic deductions for essentials like rent and utilities.

It currently has more than 620,000 users. A large percentage of them are receiving disability support payments. Almost a third are Aboriginal people, predominantly women, from remote areas, receiving jobseeker or parenting payments.



Over time Centrepay has expanded to include a range of businesses and services.



There are now more than 15,000 companies approved to access Centrepay, which facilitated 23.7 million transactions last year worth $2.7bn. Each transaction incurs a 99c fee, paid to the government by businesses using the system.

Over the past decade, consumer advocates have raised concerns that several of the businesses registered to access Centrepay may be causing financial harm to vulnerable customers.



The corporate regulator is investigating dozens of companies. At least four that it has already penalised remain on the system.



In May 2024, the government announced a full review of the system to increase compliance, transparency and strengthen auditing processes.



Services Australia, which operates the system, says it is working towards improving delivery.

In 2022-23, contracts ended for 12 Centrepay businesses due to non-compliance.

Lets take a step back. Many readers would not have heard of Centrepay before the Guardians investigation in February.

But it is not some fringe system.

Centrepay is used widely. About 600,000 welfare recipients are currently using it to make payments to 15,000 businesses.

The system was designed with good intent. It was created as a budgeting tool, allowing welfare recipients to ensure they can pay for their essentials  rent, energy bills and healthcare costs  before their payments are chewed up by other living costs.

In practice, it operates in a similar way to direct debit.

The critical difference is that the system takes money directly from a persons welfare payment before it hits their bank account.

The money goes straight from the governments coffers to the business.

If implemented as intended, it remains sensible policy and a useful tool.

Centrepay is not operating as intended.

The problems are glaring and numerous. The rules around the systems use remain completely inadequate.

Businesses are allowed, for example, to take 100% of a persons welfare payment.

Even the more sensible rules governing Centrepay use are not being widely enforced.

In 2022-23, Services Australia investigated just 4% of businesses on Centrepay for compliance. From that small pool, staggering rates of non-compliance were found.

About 42% of the 382 government-approved businesses were found to be breaching the rules.

Some non-compliance is minor. Some is shocking.

Guardian Australia has identified three major energy retailers  AGL, Ergon Energy and Origin  who are accused of using Centrepay to continue taking money from the welfare payments of departed customers.

Origin alone has been accused of wrongly taking $2.5m from the welfare payments of nearly 3,000 ex-customers. AGL is accused of taking $700,000 from the welfare payments of about 575 vulnerable Australians after they ceased being AGL customers, an average of $1,233 from each individuals welfare payments.

AGL denied it had authority to control deductions via Centrepay but said it took immediate steps to remediate the issue once it became aware of overpayments. Origin said it proactively reported these issues to Services Australia. Ergon said it had robust billing processes in place and quickly acts to refund any overpayments.

But the problems go beyond alleged non-compliance by companies that have a legitimate claim to be on Centrepay. The government is allowing businesses access to Centrepay that, clearly, should not have been allowed anywhere near the system.

Related: I had no access: ex-residents of controversial rehab centre say welfare payments were taken against their wishes

Earlier this year, the Guardian spoke with residents at an extreme Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre named Esther House who said they felt forced to sign up to Centrepay.

Centrepay allowed the service to prop itself up with a guaranteed source of income, straight from the government, while it allegedly conducted gay conversion practices, exorcisms and forced baptisms, and subjected residents to psychological and emotional abuse.

In remote Indigenous communities, the Guardian has revealed how Centrepay allowed a rent-to-buy business to charge a single mother of five $6,500 for a TV worth $1,400.

The revelations should shock the public. But they shouldnt shock government.

Financial advocates and community legal centres have been airing similar complaints for years. Louise Pratt, a Labor senator, has unflinchingly pursued Centrepays failings for years.

Yet it was only in May, after Guardian Australias pursuit of the matter, that the government announced a reform process.

Services Australia now appears to be genuinely engaging in a thorough consultation process, which includes meeting with affected welfare recipients and listening to stakeholders, to properly inform future Centrepay reforms.

The government deserves credit for acting, even belatedly.

Anyone paying attention will see obvious parallels to robodebt.

But there is a key difference apparent only to close observers of both scandals.

Related: Centrepay scandal: Labor to reform debit scheme to combat predatory behaviour

When Guardian Australia first revealed the deep flaws with robodebt and its unfettered reliance on income averaging in late 2016, the reporting was met with steadfast obstinance and denial.

The then leaders of Centrelink and their Coalition portfolio ministers refused to even countenance the criticism.

They rubbished media reporting and leaked against critics.

It took years to force the government to confront the obvious problems with the system.

When asked how the culture at Services Australia had changed recently, the new chief executive, David Hazlehurst, pointed to his agencys handling of the Centrepay criticism.

Weve really adopted a very open approach to engaging with stakeholders on that, he told Senate estimates in June. Were not seeking to come up with all the answers and polish them within an inch of our lives and then consult. Were actually seeking to engage with people early.

Early may seem a stretch to many who have been complaining about Centrepay for years.

But, at this early stage at least, the stark contrast between its handling of this and robodebt offers some hope of improvement.

Lets hope the optimism is not misplaced.
Benjamin Netanyahu with Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House last month - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images North America

Joe Bidens decision to quit the presidential race has emboldened Benjamin Netanyahu to take bolder action against Iran, a senior Israeli official told The Telegraph.

The US president was trying to restrain Mr Netanyahu when he was still running for re-election, the official said.

He told him not to respond too harshly to Irans attacks. And Iran knew this, which is why they exploited the situation to attack Israel, the official said, adding that Mr Biden will now do what he believes is right.

His true agenda is to support Israel fully. And he has done so for decades. Netanyahu knows this, which is why hes being more bold and feels confident that he can attack Israels enemies and still have the full support of the US, he added.

The official calls Mr Bidens decision to not seek re-election a big game changer in the Middle East as Iran was planning to take advantage of Mr Bidens campaign.

Preparations for war

Israel is preparing for an Iranian response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, in Tehran on Wednesday, protecting sensitive sites across the country and opening extra wards in hospitals.

The US has also upped its military support for Israel in recent days to help defend against ballistic missiles and drones from Iran and its proxies in the region.

Dan Arbell, a scholar-in-residence at the Center for Israeli Studies at American University told The Telegraph that Mr Netanyahu may feel that he owes less to a lame duck president, but that he does not believe that is what made him go after the Hamas leader in Tehran and a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut this week.

Mr Arbell said that the change in Israeli responses was likely to do with public opinion and the realisation they needed to change their tactics.

Biden being a lame duck could play a small role, but I dont think thats the ultimate consideration, he said.

Mr Arbell said that while Biden is supporting Israel and sending aircraft carriers and ammunition and weapons to the region and warning Israels enemies, the president is not giving Israel a carte blanche to do whatever it pleases.

I think that any move by him to support Israel he has to take into consideration how that impacts Harriss standing in the public, he said.

Another senior Israeli official told The Telegraph: Biden wants to get a ceasefire. That is how he wants to leave his term. The conversation they (Biden and Netanyahu) held two days ago was tense.
Far Right riot in Sunderland

The grotesque rioting on Britains streets is a stain on our society and besmirches the memory of the young girls murdered in Mondays appalling massacre. Sir Keir Starmer was right to unequivocally condemn the violent thuggery and law-breaking by gangs of far-Right agitators, and right to give the police his full support.

But his steely rhetoric that the Government will meet this threat with the most robust response in the coming days and weeks, while welcome, wont assuage growing concerns that law and order is increasingly under threat

in Britain.

At almost every level, our criminal justice system is at breaking point. We have witnessed a shocking growth in political violence and intimidation. Stabbings and gang warfare are rife. Shoplifting has effectively been decriminalised. Few believe that burglaries are being taken seriously. Over the past eight years there has been a catastrophic collapse in rape prosecutions. The courts are backlogged. The system has lost the confidence of the public.

But how can you police effectively when there are no prison places? There are a paltry 1,400 spaces left across the country, with the prisons having consistently run at 99 per cent capacity over the past 18 months; the Tory record here was abysmal. If both the police and the public know criminals cant and wont be locked up because there is nowhere to house them, more violent episodes will continue to plague Starmers administration. Yes, in the short term the Government can hopefully expedite justice to help quell the current violence, ideally with a 24-hour court system last used during the Tottenham riots, but this will end up being futile if pressure on prisons means Britain adopts a strategy of catch and release. Meanwhile, more than a quarter of criminals are back behind bars within 12 months.

Mrs Thatcher used prisons as a deterrent against rising crime but our estate is now in a shameful condition. All too regular stories of escapers such as Daniel Khalife from HMP Wandsworth, or Islamist gangs seizing control of prisons contribute to the sense that the state is losing control. And when two maximum security jails, HMP Long Lartin and HMP Whitemoor, were inspected last year, they were both found to be squalid and struggling.

The 1980s and 1990s consensus that crime should be a national priority is fraying. Misplaced fears that we were reverting to a Victorian bang em up culture shifted emphasis away from punishment and towards rehabilitation, but this has come at an unacceptable price.

In the run-up to the general election, Labour pitched itself as the party of law and order, with then-shadow justice secretary Steve Reed promising to prevent crime, punish criminals and protect the public. The Government must now rush through a major prison-building exercise, paid for by savings from the gargantuan amount of government waste and useless spending.
The Vanguard-class nuclear submarine HMS Vengeance at Clyde, Faslane - Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Ministers have been urged to carry out an urgent review of defence supply chains in the wake of The Telegraphs revelations about Britains nuclear submarine fleet.

The Telegraph disclosed that Britains nuclear submarine engineers are using software that was designed in Russia and Belarus.

The software should have been created by UK-based staff with security clearance, but the work was partially outsourced to developers in Siberia and Minsk, the capital of Belarus.

There are fears that further defence capabilities could have been compromised because it has emerged that a previous project was also outsourced to developers in Minsk.

Experts have warned that the UKs national security risked being jeopardised if personal details of those with classified knowledge of Britains nuclear submarine fleet fell into the wrong hands, leaving them exposed to blackmail or targeted attacks.

The Telegraph understands that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) considered the security breach a serious threat to UK defence and launched an investigation.

The inquiry discovered that the firm that outsourced the work  on a staff intranet for nuclear submarine engineers  to Russia and Belarus initially kept it secret and discussed whether it could disguise where the workers were based by giving them fake names of dead British people.

Admiral Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy said he was shocked to read about these extraordinary revelations, and urged the MoD to carry out a review into supply chains to ensure they are secure.

This whole area is an area that has been worrying me more and more. If you go back years ago there wasnt the same reliance on coding and software and these sorts of things, he said.

Lord West, who served as the First Sea Lord from 2002 to 2006, added that it can be highly dangerous now that everything was so reliant on software.

This is a world where software can make such a difference. We have to have mechanisms where we can absolutely be certain that no one has broken into the supply chain, even at the lowest level, and that there is no one who hasnt got the clearance to do the work, he said.

I think certainly the Ministry of Defence needs to look very, very closely at this and to make sure that [their supply chains] are absolutely secure. They need to make absolutely sure that every single supplier is secure and has signed the Official Secrets Act.

The Telegraph revealed how Rolls-Royce Submarines, which powers the UKs nuclear submarine fleet on behalf of the Royal Navy, wanted to upgrade its staff intranet and had subcontracted the work to WM Reply, a digital consultancy firm.

WM Reply then used developers based in Belarus  Russias closest ally  one of whom was actually working from home in Tomsk, Siberia, according to documents submitted to the MoDs inquiry.

The intranet system included personal details of all Rolls-Royce Submarines employees, as well as the organisational structure of those at the company working on the UKs submarine fleet.

Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, said there must be punitive action for subcontractors who breach the terms of their contracts.

There doesnt seem to be a clear enough policy of penalties or punitive action should you not comply, he said. If a company realised they would be stuck off working from government contracts or named and shamed, I suspect they wouldnt do it.

Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister who is a Tory leadership contender, said that securing supply chains was important for boosting our resilience and protecting our national security and said the Government must safeguard the defence sector skills, jobs, and capabilities in the UK.

A Rolls-Royce spokesman said: We can categorically state that at no point was there any risk of data, classified or otherwise, being accessed or made available to non-security cleared individuals. It is not possible for non-security cleared individuals to access any sensitive data via our company intranet.

All our suppliers comply with strict security requirements. Once we were made aware of these allegations that clearly breached these requirements, and following a rigorous internal investigation that concluded in 2021, Rolls-Royce Submarines ceased working with WM Reply. We have not awarded them any further contracts.

A spokesman for WM Reply denied the claim that its actions could have endangered national security.

WM Reply regularly reviews its delivery processes and procedures, respects the needs and processes of its customers and enjoys transparent and long-standing relationships with those customers, they said.

An MOD spokesman said: We have strict security procedures in place to protect our systems, including where we work with industry partners and their supply chains.

Any breaches in security or contract terms can have significant consequences for suppliers. This matter was fully investigated by Rolls Royce. As they have said, at no point was the integrity of the system compromised.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, widened the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) one year ago - Stefan Rousseau/PA

Sadiq Khan is on track to blow his entire Ulez scrappage scheme budget by the end of August, leaving tens of thousands of drivers waiting for payouts.

Under the scheme, introduced when Londons clean air zone was expanded last August, owners of polluting vehicles can trade them in for scrap receiving 2,000 per car and 7,000 per van.

But less than a year later, more than four fifths of the 210 million set aside for the scheme has been spent even though applications are still open, according to documents published by Transport for London (TfL).

It comes despite Mr Khan promising that the grants would ensure no Londoners were left behind in his drive to impose the controversial Ulez project across the capital.

With its budget expected to run out in a month, the scheme could leave 80,000 Londoners thought to be on the waiting list either out of pocket or with a non-compliant vehicle.

Signs warn drivers they are entering the zone - Yui Mok/PA

Announcing the scheme, the Labour Mayor of London said at the time: As we continue to build a greener and healthier London for everyone, Im determined that no Londoner and no London business is left behind.

We need to take people with us on the path to a sustainable future. We are ensuring that help is now available for everyone  and I urge Londoners to come and get it.

Under the scheme, owners of polluting older cars and vans can hand them in for scrap and claim money towards the cost of a replacement.

By the beginning of July a total of 184 million had been spent from the schemes budget, documents published by TfL show.

Just over 134,500 applications to the scheme had been received by July, with around 53,350 of those having been approved.

This suggests about 80,000 had been rejected outright or were stuck in limbo waiting for officials to make a decision.

A spokesman for the mayor said: This number includes applications with errors, those that have been rejected due to ineligibility, and people applying more than once.

TfL are working hard to ensure every application is responded to as quickly as possible.

The Mayors scrappage scheme  the biggest scheme of its kind in the UK  has had huge take-up, removing thousands of old, polluting vehicles from Londons roads.

More than 53,000 applications have been approved to date, including over 300 non-compliant vehicles donated to Ukraine to help humanitarian and medical efforts there.

The Telegraph understands that the budget for the scheme, which is linked to the TfL-endorsed Ulez to Ukraine car donation project, is expected to run out by the end of August.

This week TfL praised the incredible contribution of William Lewis, 80, who was threatened with a 1,000 fine by his local council for storing surplus Ulez vehicles before they were driven to Ukraine.

Mole Valley council, in Surrey, claimed Mr Lewis was breaking planning permission laws by allowing his land to be used for the cars and vans.

The council gave the pensioner until the end of the month to clear his field or face legal enforcement action. Mr Lewis said the councils behaviour was ludicrous.
Harris-Trump

Kamala Harriss campaigners have suggested Donald Trump is running scared after he attempted to avoid taking part in a scheduled debate on ABC News on Sept 10.

Instead, Trump has offered to go head-to-head with Ms Harris on Fox News, which is more sympathetic to his campaign, on Sept 4.

The former president made his offer on his social media platform Truth Social, saying the meeting would have a full arena audience and take place in the pivotal swing state of Pennsylvania.

Donald Trump is running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and running straight to Fox News to bail him out, said Michael Tyler, the Harris campaign spokesman.

Kamala Harris speaking in Houston on Thursday. She is scheduled to meet Trump in a TV debate on ABC News on Sept 10 - LM Otero/AP

He added that Ms Harris will turn up on Sept 10, the date that had been agreed for the ABC debate by the Trump and Biden camps before the incumbent US president quit the race.

The vice-president will be there one way or the other to take the opportunity to speak to a prime time national audience, he added.

Mr Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace should have no problem with that unless hes too scared to show up on the 10th.

Donald Trump at a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He has offered to go head-to-head with Kamala Harris on Fox News on Sept 4 - Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Trump, who had been taunted by Ms Harris and her campaign, said the rules would be similar to those in force in his debate with Sleepy Joe.

He had agreed to debate Mr Biden on ABC, despite suing the station over comments made by George Stephanopoulos, one of its anchors.

However, on Friday, Trump said the station had a conflict of interest and the debate on ABC would not be fair.

Sources familiar with the negotiations told The Telegraph that Stephanopoulos would not be one of the debate moderators.

The first televised presidential debate took place in 1960 between Richard Nixon and John F Kennedy.

Since 1987, they have been organised by the Commission on Presidential Debates, which is sponsored by both parties.

But for the first time in nearly four decades, the commission will play no part, leaving it up to the campaigns to reach an agreement.

If ABC goes ahead with the broadcast without Trump, there is the prospect of an empty chair at the debate.

He can say he wont do the ABC debate, the optics of pulling out of that debate looks terrible, Christopher Galdieri, an associate professor of politics at Saint Anselm College, New Hampshire, told The Telegraph.

Is he scared of her? If he doesnt show up, ABC cant send out a posse of reports to drag him there.

Its possible Harris could show up and he doesnt. Its never happened before.
The fire happened at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, in March - X

Two more men have been charged in connection with an alleged arson attack on Ukrainian-linked businesses in London carried out on behalf of the Wagner Group.

Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22, and Ugnius Asmena, 19, are accused of offences under the National Security Act, the Metropolitan Police said.

They join five other defendants who have been charged in connection with the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, on March 20, which was brought under control by 60 firefighters.

Dylan Earl, 20, a co-defendant, is accused of orchestrating arson attacks on behalf of the Wagner Group, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation.

Rose, of Croydon, south London, and Asmena, of Wandsworth, also south London, are both accused of aggravated arson.

Rose has been further charged with one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Dmitrijus Paulauska and Jake Reeves (R) appeared in court in April - Elizabeth Cook/PA

Asmena was born in Lithuania, the court was told, and has previously unsuccessfully applied for EU settled status.

Rose has been further charged with possession of a knife in a public place and possession of a knife in a private place.

Neither man was asked to enter any pleas during the short hearing at Westminster magistrates court on Saturday.

It is alleged Earl was in contact with a handler in the Wagner Group before carrying out reconnaissance of targets in relation to activity intended to benefit Russia.

It is claimed that Earl recruited and paid others to carry out the arson attack on Ukrainian-linked businesses owned by Oddisey and Meest UK.

The Wagner Group, whose former leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash last summer, fought for Russia in the Ukrainian conflict and staged a short-lived coup against the authorities in Moscow in June last year.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Mets counter-terrorism unit, said: While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat...

This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.

Co-defendants

Rose and Asmenas co-defendants face a plea hearing on Oct 4 and a provisional trial of eight weeks from June 2 2025.

Earl, of Elmesthorpe in Leicestershire, is charged with aggravated arson, preparatory conduct to an act endangering life or a person or an act creating a serious risk to the health and safety of the public in the United Kingdom contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act 2023, and assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.

Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, from Croydon, who is on conditional bail, is accused of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.

Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon, is accused of aggravated arson and accepting cash knowing it was from a foreign intelligence service.

Nii Mensah, 21, of Thornton Heath, south London, is charged with aggravated arson.
Josh Shapiro could be Kamala Harris's vice-presidential nominee - KEVIN MOHATT/REUTERS

If Josh Shapiro has a political philosophy, it is to get s done. The Pennsylvania governor constantly uses the phrase, whether he is repairing a collapsed highway in a matter of days, negotiating a budget through a divided legislature, or posting on TikTok.

He even keeps a mug stamped with the mantra on his desk.

While less inspiring than some political slogans, it has helped Mr Shapiro position himself as a down-to-earth dealmaker who cares more about results than politics.

Now Kamala Harris looks likely to ask the popular, plain-talking governor to get something else done: to win her the key battleground state of Pennsylvania in the forthcoming presidential election.

While she has yet to formally anoint a running mate, there are several clues that suggest Mr Shapiro, one of an ambitious new generation of Democrats, is in pole position to be the Democrats vice-presidential nominee.

Donors have reportedly been pressed to send in their cheques before the end of the week, with the Harris campaign citing a rule that limits donations to a sitting governor.

At the same time, Mr Shapiro abruptly cancelled a series of fundraisers scheduled for this weekend in New York.

Sources have told US media that the vice-president is emphasising the need for a personal rapport with her running mate. She has known Mr Shapiro for almost two decades.

And Ms Harriss first campaign rally alongside the vice-presidential nominee is planned to take place in Philadelphia, in Mr Shapiros home state.

None of these factors is conclusive, and Ms Harris is reported to be meeting with a shortlist of candidates this weekend as the final step in a vetting process.

But taken together, they suggest that the Pennsylvania governor is favoured over his main rival, Mark Kelly, the Arizona senator.

As Mr Shapiro said last month, Ms Harriss road to the White House runs through the Keystone State.

It has the largest haul of electoral college votes of any of the swing states, but recent polling has the vice-president lagging four points behind Donald Trump. Although she can win the presidency without Pennsylvania, losing it significantly narrows her path to victory.

Moreover, Mr Shapiro has a proven appeal to the blue collar workers who were once the bedrock of the Democratic partys support but have since moved over to Trump.

Ms Harris, a California Democrat, lacks his common touch and is already under fire for the radical proposals she made during the 2020 primaries.

Four years ago, she praised moves to defund the police, mulled abolishing the immigration agency, and backed a ban on fracking  anathema to blue collar voters concerned about crime and border crossings, in a state where thousands of jobs depend on natural gas. Mr Shapiro can protect that vulnerable flank.

Jamie Sychak, a maintenance technician from Butler, Pennsylvania, credits the governor with saving the steel mill where he works from closure by opposing a damaging federal government regulation.

Josh Shapiro was a significant player in thwarting that and keeping our plant open, he said, emphasising that he did not speak for the factorys management. He was an advocate for us.

Mr Sychak said he was on the fence about how to vote in November, and that fellow union members  he leads a local chapter of the United Auto Workers  were evenly split.

But Mr Shapiros inclusion on the ticket would be a definite point in Ms Harris favour, he said, adding that he was the only Pennsylvania governor to have visited the plant in his almost 30 years in the job.

While Ms Harriss entry into the presidential race has seen a polling bounce and a flood of donations, there was little enthusiasm for her in Steelton, a classic rust belt community marred by industrial decline in southern Pennsylvania.

It was founded around a vast steel mill that churned out railway tracks and employed some 10,000 people at its peak. Its population has dwindled with the rise of automation and exodus of manufacturing overseas.

The steel plant in Steelton has seen better times - RYAN COLLERD FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Barbara Barksdale, a former nurse, said she witnessed a collective identity crisis among workers in the 1960s and 1970s as their jobs disappeared. Some of these men couldnt handle it, she said. They literally couldnt mentally handle it.

Like many rust belt states, Steelton is still reeling. Front Street, which backs on to the still-functioning mill, is dominated by rows of vacant shops, some of which have for sale signs placed optimistically in dusty windows.

The main attitude to politics is disillusionment. One man seated at a bar contemplated his drink for a long time before answering: I think they all suck.

A young man who gave his name as Mike, speaking over the traffic that roars along Front Street and rarely slows down, said America needed a George Washington or Abe Lincoln figure to save it.

Nobody is out there, he added.

Trumps appeal has not completely passed Steelton by, however. One house was decked out in Trump-Vance flags, while a passer-by called Dominic said he was leaning towards voting for the former president.

He gave everybody money when Covid hit  everybody that was unemployed, couldnt pay, he sent them $700 a week, he said. He has seen little improvement under Joe Biden and believes Ms Harris  Bidens partner  would be more of the same.

Some are sceptical that Mr Shapiro can keep his magic touch among Trump supporters if he teams up with Ms Harris, and that he will tarnish his own reputation instead of enhancing hers.

Trump voters are Trump voters first, and everybody else second, said David Urban, a former senior adviser to Trump who still advises his campaign in an ad-hoc capacity.

Trump supporters watch him on a big screen at a rally in Harrisburg - RYAN COLLERD FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Mr Urban, who is credited with spearheading the Republicans shock win in Pennsylvania in 2016, predicted: The second Shapiro becomes a partisan candidate against Trump, these people are going to drop him like a hot potato.

Charlie Gerow, a Pennsylvania-based Republican strategist, said a potential weakness for Mr Shapiro was that he could be cast as someone too busy climbing the political ladder to get s done.

The 51-year-old ran to become Pennsylvanias attorney general in his first term as a county commissioner, before leaving early in his second term when he was elected governor.

He hasnt even been in office two years and hes looking to run for another office, Mr Gerow said. Kamala might want to take a look over her shoulder.

At a Trump rally on Wednesday in Harrisburg, a few miles away from Steelton, the former presidents supporters were scornful about Mr Shapiro teaming up with Ms Harris.

A woman who gave her name as Peggy dismissed him as a career politician, saying: Hes two years into the office and Ive heard he has been vying for this vice-presidency job for years.

I dont know anything that hes done, really. I dont know what he stands for.

Peggy is sceptical about Mr Shapiro teaming up with Ms Harris - Ryan Collerd for The Telegraph

Earline Klapka, a former Democrat voter who was waiting in line with her grandchildren, said she had no idea what Mr Shapiro had done for Pennsylvania.

She broke with the party when Barack Obama was elected president, claiming he had been weak on the economy and immigration. We knew then  no more Democrats, she said.

Veteran and Trump supporter Virgil Klapka waits to get into rally in Harrisburg - RYAN COLLERD FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Even if Mr Shapiro can peel away some of the Trump base, then he could cause problems in other states. As a vocal supporter of Israel, he could isolate voters in Michigan, a swing state with a high concentration of Muslim and Arab Americans, and young voters.

Mr Urban believes it is futile for Ms Harris to chase blue collar voters and that her only shot in Pennsylvania is to run up her margins in urban areas like southern Philadelphia.

Trump still is in the 60-40 camp of winning the state, as it stands today. You add Shapiro to that, it goes 55-45. Its closer, maybe even closer than that  but Trump still wins, he said.

Mark Kelly  hes a legit navy fighter pilot, combat-decorated, gun-owning, tough on the border. He scares me the most.

The Arizona senator, a Gulf War veteran and former astronaut, has pushed the Biden administration to take a tougher stance on illegal migration. Many believe he could deflect attacks on Ms Harris as a failed border tsar who has overseen record crossings.

He is popular with voters  including the crucial Latino demographic  in Arizona, which Mr Biden narrowly won in 2020. Paul Wade, a teacher in the bellwether Maricopa County, praised Mr Kellys integrity and obvious competence and said he wanted him to join Ms Harriss ticket.

Kelly brings a message balance between a guy who shores up Kamalas greatest weakness, which is the immigration issue, with a higher level of appeal to Latinos than Biden and Harris, Mike Madrid, a political consultant who has previously campaigned against Trump in Arizona, said.

However, Mr Kelly is vulnerable in other ways, with his links to Chinese investors and lucrative corporate speaking jobs being scrutinised in recent days.

He has said he will be in Arizona next week, when the vice-presidential nominee is scheduled to campaign in Philadelphia.
Riot police have been deployed as planned protests have begun across Britain, after a night of unforgivable violence in Sunderland.

The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.

There was further violence in Sunderland on Friday, where a police station was looted and a Citizens Advice Bureau office was set alight.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use as missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that they were guilty of an act of sacrilege.

The riots came after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Merseyside on Monday.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Greater Manchester Police said a dispersal notice had been authorised for the city centre and Merseyside Police said greater stop and search powers had been granted for officers to deal with planned demonstrations on Saturday.

Officers also mounted a significant security operation in Belfast city centre, after a small group of anti-Islamic protesters gathered at the front of City Hall, chanting Islam Out.

Police in riot gear were deployed in the Northern Ireland capital as a small number of fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between the group and an anti-racism rally.

Around 150 people carrying St Georges flags shouting youre not English any more and paedo Muslims off our street were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

Police in Stoke-on-Trent said they were aware of pockets of disorder and bricks were reportedly thrown at officers in the city.

Sunderland Central Labour MP Lewis Atkinson said a link could be drawn between the disorder in his constituency on Friday and the ashes of the English Defence League (EDL), which was founded by Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon.

The EDL has disbanded but its supporters remain active, and Mr Atkinson said evidence suggested a Nazi offshoot of the group was involved in the violence in his constituency on Friday, in which a police station was torched and a mosque attacked.

On Saturday it was not possible to search Tommy Robinson on TikTok, and the social media platform instead showed the message: This phrase may be associated with behaviour or content that violates our guidelines.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said four officers were injured during the violence in the city and 10 people have been arrested.

He told reporters that those involved in the disorder should expect to be met with the full force of the law, adding: This was not a protest, this was unforgivable violence and disorder.

Chairman of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, Qari Asim, said the Muslim community is deeply worried and anxious about the planned protests by the far right groups across the country.

He said: This intimidation and violence is the inevitable, devastating, outcome of rising Islamophobia that has been enabled to fester on social media, in parts of the mainstream media and by some populist leaders.

Meanwhile, Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick said elements of the far right appear to be involved in the rioting while fellow contender Priti Patel denounced the thuggery and said MPs should unite in condemnation.

The events we have witnessed overnight in Sunderland were totally unacceptable. As they were in Southport earlier this week and in Harehills in Leeds a fortnight ago. We should never excuse, or be apologists for, disorder whoever is responsible. Violence and thuggery is always  Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) August 3, 2024

Mr Atkinson said he was really sad for Sunderland after a group of racists descended on the city on Friday and attacked police, setting a police station and two cars on fire and targeting a mosque.

He added: A night of idiots will not prevent us from building.

Asked how the disorder had happened, Mr Atkinson told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that protests had been suggested by people in a number of social media groups in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

He said: The far right, for example Stephen Yaxley Lennon, picked up on those and started promoting those and encouraging known far right individuals to join.

Individuals who were involved with the EDL are still out there and need to be kept under surveillance, he said.

An extra 70 prosecutors will be drafted in on standby this weekend to charge people who set out to cause violent disorder as the authorities prepare to deal with dozens of demonstrations planned over the next two days.

People protest in Sunderland city centre (Scott Heppell/PA)

Campaign group Hope Not Hate has identified more than 30 events taking place.

Mr Jenrick said if there is a case for proscribing the EDL it should be considered, when asked by the BBC.

Leadership contender and former home secretary Ms Patel demanded Parliament be recalled over the violence and criticised the Government response, saying: Saying the nation is braced for disorder is not only breathtakingly complacent, but both troubling and inadequate.

The Government is now in danger of appearing to be swept away with events rather than maintaining control of them.

Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.

Violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town and 53 police officers and three police dogs were. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer later condemned thugs who had travelled to the town to cause unrest.

My statement on tonights events in Sunderland: pic.twitter.com/cu7lO6ccSW  Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) August 2, 2024

The unrest poses the biggest challenge yet of Sir Keirs premiership, evoking the scale of public disorder last seen during the 2011 riots.

There were a series of riots in August 2011 in cities and towns across England, which started in Tottenham Hale, north east London, after the killing of Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police on August 4.

On Wednesday more than 100 protesters were arrested on Whitehall, where bottles and cans were thrown at police, while violence also broke out in Hartlepool, County Durham, and in Manchester.

On Thursday, Sir Keir announced a new national response to the disorder linking police forces across the country through shared intelligence and the expanded use of facial recognition.

On Friday, hundreds of people gathered in Keel Square in Sunderland, many of them draped in England flags, some of whom chanted support of Tommy Robinson, while others shouted insults about Islam.

Videos posted on social media appeared to show a fire at a city centre police office, which was marked permanently closed on Google Maps and was no longer listed on a police station finder on Northumbria Polices website.

A mosque was targeted and separate footage on social media, said to have also been filmed in Sunderland, appeared to show a man with a swastika tattoo on his back.

Officers from Northumbria Police were subjected to serious violence and three were taken to hospital, the force said later.

Education Secretary and minister for women and equalities, and MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, Bridget Phillipson, posted on X, saying: The scenes in our city centre tonight are shocking. We have seen unforgivable violence and thuggery.

The criminals involved in this appalling disorder must be identified, prosecuted and punished with the full force of the law.

Rudakubana is also charged with the attempted murders of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and with possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

He was remanded to youth detention accommodation and will next appear in court in October.
Protesters clash with police as ministers to meet to discuss potential disorder

Riot police have been involved in face-offs with protesters in parts of the UK as ministers prepare to meet to discuss the potential for further disorder.

Planned demonstrations in cities across the country got under way on Saturday as tensions remained high after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Merseyside Police said a number of officers were injured during serious disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, with one officer being hit on the head by a chair.

Bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined the The Strand in the city centre.

Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.

Police restrain a man during a protest in Liverpool (James Speakman/PA)

Elsewhere on Saturday, bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent, fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast, and windows of a hotel which has been used to house migrants were smashed in Hull.

Greater Manchester Police said a dispersal notice had been authorised for the city centre and Merseyside Police said greater stop and search powers had been granted for officers to deal with planned demonstrations.

Scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottinghams Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides, and chants of England till I die and Tommy Robinson were drowned out by boos from counter-protesters.

Police face protesters in Nottingham (Jacob King/PA)

Around 150 people carrying St George flags shouting youre not English any more and paedo Muslims off our street were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

On Saturday it was not possible to search Tommy Robinson on TikTok, with the social media platform instead showing the message: This phrase may be associated with behaviour or content that violates our guidelines.

Cleveland Police denied claims that the organiser of a march in Middlesbrough on Sunday had been arrested on terrorism charges.

Protests in Liverpool (James Speakman/PA)

The force issued a statement saying a 29-year-old man had been arrested on Friday over firearms offences after Mr Robinson had posted: Lad who organised Middlesbrough march been locked up on terrorism charges.

The weekend protests followed a night of unforgivable violence in Sunderland, which saw a Citizens Advice office burned down.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use for missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that it was an act of sacrilege.

Sunderland Central Labour MP Lewis Atkinson said a link could be drawn between the disorder in his constituency on Friday and the ashes of the EDL, which was founded by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.

Cleveland Police said two boys, aged 11 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after the protests in Hartlepool.

The EDL has disbanded but its supporters remain active, and Mr Atkinson said evidence suggested a Nazi offshoot of the group was involved in the violence in his constituency on Friday, in which a police station was torched and a mosque attacked.

An injured man is attended to during a protest in Liverpool (James Speakman/PA)

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said four officers were injured during the violence in Sunderland and 10 people have been arrested.

He told reporters that those involved in the disorder should expect to be met with the full force of the law, adding: This was not a protest, this was unforgivable violence and disorder.

Qari Asim, chairman of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, said the Muslim community is deeply worried and anxious about the planned protests by the far-right groups across the country.

An extra 70 prosecutors will be on standby this weekend to charge people who set out to cause violent disorder as the authorities prepare to deal with dozens of demonstrations.

Campaign group Hope Not Hate has identified more than 30 events taking place.

Violent scenes in Sunderland on Friday resulted in four officers being injured (Scott Heppell/PA)

Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.

Violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town and 53 police officers and three police dogs were injured.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer later condemned thugs who had travelled to the town to cause unrest.

The unrest poses the biggest challenge yet to Sir Keirs premiership, evoking the scale of public disorder last seen during the 2011 riots.

There were a series of clashes in August 2011 in cities and towns across England, which started in Tottenham Hale, north-east London, after the killing of Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police on August 4.
Simone Biles won her seventh Olympic gold medal and third of this Games in the womens vault.

The American was all smiles after landing a Yurchenko double pike, known as the Biles II, on her first vault, taking only a small step back and scoring a massive 15.700.

Her second vault was scored at 14.900, giving her an overall score of 15.300 and leaving her well clear of Brazils Rebecca Andrade in silver, while another American, Jade Carey, took bronze.

Biles was welcomed into Bercy Arena with huge cheers and shrugged off a tumble on the Yurchenko in practice, performing it almost flawlessly when it really counted.

The 27-year-old has also won gold here in the team and all-around competitions and could yet surpass her tally of four golds from Rio.

Biles will conclude her campaign on Monday when she goes in the beam and floor finals.
Two men have appeared in court over an alleged arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business in London on behalf of the Wagner Group.

Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22, and Ugnius Asmena, 19, are accused of offences under the National Security Act, becoming part of the first case concerning allegations under the new spy laws.

The alleged attack targeted a property owned by a Ukrainian and is believed to have been carried out on behalf of a Russian-linked group, Westminster Magistrates Court heard.

Rose, of Croydon, south London, and Asmena, of no fixed address, are both accused of aggravated arson.

Asmena was born in Lithuania, the court was told, and has previously unsuccessfully applied for EU Settled status.

Rose has been further charged with possession of a knife in a public place and possession of a knife in a private place.

Neither man was asked to enter any pleas during the short hearing.

They join five other defendants who have been charged in connection with the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, on March 20 which needed 60 firefighters to bring it under control.

Co-defendant Dylan Earl, 20, is accused of orchestrating arson attacks on behalf of the Wagner Group.

It is alleged Earl was in contact with a handler in the Wagner Group before carrying out reconnaissance of targets in relation to activity intended to benefit Russia.

It is claimed that Earl recruited and paid others to carry out the arson attack on Ukrainian-linked businesses owned by Oddisey and Meest UK.

The Wagner Group, whose former leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash last summer, is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK.

Mr Prigozhin and his troops, who have fought for Russia in the Ukrainian conflict, had staged a short-lived coup against the authorities in Moscow in June last year.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Mets Counter Terrorism Command, said: While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter.

This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.

Rose and Asmenas co-defendants face a plea hearing on October 4 and a provisional trial of eight weeks from June 2 2025.

Earl, of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, is charged with aggravated arson, preparatory conduct to an act endangering life or a person or an act creating a serious risk to the health and safety of the public in the United Kingdom contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act 2023, and assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act 2023.

Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, from Croydon, who is on conditional bail, is accused of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.

Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon, is accused of aggravated arson and accepting cash knowing it was from a foreign intelligence service.

Nii Mensah, 21, of Thornton Heath, south London, is charged with aggravated arson.

Rose and Asmena were remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on August 16, before their case is linked to that of their co-defendants.
Violence flared in Belfast and businesses were attacked after an anti-immigration protest moved through the city.

Police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between the protesters and those taking part in an anti-racist rally at the City Hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.

The anti-Islamic demonstration then travelled towards the university area of the city where there were clashes with residents of the Lower Ormeau area.

There were further reports of police dealing with disorder in the Donegall area of the city on Saturday night. The Fire Service were also in attendance.

An anti-Islam protest outside Belfast City Hall (Peter Morrison/PA)

Police said they are treating reports of criminal damage as hate crimes and said two arrests had been made.

A number of social messages during the week had been shared asking for people to gather and block roads in the greater Belfast area and elsewhere in the wake of the murders of three young children in Southport.

In response, an anti-racist counter-protest was organised for the City Hall, with hundreds of people attending, shouting anti-Nazi slogans and chanting in favour of immigration.

A number of people waved Palestinian flags and trade union banners at the event.

SDLP MLA Matthew OToole, Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw and Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty UK were among those who delivered speeches.

As the event was taking place, a number of anti-immigration protesters gathered across the road and verbal insults were exchanged.

Tempers flared during the protest outside Belfast City Hall (Peter Morrison/PA)

The group chanted Islam out and unfurled Union flags.

There were also Irish tricolours at the anti-Islamic protest as a delegation from Coolock, the scene of recent anti-immigrant protests in Dublin, arrived.

After some fireworks were thrown, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Land Rovers and officers in riot gear moved in to form a physical barrier to separate the groups.

A stand-off continued for some time, with further missiles being thrown.

Officers were seen making an arrest and an ambulance treated one person who was injured.

Social media posts during the week had suggested the anti-immigration protest would then move towards the citys Islamic Centre.

Gerard Rice, Lower Ormeau Residents spokesman, tries to defuse the situation (Peter Morrison/PA)

However, police had blocked a number of roads in the city and the protesters ended up in a stand-off with police in the university area of the city.

A cafe on Botanic Avenue was attacked by the crowd as they made their way through south Belfast and windows in a hotel on University Road were smashed.

They then moved towards the mainly nationalist Lower Ormeau area of the city where there were angry clashes with local residents.

Police in riot gear and holding shields moved in formation, sending the protesters up University Road and away from the Ormeau Road.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said: We have dealt with a number of protest sites across Northern Ireland today, including a significant protest and counter-protest at Belfast City Hall.

Many of these caused disruption to the road network. A number of roads, including the M5, Wellington Place and Shore Road were closed for a short period of time.

We continue to deal with protest activity and sporadic disorder in the south Belfast area and are aware of a number of reports of criminal damage which we are currently treating as hate crimes.

An investigation has commenced and to date we have made two arrests.

He added: We would like to thank the community for their patience in respect of the disruption they faced and also place on record our support for the community leaders who worked to resolve the situation.

Mr Corrigan, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland director, said: The violence brought to the streets of Belfast today by racist agitators is utterly unacceptable.

These thugs act not out of love for country but out of hatred of others.

An attack on a cafe in Botanic Avenue, Belfast (Peter Morrison/PA)

Despite the actions of this small minority, Belfast is and will always be a city of love, a city of sanctuary and a city of welcome for all.

Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey was on the ground during clashes on the Ormeau Road.

In a social media post she said: I just visited local businesses that were attacked by fascists today in South Belfast to offer my solidarity and support.

Our community stood together today in Belfast and on the Ormeau Road against racism and prejudice. We say NO to hate.

In a post on X, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: Shame on those involved in violent disorder in Belfast today.

Hatred has no place in our society.

I commend the officers of the PSNI for everything they have done to keep people safe.

Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill said Belfast is a progressive and inclusive city.

She wrote on social media: Years of dedication and hard work from people across our community have transformed it for the better.

Together, we will keep moving forward toward a brighter future for Belfast. A city that flourishes, free from hate and division.

Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said those trashing our city and attacking businesses should be ashamed.

She added: They should also face the full legal consequences of their actions. Unlike those working to build businesses and a better future, these hatemongers offer nothing but division and destruction.
Violent disorder in towns and cities led to officers being injured as objects such as bricks, chairs and bottles were thrown at police.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the police have his full support to take action against extremists attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violence will pay the price and that criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britains streets.

Cities in England and Northern Ireland saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters on Saturday, with police forming lines with riot shields to keep groups apart.

The far-right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir met with ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Justice Secretary and the policing minister to discuss the disorder and unrest.

They said: The Prime Minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers.

Addressing the scenes of disorder we have seen today (Saturday), the Prime Minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.

The spokesperson said the Justice Secretary had told those present that offenders who have committed violence over the past few days have been remanded in custody and the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible.

They added: The Prime Minister ended by saying the right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things.

He said there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the Government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe.

A man throws a brick during a protest in Liverpool (James Speakman/PA)

The Home Secretary said she had been talking to MPs across the country and that work will continue when asked whether Parliament should be recalled over the disorder, as Tory former home secretary Dame Priti Patel has insisted.

She said: Ive already been talking to MPs across the country and making sure that they and their constituencies are also able to hear from the local police and to work with local communities.

That work will continue, its really important that local representatives, also local community leaders are involved working with the police.

But the bottom line here is we cannot stand for this kind of thuggery or criminal disorder on our streets.

Merseyside Police said a number of officers were injured during serious disorder in Liverpool city centre, with one officer being hit on the head by a chair.

Bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined The Strand in the city centre.

Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.

In Hull, four people have been arrested as three officers were hurt after a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers.

A man with blood on his hand speaks to a police officer during a protest in Nottinghams Market Square (Jacob King/PA)

Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said officers have faced eggs and bottles being thrown as windows were smashed at the hotel which has housed migrants.

Elsewhere, bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent and fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast.

Four men have been arrested following disorder in the Staffordshire city.

And scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottinghams Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides, and chants of England till I die and Tommy Robinson were drowned out by boos from counter-protesters.

At least three people were led away in handcuffs in the East Midlands city.

Around 150 people carrying St George flags shouting Youre not English any more and Paedo Muslims off our street were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

Skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks in Blackpool, with bottles and chairs being thrown and wood wielded.

A fight breaks out during protests in Blackpool (Michael Holmes/PA)

The string of violent incidents began in Southport on Tuesday, where demonstrators attacked police and set cars on fire the day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

The weekend protests followed a night of unforgivable violence in Sunderland in Friday, which saw a Citizens Advice office burned down.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use for missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that it was an act of sacrilege.

Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.

Violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town and 53 police officers and three police dogs were injured.
To Lam elected as Vietnam's party general secretary

Xinhua) 15:53, August 03, 2024

HANOI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese President To Lam has been elected as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, according to a press conference here on Saturday.

Lam was unanimously supported at a meeting of the 13th CPV Central Committee held in the Vietnamese capital on Saturday morning.

Speaking at the press conference, Lam said he will inherit and uphold the revolutionary achievements made by late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and previous generations of leaders.

He vowed to resolutely lead and direct the entire Party, people and army, together with the CPV Central Committee, the Political Bureau, and the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, to accomplish the goals and tasks set forth by the 13th National Party Congress and successfully organize the 14th National Party Congress.

On July 18, a notice issued by the Political Bureau said that due to Trong's need to focus on receiving health treatment, To Lam, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPV Central Committee and the Vietnamese president, took charge of supervising the work of the CPV Central Committee, the Political Bureau of the CPV Central Committee, and the Secretariat of the CPV Central Committee.

Trong died on July 19 at the age of 80, according to the board of health protection and care for central officials.

Lam, born on July 10, 1957, in Vietnam's northern Hung Yen province, has served at the Ministry of Public Security for a long time.

On May 22, 2024, the 15th National Assembly elected Lam as Vietnam's president for a tenure till 2026.

Lam is a member of the 11th, 12th and 13th CPV Central Committee, a member of the 12th and 13th Party Central Committee Political Bureau, and a deputy to the 14th and 15th National Assembly of Vietnam.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Borussia Dortmund have allowed West Ham target Niclas Fullkrug to leave their pre-season training camp for talks with an unnamed club.

The 31-year-old Germany international has been linked with a move to the London Stadium this summer as new boss Julen Lopetegui looks for a new striker.

And Fullkrug appears to have moved a step closer to a switch to England after departing Dortmunds Switzerland base.

Niclas Fullkrug has left training camp in Switzerland on Saturday morning. Borussia Dortmund have allowed the striker to leave for talks with another club. pic.twitter.com/hBmgNM9BEM  Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 3, 2024

A Dortmund post on X read: Niclas Fullkrug has left training camp in Switzerland on Saturday morning. Borussia Dortmund have allowed the striker to leave for talks with another club.

Fullkrug scored 12 goals in 29 Bundesliga games last season and represented his country at Euro 2024.

Meanwhile, Dortmund have confirmed the arrival of Yan Couto on a season-long loan from Manchester City with a view to a permanent deal.

Bem vindo a familia, Yan!  pic.twitter.com/lG72BYe1eE  Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 3, 2024

City had initially given permission for the 22-year-old Brazilian right-back, who recently spent time on loan at LaLiga side Girona, to train with Dortmund in Switzerland before the transfer was completed.

Couto told Dortmunds official website: Its a dream come true for me. Borussia Dortmund is a special club. Every child in Brazil knows the greatness of this club, knows the fans and is fascinated by the Yellow Wall.

I cant wait to wear the BVB jersey for the first time and experience the power and emotions in this great stadium.
A central Florida deputy was killed and two others were injured when they were ambushed after responding to a disturbance Friday night, Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said.

The shooting happened at a home in Eustis about 40 miles north of Orlando around 8 p.m. Grinnell said.

We went to a disturbance at one house - the initial call was for a disturbance - and then, while we were on that scene, somebody at that scene told the deputies they needed to go to the other house, that thats where there was a problem happening, Grinnell said at a news conference early Saturday.

Lake County deputies arrived at the other house to find the back door kicked in and some commotion taking place inside, the sheriff said.

They were just met with a lot of gunfire, Grinnell said. The first deputy who entered the house was injured and trapped inside while another deputy was able to get out.

Other law enforcement responded, and when they went to rescue the trapped deputy, they were again met with gunfire and another deputy was struck, the sheriff said.

Two of the responding deputies sustained gunshot injuries, and the deputy who was trapped inside the home later died from his gunshot injuries, according to Grinnell.

The slain deputy has been identified as 28-year-old Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link, according to Lake County Sheriffs Lt. John Herrell.

Herrell described Link as a good deputy, and became emotional while speaking about him during a press conference on Saturday.

Deputy Link wasnt even supposed to be there, he said. He wasnt even part of the road patrol unit. He heard the call go out, he went there to assist.

Link was a five-year veteran, joining the sheriffs office in 2019. Brad, as our Sheriffs Office family knew him, touched the lives of all who were blessed enough to work with him; his contributions and the impact of this loss will not soon be forgotten, the sheriffs office said.

The two deputies were still in the hospital and recovering from surgery as of Monday evening, the sheriffs office told CNN. They were in stable condition.

Harold Howell, 41, was shot in the arm as he entered the home alongside Link, according to a Saturday email from Herrell. Stefano Gargano, 28, was part of the officer-rescue unit dispatched to rescue Link and was shot numerous times as they entered the home. Gargano underwent surgery Friday night and was expected to have another surgery Saturday afternoon, Herrell said.

All three suspects in the shooting were killed, Herrell said. No official cause of death has been determined, however the sheriffs office said their gunshot wounds appear to be self-inflicted.

Law enforcement officers in Lake County, Florida, respond to the scene of a shooting that left a deputy dead on Friday night. - WFTV

Herrell noted at least seven deputies returned fire during the incident, but there is no indication that (the suspects) were struck with any return fire from our deputies.

Herrell said the bunker style dwelling where the shooting took place was stockpiled with firearms, ammunition, canned goods and non-perishable food items. There was also a lot of literature to suggest that they were very much anti-government leaning people, Herrell said.

An animal enforcement unit had been to the home in the past, but as of right now, we dont show anything of any violent crime, the sheriff said.

Grinnell noted this was the first death of a deputy in the community since February 2005 and said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.

CNNs Lechelle Benken and Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.

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MIAMI (AP)  A tropical depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Debby north of Cuba on Saturday and was predicted to become a hurricane as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico on a collision course with the Florida coast.

The National Hurricane Center said in an update posted at 2 a.m. Sunday that Debby was located about 65 miles (105 kilometers) west-northwest of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida and about 230 miles (370 kilometers) south-southwest of Tampa. The storm was moving northwest at 14 mph (22 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph).

Wind and thunderstorms have spread over a broad area including southern Florida, the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. A hurricane warning was in effect for sections of the state's coast with tropical storm warnings for the Florida Keys.

Debby is likely to bring drenching rain and coastal flooding to much of Floridas Gulf Coast by Sunday night and predictions show the system could come ashore as a hurricane Monday and cross over northern Florida into the Atlantic Ocean.

Forecasters warn it also could drop heavy rains over north Florida and the Atlantic coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina early next week.

Debby is the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season after Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Chris, all of which formed in June.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami predicted the system will strengthen as it curves off the southwest Florida coast, where the water has been extremely warm. Intensification was expected to proceed more quickly later on Sunday.

A hurricane warning was issued for parts of the Big Bend and the Florida Panhandle, while tropical storm warnings were posted for Floridas West Coast, the southern Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. A tropical storm watch extended farther west into the Panhandle. A warning means storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, while a watch means they are possible within 48 hours.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can trigger river flooding and overwhelm drainage systems and canals. Forecasters warned of 6 to 12 inches (150mm to 300 mm) of rain and up to 18 inches (450 mm) in isolated areas, which could create locally considerable flash and urban flooding. Forecasters also warned of moderate flooding for some rivers along Floridas West Coast.

Heaviest rain could be in Georgia, South Carolina

Some of the heaviest rains could actually come next week along the Atlantic Coast from Jacksonville, Florida, through coastal regions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The storm is expected to slow down after making landfall.

We could see a stall or a meandering motion around coastal portions of the southeastern United States, National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said in a Saturday briefing. So thats going to exacerbate not just the rainfall risk, but also the potential for storm surge and some strong winds.

Flat Florida is prone to flooding even on sunny days, and the storm was predicted to bring a surge of 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters) along most of the Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, with a storm tide of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) north of there in the sparsely populated Big Bend region.

Forecasters warned of a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation in a region that includes Hernando Beach, Crystal River, Steinhatchee and Cedar Key. Officials in Citrus and Levy counties ordered a mandatory evacuation of coastal areas, while those in Hernando, Manatee, Pasco and Taylor counties called for voluntary evacuations. Shelters opened in those and some other counties.

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast estimated 21,000 people live in his county's evacuation zone. Officials rescued 73 people from storm surge flooding during last year's Hurricane Idalia. Prendergast said by phone that he hopes not to have a repeat with Debbie.

After the storm surge does come in, we simply dont have enough first responders in our agency and among the other first responders in the county to go in and rescue everybody that might need to be rescued, he said.

Flood preparations underway

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 of Florida's 67 counties, with the National Guard activating 3,000 guard members. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp made his own emergency proclamation on Saturday.

The White House said federal and Florida officials were in touch and FEMA pre-positioned resources including water and food.

In Tampa alone, officials gave out more than 30,000 sandbags to barricade against flooding.

Weve got our stormwater drains cleared out. Weve got our generators all checked and full. Were doing everything that we need to be prepared to face a tropical storm," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said.

Christina Lothrop is the general manager at Blue Pelican Marina in Hernando Beach, a barrier island about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of St. Petersburg. She said the public ramp was jammed Saturday with people launching boats.

Today its kind of normal, which is kind of weird, Lothrop told The Associated Press by telephone.

Workers at her marina have been preparing since Tuesday, however, securing boats stored on racks, stowing tool boxes and tying everything down.

Right now what were doing is mostly tying up boats, Lothrop said.

Before closing Saturday, Lothrop planned to raise computers off the floor and sandbag and tape doors. Idalia pushed about a foot of water (30 centimeters) into the store.

Betti Silverman, whose home in Crystal River was under an evacuation order, said on Saturday afternoon that she doubted her family would leave. Silverman's waterfront home flooded during Idalia just as her family was moving in, ruining boxes and furniture in the garage. But she said the forecast for Debby didn't seem as severe.

Weve been in Florida our whole lives, in South Florida, so hurricanes are not really a big, big thing, Silverman said.

On Friday, crews pulled floating cranes away from a bridge construction project across Tampa Bay, lashing together 74 barges and 24 floating cranes and anchoring them, project engineer Marianne Brinson told the Tampa Bay Times. Crews also laid down cranes on land on their sides.

Pinellas County paused a $5 million beach renourishment project necessitated in part by erosion from past storms.

For some, the name Debby summons bad memories of a 2012 tropical storm of the same name that caused $250 million in losses and eight deaths, including seven in the Sunshine State. That storm dumped torrential rains, including an astronomical 29 inches (730 mm) south of Tallahassee.

More storms in the Pacific, but no threat to land

More than 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) off Mexico in the Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Carlotta continued moving westward with top sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph). Carlotta began losing strength Saturday and is likely to dissipate into a remnant of thunderstorms.

Farther west, Tropical Storm Daniel formed in the Pacific. It was more than 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) from the southern tip of Baja California and was also expected to dissipate without striking land.
brizmaker/iStock

Do Millennials Sleep Better than Boomers?

You may have seen the news stories lately about how Gen Zs attitude toward life is different from older generations. More specifically, Gen Z is known for prioritizing work/life balance and being more vocal about their mental health struggles.

It turns out Gen Zand their adjacent age cohort, Millennialsalso have healthier sleep habits compared to their older counterparts.

According to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans conducted in partnership with YouGov, Gen Z (ages 18-27) and Millennials (ages 28-43) report better sleep quality than Gen X (ages 44-59) and Boomers (60+).

Curious to learn more about how young people are leading the charge when it comes to prioritizing their sleep and the specific sleep problems each generation is currently facing? Ahead is a deep dive into the survey results.

Maria Korneeva / iStock

How long do Americans sleep?

On average, 75% of Americans get six to eight hours of sleep each night, while 14% get five hours of sleep or less.

Gen Z and Millennials sleep the most, with 85% getting six or more hours of sleep per night. Gen X, on the other hand, reports the least amount of sleep, with 18% getting five hours of sleep or less.

Shantha Gowda, PsyD, founder of Think Sleep, notes that Gen X is the sandwich generation, meaning theyre raising young children and dealing with aging parents. This could be why theyre sleeping less than other age groups.

Meeko Media/Istockphoto

How do Americans rate their sleep quality?

Most Americans rate their sleep as average (three out of five). When broken down by age group, Gen Z and Millennials report higher rates of good sleep compared to the overall average, while Gen X and Boomers report higher rates of poor sleep.

Younger people tend to report better sleep quality than older people, says Gowda. Its a common topic that I see in my practice.

Jessica P., a Gen Xer, shares her struggles with waking up throughout the night: While I consistently wake up at 7 am to start my day, I never really sleep through the night without waking up, she says. Sometimes, I wake up around 5 am randomly, and when this happens, its just a matter of being disciplined enough to go back to bed and not look at my phone or stay up.

Milkos / istockphoto

What are the most popular bedtimes and wakeup times?

The most common bedtime across all generations is between 10 pm and 12 am. However, Gen Z has the highest percentage of individuals going to bed after midnight, with 30% reporting later bedtimes.

People in their teens and early 20s naturally fall asleep later and are also dealing with things like homework, college classes, using screens at night, and work, explains Gowda.

Guadalupe M., a Gen Z elementary school teacher, says her sleep schedule varies as she manages work, the gym, and her social life. I typically go to bed on the weekdays between 11 pm and 1 am, and I wake up between 4:20 am and 5:30 am at the latest, she says.

The most popular wake-up time across generations is between 6 am and 8 am. Gen Z tends to wake up later than other generations.

This could be due to Gen Z entering the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic when many companies moved to remote work. A rise in remote work could be contributing to increased sleep time and a later wake-up time, says Gowda.

Boomers have the highest percentage of early risers, with 13% waking up before 5 am.

DepositPhotos.com

Whats the most common sleeping arrangement?

A majority (43%) of our survey respondents sleep with a partner, while 19% of all Americans sleep with their pets. However, 21% of Boomer couples actually sleep in separate bedsa concept known as a sleep divorce.

Sleep divorces dont necessarily indicate relationship issues; instead, many partners choose this arrangement to improve their health, sleep hygiene, and overall sleep quality, which could benefit the relationship.

Anthony P., a Boomer, shares that he and his wife sleep separately due to his snoring. I wake myself up many times during the night due to snoring, he says. So, my wife and I havent slept in the same bed in years.

Prostock-Studio / iStock

How does sleep quality differ between men and women?

Sleep affects men and women differently due to various biological and lifestyle factors. These factors includebut are not limited tohormonal differences, body temperature, stress and mental health, caregiving responsibilities, and pain sensitivity.

Here are some of the biggest differences found between men and women in the survey:

More women (37%) have trouble falling asleep than men (31%)

More women (40%) have trouble staying asleep than men (35%)

More men (45%) rate their overall sleep quality as good than women (36%)

My sleep quality right now is a three out of five because I have a 4-month-old baby and a 3-year-old toddler who recently transitioned to a new toddler bed and has been getting up every now and then, says Tiffany A., a Millennial. The baby also wakes up for feedings, so I get maybe a good four-hour stretch of sleep at the beginning and then it varies throughout the night.

Tiffany adds that she wakes up feeling groggy and sleepy due to her four-month-olds sleep regression. Ive been partly dreaming and unsure of whats reality or a dream, she says. Sometimes, I imagine waking up, which prompts me to get up in real time and check on my baby. This leaves me feeling groggy and confused, like Whats happening? and also feeling sleepy as he often wakes up during my deep sleep.

Tero Vesalainen / iStock

Whats keeping Americans awake at night?

In a 2021 survey amid the height of the pandemic, 2,000 Americans were asked about their top sleep disruptors. Their answers included next-day anxiety (41%), replaying the days events (37%), and temperature discomfort (31%).

In the most recent survey, the top sleep disruptors were different. This year, whats keeping people awake at night includes finances (35%), physical health (33%), work (25%), and friends/family (25%).

Gen Z is most affected by social media, work, and finances; Millennials and Gen X by finances, physical health, and work; Boomers by physical health, finances, and current events.

Jorge T., a Gen Z police officer, shares his worries about finances and work, particularly since buying a home and expecting a baby. As Im doing my stuff for the night, Im like, I need to pay this bill by tomorrow, I need to do this, I need to do that, he says. And then I wonder, How is work going to go tomorrow with a new case? Or why am I being dispatched to patrol this specific area tomorrow?

Physical health issues like back pain/chronic pain (31%), insomnia (20%), and sleep apnea (15%) also disrupt sleep, especially for the older age groups of Gen Xers and Boomers. Gowda attributes some of these sleep disruptors to undiagnosed conditions in older generations.

Anthony P., who works in the restaurant industry, experiences back pain caused by being on his feet for prolonged periods at his job, which delays his sleep. Sometimes, Im so beat up that Im in pain, making it take longer to fall asleep, he says. Anthony also suspects he may have sleep apnea, although he hasnt been tested for it.

Millennials are especially affected by insomnia, given they are often at the peak of their career while juggling parenthood. Engaging with social media affects their sleep too.

I scroll through my Instagram account or read through some of the news alerts as Im winding down at night, and thats probably not always a good idea because it gives me anxiety, says Tiffany A. With work, its more like, How do I balance everything when Im off maternity leave and go back? Im caring for kids while being sleep-deprived.

Social media usage most significantly impacts Gen Zs sleep, with 35% of people in this age group stating that engaging with social media is the number one disruptor of their sleep.

Research shows social media usage can contribute to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, which can lead to insomnia. Whats more, exposure to blue light from a phone screen can also disrupt a persons natural circadian rhythm and sleep.

However, Gowda says completely cutting out screens before bed isnt necessarily the solution. If youre sitting in a room all day with no sunlight, then a screen before bed is going to impact you more, she explains.

Plus, what youre watching on your phone has a lot to do with how it affects your sleep. If youre scrolling through social media and seeing things that are constantly getting your nervous system going, then thats going to negatively impact your sleep, she says. Thats different from if youre watching a comedy that relaxes you before bed.

istockphoto

Whats helping Americans sleep better?

The survey revealed these were the top habits Americans have eliminated before bed for better sleep:

35% stopped drinking caffeinated beverages

30% stopped eating large meals

24% stopped drinking large quantities of water

Caffeine consumption before bed is the most common habit people have ditched. According to Gowda, caffeine is a significantly underestimated sleep disruptor in the US.

A lot of things have caffeine that you dont realize, and it can still impact middle-of-the-night awakenings and you wont even know it, she says.

Alternatively, these are the top habits Americans have adopted to enhance their sleep:

61% have tried playing or listening to music

50% bought a comfortable mattress and bedding

44% have tried exercising

36% changed the temperature in their room

29% have tried meditation

24% added light dimmers and relaxing sounds

Music, surprisingly, emerged as the most popular sleep-improving habit across all generations, especially among Gen Z. On the other hand, more Millennials than any other generation reported trying exercise or meditation to aid their shuteye.

In interviews, individuals across generations shared the sleep aids that are currently on their radar, including magnesium powder, sleep masks, nighttime skincare, and earplugs.

I started taking magnesium powder before bed, which has helped me stay asleep and have deeper sleep cycles, says Jessica P. I mix the powder with a cup of boiled water and take it around 10 pm or earlier. Its become a regular thing.

Meanwhile, Gowda notes that while new bedding wont suddenly make you sleep better, It will create a positive association that will evoke joy and relax your nervous systemand that will promote better sleep.

fongleon356 / iStock

Whats had the biggest impact on Americans sleep in the past year

The survey concluded with an open-ended question, asking participants to share the one thing thats impacted their sleep the most in the past year, whether positive or negative.

The most common responses were:

No noticeable issue (153 responses)

New mattress purchase (96 responses)

Stress (63 responses)

General health issues (43 responses)

Specific health condition (39 responses)

Starting a new job (27 responses)

Transition to retirement (26 responses)

Notably, a significant portion of respondents said a new mattress purchase had a considerable effect on their sleep. This makes sense given that a new mattress can help alleviate back pain and provide a more comfortable sleep surface.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2017 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8th  12th April 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).

This article originally appeared on Saatva.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.



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By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of 21 states and more than 50 U.S. lawmakers on Friday backed the Justice Department in its defense of a law that requires China-based ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. assets by Jan. 19 or face a ban.

"TikTok is a threat to national security and consumer privacy," said a court filing led by the state attorneys general of Montana and Virginia. "Allowing TikTok to operate in the United States without severing its ties to the Chinese Communist Party exposes Americans to the risk of the Chinese Communist Party accessing and exploiting their data."

A group of more than 50 lawmakers led by U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican and chair of the House select China committee and the panel's top Democrat Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, said in a separate filing the law "provides a clear, achievable path for affected companies to resolve the pressing and non-hypothetical national security threats posed by their current ownership structures."

TikTok and parent company ByteDance and a group of TikTok creators have filed suits to block the law that could ban the app used by 170 million Americans.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hold oral arguments on the legal challenge on Sept. 16, putting the fate of TikTok in the middle of the final weeks of the 2024 presidential election.

The congressional filing was signed by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a Republican, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Frank Pallone, top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee. "Congress acted not to punish ByteDance, but to protect national security," the lawmakers wrote.

TikTok said "these filings ignore the fact that Congress passed the TikTok ban with no record supporting the government's claims. Moreover, these filings do nothing to change the fact that the Constitution is on our side as the TikTok ban would violate the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans who use TikTok."

Driven by worries among U.S. lawmakers that China could access data on Americans or spy on them with the app, the measure was passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. Congress in April just weeks after being introduced.

The Justice Department last week asked a U.S. appeals court to reject legal challenges to the law saying "the serious national-security threat posed by TikTok is real."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Diane Craft and David Gregorio)
A legal fight is raging in Arizona over requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, with potentially high stakes for this year's presidential race in the swing state.

Republican lawmakers hope to convince the courts  and ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court  that every voter must demonstrate citizenship when they register to vote. Currently, in Arizona and elsewhere, people can register without showing papers and attest that they are legal citizens, under penalty of perjury.

But skepticism about these attestations have grown, fueled by conspiracy theories that undocumented immigrants are stuffing the nation's ballot boxes.

"Requiring proof of citizenship to vote isnt a partisan issue; its just common sense," said Jake Hoffman, a Republican state lawmaker who introduced the 2022 law at the heart of the current legal battle. Since Hoffman's bill passed, several other Republican-controlled state legislatures have taken up legislation that would make documents proving citizenship a requirement to register to vote and would institute checks on existing voter rolls.

Civil rights activists disagree, noting that many citizens  particularly low-income voters and voters of color  may not be able to easily obtain the requisite paperwork, such as a birth certificate or passport, to prove their citizenship.

"Noncitizen voting is vanishingly rare," said Sara Carter, an attorney with the Brennan Center for Justice. Its against the law, and its incredibly easy to get caught.

One thing both sides do agree on: The stakes are high.

In an election year in which a newly reshaped presidential race could hinge on several thousand votes, who gets to vote is crucial  especially in a battleground state like Arizona, where the last presidential race resulted in a razor-thin 10,457 vote win for Joe Biden.

State Sen. Jake Hoffman on the Senate floor at the state Capitol in Phoenix, on June 12, 2024, as lawmakers debate the state budget.

How the law came to pass

A 1993 federal law called the National Voter Registration Act allowed people to register to vote even if they don't have papers showing they are citizens.

Instead, these voters must attest, under penalty of perjury, that they are citizens. Voters who are found to have lied on their registration form are subject to fines, and, if they are in the county illegally, deportation.

In 2004, responding to concerns about illegal immigration, Arizona became the first state to require proof of citizenship for all voters. The ballot measure won with 56% voter approval. But it triggered a federal lawsuit initially brought by the Intertribal Council of Arizona that dragged on for nine years.

The ensuing protracted legal fight ended with an agreement between Arizona and federal officials that limited those without citizenship documents to voting only in federal races. This "two-track" system became the target of the 2022 legislation, with the end goal of getting Arizona's case before the U.S. Supreme Court, eliminating the dual system and requiring all voters to show proof of citizenship.

Supporters are hopeful they can get an emergency request considered by the high court before Arizona voter registration closes on Oct. 7.

As of late July, 24,500 registered Arizona voters are allowed to only pull ballots in federal races.

More states seek citizenship proof

"This is just a commonsense safeguard for our election," said Scot Mussi, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, a nonprofit that advocates for conservative causes. The club supports the ongoing legal fight waged by GOP legislative leaders. "We have a very easy streamlined process to register to vote."

The idea is catching on in Republican states. Louisiana this year passed a law that requires all new voter registration applicants to provide proof of citizenship; a bill on New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu's desk would amend that state's same-day voter registration rules to require citizenship proof.

In July, the Republican-majority House of Representatives approved the SAVE Act, which would make proof of citizenship a requirement to register to vote nationally. It is not expected to get any traction in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slender majority.

The SAVE Act is backed by former President Donald Trump, who has been falsely claiming for years that noncitizens are widely voting in U.S. elections. The increase in states passing laws to require proof of citizenship follows Trump's false claims that he lost the 2020 election through voter fraud.

North Dakota does not have voter registration. But under a 2023 law, residents who show up at the polls and present an ID that indicates they are a noncitizen must have their ballot set aside and given a chance to provide updated documents that establish their citizenship.

More: Speaker Mike Johnson said noncitizen voting is a 'threat.' The facts say otherwise

Scant evidence of illegal voting

Critics call the fixation on noncitizen voters a damaging distraction.

Carter, with the Brennan Center, points to studies, such as one the center did in the wake of the 2016 election, that found scant evidence of this happening.

That study surveyed 42 voting jurisdictions covering 23.5 million voters. The key finding: about 30 reports of suspected noncitizen voting, or 0.0001% of votes cast.

The documents that typically prove citizenship are not always at hand when a person decides to register to vote, Carter said.

Maybe your birth certificate is in a safe deposit box at the bank," she said. Or, in her case, in a drawer at her parents house in another state.

Another study, completed this year, concluded that more than 21 million Americans of voting age didn't have ready access to documents proving they are citizens. That equated to 9% of the voting population.

"Convenience is so important to voter participation," Carter said, adding the extra efforts to search for those documents may deter people from registering.

All of this discussion of noncitizen voting is part of the election denier playbook," she said.

There is hardly any evidence that noncitizens have voted in Arizona, but Republicans point to a porous border to argue more controls are needed

Poll workers stock voting booths May 16, 2016, at the Covenant of Grace Christian Fellowship church in Phoenix.

Tighter rules could block legal voters

For many Arizonans, the citizenship question is resolved when they get a state driver's license. The state application requires proof of citizenship and applicants can opt to use that proof to register under the "motor voter" provisions of the National Voter Registration Act.

Alternatively, people who are not citizens but are lawfully present in Arizona, can get driver's license if they present an alien identification card, or other approved ID. That does not qualify them to vote.

But there are populations of native-born citizens for whom proof of citizenship is not easy to come by. Native Americans are among the minority groups disproportionately affected, said Arizona state Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, a Tucson Democrat and a member of the Pascua Yaqui tribe.

Sometimes Indigenous people cant do that, especially older folks who were born at home," Gonzales said of producing proof of citizenship. "Their records werent recorded.

Gonzales has a tribal ID, which counts as citizenship verification, but not everyone carries that around in their purse or wallet, she said.

Arizona attorney Danny Arellano has been fighting Arizona's attempt to require citizenship proof from all voters and to end the "federal only" voter exception.

"It very realistically can keep people off the voter rolls," he said, noting not all U.S. citizens can access their birth certificate or a passport. Some of these documents might have been destroyed; others might not even exist.

Recently naturalized citizens are most likely to be affected by the push for documents since their paperwork might not be processed in time to meet the registration deadline, he said. Students enrolled in Arizona colleges and universities are another concern; many don't bring their birth certificates when they arrive from out of state.

"I get what they're trying to do," Arellano said of Republican state lawmakers. "But there's no feasible way to do this without harming legitimate voters."

Court ruling blocks some Arizona voters, then doesn't

In a July 1 motion to the 9th Circuit of Appeals, Arizona's Republican legislative leaders, joined by the Republican National Committee, argued the GOP would suffer a competitive disadvantage if the state continued to register voters who attest they are citizens but don't provide documents proving their status.

They argued the percentage of Republican voters registered as federal-only is disproportionately smaller than the percentage of GOP voters statewide, giving an advantage to Democrats.

In mid-July, they got a narrow win.

The 9th Circuit stayed an injunction that had blocked the requirement to show citizenship papers in some instances. That meant that going forward, anyone who registers to vote with a state-supplied form must produce citizenship papers or their application will be rejected. The matter was subject to appeal.

Within the first 10 days of the court's stay, Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, had rejected about 200 state registration forms due to lack of documents proving citizenship.

Senate President Warren Petersen on the Senate floor at the state Capitol in Phoenix on June 15, 2024.

State Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican, hailed the court ruling, even though the court denied his request to block federal-only voters from voting by mail and to extend the document requirement to people who use the federal voter registration form.

"This is a victory for election integrity in Arizona," he wrote on social media. "Only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in our elections."

That victory was short lived. Two weeks after that ruling from a "motions panel" of the court, the 9th Circuit reversed course, lifted the stay and directed Arizona to revert to its two-track system, where people unable to produce citizenship documents can register to vote and cast ballots in federal elections.

Petersen promised an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. And he lambasted the court he had just praised, arguing its Aug. 1 order is "another example of why the radical 9th Circuit is the most overturned circuit in the country."

Within the first 10 days of the court's stay, Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, had rejected about 200 state registration forms due to lack of documents proving citizenship.

Timing is important. There's usually an uptick in voter registration ahead of a presidential election said Ceridwen Cherry. She's the legal director of Vote Riders, a nonprofit that helps people register to vote and navigate the often complex web of state requirements.

She worries the on-again, off-again requirements from the recent court rulings could deter people who want to register to vote.

"The current two-tiered registration system in Arizona is already extremely confusing, but the whiplash created by these back-to-back court rulings is likely to exacerbate that," Cherry said. "If the Supreme Court were to change the registration requirements in Arizona yet again prior to the election, voter confusion is certain to increase even further."

She said her organization will double down on registration efforts in the coming weeks.

"Our goal is to make sure that every Arizona voter has the documentation they need to be able to register and cast a ballot as a full ballot voter in all local, state and federal races in Arizona," Cherry said.

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on Threads as well as on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @maryjpitzl.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona's proof-of-citizenship to vote rule may swing the swing state
Tropical Storm Debby has sustained winds of 45 mph and is located about 250 miles south of Tampa, Florida, according to the National Hurricane Centers 11 p.m. ET Saturday update on the storm.

The storm is moving northwest at about 14 mph and is expected to gradually turn toward the right and slow down, moving northward on Sunday and gradually northeastward Sunday night and Monday, according to the hurricane center.

The latest forecast calls for the storm to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds just before landfall Monday morning in Floridas Big Bend region.

Strengthening is expected as Debby crosses the Gulf of Mexico, and the system is likely to be at or near hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

The United States Air Force Reserve and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Hurricane Hunters were en route to Debby Saturday evening following the storms intensification into a tropical storm in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane warnings remained in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast from the Suwannee River to the Ochlockonee River Saturday evening, including the entire Big Bend Region.

A hurricane watch was issued earlier Saturday, from Yankeetown, above Crystal River, northward and around the Big Bend region to Indian Pass on the Florida Panhandle.

Track the Storm: Spaghetti models and more maps here

The Big Bend area is still recovering from a devastating blow by Category 3 Hurricane Idalia last August as it prepares for a new threat from Debby.

Other alerts warning of tropical storm conditions over the next 48 hours span the entire western Florida coast south of the Big Bend and include Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples. A storm surge warning stretches from Aripeka, about 45 miles northwest of Tampa, up to the mouth of the Aucilla River.

A tropical storm warning also remained in effect Saturday for the Florida Keys from the Seven Mile Bridge westward, according to the hurricane center.

The hurricane center said the storm system became better organized by late Saturday morning as it moved toward Florida and landfall. Heavy rainfall will likely result in locally considerable flash and urban flooding across portions of Florida and the coastal areas of the Southeast this weekend through Thursday morning.

Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area by Sunday night, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin on Sunday, the hurricane center said. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward over the tropical storm warning areas this evening and continuing through Sunday.

A tornado or two is also possible across the Florida Keys and the western Florida Peninsula through Saturday night, according to the hurricane center. A radar-indicated tornado prompted a warning in Broward County late Saturday.

Very Intense rainfall is expected in southwest Florida on Saturday and a widespread 3 to 5 inches of rain could fall, according to the Weather Prediction Center. The intense rain will be potent enough to cause flash flooding, even in marshy areas of the state more capable of handling excess water.

After landfall, weakening steering currents should cause the cyclone to slow down while it moves northeastward or eastward over parts of northern Florida and Georgia, the National Hurricane Center reported. Debby will slow and stall thanks to the lack of steering, leading to possibly prolific amounts of heavy rain.

As Debby just sits and spins along the Georgia-Carolina coastline going into the workweek, it could dump a widespread 6 to 12 inches of rain.

The heaviest rain totals could even top 18 inches or more depending on how long Debby meanders and some forecast models have Debby lingering through at least Thursday. The National Hurricane Center added: This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with significant river flooding expected.

The storm is forecast to continue to strengthen through the weekend and up to landfall while tracking through the Gulf of Mexico parallel to the western coast of Florida.

This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions, the hurricane center said. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

Cedar Key was slammed by Idalia in 2023; the storm surge then was 8 to 12 feet in Big Bend.

Shifts in the storms exact track and strength are still possible over the next 48 hours, but a key factor in the increasing chances for a hurricane is how much time the system spends over record-warm water in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are approaching records, currently in the middle to upper 80s. Some water temperatures are even approaching the lower 90s off the coast of Tampa Bay. Warm water is fuel for storms to strengthen and potentially rapidly intensify, a phenomenon becoming more likely as global temperatures rise because of fossil fuel pollution.

Forecasters shifted the storms track to the west and believe the storm will spend more time over water now.

The westward shift to the track forecast now also keeps the system over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico longer, giving the system additional time to potentially strengthen, the hurricane center said. It is important to note that because of the forecast track being parallel to the west coast of Florida, the location and timing of a potential landfall cannot be pinned down at this time.

Roger Heim, right, and Terry Smith, center, both of Valrico, Florida, fill sand bags at Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City. - Chris O'Meara/AP

Where and when the storm comes ashore and how strong it is at that time will affect the risk of life-threatening storm surge.

Up to 5 feet of storm surge is possible in parts of the Big Bend and up to 4 feet is possible from Bonita Beach north through Tampa Bay.

No matter its strength, torrential, flooding rain will be the most significant impact from the storm, especially with the system forecast to slow down after landfall.

Storm could stall over the Southeast

After landfall Monday, the storm is forecast to track to the northeast over portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia.

But the atmospheric components that help steer and push storms along are forecast to breakdown and cause future-Debby to slow significantly while over the Southeast early next week.

The flood threat increases dramatically with slower storms, as they linger over the same areas and dump repeated bouts of heavy rain. Five to 10 inches of rain  potentially more  is forecast over coastal portions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

As a result, the risk of flooding rainfall was increased to a level 3 of 4 over the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, including Savannah and Charleston, for Monday into Tuesday.

Its also possible this risk level will increase to a level 4 of 4 depending on the future track of the storm, the Weather Prediction Center said.

Freshwater flooding  flooding caused by rainfall  has become the deadliest aspect of tropical systems in the last decade, according to research conducted by the National Hurricane Center.

A world warming due to fossil fuel pollution is making this potential threat more dangerous. Studies also have shown tropical systems are slowing down over time, which means theyre more likely to produce greater rainfall totals over a given area.

Oceans are also getting warmer and supercharging storms, pumping them full of moisture. A 2022 study published in the journal Nature Communications found climate change increased hourly rainfall rates in tropical storms by 5 to 10% and in hurricanes by 8 to 11%.

Florida prepares for deluge

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 54 of the states 67 counties to mobilize resources as the storm churned toward the Sunshine State.

Floridians are encouraged to monitor weather conditions, listen to all orders from local officials, create disaster preparedness plans, and stock disaster supply kits with food, water, and other necessities for their households, the governors office said Friday.

Local governments have started putting out advisories. Citrus, Levy and Dixie counties have issued mandatory evacuation orders in certain low-lying areas and for some residents living in manufactured homes or RVs. Voluntary evacuation notices have been announced in other areas of both counties, along with Pasco and Taylor Counties.

Sandbag distribution began Friday for residents in several communities in the Orlando and Tampa metros. Multiple counties in the states panhandle  including Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa  started distributing sandbags Thursday.

You still have some time to put your disaster supply kit together, Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said. Make sure you have multiple days of food, water, prescription medicines. Keep your gas tank full, cash on hand, and keep batteries. Make sure your phones charged and make sure you have a battery powered radio.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also declared a state of emergency Saturday ahead of Debbys possible impacts.

As the state prepares for a major storm system early this coming week, we urge all Georgians to take precautions to keep their families and property safe. Ive issued a State of Emergency through Thursday, August 8, Kemp said in a post on X.

CNNs Taylor Ward, Allison Chinchar, Elliana Hebert, Sarah Dewberry, Raja Razek, Paradise Afshar and Joe Sutton contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
ATLANTA - When Vice President Kamala Harris entered the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump tried to dismiss her identity as the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent on a major party ticket by labeling her a DEI hire, suggesting that her historic achievements are due to her race and gender.

The talking point seemed to be sticking with Trump supporters at a rally in Atlanta on Saturday, even among those who identified as people of color.

Andrea Smith, a Black woman who volunteers with the Trump campaign and is running for state representative in Georgias District 41 north of Atlanta, asserted that Democrats were leaning into identity politics to win the election.

The fact that shes a woman and shes Black, Democrats will play that race card to get more people to vote for her, Smith said.

Harris a focus of Trump rally

Saturday marked Trumps first visit to Georgia since the June 27 debate where he knocked the decisive blow to President Joe Bidens reelection campaign. Trump and his surrogates used his return to Atlanta to attack Harris, the country's first female and first Black woman to be vice president and whose presence hung heavy in the crowd.

Republicans packed into the same venue that Harris had appeared in just five days earlier. Flashing signs around the arena warned attendees that Harris was weak, failed, and dangerously liberal.

Other signs touted her as the first Indian American person elected to the U.S. Senate, a nod to Trumps recent interview with the National Association of Black Journalists.

Trump suggested during his interview that Harris had turned Black, solely identifying as South Asian until it was convenient for her. Harris is of Jamaican and Indian heritage. She attended Howard University, one of the largest historically Black colleges in the nation.

Supporters repeated this claim at the rally. Smith questioned Harris race, saying, I think shes got a Jamaican father and an Asian mom. And living in the Black community, Im not 100% sure about that. And that matters to people, to make sure shes really part of the community.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene gets the crowd fired up before the start of former President Donald J. Trump's rally in Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.

Trumps standing with Black voters

Trump has spent years trying to court Black voters. In the 2020 election, 87% of Black voters cast their ballot for Biden.

The majority of those in attendance at the Atlanta rally were white. But many of the Black rally-goers were eager to defend Trump and his record.

For John Williams, a 46-year-old DJ from Lithonia, Georgia, it was Trumps ability to make business deals with foreign countries that attracted him to the former president. As a Black man, he said he didnt believe Harris, as a Black woman, would be able to handle the same type of international dealings.

A supporters holds a placard on the day that Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance hold a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., August 3, 2024. REUTERS/Megan Varner

Unfortunately, we do live in a world with race, Williams said. The United States is not racist like that, but if you want to talk about these other countries, you dont see our Black people buying land in places like Russia or China.

Others believed that the Democratic Party was focusing on Harris race because she didnt have the qualifications to stand on her own.

Floyd Narcisso, a 72-year-old man from Nicaragua, said liberals were using color to represent them and avoiding the character of Harris.

Narcisso claimed that Harris didnt have the intellectual preparation to run the country. I have a third-grade education, but I can see when someone is dumb.

Melissa Cruz is an elections reporting fellow who focuses on voter access issues for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her at mcruz@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter, at @MelissaWrites22.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump allies question if Harris is 'really part of' Black community
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III on Friday put the death penalty back on the table for the mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks and two accomplices, rejecting a plea deal offered by military prosecutors earlier this week.

Effective immediately, I hereby withdraw your authority in the above-referenced case to enter into a pre-trial agreement and reserve such authority to myself, Austin wrote in a memo Friday to retired Brigadier General Susan K. Escallier.

The announcement comes after Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two of his top lieutenants agreed to plead guilty "in exchange for the removal of the death penalty as a possible punishment, according to a Department of Defense letter sent to victims families Wednesday.

The Department of Defense first disclosed its Office of Military Commissions was working on a plea deal that would spare Mohammed and his accomplices their lives last August.

The sudden turnabout late Friday was met with mixed response by those who lost loved ones in the attacks.

Elizabeth Miller, whose father Douglas Miller, a New York City firefighter, died, is among the people related to victims of 9/11 who have been pushing for a plea agreement for years.

I feel Ike this back and forth is completely disrespectful to 9/11 families, Miller said. This has already gone on for 13 years. When will it end?

Others applauded Austins intervention in the mass murder case.

This is a great turn of events, said Terry Strada, whose husband Tom died on the 104th floor of the World Trade Centers North Tower on 9/11. I am very happy to see their plea deal revoked and the death penalty back on the table and hope justice will be served swiftly.

Strada, the National Chair of 9/11 Families United, had called the U.S. plea deal a victory for the 9/11 plotters.

Mohammed has been jailed at Guantanamo prison for nearly two decades and is considered to be the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. The now-scuttled plea deal would have given Mohammed and two of his al Qaeda lieutenants life sentences and would have removed the possibility of a death penalty trial.

The three accused men had agreed to plead guilty to all offenses, including the murder of 2,976 people, according to the Department of Defense's Office of the Chief Prosecutor for Military Commissions.

Two of Mohammed's accomplices in the planning for the 9/11 attack, Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawasawi, had also entered into plea agreements Wednesday, the DOD said. All three men had been detained at Guantanamo prison for nearly two decades with no formal prison sentences imposed. Under the now-void plea deal, they were scheduled to be sentenced by a panel of military officers in the summer of 2025.

Mohammed is described in court papers as an al-Qaeda militant and the principal architect of the 9/11 assault on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon outside Washington. In CIA custody, interrogators subjected Mohammed to enhanced interrogation techniques including waterboarding him 183 times, according to the Senate Intelligence Committee's 2014 report on the agencys detention and interrogation programs.

The plea deal rejected by Austin would have required Mohammed and the other two combatants be sentenced by a panel of military officers at a sentencing hearing expected to happen in the summer of 2025. Family members of victims would have been able to testify at the hearing and provide a statement for the jury to use in determining a sentence.

The families would also have been able to ask the al-Qaeda operatives questions about their role in the attacks and motives. Mohammed and the others would have been required to answer as part of the plea agreement, according to the original letter explaining the terms of the plea deal. The letter was sent to family members of 9/11 victims.

Some family members interviewed by USA TODAY earlier this week said that they supported the plea, largely because of their right to ask questions to the attackers at the sentencing hearing. Some, such as Miller, anticipated asking Mohammed about his connections to Osama Bin Laden, for instance.

The families were told in the letter they received on Wednesday that the government had carefully considered all options and decided that a plea arrangement was best.

The decision to enter into a pre-trial agreement after 12 years of pre-trial litigation was not reached lightly; however, it is our collective, reasoned, and good-faith judgment that this resolution is the best path to finality and justice," military prosecutors wrote in the letter.

Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook and Josh Meyer, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Plea deal for 9/11 mastermind rejected, death penalty back on table
The US is sending a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron and additional warships to the Middle East as the region braces for an Iranian retaliation to the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Tehran earlier this week.

It is perhaps the largest movement of US forces to the region since the early days of the Gaza war, when the Pentagon sent two carrier strike groups toward the Middle East in a very public warning to regional militant groups not to expand the fighting.

Israel says it is ready for range of scenarios following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Israelis have been stocking up on supplies, airlines have cancelled flights and travel warnings are in place with the region on alert for an Iranian response.

Weve heard the Supreme Leader loud and clear that he intends to avenge this killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran, and that they want to conduct another attack on Israel, John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council, told CNN. We cant just assume that we are also potentially going to be victims of that kind of an attack, so weve got to make sure weve got the right resources and capabilities in the region.

On Friday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group, which is currently operating in the Gulf of Oman, according to a statement from Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh.

In addition, destroyers and cruisers capable of ballistic missile defense will also be sent to the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea. The statement does not say which warships have been sent, but two US destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean Sea took part in intercepting the barrage of strikes Iran launched against Israel in April.

Austin also ordered the deployment of a fighter squadron to the region, Singh said.

The US already has the USS Wasp amphibious assault ship in the region, which operates with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, capable of carrying out an evacuation of US citizens in Lebanon should it be ordered.

The United States global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats, Singh said in the statement.

Israelis stock up at supermarkets

Kuwaiti Airlines on Saturday became the latest airline to suspend all flights to Beirut, due to the current situation in the region.

The airlines said its last flight to the Lebanese capital will be at 12 p.m. local time on Sunday from Kuwait City. The company did not clarify when it would resume flights.

Other airlines, including Air France and Lufthansa, have also canceled their flights to Beirut amidst heightened fears of a regional escalation.

Within Israel, there have been reports of citizens stocking up at supermarkets.

The Victory supermarket chain says sales of some goods are up 30%, compared to regular sales. It told CNN that people mostly buy canned food, cereals, pasta, toilet paper, frozen meat, bottled water and hygiene wipes.

The Jerusalem municipality has issued instructions to people on what to do in the event of the city coming under attack. In a file, it said residents must be able to reach bomb shelters in 90 seconds. Residents are advised to clean and prepare their bomb shelters in advance, the file says.

Iran has vowed to attack Israel for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Israel has not commented on the killing.

US officials said the anticipated Iranian attack could occur in the coming days, and the US is closely watching the region for any indications of how it might play out. Officials said the attack may be similar to the barrage of ballistic missiles and drones Iran launched against Israel in April, but it could also be larger and more complex, coordinated with Iranian proxies in the region.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah hinted that a coordinated attack on Israel could be in the works after Israel assassinated one of the Iran-backed groups top commanders in Beirut less than 24 hours before the killing of Haniyeh.

Because they have picked a fight with everyone, they dont know where the response will come from  the response will come separately or coordinated, he said in a speech Thursday.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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by Fady Noun

The ceremony in Bkerke recognises the prelate who in the 17th century gave shape to the Maronite Church and built the country. In his homily, Card Semeraro quoted Pope Benedict XVI: "May Lebanon continue to be a place where men and women can bear [. . .] witness to the communion between people, [. . .] whatever their political, social, or religious standpoint.

Beirut (AsiaNews)  The Maronite Church beatified Patriarch Istifan al-Duwayhi,[*] a "pillar" and a model of pastoral charity, on Friday, 2 August, anniversary of his birth, during a grandiose evening ceremony at the patriarchal see in Bkerke.

Laid to rest alongside others in 1704 in the cave of Saint Marina, in the depths of the Kadisha (Holy) Valley, northern Lebanon, the patriarchs remains were moved in 2008 to the Church of Saint George, in Ehden, his native village, whose residents yesterday could not contain their joy and jubilation.

Now any one can travel to the place and visit the tomb of the new blessed, whose feast day has been set for 3 May, the day of his death.

Ehden is also where he performed the miracle accredited by the Vatican for his beatification, when he instantly healed a woman suffering from HIV-negative polyarthritis.

The Maronite Patriarch, Bechara al-Rahi, concelebrated the Mass of beatification with the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Card Marcello Semeraro, who came from Rome for the occasion, in the courtyard outside the Patriarchal See, in front of a crowd estimated at more than 10,000.

The life of the new Blessed marks a turning point in the history of the Maronites. This is the time when they stopped taking and started giving," said Fr Youhanna Geha, a monk of the Lebanese Maronite Order, for AsiaNews.

Chosen for his intellectual precocity to study at the Maronite College in Rome, the boy, who was only 11 years old when he arrived in Rome, had an irreproachable academic career.

At the end of his studies, he was asked to stay in Rome. Several other students at the Maronite College had given in to the temptation to remain in Europe, to serve at great universities or princely and royal courts," writes historian Tanios Noujeim. But al-Duwayhi insisted on going home to his community.

With him, the Maronite East opened up to the West, without merging into it or becoming "Latinised". Starting with him, and thanks to countless works, the Maronites wrote their history, including the succession of patriarchs tracing their existence back to Antioch and Saint John Maron (7th century).

Thanks to him, schools were opened and churches built. Thanks to him, the three Lebanese monastic orders were born. Thanks to him, the Maronite Church brought order to its liturgy, its music, and its songs.

Through his influential action, the Lebanese Synod of 1736 recommended the compulsory education of boys and girls. "By building up his Church, he built up Lebanon," said the office manager of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The life of this man of God, elected patriarch at only 40 years old, victim of the vagaries of a Mount Lebanon dominated first by the Mamluks and then by the Ottomans, stumbling over the internal dissensions of the time, is punctuated by miracles of tenacity and supernatural help.

The most evoked by the faithful is the one that allowed him, at the age of 18, to recover the use of his eyes, worn out by reading, and an illness that forced him to interrupt his studies and return to his country.

It was the Virgin Mary who gave him back his sight, in exchange for a wish, which he hid from everyone, and which he upheld with all the ease in the world", according to him, throughout his life. It is said that his sight was so miraculously restored that he was able to read in the moonlight!

The homily at the Mass of beatification, delivered by Archbishop Marcello Semeraro, did justice to this scholar and pastor of exceptional stature, who was the patriarch of his community for 30 years.

Archbishop Semeraro stressed above all his pastoral qualities, commenting on the Gospel of the Good Shepherd that Bishop Maroun Nasser Gemayel, author of a biography of the new blessed, read.

"What does the Lord mean? Was it necessary for him to specify that the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep? I think so. The prophet Ezekiel had already spoken of the prophets who, instead of caring for the flock, are shepherds for themselves. Even today, unfortunately, these things happen.

These people, instead of serving the common good, think about their own well-being. This is why Jesus speaks of the Good Shepherd. We are good when we nurture with our own heart the intention to do good and we really do it afterwards, through appropriate choices and acts."

However, Jesus goes further. The afterlife, our blessed truly imitated it. He was a pastor who suffered for and with his flock. He did everything possible to defend it, protect it, and make it grow."

In the front row at the ceremony were Prime Minister Nagib Mikati, the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun, as well as a host of political leaders and government officials, who could clearly hear these words, which stressed Lebanons abnormal situation, undermined by corruption and bad governance, without a president, and dragged into a war it does not want.

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints completed his message by citing a speech given by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Lebanon.

"When Pope Benedict XVI came here to Lebanon, he said that the interior of the Temple built by Solomon was made of cedar wood. Lebanon was present in the sanctuary of God, the Pope said. Patriarch al-Rahi will remember, because he was present.

"Pope Benedict added words that we can hear today with so much hope: May Lebanon continue to be a place where men and women can live in harmony and peace with each other, in order to give the world not only a witness to the presence of God, the primary theme of this past Synod, but also a witness to the communion between people, the second theme of the Synod, whatever their political, social, or religious standpoint.

This message could not be timelier in a country where political differences have prevented the election of a new president since October 2022 and which risks being caught up in the whirlwind of a regional war that threatens to break out any day.

[*] Also known as Estephan or Etienne El Douaihy.
3 August 2024 13:46 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

Azerbaijans banking sector is demonstrating significant signs of recovery, according to the latest report by S&P Global Ratings. After a prolonged period of correction and adjustment, the sector is rebounding, bolstered by favorable economic conditions and strategic improvements.

The S&P Global Ratings report highlights that the recovery of Azerbaijans banking system has been primarily driven by rising commodity prices. This upward trend has stimulated increased credit demand, which in turn has improved asset quality within the banking sector. The positive impact of commodity prices underscores the sector's responsiveness to global economic trends, which has enhanced its financial stability.

Looking ahead, the banking sector is projected to continue its recovery with strong lending activities anticipated through the period from 2021 to 2023. This ongoing recovery is supported by new credit growth, particularly in the retail sector, alongside a normalization of risk costs and effective cost management practices.

S&P Global Ratings forecasts a stable profitability outlook for Azerbaijan's banking sector. The expected return on equity (RoAA) for 2024-2025 is projected to be 2.1%, maintaining levels consistent with those observed in 2023. This stability in profitability is attributed to the continued expansion of credit, especially in retail lending, alongside prudent cost management and risk control measures.

This forecast indicates a solid foundation for the sector, suggesting that financial institutions are well-positioned to navigate the evolving economic landscape. The focus on retail credit is particularly noteworthy, as it reflects a strategic shift towards more stable and diversified sources of revenue.

Despite the positive outlook, S&P Global Ratings also anticipates some challenges on the horizon. The report predicts a slight deterioration in asset quality, with the proportion of problem loans expected to rise from 2.7% at the end of April 2024 to 3.5% over the next 24 months. This anticipated increase in problem loans is linked to slower loan portfolio growth compared to previous years and the need for additional reserve provisions.

The slower growth in the loan portfolio, projected at 13% for 2024-2025 compared to 18% in 2023, reflects a more cautious lending environment. This moderation in growth, coupled with the need for additional reserves, underscores the importance of careful risk management and regulatory oversight to mitigate potential challenges.

Loan losses are expected to remain stable at 1.0%-1.2% of the portfolio, indicating that while asset quality may face some pressures, the sector is expected to manage these challenges without significant volatility.

Azerbaijans banking sector is on a recovery path, supported by favorable economic conditions and strategic improvements. While profitability is projected to remain stable and lending activities robust, there are anticipated challenges related to asset quality and slower loan growth. The sectors ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in maintaining its positive trajectory and ensuring continued financial stability.

As the sector continues to recover, it will be important for banks and regulators to focus on effective risk management and adaptive strategies to sustain growth and stability in the coming years.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
3 August 2024 10:39 (UTC+04:00)

In the first half of this year, the total number of Azerbaijani citizens who went to foreign countries increased by 25.7% compared to January-June last year and reached 995,200 people, Azernews reports, citing the State Statistics Committee.

It was reported that the number of Azerbaijani citizens going to Iran increased by 39.1%, the number of those going to Turkey by 23.7%, the number of those going to Georgia by 17.7%, and the number of those going to Russia by 15.4%. 66.4% of those who left were men, 33.6% were women.

68% of Azerbaijani citizens who visited foreign countries within 6 months used air, 29.6% used railway and car, and 2.4% used sea transport.

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3 August 2024 15:19 (UTC+04:00)

The Azerbaijan Employment Agency, under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, is set to organize a labor fair in Fuzuli city, covering the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, with support from the special representation of the President of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

Scheduled for August 6 at 11:00 a.m., the fair will take place in the administrative building of Mirza Ulugbey Secondary School No. 1 in Fuzuli.

Approximately 300 job vacancies will be offered by 18 participating enterprises.

Attendees will receive comprehensive information on active employment programs and various projects facilitated by the Agency.

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3 August 2024 15:50 (UTC+04:00)

The British energy giant "British Petroleum" (bp) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iraqi government on the development of four oil and gas fields in the north of Kirkuk province, Azernews reports, citing the "Al Arabiya" TV channel.

The document was signed by Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel Ghani and bp's CEO Murray Aukinklos.

The memorandum includes the recovery and development of four oil fields owned by the Northern Oil Company of Iraq: Kirkuk, Bayi Hassan, Jambur and Khabbaz.

The Iraqi Prime Minister's office said: "This initiative is part of the government's efforts to optimally attract investment in promising energy opportunities aimed at increasing oil production, gas and solar energy investments."

Bp is one of the largest foreign investors in Iraq's oil sector. Oil production in this country was carried out by Britain in the 1920s.

According to the World Bank, Iraq has 145 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, one of the largest in the world, providing 96 years of production at current rates. But Iraq aims to continue field exploration to increase its crude reserves to more than 160 billion barrels.

Despite its large oil reserves, Baghdad hopes to increase natural gas production to help reduce import dependence on neighboring Iran, a key supplier for Iraq's electricity generation. Prime Minister Sudani has repeatedly emphasized the importance of diversifying energy sources in order to overcome the shortage of electricity in Iraq, especially in the summer months.

In an effort to reduce dependence on Iranian gas, Baghdad has begun importing electricity from Jordan and Turkey and hopes to connect to the Gulf states' electricity grid later this year.

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3 August 2024 19:47 (UTC+04:00)

In the first half of this year, Georgia imported 56.4 thousand tons of gasoline and diesel fuel from Azerbaijan, Azernews reports citing data from the Union of Oil Products Importers of Georgia.

This positions Azerbaijan as the fourth largest fuel exporter to Georgia.

During the same period, Russia was the leading supplier, exporting 327.2 thousand tons of fuel to Georgia, accounting for 52.8% of the total imports. Overall, Georgia's fuel imports increased by 11.9% compared to the first half of 2023, reaching 620.2 thousand tons.

Other notable suppliers included Bulgaria with 84.7 thousand tons, Romania with 68.3 thousand tons, Belarus with 33.2 thousand tons, Turkmenistan with 17.2 thousand tons, Greece with 13.5 thousand tons, and Turkey with 6.9 thousand tons.

Georgia hosts around 600 gas stations operated by five major companies, with some sourcing fuel from the wholesale market and others importing directly.

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3 August 2024 19:16 (UTC+04:00)

Uzbekistans foreign trade turnover volume with Germany amounted to $506.3 million from January through June 2024, Azernews reports.

As per data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, this figure has decreased by 84.2 percent year-on-year ($932.9 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

Germany ranked 8th among the countries with the largest volume of foreign trade turnover in Uzbekistan.

The volume of exports to Germany from Uzbekistan amounted to $37.8 million, which shows a 7.4 percent decline compared to the same period last year ($40.6 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

Uzbekistans imports from Germany reached $468.6 million from January through June 2024. This indicator has decreased by 90.4 percent over the year ($892.3 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover volume amounted to $31.8 billion from January through June 2024. This figure has increased by 8.5 percent year-on-year ($29.3 billion in JanuaryJune 2023).

Uzbekistan's exports reached $12.9 billion from January through June 2024, while imports amounted to $18.8 billion.

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3 August 2024 20:18 (UTC+04:00)

Turkmenistans trade turnover volume with Uzbekistan totaled $614.2 million from January through June 2024, Azernews reports.

According to the data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, this indicator has increased by 38.1 percent year-on-year ($444.5 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

Turkmenistan ranked 6th among the countries with the largest volume of foreign trade turnover in Uzbekistan.

Turkmenistans exports to Uzbekistan reached $553.7 million from January through June 2024. This indicator has increased by 54.5 percent over the year ($358.2 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

The volume of imports to Turkmenistan from Uzbekistan amounted to $60.5 million, which shows a 42.6 percent decline compared to the same period last year ($86.3 million in JanuaryJune 2023).

The total foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan with other countries in the first six months of this year exceeded $31.8 billion, representing an 8.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, when it amounted to $29.3 billion.

Meanwhile, the total trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in 2023 amounted to $1.09 billion, marking a 17.8 percent increase compared to the total of $928.6 million in 2022.

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3 August 2024 21:47 (UTC+04:00)

The EU is a reliable partner for Kyrgyzstan, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov said during a meeting with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Azernews reports.

Zhaparov highlighted that the EU has been lending a helping hand to the country's sustainable development since day one. He extended an olive branch to EU investors, urging them to jump on board with the ambitious hydropower and transportation projects in Kyrgyzstan.

In reply, Borrell spoke highly of Zhaparov's fruitful visit to the EU headquarters in Brussels earlier this year. Borrell pointed out that the Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation signed during this visit paves the way for new opportunities in bilateral relations, especially in the trade, economic, and investment fields.

Borrell reaffirmed that the EU is all in for strengthening ties with Kyrgyzstan. He also showed eagerness to roll up the sleeves and get cracking on collaborative projects that tickle both parties' interest.

Josep Borrell is now doing a mission to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, scheduled from August 1 to August 3.

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Marvels new sequel seems uninterested in anything beyond perpetuating its own brand. Is this the future of cinema? Louis Chilton is terrified it might be

What is a movie? It sounds like a silly question, perhaps, but its one thats been rattling around my head ever since I walked out of Deadpool & Wolverine last Friday. Marvels cameo-stuffed, fourth-wall-breaking superhero sequel made a staggering $438.3m across its opening weekend  a record for an R-rated film. It feels in many ways like a watershed moment. But not a good one. If we are watching, as some critics have suggested, the death of cinema happen before our eyes, then its taken the form of a public execution.

(Spoilers ahead for Deadpool & Wolverine)

There have been plenty of worse movies than Deadpool & Wolverine. Even within the remit of Marvels own conveyor-belt oeuvre, last years Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and 2022s Thor: Love and Thunder were far messier affairs  structurally chaotic and aesthetically rebarbative to the extent that Deadpool & Wolverine is not. But Deadpool feels somehow the most cynical of all of the canon to date, the most spiritually and creatively bereft. It is a film that is about absolutely nothing  a film with no discernable purpose or artistic ambitions, beyond the perpetuation of its own corporate myth.

There are jokes about the Disney-Fox merger. Jokes about producer Kevin Feige. Jokes about the widespread disillusionment towards the Marvel franchise. Around halfway through the film, the two eponymous leads (played by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the latter exhuming  literally at one point  his famous X-Men character) encounter a team of throwback superheroes: Jennifer Garners Elektra, Wesley Snipes Blade, Chris Evanss Johnny Storm (from Fantastic Four), Channing Tatums Gambit (never produced) and Dafne Keens mini-Wolverine from Logan.

The film invites us to gawp at these comebacks. Meta-referential dialogue explains that these characters, ostensibly stuck in some kind of out-of-universe void, are simply trying to get the endings they deserve. What these deserved endings actually look like in practice is fewer than 10 lines of dialogue apiece  in Snipes case, mostly just repeating catchphrases from the first three Blade films  before they all drive out to a skirmish in the desert and get swallowed up by some kind of deadly CGI air monster. Theres no attempt at characterisation, no point behind the meta-joke. The insistence that audiences are for some reason gagging to see Reynolds Deadpool exchange one line of insipid banter with Tatums Gambit, is baffling. Audiences didnt love Blade because Snipes just showed up, stood there and barked catchphrases  he was part of a story, with a proper character, and stakes, and intentionality. That Marvel cannot see the difference  or, even worse, if it can see the difference but chooses to ignore it  is surely damning.

Its telling, too, that Reynolds has spent much of the Deadpool & Wolverine press tour performatively retching in the vague direction of The Green Lantern, his critically panned 2011 DC Comics blockbuster that, were it owned by Marvel and not DC, would surely have been reclaimed here as a forgotten gem along with the other dross.

To be clear, Deadpool & Wolverine is not the first movie of its kind. In many ways, its simply re-applying the lessons learned from 2021s Spider-Man: No Way Home  a film that made waves (and more than $2bn) with a glut of surprise cameos, giving Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and more the chance to reprise their bygone Spider-Man roles. But even that film offered more in the way of story and purpose than Deadpool & Wolverine. Garfield, Maguire and co were given the barest bones of character arcs, to play around with as they saw fit. (Garfield ended up making considerably more of the opportunity.)

If youll allow me to get a little philosophical about things: how do we define what is and isnt a movie? Over the past two decades, Marvel has re-shaped Hollywood in its own image, whittling away some of the things that made filmmaking unique as an art form and shifting it towards something more televisual and serialised. We call Deadpool & Wolverine a movie because it is released in cinemas, and is two hours long, but other than these technicalities, it shares almost nothing with a traditional blockbuster, when it comes to intent. The problem isnt that it tells its story badly  its that it has no interest in telling a story well at all. Its interested exclusively in the maintenance and consolidation of Marvels brand, in its viability as both product and advertisement, a snake eating its own tail.

Turn off your brain and enjoy it for what it is, has become the prevailing mantra of the Deadpool defenders on social media. And of course, people are allowed to enjoy what they like. But freebasing cocaine is surely enjoyable to many people; that doesnt mean we should all get on board with its production and distribution. If cinema starts losing the notion that it even ought to function as a work of art  if it becomes not just bad art, but some new and insidious other thing  then the jig, as it were, is truly up. If Deadpool & Wolverine is what the future of cinema looks like, itll take more than a few plucky heroes to save it.

Deadpool & Wolverine is in cinemas now

 The Independent
TV presenter Laura Whitmore has said she felt gaslit when she first raised concerns about her Strictly Come Dancing experience.

The former Love Island host was partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, and was the seventh celebrity eliminated from the BBC One show.

It comes after allegations made by another former Strictly star, Amanda Abbington, who said that the behaviour of Pernice, whom she was partnered with in 2023, was unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean.

Laura Whitmore with her dance partner Giovanni Pernice in 2016 (Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Pernice has rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour.

Speaking to the Irish Times, Whitmore, from Dublin, said: The stuff Im not going to talk to you about now, because its under review, thats all coming out now, the stuff I tried to speak about eight years ago.

Asked if she felt she had not been listened to when she first aired her concerns, she clarified: Or (I was) gaslit to make it seem normalised.

Gaslighting, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is the action of tricking or controlling someone by making them believe things that are not true.

Whitmore added: Its a shame that it has to come out in such a victim-shaming way, which it always does. And being the first person to speak up about anything is always hard.

Laura Whitmore attending the Fashion Awards in 2023 (Ian West/PA)

The 39-year-old said in a social media post last month that she had been asked to speak to the BBC about allegations of inappropriate behaviour, along with six other people.

In the Instagram post she revealed she had initially raised concerns back in 2016 and said she thought her experience was specific to me but Ive since learned I was wrong.

She added: I am not looking for anything, just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it wont happen to anyone else again.

In July professional dancer Graziano Di Prima left the show after allegations about his treatment of Love Island star Zara McDermott in 2023.

Paralympian Will Bayley also revealed he suffered a serious injury while performing a jump during Strictly rehearsals in 2019, and claimed he was shown no duty of care.

In an interview with her former Strictly co-star Krishnan Guru-Murthy for Channel 4 News, Abbington claimed there are 50 hours of video footage  from cameras she alleges were installed after she raised concerns during her first week  which Pernice doesnt want anyone to see but have been reviewed by the BBC.

The results of an investigation, launched by the BBC following the allegations, have not yet been published by the corporation.

Last month the broadcaster announced new measures to strengthen welfare and support on the show, including a chaperone who would be present during training room rehearsals at all times.

The BBC has been approached for comment.
Sugarhouse Entry housed Peggy Barclays Tavern, where United Irishmen met to plan revolution

A famous Belfast entry that once housed a bar where the United Irishmen met to plot rebellion has been opened to the public for the first time in over 50 years.

Sugarhouse Entry, which runs between High Street and Waring Street on the edge of the Cathedral Quarter, was closed by the Army in 1972.

Situated next to a number of government buildings at the time, access was seen as a security risk, with fears the IRA could use it as an escape route during bomb attacks.

Despite the regeneration of other historic alleyways in the area, Sugarhouse Entry remained closed until this week.

It took its name from a nearby sugar refinery at a time when Belfast was Irelands largest port.

Sean Napier at Sugarhouse Entry. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph

It is also known for links to the Society of United Irishmen, a group led by Theobald Wolfe Tone that was inspired by the French Revolution and wanted to overthrow British rule.

The entry was extensively damaged by Luftwaffe bombers during the Belfast Blitz in 1941.

Local historian Sean Napier, who is involved with the 1798 Belfast and Dublin Walking Tours, said  of all the citys alleyways  Sugarhouse Entry is the most historically important.

In the 1790s it was home to Peggy Barclays Tavern.

Sean explained: Peggys Tavern was a famous place where the United Irishmen all used to meet.

Most of the bars and public houses were down alleyways or back streets, as they were seen as places of ill repute  so thats why they were hidden down alleyways.

When the United Irishmen were founded in 1791, they met in various places, but all the action would have happened in Sugarhouse Entry.

A small painting on a wall in the entry carries a quote by Thomas Russell: Every time I look at a lump of sugar I see a drop of African blood.

The sugar business was heavily linked to the slave trade at the time.

Russell was executed for high treason in 1803.

Sean said: Sugarhouse refers back to when Belfast was the industrial hub of Ireland.

It was all happening here in a city of about 18,000-19,000 people.

Refining sugar made a lot of people very wealthy, but it was built on the backs of slaves.

Thomas Russell was an advocate for the abolition of slavery, as most of the Belfast Presbyterians were at that time.

Sean Napier in Sugarhouse Entry (Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph)

Belfast City Council revealed last October it would be reopening the alley as part of its Belfast Entries Project.

The necessary work was completed this week, with the gates opened for the first time since 1972.

There are now plans for a hotel backing on to the alleyway.

The historian added: Back in the early Seventies at the height of the conflict, there was a ring of steel set around the city.

It is a positive move for Belfast to see the entry open and this historic area returned to the people of this city.
Four arrests made with more to follow as PSNI probe violenceBusinesses and cars torched with deputy FM pleading: Stop it now First Minister and DUP leader also condemn thuggeryUK towns and cities see clashes as missiles thrown and shops looted

The manager of a supermarket on Donegall Road, which was badly damaged by fire, at the scene on Sunday morning. Image: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire

People protest in Sunderland city centre following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport,

The Unity Over Division event is taking place at City Hall. Photo: Kevin Scott.

An anti-immigration protest takes place in Belfast City Centre on August 3rd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

A bin on fire in the Sandy Row and Donegall Road area (Photo: Liam McBurney)

Firefighters at the scene of a building on fire in the Sandy Row and Donegall Road area (Photo: Liam McBurney)

Cars on fire in the Wellwood Street area of Sandy Row (Photo: Liam McBurney)

Cars on fire in the Wellwood Street area of Sandy Row (Photo: Liam McBurney)

Bash Cafe on the Donegall Road was gutted during anti-immigration protests (Presseye)

A day and night of disorder saw Belfast businesses attacked, petrol bombs thrown and police officers injured

The First and deputy First Ministers have slammed the night of violence in Belfast after a cafe and shop were set on fire while cars and bins were also torched in the Sandy Row area.

Four people have been arrested after the disorder unfolded on Saturday evening.

In a statement, Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly noted the right to protest, but said there was no place for racism or violence. The political leaders also called for those involved in the violence to be brought to court.

Cars on fire in the Wellwood Street area of Sandy Row (Photo: Liam McBurney)

"Whilst people are entitled to peaceful protest, there is no justification for racism or the violence and intimidation that occurred on Saturday, they said in a joint statement.

"Those involved should be quickly brought before the courts and we appeal to anyone with information to provide that information to the PSNI.

"We reiterate our joint commitment to a shared, peaceful and inclusive society."

In an additional post on X, formerly Twitter, Emma Little-Pengelly said she had spoken with the Chief Constable and will continue to engage with him amid social media posts suggesting further protests are planned.

"I have spoken with the Chief Constable and will be engaging with him again tomorrow. Our priority remains the safety of all, she posted.

"Violence, thuggery, racism or criminal damage has no place in NI. It doesn't advance any cause or argument. Unacceptable then, it remains so now.

Earlier today, a senior police officer said thugs behind violence which flared in Belfast brought shame on themselves and the city.

Three PSNI officers were injured and at least 13 reports of criminal damage were made to police.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable David Beck (Pacemaker)

Petrol bombs were thrown and an apartment block evacuated at one stage Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said.

He said police will use every tool at our disposal to identify those involved.

Fresh trouble flared on Saturday night after rival groups faced off in the city centre earlier in the day, as unrest following the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport spread to Northern Ireland.

At one stage police formed a large cordon around the Islamic Centre on University Street as an anti-immigration march headed towards the area.

Police guard the Islamic Centre in Belfast (Pic: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

There has been widespread condemnation, with political leaders saying those responsible must face heavy punishment.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said she had spoken to Taoiseach Simon Harris on the matter.

She said: We are agreed that co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Siochana is essential in bringing those responsible for the violence to justice and I urge anyone with information to bring it forward to the police.

There can be no place for racism, hatred, discrimination and intimidation anywhere in our society. I remain resolutely committed to a shared, modern and inclusive society.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said the demonstrations were orchestrated by those motivated by a desire to create fear and division.

"They have no regard for human life and are focused on spreading misinformation and disinformation to alienate some sections of our community, she said.

"This type of disorder needs to be highlighted for what it is  fearmongering and intimidation of the highest level.

Gavin Robinson, the DUP leader, said: The scenes of violence, thuggery and destruction in Belfast yesterday are totally unacceptable. Lawlessness and violence was and is always wrong. Those intent on such behaviour must face the full rigours of the law.

This afternoon, the PSNI released further details of the trouble.

They said a protest involving 600 people formed in the City Hall area yesterday morning, with police preventing attempts to march to the Belfast Islamic Centre.

Sporadic violence broke out in parts of south Belfast, with further disorder reported in the Sandy Row area on Saturday night. Some nearby roads were closed by police.

Mr Beck added: As a result of yesterdays disorder, we are today, Sunday, dealing with a number of reports of criminal damage, assault, and arson  as well as other related offences.

So far we have made four arrests for a number of offences including disorderly behaviour, assault on police, taking part in an un-notified procession, riotous behaviour and possession of fireworks without a licence.

There were four reports of assault made to police involving members of the public. Serious injuries, thankfully, were not reported.

Three police officers also sustained injuries as a consequence of this disorder, two officers remained on duty and one officer was relieved from duty after suffering concussion.

Police in riot gear deployed at City Hall. Photo: Kevin Scott.

Mr Beck said attacks on officers were totally unacceptable as he praised the professional actions of police who dealt with yesterdays events.

To date we have received 13 reports of criminal damage but we expect to receive more as the days progress. We are continuing to engage with communities across Belfast in this regard, he added.

Some of these reports included extensive damage caused to local businesses with windows being broken and damage also caused to vehicles parked in the local community  some of which were burnt out.

There were also five reports of arson including a bin being set on fire, youths throwing petrol bombs and fire damage to business premises in the Donegall Road area. It was necessary to evacuate an apartment block in a building set on fire, such was the recklessness of the disorder.

"Nothing left just ashes" - Businesses destroyed during night of racist disorder in south Belfast

Mr Beck said police are working hard to identify all those responsible and those involved "will be dealt with using the full force of the law.

This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland, he added.

I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterdays rioting and disorder to think long and hard about their actions and the devastating impact this has had on local communities.

Those who engaged in this behaviour bring nothing but shame to themselves and Belfast city.

Their actions are completely inexcusable and we will be using every tool at our disposal to identify those involved.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: Northern Ireland must always be a place that protects the right to protest, the right to have a view and to express it.

Let's be very clear - violence is not acceptable. It never was and it is not now. No one has the right to express hate and violence. Stop it now.

Cars on fire in the Wellwood Street area of Sandy Row (Photo: Liam McBurney)

Secretary of State Hilary Benn posted on X: "Shame on those involved in violent disorder in Belfast today. Hatred has no place in our society. I commend the officers of the PSNI for everything they have done to keep people safe."

UUP leader Doug Beattie called the scenes absolutely appalling, adding: "Those who incited this, not just the perpetrators, must be held to account.

SDLP South Belfast MLA Matthew OToole said: "To see far right thugs - many of whom had no connection to the area - rampage through Botanic Avenue and the Holyland, areas proud of their diversity, was appalling.

"There was nothing legitimate about their actions. They had no cause other than hate and no agenda other than destruction.

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Hundreds of people had gathered for the peaceful Unity Over Division rally, in support of Muslim communities. Some in the crowd held banners saying no to racism and refugees are welcome.

Soon afterwards, anti-Islamic protesters also gathered near City Hall. Some chanted "Islam out" while others carried a Coolock Says No sign, in reference to a site in Dublin that was being renovated to accommodate asylum seekers.

While the anti-Islamophobia rally ended shortly before 1pm, anti-immigration protesters moved on to south Belfast, arriving on Ormeau Road where around 100 local residents turned them back.

Several businesses around Botanic Avenue were targeted.

Bash Cafe on the Donegall Road was gutted during anti-immigration protests (Presseye)

Windows were smashed and furniture broken at the Sahara shisha cafe. Its owner Rahmi, who has been in Belfast for 35 years, said he did not "know how to explain" what happened to his children.

Thugs also smashed windows at the Holiday Inn and Dukes at Queen's Hotel on University Street.

Then, on Saturday evening, cars and bins were torched in the Sandy Row area.

The owner of one supermarket targeted, Bashir, said Muslim businesses were being deliberately targeted.

Firefighters also attended Bash Cafe, which was ablaze.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said four appliances and two officers attended the cafe on fire. The cause was determined as deliberate.

NIFRS then received reports of a shop on fire on Donegal Road shortly after 10.50pm. Four appliances attended before leaving the scene just after midnight. The case was also determined as deliberate.

Watch: Cars burn during night of disorder in south Belfast

Deirdre Hargey, a local Sinn Fein MLA who attended the anti-racism rally, said there was shock that the anti-immigrant protest had been allowed to reach south Belfast.

She told the Belfast Telegraph: Our understanding is the fascist mob that had gathered at City Hall this morning made their way up towards University Road in south Belfast.

Ms Hargey said it was very concerning that the procession was able to march from the city centre to south Belfast.

She added: "We warned about this yesterday and I spoke to the PSNI and said there was refugee and asylum seeker accommodation the whole way up this route.

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Anthony Flynn, a local Green Party councillor, posted on X: Absolutely disgusting scenes from the far-right thugs throwing fireworks, stones, and other missiles towards a peaceful anti-fascist rally. These people are not Belfast. They will exploit any situation to spread their vile hatred."

Read more NI traffic alerts: Three vehicle crash causing delays in east Belfast

Multiple UK towns and cities saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters, with police officers attacked and injured, and many more arrests promised.

The string of violent incidents over the past few days began on Tuesday in Southport, after three girls were killed in a knife attack.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were killed in the Southport attack

The victims were Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said people involved in the clashes "will pay the price" and that "criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain's streets".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the police have his "full support" to take action against "extremists" attempting to "sow hate" by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.

Arrests have been made across the country with police warning of more to come once CCTV, social media and body-worn camera footage has been scoured.

There was violence on Saturday in towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester and Blackpool which saw several police officers injured.

Watch: Cars burn during night of disorder in south Belfast
A man arrested after young people were allegedly threatened by a knife-wielding suspect in a Lurgan park has been released on bail.

The incident happened in Lord Lurgan Memorial Park on Thursday evening.

On Saturday police said a male arrested in connection with the matter had been released pending further enquiries.

Inspector Woods said: "We received a report at around 7pm that a man, armed with a knife, was threatening young people in the park.

"Officers attended and located the man in a house in a street nearby. He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of common assault and possession of an article with a blade or point.

Insp Woods added: "Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries, but this was a terrifying incident for the young victims.

On Saturday the PSNI said: A 59-year-old man, arrested by officers investigating a report of a man armed with a knife in Lord Lurgan Park on Thursday has been released on bail to allow for further enquiries.

Earlier, Sinn Fein councillor Keith Haughian told the BBC that he understands youth workers physically stood between the man and the youngsters.

He said a group of around a dozen children aged between 12 and 13 had been in the park doing activities with the Drumgor Detached Youth Work Project.

The Drumgor Detached Youth Work Project said an incident occurred which resulted in their staff intervening to de-escalate the situation.

It praised "the actions of the team who ensured that all young people were kept safe".

"As an organisation, we will continue to support the young people and staff who have been impacted by this event," it added.
An injured man is attended to during a protest in Liverpool (James Speakman/PA)

Violent disorder in towns and cities led to officers being injured as objects such as bricks, chairs and bottles were thrown at police.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the police have his full support to take action against extremists attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violence will pay the price and that criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britains streets.

Cities in England and Northern Ireland saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters on Saturday, with police forming lines with riot shields to keep groups apart.

The far-right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir met with ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Justice Secretary and the policing minister to discuss the disorder and unrest.

They said: The Prime Minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers.

Addressing the scenes of disorder we have seen today (Saturday), the Prime Minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.

The spokesperson said the Justice Secretary had told those present that offenders who have committed violence over the past few days have been remanded in custody and the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible.

They added: The Prime Minister ended by saying the right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things.

He said there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the Government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe.

A man throws a brick during a protest in Liverpool (James Speakman/PA)

The Home Secretary said she had been talking to MPs across the country and that work will continue when asked whether Parliament should be recalled over the disorder, as Tory former home secretary Dame Priti Patel has insisted.

She said: Ive already been talking to MPs across the country and making sure that they and their constituencies are also able to hear from the local police and to work with local communities.

That work will continue, its really important that local representatives, also local community leaders are involved working with the police.

But the bottom line here is we cannot stand for this kind of thuggery or criminal disorder on our streets.

Merseyside Police said a number of officers were injured during serious disorder in Liverpool city centre, with one officer being hit on the head by a chair.

Bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined The Strand in the city centre.

Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.

In Hull, four people have been arrested as three officers were hurt after a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers.

A man with blood on his hand speaks to a police officer during a protest in Nottinghams Market Square (Jacob King/PA)

Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said officers have faced eggs and bottles being thrown as windows were smashed at the hotel which has housed migrants.

Later in the city shops were looted and set on fire

Elsewhere, bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent, there were arrests for violent disorder in Bristol and fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast.

Four men have been arrested following disorder in the Staffordshire city.

And scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottinghams Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides, and chants of England till I die and Tommy Robinson were drowned out by boos from counter-protesters.

At least three people were led away in handcuffs in the East Midlands city.

Around 150 people carrying St George flags shouting Youre not English any more and Paedo Muslims off our street were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting Nazi scum off our streets.

Skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks in Blackpool, with bottles and chairs being thrown and wood wielded.

A fight breaks out during protests in Blackpool (Michael Holmes/PA)

The string of violent incidents began in Southport on Tuesday, where demonstrators attacked police and set cars on fire the day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

The weekend protests followed a night of unforgivable violence in Sunderland in Friday, which saw a Citizens Advice office burned down.

A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use for missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that it was an act of sacrilege.

Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.

Violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town and 53 police officers and three police dogs were injured.
The son of a woman who was murdered 30 years ago by the UVF has renewed his call for truth and justice.

Kathleen OHagan was seven months pregnant when she was shot dead at her home in Greencastle, Co Tyrone, on August 7, 1994.

Her husband, Paddy, who is believed to have been the intended target, was away.

An anniversary Mass for Mrs OHagan will be held at St Patricks chapel in Greencastle next Tuesday.

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane will be the main speaker at a graveside commemoration.

Her son Damian and his four brothers, then aged between 15 months and eight, were present when the terrorists burst into the house.

The gunmen went to Mrs OHagans bedroom and fired more than a dozen bullets at her as she screamed.

Kathleen O'Hagan who was shot dead in her Co Tyrone home while she was seven months pregnant

The 38-year-old and her unborn baby were killed.

Bullets were also sprayed onto the wall above a nearby cot, narrowly missing the toddler who was inside it.

Damian previously said: My brothers and I saw her, blood coming out of her face and from under her nightgown.

We hid until our father returned home. This has stayed with me my entire life.

He said the RUC took over two-and-a-half hours to respond to his fathers call, which gave the perpetrators plenty of time to flee the area.

Damian added: When action was finally taken, their helicopter failed to spot the getaway car, which was on fire just a mile from the house.

The Mid-Ulster UVF later claimed responsibility for the murders.

The weapon used was found to have been involved in other murders.

No-one has been convicted of Mrs OHagans killing.

Damian has been left with many unanswered questions regarding the reluctance to respond, flawed investigation, collusion and cover-up, which has allowed people to literally get away with murder.

Since that night, Damian has lost his father and three of his brothers in a series of tragic incidents.

In 1997, his youngest brother, Thomas, whose cot was narrowly missed by the bullets, died at the age of four from injuries sustained in a hay shed fire.

In 2002, his father Paddy died suddenly aged 49. Six years later, his brother Niall was killed in a motorcycle accident aged 14.

Then, in 2020, his 34-year-old brother Patrick passed away, having lived what the family called a tragic life.

In their struggle for truth and justice, the family has concerns of state collusion.

In 2015, they submitted a complaint to the Police Ombudsmans Office.

However, Damian, now living in Australia with his wife, whos also called Kathleen, told the Ulster Herald that theyve heard nothing since.

Speaking to the Ulster Herald, Sinn Fein MLA Declan McAleer said the OHagan family deserve the truth.

He added: I want to pay tribute to the family for their dignity and resilience in the campaign for truth about Kathleens murder.

Kathleens murder was the culmination of years of years of harassment of the family by state forces.

On one occasion, the home was sealed off for four days and Paddy was arrested and Kathleen left by herself with the children while British soldiers and the RUC completely wrecked the house and farm.

There are many unanswered questions about Kathleens murder.

From the botched investigation at the outset and missed forensic opportunities.
Garda at the scene after a vehicle drove into gates at Government Buildings in Dublin (Cate McCurry/PA)

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with incidents of criminal damage at several landmark state buildings in Dublin.

David OCallaghan, from The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray in Co Wicklow, appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday charged with five counts of criminal damage.

The 40-year-old is accused of causing damage to the entrance gate at the official residence of President Michael D Higgins in Phoenix Park, a gate at Custom House, a gate to Government Buildings, the back gate of Leinster House and the entrance gate to the Department of the Taoiseach.

The court was told that at about 2.15am on Friday, a white van approached the entrance gates to the Aras an Uachtarain and made a u-turn, before reversing into the white gates and driving off.

The court heard that that around 4,750 euro worth of damage was caused.

The damaged gates at Dublins Phoenix Park, the official residence of Irelands President, Michael D Higgins (Cate McCurry/PA)

The van then drove and went to Custom House at around 2.26am and swerved without warning and collided with the side gates. The driver made a second attempt to drive at the gates which caused further damage.

The van then made its way to Merrion Street and arrived at 2.30am, where it rammed three entrance gates belonging to state buildings.

The van swerved into the rear gates of Leinster House, gates at Government Buildings and a third set of gates at the Department of Taoiseach.

The court was told severe damage was caused to the gate outside the Attorney Generals office on the North Road, when the gate came off its hinges at an unmanned military post.

The final incident happened outside the Department of the Taoiseach when the van swerved into the gate, causing it to buckle inwards.

The airbags on the van deployed and the vehicle became immobile.

The court was told that the incidents have been captured on CCTV and the van could be seen swerving to avoid other motorists.

The damage caused to the state building on Merrion Street will cost tens of thousands of euro.

A Garda officer and a military police officer look at damage caused to gates outside Government Buildings in Merrion Street, Dublin (Cate McCurry/PA)

Garda William McCarthy told the court that the accused was arrested at the scene and made no reply when charged at a garda station.

Mr McCarthy also said that the accused could face additional charges.

Defence barrister Karl Monahan made an application for bail, which gardai objected to.

Judge William Aylmer said there was no sufficient evidence to refuse bail outright.

Judge Aylmer remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail, subject to several conditions, including an independent surety of 5,000 euro. The judge said that 1,500 euro must be lodged.

The accused has been ordered not to contact any public representatives and stay out of the city centre and Phoenix Park and remain contactable at all times.

The accused remained silent for the majority of the appearance.

He will appear before Cloverhill court on Thursday.
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BENNINGTON  The Vermont Supreme Court unanimously rejected an appeal of a 2023 forfeiture decision of a mistreated Siberian husky who was found two separate times in a sweltering vehicle in Bennington in 2022.

The fate of the 5-year-old Siberian husky was settled in August 2023 when Superior Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady decided to permanently remove the dog from the care of Allan Washburn, 82, formally of Gale Ferry, Connecticut, and now considered homeless in Bennington County, according to more recent court documents.

After a formal forfeiture hearing, McDonald-Cady's decision permanently removed the dog from Washburns care and allowed it to be adopted out by Second Chance Animal Rescue in Arlington, who had previously been caring for the dog.

That decision was appealed a short time later by Washburn, who wanted his dog back.

In her written decision last August, Judge McDonald-Cady stated that the Siberian husky was indeed neglected and treated with cruelty after it was left in a hot 2002 Saturn in the full sun.

According to a police affidavit, Washburns vehicle was filled with several of his possessions, piled with trash, with an internal temperature inside the car estimated to be 109 degrees on one occasion. The dog was found panting, with no water, curled on the vehicles passenger seat and lying near piles of trash, old meat, spoiled milk, and expired fruit.

In the April 2022 incident, after being alerted by several women in the parking lot to a dog inside a parked car with no air conditioning, police approached the vehicle to find Chad sitting in the car surrounded by the stench of rotting garbage. According to the affidavit, the dog did not seem to be in major distress at the time, so police allowed Washburn to drive off after witnessing the dog drinking milk.

In the second incident just two months later, in June 2022 police again found Chad sitting in the front seat, with no water available to him and Washburn nowhere to be seen. An hour later, Washburn appeared at the car carrying a single jug of milk, according to police.

The vehicle was spotted both times by concerned individuals, who called the police.

In her ruling, McDonald-Cady also granted Second Chance Animal Center reimbursement costs associated with the dogs care since it was confiscated after the second incident, which totaled over $16,000. The judge then allowed Second Chance to adopt the dog to a deserving family.

According to Cathi Comar, Executive Director of Second Chance Animal Center, Chad has adjusted and is doing well in his new home.

We here at Second Chance are very grateful to the Supreme Court, Comar said. Everything has been done in the best interest of the dog,

Washburn is still facing a year of imprisonment on each of two counts of animal cruelty stemming from both cruelty incidents in 2022. The case is currently on hold until a long-awaited psychological evaluation is completed. That evaluation has been delayed several times due to Washburns alleged refusal to comply.

As of today, that evaluation hasnt happened. In the ensuing months since the forfeiture hearing, Washburn has been charged with other misdemeanors, including violations of his conditions of release and trespassing. Police affidavits reveal that Washburn was allegedly keeping a cat in his vehicle in December 2023. He is currently barred by court order from possessing or caring for any animals until his court cases are adjudicated. Washburn was also accused of trespassing after he was caught sleeping in commercial parking lots in Bennington, including McDonalds and Walmart. Washburn is prohibited from those establishments after the businesses requested court orders in April 2024, barring Washburn from their property.

Defense attorney Brianna Hausers appeal argument before the Supreme Court centered on three main issues: that the trial court lacked jurisdiction over the civil forfeiture of the dog according to specific Vermont statute, that the state did not establish by clear and convincing evidence that Washburn subjected Chad to cruelty according to Vermont law, and that the trial court erred in admitting Bennington Police Officer Robert Murawskis testimony at the forfeiture hearing on how hot it was inside the car on that June day.

The court did not agree.

According to their written decision, the Supreme Court justices found no error with the issues of the case. They then repeated the facts, affirming that the Bennington court found clear and convincing evidence that the defendant engaged in animal cruelty." The written decision then goes on to affirm the lower court did have the authority to seize the dog, that there was sufficient evidence to find animal abuse, and that, even though the responding officer estimated the temperature inside the vehicle that day, that it was considered a harmless error. The decision concludes that the facts in the case establish that there was ample evidence to support the inference that the temperature in the car was both excessive and deleterious to Chads well-being.

Erica Marthage, Benningtons States Attorney, referring to the case soon after the forfeiture, said that over the last 20 years, some of the most significant cases of pervasive neglect of animals occurred when people genuinely love and want the companionship of that animal, but can't provide it.

Overwhelmingly, they're not able to meet their own basic needs. But they want to have a pet. And it's hard because people are affected by poverty, mental health issues, and other things. And it's very hard for them to take care of themselves. Its not because it's a willful mistake, misinformation, or willful neglect. It's the inability to make those kinds of rational decisions about another living being.

According to Comar, the five-year-old dog was underweight for his size, and his hind legs had atrophied to the point where he had difficulty walking and running when he first came into their care. He is now doing well.

Washburn testified at the formal forfeiture hearing that he inherited the dog after his brother died about four years ago. He told the judge he spends a great deal of time driving from his home in Connecticut to a large property he owns in Shaftsbury in the small Saturn with Chad in the front seat.

We are together all the time, Washburn testified. I take good care of him.

Washburn testified at the initial hearing that he sometimes slept in the vehicle with his dog at the back of Walmart in Bennington, and he allowed the dog to run free on his Shaftsbury property. He also countered police testimony that he was in Walmart for an hour. He said he was in Walmart just 20 minutes before being confronted by police and [that] the dog is treated well, including regular visits to a veterinarian in Pownal. Washburn became emotional after talking about the dog and how his brothers death allowed them to come together.

However, during cross-examination by prosecutor Andrew Bevaqua [at the time], Washburn confirmed leaving the dog alone in the packed vehicle on at least three occasions, including that hot June day in 2022. He was also confronted by documentation that the veterinarian Washburn claimed to visit with Chad had no record of the dog ever being treated or examined in Pownal.

When approached after the 2023 hearing, Washburn told the Banner that Chad is his constant companion, and he knows he can keep him safe.

What happened here did not fall on deaf ears, Washburn said. I know I can learn and do things better, differently. I love that dog. We are happy together.

Washburns criminal animal cruelty case is still pending, as are his violations and trespassing charges. All the cases are currently awaiting the court-ordered psychological examinations, which Washburn has allegedly declined to participate in.
North Adams police provided this photo of evidence they said was collected after a suspect was arrested on charges related to a robbery of the city's Walmart Supercenter.
Despite the end of the formal session on Thursday, Massachusetts House leaders indicated that a handful of proposals might still be in play.
Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore has said she felt gaslit when she first raised concerns about her Strictly Come Dancing experience.

The former Love Island host was partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, and was the seventh celebrity eliminated from the BBC show.

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It comes after allegations made by another former Strictly star, Amanda Abbington, who said that the behaviour of Pernice, whom she was partnered with in 2023, was unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean.

Laura Whitmore with her dance partner Giovanni Pernice in 2016 (Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Pernice has rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour.

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Speaking to the Irish Post, Whitmore, from Dublin, said: The stuff Im not going to talk to you about now, because its under review, thats all coming out now, the stuff I tried to speak about eight years ago.

Asked if she felt she had not been listened to when she first aired her concerns, she clarified: Or (I was) gaslit to make it seem normalised.

Gaslighting, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is the action of tricking or controlling someone by making them believe things that are not true.

Whitmore added: Its a shame that it has to come out in such a victim-shaming way, which it always does. And being the first person to speak up about anything is always hard.

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Laura Whitmore attending the Fashion Awards in 2023 (Ian West/PA)

The 39-year-old said in a social media post last month that she had been asked to speak to the BBC about allegations of inappropriate behaviour, along with six other people.

In the Instagram post she revealed she had initially raised concerns back in 2016 and said she thought her experience was specific to me but Ive since learned I was wrong.

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She added: I am not looking for anything, just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it wont happen to anyone else again.

In July professional dancer Graziano Di Prima left the show after allegations about his treatment of Love Island star Zara McDermott in 2023.

Paralympian Will Bayley also revealed he suffered a serious injury while performing a jump during Strictly rehearsals in 2019, and claimed he was shown no duty of care.

In an interview with her former Strictly co-star Krishnan Guru-Murthy for Channel 4 News, Abbington claimed there are 50 hours of video footage  from cameras she alleges were installed after she raised concerns during her first week  which Pernice doesnt want anyone to see but have been reviewed by the BBC.

The results of an investigation, launched by the BBC following the allegations, have not yet been published by the corporation.

Last month the broadcaster announced new measures to strengthen welfare and support on the show, including a chaperone who would be present during training room rehearsals at all times.

The BBC has been approached for comment.
Thousands of mourners converged around the flag-draped coffin of Hamas slain political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in the emirate of Qatar on Friday as the fallout surged from his death in an alleged Israeli attack.

The funeral ceremony in Doha, Qatars capital, attended by members of Gazas militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups as well as Qatari and Iranian officials, was subdued.

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But across the Muslim world  from Jordan and Morocco to Yemen and Somalia  angry crowds waving Palestinian flags rushed out of mosques after midday prayers on Friday, chanting for revenge.

Let Friday be a day of rage to denounce the assassination, said Izzat al-Risheq, a senior Hamas official.



Yemenis protest to condemn the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in Sanaa, Yemen (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP)

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Mr Haniyeh had lived in Qatar, along with other senior members of Hamass political leadership.

Following the back-to-back assassinations of Mr Haniyeh in Tehran early on Wednesday and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut the evening before, international diplomats have scrambled to head off a full-fledged regional war.

Iran and its proxies vowed to retaliate. Major airlines cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Israel, and Beirut, Lebanon.

Cyprus said on Friday it was preparing for possible mass evacuations of foreign citizens via the island nation, in case of a wider war.

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France beefed up security for Jewish communities nationwide. Poland warned its citizens against travelling to the Middle East.

Pakistan and Turkey lowered their flags to half-staff, prompting Israel to summon Turkeys deputy ambassador for a stern reprimand.

Turkeys foreign ministry spokesperson, Oncu Keceli, shot back that Israel cannot achieve peace by killing the negotiators  a reference to Mr Haniyehs role in ceasefire talks  while hundreds of Turks gathered at the historic Hagia Sophia to pay tribute to the slain Hamas leader as his funeral service got underway in Doha.

We are sure that his blood will bring out victory, dignity and liberation, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, seen as a possible successor to Mr Haniyeh, said from the Doha mosque where Mr Haniyehs coffin was displayed beside that of his bodyguard who was also killed in the attack in Tehran.

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Israel has not confirmed or denied its role in the targeted killing of Mr Haniyeh.



Iranians follow a truck, centre, carrying the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard who were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel on Wednesday (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Hamas said Mr Haniyeh was killed in a strike on a guesthouse in Tehran where he was staying after the swearing-in ceremony of the new Iranian president.

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Khaled Kaddoumi, Hamas representative in Iran, was staying on a lower floor. Mr Kaddoumi said he woke up shortly before 2am when his room was shaken and he saw a flash out the window.

At first, Mr Kaddoumi said he thought it was thunder and lightning or an earthquake. By the time he got out of his room, smoke was everywhere and his colleagues told him Mr Haniyeh was killed.

Mr Kaddoumi saw Mr Haniyeh face down, on the floor.

He spotted the body of Mr Haniyehs bodyguard, holding a bloody Quran. No one else was injured, he said.

There was so much dust and smoke in the room, that Mr Kaddoumi had to wear a mask. The roof and the walls overlooking the exterior were destroyed, he said.

Mr Kaddoumi said it looked like the room was hit by a missile. A photo that he said was of the building after the attack appeared to show less structural damage than would typically be seen from a large airstrike.

The damage appeared more consistent with a smaller explosive, potentially delivered by a drone or planted at the site.

Mr Kaddoumi said Mr Haniyeh had stayed in the same guesthouse in May when he attended the funeral of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, killed in a plane crash.

Mr Haniyehs killing was another blow to the Hamas leadership.
YouTubes biggest star MrBeast is facing complaints about the safety of contestants from the preliminary round of his ambitious Beast Games game show, which boasts 1,000 competitors hoping for a 5 million dollar grand prize.

Some contestants complained online and to other YouTube influencers that they lacked regular access to food, water and medication during early production at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and that some competitors were injured during the production.

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A spokesperson for MrBeast said his team is reviewing the process and soliciting attendees feedback ahead of the next phase of production in Toronto.

The stakes for Beast Games are not just high for the contestants, but for MrBeast himself, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, as well as the recipients of his brand of stunt philanthropy that often entails direct gifts of cash or even houses.

The complaints about the Beast Games production coincide with Mr Donaldsons acknowledgement this week that he used racial and homophobic slurs years ago in recordings he made as a teenager.

The show, which has already been picked up by Amazon Prime Video to air in 240 countries, is part of Mr Donaldsons cultural expansion beyond YouTube  where his channel has 307 million subscribers, including countless young consumers who already purchase his Feastables line of candy or the burgers that bear his name.

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My goal is to make the greatest show possible and prove YouTubers and creators can succeed on other platforms, Mr Donaldson said in a March press release from Amazon.

Donaldsons companies cast 2,000 people to take part in an initial tryout of sorts at Allegiant Stadium in July, with 1,000 of them presumably advancing to the actual show.

Amazon Prime Video was not involved and did not respond to the Associated Press (AP) request for comment.

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All my comments on insta are saying I photoshopped this. Nope, Kevin Hart is just short pic.twitter.com/0hCV4f08lq  MrBeast (@MrBeast) July 18, 2024

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A MrBeast spokesperson said on Friday that the promotional video shoot was unfortunately complicated by extreme weather, the widespread CrowdStrike outage that wreaked global technological havoc and other unexpected logistical and communications issues.

We have taken steps to ensure that we learn from this experience and we are excited to welcome hundreds of men and women to the worlds largest game show in history, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

MrBeast offered eliminated contestants 1,000 dollars upon leaving the competition and most of those who remain in contention are ready to keep going, the spokesperson said.

Some contestants expected challenges similar to those from the dystopian Netflix show Squid Game, a fictional series  and eventual reality game show  where deeply indebted people compete for millions in high-stakes childrens games.

The AP reached out to three contestants about Beast Games, but they either did not respond or declined to speak on the record because they had signed nondisclosure agreements.

A fourth spoke about feeling deceived about the contest.

Scott Leopold, a 53-year-old father from Austin, Texas, told AP he thought he was competing in the actual Beast Games, not a precursor to the show. He said he felt deceived about his chances of winning and that the competition in Las Vegas would not stream on Amazon Prime Video.

He said that Mr Donaldson should not be villainised but added that an apology would go a long way.

All I can conclude is that he was in over his head, Mr Leopold said. There were too many people, and I dont think he knew how to handle the situation.

MrBeast has also previously had some contentious relationships with its contractors. One of Mr Donaldsons companies sued and then was countersued by a vendor they worked with on the MrBeast Burger that got widely panned.

Fans have also previously complained about not receiving merchandise they ordered from MrBeast or receiving the wrong items or wrong sizes.

A vendor working with MrBeast to ship some of those orders acknowledged in an online post last year that they had let the fans down.
Thousands of people have rallied in the streets of Venezuelas capital, waving flags and singing the national anthem in support of an opposition candidate they believe won the presidential election by a landslide.

Authorities have declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner of last Sundays election but have yet to produce voting tallies to prove he won.

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Instead, the government arrested hundreds of opposition supporters who took to the streets in the days after the disputed poll, and the president has threatened to lock up opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez.

On Saturday, supporters chanted and sang as Ms Machado arrived at the rally in Caracas.



Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado addresses the crowd (Cristian Hernandez/AP)

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Ms Machado, who has been barred by Mr Maduros government from running for office for 15 years, had been in hiding since Tuesday, saying her life and freedom are at risk.

Masked assailants ransacked the oppositions headquarters on Friday, taking documents away.

Ms Machado held aloft a Venezuelan flag and promised that the regime that has forced millions of Venezuelans to leave their country was finally coming to an end.

We have overcome all the barriers. We have knocked them all down, Ms Machado said. Never has the regime been so weak.

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Carmen Elena Garcia, a 57-year-old street vendor, joined the rally even though she said she feared the government might attack.

They have to respect me and they have to respect all the Venezuelans who voted against this government, Ms Garcia said. We will not accept them stealing our votes. They have to respect our votes.

On Friday, Mr Maduro alleged during a news conference that members of the opposition were planning an attack in a Caracas neighbourhood near where the Machado rally was taking place on Saturday.

He said he had ordered the armed forces to guard the neighbourhood, and also urged his supporters to attend the mother of all marches on Saturday elsewhere in Caracas.

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The Organisation of American States (OAS) on Saturday called for reconciliation and justice in Venezuela.

Let all Venezuelans who express themselves in the streets find only an echo of peace, a peace that reflects the spirit of democracy, the OAS said in a statement.



Ms Machado is driven away on a motorbike at the end of the rally (Cristian Hernandez/AP)

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Ms Machado and Mr Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat, said tally sheets they obtained from polling centres nationwide show Mr Maduro lost his bid for a third six-year term by a landslide.

An Associated Press analysis of vote tally sheets released by Venezuelas main opposition indicates that Mr Gonzalez won significantly more votes in the election than the government has claimed, casting serious doubt on the official declaration that Mr Maduro won.

Late Friday, the countrys high court, the Supreme Justice Tribunal, ordered the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council to hand over the precinct vote count sheets in three days.

There have been calls from multiple governments, including Mr Maduros close regional allies, for Venezuelas electoral authorities to release the precinct-level tallies, as it has after previous elections.

The AP processed almost 24,000 images of tally sheets, representing the results from 79% of voting machines. Each sheet encoded vote counts in QR codes, which the AP programmatically decoded and analysed, resulting in tabulations of 10.26 million votes.

According to the calculations, Mr Gonzalez received 6.89 million votes, nearly half a million more than the government says Mr Maduro won. The tabulations also show Mr Maduro received 3.13 million votes from the tally sheets released.

By comparison, the National Electoral Council said on Friday that based on 96.87% of tally sheets, Mr Maduro had won 6.4 million votes and Mr Gonzalez had 5.3 million. National Electoral Council president Elvis Amoroso attributed the delay in updating results to massive attacks on the technological infrastructure.
Thousands of people have demonstrated peacefully in Bangladeshs capital to demand justice for more than 200 students and others killed during protests last month, but violence was reported at similar events elsewhere in the country.

The demonstrators in Dhaka chanted anti-government slogans and demanded the resignation of the prime minister as the wave of protest widened beyond students to include people from many walks of life. Some pro-government groups also rallied in the city.

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The countrys leading Bengali-language Prothom Alo newspaper reported that at least seven protesters were hit by bullets after pro-ruling party groups allegedly opened fire on them as they blocked a road in Cumilla, in the east of Bangladesh.

The daily said at least 30 protesters were injured during the violence but a local leader of the ruling party denied allegations that their supporters attacked the protesters.



An activist waves a Bangladesh flag during a protest march (Rajib Dhar/AP)

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Scores of people were injured in other parts of the country, TV stations reported.

The students protests last month began with the demand for an end to a quota system for government jobs that they said was discriminatory. Under it, 30% of such jobs were reserved for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.

The protests began peacefully but turned violent as students at Dhaka University clashed with police and the activists of a student wing of the ruling Awami League party on July 15. Since then, more than 200 people have died and thousands of others have been injured.

The Supreme Court cut the veterans quota to 5% on July 21 but protests have continued to spread amid outrage over the violence.

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Authorities closed schools and universities across the country, blocked internet access and imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew. At least, 11,000 people have been arrested in recent weeks.

Internet service has been restored and banks and offices have reopened but tensions remain high.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday offered to talk to student leaders but a coordinator refused in a Facebook post.



Protesters have been injured (Rajib Dhar/AP)

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Nahid Islam, a leading protest coordinator, wrote: One cannot ask a killer government for justice or sit for talks with them. The time to ask forgiveness has passed. When there was still time, the government conducted block raids to arrest and torture students.

Ms Hasina reiterated her pledges to thoroughly investigate the deaths and punish those responsible for the violence. She said that her doors were open for the talks and she was ready to sit down whenever the protesters want.

The protests have become a major challenge for Ms Hasina, who returned to power for a fourth consecutive term in January in an election boycotted by her main opponents.

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The students had earlier made a nine-point demand, including a public apology from Ms Hasina and release of all the students arrested and jailed.

On Saturday, however, they announced they had a single demand  the resignation of Ms Hasina and her administration. They also called for a non-cooperation movement from Sunday and urged people not to pay taxes or utility bills and to keep factories and offices closed.

The general secretary of Ms Hasinas ruling party said on Saturday that it was calling on its supporters to demonstrate across the country on Sunday.

Ms Hasina and other Cabinet ministers had earlier blamed the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and now-banned right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party and its student wing for intruding into the student protests and committing violence. Both the parties have denied the allegations.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, said on Saturday that they would continue to support the protesters in their movement.
It also revealed that Adrian Huber, a senior legal counsel at Fortescue, gave direct instructions to Lancasters Investigations to undertake some of the surveillance activities. On Tuesday 7 May 2024, Mr Huber instructed Lancasters Investigations to immediately reinstate their surveillance of the below locations in order to locate Dr Kolodziejczyk, and to immediately report to Fortescue any sighting of Dr Kolodziejczyk, it was revealed in an affidavit by Paul Dewar. Dewar is from Davies Collison Cave, the law firm acting for Fortescue in the intellectual property case. Private investigators working for Fortescue followed Bart Kolodziejczyk, Element Zeros co-founder, to the airport on multiple occassions. Elsewhere in that affidavit, Dewar detailed again Hubers instruction to Lancasters Investigations. I am informed by Mr Huber and believe it to be true that he today instructed Lancasters to investigate whether Dr Kolodziejczyk and Mr Masterman are presently located in [Western Australias] Port Hedland or Boodarie. I am informed by Mr Huber and I believe it to be true that he has today examined Dr Kolodziejczyks Facebook, X and lnstagram accounts, and they do not provide any indication as to Dr Kolodziejczyks present location.

Huber was also included in the correspondence between Lancasters Investigations and external lawyers, as was Phil McKeiver, who was Fortescues chief general counsel. Loading McKeiver had last month offered his resignation over the surveillance tactics that were used, but has been retained by Fortescue, albeit without his previous responsibility as company secretary. In Dewars affidavit, he said it was Fortescue that had engaged Lancasters Investigations with the aim of establishing the identity and location of each of the respondents to the search order application. The spying that was carried out occurred over a three-week period in April and May this year. It included photographing and following the three men, including to the gym, cafes, to the beach, shopping centres, the airport, the hairdresser, accountant, and other meetings, as well as to their work and homes.

The spying occurred in Melbourne and Perth and included following Kolodziejczyk and his wife to their childs daycare centre. It also included detailing the school times of a teenage family member of Winther-Jensen. The spying also included details of the arrival of personal mail and packages at the mens home addresses, providing walking maps of routes they took, and floor plans of Kolodziejczyk and Winther-Jensens homes. Photos were taken of mail delivered to Mastermans home address, and investigators also searched his rubbish bin. It was noted the previous mail was still protruding from the mailbox, the investigators report said of Mastermans house. Also noted was there were two new letters. A search of the garbage bins noted no new rubbish at this time. Masterman was surveilled by the private investigator even though he was not a party to the search orders that Fortescue would seek in the Federal Court. Private investigators working for Fortescue conducted surveillance of Element Zero co-founder Michael Masterman.

Element Zero staff who were also not party to the search orders were also photographed and followed by Lancasters Investigations, and the report details the use of covert cameras to surveil the office. Fortescue conducted the surveillance to obtain search orders that allowed it to raid Element Zeros office and the homes of Kolodziejczyk and Winther-Jensen, which would result in it gathering almost 3 terabytes of data from company documents and their personal devices, email and cloud accounts. Element Zeros lawyers have objected to the huge amount of data that was gathered during those raids, claiming there is a substantial amount of confidential and private information that does not relate to the court case. Private investigators employed by Fortescue spied on Bjorn Winther-Jensen, including following him to the gym. Element Zero was formed by Kolodziejczyk and Masterman at the end of 2022. Masterman has had a long career in the energy industry, including as chief financial officer of what was then known as Fortescue Future Industries (FFI).

Kolodziejczyk was once FFIs chief scientist and led a push to develop green hydrogen to decarbonise the companys mining operations and shipping fleet. Fortescue has since wound down its hydrogen ambitions. Loading Kolodziejczyk is now Element Zeros chief technology officer. Winther-Jensen also worked as a scientist at FFI before joining Element Zero. He departed Element Zero in January this year. Element Zero ambition is to reduce the carbon footprint of iron ore, Australias most lucrative export industry. It has patented a technology that aims to convert metal ores to metals, not only iron ore, with zero carbon emissions. Fortescue has said it would vigorously defend its intellectual property in the development of cutting-edge solutions to decarbonise its Australian iron ore operations by the end of the decade.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the August 4 edition of Sunday Life. See all 15 stories . Sarah Ferguson and her friend, the late, great journalist Liz Jackson, used to have a pact. It was called the never confrontingly ugly agreement, and it was struck between the two prize-winning journalists as a way of ensuring they were just-presentable-enough to appear on camera from a war zone, or a disaster zone, or hanging off the back of a donkey cart, or any other spot the foreign correspondents found themselves in. It was all right to look a bit rough and ready if you were bouncing around in the Pakistan floods, as Liz was, but the bar was never confrontingly ugly, Ferguson explains. Chortling, she immediately recounts an occasion where, in her estimation, she failed to clear the bar. It was March 2022, and Ferguson was reporting from the frontlines of Ukraine, under siege from Russia, from a train heading grimly towards Kyiv. I look like Im 130 years old, she says. But Im like, How can I mind this? I am not entitled to mind this! I am going into a war. I am surrounded by suffering. This anecdote is typical Sarah Ferguson. It is self-deprecating, but it is set somewhere far-flung and is directly related to one of her many diverse intellectual interests  in this case, her twin fascinations with European history and war reporting. Ferguson, 58, is a person who moves towards the action. Thats why she has won five Walkley Awards, including the Gold Walkley, five Logies, two AACTA awards and a Queensland Premiers Literary Award, among others. This year she is up for the Logie for Best News or Public Affairs Presenter. Ferguson and I are having lunch at Next Door in Sydneys Double Bay. She is casual in a pink shirt and minimal jewellery. She laughs freely and often  especially when she relays an anecdote from 2008 when legendary former Channel Nine CEO David Gyngell was trying to convince her to stay with the network (Nine is the publisher of this masthead).

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He told Ferguson she could have a career like the former CBS correspondent Lara Logan. Gyngell said, You could be like her, flying into war zones. I mean, youre not plug-ugly! she recounts. She laughs and then begs, Please dont make that the headline. Because Gyngell was such a good guy, and I wasnt hurt. It wasnt unkind. Ferguson has come from the gym and has sore thigh muscles, so I suggest a restorative array of proteins and carbohydrates  pork, veal and ricotta meatballs, fresh curd with marinated peppers and charred sourdough, ceviche of coronation trout, and tuna carpaccio. We drink sparkling water  Ferguson is on air tonight. Loading It has been two years since she took over from Leigh Sales as host of the ABCs 7.30. Ferguson came to the role with great experience as both a veteran Four Corners reporter and maker of long-form series including The Killing Season and Code of Silence. She had already filled in when Sales went on maternity leave in 2014. It is intimidating interviewing a Gold Walkley winner. I should ask her what she would ask herself, if she were in my position. Instead, I ask her how she extracts something new or surprising from wily, media-savvy subjects. Its all in the preparation, Ferguson replies. I want new things, but I also want an experience, so Im always balancing the nature of the interview against the style of the interview. Its not just about asking the right questions, its about a certain theatre that attends live television.

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Ferguson has received her share of brickbats from all quarters. In 2018, she was criticised for platforming the extreme-right provocateur and MAGA muse Steve Bannon when she interviewed him and posted a photograph of the two of them together. And in 2021, Fox News, owned by Murdoch-controlled Fox Corporation, complained to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) about Fergusons two-part Four Corners story, Fox and the Big Lie. More recently, the ABC Ombudsman backed her over an interview with an Israel Defence Forces spokesman that received 52 complaints from viewers. Ferguson disagrees with the idea that interviewing someone is platforming them but says she is more thoughtful about the extremes of debate in the post-Trump, post-truth media landscape. The nightmare scenario for me is the end of any shared zone, the idea that there should only be one source of information, she says. Recently freed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange tops her list of interview targets for 7.30 and she would also like to get Boris Johnson and Benjamin Netanyahu on the show. Her least favourite interviewee? Actor Ben Affleck is quite high up on the list she says. He was just rude, not interested, going through the motions. I have never met another journalist with the same ability to get to the heart of the matter fast, Ferguson says of her husband, Tony Jones. Credit: Nicholas Wilson Ferguson has been married to fellow award-winning journalist Tony Jones since 1992. They met when Ferguson was embarking on her career, working as a freelance producer in Paris. Jones was a foreign correspondent, and when they laid eyes on each other at Charles de Gaulle airport, it was a coup de foudre. The pair are competitive but also collegiate. Jones helps her prepare for interviews and sometimes even with contact negotiations. But, she says, there are things Tony thinks I should tell him and I dont.

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Like what? About some of the people I speak to, she says, cryptically. She laughs about the year she was nominated for four Walkleys. She missed out on the first three, and the fourth time, the Walkley went to Tony Jones. She took a minute to herself, then she celebrated with him. I have never met another journalist with the same ability to get to the heart of the matter fast, she says of her husband. He sees through to the heart of topics with incredible alacrity. It would be very hard for me to do my job without him. The couple share three boys  Jones son and Fergusons stepson, Felix, and the two boys they had together, Cosmo and Lucien. All are adults now, in their 20s and 30s. Felix is living and working in China, and the younger two have just moved back from Canberra, where they were studying, and are living together in Sydney. Having children is lovely and being a working mother is so hard  that period of school and all the micro-anxieties that are there for a mother. SARAH FERGUSON Its so cute, I want to die! The reward of this period of time I could honestly just cry into our plates, she says of her sons. Having children is lovely and being a working mother is so hard  that period of school and all the micro-anxieties that are there for a mother. So when they grow up and theyre doing their own washing and theyre okay, theyre good people, it is possible to love them even more.

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Now they are empty nesters, Ferguson and Jones spend more time together at their holiday place on the NSW south coast. We muck around, we walk a bit, we cycle a bit. Its so beautiful. I ask about the menopause. She says her physical symptoms werent too bad but its more to do with sense of self, she says. That is so radically altered. Its a massive shift. Loading As time passes, the thing that haunts Ferguson is what she calls her scant knowledge. I wish Id understood when I was younger that what you need is knowledge. Now I think, I might never learn Russian! All the things I could have learnt! All the things I dont know! She also wants to travel more, a lot more  to Petra, Jordan, Iran, and to the top of every single mountain there is. As for the future, Ferguson is unsure, but says I want to keep making films. I love making television, I love cameras, I love editing, I love music, I love structure. I love the joy of being in an edit suite with a scene thats working. Thats really wonderful. Mastering a new language might have to wait. Or perhaps not  if anyone can do it all while also studying Russian, it is Sarah Ferguson.
Donald Trump should meet my kids. His reluctance to acknowledge that someone can have parents of different ethnicities plays to a sad but common modern cultural illiteracy around mixed-race families.

In a moment that took the US political landscape to new heights of absurdity, Trump  speaking at a convention for black journalists of all places  remarked, in reference to his opponent Kamala Harris: I dont know. Is she Indian? Or is she black?

Indian or black? Vice President Kamala Harris, to answer Donald Trumps question, is both. Credit: AP

Harris has Jamaican and Indian-born parents. The answer to Trumps question is pretty clear to anyone who understands human reproduction.

As someone with mixed-race kids, I know I shouldnt take Trumps little pot-shot personally. It was clearly a political play targeted at the industrial swing states and undecided black voters. Trump was seeking to frame Harris as a free-floating globalist outside of the cultural stable of white America and, at the same time, not black enough to be Americas second black president. Ive worked in politics. I get it. But political dog whistles dont happen in moral vacuums. They speak to something already alive in hearts and minds.
What has been proven is that Mr Paul arranged Mr Sarics funeral and then treated Mr Sarics fibro cottage at Gymea Bay as his (Mr Pauls) for the next nearly 50 years until his own death in 2018, the judge said. After Pauls death, the executor of his estate applied to the court for orders enabling him to sell the property on the basis that Paul, survived by his widow, had become the owner of the cottage by adverse possession, and it formed part of his estate. The judge found Paul did all the things a homeowner might: he split the cost of a fence with a neighbour, paid rates and electricity bills, insured the cottage, and rented it out from at least 1995. While there was no documentary evidence before 1995, Kunc said it was highly unlikely that Mr Paul would have ... delayed in taking possession of the cottage as his own in light of the substantial windfall or gift it represented. He found Paul took possession from January 1, 1969. The judge referred to the possibility  that Mr Saric may have told Mr Paul that the latter could have the cottage, perhaps in return for care provided by Mr Paul. But there was no evidence to this effect.

The court found that any right to possession of the cottage that may have existed in Mr Sarics heirs has been definitively extinguished from January 2009, when a 40-year limitation period expired. The cottage formed part of Pauls estate. The property was sold by the executor of Pauls estate in June for almost $1.5 million. Use it, or lose it Sydney barrister Patricia Lane, a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney and property law expert, said that the rights to land are based loosely on a concept of, use it, or lose it.

The economic value of land is such that the law essentially preserves the ability to buy and sell land  by saying that if you do not exercise rights as owner and somebody else does, and that continues for long enough, that other person will actually wind up with something: the title to the land, Lane said. Lane said that you start with the proposition that the person whos in adverse possession is actually in possession, that is, doing acts that an owner would do, like, for example, fencing the property, keeping people out, [and renting it out] as occurred in this case. The owner would have a right to get an order for possession, Lane said, but the law also says you dont have forever to do that, and the normal position is that people have 12 years from the date on which they were dispossessed, or on which they could with reasonable diligence have discovered the fact they had been dispossessed. There is also a back-stop period of 30 years that applies even if the 12-year limitation period cannot start running for various reasons, such as if the owner were under a mental incapacity or, despite reasonable diligence, had never discovered someone had moved in, such as if the property was remote or inaccessible. The back-stop period extinguishes any claims by the original owner or their heirs after this date.

In the Gymea Bay case, a limitation period of 20 years with a 40-year back-stop period applied. The shorter 12- and 30-year periods only became law in 1971, after Saric died. Kunc said the result of the 40-year back-stop period was that any cause of action to recover possession of the cottage by Mr Sarics legal personal representatives was completely extinguished from 1 January 2009. This marked 40 years from January 1, 1969, when Paul took possession of the property. SQUATTERS RIGHTS Among a string of adverse possession cases in Sydney in recent years was a dispute between neighbours over a Redfern dunny lane and a case about whether a mother became entitled to a house in Sydney under squatters rights and could leave it to her sons.

Adverse possession requires a person to occupy another persons land continuously for at least 12 years. It must be without: (a) force, (b) secrecy, and (c) the landowners permission.

A longer period of 20 years was required in the Gymea Bay case because older laws applied. A 40-year limitation period operated in any case to extinguish any other claims to the cottage. Fairly typical case Macquarie Law School Professor Cathy Sherry said that this was a fairly typical adverse possession case. It illustrated that people can lose track of land, and can lose track of relatives.
Police are searching for two gunmen after two men were shot in a targeted attack in Sydneys southwest, leaving one lying in a suburban park with gunshot wounds to his head and torso.

The men linked to the shooting remained at large 12 hours after the shots were fired on Saturday morning, with police appealing to the public to help locate them.

Two men were shot at Sydney park on Saturday morning. Credit: NSW Police

NSW Police were called to Highfield Park in Claymore at 9.30 am on Saturday after one of the men sought help from a local shop after being shot in his shoulder.

Campbelltown Superintendent Grant Healey said police believe the incident was targeted but not gang-related, describing the shooters as having a reckless disregard for everybodys safety.
Soaring building costs amid a runaway housing market make property flipping a brave way to try to make money. But there are big capital gains to be made for those with the money to back it.

Enter Paula Liveris, house flipper and wife of former Dow Chemical boss and now Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games president Andrew Liveris.

The Bellevue Hill house will be sold to Paula Liveris after 45 years of Bray family ownership. Credit: Domain

Less than a year ago Liveris purchased an architect John Suttor-designed house in Bellevue Hill for $28 million from Diana and the late Michael Bray, who had owned it since 1978 when Michael was the local mayor.

At the time a source close to Liveris said the purchase was to be an investment for the Point Piper-based Liveris, making good on her previous property flipping forays in New York, Michigan, Florida and Greece.
Adani Power was one of the bidders for the project, but it withdrew in 2019. (Photo: Bloomberg)

KSK Mahanadi thermal project's troubles explained

Business Standard had earlier explained that the companys troubles began after it defaulted on bank loans worth Rs 20,000 crore in 2018. The lead lender for the project was Power Finance Corporation Limited, a state-owned non-banking financial corporation. After the default, lenders began debt restructuring, which involved sale of assets.

Adani Power was one of the bidders for the project, but it withdrew in 2019. In 2020, the company was submitted to the NCLT under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

As India faced a significant surge in power demand due to unprecedented heatwave conditions this summer, the Centre is eyeing a quick turnaround of such stressed plants to boost power supply as it scouts for more electricity sources.

The project was running and had power purchase agreements with Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. However, it defaulted because of a shortage of coal supply.

Earlier, the State Bank of India, one of the largest lenders to the project, tried to resolve it through its SAMADHAN scheme, but the attempt failed.
Tata Group's semiconductor plant in Assam will produce 48.3 mnore chips per day using indigenously-developed technologies, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chairman of Tata Sons Limited N Chandrasekaran on Saturday performed the Bhumi pujan of the Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor assembly and test facility at Jagiroad in Morigaon district. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The project was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 29, 2024. "The construction of the plant has started in short span of five months after the project was approved. It will manufacture about 48.3 mnore chips per day. The unique thing about this plant is that all the three major technologies which will be deployed in this plant are developed in India," Vaishnaw said.

The minister said that the chips manufactured at the Tata plant will be used in vehicles including electric vehicles, and practically every large company will be using their chips.

Vaishnaw said the communication and network infrastructure, every large company manufacturing 5G, routers etc. will be using these chips.

"Semiconductor is a foundational industry. Whenever a semiconductor unit comes there will be many more downstream employment which will get created and there will be many more upstream, because the ecosystem is so complex that a lot many units come the moment a mother unit comes," Vaishnaw said.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran at the Bhumi Pujan ceremony of the factory said the chip assembly plant in Assam will create 27,000 jobs, including 15,000 direct and 12,000 indirect employment opportunities.

The plant is expected to become operational in 2025.

The minister further said that a major part of the India Semiconductor Mission is to develop 85,000 talent, and nine institutes in the northeast has started working on developing talent for the semiconductor industry.

He said NIT Silchar in Assam, NIT Mizoram, NIT Manipur, NIT Nagaland, NIT Tripura, NIT Agartala, NIT Sikkim, NIT Arunachal Pradesh and two institutes in Maghelaya -- North Eastern Hill University and NIT -- are involved in talent development for semiconductor industry.

"Our prime minister has always emphasized on "Act East" policy and very important milestone in our semiconductor programme has today been achieved in Assam, where the construction work on the semiconductor unit has started," Vaishnaw said.

Besides the semiconductor chip assembly and testing plant in Assam, Tata Electronics is also setting up India's first wafer fabrication unit in Dholera, Gujarat. The plant will have the capacity to produce 50,000 wafers per month and involve an investment of Rs 91,000 crore.

The first chip from Tata's Dholera plant is expected to be out in December 2026.
JK Tyre and Industries posted a 37.41 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in profit after tax (PAT) during the first quarter of the financial year 2024-25, concluding on June 31, reaching Rs 211.44 crore. However, JK Tyres revenue from operations declined by 2.12 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 3,639.08 crore.

On a sequential basis, the company exhibited a 24.87 per cent increase in PAT, although the revenue declined by a moderate 1.61 per cent. The Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) margin rose 14.1 per cent, reaching Rs 516 crore. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Commenting on the results, Raghupati Singhania, chairman and managing director of JK Tyre and Industries, stated, We continue to deliver profitable growth with a year-on-year increase in operating margins. Our strategic thrust on premiumisation and pricing has helped us manage the raw material cost pressures. Although overall revenues were marginally lower due to a decline in the OEM segment, this was largely offset by increased exports."

During the quarter, the company's exports saw double-digit growth despite geopolitical disruptions and rising ocean freight costs. Looking ahead, JK expects export demand to pick up.

JK Tyres subsidiaries, Cavendish Industries Ltd and JK Tornel in Mexico, also contributed towards overall revenues and profitability. They remain optimistic about the outlook for tyre demand, driven by ongoing policy reforms, including a continued focus on infrastructure development.

The upcoming festival season and favourable monsoon conditions are expected to benefit the industry. At JK Tyre, we are committed to maintaining our focus on digitalisation, R&D, innovation, sustainability, customer-centricity, and technology-driven manufacturing.

The export revenue on a consolidated basis stood at Rs 37 crore, a growth of 9 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - UN agencies warned on Friday of the high risk of the further spread of infectious diseases in Gaza, amid chronic water scarcity and no way to adequately manage waste and sewage
Paswan promised that he would continue to push the agenda of development for Bihar and assured that the industry would receive full support from the ministry

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday said Bihar with a large number of farmers can play a crucial role in the food processing sector. Addressing a meeting with industry leaders and micro-entrepreneurs from the food and allied sectors in Patna, the minister said he would like to strengthen the food processing sector in his home state. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Paswan, the Union minister for food processing industries, said he would continue to work towards the uplift of farmers in the country as well as in Bihar. The food processing sector is very important and this can help elevate the economic status of India. I will strengthen the sector in my home state. Bihar is a state with a large number of farmers and can play a crucial role in the food processing space," he said.

Paswan said he wished to see food processing as an employment-generating sector with maximum processing units across the country and Bihar.

The union minister chaired the industry roundtable meeting with industrialists and micro-entrepreneurs from food and allied sectors in the state capital.

I urge all states, including Bihar, to come forward and participate in the World Food India 2024, which is a flagship event of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and it will be organised from September 19-22, 2024, in Delhi," Paswan said.

The minister expressed his happiness at the significant industry participation in the regional meeting.

He also emphasised that processing is the way forward towards food security and prosperity.

Paswan promised that he would continue to push the agenda of development for Bihar and assured that the industry would receive full support from the ministry.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries Additional Secretary Minhaj Alam outlined the journey of World Food India and how it has helped position the country as an emerging food processing hub in the world.

This was the first meeting in the region for this year, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in association with the PHD Chamber of Commerce.
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This is the blog of Dr Caitlin Green FSA. It features posts on my main academic research foci alongside other topics that I'm currently working on, including drafts of papers, ideas and similarthese are usually identifiable by the presence of footnotes. You're free to cite these drafts if they are of interest, and are reminded that academic blogs are indeed citable under most citation systems. In addition, the current site also houses posts relating to my personal interests, including long-distance trade, migration and contacts; landscape and coastal history; early literature and legends; and the history, archaeology, place-names and legends of Lincolnshire and Cornwall. For further details of this website & how to contact me, please see the ' About ' page or @caitlinrgreen on Twitter. I can also be found on Instagram and Mastodon
A CARLOW doctor features in a new book that records Irish doctors who served, were decorated and lost their lives in World War II. Carlow doctor Michael Farrell from Bagenalstown features in the roll of honour in the new title Irish Doctors in the Second World War, the fascinating sequel to Irish Doctors in the First World War.

Michael Farrell from Carlow

This fully-illustrated hardback records Irish doctors who served and includes harrowing correspondence from Irish doctors detailing the liberation of Nazi concentration camps.

Michael Joseph Farrell from Bagenalstown was educated in Castleknock College and studied medicine in 1943 in the Royal College of Surgeons. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) and saw action in the English Channel as a ships surgeon on board RVNR Monowai, assisting casualties extracted from the Normandy landings in 1944. He was posted to Singapore to act as port medical officer following the Japanese surrender.

After the war, he specialised in public health and, following appointments in Kilkenny and Kerry, he was posted to Leitrim, where he stayed for the rest of his life. He died in 1990.

Irish Doctors in the Second World War by Patrick J Casey, Kevin T Cullen and Joe P Duignan is published by Merrion Press and costs 29.99.
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Rohith Nair, Reuters

Daniel Wiffen is not used to the fame that comes with becoming an Olympic champion after he became the first Irishman to win a gold in the pool but the 23-year-old is not one to shy away from posing for selfies in the athletes' village in Paris.

Wiffen set an Olympic record to claim the 800 metres freestyle on Tuesday and he is well set for a double at La Defense Arena after he topped the 1,500m freestyle heats on Saturday.

The unassuming but confident Armagh man said it would "mean everything" if he came away with two golds, but outside the pool he is simply enjoying himself as people line up for photos with the bespectacled swimmer.

"I actually think I'm probably one of the most famous Olympic champions. Maybe I've got a distinct look about me," a grinning Wiffen told reporters.

"Because I think [athletes from] every sport come up to me in the dining hall and asks for photos. I feel like Simone Biles! 500 [photos], something like that."

American gymnast Biles clinched her sixth Olympic gold medal on Thursday to confirm her status as the greatest of all-time.

"I've been signing autographs and everything. They wait outside my building, when I come out for breakfast, for photos," Wiffen added.

"I like it. Why not? It's pretty cool."

Wiffen has also approached athletes for photos himself, with the Irishman saying he went up to American sprinter Noah Lyles who is competing in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.

But when it comes down to business, Wiffen said he was parking the 800m freestyle gold in the back of his mind while saying he would take a crack at the world record held by China's Sun Yang.

"If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. But I think personally it's going to take that to win gold," Wiffen said.

"I wasn't really thinking about the 800 too much because I love the 1,500. But coming into the 1,500 now as the 800 champion, it's going to be a bit of a difference.

"You have to find different ways to motivate yourself and different ways to go fast. That's exactly what I'm going to do tomorrow night."
Tennessee State Parks today announced the installation of adult-sized changing tables at five state parks as part of efforts to increase accessibility for all visitors.The added tables bring the total of parks with adult-sized changing tables to six, including one announced in January at Natchez Trace State Park. July marked the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.The added state parks with the tables are:- Fall Creek Falls State Park;- Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park;- Paris Landing State Park;- Pickwick Landing State Park; and- Reelfoot Lake State Park.The changing tables enhance accessibility for tasks such as toileting.The table will assist changing for adults with disabilities, children and teens. Beyond being more convenient and dignified for visitors who need them, tables like these open new possibilities for traveling and enjoying parks for many visitors and their caregivers.Support for the tables comes from a variety of sources. The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging provided funds specifically at Natchez Trace and Reelfoot Lake. The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy assisted financially at Natchez Trace, Fall Creek Falls, and Reelfoot Lake. The Tennessee Valley Authoritys North Region helped fund the table at Fall Creek Falls.We want to make our state parks the most accessible in the country, and this is an important step forward, said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for Conservation at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. We are grateful to the Department of Disability and Aging, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy and the Tennessee Valley Authoritys North Region for their partnership, and we look forward to more visitors enjoying parks that meet their needs.Tennesseans of all ages and abilities have a right to enjoy our beautiful state parks, said Brad Turner, commissioner of the Department of Disability and Aging. New adult-sized changing tables show families across the state and the nation that Tennessee is taking the important steps in making accessible spaces for older adults and people with disabilities.Adult changing tables provide dignity to all park visitors so they can experience nature and engage in the amazing programming our state parks offer, said Alex Wyss, executive director of the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy. Through a partnership with Tennessee State Parks, the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging and the Tennessee Valley Authority, we are able to help families spend more time together enjoying the outdoors.Natchez Trace State Park visitor Jessie Parrish has commented on what the accessibility of the table at the park has meant for her son Micah, writing in his school newspaper, For people like us, this is huge. This allows us to get back to nature and enjoy hobbies we love, and we can take Micah with us. If we need to change him in public, we now have access to a park with a restroom that will allow him to retain his dignity and privacy. Accessibility for everyone is important in a functioning society. I personally think it is what makes us a great community."A video about the table at Natchez Trace State Park by the Department of Aging and Disability can be found here . Natchez Trace State Park is a finalist in the Cintas Corporation Americas Best Restroom contest for its inclusive design. Cintas designs and implements full-service restroom programs. The public can vote for Natchez Trace State Parks restroom through Aug. 15 at www.bestrestroom.com/vote.
Two Soddy Daisy police officers, who went to the District Attorney's Office over alleged wrong-doing in the department, have been fired.

Lt. Jake Elrod and Captain Eric Jenkins were terminated on Wednesday.

Attorney Janie Varnell, who is representing them, said, "Three months ago, two long-time Soddy Daisy police officers, Lt. Elrod and Capt. Jenkins, came forward with evidence that another Soddy Daisy Officer, Jeremy Wright, had lied in a previous internal affairs investigation.

"Legal experts explain that such allegations of untruthfulness must be disclosed in criminal proceedings. However, while both Lt. Elrod and Capt. Jenkins testified in Hamilton County Criminal Court that they were threatened with their jobs by Soddy Daisy officials if they came forward and told the truth, the two persisted and brought the evidence to the Hamilton County District Attorneys office who promptly turned it over to defense attorneys.

"Hamilton County Judge Boyd Patterson, after a hearing, found both Lt. Elrod and Capt. Jenkins to be credible witnesses in their testimony in the case of State v. Justin Whaley and ordered a new trial for Whaley based upon their testimony of Wrights untruthfulness.

"Yesterday, Soddy Daisy terminated Lt. Elrod and Capt. Jenkins in clear retaliation for them bringing forward the evidence about Wright.

Shame on Soddy Daisy for terminating these two long-time officers, Lt. Elrod and Captain Jenkins. This is the most blatant act of retaliation I have seen. These officers brought information to our local District Attorney about the truthfulness of an arresting police officer. Even the DA said in open court that this evidence should have been given to the defense before trial.

"Soddy Daisy tried to hide it and now they are punishing the officers who morally and legally did the right thing. The message that this sends to our community is that the Soddy Daisy Police Department wants to hide and cover up all of the bad deeds of their officers.

She said Tennessee law "allows public employees to freely communicate their concerns to their elected officials. To be terminated for bringing this truthful information to the DA is not only a violation of their freedom of speech but opens the city of Soddy Daisy to liability."

Logan Davis, another attorney at Davis & Hoss representing the two officers, said, These are the types of police officers you want to root for, the ones who do what is right, even when their jobs are on the line. What you hope, however, is that their department will stand behind them.

"Unfortunately, in this case, Soddy Daisy didn't. We look forward to ensuring that justice is done for these two officers who have admirably served the city of Soddy-Daisy and its citizens for 17 years. We will ensure they have their day in court."
Kirby Patterson Tony Patterson (left) presents a Kirby Patterson Memorial Scholarship to Lisetty Garcia, a Murray County High School graduate Alanna Jacobo, a North Murray High School graduate, received a Kirby Patterson Memorial Scholarship Previous Next

Georgia Northwestern Technical College announces the establishment of the Kirby Patterson Memorial Scholarship and its first two recipients.Murray County native Kirby Patterson devoted his career to public service, including serving as a deputy sheriff, chief deputy and then later as police chief of Chatsworth. In 1968, he was elected as sole commissioner of Murray County, where he served for 20 years. He was also a lifetime member of Georgia Association Chiefs of Police. He passed away in December 2020.His widow Sherrie Patterson, who represents Murray County on GNTCs Foundation Board of Trustees, explained that his mother was left to raise six children alone after his father and four-year-old brother were struck by a train and killed.Despite the hardships they faced growing up in harsh economic times, all of the children grew up to be successful individuals.Kirby really gave back to Murray County and was instrumental in the economic development and infrastructure improvements that helped get Murray County off the ground, she said, adding that the couple was married for 22 years. He was one of the finest people Ive ever known.The Patterson family recently established the scholarship to support a graduating senior from Murray County High School and North Murray County High School who will attend GNTC in the fall. The first recipients of the scholarship are Lisetty Garcia of Murray County High School and Alanna Jacobo of North Murray High School.Ms. Garcia and Ms. Jacobo are enrolled in GNTCs Health Care Management program.Mr. Pattersons family wanted to honor his memory of community service by giving back to the community themselves.Some good folks in this county made a difference in my fathers life by giving of themselves and seeing his potential when he was a young, poor kid being raised by a sharecropper widow, said Tony Patterson. He tried to reflect that in his life.We, his family, still benefit daily from his guidance, encouragement and selflessness, said Terri Kirby, Mr. Pattersons daughter. She also represents Whitfield County on GNTCs Foundation Board of Trustees.
Mitchell Tolle delivers keynote address Lee President Paul Conn presents diplomas to graduates Summer commencement grads stopping for photo op Family celebrating graduate Commencement celebration Commencement group Previous Next

Lee University awarded 112 degrees during its summer commencement ceremony last weekend. Graduates, faculty, family, and friends filled the universitys Conn Center for the event where artist and pastor Mitchell Tolle addressed attendees.

In introducing Mr. Tolle, Lee President Paul Conn described him as one of those guys gifted in so many wayssomeone who can talk about and act out this dual role of following the lead of God wherever it takes you in life.

Drawing from his personal experiences, Mr. Tolle, who is considered one of Americas most beloved artists, urged the graduates to recognize they are not solely responsible for their achievements. You are not the makers of yourselvesyou are the clayand your steps are ordered by God. No matter how hard you worked or how smart you are, you did not get here by yourself.

He spoke of those in his life who helped to shape him and remind him that dreams ought to be free to live and quoted C.S. Lewis, saying dreams are gifts from God, a way of saying there is more.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Tolle reminded the students they were lovingly and carefully fashioned and were now responsible for shaping the future. This is your time. Be the voice of encouragement, the voice of hope, the voice of possibility.

Mr. Tolle currently serves as senior pastor of the Man O' War Church in Lexington, Ky., and is an ordained bishop in the Church of God. Before his pastoral work, he gained international recognition for his art, particularly of Appalachian life. He is also known for his painting of President Jimmy Carter, which raised a quarter of a million dollars for Habitat for Humanity through the sale of prints, and a gallery in Berea, Ky., devoted exclusively to his work, has drawn over 20,000 visitors from 80 countries.

Mr. Tolle is married to Linda, and they have three children and 10 grandchildren.

Saturdays ceremony was preceded by a pinning ceremony for nursing graduates; a hooding ceremony for recipients of masters, education specialist, and doctoral degrees; and the Commissioning Service on Friday. Commissioning featured five student speakers - Aixa Marcial, Tamara Milanovic, Ben Seay, Abbygail Stroh, Ben Seay, and Hanna Wager - who shared their Lee experience.

To view the events, visit leeu.live.

For more information about commencement exercises, please contact the Academic Events Office at academicevents@leeuniversity.edu, 614-8117, or visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/graduation-info/.




Around 20,000 years ago, ancient humans in what is now Argentina may have survived by eating giant armadillos. The bones of a glyptodont, a giant, extinct creature that was a relative of the armadillo, were found in the Pampean region of Argentina.

The fossil remains are among some of the oldest examples of humans interacting with megafauna in South America. They also added to evidence that shows people spread through the Americas much earlier than previously believed.

During the late Pleistocene era, which was 129,000 to 11,700 years ago, glaciers and ice sheets covered a large portion of the planet, especially in the Last Glacial Maximum, a period that occurred about 26,000 to 20,000 years ago when the ice age was at its peak.

Experts thought that the first Americans arrived by traveling across a land bridge that connected Siberia to Alaska 13,000 years ago. However, archaeological sites discovered in North and South America within the past decade prove that humans arrived much earlier.

Researchers found cut marks on the bones of the giant armadillo. The animal skeleton was located along the banks of the Reconquista River on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. It was incomplete but included parts of the pelvis, tail, and bony plates that covered the top of the creatures body.

When the researchers carbon dated a piece of pelvic bone, they determined that it was 21,090 to 20,811 years old, which aligned with the ages of the layers of sediment in which it was uncovered.

They also took photographs and scans of the bones to figure out if the cut marks were made by humans. The marks were V-shaped, leading the researchers to believe the bones had been butchered.

They came to the conclusion that humans created the cuts with stone tools. The tooth marks of carnivores are usually U-shaped, and there wasnt much natural weathering on the bones, indicating that they were buried quickly after the animals death. A quick burial prevented scavengers and the weather from wearing away at them.

Overall, there were 32 cut marks on the giant armadillos bones. The location of the cuts revealed a pattern that was consistent with butchering. Ancient humans must have eaten a large amount of meat from the pelvis and tail of the armadillo.

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Home News Former senior pastor in Texas charged with soliciting prostitute

A former senior pastor from Plano, Texas, faces charges for soliciting a prostitute.

Terrence Terren Dames, 51, was arrested during a targeted operation by Plano police, which resulted in his immediate removal from North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship due to moral failure.

Dames was arrested in May, as part of an ongoing effort by authorities to combat sex trafficking, where he allegedly attempted to engage in a transaction with an undercover officer posing as a prostitute, Fox 4 reported.

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According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Dames contacted the undercover officer through a website frequently used for soliciting sexual services, offering $150 for full service, a term colloquially understood to mean sex. The meeting was set up at a motel, but Dames left the scene after no one answered the door. He was subsequently apprehended during a traffic stop.

During his interaction with the police following his arrest, Dames claimed he was meeting a friend at the motel. He then experienced a medical episode, with first responders noting his low vitals, though he refused further medical treatment at a hospital. His cell phone was seized, and he now faces a felony charge for his actions.

Many online platforms are used to facilitate illegal activities, including prostitution and trafficking. Bianca Davis, CEO of New Friends New Life, a nonprofit organization that supports victims of sex trafficking, commented on the case. In the vast majority of cases, there is a trafficker or a pimp behind the scenes, Davis said, noting that while some may act independently, the act of selling sex is often not victimless and involves networks of exploitation.

The Plano Police Department has reported the arrest of 153 individuals in 2023 and 90 so far this year for solicitation-related offenses.

The leadership at North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship says they are focused on moving forward.

NDCBF leadership remains devoted to the churchs mission of making disciples and vision to empower each member to impact the world by doing the work of Jesus Christ, CBS News quoted the church as saying. Sound, biblical doctrine remains a priority. The churchs leadership continues to invest in teaching biblical subjects, such as victory, hope and unity. With passages that prescribe the wisdom in thought and action, the church is eager to pave the path forward in healing and restoration.

As its core values, the church says on its website: We believe Gods standard for His church is holiness. As a community of believers, we uphold Gods standard by being consistent in our behavior both privately and publicly. Gods Word will always direct the way we conduct ourselves morally, socially and financially. We are accountable to our members and the community and we believe in holding those who have partnered with us accountable as well.
Home News 19-year-old girl tied up, beaten and burned with flat iron for converting to Christianity

NAIROBI, Kenya  A Muslim in eastern Uganda burned his 19-year-old daughter with a flat iron on July 21 after learning that she had converted to Christianity, sources said.

Naasike Maliyati of Nampologoma, Butaleja District said she attended an evangelistic crusade with a friend in the course of a visit to her grandmother in Lwangoli, Busoba Sub-County, Mbale District, on July 15.

When they called people to give their lives to Christ, I also went and prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, Maliyati said. When I went back home, I told my sister that I had left Islam. She went and told our dad of my conversion to Christianity.

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The following Sunday Maliyati, a student at Noor Islamic Institute in Mbale, attended a church service, and upon returning home found her father, 44-year-old Abdulrahim Kutosi, and uncles angry with her, she said.

They tied me up, beat me, and finally my dad picked up a hot flat iron and hot water and burned me and shouted loudly that I was an embarrassment to the family, Maliyati told Morning Star News. I was burned for leaving Islam and converting to Christianity, as my father furiously continued shouting that I had shamed the family. He continued saying that even Allah is annoyed with me as the pain continued inside my body.

She heard him order her to stop attending church services before relatives put her on a motorbike and left her near the Namatala River, she said. A Christian on a motorcycle driving by, Nicolas Ndobooli, rescued her.

I saw someone yelling for help and calling, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Ndobooli told Morning Star News. Being a Christian, I decided to stop and took the risk and put her on my motorbike to the clinic.

He paid 30,000 Uganda shillings ($8 USD) to admit her for medical treatment, he said.

Area Christians have condemned Kutosis cruel treatment of his daughter, sources said.

The attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12% of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

Originally published by Morning Star News
Home News Mistress of 'Jesus Christ Money Master' author gets life in prison for role in Ponzi scheme

Debra Mae Carter, the mistress of former Texas radio host William Neil "Doc" Gallagher, who wrote the Jesus Christ, Money Master Leader Guide, was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for her role in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 190 people  many of whom were older adult Christians  of more than $31 million.

Carter, 65, was found guilty by a jury on July 8 of money laundering after a two-week trial, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office said in a press release.

Gallagher, who was once president and CEO of the Gallagher Financial Group and called himself the "Money Doctor," was sentenced on Nov. 1, 2021, to three life sentences in prison plus another 30 years behind bars on charges including forgery, securing the execution of a document by deception, theft of property and exploitation of the elderly, the release said.

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He claimed on his companys website that their mission was to be a vehicle of Gods peace and comfort to as many people as possible, helping first with their financial peace of mind, then also with their spiritual, emotional and family well-being. He also advertised on Christian radio with the tagline: See you in church on Sunday.

In addition to visiting churches and promoting his business on Christian radio stations owned by Salem Media, Gallagher promoted his investment business in books like Jesus Christ, Money Master.

His main role in the scheme was to bring in money while Carter's role was to make sure it wasn't recovered by the victims. The couple had planned to retire on a huge ranch together.

Tarrant County Assistant District Attorneys Lori Varnell, Nathan Martin and Anastasia Frane told the jury that Carter and Gallagher preyed on the older adults they swindled.

"These were hard-earned retirement (dollars) which ... got put into her account over and over again," Varnell said. "She is a blight on society."

At Gallaghers sentencing in 2021, Varnell said he was one of the worst offenders she had ever seen.

Doc Gallagher is one of the worst offenders I have seen, Varnell said. He ruthlessly stole from his clients who trusted him for almost a decade. He amassed $32 million in loss to all of his clients and exploited many elder individuals. He worked his way around churches preying on people who believed he was a Christian.

Prosecutors said Carter laundered much of the money through assets like rental homes, land and fake charities. Some $200,000 worth of gold and silver was seized after it was found in her travel trailer.

Brenda Wilkerson, 84, who invested in the couples scheme, said she is still paying a mortgage on her home because of the couple. She said she invested money she inherited from her late husband in their scheme.

"Debbie Carter deserves life in prison," Wilkerson said. "She has ruined so many lives. ... It's despicable."
Home News China sentences Christian elder to 5 years in prison

A court in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province in China, has sentenced Elder Zhang Chunlei of a house church to five years in prison for subversion of state power and fraud. The sentencing occurred in a closely regulated proceeding that limited public attendance, according to a report.

The Guiyang Intermediate Peoples Court sentenced Zhang of the Guiyang Renai Reformed Church, who suffers from liver cirrhosis, on July 24, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide said in a statement this week.

Elder Zhangs legal troubles began when he was detained on March 16, 2021, following his visit to a local police station. He was inquiring about the whereabouts of 10 fellow church members who had been apprehended during a police raid at a private property where a church retreat was being held.

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Subsequent to his detention, Zhang was formally arrested on May 1, 2021, under suspicions of fraud. It later surfaced in January 2022 that an additional charge had been brought against him  "inciting subversion of state power. Since then, he has been held in continuous detention, a period marked by his deteriorating health condition due to liver cirrhosis, which his family only learned about recently.

When Zhang entered prison, he was in good health, Yang said, according to Bitter Winter, a magazine dedicated to covering issues of religious liberty in China. However, while detained, he developed cholecystitis and was hospitalized in August 2023. He received intravenous support for over 20 days before being diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

Despite his critical condition, Zhang was returned to jail. According to Yang, his survival is now at risk under these conditions. She insists that he requires appropriate medical treatment outside the prison environment.

In its decision, the court said Zhang would serve three years and six months for inciting subversion of state power, with an additional two years for the fraud charge, cumulatively amounting to a five-year sentence.

The sentencing includes the time already spent in detention, setting his release date as March 16, 2026.

The court also mandated the recovery of 14,400 yuan (about $2,000) for the fraud-related offenses and imposed an additional fine of 5,000 yuan ($700).

The court proceedings were tightly controlled, with restrictions placed on public attendance, CSW noted, saying only Zhangs wife, Yang Aiqing, was allowed inside the courtroom, under the strict condition of not having her phone with her, which she had to store in a locker.

CSW Founder Mervyn Thomas vehemently criticized the charges and the sentence.

The charges against Elder Zhang Chunlei are completely unfounded. He should not have spent the past three years in detention on them and he certainly should not have been sentenced to any more time in prison, Thomas said. He called for Zhangs immediate and unconditional release, and demanded reparations for the wrongful suffering endured by Zhang and his family.

Bitter Winter noted earlier that harsh sentences are part of a broader agenda under President Xi Jinpings administration. The policy aims to coerce all Protestant churches into merging with the state-sanctioned Three-Self Church, limiting their independence and aligning their teachings with communist ideologies.

Open Doors, which monitors Christian persecution globally, has said that the persecution of Christians in China is part of an expansive effort to control religious practice in China. This includes stringent regulations and enhanced digital surveillance specifically targeting unregistered house churches.

Persecution is also witnessed in regions dominated by Buddhism or Islam, where converts to Christianity are under severe threat, according to Open Doors. However, the pressure is progressively increasing across the country, with digital surveillance widely impacting Christians, particularly those involved with house churches.

Elder Zhang is reportedly preparing to appeal his sentence.
Home News Nonprofit helps teen mom in Rwanda choose life day before abortion 'Saving a life which was set for slaughter  it is the greatest treasure'

A Catholic pro-life organization reportedly offered a 17-year-old mother in Rwanda the resources that convinced her to keep her unborn baby daughter just a day before she was scheduled to abort her.

Human Life International (HLI) Rwanda, a nonprofit that teaches high school students in the country about the benefits of abstinence and educates them on the dangers of abortion and some contraceptives, ministered to the girl named Laurence who was faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

Laurence was reportedly pressured by the baby's father to abort her daughter, but she wanted to keep her baby.

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When she approached HLI staff with her predicament after seeing one of their presentations in her school, they spoke to Laurence about her unborn daughter and ensured that she would have help with medical bills, baby supplies and navigating a leave of absence from school.

Dr. Brian Clowes, who serves a HLI's director of education and research, said in a statement provided to The Christian Post that Laurence's story is an example of the many young women in African countries such as Rwanda who have been led to believe that abortion is their only way out.

"Laurence was faced with an unexpected pregnancy in her native Rwanda," Clowes said. "The only option offered her by Western population control groups was abortion. But then she heard a pro-life presentation by Human Life International the day before her abortion was scheduled, and she chose life for her baby."

"We are strongly reminded of the biblical wisdom of Proverbs 18:17, which says, 'He who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him,'" he continued. "This is the task of all of the pro-life groups all over the world: to offer life-affirming options that the groups marketing abortion deliberately do not mention."

HLI Rwanda Director Aloys Ndengeye said in a statement provided to CP that Laurence "is now happy being a mother, and she is thankful to Human Life International for saving her baby, a girl she named Keilla."

Ndengeye also noted how proponents of population control such as International Planned Parenthood Federation and Health Development Initiative Rwanda (HDI) often speak at schools to push abortion or contraceptives, which he said has led to "increasing venereal diseases, sexualizing our youth, and killing innocent preborn babies through abortion."

HLI Rwanda, which was founded in 2021, attempts to offer something else.

"Saving a life which was set for slaughter  it is the greatest treasure," he said.

The HLI chapter in the nearby country of Malawi made headlines last fall after a group of school students reportedly chased away representatives of an international Planned Parenthood affiliate and burned the boxes of contraceptives they provided.
Home Opinion Are we on path to ultimately lose the American experiment?

George Orwell wrote in his classic novel, 1984: Who controls the past, controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.

So, theres a battle over history. That battle continues in our day.

A June 2024 survey of 3,000 college students dealt with basic knowledge of American history and government. Unfortunately, they found a lot of ignorance among university students.

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The group responsible for the survey is ACTA the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.

ACTA reports on the results of their recent survey: We found that significant numbers of college students graduate without even a rudimentary grasp of Americas history and political system.

For example, some of the findings were:

Almost one-third of students think senators serve a four-year term.

One-third of students are not sure who the chief justice of the Supreme Court is.

Almost half of students incorrectly identify Thomas Jefferson as the Father of the Constitution. Drilling down, they found, Less than one-third (31%) of students correctly identify James Madison as the Father of the Constitution.

Less than one-third of students know that the legislative branch has the power to declare war. In fact, Almost half (48%) of students believe the executive branch has the power to declare war.

Almost three-quarters of students believe threats of violence should be censored by the government.

And on it goes.

The results of this and similar surveys remind me of the old song that notes: Dont know much about history.

The pollsters also found a big divide, along ideological and sexual lines, between those willing to defend the country versus those who would leave America if attacked. They write: More than half of students would flee the country if the United States were invaded.

Males (60%) are significantly more likely than females (34%) to say they will stay and fight if the United States were invaded.

Strong Republicans (72%) are significantly more likely than strong Democrats (29%) to say they will stay and fight if the United States were invaded.

Im not a fan of our 28th president, Woodrow Wilson, because he set in motion many of the progressive policies that have helped bring us to this place of ignorance of American history and basic civics. Nonetheless, even a broken clock is correct twice a day.

Here is what Wilson said in a rally speech in 1911, before his election, about the importance of history: A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about. He went on to speak of our spiritual heritage.

In my opinion, political correctness lies at the root of the problem. Too often schools are more concerned about childrens self-esteem than they are about how much they learn.

They are taught, by and large, a multicultural approach to the world, in which all cultures are considered equally valid and virtuous. The idea, for example, of America being exceptional is so anathema that it would be unthinkable to teach today.

At one time, America was very well educated  primarily so that people could read the Bible for themselves. In New England, after generations of Puritan influence, John Adams remarked that finding an illiterate man in New England was as rare as a comet.

In our recent Providence Forum documentary, The Beginning of Wisdom, on how the Bible shaped American education, we open the program with this remark and quote: At one time, America was among the best educated nations in the world. James Madison of Virginia, a key architect of the Constitution, said, A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

We close this program with the observation of founding father Thomas Jefferson, If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.

Also, on the ACTA website is an article called, Ten Things Everyone Should Know About American History. This is by Princeton professor and author Allen Guelzo.

Dr. Guelzo notes that Abraham Lincoln was concerned, even as a young man, about the loss of memory  not his own, but the nations memory of its Revolutionary founders. The future 16th presidents concern was that maybe another Alexander [the Great], a Caesar, or a Napoleon would someday arise and seize power because we had forgotten the past.

Guelzo adds, Lincoln was right to be worried in 1838: To lose our history is to lose ourselves.

If we continue much further down the path of ignorance of American history and civics, we could ultimately lose the American experiment of self-rule under God.
Home Opinion If you will vote Trump, know that GOP is not God's party

As a GOP voter for as long as I can remember, Im not discouraging you from voting Republican. Not in the least. And as a two-time Trump voter, Im not discouraging you from voting for Trump. That is not my intent at all, as I personally plan to continue to vote GOP. Instead, Im urging each of you Christian conservatives who votes for Trump and the GOP to do so with your eyes wide open recognizing that the GOP is not Gods party and Trump is not the Jesus-centered leader of the Christian right. Far from it.

Already in 2016, a featured speaker at the RNC was gay billionaire Peter Thiel, a personal friend of Trump, who said, Of course, every American has a unique identity. I am proud to be gay. I am proud to be a Republican. But most of all, I am proud to be an American. (He said this to applause.)

He added, I dont pretend to agree with every plank in our partys platform, but fake culture wars only distract us from our economic decline. And nobody in this race is being honest about it, except Donald Trump.

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That was 2016.

Today, Republicans like Thiel dont need to worry about differing with the party platform. All affirmation of God-ordained marriage has been removed from the GOP platform along with all opposition to same-sex marriage.

Thats why the headline to an op-ed on Newsweek by Brad Polumbo proclaimed, Trump's New GOP Platform Is a Massive Win for LGBT Americans.

He wrote, For years, a key goal of gay Republicans and their allies has been the removal of the GOP's anti-gay-marriage plank from its official platform. While Trump made history as the first president to take office accepting gay marriage, the Republican platform he formally ran on in 2016 explicitly endorsed traditional marriage and family, based on marriage between one man and one woman and specifically denounced the Supreme Court cases enshrining gay marriage as the law of the land. And in 2020, Republicans essentially recycled the 2016 platform and ran on it again, rather than produce a new one, citing the pandemic's disruptions.

In stark contrast, In the new 2024 platform Republicans just released, this language is nowhere to be found. The document says nothing about gay marriage at all. There is no endorsement of traditional marriage, no call to overturn the Supreme Court's decisions, or anything else. The absence of a formal position implies that Republican candidates are officially free to adopt their own position on the issue, a tacit statement that the GOP has no problem with candidates and politicians who, like Trump, have embraced gay marriage.

How important is this? Polumbo writes, It's hard to overstate the significance of this development. Overnight, with almost no fanfare, the single biggest objective of gay Republicans was achievedand no one really noticed! So far, there's been only a minor outcry in niche socially conservative circles, with nowhere near the level of backlash you'd have expected had the GOP taken this step in years past.

It's the same with the GOPs pro-life platform. That has virtually evaporated into thin air.

As the headline to an op-ed for the National Review stated, The GOP Platform Is a Major Loss for the Pro-Life Movement.

As explained by Alexandra DeSanctis, For decades, the Republican Party platform has invoked the unborn childs 'fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed' and called for a constitutional amendment and legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendments protections apply to children before birth.

No longer. In its draft of a much-truncated platform, the GOP has gutted its language regarding abortion. It no longer mentions the fundamental right to life of the unborn, instead stating blandly that we proudly stand for families and Life.

Trump has stated explicitly that he would not support a federal ban on abortion.

There is no ambiguity here.

As for his views on same-sex marriage, he already stated on CBS 60 Minutes on November 13, 2016 that, Its law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean, its done.

And despite his strong stance against transgender activism, Trump said in 2016 Bruce Caitlyn Jenner could use the bathroom of his choice in Trump Tower, which he proceeded to do several days later. (Yes, he chose to use the womens room.)

The truth be told, despite Trumps frequent professions of faith (most recently, at a Turning Point USA Believers Summit, saying, I love you, Christians. Im a Christian) and despite saying the sinners prayer privately with different Christian leaders (Ive heard this anecdotally), there is no real evidence that Trump understands what it means to be a Christian, let alone a born-again Christian. (As for Trump being a changed man after coming within an inch of his life, he has jokingly stated the change lasted for a few hours at most.)

That doesnt mean that Christian conservatives should not vote for him or for the GOP in general. Not at all. What are the real alternatives? Just the Biden-Harris proposals to radically revamp the Supreme Court should draw our serious opposition.

I also believe that we should be deeply appreciative for the great things Trump did as president, including appointing many fine judges to the courts, most notably to the Supreme Court, standing for religious freedoms, moving our embassy to Jerusalem, and successfully negotiating the Abraham Accords.

Im simply saying that we should vote with our eyes wide open, not misrepresenting or exalting Trump, not sanitizing the GOP, and, above all, not looking to politics to do what only the Gospel can do.

So, yes, by all means, get out and vote, and yes, recognize just how debased and evil some of the Democrats agenda really is. No argument there.

But then, with far more zeal and passion and focus and energy and effort and devotion, lets give ourselves to the Great Commission, meaning, lets be disciples and make disciples. Thats the primary way that America will be changed.

Politics has its place, but politics is not the Gospel, and there is a vast difference between the kingdom of God and the GOP, not to mention an infinitely large difference between a Messianic savior and Donald Trump.
Home Opinion LGBT guise and Olympic-sized lies

By now the entire world has seen how powerful the LGBT movement is. Theyve managed to insert their victim status into every aspect of life and turn it into a glittery display of diversity and inclusion. In a parade of French historic moments of liberation, the finale of the Paris Olympics tableaux made one very loud political statement: Theyre here. Theyre queer. And were supposed to cheer.

Billions of people didnt feel that way. The Olympics are supposed to be a uniting event, but this years host country decided to divide, dismiss and denigrate. It started with men dressed up as caricatures of women being given the Olympic torch. It continued with its dismissal of heterosexual love as it frolicked through scenes with a (more than suggested) bisexual threesome, to which the official Olympic X account said: The freedom to love is no less sacred than the freedom to think.

What if someones thinking about pedophilia? What if someones thinking about incest? Not everyones version of love is moral.

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Then came that moment. A host of LGBT characters (along with a young girl who was flirted with by one of the sexually ambiguous folks) lined up at a Da Vinci-like table, anchored by a busty lesbian adorned with a halo. She was the new DEI Jesus, I guess. Her name is Barbara Butch. Shes the one who posted on her Instagram what we know they all knew and all planned. This Olympic scene was to mock Christianity and show what liberation from less-than-inclusive moral standards looks like. Her now-removed post proclaimed: OH YES! OH YES! THE NEW GAY TESTAMENT!

Keep in mind. The French get offended when we lowly Americans butcher their language by attempting to merely speak it. LGBT activists get offended if people dont use made-up or accurate pronouns. The same #LGBTQ movement that demands respect shows none for one religion  Christianity. They wouldn't dare mock Islam. Using correct pronouns and speaking biological truths is freedom of expression too, yet they brand it hate speech.

Its art! they say. Relax. And oh, if youre offended, were really, really sorry. That was literally the response from the Olympic spokesperson when they were called out for the blatant and needlessly offensive scene. Yes. It was intentional. Despite the initial denial and lame apology, the producers of the opening ceremonies confirmed what was obvious, explaining: For the Festivities segment, Thomas Jolly took inspiration from Leonardo da Vincis famous painting [The Last Supper] to create the setting.

Um. We know.

Thomas Jolly, the gay director responsible for the artistic direction of the opening ceremonies, denies the shocking scene was any rendition of the Last Supper. The idea was to have a pagan celebration connected to the gods of Olympus, he explained. You will never find in me a desire to mock and denigrate anyone. Well, it was definitely pagan. And it was clearly a celebration of debauchery as it featured the Greek god (Dionysus) of getting drunk and disciples getting your whatever-sexual promiscuity on. He knew the picture he was visually painting. As an artist myself, we tend to be hyper aware of what were communicating. Its by design. I think we all know the intent: shock and all. Yes. They wanted to shock the world and then pretend that were all the crazy ones for thinking we saw what we saw. As typical with woke folk and their dogma, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) doesnt actually care about its own so-called diversity and non-discrimination statements.

The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms [...] shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. These are the words of the IOC. Is that what played out a few days ago?

Did Jollys work actually show an intent not to mock or denigrate anyone? He mocked Christians (not Muslims, of course) by invoking a sacred biblical moment. The opening ceremony denigrated women by parading around men proudly co-opting womanhood. Did Jolly have White people featured in Blackface? Of course not. Thats a social no-no. He showed the world, though, that when it comes to diminishing females to elevate LGBT patriarchy, he certainly can-can.

I think gaslighting should be an Olympic sport. Its so typical when activists sucker punch people, act like the victims, and then blame the targets of their hit-and-run for misunderstanding them.

The Paris Olympics opening ceremonies had a running thread where heterosexual romantic love was barely displayed except in Celine Dions rousing finale song. In Jollys disjointed collection of scenes, there were fleeting shots of books pulled from shelves which were mostly of titles exploring heterosexual adultery and sexual promiscuity. There was no visual depiction of love between a man and a woman, just LGBTQIA+++ sexuality. Since the tableaux were showing historic moments of liberty and the victory over forces of oppression, I guess were to assume that homosexual, bisexual and transgender people have now conquered their oppressors (Christians). The Paris Olympics were preaching their truth and reveling in feeling theyve fulfilled Frances motto of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

It's funny how billions of people didnt feel those warm mushy feelings. It almost felt like the unity had been violently severed by a French guillotine.

But the unity our society often talks about is capitulation and conformity. Unity without the Cross is dangerous. My heart, as a Christian, is to expose darkness (Eph 5:11) and to love people by rejoicing in the Truth (1 Cor 13:6). I know the world will always be the world  lost and confused. The love they often celebrate is a cheap and distorted version of Gods love, kind of like an Olympic reenactment of the Last Supper. Were all sinners in need of a Savior. Hes truly the only one who gives us eternal liberty, equality through adoption into His family, and fraternity through our oneness in Christ.
The God Richard Dawkins doesn't believe in

New Atheist icon and Oxford biologist Richard Dawkins recently asked a surprising question on X. Referring to his most famous book published 18 years ago, Dawkins wrote: "What do religious people think I got wrong in The God Delusion?"

The replies were insightful. One person pointed out that Dawkins depended on methodological naturalism, the belief that only material explanations are valid, but which is, itself, a belief that can't be proven by material explanations. Another pointed out: "[You] spent the majority of the book making a moral case against religion; [but] you state in other works that there isn't objective morality."

In fact, Dawkins' "moral case against religion" is central to The God Delusion. He wrote:

The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a ... capriciously malevolent bully.

These are strange words from a man who wrote elsewhere that:

The universe that we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.

So, which is it? Is the God of the Bible not worth believing in because He's evil, or is evil an illusion? Dawkins seems to have wanted to have his moral indignation and eat it too.

Still, a more fundamental mistake in his bestselling book is one which virtually every prominent New Atheist copied. As Susannah Roberts pointed out in her reply to Dawkins, the main thing he got wrong was the meaning of the word "God." Dawkins wrote as if God is just a bigger and stronger human, a being like the rest of us who merely happens to be very powerful. The god he described was like the polytheistic gods worshipped by the Greeks, Norse, and Egyptians. Dawkins confirmed this was his view in a famous line from the book: "We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further."

Years ago, I met a woman on a plane who challenged me to prove that God exists. I asked, "Well, what do you mean by 'God?'"

She replied, "A grumpy old man with a beard in the sky who can't wait for you to do something wrong so he can strike you with a lightning bolt."

"I don't believe in that god, either," I said. Her definition of God was far more like Zeus than the Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth and Father of Jesus Christ.

The God of Scripture isn't a bigger and stronger human, a petty and selfish being like the pagan gods, nor even like a really powerful angel. God is a category by Himself. He is the ground of being, the "unmoved mover," timeless, spaceless, omniscient, unchangeable, not subject to passions or tantrums, and not fully describable with human language. His character is not answerable to a higher moral law, but is itself the source of that moral law. He is, as James put it, "the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change," and as Daniel wrote, "none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'"

When Dawkins condemned God as a "petty, unjust, unforgiving" bully, he was suggesting God doesn't live up to a moral standard of fairness and mercy. But where did he get that standard to begin with, if not from God?

As C.S. Lewis put it in Mere Christianity:

[T]here is a difficulty about disagreeing with God. He is the source from which all your reasoning power comes: you could not be right and He wrong any more than a stream can rise higher than its own source. When you are arguing against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all: it is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on.

It's refreshing and encouraging to see Richard Dawkins ask a question like this, with this much apparent humility. After all, in the last year or so, he has called himself a "cultural Christian," rebuked unscientific gender ideology, admitted he really likes Christmas carols, and showed genuine curiosity about why his friend and former atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali converted to Christianity. Perhaps, God willing, Dawkins, is on the verge of a similar change. We can and should pray as much.

Still, it's worth noting that the straw-man god that Dawkins and his fellow New Atheists spent two decades denying and denouncing looks nothing like the God of the Christian worldview. Atheist authors could and should realize this, but like philosopher Thomas Nagle famously admitted, a major motivation is the hope that there is no God. So much so, in fact, that Nagle also admitted how unsettling it was that some of the most well-informed and intelligent people he knew believed in God.

For both atheists and believers, it's important to make sure our understanding of God is correct. Thank God for those willing to correct their bad theology.

Copyright 2024 by the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Reprinted from BreakPoint.org with permission.
The revival at Rievaulx: a walk through one of England's finest abbeys

The revival at Rievaulx Abbey is difficult to understand for us modern people, as we rarely value self-denial, and even less often monasticism - even within the Christian community.

But in the twelfth century in England, monasteries were bursting at the seams, and enormous structures were needed to house them. The inspiring spiritual writings of their inhabitants overflow with enthusiasm for God and their experience of abiding in His love and sharing it with one another.

At Rievaulx Abbey, hidden away in a leafy quiet valley of deepest north Yorkshire, enough of the ruins remain to illustrate how large this community once was, full of monks committed to getting closer to God, and willing to renounce sex, money and comfort to do so.

The buildings are an impressive sight when up close, even in their dilapidated state. But when the community was first founded, in 1132, there were just a few wooden huts to house the believers. Building in stone started in 1140, and within a lifetime the structures were the towering spectacles that we can just about still see.

Nowadays it's sometimes believed that those who entered monasteries throughout history were doing so for worldly reasons: avoiding marriage, or poverty, for example. Religious houses could be active in many other ways than prayer and worship, acting as hotels, hospitals, sites of learning, and providers of social welfare in some cases.

While it's possible that other monasteries may have had the allure of worldly income, land rights and relative comfort, the people who joined the new Cistercian monasteries like Rievaulx were making a deliberate choice of complete dedication to God, and the fruits would soon be seen.

The Cistercians rejected luxuries such as stained glass, fine cloth or gold for the altar. More impressively in a world without central heating in the chilly hills of the North York Moors, they also rejected fur-lined boots, warm bedclothes and cloaks. The purpose of this self-denial was to encourage devotion to God and meditation rather than intellectual pursuit.

Such severity might chime with any negative stereotypes of medieval Christianity or religious communities that we happen to hold. But for this particular Abbey at least, inside there was deep spirituality and warm love.

"They offered the monk the chance of a close and mystical union with God," write Lionel Butler and Chris Given-Wilson in Medieval Monasteries of Great Britain.

Any history of the medieval church is limited by sources, but in the case of Rievaulx, its ethos and life is preserved in the many writings of its third abbot, St Aelred of Rievaulx. It was under his 20-year stewardship that the community grew to as many as 600 monks and lay brothers by the time of his death in 1167.

"It was Aelred's patience and compassion towards the weak, the poor and the spiritually afflicted that drew so many novices [new monks] to Rievaulx," write Butler and Given-Wilson.

"His concern was to lead them to a life of fruitful work, prayer and discipline, bringing them peace of mind and spirit in an atmosphere of charity and friendship."

Contemporary biographer Walter Daniel wrote that "his whole concern [was] to love and be loved".

It's perhaps an indication of the spirituality of the community that two of Aelred's best known books are on the subject of love: the Mirror of Charity, and Spiritual Friendship, both in print with Cistercian Publications.

In the latter work, Aelred gave a moving account of walking around the cloister of his monastery: "The brethren were sitting around forming as it were a most loving crown. In the midst, as it were, of the delights of paradise with the leaves, flowers, and fruits of each single tree, I marvelled. In that multitude of brethren I found no one whom I did not love, and no one by whom, I felt sure, I was not loved. I was filled with such joy that it surpassed all the delights of this world." The book vividly describes the importance of Christ as a foundation for friendship.

Starting in Burgundy in 1098, the Cistercians, or 'white monks' on account of their habits, wanted to return to the simplicity and austerity of the earliest followers of the sixth century monk St Benedict, whose sensible "rule" or guide for monastic life was highly influential.

The movement spread rapidly. In the UK, it really took hold in when Walter Espec brought monks from the mother house in France to Rievaulx in 1132 to begin the new community, "which awoke the English enthusiastically to the Cistercian blend of puritanism and compassion," according to Butler and Given-Wilson.

Although Aelred's winsome personality and wise teaching may have contributed to the rapid growth of his community, other local abbeys were similarly well populated in the 12th Century. Rievaulx was part of a Cistercian Yorkshire powerhouse that included Fountains Abbey and Byland Abbey, whose ruins also attract visitors today.

In our current age there are few Christian monasteries or convents that come anywhere near that size, in the UK at least. Yet there are small signs of new life for the monastic ideal: in Yorkshire there are small dedicated communities of enthusiastic young monks and nuns of the Franciscan Friars [or sisters] of the Renewal; in Devon are the Sisters of Mary Morning Star. Other small congregations and communities of committed Christians are gathering, keen to devote themselves to the Lord.

Seeking God at Rievaulx today

Entering Rievaulx Abbey requires 15 for each adult, thanks to English Heritage who manage the site. Perhaps as a result, only a handful of people were present to make use of the three or so staff on hand when I visited.

These sparsely populated ruins perhaps symbolise the spiritual fortunes of our country. Although there is a tiny and beautiful Anglican church next to the ruins - once just the 'slipper chapel' or entrance to the Abbey - it hosts only "occasional services" according to its noticeboard.

Yet over the road, there is a more positive vision, and the local Anglican vicar Rev Melanie Burnside is full of enthusiasm. The Rievaulx Methodist Church has a bright sign outside: "Jesus gives new life and hope!" Advertised on its noticeboard is an 'open air service' where Mike Fitton from the Christian Motorcyclists Association will be preaching.

"I had the blessing of attending and can attest to it being a wonderful, grace-filled event," Rev Burnside told Christian Today. "Mike Fitton spoke movingly about his own path to faith, his ministry and gave an invitation to others to step into the light and love of God.

"When I spoke to Mike afterwards we talked about the significance of being in view of the Abbey as we prayed, of the sense of all those who have gone before, faithful in prayer and worship and about there being something special about the Abbey's brokenness in its enduring beauty."

Inhabited, modern monastic structures are not too far away from Byland and Rievaulx, where pilgrims can board and join in with the worship - the "world's first eco-friendly nunnery" at Stanbrook Abbey, and Ampleforth Abbey, which is adjacent to the eponymous school known as the 'Catholic Eton'. They are relatively modern Catholic communities and buildings, built after post-Reformation legal restrictions were lifted.

There is an attractive walk from the local town of Helmsley towards the abbey, with many other beautiful scenes and places to visit.

The local Christian community has developed a series of walks that pass through local sites of faith called the Saint Aelred Pilgrim Trail that is leading a walk and launch event on 14 September.

Perhaps one day, people will again flock to give their whole lives to the Lord and grow in love for Him and for one another, as these early monks of Rievaulx once did.

Heather Tomlinson is a freelance Christian writer. Find more of her work at https://heathertomlinson.substack.com/ or via X (twitter) @heathertomli
The slow fade of denominational publishing

If the 1970s were dubbed in Christian circles as "the bookstore revolution," the first two decades of the 21st century might be more aptly referred to as the bookstore roller-coaster. Thousands of Christian bookstores closed across the US, including mainstay chains like Family Christian. Meanwhile, Christian publishers were acquired by secular giants. And everyone gave up huge profits to Amazon.

The beginnings of Christian publishing in North America are intimately connected to its settler history  the first Bible ever printed in the Colonies was a translation into Massachusett, an Algonquian language, to share it with Indigenous Americans. In subsequent years, evangelism tracts  inexpensive, easily copied and distributed pamphlets  proliferated.

Today, Christian publishing is an $820 million industry that is in serious flux as the American religious landscape  and the publishing industry writ large  experience massive disruptions. The trajectory of US Christian publishing is complex and defined not only by interconnected trends in religiosity and culture, but by the economy, technology, fads and, of course, book readership (46% of Americans read no books in 2023  double the 2022 figure).

What do these trends mean for smaller, denominational presses, and what challenges do they anticipate in the coming years?

The available data regarding sales in the Christian publishing sector is fragmentary. Beth Lewis, the executive director of PCPA (Protestant Church-owned Publishers Association), agreed. "There are global sales data trackers, such as the Association of American Publishers, who regularly publish general data for categories of book sales, such as 'religion,'" said Lewis. "But they are only capturing data from physical and online bookstores, not direct sales to consumers via a publisher's website. The numbers of sold Bibles, Sunday school curricula, quarterly subscription devotionals and music often eclipse book sales. These resources are frequently sold directly by publishers to churches."

Shrinking churches means the market for Christian print resources diminishes, too.

Brad Lyons, president and publisher at Chalice Press, a Disciples of Christ denominational press, appeared very somber about the outlook of mainline Christian publishing. "The industry as a whole is under siege," he said, citing Amazon's aggressive sales strategies as well as the decline of mainline Protestantism and the growth of evangelical publishing. During the last five years, there have been bumps in sales, however; anti-racist resources began selling during the racial justice protests after the murder of George Floyd; also, faith resources for young children and families were a big success in 2020. Titles that help Christian readers reckon with current affairs are in demand.

David M Hetherington, vice president of Books International, a book fulfillment company (printing, storing, packing, shipping books to customers) that serves mainline Protestant, evangelical, Catholic and Jewish publishers, also addressed the question of Amazon's dominance. "It's the 800-pound gorilla in the room; it's a force to be reckoned with," Hetherington said.

Amazon and other large online sellers "require deep discounts from publishers, eroding publishers' and authors' revenue," explained Lewis.

Jeff Crosby, CEO of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, said in an interview that more than 50% of the publishing and sales of Christian books happens "under a single corporate entity" (which was named by the article author as Amazon). This poses an obvious risk to the viability of the industry, as one distribution channel deeply impacts the finances of the industry.

But there's more. The decline of Christian brick-and-mortar bookstores means it is harder to sell religious books, as secular chain bookstores give them a much smaller "footprint" on the floor. "Selling them is more challenging than it's ever been," said Hetherington.

Global affairs also affect book sales, he pointed out, citing "staggering" cost increases for publishers who manufacture in China or India. First, the pandemic caused the costs to skyrocket; then, the most recent unrest in the Middle East and ensuing attacks on commercial vessels mean costs have increased again; shipments must be rerouted around Africa to reach Europe and the United States.

Brian Flagler and Craig Gipson from Flagler Law Group, a legal firm that advises Christian publishers and other Christian entities on contracts and copyrights, also listed distribution and supply chain problems as major challenges for Christian publishing. They also noted the rise of artificial intelligence. At the 2024 annual meeting of PCPA in St. Louis, AI was one of the main themes.

"We're following the opinions from the US Copyright Office to advise our clients on rights: If you create a book cover using AI platform, can you own the rights? When is it appropriate to use AI to create study guides? And what kind of tasks are we comfortable with AI doing for us to make us more efficient, but without kind of violating any kind of ethical responsibility to readers? New things in the AI field are popping up almost daily that should be considered," Gipson said.

The diversity of the author base is also a concern, said Lyons. "We're not where we want to be yet. I think we have probably a larger number of women authors than most Christian publishers, but I would like to have more authors from the Asian and Hispanic communities."

The answer to some of the challenges that Christian publishing is facing lies in developing new business models, and the most important one, according to Hetherington, is building a strong community with its constituency, especially online. "That way, they can build a community, that they can own that community, that they can cultivate that community, and they are not relegating that community to Amazon."

This understanding is shared by many publishing houses. Cheryl Price, the publisher at Judson Press, talked about other aspects of community-building she intends to put in place. "We're going to have a Judson Press book club. We're going to have writing workshops for aspiring authors, and we're going to publish writing tips on our new website. We're also working on building a digital visual library of authors who will share information about themselves and their books."

Christian publishers understand they need community, too. PCPA members meet regularly to discuss strategies and solutions to problems they all face. Lewis said PCPA is an unusual body, because political differences are left at the door. "Leaning more conservative or liberal, all presses need to deal with issues with sales, distribution and marketing," she said. "PCPA is a place where a publisher can ask a question on the forum, and everyone regardless of their political stance rushes to help. It is pretty unusual given what we are observing in public life today."

 Religion News Service
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his Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. military, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, left, attending a pre-trial session at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. Mohammed is the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. His trial date has been postponed again and again. He remains at Guantanamo, indefinitely.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday withdrew the controversial plea deal for the three men accused of planning the 9/11 attacks.

"Today, Secretary Austin signed a memo reserving for himself the specific authority to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused in the 9/11 military commission cases," the Defense Department said in a press release. "In addition, as the superior convening authority, the Secretary has also withdrawn from the pre-trial agreements that were signed in those cases."

Austin announced the move in a memo addressed to Susan Escallier, the convening authority for military commissions, who had worked to negotiate the deal.

"Effective immediately, I hereby withdraw your authority in the above-referenced case to enter into a pre-trial agreement and reserve such authority to myself," Austin said in the letter, which removes Escallier from the case.

The defense secretary said that he made the determination "in light of the significance" of the decision to make a plea deal, adding that "responsibility for such a decision should rest with me."

Officials said on Wednesday that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin 'Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi had reached plea agreements. The three men were expected to plead guilty to lesser charges that would prevent them from receiving the death penalty, but the terms of the revoked deal remain unknown.

The plea deal had been negotiated among the accused men, their attorneys and Escallier. Officials previously said that the accused had been scheduled to appear at a hearing at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba next week.

Mohammed is accused of being a mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, which killed 2,977 people.

A White House National Security Council spokesperson declined to comment, referring NBC News to the Defense Department. The Defense Department declined to comment beyond the press release.

The plea deal was met with criticism from families of victims and members of Congress.

The Republican-led House Oversight Committee said on Friday before Austin announced his decision that it would open an investigation into the White House's role in the plea deal.

Similarly, Rep. Mike Rogers, the Alabama Republican who serves as the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a letter to Austin that he was "deeply shocked and angered by news" of a plea deal.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who served in the Obama administration, slammed the deal in a Thursday statement.

"The people responsible for structuring this awful deal did the best they could. They were dealt a bad hand by the political hacks and those who lost faith in our justice system," Holder told NBC News.
Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition activist freed from jail in Thursday's prisoner swap, pledged to carry on his political fight against President Vladimir Putin from abroad, but expressed fury at having been deported against his will.

The prisoner swap, the largest since the Cold War, saw eight Russians, including a convicted murderer, exchanged for 16 prisoners in Russian and Belarusian jails, many of them dissidents. It was hailed as a win by Western leaders who feared for the dissidents' lives after the death in jail last year of politician Alexei Navalny.

But Yashin, imprisoned in 2022 for criticising Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said he had not given his consent to deportation and that others in more urgent need of medical care should have gone instead of him.

"From my first day behind bars I said I was not willing to be a part of any exchanges," he said in an emotional news conference in Bonn on Friday during which he occasionally removed his glasses to blink back tears.

He directed his ire not at the Western governments that had secured his release, who he said had faced a difficult moral dilemma, but at the Kremlin for expelling a political rival against his will.

"What happened on Aug. 1 I don't view as a prisoner swap ... but as my illegal expulsion from Russia against my will, and I say sincerely, more than anything I want now to go back home," he added.

He was speaking alongside activists Vladimir Kara-Murza and Andrei Pivovarov at the freed prisoners' first public appearance since arriving in Germany.

On their second day out of prison, where they had had limited contact with the outside world, Kara-Murza and Yashin especially seemed fired with resolve, and to have kept abreast of world events. All expressed scorn for the government of Putin whom Kara-Murza described as an illegitimate usurper. Yashin pledged to continue his work "for Russia" from abroad. "Though I don't yet know how," he added.

Pivovarov agreed: "We will do everything to make our country free and democratic, and get all political prisoners released."

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, commenting on the prisoner exchange on Thursday, said that what he called traitors to his country should rot and die in prison, but that it was more useful for Moscow to get its own people home.
At 23, Denae McGaha had a choice: She could spend her entire savings moving to New York City, or she could take a teaching job halfway across the world. It was 2017, and McGaha, who graduated college just one year earlier, had about $4,000 in her bank account. "It was the most money I'd ever had in my life," she says. McGaha spent the summer after she graduated backpacking through Europe. Then she moved in with her mom on Whidbey Island in Washington and got a job as a barista at a local coffee shop. She saved "every dollar from every shift" to move to New York, where she hoped to pursue a career in marketing  but without a firm job offer and hardly enough savings to cover rent and groceries, the move seemed fruitless. "I felt like such an imposter," McGaha recalls. "Everyone I knew was applying to grad school or landing job offers in big cities, and I was just tired and lost . I had no idea what to do with myself, but I knew I wanted to keep traveling." One of her friends suggested she look at teaching jobs in Budapest, Hungary, noting the teacher shortage there and the short visa processing timeline. Within weeks of submitting her application, McGaha landed a job teaching English to kindergarteners. In August 2017, she quit her barista gig and moved to Budapest. Seven years later, she's still there. "It's a beautiful life," she says.

Landing a remote job abroad

McGaha's teaching contract included a furnished one-bedroom apartment in Budapest, with a monthly stipend to help cover rent and utilities. The job paid about $7,800 a year. She loved teaching  and planned to do it for at least five years  but was laid off in March 2020 when Hungary closed its schools to curb the spread of Covid-19. Around the same time, she moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Budapest's 5th District neighborhood. Her rent, which hasn't changed since she moved in, is about $560 a month. McGaha saw losing her job as a sign from the universe that she should reconsider a career in marketing, a field she had always dreamed of working in. She re-designed the blog she launched soon after moving to Budapest, where she recounts her experiences as an expat and her favorite things to do around the city, and started promoting it more on Instagram and LinkedIn. Businesses found her through her blog and, in 2020, started approaching her to help revamp their own blogs and social media accounts. From those opportunities, "I was able to build even more of a portfolio, and I got approached through Instagram by an acquaintance who worked at a marketing agency in the states about helping them build out their international customer roster," McGaha explains. In 2021, she was hired as a remote digital marketing strategist at Consumer51, a marketing agency based in Philadelphia. The job paid about $50,000 a year. Consumer51, though based in the U.S., prides itself on being a remote-first international company. So working from Europe "was never an issue," McGaha says.

McGaha recently spoke at a networking event at the KUBIK co-working space in Budapest about moving from the U.S. to Hungary. Photo: Ridhwan Rafi

If you want to land a remote job at a U.S. company and work abroad, McGaha recommends targeting organizations that brand themselves as "work from anywhere" or "global remote" employers. Or, stress the advantages of having a remote employee in a different time zone. "With me in Budapest, and my colleagues in other European cities, we're able to be available to our clients 24/7, and also network with more potential clients abroad," she says. The time zone difference helps her be more productive. "My American colleagues log on later than me, so my mornings aren't bogged down by emails or meetings  I can focus and finish more graphic design or copywriting projects in less time," says McGaha.

Achieving financial freedom, working 25 hours per week

In October, McGaha reduced her hours to part-time to help stave off burnout and grow her blog, a move that she says "wouldn't have been possible" financially if she lived in New York or Washington. Budapest has one of the lowest costs of living compared to other European capitals and large U.S. cities. She now works about 20 hours per week as a digital marketing strategist with Consumer 51 and spends a few more hours each week  typically five or six  working on her blog or freelance travel writing assignments. In 2023, McGaha earned about $37,731 from her marketing job and freelance gigs, which she says has been "more than enough" to cover her monthly expenses and still save money to travel and dine out with friends. After paying rent and utilities, McGaha says she aims to spend no more than $150 a week. "I'm grateful that living here has given me so many more options for how to spend and save," McGaha adds. "If I lived in Seattle on my current salary, for example, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the financial freedom I have now or the peace of mind."

Chasing dreams of becoming a digital nomad
Warren Buffett walks the floor and meets with Berkshire Hathaway shareholders ahead of their annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska on May 3rd, 2024.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway dumped nearly half of its gigantic Apple stake last quarter in a surprising move for the famously long-term-focused investor.

The Omaha-based conglomerate disclosed in its earnings filing that its holding in the iPhone maker was valued at $84.2 billion at the end of the second quarter, suggesting that the Oracle of Omaha offloaded a little more than 49% of the tech stake. Even after the selling Apple remains the largest stock stake by far for Berkshire.

The Apple share sale comes amid a broader pattern of selling by Buffett in the second quarter as Berkshire unloaded more than $75 billion in equities in the period, raising the conglomerate's cash fortress to a record $277 billion.

Buffett had trimmed the Apple stake by 13% in the first quarter and hinted at the Berkshire annual meeting in May that it was for tax reasons. Buffett noted that selling "a little Apple" this year would benefit Berkshire shareholders in the long run if the tax on capital gains is raised down the road by a U.S. government wanting to plug a climbing fiscal deficit.

But the magnitude of this selling suggests it could be more than just a tax-saving move.

After declining in the first quarter on concerns it was falling behind on artificial intelligence innovation, Apple shares took off in the second quarter, gaining 23% to a new record as it gave more detail to investors about its future in artificial intelligence.
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown smiles after cutting a doom loop ribbon Saturday at the Love Fest SF block party in the Tenderloin. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown speaks at the Love Fest SF block party in the Tenderloin on Saturday. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown attends the Love Fest SF block party in the Tenderloin on Saturday. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown slices a cake Saturday after cutting a doom loop ribbon at the Love Fest SF block party in the Tenderloin. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Barron Scott Levkoff holds an umbrella at the Love Fest SF block party in the Tenderloin on Saturday. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Luna Finn stands in stilts at the Love Fest SF block party in the Tenderloin on Saturday. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Barron Scott Levkoff attends the Love Fest SF block party with Brixton the dog on Saturday. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Iris Vazquez performs Saturday at the Love Fest SF block party in the Tenderloin. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Sara Glass, who performs as Miss Conception, stands onstage at Love Fest SF on Saturday. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

Former Mayor Willie Brown encouraged San Franciscans to shed their doom and share their love for the city Saturday by launching a community arts and music festival to support small business recovery.

The inaugural Love Fest SF in the Tenderloin featured three stages of DJs and artists devoted to presenting the neighborhood in a positive light often overlooked by news accounts of its struggles. The event is not related to the San Francisco LoveFest, which ran from 2004 to 2009 with a parade, but had the blessings of its founders, Love Fest SF spokesperson Francis Tsang said.

Brown used the free event to declare the death of the doom loop narrative, a self-reinforcing cycle of negative feedback in which one negative event causes another, which worsens the first or leads to a third. He called the label nonsense, a misrepresentation exploited by national news media intent on bashing San Francisco.

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I came here in 1951 out of Texas, and Ive only gone back to Texas to bury people  and Ive never stayed overnight. Thats doom loop, said Brown, 90.

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown cuts a ribbon declaring the doom loop dead at Love Fest SF on Saturday. Love Fest SF

So please enjoy yourself here and help us say to the whole world: This is where you want to visit  if you can afford it, he said.

Adam Swig, executive director of the Value Culture nonprofit, said in a news release promoting the festival: The only thing to break a doom loop is a road block party made from love. We are honored to have Mayor Brown preside over the ending of the doom loop with us.

Along with Value Culture, which produces artistic and cultural events, Love Fest SF was organized by the Tenderloin Merchant and Property Owners Association and AW3 Technology, with support from the Civic Joy Fund and the San Francisco Municipal Railway.

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The city is having its best summer ever, and with Burning Man and Outside Lands coming up, we are providing a unique inclusive experience with similar vibes, Will Schulz of AW3 Technology said in the release.

A group gathers Saturday at the Love Fest SF block party in the Tenderloin. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

Rene Colorado, executive director of the Tenderloin Merchant and Property Owners Association, said in the release that he has a strong emotional connection to the neighborhoods challenges because he has been homeless.

What we love about this festival is all the food and drink vendors are the businesses operating on Larkin Street, he said. They all need love right now due to the negative impact from the doom loop narrative. These mom-and-pop businesses welcome you to the Tenderloin.

Brown said he wishes Love Fest, which spanned two blocks on Larkin Street between Eddy and OFarrell streets, was a monthly event.

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A slate-throated redstart, rarely seen in California, has been spotted at Pine Lake Park near Stern Grove in San Francisco. Courtesy of Langtian Lang Spotting a slate-throated redstart in San Francisco is a mega rarity, a birder says. Courtesy of Langtian Lang A slate-throated redstart, a species regularly seen in southeast Arizona that has been spotted in New Mexico and Texas, has now been spotted in San Francisco. Courtesy of Langtian Lang

Dominik Mosur was mimicking the sound of a bird call while on a walk through the park by San Franciscos Pine Lake last Monday afternoon when something stunning happened: A tiny little bird, with vermilion red underparts and a dark chestnut crown, popped up into his view.

For the first known time in California, Mosur had spotted a slate-throated redstart, a species of bird seen in Mexico and South America. Mosur dropped down to his knees on the trail and began taking pictures before putting the word out.

Within the hour, two to three dozen birders gathered. It was the rarest sighting of his more than two decades of bird watching  and big news for the birding community.

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It was pretty amazing, said Mosur, who bird-watches both as a hobby and for a living as an animal exhibit curator for the Randall Museum in Corona Heights Park. I said a little prayer, thanked the creator for putting me in this place at the right time.

Birders from as far as San Diego and Florida have flocked to San Francisco to get a look at a slate-throated redstart near Stern Grove. Courtesy of Mark Sawyer

Commonplace in the American tropics, the slate-throated redstart has rarely wandered north from Mexico into the American Southwest, according to the National Audubon Society.

The bird is about three nickels worth of feathers and bone, Mosur said. Its bigger than a hummingbird, smaller than a sparrow and about the size of a goldfinch.

The one he spotted has been seen as recently as Saturday morning hopping around in the willows on the south side of Pine Lake, near Stern Grove. Based on its red underparts, Mosur said it probably came from the Sierra Madre in Northern Mexico.

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In the days since his discovery, bird watchers from as far away as San Diego and even Florida have flocked to San Francisco to get a look at the little bird, Mosur said. The sighting was featured on a podcast by the nonprofit American Birding Association.

California really does have it all from a natural history perspective, host Nate Swick said on the American Birding Podcast. So when California added a new species to its already quite expansive state list, it is a big deal. This week, they got one.

While the bird is regularly seen in southeast Arizona and has also been spotted in New Mexico and Texas, Swick said the sighting in San Francisco was an outlier.

The slate-throated redstart, spotted for the first time in California, has rarely wandered north from Mexico into the American Southwest. Courtesy of Langtian Lang

Langtian Lang felt extremely lucky that the bird landed so close to his home on the west side of San Francisco. The local birder, who birds with wife Kaylyn and 19-month-old son Lukas on the weekends, went to see the slate-throated redstart on Wednesday.

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I wasnt sure it was real at the beginning until some of the photos came out, and then definitely was excited, Lang said. This was a bird Id never heard of before.

He called the sighting a mega rarity.

Amanda Seyfer drove from Oakland with a friend to see the bird Saturday morning. They werent the only ones there. Seyfer and her friend joined a group of people with binoculars who followed the bird as it jumped from branch to branch, deep in the brush.

It was really cool, Seyfer said. Its a very cute bird.

A slate-throated redstart, a species of bird seen in Mexico and South America, has been spotted for the first time in California at Pine Lake Park near Stern Grove in San Francisco. Courtesy of Langtian Lang

Mosur has gone back to see the bird several times since he first spotted it.

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A birder since 2001, Mosur has made rare sightings in the city before. He leads bird walks and is always on the lookout for birds, which he said is like playing real-life Pokemon.

But spotting a bird before anyone else in the state of California is a first for him.

Ten years ago, I would have said this is the crowning achievement of my career, he said. Nowadays, I just think this is really cool.

I hope this gets attention to birding.
While taking a break from producing the upcoming Spaceballs sequel that somehow exists, this past weekend Mel Brooks presented a special screening of Blazing Saddles in L.A. to celebrate the films 50th anniversary. Which might be the best possible way to view Blazing Saddles, other than on horseback in 1974.

Brooks was, according to IndieWire, full of great stories about the making of the film, as one would expect. For example, he described how the head of Warner Bros. once had him dragged by the nape of the neck into an office, at which point he was thrown a legal pad and a Sharpie and told, Write: No hitting an old lady  out. No hitting a horse  out. No farting  out.

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So Brooks promptly crumpled up his notes and threw (them) in the waste basket, reasoning, Why listen to anything? I wouldve had an 11-minute movie.

He also informed the audience that his character, the villainous Governor William J. Le Petomane, got his name because Le Petomane is a French word for farting, and that when he won his Oscar for Best Screenplay for The Producers, he had nothing prepared because he was up against Stanley Kubrick, who was nominated for 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Battle of Algiers Gillo Pontecorvo.

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I said, Theres no chance of my winning, so just go there and wear my tuxedo and enjoy the night, Brooks explained. But when it came to Original Screenplay, Frank Sinatra and Don Rickles, they called, Mel Brooks. I was petrified. I didnt have a speech.

But perhaps one of the best stories of the night involved the Duke  not some inbred British royal, but John Wayne.

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Brooks first thought of the legendary cowboy actor for Blazing Saddles the Waco Kid. I wanted authenticity. I wanted the Waco Kid to actually have been a Western movie actor, so that he would lend a kind of authentic character to the movie, Brooks told the crowd.

By chance, Brooks spotted Wayne at the cafe in the Warner Bros. lot, just four tables away from his. So I walked over and I said, Mr. Wayne. I made a movie called Blazing Saddles, Brooks recalled, Its a comedy, but it has a lot of heart. Theres a great part in it that I wish you would play. He said, Okay. You know what? I know you. I saw The Producers, and I laughed my head off. You are a very funny guy. Id love to read it.

After Brooks obtained a copy of his script  by frantically screaming Get me a script! Get me a script! Get me a script!  he gave it to Wayne, who agreed to meet him in the same exact spot in 24 hours time. When Brooks and Wayne finally reconnected, the actor told him, I laughed my ass off, but I couldnt make it. Its too dirty. The part was later cast with another legit Western actor, Gig Young, who later had to be replaced by Gene Wilder.

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Of course, had noted racist John Wayne gotten the part, Blazing Saddles probably would have required an even lengthier contextual preamble on TV.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
Punkie Johnsons departure from Saturday Night Live this week is the latest evidence that, more often than not, stand-up comics have a hard time making the transition to sketch comedy. Bill Murray called it. Nowadays theres probably more stand-ups that end up on the show, sort of more individual guys, than there used to be, he says in SNL oral history Live From New York. Theyre individually good, but they maybe dont have that particular skill or training or as much experience in that area.

That area is sketch comedy. Thats why so many of the shows all-time great cast members  John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Kristin Wiig, Kenan Thompson and Bill Hader, to name a few  came to the show from a sketch comedy background, often trained at Second City or the Groundlings. In Murrays view, his cast made bad sketches work, or made sketches that were incomplete work, thanks to that ensemble education and experience.

Stand-up comics, on the other hand, have a much spottier track record on the show. Even standouts like Dennis Miller and Norm Macdonald, both of whom came to the show from the stand-up stage, brought their solo acts to SNL by manning the Weekend Update desk. Theres a reason you rarely saw Miller in a sketch, cha-cha.

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But theres hope for Punkie Johnson  stand-ups who stumble on Saturday Night Live often find more success after they leave the show. Here are five good examples

1 Chris Rock Other stuff may have been going on during Rocks tenure  the shows lack of Black writers didnt help  but Rock never completely found his groove as a sketch comic. (He didnt exactly kill it on In Living Color either.) The good news for Rock: Leaving the show freed him up to be the best stand-up comedian in the world for a good stretch.

2 Sarah Silverman Advertisement Silverman was likely too young, in addition to having no sketch experience, when she floundered for a year on SNL. A decade later, she won hearts with stand-up specials like Jesus is Magic.

3 Colin Quinn Advertisement Quinns likable-loudmouth-at-the-end-of-the-bar persona didnt translate well to sketch characters  or even to telling jokes on Weekend Update. He was much more in his element on Tough Crowd, his Comedy Central panel show where he could riff with other stand-ups.

4 Gilbert Gottfried Advertisement The beloved stand-up couldnt stand out on SNL, even among what is often recognized as the worst cast ever. It was only in the back half of his career that Disney (in Aladdin) and the folks at Aflac (in their commercials) realized that the best (and, really, only) Gilbert Gottfried character was Gilbert Gottfried.